EXHIBIT 99.J
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
And
THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL TRUST
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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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.................................................................2
2.1 Holding Securities..................................................2
2.2 Delivery of Securities..............................................2
2.3 Registration of Securities..........................................7
2.4 Bank Accounts.......................................................8
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds.......................................8
2.6 Collection of Income................................................9
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies.............................................10
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities
Purchased..........................................................12
2.9 Appointment of Agents..............................................13
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems.......................13
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System............16
2.11 Segregated Account.................................................18
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes............................19
2.13 Proxies............................................................19
2.14 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities...............20
2.15 Proper Instructions................................................20
2.16 Actions Permitted without Express Authority........................21
2.17 Evidence of Authority..............................................22
3. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account
and Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income........................23
4. Records..................................................................23
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant.................................24
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants........................24
7. Compensation of Custodian................................................25
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8. Responsibility of Custodian.........................................25farti
9. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment..............................26
10. Successor Custodian......................................................28
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions...................................29
12. Massachusetts Law to Apply...............................................30
13. Prior Contracts..........................................................30
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CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
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This Contract between BlackRock Strategic Municipal Trust a Delaware
business trust organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, having its
principal place of business at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000,
hereinafter called the "Fund", and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a
Massachusetts trust company, having its principal place of business at 000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, 00000, hereinafter called the
"Custodian",
WITNESSETH: That in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It
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The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of its assets
pursuant to the provisions of the Agreement and 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 capital
stock, $0.001 par value, ("Shares") of the Fund as may be issued or sold from
time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of the
Fund held or received by the Fund and not delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Section
2.15), the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more sub-custodians,
but only in accordance with an applicable vote by the Board of 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.
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the
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Fund Held By the Custodian
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2.1 Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically
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segregate for the account of the Fund all non-cash property, including all
securities owned by the Fund, other than (a) securities which are
maintained pursuant to Section 2.10 in a clearing agency which acts as a
securities depository or in a book-entry system authorized by the U.S.
Department of the Treasury, collectively referred to herein as "Securities
System" and (b) commercial paper of an issuer for which State Street Bank
and Trust Company acts as issuing and paying agent ("Direct Paper") which
is deposited and/or maintained in the Direct Paper System of the Custodian
pursuant to Section 2.10A.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver
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securities owned by the Fund held by the Custodian or in a Securities
System account of the Custodian or in the Custodian's Direct Paper book
entry system
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account ("Direct Paper System Account") only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate
by the parties, and only in the following cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Fund and
receipt of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
agreement related to such securities entered into by the Fund;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a Securities System, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.10 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for portfolio securities of the Fund;
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 Fund or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the
Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed
pursuant to Section 2.9 or into the name or nominee
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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
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be delivered to the Custodian;
7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Fund, to
the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for
examination in accordance with "street delivery" custom; provided
that in any such case, the Custodian shall have no responsibility
or liability for any 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;
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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 Fund, but only against receipt of adequate collateral as
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agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund,
which may be in the form of cash or obligations issued by the
United States government, its agencies or instrumentalities,
except that in connection with any loans for which collateral is
to be credited to the Custodian's account in the book-entry
system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the
Custodian will not be held liable or responsible for the
delivery of securities owned by the Fund prior to the receipt of
such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the
Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, but only against
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receipt of amounts borrowed;
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12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")
and a member of The National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. ("NASD"), relating 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;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, the Custodian, and a Futures Commission Merchant
registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to
compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission and/or any Contract Market, or any similar
organization or organizations, regarding account deposits in
connection with transactions by the Fund; and
14) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt of,
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in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Trustees or of the Executive
Committee signed by an officer of the Fund and certified by the
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Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, specifying the securities to
be delivered, setting forth the purpose for which such delivery
is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate
purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom delivery of
such securities shall be made.
2.3 Registration of Securities. Securities held by the Custodian (other than
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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
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authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in common
with other registered investment companies having the same investment
adviser as the Fund, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed
pursuant to Section 2.9 or in the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian
appointed pursuant to Article 1. All securities accepted by the Custodian
on behalf of the Fund under the terms of this Contract shall be in "street
name" or other good delivery form. 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.
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2.4 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
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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
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to act as a custodian under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and that
each such bank or trust company and the funds to be deposited with each
such bank or trust company shall be approved by vote of a majority of the
Board of 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.
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds. Upon mutual agreement between the Fund and
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the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper
Instructions, make federal funds available to the Fund as of specified
times agreed upon from time to time by the Fund and the Custodian in the
amount of
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checks received in payment for Shares of the Fund which are deposited
into the Fund's account.
2.6 Collection of Income. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the
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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 its agent thereof and shall
credit such income, as collected, to the Fund's custodian account. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and
present for payment all coupons and other income items requiring
presentation as and when they become due and shall collect interest when
due on securities held hereunder. Income due the Fund on securities loaned
pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility
of the Fund. The Custodian 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 Fund is properly
entitled.
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2.7 Payment of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be
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continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the
Custodian shall pay out monies of the Fund in the following cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of securities, options, futures contracts or
options on futures contracts for the account of the Fund but only
(a) against the delivery of such securities or evidence of title
to such options, futures contracts or 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 2.10 hereof; (c) in the case
of a purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in accordance
with the conditions set forth in Section 2.10A; (d) in the case
of repurchase agreements entered into between the Fund and the
Custodian, or another
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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 or (e) for
transfer to a time deposit account of the Fund in any bank,
whether domestic or foreign; such transfer may be effected prior
to receipt of a confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable
bank pursuant to Proper Instructions from the Fund as defined in
Section 2.15;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of
securities owned by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
3) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Fund,
including but not limited to the following payments for the
account of the Fund: interest, taxes, management, ac counting,
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;
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4) For the payment of any dividends declared pursuant to the
governing documents of the Fund;
5) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
6) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of, in
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addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution
of the Board of 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.
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased.
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Except as specifically stated otherwise in this Contract, in any and every
case where payment for purchase of securities for the account of the Fund
is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the securities purchased
in the absence of specific written instructions from the Fund to so pay in
advance, the Custodian shall be absolutely liable to the Fund for such
securities to the same extent as if the securities had been received by the
Custodian.
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2.9 Appointment of Agents. The Custodian may at any time or times in its
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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
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Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder.
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems. The Custodian may deposit
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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:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in a Securities
System provided that such securities are represented in an
account ("Account") of the Custodian in the Securities System
which shall not include any assets of the Custodian other than
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assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Fund which are maintained in a Securities System shall identify
by book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account
of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities System
that such securities have been transferred to the Account, and
(ii) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to
reflect such payment and transfer for the account of the Fund.
The Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account of
the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities System
that payment for such securities has been transferred to the
Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for the account
of the Fund. Copies of all advices from the Securities System of
transfers of securities for the account of the Fund shall
identify the Fund, be maintained for the Fund by the Custodian
and be provided to the Fund at its request. Upon request, the
Custodian shall furnish the Fund
14
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.
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by
the Custodian on the Securities System's accounting system,
internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding
securities deposited in the Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received the initial or annual
certificate, as the case may be, required by Article 9 hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding, the
Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to
the Fund resulting from use of the Securities System by reason of
any negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or
any of its agents or of any of its or their employees or from
failure of the Custodian or any such agent to enforce effectively
such rights as it may have against the Securities System; at the
election of the Fund, it shall be entitled to be subrogated to
the rights of the Custodian with respect to any
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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.
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System. The
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Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in
the Direct Paper System of the Custodian subject to the following
provisions:
7) No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper System
will be effected in the absence of Proper Instructions;
8) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in the Direct Paper
System only if such securities are represented in an account
("Account") of the Custodian in the Direct Paper System which
shall not include any assets of the Custodian other than assets
held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;
9) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Fund which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall
identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
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10) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account
of the Fund upon the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer of securities to
the account of the Fund. The Custodian shall transfer securities
sold for the account of the Fund upon the making of an entry on
the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and
receipt of payment for the account of the Fund;
11) 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, of Direct Paper on the next business
day following such transfer and shall furnish to the Fund copies
of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's transaction
in the Securities System for the account of the Fund;
12) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report on its
system of internal accounting control as the Fund may reason
ably request from time to time.
2.1 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
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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
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securities, including securities maintained in an account by the Custodian
pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions of
any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered
under the Exchange Act and a member of the NASD (or any futures commission
merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to
compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any
registered national securities exchange (or the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission or any registered contract market), or of any similar
organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in
connection with transactions by the Fund, (ii) for purposes of 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
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(iv), upon receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy
of a resolution of the Board of Trustees or of the Executive Committee
signed by an officer of the Fund and certified by the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary,
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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
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ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state
tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with
respect to securities of the Fund held by it and in connection with
transfers of securities.
2.13 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the securities held
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hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such
securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the name of
the Fund or a nominee of the Fund, all proxies, without indication of the
manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to
the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices
relating to such securities.
2.14 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities. Subject to the
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provisions of Section 2.3, 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
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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.
2.15 Proper Instructions. Proper Instructions as used throughout this Article 2
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means a writing signed or initialed by one or more person or persons as the
Board of 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 Board of Trustees of the
Fund accompanied by a detailed description of procedures approved by the
Board of Trustees, Proper Instructions may
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include communications effected directly between electro-mechanical or
electronic devices provided that the Board of Trustees and the Custodian
are satisfied that such procedures afford adequate safeguards for the
Fund's assets. For purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall
include instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to any three-party
agreement which requires a segregated asset account in accordance with
Section 2.11.
2.16 Actions Permitted without Express Authority. The Custodian may in its
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discretion, without express authority from the Fund:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
securities or other similar items relating to its duties under
this Contract, provided that all such payments shall be accounted
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for to the Fund;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
definitive form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts
and other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection
with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and
other dealings with the securities and property of the Fund
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except as otherwise directed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
2.17 Evidence of Authority. The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any
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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 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 Board of Trustees pursuant
to the Agreement and 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.
3. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and Calculation of
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Net Asset Value and Net Income
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The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the
entity or entities appointed by the Board of 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 weekly the net income
of the Fund as described in
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the Fund's currently effective prospectus and shall advise the Fund and the
Transfer Agent weekly of the total amounts of such net income and, if instructed
in writing by an officer of the Fund to do so, shall advise the Transfer Agent
periodically of the division of such net income among its various components.
The calculations of the net asset value per share and the weekly income of the
Fund shall be made at the time or times described from time to time in the
Fund's currently effective prospectus.
4. Records
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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 3la-1 and 3la-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 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.
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5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant
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The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund may from time
to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund's
independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in connection
with the preparation of the Fund's Form N-2, and Form N-SAR or other annual
reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and with respect to any other
requirements of such Commission.
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
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The Custodian shall provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may
reasonably require, with reports by independent public accountants on the
accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding
securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including
securities deposited and/or maintained in a Securities System, relating to the
services provided by the Custodian under this Contract; such reports, shall be
of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably be required by
the Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would be
disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the
reports shall so state.
7. Compensation of Custodian
-------------------------
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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.
8. Responsibility of Custodian
---------------------------
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable care,
the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of
any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it
pursuant to this Contract and shall be held harmless in acting upon any notice,
request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably believed by it to
be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties, including any
futures commission merchant acting pursuant to the terms of a three-party
futures or options agreement. The Custodian shall be held to the exercise of
reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this Contract, but shall be
kept indemnified by and shall be without liability to the Fund for any action
taken or omitted by it in good faith without negligence. It shall be entitled to
rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on
all matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or
omitted pursuant to such advice.
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
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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 the Fund
assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
9. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment
-------------------------------------------
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall continue in
full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may be amended
at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be terminated by
either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed, postage prepaid to
the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner than thirty (30)
days after the date of such delivery or mailing; provide, however that the
-------
Custodian shall not act under Section 2.10 hereof in the absence of receipt of
an initial certificate of the Secretary or an
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Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees of the Fund has approved the
initial use of a particular Securities System and the receipt of an annual
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of
Trustees has 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
and that the Custodian shall not act under Section 2.10A hereof in the absence
of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
that the Board of Trustees has approved the initial use of the Direct Paper
System and the receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees has reviewed the use by the Fund
of the Direct Paper System; provided further, however, that the Fund shall not
----------------
amend or terminate this Contract in contravention of any applicable federal or
state regulations, or any provision of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust,
and further provided, that the Fund may at any time by action of its Board of
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.
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Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund shall pay to the Custodian such
compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall likewise
reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements.
10. Successor Custodian
-------------------
If a successor custodian shall be appointed by the Board of 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 Board of 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 Board of 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,
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all securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian and all
instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held
by it under this Contract and to transfer to an account of such successor
custodian all of the Fund's securities held in any Securities System.
Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian
under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or of
the Board of 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.
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions
--------------------------------------
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and the
Fund may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in
addition to the provisions of this Contract as may in their joint opinion be
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 Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Fund.
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No interpretive or additional provisions .made as provided in the preceding
sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Contract.
12. 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.
13. 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.
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