EXHIBIT (g)
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made this _____ day of ____________ 2004, by and between Bryce
Capital Funds, a Delaware business trust, having its principal office and place
of business at 0 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 (the "Trust"), and The Bank
of New York, a New York corporation authorized to do a banking business having
its principal office and place of business at Xxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx
Xxxx 00000 ("Custodian").
W I T N E S S E T H:
that for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth the
Fund and Custodian agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words shall have the
meanings set forth below:
1. "ADMINISTRATOR" shall mean Gemini Fund Services and its successors
or permitted assigns.
2. "AUTHORIZED PERSON" shall be any person, whether or not an officer
or employee of the Fund and including officers or employees of the
Administrator, duly authorized by the Fund's board to execute any Certificate or
to give any Oral Instruction with respect to one or more Accounts, such persons
to be designated in a Certificate annexed hereto as Schedule I hereto or such
other Certificate as may be received by Custodian from time to time.
3. "BNY AFFILIATE" shall mean any office, branch or subsidiary of The
Bank of New York Company, Inc.
4. "BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM" shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury
book-entry system for receiving and delivering securities, its successors and
nominees.
5. "BUSINESS DAY" shall mean any day on which Custodian and relevant
Depositories are open for business.
6. "CERTIFICATE" shall mean any notice, instruction, or other
instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to
Custodian, which is actually received by Custodian by letter or facsimile
transmission and signed on behalf of the Fund by an Authorized Person or a
person reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Authorized Person.
7. "COMPOSITE CURRENCY UNIT" shall mean the Euro or any other composite
currency unit consisting of the aggregate of specified amounts of specified
currencies, as such unit may be constituted from time to time.
8. "DEPOSITORY" shall include (a) the Book-Entry System, (b) the
Depository Trust Company, (c) any other clearing agency or securities depository
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission identified to the Fund
from time to time, and (d) the respective successors and nominees of the
foregoing.
9. "FOREIGN DEPOSITORY" shall mean (a) Euroclear, (b) Clearstream
Banking, societe anonyme, (c) each Eligible Securities Depository as defined in
Rule 17f-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, identified to
the Fund from time to time, and (d) the respective successors and nominees of
the foregoing.
10. "INSTRUCTIONS" shall mean communications transmitted by electronic
or telecommunications media, including S.W.I.F.T., computer-to-computer
interface, or dedicated transmission lines.
11. "ORAL INSTRUCTIONS" shall mean verbal instructions received by
Custodian from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by
Custodian to be an Authorized Person.
12. "SERIES" shall mean the various portfolios, if any, of the Fund
listed on Schedule II hereto, and if none are listed references to Series shall
be references to the Fund.
13. "SECURITIES" shall include, without limitation, any common stock and
other equity securities, bonds, debentures and other debt securities, notes,
mortgages or other obligations, and any instruments representing rights to
receive, purchase, or subscribe for the same, or representing any other rights
or interests therein (whether represented by a certificate or held in a
Depository or by a Subcustodian).
14. "SUBCUSTODIAN" shall mean a bank (including any branch thereof) or
other financial institution (other than a Foreign Depository) located outside
the U.S. which is utilized by Custodian in connection with the purchase, sale or
custody of Securities hereunder and identified to the Fund from time to time,
and their respective successors and nominees.
ARTICLE II
APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN; ACCOUNTS;
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, AND COVENANTS
1. (a) The Fund hereby appoints Custodian as custodian of all
Securities and cash at any time delivered to Custodian during the term of this
Agreement, and authorizes Custodian to hold Securities in registered form in its
name or the name of its nominees. Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and
agrees to establish and maintain one or more securities accounts and cash
accounts for each Series in which Custodian will hold Securities and cash as
provided
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herein. Custodian shall maintain books and records segregating the assets of
each Series from the assets of any other Series. Such accounts (each, an
"Account"; collectively, the "Accounts") shall be in the name of the Fund.
(b) Custodian may from time to time establish on its books and
records such sub-accounts within each Account as the Fund and Custodian may
agree upon (each a "Special Account"), and Custodian shall reflect therein such
assets as the Fund may specify in a Certificate or Instructions.
(c) Custodian may from time to time establish pursuant to a
written agreement with and for the benefit of a broker, dealer, future
commission merchant or other third party identified in a Certificate or
Instructions such accounts on such terms and conditions as the Fund and
Custodian shall agree, and Custodian shall transfer to such account such
Securities and money as the Fund may specify in a Certificate or Instructions.
2. The Fund hereby represents and warrants, which representations and
warranties shall be continuing and shall be deemed to be reaffirmed upon each
delivery of a Certificate or each giving of Oral Instructions or Instructions by
the Fund, that:
(a) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as
now conducted, to enter into this Agreement, and to perform its obligations
hereunder;
(b) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Fund, approved by a resolution of its board, constitutes a
valid and legally binding obligation of the Fund, enforceable in accordance with
its terms, and there is no statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding
on it, and no provision of its charter or by-laws, nor of any mortgage,
indenture, credit agreement or other contract binding on it or affecting its
property, which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement;
(c) It is conducting its business in substantial compliance with
all applicable laws and requirements, both state and federal, and has obtained
all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its
business as now conducted;
(d) It will not use the services provided by Custodian hereunder
in any manner that is, or will result in, a violation of any law, rule or
regulation applicable to the Fund;
(e) Its board or its foreign custody manager, as defined in Rule
17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "`40 Act"), has
determined that use of each Subcustodian (including any Replacement Custodian)
and each Depository which Custodian or any Subcustodian is authorized to utilize
in accordance with Section 1(a) of Article III hereof, satisfies the applicable
requirements of the `40 Act and Rules 17f-4 or 17f-5 thereunder, as the case may
be;
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(f) The Fund or its investment adviser has determined, based in
part on its review of the risks analysis provided by Custodian as described in
Article III 1.(c) hereof, that the custody arrangements of each Foreign
Depository provide reasonable safeguards against the custody risks associated
with maintaining assets with such Foreign Depository within the meaning of Rule
17f-7 under the `40 Act;
(g) It is fully informed of the protections and risks associated
with various methods of transmitting Instructions and Oral Instructions and
delivering Certificates to Custodian, understands that there may be more secure
methods of transmitting or delivering the same than the methods selected by the
Fund, agrees that the security procedures (if any) to be utilized provide a
commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs
and circumstances, and acknowledges and agrees that Instructions need not be
reviewed by Custodian, may conclusively be presumed by Custodian to have been
given by person(s) duly authorized, and may be acted upon as given;
(h) It shall manage its borrowings, including, without limitation,
any advance or overdraft (including any day-light overdraft) in the Accounts, so
that the aggregate of its total borrowings for each Series does not exceed the
amount such Series is permitted to borrow under the `40 Act and in compliance
with the Statement of Additional Information;
(i) Its transmission or giving of, and Custodian acting upon and
in reliance on, Certificates, Instructions, or Oral Instructions pursuant to
this Agreement shall at all times comply with the `40 Act;
(j) It shall impose and maintain restrictions on the destinations
to which cash may be disbursed by Instructions to ensure that each disbursement
is for a proper purpose; and
(k) It has the right to make the pledge and grant the security
interest and security entitlement to Custodian contained in Section 1 of Article
V hereof, free of any right of redemption or prior claim of any other person or
entity, such pledge and such grants shall have a first priority subject to no
setoffs, counterclaims, or other liens or grants prior to or on a parity
therewith, and it shall take such additional steps as Custodian may require to
assure such priority.
3. The Fund hereby covenants that it shall from time to time complete
and execute and deliver to Custodian upon Custodian's request a Form FR U-1 (or
successor form) whenever the Fund borrows from Custodian any money to be used
for the purchase or carrying of margin stock as defined in Federal Reserve
Regulation U.
ARTICLE III
CUSTODY AND RELATED SERVICES
1. (a) Subject to the terms hereof, the Fund hereby authorizes
Custodian to hold any Securities received by it from time to time for the Fund's
account. Custodian shall be entitled to utilize Depositories, Subcustodians,
and, subject to subsection(c) of this Section 1, Foreign Depositories, to the
extent possible in connection with its performance hereunder. Securities and
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cash held in a Depository or Foreign Depository will be held subject to the
rules, terms and conditions of such entity. Securities and cash held through
Subcustodians shall be held subject to the terms and conditions of Custodian's
agreements with such Subcustodians. Subcustodians may be authorized to hold
Securities in Foreign Depositories in which such Subcustodians participate.
Unless otherwise required by local law or practice or a particular subcustodian
agreement, Securities deposited with a Subcustodian, a Depositary or a Foreign
Depository will be held in a commingled account, in the name of Custodian,
holding only Securities held by Custodian as custodian for its customers.
Custodian shall identify on its books and records the Securities and cash
belonging to the Fund, whether held directly or indirectly through Depositories,
Foreign Depositories, or Subcustodians. Custodian shall, directly or indirectly
through Subcustodians, Depositories, or Foreign Depositories, endeavor, to the
extent feasible, to hold Securities in the country or other jurisdiction in
which the principal trading market for such Securities is located, where such
Securities are to be presented for cancellation and/or payment and/or
registration, or where such Securities are acquired. Custodian at any time may
cease utilizing any Subcustodian and/or may replace a Subcustodian with a
different Subcustodian (the "Replacement Subcustodian"). In the event Custodian
selects a Replacement Subcustodian, Custodian shall not utilize such Replacement
Subcustodian until after the Fund's board or foreign custody manager has
determined that utilization of such Replacement Subcustodian satisfies the
requirements of the `40 Act and Rule 17f-5 thereunder.
(b) Unless Custodian has received a Certificate or Instructions to
the contrary, Custodian shall hold Securities indirectly through a Subcustodian
only if (i) the Securities are not subject to any right, charge, security
interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of such Subcustodian or its
creditors or operators, including a receiver or trustee in bankruptcy or similar
authority, except for a claim of payment for the safe custody or administration
of Securities on behalf of the Fund by such Subcustodian, and (ii) beneficial
ownership of the Securities is freely transferable without the payment of money
or value other than for safe custody or administration.
(c) With respect to each Foreign Depository, Custodian shall
exercise reasonable care, prudence, and diligence (i) to provide the Fund with
an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the
Foreign Depository, and (ii) to monitor such custody risks on a continuing basis
and promptly notify the Fund of any material change in such risks. The Fund
acknowledges and agrees that such analysis and monitoring shall, but only to the
extent consistent with Rule 17f-7 under the '40 Act, be made on the basis of,
and limited by, information gathered from Subcustodians, from trade associations
of which Custodian is a member and through publicly available information
otherwise obtained by Custodian, and shall not include any evaluation of Country
Risks. As used herein the term "Country Risks" shall mean with respect to any
Foreign Depository: (a) the financial infrastructure of the country in which it
is organized, (b) such country's prevailing custody and settlement practices,
(c) nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions, (d) such
country's regulation of the banking or securities industry, (e) currency
controls, restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations, and (f) market conditions
which affect the order execution of securities transactions or affect the value
of securities.
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(d) In the event that Custodian believes that a depository
institution has ceased to be an Eligible Securities Depository, Custodian shall
promptly notify the Fund and shall act in accordance with instructions of the
Fund with respect to the disposition of any assets of the Fund held by such
depository institution.
2. Custodian shall furnish the Fund and the Administrator with an
advice of daily transactions (including a confirmation of each transfer of
Securities) and a monthly summary of all transfers to or from the Accounts.
3. With respect to all Securities held hereunder, Custodian shall,
unless otherwise instructed to the contrary:
(a) Receive all income and other payments and advise the Fund as
promptly as practicable of any such amounts due but not paid;
(b) Present for payment and receive the amount paid upon all
Securities which may mature and advise the Fund as promptly as practicable of
any such amounts due but not paid;
(c) Forward to the Fund copies of all information or documents
that it may actually receive from an issuer of Securities which, in the opinion
of Custodian, are intended for the beneficial owner of Securities;
(d) Execute, as custodian, any certificates of ownership,
affidavits, declarations or other certificates under any tax laws now or
hereafter in effect in connection with the collection of bond and note coupons;
(e) Hold directly or through a Depository, a Foreign Depository,
or a Subcustodian all rights and similar Securities issued with respect to any
Securities credited to an Account hereunder; and
(f) Endorse for collection checks, drafts or other negotiable
instruments.
4. (a) Custodian shall notify the Fund of rights or discretionary
actions with respect to Securities held hereunder, and of the date or dates by
when such rights must be exercised or such action must be taken, provided that
Custodian has actually received, from the issuer or the relevant Depository
(with respect to Securities issued in the United States) or from the relevant
Subcustodian, Foreign Depository, or a nationally or internationally recognized
bond or corporate action service to which Custodian subscribes, timely notice of
such rights or discretionary corporate action or of the date or dates such
rights must be exercised or such action must be taken. Absent actual receipt of
such notice, Custodian shall have no liability for failing to so notify the
Fund.
(b) Whenever Securities (including, but not limited to, warrants,
options, tenders, options to tender or non-mandatory puts or calls) confer
discretionary rights on the Fund or provide for discretionary action or
alternative courses of action by the Fund, the Fund shall be
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responsible for making any decisions relating thereto and for directing
Custodian to act. In order for Custodian to act, it must receive the Fund's
Certificate or Instructions at Custodian's offices, addressed as Custodian may
from time to time request, not later than noon (New York time) at least two (2)
Business Days prior to the last scheduled date to act with respect to such
Securities (or such earlier date or time as Custodian may specify to the Fund).
Absent Custodian's timely receipt of such Certificate or Instructions, Custodian
shall not be liable for failure to take any action relating to or to exercise
any rights conferred by such Securities.
5. All voting rights with respect to Securities, however registered,
shall be exercised by the Fund or its designee. For Securities issued in the
United States, Custodian's only duty shall be to mail to the Fund any documents
(including proxy statements, annual reports and signed proxies) actually
received by Custodian relating to the exercise of such voting rights. With
respect to Securities issued outside of the United States, Custodian's only duty
shall be to provide the Fund with access to a provider of global proxy services
at the Fund's request. The Fund shall be responsible for all costs associated
with its use of such services.
6. Custodian shall promptly advise the Fund upon Custodian's actual
receipt of notification of the partial redemption, partial payment or other
action affecting less than all Securities of the relevant class. If Custodian,
any Subcustodian, any Depository, or any Foreign Depository holds any Securities
in which the Fund has an interest as part of a fungible mass, Custodian, such
Subcustodian, Depository, or Foreign Depository may select the Securities to
participate in such partial redemption, partial payment or other action in any
non-discriminatory manner that it customarily uses to make such selection.
7. Custodian shall not under any circumstances accept bearer interest
coupons which have been stripped from United States federal, state or local
government or agency securities unless explicitly agreed to by Custodian in
writing.
8. The Fund shall be liable for all taxes, assessments, duties and
other governmental charges, including any interest or penalty with respect
thereto ("Taxes"), with respect to any cash or Securities held on behalf of the
Fund or any transaction related thereto. The Fund shall indemnify Custodian and
each Subcustodian for the amount of any Tax that Custodian, any such
Subcustodian or any other withholding agent is required under applicable laws
(whether by assessment or otherwise) to pay on behalf of, or in respect of
income earned by or payments or distributions made to or for the account of the
Fund (including any payment of Tax required by reason of an earlier failure to
withhold). Custodian shall, or shall instruct the applicable Subcustodian or
other withholding agent to, withhold the amount of any Tax which is required to
be withheld under applicable law upon collection of any dividend, interest or
other distribution made with respect to any Security and any proceeds or income
from the sale, loan or other transfer of any Security. In the event that
Custodian or any Subcustodian is required under applicable law to pay any Tax on
behalf of the Fund, Custodian is hereby authorized to withdraw cash from any
cash account in the amount required to pay such Tax and to use such cash, or to
remit such cash to the appropriate Subcustodian or other withholding agent, for
the timely payment of such Tax in the manner required by applicable law. If the
aggregate amount of cash in all cash accounts is not sufficient to pay such Tax,
Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund of
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the additional amount of cash (in the appropriate currency) required, and the
Fund shall directly deposit such additional amount in the appropriate cash
account promptly after receipt of such notice, for use by Custodian as specified
herein. In the event that Custodian reasonably believes that Fund is eligible,
pursuant to applicable law or to the provisions of any tax treaty, for a reduced
rate of, or exemption from, any Tax which is otherwise required to be withheld
or paid on behalf of the Fund under any applicable law, Custodian shall, or
shall instruct the applicable Subcustodian or withholding agent to, either
withhold or pay such Tax at such reduced rate or refrain from withholding or
paying such Tax, as appropriate; provided that Custodian shall have received
from the Fund all documentary evidence of residence or other qualification for
such reduced rate or exemption required to be received under such applicable law
or treaty. In the event that Custodian reasonably believes that a reduced rate
of, or exemption from, any Tax is obtainable only by means of an application for
refund, Custodian and the applicable Subcustodian shall have no responsibility
for the accuracy or validity of any forms or documentation provided by the Fund
to Custodian hereunder. The Fund hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
Custodian and each Subcustodian in respect of any liability arising from any
underwithholding or underpayment of any Tax which results from the inaccuracy or
invalidity of any such forms or other documentation, and such obligation to
indemnify shall be a continuing obligation of the Fund, its successors and
assigns notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.
9. (a) For the purpose of settling Securities and foreign exchange
transactions, the Fund shall provide Custodian with sufficient immediately
available funds for all transactions by such time and date as conditions in the
relevant market dictate. As used herein, "sufficient immediately available
funds" shall mean either (i) sufficient cash denominated in U.S. dollars to
purchase the necessary foreign currency, or (ii) sufficient applicable foreign
currency, to settle the transaction. Custodian shall provide the Fund with
immediately available funds each day which result from the actual settlement of
all sale transactions, based upon advices received by Custodian from
Subcustodians, Depositories, and Foreign Depositories. Such funds shall be in
U.S. dollars or such other currency as the Fund may specify to Custodian.
(b) Any foreign exchange transaction effected by Custodian in
connection with this Agreement may be entered with Custodian or a BNY Affiliate
acting as principal or otherwise through customary banking channels. The Fund
may issue a standing Certificate or Instructions with respect to foreign
exchange transactions, but Custodian may establish rules or limitations
concerning any foreign exchange facility made available to the Fund. The Fund
shall bear all risks of investing in Securities or holding cash denominated in a
foreign currency.
(c) To the extent that Custodian has agreed to provide pricing or
other information services in connection with this Agreement, Custodian is
authorized to utilize any vendor (including brokers and dealers of Securities)
reasonably believed by Custodian to be reliable to provide such information.
Custodian will, upon request, provide Fund with the names of vendors and the
services that they are being utilized for. The Fund understands that certain
pricing information with respect to complex financial instruments (e.g.,
derivatives) may be based on calculated amounts rather than actual market
transactions and may not reflect actual
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market values, and that the variance between such calculated amounts and actual
market values may or may not be material. Where vendors do not provide
information for particular Securities or other property, an Authorized Person
may advise Custodian in a Certificate regarding the fair market value of, or
provide other information with respect to, such Securities or property as
determined by it in good faith. Custodian shall not be liable for any loss,
damage or expense incurred as a result of errors or omissions with respect to
any pricing or other information utilized by Custodian hereunder.
10. Custodian shall promptly send to the Fund (a) any reports it
receives from a Depository on such Depository's system of internal accounting
control, and (b) such reports on its own system of internal accounting control
as the Fund may reasonably request from time to time.
11. Until such time as Custodian receives a certificate to the contrary
with respect to a particular Security, Custodian may release the identity of the
Fund to an issuer which requests such information pursuant to the Shareholder
Communications Act of 1985 for the specific purpose of direct communications
between such issuer and shareholder.
ARTICLE IV
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SECURITIES;
CREDITS TO ACCOUNT
1. Promptly after each purchase or sale of Securities by the Fund, the
Fund shall deliver or cause the Administrator to deliver to Custodian a
Certificate or Instructions, or with respect to a purchase or sale of a Security
generally required to be settled on the same day the purchase or sale is made,
Oral Instructions specifying all information Custodian may reasonably request to
settle such purchase or sale. Custodian shall account for all purchases and
sales of Securities on the actual settlement date unless otherwise agreed by
Custodian.
2. The Fund understands that when Custodian is instructed to deliver
Securities against payment, delivery of such Securities and receipt of payment
therefor may not be completed simultaneously. Notwithstanding any provision in
this Agreement to the contrary, settlements, payments and deliveries of
Securities may be effected by Custodian or any Subcustodian in accordance with
the customary or established securities trading or securities processing
practices and procedures in the jurisdiction in which the transaction occurs,
including, without limitation, delivery to a purchaser or dealer therefor (or
agent) against receipt with the expectation of receiving later payment for such
Securities. The Fund assumes full responsibility for all risks, including,
without limitation, credit risks, involved in connection with such deliveries of
Securities.
3. Custodian may, as a matter of bookkeeping convenience or by separate
agreement with the Fund, credit the Account with the proceeds from the sale,
redemption or other disposition of Securities or interest, dividends or other
distributions payable on Securities prior to its actual receipt of final payment
therefor. All such credits shall be conditional until Custodian's actual receipt
of final payment and may be reversed by Custodian to the extent that final
payment
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is not received. Payment with respect to a transaction will not be "final" until
Custodian shall have received immediately available funds which under applicable
local law, rule and/or practice are irreversible and not subject to any security
interest, levy or other encumbrance, and which are specifically applicable to
such transaction.
ARTICLE V
OVERDRAFTS OR INDEBTEDNESS
1. If Custodian should in its sole discretion advance funds on behalf
of any Series which results in an overdraft (including, without limitation, any
day-light overdraft) because the money held by Custodian in an Account for such
Series shall be insufficient to pay the total amount payable upon a purchase of
Securities specifically allocated to such Series, as set forth in a Certificate,
Instructions or Oral Instructions, or if an overdraft arises in the separate
account of a Series for some other reason, including, without limitation,
because of a reversal of a conditional credit or the purchase of any currency,
or if the Fund is for any other reason indebted to Custodian with respect to a
Series, including any indebtedness to The Bank of New York under the Fund's Cash
Management and Related Services Agreement (except a borrowing for investment or
for temporary or emergency purposes using Securities as collateral pursuant to a
separate agreement and subject to the provisions of Section 2 of this Article),
such overdraft or indebtedness shall be deemed to be a loan made by Custodian to
the Fund for such Series payable on demand and shall bear interest from the date
incurred at a rate per annum ordinarily charged by Custodian to its
institutional customers, as such rate may be adjusted from time to time. In
addition, the Fund hereby agrees that Custodian shall to the maximum extent
permitted by law have a continuing lien, security interest, and security
entitlement in and to any property, including, without limitation, any
investment property or any financial asset, of such Series at any time held by
Custodian for the benefit of such Series or in which such Series may have an
interest which is then in Custodian's possession or control or in possession or
control of any third party acting in Custodian's behalf. The Fund authorizes
Custodian, in its sole discretion, at any time to charge any such overdraft or
indebtedness together with interest due thereon against any balance of account
standing to such Series' credit on Custodian's books.
2. If the Fund borrows money from any bank (including Custodian if the
borrowing is pursuant to a separate agreement) for investment or for temporary
or emergency purposes using Securities held by Custodian hereunder as collateral
for such borrowings, the Fund shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to each such borrowing: (a) the Series to which such
borrowing relates; (b) the name of the bank, (c) the amount of the borrowing,
(d) the time and date, if known, on which the loan is to be entered into, (e)
the total amount payable to the Fund on the borrowing date, (f) the Securities
to be delivered as collateral for such loan, including the name of the issuer,
the title and the number of shares or the principal amount of any particular
Securities, and (g) a statement specifying whether such loan is for investment
purposes or for temporary or emergency purposes and that such loan is in
conformance with the `40 Act and the Fund's prospectus. Custodian shall deliver
on the borrowing date specified in a Certificate the specified collateral
against payment by the lending bank of the total amount of the loan payable,
provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in the
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Certificate. Custodian may, at the option of the lending bank, keep such
collateral in its possession, but such collateral shall be subject to all rights
therein given the lending bank by virtue of any promissory note or loan
agreement. Custodian shall deliver such Securities as additional collateral as
may be specified in a Certificate to collateralize further any transaction
described in this Section. The Fund shall cause all Securities released from
collateral status to be returned directly to Custodian, and Custodian shall
receive from time to time such return of collateral as may be tendered to it. In
the event that the Fund fails to specify in a Certificate the Series, the name
of the issuer, the title and number of shares or the principal amount of any
particular Securities to be delivered as collateral by Custodian, Custodian
shall not be under any obligation to deliver any Securities.
ARTICLE VI
SALE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
1. Whenever the Fund shall sell any shares issued by the Fund
("Shares") it shall deliver or cause the Administrator to deliver to Custodian a
Certificate or Instructions specifying the amount of money and/or Securities to
be received by Custodian for the sale of such Shares and specifically allocated
to an Account for such Series.
2. Upon receipt of such money, Custodian shall credit such money to an
Account in the name of the Series for which such money was received.
3. Except as provided hereinafter, whenever the Fund desires Custodian
to make payment out of the money held by Custodian hereunder in connection with
a redemption of any Shares, it shall furnish to Custodian a Certificate or
Instructions specifying the total amount to be paid for such Shares. Custodian
shall make payment of such total amount to the transfer agent specified in such
Certificate or Instructions out of the money held in an Account of the
appropriate Series.
4. Notwithstanding the above provisions regarding the redemption of any
Shares, whenever any Shares are redeemed pursuant to any check redemption
privilege which may from time to time be offered by the Fund, Custodian, unless
otherwise instructed by a Certificate or Instructions, shall, upon presentment
of such check, charge the amount thereof against the money held in the Account
of the Series of the Shares being redeemed, provided, that if the Fund or its
agent timely advises Custodian that such check is not to be honored, Custodian
shall return such check unpaid.
ARTICLE VII
PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS
1. Whenever the Fund shall determine to pay a dividend or distribution
on Shares it shall furnish or cause the Administrator to furnish to Custodian
Instructions or a Certificate setting forth with respect to the Series specified
therein the date of the declaration of such dividend or distribution, the total
amount payable, and the payment date.
-11-
2. Upon the payment date specified in such Instructions or Certificate,
Custodian shall pay out of the money held for the account of such Series the
total amount payable to the dividend agent of the Fund specified therein.
ARTICLE VIII
CONCERNING CUSTODIAN
1. (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, Custodian shall
not be liable for any costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims, including
attorneys' and accountants' fees (collectively, "Losses"), incurred by or
asserted against the Fund, except those Losses arising out of Custodian's own
negligence or willful misconduct. Custodian shall have no liability whatsoever
for the action or inaction of any Depositories, or, except to the extent such
action or inaction is a direct result of the Custodian's failure to fulfill its
duties hereunder, of any Foreign Depositories. With respect to any Losses
incurred by the Fund as a result of the acts or any failures to act by any
Subcustodian, Custodian shall take appropriate action to recover such Losses
from such Subcustodian; and Custodian's sole responsibility and liability to the
Fund shall be limited to amounts so received from such Subcustodian (exclusive
of costs and expenses incurred by Custodian). In no event shall Custodian be
liable to the Fund or any third party for special, indirect or consequential
damages, or lost profits or loss of business, arising in connection with this
Agreement, nor shall BNY or any Subcustodian be liable: (i) for acting in
accordance with any Certificate or Oral Instructions actually received by
Custodian and reasonably believed by Custodian to be given by an Authorized
Person; (ii) for acting in accordance with Instructions without reviewing the
same; (iii) for conclusively presuming that all Instructions are given only by
person(s) duly authorized; (iv) for conclusively presuming that all
disbursements of cash directed by the Fund, whether by a Certificate, an Oral
Instruction, or an Instruction, are in accordance with Section 2(i) of Article
II hereof; (v) for holding property in any particular country, including, but
not limited to, Losses resulting from nationalization, expropriation or other
governmental actions; regulation of the banking or securities industry; exchange
or currency controls or restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations; availability
of cash or Securities or market conditions which prevent the transfer of
property or execution of Securities transactions or affect the value of
property; (vi) for any Losses due to forces beyond the control of Custodian,
including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, acts of war or terrorism,
insurrection, revolution, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, or
interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer
(software and hardware) services; (vii) for the insolvency of any Subcustodian
(other than a BNY Affiliate), any Depository, or, except to the extent such
action or inaction is a direct result of the Custodian's failure to fulfill its
duties hereunder, any Foreign Depository; or (viii) for any Losses arising from
the applicability of any law or regulation now or hereafter in effect, or from
the occurrence of any event, including, without limitation, implementation or
adoption of any rules or procedures of a Foreign Depository, which may affect,
limit, prevent or impose costs or burdens on, the transferability,
convertibility, or availability of any currency or Composite Currency Unit in
any country or on the transfer of any Securities, and in no event shall
Custodian be obligated to substitute another currency for a currency (including
a currency that is a component of a Composite Currency Unit) whose
transferability, convertibility or availability has been affected, limited, or
prevented by
-12-
such law, regulation or event, and to the extent that any such law, regulation
or event imposes a cost or charge upon Custodian in relation to the
transferability, convertibility, or availability of any cash currency or
Composite Currency Unit, such cost or charge shall be for the account of the
Fund, and Custodian may treat any account denominated in an affected currency as
a group of separate accounts denominated in the relevant component currencies.
(b) Custodian may enter into subcontracts, agreements and
understandings with any BNY Affiliate, whenever and on such terms and conditions
as it deems necessary or appropriate to perform its services hereunder. No such
subcontract, agreement or understanding shall discharge Custodian from its
obligations hereunder.
(c) The Fund agrees to indemnify Custodian and hold Custodian
harmless from and against any and all Losses sustained or incurred by or
asserted against Custodian by reason of or as a result of any action or
inaction, or arising out of Custodian's performance hereunder, including
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel incurred by Custodian in a successful
defense of claims by the Fund; provided however, that the Fund shall not
indemnify Custodian for those Losses arising out of Custodian's own negligence
or willful misconduct. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the
Fund, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this
Agreement.
2. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Custodian shall be
under no obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:
(a) Any Losses incurred by the Fund or any other person as a
result of the receipt or acceptance of fraudulent, forged or invalid Securities,
or Securities which are otherwise not freely transferable or deliverable without
encumbrance in any relevant market;
(b) The validity of the issue of any Securities purchased, sold,
or written by or for the Fund, the legality of the purchase, sale or writing
thereof, or the propriety of the amount paid or received therefor;
(c) The legality of the sale or redemption of any Shares, or the
propriety of the amount to be received or paid therefor;
(d) The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend or
distribution by the Fund;
(e) The legality of any borrowing by the Fund;
(f) The legality of any loan of portfolio Securities, nor shall
Custodian be under any duty or obligation to see to it that any cash or
collateral delivered to it by a broker, dealer or financial institution or held
by it at any time as a result of such loan of portfolio Securities is adequate
security for the Fund against any loss it might sustain as a result of such
loan, which duty or obligation shall be the sole responsibility of the Fund. In
addition, Custodian shall be under no duty or obligation to see that any broker,
dealer or financial institution to which
-13-
portfolio Securities of the Fund are lent makes payment to it of any dividends
or interest which are payable to or for the account of the Fund during the
period of such loan or at the termination of such loan, provided, however that
Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund in the event that such dividends or
interest are not paid and received when due;
(g) The sufficiency or value of any amounts of money and/or
Securities held in any Special Account in connection with transactions by the
Fund; whether any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member
makes payment to the Fund of any variation margin payment or similar payment
which the Fund may be entitled to receive from such broker, dealer, futures
commission merchant or clearing member, or whether any payment received by
Custodian from any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing
member is the amount the Fund is entitled to receive, or to notify the Fund of
Custodian's receipt or non-receipt of any such payment; or
(h) Whether any Securities at any time delivered to, or held by it
or by any Subcustodian, for the account of the Fund and specifically allocated
to a Series are such as properly may be held by the Fund or such Series under
the provisions of its then current prospectus and statement of additional
information, or to ascertain whether any transactions by the Fund, whether or
not involving Custodian, are such transactions as may properly be engaged in by
the Fund.
3. Custodian may, with respect to questions of law specifically
regarding an Account, obtain the advice of counsel and shall be fully protected
with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in conformity with
such advice.
4. Custodian shall be under no obligation to take action to collect any
amount payable on Securities in default, or if payment is refused after due
demand and presentment.
5. Custodian shall have no duty or responsibility to inquire into, make
recommendations, supervise, or determine the suitability of any transactions
affecting any Account.
6. Custodian shall be entitled to receive and the Fund agrees to pay to
Custodian all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and such compensation as
referenced in Appendix II between Custodian and the Fund. The Fund represents
that the Administrator has agreed to pay such compensation and expenses promptly
upon receipt of statements therefor, and hereby directs Custodian to (i) send
all statements for compensation to its attention care of Gemini Fund Services at
the following address: Hauppauge Corporate Center, 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000 (with a duplicate copy to the Fund at the address in Article X
3.), and (ii) accept all payments made by the Administrator Fund/Plan in the
Fund's name as if such payments were made directly by the Fund. Should the
Administrator fail to pay or remit such compensation that is not in dispute to
Custodian, Custodian will be entitled to debit the Custody Account directly for
such compensation. The Custodian may charge such compensation and any expenses
with respect to a Series incurred by Custodian in the performance of its duties
pursuant to such agreement against any money specifically allocated to such
Series. Unless and until the
-14-
Fund or the Administrator instructs Custodian by a Certificate to apportion any
loss, damage, liability or expense among the Series in a specified manner,
Custodian shall also be entitled to charge against any money held by it for the
account of a Series such Series' pro rata share (based on such Series net asset
value of all Series at that time) of the amount of any loss, damage, liability
or expense, including counsel fees, for which it shall be entitled to
reimbursement under the provisions of this Agreement. The expenses for which
Custodian shall be entitled to reimbursement hereunder shall include, but are
not limited to, the expenses of sub-custodians and foreign branches of Custodian
incurred in settling outside of New York City transactions involving the
purchase and sale of Securities of the Fund.
7. Custodian has the right to debit any cash account for any amount
payable by the Fund in connection with any and all obligations of the Fund to
Custodian. In addition to the rights of Custodian under applicable law and other
agreements, at any time when the Fund shall not have honored any of its
obligations to Custodian, Custodian shall have the right without notice to the
Fund to retain or set-off, against such obligations of the Fund, any Securities
or cash Custodian or a BNY Affiliate may directly or indirectly hold for the
account of the Fund, and any obligations (whether matured or unmatured) that
Custodian or a BNY Affiliate may have to the Fund in any currency or Composite
Currency Unit. Any such asset of, or obligation to, the Fund may be transferred
to Custodian and any BNY Affiliate in order to effect the above rights.
8. The Fund agrees to forward or cause the Administrator to forward to
Custodian a Certificate or Instructions confirming Oral Instructions by the
close of business of the same day that such Oral Instructions are given to
Custodian. The Fund agrees that the fact that such confirming Certificate or
Instructions are not received or that a contrary Certificate or contrary
Instructions are received by Custodian shall in no way affect the validity or
enforceability of transactions authorized by such Oral Instructions and effected
by Custodian. If the Fund elects to transmit Instructions through an on-line
communications system offered by Custodian, the Fund's use thereof shall be
subject to the Terms and Conditions attached as Appendix I hereto, and Custodian
shall provide user and authorization codes, passwords and authentication keys
only to an Authorized Person or a person reasonably believed by Custodian to be
an Authorized Person.
9. The books and records pertaining to the Fund which are in possession
of Custodian shall be the property of the Fund. Such books and records shall be
prepared and maintained as required by the `40 Act and the rules thereunder. The
Fund, or its authorized representatives, shall have access to such books and
records during Custodian's normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of
the Fund, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by Custodian to
the Fund or its authorized representative. Upon the reasonable request of the
Fund, Custodian shall provide in hard copy or on computer disc any records
included in any such delivery which are maintained by Custodian on a computer
disc, or are similarly maintained.
10. It is understood that Custodian is authorized to supply any
information regarding the Accounts which is required by any law, regulation or
rule now or hereafter in effect. The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any
report obtained by the Custodian on the system of internal accounting control of
a Depository, and with such reports on its own system of internal
-15-
accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from time to time. The
Custodian shall furnish annually to the Fund its SAS 70 Report or a letter
prepared by the Custodian's accountants with respect to the Custodian's internal
systems and controls in the form generally provided by the Custodian to other
investment companies for which the Custodian acts as custodian.
11. Custodian shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except
such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this
Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against Custodian in
connection with this Agreement.
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION
1. Either of the parties hereto may terminate this Agreement by giving
to the other party a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination,
which shall be not less than ninety (90) days after the date of giving of such
notice. In the event such notice is given by the Fund, it shall be accompanied
by a copy of a resolution of the board of the Fund, certified by the President,
Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, electing to terminate this Agreement and
designating a successor custodian or custodians. In the event such notice is
given by Custodian, the Fund shall, on or before the termination date, deliver
to Custodian a copy of a resolution of the board of the Fund, certified by the
President, Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, designating a successor
custodian or custodians. In the absence of such designation by the Fund,
Custodian may designate a successor custodian which shall be a bank or trust
company having not less than $2,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus and undivided
profits. Upon the date set forth in such notice this Agreement shall terminate,
and Custodian shall upon receipt of a notice of acceptance by the successor
custodian on that date deliver directly to the successor custodian all
Securities and money then owned by the Fund and held by it as Custodian, after
deducting all fees, expenses and other amounts for the payment or reimbursement
of which it shall then be entitled.
2. If a successor custodian is not designated by the Fund or Custodian
in accordance with the preceding Section, the Fund shall upon the date specified
in the notice of termination of this Agreement and upon the delivery by
Custodian of all Securities (other than Securities which cannot be delivered to
the Fund) and money then owned by the Fund be deemed to be its own custodian and
Custodian shall thereby be relieved of all duties and responsibilities pursuant
to this Agreement, other than the duty with respect to Securities which cannot
be delivered to the Fund to hold such Securities hereunder in accordance with
this Agreement.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
1. The Fund agrees to furnish to Custodian a new Certificate of
Authorized Persons in the event of any change in the then present Authorized
Persons. Until such new Certificate is
-16-
received, Custodian shall be fully protected in acting upon Certificates or Oral
Instructions of such present Authorized Persons.
2. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by
this Agreement to be given to Custodian, shall be sufficiently given if
addressed to Custodian and received by it at its offices at 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, or at such other place as Custodian may from time to
time designate in writing.
3. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by
this Agreement to be given to the Fund shall be sufficiently given if addressed
to Bryce Capital Management, Adviser to the Fund and received by it at its
offices at 0 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 or at such other place as the
Fund or the Administrator may from time to time designate in writing.
4. In the event Custodian is advised by the Fund that the Fund is no
longer utilizing the services of the Administrator, then Custodian shall furnish
or give to the Fund, or such other administrator as the Fund may designate in
writing to the Custodian, the statements or notices described above as to be
furnished or given to the Administrator.
5. Each and every right granted to either party hereunder or under any
other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, or allowed it by
law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time. No
failure on the part of either party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any
right will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise
by either party of any right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or
the exercise of any other right.
6. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any exclusive jurisdiction, the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be
affected thereby. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner
except by a written agreement executed by both parties, except that any
amendment to the Schedule I hereto need be signed only by the Fund and any
amendment to Appendix I hereto need be signed only by Custodian. This Agreement
shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their
respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall
not be assignable by either party without the written consent of the other.
7. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the substantive
laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles
thereof. The Fund and Custodian hereby consent to the jurisdiction of a state or
federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute
arising hereunder. The Fund hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to
the laying of venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim
that such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient
forum. The Fund and Custodian each hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights
to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this
Agreement.
-17-
8. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall,
together, constitute only one instrument.
9. The execution of this Agreement is authorized by the Trustees of the
Trust, not individually, but in their capacity as Trustees under the Declaration
of Trust made April 8, 1994. None of the Shareholders, Trustees, officers,
employees, or agents of the Trust shall be personally bound or liable under this
Agreement, nor shall resort be had to their private property for the
satisfaction of any obligation or claim hereunder but only to the property of
the Trust and, if the obligation or claim relates to the property held by the
Trust for the benefit of one or more but fewer than all Series, then only to the
property held for the benefit of the affected Series. The foregoing provisions
of this paragraphs shall not affect nor limit the rights of the Custodian under
Article V hereof.
-18-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Fund and Custodian have caused this Agreement to
be executed by their respective officers, thereunto duly authorized, as of the
day and year first above written.
BRYCE CAPITAL FUNDS
By: ____________________________________
Title: [XXX]
Tax Identification No:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By: ____________________________________
Title:
-19-
SCHEDULE I
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZED PERSONS
(THE FUND - ORAL AND WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS)
The undersigned hereby certifies that he/she is the duly elected and
acting [XXX] of [XXX] (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the following
officers or employees of the Fund have been duly authorized in conformity with
the Fund's Declaration of Trust and By-Laws to deliver Certificates and Oral
Instructions to The Bank of New York ("Custodian") pursuant to the Custody
Agreement between the Fund and Custodian dated [XXX], and that the signatures
appearing opposite their names are true and correct:
__________________ ____________________ ________________________
Name Title Signature
__________________ ____________________ ________________________
Name Title Signature
__________________ ____________________ ________________________
Name Title Signature
__________________ ____________________ ________________________
Name Title Signature
__________________ ____________________ ________________________
Name Title Signature
__________________ ____________________ ________________________
Name Title Signature
__________________ ____________________ ________________________
Name Title Signature
__________________ ____________________ ________________________
Name Title Signature
This certificate supersedes any certificate of Authorized Persons you may
currently have on file.
[seal] By:
_________________________________
Title:[XXX]
Date:
SCHEDULE II
SERIES
BRYCE CAPITAL GROWTH FUND
BRYCE CAPITAL VALUE FUND
APPENDIX I
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
ON-LINE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (THE "SYSTEM")
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. License; Use. Upon delivery to an Authorized Person or a person
reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Authorized Person the Fund of software
enabling the Fund to obtain access to the System (the "Software"), Custodian
grants to the Fund a personal, nontransferable and nonexclusive license to use
the Software solely for the purpose of transmitting Written Instructions,
receiving reports, making inquiries or otherwise communicating with Custodian in
connection with the Account(s). The Fund shall use the Software solely for its
own internal and proper business purposes and not in the operation of a service
bureau. Except as set forth herein, no license or right of any kind is granted
to the Fund with respect to the Software. The Fund acknowledges that Custodian
and its suppliers retain and have title and exclusive proprietary rights to the
Software, including any trade secrets or other ideas, concepts, know-how,
methodologies, or information incorporated therein and the exclusive rights to
any copyrights, trademarks and patents (including registrations and applications
for registration of either), or other statutory or legal protections available
in respect thereof. The Fund further acknowledges that all or a part of the
Software may be copyrighted or trademarked (or a registration or claim made
therefor) by Custodian or its suppliers. The Fund shall not take any action with
respect to the Software inconsistent with the foregoing acknowledgments, nor
shall you attempt to decompile, reverse engineer or modify the Software. The
Fund may not copy, sell, lease or provide, directly or indirectly, any of the
Software or any portion thereof to any other person or entity without
Custodian's prior written consent. The Fund may not remove any statutory
copyright notice or other notice included in the Software or on any media
containing the Software. The Fund shall reproduce any such notice on any
reproduction of the Software and shall add any statutory copyright notice or
other notice to the Software or media upon Custodian's request.
2. Equipment. The Fund shall obtain and maintain at its own cost and
expense all equipment and services, including but not limited to communications
services, necessary for it to utilize the Software and obtain access to the
System, and Custodian shall not be responsible for the reliability or
availability of any such equipment or services.
3. Proprietary Information. The Software, any data base and any
proprietary data, processes, information and documentation made available to the
Fund (other than which are or become part of the public domain or are legally
required to be made available to the public) (collectively, the "Information"),
are the exclusive and confidential property of Custodian or its suppliers. The
Fund shall keep the Information confidential by using the same care and
discretion that the Fund uses with respect to its own confidential property and
trade secrets, but not less than reasonable care. Upon termination of the
Agreement or the Software license
granted herein for any reason, the Fund shall return to Custodian any and all
copies of the Information which are in its possession or under its control.
4. Modifications. Custodian reserves the right to modify the Software
from time to time and the Fund shall install new releases of the Software as
Custodian may direct. The Fund agrees not to modify or attempt to modify the
Software without Custodian's prior written consent. The Fund acknowledges that
any modifications to the Software, whether by the Fund or Custodian and whether
with or without Custodian's consent, shall become the property of Custodian.
5. NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES. CUSTODIAN AND ITS MANUFACTURERS
AND SUPPLIERS MAKE NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE
SOFTWARE, SERVICES OR ANY DATABASE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE FUND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE SOFTWARE, SERVICES AND ANY
DATABASE ARE PROVIDED "AS IS." IN NO EVENT SHALL CUSTODIAN OR ANY SUPPLIER BE
LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL,
WHICH THE FUND MAY INCUR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE, SERVICES OR ANY
DATABASE, EVEN IF CUSTODIAN OR SUCH SUPPLIER HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY
OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT SHALL CUSTODIAN OR ANY SUPPLIER BE LIABLE FOR ACTS
OF GOD, MACHINE OR COMPUTER BREAKDOWN OR MALFUNCTION, INTERRUPTION OR
MALFUNCTION OF COMMUNICATION FACILITIES, LABOR DIFFICULTIES OR ANY OTHER SIMILAR
OR DISSIMILAR CAUSE BEYOND THEIR REASONABLE CONTROL.
6. Security; Reliance; Unauthorized Use. The Fund will cause all
persons utilizing the Software and System to treat all applicable user and
authorization codes, passwords and authentication keys with extreme care, and it
will establish internal control and safekeeping procedures to restrict the
availability of the same to persons duly authorized to give Instructions.
Custodian is hereby irrevocably authorized to act in accordance with and rely on
Instructions received by it through the System. The Fund acknowledges that it is
its sole responsibility to assure that only persons duly authorized use the
System and that Custodian shall not be responsible nor liable for any
unauthorized use thereof.
7. System Acknowledgments. Custodian shall acknowledge through the
System its receipt of each transmission communicated through the System, and in
the absence of such acknowledgment Custodian shall not be liable for any failure
to act in accordance with such transmission and the Fund may not claim that such
transmission was received by Custodian.
8. EXPORT RESTRICTIONS. EXPORT OF THE SOFTWARE IS PROHIBITED BY UNITED
STATES LAW. THE FUND MAY NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES RESELL, DIVERT, TRANSFER,
TRANSSHIP OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF THE SOFTWARE (IN ANY FORM) IN OR TO ANY OTHER
COUNTRY. IF CUSTODIAN
DELIVERED THE SOFTWARE TO THE FUND OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES, THE SOFTWARE
WAS EXPORTED FROM THE UNITED STATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXPORTER
ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS. DIVERSION CONTRARY TO U.S. LAW IS PROHIBITED. The
Fund hereby authorizes Custodian to report its name and address to government
agencies to which Custodian is required to provide such information by law.
9. ENCRYPTION. The Fund acknowledges and agrees that encryption may not
be available for every communication through the System, or for all data. The
Fund agrees that Custodian may deactivate any encryption features at any time,
without notice or liability to the Fund, for the purpose of maintaining,
repairing or troubleshooting the System or the Software.
APPENDIX II
FEES AND EXPENSES
1.5 bps to $100m
1.0 bps over $100m
$12 DTC
$5 wires
