CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
Dated as of:
Between
VALUE LINE AGGRESSIVE INCOME TRUST
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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1. Bank Appointed Custodian .......................................... 1
2. Definitions ....................................................... 1
(a) Authorized Person ............................................. 1
(b) Security ...................................................... 2
(c) Portfolio Security ............................................ 2
(d) Officers' Certificate ......................................... 2
(e) Book-Entry System and Depository .............................. 2
3. A. Proper Instructions ............................................ 3
B. Bank's Communications with Fund ................................ 4
4. Separate Accounts ................................................. 5
5. Certification as to Authorized Persons ............................ 5
6. Custody of Cash and Securities .................................... 6
A. Cash .......................................................... 6
(a) Purchase of Securities .................................... 6
(b) Redemptions ............................................... 7
(c) Distributions and Expenses of Fund ........................ 7
(d) Payment in Respect of Securities .......................... 7
(e) Repayment of Cash ......................................... 7
(f) Other Authorized Payments ................................. 8
(g) Termination ............................................... 8
B. Securities .................................................... 8
(a) Book-Entry System ......................................... 10
(b) Use of Direct Paper System for Commercial
Paper ..................................................... 12
C. Options and Futures Transactions .............................. 14
(a) Puts and Calls Traded on Securities
Exchanges, NASDAQ or Over-the-Counter ..................... 14
(b) Puts, Calls and Futures Traded on
Commodities Exchanges ..................................... 15
(c) Segregated Account ........................................ 16
D. Segregated Account for "when issued", "forward
commitment" and Reverse Repurchase Agreement
Transactions .................................................. 17
7. Transfer of Securities ............................................ 18
8. Redemptions ....................................................... 20
9. Merger, Dissolution, etc. of Fund ................................. 20
10. Actions of Bank Without Prior Authorization 21
11. Maintenance of Records and Confidentiality ........................ 23
12. Concerning the Bank ............................................... 23
A. Performance of Duties ......................................... 23
B. Responsibility of Custodian ................................... 24
C. No Duty of Bank ............................................... 24
D. Fees and Expenses of Bank ..................................... 25
E. Advances by Bank .............................................. 26
13. Termination ....................................................... 26
14. Notices ........................................................... 28
15. Amendments ........................................................ 29
16. Parties ........................................................... 29
17. Governing Law ..................................................... 29
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of this 21 day of June, 1990 between VALUE LINE
AGGRESSIVE INCOME TRUST, a business trust established under the laws of
Massachusetts (the "Fund"), and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY ("Bank").
The Fund, an open-end management investment company, desires to place and
maintain its portfolio securities and cash in the custody of the Bank. The Bank
has at least the minimum qualifications required by Section l7(f)(1) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 to act as custodian of the portfolio securities
and cash of the Fund, and has indicated its willingness to so act, subject to
the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Bank Appointed Custodian. The Fund hereby appoints the Bank as custodian
of its portfolio securities and cash delivered to the Bank as hereinafter
described, and the Bank agrees to act as such upon the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth.
2. Definitions. Whenever used herein, the terms listed below will have the
following meaning:
(a) Authorized Person. Authorized person will mean any of the persons
duly authorized to give Proper Instructions or otherwise act on behalf of
the Fund by appropriate resolution of the Board of Trustees.
(b) Security. The term security as used herein will have the same
meaning as when such term is used in the Securities Act of 1933 as amended,
including, without limitation, any note, stock, treasury stock, bond,
debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or
participation in any profit sharing agreement, collateral-trust
certificate, preorganization certificate or subscription, transferable
share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of
deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other
mineral rights, any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any
security, certificate of deposit, or group or index of securities
(including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put,
call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national securities
exchange relating to a foreign currency, or, in general, any interest or
instrument commonly known as a "security", or any certificate of interest
or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for,
guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to, or option contract to
purchase or sell any of the foregoing and futures, forward contracts and
options thereon.
(c) Portfolio Security. Portfolio security will mean any security
owned by the Fund.
(d) Officers' Certificate. Officers' Certificate will mean unless
otherwise indicated, any request, direction, instruction, or certification
in writing signed by any two Authorized Persons of the Fund.
(e) Book-Entry System and Depository. Book-Entry System shall mean the
Federal Reserve-Treasury Department Book Entry System for United States
government, instrumentality and agency securities operated by the Federal
Reserve Banks, its successor or successors and its nominee or nominees.
Depository shall mean the Depository
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Trust Company ("DTC"), a clearing agency registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, it successor or successors and its nominee or nominees. The term
"Depository" shall further mean and include any other person authorized to
act as a depository under the Investment Company Act of 1940, its successor
or successors and its nominee or nominees, specifically identified in a
certified copy of a resolution of the Fund's Trustees.
3A. Proper Instructions. For purposes of this Agreement, "Proper
Instructions" shall mean (i) instructions regarding the purchase or sale of
securities for the portfolio of the Fund, and payments and deliveries in
connection therewith, given by an Authorized Person as designated in an
Officers' Certificate, such instructions to be given in such form and manner as
the Bank and the Fund shall agree upon from time to time, and (ii) instructions
(which may be continuing instructions) regarding other matters signed or
initialled by such one or more persons from time to time designated in an
Officers' Certificate as having been authorized by the Trustees of the Fund.
Oral instructions given by a person whom the Bank reasonably believes to be
authorized to give such instructions with respect to the transaction involved
will be considered Proper Instructions only if the Bank receives written
instructions (which may be sent by telecopier) confirming such oral
instructions, provided however that if the Bank is notified by an Authorized
Person of the Fund that the Fund is unable to promptly confirm such oral
instructions in writing, then the Bank may act upon receipt of a second oral
instruction confirming such prior oral instruction. The Bank shall compare the
original oral instruction with any confirmatory written or oral instruction, as
the case may be, and shall report any discrepancy to the Fund immediately, and
the Bank shall be responsible for any expense incurred in taking any action,
including any reprocessing, necessary to correct any
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such discrepancy or error in Proper Instructions given by the Fund, to the
extent such expense is caused by the unreasonable delay of the Bank in reporting
such discrepancy to the Fund. Except as provided in the preceeding sentence, the
Fund shall be responsible, at the Fund's expense, for taking any action,
including any reprocessing, necessary to correct any such discrepancy or error
in Proper Instructions given by the Fund, and to the extent such action requires
the Bank to act, the Fund shall give the Bank specific Proper Instructions as to
the action required. The Bank shall act upon and comply with any subsequent
Proper Instructions which modifies a prior Proper Instruction. Upon receipt of
an Officers' Certificate as to the authorization by the Trustees of the Fund
accompanied by a detailed description of procedures approved by the Fund, Proper
Instructions may include communication effected directly between
electro-mechanical or electronic devices provide that the Trustees and the Bank
are satisfied that such procedures afford adequate safeguards for the Fund's
assets.
3B. Bank's Communications with Fund. For purposes of this Agreement, all
communications from the Bank to the Fund shall be in writing (which may be sent
by means of a telecopier) and any such writing reasonably believed by the Fund
to be from a person authorized to make such communication on behalf of the Bank
may be relied upon the Fund. An oral communication from a person whom the Fund
reasonably believes to be authorized to make such communication on behalf of the
Bank with respect to the transaction may be relied upon by the Fund only if the
Fund receives a written communication (which may be sent by telecopier)
confirming such oral communication, provided however, that if the Fund is
notified by such authorized person that the Bank is unable to promptly confirm
such oral communication in writing, then the Fund may act in reliance upon
receipt of a second oral communication confirming such prior oral communication.
The Fund shall compare the original oral communication with any confirmatory
written or oral
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communication, as the case may be, and shall report any discrepancy to the Bank
immediately, and the Fund shall be responsible for any expense incurred in
taking any action, including any reprocessing, necessary to correct any such
discrepancy or error in communications given by the Bank, to the extent such
expense is caused by the unreasonable delay of the Fund in reporting such
discrepancy to the Bank. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, the Bank
shall be responsible, at the Bank's expense, for any action taken, including any
reprocessing, necessary to correct any such discrepancy or error in
communications given by the Bank, and to the extent such action requires the
Bank to act, the Fund shall give the Bank specific Proper Instructions as to the
action required. The Fund may act in reliance upon any subsequent communication
from the Bank which modifies a prior communication.
4. Separate Accounts. If the Fund has more than one series or portfolio,
the Bank will segregate the assets of the Fund into a Separate Account for each
such series or portfolio containing the assets of such series or portfolio (and
all investment earnings thereon), all as directed from time to time by Proper
Instructions.
5. Certification as to Authorized Persons. The Secretary or Assistant
Secretary of the Fund will at all times maintain on file with the Bank his
certification to the Bank, in such form as may be acceptable to the Bank, of the
names and signatures of the Authorized Persons, it being understood that upon
the occurrence of any change in the information set forth in the most recent
certification on file (including without limitation any person named in the most
recent certification who is no longer an Authorized Person as designated
therein), the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Fund will sign a new or
amended certification setting forth the change and the new additional or omitted
names or signatures. The Bank will be entitled to rely and act upon any
Officers' Certificate given to
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it by the Fund which has been signed by Officers named in the most recent
certification.
6. Custody of Cash and Securities. As custodian for the Fund, the Bank will
keep safely all of the portfolio securities delivered to the Bank, and will
deposit to the account of the Fund all of the cash of the Fund delivered to the
Bank, as set forth below.
A. Cash. The Bank will open and maintain a separate account or accounts in
the name of the Fund or in the name of the Bank, as custodian of the Fund,
subject only to draft or order by the Bank acting pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement. The Bank will hold in such account or accounts as custodian, subject
to the provisions hereof (including sections 6(C) and 6(D), all cash received by
it, for the account of the Fund. Upon receipt by the Bank of Proper Instructions
(which may be continuing instructions) or in the case of payments for
redemptions and repurchases of outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the
Fund, notification from the Fund's transfer agent as provided in Section 8,
requesting such payment, designating the payee or the account or accounts to
which the Bank will release funds or deposit, and stating that is is for a
purpose permitted under the terms of this Section 6(A), specifying the
applicable subsection, or describing such purpose with sufficient particularity
to permit the Bank to ascertain the applicable subsection, the Bank will make
payments of cash held for the accounts of the Fund, insofar as funds are
available for that purpose, only as permitted in (a)-(g) below.
(a) Purchase of Securities: upon the purchase of securities for the
Fund, against contemporaneous receipt of such securities by the Bank
registered in the name of the Fund or in the name of, or properly endorsed
and in form for transfer to, the Bank, or a nominee of the Bank, or receipt
for the account of the Bank through use of (1) the
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Book-Entry System pursuant to Section 6(B)(a)(3) below, (2) a Depository
pursuant to 6(B)(b) below, or (3) Book Entry Paper pursuant to Section
6(B)(c) below, each such payment to be made at the purchase price shown on
a broker's confirmation (or transaction report in the case of Book Entry
Paper) of purchase of the securities received by the Bank before such
payment is made, as confirmed in the Proper Instructions received by the
Bank before payment is made;
(b) Redemptions: in such amount as may be necessary for the repurchase
or redemption of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund offered for
repurchase or redemption in accordance with Section 8 of this Agreement;
(c) Distributions and Expenses of Fund: for the payment on the account
of the Fund of dividends or other distributions to shareholders as may from
time to time be declared by the Trustees of the Fund, interest, taxes,
management or supervisory fees, distribution fees, fees of the Bank for its
services hereunder and reimbursement of the expenses and liabilities of the
Bank as provided hereunder, fees of any transfer agent, fees for legal,
accounting, and auditing services, or other operating expenses of the Fund;
(d) Payment in Respect of Securities: for payments in connection with
the conversion, exchange or surrender of portfolio securities or securities
subscribed to by the Fund held by or to be delivered to the Bank;
(e) Repayment of Cash: to repay the cash delivered to the Fund for the
purpose of collateralizing the obligation to return to the Fund
certificates borrowed from the Trust representing portfolio securities, but
only upon redelivery to the Bank of such borrowed certificates;
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(f) Other Authorized Payments: for other authorized transactions of
the Fund, or other obligations of the Fund incurred for proper Fund
purposes; provided that before making any such payment the Bank will also
receive a certified copy of a resolution of the Trustees signed by an
Authorized Person of the Fund (other than the Person certifying such
resolution) and certified by its Clerk or Assistant Clerk, naming the
person or persons to whom such payment is to be made, and either describing
the transaction for which payment is to be made and declaring it to be an
authorized transaction of the Fund, or specifying the amount of the
obligation for which payment is to be made, setting forth the purpose for
which such obligation was incurred and declaring such purpose to be a
proper corporate purpose; and
(g) Termination: upon the termination of this Agreement as hereinafter
set forth pursuant to Section 9 and Section 13 of this Agreement.
The Bank is hereby authorized to endorse for collection and collect on
behalf of and in the name of the Fund all checks, drafts, or other negotiable or
transferrable instruments or other orders for the payment of money received by
it for the account of the Fund.
B. Securities. Except as provided in subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this
Section 6(B), and in Sections 6(C) and 6(D), the Bank as custodian, will receive
and hold pursuant to the provisions hereof, in a separate account or accounts
and physically segregated at all times from those of other persons, any and all
portfolio securities which may now or hereafter be delivered to it by or for the
account of the Fund. All such portfolio securities will be held or disposed of
by the Bank for, and subject at all times to, the instructions of the Fund
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Subject to the
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specific provisions in Subparagraphs (a), (b), and (c) relating to securities
that are not physically held by the Bank, the Bank will register all portfolio
securities (unless otherwise directed by Proper Instructions or an Officers'
Certificate), in the name of a registered nominee of the Bank as defined in the
Internal Revenue Code and any Regulations of the Treasury Department issued
thereunder, which nominee shall be exclusively assigned to the Fund, and will
execute and deliver all such certificates in connection therewith as may be
required by such laws or Regulations or under the laws of any State. The Bank
will ensure that the specific portfolio securities of the Fund held by it
hereunder will be at all times identifiable.
The Bank will use the same care with respect to the safekeeping of
portfolio securities and cash of the Fund held by it as it uses in respect of
its own similar property but it need not maintain any special insurance for the
benefit of the Fund.
The Fund will from time to time furnish to the Bank appropriate instruments
to enable it to hold or deliver in proper form for transfer, or to register in
the name of its registered nominee, any securities which it may hold for the
account of the Fund and which may from time to time be registered in the name of
the Fund.
Neither the Bank nor any nominee of the Bank will vote any of the portfolio
securities held hereunder by or for the account of the Fund, except in
accordance with Proper Instructions of an Officers' Certificate.
The Bank will execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered,
to the Fund all notices, proxies and proxy soliciting materials with respect to
such securities, such proxies to be executed by the registered holder of such
securities (if registered otherwise than in the name of the Fund), but without
indicating the manner in which such proxies are to be voted.
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(a) Book-Entry System. Provided (i) the Bank has received a certified copy
of a resolution of the Trustees of the Fund specifically approving deposits of
the Fund assets in the Book-Entry System, indicating that, and (ii) for each
year following such approval, the Trustees of the Fund has reviewed and approved
the arrangement and has not delivered an Officer's Certificate to the Bank
indicating that it has withdrawn its approval:
1. The Bank may keep Securities of the Fund in the Book-Entry System
provided that such securities are represented in an account ("Account") of
the Bank (or its agent) in such System which shall not include any assets
of the Bank (or such agent) other than assets held as a fiduciary,
custodian, or otherwise for customers.
2. The records of the Bank (and any such agent) with respect to the
Fund's participation in the Book-Entry System through the Bank (or any such
agent) will identify by book entry securities belonging to the Fund which
are included with other securities deposited in the Account and shall at
all times during the regular business hours of the Bank (or such agent) be
open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the
Fund. Where securities are transferred to the Fund's account, the Bank
shall also, by book entry or otherwise, identify as belonging to the Fund a
quantity of securities in fungible bulk of securities (i) registered in the
name of the Bank or its nominee, or (ii) shown on the Bank's account on the
books of the Federal Reserve Bank.
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3. The Bank (or its agent) shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of the Fund or shall pay cash collateral against the return of
securities loaned by the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the
Book-Entry System that such Securities have been transferred to the
Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the Bank (or its
agent) to reflect such payment and transfer for the account of the Fund.
The Bank (or its agent) shall transfer securities sold or loaned for the
account of the Fund upon
(a) receipt of advice from the Book-Entry System that payment for
Securities sold or payment of the initial cash collateral against the
delivery of securities loaned by the Fund has been transferred to the
Account, and
(b) the making of an entry on the records of the Bank (or its
agent) to reflect such transfer and payment for the account of the
Fund. Copies of all advices from the Book-Entry System of transfers of
Securities for the account of the Fund shall identify the Fund, be
maintained for the Fund by the Bank and shall be provided to the Fund
at its request. The Bank shall send the Fund a confirmation, as
defined by Rule 17f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, of any
transfers to or from the account of the Fund.
4. The Bank will promptly provide the Fund with any report obtained by
the Bank or its agent on the Book-Entry System's accounting system,
internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding Securities
deposited in the Book-Entry System. The
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Bank will provide the Fund and cause any such agent to provide, 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, including Securities deposited
in the Book-Entry System, relating to the services provided by the Bank or
such agent under the Agreement.
5. Anything to the contrary in the Agreement notwithstanding, the Bank
shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to the Fund resulting
from use of the Book-Entry System by reason of any gross negligence, wilful
misfeasance or bad faith of the Bank or any of its agents or of any of its
or their employees or from any reckless disregard by the Bank or any such
agent of its duty to enforce effectively such rights as it may have against
the Book-Entry System; at the election of the Fund, it shall be entitled to
be subrogated for the Bank in any claim against the Book-Entry System or
any other person which the Bank or its agent 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 loss or damage.
(b) Use of Direct Paper System for Commercial Paper. Provided (i) the Bank
has received a certified copy of a resolution of the Fund's Trustees
specifically approving participation in a system maintained by the Bank for the
holding of commercial paper in direct paper form ("Direct Paper") and (ii) for
each year following such approval the Trustees of the Fund have received and
approved the arrangements, upon receipt of Proper Instructions and upon receipt
of confirmation from an Issuer (as defined below) that the Fund has purchased
such Issuer's Direct Paper,
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the Bank shall issue and hold in direct paper form, on behalf of the Fund,
commercial paper issued by issuers with whom the Bank has entered into a direct
paper agreement (the "Issuers"). In maintaining its Direct Paper System, the
Bank agrees that:
1. the Bank will maintain all Direct Paper held by the Fund in an
account of the Bank that includes only assets held by it for customers;
2. the records of the Bank with respect to the Fund's purchase of
Direct Paper through the Bank will identify, by book entry, Commercial
Paper belonging to the Fund which is included in the Direct Paper System
and shall at all times during the regular business hours of the Bank be
open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the
Fund.
3. (a) The Bank shall pay for Direct Paper purchased for the account
of the Fund upon contemporaneous (i) receipt of advice from the Issuer that
such sale of Direct Paper has been effected, and (ii) the making of an
entry on the records of the Bank to reflect such payment and transfer for
the account of the Fund.
(b) The Bank shall cancel such Direct Paper obligation upon the
maturity thereof upon contemporaneous (i) receipt of advice that payment
for such Direct Paper has been transferred to the Fund, and (ii) the making
of an entry on the records of the Bank to reflect such payment for the
account of the Fund.
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4. the Bank shall transmit to the Fund a transaction journal
confirming each transaction in Direct Paper for the account of the Fund on
the next business day following the transaction;
5. the Bank will send to the Fund such reports on its system of
internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from time to
time;
C. Options and Futures Transactions.
(a) Puts and Calls Traded on Securities Exchanges, NASDAQ or
Over-the-Counter.
1. The Bank shall take action as to put options ("puts") and call
options ("calls") purchased or sold (written) by the Fund regarding escrow
or other arrangements (i) in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement entered into upon receipt of Proper Instructions between the
Bank, any broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 and a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.,
and, if necessary, the Fund relating to the compliance with the rules of
the Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities
exchange, or of any similar organization or organizations.
2. Unless another agreement requires it to do so, the Bank shall be
under no duty or obligation to see that the Fund has deposited or is
maintaining adequate margin, if required, with any broker in connection
with any option, nor shall the Bank be under any duty or obligation to
present such option to the broker for exercise unless it receives Proper
Instructions from the Fund. The Bank shall have no
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responsibility for the legality of any put or call purchased or sold on
behalf of the Fund, the propriety of any such purchase or sale, or the
adequacy of any collateral delivered to a broker in connection with an
option or deposited to or withdrawn from a Segregated Account as described
in sub-paragraph c of this Section 6(C). The Bank specifically, but net by
way of limitation, shall not be under any duty or obligation to: (i)
periodically check or notify the Fund that the amount of such collateral
held by a broker or held in a Segregated Account as described in
sub-paragraph (c) of this Section 6(C) is sufficient to protect such broker
of the Fund against any loss; (ii) effect the return of any collateral
delivered to a broker; or (iii) advise the Fund that any option it holds,
has or is about to expire. Such duties or obligations shall be the sole
responsibility of the Fund.
(b) Puts, Calls and Futures Traded on Commodities Exchanges.
1. The Bank shall take action as to puts, calls and futures contracts
("Futures") purchased or sold by the Fund in accordance with the provisions
of any agreement among the Fund, the Bank 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.
2. The responsibilities and liabilities of the Bank as to Futures,
puts and calls traded on commodities exchanges, any Futures Commission
Merchant
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account and the Segregated Account shall be limited as set forth in
sub-paragraph (a)(2) of this Section 6(C) as if such sub-paragraph referred
to Futures Commission Merchants rather than brokers, and Futures and puts
and calls thereon instead of options.
(c) Segregated Account.
The Bank shall upon receipt of Proper Instructions establish and
maintain a Segregated Account or Accounts for and on behalf of the Fund,
into which Account or Accounts may be transferred cash and/or securities
including securities maintained in an Account by the Bank pursuant to
Section 6(B) hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, the Bank 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,
and (ii) for the purpose of segregating cash or securities in connection
with options purchased or written by the Fund, or commodity futures
purchased or written by the Fund, and (iii) for the purposes of compliance
by the Fund with the procedures required by Investment Company Act Release
No. 10666, or any subsequent release or releases of the Securities and
Exchange Commission relating to the maintenance of Segregated Accounts by
registered investment companies and (iv) for other proper corporate
purposes, but only, in the case of clause (iv), upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of the
Trustees of the Fund signed by an officer of the Fund and
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certified by the Clerk of an Assistant Clerk, setting forth the purpose or
purposes of such Segregated Account and declaring such purposes to be
proper corporate purposes.
D. Segregated Account for "when-issued", "forward commitment" and reverse
repurchase agreement transactions. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section
6(A), 6(B) and 6(C) hereof, the Bank will maintain a segregated account (the
"Segregated Account") in the name of the Fund (i) for the deposit of liquid
assets, such as cash, U.S. Government securities or other high grade debt
obligations, having a market value (marked to the market on a daily basis) at
all times equal to not less than the aggregate purchase price due on the
settlement dates of all the Fund's then outstanding forward commitment or
"when-issued" agreements relating to the purchase of portfolio securities and
all the Fund's then outstanding commitments under reverse repurchase agreements
entered into with broker-dealer firms, and (ii) for the deposit of any portfolio
securities which the Fund has agreed to sell on a forward commitment basis, all
in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Release No. IC-10666. No
assets shall be deposited in the Segregated Account except pursuant to Proper
Instructions. Assets may be withdrawn from the segregated account pursuant to
Proper Instructions only (a) for sale or delivery to meet the Fund's obligations
under outstanding firm commitment or when-issued agreements for the purchase of
portfolio securities and under reverse repurchase agreements, (b) for exchange
for other liquid assets of equal or greater value deposited in the Segregated
Account, (c) to the extent that the Fund's outstanding forward commitment or
when-issued agreements for the purchase of portfolio securities or reverse
repurchase agreements are sold to other parties or the Fund's obligations
thereunder are met from assets of the Fund other than those in the Segregated
Account, or (d) for delivery upon settlement of a forward commitment agreement
for the sale of portfolio securities.
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7. Transfer of Securities. The Bank will transfer, exchange, deliver or
release portfolio securities held by it hereunder, insofar as such securities
are available for such purpose, provided that before making any transfer,
exchange, delivery or release under this Section the Bank will receive Proper
Instructions requesting such transfer, exchange or delivery stating that it is
for a purpose permitted under the terms of this Section 7, specifying the
applicable subsection, or describing the purpose of the transaction with
sufficient particularity to permit the Bank to ascertain the applicable
subsection, only
(a) upon sales of portfolio securities for the account of the Fund,
against contemporaneous receipt by the Bank of payment therefor in full,
each such payment to be in the amount of the sale price shown in a broker's
confirmation of sale of the portfolio securities received by the Bank
before such payment is made, as confirmed in the Proper Instructions
received by the Bank before such payment is made, provided however, that
portfolio securities may be delivered to the broker selling the same for
examination in accordance with "street delivery" custom;
(b) in exchange for or upon conversion into other securities alone or
other securities and cash pursuant to any plan or merger, consolidation,
reorganization, share split-up, change in par value, recapitalization or
readjustment or otherwise;
(c) upon conversion of portfolio securities pursuant to their terms
into other securities;
(d) upon exercise of subscription, purchase or sale or other similar
rights represented by such portfolio securities;
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(e) for the purpose of redeeming in kind shares of beneficial interest
of the Fund upon authorization from the Fund;
(f) in the case of option contracts owned by the Fund, for
presentation to the endorsing broker;
(g) when such portfolio securities are called, redeemed or retired or
otherwise become payable;
(h) for the purpose of releasing certificates representing portfolio
securities of the Fund, against contemporaneous receipt by the Bank of the
fair market value of such security, as set forth in Proper Instructions
received by the Bank before such payment is made;
(i) for the purpose of tendering shares pursuant to a tender offer
therefor;
(j) for the purpose of delivering securities lent by the Fund to a
bank or broker-dealer, but only against receipt in accordance with street
delivery custom, except as otherwise provided in Subsections 6(B)(a) and
(b) hereof, of adequate collateral as agreed upon from time to time by the
Fund and the Bank, and upon receipt of payment in connection with any
repurchase agreement relating to such securities entered into by the Fund;
(k) for other authorized transactions of the Fund or for other proper
corporate purposes; provided that before making such transfer, the Bank
will also receive a certified copy of resolution of the Trustees of the
Fund, signed by an authorized officer of the Fund (other than the officer
certifying such resolution) and certified by its Secretary or Assistant
Secretary, specifying the portfolio securities to be delivered, setting
forth the transaction
-19-
in or purpose for which such delivery is to be made, declaring such
transaction to be an authorized transaction of the Fund or such purpose to
be a proper corporate purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom
delivery of such securities shall be made; and
(l) upon termination of this Agreement as hereinafter set forth
pursuant to Section 9 and Section 13 of this Agreement,
As to any deliveries made by the Bank pursuant to subsections (a), (b),
(c), (d), (f), (g), (h), (i) and (j) securities or cash receivable in exchange
therefor shall be delivered to the Bank.
8. Redemptions. In the case of payment of assets of the Fund held by the
Bank in connection with redemptions and repurchases by the Fund of outstanding
shares of beneficial interest, the Bank will rely on notification by the Fund's
transfer agent if receipt of a request for redemption and certificates, if
issued, in proper form for redemption before such payment is made. Payment shall
be made in accordance with the Declaration of Trust of the Fund, from assets
available for said purposes.
9. Merger, Dissolution, etc. of Fund. In the case of the following
transactions not in the ordinary course of business, namely, the merger of the
Fund into or the consolidation of the Fund with another investment company, the
sale by the Fund of all, or substantially all of its assets to another
investment company, or the liquidation or dissolution of the Fund and
distribution of its assets, the Bank will deliver the portfolio securities held
by it under this Agreement and disburse cash only upon the order of the Fund set
forth in an Officers' Certificate, accompanied by a certified copy of a
resolution of the Fund's Trustees authorizing any of the foregoing
-20-
transactions. Upon completion of such delivery and disbursement and the payment
of the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Bank due to the Bank pursuant to
Section 12E hereof, this Agreement will terminate.
10. Actions of Bank Without Prior Authorization. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, unless and until the Bank receives an Officers'
Certificate to the contrary, it will without prior authorization or instruction
of the Fund or the transfer agent:
(a) Receive and hold for the account of the Fund hereunder and deposit
in the account or accounts referred to in Section 6 hereof, all income,
dividends, interest and other payments or distribution of cash with respect
to the portfolio securities held thereunder;
(b) Present for payment all coupons and other income items held by it
for the account of the Fund which call for payment upon presentation and
hold the cash received by it upon such payment for the account of the Fund
in the account or accounts referred to in Section 6 hereof;
(c) Receive and hold for the account of the Fund hereunder and deposit
in the account or accounts referred to in Section 6 hereof all securities
received as a distribution on portfolio securities as a result of a stock
dividend, share split-up, reorganization, recapitalization, merger,
consolidation, readjustment, distribution of rights and similar securities
issued with respect to any portfolio securities held by it hereunder.
(d) Execute as agent on behalf of the Fund all necessary ownership and
other certificates and affidavits required by the Internal Revenue Code or
the regulations of the Treasury Department issued thereunder, or by the
laws
-21-
of any state, now or hereafter in effect, inserting the Fund's name on such
certificates as the owner of the securities covered thereby, to the extent
it may lawfully do so and as may be required to obtain payment in respect
thereof. The Bank will execute and deliver such certificates in connection
wit portfolio securities delivered to it or by it under this Agreement as
may be required under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and any
Regulations of the Treasury Department issued thereunder, or under the laws
of any State;
(e) Present for payment all portfolio securities which are called,
redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable, and hold cash received by it
upon payment for the account of the Fund in the account or accounts
referred to in Section 6 hereof; and
(f) Exchange interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive
securities.
The Bank will use all diligence to collect any funds which may to its
knowledge become collectible arising from such securities, including dividends,
interest and other income, and to transmit to the Fund notice actually received
by it of any call for redemption, offer of exchange, right of subscription,
reorganization or other proceedings affecting such securities.
If portfolio securities upon which such income is payable are in default or
payment is refused after due demand or presentation, the Bank will notify the
Fund by telecopier of any default or refusal to pay no later than one business
day from the day on which it receives knowledge of such default or refusal. In
addition, the Bank will send the Fund a written report once each month showing
any income on any portfolio security held by it which is more than ten days
overdue on the date of such report and which has not previously been reported.
-22-
11. Maintenance of Records. The Bank will maintain records with respect to
transactions for which the Bank is responsible pursuant to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement and in compliance with the applicable rules and
regulations under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and will
furnish the Fund daily with a statement of condition of the Fund. The Bank will
furnish to the Fund at the end of every month, and at the close of each quarter
of the Fund's fiscal year, a list of the portfolio securities and the aggregate
amount of cash held by it for the Fund. The books and records of the Bank
pertaining to its actions under this Agreement and reports by the Bank or its
independent accountants concerning its accounting system, procedures for
safeguarding securities and internal accounting controls will be open to
inspection and audit at reasonable times by officers of or auditors employed by
the Fund and will be preserved by the Bank in the manner and in accordance with
the applicable rules and regulations under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
The Bank agrees to treat all records and other information relative to the
Fund and its shareholders as confidential, except it may disclose such
information after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Fund,
which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Nothing in this Section 11
shall prevent the Bank from divulging information to bank or securities
regulatory authorities or where the Bank may be exposed to civil or criminal
contempt proceedings for failure to comply.
12. Concerning the Bank.
A. Performance of Duties.
(1) The Bank and the Fund shall each exercise reasonable care in
the performance of their respective duties and functions under this
Agreement.
-23-
(2) In its dealings with the Fund, the Bank shall be entitled to
rely upon any Officers' Certificate, Proper Instructions, resolution
of the Trustees, telegram, facsimile communication, written notice, or
certificate.
B. 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 beheld 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 harmless and be
protected by the Fund and shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care
in carrying out the Proper Instructions of the Fund. It shall be entitled
to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the
Fund) or mutually acceptable to both parties on all matters, and shall be
without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to
such advice.
C. No Duty of Bank. The Bank will be under no duty or obligation to
inquire into and will not be liable for:
(a) the validity of the issue of any portfolio securities
purchased by or for the Fund, the legality of the purchases thereof or
the propriety of the price incurred therefor;
-24-
(b) the legality of any sale of any portfolio securities by or
for the Fund or the propriety of the amount for which the same are
sold;
(c) the legality of an issue or sale of any shares of common
stock of the Fund or the sufficiency of the amount to be received
therefor provided that it reflects the net asset value as provided by
the Fund;
(d) the legality of the repurchase of any shares of common stock
of the Fund or the propriety of the amount to be paid therefor
provided that it reflects the net asset value as provided by the Fund;
(e) the legality of the declaration of any dividend by the Fund
or the legality of the distribution of any portfolio securities as
payment in kind of such dividend; or
(f) any property or moneys of the Fund unless and until received
by it, except as otherwise provided in Section 10 hereof, and any such
property or moneys delivered or paid by it pursuant to the terms
hereof.
Moreover, the Bank will not be under any duty or obligation to ascertain
whether any portfolio securities at any time delivered to or held by it for the
account of the Fund are such as may properly be held by the Fund under the
provisions of its Agreement and Declaration of Fund or By-Laws, any federal or
state statutes or any rule or regulation of any governmental agency.
D. Fees and Expenses of Bank. The Fund will pay or reimburse the Bank
from time to time for any transfer taxes payable upon transfer of portfolio
securities made hereunder, and for the Bank's normal disbursements,
-25-
expenses and charges made or incurred by the Bank in the performance of
this Agreement (including any duties listed on any Schedule hereto, if
any). For the services rendered by the Bank hereunder, the Fund will pay to
the Bank such compensation or fees at such rate and at such times as shall
be agreed upon in writing by the parties from time to time. The Bank will
also be entitled to reimbursement by the Fund for normal industry costs for
securities transfers and services incurred in conjunction with termination
of this Agreement by the Fund.
E. Advances by Bank. The Bank may, in its sole discretion, advance
funds on behalf of the Fund to make any payment permitted by this Agreement
upon receipt of Proper Instructions as required by this Agreement for such
payments by the Fund. Should such a payment or payments, with advanced
funds, result in an overdraft (due to insufficiencies of the Fund's account
with the Bank, or for any other reason) any such related indebtedness shall
be deemed a loan made by the Bank to the Fund payable on demand and bearing
interest at the current rate charged by the Bank for such loans unless the
Fund shall provide the Bank with agreed-upon compensating balances. The
Fund authorizes the Bank, in its sole discretion, at any time to charge any
overdraft or indebtedness, together with interest due thereon, against any
balance of account standing to the credit of the Fund on the Bank's books.
13. Termination.
(a) This Agreement may be terminated at any time without penalty upon
ninety days written notice delivered by either party to the other by means
of registered mail, and upon the expiration of such ninety days this
Agreement will terminate; provided, however, that the effective date of
such termination may be postponed to a date of delivery
-26-
of such notice (i) by the Bank in order to prepare for the transfer by the
Bank of all of the assets of the Fund held hereunder, and (ii) by the Fund
in order to give the Fund an opportunity to make suitable arrangements for
a successor custodian. At any time after the termination of this Agreement,
the Fund will, at its request, have access to the records of the Bank
relating to the performance of its duties as custodian.
(b) In the event of the termination of this Agreement, the Bank will
immediately upon receipt or transmittal, as the case may be, of notice of
termination, commence and prosecute diligently to completion the transfer
of all cash and the delivery of all portfolio securities duly endorsed and
all records maintained under Section 11 to the successor custodian when
appointed by the Fund. The obligation of the Bank to deliver and transfer
over the assets of the Fund held by it directly to such successor custodian
will commence as soon as such successor is appointed and will continue
until completed as aforesaid. If the Fund does not select a successor
custodian within ninety days from the date of delivery of notice of
termination the Bank may, subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of
this Section 13, deliver the portfolio securities and cash of the Fund held
by the Bank to a bank or trust company of its own selection which meets the
requirements of Section l7(f)(l) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and
has a reported capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating not less
than $2,000,000, to be held as the property of the Fund under terms similar
to those on which they were held by the Bank, whereupon such bank or trust
company so selected by the Bank will become the successor custodian of such
assets of the Fund with the same effect as though selected by the Trustees
of the Fund.
-27-
(c) Prior to the expiration of ninety days after notice of termination
has been given, the Fund may furnish the Bank with an order of the Fund
advising that a successor custodian cannot be found willing and able to act
upon reasonable and customary terms and that there has been submitted to
the shareholders of the Fund the question of whether the Fund will be
liquidated or will function without a custodian for the assets of the Fund
held by the Bank. In that event the Bank will deliver the portfolio
securities and cash of the Fund held by it, subject as aforesaid, in
accordance with one of such alternatives which may be approved by the
requisite vote of shareholders, upon receipt by the Bank of a copy of the
minutes of the meeting of shareholders at which action was taken, certified
by the Fund's Secretary.
14. Notices. Any notice or other instrument in writing authorized or
required by this Agreement to be given to either party hereto will be
sufficiently given if addressed to such party and mailed or delivered to it at
its office at the address set forth below; namely:
(a) In the case of notices sent to the Fund to:
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
c/o Value Line Inc.
000 0xx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn: Treasurer
(b) In the case of notices sent to the Bank to:
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Mutual Fund Services
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000
-28-
or at such other place as such party may from time to time designate
in writing.
15. Amendments. This Agreement may not be altered or amended, except by an
instrument in writing, executed by both parties, and in the case of the Fund,
such alteration or amendment will be authorized and approved by its Trustees.
16. Parties. This Agreement will be binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns;
provided, however, that this Agreement will not be assignable by the Fund
without the written consent of the Bank or by the Bank without the written
consent of the Fund, authorized and approved by its Trustees; and provided
further that termination proceedings pursuant to Section 13 hereof will not be
deemed to be an an assignment within the meaning of this provision.
17. Governing Law. This Agreement and all performance hereunder will be
governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
-29-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed in duplicate and their respective corporate seals to be affixed hereto
as of the date first above written by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized.
VALUE LINE AGGRESSIVE INCOME TRUST
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
ATTEST:
/s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
---------------------------
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
ATTEST:
/s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
---------------------------
-30-
AMENDMENT TO CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
AMENDMENT made by and between STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY (the
"Custodian") each Fund listed on Appendix A (the "Fund").
WHEREAS, the Custodian and each Fund are parties to a Custodian Contract,
as amended (each a "Custodian Contract") governing the terms and conditions
under which the Custodian maintains custody of the securities and other assets
of the Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Custodian and each Fund desires to amend the relevant
Custodian Contract;
NOW THEREFORE, the Custodian and each Fund hereby amend and revise in its
entirety the defined term "Authorized person" in Section 2(a) of the Custodian
Contract as follows:
"Authorized person" of a Fund shall mean any of the persons duly
authorized to give Proper Instructions or otherwise act with respect
to such Fund on behalf of the Board of Trustees/Directors of such Fund
by appropriate resolution of such Board of Trustees/Directors, it
being understood that the signatures of two Authorized persons of a
Fund shall be required for the release of the assets of the Fund.
Except as specifically superseded or modified herein, the terms and provisions
of the Custodian Contract shall continue to apply with full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be
executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative as of the
1st day of October, 1997.
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
-----------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Executive Vice President
Attest: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
--------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
Vice President
EACH FUND LISTED ON APPENDIX A
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: Chairman/President
Attest: /s/ Xxxxx X. Merigson
--------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Merigson
Title: Secretary
2
APPENDIX A
LIST OF FUNDS
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
Value Line Asset Allocation Fund, Inc.,
Value Line Cash Fund, Inc., (The)
Value Line Centurion Fund, Inc.
Value Line Convertible Fund, Inc.
Value Line Fund, Inc. (The)
Value Line Income Fund, Inc., (The)
Value Line Leveraged Growth Investors, Inc.
Value Line New York Tax Exempt Trust
Value Line Small-Cap Growth Fund, Inc.
Value Line Special Situations Fund, Inc.
Value Line Strategic Asset Management Trust
Value Line Tax-Exempt Fund, Inc. (The)
Value Line U.S. Government Securities Fund, Inc.
Value Line U.S. Multi-National Company Fund, Inc.
3
