Exhibit g
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
This Agreement is made as of May 29, 2002 by and between INSTITUTIONAL
PORTFOLIO a business trust organized and existing under the laws of
Massachusetts (the "FUND"), and STATE STREET BANK and TRUST COMPANY, a
Massachusetts trust company (the "CUSTODIAN"),
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Fund is authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest in
separate series ("SHARES"), with each such series representing interests in a
separate portfolio of securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Fund intends that this Agreement be applicable to two series,
INSTITUTIONAL RESERVES PORTFOLIO and INSTITUTIONAL ENHANCED PORTFOLIO (such
series together with all other series subsequently established by the Fund and
made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 18.5, be referred to
herein as the "PORTFOLIO(S)").
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1. EMPLOYMENT OF CUSTODIAN AND PROPERTY TO BE HELD BY IT
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as a custodian of assets of the
Portfolios, including securities which the Fund, on behalf of the applicable
Portfolio, desires to be held in places within the United States ("DOMESTIC
SECURITIES") and securities it desires to be held outside the United States
("FOREIGN SECURITIES"). The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property
of a Portfolio which is not received by it or which is delivered out in
accordance with Proper Instructions (as such term is defined in Section 7
hereof) including, without limitation, Portfolio property (i) held by brokers,
private bankers or other entities on behalf of the Portfolio (each a "LOCAL
AGENT"), (ii) held by Special Sub-Custodians (as such term is defined in
Section 5 hereof), (iii) held by entities which have advanced monies to or on
behalf of the Portfolio and which have received Portfolio property as security
for such advance(s) (each a "PLEDGEE"), or (iv) delivered or otherwise removed
from the custody of the Custodian (a) in connection with any Free Trade (as
such term is hereinafter defined) or (b) pursuant to Special Instructions (as
such term is defined in Section 7 hereof). With respect to uncertificated
shares (the "UNDERLYING SHARES") of registered "investment companies" (as
defined in Section 3(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the "1940 ACT")), whether in the same "group of investment companies" (as
defined in Section 12(d)(1)(G)(ii) of the 0000 Xxx) or otherwise, including
pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act (hereinafter sometimes referred
to as the "UNDERLYING PORTFOLIOS") the holding of confirmation statements that
identify the shares as being recorded in the Custodian's name on behalf of the
Portfolios will be deemed custody for purposes hereof.
Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall on behalf of the
applicable Portfolio(s) from time to time employ one or more sub-custodians
located in the United States, but only in accordance with an applicable vote by
the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the "BOARD") on behalf of the applicable
Portfolio(s), and provided that the Custodian shall have no more or less
responsibility or liability to the Fund on account of any actions or omissions
of any sub-custodian so employed than any such sub-custodian has to the
Custodian. The Custodian may employ as sub-custodian for the Fund's foreign
securities on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) the foreign banking
institutions and foreign securities depositories designated in Schedules A and
B hereto, but only in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 3
and 4 hereof.
SECTION 2. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE PORTFOLIOS
TO BE HELD IN THE UNITED STATES
SECTION 2.1 HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall hold and physically
segregate for the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property, to be held
by it in the United States, including all domestic securities owned by such
Portfolio other than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant to Section
2.8 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 (each, a
"U.S. SECURITIES SYSTEM") and (b) Underlying Shares owned by the Fund which are
maintained pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof in an account with State Street Bank
and Trust Company or such other entity which may from time to time act as a
transfer agent for the Underlying Portfolios and with respect to which the
Custodian is provided with Proper Instructions (the "UNDERLYING TRANSFER
AGENT").
SECTION 2.2 DELIVERY OF SECURITIES. The Custodian shall release and
deliver domestic securities owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian, in a
U.S. Securities System account of the Custodian or in an account at the
Underlying Transfer Agent, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions 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 U.S. Securities System,
in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8 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 2.7 or into the name
or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to
Section 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 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 (a) against receipt of collateral as agreed
from time to time by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio,
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 or (b) to
the lending agent, or the lending agent's custodian, in
accordance with written Proper Instructions (which may not
provide for the receipt by the Custodian of collateral
therefor) agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and
the Fund;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by
the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requiring a pledge of
assets by the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio;
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. (the
"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 on behalf of a Portfolio;
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 (the
"CFTC") and/or any contract market, or any similar
organization or organizations, regarding account deposits in
connection with transactions by the Fund on behalf of a
Portfolio;
14) Upon the sale or other delivery of such investments
(including, without limitation, to one or more (a) Special
Sub-Custodians or (b) additional custodians appointed by the
Fund, and communicated to the Custodian from time to time via
a writing duly executed by an authorized officer of the Fund,
for the purpose of engaging in repurchase agreement
transactions(s), each a "REPO CUSTODIAN"), and prior to
receipt of payment therefor, as set forth in written Proper
Instructions (such delivery in advance of payment, along with
payment in advance of delivery made in accordance with
Section 2.6(7), as applicable, shall each be referred to
herein as a "FREE TRADE"), provided that such Proper
Instructions shall set forth (a) the securities of the
Portfolio to be delivered and (b) the person(s) to whom
delivery of such securities shall be made;
15) Upon receipt of instructions from the Fund's transfer agent
(the "TRANSFER AGENT") 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 (the "Prospectus"), in
satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase
or redemption;
16) In the case of a sale processed through the Underlying Transfer
Agent or Underlying Shares, in accordance with Section 2.10 hereof;
and
17) For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the applicable
Portfolio specifying (a) the securities of the Portfolio to
be delivered and (b) the person(s) to whom delivery of such
securities shall be made.
SECTION 2.3 REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES. Domestic securities held by the
Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the
Portfolio or in the name of any nominee of the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio
or of any nominee of the Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively
to the Portfolio, unless the Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of
a nominee to be used in common with other registered management investment
companies having the same investment adviser as the Portfolio, or in the name
or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.7 or in the name
or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 1. All
securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the Portfolio under the terms
of this Agreement 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.
SECTION 2.4 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall open and maintain a
separate bank account or accounts in the United States in the name of each
Portfolio of the Fund, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall hold in such account or
accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for
the account of the Portfolio, other than cash maintained by the Portfolio in a
bank account established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the 1940
Act. Funds held by the Custodian for a Portfolio may be deposited by it to its
credit as Custodian in the banking department of the Custodian or in such other
banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem necessary or
desirable; provided, however, that every such bank or trust company shall be
qualified to act as a custodian under the 1940 Act and that each such bank or
trust company and the funds to be deposited with each such bank or trust
company shall on behalf of each applicable Portfolio be approved by vote of a
majority of the Board. Such funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in its
capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the Custodian only in that
capacity.
SECTION 2.5 COLLECTION OF INCOME. Except with respect to Portfolio
property released and delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(14) or purchased
pursuant to Section 2.6(7), and 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 domestic securities held hereunder to which each
Portfolio shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the
securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income and other
payments with respect to bearer domestic securities if, on the date of payment
by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its agent thereof
and shall credit such income, as collected, to such Portfolio's custodian
account. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall
detach and present for payment all coupons and other income items requiring
presentation as and when they become due and shall collect interest when due on
securities held hereunder. Income due each Portfolio on securities loaned
pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility of
the Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or responsibility in connection
therewith, other than to provide the Fund with such information or data as may
be necessary to assist the Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to the
Custodian of the income to which the Portfolio is properly entitled.
SECTION 2.6 PAYMENT OF FUND MONIES. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions 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 domestic securities, options, futures
contracts or options on futures contracts for the account of
the Portfolio but only (a) against the delivery of such
securities or evidence of title to such options, futures
contracts or options on futures contracts to the Custodian
(or any bank, banking firm or trust company doing business in
the United States or abroad which is qualified under the 1940
Act to act as a custodian and has been designated by the
Custodian as its agent for this purpose) registered in the
name of the Portfolio or in the name of a nominee of the
Custodian referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form
for transfer; (b) in the case of a purchase effected through
a U.S. Securities System, in accordance with the conditions
set forth in Section 2.8 hereof; (c) in the case of a
purchase of Underlying Shares, in accordance with the
conditions set forth in Section 2.10 hereof; (d) in the case
of repurchase agreements entered into between the Fund on
behalf of the Portfolio and the Custodian, or another bank,
or a broker-dealer which is a member of NASD, (i) against
delivery of the securities either in certificate form or
through an entry crediting the Custodian's account at the
Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii) against
delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the Portfolio
of securities owned by the Custodian along with written
evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such
securities from the Portfolio; or (e) for transfer to a time
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
herein;
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 as set
forth in Section 6 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the
Portfolio, including but not limited to the following
payments for the account of the Portfolio: interest, taxes,
management, accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and
operating expenses of the Fund whether or not such expenses
are to be in whole or part capitalized or treated as deferred
expenses;
5) For the payment of any dividends on Shares declared pursuant
to the Fund's articles of incorporation or organization and
by-laws or agreement or declaration of trust, as applicable,
and Prospectus (collectively, the "GOVERNING DOCUMENTS");
6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
7) Upon the purchase of domestic investments including, without
limitation, repurchase agreement transactions involving
delivery of Portfolio monies to Repo Custodian(s), and prior
to receipt of such investments, as set forth in written
Proper Instructions (such payment in advance of delivery,
along with delivery in advance of payment made in accordance
with Section 2.2(14), as applicable, shall each be referred
to herein as a "FREE TRADE"), provided that such Proper
Instructions shall also set forth (a) the amount of such
payment and (b) the person(s) to whom such payment is made;
and
8) For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio
specifying (a) the amount of such payment and (b) the
person(s) to whom such payment is to be made.
SECTION 2.7 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 1940 Act to act as a custodian, as
its agent to carry out such of the provisions of this Section 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. The Underlying Transfer Agent shall not be deemed an
agent or subcustodian of the Custodian for purposes of this Section 2.7 or any
other provision of this Agreement.
SECTION 2.8 DEPOSIT OF FUND ASSETS IN U.S. SECURITIES SYSTEMS. The
Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in a U.S.
Securities System subject to the following provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of the Portfolio in a U.S.
Securities System provided that such securities are
represented in an account of the Custodian in the U.S.
Securities System (the "U.S. SECURITIES SYSTEM ACCOUNT")
which account shall not include any assets of the Custodian
other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise
for customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of
the Portfolio which are maintained in a U.S. 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 (a) receipt of advice from the
U.S. Securities System that such securities have been
transferred to the U.S. Securities System Account and (b) 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 U.S.
Securities System that payment for such securities has been
transferred to the U.S. Securities System Account and (ii)
the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to
reflect such transfer and payment for the account of the
Portfolio. Copies of all advices from the U.S. 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
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 copies of daily transaction sheets
reflecting each day's transactions in the U.S. Securities
System for the account of the Portfolio;
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained
by the Custodian on the U.S. Securities System's accounting
system, internal accounting control and procedures
for safeguarding securities deposited in the U.S. Securities
System; and
5) Anything to the contrary in this Agreement 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 U.S. Securities System by reason of
any negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or
any of its agents or of any of its or their employees or from
failure of the Custodian or any such agent to enforce
effectively such rights as it may have against the U.S.
Securities System; at the election of the Fund, it shall be
entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with
respect to any claim against the U.S. Securities System or
any other person which the Custodian may have as a
consequence of any such loss or damage if and to the extent
that the Portfolio has not been made whole for any such loss
or damage.
SECTION 2.9 SEGREGATED ACCOUNT. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
Instructions 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 2.8
hereof, (a) 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 CFTC or any registered contract market), or of any
similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements
in connection with transactions by the Portfolio, (b) 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, (c) for the purposes of compliance
by the Portfolio with the procedures required by Investment Company Act Release
No. 10666, or any subsequent release of the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC"), or interpretative opinion of the staff of the SEC,
relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered management
investment companies, and (d) for any other purpose in accordance with Proper
Instructions.
SECTION 2.10 DEPOSIT OF FUND ASSETS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRANSFER AGENT.
Underlying Shares shall be deposited and/or maintained in an account or
accounts maintained with the Underlying Transfer Agent. The Underlying Transfer
Agent shall be deemed to be acting as if it is a "securities depository" for
purposes of Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act. The Fund hereby directs the
Custodian to deposit and/or maintain such securities with the Underlying
Transfer Agent, subject to the following provisions:
1) The Custodian shall keep Underlying Shares owned by a
Portfolio with the Underlying Transfer Agent provided that
such securities are maintained in an account or accounts on
the books and records of the Underlying Transfer Agent in the
name of the Custodian as custodian for the Portfolio.
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to Underlying
Shares which are maintained with the Underlying Transfer
Agent shall identify by book-entry those Underlying Shares
belonging to each Portfolio;
3) The Custodian shall pay for Underlying Shares purchased
for the account of a Portfolio upon (a) receipt of advice
from the Portfolio's investment adviser that such Underlying
Shares have been purchased and will be transferred to the
account of the Custodian, on behalf of the Portfolio, on the
books and records of the Underlying Transfer Agent and (b)
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 receive confirmation from the
Underlying Transfer Agent of the purchase of such securities
and the transfer of such securities to the Custodian's
account with the Underlying Transfer Agent only after such
payment is made. The Custodian shall transfer Underlying
Shares redeemed for the account of a Portfolio (i) upon
receipt of an advice from the Portfolio's investment adviser
that such securities have been redeemed and that payment for
such securities will be transferred to the Custodian and (ii)
the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to
reflect such transfer and payment for the account of the
Portfolio. The Custodian will receive confirmation from the
Underlying Transfer Agent of the redemption of such
securities and payment therefor only after such securities
are redeemed. Copies of all advices from the Portfolio's
investment adviser of purchases and sales of Underlying
Shares for the account of the Portfolio shall identify the
Portfolio, be maintained for the Portfolio by the Custodian,
and be provided to the Portfolio's investment adviser at its
request; and
4) The Custodian shall be not be liable to the Fund or any
Portfolio for any loss or damage to the Fund or any Portfolio
resulting from maintenance of Underlying Shares with
Underlying Transfer Agent except for losses resulting
directly from the negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of
the Custodian or any of its agents or of any of its or their
employees.
SECTION 2.11 OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES FOR TAX PURPOSES. The Custodian shall
execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and
state tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with
respect to domestic securities of each Portfolio held by it and in connection
with transfers of securities.
SECTION 2.12 PROXIES. Except with respect to Portfolio property released
and delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(14), or purchased pursuant to Section
2.6(7), the Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic securities held
hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such
securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the name of the
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
Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating to
such securities.
SECTION 2.13 COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. Except with
respect to Portfolio property released and delivered pursuant to Section
2.2(14), or purchased pursuant to Section 2.6(7), and 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 domestic 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 Fund on behalf of the Portfolio) received by the
Custodian from issuers of the securities being held for the Portfolio. With
respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to
the Fund all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the
securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or its
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.
SECTION 3. PROVISIONS RELATING TO RULES 17F-5 AND 17F-7
SECTION 3.1. DEFINITIONS. As used throughout this Agreement, the
capitalized terms set forth below shall have the indicated meanings:
"COUNTRY RISK" means all factors reasonably related to the systemic risk of
holding Foreign Assets in a particular country including, but not limited to,
such country's political environment, economic and financial infrastructure
(including any Eligible Securities Depository operating in the country),
prevailing or developing custody and settlement practices, and laws and
regulations applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Foreign Assets held
in custody in that country.
"ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIAN" has the meaning set forth in section (a)(1) of
Rule 17f-5, including a majority-owned or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. Bank
(as defined in Rule 17f-5), a bank holding company meeting the requirements of
an Eligible Foreign Custodian (as set forth in Rule 17f-5 or by other
appropriate action of the SEC, or a foreign branch of a Bank (as defined in
Section 2(a)(5) of the 0000 Xxx) meeting the requirements of a custodian under
Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act; the term does not include any Eligible
Securities Depository.
"ELIGIBLE SECURITIES DEPOSITORY" has the meaning set forth in section (b)(1) of
Rule 17f-7.
"FOREIGN ASSETS" means any of the Portfolios' investments (including foreign
currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States and such
cash and cash equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Portfolios'
transactions in such investments.
"FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER" has the meaning set forth in section (a)(3) of Rule
17f-5.
"RULE 17F-5" means Rule 17f-5 promulgated under the 1940 Act.
"RULE 17F-7" means Rule 17f-7 promulgated under the 1940 Act.
SECTION 3.2. THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER.
3.2.1 DELEGATION TO THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER.
The Fund, by resolution adopted by the Board, hereby delegates to the
Custodian, subject to Section (b) of Rule 17f-5, the responsibilities set forth
in this Section 3.2 with respect to Foreign Assets of the Portfolios held
outside the United States, and the Custodian hereby accepts such delegation as
Foreign Custody Manager with respect to the Portfolios.
3.2.2 COUNTRIES COVERED. The Foreign Custody Manager shall be
responsible for performing the delegated responsibilities defined below only
with respect to the countries and custody arrangements for each such country
listed on Schedule A to this Agreement, which list of countries may be amended
from time to time by the Fund with the agreement of the Foreign Custody
Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager shall list on Schedule A the Eligible
Foreign Custodians selected by the Foreign Custody Manager to maintain the
assets of the Portfolios, which list of Eligible Foreign Custodians may be
amended from time to time in the sole discretion of the Foreign Custody
Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager will provide amended versions of Schedule
A in accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereof.
Upon the receipt by the Foreign Custody Manager of Proper Instructions to open
an account or to place or maintain Foreign Assets in a country listed on
Schedule A, and the fulfillment by the Fund, on behalf of the applicable
Portfolio(s), of the applicable account opening requirements for such country,
the Foreign Custody Manager shall be deemed to have been delegated by the Board
on behalf of such Portfolio(s) responsibility as Foreign Custody Manager with
respect to that country and to have accepted such delegation. Execution of this
Agreement by the Fund shall be deemed to be a Proper Instruction to open an
account, or to place or maintain Foreign Assets, in each country listed on
Schedule A. Following the receipt of Proper Instructions directing the Foreign
Custody Manager to close the account of a Portfolio with the Eligible Foreign
Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in a designated country, the
delegation by the Board on behalf of such Portfolio to the Custodian as Foreign
Custody Manager for that country shall be deemed to have been withdrawn and the
Custodian shall immediately cease to be the Foreign Custody Manager with
respect to such Portfolio with respect to that country.
The Foreign Custody Manager may withdraw its acceptance of delegated
responsibilities with respect to a designated country upon written notice to
the Fund. Thirty days (or such longer period to which the parties agree in
writing) after receipt of any such notice by the Fund, the Custodian shall have
no further responsibility in its capacity as Foreign Custody Manager to the
Fund with respect to the country as to which the Custodian's acceptance of
delegation is withdrawn.
3.2.3 SCOPE OF DELEGATED RESPONSIBILITIES:
(a) SELECTION OF ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS. Subject to the provisions of
this Section 3.2, the Foreign Custody Manager may place and maintain the
Foreign Assets in the care of the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the
Foreign Custody Manager in each country listed on Schedule A, as amended from
time to time. In performing its delegated responsibilities as Foreign Custody
Manager to place or maintain Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian,
the Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the Foreign Assets will be
subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in
the country in which the Foreign Assets will be held by that Eligible Foreign
Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such
assets, including, without limitation the factors specified in Rule
17f-5(c)(1).
(b) CONTRACTS WITH ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS. The Foreign Custody
Manager shall determine that the contract governing the foreign custody
arrangements with each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign
Custody Manager will satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(2).
(c) MONITORING. In each case in which the Foreign Custody Manager
maintains Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the
Foreign Custody Manager, the Foreign Custody Manager shall establish a system
to monitor (i) the appropriateness of maintaining the Foreign Assets with such
Eligible Foreign Custodian and (ii) the contract governing the custody
arrangements established by the Foreign Custody Manager with the Eligible
Foreign Custodian. In the event the Foreign Custody Manager determines that the
custody arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian it has selected are no
longer appropriate, the Foreign Custody Manager shall notify the Board in
accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereunder.
3.2.4 GUIDELINES FOR THE EXERCISE OF DELEGATED AUTHORITY. For
purposes of this Section 3.2, the Board shall be deemed to have considered and
determined to accept such Country Risk as is incurred by placing and
maintaining the Foreign Assets in each country for which the Custodian is
serving as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios.
3.2.5 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. The Foreign Custody Manager
shall report the withdrawal of the Foreign Assets from an Eligible Foreign
Custodian and the placement of such Foreign Assets with another Eligible
Foreign Custodian by providing to the Board an amended Schedule A at the end of
the calendar quarter in which an amendment to such Schedule has occurred. The
Foreign Custody Manager shall make written reports notifying the Board of any
other material change in the foreign custody arrangements of the Portfolios
described in this Section 3.2 after the occurrence of the material change.
3.2.6 STANDARD OF CARE AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER OF A
PORTFOLIO. In performing the responsibilities delegated to it, the Foreign
Custody Manager agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such
as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of assets of management
investment companies registered under the 1940 Act would exercise.
3.2.7 REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO RULE 17F-5. The Foreign
Custody Manager represents to the Fund that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in
section (a)(7) of Rule 17f-5. The Fund represents to the Custodian that the
Board has determined that it is reasonable for the Board to rely on the
Custodian to perform the responsibilities delegated pursuant to this Agreement
to the Custodian as the Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios.
3.2.8 EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION OF THE CUSTODIAN AS
FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER. The Board's delegation to the Custodian as Foreign
Custody Manager of the Portfolios shall be effective as of the date hereof and
shall remain in effect until terminated at any time, without penalty, by
written notice from the terminating party to the non-terminating party.
Termination will become effective thirty (30) days after receipt by the
non-terminating party of such notice. The provisions of Section 3.2.2 hereof
shall govern the delegation to and termination of the Custodian as Foreign
Custody Manager of the Portfolios with respect to designated countries.
SECTION 3.3 ELIGIBLE SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES.
3.3.1 ANALYSIS AND MONITORING. The Custodian shall (a)
provide the Fund (or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment
adviser) with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining
assets with the Eligible Securities Depositories set forth on Schedule B hereto
in accordance with section (a)(1)(i)(A) of Rule 17f-7, and (b) monitor such
risks on a continuing basis, and promptly notify the Fund (or its
duly-authorized investment manager or investment adviser) of any material
change in such risks, in accordance with section (a)(1)(i)(B) of Rule 17f-7.
3.3.2 STANDARD OF CARE. The Custodian agrees to exercise
reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing the duties set forth in
Section 3.3.1.
SECTION 4. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE
PORTFOLIOS TO BE HELD OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES
SECTION 4.1 DEFINITIONS. As used throughout this Agreement, the
capitalized terms set forth below shall have the indicated meanings:
"FOREIGN SECURITIES SYSTEM" means an Eligible Securities Depository listed on
Schedule B hereto.
"FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIAN" means a foreign banking institution serving as an
Eligible Foreign Custodian.
SECTION 4.2. HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall identify on its books
as belonging to the Portfolios the foreign securities held by each Foreign
Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities System. The Custodian may hold foreign
securities for all of its customers, including the Portfolios, with any Foreign
Sub-Custodian in an account that is identified as belonging to the Custodian
for the benefit of its customers, provided however, that (i) the records of the
Custodian with respect to foreign securities of the Portfolios which are
maintained in such account shall identify those securities as belonging to the
Portfolios and (ii), to the extent permitted and customary in the market in
which the account is maintained, the Custodian shall require that securities so
held by the Foreign Sub-Custodian be held separately from any assets of such
Foreign Sub-Custodian or of other customers of such Foreign Sub-Custodian.
SECTION 4.3. FOREIGN SECURITIES SYSTEMS. Foreign securities shall be
maintained in a Foreign Securities System in a designated country through
arrangements implemented by the Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian, as
applicable, in such country.
SECTION 4.4. TRANSACTIONS IN FOREIGN CUSTODY ACCOUNT.
4.4.1. DELIVERY OF FOREIGN ASSETS. The Custodian or a Foreign
Sub-Custodian shall release and deliver foreign securities of the Portfolios
held by the Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian, or in a Foreign Securities
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:
(i) Upon the sale of such foreign securities for the Portfolio in
accordance with commercially reasonable market practice in
the country where such foreign securities are held or traded,
including, without limitation: (A) delivery against
expectation of receiving later payment; or (B) in the case of
a sale effected through a Foreign Securities System, in
accordance with the rules governing the operation of the
Foreign Securities System;
(ii) In connection with any repurchase agreement related to
foreign securities;
(iii) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for foreign securities of the Portfolios;
(iv) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such foreign
securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become
payable;
(v) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the
name of the Custodian (or the name of the respective Foreign
Sub-Custodian or of any nominee of the Custodian or such
Foreign Sub-Custodian) or for exchange for a different number
of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the
same aggregate face amount or number of units;
(vi) To brokers, clearing banks or other clearing agents for
examination or trade execution in accordance with market
custom; provided that in any such case, the Foreign
Sub-Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for
any loss arising from the delivery of such foreign securities
prior to receiving payment for such foreign securities except
as may arise from the Foreign Sub-Custodian's own negligence
or willful misconduct;
(vii) 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;
(viii) In the case of warrants, rights or similar foreign
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;
(ix) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by
the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requiring a pledge of
assets by the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio;
(x) In connection with trading in options and futures contracts,
including delivery as original margin and variation margin;
(xi) Upon the sale or other delivery of such foreign securities
(including, without limitation, to one or more Special
Sub-Custodians or Repo Custodians) as a Free Trade, provided
that applicable Proper Instructions shall set forth (A) the
foreign securities to be delivered and (B) the person(s) to
whom delivery shall be made;
(xii) In connection with the lending of foreign securities; and
(xiii) For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions specifying (A) the foreign securities to be
delivered and (B) the person or persons to whom delivery of
such securities shall be made.
4.4.2. PAYMENT OF PORTFOLIO MONIES. Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by
the parties, the Custodian shall pay out, or direct the respective Foreign
Sub-Custodian or the respective Foreign Securities System to pay out, monies of
a Portfolio in the following cases only:
(i) Upon the purchase of foreign securities for the Portfolio,
unless otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, by (A)
delivering money to the seller thereof or to a dealer
therefor (or an agent for such seller or dealer) against
expectation of receiving later delivery of such foreign
securities; or (B) in the case of a purchase effected through
a Foreign Securities System, in accordance with the rules
governing the operation of such Foreign Securities System;
(ii) In connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender of
foreign securities of the Portfolio;
(iii) For the payment of any expense or liability of the Portfolio,
including but not limited to the following payments:
interest, taxes, investment advisory fees, transfer agency
fees, fees under this Agreement, legal fees, accounting fees,
and other operating expenses;
(iv) For the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign
exchange contracts for the Portfolio, including transactions
executed with or through the Custodian or its Foreign
Sub-Custodians;
(v) In connection with trading in options and futures contracts,
including delivery as original margin and variation margin;
(vi) Upon the purchase of foreign investments including, without
limitation, repurchase agreement transactions involving
delivery of Portfolio monies to Repo Custodian(s), as a Free
Trade, provided that applicable Proper Instructions shall set
forth (A) the amount of such payment and (B) the person(s) to
whom payment shall be made;
(vii) For payment of part or all of the dividends received in
respect of securities sold short;
(viii) In connection with the borrowing or lending of foreign
securities; and
(ix) For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions specifying (A) the amount of such payment and
(B) the person(s) to whom such payment is to be made.
4.4.3. MARKET CONDITIONS. Notwithstanding any provision of
this Agreement to the contrary, settlement and payment for Foreign Assets
received for the account of the Portfolios and delivery of Foreign Assets
maintained for the account of the Portfolios may be effected in accordance with
the customary established securities trading or processing practices and
procedures in the country or market in which the transaction occurs, including,
without limitation, delivering Foreign Assets to the purchaser thereof or to a
dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer) with the expectation
of receiving later payment for such Foreign Assets from such purchaser or
dealer.
The Custodian shall provide to the Board the information with respect to
custody and settlement practices in countries in which the Custodian employs a
Foreign Sub-Custodian described on Schedule C hereto at the time or times set
forth on such Schedule. The Custodian may revise Schedule C from time to time,
provided that no such revision shall result in the Board being provided with
substantively less information than had been previously provided hereunder.
SECTION 4.5. REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN SECURITIES. The foreign securities
maintained in the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian (other than bearer
securities) shall be registered in the name of the applicable Portfolio or in
the name of the Custodian or in the name of any Foreign Sub-Custodian or in the
name of any nominee of the foregoing, and the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio
agrees to hold any such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of
record of such foreign securities. The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian
shall not be obligated to accept securities on behalf of a Portfolio under the
terms of this Agreement unless the form of such securities and the manner in
which they are delivered are in accordance with reasonable market practice.
SECTION 4.6 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall identify on its books as
belonging to the Fund, for the account of the applicable Portfolio, cash
(including cash denominated in foreign currencies) deposited with the
Custodian. Where the Custodian is unable to maintain, or market practice does
not facilitate the maintenance of, cash on the books of the Custodian, a bank
account or bank accounts shall be opened and maintained outside the United
States on behalf of a Portfolio with a Foreign Sub-Custodian. All accounts
referred to in this Section shall be subject only to draft or order by the
Custodian (or, if applicable, such Foreign Sub-Custodian) acting pursuant to
the terms of this Agreement to hold cash received by or from or for the account
of the Portfolio. Cash maintained on the books of the Custodian (including its
branches, subsidiaries and affiliates), regardless of currency denomination, is
maintained in bank accounts established under, and subject to the laws of, The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
SECTION 4.7. COLLECTION OF INCOME. The Custodian shall use reasonable
commercial efforts to collect all income and other payments with respect to the
Foreign Assets held hereunder to which the Portfolios shall be entitled and
shall credit such income, as collected, to the applicable Portfolio. In the
event that extraordinary measures are required to collect such income, the Fund
and the Custodian shall consult as to such measures and as to the compensation
and expenses of the Custodian relating to such measures.
SECTION 4.8 SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS. With respect to the foreign securities
held pursuant to this Section 4, the Custodian shall use reasonable commercial
efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and other shareholder rights,
subject always to the laws, regulations and practical constraints that may
exist in the country where such securities are issued. The Fund acknowledges
that local conditions, including lack of regulation, onerous procedural
obligations, lack of notice and other factors may have the effect of severely
limiting the ability of the Fund to exercise shareholder rights.
SECTION 4.9. COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO FOREIGN SECURITIES. The Custodian
shall transmit promptly to the Fund written information with respect to
materials received by the Custodian via the Foreign Sub-Custodians from issuers
of the foreign securities being held for the account of the Portfolios
(including, without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of foreign
securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith). With respect to
tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund
written information with respect to materials so received by the Custodian from
issuers of the foreign securities whose tender or exchange is sought or from
the party (or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer. The Custodian
shall not be liable for any untimely exercise of any tender, exchange or other
right or power in connection with foreign securities or other property of the
Portfolios at any time held by it unless (i) the Custodian or the respective
Foreign Sub-Custodian is in actual possession of such foreign securities or
property and (ii) the Custodian receives Proper Instructions with regard to the
exercise of any such right or power, and both (i) and (ii) occur at least three
business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take action to
exercise such right or power.
SECTION 4.10. LIABILITY OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS. Each agreement pursuant
to which the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall, to the extent
possible, require the Foreign Sub-Custodian to exercise reasonable care in the
performance of its duties, and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the Custodian
from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising
out of or in connection with the Foreign Sub-Custodian's performance of such
obligations. At the Fund's election, the Portfolios shall be entitled to be
subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims against a
Foreign Sub-Custodian as a consequence of any such loss, damage, cost, expense,
liability or claim if and to the extent that the Portfolios have not been made
whole for any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim.
SECTION 4.11 TAX LAW. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or
liability for any obligations now or hereafter imposed on the Fund, the
Portfolios or the Custodian as custodian of the Portfolios by the tax law of
the United States or of any state or political subdivision thereof. It shall be
the responsibility of the Fund to notify the Custodian of the obligations
imposed on the Fund with respect to the Portfolios or the Custodian as
custodian of the Portfolios by the tax law of countries other than those
mentioned in the above sentence, including responsibility for withholding and
other taxes, assessments or other governmental charges, certifications and
governmental reporting. The sole responsibility of the Custodian with regard to
such tax law shall be to use reasonable efforts to assist the Fund with respect
to any claim for exemption or refund under the tax law of countries for which
the Fund has provided such information.
SECTION 4.12. LIABILITY OF CUSTODIAN. The Custodian shall be liable for
the acts or omissions of a Foreign Sub-Custodian to the same extent as set
forth with respect to sub-custodians generally in this Agreement and,
regardless of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a Foreign
Sub-Custodian or a Foreign Securities System, the Custodian shall not be liable
for any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from
nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of war or
terrorism, or any other loss where the Sub-Custodian has otherwise acted with
reasonable care.
SECTION 5. SPECIAL SUB-CUSTODIANS
Upon receipt of Special Instructions (as such term is defined in Section 7
hereof), the Custodian shall, on behalf of one or more Portfolios, appoint one
or more banks, trust companies or other entities designated in such Special
Instructions to act as a sub-custodian for the purposes of effecting such
transaction as may be designated by a Fund in Special Instructions. Each such
designated sub-custodian is referred to herein as a "SPECIAL SUB-CUSTODIAN."
Each such duly appointed Special Sub-Custodian shall be listed on Schedule D
hereto, as it may be amended from time to time by the Fund, with the
acknowledgment of the Custodian. In connection with the appointment of any
Special Sub-Custodian, and in accordance with Special Instructions, the
Custodian shall enter into a sub-custodian agreement with the Fund and the
Special Sub-Custodian in form and substance approved by the Fund, provided that
such agreement shall in all events comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act
and the rules and regulations thereunder and the terms and provisions of this
Agreement.
SECTION 6. PAYMENTS FOR SALES OR REPURCHASES OR REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES
The Custodian shall receive from the distributor of the Shares or from the
Transfer Agent and deposit into the account of the appropriate Portfolio such
payments as are received for Shares thereof issued or sold from time to time by
the Fund. The Custodian will provide timely notification to the Fund on behalf
of each such Portfolio and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of payments
for Shares of such Portfolio.
From such funds as may be available for the purpose, 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, 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, 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.
SECTION 7. PROPER INSTRUCTIONS AND SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
"PROPER INSTRUCTIONS," as such term is used throughout this Agreement, means a
writing signed or initialed by one or more person or persons as the Board shall
have from time to time authorized. Each such writing shall set forth the
specific transaction or type of transaction involved. 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. Proper Instructions may include communications effected
directly between electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the
Fund and the Custodian agree to security procedures including, but not limited
to, the security procedures selected by the Fund via the form of Funds Transfer
Addendum hereto. 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
2.9 hereof.
"SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS," as such term is used throughout this Agreement, means
Proper Instructions countersigned or confirmed in writing by the Treasurer or
any Assistant Treasurer of the Fund or any other person designated in writing
by the Treasurer of the Fund, which countersignature or confirmation shall be
(a) included on the same instrument containing the Proper Instructions or on a
separate instrument clearly relating thereto and (b) delivered by hand, by
facsimile transmission, or in such other manner as the Fund and the Custodian
agree in writing.
Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, and from time to time
thereafter, as appropriate, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian, duly
certified by the Fund's Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, a certificate setting
forth: (i) the names, titles, signatures and scope of authority of all persons
authorized to give Proper Instructions or any other notice, request, direction,
instruction, certificate or instrument on behalf of the Fund and (ii) the
names, titles and signatures of those persons authorized to give Special
Instructions. Such certificate may be accepted and relied upon by the Custodian
as conclusive evidence of the facts set forth therein and shall be considered
to be in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of a similar
certificate to the contrary.
SECTION 8. 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 copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of
the authority of any person to act in accordance with such resolution or (b) of
any determination or of any action by the Board as described in such
resolution, and such resolution may be considered as in full force and effect
until receipt by the Custodian of written notice to the contrary.
SECTION 9. 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 Agreement; 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.
SECTION 10. 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 to keep the books of account of each
Portfolio and/or compute the net asset value per Share of the outstanding
Shares or, if directed in writing to do so by the Fund on behalf of a
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 Prospectus and shall advise
the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the total amounts of such net income
and, if instructed in writing by an officer of the Fund to do so, shall advise
the Transfer Agent periodically of the division of such net income among its
various components. The Fund acknowledges and agrees that, with respect to
investments maintained with the Underlying Transfer Agent, the Underlying
Transfer Agent is the sole source of information on the number of shares of a
fund held by it on behalf of a Portfolio and that the Custodian has the right
to rely on holdings information furnished by the Underlying Transfer Agent to
the Custodian in performing its duties under this Agreement, including without
limitation, the duties set forth in this Section 10 and in Section 11 hereof;
provided, however, that the Custodian shall be obligated to reconcile
information as to purchases and sales of Underlying Shares contained in trade
instructions and confirmations received by the Custodian and to report promptly
any discrepancies to the Underlying Transfer Agent. The calculations 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 Prospectus. The Fund
acknowledges that, in keeping the books of account of the Portfolio and/or
making the calculations described herein with respect to Portfolio property
released and delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(14), or purchased pursuant to
Section 2.6(7) hereof, the Custodian is authorized and instructed to rely upon
information provided to it by the Fund, the Fund's counterparty(ies), or the
agents of either of them.
SECTION 11. RECORDS
The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create and maintain all
records relating to its activities and obligations under this Agreement in such
manner as will meet the obligations of the Fund under the 1940 Act, with
particular attention to section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2
thereunder. 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 SEC. The Custodian shall, at the Fund's request, supply the Fund
with a tabulation of securities owned by each Portfolio and held by the
Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund and for such
compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the Custodian,
include certificate numbers in such tabulations. The Fund acknowledges that, in
creating and maintaining the records as set forth herein with respect to
Portfolio property released and delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(14), or
purchased pursuant to Section 2.6(7) hereof, the Custodian is authorized and
instructed to rely upon information provided to it by the Fund, the Fund's
counterparty(ies), or the agents of either of them.
SECTION 12. OPINION OF FUND'S INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund with respect to a
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 SEC and with respect to any other
requirements thereof.
SECTION 13. 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 U.S.
Securities System or a Foreign Securities System, relating to the services
provided by the Custodian under this Agreement; 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.
SECTION 14. 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.
SECTION 15. 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 Agreement 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 Agreement, 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, including, without
limitation, acting in accordance with any Proper Instruction. 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. The Custodian shall be
without liability to the Fund and the Portfolios for any loss, liability, claim
or expense resulting from or caused by anything which is part of Country Risk
(as defined in Section 3 hereof), including without limitation nationalization,
expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of war, revolution, riots or
terrorism.
Except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct
or the negligence or willful misconduct of a sub-custodian or agent, the
Custodian shall be without liability to the Fund for any loss, liability, claim
or expense resulting from or caused by; (i) events or circumstances beyond the
reasonable control of the Custodian or any sub-custodian or Securities System
or any agent or nominee of any of the foregoing, including, without limitation,
the interruption, suspension or restriction of trading on or the closure of any
securities market, power or other mechanical or technological failures or
interruptions, computer viruses or communications disruptions, work stoppages,
natural disasters, or other similar events or acts; (ii) errors by the Fund or
its duly authorized investment manager or investment adviser in their
instructions to the Custodian provided such instructions have been in
accordance with this Agreement; (iii) the insolvency of or acts or omissions by
a Securities System; (iv) any act or omission of a Special Sub-Custodian
including, without limitation, reliance on reports prepared by a Special
Sub-Custodian; (v) any delay or failure of any broker, agent or intermediary,
central bank or other commercially prevalent payment or clearing system to
deliver to the Custodian's sub-custodian or agent securities purchased or in
the remittance or payment made in connection with securities sold; (vi) any
delay or failure of any company, corporation, or other body in charge of
registering or transferring securities in the name of the Custodian, the Fund,
the Custodian's sub-custodians, nominees or agents or any consequential losses
arising out of such delay or failure to transfer such securities including
non-receipt of bonus, dividends and rights and other accretions or benefits;
(vii) delays or inability to perform its duties due to any disorder in market
infrastructure with respect to any particular security or Securities System;
and (viii) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or order of
the United States of America, or any state thereof, or any other country, or
political subdivision thereof or of any court of competent jurisdiction.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a Foreign
Sub-Custodian (as such term is defined in Section 4 hereof) to the same extent
as set forth with respect to sub-custodians generally in this Agreement.
If the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requires the Custodian to take any action
with respect to securities, which action involves the payment of money or which
action may, in the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its
nominee assigned to the Fund or the Portfolio being liable for the payment of
money or incurring liability of some other form, the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such action,
shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form satisfactory to
it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian, 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 Agreement, 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.
Except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct,
the Fund shall indemnify and hold the Custodian harmless from and against any
and all costs, expenses, losses, damages, charges, counsel fees, payments and
liabilities which may be asserted against the Custodian (a) acting in
accordance with any Proper Instruction or Special Instruction including,
without limitation, any Proper Instruction with respect to Free Trades
including, but not limited to, cost, expense, loss, damage, liability, tax,
charge, assessment or claim resulting from (i) the failure of the Fund to
receive income with respect to purchased investments, (ii) the failure of the
Fund to recover amounts invested on maturity of purchased investments, (iii)
the failure of the Custodian to respond to or be aware of notices or other
corporate communications with respect to purchased investments, or (iv) the
Custodian's reliance upon information provided by the Fund, the Fund's
counterparty(ies) or the agents of either of them with respect to Fund property
released, delivered or purchased pursuant to either of Section 2.2(14) or
Section 2.6(7) hereof; (b) for the acts or omissions of any Special
Sub-Custodian; or (c) for the acts or omissions of any Local Agent or Pledgee.
In no event shall the Custodian be liable for indirect, special or
consequential damages.
SECTION 16. EFFECTIVE PERIOD, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
This Agreement 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 sixty (60)
days after the date of such delivery or mailing; provided, however, that the
Fund shall not amend or terminate this Agreement in contravention of any
applicable federal or state regulations, or any provision of the Fund's
Governing Documents, and further provided, that the Fund on behalf of one or
more of the Portfolios may at any time by action of its Board (i) substitute
another bank or trust company for the Custodian by giving notice as described
above to the Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate this Agreement 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.
Termination of this Agreement with respect to any one particular Portfolio
shall in no way affect the rights and duties under this Agreement with respect
to any other Portfolio.
Upon termination of the Agreement, 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.
SECTION 17. SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN
If a successor custodian for one or more Portfolios shall be appointed by the
Board, the Custodian shall, upon termination and receipt of Proper
Instructions, 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 or at the Underlying Transfer Agent.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in like
manner, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, deliver at the office of the
Custodian and transfer such securities, funds and other properties in
accordance with such resolution.
In the event that no Proper Instructions designating a successor custodian or
alternative arrangements shall have been delivered to the Custodian on or
before the date when such termination shall become effective, then the
Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is
a "bank" as defined in the 1940 Act, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts or
New York, New York, 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
Agreement 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 or at the Underlying Transfer Agent. Thereafter, such
bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian under this
Agreement.
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 provide Proper Instructions as aforesaid, 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 Agreement relating to the duties and obligations of
the Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 18. GENERAL
SECTION 18.1 MASSACHUSETTS LAW TO APPLY. This Agreement shall be construed
and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
SECTION 18.2 PRIOR AGREEMENTS. This Agreement supersedes and terminates,
as of the date hereof, all prior Agreements between the Fund on behalf of each
of the Portfolios and the Custodian relating to the custody of the Fund's
assets.
SECTION 18.3 ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement may not be assigned by either
party without the written consent of the other.
SECTION 18.4 INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS. In connection with
the operation of this Agreement, 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 Agreement as may in their joint
opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. 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 Fund's Governing Documents. No interpretive
or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be
deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement.
SECTION 18.5 ADDITIONAL FUNDS. In the event that the Fund establishes one
or more series of Shares in addition to INSTITUTIONAL RESERVES PORTFOLIO and
INSTITUTIONAL ENHANCED 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.
SECTION 18.6 NOTICES. Any notice, instruction or other instrument required
to be given hereunder may be delivered in person to the offices of the parties
as set forth herein during normal business hours or delivered prepaid
registered mail or by telex, cable or telecopy to the parties at the following
addresses or such other addresses as may be notified by any party from time to
time.
To the Fund: INSTITUTIONAL PORTFOLIO
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Senior Vice President
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Telecopy: 000-000-0000
With a copy to: Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.
INSTITUTIONAL PORTFOLIO
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Telecopy: 000-000-0000
To the Custodian: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, XXX/0X
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. XxXxxxxx, Vice President
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Telecopy: 000-000-0000
Such notice, instruction or other instrument shall be deemed to have been
served in the case of a registered letter at the expiration of five business
days after posting, in the case of cable twenty-four hours after dispatch and,
in the case of telex, immediately on dispatch and if delivered outside normal
business hours it shall be deemed to have been received at the next time after
delivery when normal business hours commence and in the case of cable, telex or
telecopy on the business day after the receipt thereof. Evidence that the
notice was properly addressed, stamped and put into the post shall be
conclusive evidence of posting.
SECTION 18.7 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all such
counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
SECTION 18.8 SEVERABILITY. If any provision or provisions of this
Agreement shall be held to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be
affected or impaired.
SECTION 18.9 REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS. This Agreement and all schedules,
addenda, exhibits, attachments and amendments hereto may be reproduced by any
photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or
other similar process. The parties hereto all/each agree that any such
reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any
judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in
existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the
regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further
reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.
SECTION 18.10 REMOTE ACCESS SERVICES ADDENDUM. The Custodian and the Fund
agree to be bound by the terms of the Remote Access Services Addendum hereto.
SECTION 18.11 SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS ELECTION. SEC Rule 14b-2 requires
banks which hold securities for the account of customers to respond to requests
by issuers of securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial
owners of securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial
owner has expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to
comply with the rule, the Custodian needs the Fund to indicate whether it
authorizes the Custodian to provide the Fund's name, address, and share
position to requesting companies whose securities the Fund owns. If the Fund
tells the Custodian "no," the Custodian will not provide this information to
requesting companies. If the Fund tells the Custodian "yes" or does not check
either "yes" or "no" below, the Custodian is required by the rule to treat the
Fund as consenting to disclosure of this information for all securities owned
by the Fund or any funds or accounts established by the Fund. For the Fund's
protection, the Rule prohibits the requesting company from using the Fund's
name and address for any purpose other than corporate communications. Please
indicate below whether the Fund consents or objects by checking one of the
alternatives below.
YES [ ] The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund's name, address, and
share positions.
NO [X] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund's name, address, and
share positions.
SIGNATURE PAGE
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 date first above-written.
FUND SIGNATURE ATTESTED TO BY: INSTITUTIONAL PORTFOLIO
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
--------------------- -------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: Assistant Secretary Title: Secretary
SIGNATURE ATTESTED TO BY: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxxx X. Poster By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
----------------------- --------------------
Xxxxxxxxx X. Poster Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Vice President Executive Vice President
SCHEDULE D
TO
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
SPECIAL SUB-CUSTODIANS
None.
