Exhibit 23 (g)(1)
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
between
▇▇▇▇▇▇ STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held By It...........................................1
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of
the Fund Held by the Custodian in the United States.............................................2
2.1 Holding Securities.....................................................................2
2.2 Delivery of Securities.................................................................2
2.3 Registration of Securities.............................................................4
2.4 Bank Accounts..........................................................................4
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds..........................................................5
2.6 Collection of Income...................................................................5
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies.................................................................5
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of
Securities Purchased...................................................................6
2.9 Appointment of Agents..................................................................7
2.10 Deposit of Securities in U.S. Securities System........................................7
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's
Direct Paper System....................................................................8
2.12 Segregated Account.....................................................................9
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes ...............................................9
2.14 Proxies................................................................................9
2.15 Communications Relating to Fund Securities............................................10
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of
the Fund Held Outside the United States........................................................10
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians.................................................10
3.2 Assets to be Held.....................................................................10
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories.......................................................10
3.4 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions..........................................11
3.5 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund.........................................11
3.6 Reports by Custodian..................................................................11
3.7 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account...............................................11
3.8 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians...................................................12
3.9 Liability of Custodian................................................................12
3.10 Reimbursement for Advances............................................................12
3.11 Monitoring Responsibilities...........................................................13
3.12 Branches of U.S. Banks................................................................13
3.13 Tax Law...............................................................................13
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchases or Redemptions
of Shares .....................................................................................13
5. Proper Instructions............................................................................14
6. Actions Permitted without Express Authority....................................................14
7. Evidence of Authority..........................................................................15
8. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account
and Calculations of Net Asset Value and Net Income.............................................15
9. Records........................................................................................15
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountants......................................................16
11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants..............................................16
12. Compensation of Custodian......................................................................16
13. Responsibility of Custodian....................................................................16
14. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment....................................................17
15. Successor Custodian............................................................................18
16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions........................................................ 19
17. Massachusetts Law to Apply.....................................................................19
18. Prior Contracts................................................................................19
19. Shareholder Communications Election............................................................19
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
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This Contract between ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Strategic Income Fund, a business trust
organized and existing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and
having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ (the "Fund"), and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a
Massachusetts trust company having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ (the "Custodian"),
WITNESSETH:
THAT, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto do hereby 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,
including securities which it desires to be held in places within the United
States of America ("domestic securities") and securities it desires to be held
outside the United States of America ("foreign securities") pursuant to the
provisions of the Fund's declaration of trust (the "Declaration of Trust"). The
Fund agrees to deliver to the Custodian all securities and cash owned by it and
all payments of income, payments of principal or capital distributions received
by it with respect to all securities owned by the Fund from time to time, and
the cash consideration received by it for such new or treasury shares of
beneficial interest of the Fund ("Shares") 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" (as such term is defined in
Article 5 of this Contract), the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or
more sub-custodians located in the United States of America, including any state
or political subdivision thereof and any territory over which its political
sovereignty extends (the "United States" or "U.S."), but only in accordance with
an applicable vote by the board of trustees of the Fund (the "Board of
Trustees") 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-custodians for the Fund's foreign
securities 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
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the Custodian in the United States
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2.1 Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate
for the account of the Fund all non-cash property to be held by it in
the United States including all domestic securities owned by the Fund
other than (a) securities which are maintained in a "U.S. Securities
System" (as such term is defined in Section 2.10 of this Contract) 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 Custodian's Direct Paper System
pursuant to Section 2.11.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver
domestic securities owned by the Fund and held by the Custodian or in a
U.S. Securities System account of the Custodian, which account shall
not include any assets of the Custodian other than assets held as a
fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for its customers ("U.S. Securities
System Account") or in the Custodian's Direct Paper book-entry system
account, which account shall not include any assets of the Custodian
other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for its
customers ("Direct Paper System Account") only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions from the Fund, 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 U.S. 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 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
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
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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 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;
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 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 U.S.
Securities System Account, 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 receipt of amounts borrowed;
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
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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;
14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent for the
Fund (the "Transfer Agent"), for delivery to such Transfer
Agent or to the holders of shares in connection with
distributions in kind, as may be described from time to time
in the Fund's currently effective prospectus and statement of
additional information (the "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, a
certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees or of
the executive committee thereof signed by an officer of the
Fund and certified by the Fund's Secretary or Assistant
Secretary specifying the securities of the Fund 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
Fund or in the name of any nominee of the Fund or of any nominee of the
Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Fund,
unless the Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee
to be used in common with other registered investment companies having
the same investment adviser as the Fund, or in the name or nominee name
of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 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 reasonable
efforts only to (i) timely collect income due the Fund on such
securities and (ii) notify the Fund 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 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, as amended. 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
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or trust company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company
Act") 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 the
Fund be approved by vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees. 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 agreement between the Fund and the
Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper Instructions
from the Fund, make federal funds available to the Fund as of specified
times agreed upon from time to time by the Fund and the Custodian in
the amount of checks received in payment for Shares of the Fund which
are deposited into the Fund's account.
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 United States-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 domestic 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 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. Collection of income due the Fund on domestic 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 in its possession 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.
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the
Fund, which may be 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 domestic 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 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
U.S. Securities System, in accordance with the conditions set
forth in Section 2.10 hereof; (c) in the case of a
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purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in accordance with
the conditions set forth in Section 2.11; (d) in the case of
repurchase agreements entered into between the Fund and the
Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which is a
member of NASD, (i) against delivery of the securities either
in certificate form or through an entry crediting the
Custodian's account at the Federal Reserve Bank with such
securities or (ii) against delivery of the receipt evidencing
purchase by the Fund of securities owned by the Custodian
along with written evidence of the agreement by the Custodian
to repurchase such securities from the Fund 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 Fund as set forth in Section 2.2
hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Fund
as set forth in Article 4 hereof;
4) 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 fees,
accounting fees, transfer agent fees, 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 Fund
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, a certified
copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees or of the
executive committee thereof signed by an officer of the Fund
and certified by the Fund's 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.
Except as specifically stated otherwise in this Contract, in any and
every case where payment for purchase of domestic 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
6
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.
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 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 Securities in U.S. Securities Systems. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain domestic securities owned by the Fund in a
clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC") under Section 17A of the Exchange Act, 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 (a "U.S.
Securities System") in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve Board
and SEC rules and regulations, if any, and subject to the following
provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep domestic securities of the Fund in a
U.S. Securities System provided that such securities are
represented in a U.S. Securities System Account;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Fund which are maintained in a U.S. Securities System shall
identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
3) The Custodian shall pay for domestic securities purchased for
the account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the
U.S. Securities System that such securities have been
transferred to the U.S. Securities System 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 U.S. Securities
System that payment for such securities has been transferred
to the U.S. Securities System 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 U.S. Securities System of transfers of
securities for the account of the Fund shall identify the
Fund, be maintained for the Fund by the Custodian and be
provided to the Fund at its request. Upon request, the
Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer
to or from the account of the Fund in the form of a written
advice or notice and shall furnish to the Fund copies of daily
transaction sheets reflecting each day's transactions in the
U.S. Securities System for the account of the Fund;
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4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained
by the Custodian on the U.S. Securities System's accounting
system, internal accounting control and procedures for
safeguarding securities deposited in the U.S. Securities
System;
5) The Custodian shall have received from the Fund 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 any loss or damage
to the Fund resulting from use of the U.S. 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
U.S. 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 U.S. 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.
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System. The Custodian
may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund 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;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in the Direct
Paper System only if such securities are represented in the
Direct Paper System Account 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
Fund which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall
identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
4) 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;
5) 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
8
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 Direct Paper System
for the account of the Fund; and
6) Upon the reasonable request of the Fund, the Custodian shall
provide the Fund with any report on the Direct Paper System's
system of internal accounting controls which had been prepared
as of the time of such request.
2.12 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
Instructions from the Fund establish and maintain a segregated account
or accounts for and on behalf of the Fund, into which account or
accounts may be transferred cash and/or securities, including
securities maintained in a U.S. Securities System 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 SEC relating to the maintenance
of segregated accounts by registered investment companies and (iv) for
other proper corporate purposes, but only, in the case of this clause
(iv), upon receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions from the
Fund, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees or of
the executive committee thereof signed by an officer of the Fund and
certified by the Fund's Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, setting
forth the purpose or purposes of such segregated account and declaring
such purposes to be proper corporate purposes.
2.13 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 the Fund held by it and
in connection with transfers of such securities.
2.14 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 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.
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2.15 Communications Relating to Fund Securities. Subject to the 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 domestic securities and expirations of rights in
connection therewith and notices of exercise of call and put options
written by the Fund and the maturity of futures contracts purchased or
sold by the Fund) received by the Custodian from issuers of the
securities being held for the Fund. With respect to tender or exchange
offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund all written
information received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities
whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or his agents)
making the tender or exchange offer. If the Fund desires to take action
with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or any other similar
transaction, the Fund shall notify the Custodian at least three (3)
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
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Outside of the United States
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3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians. The Fund hereby authorizes and
instructs the Custodian to employ as sub-custodians for the Fund's
securities and other assets maintained outside the United States the
foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories
designated on Schedule A hereto (the "foreign sub-custodians"). Upon
receipt of Proper Instructions, together with a certified resolution of
the Board of Trustees, 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
foreign sub-custodians for maintaining custody of the Fund'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 Fund'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 Funds 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.
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3.4 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions. Each agreement with a
foreign banking institution shall provide that (a) the assets of the
Fund 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 of the assets of the Fund 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 the Custodian on behalf of its
customers; (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 Fund 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 reasonable 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 Fund held by foreign sub-custodians,
including but not limited to an identification of entities having
possession of Fund 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 its customers indicating, as to securities acquired for
the Fund 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 the
Fund and delivery of securities maintained for the account of the Fund
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.
11
(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 the 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 Section 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 Section 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 the Fund
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 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's assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
12
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 SEC 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 local currency
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
Fund 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 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 Article 1 of this Contract.
(b) Cash held for 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. 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
----------------------------------------------------------
The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Shares or from
the Transfer Agent and deposit into the account of the Fund such payments as are
received for Shares of the Fund issued or sold from time to time by the Fund.
The Custodian will provide timely notification to the Fund and the Transfer
Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of the Fund.
13
From such funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the
limitations of the Declaration of Trust and any applicable votes of the Board of
Trustees 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, 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, 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 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. If given pursuant to procedures to be agreed upon by the
Custodian and the Fund, Proper Instructions may include communications effected
directly between electro-mechanical or electronic devices. 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 2.12.
6. Actions Permitted without Express Authority
-------------------------------------------
The Custodian may in its 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 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
14
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 except as otherwise directed by the Board of
Trustees.
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
Trustees 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 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.
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 Trustees to keep the books of
account of the Fund and/or compute the net asset value per share of the
outstanding Shares of the Fund or, if directed in writing to do so by the Fund,
shall itself keep such books of account and/or compute such net asset value per
share. If so directed, the Custodian shall also calculate daily the net income
of the Fund as described in the Prospectus and shall advise the Fund and the
Transfer Agent daily of the total amount of such net income and, if instructed
in writing by an officer of the Fund to do so, shall advise the Transfer Agent
periodically of the division of such net income among its various components.
The calculations of the net asset value per share and the daily income of the
Fund shall be made at the time or times described from time to time in the
Prospectus.
9. Records
-------
The Custodian shall with respect to the Fund 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, 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 SEC. 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.
15
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountants
-----------------------------------------
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund may from
time to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the
Fund's independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in
connection with the preparation of the Fund's Form N-1A and N-SAR or other
annual reports to the SEC and with respect to any other SEC requirements.
11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
-------------------------------------------------
The Custodian shall provide the Fund at such times as the Fund may
reasonably require, with reports by independent public accountants on the
accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding
securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including
securities deposited and/or maintained in a Securities System, relating to the
services provided by the Custodian under this Contract; such reports 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.
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 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.
16
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 Section 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 Section 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 or 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 requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in
the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to
the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some
other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such
action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form
satisfactory to the Custodian.
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, the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or of
contracts for foreign exchange, and assumed settlement), 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 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's assets
to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
14. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment
-------------------------------------------
This Contract shall become effective as of the date 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 the Fund 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 Trustees has approved
the initial use of a particular Securities System by the Fund, as required by
Rule 17f-4 under the Investment Company Act and that the Custodian shall not
with respect to the Fund act under Section 2.11 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 by the
Fund; provided further, however, that the Fund shall not amend or terminate this
17
Contract in contravention of any applicable federal or state regulations, or any
provision of the Declaration of Trust, and further provided, that the Fund may
at any time by action of the 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.
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.
15. Successor Custodian
-------------------
If a successor custodian shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees,
the Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to such successor custodian at
the offices of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all
securities of the Fund then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an
account of the successor custodian all of the securities of the Fund 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, deliver at the offices 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, doing business in Boston,
Massachusetts, or New York, New York, of its own selection, having an aggregate
capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last published report,
of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other properties held by
the Custodian and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all
other property held by it under this Contract on behalf of the Fund and to
transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the securities of the
Fund 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.
18
16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions
--------------------------------------
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and
the Fund may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in
addition to the provisions of this Contract as may in their joint opinion be
consistent with the general tenor of this Contract. Any such interpretive or
additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by both parties and shall be
annexed hereto, provided that no such interpretive or additional provisions
shall contravene any applicable federal or state regulations or any provision of
the Declaration of Trust. No interpretive or additional provisions made as
provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this
Contract.
17. 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.
18. 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 assets of the Fund.
19. Shareholder Communications Election
-----------------------------------
SEC 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, the Custodian needs the Fund
to indicate whether it authorizes the Custodian to provide the Fund's name,
address, and share position to requesting companies whose securities the Fund
owns. If the Fund tells the Custodian "no", the Custodian will not provide this
information to requesting companies. If the Fund tells the Custodian "yes" or
does not check either "yes" or "no" below, the Custodian is required by the rule
to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure of this information for all
securities owned by the Fund or any funds or accounts established by the Fund.
For the Fund's protection, the Rule prohibits the requesting company from using
the Fund's name and address for any purpose other than corporate
19
communications. Please indicate below whether the Fund consents or objects by
checking one of the alternatives below.
YES [ ] The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund's
name, address, and share positions.
NO [ ] The Custodian is not authorized to release the
Fund's name, address, and share positions.
20
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 March 22, 1999.
ATTEST ▇▇▇▇▇▇ STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
/s/▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ By: /s/▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
------------------------ -----------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ Name: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Ass't Sec. Title: President
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
/s/▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ By: /s/▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
------------------------ -----------------------
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
Associate Counsel Vice Chairman
21
