CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
INVESCO INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC.
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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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 in the United States..........3
2.1 Holding Securities.................................3
2.2 Delivery of Securities.............................3
2.3 Registration of Securities.........................8
2.4 Bank Accounts......................................9
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds.....................10
2.6 Collection of Income..............................10
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies............................11
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of
Receipt of Securities Purchased...................14
2.9 Appointment of Agents.............................15
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities System.......15
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct
Paper Sytem.......................................18
2.11 Segregated Account................................20
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes...........21
2.13 Proxies...........................................22
2.14 Communications Relating to Portfolio
Securities........................................22
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of
the Fund Held Outside of the United States.....................23
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians.............23
3.2 Assets to be Held.................................23
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories...................24
3.4 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions......24
3.5 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund.....25
3.6 Reports by Custodian..............................25
3.7 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account...........26
3.8 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians...............27
3.9 Liability of Custodian............................27
3.10 Reimbursement for Advances........................28
3.11 Monitoring Responsibilities.......................29
3.12 Branches of U.S. Banks............................29
3.13 Tax Law...........................................30
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchase or Redemptions
of Shares of the Funds.........................................31
5. Proper Instructions............................................32
6. Actions Permitted Without Express Authority....................33
7. Evidence of Authority..........................................33
8. Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books of Account
and Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income.............34
9. Records.......................................................34
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountants.....................35
11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants.............35
12. Compensation of Custodian.....................................36
13. Responsibility of Custodian...................................36
14. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment...................38
15. Successor Custodian...........................................40
16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions........................41
17. Additional Funds..............................................42
18. Massachusetts Law to Apply....................................42
19. Prior Contracts...............................................42
20. Shareholder Communications....................................43
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between INVESCO International Funds, Inc., a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of Maryland, having its
principal place of business at 0000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000,
hereinafter called the "Fund", and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a
Massachusetts trust company, having its principal place of business at 000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, 00000, hereinafter called the
"Custodian",
WITNESSETH:
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 offer shares in three
series, INVESCO European Fund, INVESCO Pacific Basin Fund, INVESCO International
Growth Fund (such series together with all other series subsequently established
by the Fund and made subject to this Contract in accordance with paragraph 17,
being herein referred to as the "Portfolio(s)");
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants
and agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of the
assets of the Portfolios of the Fund, including securities which the Fund, on
behalf of the applicable Portfolio desires to be held in places within the
United States ("domestic securities") and securities it desires to be
held outside the United States ("foreign securities") pursuant to the provisions
of the Articles of Incorporation. The Fund on behalf of the Portfolio(s) agrees
to deliver to the Custodian all securities and cash of the Portfolios, and all
payments of income, payments of principal or capital distributions received by
it with respect to all securities owned by the Portfolio(s) from time to time,
and the cash consideration received by it for such new or treasury shares of
capital stock of the Fund representing interests in the Portfolios, ("Shares")
as may be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not be
responsible for any property of a Portfolio held or received by the Portfolio
and not delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of
Article 5), the Custodian shall on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) from
time to time employ one or more sub-custodians, located in the United States but
only in accordance with an applicable vote by the Board of Directors of the Fund
on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s), and provided that the Custodian shall
have no more or less responsibility or liability to the Fund on account of any
actions or omissions of any sub-custodian so employed than any such
sub-custodian has to the Custodian. The Custodian may employ as sub-custodian
for the Fund's foreign securities on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) the
foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories
designated in Schedule A hereto but only in accordance with the provisions of
Article 3.
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the
Fund Held By the Custodian in the United States
2.1 Holding Securities.
The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate for the
account of each Portfolio all non-cash property, to be held by it
in the United States including all domestic securities owned by
such Portfolio, other than (a) securities which are maintained
pursuant to Section 2.10 in a clearing agency which acts as a
securities depository or in a book-entry system authorized
by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, collectively
referred to herein as "Securities System" and (b) commercial
paper of an issuer for which State Street Bank and Trust
Company acts as issuing and paying agent ("Direct Paper")
which is deposited and/or maintained in the Direct Paper System
of the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10A.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver
domestic securities owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian or
in a Securities System account of the Custodian or in the
Custodian's Direct Paper book entry system account ("Direct Paper
System Account") only upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the
Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be
continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties,
and only in the following cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of
the Portfolio and receipt of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with
any repurchase agreement related to such
securities entered into by the Portfolio;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a
Securities System, in accordance with the
provisions of Section 2.10 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender
or other similar offers for securities of the
Portfolio;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such
securities are called, redeemed, retired or
otherwise become payable; provided that, in any
such case, the cash or other consideration is to
be delivered to the Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer
into the name of the Portfolio or into the name
of any nominee or nominees of the Custodian or
into the name or nominee name of any agent
appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 or into the
name or nominee name of any sub-custodian
appointed pursuant to Article 1; or for exchange
for a different number of bonds,
certificates or other evidence representing the
same aggregate face amount or number of units;
provided that, in any such case, the new
securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;
7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account
of the Portfolio, to the broker or its clearing
agent, against a receipt, for examination in
accordance with "street delivery" custom;
provided that in any such case, the Custodian
shall have no responsibility or liability for any
loss arising from the delivery of such securities
prior to receiving payment for such securities
except as may arise from the Custodian's own
negligence or willful misconduct;
8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan
of merger, consolidation, recapitalization,
reorganization or readjustment of the securities
of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to
provisions for conversion contained in such
securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement;
provided that, in any such case, the new
securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered
to the Custodian;
9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar
securities, the surrender thereof in the exercise
of such warrants, rights or similar securities or
the surrender of interim receipts or temporary
securities for definitive securities; provided
that, in any such case, the new securities and
cash, if any, are to be delivered to the
Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of
securities made by the Portfolio, but only
against receipt of adequate collateral as agreed
upon from time to time by the Custodian and the
Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio prior to the receipt of
such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any
borrowings by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio
requiring a pledge of assets by the
Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, but only against
receipt of amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of
any agreement among the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio, the Custodian and a broker-dealer
registered under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the "Exchange Act") and a member of The
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
("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 Portfolio of
the Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of
any agreement among the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio, the Custodian, and a Futures
Commission Merchant registered under the
Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance
with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission and/or any Contract Market, or any
similar organization or organizations, regarding
account deposits in connection with transactions
by the Portfolio of the Fund;
14) 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 currently effective prospectus and statement
of additional information of the Fund, related to
the Portfolio ("Prospectus"), in satisfaction of
requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or
redemption; and
15) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only
upon receipt of, in addition to Proper
Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the
applicable Portfolio, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Directors or of the
Executive Committee signed by an officer of the
Fund and certified by the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary, specifying the securities of
the Portfolio to be delivered, setting forth the
purpose for which such delivery is to be made,
declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate
purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom
delivery of such securities shall be made.
2.3 Registration of Securities. Domestic securities held by the
Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in
the name of the Portfolio or in the name of any nominee of the
Fund on behalf of the Portfolio or of any nominee of the Custodian
which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Portfolio,
unless the Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of a
nominee to be used in common with other registered investment
companies having the same investment adviser as the Portfolio, or
in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to
Section 2.9 or in the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian
appointed pursuant to Article 1. All securities accepted by the
Custodian on behalf of the Portfolio under the terms of this
Contract shall be in "street name" or other good delivery form.
If, however, the Fund directs the Custodian to maintain securities
in "street name", the Custodian shall utilize its best efforts
only to timely collect income due the Fund on such securities and
to notify the Fund on a best efforts basis only of relevant
corporate actions including, without limitation, pendency of
calls, maturities, tender or exchange offers.
2.4 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate
bank account or accounts in the United States in the name of each
Portfolio of the Fund, subject only to draft or order by the
Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this 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
Portfolio, other than cash maintained by the Portfolio 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 a Portfolio may be deposited by it to its credit as Custodian
in the Banking Department of the Custodian or in such other banks
or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem necessary or
desirable; provided, however, that every such bank or trust
company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the
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 on behalf of each applicable Portfolio be approved
by vote of a majority of the Board of Directors 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.
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds. Upon mutual agreement between the
Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian, the
Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper Instructions from the
Fund on behalf of a Portfolio, make federal funds available to
such Portfolio 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 such Portfolio which are deposited into
the Portfolio's account.
2.6 Collection of Income. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3,
the Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other
payments with respect to registered domestic securities held
hereunder to which each Portfolio shall be entitled either by law
or pursuant to custom in the securities business, and shall
collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with
respect to bearer domestic securities if, on the date of payment
by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its
agent thereof and shall credit such income, as collected, to such
Portfolio's custodian account. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for payment
all coupons and other income items requiring presentation as and
when they become due and shall collect interest when due on
securities held hereunder. Income due each Portfolio on securities
loaned pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the
responsibility of the Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or
responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide the
Fund with such information or data as may be necessary to assist
the Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of
the income to which the Portfolio is properly entitled.
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions from
the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be
continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties,
the Custodian shall pay out monies of a Portfolio in the following
cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of domestic securities,
options, futures contracts or options on futures
contracts for the account of the Portfolio but
only (a) against the delivery of such securities
or evidence of title to such options, futures
contracts or options on futures contracts to the
Custodian (or any bank, banking firm or trust
company doing business in the United States or
abroad which is qualified under the 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 Portfolio or in the
name of a nominee of the Custodian referred to in
Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form for
transfer; (b) in the case of a purchase effected
through a Securities System, in accordance with
the conditions set forth in Section 2.10 hereof;
(c) in the case of a purchase involving the
Direct Paper System, in accordance with the
conditions set forth in Section 2.10A; (d) in
the case of repurchase agreements entered into
between the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio and
the Custodian, or another bank, or a
broker-dealer which is a member of NASD, (i)
against delivery of the securities either in
certificate form or through an entry crediting
the Custodian's account at the Federal Reserve
Bank with such securities or (ii) against
delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by
the Portfolio of securities owned by the
Custodian along with written evidence of the
agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such
securities from the Portfolio or (e) for transfer
to a time deposit account of the Fund in any
bank, whether domestic or foreign; such transfer
may be effected prior to receipt of a
confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable
bank pursuant to Proper Instructions from the
Fund as defined in Article 5;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or
surrender of securities owned by the Portfolio as
set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares
issued by the Portfolio as set forth in Article
4 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability
incurred by the Portfolio, including but not
limited to the following payments for the account
of the Portfolio: interest, taxes, management,
accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and
operating expenses of the Fund whether or not
such expenses are to be in whole or part
capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;
5) For the payment of any dividends on Shares of the
Portfolio declared pursuant to the governing
documents of the Fund;
6) For payment of the amount of dividends received
in respect of securities sold short;
7) For any other proper purpose, but only upon
receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions
from the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, a
certified copy of a resolution of the Board of
Directors 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, naming the person or persons to
whom such payment is to be made.
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities
Purchased. Except as specifically stated otherwise in this
Contract, in any and every case where payment for purchase of
domestic securities for the account of a Portfolio is made by the
Custodian in advance of receipt of the securities purchased in the
absence of specific written instructions from the Fund on behalf
of such Portfolio to so pay in advance, the Custodian shall be
absolutely liable to the Fund for such securities to the same
extent as if the securities had been received by the Custodian.
2.9 Appointment of Agents. The Custodian may at any time or times in
its discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank
or trust company which is itself qualified under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, to act as a custodian, as its
agent to carry out such of the provisions of this Article 2 as the
Custodian may from time to time direct; provided, however, that
the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the Custodian of
its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder.
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in a
clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, which acts as a securities depository, or in the book-entry
system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and
certain federal agencies, collectively referred to herein as
"Securities System" in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve
Board and Securities and Exchange Commission rules and
regulations, if any, and subject to the following provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of the
Portfolio in a Securities System provided that
such securities are represented in an account
("Account") of the Custodian in the Securities
System which shall not include any assets of the
Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary,
custodian or otherwise for customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to
securities of the Portfolio which are maintained
in a Securities System shall identify by
book-entry those securities belonging to the
Portfolio;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased
for the account of the Portfolio pon (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 Portfolio. The
Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the
account of the Portfolio 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
Portfolio. Copies of all advices from the
Securities System of transfers of securities for
the account of the Portfolio shall identify the
Portfolio, be maintained for the Portfolio by the
Custodian and be provided to the Fund at its
request. Upon request, the Custodian shall
furnish the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio
confirmation of each transfer to or from the
account of the Portfolio in the form of a written
advice or notice and shall furnish to the Fund on
behalf of the Portfolio copies of daily
transaction sheets reflecting each day's
transactions in the Securities System for the
account of the Portfolio.
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund for the
Portfolio with any report obtained by the
Custodian on the Securities System's accounting
system, internal accounting control and
procedures for safeguarding securities deposited
in the Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received from the Fund
on behalf of the Portfolio the initial or annual
certificate, as the case may be, required by
Article 14 hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract
notwithstanding, the Custodian shall be liable to
the Fund for the benefit of the Portfolio for any
loss or damage to the Portfolio resulting from
use of the 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 Portfolio has not been made
whole for any such loss or damage.
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System. The
Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a
Portfolio in the Direct Paper System of the Custodian subject to
the following provisions:
1) No transaction relating to securities in the
Direct Paper System will be effected in the
absence of Proper Instructions from the Fund on
behalf of the Portfolio;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the
Portfolio in the Direct Paper System only if such
securities are represented in an account
("Account") of the Custodian in the Direct Paper
System which shall not include any assets of the
Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary,
custodian or otherwise for customers;
3) The records of the Custodian with respect to
securities of the Portfolio which are maintained
in the Direct Paper System shall identify by
book-entry those securities belonging to the
Portfolio;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased
for the account of the Portfolio upon the making
of an entry on the records of the Custodian to
reflect such payment and transfer of securities
to the account of the Portfolio. The Custodian
shall transfer securities sold for the account of
the Portfolio upon the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer
and receipt of payment for the account of the
Portfolio;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund on behalf of
the Portfolio confirmation of each transfer to or
from the account of the Portfolio, in the form of
a written advice or notice, of Direct Paper on
the next business day following such transfer and
shall furnish to the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio copies of daily transaction sheets
reflecting each day's transaction in the
Securities System for the account of the
Portfolio;
6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund on behalf of
the Portfolio with any report on its system of
internal accounting control as the Fund may
reasonably request from time to time.
2.11 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
Instructions from the Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio
establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on
behalf of each such Portfolio, into which account or accounts may
be transferred cash and/or securities, including securities
maintained in an account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10
hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian and a
broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a member of
the NASD (or any futures commission merchant registered under the
Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the rules of
The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national
securities exchange (or the 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 Portfolio,
(ii) for purposes of segregating cash or government securities in
connection with options purchased, sold or written by the
Portfolio or commodity futures contracts or options thereon
purchased or sold by the Portfolio, (iii) for the purposes of
compliance by the Portfolio 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 from the Fund on behalf of the
applicable Portfolio, a certified copy of a resolution of the
Board of Directors or of the Executive Committee signed by an
officer of the Fund and certified by the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary, setting forth the purpose or purposes of
such segregated account and declaring such purposes to be proper
corporate purposes.
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. The Custodian shall
execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all
federal and state tax purposes in connection with receipt of
income or other payments with respect to domestic securities of
each Portfolio held by it and in connection with transfers of
securities.
2.13 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic
securities held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the
registered holder of such securities, if the securities are
registered otherwise than in the name of the Portfolio or a
nominee of the Portfolio, all proxies, without indication of the
manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly
deliver to the Portfolio such proxies, all proxy soliciting
materials and all notices relating to such securities.
2.14 Communications Relating to Portfolio Securities. Subject to the
provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly
to the Fund for each Portfolio all written information (including,
without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of domestic
securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith and
notices of exercise of call and put options written by the Fund on
behalf of the Portfolio and the maturity of futures contracts
purchased or sold by the Portfolio) received by the Custodian from
issuers of the securities being held for the Portfolio. With
respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall
transmit promptly to the Portfolio 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 Portfolio desires to
take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or
any other similar transaction, the Portfolio shall notify the
Custodian at least three business days prior to the date on which
the Custodian is to take such action.
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held
Held Outside of the United States
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians. The Fund hereby
authorizes and instructs the Custodian to employ as sub-custodians
for the Portfolio's securities and other assets maintained outside
the United States the foreign banking institutions and foreign
securities depositories designated on Schedule A hereto ("foreign
sub-custodians"). Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions", as
defined in Section 5 of this Contract, together with a certified
resolution of the Fund's Board of Directors, the Custodian and the
Fund may agree to amend Schedule A hereto from time to time to
designate additional foreign banking institutions and foreign
securities depositories to act as sub-custodian. Upon receipt of
Proper Instructions, the Fund may instruct the Custodian to cease
the employment of any one or more such sub-custodians for
maintaining custody of the Portfolio's assets.
3.2 Assets to be Held. The Custodian shall limit the securities and
other assets maintained in the custody of the foreign
sub-custodians to: (a) "foreign securities", as defined in
paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of
1940, and (b) cash and cash equivalents in such amounts as the
Custodian or the Fund may determine to be reasonably necessary to
effect the Portfolio's foreign securities transactions. The
Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Fund,
the foreign securities of the Fund held by each foreign
sub-custodian.
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories. Except as may otherwise be agreed
upon in writing by the Custodian and the Fund, assets of the
Portfolios shall be maintained in foreign securities depositories
only through arrangements implemented by the foreign banking
institutions serving as sub-custodians pursuant to the terms
hereof. Where possible, such arrangements shall include entry into
agreements containing the provisions set forth in Section 3.4
hereof.
3.4 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions. Each agreement with
a foreign banking institution shall be substantially in the form
set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto and shall provide that: (a) the
assets of each Portfolio will not be subject to any right, charge,
security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of the
foreign banking institution or its creditors or agent, except a
claim of payment for their safe custody or administration; (b)
beneficial ownership for the assets of each Portfolio will be
freely transferable without the payment of money or value other
than for custody or administration; (c) adequate records will be
maintained identifying the assets as belonging to each applicable
Portfolio; (d) officers of or auditors employed by, or other
representatives of the Custodian, including to the extent
permitted under applicable law the independent public accountants
for the Fund, will be given access to the books and records of the
foreign banking institution relating to its actions under its
agreement with the Custodian; and (e) assets of the Portfolios
held by the foreign sub-custodian will be subject only to the
instructions of the Custodian or its agents.
3.5 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund. Upon request of the
Fund, the Custodian will use its best efforts to arrange for the
independent accountants of the Fund to be afforded access to the
books and records of any foreign banking institution employed as a
foreign sub-custodian insofar as such books and records relate to
the performance of such foreign banking institution under its
agreement with the Custodian.
3.6 Reports by Custodian. The Custodian will supply to the Fund from
time to time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of
the securities and other assets of the Portfolio(s) held by
foreign sub-custodians, including but not limited to an
identification of entities having possession of the Portfolio(s)
securities and other assets and advices or notifications of any
transfers of securities to or from each custodial account
maintained by a foreign banking institution for the Custodian on
behalf of each applicable Portfolio indicating, as to securities
acquired for a Portfolio, the identity of the entity having
physical possession of such securities.
3.7 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account
(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this Section
3.7, the provision of Sections 2.2 and 2.7 of this Contract
shall apply, mutatis mutandis to the foreign securities of the
Fund held outside the United States by foreign sub-custodians.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the
contrary, settlement and payment for securities received for the
account of each applicable Portfolio and delivery of securities
maintained for the account of each applicable Portfolio may be
effected in accordance with the customary established securities
trading or securities processing practices and procedures in the
jurisdiction or market in which the transaction occurs, including,
without limitation, delivering securities to the purchaser thereof
or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer)
against a receipt with the expectation of receiving later payment
for such securities from such purchaser or dealer.
(c) Securities maintained in the custody of a foreign
sub-custodian may be maintained in the name of such entity's
nominee to the same extent as set forth in Section 2.3 of this
Contract, and the Fund agrees to hold any such nominee harmless
from any liability as a holder of record of such securities.
3.8 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians. Each agreement pursuant to
which the Custodian employs a foreign banking institution as a
foreign sub-custodian shall require the institution to exercise
reasonable care in the performance of its duties and to indemnify,
and hold harmless, the Custodian and each Fund from and against
any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out of
or in connection with the institution's performance of such
obligations. At the election of the Fund, it shall be entitled to
be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any
claims against a foreign banking institution as a consequence of
any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and to
the extent that the Fund has not been made whole for any such
loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim.
3.9 Liability of Custodian. The Custodian shall be liable for the acts
or omissions of a foreign banking institution to the same extent
as set forth with respect to sub-custodians generally in this
Contract and, regardless of whether assets are maintained in the
custody of a foreign banking institution, a foreign securities
depository or a branch of a U.S. bank as contemplated by paragraph
3.12 hereof, the Custodian shall not be liable for any loss,
damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from
nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of
war or terrorism or any loss where the sub-custodian has otherwise
exercised reasonable care. Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions of this paragraph 3.9, in delegating custody duties to
State Street London Ltd., the Custodian shall not be relieved of
any responsibility to the Fund for any loss due to such
delegation, except such loss as may result from (a) political risk
(including, but not limited to, exchange control restrictions,
confiscation, expropriation, nationalization, insurrection, civil
strife or armed hostilities) or (b) other losses (excluding a
bankruptcy or insolvency of State Street London Ltd. not caused by
political risk) due to Acts of God, nuclear incident or other
losses under circumstances where the Custodian and State Street
London Ltd. have exercised reasonable care.
3.10 Reimbursement for Advances. If the Fund requires the Custodian to
advance cash or securities for any purpose for the benefit of a
Portfolio including the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or of
contracts for foreign exchange, 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 applicable Portfolio shall be security therefor and
should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the
Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to
dispose of such Portfolios assets to the extent necessary to
obtain reimbursement.
3.11 Monitoring Responsibilities. The Custodian shall furnish annually
to the Fund, during the month of June, information concerning the
foreign sub-custodians employed by the Custodian. Such information
shall be similar in kind and scope to that furnished to the Fund
in connection with the initial approval of this Contract. In
addition, the Custodian will promptly inform the Fund in the event
that the Custodian learns of a material adverse change in the
financial condition of a foreign sub-custodian or any material
loss of the assets of the Fund or in the case of
any foreign sub-custodian not the subject of an exemptive order
from the Securities and Exchange Commission is notified by such
foreign sub-custodian that there appears to be a substantial
likelihood that its shareholders' equity will decline below $200
million (U.S. dollars or the equivalent thereof) or that its
shareholders' equity has declined below $200 million (in each case
computed in accordance with generally accepted U.S. accounting
principles).
3.12 Branches of U.S. Banks
(a) Except as otherwise set forth in this Contract, the provisions
hereof shall not apply where the custody of the Portfolios assets
are maintained in a foreign branch of a banking institution which
is a "bank" as defined by Section 2(a)(5) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 meeting the qualification set forth in Section
26(a) of said Act. The appointment of any such branch as a
sub-custodian shall be governed by paragraph 1 of this Contract.
(b) Cash held for each Portfolio of the Fund in the United Kingdom
shall be maintained in an interest bearing account established for
the Fund with the Custodian's London branch, which account shall
be subject to the direction of the Custodian, State Street London
Ltd. or both.
3.13 Tax Law
The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any
obligations now or hereafter imposed on the Fund or the Custodian
as custodian of the Fund by the tax law of the United States of
America or any state or political subdivision thereof. It shall be
the responsibility of the Fund to notify the Custodian of the
obligations imposed on the Fund or the Custodian as custodian of
the Fund by the tax law of jurisdictions other than those
mentioned in the above sentence, including responsibility for
withholding and other taxes, assessments or other governmental
charges, certifications and governmental reporting. The sole
responsibility of the Custodian with regard to such tax law shall
be to use reasonable efforts to assist the Fund with respect to
any claim for exemption or refund under the tax law of
jurisdictions for which the Fund has provided such information.
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the Fund
The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Shares or fromthe
Transfer Agent of the Fund and deposit into the account of the appropriate
Portfolio such payments as are received for Shares of that Portfolio issued or
sold from time to time by the Fund. The Custodian will provide timely
notification to the Fund on behalf of each such Portfolio and the Transfer Agent
of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of such Portfolio. From such funds
as may be available for the purpose but subject to the limitations of the the
Articles of Incorporation and any applicable votes of the Board of Directors 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 a
Portfolio, 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.
5. Proper Instructions
Proper Instructions as used throughout this Contract means a writing signed
or initialled by one or more person or persons as the Board of Directors shall
have from time to time authorized. Each such writing shall set forth the
specific transaction or type of transaction involved, including a specific
statement of the purpose for which such action is requested. Oral instructions
will be considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian reasonably believes them
to have been given by a person authorized to give such instructions with respect
to the transaction involved. The Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be
confirmed in writing. Upon receipt of a certificate of the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary as to the authorization by the Board of Directors of the
Fund accompanied by a detailed description of procedures approved by the Board
of Directors, Proper Instructions may include communications effected directly
between electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the Board of
Directors and the Custodian are satisfied that such procedures afford adequate
safeguards for the Portfolios' assets. For purposes of this Section, Proper
Instructions shall include instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to
any three-party agreement which requires a segregated asset account in
accordance with Section 2.11.
6. Actions Permitted without Express Authority
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the
Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of
handling securities or other similar items relating to its duties under
this Contract, provided that all such payments shall be accounted for to the
Fund on behalf of the Portfolio;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive
form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, checks,
drafts and other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in
connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and
other dealings with the securities and property of the Portfolio except as
otherwise directed by the Board of Directors of the Fund.
7. Evidence of Authority
The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions, notice,
request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper believed by it to be
genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the Fund. The
Custodian may receive and accept a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
Directors of the Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person
to act in accordance with such vote or (b) of any determination or of any action
by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation as described
in such vote, and such vote may be considered as in full force and effect until
receipt by the Custodian of written notice to the contrary.
8. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and Calculation of
Net Asset Value and Net Income
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the
entity or entities appointed by the Board of Directors of the Fund to keep the
books of account of each Portfolio and/or compute the net asset value per share
of the outstanding shares of each Portfolio or, if directed in writing to do so
by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, shall itself keep such books of account
and/or compute such net asset value per share. If so directed, the Custodian
shall also calculate daily the net income of the Portfolio as described in the
Fund's currently effective prospectus related to such Portfolio 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 each Portfolio shall be made at the time or times described from
time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus related to such
Portfolio.
9. Records
The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create and maintain all
records relating to its activities and obligations under this Contract in such
manner as will meet the obligations of the Fund under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and
31a-2 thereunder. All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall
at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for
inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and
employees and agents of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian
shall, at the Fund's request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities
owned by each Portfolio and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to
do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the
Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such tabulations.
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund on behalf of
each applicable Portfolio may from time to time request, to obtain from year to
year favorable opinions from the Fund's independent accountants with respect to
its activities hereunder in connection with the preparation of the Fund's Form
N-1A, and Form N-SAR or other annual reports to the Securities and Exchange
Commission and with respect to any other requirements of such Commission.
11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, on behalf of each of the Portfolios
at such times as the Fund may reasonably require, with reports by independent
public accountants on the accounting system, internal accounting control and
procedures for safeguarding securities, futures contracts and options on futures
contracts, including securities deposited and/or maintained in a Securities
System, relating to the services provided by the Custodian under this Contract;
such reports, shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may
reasonably be required by the Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any
material inadequacies and, if there are no such inadequacies, the reports shall
so state.
12. Compensation of Custodian
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services
and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between the Fund on
behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian.
13. Responsibility of Custodian
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable care,
the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of
any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it
pursuant to this Contract and shall be held harmless in acting upon any notice,
request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably believed by it to
be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties, including any
futures commission merchant acting pursuant to the terms of a three-party
futures or options agreement. The Custodian shall be held to the exercise of
reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this Contract, but shall be
kept indemnified by and shall be without liability to the Fund for any action
taken or omitted by it in good faith without negligence. It shall be entitled to
rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on
all matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or
omitted pursuant to such advice.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a foreign
banking institution appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 to the
same extent as set forth in Article 1 hereof with respect to sub-custodians
located in the United States (except as specifically provided in Article 3.9)
and, regardless of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a foreign
banking institution, a foreign securities depository or a branch of a U.S. bank
as contemplated by paragraph 3.12 hereof, the Custodian shall not be liable for
any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from, or caused
by, the direction of or authorization by the Fund to maintain custody of any
securities or cash of the Fund in a foreign country including, but not limited
to, losses resulting from nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions,
or acts of war or terrorism. If the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requires the
Custodian to take any action with respect to securities, which action involves
the payment of money or which action may, in the opinion of the Custodian,
result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to the Fund or the Portfolio
being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some other form,
the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, as a prerequisite to requiring the
Custodian to take such action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an
amount and form satisfactory to it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or agents,
to advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not limited to
securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement) for
the benefit of a Portfolio including the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or
of contracts for foreign exchange 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 applicable Portfolio shall be security therefor and
should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be
entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of such Portfolio's assets to
the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
14. 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 with respect to a Portfolio act under Section 2.10 hereof in
the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary that the Board of Directors of the Fund has approved the
initial use of a particular Securities System by such Portfolio, as required by
Rule 17f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and that the
Custodian shall not with respect to a Portfolio act under Section 2.10A hereof
in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary that the Board of Directors has approved the initial use of
the Direct Paper System by such Portfolio; provided further, however, that the
Fund shall not amend or terminate this Contract in contravention of any
applicable federal or state regulations, or any provision of the Articles of
Incorporation, and further provided, that the Fund on behalf of one or more of
the Portfolios may at any time by action of its Board of Directors (i)
substitute another bank or trust company for the Custodian by giving notice as
described above to the Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate this Contract in
the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by
the Comptroller of the Currency or upon the happening of a like event at the
direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent
jurisdiction. Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund on behalf of each
applicable Portfolio shall pay to the Custodian such compensation as may be due
as of the date of such termination and shall likewise reimburse the Custodian
for its costs, expenses and disbursements.
15. Successor Custodian
If a successor custodian for the Fund, of one or more of the Portfolios
shall be appointed by the Board of Directors of the Fund, the Custodian shall,
upon termination, deliver to such successor custodian at the office of the
Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all securities of each
applicable Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account
of the successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in
a Securities System.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in
like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
Directors of the Fund, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer such
securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such vote.
In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian or
certified copy of a vote of the Board of Directors shall have been delivered to
the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become
effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust
company, which is a "bank" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940,
doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, of its own selection, having an
aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last
published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other
properties held by the Custodian on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and all
instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held
by it under this Contract on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and to transfer
to an account of such successor custodian all of the securities of each such
Portfolio held in any Securities System. Thereafter, such bank or trust company
shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or of
the Board of Directors to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian shall be
entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the
Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and
the provisions of this Contract relating to the duties and obligations of the
Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and the
Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios, may from time to time agree on such
provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this 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 Articles of Incorporation of the Fund.
No interpretive or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding
sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Contract.
17. Additional Funds
In the event that the Fund establishes one or more series of Shares in
addition to INVESCO European Fund, INVESCO Pacific Basin Fund, INVESCO
International Growth Fund with respect to which it desires to have the Custodian
render services as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the
Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing to provide such
services, such series of Shares shall become a Portfolio hereunder.
18. 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.
19. Prior Contracts
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior
contracts between the Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios and the Custodian
relating to the custody of the Fund's assets.
20. Shareholder Communications Election
Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14b-2 requires banks which hold
securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of
securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of
securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has
expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to comply with
the rule, we need you to indicate whether you authorize us to provide your name,
address, and share position to requesting companies whose stock you own. If you
tell us "no", we will not provide this information to requesting companies. If
you tell us "yes" or do not check either "yes" or "no" below, we are required by
the rule to treat you as consenting to disclosure of this information for all
securities owned by the Fund or any funds or accounts established by you. For
your protection, the Rule prohibits the requesting company from using your name
and address for any purpose other than corporate communications. Please indicate
below whether you consent or object by checking one of the alternatives below.
YES [ ] You are authorized to release our name,
address, and share positions.
NO [X] You are not authorized to release our name,
address, and share positions.
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 1st day of July, 1993.
ATTEST INVESCO INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC.
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx By /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
-------------------------- ----------------------------------
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
-------------------------- --------------------------------
Assistant Secretary Executive Vice President
