EXHIBIT (8)(B)
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
THE ROYCE FUND
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
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 Securities5
2.4 Bank Accounts 5
2.5 Payments for Shares 6
2.6 Investment and Availability of Federal Funds 6
2.7 Collection of Income 7
2.8 Payment of Fund Moneys 7
2.9 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of
Securities Purchased 9
2.10 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of
the Fund9
2.11 Appointment of Agents 10
2.12 Deposit of Trust Assets in Securities Systems 10
2.13 Segregated Account 12
2.14 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes 13
2.15 Proxies 13
2.16 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio
Securities 14
2.17 Proper Instructions 14
2.18 Actions Permitted without Express Authority 15
2.19 Evidence of Authority 15
3. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income 16
4. Records 16
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant 17
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants 17
7. Compensation of Custodian 17
8. Responsibility of Custodian 18
9. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment 19
10. Successor Custodian 20
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions 21
12. Additional Funds 21
13. Massachusetts Law to Apply22
14. Prior Contracts 22
15. Shareholder Liability 22
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between The Royce Fund, a business trust organized and
existing under the laws of Massachusetts, having its principal place of business
at 0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 hereinafter called the
"Fund", and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts corporation,
having its principal place of business at 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, 00000, hereinafter called the "Custodian",
WHEREAS, the Fund is authorized to issue shares in separate series,
with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of
securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Fund intends to initially shares in three series, the
Equity Income Series, the High Yield Series and the Value Series, (such series,
together with all other series subsequently established by the Fund and made
subject to this Contract in accordance with paragraph 12, being herein referred
to as the "Fund(s)");
NOW THEREFOR, That in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
I. EMPLOYMENT OF CUSTODIAN AND PROPERTY TO BE HELD BY IT
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of its assets
pursuant to the provisions of the Declaration of Trust. The Fund agrees to
deliver to the Custodian all securities and cash owned by it, and all payments
of income, payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with
respect to all securities owned by the Fund from time to time, and the cash
consideration received by it for such new or treasury shares of beneficial
interest ("Shares") of the Fund as may be issued or sold from time to time. The
Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of the Fund held or received
by the Fund and not delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Section
2.17), the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more sub-custodians,
but only in accordance with an applicable vote by the Trustees of the Fund, and
provided that the Custodian shall have no more or less responsibility or
liability to the Fund on account of any actions or omissions of any
sub-custodian so employed than any such sub-custodian has to the Custodian.
I. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND HELD
BY THE CUSTODIAN A. 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 securities which
are maintained pursuant to Section 2.12 in a clearing agency which acts
as a securities depository or in a book-entry system authorized by the
U.S. Department of the Treasury, collectively referred to herein as
"Securities System". 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 only upon receipt of
Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed
appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:
Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Fund and
receipt of payment therefor;
Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any
repurchase agreement related to such securities entered into
by the Fund;
In the case of a sale effected through a Securities System,
in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.12 hereof;
To the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for portfolio securities of the Fund;
To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are
called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable;
provided that, in any such case, the cash or other
consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;
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 2.11 or into the name or
nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to
Article 1;
or for exchange for a different number of bonds,
certificates or other evidence representing the same
aggregate face amount or number of units;
PROVIDED that, in any such case, the new securities are to
be delivered to the Custodian; To the broker selling the
same for examination in accordance with the "street
delivery" custom;
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;
In the case of such warrants, rights or similar securities
or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities
for definitive securities; provided that, in any such case,
the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to
the Custodian;
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;
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;
For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer
registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act") and a member of The National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), relating to compliance
with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of
any registered national securities exchange, or of any
similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or
other arrangements in connection with transactions by the
Fund;
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;
Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent
("Transfer Agent") for the Fund, for delivery to such
Transfer Agent or to the holders of shares in connection
with distributions in kind, as may be described from time to
time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus and
statement of additional information ("prospectus"), in
satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase
or redemption;
and For any other proper corporate purpose, BUT only upon
receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified
copy of a resolution of the Trustees 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 purposes
to be proper corporate purposes, and naming the person or
persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.
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 2.11 or in the name or nominee
name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Article 1. All
securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the Fund under the
terms of this Contract shall be in "street name" or other good
delivery form.
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 Trustees
of the Fund. Such funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in its
capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the Custodian only
in that capacity.
PAYMENTS FOR SHARES. The Custodian shall receive from the distributor
for the Fund's Shares or from the Transfer Agent of the Fund and
deposit into the Fund's account such payments as are received for
Shares of the Fund issued or sold from time to time by the Fund. The
Custodian will provide timely notification to the Fund and the Transfer
Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of the Fund.
INVESTMENT AND AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL FUNDS. Upon mutual agreement
between the Fund and the Custodian,, the Custodian shall, upon the
receipt of Proper Instructions,
invest in such instruments as may be set forth in such
instructions on the same day as received all federal funds
received after a time agreed upon between the Custodian and
the Fund; and 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.
COLLECTION OF INCOME. The Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all
income and other payments with respect to registered securities held
hereunder to which the Fund shall be entitled either by law or pursuant
to custom in the securities business, and shall collect on a timely
basis all income and other payments with respect to bearer securities
if, on the date of payment by the issuer., such securities are held by
the Custodian or agent thereof and shall credit such income, as
collected, to the Fund's custodian account. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for
payment all coupons and other income items requiring presentation as
and when they
become due and shall collect interest when due on securities held
hereunder. Income due the Fund on securities loaned pursuant to the
provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility of the
Fund. The Custodian will have nu 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.
PAYMENT OF FUND MONEYS. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may
be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the
Custodian shall pay out moneys of the Fund in the following cases only:
Upon the purchase of securities, 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 futures contracts or options on futures contracts, to the
Custodian (or any bank, banking firm or trust company doing
business in the United States or abroad which is qualified
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, to act
as a custodian and has been designated by the Custodian as its
agent for this purpose) registered in the name of the Fund or
in the name of a nominee of the Custodian referred to in
Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer; (b) in the
case of a purchase effected through a Securities System, in
accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.12
hereof or (c) in the case of repurchase agreements entered
into between the Fund and the Custodian, or another bank, or a
broker-dealer which is a member of NASD, (i) against delivery
of the securities either in certificate form or through an
entry crediting the Custodian's account at the Federal Reserve
Bank with such securities or (ii) against delivery of the
receipt evidencing purchase by the Fund of securities owned by
the Custodian along with written evidence of the agreement by
the Custodian to repurchase such securities from the Fund;
In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of
securities owned by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2
hereof;
For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Fund
as set forth in Section 2.10 hereof;
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;
For the payment of any dividends declared pursuant to the
governing documents of the Fund;
For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
For any other proper purpose, BUT ONLY upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Trustees or of the Executive Committee of
the Fund signed by an officer of the Fund and certified by its
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, specifying the amount of
such payment, setting forth the purpose for which such payment
is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper purpose,
and naming the person or persons to whom such payment is to be
made.
LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT IN ADVANCE OF RECEIPT OF SECURITIES PURCHASED. 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, EXCEPT that in
the case of repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund with a bank
which is a member of the Federal Reserve System, the Custodian may
transfer funds to the account of such bank prior to the receipt of
written evidence that the securities subject to such repurchase
agreement have been transferred by book-entry into a segregated
non-proprietary account of the Custodian maintained with the Federal
Reserve Bank of Boston or of the safe-keeping receipt, provided that
such securities have in fact been so transferred by book-entry.
PAYMENTS FOR REPURCHASES OR REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES OF THE FUND. From
such funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the
limitations of the Declaration of Trust and any applicable votes of the
Trustees of the Fund pursuant thereto, the Custodian shall, upon
receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available
for payment to holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer
Agent a request for redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In
connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares of the Fund, the
Custodian is authorized upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer
Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial bank designated by the
redeeming shareholders. In connection with the redemption or repurchase
of Shares of the Fund, the Custodian shall honor checks drawn on the
Custodian by a holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished by
the Fund to the holder of Shares, when presented to the Custodian in
accordance with such procedures and controls as are mutually agreed
upon from time to time between the Fund and the Custodian.
APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS. The Custodian may at any time or times in its
discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust
company which is itself qualified under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry out such
of the provisions of this Article 2 as the Custodian may from time to
time direct; PROVIDED, however, that the appointment of any agent shall
not relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities
hereunder.
DEPOSIT OF TRUST ASSETS IN SECURITIES SYSTEMS. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in a clearing
agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which acts as a
securities depository, or in the book-entry system authorized by the
U.S. Department of the Treasury and certain federal agencies,
collectively referred to herein as "Securities System" in accordance
with applicable Federal Reserve Board and Securities and Exchange
Commission rules and regulations, if any, and subject to the following
provisions:
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;
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;
The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the
Securities System that such securities have been transferred
to the Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records
of the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for the
account of the Fund. The Custodian shall transfer securities
sold for the account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice
from the Securities System that payment for such securities
has been transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of an
entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer
and payment for the account of the Fund. Copies of all advices
from the Securities System of transfers of securities for the
account of the Fund shall identify the Fund, be maintained for
the Fund by the Custodian and be provided to the Fund at its
request. Upon request, the Custodian shall furnish the Fund
confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the
Fund in the form of a written advice or notice and shall
furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction sheets
reflecting each day's transactions in the Securities System
for the account of the Fund.
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;
The Custodian shall have received the initial or annual
certificate, as the case may be, required by Article 9 hereof;
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.
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 2.12 hereof, (i) in
accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund, the
Custodian and a b broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a
member of the NASD (or any futures commission merchant registered under
the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the rules of
The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national
securities exchange (or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any
registered contract market), or of any similar organization or
organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection
with transactions by the Fund, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash or
government securities in connection with options purchased, sold or
written by the Fund or commodity futures contracts or options thereon
purchased or sold by the Fund, (iii) for the purposes of compliance by
the Fund with the procedures required by Investment Company Act Release
No. 10666, or any subsequent release or releases of the Securities and
Exchange Commission relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts
by registered investment companies and (iv) for other proper corporate
purposes, BUT ONLY, in the case of clause (iv), upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of
the Trustees or of the Executive Committee signed by an officer of the
Fund and certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, setting
forth the purpose or purposes of such segregated account and declaring
such purposes to be proper corporate purposes.
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.
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.
COMMUNICATIONS 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 and put options written by the Fund and the maturity of futures
contracts purchased or sold by the Fund) received by the Custodian from
issuers of the securities being held for the Fund. With respect to
tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the
Fund all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of
the securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party
(or his agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If the Fund
desires to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer
or any other similar transaction, the Fund shall notify the Custodian
at least three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian
is to take such action.
PROPER INSTRUCTIONS. Proper Instructions as used throughout this
Article 2 means a writing signed or initialed by one or more person or
persons as the Trustees shall have from time to time authorized. Each
such writing shall set forth the specific transaction or type of
transaction involved, including a specific statement of the purpose for
which such action is requested. Oral instructions will be considered
Proper Instructions if the Custodian reasonably believes them to have
been given by a person authorized to give such instructions with
respect to the transaction involved. The Fund shall cause all oral
instructions to be confirmed in writing. Upon receipt of a certificate
of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary as to the authorization by
the Trustees of the Fund accompanied by a detailed description of
procedures approved by the Trustees, Proper Instructions may include
communications effected directly between electromechanical or
electronic devices provided that the Trustees and the Custodian are
satisfied that such procedures afford adequate safeguards for the
Fund's assets.
ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY. The Custodian may in its
discretion, without express authority from the Fund:
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;
surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
definitive form;
endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks,
drafts and other negotiable instruments; and
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 Trustees of
the Fund.
A. 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 Trustees of the
Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person to act
in accordance with such vote or (b) of any determination or of any
action by the Trustees pursuant to the Declaration of Trust as
described in such vote, and such vote may be considered as in full
force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of written notice to
the contrary. II. DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO THE BOOKS OF
ACCOUNT AND CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND NET INCOME
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to
the entity or entities appointed by the Trustees of the Fund to keep the books
of account of the Fund and/or compute the net asset value per share of the
outstanding shares of the Fund or, if directed in writing to do so by the Fund,
shall itself keep such books of account and/or compute such net asset value per
share. If so directed, the Custodian shall also calculate daily the net income
of the Fund as described in the Fund's currently effective prospectus and shall
advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the total amounts of such net
income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of the Fund to do so, shall
advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the division of such net income among
its various components. The calculations of the net asset value per share and
the daily income of the Fund shall be made at the time or times described from
time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus.
I. RECORDS
The Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating to its
activities and obligations under this Contract in such manner as will meet the
obligations of the Fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, with
particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder,
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 and held by the Custodian and shall,
when requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed
upon between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such
tabulations.
I. 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-1A, and Form N-SAR or other
annual reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and with respect to any
other requirements of such Commission.
I. 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, which
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, shall so state.
I. COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its
services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between the
Fund and the Custodian.
I. 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.
The Custodian shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care in carrying out
the provisions of this Contract, but shall be kept indemnified by and shall be
without liability to the Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in good
faith without negligence. It shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon
advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and shall be
without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such
advice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the responsibility of the Custodian with
respect to redemptions effected by check shall be in accordance with a separate
Agreement entered into between the Custodian and the Fund.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in
the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to
the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some
other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such
action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form
satisfactory to it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian 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 this Contract, except such as may arise from
its or its nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful
misconduct, any property at any time held for the account of the Fund shall be
security therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the
Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of Fund
assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
I. 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 2.12 hereof in the
absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary that the Trustees of the Fund have 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 Trustees have reviewed the use by
the Fund of such Securities System, as required in each case by Rule 17f-4 under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; PROVIDED further, however, that
the Fund shall not amend or terminate this Contract in contravention of any
applicable federal or state regulations, or any provision of the Declaration of
Trust, and further provided, that the Fund may at any time by action of its
Trustees (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the Custodian by:
giving notice as described above to the Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate
this Contract in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for
the Custodian by the Comptroller of the Currency or upon the happening of a like
event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent
jurisdiction.
Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund shall pay to the Custodian
such compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall
likewise reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements.
I. SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN
If a successor custodian shall be appointed by the Trustees of the
Fund, the Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to such successor custodian
at the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all
securities then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account of the
successor custodian all of the Fund's securities held in a Securities System.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall,
in like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the Trustees of
the Fund, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer such securities,
funds and other properties in accordance with such vote.
In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian or
certified copy of a vote of the Trustees shall have been delivered to the
Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become effective,
then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company,
which is a "bank" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, doing
business in Boston, Massachusetts, of its own selection, having an aggregate
capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last published report,
of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other properties held by
the Custodian and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all
other property held by it under this Contract and to transfer to an account of
such successor custodian all of the Fund's securities held in any Securities
System.
Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian
under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of vote referred to or of the
Trustees 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.
I. INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and
the Fund may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in
addition to the provisions of this Contract as may in their joint opinion be
consistent with the general tenor of this Contract. Any such interpretive or
additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by both parties and shall be
annexed hereto, PROVIDED that no such interpretive or additional provisions
shall contravene any applicable federal or state regulations or any provision of
the Declaration of Trust of the Fund. No interpretive or additional provisions
made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of
this Contract.
I. ADDITIONAL FUNDS
In the event that the Fund establishes one or more series of Shares in
addition to the Equity Income Series, the High Yield Series, or the Value
Series, with respect to which it desires to have the Custodian render services
as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the Custodian in
writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing to provide such services, such
series of Shares shall become a Fund hereunder.
I. 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.
I. 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.
I. SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY
Notice is hereby given that this Contract is entered into on the Fund's
behalf by an officer of the Fund in his capacity as an officer and not
individually and that the obligations of or arising out of this Contract are not
binding upon any of the Fund's Trustees, officers, employees or shareholders
individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Fund.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to
be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative and its
seal to be hereunder affixed as of the ____ day of December, 1985.
ATTEST THE ROYCE FUND
_________________________________ By:_________________________________
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
_________________________________ By:_________________________________
Assistant Secretary Vice President
