CUSTODY AGREEMENT
This AGREEMENT is effective __________, 19__, and is between THE CHASE
MANHATTAN BANK, N.A. (the "Bank") and LEXINGTON SMALLCAP VALUE FUND, INC.
(the "Customer").
1. Customer Accounts.
The Bank agrees to establish and maintain the following accounts
("Accounts"):
(a) A custody account in the name of the Customer ("Custody Account")
for any and all stocks, shares, bonds, debentures, notes, mortgages or other
obligations for the payment of money, bullion, coin and any certificates,
receipts, warrants or other instruments representing rights to receive,
purchase or subscribe for the same or evidencing or representing any other
rights or interests therein and other similar property whether certificated
or uncertificated as may be received by the Bank or its Subcustodian (as
defined in Section 3) for the account of the Customer ("Securities"); and
(b) A deposit account in the name of the Customer ("Deposit Account")
for any and all cash in any currency received by the Bank or its Subcustodian
for the account of the Customer, which cash shall not be subject to
withdrawal by draft or check.
The Customer warrants its authority to: 1) deposit the cash and
Securities ("Assets") received in the Accounts and 2) give Instructions (as
defined in Section 11) concerning the Accounts. The Bank may deliver
securities of the same class in place of those deposited in the Custody
Account.
Upon written agreement between the Bank and the Customer, additional
Accounts may be established and separately accounted for as additional
Accounts under the terms of this Agreement.
2. Maintenance of Securities and Cash at Bank and Subcustodian Locations.
Unless Instructions specifically require another location acceptable to
the Bank:
(a) Securities will be held in the country or other jurisdiction in
which the principal trading market for such Securities is located, where such
Securities are to be presented for payment or where such Securities are
acquired; and
(b) Cash will be credited to an account in a country or other
jurisdiction in which such cash may be legally deposited or is the legal
currency for the payment of public or private debts.
Cash may be held pursuant to Instructions in either interest or
non-interest bearing accounts as may be available for the particular
currency. To the extent Instructions are issued and the Bank can comply with
such Instructions, the Bank is authorized to maintain cash balances on
deposit for the Customer with itself or one of its affiliates at such
reasonable rates of interest as may from time to time be paid on such
accounts, or in non-interest bearing accounts as the Customer may direct, if
acceptable to the Bank.
If the Customer wishes to have any of its Assets held in the custody of
an institution other than the established Subcustodians as defined in Section
3 (or their securities depositories), such arrangement must be authorized by
a written agreement, signed by the Bank and the Customer.
3. Subcustodians and Securities Depositories.
The Bank may act under this Agreement through the subcustodians listed
in Schedule A of this Agreement with which the Bank has entered into
subcustodial agreements ("Subcustodians"). The Customer authorizes the Bank
to hold Assets in the Accounts in accounts which the Bank has established
with one or more of its branches or Subcustodians. The Bank and Subcustodians
are authorized to hold any of the Securities in their account with any
securities depository in which they participate.
The Bank reserves the right to add new, replace or remove
Subcustodians. The Customer will be given reasonable notice by the Bank of
any amendment to Schedule A. Upon request by the Customer, the Bank will
identify the name, address and principal place of business of any
Subcustodian of the Customer's Assets and the name and address of the
governmental agency or other regulatory authority that supervises or
regulates such Subcustodian.
4. Use of Subcustodian.
(a) The Bank will identify such Assets on its books as belonging to
the Customer.
(b) A Subcustodian will hold such Assets together with assets
belonging to other customers of the Bank in accounts identified on such
Subcustodian's books as special custody accounts for the exclusive benefit of
customers of the Bank.
(c) Any Assets in the Accounts held by a Subcustodian will be subject
only to the instructions of the Bank or its agent. Any Securities held in a
securities depository for the account of a Subcustodian will be subject only
to the instructions of such Subcustodian.
(d) Any agreement the Bank enters into with a Subcustodian for
holding its customer's assets shall provide that such assets will not be
subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in
favor of such Subcustodian except for safe custody or administration, and
that the beneficial ownership of such assets will be freely transferable
without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or
administration. The foregoing shall not apply to the extent of any special
agreement or arrangement made by the Customer with any particular
Subcustodian.
5. Deposit Account Transactions.
(a) The Bank or its Subcustodians will make payments from the Deposit
Account upon receipt of Instructions which include all information required
by the Bank.
(b) In the event that any payment to be made under this Section 5
exceeds the funds available in the Deposit Account, the Bank, in its
discretion, may advance the Customer such excess amount which shall be deemed
a loan payable on demand, bearing interest at the rate customarily charged by
the Bank on similar loans.
(c) If the Bank credits the Deposit Account on a payable date, or at
any time prior to actual collection and reconciliation to the Deposit
Account, with interest, dividends, redemptions or any other amount due, the
Customer will promptly return any such amount upon oral or written
notification: (i) that such amount has not been received in the ordinary
course of business or (ii) that such amount was incorrectly credited. If the
Customer does not promptly return any amount upon such notification, the Bank
shall be entitled, upon oral or written notification to the Customer, to
reverse such credit by debiting the Deposit Account for the amount previously
credited. The Bank or its Subcustodian shall have no duty or obligation to
institute legal proceedings, file a claim or a proof of claim in any
insolvency proceeding or take any other action with respect to the collection
of such amount, but may act for the Customer upon Instructions after
consultation with the Customer.
6. Custody Account Transactions.
(a) Securities will be transferred, exchanged or delivered by the
Bank or its Subcustodian upon receipt by the Bank of Instructions which
include all information required by the Bank. Settlement and payment for
Securities received for, and delivery of Securities out of, the Custody
Account may be made in accordance with the customary or established
securities trading or securities processing practices and procedures in the
jurisdiction or market in which the transaction occurs, including, without
limitation, delivery of Securities to a purchaser, dealer or their agents
against a receipt with the expectation of receiving later payment and free
delivery. Delivery of Securities out of the Custody Account may also be made
in any manner specifically required by Instructions acceptable to the Bank.
(b) The Bank, in its discretion, may credit or debit the Accounts on
a contractual settlement date with cash or Securities with respect to any
sale, exchange or purchase of Securities. Otherwise, such transactions will
be credited or debited to the Accounts on the date cash or Securities are
actually received by the Bank and reconciled to the Account.
(i) The Bank may reverse credits or debits made to the Accounts
in its discretion if the related transaction fails to settle
within a reasonable period, determined by the Bank in its
discretion, after the contractual settlement date for the related
transaction.
(ii) If any Securities delivered pursuant to this Section 6 are
returned by the recipient thereof, the Bank may reverse the
credits and debits of the particular transaction at any time.
7. Actions of the Bank.
The Bank shall follow Instructions received regarding assets held in
the Accounts. However, until it receives Instructions to the contrary, the
Bank will:
(a) Present for payment any Securities which are called, redeemed or
retired or otherwise become payable and all coupons and other income items
which call for payment upon presentation, to the extent that the Bank or
Subcustodian is actually aware of such opportunities.
(b) Execute in the name of the Customer such ownership and other
certificates as may be required to obtain payments in respect of Securities.
(c) Exchange interim receipts or temporary Securities for definitive
Securities.
(d) Appoint brokers and agents for any transaction involving the
Securities, including, without limitation, affiliates of the Bank or any
Subcustodian.
(e) Issue statements to the Customer, at times mutually agreed upon,
identifying the Assets in the Accounts.
The Bank will send the Customer an advice or notification of any
transfers of Assets to or from the Accounts. Such statements, advices or
notifications shall indicate the identity of the entity having custody of the
Assets. Unless the Customer sends the Bank a written exception or objection
to any Bank statement within sixty (60) days of receipt, the Customer shall
be deemed to have approved such statement. In such event, or where the
Customer has otherwise approved any such statement, the Bank shall, to the
extent permitted by law, be released, relieved and discharged with respect to
all matters set forth in such statement or reasonably implied therefrom as
though it had been settled by the decree of a court of competent jurisdiction
in an action where the Customer and all persons having or claiming an
interest in the Customer or the Customer's Accounts were parties.
All collections of funds or other property paid or distributed in
respect of Securities in the Custody Account shall be made at the risk of the
Customer. The Bank shall have no liability for any loss occasioned by delay
in the actual receipt of notice by the Bank or by its Subcustodians of any
payment, redemption or other transaction regarding Securities in the Custody
Account in respect of which the Bank has agreed to take any action under this
Agreement.
8. Corporate Actions; Proxies.
Whenever the Bank receives information concerning the Securities which
requires discretionary action by the beneficial owner of the Securities
(other than a proxy), such as subscription rights, bonus issues, stock
repurchase plans and rights offerings, or legal notices or other material
intended to be transmitted to securities holders ("Corporate Actions"), the
Bank will give the Customer notice of such Corporate Actions to the extent
that the Bank's central corporate actions department has actual knowledge of
a Corporate Action in time to notify its customers.
When a rights entitlement or a fractional interest resulting from a
rights issue, stock dividend, stock split or similar Corporate Action is
received which bears an expiration date, the Bank will endeavor to obtain
Instructions from the Customer or its Authorized Person, but if Instructions
are not received in time for the Bank to take timely action, or actual notice
of such Corporate Action was received too late to seek Instructions, the Bank
is authorized to sell such rights entitlement or fractional interest and to
credit the Deposit Account with the proceeds or take any other action it
deems, in good faith, to be appropriate in which case it shall be held
harmless for any such action.
The Bank will deliver proxies to the Customer or its designated agent
pursuant to special arrangements which may have been agreed to in writing.
Such proxies shall be executed in the appropriate nominee name relating to
Securities in the Custody Account registered in the name of such nominee but
without indicating the manner in which such proxies are to be voted; and
where bearer Securities are involved, proxies will be delivered in accordance
with Instructions.
9. Nominees.
Securities which are ordinarily held in registered form may be
registered in a nominee name of the Bank, Subcustodian or securities
depository, as the case may be. The Bank may without notice to the Customer
cause any such Securities to cease to be registered in the name of any such
nominee and to be registered in the name of the Customer. In the event that
any Securities registered in a nominee name are called for partial redemption
by the issuer, the Bank may allot the called portion to the respective
beneficial holders of such class of security in any manner the Bank deems to
be fair and equitable. The Customer agrees to hold the Bank, Subcustodians,
and their respective nominees harmless from any liability arising directly or
indirectly from their status as a mere record holder of Securities in the
Custody Account.
10. Authorized Persons.
As used in this Agreement, the term "Authorized Person" means employees
or agents including investment managers as have been designated by written
notice from the Customer or its designated agent to act on behalf of the
Customer under this Agreement. Such persons shall continue to be Authorized
Persons until such time as the Bank receives Instructions from the Customer
or its designated agent that any such employee or agent is no longer an
Authorized Person.
11. Instructions.
The term "Instructions" means instructions of any Authorized Person
received by the Bank, via telephone, telex, TWX, facsimile transmission, bank
wire or other teleprocess or electronic instruction or trade information
system acceptable to the Bank which the Bank believes in good faith to have
been given by Authorized Persons or which are transmitted with proper testing
or authentication pursuant to terms and conditions which the Bank may
specify. Unless otherwise expressly provided, all Instructions shall
continue in full force and effect until canceled or superseded.
Any Instructions delivered to the Bank by telephone shall promptly
thereafter be confirmed in writing by an Authorized Person (which
confirmation may bear the facsimile signature of such Person), but the
Customer will hold the Bank harmless for the failure of an Authorized Person
to send such confirmation in writing, the failure of such confirmation to
conform to the telephone instructions received or the Bank's failure to
produce such confirmation at any subsequent time. The Bank may
electronically record any Instructions given by telephone, and any other
telephone discussions with respect to the Custody Account. The Customer
shall be responsible for safeguarding any testkeys, identification codes or
other security devices which the Bank shall make available to the Customer or
its Authorized Persons.
12. Standard of Care; Liabilities.
(a) The Bank shall be responsible for the performance of only such
duties as are set forth in this Agreement or expressly contained in
Instructions which are consistent with the provisions of this Agreement as
follows:
(i) The Bank will use reasonable care with respect to its
obligations under this Agreement and the safekeeping of Assets.
The Bank shall be liable to the Customer for any loss which shall
occur as the result of the failure of a Subcustodian to exercise
reasonable care with respect to the safekeeping of such Assets to
the same extent that the Bank would be liable to the Customer if
the Bank were holding such Assets in New York. In the event of
any loss to the Customer by reason of the failure of the Bank or
its Subcustodian to utilize reasonable care, the Bank shall be
liable to the Customer only to the extent of the Customer's
direct damages, to be determined based on the market value of the
property which is the subject of the loss at the date of
discovery of such loss and without reference to any special
conditions or circumstances.
(ii) The Bank will not be responsible for any act, omission,
default or for the solvency of any broker or agent which it or a
Subcustodian appoints unless such appointment was made
negligently or in bad faith.
(iii) The Bank shall be indemnified by, and without liability to
the Customer for any action taken or omitted by the Bank whether
pursuant to Instructions or otherwise within the scope of this
Agreement if such act or omission was in good faith, without
negligence. In performing its obligations under this Agreement,
the Bank may rely on the genuineness of any document which it
believes in good faith to have been validly executed.
(iv) The Customer agrees to pay for and hold the Bank harmless
from any liability or loss resulting from the imposition or
assessment of any taxes or other governmental charges, and any
related expenses with respect to income from or Assets in the
Accounts.
(v) The Bank shall be entitled to rely, and may act, upon the
advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Customer) on all
matters and shall be without liability for any action reasonably
taken or omitted pursuant to such advice.
(vi) The Bank need not maintain any insurance for the benefit of
the Customer.
(vii) Without limiting the foregoing, the Bank shall not be
liable for any loss which results from: 1) the general risk of
investing, or 2) investing or holding Assets in a particular
country including, but not limited to, losses resulting from
nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions;
regulation of the banking or securities industry; currency
restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations; and market conditions
which prevent the orderly execution of securities transactions or
affect the value of Assets.
(viii) Neither party shall be liable to the other for any
loss due to forces beyond their control including, but not
limited to strikes or work stoppages, acts of war or terrorism,
insurrection, revolution, nuclear fusion, fission or radiation,
or acts of God.
(b) Consistent with and without limiting the first paragraph of this
Section 12, it is specifically acknowledged that the Bank shall have no duty
or responsibility to:
(i) question Instructions or make any suggestions to the
Customer or an Authorized Person regarding such Instructions;
(ii) supervise or make recommendations with respect to
investments or the retention of Securities;
(iii) advise the Customer or an Authorized Person regarding any
default in the payment of principal or income of any security other
than as provided in Section 5(c) of this Agreement;
(iv) evaluate or report to the Customer or an Authorized Person
regarding the financial condition of any broker, agent or other
party to which Securities are delivered or payments are made
pursuant to this Agreement;
(v) review or reconcile trade confirmations received from
brokers. The Customer or its Authorized Persons (as defined in
Section 10) issuing Instructions shall bear any responsibility to
review such confirmations against Instructions issued to and
statements issued by the Bank.
(c) The Customer authorizes the Bank to act under this Agreement
notwithstanding that the Bank or any of its divisions or affiliates may have
a material interest in a transaction, or circumstances are such that the Bank
may have a potential conflict of duty or interest including the fact that the
Bank or any of its affiliates may provide brokerage services to other
customers, act as financial advisor to the issuer of Securities, act as a
lender to the issuer of Securities, act in the same transaction as agent for
more than one customer, have a material interest in the issue of Securities,
or earn profits from any of the activities listed herein.
13. Fees and Expenses.
The Customer agrees to pay the Bank for its services under this
Agreement such amount as may be agreed upon in writing, together with the
Bank's reasonable out-of-pocket or incidental expenses, including, but not
limited to, legal fees. The Bank shall have a lien on and is authorized to
charge any Accounts of the Customer for any amount owing to the Bank under
any provision of this Agreement.
14. Miscellaneous.
(a) Foreign Exchange Transactions. To facilitate the administration
of the Customer's trading and investment activity, the Bank is authorized to
enter into spot or forward foreign exchange contracts with the Customer or an
Authorized Person for the Customer and may also provide foreign exchange
through its subsidiaries, affiliates or Subcustodians. Instructions,
including standing instructions, may be issued with respect to such contracts
but the Bank may establish rules or limitations concerning any foreign
exchange facility made available. In all cases where the Bank, its
subsidiaries, affiliates or Subcustodians enter into a foreign exchange
contract related to Accounts, the terms and conditions of the then current
foreign exchange contract of the Bank, its subsidiary, affiliate or
Subcustodian and, to the extent not inconsistent, this Agreement shall apply
to such transaction.
(b) Certification of Residency, etc. The Customer certifies that it
is a resident of the United States and agrees to notify the Bank of any
changes in residency. The Bank may rely upon this certification or the
certification of such other facts as may be required to administer the Bank's
obligations under this Agreement. The Customer will indemnify the Bank
against all losses, liability, claims or demands arising directly or
indirectly from any such certifications.
(c) Access to Records. The Bank shall allow the Customer's
independent public accountant reasonable access to the records of the Bank
relating to the Assets as is required in connection with their examination of
books and records pertaining to the Customer's affairs. Subject to
restrictions under applicable law, the Bank shall also obtain an undertaking
to permit the Customer's independent public accountants reasonable access to
the records of any Subcustodian which has physical possession of any Assets
as may be required in connection with the examination of the Customer's books
and records.
(d) Governing Law; Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be
governed by the laws of the State of New York and shall not be assignable by
either party, but shall bind the successors in interest of the Customer and
the Bank.
(e) Entire Agreement; Applicable Riders. Customer represents that
the Assets deposited in the Accounts are (Check one):
Employee Benefit Plan or other assets subject to the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA");
X Mutual Fund assets subject to certain Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") rules and regulations;
Neither of the above.
This Agreement consists exclusively of this document together with
Schedule A, Exhibits I - _______ and the following Rider(s) [Check
applicable rider(s)]:
ERISA
MUTUAL FUND
SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
There are no other provisions of this Agreement and this Agreement
supersedes any other agreements, whether written or oral, between the
parties. Any amendment to this Agreement must be in writing, executed by
both parties.
(f) Severability. In the event that one or more provisions of this
Agreement are held invalid, illegal or enforceable in any respect on the
basis of any particular circumstances or in any jurisdiction, the validity,
legality and enforceability of such provision or provisions under other
circumstances or in other jurisdictions and of the remaining provisions will
not in any way be affected or impaired.
(g) Waiver. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no
failure or delay on the part of either party in exercising any power or right
under this Agreement operates as a waiver, nor does any single or partial
exercise of any power or right preclude any other or further exercise, or the
exercise of any other power or right. No waiver by a party of any provision
of this Agreement, or waiver of any breach or default, is effective unless in
writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is to be enforced.
(h) Notices. All notices under this Agreement shall be effective
when actually received. Any notices or other communications which may be
required under this Agreement are to be sent to the parties at the following
addresses or such other addresses as may subsequently be given to the other
party in writing:
Bank: The Chase Manhattan Bank, X.X.
Xxxxx XxxxxXxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Global Custody Division
or telex:
Customer: Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Lexington Management Corp.
Park 00 Xxxx, Xxxxx Xxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
or telex:
(i) Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by the Customer or
the Bank by giving sixty (60) days written notice to the other, provided that
such notice to the Bank shall specify the names of the persons to whom the
Bank shall deliver the Assets in the Accounts. If notice of termination is
given by the Bank, the Customer shall, within sixty (60) days following
receipt of the notice, deliver to the Bank Instructions specifying the names
of the persons to whom the Bank shall deliver the Assets. In either case the
Bank will deliver the Assets to the persons so specified, after deducting any
amounts which the Bank determines in good faith to be owed to it under
Section 13. If within sixty (60) days following receipt of a notice of
termination by the Bank, the Bank does not receive Instructions from the
Customer specifying the names of the persons to whom the Bank shall deliver
the Assets, the Bank, at its election, may deliver the Assets to a bank or
trust company doing business in the State of New York to be held and disposed
of pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, or to Authorized Persons, or
may continue to hold the Assets until Instructions are provided to the Bank.
LEXINGTON SMALLCAP VALUE FUND, INC.
By:____________________________________________
Title
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A.
By:____________________________________________
Title
STATE OF )
: ss.
COUNTY OF )
On this day of , 19 , before me personally came
, to me known, who being by me duly sworn, did
depose and say that he/she resides in at
;
that he/she is of
, the entity described in and which executed the
foregoing instrument; that he/she knows the seal of said entity, that the
seal affixed to said instrument is such seal, that it was so affixed by order
of said entity, and that he/she signed his/her name thereto by like order.
Sworn to before me this
day of , 19 .
Notary
STATE OF NEW YORK )
: ss.
COUNTY OF NEW YORK )
On this day of ,19 ,
before me personally came , to me known, who being by
me duly sworn, did depose and say that he/she resides in
at
; that he/she is a Vice
President of THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, (National Association), the
corporation described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that
he/she knows the seal of said corporation, that the seal affixed to said
instrument is such corporate seal, that it was so affixed by order of the
Board of Directors of said corporation, and that he/she signed his/her name
thereto by like order.
Sworn to before me this
day of , 19 .
Notary
