CUSTODY AGREEMENT
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THIS AGREEMENT made the ______ day of ____________, 19__, by and
between INVESTORS FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY, a trust company chartered under the
laws of the state of Missouri, having its trust office located at 000 Xxxx 00xx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 ("Custodian"), and XXXXXXXX GROWTH FUND,
INC., a Maryland corporation, having its principal office and place of business
at Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 ("Fund").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Fund desires to appoint Investors Fiduciary Trust Company as
Custodian and Recordkeeper of the securities and monies of Fund and its now
existing and future established portfolios (individually referred to herein as
Portfolio); and
WHEREAS, Investors Fiduciary Trust Company is willing to accept such
appointment;
NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual promises contained
herein, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, mutually covenant and
agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN. Fund hereby constitutes and appoints Custodian
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as custodian of the Fund which is to include:
A. Appointment as custodian of the securities and monies at any time
owned by each Portfolio of the Fund; and
B. Appointment as agent to perform certain accounting and recordkeeping
functions required of a duly registered investment company in
compliance with applicable provisions of federal, state, and local
laws, rules and regulations including, as may be required:
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1. Providing information necessary for Fund and each Portfolio to
file required financial reports; maintaining and preserving
required books, accounts and records as the basis for such
reports; and performing certain daily functions in connection
with such accounts and records, and
2. Calculating daily net asset value of each Portfolio of the Fund,
and
3. Acting as liaison with independent auditors.
2. DELIVERY OF CORPORATE DOCUMENTS. Fund has delivered or will deliver to
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Custodian prior to the effective date of this Agreement, copies of the
following documents and all amendments or supplements thereto, properly
certified or authenticated:
A. Resolutions of the Board of Directors of Fund appointing Custodian as
custodian hereunder and approving the form of this Agreement; and
B. Resolutions of the Board of Directors of Fund designating certain
persons to give instructions on behalf of Fund to Custodian and
authorizing Custodian to rely upon such instructions.
3. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CUSTODIAN.
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A. Delivery of Assets
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Fund will deliver or cause to be delivered to Custodian on the
effective date of this Agreement, or as soon thereafter as
practicable, and from time to time thereafter, all portfolio
securities acquired by it and monies then owned by it (except as
permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940) or from time to time
coming into its possession during the time this Agreement shall
continue in effect. Custodian shall have no responsibility or
liability whatsoever for or on account of securities or monies not so
delivered. All securities so delivered to Custodian (other than
bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of Fund or its
nominee, or of a nominee of Custodian, or shall be properly endorsed
and in form for transfer satisfactory to Custodian.
B. Delivery of Accounts and Records
--------------------------------
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Fund shall turn over to Custodian all of the Fund's relevant accounts
and records previously maintained by it. Custodian shall be entitled
to rely conclusively on the completeness and correctness of the
accounts and records turned over to it by Fund, and Fund shall
indemnify and hold Custodian harmless of and from any and all
expenses, damages and losses whatsoever arising out of or in
connection with any error, omission, inaccuracy or other deficiency of
such accounts and records or in the failure of Fund to provide any
portion of such or to provide any information needed by the Custodian
knowledgeably to perform its function hereunder.
C. Delivery of Assets to Third Parties
-----------------------------------
Custodian will receive delivery of and keep safely the assets of Fund
delivered to it from time to time and the assets of each Portfolio
segregated in a separate account. Custodian will not deliver, assign,
pledge or hypothecate any such assets to any person except as
permitted by the provisions of this Agreement or any agreement
executed by it according to the terms of section 3.S. of this
Agreement. Upon delivery of any such assets to a subcustodian
pursuant to Section 3.S. of this agreement, Custodian will create and
maintain records identifying those assets which have been delivered to
the subcustodian as belonging to the applicable Portfolio of the Fund.
The Custodian is responsible for the safekeeping of the securities and
monies of Fund only until they have been transmitted to and received
by other persons as permitted under the terms of this Agreement,
except for securities and monies transmitted to United Missouri Bank
of Kansas City, N.A. (UMBKC), United Missouri Trust Company of New
York (UMBTC), First National Bank of Chicago (FNBC) for which
Custodian remains responsible. Custodian shall also be responsible
for the monies and securities of Fund(s) held by eligible foreign
subcustodians to the extent the domestic custodian with which the
Custodian contracts is responsible to Custodian. Custodian may
participate directly or indirectly through a subcustodian in the
Depository Trust
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Company, Treasury/Federal Reserve Book Entry System, Participant Trust
Company or other depository approved by the Fund (as such entities are
defined at 17 CFR Section 270.17f-4(b)).
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D. Registration of Securities
--------------------------
Custodian will hold stocks and other registerable portfolio
securities of Fund registered in the name of Fund or its nominee or
in the name of any nominee of Custodian for whose fidelity and
liability Custodian will be fully responsible, or in street
certificate form, so-called, with or without any indication of
fiduciary capacity. Unless otherwise instructed, Custodian will
register all such portfolio securities in the name of its authorized
nominee, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code and any Regulations
of the Treasury Department issued thereunder or in any provision of
any subsequent Federal tax law exempting such transaction from
liability for stock transfer taxes. All securities, and the ownership
thereof by a Portfolio of the Fund, which are held by Custodian
hereunder, however, shall at all times be identifiable on the records
of the Custodian. The Fund agrees to hold Custodian and its nominee
harmless for any liability as a record holder of securities held in
custody.
E. Exchange of Securities
----------------------
Upon receipt of instructions as defined herein in Section 4.A,
Custodian will exchange, or cause to be exchanged, portfolio
securities held by it for the account of the applicable Portfolio of
the Fund for other securities or cash issued or paid in connection
with any reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation,
split-up of shares, change of par value, conversion or otherwise, and
will deposit any such securities in accordance with the terms of any
reorganization or protective plan. Without instructions, Custodian is
authorized to exchange securities held by it in temporary form for
securities in definitive form, to effect an exchange of shares when
the par value of the stock is changed, and, upon receiving payment
therefor, to surrender bonds or other securities held by it at
maturity or when advised of an earlier mandatory call for redemption,
except that Custodian shall receive instructions prior to surrendering
any convertible security. Pursuant to this paragraph, the Custodian
will inform the Fund of such corporate
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actions and capital changes when it is informed of them through the
publications it subscribes to.
F. Purchases of Investments of the Fund
------------------------------------
Fund will, on each business day on which a purchase of securities
shall be made by it, deliver to Custodian instructions which shall
specify with respect to each such purchase:
1. The name of the Portfolio making such purchase;
2. The name of the issuer and description of the security;
3. The number of shares or the principal amount purchased, and
accrued interest, if any;
4. The trade date;
5. The settlement date;
6. The purchase price per unit and the brokerage commission, taxes
and other expenses payable in connection with the purchase;
7. The total amount payable upon such purchase; and
8. The name of the person from whom or the broker or dealer through
whom the purchase was made.
In accordance with such instructions, Custodian will pay for out of
monies held for the account of such named Portfolio, but only insofar
as monies are available therein for such purpose, and receive the
portfolio securities so purchased by such named Portfolio, except that
Custodian may in its sole discretion advance funds to the Fund which
may result in an overdraft because the monies held by the Custodian on
behalf of the Fund are insufficient to pay the total amount payable
upon such purchase. Such payment will be made only upon receipt by
Custodian of the securities so purchased in form for transfer
satisfactory to Custodian. Custodian agrees to promptly inform Fund
of any failures by sellers to make proper deliveries of securities
purchased by the Fund.
G. Sales and Deliveries of Investments of the Fund - Other than Options
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and Futures
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Fund will, on each business day on which a sale of investment
securities of Fund has been made, deliver to Custodian instructions
specifying with respect to each such sale:
1. The name of the Portfolio making such sale;
2. The name of the issuer and description of the securities;
3. The number of shares or principal amount sold, and accrued
interest, if any;
4. The date on which the securities sold were purchased or other
information identifying the securities sold and to be delivered;
5. The trade date;
6. The settlement date;
7. The sale price per unit and the brokerage commission, taxes or
other expenses payable in connection with such sale;
8. The total amount to be received by Fund upon such sale; and
9. The name and address of the broker or dealer through whom or
person to whom the sale was made.
In accordance with such instructions, Custodian will deliver or cause
to be delivered the securities thus designated as sold for the account
of such Portfolio to the broker or other person specified in the
instructions relating to such sale, such delivery to be made only upon
receipt of payment therefor in such form as is satisfactory to
Custodian, with the understanding that Custodian may deliver or cause
to be delivered securities for payment in accordance with the customs
prevailing among dealers in securities. Custodian agrees to promptly
inform Fund of any failures of purchasers to make proper payment for
securities sold by Fund.
H. Purchases or Sales of Security Options, Options on Indices and
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Security Index Futures Contracts
--------------------------------
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Fund will, on each business day on which a purchase or sale of the
following options and/or futures shall be made by it, deliver to
Custodian instructions which shall specify with respect to each such
purchase or sale:
1. The name of the Portfolio making such purchase or sale;
2. Security Options
a. The underlying security;
b. The price at which purchased or sold;
c. The expiration date;
d. The number of contracts;
e. The exercise price;
f. Whether the transaction is an opening, exercising, expiring
or closing transaction;
g. Whether the transaction involves a put or call;
h. Whether the option is written or purchased;
i. Market on which option traded;
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j. Name and address of the broker or dealer through whom the
sale or purchase was made.
3. Options on Indices
a. The index;
b. The price at which purchased or sold;
c. The exercise price;
d. The premium;
e. The multiple;
f. The expiration date;
g. Whether the transaction is an opening, exercising, expiring
or closing transaction;
h. Whether the transaction involves a put or call;
i. Whether the option is written or purchased;
j. The name and address of the broker or dealer through whom
the sale or purchase was made, or other applicable
settlement instructions.
4. Security Index Futures Contracts
a. The last trading date specified in the contract and, when
available, the closing level, thereof;
b. The index level on the date the contract is entered into;
c. The multiple;
d. Any margin requirements;
e. The need for a segregated margin account (in addition to
instructions, and if not already in the possession of
Custodian, Fund shall deliver a substantially complete and
executed custodial safekeeping account and procedural
agreement which shall be incorporated by reference into this
Custody Agreement); and
f. The name and address of the futures commission merchant
through whom the sale or purchase was made, or other
applicable settlement instructions.
5. Option on Index Future Contracts
a. The underlying index futures contract;
b. The premium;
c. The expiration date;
d. The number of options;
e. The exercise price;
f. Whether the transaction involves an opening, exercising,
expiring or closing transaction;
g. Whether the transaction involves a put or call;
h. Whether the option is written or purchased; and
i. The market on which the option is traded.
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I. Securities Pledged or Loaned
----------------------------
If specifically allowed for in the prospectus of the applicable
Portfolio of the Fund:
1. Upon receipt of instructions, Custodian will release or cause to
be released securities held in custody to the pledgee designated
in such instructions by way of pledge or hypothecation to secure
any loan incurred by a Portfolio of the Fund; provided, however,
that the securities shall be released only upon payment to
Custodian of the monies borrowed, except that in cases where
additional collateral is required to secure a borrowing already
made, further securities may be released or caused to be released
for that purpose upon receipt of instructions. Upon receipt of
instructions, Custodian will pay, but only from funds available
for such purpose, any such loan upon redelivery to it of the
securities pledged or hypothecated therefor and upon surrender of
the note or notes evidencing such loan.
2. Upon receipt of instructions, Custodian will release securities
held in custody to the borrower designated in such instructions;
provided, however, that the securities will be released only upon
deposit with Custodian of full cash collateral as specified in
such instructions, and that Fund will retain the right to any
dividends, interest or distribution on such loaned securities.
Upon receipt of instructions and the loaned securities, Custodian
will release the cash collateral to the borrower.
J. Routine Matters
---------------
Custodian will, in general, attend to all routine and mechanical
matters in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase,
transfer, or other dealings with securities or other property of Fund
except as may be otherwise provided in this Agreement or directed from
time to time by the Board of Directors of Fund.
K. Deposit Account
---------------
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Custodian will open and maintain a special purpose deposit account(s)
in the name of Custodian on behalf of each Portfolio (Accounts),
subject only to draft or order by Custodian upon receipt of
instructions. All monies received by Custodian from or for the
account of a Portfolio shall be deposited in said Accounts. Barring
events not in the control of the Custodian such as strikes, lockouts
or labor disputes, riots, war or equipment or transmission failure or
damage, fire, flood, earthquake or other natural disaster, action or
inaction of governmental authority or other causes beyond its control,
at 9:00 a.m., Kansas City time, on the second business day after
deposit of any check into Fund's Account, Custodian agrees to make Fed
Funds available to the appropriate Portfolio of the Fund in the amount
of the check. Deposits made by Federal Reserve wire will be available
to the Fund immediately and ACH wires will be available to the Fund on
the next business day. Income earned on the portfolio securities will
be credited to the applicable Portfolio of the Fund based on the
schedule attached as Exhibit A, except that income earned on portfolio
securities held by domestic subcustodians other than UMBKC, UMBTC,
Bank of New York (previously Irving Trust Company and hereinafter
referred to as BONY) and Xxxxxx Guaranty and Trust Company (MGT) will
be credited when received. The Custodian will be entitled to reverse
any credited amounts where credits have been made and monies are not
finally collected. If monies are collected after such reversal, the
Custodian will credit the applicable Portfolio in that amount.
Custodian may open and maintain an Account in such other banks or
trust companies as may be designated by it and by properly authorized
resolution of the Board of Directors of Fund, such Account, however,
to be in the name of Custodian on behalf of the applicable portfolio
of the Fund and subject only to its draft or order.
L. Income and other Payments to Fund
---------------------------------
Custodian will:
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1. Collect, claim and receive and deposit for the Account of each
Portfolio of the Fund all income and other payments which become
due and payable on or after the effective date of this Agreement
with respect to the securities deposited under this Agreement,
and credit the account of the applicable Portfolio of the Fund in
accordance with the schedule attached hereto as Exhibit A, except
that income earned on portfolio securities held by domestic
subcustodians other than UMBKC, UMBTC, BONY, and MGT will be
credited when received. Income from foreign securities and
assets held by eligible foreign subcustodians shall be credited
by Custodian upon receipt of income from the domestic
subcustodian contracting with the foreign eligible subcustodians.
If, for any reason, the Fund is credited with income that is not
subsequently collected, Custodian may reverse that credited
amount;
2. Execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all
federal, state and local tax purposes in connection with the
collection of bond and note coupons; and
3. Take such other action as may be necessary or proper in
connection with:
a. the collection, receipt and deposit of such income and other
payments, including but not limited to the presentation for
payment of:
1. all coupons and other income items requiring
presentation; and
2. all other securities which may mature or be called,
redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable and
regarding which the Custodian has actual knowledge, or
notice of which is contained in publications of the
type to which a custodian for investment companies
normally subscribes for such purpose; and
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b. the endorsement for collection, in the name of the
applicable Portfolio of the Fund, of all checks, drafts or
other negotiable instruments.
Custodian, however, will not be required to institute suit or take
other extraordinary action to enforce collection except upon receipt
of instructions and upon being indemnified to its satisfaction against
the costs and expenses of such suit or other actions. Custodian will
receive, claim and collect all stock dividends, rights and other
similar items and will deal with the same pursuant to instructions.
Unless prior instructions have been received to the contrary,
Custodian will, without further instructions, sell any rights held for
the account of Fund on the last trade date prior to the date of
expiration of such rights.
M. Payment of Dividends and other Distributions
--------------------------------------------
On the declaration of any dividend or other distribution on the shares
of Capital Stock of any Portfolio ("Portfolio Shares") by the Board of
Directors of Fund, Fund shall deliver to Custodian instructions with
respect thereto, including a copy of the Resolution of said Board of
Directors certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of Fund
wherein there shall be set forth the record date as of which
shareholders entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution
shall be determined, the date of payment of such dividend or
distribution, and the amount payable per share on such dividend or
distribution. Except if the ex-dividend date and the reinvestment
date of any dividend are the same, in which case funds shall remain in
the Custody Account, on the date specified in such Resolution for the
payment of such dividend or other distribution, Custodian will pay out
of the monies held for the account of the applicable Portfolio of the
Fund, insofar as the same shall be available for such purposes, and
wire to the account of the Dividend Disbursing Agent for Fund, such
amount as may be necessary to pay the amount per share payable in cash
on Portfolio Shares issued and outstanding on the record date
established by such Resolution.
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N. Shares of Fund Purchased by Fund
--------------------------------
Whenever any Portfolio Shares are repurchased or redeemed by Fund,
Fund or its agent shall advise Custodian of the aggregate dollar
amount to be paid for such shares and shall confirm such advice in
writing. Upon receipt of such advice, Custodian shall charge such
aggregate dollar amount to the Account of Portfolio and either deposit
the same in the account maintained for the purpose of paying for the
repurchase or redemption of Portfolio Shares or deliver the same in
accordance with such advice.
Custodian shall not have any duty or responsibility to determine that
Fund Shares have been removed from the proper shareholder account or
accounts or that the proper number of such shares have been canceled
and removed from the shareholder records.
O. Shares of Fund Purchased from Fund
----------------------------------
Whenever Portfolio Shares are purchased from Fund, Fund will deposit
or cause to be deposited with Custodian the amount received for such
shares. Custodian shall not have any duty or responsibility to
determine that Portfolio Shares purchased from Fund have been added to
the proper shareholder account or accounts or that the proper number
of such shares have been added to the shareholder records.
P. Proxies and Notices
-------------------
Custodian will promptly deliver or mail or have delivered or mailed
to Fund all proxies properly signed, all notices of meetings, all
proxy statements and other notices, requests or announcements
affecting or relating to securities held by Custodian for Fund and
will, upon receipt of instructions, execute and deliver or cause its
nominee to execute and deliver or mail or have delivered or mailed
such proxies or other authorizations as may be required. Except as
provided by this Agreement or pursuant to instructions hereafter
received by Custodian, neither it nor its nominee will exercise any
power inherent in any such securities, including
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any power to vote the same, or execute any proxy, power of attorney,
or other similar instrument voting any of such securities, or give any
consent, approval or waiver with respect thereto, or take any other
similar action.
Q. Disbursements
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Custodian will pay or cause to be paid insofar as funds are available
for the purpose, bills, statements and other obligations of Fund
(including but not limited to obligations in connection with the
conversion, exchange or surrender of securities owned by Fund,
interest charges, dividend disbursements, taxes, management fees,
custodian fees, legal fees, auditors' fees, transfer agents' fees,
brokerage commissions, compensation to personnel, and other operating
expenses of Fund) pursuant to instructions of Fund setting forth the
name of the person to whom payment is to be made, the amount of the
payment, and the purpose of the payment.
R. Daily Statement of Accounts
---------------------------
Custodian will, within a reasonable time, render to Fund as of the
close of business on each day, a detailed statement of the amounts
received or paid and of securities received or delivered for the
account of Fund during said day. Custodian will, from time to time,
upon request by Fund, render a detailed statement of the securities
and monies held for Fund under this Agreement, and Custodian will
maintain such books and records as are necessary to enable it to do so
and will permit such persons as are authorized by Fund including
Fund's independent public accountants, access to such records or
confirmation of the contents of such records; and if demanded, will
permit federal and state regulatory agencies to examine the
securities, books and records. Upon the written instructions of Fund
or as demanded by federal or state regulatory agencies, Custodian will
instruct any subcustodian to give such persons as are authorized by
Fund including Fund's independent public accountants, access to such
records or confirmation of the contents of such records; and if
demanded, to
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permit federal and state regulatory agencies to examine the books,
records and securities held by subcustodian which relate to Fund. Fund
will be entitled to receive reports produced by the Custodian's
portfolio accounting system, including without limitation, those
listed on Exhibit C hereof.
S. Appointment of Subcustodians
----------------------------
1. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, all of or
any of the monies or securities of Fund may be held in
Custodian's own custody or in the custody of one or more other
banks or trust companies selected by Custodian and approved by
the Fund's Board of Directors. Any such subcustodian must have
the qualifications required for custodian under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended. The subcustodian may
participate directly or indirectly in the Depository Trust
Company, Treasury/Federal Reserve Book Entry System, Participant
Trust Company or other depository approved by the Fund (as such
entities are defined at 17 CFR Sec. 270.17f-4(b)). The
appointment of UMBKC or any other subcustodian, depository or
clearing agency used by the Custodian and approved by the Fund
will not relieve Custodian of any of its obligations hereunder
except as provided in Section 3.C hereof. The Custodian will
comply with Section 17f-4 of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended, as to depositories and clearing agencies used by
Custodian and approved the Fund. The Custodian will not be
entitled to reimbursement by Fund for any fees or expenses of any
subcustodian, depository or clearing agency.
2. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, Fund's
foreign securities (as defined in Rule 17f-5(c)(1) under the
Investment Company Act of 1940) and Fund's cash or cash
equivalents, in amounts reasonably necessary to effect Fund's
foreign securities transactions, may be held in the custody of
one or more banks or trust companies acting as
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subcustodians, according to Section 3.S.1; and thereafter,
pursuant to a written contract or contracts as approved by Fund's
Board of Directors, may be transferred to an account maintained
by such subcustodian with an eligible foreign custodian, as
defined in Rule 17f-5(c)(2), provided that any such arrangement
involving a foreign custodian shall be in accordance with the
provisions of Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940
as that Rule may be amended from time to time.
T. Accounts and Records
--------------------
Custodian, with the direction and as interpreted by the Fund, Fund's
accountants and/or other tax advisors, will prepare and maintain as
complete, accurate and current all accounts and records required to be
maintained by Fund under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 ("Code") as
amended and under the general Rules and Regulations under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 ("Rules") as amended, and as agreed
upon between the parties and will preserve said records in the manner
and for the periods prescribed in said Code and Rules, or for such
longer period as is agreed upon by the parties.
Custodian relies upon Fund to furnish, in writing, accurate and timely
information to complete Fund's records and perform daily calculation
of the Fund's net asset value, as provided in Section 3.W. below.
Custodian shall incur no liability and Fund shall indemnify and hold
harmless Custodian from and against any liability arising from any
failure of Fund to furnish such information in a timely and accurate
manner, even if Fund subsequently provides accurate but untimely
information. It shall be the responsibility of Fund to furnish
Custodian with the declaration, record and payment dates and amounts
of any dividends or income and any other special actions required
concerning each of its securities when such information is not readily
available from generally accepted securities industry services or
publications.
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U. Accounts and Records Property of Fund
-------------------------------------
Custodian acknowledges that all of the accounts and records maintained
by Custodian pursuant to this Agreement are the property of Fund, and
will be made available to Fund for inspection or reproduction within a
reasonable period of time, upon demand. Custodian will assist Fund's
independent auditors, or upon approval of Fund, or upon demand, any
regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Fund or Custodian, in any
requested review of Fund's accounts and records but shall be
reimbursed for all expenses and employee time invested in any such
review outside of routine and normal periodic reviews. Upon receipt
from Fund of the necessary information, Custodian will supply
necessary data for Fund's completion of any necessary tax returns,
questionnaires, periodic reports to Shareholders and such other
reports and information requests as Fund and Custodian shall agree
upon from time to time.
V. Adoption of Procedures
----------------------
Custodian and Fund may from time to time adopt procedures as they
agree upon, and Custodian may conclusively assume that no procedure
approved by Fund, or directed by Fund, conflicts with or violates any
requirements of its prospectus, "Articles of Incorporation", Bylaws,
or any rule or regulation of any regulatory body or governmental
agency. Fund will be responsible to notify Custodian of any changes
in statutes, regulations, rules or policies which might necessitate
changes in Custodian's responsibilities or procedures.
W. Calculation of Net Asset Value
------------------------------
Custodian will calculate Fund's net asset value, in accordance with
Fund's prospectus, once daily. Custodian will prepare and maintain a
daily evaluation of securities for which market quotations are
available by the use of outside services normally used and contracted
for this purpose; all other securities will be evaluated in accordance
with Fund's instructions. Custodian will have no
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responsibility for the accuracy of the prices quoted by these outside
services or for the information supplied by Fund or upon instructions.
X. Overdrafts
----------
If Custodian shall in its sole discretion advance funds to the account
of the Fund which results in an overdraft because the monies held by
Custodian on behalf of the Fund are insufficient to pay the total
amount payable upon a purchase of securities as specified in Fund's
instructions or for some other reason, the amount of the overdraft
shall be payable by the Fund to Custodian upon demand and shall bear
an interest rate determined by Custodian from the date advanced until
the date of payment. Custodian shall have a lien on the assets of the
Fund in the amount of any outstanding overdraft.
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4. INSTRUCTIONS.
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A. The term "instructions", as used herein, means written or facsimile
instructions or advice to Custodian from two designated
representatives of Fund. Certified copies of resolutions of the Board
of Directors of Fund naming two or more designated representatives to
give instructions in the name and on behalf of Fund, may be received
and accepted from time to time by Custodian as conclusive evidence of
the authority of any two designated representatives to act for Fund
and may be considered to be in full force and effect (and Custodian
will be fully protected in acting in reliance thereon) until receipt
by Custodian of notice to the contrary. Unless the resolution
delegating authority to any person to give instructions specifically
requires that the approval of anyone else will first have been
obtained, Custodian will be under no obligation to inquire into the
right of the person giving such instructions to do so.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this Section 4. no
authorizations or instructions received by Custodian from Fund, will
be deemed to authorize or permit any director, trustee, officer,
employee, or agent of Fund to withdraw any of the securities or
similar investments of Fund upon the mere receipt of such
authorization or instructions from such director, trustee, officer,
employee or agent.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Custodian, upon
receipt (and acknowledgement if required at the discretion of
Custodian) of the instructions of any two designated representatives
of Fund, will undertake to deliver for Fund's account monies,
(provided such monies are on hand or available) in connection with
Fund's transactions and to wire transfer such monies to such broker,
dealer, subcustodian, bank or other agent specified in such
instructions.
B. If oral instructions are permitted pursuant to Section 4.A. hereunder,
no later than the next business day immediately following such oral
instruction the Fund will send Custodian written confirmation of such
oral instruction. At Custodian's sole
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discretion, Custodian may record on tape, or otherwise, any oral
instruction whether given in person or via telephone, each such
recording identifying the parties, the date and the time of the
beginning and ending of such oral instruction.
5. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF CUSTODIAN.
-------------------------------------
A. Custodian shall hold harmless and indemnify Fund from and against any
loss or liability arising out of Custodian's failure to comply with
the terms of this Agreement or arising out of Custodian's negligence
or bad faith. Custodian may request and obtain the advice and opinion
of counsel for Fund, or of its own counsel with respect to questions
or matters of law, and it shall be without liability to Fund for any
action taken or omitted by it in good faith, in conformity with such
advice or opinion. If Custodian reasonably believes that it could not
prudently act according to the instructions of the Fund or the Fund's
counsel, it may in its discretion, with notice to the Fund, not act
according to such instructions.
B. Custodian may rely upon the advice of Fund and upon statements of
Fund's public accountants and other persons believed by it in good
faith, to be expert in matters upon which they are consulted, and
Custodian shall not be liable for any actions taken, in good faith,
upon such statements.
C. If Fund requires Custodian in any capacity to take, with respect to
any securities, any action which involves the payment of money by it,
or which in Custodian's opinion might make it or its nominee liable
for payment of monies or in any other way, Custodian, upon notice to
Fund given prior to such actions, shall be and be kept indemnified by
Fund in an amount and form satisfactory to Custodian against any
liability on account of such action.
D. Custodian shall be protected in acting as custodian hereunder upon any
instructions, advice, notice, request, consent, certificate or other
instrument or paper reasonably appearing to it to be genuine and to
have been properly executed and shall, unless otherwise specifically
provided herein, be entitled to receive as
21
conclusive proof of any fact or matter required to be ascertained from
Fund hereunder, a certificate signed by the Fund's President, or other
officer specifically authorized for such purpose.
E. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Custodian shall be
under no duty or obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable
for:
1. The validity of the issue of any securities purchased by or for
Fund, the legality of the purchase thereof or evidence of
ownership required by Fund to be received by Custodian, or the
propriety of the decision to purchase or amount paid therefor;
2. The legality of the sale of any securities by or for Fund, or the
propriety of the amount for which the same are sold;
3. The legality of the issue or sale of any shares of the Capital
Stock of Fund, or the sufficiency of the amount to be received
therefor;
4. The legality of the repurchase or redemption of any Fund Shares,
or the propriety of the amount to be paid therefor; or
5. The legality of the declaration of any dividend by Fund, or the
legality of the issue of any Fund Shares in payment of any stock
dividend.
F. Custodian shall not be liable for, or considered to be Custodian of,
any money represented by any check, draft, wire transfer, clearing
house funds, uncollected funds, or instrument for the payment of money
received by it on behalf of Fund, until Custodian actually receives
such money, provided only that it shall advise Fund promptly if it
fails to receive any such money in the ordinary course of business,
and use its best efforts and cooperate with Fund toward the end that
such money shall be received.
G. Custodian shall not be responsible for loss occasioned by the acts,
neglects, defaults or insolvency of any broker, bank, trust company,
or any other person with whom Custodian may deal in the absence of
negligence, or bad faith on the part of Custodian, except as provided
in Section 3.S.1 hereof.
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H. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Custodian may, and
with respect to any foreign subcustodian appointed under Section
3.S.2. must, provide Fund for its approval, agreements with banks or
trust companies which will act as subcustodians for Fund pursuant to
Section 3.S of this Agreement.
6. COMPENSATION. Fund will pay to Custodian such compensation as is stated in
------------
the Fee Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit B which may be changed from
time to time as agreed to in writing by Custodian and Fund. Custodian may
charge such compensation against monies held by it for the account of Fund.
Custodian will also be entitled, notwithstanding the provisions of Sections
5.C. or 5.D. hereof, to charge against any monies held by it for the
account of Fund the amount of any loss, damage, liability, advance, or
expense for which it shall be entitled to reimbursement under the
provisions of this Agreement including fees or expenses due to Custodian
for other services provided to the Fund by the Custodian. Custodian will
not be entitled to reimbursement by Fund for any loss or expenses of any
subcustodian.
7. TERMINATION. Either party to this Agreement may terminate the same by
-----------
notice in writing, delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party
hereto and received not less than ninety (90) days prior to the date upon
which such termination will take effect. If the Custodian terminates this
Agreement, the Fund may extend the effective date of the termination ninety
(90) days by written request to the Custodian thirty (30) days prior to the
end of the initial ninety (90) days notice period unless the Custodian in
good faith could not perform the duties hereunder. Upon termination of
this Agreement, Fund will pay to Custodian such compensation for its
reimbursable disbursements, costs and expenses paid or incurred to such
date and Fund will use its best efforts to obtain a successor custodian.
Unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of "Capital
Stock" of Fund vote to have the securities, funds and other properties held
under this Agreement delivered and paid over to some other person, firm or
corporation specified in the vote, having not less the Two Million Dollars
($2,000,000) aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits, as shown by
its last published report, and meeting
23
such other qualifications for custodian as set forth in the Bylaws of Fund,
the Board of Directors of Fund will, forthwith upon giving or receiving
notice of termination of this Agreement, appoint as successor custodian a
bank or trust company having such qualifications. Custodian will, upon
termination of this Agreement, deliver to the successor custodian so
specified or appointed, at Custodian's office, all securities then held by
Custodian hereunder, duly endorsed and in form for transfer, all funds and
other properties of Fund deposited with or held by Custodian hereunder, or
will co-operate in effecting changes in book-entries at the Depository
Trust Company or in the Treasury/Federal Reserve Book-Entry System pursuant
to 31 CFR Sec. 306.118. In the event no such vote has been adopted by the
stockholders of Fund and no written order designating a successor custodian
has been delivered to Custodian on or before the date when such termination
becomes effective, then Custodian will deliver the securities, funds and
properties of Fund to a bank or trust company at the selection of Custodian
and meeting the qualifications for custodian, if any, set forth in the
Bylaws of Fund and having not less that Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000)
aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits, as shown by its last
published report. Upon either such delivery to a successor custodian,
Custodian will have no further obligations or liabilities under this
Agreement. Thereafter such bank or trust company will be the successor
custodian under this Agreement and will be entitled to reasonable
compensation for its services. In the event that no such successor
custodian can be found, Fund will submit to its shareholders, before
permitting delivery of the cash and securities owned by Fund to anyone
other than a successor custodian, the question of whether Fund will be
liquidated or function without a custodian. Notwithstanding the foregoing
requirement as to delivery upon termination of this Agreement, Custodian
may make any other delivery of the securities, funds and property of Fund
which is permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, Fund's
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws then in effect or apply to a court
of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor custodian.
24
8. NOTICES. Notices, requests, instructions and other writings received by
-------
Fund at Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 such other
address as Fund may have designated to Custodian in writing, will be deemed
to have been properly given to Fund hereunder; and notices, requests,
instructions and other writings received by Custodian at its offices at 000
Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, or to such other address as
it may have designated to Fund in writing, will be deemed to have been
properly given to Custodian hereunder.
9. MISCELLANEOUS.
-------------
A. This Agreement is executed and delivered in the State of Missouri and
shall be governed by the laws of said state.
B. All the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon,
inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the respective
successor and assigns of the parties hereto.
C. No provisions of the Agreement may be amended or modified, in any
manner except by a written agreement properly authorized and executed
by both parties hereto.
D. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only, and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions
hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
E. This Agreement shall become effective at the close of business on
the _____________________ day of ______, 19__.
F. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of
which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
G. If any part, term or provision of this Agreement is by the courts held
to be illegal, in conflict with any law or otherwise invalid, the
remaining portion or portions shall be considered severable and not be
affected, and the rights and obligations of
25
the parties shall be construed and enforced as if the Agreement did
not contain the particular part, term or provision held to be illegal
or invalid.
H. Custodian will not release the identity of Fund to an issuer which
requests such information pursuant to the Shareholder Communications
Act of 1985 for the specific purpose of direct communications between
such issuer and Fund unless the Fund directs the Custodian otherwise.
I. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without prior
written consent of the other party.
J. If any provision of the Agreement, either in its present form or as
amended from time to time, limits, qualifies, or conflicts with the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, such statutes, rules and regulations shall be
deemed to control and supersede such provision without nullifying or
terminating the remainder of the provisions of this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed
by their duly respective authorized officers.
INVESTORS FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY
By:_______________________________
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx.
Senior Vice President
ATTEST:
--------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Assistant Secretary
XXXXXXXX GROWTH FUND, INC.
By:____________________________
Title:_________________________
ATTEST:
--------------------------------
Secretary
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