040688-1
Exhibit 2(j)
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
THE HIGH YIELD PLUS FUND, INC.
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
SCE 2/88
WP0704c
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held By It....................1
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held By the
Custodian....................................................................2
2.1 Holding Securities....................................................2
2.2 Delivery of Securities...............................................2
2.3 Registration of Securities...........................................5
2.4 Bank Accounts........................................................5
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds........................................6
2.6 Collection of Income.................................................6
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies...............................................7
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased..9
2.9 Appoint of Agents....................................................9
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities System........................10
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System............12
2.12 Segregated Account.................................................13
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes............................14
2.14 Proxies............................................................14
2.15 Communication Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities................14
2.16 Proper Instructions................................................15
2.17 Actions Permitted without Express Authority........................16
2.18 Evidence of Authority..............................................16
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held By the
Custodian...................................................................17
4. Records..................................................................17
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant.................................18
i
6 Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants.........................18
7. Compensation of Custodian................................................18
8. Responsibility of Custodian..............................................18
9. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment..............................19
10. Successor Custodian.....................................................21
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions..................................22
12. Additional Funds........................................................22
13. Massachusetts Law to Apply..............................................22
14. Prior Contracts.........................................................23
15. Notices.................................................................23
ii
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between The High Yield Plus Fund, Inc., a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of Maryland, having its principal place of
business at Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, 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
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 Articles of Incorporation. 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 capital stock,
$.0l par value, ("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 Directors 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 80 employed than any such sub-custodian has to the Custodian.
1
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;
2
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 18 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 l; 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 1088 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, options, rights or similar
securities, the surrender thereof in the exercise of such
warrants, options, rights or similar securities or the
3
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 the rules of The
Options to compliance with Clearing Corporation and of and
registered national securities exchange or of any similar
organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;
4
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.
5
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.
2.4 BANK ACCOUNTS.
The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank account or
accounts in the name of the Fund, subject only to draft or order by
the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Contract, and
shall hold in such account or accounts, subject to the provisions
hereof, all cash received by it from or for the account of the 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 the 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 Directors of the Fund. Such funds shall be deposited
6
by the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be
withdrawable by the Custodian only in that capacity.
2.5 AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL FUNDS.
Upon mutual agreement between the Fund 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.
The Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other
payments with respect to regl6tered 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 wi1l 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.
7
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 option 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
8
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 Directors or of the
Executive Committee of the Fund signed by an officer of
9
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 APPOINT 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 SYSTEM. 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
10
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 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
11
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.
12
2.11 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, 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.
13
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.
2.12 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 secretaries cash or government securities in connection
with options purchased, sold or written by the Fund or commodity
futures contracts or options thereon purchaser or sold by the Fund,
(ii) 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 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
14
Secretary, setting forth the purpose or purposes of such segregated
account and declaring such purposes to be proper corporate purposes.
2.13 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.
2.14 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.
2.15 COMMUNICATION RELATING TO FUND PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. 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 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
15
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.
2.16 PROPER INSTRUCTIONS. Proper Instructions as used throughout this
Article 2 means a writing signed or initialled by one or more person
or persons as the Board of Directors shall have from time to time
authorized. Each such writing shall set forth the specific
transaction or type of transaction involved, including a specific
statement of the purpose for which such action is requested. Oral
instructions will be considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian
reasonably believes them to have been given by a person authorized
to give such Instructions with respect to the transaction involved.
The Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be confirmed in
writing. Upon receipt of a certificate of the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary as to the authorization by the Board of
Directors of the Fund accompanied by a detailed description of
procedures approved by the Board of Directors, Proper Instructions
may include communications effected directly between
electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the Board of
Directors and the Custodian are satisfied that such procedures
afford adequate safeguards for the 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.
2.17 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;
16
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.
2.18 EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY. The Custodian shall be protected in acting
upon any instructions, notice, request, consent, certificate or
other instrument or paper believed by it to be genuine and to have
been properly executed by or on behalf of the Fund. The Custodian
may receive and accept a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
Directors of the Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of
any person to act in accordance with such vote or (b) of any
determination or of any action by the Board of Directors pursuant to
the Articles of Incorporation as described in such vote, and such
vote may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt by
the Custodian of written notice to the contrary.
3. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND HELD BY THE
CUSTODIAN
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 ant/or compute such net asset value per
share. If s0 directed, the Custodian shall also calculate weekly and the last
business day of each month the net income of the Fund as described in the Fund's
currently effective prospectus and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent
17
weekly and the last business day of each month 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 and monthly income of the Fund shall be made at the time or times
described from time to time in the Fund '8 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-l and 31a-2
thereunder, applicable federal and state tax laws and any other law or
administrative rules or procedures which may be applicable to the Fund. All
such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at all times during
the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection by duly
authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and employees and agents
of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian shall, at the Fund's
request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by the Fund ant
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 other periodic
reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and with respect to any other
requirements of such Commission.
18
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 service
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
reasonable taken or omitted pursuant to such advice.
19
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 make such
action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian In an amount and form
satisfactory to it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to advance cash or securities for any
purpose 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 thing 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 AND AMENDMENT
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall continue
In full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may be
amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be
terminated by either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed,
postage prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner
than thirty (30) days after the date of such delivery or mailing; PROVIDED,
however that the Custodian shall not 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 Directors 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 Directors has reviewed
the use by the Fund of such Securities System, as required in each case by Rule
20
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 Directors 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 Directors 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 Articles of Incorporation, and further provided, that
the Fund may at any time by action of its Board of Directors (i) substitute
another bank or trust company for the Custodian by giving notice as described
above to the Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate this Contract in the event
of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the
Comptroller of the Currency or upon the happening of a like event at the
direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent
jurisdiction.
Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund 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 Directors of
the Fund, the Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to such successor
custodian at the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for
transfer, all securities 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.
21
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in
like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
Directors of the Fund, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer such
securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such vote.
In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian or
certified copy of a vote of the Board of Directors shall have been delivered to
the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become
effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust
company, which is a "bank" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940,
doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, of its own selection, having an
aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last
published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other
properties held by the Custodian 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 procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or of
the Board of Directors to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian shall be
entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the
Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and
the provisions of this Contract relating to the duties and obligations of the
Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
11. INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
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
22
consistent with the general tenor of this Contract. Any such interpretive or
additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by both parties and shall be
annexed hereto, PROVIDED that no such interpretive or additional provisions
shall contravene any applicable federal or state regulations or any provision of
the Articles of Incorporation of the Fund. No interpretive or additional
provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an
amendment of this Contract.
12. ADDITIONAL FUNDS
In the event that the Fund establishes an additional series of capital
stock other than the Shares 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 additional series of Shares shall become a Fund
hereunder.
13. MASSACHUSETTS LAW TO APPLY
This Contract shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted
under and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of .Massachusetts.
14. PRIOR CONTRACTS
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior
contracts between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the custody of the
Fund's assets.
15. NOTICES
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by overnight, registered
or certified mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth
above or at such other address a~ such party may from time to time specify in
writing to the other party.
23
IN WIINESS WHEREOP, 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 15th day of April, 1988.
ATTEST THE HIGH YIELD PLUS FUND. INC.
________________________ By _______________________________
Assistant Secretary President
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
________________________ By _________________________________________
Assistant Secretary Vice President
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