CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
BETWEEN
QUEST CASH RESERVES, INC.
AND
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
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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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
2.1 Holding Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
2.2 Delivery of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
2.3 Registration of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
2.4 Bank Accounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
2.5 Payments for Shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.6 Availability of Federal Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.7 Collection of Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.8 Payment of Fund Monies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.9 Liability for Payment in Advance of
Receipt of Securities Purchased. . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.10 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions
of Shares of the Fund. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2.11 Appointment of Agents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2.12 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities System. . . . . . 16
2.12A Fund Assests held in the Custodian's Direct
Paper System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
2.13 Segregated Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2.14 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. . . . . . . . 22
2.15 Proxies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
2.16 Communications Relating to Portfolio
Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
2.17 Proper Instructions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
2.18 Actions Permitted Without Express Authority. . . . . . 24
2.19 Evidence of Authority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
3. Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books of Account
and Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income. . . . . . . . 26
4. Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountants. . . . . . . . . . . . 27
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants. . . . . . . . 27
7. Compensation of Custodian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
8. Responsibility of Custodian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
9. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment. . . . . . . . . . . 30
10. Successor Custodian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
12. Additional Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
13. Massachusetts Law to Apply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
14. Prior Contracts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
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CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between Quest Cash Reserves, Inc., a corporation organized
and existing under the laws of Maryland, having its principal place of business
at 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx, 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:
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 three series, the
Primary Portfolio, Government Portfolio, and Tax Exempt Portfolio (such series
together with all other series subsequently established by the Fund and made
subject to this Contract in accordance with paragraph 12, 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 Portfolios of the Fund pursuant to the provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation. The Fund on behalf of the Portfolio(s) agrees to deliver to the
Custodian all securities and cash of the Portfolios, and all payments of income,
payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to
all securities owned by the Portfolio(s) from time to time, and the cash
consideration received by it for such new or treasury shares of beneficial
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interest of the Fund representing interests in the Portfolios, ("Shares") as may
be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for
any property of a Portfolio held or received by the Portfolio and not delivered
to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the Meaning of Section
2.17), the Custodian shall on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) from time to
time employ one or more sub-custodians, but only in accordance with an
applicable vote by the Board of Directors 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.
2. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND HELD BY THE
CUSTODIAN
2.1 HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate for
the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property, including all
securities owned by such Portfolio, other than (a) securities which are
maintained pursuant to Section 2.12 in a clearing agency which acts as a
securities depository or in a book-entry system authorized by the U.S.
Department of the Treasury, 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 2.12A.
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2.2 DELIVERY OF SECURITIES. The Custodian shall release and deliver
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 2.12 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for securities of the Portfolio;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are
called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided
that , in any such case, the cash or other consideration is to
be delivered to the Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name
of the Portfolio or into the name of any nominee or nominees of
the Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any agent
appointed pursuant to Section 2.11 or into the name or nominee
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name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant of 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 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
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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 form 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;
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
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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 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
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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 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. 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 2.11 or in
the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to
Article 1. All securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the
Portfolio under the terms of this Contract shall be in "street name" or
other good delivery form. 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, tendency of calls, maturities,
tender or exchange offers.
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2.4 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
account or accounts 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 n accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. Funds held by the Custodian for a Portfolio may be
deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in the Banking Department of
the Custodian or in such other banks or trust companies as it may in its
discretion deem necessary or desirable; PROVIDED, however, that every such
bank or trust company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and that each such bank or trust company
and the funds to be deposited with each such bank or trust company shall
on behalf of each applicable portfolio be approved by vote of a majority
of the Board of 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 PAYMENTS FOR SHARES. 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 the Portfolio issued or sold from time to time by the Fund. The
Custodian will provide timely nonfiction 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.
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2.6 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 payment for Shares of such
Portfolio which are deposited into the Portfolio's account.
2.7 COLLECTION OF INCOME. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the
Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments
with respect to registered securities held hereunder to which each
Portfolio shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the
securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income and
other payments with respect to bearer securities if, on the date of
payment by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its
Agent thereof and shall credit such income, as collected to such
Portfolio's custodian account. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for payment all coupons
and other income items requiring presentation as and when they become due
and shall collect interest when due on securities held hereunder. Income
due each Portfolio on securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of
Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility of the 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
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Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the
income to which the Portfolio is properly entitled.
2.8 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:
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 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 ben 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 2.12 hereof; (c)
in the case of a purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in
accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.12A; (d) in the
case of repurchase agreements entered into between the Fund on
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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
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 Section 2.17;
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 Section 2.10 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the
Portfolio, including but not limited to the following payments for
the account of the Portfolio: interest, taxes, management,
accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and operating expenses of
the Fund whether or not such expenses are to be in whole or part
capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;
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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 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
for which such payment is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a
proper purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom such payment
is to be made.
2.9 LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT IN ADVANCE OF RECEIPT OF SECURITIES PURCHASED.
Except as specifically stated otherwise in this Contract, in any and every
case where payment for purchase of securities for the account of a
Portfolio is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the securities
purchased in the absence of specific written instructions from the 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.
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2.10 PAYMENTS FOR REPURCHASES OR REDEMPTIONS 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 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.
2.11 APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS. The Custodian may at any time or times in its
discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust
company which is itself qualified under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry out such of
the provisions of this Article 2 as the Custodian may from time to time
direct; PROVIDED, however, that the appointment
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of any agent shall not relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities or
liabilities hereunder.
2.12 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 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 "Securities System" in accordance with applicable Federal
Reserve Board and Securities and Exchange Commission rules and
regulations, if any, and subject to the following provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of the Portfolio in a 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 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
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making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such
transfer and payment for the account of the Portfolio. Copies of all
advices from the Securities System of transfers of securities for the
account of the Portfolio shall identify the Portfolio, be maintained
for the Portfolio by the Custodian and be provided to the 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 9 hereof;
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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 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.
2.12A 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
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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 of the Portfolio
which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall identify
by book-entry those securities belonging to the Portfolio;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of the Portfolio upon the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer
of securities to the account of the Portfolio. The Custodian
shall transfer securities sold for the account of the
Portfolio upon the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such transfer and receipt of payment for
the account of the Portfolio;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the 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;
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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.
2.13 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 2.12 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 registered contract market), or
of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Portfolio, (ii) for
purposes of segregating cash or government securities in connection with
options purchased, sold or written by the Portfolio or commodity futures
contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by the Portfolio, (iii) for
the purposes of compliance by the Portfolio with the procedures required by
Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release 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
20
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 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.
2.14 OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES FOR TAX PURPOSES. The Custodian shall execute
ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state
tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with
respect to securities of each Portfolio held by it and in connection with
transfers of securities.
2.15 PROXIES. The Custodian shall, with respect to the securities held
hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such
securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the name of
the Portfolio or a nominee of the Portfolio, all proxies, without
indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall
promptly deliver to the Portfolio such proxies, all proxy soliciting
materials and all notices relating to such securities.
2.16 COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. Subject to the
provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the
Fund for each Portfolio all written information (including, without
limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of securities and expirations
of rights in connection therewith and notices of exercise of call and put
options written by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio and the maturity of
futures contracts purchased or sold by the Portfolio) received by the
Custodian from issuers of the securities being held for the Portfolio.
With respect to tender or exchange offers,
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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.
2.17 PROPER INSTRUCTIONS. Proper Instructions as used throughout this Article
2 means a writing signed or initialed 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 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 2.13.
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2.18 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 Directors of the Fund.
2.19 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.
3. DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNT AND CALCULATION
OF NET ASSET VALUE AND NET INCOME
23
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 each Portfolio and/or compute the net asset value per
share of the outstanding shares of each Portfolio or, if directed in writing to
do so by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, shall itself keep such books of
account and/or compute such net asset value per share. If so directed, the
Custodian shall also calculate daily the net income of the Portfolio as
described in the Fund's currently effective prospectus related to such Portfolio
and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the total amount 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 calculation of the net asset value per
share and the daily income of each Portfolio shall be made at the time or times
described from time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus related
to such Portfolio.
4. 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 Investment
Company Act of 1940, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules
31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder, applicable federal and state tax laws and any other
law or administrative rules or procedures which may be applicable to the 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
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so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be a greed upon between the
Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such tabulations.
5. OPINION OF FUND'S INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund on behalf
of each applicable Portfolio may from time to time request, to obtain from year
to year favorable opinions from the Fund's independent accountants with respect
to its activities hereunder in connection with the preparation of the Fund's
Form N-1A, and Form N-SAR or other annual reports to the Securities and Exchange
Commission and with respect to any other requirements of such Commission.
6. 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.
7. 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.
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8. 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 parities,
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 keep 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 redemption
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 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 or in the event that the Custodian or
its nominee shall
26
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
applicable Portfolio shall be security therefor and should the Fund fail to
repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize
available cash and to dispose of such Portfolio's assets to the extent necessary
to obtain reimbursement.
9. EFFECTIVE PERIOD, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall
continue in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may
be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be
terminated by either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed,
postage prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner
than thirty (30) days after the date of such delivery or mailing; PROVIDED,
however that the Custodian shall not with respect to the Portfolio act under
Section 2.12 hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Directors 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 Directors has reviewed the use by such Portfolio of such
Securities System, as required in each case by Rule 17f-4 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended and that the Custodian shall not with respect to
a Portfolio act under Section 2.12A hereof in the absence of receipt of an
initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of
Directors has approved the initial use of the Direct Paper System by such
Portfolio and the receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an
27
Assistant Secretary that the Board of Directors 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 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 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.
10. SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN
If a successor custodian for the Fund, of one or more of the
Portfolios 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 of each applicable Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall
transfer to an account of the successor custodian all of the securities of each
such Portfolio held in a Securities System.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian
shall, in like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the Board
of Directors of the Fund, deliver
28
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 on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and all
instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held
by it under this Contract on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and to transfer
to an account of such successor custodian all of the securities of each such
Portfolio held in any Securities System. Thereafter, such bank or trust company
shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the 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.
11. INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
29
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 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.
12. ADDITIONAL FUNDS
In the event that the Fund establishes one or more series of Shares in
addition to the Primary Portfolio, Government Portfolio, and Tax Exempt
Portfolio 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
30
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 20th day of October, 1989.
ATTEST QUEST CASH RESERVES, INC.
XXXXX XXXXX By XXXXXX X. XXXXXX
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ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
X. XXXXXX By XXXXXX X. XXXX
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Assistant Secretary Vice President
31
