CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
This Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2005, is by and between FIRST EAGLE
FUNDS AND FIRST EAGLE VARIABLE FUNDS, each a business trust organized and
existing under the laws of Delaware (the "Fund"), and STATE STREET BANK and
TRUST COMPANY, a Massachusetts trust company (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 that this Agreement initially be applicable to
the series listed on Schedule 1 hereto (such series together with all other
series subsequently established by the Fund and made subject to this Agreement
in accordance with Section 17.2, be referred to herein as the "Portfolio(s)");
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1. EMPLOYMENT OF CUSTODIAN AND PROPERTY TO BE HELD BY IT. The Fund
hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of 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"). 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 Portfolio held or received by the Portfolio
and not delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (as such term is defined in Section 6
hereof), 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 (the
"Board") on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s). 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 Schedules A and B hereto, but only in accordance with
the applicable provisions of Sections 3 and 4. The Custodian shall have no more
or less responsibility or liability to the Fund on account of any actions or
omissions of any sub-custodian so employed than any such sub-custodian has to
the Custodian at the time of the actions or omissions of the sub-custodian.
SECTION 2. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND HELD BY
THE CUSTODIAN IN THE UNITED STATES
SECTION 2.1 HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall hold and physically
segregate for the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property, to be held by
it in the United States,
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including all domestic securities owned by such Portfolio other than securities
which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.8 in a clearing agency which acts as
a securities depository or in a book-entry system authorized by the U.S.
Department of the Treasury (each, a "U.S. Securities System").
SECTION 2.2 DELIVERY OF SECURITIES. The Custodian shall release and
deliver domestic securities owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian or in a
U.S. Securities System account of the Custodian only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions 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 2.8 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 2.7 or into the name or nominee name of any
sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 1; or for exchange for a
different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence
representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units;
provided that, in any such case, the new securities are to be
delivered to the Custodian;
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;
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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 if the Portfolios determine to engage in
securities lending activities (which shall be subject to a separate
agreement if the Custodian is the agent of the Fund therefor), and
only against receipt of adequate collateral as agreed upon from time
to time by the Fund (and the Custodian if the Custodian is the agent
of the Fund therefore) 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, subject to the provisions of
Section 14, 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 borrowing 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, except that where additional collateral is required to
secure a borrowing already made, upon Custodian's receipt of Proper
Instructions, further securities may be released and delivered for
that purpose;
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 ("CFTC") 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 for the Fund
(the "Transfer Agent") for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to the
holders of Shares in connection with distributions in kind, as may
be described from time to time in the currently effective prospectus
and statement of additional information of the Fund related to the
Portfolio (the "Prospectus"), in satisfaction of requests by holders
of Shares for repurchase or redemption;
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15) For delivery as initial or variation margin in connection with
futures or options on futures contracts entered into by the Fund on
behalf of the Portfolio; and
16) For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions
from the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio specifying the
securities of the Portfolio to be delivered and naming the person or
persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.
SECTION 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 advisor as the Portfolio, or in the name or nominee name of
any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.7 or in the name or nominee name of
any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 1. All securities accepted by
the Custodian on behalf of the Portfolio under the terms of this Agreement shall
be in "street name" or other good delivery form. If, however, the Fund directs
the Custodian to maintain securities in "street name", the Custodian shall
utilize its best efforts only to timely collect income due the Fund on such
securities and to notify the Fund on a best efforts basis only of relevant
corporate actions including, without limitation, pendency of calls, maturities,
tender or exchange offers.
SECTION 2.4 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall open and maintain a
separate bank account or accounts in the United States in the name of each
Portfolio of the Fund, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall hold in such account or
accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for
the account of the 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, as amended (the "1940 Act"). 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 1940 Act 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. Such
funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall
be withdrawable by the Custodian only in that capacity.
SECTION 2.5 COLLECTION OF INCOME. Subject to the provisions of Section
2.3, the Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments
with respect to registered domestic securities held hereunder to which 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
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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.
SECTION 2.6 PAYMENT OF FUND MONIES. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions 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 1940 Act to act as a custodian and has been
designated by the Custodian as its agent for this purpose)
registered in the name of the 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 2.8 hereof; (c) 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 (d)
for transfer to a time deposit account of the Fund in any bank,
whether domestic or foreign; such transfer may be effected prior to
receipt of a confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable bank
pursuant to Proper Instructions from the Fund as defined herein;
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 as set forth in
Section 5 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 declared pursuant to the
governing documents of the Fund;
6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
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7) For delivery as initial or variation margin in connection with
futures or options on futures contracts entered into by the Fund on
behalf of the Portfolio; and
8) For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions
from the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio specifying the amount of
such payment and naming the person or persons to whom such payment
is to be made.
SECTION 2.7 APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS. The Custodian may at any time or times
in its discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust
company which is itself qualified under the 1940 Act to act as a custodian, as
its agent to carry out such of the provisions of this Section 2 as the Custodian
may from time to time direct; provided, however, that the appointment of any
agent shall not relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities
hereunder.
SECTION 2.8 DEPOSIT OF FUND 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 compliance with the conditions of Rule 17f-4 of the 1940
Act, as amended from time to time.
SECTION 2.9 SEGREGATED ACCOUNT. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
Instructions 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 2.8
hereof, (i) 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
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 CFTC 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 of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC"), or interpretative opinion of the staff of the SEC, relating to the
maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies, and (iv)
for any other purpose upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on
behalf of the applicable Portfolio.
SECTION 2.10 OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES FOR TAX PURPOSES. The Custodian shall
execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and
state tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with
respect to domestic securities of each Portfolio held by it and in connection
with transfers of securities.
SECTION 2.11 PROXIES. The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic
securities held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered
holder of such securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in
the name of the 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.
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SECTION 2.12 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 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 (including, upon actual receipt,
from any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 1 hereof or any agent
appointed pursuant to Section 2.7 hereof) from issuers of the securities whose
tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or its agents) making the
tender or exchange offer. Unless alternative procedures are mutually agreed upon
in respect of particular transactions, 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 two (2) business
days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take such action. In cases
when the Fund provides the Custodian with less than two (2) business days'
notice of its desired action, the Custodian shall use reasonable efforts to
timely transmit the Fund's notice to the appropriate party.
SECTION 3. PROVISIONS RELATING TO RULES 17F-5 AND 17F-7
SECTION 3.1. DEFINITIONS. As used throughout this Agreement, the
capitalized terms set forth below shall have the indicated meanings:
"Country Risk" means all factors reasonably related to the systemic risk of
holding Foreign Assets in a particular country including, but not limited to,
such country's political environment, economic and financial infrastructure
(including any Eligible Securities Depository operating in the country),
prevailing or developing custody and settlement practices, and laws and
regulations applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Foreign Assets held in
custody in that country.
"Eligible Foreign Custodian" has the meaning set forth in section (a)(1) of Rule
17f-5, including a majority-owned or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. Bank (as
defined in Rule 17f-5), a bank holding company meeting the requirements of an
Eligible Foreign Custodian (as set forth in Rule 17f-5 or by other appropriate
action of the SEC, or a foreign branch of a Bank (as defined in Section 2(a)(5)
of the 0000 Xxx) meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of
the 1940 Act; the term does not include any Eligible Securities Depository.
"Eligible Securities Depository" has the meaning set forth in section (b)(1) of
Rule 17f-7.
"Foreign Assets" means any of the Portfolios' investments (including foreign
currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States and such
cash and cash equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Portfolios'
transactions in such investments.
"Foreign Custody Manager" has the meaning set forth in section (a)(3) of Rule
17f-5.
"Rule 17f-5" means Rule 17f-5 promulgated under the 1940 Act.
"Rule 17f-7" means Rule 17f-7 promulgated under the 1940 Act.
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SECTION 3.2. THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER.
3.2.1 DELEGATION TO THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER. The Fund, by
resolution adopted by its Board, hereby delegates to the Custodian, subject to
Section (b) of Rule 17f-5, the responsibilities set forth in this Section 3.2
with respect to Foreign Assets of the Portfolios held outside the United States,
and the Custodian hereby accepts such delegation as Foreign Custody Manager with
respect to the Portfolios.
3.2.2 COUNTRIES COVERED. The Foreign Custody Manager shall be responsible
for performing the delegated responsibilities defined below only with respect to
the countries and custody arrangements for each such country listed on Schedule
A to this Agreement, which list of countries may be amended from time to time by
the Fund with the agreement of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody
Manager shall list on Schedule A the Eligible Foreign Custodians selected by the
Foreign Custody Manager to maintain the assets of the Portfolios, which list of
Eligible Foreign Custodians may be amended from time to time in the sole
discretion of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager will
provide amended versions of Schedule A in accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereof.
Upon the receipt by the Foreign Custody Manager of Proper Instructions to open
an account or to place or maintain Foreign Assets in a country listed on
Schedule A, and the fulfillment by the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios, of the
applicable account opening requirements for such country, the Foreign Custody
Manager shall be deemed to have been delegated by the Board on behalf of the
Portfolios responsibility as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to that
country and to have accepted such delegation. Execution of this Agreement by the
Fund shall be deemed to be a Proper Instruction to open an account, or to place
or maintain Foreign Assets, in each country listed on Schedule A in which the
Custodian has previously placed or currently maintains Foreign Assets pursuant
to the terms of the Agreement. Following the receipt of Proper Instructions
directing the Foreign Custody Manager to close the account of a Portfolio with
the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in a
designated country, the delegation by the Board on behalf of the Portfolios to
the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager for that country shall be deemed to
have been withdrawn and the Custodian shall immediately cease to be the Foreign
Custody Manager of the Portfolios with respect to that country.
The Foreign Custody Manager may withdraw its acceptance of delegated
responsibilities with respect to a designated country upon written notice to the
Fund. Thirty days (or such longer period to which the parties agree in writing)
after receipt of any such notice by the Fund, the Custodian shall have no
further responsibility in its capacity as Foreign Custody Manager to the Fund
with respect to the country as to which the Custodian's acceptance of delegation
is withdrawn.
3.2.3 SCOPE OF DELEGATED RESPONSIBILITIES:
(a) SELECTION OF ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS. Subject to the provisions of
this Section 3.2, the Foreign Custody Manager may place and maintain the Foreign
Assets in the care of the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign
Custody Manager in each country listed on Schedule A, as amended from time to
time. In performing its delegated responsibilities
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as Foreign Custody Manager to place or maintain Foreign Assets with an Eligible
Foreign Custodian, the Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the Foreign
Assets will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to
custodians in the country in which the Foreign Assets will be held by that
Eligible Foreign Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the
safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation the factors specified
in Rule 17f-5(c)(1).
(b) CONTRACTS WITH ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS. The Foreign Custody
Manager shall determine that the contract governing the foreign custody
arrangements with each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign
Custody Manager will satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(2).
(c) MONITORING. In each case in which the Foreign Custody Manager
maintains Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the
Foreign Custody Manager, the Foreign Custody Manager shall establish a system to
monitor (i) the appropriateness of maintaining the Foreign Assets with such
Eligible Foreign Custodian and (ii) the contract governing the custody
arrangements established by the Foreign Custody Manager with the Eligible
Foreign Custodian. In the event the Foreign Custody Manager determines that the
custody arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian it has selected are no
longer appropriate, the Foreign Custody Manager shall notify the Board in
accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereunder.
3.2.4 GUIDELINES FOR THE EXERCISE OF DELEGATED AUTHORITY. For purposes of
this Section 3.2, the Board shall be deemed to have considered and determined to
accept such Country Risk as is incurred by placing and maintaining the Foreign
Assets in each country for which the Custodian is serving as Foreign Custody
Manager of the Portfolios.
3.2.5 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. The Foreign Custody Manager shall report the
withdrawal of the Foreign Assets from an Eligible Foreign Custodian and the
placement of such Foreign Assets with another Eligible Foreign Custodian by
providing to the Board an amended Schedule A at the end of the calendar quarter
(or more frequently as reasonably specified by the Board) in which an amendment
to such Schedule has occurred. The Foreign Custody Manager shall make written
reports containing such information as the Fund or the Board may reasonably
request and at such times as reasonably specified by the Board but at least
quarterly, including notifying the Board of any other material change in the
foreign custody arrangements of the Portfolios described in this Section 3.2
after the occurrence of the material change; provided, that the information is
readily available to the Custodian and that the Fund and the Custodian have
agreed to the Custodian's compensation payable with respect to such information
and reports other than those required by Rule 17f-5(b)(2) under the 1940 Act.
3.2.6 STANDARD OF CARE AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER OF A PORTFOLIO. In
performing the responsibilities delegated to it, the Foreign Custody Manager
agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person
having responsibility for the safekeeping of assets of management investment
companies registered under the 1940 Act would exercise.
3.2.7 REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO RULE 17F-5. The Foreign Custody
Manager represents to the Fund that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in section
(a)(7) of Rule 17f-5. The Fund
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represents to the Custodian that the Board has determined that it is reasonable
for the Board to rely on the Custodian to perform the responsibilities delegated
pursuant to this Agreement to the Custodian as the Foreign Custody Manager of
the Portfolios.
3.2.8 EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION OF THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY
MANAGER. The Board's delegation to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of
the Portfolios shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall remain in
effect until terminated at any time, without penalty, by written notice from the
terminating party to the non-terminating party. Termination will become
effective thirty (30) days after receipt by the non-terminating party of such
notice. The provisions of Section 3.2.2 hereof shall govern the delegation to
and termination of the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios
with respect to designated countries.
SECTION 3.3 ELIGIBLE SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES.
3.3.1 ANALYSIS AND MONITORING. The Custodian shall (a) provide the Fund
(or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment advisor) with an
analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the
Eligible Securities Depositories set forth on Schedule B hereto in accordance
with section (a)(1)(i)(A) of Rule 17f-7, and (b) monitor such risks on a
continuing basis, and promptly notify the Fund (or its duly-authorized
investment manager or investment advisor) of any material change in such risks,
in accordance with section (a)(1)(i)(B) of Rule 17f-7.
3.3.2 STANDARD OF CARE. The Custodian agrees to exercise reasonable care,
prudence and diligence in performing the duties set forth in Section 3.3.1.
SECTION 4. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE PORTFOLIOS
HELD OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES
SECTION 4.1 DEFINITIONS. As used throughout this Agreement, the
capitalized terms set forth below shall have the indicated meanings:
"Foreign Securities System" means an Eligible Securities Depository listed on
Schedule B hereto.
"Foreign Sub-Custodian" means a foreign banking institution serving as an
Eligible Foreign Custodian.
SECTION 4.2. HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall identify on its books
as belonging to the Portfolios the foreign securities held by each Foreign
Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities System. The Custodian may hold foreign
securities for all of its customers, including the Portfolios, with any Foreign
Sub-Custodian in an account that is identified as belonging to the Custodian for
the benefit of its customers, provided however, that (i) the records of the
Custodian with respect to foreign securities of the Portfolios which are
maintained in such account shall identify those securities as belonging to the
Portfolios and (ii), to the extent permitted and customary in the market in
which the account is maintained, the Custodian shall require that securities so
held by the Foreign Sub-Custodian be held separately from any assets of such
Foreign Sub-Custodian or of other customers of such Foreign Sub-Custodian.
10
SECTION 4.3. FOREIGN SECURITIES SYSTEMS. Foreign securities shall be
maintained in a Foreign Securities System in a designated country through
arrangements implemented by the Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian, as
applicable, in such country.
SECTION 4.4. TRANSACTIONS IN FOREIGN CUSTODY ACCOUNT.
4.4.1. DELIVERY OF FOREIGN ASSETS. The Custodian or a Foreign
Sub-Custodian shall release and deliver foreign securities of the Portfolios
held by the Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian, or in a Foreign Securities
System account, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be
continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the
following cases:
(i) upon the sale of such foreign securities for the Portfolio in
accordance with commercially reasonable market practice in the
country where such foreign securities are held or traded,
including, without limitation: (A) delivery against expectation of
receiving later payment; or (B) in the case of a sale effected
through a Foreign Securities System, in accordance with the rules
governing the operation of the Foreign Securities System;
(ii) in connection with any repurchase agreement related to foreign
securities;
(iii) to the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar
offers for foreign securities of the Portfolios;
(iv) to the issuer thereof or its agent when such foreign securities are
called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable;
(v) to the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of
the Custodian (or the name of the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian
or of any nominee of the Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian)
or for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or
other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or
number of units;
(vi) to brokers, clearing banks or other clearing agents for examination
or trade execution in accordance with market custom; provided that
in any such case the Foreign Sub-Custodian shall have no
responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the delivery
of such securities prior to receiving payment for such securities
except as may arise from the Foreign Sub-Custodian's own negligence
or willful misconduct;
(vii) 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;
11
(viii) in the case of warrants, rights or similar foreign securities, the
surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or
similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or
temporary securities for definitive securities;
(ix) for delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by the
Portfolios requiring a pledge of assets by the Portfolios;
(x) for delivery as initial or variation margin in connection with
futures or options on futures contracts entered into by the Fund on
behalf of the Portfolio;
(xi) in connection with the lending of foreign securities; and
(xii) for any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions
specifying the foreign securities to be delivered and naming the
person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be
made.
4.4.2. PAYMENT OF PORTFOLIO MONIES. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions,
which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the
Custodian shall pay out, or direct the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian or the
respective Foreign Securities System to pay out, monies of a Portfolio in the
following cases only:
(i) upon the purchase of foreign securities for the Portfolio, unless
otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, by (A) delivering money
to the seller thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such
seller or dealer) against expectation of receiving later delivery
of such foreign securities; or (B) in the case of a purchase
effected through a Foreign Securities System, in accordance with
the rules governing the operation of such Foreign Securities
System;
(ii) in connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender of foreign
securities of the Portfolio;
(iii) for the payment of any expense or liability of the Portfolio,
including but not limited to the following payments: interest,
taxes, investment advisory fees, transfer agency fees, fees under
this Agreement, legal fees, accounting fees, and other operating
expenses;
(iv) for the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign exchange
contracts for the Portfolio, including transactions executed with
or through the Custodian or its Foreign Sub-Custodians;
(v) for delivery as initial or variation margin in connection with
futures or options on futures contracts entered into by the Fund on
behalf of the Portfolio;
(vi) for payment of part or all of the dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
(vii) in connection with the borrowing or lending of foreign securities;
and
12
(viii) for any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions
specifying the amount of such payment and naming the person or
persons to whom such payment is to be made.
4.4.3. MARKET CONDITIONS. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement
to the contrary, settlement and payment for Foreign Assets received for the
account of the Portfolios and delivery of Foreign Assets maintained for the
account of the Portfolios may be effected in accordance with the customary
established securities trading or processing practices and procedures in the
country or market in which the transaction occurs, including, without
limitation, delivering Foreign Assets to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer
therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer) with the expectation of
receiving later payment for such Foreign Assets from such purchaser or dealer.
The Custodian shall provide to the Board the information with respect to custody
and settlement practices in countries in which the Custodian employs a Foreign
Sub-Custodian described on Schedule C hereto at the time or times set forth on
such Schedule. The Custodian may revise Schedule C from time to time, provided
that no such revision shall result in the Board being provided with
substantively less information than had been previously provided hereunder.
SECTION 4.5. REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN SECURITIES. The foreign securities
maintained in the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian (other than bearer
securities) shall be registered in the name of the applicable Portfolio or in
the name of the Custodian or in the name of any Foreign Sub-Custodian or in the
name of any nominee of the foregoing, and the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio
agrees to hold any such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of
record of such foreign securities. The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian
shall not be obligated to accept securities on behalf of a Portfolio under the
terms of this Agreement unless the form of such securities and the manner in
which they are delivered are in accordance with reasonable market practice.
SECTION 4.6 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall identify on its books as
belonging to the Fund cash (including cash denominated in foreign currencies)
deposited with the Custodian. Where the Custodian is unable to maintain, or
market practice does not facilitate the maintenance of, cash on the books of the
Custodian, a bank account or bank accounts shall be opened and maintained
outside the United States on behalf of a Portfolio with a Foreign Sub-Custodian.
All accounts referred to in this Section shall be subject only to draft or order
by the Custodian (or, if applicable, such Foreign Sub-Custodian) acting pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement to hold cash received by or from or for the
account of the Portfolio. Cash maintained on the books of the Custodian
(including its branches, subsidiaries and affiliates), regardless of currency
denomination, is maintained in bank accounts established under, and subject to
the laws of, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
SECTION 4.7. COLLECTION OF INCOME. The Custodian shall use reasonable
commercial efforts to collect all income and other payments with respect to the
Foreign Assets held hereunder to which the Portfolios shall be entitled and
shall credit such income, as collected, to the applicable Portfolio. In the
event that extraordinary measures are required to collect such income, the Fund
and the Custodian shall consult as to such measures and as to the compensation
and expenses of the Custodian relating to such measures.
13
SECTION 4.8 SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS. With respect to the foreign securities
held pursuant to this Section 4, the Custodian will use reasonable commercial
efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and other shareholder rights,
subject always to the laws, regulations and practical constraints that may exist
in the country where such securities are issued. The Fund acknowledges that
local conditions, including lack of regulation, onerous procedural obligations,
lack of notice and other factors may have the effect of severely limiting the
ability of the Fund to exercise shareholder rights.
SECTION 4.9. COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO FOREIGN SECURITIES. The Custodian
shall transmit promptly to the Fund written information with respect to
materials received by the Custodian via the Foreign Sub-Custodians from issuers
of the foreign securities being held for the account of the Portfolios
(including, without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of foreign
securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith). With respect to
tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund
written information with respect to materials so received by the Custodian from
issuers of the foreign securities whose tender or exchange is sought or from the
party (or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer. Subject to the
provisions of Section 14, the Custodian shall not be liable for any untimely
exercise of any tender, exchange or other right or power in connection with
foreign securities or other property of the Portfolios at any time held by it
unless (i) the Custodian or the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian is in actual
possession of such foreign securities or property and (ii) the Custodian
receives Proper Instructions with regard to the exercise of any such right or
power, and both (i) and (ii) occur at least two (2) business days prior to the
date on which the Custodian is to take action to exercise such right or power.
SECTION 4.10. LIABILITY OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS. Each agreement pursuant
to which the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall, to the extent
possible, require the Foreign Sub-Custodian to exercise reasonable care in the
performance of its duties, and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the Custodian
from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out
of or in connection with the Foreign Sub-Custodian's performance of such
obligations. The Custodian shall notify the Fund of any such agreement with a
Sub-Custodian not meeting the standards to be sought under the preceding
sentence pursuant to the requirements of Section 3.2.5 and upon the request of
the Fund at any time with respect to any particular market. At the Fund's
election, the Portfolios shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the
Custodian with respect to any claims against a Foreign Sub-Custodian as a
consequence of any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and
to the extent that the Portfolios have not been made whole for any such loss,
damage, cost, expense, liability or claim.
SECTION 4.11 TAX LAW. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or
liability for any obligations now or hereafter imposed on the Fund, the
Portfolios or the Custodian as custodian of the Portfolios by the tax law of the
United States or of any state or political subdivision thereof. It shall be the
responsibility of the Fund to notify the Custodian of the obligations imposed on
the Fund with respect to the Portfolios or the Custodian as custodian of the
Portfolios by the tax law of countries other than those mentioned in the above
sentence, including responsibility for withholding and other taxes, assessments
or other governmental charges, certifications and governmental reporting. The
sole responsibility of the Custodian with regard to such tax law shall be to use
reasonable efforts to assist the Fund with respect to any claim for exemption or
refund under the tax law of countries for which the Fund has provided such
information.
14
SECTION 4.12. LIABILITY OF CUSTODIAN. The Custodian shall be liable for
the acts or omissions of a Foreign Sub-Custodian to the same extent as set forth
with respect to sub-custodians generally in the Agreement and, regardless of
whether assets are maintained in the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian or a
Foreign Securities System, the Custodian shall not be liable for any loss,
damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from nationalization,
expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of war or terrorism, or any other
loss where the Sub-Custodian has otherwise acted with reasonable care.
SECTION 5. PAYMENTS FOR SALES OR REPURCHASES OR REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES. The
Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Shares or from the Transfer
Agent and deposit into the account of the appropriate Portfolio such payments as
are received for Shares thereof issued or sold from time to time by the Fund.
The Custodian will provide timely notification to the Fund 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, the Custodian shall, upon
receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for
payment to holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request
for redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In connection with the redemption
or repurchase of Shares, the Custodian is authorized upon receipt of
instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial
bank designated by the redeeming shareholders. In connection with the redemption
or repurchase of Shares, the Custodian shall honor checks drawn on the Custodian
by a holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished by the Fund to the
holder of Shares, when presented to the Custodian in accordance with such
procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from time to time between
the Fund and the Custodian.
SECTION 6. PROPER INSTRUCTIONS. Proper Instructions, which may also be standing
instructions, as used throughout this Agreement, shall mean instructions
received by the Custodian from the Fund, the Fund's investment manager, or a
person or entity duly authorized by either of them. Such instructions may be in
writing signed by the authorized person or persons or may be in a tested
communication or in a communication utilizing access codes effected between
electro-mechanical or electronic devices or may be by such other means and
utilizing such intermediary systems and utilities as may be agreed to from time
to time by the Custodian and the person or entity giving such instructions,
provided that the Fund has followed any security procedures agreed to from time
to time by the Fund and the Custodian, including, but not limited to, the
security procedures selected by the Fund in the Funds Transfer Addendum to this
Agreement. 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 promptly in writing. For purposes of
this Section, Proper Instructions shall include instructions received by the
Custodian pursuant to any multi-party agreement which requires a segregated
asset account in accordance with Section 2.10 of this Agreement. The Fund or the
Fund's investment manager shall cause its duly authorized officer to certify to
the Custodian in writing the names and specimen signatures of persons authorized
to give Proper Instructions, together with a statement as to the number of such
authorized persons (if more than one) whose signature or approval is required
with respect to particular types of transactions. The Custodian shall be
entitled to rely upon the identity and authority of such persons until it
receives notice
15
from the Fund to the contrary.
SECTION 7. ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY. The Custodian may in its
discretion, without express authority from the Fund 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
Agreement, 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.
SECTION 8. EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY. The Custodian shall be protected in acting
upon any instructions, notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument
or paper reasonably and in good faith believed by it to be genuine and to have
been properly executed by or on behalf of the Fund. The Custodian may receive
and accept a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Fund ("Certified Resolution") as conclusive evidence (a) of the
authority of any person to act in accordance with such resolution or (b) of any
determination or of any action by the Board as described in such resolution, and
such resolution may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt by
the Custodian of written notice to the contrary.
SECTION 9. DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNT AND
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND NET INCOME. The Custodian shall cooperate
with and supply necessary information to the entity or entities appointed by the
Board to keep the books of account of each Portfolio and/or compute the net
asset value per Share of the outstanding Shares 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 Prospectus and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent
daily of the total amounts of such net income and, if instructed in writing by
an officer of the Fund to do so, shall advise the Transfer Agent periodically of
the division of such net income among its various components. The 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 Prospectus.
SECTION 10. RECORDS. The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create
and maintain all records relating to its activities and obligations under this
Agreement in such manner as will meet the obligations of the Fund under the 1940
Act, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2
thereunder. All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at all
times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection
by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and employees and
agents of the SEC. The Custodian shall, at the Fund's request, supply the Fund
with a tabulation
16
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. Upon request, the Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of
each transfer to or from the account of the Fund in the form of a written advice
or notice from the Custodian and shall furnish to the Fund copies of the
Custodian's daily transaction sheets relating thereto.
SECTION 11. OPINION OF FUND'S INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT. 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 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 SEC and with respect to any other requirements thereof.
SECTION 12. 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 on
the accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for
safeguarding securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts,
including securities deposited and/or maintained in a U.S. Securities System or
a Foreign Securities System (either, a "Securities System"), relating to the
services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement; such reports, shall be
of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably be required by
the Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would be
disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the
reports shall so state.
SECTION 13. COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN.The Custodian shall be entitled to
reasonable compensation for its services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed
upon from time to time between the Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio
and the Custodian.
SECTION 14. RESPONSIBILITY OF CUSTODIAN. So long as and to the extent that it is
in the exercise of reasonable care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for
the title, validity or genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto
received by it or delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement and shall be held
harmless in acting upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or other
instrument reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the
proper party or parties, including any futures commission merchant acting
pursuant to the terms of a three-party futures or options agreement. Except as
otherwise expressly set forth herein, the Custodian shall be held to the
exercise of reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this Agreement,
but shall be kept indemnified by and shall be without liability to the Fund for
any action taken or omitted by it in good faith without negligence, including,
without limitation, acting in accordance with any Proper Instruction. It shall
be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel, selected, with
reasonable care, (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and shall be
without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such
advice. The Custodian shall be without liability to the Fund and the Portfolios
for any loss, liability, claim or expense resulting from or caused by anything
which is part of Country Risk (as defined in Section 3 hereof), including
without limitation nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, or
acts of war, revolution, riots or terrorism.
17
In order for the indemnification provision contained in this Section to apply,
it is understood that if in any case the Fund is asked by the Custodian to
indemnify or hold the Custodian harmless, the Fund shall be fully and promptly
advised of all pertinent facts known to the Custodian concerning the situation
in question. The Fund shall have the option to defend the Custodian at the
Fund's expense against any claim which may be the subject of a claim for
indemnification hereunder. The Fund will notify the Custodian in writing within
a reasonable time not to exceed 120 days after notification of the Custodian's
claim for indemnification whether it will defend the Custodian at the Fund's own
cost and expense. If the Fund shall agree to take over complete defense of the
claim against the Custodian, the Fund shall be entitled to direct the defense
with counsel selected by it and the Custodian shall in no case confess any claim
or make any compromise with respect thereto except with the Fund's prior written
consent for as long as the Fund is conducting a good faith and diligent defense.
The Custodian shall at all times have the right to fully participate in the
defense at its own expense directly or through counsel; provided, however, that
if the named parties to the action or proceeding include both the Fund and the
Custodian and the Custodian is advised that representation of both parties by
the same counsel would be inappropriate under applicable standards of
professional conduct, the Custodian may engage separate counsel at the expense
of the Fund. If such good faith and diligent defense is not undertaken promptly
or ceases to be conducted by the Fund, the Custodian shall have the right, at
the expense of the Fund, to undertake the defense with counsel selected by the
Custodian and to compromise or settle it, exercising reasonable business
judgment. Nothing herein shall be construed to limit any right or cause of
action on the part of the Custodian under this Agreement that is independent of
any right or cause of action on the part of the Fund.
Except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct or
the negligence or willful misconduct of a sub-custodian or agent, the Custodian
shall be without liability to the Fund for any loss, liability, claim or expense
resulting from or caused by; (i) events or circumstances beyond the reasonable
control of the Custodian or any sub-custodian or Securities System or any agent
or nominee of any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, the
interruption, suspension or restriction of trading on or the closure of any
securities market, power or other mechanical or technological failures or
interruptions, computer viruses or communications disruptions, work stoppages,
natural disasters, or other similar events or acts; (ii) errors by the Fund or
its duly-authorized investment manager or investment advisor in their
instructions to the Custodian provided such instructions have been in accordance
with this Agreement; (iii) the insolvency of or acts or omissions by a
Securities System; (iv) any delay or failure of any broker, agent or
intermediary, central bank or other commercially prevalent payment or clearing
system to deliver to the Custodian's sub-custodian or agent securities purchased
or in the remittance or payment made in connection with securities sold; (v) any
delay or failure of any company, corporation, or other body in charge of
registering or transferring securities in the name of the Custodian, the Fund,
the Custodian's sub-custodians, nominees or agents or any consequential losses
arising out of such delay or failure to transfer such securities including
non-receipt of bonus, dividends and rights and other accretions or benefits;
(vi) delays or inability to perform its duties due to any disorder in market
infrastructure with respect to any particular security or Securities System; and
(vii) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or order of the
United States of America, or any state thereof, or any other country, or
political subdivision thereof or of any court of competent jurisdiction.
18
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a Foreign
Sub-Custodian (as defined in Section 4 hereof) to the same extent as set forth
with respect to sub-custodians generally in this Agreement.
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) or in
the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any
taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with
the performance of this Agreement, except such as may arise from its or its
nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct,
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.
In no event shall the Custodian be liable for indirect, special or consequential
damages.
SECTION 15. EFFECTIVE PERIOD, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT. This Agreement shall
become effective as of its execution, shall continue in full force and effect
until terminated as hereinafter provided, and may be amended at any time by
mutual agreement of the parties hereto. This Agreement may be terminated by
either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed, postage prepaid to
the other party. If the Fund is the terminating party, such termination shall
take effect not sooner than ninety (90) days after the date of such delivery or
mailing; provided, however, that the Fund shall not amend or terminate this
Agreement in contravention of any applicable federal or state regulations, or
any provision of the Fund's 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 (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the Custodian by giving
notice as described above to the Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate this
Agreement in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the
Custodian by the Comptroller of the Currency or upon the happening of a like
event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent
jurisdiction. If the Custodian is the terminating party, such termination shall
take effect not sooner than 180 days after the date of delivery or mailing of
the termination notice, provided, however, that if the Fund has defaulted in its
obligation to pay or repay any amount due to the Custodian hereunder, such
notice period shall be reduced to not sooner than thirty (30) days.
Upon termination of the Agreement, 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.
SECTION 16. SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN. If a successor custodian for one or more
Portfolios shall be appointed by the Board, the Custodian shall, upon
termination, deliver to such successor
19
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 Resolution, deliver at the office of the
Custodian and transfer such securities, funds and other properties in accordance
with such resolution.
In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian or
Certified Resolution shall have been delivered to the Custodian on or before the
date when such termination shall become effective, then the Custodian shall have
the right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a "bank" as defined in
the 1940 Act, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, or New York, New York, of
its own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits,
as shown by its last published report, of not less than $50,000,000, 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 Agreement 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 Agreement.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the Certified Resolution to appoint a successor
custodian, the Custodian shall be entitled to fair compensation for its services
during such period as the Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds
and other properties and the provisions of this Agreement relating to the duties
and obligations of the Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 17. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
SECTION 17.1 1NTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS. In connection with
the operation of this Agreement, 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 Agreement as may in their joint opinion
be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. Any such interpretive or
additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by both parties and shall be
annexed hereto, provided that no such interpretive or additional provisions
shall contravene any applicable federal or state regulations or any provision of
the Fund's Declaration of Trust. No interpretive or additional provisions made
as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this
Agreement.
SECTION 17.2 ADDITIONAL FUNDS. In the event that the Fund establishes one
or more series of Shares in addition to those in existence on the date hereof,
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 to provide such services, such series of Shares
shall become a Portfolio hereunder.
SECTION 17.3 MASSACHUSETTS LAW TO APPLY. This Agreement shall be construed
and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
20
SECTION 17.3 PRIOR AGREEMENTS. This Agreement supersedes and terminates,
as of the date hereof, all prior Agreements between the Fund on behalf of each
of the Portfolios and the Custodian relating to the custody of the Fund's
assets.
SECTION 17.4 NOTICES. Any notice, instruction or other instrument required
to be given hereunder may be delivered in person to the offices of the parties
as set forth herein during normal business hours or delivered prepaid registered
mail or by telex, cable or telecopy to the parties at the following addresses or
such other addresses as may be notified by any party from time to time.
To the Fund: FIRST EAGLE FUND
0000 XXXXXX XX XXX XXXXXXXX
XXX XXXX, XXX XXXX 00000]
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Telecopy:
With a copy to:
Xxxxxxx and S. Bleichroeder Advisers, LLC
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn: General Counsel
To the Custodian: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
000 Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Senior Vice President, Mutual Funds
Services
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Telecopy: 000-000-0000
Such notice, instruction or other instrument shall be deemed to have been served
in the case of a registered letter at the expiration of five business days after
posting, in the case of cable twenty-four hours after dispatch and, in the case
of telex, immediately on dispatch and if delivered outside normal business hours
it shall be deemed to have been received at the next time after delivery when
normal business hours commence and in the case of cable, telex or telecopy on
the business day after the receipt thereof. Evidence that the notice was
properly addressed, stamped and put into the post shall be conclusive evidence
of posting.
SECTION 17.5 REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS. This Agreement and all schedules,
addenda, exhibits, attachments and amendments hereto may be reproduced by any
photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or
other similar process. The parties hereto all/each agree that any such
reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any
judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in
existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the
regular course of business, and that
21
any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall
likewise be admissible in evidence.
SECTION 17.6 REMOTE ACCESS SERVICES ADDENDUM. The Custodian and the Fund
agree to be bound by the terms of the Remote Access Services Addendum attached
hereto.
SECTION 17.7 SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS ELECTION. SEC Rule 14b-2 requires
banks which hold securities for the account of customers to respond to requests
by issuers of securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial
owners of securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner
has expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to comply
with the rule, the Custodian needs the Fund to indicate whether it authorizes
the Custodian to provide the Fund's name, address, and share position to
requesting companies whose securities the Fund owns. If the Fund tells the
Custodian "no", the Custodian will not provide this information to requesting
companies. If the Fund tells the Custodian "yes" or does not check either "yes"
or "no" below, the Custodian is required by the rule to treat the Fund as
consenting to disclosure of this information for all securities owned by the
Fund or any funds or accounts established by the Fund. For the Fund's
protection, the Rule prohibits the requesting company from using the Fund's name
and address for any purpose other than corporate communications. Please indicate
below whether the Fund consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives
below.
YES [ ] The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund's name, address, and
share positions.
NO [X] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund's name, address,
and share positions.
SECTION 17.8 SEVERABILITY. In the event any provision of this Agreement is
held illegal, void or unenforceable, the balance shall remain in effect.
SECTION 17.9 CONFIDENTIALITY. The Custodian agrees that during the term of
this Agreement it will maintain policies reasonably designed to prohibit the
dissemination or use of the Fund's nonpublic portfolio holdings information by
the Custodian or its employees, unless such dissemination or use is: (i) for the
purposes set forth in or contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) at the direction
of the Fund, (iii) if the Fund becomes a securities lending client of the
Custodian, disclosed to borrowers and borrowers' affiliates in connection with
loans made pursuant to the securities lending agreement between the Fund and the
Custodian, or (iv) requested or required in any legal or regulatory proceeding,
investigation, audit, examination, subpoena, civil investigative demand or other
similar process, or required by operation of law or regulation. In the
circumstances described in clause (iv), other than a routine audit or
examination of the Custodian, the Custodian shall, to the extent permitted under
applicable law and regulation, provide the Fund with prompt notice of such
requirement to disclose the information (provided that giving such notice shall
not be a pre-condition to supplying the information to the party requesting or
requiring it) in order to enable the Fund to seek an appropriate protective
order or other remedy, to consult with the Custodian with respect to the Fund's
taking steps to resist or narrow the scope of such requirement or legal process,
or to waive compliance, in whole or in part, with the terms of this Agreement.
The Custodian will reasonably cooperate with the Fund, at the Fund's expense, in
connection with the Fund's efforts to ensure that all information that is
22
so disclosed will be accorded confidential treatment. In addition, the Custodian
and its affiliates may also report and use nonpublic portfolio holdings
information of its clients, including the Fund, on an aggregated basis with all
or substantially all other client information and without specific reference to
the Fund.
SECTION 17.10 ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement may not be assigned by either
party without the written consent of the other, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld, except that either party may assign its rights and
obligations hereunder to a party controlling, controlled by, or under common
control with such party.
23
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 date first above written.
FIRST EAGLE FUNDS
FIRST EAGLE VARIABLE FUNDS FUND SIGNATURE ATTESTED TO BY:
By: _________________________ By: ____________________
Name: _________________________ Name: ____________________
Vice President Treasurer
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY SIGNATURE ATTESTED TO BY:
By: ________________________ By: _____________________
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Senior Vice President Vice President
24
SCHEDULE 1
To Custody Agreement by and between
State Street Bank and Trust Company and First Eagle Funds/First Eagle Variable
Funds dated July 22, 2005
First Eagle Global Fund
First Eagle Overseas Fund
First Eagle U.S. Value Fund
First Eagle Gold Fund
First Eagle Fund of America
First Eagle Variable Overseas Fund
25
SCHEDULE A: STATE STREET GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK SUBCUSTODIANS
Market Subcustodian
Argentina Citibank, N.A.
Australia Westpac Banking Corporation
Citibank Pty. Limited
Austria Erste Bank der oesterreichischen Sparkassen AG
Bahrain HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited)
Bangladesh Standard Chartered Bank
Belgium BNP Paribas Securities Services, S.A.
Benin via Societe Generale de Banques en Cote d'Ivoire,
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Bermuda Bank of Bermuda Limited
Botswana Barclays Bank of Botswana Limited
Brazil Citibank, N.A.
Bulgaria ING Bank N.V.
Burkina Faso via Societe Generale de Banques en Cote d'Ivoire,
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Canada State Street Trust Company Canada
Cayman Islands Scotiabank & Trust (Cayman) Limited
Chile BankBoston, N.A.
People's Republic The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
of China Limited, Shanghai and Shenzhen branches
Colombia Cititrust Colombia S.A. Sociedad Fiduciaria
Costa Rica Banco BCT S.A.
Croatia Privredna Banka Zagreb d.d
Cyprus Cyprus Popular Bank Ltd.
Czech Republic Ceskoslovenska obchodni banka, A.S.
Denmark Danske Bank A/S
Ecuador Banco de la Produccion S.A.
Egypt HSBC Bank Egypt S.A.E.
(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited)
26
SCHEDULE A: STATE STREET GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK SUBCUSTODIANS
Market Subcustodian
Estonia AS Hansapank
Finland Nordea Bank Finland Plc.
France BNP Paribas Securities Services, S.A.
Germany Deutsche Bank AG
Ghana Barclays Bank of Ghana Limited
Greece National Bank of Greece S.A.
Guinea-Bissau via Societe Generale de Banques en Cote d'Ivoire,
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Hong Kong Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
Hungary HVB Bank Hungary Rt.
Iceland Kaupthing Bank hf.
India Deutsche Bank AG
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
Indonesia Deutsche Bank AG
Ireland Bank of Ireland
Israel Bank Hapoalim B.M.
Italy BNP Paribas Securities Services, S.A.
Ivory Coast Societe Generale de Banques en Cote d'Ivoire
Jamaica Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Ltd.
Japan Mizuho Corporate Bank Ltd.
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Jordan HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited)
Kazakhstan HSBC Bank Kazakhstan
(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited)
Kenya Barclays Bank of Kenya Limited
Republic of Korea Deutsche Bank AG
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
Latvia A/s Hansabanka
Lebanon HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited)
27
SCHEDULE A: STATE STREET GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK SUBCUSTODIANS
Market Subcustodian
Lithuania Vilniaus Bankas AB
Malaysia Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad
Mali via Societe Generale de Banques en Cote d'Ivoire,
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Malta HSBC Bank Malta Plc.
Mauritius The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
Mexico Banco Nacional de Mexico S.A.
Morocco Attijariwafa bank
Namibia Standard Bank Namibia Limited
Netherlands Deutsche Bank AG
KAS BANK N.V.
New Zealand Westpac Banking Corporation
Niger via Societe Generale de Banques en Cote d'Ivoire,
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Nigeria Stanbic Bank Nigeria Limited
Norway Nordea Bank Norge ASA
Oman HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited)
Pakistan Deutsche Bank AG
Palestine HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited)
Panama HSBC Bank (Panama) S.A.
Peru Citibank del Peru, S.A.
Philippines Standard Chartered Bank
Poland Bank Handlowy w Warszawie S.A.
Portugal Banco Comercial Portugues S.A.
Puerto Rico Citibank N.A.
Qatar HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited)
Romania ING Bank N.V.
Russia ING Bank (Eurasia) ZAO, Moscow
28
SCHEDULE A: STATE STREET GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK SUBCUSTODIANS
Market Subcustodian
Senegal via Societe Generale de Banques en Cote d'Ivoire,
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Serbia HVB Bank Serbia and Montenegro a.d.
Singapore DBS Bank Limited
United Overseas Bank Limited
Slovak Republic Ceskoslovenska obchodni banka, A.S., pobocka
zahranicnej banky v SR
Slovenia Bank Austria Creditanstalt d.d. - Ljubljana
South Africa Nedcor Bank Limited
Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
Spain Santander Investment Services, S.A.
Sri Lanka The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
Swaziland Standard Bank Swaziland Limited
Sweden Skandinaviska Enskilda Xxxxxx XX
Switzerland UBS AG
Taiwan - R.O.C. Central Trust of China
Thailand Standard Chartered Bank
Togo via Societe Generale de Banques en Cote d'Ivoire,
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Trinidad & Tobago Republic Bank Limited
Tunisia Banque Internationale Arabe de Tunisie
Turkey Citibank, A.S.
Uganda Barclays Bank of Uganda Limited
Ukraine ING Bank Ukraine
United Arab Emirates HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited)
United Kingdom Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
branch
Uruguay BankBoston, N.A.
Venezuela Citibank, N.A.
Vietnam The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
Zambia Barclays Bank of Zambia Plc.
Zimbabwe Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe Limited
29
SCHEDULE B: STATE STREETGLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
DEPOSITORIES OPERATING IN NETWORK MARKETS
Market Depository
Argentina Caja de Valores S.A.
Australia Austraclear Limited
Austria Oesterreichische Kontrollbank AG
(Wertpapiersammelbank Division)
Bahrain Clearing, Settlement, and Depository System of the
Bahrain Stock Exchange
Bangladesh Central Depository Bangladesh Limited
Belgium Banque Nationale de Belgique
Caisse Interprofessionnelle de Depots et de Virements
de Titres, S.A.
Benin Depositaire Central - Banque de Reglement
Bermuda Bermuda Securities Depository
Brazil Central de Custodia e de Liquidacao Financeira de
Titulos Privados (CETIP) Companhia Brasileira de
Liquidacao e Custodia Sistema Especial de Liquidacao
e de Custodia (SELIC)
Bulgaria Bulgarian National Bank
Central Depository AD
Burkina Faso Depositaire Central - Banque de Reglement
Canada The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited
Chile Deposito Central de Valores S.A.
People's Republic China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation
of China Limited, Shanghai Branch
China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation
Limited, Shenzhen Branch
Colombia Deposito Central de Valores
Deposito Centralizado de Valores de Colombia S.A. (DECEVAL)
Costa Rica Central de Valores S.A.
Croatia Sredisnja depozitarna agencija d.d.
Cyprus Central Depository and Central Registry
Czech Republic Czech National Bank
Stredisko cennych papiru - Ceska republika
Denmark Vaerdipapircentralen
Egypt Misr for Clearing, Settlement, and Depository S.A.E.
Estonia AS Eesti Vaartpaberikeskus
Finland Suomen Arvopaperikeskus
France Euroclear France
Germany Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx XX, Xxxxxxxxx
00
SCHEDULE B: STATE STREETGLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
DEPOSITORIES OPERATING IN NETWORK MARKETS
Market Depository
Greece Apothetirion Titlon AE
Bank of Greece, System for Monitoring Transactions in
Securities in Book-Entry Form
Guinea-Bissau Depositaire Central - Banque de Reglement
Hong Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxx Xxxx Securities Clearing Company Limited
Hungary Kozponti Elszamolohaz es Ertektar (Budapest) Rt.
(KELER)
Iceland Icelandic Securities Depository Limited
India Central Depository Services (India) Limited
National Securities Depository Limited
Reserve Bank of India
Indonesia Bank Indonesia
PT Kustodian Sentral Efek Indonesia
Israel Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Clearing House Ltd. (TASE
Clearinghouse)
Italy Monte Titoli S.p.A.
Ivory Coast Depositaire Central - Banque de Reglement
Jamaica Jamaica Central Securities Depository
Japan Bank of Japan - Net System
Japan Securities Depository Center (JASDEC)
Incorporated
Jordan Securities Depository Center
Kazakhstan Central Securities Depository
Kenya Central Depository and Settlement Corporation Limited
Central Bank of Kenya
Republic of Korea Korea Securities Depository
Latvia Latvian Central Depository
Lebanon Banque du Liban
Custodian and Clearing Center of Financial
Instruments for Lebanon and the Middle East
(Midclear) X.X.X.
Lithuania Central Securities Depository of Lithuania
Malaysia Bank Negara Malaysia
Bursa Malaysia Depository Sdn. Bhd.
Mali Depositaire Central - Banque de Reglement
Malta Central Securities Depository of the Malta Stock
Exchange
Mauritius Bank of Mauritius
31
SCHEDULE B: STATE STREETGLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
DEPOSITORIES OPERATING IN NETWORK MARKETS
Market Depository
Central Depository and Settlement Co. Ltd.
Mexico S.D. Indeval, S.A. de C.V.
Morocco Maroclear
Namibia Bank of Namibia
Netherlands Euroclear Nederland
New Zealand New Zealand Central Securities Depository Limited
Niger Depositaire Central - Banque de Reglement
Nigeria Central Securities Clearing System Limited
Norway Verdipapirsentralen
Oman Muscat Depository & Securities Registration Company,
SAOC
Pakistan Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited
State Bank of Pakistan
Palestine Clearing, Depository and Settlement, a department of
the Palestine Securities Exchange
Panama Central Latinoamericana de Valores, S.A. (LatinClear)
Peru Caja de Valores y Liquidaciones, Institucion de
Compensacion y Liquidacion de Valores S.A.
Philippines Philippine Depository & Trust Corporation
Registry of Scripless Securities (XXXX) of the Bureau
of Treasury
Poland Rejestr Papierow Wartooeciowych
Krajowy Depozyt Papierow Wartosciowych S.A.
Portugal INTERBOLSA - Sociedade Gestora de Sistemas de
Liquidacao e de Sistemas Centralizados de Valores
Mobiliarios, S.A.
Qatar Central Clearing and Registration (CCR), a department
of the Doha Securities Market
Romania Bucharest Stock Exchange Registry Division
National Bank of Romania
National Securities Clearing, Settlement and
Depository Company
Russia Vneshtorgbank, Bank for Foreign Trade of the Russian
Federation
Senegal Depositaire Central - Banque de Reglement
Serbia Central Registrar and Central Depository for
Securities
Singapore The Central Depository (Pte) Limited
Monetary Authority of Singapore
Slovak Republic Narodna banka slovenska
Centralny depozitar cennych papierov SR, a.s.
32
SCHEDULE B: STATE STREETGLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
DEPOSITORIES OPERATING IN NETWORK MARKETS
Market Depository
Slovenia KDD - Centralna klirinsko depotna xxxxxx x.x.
South Africa Share Transactions Totally Electronic (STRATE) Ltd.
Spain IBERCLEAR
Sri Lanka Central Depository System (Pvt) Limited
Sweden Vardepapperscentralen VPC AB
Switzerland SegaIntersettle AG (SIS)
Taiwan - R.O.C. Taiwan Securities Central Depository Company Limited
Thailand Bank of Thailand
Thailand Securities Depository Company Limited
Togo Depositaire Central - Banque de Reglement
Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago Central Bank
Tunisia Societe Tunisienne Interprofessionelle pour la
Compensation et de Depots des Valeurs Mobilieres
(STICODEVAM)
Turkey Central Bank of Turkey
Takas ve Saklama Bankasi A.S. (TAKASBANK)
Uganda Bank of Uganda
Ukraine Mizhregionalny Fondovy Souz
National Bank of Ukraine
United Arab Emirates Clearing and Depository System, a department of the
Dubai Financial Market
United Kingdom CrestCo.
Uruguay Banco Central del Uruguay
Venezuela Banco Central de Venezuela
Caja Venezolana de Valores
Vietnam Securities Registration, Clearing and Settlement,
Depository Department of the Securities Trading
Center
Zambia Bank of Zambia
XxXX Central Shares Depository Limited
TRANSNATIONAL Euroclear Clearstream Banking, S.A.
33
SCHEDULE C: MARKET INFORMATION
April, 2005
Publication/Type of Information Brief Description
(scheduled frequency)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Guide to Custody in World Markets An overview of settlement and safekeeping procedures, custody
(CD annually and regular updates) practices and foreign investor considerations for the markets in
which State Street offers custodial services.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Custody Network Review Information relating to Foreign Subcustodians in State Street's Global
(annually) Custody Network. The Review stands as an integral part of the materials
that State Street provides to its U.S. mutual fund clients to assist
them in complying with SEC Rule 17f-5. The Review also gives insight
into State Street's market expansion and Foreign Subcustodian selection
processes, as well as the procedures and controls used to monitor the
financial condition and performance of our Foreign Subcustodian banks.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities Depository Review Custody risk analyses of the Foreign Securities Depositories presently
(annually) operating in Network markets. This publication is an integral part of
the materials that State Street provides to its U.S. mutual fund
clients to meet informational obligations created by SEC Rule 17f-7.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Legal Survey With respect to each market in which State Street offers custodial
(annually) services, opinions relating to whether local law restricts (i) access
of a fund's independent public accountants to books and records of a
Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Securities System, (ii) a fund's
ability to recover in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of a
Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Securities System, (iii) a fund's
ability to recover in the event of a loss by a Foreign Subcustodian or
Foreign Securities System, and (iv) the ability of a foreign investor
to convert cash and cash equivalents to U.S. dollars.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subcustodian Agreements Copies of the contracts that State Street has entered into with each
(annually) Foreign Subcustodian that maintains U.S. mutual fund assets in the
markets in which State Street offers custodial services.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Market Bulletin Information on changing settlement and custody conditions in markets
(daily or as necessary) where State Street offers custodial services. Includes changes in
market and tax regulations, depository developments, dematerialization
information, as well as other market changes that may impact State
Street's clients.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign Custody Advisories For those markets where State Street offers custodial services that
(as necessary) exhibit special risks or infrastructures impacting custody, State
Street maintains market advisories to highlight those unique market
factors which might impact our ability to offer recognized custody
service levels.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Material Change Notices Informational letters and accompanying materials confirming State
(presently on a quarterly basis or as Street's foreign custody arrangements, including a summary of material
otherwise necessary) changes with Foreign Subcustodians that have occurred during the
previous quarter. The notices also identify any material changes in the
custodial risks associated with maintaining assets with Foreign
Securities Depositories.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
34
