CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
BLACKROCK FLORIDA INSURED MUNICIPAL 2008 TERM TRUST INC.
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
22C691
WP1979C
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It . . . . . . . . 4
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held
By the Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.1 Holding Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.2 Delivery of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.3 Registration of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.4 Bank Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.6 Collection of Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt
of Securities Purchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.9 Appointment of Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems . . . . . . . . 11
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System . 12
2.11 Segregated Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.13 Proxies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.14 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities . . . . 14
2.15 Proper Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.16 Actions Permitted without Express Authority . . . . . . . . . 15
2.17 Evidence of Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income. . . . . . . . . 16
4. Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants . . . . . . . . 17
7. Compensation of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
8. Responsibility of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
9. Effective Period, Termination an Amendment . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
10. Successor Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
12. Massachusetts Law to Apply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
13. Prior Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
14. Shareholder Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between BlackRock Florida Insured Municipal 2008 Term
Trust Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having its principal place of business at
000 Xxxx 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: That in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of its assets
pursuant to the provisions of the Declaration of Trust. The Fund agrees to
deliver to the Custodian all securities and cash owned by it, and all
payments of income, payments of principal or capital distributions received
by it with respect to all securities owned by the Fund from time to time,
and the cash consideration received by it for such new or treasury shares
of beneficial interest, ("Shares") of the Fund as may be issued or sold
from time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property
of the Fund held or received by the Fund and not delivered to the
Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Section
2.15), the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more sub-
custodians, but only in accordance with an applicable vote by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund, and provided that the Custodian shall have no more or
less responsibility or liability to the Fund on account of any actions or
omissions of any sub-custodian so employed than any such sub-custodian has
to the Custodian.
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 the Fund all non-cash property, including all securities owned by
the Fund, other than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant to
Section 2.10 in a clearing agency which acts as a securities
depository or in a book-entry system authorized by the U S. Department
of the Treasury, 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 securities owned by the
Fund 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, which may be continuing instructions when deemed
appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:
1)Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Fund and
receipt of payment therefor;
2)Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
agreement related to such securities entered into by the
Fund;
3)In the case of a sale effected through a Securities System, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.10 hereof;
4)To the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for portfolio securities of the Fund;
5)To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are
called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable;
provided that, in any such case, the cash or other
consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;
6)To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the
name of the Fund or into the name of any nominee or nominees
of the Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any agent
appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 or into the name or nominee
name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Article 1; or
for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or
other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or
number of units: provided that, in any such case, the new
securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;
7)Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Fund,
to the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt,
for examination in accordance with "street delivery" custom;
provided that in any such case, the Custodian shall have no
responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the
delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment for
such securities except as may arise from the Custodian's own
negligence or willful misconduct;
8)For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or
readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such
securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained
in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement;
provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash,
if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;
9)In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the
surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or
similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or
temporary securities for definitive securities; provided that,
in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to
be delivered to the Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made
by the Fund, but only against receipt of adequate collateral
as agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the
Fund, which may be in the form of cash or obligations issued
by the United States government, its agencies or
instrumentalities, except that in connection with any loans
for which collateral is to be credited to the Custodian's
account in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S.
Department of the Treasury, the Custodian will not be held
liable or responsible for the delivery of securities owned by
the Fund prior to the receipt of such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings
by the Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, but only
against receipt of amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer
registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act") and a member of The National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), relating to compliance with
the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any
registered national securities exchange, or of any similar
organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund, the Custodian, and a Futures
Commission Merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange
Act, relating to compliance with the rules of the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission and/or any Contract Market, or any
similar organization or organizations, regarding account
deposits in connection with transactions by the Fund; and
14) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon
receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified
copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors or of the
Executive Committee signed by an officer of the Fund and
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary,
specifying the securities to be delivered, setting forth the
purpose for which such delivery is to be made, declaring such
purpose to be a proper corporate purpose, and naming the
person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be
made.
2.3 Registration of Securities.
Securities held by the Custodian (other than bearer securities)
shall be registered in the name of the Fund or in the name of any
nominee of the Fund or of any nominee of the Custodian which nominee
shall be assigned exclusively to the Fund, unless the Fund has
authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in
common with other registered investment companies having the same
investment adviser as the Fund, or in the name or nominee name of any
agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 or in the name or nominee
name of any sub- custodian appointed pursuant to Article 1. All
securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the Fund under the
terms of this Contract shall be in "street name" or other good
delivery form. If, however, the Fund directs the Custodian to
maintain securities in "street name", the Custodian shall utilize its
best efforts only to timely collect income due the Fund on such
securities and to notify the Fund on a best efforts basis only of
relevant corporate actions including, without limitation, pendency of
calls, maturities, tender or exchange offers.
2.4 Bank Accounts.
The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank account or
accounts in the name of Fund, subject only to draft or order by the
Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Contract, and shall
hold in such account or accounts, subject to the provisions hereof,
all cash received by it from or for the account of the Fund, other
than cash maintained by the Fund in a bank account established and
used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Investment Company Act of
1940. Funds held by the Custodian for Fund may be deposited by it to
its credit as Custodian in the Banking Department of the Custodian or
in such other banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion
deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that every such bank
or trust company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and that each such bank or trust
company and the funds to be deposited with each such bank or trust
company shall be approved by vote of a majority of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund. Such funds shall be deposited by the Custodian
in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawals by the Custodian
only in that capacity.
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds.
Upon mutual agreement between the Fund and the Custodian, the
Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper Instructions, make federal
funds available to the Fund as of specified times agreed upon from
time to time by the Fund and the Custodian in the amount of checks
received in payment for Shares of the Fund which are deposited into
the Fund's account.
2.6 Collection of Income.
Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall
collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect
to registered securities held hereunder to which the Fund shall be
entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the securities
business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income and other
payments with respect to bearer securities if, on the date of payment
by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its agent
thereof and shall credit such income, as collected, to the Fund's
custodian account. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
the Custodian shall detach and present for payment all coupons and
other income items requiring presentation as and when they become due
and shall collect interest when due on securities held hereunder.
Income due the Fund on securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of
Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility of the Fund. The
Custodian will have no duty or responsibility in connection therewith,
other than to provide the Fund with such information or data as may be
necessary to assist the Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to
the Custodian of the income to which the Fund is properly entitled.
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies.
Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing
instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian
shall pay out monies of the Fund in the following cases only:
1)Upon the purchase of securities, options, futures contracts or
options on futures contracts for the account of the Fund but
only (a) against the delivery of such securities or evidence
of title to such options, futures contracts or options on
futures contracts to the Custodian (or any bank, banking firm
or trust company doing business in the United States or abroad
which is qualified under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended, to act as a custodian and has been designated by
the Custodian as its agent for this purpose) registered in the
name of the Fund or in the name of a nominee of the Custodian
referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form for
transfer; (b) in the case of a purchase effected through a
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 and the
Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which is a
member of NASD, (i) against delivery of the securities either
in certificate form or through an entry crediting the
Custodian's account at the Federal Reserve Bank with such
securities or (ii) against delivery of the receipt evidencing
purchase by the Fund of securities owned by the Custodian
along with written evidence of the agreement by the Custodian
to repurchase such securities from the Fund or (e) for
transfer to a time deposit account of the Fund in any bank,
whether domestic or foreign; such transfer may be effected
prior to receipt of a confirmation from a broker and/or the
applicable bank pursuant to Proper Instructions from the Fund
as defined in Section 2.15;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of
securities owned by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2
hereof;
3)For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the
Fund, including but not limited to the following payments for
the account of the Fund: interest, taxes, management,
accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and operating
expenses of the Fund whether or not such expenses are to be in
whole or part capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;
4)For the payment of any dividends declared pursuant to the
governing documents of the Fund;
5)For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
6)For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of 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 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 securities for the
account of the Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of
the securities purchased in the absence of specific written
instructions from the Fund to so pay in advance, the Custodian shall
be absolutely liable to the Fund for such securities to the same
extent as if the securities had been received by the Custodian.
2.9 Appointment of Agents.
The Custodian may at any time or times in its discretion appoint
(and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust company which is
itself qualified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry out such of the
provisions of this Article 2 as the Custodian may from time to time
direct; provided, however, that the appointment of any agent shall not
relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities
hereunder.
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems.
The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the
Fund in a clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
which acts as a securities depository, or in the book-entry system
authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and certain federal
agencies, collectively referred to herein as "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 Fund 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
Fund which are maintained in a Securities System shall identify
by book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
3)The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account
of the Fund 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 Fund.
The Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account of
the Fund 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 Fund. Copies of all advices from the Securities System of
transfers of securities for the account of the Fund shall
identify the Fund, be maintained for the Fund by the Custodian
and be provided to the Fund at its request. Upon request, the
Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer to
or from the account of the Fund in the form of a written advice
or notice and shall furnish to the Fund copies of daily
transaction sheets reflecting each day's transactions in the
Securities System for the account of the Fund;
4)The Custodian shall provide the Fund 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 the initial or annual
certificate, as the case may be, required by Article 9 hereof;
6)Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding, the
Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to
the Fund resulting from use of the 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 Fund 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
the Fund in the Direct Paper System of the Custodian subject to the
following provisions:
1)No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper System
will be effected in the absence of Proper Instructions;
2)The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in the Direct Paper
System only if such securities are represented in an
account ("Account") of the Custodian in the Direct Paper System
which shall not include any assets of the Custodian other than
assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;
3)The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Fund which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall
identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
4)The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account
of the Fund upon the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer of securities to
the account of the Fund. The Custodian shall transfer securities
sold for the account of the Fund upon the making of an entry on
the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and receipt
of payment for the account of the Fund;
5)The Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each
transfer to or from the account of the Fund, in the form of a
written advice or notice, of Direct Paper on the next business
day following such transfer and shall furnish to the Fund copies
of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's transaction in
the Securities System for the account of the Fund;
6)The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report on its
system of internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably
request from time to time.
2.11 Segregated Account.
The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper Instructions establish
and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of the
Fund, into which account or accounts may be transferred cash and/or
securities, including securities maintained in an account by the
Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof, (i) in accordance with the
provisions of any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a
broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a member of the
NASD (or any futures commission merchant registered under the
Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the rules of The
Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities
exchange (or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any
registered contract market), or of any similar organization or
organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection
with transactions by the Fund, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash
or government securities in connection with options purchased, sold or
written by the Fund or commodity futures contracts or options thereon
purchased or sold by the Fund, (iii) for the purposes of compliance by
the Fund with the procedures required by Investment Company Act
Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release or releases of the
Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the maintenance of
segregated accounts by registered investment companies and (iv) for
other proper corporate purposes, but only, in the case of clause (iv),
upon receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy
of a resolution of the Board of 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 securities of the
Fund held by it and in connection with transfers of securities.
2.13 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 Fund or a nominee of the Fund, all proxies, without
indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and
shall promptly deliver to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting
materials and all notices relating to such securities.
2.14 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities.
Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall
transmit promptly to the Fund all written information (including,
without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of securities and
expirations of rights in connection therewith and notices of exercise
of call and put options written by the Fund and the maturity of
futures contracts purchased or sold by the Fund) received by the
Custodian from issuers of the securities being held for the Fund.
With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall
transmit promptly to the Fund all written information received by the
Custodian from issuers of the securities whose tender or exchange is
sought and from the party (or his agents) making the tender or
exchange offer. If the Fund desires to take action with respect to
any tender offer, exchange offer or any other similar transaction, the
Fund shall notify the Custodian at least three business days prior to
the date on which the Custodian is to take such action.
2.15 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 Trustees 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 Trustees of the Fund accompanied by a
detailed description of procedures approved by the Board of Trustees,
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 Fund's assets. For purposes of
this Section, Proper Instructions shall include instructions received
by the Custodian pursuant to any three-party agreement which requires
a segregated asset account in accordance with Section 2.11.
2.16 Actions Permitted without Express Authority.
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority
from the Fund:
1)make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
securities or other similar items relating to its duties under
this Contract, provided that all such payments shall be accounted
for to the Fund;
2)surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
definitive form;
3)endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts
and other negotiable instruments; and
4)in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection
with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and
other dealings with the securities and property of the Fund
except as otherwise directed by the Board of Directors of the
Fund.
2.17 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 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 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.
3. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income.
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary
information to the entity or entities appointed by the Board of
Directors of the Fund to keep the books of account of the Fund and/or
compute the net asset value per share of the outstanding shares of the
Fund or, if directed in writing to do so by the Fund, shall itself
keep such books of account and/or compute such net asset value per
share. If so directed, the Custodian shall also calculate weekly the
net income of the Fund as described in the Fund's currently effective
prospectus and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent weekly of
the total amounts of such net income and, if instructed in writing by
an officer of the Fund to do so, shall advise the Transfer Agent
periodically of the division of such net income among its various
components. The calculations of the net asset value per share and the
weekly income of the Fund shall be made at the time or times described
from time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus.
4. Records.
The Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating to
its activities and obligations under this Contract in such manner as
will meet the obligations of the Fund under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules
31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder. All such records shall be the property of
the Fund and shall at all times during the regular business hours of
the Custodian be open for inspection by duly authorized officers,
employees or agents of the Fund and employees and agents of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian shall, at the
Fund's request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned
by the Fund and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do
so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon
between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in
such tabulations.
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund may
from time to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable
opinions from the Fund's independent accountants with respect to its
activities hereunder in connection with the preparation of the Fund's
Form N-2, 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, 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 and the Custodian.
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 parties, including any
futures commission merchant acting pursuant to the terms of a three-
party futures or options agreement. The Custodian shall be held to
the exercise of reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this
Contract, but shall be kept indemnified by and shall be without
liability to the Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in good
faith without negligence. It shall be entitled to rely on and may act
upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all
matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably
taken or omitted pursuant to such advice.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with
respect to securities, which action involves the payment of money or
which action may, in the opinion of the Custodian, result in the
Custodian or its nominee assigned to the Fund being liable for the
payment of money or incurring liability of some other form, the Fund,
as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such action,
shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form
satisfactory to it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian, its affiliates,
subsidiaries or agents, to advance cash or securities for any purpose
(including but not limited to securities settlements, foreign exchange
contracts and assumed settlement) or in the event that the Custodian
or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges,
expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the
performance of this Contract, except such as may arise from its or its
nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful
misconduct, any property at any time held for the account of the Fund
shall be security therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the
Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize
available cash and to dispose of the Fund assets to the extent
necessary to obtain reimbursement.
9. Effective Period, Termination an Amendment.
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall
continue in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter
provided, may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the
parties hereto and may be terminated by either party by an instrument
in writing delivered or mailed, postage prepaid to the other party,
such termination to take effect not sooner than thirty (30) days after
the date of such delivery or mailing; provided, however that the
Custodian shall not act under Section 2.10 hereof in the absence of
receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary that the Board of Trustees of the Fund has approved the
initial use of a particular Securities System and the receipt of an
annual certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the
Board of Trustees has reviewed the use by the Fund 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 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 approved the initial use of the Direct Paper System
and the receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees has reviewed the use by
the Fund 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 Declaration of Trust, and further provided, that the Fund 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 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 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 then held by it hereunder and shall
transfer to an account of the successor custodian all of the Fund's
securities held in a Securities System.
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 Investment Company Act of 1940, doing business in
Boston, Massachusetts, of its own selection, having an aggregate
capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last
published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds
and other properties held by the Custodian and all instruments held by
the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held by it under
this Contract and to transfer to an account of such successor
custodian all of the Fund's securities held in any Securities System.
Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the
Custodian under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties
remain in the possession of the Custodian after the date of
termination hereof owing to failure of the Fund to the procure the
certified copy of the vote referred to or of the Board of Trustees to
appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian 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.
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian
and the Fund may from time to time agree on such provisions
interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this Contract as
may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of
this Contract. Any such interpretive or additional provisions shall
be in a writing signed by both parties and shall be annexed hereto,
provided that no such interpretive or additional provisions shall
contravene any applicable federal or state regulations or any
provision of the 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.
12. 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.
13. Prior Contracts.
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof,
all prior contracts between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the
custody of the Fund's assets.
14. Shareholder Liability
No shareholder of the Trust shall be subject to any personal
liability whatsoever to any person in connection with Trust property
or the acts, obligations or affairs of the Trust. No Trustee, officer,
employee or agent of the Trust shall be subject to any personal
liability whatsoever to any person, other than the Trust or its
shareholders, in connection with Trust property or affairs of the
Trust, save only that arising from bad faith, willful malfeasance,
gross negligence or reckless disregard for his duty to such person;
and all such persons shall look solely to the Trust property for
satisfaction of claims of any nature arising in connection with the
affairs of the Trust. If any shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee,
or agent as such, of the Trust, is made a party to any suit or
proceeding to enforce any such liability, he shall not, on account
thereof, be held to any personal liability. The Trust shall indemnify
and hold harmless each shareholder from and against all claims and
liabilities to which such shareholder may become subject by reason of
his being or having been a shareholder, and shall reimburse such
shareholder for all legal and other expenses reasonably incurred by
him in connection with any such claim or liability.
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
, 1992.
ATTEST BLACKROCK FLORIDA INSURED MUNICIPAL 2008 TERM
TRUST INC.
_______________________ By __________________________________
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
_______________________ By ___________________________________
Assistant Secretary Senior Vice President
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
Custodian Fee Schedule
BLACKROCK FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
BlackRock Income Trust
BlackRock High Income Fund
BlackRock Advantage Term Trust
BlackRock Target Term Trust
BlackRock FNMA Fund
BlackRock Insured Municipal Term Trust
BlackRock Investment Quality Term Trust
The BlackRock Insured Municipal 2008 Term Trust Inc.
The BlackRock California Insured Municipal 2008 Term Trust Inc.
BlackRock Strategic Term Trust
BlackRock 1998 Term Trust
BlackRock Municipal Target Term Trust
BlackRock Xxxxxxx MAC Fund
BlackRock North American Gov't Income Trust
The BFM Institutional Trust Inc.
The BlackRock 2001 Term Trust
The BlackRock New York Insured Municipal 2008 Term Trust Inc.
The BlackRock Florida Insured Municipal 2008 Term Trust Inc.
I. ADMINISTRATION
A. Custody Service - Maintain custody of fund assets. Settle
portfolio purchases and sales. Report buy and sell fails. Determine
and collect portfolio income. Make cash disbursements and report cash
transactions. Maintain investment ledgers, provide selected portfolio
transactions position and income reports.
The administration fees shown below are annual charges, billed and
payable monthly.
ANNUAL FEES
Fund Net Assets Annual Fees
First $500 Million 3.00 BP
Next $500 Million 1.75 BP
Next $1 Billion 1.30 BP
Excess 1.25 BP
These fees will take the total domestic assets of all the above BFM
portfolios into account.
B. Global Custody Service
Services provided include: Security and Cash Movements through
Subcustodian network, Foreign Communication, Foreign Exchange (local
currency settlements).
Annual Fees
Canada 10 BP
II. FUND ACCOUNTING SERVICE
Maintain general ledger and capital stock accounts. Prepare daily
trial balance. Calculate net asset value weekly (daily for the BFM
Institutional Trust). Provide selected general ledger reports.
Securities yield or market value quotations will be provided to State
Street by the fund.
Annual Fees, Based on Fund Assets
First $250M 15,000 per fund
Excess $250M - $750M 15,000 per fund
Excess $750M .25BP
III. PORTFOLIO TRADES For each line item processed
State Street Bank Repos $ 7.00
New York Physical Settlements $ 25.00
Maturity Collections $ 8.00
Fed Book Entry Settlements $ 12.00
Canadian Transactions $ 30.00
All Other Trades $ 16.00
IV. OPTIONS
Options charge for each option written or closing contract,
per issue, per broker $ 25.00
Option expiration charge, per issue, per broker $ 15.00
Option exercised charge, per issue, per broker $ 15.00
V. LENDING OF SECURITIES
Deliver loaned securities versus cash collateral $ 20.00
Deliver loaned securities versus securities
collateral $ 30.00
Receive/deliver additional cash collateral $ 6.00
Substitutions of securities collateral $ 30.00
Deliver cash collateral versus receipt of loaned
securities $ 15.00
Deliver securities collateral versus receipt of
loaned securities $ 25.00
Loan Administration xxxx-to-market per day,
per loan $ 3.00
VI. FUTURES
Transactions -- no security movement $ 10.00
VII. HOLDINGS CHARGE
For each issue maintained - monthly charge $ 5.00
VIII. PRINCIPAL REDUCTION PAYMENTS
Paydown on Government Securities, per paydown $ 8.00
IX. SPECIAL SERVICES
Fees for activities such as fund consolidations or reorganization,
extraordinary security shipments, the preparation of special reports,
daily fund pricing and quotes from sources other than BFM will be
subject to negotiation.
X. OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES
A billing for the recovery of applicable out-of-pocket expenses will be
made as of the end of each month. Out-of-pocket expenses include, but are
not limited to the following:
Telephone
Wire Charges ($5.25 per wire in and $5.00 out)
Postage and Insurance
Courier Service
Duplicating
Legal Fees
Supplies Related to Fund Records
Rush Transfer -- $8.00 Each
Transfer Fees
Sub-custodian Charges
Price Waterhouse Audit Letter
Federal Reserve Fee for Return Check Items over $2,500 - $4.2S
GNMA Transfer - $15.00 Each
XI. This fee schedule will be effective September 1, 1991.
BLACKROCK FINANCIAL STATE STREET BANK & TRUST
MANAGEMENT
BY:_____________________ BY:_______________________
TITLE:__________________ TITLE:____________________
DATE:___________________ DATE:_____________________
