CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
AIM Series Trust
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held By It 1
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held by the
Custodian in the United States 2
2.1 Holding Securities 2
2.2 Delivery of Securities 3
2.3 Registration of Securities 7
2.4 Bank Accounts 8
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds 9
2.6 Collection of Income 9
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies 10
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of
Securities Purchased 12
2.9 Appointment of Agents 13
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities System 13
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System 16
2.11 Segregated Account 17
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes 18
2.13 Proxies 18
2.14 Communications Relating to Portfolio Securities 18
3. Duties of Custodian With Respect to Property of the Fund Held
Outside of the United States 19
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians 19
3.2 Assets to be Held 20
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories 20
` 3.4 Segregation of Securities 20
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions 21
3.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund 22
3.7 Reports by Custodian 22
3.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account 22
3.9 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodian 23
3.10 Liability of Custodian 24
3.11 Reimbursement for Advances 24
3.12 Monitoring Responsibilities 25
3.13 Branches of U.S. Banks 26
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchase or Redemptions of Shares
of the Fund 26
5. Proper Instructions 27
6. Actions Permitted Without Express Authority 28
7. Evidence of Authority 28
8. Records 29
9. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountants 30
10. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants 30
11. Compensation by Xxxxxxxxx 00
00. Responsibility of Xxxxxxxxx 00
00. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment 33
14. Successor Custodian 34
15. Interpretive and Additional Provisions 36
16. Additional Funds 36
17. Massachusetts Law to Apply 37
18. Prior Contracts 37
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between AIM Series Trust, a business trust organized and
existing under the laws of Delaware, having its principal place of business at
00 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000, "Fund", and State Street
Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company, having its principal
place of business at 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, 00000,
hereinafter called the "Custodian."
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Fund is authorized to issue shares in separate series, with
each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities
and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Fund intends to initially offer shares in one series, the
AIM New Dimension Fund (such series together with all other series subsequently
established by the Fund and made subject to this Contract in accordance with
Article 16, being herein referred to as the "Portfolio(s)");
NOW THEREFOR, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT OF CUSTODIAN AND PROPERTY TO BE HELD BY IT
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of the assets of
the Portfolio(s) of the Fund, including securities which the Fund, on behalf of
the applicable Portfolio(s), 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 Fund's
Agreement and Declaration of Trust. The Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio(s),
agrees to deliver to the Custodian all securities and cash of
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the Portfolio(s), 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 Portfolio(s) ("Shares"), as may be issued or sold from time to
time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of a Portfolio
held or received by the Portfolio and not delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Article 5),
the Custodian shall on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) from time to time
employ one or more sub-custodians, located in the United States but only in
accordance with an applicable vote by the Board of Trustees of the Fund on
behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s), and provided that the Custodian shall
have no more or less responsibility or liability to the Fund on account of any
actions or omissions of any sub-custodian so employed than any such sub-
custodian has to the Custodian. The Custodian may employ as sub-custodian for
the Fund's foreign securities on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) the
foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories designated in
Schedule A hereto but only in accordance with the provisions of Article 3.
2. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND HELD BY THE
CUSTODIAN IN THE UNITED STATES
2.1 HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate
for the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property, to be held by
it in the United States including all domestic securities owned by such
Portfolio, other than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant to
Section 2.10 in a clearing agency
2
which acts as a securities depository or in a book-entry system
authorized by the U. S. Department of the Treasury, collectively
referred to herein as "Securities System" and (b) commercial paper of an
issuer for which State Street Bank and Trust Company acts as issuing and
paying agent ("Direct Paper") which is deposited and/or maintained in
the Direct Paper System of the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10A.
2.2 DELIVERY OF SECURITIES. The Custodian shall release and deliver
domestic securities owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian or in a
Securities System account of the Custodian or in the Custodian's Direct
Paper book entry system account ("Direct Paper System Account") only
upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the
applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing instructions when deemed
appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the
Portfolio and receipt of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any
repurchase agreement related to such securities entered into
by the Portfolio;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a Securities System,
in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.10 thereof;
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
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any such case, the cash or other consideration is to be
delivered to the Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the
name of the Portfolio or into the name of any nominee or
nominees of the Custodian or into the name or nominee name
of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 or into the
name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant
to Article 1; or for exchange for a different number of
bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same
aggregate face amount or number of units; PROVIDED that, in
any such case, the new securities are to be delivered to the
Custodian;
7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the
Portfolio, to the broker or its clearing agent, against a
receipt, for examination in accordance with "street
delivery" custom; provided that in any such case, the
Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any
loss arising from the delivery of such securities prior to
receiving payment for such securities except as may arise
from the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct;
8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or
readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such
securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion
contained in such securities, or pursuant
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to any deposit agreement; provided that, in any such case,
the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to
the Custodian;
9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the
surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights
or similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts
or temporary securities for definitive securities; provided
that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any,
are to be delivered to the Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made
by the Portfolio, BUT ONLY against receipt of adequate
collateral as agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian
and the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, which may be in the
form of cash or obligations issued by the United States
government, its agencies or instrumentalities, except that
in connection with any loans for which collateral is to be
credited to the Custodian's account in the book-entry system
authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the
Custodian will not be held liable or responsible for the
delivery of securities owned by the Portfolio prior to the
receipt of such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings
by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio requiring a pledge of
assets by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, BUT ONLY
against receipt of amounts borrowed;
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12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the
Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and a
member of The National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. ("NASD"), relating to compliance with the rules of The
Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national
securities exchange, or of any similar organization or
organizations regarding escrow or other arrangements in
connection with transactions by the Portfolio of the Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the
Custodian, and a Futures Commission Merchant registered
under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance
with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
and/or any Contract Market, or any similar organization or
organizations, regarding account deposits in connection with
transactions by the Portfolio of the Fund;
14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent,
("Transfer Agent") for the Fund, for delivery to such
Transfer Agent or to the holders of shares in connection
with distributions in kind, as may be described from time to
time in the currently effective prospectus and statement of
additional information of the Fund, related to the
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Portfolio ("Prospectus"), in satisfaction of requests by
holders of Shares for repurchase or redemption; and
15) For any other proper corporate purpose, BUT ONLY upon
receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund
on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Trustees or of the Executive
Committee signed by an officer of the Fund and certified by
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, specifying the
securities of the Portfolio to be delivered, setting forth
the purpose for which such delivery is to be made, declaring
such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose, and naming
the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities
shall be made.
2.3 REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES. Domestic Securities held by the Custodian
(other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the
Portfolio or in the name of any nominee of the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio or of any nominee of the Custodian which nominee shall be
assigned exclusively to the Portfolio, UNLESS the Fund has authorized in
writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in common with other
registered investment companies having the same investment adviser as
the Portfolio, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed
pursuant to Section 2.9 or in the name or nominee name of any
sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Article 1. All securities accepted
by the Custodian on behalf of the Portfolio under the terms of this
Contract shall be in "street name" or other good delivery from.
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2.4 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
account or accounts in the United States in the name of each Portfolio
of the Fund, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting
pursuant to the terms of this Contract, and shall hold in such account
or accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it
from or for the account of the Portfolio, other than cash maintained by
the Portfolio in a bank account established and used in accordance with
Rule 17f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 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 of Trustees 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
on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian, the Custodian
shall, upon the receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf
of a Portfolio, make federal funds available to such Portfolio as of
specified times agreed upon from time to time by the Fund and the
Custodian in the amount of checks received in
8
payment for Shares of such Portfolio which are deposited into the
Portfolio's account.
2.6 COLLECTION OF INCOME. The Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all
income and other payments with respect to registered domestic securities
held hereunder to which each Portfolio shall be entitled either by law
or pursuant to custom in the securities business, and shall collect on a
timely basis all income and other payments with respect to bearer
domestic securities if, on the date of payment by the issuer, such
securities are held by the Custodian or its agent thereof and shall
credit such income, as collected, to such Portfolio's custodian account.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall
detach and present for payment all coupons and other income items
requiring presentation as and when they become due and shall collect
interest when due on securities held hereunder. Income due each
Portfolio on securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of Section
2.2(10) shall be the responsibility of the Fund. The Custodian will have
no duty or responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide
the Fund with such information or data as may be necessary to assist the
Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the income
to which the Portfolio is properly entitled.
2.7 PAYMENT OF FUND MONIES. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the
Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing
instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall
pay out monies of a Portfolio in the following cases only:
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1) Upon the purchase of 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 Securities System, in accordance with the
conditions set forth in Section 2.10 hereof; (c) in the case
of a purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in
accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.10A;
(d) in the case of repurchase agreements entered into
between the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio and the
Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which is a
member of NASD, (i) against delivery of the securities
either in certificate form or through an entry crediting the
Custodian's account at the Federal Reserve Bank with such
securities or (ii) against delivery of the receipt
evidencing purchase by the Portfolio of securities owned by
the Custodian along with written evidence of the agreement
by the Custodian to repurchase such securities from the
Portfolio or (e) for transfer to a time
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deposit account of the Fund in any bank, whether domestic or
foreign; such transfer may be effected prior to receipt of a
confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable bank
pursuant to Proper Instructions from the Fund as defined in
Article 5;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of
securities owned by the Portfolio as set forth in Section
2.2 hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the
Portfolio as set forth in Article 4 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the
Portfolio, including but not limited to the following
payments for the account of the Portfolio: interest, taxes,
management, accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and
operating expenses of the Fund whether or not such expenses
are to be in whole or part capitalized or treated as
deferred expenses;
5) For the payment of any dividends on Shares of the Portfolio
declared pursuant to the governing documents of the Fund;
6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect
of securities sold short;
7) For any other proper purpose, BUT ONLY upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of
the Portfolio, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board
of Trustees or of the Executive Committee of the Fund signed
by an officer of the Fund and certified by its Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary, specifying
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the amount of such payment, setting forth the purpose for
which such payment is to be made, declaring such purpose to
be a proper purpose, and naming the person or persons to
whom such payment is to be made.
2.8 LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT IN ADVANCE OF RECEIPT OF SECURITIES PURCHASED.
Except as specifically stated otherwise in this Contract, in any and
every case where payment for purchase of domestic securities for the
account of a Portfolio is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of
the securities purchased in the absence of specific written instructions
from the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio to so pay in advance, the
Custodian shall be absolutely liable to the Fund for such securities to
the same extent as if the securities had been received by the Custodian.
2.9 APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS. The Custodian may at any time or times in its
discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust
company which is itself qualified under 1940 Act to act as a custodian,
as its agent to carry out such of the provisions of this Article 2 as
the Custodian may from time to time direct; PROVIDED, however, that the
appointment of any agent shall not relieve the Custodian of its
responsibilities or liabilities hereunder.
2.10 DEPOSIT OF FUND ASSETS IN SECURITIES SYSTEMS. The Custodian may deposit
and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in a clearing agency
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 17A
of the Exchange Act, which acts as a securities depository, or in the
book-entry system authorized by the U. S. Department of the Treasury and
certain federal agencies, collectively referred to herein as "Securities
System" in accordance with
12
applicable Federal Reserve Board and Securities and Exchange Commission
rules and regulations, if any, and subject to the following provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of the Portfolio in a
Securities System provided that such securities are
represented in an account ("Account") of the Custodian in
the Securities System which shall not include any assets of
the Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary,
custodian or otherwise for customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of
the Portfolio which are maintained in a Securities System
shall identify by book-entry those securities belonging to
the Portfolio;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of the Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the
Securities System that such securities have been transferred
to the Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and
transfer for the account of the Portfolio. The Custodian
shall transfer securities sold for the account of the
Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities
System that payment for such securities has been transferred
to the Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and
payment for the account of the Portfolio. Copies of all
advises from the Securities System of transfer of securities
for the account of the Portfolio shall identify the
Portfolio, be maintained for the Portfolio by the Custodian
and be
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provided to the Fund at its request. Upon request, the
Custodian shall furnish the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio
confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the
portfolio in the form of a written advice or notice and
shall furnish to the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio copies
of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's
transactions in the Securities System for the account of the
Portfolio.
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund for the Portfolio with
any report obtained by the Custodian on the Securities
System's accounting system, internal accounting control and
procedures for safeguarding securities deposited in the
Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received from the Fund on behalf of
the Portfolio the initial or annual certificate, as the case
may be, required by Article 13 hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding,
the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for the benefit of
the Portfolio for any loss or damage to the Portfolio
resulting from use of the Securities System by reason of any
negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or
any of its agents or of any of its or their employees or
from failure of the Custodian or any such agent to enforce
effectively such rights as it may have against the
Securities System; at the election of the Fund, it shall be
entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian
with respect to any
14
claim against the Securities System or any other person
which the Custodian may have as a consequence of any such
loss or damage if and to the extent that the Portfolio has
not been made whole for any such loss or damage.
2.10A FUND ASSETS HELD IN THE CUSTODIAN'S DIRECT PAPER SYSTEM
The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a
Portfolio in the Direct Paper System of the Custodian subject to the
following provisions:
1) No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper
System will be effected in the absence of Proper
Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Portfolio in the
Direct Paper System only if such securities are represented
in an account ("Account") of the Custodian in the Direct
Paper System which shall not include any assets of the
Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian
or otherwise for customers;
3) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of
the Portfolio which are maintained in the Direct Paper
System shall identify by book-entry those securities
belonging to the Portfolio;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of the Portfolio upon the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and
transfer of securities to the account of the Portfolio. The
Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account of
the Portfolio upon the making of an entry
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on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and
receipt of payment for the account of the Portfolio;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio confirmation of each transfer to or from the
account of the Portfolio, in the form of a written advice or
notice, of Direct Paper on the next business day following
such transfer and shall furnish to the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each
day's transaction in the Securities System for the account
of the Portfolio;
6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio with any report on its system of internal
accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from
time to time.
2.11 SEGREGATED ACCOUNT. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
Instructions from the Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio
establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on
behalf of each such Portfolio, into which account or accounts may be
transferred cash and/or securities, including securities maintained in
an account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof, (i) in
accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund on behalf
of the Portfolio, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the
Exchange Act and a member of the NASD (or any futures commission
merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to
compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any
registered national securities exchange (or the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission or any
16
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 contract or options
thereon purchased or sold by the Portfolio, (iii) for the purposes of
compliance by the Portfolio with the procedures required by Investment
Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release or releases of
the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the maintenance of
segregated accounts by registered investment companies and (iv) for
other proper corporate purposes, BUT ONLY, in the case of clause (iv),
upon receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund on
behalf of the applicable Portfolio, a certified copy of a resolution of
the Board of Trustees or of the Executive Committee signed by an officer
of the Fund and certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary,
setting forth the purpose or purposes of such segregated account and
declaring such purposes to be proper corporate purposes.
2.12 OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES FOR TAX PURPOSES. The Custodian shall execute
ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and
state tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other
payments with respect to domestic securities of each Portfolio held by
it and in connection with transfers of securities.
2.13 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
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Portfolio or a nominee of the Portfolio, all proxies, without indication
of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly
deliver to the Portfolio such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials
and all notices relating to such securities.
2.14 COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. 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 of
behalf of the Portfolio and the maturity of futures contracts purchased
or sold by the Portfolio) received by the Custodian from issuers of the
securities being held for the Portfolio. With respect to tender or
exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Portfolio
all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the
securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or his
agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If the Portfolio desires
to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or any
other similar transaction, the Portfolio shall notify the Custodian at
least three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to
take such action.
3. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND HELD
OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES
3.1 APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS. The Fund hereby authorizes and
instructs the Custodian to employ as sub-custodians for the Portfolio's
securities and other assets maintained outside the United States the
foreign banking
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institutions and foreign securities depositories designated on Schedule
A hereto ("foreign sub-custodians"). Upon receipt of "Proper
Instructions", as defined in Section 5 of this Contract, together with a
certified resolution of the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Custodian and
the Fund may agree to amend Schedule A hereto from time to time to
designate additional foreign banking institutions and foreign securities
depositories to act as sub-custodian. Upon receipt of Property
Instructions, the Fund may instruct the Custodian to cease the
employment of any one or more such sub-custodians for marinating custody
of the Portfolio's assets.
3.2 ASSETS TO BE HELD. The Custodian shall limit the securities and other
assets maintained in the custody of the foreign sub-custodians to: (a)
"foreign securities," as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 under
the 1940 Act and (b) cash and cash equivalents in such amounts as the
Custodian or the Fund may determine to be reasonably necessary to effect
the Portfolio's foreign securities transactions.
3.3 FOREIGN SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES. Except as may otherwise be agreed upon
in writing by the Custodian and the Fund, assets of the Portfolios shall
be maintained in foreign securities depositories only through
arrangements implemented by the foreign banking institutions serving as
sub-custodians pursuant to the terms hereof. Where possible, such
arrangements shall include entry into agreements containing the
provisions set forth in Section 3.5 hereof.
3.4 SEGREGATION OF SECURITIES.
(a) The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to each
applicable Portfolio of the Fund, the foreign securities of such Portfolios held
by each foreign sub-
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custodian. Each agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs a foreign
banking institution shall require that such institution establish a custody
account for the Custodian on behalf of the Fund for each applicable Portfolio of
the Fund and physically segregate in each account, securities and other assets
of the Portfolios, and, in the event that such institution deposits the
securities of one or more of the Portfolios in a foreign securities depository,
that it shall identify on its books as belonging to the Custodian, as agent for
each applicable Portfolio, the securities so deposited.
(b) Notwithstanding any provisions of this Contract to the contrary, 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 be substantially in the form set forth
in Exhibit 1 hereto and shall provide that: (a) the assets of each
Portfolio will not be subject to any right, charge, security interest,
lien or claim of any kind in favor of the foreign
20
banking institution of its creditors or agent, except a claim of payment
for their safe custody or administration; (b) beneficial ownership for
the assets of each portfolio will be freely transferable without the
payment of money or value other than for custody or administration; (c)
adequate records will be maintained identifying the assets as belonging
to each applicable Portfolio; (d) officers of or auditors employed by,
or other representatives of the Custodian, including to the extent
permitted under applicable law the independent public accountants for
the Fund, will be given access to the books and records of the foreign
banking institution relating to its actions under its agreement with the
Custodian; and (e) assets of the Portfolios held by the foreign
sub-custodian will be subject only to the instructions of the Custodian
or its agents.
3.6 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 Portfolio(s) held by foreign
sub-custodians, including but not limited to an identification of
entities having possession of the Portfolio(s) securities and other
assets and advises or notifications of any transfers of securities to or
from each custodial account maintained by a foreign banking institution
for the
21
Custodian on behalf of each applicable Portfolio indicating, as to
securities acquired for a Portfolio, the identity of the entity having
physical possession of such securities.
3.8 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 each
applicable Portfolio and delivery of securities maintained for the
account of each applicable Portfolio may be affected in accordance with
the customary established securities trading or securities processing
practices and procedures in the jurisdiction or market in which the
transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivering securities
to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such
purchaser or dealer) against a receipt with the expectation of receiving
later payment for such securities from such purchaser or dealer.
(c) Securities maintained in the custody of a foreign sub-custodian may
be maintained in the name of such entity's nominee to the same extent as
set forth in Section 2.3 of this Contract, and the Fund agrees to hold
any such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of
such securities.
3.9 LIABILITY OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS. Each agreement pursuant to which
the Custodian employs a foreign banking institution as a foreign
sub-custodian shall
22
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 standard of care
as set forth in Exhibit 1 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 relived 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 Xxxxx
00
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, 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 for the benefit of a
Portfolio including the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or of
contracts for foreign exchange, or in the event that the Custodian or
its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes (excluding any
corporate tax liability of the Custodian), charges, expenses,
assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the performance of
this Contract, except such as may arise from its or its nominee's own
negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, any
property at any time held for the account of the applicable Portfolio
shall be security therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the
Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall after five business days written
notice be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of such
Portfolios 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
24
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. BANKING.
(a) Except as otherwise set forth in this Contract, the provisions
hereof shall not apply where the custody of the Portfolios assets are
maintained in a foreign branch of a banking institution which is a
"bank" as defined by Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act meeting the
qualification set forth in Section 26(a) of said Act. The appointment
of any such branch as a sub-custodian shall be governed by paragraph 1
of this Contract.
(b) Cash held for each Portfolio of the Fund in the United Kingdom
shall be maintained in an interest bearing account established for the
Fund with the Custodian's London branch, which account shall be subject
to the direction of the Custodian, State Street London Ltd. or both.
4. PAYMENT FOR SALES OR REPURCHASES OR REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES OF THE FUND. The
Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Shares or from the Transfer
Agent of the Fund and deposit into the account of the appropriate Portfolio such
payments as are received for Shares of that Portfolio issued or sold from time
to time by the Fund. The Custodian will provide timely notification to the Fund
on behalf of each such Portfolio and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of
payments for Shares of such Portfolio.
25
From such funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the
limitations of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and any applicable votes
of the Board of Trustees of the Fund pursuant thereto, the Custodian shall, upon
receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for
payment to holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request
for redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In connection with the redemption
or repurchase of shares of a Portfolio, the Custodian is authorized upon receipt
of instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial
bank designated by the redeeming shareholders. In connection with the
redemption or repurchase of Shares of the Fund, the Custodian shall honor checks
drawn on the Custodian by a holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished
by the Fund to the holder of Shares, when presented to the Custodian in
accordance with such procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from
time to time between the Fund and the Custodian.
5. PROPER INSTRUCTIONS. Proper Instructions as used throughout this
Contract means a writing signed or initialed by one or more person or persons as
the Board of Trustees shall have from time authorized. Each such writing shall
set forth the specific transaction or type of transaction involved, including a
specific statement of the purpose for which such action is requested. Oral
instructions will be considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian reasonably
believes them to have been given by a person authorized to give such
instructions with respect to the transaction involved. The Fund shall cause all
oral instructions to be confirmed in writing. Upon receipt of a certificate of
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary as to the authorization by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund accompanied by a detailed description of procedures
approved by the Board of Trustees,
26
Proper Instructions may include communications effected directly between
electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the Board of Trustees and
the Custodian are satisfied that such procedures afford adequate safeguards for
the Portfolios' assets. For purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall
include instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to any three-party
agreement which requires a segregated asset account in accordance with Section
2.11.
6. ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY. The Custodian may in its
discretion, without express authority from the Fund on behalf of each applicable
Portfolio:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this Contract,
PROVIDED that all such payments shall be accounted for to the Fund on behalf of
the Portfolio;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive
form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, checks,
drafts and other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection
with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings
with the securities and property of the Portfolio except as otherwise directed
by the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
7. EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY.
The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions,
notice, request, consent , certificate or other instrument or paper believed by
it to be genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the Fund.
The Custodian may receive and
27
accept a certified copy of a vote of the Board of Trustees of the Fund as
conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person to act in accordance with
such vote or (b) of any determination or of any action by the Board of Trustees
pursuant to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust as described in such vote,
and such vote may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt by the
Custodian of written notice to the contrary.
8. RECORDS
The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create and maintain
all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Contract in
such manner as will meet the obligations of the Fund under the 1940 Act, with
particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder,
applicable federal and state tax laws and any other law or administrative rules
or procedures which may be applicable to the Fund. All such records shall be
the property of the Fund and shall at all times during the regular business
hours of the Custodian be open for inspection by duly authorized officers,
employees or agents of the Fund and employees and agents of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The Custodian shall, at the Fund's request, supply the
Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by each Portfolio and held by the
Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund and for such
compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the Custodian, include
certificate numbers in such tabulations.
9. 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
28
annual reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and with respect to any
other requirements of such Commission.
10. 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 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.
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 on behalf of each applicable Portfolio 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
29
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. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the responsibility of the Custodian with respect to redemptions
effected by check shall be in accordance with a separate Agreement entered into
between the Custodian and the Fund.
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 to advance cash or securities for any
purpose for the benefit of a Portfolio including the purchase or sale of foreign
exchange or of contracts for foreign exchange or in the event that the Custodian
or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes (excluding any corporate
tax liability of the Custodian), 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
30
account of the applicable Portfolio shall be security therefor and should the
Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall upon five
business days written notice be entitled to utilize available cash and to
dispose of such Portfolio's assets to the extent necessary to obtain
reimbursement. Parties hereby agree that any use of the term reasonable care
shall be given the same meaning as ordinary negligence under Massachusetts law.
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 ninety (90) days after the date of such delivery or mailing; PROVIDED,
however that the Custodian shall not with respect to a Portfolio act under
Section 2.10 hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees of the Fund has
approved the initial use of a particular Securities System by such Portfolio and
the receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
that the Board of Trustees has reviewed the use by such Portfolio of such
Securities System, as required in each case by Rules 17f-4 and 17f-5 under the
1940 Act, as amended and that the Custodian shall not with respect to a
Portfolio act under Section 2.10A hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of
Trustees has
31
approved the initial use of the Direct Paper System by such Portfolio and the
receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that
the Board of Trustees has reviewed the use by such Portfolio of the Direct Paper
System; PROVIDED FURTHER, however, 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 on behalf of one or more of the Portfolios may at any time by action of
its Board of Trustees (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the
Custodian by giving notice as described above to the Custodian, or (ii)
immediately terminate this Contract in the event of the appointment of a
conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the Comptroller of the Currency or
upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory
agency or court of competent jurisdiction.
Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund on behalf of each applicable
Portfolio shall pay to the Custodian such compensation as may be due as of the
date of such termination and shall likewise reimburse the Custodian for its
costs, expenses and disbursements.
14. SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN
If a successor custodian for the Fund, of one or more of the Portfolios
shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, the Custodian shall,
upon termination, deliver to such successor custodian at the office of the
Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all securities of each
applicable Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account
of the successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in
a Securities System.
32
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall,
in like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer such
securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such vote.
In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian or
certified copy of a vote of the Board of Trustees 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, of its won selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and
undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less than
$25,000,000, all securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian on
behalf of each applicable Portfolio and all instruments held by the Custodian
relative thereto and all other property held by it under this Contract on behalf
of each applicable Portfolio and to transfer to an account of such successor
custodian all the securities of each such Portfolio held in any Securities
System. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the
Custodian under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or of
the Board of Trustees to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian shall be
entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the
Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and
the provisions of this Contract relating to the duties and obligations of the
Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
33
15. INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and the
Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios, may from time to time agree on such
provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this Contract as
may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this
Contract. Any such interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a writing
signed by both parties and shall be annexed hereto, PROVIDED that no such
interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any applicable federal or
state regulations or any provision of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of
the Fund. No interpretive or additional provisions made as provided in the
preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Contract.
16. ADDITIONAL FUNDS
In the event that the Fund establishes one or more series of Shares in
addition to AIM New Dimension Fund with respect to which it desires to have the
Custodian render services as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so
notify the Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing to
provide such services, such series of Shares shall become a Portfolio hereunder.
17. LIMITATION OF SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY
It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Fund hereunder shall
not be binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers,
agents or employees of the Fund personally, but shall only bind the assets and
property of the Fund, as provided in the Fund's Agreement and Declaration of
Trust. The execution and delivery of this Contract have been authorized by the
Trustees of the Company, and this Contract has been executed and delivered by an
authorized officer of the Company acting as such; neither such
34
authorization by such Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer
shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any
liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the assets and property
of the Fund, as provided in the Fund's Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
18. MASSACHUSETTS LAW TO APPLY
This Contract shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted
under and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
19. PRIOR CONTRACTS
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all
prior contracts between the Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios and the
Custodian relating to the custody of the Fund's assets.
35
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 May, 1998.
ATTEST: AIM SERIES TRUST
----------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Silver Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Assistant Secretary Vice President, Principal Accounting
Officer and (Acting) CFO
ATTEST: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY
----------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
36
SCHEDULE A
The following foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories
have been approved by the Board of Trustees for use as sub-custodians for the
Fund's securities and other assets:
NONE HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
37