CUSTODY AGREEMENT
This Custody Agreement is dated May __, 1997 between XXXXXX
XXXXXXX TRUST COMPANY, a New York State chartered trust company (the
"Custodian"), and AMERICAN SKANDIA MASTER TRUST, a Delaware business trust on
behalf of each of the Funds listed on Appendix 1, as may be amended from time to
time (the "Client").
1. Appointment and Acceptance; Accounts. (a) The Client hereby
appoints the Custodian as a custodian of Property (as defined below) owned or
under the control of the Client that are delivered to the Custodian, or any
Subcustodian as appointed below, from time to time to be held in custody for the
benefit of the Client. The Custodian agrees to act as such custodian upon the
terms and conditions hereinafter provided.
(b) Prior to the delivery of any Property by the Client to the
Custodian, the Client shall deliver to the Custodian each document and other
item listed in Appendix 2. In addition, the Client shall deliver to the
Custodian any additional documents or items as the Custodian may deem necessary
for the performance of its duties under this Agreement.
(c) The Client instructs the Custodian to establish on the
books and records of the Custodian the accounts listed in Appendix 3 (the
"Accounts") in the name of the Client. Upon receipt of Authorized Instructions
(as defined below) and appropriate documentation, the Custodian shall open
additional Accounts for the Client. Upon the Custodian's confirmation to the
Client of the opening of such additional Accounts, or of the closing of
Accounts, Appendix 3 shall be deemed automatically amended or supplemented
accordingly. The Custodian shall record in the Accounts and shall have general
responsibility for the safekeeping of all securities ("Securities"), cash, cash
equivalents and other property (all such Securities, cash, cash equivalents and
other property being collectively the "Property") of the Client that are
delivered to the Custodian for custody.
(d) The procedures the Custodian and the Client will use in
performing activities in connection with this Agreement are set forth in a
client services guide provided to the Client by the Custodian, as such guide may
be amended from time to time by the Custodian by written notice to the Client
(the "Client Services Guide").
2. Subcustodians. The Property may be held in custody and
deposit accounts that have been established by the Custodian with one or more
domestic or foreign banks or other institutions as listed on Exhibit A (the
"Subcustodians"), as such Exhibit may be amended from time to time by the
Custodian by 60 days prior written notice to the Client, or through the
facilities of one or more securities depositories or clearing agencies, as may
be changed by prior written notice forwarded by the Custodian as soon as
reasonably practicable upon the Custodian's receipt and verification of such
change. The Custodian shall hold Property through a Subcustodian, securities
depository or clearing agency only if (a) such Subcustodian and any securities
depository or clearing agency in which such Subcustodian or the Custodian holds
Property, or any of their creditors, may not assert any right, charge, security
interest, lien, encumbrance or other claim of any kind to the Securities except
a claim of payment for its safe custody or administration and (b) beneficial
ownership of such Property may be freely transferred without the payment of
money or value other than for safe custody or administration. Any Subcustodian
may hold Property in a securities depository and may utilize a clearing agency.
3. Records. With respect to Property held by a Subcustodian:
(a) The Custodian may hold Property for all of its customers
with a Subcustodian in a single account identified as belonging to the
Custodian for the benefit of its customers;
(b) The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Client
any Property held by a Subcustodian for the Custodian's account;
(c) The Custodian shall require that Property held by the
Subcustodian for the Custodian's account be identified on the
Subcustodian's books as separate from any other property held by the
Subcustodian other than property of the Custodian's customers held
solely for the benefit of customers of the Custodian; and
(d) In the event the Subcustodian holds Property in a
securities depository or clearing agency, such Subcustodian shall be
required by its agreement with the Custodian to identify on its books
such Property as being held for the account of the Custodian as
custodian for its customers or in such other manner as is required by
local law or market practice.
4. Access to Records. The Custodian shall allow the Client's
accountants reasonable access to the Custodian's records relating to the
Property held by the Custodian as such accountants may reasonably require in
connection with their examination of the Client's affairs. The Custodian shall
also obtain from any Subcustodian (and shall require each Subcustodian to use
reasonable efforts to obtain from any securities depository or clearing agency
in which it deposits Property) an undertaking, to the extent consistent with
local practice and the laws of the jurisdiction or jurisdictions to which such
Subcustodian, securities depository or clearing agency is subject, to permit
independent public accountants such reasonable access to the records of such
Subcustodian, securities depository or clearing agency as may be reasonably
required in connection with the examination of the Client's affairs or to take
such other action as the Custodian in its judgment may deem sufficient to ensure
such reasonable access.
5. Reports. The Custodian shall provide such reports and other information
to the Client and to such persons as the Client directs as the Custodian and the
Client may agree from time to time.
6. Payment of Monies. The Custodian shall make, or cause any
Subcustodian to make, payments from monies being held in the Accounts only in
accordance with Authorized Instructions or as provided in Sections 9, 13 and 17.
The Custodian may act as the Client's agent or act as a
principal in foreign exchange transactions at such rates as are agreed from time
to time between the Client and the Custodian.
7. Transfer of Securities. The Custodian shall make, or cause any
Subcustodian to make, transfers, exchanges or deliveries of Securities only in
accordance with Authorized Instructions or as provided in Sections 9, 13 and 17.
8. Corporate Action. (a) The Custodian shall notify the Client of details
of all corporate actions affecting the Client's Securities promptly upon its
receipt of such information.
(b) The Custodian shall take, or cause any Subcustodian to
take, such corporate action only in accordance with Authorized Instructions or
as provided in this Section 8 or Section 9.
(c) In the event the Client does not provide timely Authorized
Instructions to the Custodian, the Custodian shall act in accordance with the
default option provided by local market practice and/or the issuer of the
Securities.
(d) Fractional shares resulting from corporate action activity
shall be treated in accordance with local market practices.
9. General Authority. In the absence of Authorized Instructions to the
contrary, the Custodian may, and may authorize any Subcustodian to:
(a) make payments to itself or others for expenses of handling
Property or other similar items relating to its duties under this
Agreement, provided that all such payments shall be accounted for to
the Client;
(b) receive and collect all income and principal with respect to Securities
and to credit cash receipts to the Accounts;
(c) exchange Securities when the exchange is purely
ministerial (including, without limitation, the exchange of interim
receipts or temporary securities for securities in definitive form and
the exchange of warrants, or other documents of entitlement to
securities, for the securities themselves);
(d) surrender Securities at maturity or when called for redemption upon
receiving payment therefor;
(e) execute in the Client's name such ownership and other certificates as
may be required to obtain the payment of income from Securities;
(f) pay or cause to be paid, from the Accounts, any and all
taxes and levies in the nature of taxes imposed on Property by any
governmental authority in connection with custody of and transactions
in such Property;
(g) endorse for collection, in the name of the Client, checks, drafts and
other negotiable instruments;
(h) take non-discretionary action on mandatory corporate actions; and
(i) in general, attend to all nondiscretionary details in
connection with the custody, sale, purchase, transfer and other
dealings with the Property.
10. Authorized Instructions; Authorized Persons. (a) Except as
otherwise provided in Sections 6 through 9, 13 and 17, all payments of monies,
all transfers, exchanges or deliveries of Property and all responses to
corporate actions shall be made or taken only upon receipt by the Custodian of
Authorized Instructions; provided that such Authorized Instructions are timely
received by the Custodian. "Authorized Instructions" of the Client means
instructions from an Authorized Person received by telecopy, tested telex,
electronic link or other electronic means or by such other means as may be
agreed in writing between the Client and the Custodian.
(b) "Authorized Person" means each of the persons or entities
identified on Appendix 4 as amended from time to time by written notice from the
Client to the Custodian. The Client represents and warrants to the Custodian
that each Authorized Person listed in Appendix 4, as amended from time to time,
is authorized to issue Authorized Instructions on behalf of the Client. Prior to
the delivery of the Property to the Custodian, the Custodian shall provide a
list of designated system user ID numbers and passwords that the Client shall be
responsible for assigning to Authorized Persons. The Custodian shall assume that
an electronic transmission received and identified by a system user ID number
and password was sent by an Authorized Person. The Custodian agrees to provide
additional designated system user ID numbers and passwords as needed by the
Client. The Client authorizes the Custodian to issue new system user ID numbers
upon the request of a previously existing Authorized Person. Upon the issuance
of additional system user ID numbers by the Custodian to the Client, Appendix 4
shall be deemed automatically amended accordingly. The Client authorizes the
Custodian to receive, act and rely upon any Authorized Instructions received by
the Custodian which have been issued, or purport to have been issued, by an
Authorized Person.
(c) Any Authorized Person may cancel/correct or otherwise
amend any Authorized Instruction received by the Custodian, but the Client
agrees to indemnify the Custodian for any liability, loss or expense incurred by
the Custodian and its Subcustodians as a result of their having relied upon or
acted on any prior Authorized Instruction. An amendment or cancellation of an
Authorized Instruction to deliver or receive any security or funds in connection
with a trade will not be processed once the trade has settled.
11. Registration of Securities. (a) In the absence of
Authorized Instructions to the contrary, Securities which must be held in
registered form shall be registered in the name of the Custodian or the
Custodian's nominee or, in the case of Securities in the custody of an entity
other than the Custodian, in the name of the Custodian, its Subcustodian or any
such entity's nominee. The Custodian may, without notice to the Client, cause
any Securities to be registered or re-registered in the name of the Client.
(b) Where the Custodian has been instructed by the Client to
hold any Securities in the name of any person or entity other than the
Custodian, its Subcustodian or any such entity's nominee, the Custodian shall
not be responsible for any failure to collect such dividends or other income or
participate in any such corporate action with respect to such Securities.
12. Deposit Accounts. All cash received by the Custodian for
the Accounts shall be held by the Custodian as a short-term credit balance in
favor of the Client and, if the Custodian and the Client have agreed in writing
in advance that such credit balances shall bear interest, the Client shall earn
interest at the rates and times as agreed between the Custodian and the Client.
The Client acknowledges that any such credit balances shall not be accompanied
by the benefit of any governmental insurance.
13. Short-term Credit Extensions. (a) From time to time, the
Custodian may extend or arrange short-term credit for the Client which is (i)
necessary in connection with payment and clearance of securities and foreign
exchange transactions or (ii) pursuant to an agreed schedule, as and if set
forth in the Client Services Guide, of credits for dividends and interest
payments on Securities. All such extensions of credit shall be repayable by the
Client on demand.
(b) The Custodian shall be entitled to charge the Client
interest for any such credit extension at rates to be agreed upon from time to
time or, if such credit is arranged by the Custodian with a third party on
behalf of the Client, the Client shall reimburse the Custodian for any interest
charge. In addition to any other remedies available, the Custodian shall be
entitled to a right of set-off against the Property then held in the Account or
Accounts of that Fund to which credit has been extended to satisfy the repayment
of such credit extensions and the payment of, or reimbursement for, accrued
interest thereon.
14. Representations and Warranties. (a) The Client represents
and warrants that (i) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
(including, without limitation, the ability to obtain the short-term extensions
of credit in accordance with Section 13) are within the Client's power and
authority and have been duly authorized by all requisite action (corporate or
otherwise) of the Client and of the beneficial owner of the Property, if other
than the Client, and (ii) this Agreement and each extension of short-term credit
extended to or arranged for the benefit of the Client in accordance with Section
13 shall at all times constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Client enforceable against the Client in accordance with their respective terms,
except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights in general and subject to the
effect of general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law).
(b) The Custodian represents and warrants that (i) the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement are within the Custodian's
power and authority and have been duly authorized by all requisite action
(corporate or otherwise) of the Custodian and (ii) this Agreement constitutes
the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Custodian enforceable against the
Custodian in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights
in general and subject to the effect of general principles of equity (regardless
of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
15. Standard of Care; Indemnification. (a) The Custodian shall
be responsible for the performance of only such duties as are set forth in this
Agreement or contained in Authorized Instructions given to the Custodian which
are not contrary to the provisions of any relevant law or regulation. The
Custodian shall be liable to the Client for any loss, liability or expense
incurred by the Client in connection with this Agreement to the extent that any
such loss, liability or expense results from the negligence or willful
misconduct of the Custodian or any Subcustodian; provided, however that neither
the Custodian nor any Subcustodian shall be liable to the Client for any
indirect, special or consequential damages.
(b) The Client acknowledges that the Property may be
physically held outside the United States. The Custodian shall not be liable for
any loss, liability or expense resulting from events beyond the reasonable
control of the Custodian, including, but not limited to, force majeure.
(c) In addition, the Client shall indemnify the Custodian and
Subcustodians and any nominee for, and hold each of them harmless from, any
liability, loss or expense (including attorneys' fees and disbursements)
incurred in connection with this Agreement, including without limitation, (i) as
a result of the Custodian having acted or relied upon any Authorized
Instructions or (ii) arising out of any such person acting as a nominee or
holder of record of Securities.
16. Fees; Liens. (a) The Client shall pay to the Custodian
from time to time such compensation for its services pursuant to this Agreement
as may be mutually agreed upon as well as the Custodian's out-of-pocket and
incidental expenses. The Client shall hold the Custodian harmless from any
liability or loss resulting from any taxes or other governmental charges, and
any expenses related thereto, which may be imposed or assessed with respect to
the Accounts or any Property held therein. The Custodian is, and any
Subcustodians are, authorized to charge the Accounts for such items. The
Custodian and each Subcustodian shall notify the Client of any such charges
made.
(b) The Custodian shall have a lien, charge and security
interest on any and all Property held in an Account or Accounts by a Fund for
any amount owing to the Custodian in respect of such Account from time to time
under this Agreement.
17. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by the
Client or the Custodian by 90 days written notice to the other, sent by
registered mail. If notice of termination is given, the Client shall, within 60
days following the giving of such notice, deliver to the Custodian a statement
in writing specifying the successor custodian or other person to whom the
Custodian shall transfer the Property. In either event, the Custodian, subject
to the satisfaction of any lien it may have, shall transfer the Property to the
person so specified. If the Custodian does not receive such statement the
Custodian, at its election, may transfer the Property to a bank or trust company
established under the laws of the United States or any state thereof to be held
and disposed of pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement or may continue to
hold the Property until such a statement is delivered to the Custodian. In such
event the Custodian shall be entitled to fair compensation for its services
during such period as the Custodian remains in possession of any Property and
the provisions of this Agreement relating to the duties and obligations of the
Custodian shall remain in full force and effect; provided, however, that the
Custodian shall have no obligation to settle any transactions in Securities for
the Accounts. The provisions of Sections 15 and 16 shall survive termination of
this Agreement.
18. Investment Advice. The Custodian shall not supervise, recommend or
advise the Client relative to the investment, purchase, sale, retention or other
disposition of any Property held under this Agreement.
19. Confidentiality. (a) The Custodian, its agents and
employees shall maintain the confidentiality of information concerning the
Property held in the Client's account, including in dealings with affiliates of
the Custodian. In the event the Custodian or any Subcustodian is requested or
required to disclose any confidential information concerning the Property, the
Custodian shall, to the extent practicable and legally permissible, promptly
notify the Client of such request or requirement so that the Client may seek a
protective order or waive any objection to the Custodian's or such
Subcustodian's compliance with this Section 19. In the absence of such a waiver,
if the Custodian or such Subcustodian is compelled, in the opinion of its
counsel, to disclose any confidential information, the Custodian or such
Subcustodian may disclose such information to such persons as, in the opinion of
counsel, is so required.
(b) The Client shall maintain the confidentiality of, and not
provide to any third parties absent the written permission of the Custodian, any
computer software, hardware or communications facilities made available to the
Client or its agents by the Custodian.
20. Notices. Any notice or other communication from the Client
to the Custodian, unless otherwise provided by this Agreement or the Client
Services Guide, shall be sent by certified or registered mail to Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Trust Company, Xxx Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, 00000, Attention:
President, and any notice from the Custodian to the Client is to be mailed
postage prepaid, addressed to the Client at the address appearing below, or as
it may hereafter be changed on the Custodian's records in accordance with
written notice from the Client.
21. Assignment. This contract may not be assigned by either party without
the prior written
approval of the other.
22. Miscellaneous. (a) This Agreement shall bind the successors and assigns
of the Client and the Custodian.
(b) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York without regard to its
conflicts of law rules and to the extent not preempted by federal law. The
Custodian and the Client hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction
of any New York State court or any United States District Court located in the
State of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of this Agreement and
hereby irrevocably waive any objection to the venue of any such action or
proceeding brought in any such court or any defense of an inconvenient forum.
In witness whereof, the parties hereto have set their hands as
of the date first above written.
AMERICAN SKANDIA MASTER
TRUST, on behalf of each of the Funds
By______________________
Name:
Title:
Address for record: _________________________
-------------------------
-------------------------
Accepted:
XXXXXX XXXXXXX TRUST COMPANY
By___________________________
Authorized Signature
APPENDIX 1
List of Funds
APPENDIX 2
Account Documentation
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION FOR CORE CUSTODIAL SERVICES (INCLUDING TAX
RECLAIMS):
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
CLIENT SERVICES GUIDE (INCLUDING APPENDICES)
FEE SCHEDULE / BILLING GUIDE
GENERAL ACCOUNT INFORMATION
US TAX AUTHORITY DOCUMENTATION
LOCAL TAX OFFICE LETTER / APPLICATION LETTER
(NON-UNITED STATES-RESIDENT BENEFICIAL OWNERS, ONLY)
FORM 6166 / REQUEST FOR FOREIGN CERTIFICATION FORM
(UNITED STATES-RESIDENT BENEFICIAL OWNERS, ONLY)
CERTIFICATION OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP, LEGAL NAME, LEGAL RESIDENCY, TAX
STATUS AND TAX IDS
TAX RECLAIM POWER OF ATTORNEY
PREVIOUS TAX RECLAIM FILING INFORMATION
(PREVIOUS FILERS, ONLY)
UK TAX AUTHORITY DOCUMENTATION
SOPHISTICATED INVESTOR (ACCREDITED INVESTOR) LETTER
(UNITED STATES-RESIDENT BENEFICIAL OWNERS, ONLY)
DOCUMENTATION THAT IS REQUIRED FROM AN ENTITY CLASSIFIED AS TAX-EXEMPT
BY ITS LOCAL TAX AUTHORITY:
UK FORM 4338
(EXEMPT NON-UNITED KINGDOM-RESIDENT BENEFICIAL OWNERS, ONLY)
UK FORM 309A
(EXEMPT UNITED STATES-RESIDENT BENEFICIAL OWNERS, ONLY)
FOREIGN EXEMPTION LETTERS / APPLICATION FOR AUSTRALIAN EXEMPTION LETTER
(EXEMPT BENEFICIAL OWNERS, ONLY)
DOCUMENTATION THAT IS REQUIRED ONLY IF YOU WILL USE THE PROXY VOTING
SERVICE:
VOTING POWER OF ATTORNEY
DOCUMENTATION THAT IS REQUIRED ONLY IF YOU WILL DEAL IN CERTAIN SECURITIES:
JGB INDEMNIFICATION LETTER
KOREAN SECURITIES POWER OF ATTORNEY
NEW ZEALAND 'APPROVED ISSUER LEVY' LETTER
SPANISH POWER OF ATTORNEY WITH APOSTILE
APPENDIX 3
Client Accounts
Account Name Account Number Account Mnemonic
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
APPENDIX 4
Part I - Authorized Signatures
The Custodian is directed to accept and act upon Authorized Instructions
received from any of the following persons or entities:
Telephone/ Authorized
Name Organization Title Fax
Signature
Authorized by: ___________________________
Part II - System User ID numbers
The Custodian is directed to accept and act upon Authorized Instructions
transmitted electronically and identified with the following mnemonics and
system user ID numbers for the following activities:
Work Station Account Workstation Sessions
User I.D. Mnemonic Number TE TCC SL FE CM MA TD
--------- -------- ------ -- --- -- -- -- -- --
Workstation Session Codes
TE Trade Entry
TCC Trade Cancel/Correct
SL Securities Lending
FE Foreign Exchange
CM Cash Movement
MA Mass Authorization
TD Time Deposit
EXHIBIT A
Subcustodians
