EXHIBIT 8
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
HARTFORD MIDCAP FUND, INC.
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be
Held By It. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of
the Fund Held by the Custodian in the United States . . . . . . . . . .1
2.1 Holding Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
2.2 Delivery of Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
2.3 Registration of Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
2.4 Bank Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
2.6 Collection of Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of
Receipt of Securities Purchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
2.9 Appointment of Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
2.10 Deposit of Securities in U.S. Securities System . . . . . . . .6
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct
Paper System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
2.12 Segregated Account. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes . . . . . . . . . . . .9
2.14 Proxies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
2.15 Communications Relating to Fund
Portfolio Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
2.16 Reports to Fund by Independent Public
Accountants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of
the Fund Held Outside of the United States. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.2 Assets to be Held . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.3 Foreign Securities Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.4 Holding Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions. . . . . . . . . 11
3.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund . . . . . . . . 11
3.7 Reports by Custodian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.9 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.10 Liability of Custodian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.11 Reimbursement for Advances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.12 Monitoring Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.13 Branches of U.S. Banks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.14 Tax Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4. Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions and Sales
of Shares of the Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5. Proper Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
6. Actions Permitted Without Express Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
7. Evidence of Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
8. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of
Account and Calculations of Net Asset Value and
Net Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
9. Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
11. Compensation of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
12. Responsibility of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
13. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
14. Successor Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
15. Interpretive and Additional Provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
16. Massachusetts Law to Apply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
17. Prior Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
18. Shareholder Communications Election . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between Hartford MidCap Fund, Inc., a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland, having its
principal place of business at 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxx 00000 hereinafter called the "Fund", and State Street Bank and
Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company, having its principal place of
business at 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, 00000, hereinafter
called the "Custodian",
WITNESSETH: That in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT OF CUSTODIAN AND PROPERTY TO BE HELD BY IT
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of its assets,
including securities it desires to be held in places within the United
States ("domestic securities") and securities it desires to be held outside
the United States ("foreign securities") pursuant to the provisions of the
Articles of Incorporation. The Fund agrees to deliver to the Custodian all
securities and cash owned by it, and all payments of income, payments of
principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to all
securities owned by the Fund from time to time, and the cash consideration
received by it for such new or treasury shares of capital stock, $0.10 par
value, ("Shares") of the Fund as may be issued or sold from time to time.
The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of the Fund held or
received by the Fund and not delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Article
5), the Custodian shall 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 Directors of the Fund, and provided that the Custodian shall
have no more or less responsibility or liability to the Fund on account of
any actions or omissions of any sub-custodian so employed than any such
sub-custodian has to the Custodian. The Custodian may employ as
sub-custodians for the Fund's securities and other assets the foreign
banking institutions and foreign securities depositories designated in
Schedule "A" hereto but only in accordance with the provisions of Article 3.
2. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND HELD BY THE
CUSTODIAN IN THE UNITED STATES
2.1 HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate
for the account of the Fund all non-cash property, to be held by it in the
United States, including all domestic investments owned by the Fund, other
than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.10 in a
clearing agency which acts as a securities depository or in a book-entry
system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and certain
federal agencies (each, a "U.S. Securities System") and (b) commercial
paper of an issuer for which the Custodian acts as issuing and paying agent
("Direct Paper") which is deposited and/or maintained in the Direct Paper
System of the Custodian (the "Direct Paper System") pursuant to Section
2.11.
2.2 DELIVERY OF SECURITIES. The Custodian shall release and deliver
domestic securities owned by the Fund 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, which may be continuing instructions when
deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Fund and
receipt of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
agreement related to such securities entered into by the Fund;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a U.S. Securities System,
in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.10 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for portfolio securities of the Fund;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are
called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided
that, in any such case, the cash or other consideration is to be
delivered to the Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name
of the Fund or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the
Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any agent
appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 or into the name or nominee
name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Article 1; or
for exchange for a
different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence
representing the same aggregate face amount or number of
units; PROVIDED that, in any such case, the new securities
are to be delivered to the Custodian;
7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Fund, to
the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for
examination in accordance with "street delivery" custom;
provided that in any such case, the Custodian shall have no
responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the
delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment for such
securities except as may arise from the Custodian's own
negligence or willful misconduct;
8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment
of the securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant
to provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or
pursuant to any deposit agreement; provided that, in any such
case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered
to the Custodian;
9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the
surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or
similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or
temporary securities for definitive securities; provided that,
in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be
delivered to the Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by
the Fund, BUT ONLY against receipt of adequate collateral as
agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund,
which may be in the form of cash or obligations issued by the
United States government, its agencies or instrumentalities,
except that in connection with any loans for which collateral is
to be credited to the Custodian's account in the book-entry
system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the
Custodian will not be held liable or responsible for the
delivery of securities owned by the Fund prior to the receipt of
such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by
the Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, BUT ONLY
against receipt of amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")
and a member of The National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. ("NASD"), relating to compliance with the rules of The
Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national
securities exchange, or of any similar organization or
organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in
connection with transactions by the Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, the Custodian, and a Futures Commission Merchant
registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to
compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission and/or any Contract Market, or any similar
organization or organizations, regarding account deposits in
connection with transactions by the Fund;
14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent ("Transfer
Agent") for the Fund, for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to
the holders of shares in connection with distributions in kind,
as may be described from time to time in the Fund's currently
effective prospectus and statement of additional information
("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, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Directors or of the Executive
Committee signed by an officer of the Fund and certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, specifying the securities
to be delivered, setting forth the purpose for which such
delivery is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper
corporate purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom
delivery of such securities shall be made.
2.3 REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES. Domestic securities held by the Custodian
(other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Fund
or in the name of any nominee of the Fund or of any nominee of the
Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Fund, UNLESS
the Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of a
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nominee to be used in common with other registered investment companies
having the same investment adviser as the Fund, or in the name or nominee
name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 or in the name or
nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Article 1. All
securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the Fund under the terms
of this Contract shall be in "street name" or other good delivery form. If,
however, the Fund directs the Custodian to maintain securities in
"street name", the Custodian shall utilize its best efforts only to timely
collect income due the Fund on such securities and to notify the Fund on a
best efforts basis only of relevant corporate actions including, without
limitation, pendency of calls, maturities, tender or exchange offers.
2.4 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
account or accounts in the United States in the name of the Fund, subject
only to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of
this Contract, and shall hold in such account or accounts, subject to the
provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for the account of the
Fund, other than cash maintained by the Fund in a bank account established
and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Investment Company Act of
1940. Funds held by the Custodian for the Fund may be deposited by it to
its credit as Custodian in the Banking Department of the Custodian or in
such other banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem
necessary or desirable; PROVIDED, however, that every such bank or trust
company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and that each such bank or trust company and the funds
to be deposited with each such bank or trust company shall be approved by
vote of a majority of the Board of Directors of the Fund. Such funds shall
be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be
withdrawable by the Custodian only in that capacity.
2.5 AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL FUNDS. Upon mutual agreement between the Fund
and the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper
Instructions, make federal funds available to the Fund as of specified
times agreed upon from time to time by the Fund and the Custodian in the
amount of checks received in payment for Shares of the Fund which are
deposited into the Fund's account.
2.6 COLLECTION OF INCOME. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the
Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments
with respect to United States registered securities held hereunder to which
the Fund shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the
securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income and
other payments with respect to United States bearer securities if, on the
date of payment by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or
its agent thereof and shall credit such income, as collected, to the Fund's
custodian account. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Custodian shall detach and present for payment all coupons and other income
items requiring presentation as and when they become due and shall collect
interest when due on securities held hereunder. Income due the Fund on
United States securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2
(10) shall be the responsibility of the Fund. The Custodian will have no
duty or responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide the
Fund with such information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund
in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the income to
which the Fund is properly entitled.
2.7 PAYMENT OF FUND MONIES. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which
may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the
Custodian shall pay out monies of the Fund in the following cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of domestic securities, options, futures
contracts or options on futures contracts for the account of the
Fund but only (a) against the delivery of such securities, or
evidence of title to such options, futures contracts or options
on futures contracts, to the Custodian (or any bank, banking
firm or trust company doing business in the United States or
abroad which is qualified under the Investment Company Act 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 Fund or in the name of a nominee of the
Custodian referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form
for transfer; (b) in the case of a purchase effected through a
U.S. Securities System, in accordance with the conditions set
forth in Section 2.10 hereof; (c) in the case of a purchase
involving the Direct Paper System, in accordance with the
conditions set forth in Section 2.11; (d) in the case of
repurchase agreements entered into between the Fund and the
Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which is a member
of NASD, (i) against delivery of the securities either in
certificate form or through an entry crediting the Custodian's
account at the Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii)
against delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the Fund
of securities owned by the Custodian
3
along with written evidence of the agreement by the Custodian
to repurchase such securities from the Fund or (e) for transfer
to a time deposit account of the Fund in any bank, whether
domestic or foreign; such transfer may be effected prior to
receipt of a confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable
bank pursuant to Proper Instructions from the Fund as defined
in Article 5;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of
securities owned by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Fund as
set forth in Article 4 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the
Fund, including but not limited to the following payments for
the account of the Fund: interest, taxes, management,
accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and operating
expenses of the Fund whether or not such expenses are to be in
whole or part capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;
5) For the payment of any dividends declared pursuant to the
governing documents of the Fund;
6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
7) For any other proper purpose, BUT ONLY upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Directors or of the Executive
Committee of the Fund signed by an officer of the Fund and
certified by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, specifying
the amount of such payment, setting forth the purpose for which
such payment is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a
proper purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom such
payment is to be made.
2.8 LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT IN ADVANCE OF RECEIPT OF SECURITIES PURCHASED.
Except as specifically stated otherwise in this Contract, in any and every
case where payment for purchase of domestic securities for the account of
the Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the securities
purchased in the absence of specific written instructions from the Fund to
so pay in advance, the Custodian shall be absolutely liable to the Fund for
such securities to the same extent as if the securities had been received
by the Custodian.
2.9 APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS. The Custodian may at any time or times in its
discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust
company which is itself qualified under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended, to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry out such of the
provisions of this Article 2 as the Custodian may from time to time direct;
PROVIDED, however, that the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the
Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder.
2.10 DEPOSIT OF SECURITIES IN U.S. SECURITIES SYSTEMS. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain domestic securities owned by the Fund in a clearing
agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section
17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which acts as a securities
depository, or in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department
of the Treasury and certain federal agencies, collectively referred to
herein as "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 domestic securities of the Fund in a U.S.
Securities System provided that such securities are represented
in an account ("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 domestic securities
of the Fund which are maintained in a U.S. Securities System
shall identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the
Fund;
3) The Custodian shall pay for domestic securities purchased for
the account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the U.S.
Securities System that such securities have been transferred to
the Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of
the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for the
account of the Fund.
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The Custodian shall transfer domestic securities sold for
the account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from
the U.S. Securities System that payment for such securities
has been transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making
of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect
such transfer and payment for the account of the Fund. Copies
of all advices from the U.S. Securities System of transfers of
domestic securities for the account of the Fund shall identify
the Fund, be maintained for the Fund by the Custodian and be
provided to the Fund at its request. Upon request, the Custodian
shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer to or from
the account of the Fund in the form of a written advice or
notice and shall furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction
sheets reflecting each day's transactions in the U.S. Securities
System for the account of the Fund.
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by
the Custodian on the U.S. Securities System's accounting system,
internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding
domestic securities deposited in the U.S. Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received the initial or annual
certificate, as the case may be, required by Article 13 hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding, the
Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to
the Fund resulting from use of the 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 the U.S.
Securities System; at the election of the Fund, it shall be
entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with
respect to any claim against the 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 Fund has
not been made whole for any such loss or damage.
2.11 FUND ASSETS HELD IN THE CUSTODIAN'S DIRECT PAPER SYSTEM. The
Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in the
Direct Paper System of the Custodian subject to the following provisions:
1) No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper System
will be effected in the absence of Proper Instructions;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in the Direct
Paper System only if such securities are represented in an
account ("Account") of the Custodian in the Direct Paper System
which shall not include any assets of the Custodian other than
assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for
customers;
3) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Fund which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall
identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account
of the Fund upon the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer of securities to
the account of the Fund. The Custodian shall transfer
securities sold for the account of the Fund upon the making of
an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such
transfer and receipt of payment for the account of the Fund;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each
transfer to or from the account of the Fund, in the form of a
written advice or notice, of Direct Paper on the next business
day following such transfer and shall furnish to the Fund copies
of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's transaction in
the U.S. Securities System for the account of the Fund;
6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report on its
system of internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably
request from time to time;
2.12 SEGREGATED ACCOUNT. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
Instructions establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for
and on behalf of the Fund, into which account or accounts may be
transferred cash and/or securities, including securities maintained in an
account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof, (i) in accordance
with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a
5
broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a member of the NASD
(or any futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange
Act), relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing
Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any registered contract market), or
of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund, (ii) for purposes
of segregating cash or government securities in connection with options
purchased, sold or written by the Fund or commodity futures contracts or
options thereon purchased or sold by the Fund, (iii) for the purposes of
compliance by the Fund with the procedures required by Investment Company
Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release or releases of the
Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the maintenance of
segregated accounts by registered investment companies and (iv) for other
proper corporate purposes, BUT ONLY, in the case of clause (iv), upon
receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Directors or of the Executive Committee signed
by an officer of the Fund and certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, setting forth the purpose or purposes of such segregated account
and declaring such purposes to be proper corporate purposes.
2.13 OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES FOR TAX PURPOSES. The Custodian shall execute
ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state
tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with
respect to domestic securities of the Fund held by it and in connection
with transfers of such securities.
2.14 PROXIES. The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic securities
held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of
such securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the
name of the Fund or a nominee of the Fund, all proxies, without indication
of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly
deliver to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all
notices relating to such securities.
2.15 COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO FUND PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. Subject to the
provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the
Fund all written information (including, without limitation, pendency of
calls and maturities of domestic securities and expirations of rights in
connection therewith and notices of exercise of call and put options
written by the Fund and the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold
by the Fund) received by the Custodian from issuers of the domestic
securities being held for the Fund. With respect to tender or exchange
offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund all written
information received by the Custodian from issuers of the domestic
securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or his
agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If the Fund desires to take
action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or any other
similar transaction, the Fund shall notify the Custodian at least three
business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take such
action.
2.16 REPORTS TO FUND BY INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS The Custodian shall
provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may reasonably require, with
reports by independent public accountants on the accounting system,
internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities,
futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including domestic
securities deposited and/or maintained in a U.S. Securities System,
relating to the services provided by the Custodian under this Contract;
such reports shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may
reasonably be required by the Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any
material inadequacies would be disclosed by such examination, and, if there
are no such inadequacies, the reports shall so state.
3. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND HELD OUTSIDE
OF THE UNITED STATES
3.1 APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS. The Fund hereby authorizes and
instructs the Custodian to employ as sub-custodians for the Fund's
securities and other assets maintained outside the United States the
foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories designated
on Schedule A hereto ("foreign sub-custodians"). Upon receipt of "Proper
Instructions", as defined in Section 5 of this Contract, together with a
certified resolution of the Fund's Board of Directors, the Custodian and
the Fund may agree to amend Schedule A hereto from time to time to
designate additional foreign banking institutions and foreign securities
depositories to act as sub-custodian. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions,
the Fund may instruct the Custodian to cease the employment of any one or
more such sub-custodians for maintaining custody of the Fund's assets.
6
3.2 ASSETS TO BE HELD. The Custodian shall limit the securities and other
assets maintained in the custody of the foreign sub-custodians to: (a)
"foreign securities", as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, and (b) cash and cash equivalents in
such amounts as the Custodian or the Fund may determine to be reasonably
necessary to effect the Fund's foreign securities transactions. The
Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Fund, the foreign
securities of the Fund held by each foreign sub-custodian.
3.3 FOREIGN SECURITIES SYSTEMS. Except as may otherwise be agreed upon in
writing by the Custodian and the Fund, assets of the Fund 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
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 the
"Securities System"). Where possible, such arrangements shall include
entry into agreements containing the provisions set forth in Section 3.5
hereof.
3.4 HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian may hold securities and other non-
cash property for all of its customers, including the Fund, with a foreign
sub-custodian in a single account that is identified as belonging to the
Custodian for the benefit of its customers, PROVIDED HOWEVER, that (i) the
records of the Custodian with respect to securities and other non-cash
property of the Fund which are maintained in such account shall identify by
book-entry those securities and other non-cash property belonging to the
Fund and (ii) the Custodian shall require that securities and other non-
cash property so held by the foreign sub-custodian be held separately from
any assets of the foreign sub-custodian or of others.
3.5 AGREEMENTS WITH FOREIGN BANKING INSTITUTIONS. Each agreement with a
foreign banking institution shall provide that: (a) the Fund's assets 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 Fund's assets 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 the Fund; (d) officers of or auditors employed by,
or other representatives of the Custodian, including to the extent
permitted under applicable law the independent public accountants for the
Fund, will be given access to the books and records of the foreign banking
institution relating to its actions under its agreement with the Custodian;
and (e) assets of the Fund held by the foreign sub-custodian will be
subject only to the instructions of the Custodian or its agents.
3.6 ACCESS OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS OF THE FUND. Upon request of the
Fund, the Custodian will use its best efforts to arrange for the
independent accountants of the Fund to be afforded access to the books and
records of any foreign banking institution employed as a foreign
sub-custodian insofar as such books and records relate to the performance
of such foreign banking institution under its agreement with the Custodian.
3.7 REPORTS BY CUSTODIAN. The Custodian will supply to the Fund from time
to time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of the securities
and other assets of the Fund held by foreign sub-custodians, including but
not limited to an identification of entities having possession of the
Fund's securities and other assets and advices or notifications of any
transfers of securities to or from each custodial account maintained by a
foreign banking institution for the Custodian on behalf of the Fund
indicating, as to securities acquired for the Fund, the identity of the
entity having physical possession of such securities.
3.8 TRANSACTIONS IN FOREIGN CUSTODY ACCOUNT. (a) Except as otherwise
provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 3.8, the provision of Sections
2.2 and 2.7 of this Contract shall apply, MUTATIS MUTANDIS to the foreign
securities of the Fund held outside the United States by foreign
sub-custodians. (b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the
contrary, settlement and payment for securities received for the account of
the Fund and delivery of securities maintained for the account of the Fund
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
7
to the same extent as set forth in Section 2.3 of this Contract, and the
Fund agrees to hold any such nominee harmless from any liability as a
holder of record of such securities.
3.9 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 each Fund from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense,
liability or claim arising out of or in connection with the institution's
performance of such obligations. At the election of the Fund, it shall be
entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to
any claims against a foreign banking institution as a consequence of any
such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and to the extent
that the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost,
expense, liability or claim.
3.10 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 3.13 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 3.10, in delegating custody duties to State Street London Ltd.,
the Custodian shall not be relieved of any responsibility to the Fund for
any loss due to such delegation, except such loss as may result from (a)
political risk (including, but not limited to, exchange control
restrictions, confiscation, expropriation, nationalization, insurrection,
civil strife or armed hostilities) or (b) other losses (excluding a
bankruptcy or insolvency of State Street London Ltd. not caused by
political risk) due to Acts of God, nuclear incident or other losses under
circumstances where the Custodian and State Street London Ltd. have
exercised reasonable care.
3.11 REIMBURSEMENT FOR ADVANCES. If the Fund requires the Custodian to
advance cash or securities for any purpose including the purchase or sale
of foreign exchange or of contracts for foreign exchange, or in the event
that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes,
charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with
the performance of this Contract, except such as may arise from its or its
nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful
misconduct, any property at any time held for the account of the Fund shall
be security therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian
promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to
dispose of the Fund assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
3.12 MONITORING RESPONSIBILITIES. The Custodian shall furnish annually to
the Fund, during the month of June, information concerning the foreign
sub-custodians employed by the Custodian. Such information shall be
similar in kind and scope to that furnished to the Fund in connection with
the initial approval of this Contract. In addition, the Custodian will
promptly inform the Fund in the event that the Custodian learns of a
material adverse change in the financial condition of a foreign
sub-custodian or any material loss of the assets of the Fund or in the case
of any foreign sub-custodian not the subject of an exemptive order from the
Securities and Exchange Commission is notified by such foreign
sub-custodian that there appears to be a substantial likelihood that its
shareholders' equity will decline below $200 million (U.S. dollars or the
equivalent thereof) or that its shareholders' equity has declined below
$200 million (in each case computed in accordance with generally accepted
U.S. accounting principles).
3.13 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
Fund 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 the Fund in
the United Kingdom shall be maintained in an interest bearing account
established for the Fund with the Custodian's London branch, which account
shall be subject to the direction of the Custodian, State Street London
Ltd. or both.
3.14 TAX LAW. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for
any obligations now or hereafter imposed on the Fund or the Custodian as
custodian of the Fund by the tax law of the United States of America or any
state or political subdivision thereof. It shall be the responsibility of
the Fund to notify the Custodian of the obligations imposed on the
8
Fund or the Custodian as custodian of the Fund by the tax law of
jurisdictions other than those mentioned in the above sentence,
including responsibility for withholding and other taxes, assessments or
other governmental charges, certifications and governmental reporting.
The sole responsibility of the Custodian with regard to such tax law shall
be to use reasonable efforts to assist the Fund with respect to any claim
for exemption or refund under the tax law of jurisdictions for which the
Fund has provided such information.
4. PAYMENTS FOR REPURCHASES OR REDEMPTIONS AND SALES OF SHARES OF THE FUND
From such funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the
limitations of the Articles of Incorporation and any applicable votes of the
Board of Directors of the Fund pursuant thereto, the Custodian shall, upon
receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for
payment to holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a
request for redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In connection with
the redemption or repurchase of Shares of the Fund, the Custodian is
authorized upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire
funds to or through a commercial bank designated by the redeeming
shareholders. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares of
the Fund, the Custodian shall honor checks drawn on the Custodian by a
holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished by the Fund to the holder
of Shares, when presented to the Custodian in accordance with such
procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from time to time
between the Fund and the Custodian.
The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Fund's Shares
or from the Transfer Agent of the Fund and deposit into the Fund's account
such payments as are received for Shares of the Fund issued or sold from
time to time by the Fund. The Custodian will provide timely notification to
the Fund and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares
of the Fund.
5. PROPER INSTRUCTIONS
Proper Instructions as used herein means a writing signed or initialled
by one or more person or persons as the Board of Directors shall have from
time to time authorized. Each such writing shall set forth the specific
transaction or type of transaction involved, including a specific statement
of the purpose for which such action is requested. Oral instructions will
be considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian reasonably believes them
to have been given by a person authorized to give such instructions with
respect to the transaction involved. The Fund shall cause all oral
instructions to be confirmed in writing. Upon receipt of a certificate of
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary as to the authorization by the Board
of Directors of the Fund accompanied by a detailed description of procedures
approved by the Board of Directors, Proper Instructions may include
communications effected directly between electro-mechanical or electronic
devices provided that the Board of Directors and the Custodian are satisfied
that such procedures afford adequate safeguards for the Fund's assets. For
purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall include instructions
received by the Custodian pursuant to any three-party agreement which
requires a segregated asset account in accordance with Section 2.12.
6. ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the
Fund:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
securities or other similar items relating to its duties under
this Contract, PROVIDED that all such payments shall be
accounted for to the Fund;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
definitive form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts
and other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in
connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase,
transfer and other dealings with the securities and property of
the Fund except as otherwise directed by the Board of Directors
of the Fund.
7. EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY
The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions,
notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper believed
by it to be genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of
the Fund. The Custodian may receive and accept a certified copy of a vote
of the Board of Directors of the Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of the
authority of any person to act in accordance with such vote or (b) of any
determination or of any action by the Board of Directors pursuant to the
Articles of Incorporation as described in such vote, and such vote may be
considered as in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of
written notice to the contrary.
9
8. DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNT AND CALCULATION
OF NET ASSET VALUE AND NET INCOME
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to
the entity or entities appointed by the Board of Directors of the Fund to
keep the books of account of the Fund and/or compute the net asset value per
share of the outstanding shares of the Fund or, if directed in writing to do
so by the Fund, shall itself keep such books of account and/or compute such
net asset value per share. If so directed, the Custodian shall also
calculate daily the net income of the Fund as described in the Fund's
currently effective 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 the Fund shall be made at the time or times described from time to
time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus.
9. RECORDS
The Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating to its
activities and obligations under this Contract in such manner as will meet
the obligations of the Fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, with
particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2
thereunder. All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at
all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for
inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and
employees and agents of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
Custodian shall, at the Fund's request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of
securities owned by the Fund and held by the Custodian and shall, when
requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed
upon between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such
tabulations.
10. OPINION OF FUND'S INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund 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 Securities and Exchange Commission and with
respect to any other requirements of such Commission.
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 Fund and the Custodian.
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, including any futures commission merchant acting pursuant to the
terms of a three-party futures or options agreement. The Custodian shall be
held to the exercise of reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of
this Contract, but shall be kept indemnified by and shall be without
liability to the Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith
without negligence. It shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice
of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and shall be
without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to
such advice.
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, 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 Fund or the Investment Advisor in
their instructions to the Custodian provided such instructions have been in
accordance with this Contract; (iii) the
10
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.
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.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may,
in the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee
assigned to the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring
liability of some other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the
Custodian to take such action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in
an amount and form satisfactory to it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or
agents, to advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not
limited to securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed
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 Contract, except such as may
arise from its or its nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to
act or willful misconduct, any property at any time held for the account of
the Fund shall be security therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the
Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available
cash and to dispose of the Fund assets to the extent necessary to obtain
reimbursement.
In no event shall the Custodian be liable for indirect, special or
consequential damages.
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 act under Section 2.10 hereof
in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary that the Board of Directors of the Fund has approved the
initial use of a particular U.S. Securities System, as required by Rule
17f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and that the
Custodian shall not act under Section 2.11 hereof in the absence of receipt
of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that
the Board of Directors has approved the initial use of the Direct Paper
System; PROVIDED FURTHER, however, that the Fund shall not amend or
terminate this Contract in contravention of any applicable federal or state
regulations, or any provision of the Articles of Incorporation, and further
provided, that the Fund may at any time by action of its Board of Directors
(i) substitute another bank or trust company for the Custodian by giving
notice as described above to the Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate
this Contract in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver
for the Custodian by the Comptroller of the Currency or upon the happening
of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or
court of competent jurisdiction.
Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund shall pay to the Custodian
such compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall
likewise reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements.
14. SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN
If a successor custodian shall be appointed by the Board of Directors
of the Fund, the Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to such
successor custodian at the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the
form for transfer, all securities then held by it hereunder and shall
transfer to an account of the successor custodian all of the Fund's
securities held in a Securities System.
11
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall,
in like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
Directors of the Fund, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer
such securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such vote.
In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian or
certified copy of a vote of the Board of Directors shall have been delivered
to the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become
effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or
trust company, which is a "bank" as defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, of its own selection, having
an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last
published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and
other properties held by the Custodian and all instruments held by the
Custodian relative thereto and all other property held by it under this
Contract and to transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of
the Fund's securities held in any Securities System. Thereafter, such bank
or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or
of the Board of Directors to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian
shall be entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period
as the Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other
properties and the provisions of this Contract relating to the duties and
obligations of the Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
15. INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and
the Fund may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or
in addition to the provisions of this Contract as may in their joint opinion
be consistent with the general tenor of this Contract. Any such
interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by both
parties and shall be annexed hereto, PROVIDED that no such interpretive or
additional provisions shall contravene any applicable federal or state
regulations or any provision of the Articles of Incorporation of the Fund.
No interpretive or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding
sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Contract.
16. 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.
17. PRIOR CONTRACTS
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all
prior contracts between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the custody
of the Fund's assets.
18. SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS ELECTION
Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14b-2 requires banks which hold
securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of
securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of
securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has
expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to comply
with the rule, the Custodian needs the Fund to indicate whether it
authorizes the Custodian to provide the Fund's name, address, and share
position to requesting companies whose securities the Fund owns. If the
Fund tells the Custodian "no", the Custodian will not provide this
information to requesting companies. If the Fund tells the Custodian "yes"
or does not check either "yes" or "no" below, the Custodian is required by
the rule to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure of this information
for all securities owned by the Fund or any funds or accounts established by
the Fund. For the Fund's protection, the Rule prohibits the requesting
company from using the Fund's name and address for any purpose other than
corporate communications. Please indicate below whether the Fund consents
or objects by checking one of the alternatives below.
YES [ ] The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund's name,
address, and share positions.
NO [X] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund's name,
address, and share positions.
12
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be
executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative and
its seal to be hereunder affixed as of the day of
, 1997.
ATTEST HARTFORD MIDCAP FUND, INC.
By
-------------------------- -------------------------------
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By
-------------------------- -------------------------------
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Senior Vice President
Schedule A
The following foreign banking institutions and foreign securities
depositories have been approved by the Board of Directors of Hartford MidCap
Fund, Inc. for use as sub-custodians for the Fund's securities and other
assets:
(Insert banks and securities depositories)
