FORM OF: CUSTODY AGREEMENT
FORM
OF: CUSTODY AGREEMENT
THIS CUSTODY
AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), dated as of ___________________________, 2009,
is entered into by and between THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK, a national bank
organized under the laws of the United States (the “Custodian” or “Bank”), and Z Seven Fund, Inc., a
corporation organized under the laws of the State of Maryland (“Fund”).
W
I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS,
the Custodian serves as custodian and foreign custody manager for certain of its
customers; and
WHEREAS,
the Fund wishes to employ Custodian to act as its custodian and as the foreign
custody manager for the Fund to provide for the custody and safekeeping of the
assets of the Fund as required by the Act, and to provide related services, all
as provided herein, and Custodian is willing to accept such employment, subject
to the terms and conditions herein set forth.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein
contained, the Custodian and Fund hereby agree, as follows:
Definitions: The following
words and phrases, when used in this Agreement, unless the context otherwise
requires, shall have the following meanings:
Act or 1940 Act shall
mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to
time.
1934 Act shall mean
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
Advance(s) shall mean
any extension of credit by or through the Custodian or by or through any
Sub-custodian and shall include, without limitation, amounts due to the
Custodian or any Sub-custodian as the principal counterparty to any foreign
exchange transaction with the Fund, or paid to third parties for account of the
Fund or in discharge of any expense, tax or other item payable by the
Fund.
Agent(s) shall have
the meaning set forth in Section 8 hereof.
Applicable Law shall
mean with respect to each jurisdiction, all (a) laws, statutes, treaties,
regulations, guidelines (or their equivalents); (b) orders, interpretations,
licenses and permits; and (c) judgments, decrees, injunctions, writs, orders and
similar actions by a court of competent jurisdiction, compliance with which is
required or customarily observed in such jurisdiction.
Authorized Person(s)
shall mean any person, whether or not any such person is an Officer or employee
of the Fund, who is duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Fund to
give Instructions on behalf of the Fund in accordance with Section 4 herein, and
named in Appendix
A attached hereto and as amended from time to time by resolution of the
Board of Directors, certified by an Officer, and received by the
Custodian.
Board of Directors
shall mean the Directors from time to time serving under the Fund's Articles of
Incorporation, as from time to time amended.
Book-Entry System
shall mean a federal book-entry system as provided in Subpart O of Treasury
Circular Xx. 000, 00 XXX 306, in Subpart B of 31 CFT Part 350, or in such
book-entry regulations of federal agencies as are substantially in the form of
Subpart O.
Clearing Corporation
shall mean any entity or system established for purposes of providing securities
settlement and movement and associated functions for a given
market.
Delegation Schedule
shall mean any separate schedule entered into between the Custodian and the Fund
or its authorized representative with respect to certain matters concerning the
administration of Investments held outside of the United States and the
appointment of “Eligible Foreign Custodians” under the provisions of Rule 17f-5
of the 1940 Act.
Dividend and Transfer
Agent shall mean the dividend and transfer agent appointed, from time to
time, pursuant to a written agreement between the dividend and transfer agent
and the Fund.
FINRA means the
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
Foreign Financial Regulatory
Authority shall have the meaning given by Section 2(a)(50) of the 1940
Act.
Instruction(s) shall
mean Oral Instructions or Written Instructions. Instructions may be continuing
Written Instructions when deemed appropriate by both parties.
Investment(s) shall
mean any investment asset of the Fund, including without limitation, Money
Market Securities and Securities.
Money Market Security
shall mean debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest
by the government of the United States or agencies or instrumentalities thereof,
commercial paper, obligations (including certificates of deposit, bankers'
acceptances, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements with
respect to the same), and time deposits of domestic banks and thrift
institutions whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, and short-term corporate obligations where the purchase and sale of
such securities normally require settlement in federal funds or their equivalent
on the same day as such purchase and sale, all of which mature in not more than
thirteen (13) months.
Officer shall mean
the Chairman, President, Secretary, Treasurer, any Vice President, Assistant
Secretary or Assistant Treasurer of the Fund.
Oral Instructions
shall mean Instructions orally transmitted to and received by the Custodian from
an Authorized Person (or from a person that the Custodian reasonably believes in
good faith to be an Authorized Person) and confirmed by Written Instructions in
such a manner that such Written Instructions are received by the Custodian on
the Business Day in accordance with Section 4 herein immediately following
receipt of such Oral Instructions, provided, however, the Fund agrees that the
failure of the Custodian to receive such confirming instructions shall in no way
affect the validity of the transactions or enforceability of the transactions
authorized by such Oral Instructions.
Prospectus shall mean
with respect to the Fund, the Fund’s then currently effective prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information, as filed with and declared effective from
time to time by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SEC shall mean the
Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States.
Security or
Securities shall mean Money Market Securities, common stock, preferred
stock, options, financial futures, bonds, notes, debentures, corporate debt
securities, mortgages, bank certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances,
mortgage-backed securities or other obligations and any certificates, receipts,
warrants, or other instruments or documents representing rights to receive,
purchase, or subscribe for the same or evidencing or representing any other
rights or interest therein, or any similar property or assets, including
securities of any registered investment Fund, that the Custodian has the
facilities to clear and to service.
Securities Depository
shall mean a central or book entry system or clearing agency established under
Applicable Law for purposes of recording the ownership, transfer, and/or
entitlement to investment securities for a given market.
Sub-custodian(s)
shall mean each Sub-custodian appointed by the Custodian pursuant to
Section 8 of this Agreement, but shall not include Securities
Depositories.
Fund shall mean the
Maryland corporation which is the party to this Agreement, and which is an
open-end management investment company registered under the Act.
Written Instructions
means communications in writing actually received by the Custodian from an
Authorized Person in accordance with Section 4. A communication in
writing includes a communication by facsimile, telex or between
electro-mechanical or electronic devices as set forth in Section 4 (where the
use of such devices have been approved by resolution of the Board of Directors
and the resolution is certified by an Officer and delivered to the
Custodian). All written communications shall be directed to the
Custodian, attention: Institutional Fund Custody Group.
1. Appointment
of Custodian; Acceptance. Fund
hereby designates, constitutes, and appoints Custodian as custodian and its
foreign custody manager for all Investments and cash owned by each Fund at any
time during this Agreement, and Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and
agrees to perform the duties thereof as provided in this Agreement.
2. Furnishing
of Documents; and Representations and Warranties of the Fund.
2.1 The
following documents, including any amendments thereto, will be provided
contemporaneously with the execution of the Agreement, to the Custodian by the
Fund:
1)
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A
copy of the Articles of Incorporation of the Fund certified by the
Secretary.
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2)
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A
copy of the By-Laws of the Fund certified by the
Secretary.
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3)
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A
copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Fund appointing
the Custodian, certified by the
Secretary.
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4)
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A
copy of the then current
Prospectuses.
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5)
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A
Certificate of the President and Secretary of the Fund setting forth the
names and signatures of all Authorized
Persons.
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In
addition, the Fund agrees to notify the Custodian in writing of the appointment,
termination or change in appointment of any Dividend and Transfer
Agent.
2. 2.
Representations and
Warranties of Fund: The Fund makes the following representations and
warranties to Custodian:
2.2.1 The
obligations of the Fund set forth in this Agreement have been authorized by the
Fund’s Board of Directors, acting as such Directors for and on behalf
of the Fund, pursuant to the authority vested in them under the laws of the
State of its formation, the Articles of Incorporation and the By-Laws of the
Fund, provided, however, that this Agreement has been executed by
Officers of the Fund as officers, and not individually, and the obligations
contained herein are not binding upon any of the Directors, Officers, agents or
holders of shares, personally, but bind only the Fund and then only to the
extent of the assets of the Fund.
2.2.2 Appendix
A sets forth the names and the signatures of all Authorized Persons as of this
date. The Fund agrees to furnish to the Custodian a new Appendix A in
form similar to the attached Appendix A, if any present Authorized Person ceases
to be an Authorized Person or if any other or additional Authorized Persons are
elected or appointed. Until such new Appendix A shall be received,
the Custodian shall be fully protected in acting under the provisions of this
Agreement upon Instructions or signatures of the then current Authorized Persons
as set forth in the last delivered Appendix A.
2.2.3
This Agreement to the best of the Fund’s knowledge, does not violate any
constitutive document, agreement, judgment, order or decree to which the Fund is
a party or by which it is bound, including without limitation any agreement in
effect pertaining to the assets which may be maintained under this
Agreement.
2.2.4 By providing a
Written Instruction with respect to an acquisition of an Investment in a
jurisdiction other than the United States of America, the Fund shall be deemed
to have confirmed to the Custodian that the Fund has (i) assessed and accepted
all material Country or Sovereign Risks and accepted responsibility for their
occurrence, (ii) made all determinations required to be made by the Fund under
Applicable Law, and (iii) appropriately and adequately disclosed to all persons
who have rights in or to such Investments, all material investment risks,
including those relating to the custody and settlement infrastructure or the
servicing of securities in such jurisdiction.
2.2.5. By
providing a Written Instruction in respect of an Investment (which Written
Instruction may relate to among other things, the execution of trades), the Fund
hereby (i) authorizes Custodian to complete such documentation as may be
reasonably required or appropriate for the execution of the Written Instruction,
and agrees to be contractually bound to the terms of such documentation “as is”
without recourse against Custodian; (ii) represents, warrants and covenants that
the Fund has accepted and agreed to comply with all Applicable Law, terms and
conditions to which Fund and/or the Fund’s Investment may be bound, including
without limitation, requirements imposed by the Investment prospectus or
offering circular, subscription agreement, any application or other
documentation relating to an Investment (e.g., compliance with suitability
requirements and eligibility restrictions); (iii) acknowledges and agrees that
Custodian will not be responsible for the accuracy of any information provided
to Custodian by or on behalf of the Fund, or for any underlying commitment or
obligation inherent to an Investment; (iv) represents, warrants and covenants
that the Fund will not affect any sale, transfer or disposition of Investment(s)
held in Custodian’s name by any means other than the issuance of an Written
Instructions by the Fund to Custodian; (v) acknowledges that collective
investment schemes (and/or their agent(s)) in which the Fund invests may pay to
Custodian certain fees (including without limitation, shareholder servicing
and/or trailer fees) in respect of the Fund’s investments in such schemes; (vi)
represents, warrants and covenants that Fund will provide Custodian with such
information as is necessary or appropriate to enable Custodian’s performance
pursuant to an Instruction or under this Agreement; and (vii) represents that
unless otherwise disclosed to Custodian in writing, that Fund is not a “Plan”
(which term includes (1) employee benefit plans that are subject to the United
States (“US”) Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
(“ERISA”), or plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that
are subject to Section 4975 of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the “Code”), (2) plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements
that are subject to the prohibited transaction provisions of Section 406 of
ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, and (3) entities the underlying assets of
which are considered to include “plan assets” of such plans, accounts and
arrangements), or an entity purchasing shares on behalf of, or with the “plan
assets” of, a Plan.
3.
Representations
and Warranties of Custodian.
3.1 Custodian
hereby represents and warrants that it is a national bank duly organized under
the laws of the United States of America and that this Agreement has been duly
executed by the Custodian and to the best of Custodian’s knowledge will not
violate any Applicable Law or any agreement, instrument judgment order or decree
which Custodian is a party or to which it is bound.
4. Instructions.
4.1 Authorized
Persons. The Custodian may treat any Authorized Person as
having full authority of the Fund to issue Instructions
hereunder. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon the authority
of any Authorized Persons until it receives appropriate written notice from the
Fund to the contrary.
4.2 Form of
Instruction. Each Instruction, other than Oral Instructions,
shall be transmitted by such secured or authenticated electro-mechanical means
as Custodian shall make available to the Fund from time to time unless the Fund
shall elect to transmit such Written Instruction in accordance with Subsections
(a) through (c) of this Section.
(a) Written
Instructions. Written Instructions may be transmitted in a
writing that bears the manual signature of Authorized Persons.
(b) Custodian Designated
Secured-Transmission Method. Written Instructions may be
transmitted through a secured or tested electro-mechanical means identified by
the Fund or by an Authorized Person entitled to give Instruction and
acknowledged and accepted by the Custodian and/or its Sub-custodian(s), it being
understood that such acknowledgment shall authorize the Custodian to accept such
means of delivery but shall not represent a judgment by the Custodian as to the
reasonableness or security of the means utilized by the Authorized
Person.
(c) Other Forms of
Instruction. Instructions may also be transmitted by another
means determined by the Fund or Authorized Persons and acknowledged and accepted
by the Custodian and/or its Sub-custodian(s) (subject to the same limits as to
acknowledgements as are contained in Subsection (b), above) including Oral
Instructions, and Instructions by SWIFT or telefax (whether tested or
untested).
When an
Instruction is given by means established under Subsections (a) through (c), it
shall be the responsibility of the Custodian to use reasonable care to adhere to
any security or other procedures established in writing between the Custodian
and the Authorized Person with respect to such means of Instruction, but the
Authorized Person shall be solely responsible for determining that the
particular means chosen is reasonable under the circumstances. If Oral
Instructions are transmitted to and received by Custodian from an Authorized
Person, Custodian may act on any such instructions which it reasonably and in
good faith believes is such an Authorized Person. Oral Instructions shall be
binding upon the Custodian only if and when the Custodian takes action with
respect thereto. Oral Instructions shall be confirmed by Written Instructions
not later than the Business Day immediately following receipt of such Oral
Instructions in the manner set forth herein, provided, however, The Fund agrees
that the failure of the Custodian to receive such confirming instructions shall
in no way affect the validity of the transactions or enforceability of the
transactions hereby authorized by the Fund. The Fund agrees that the
Custodian shall incur no liability to the Fund for acting upon Oral Instructions
given to the Custodian hereunder concerning such transactions. With respect to
telefax instructions, the parties agree and acknowledge that receipt of legible
instructions cannot be assured, that the Custodian cannot verify that authorized
signatures on telefax instructions are original or properly affixed, and that
the Custodian shall not be liable for losses or expenses incurred through
actions taken in reliance on inaccurately stated, illegible or unauthorized
telefax instructions. The provisions of Section 4A of the Uniform
Commercial Code shall apply to funds transfers performed in accordance with
Instructions.
4.3 Completeness and Contents of
Instructions. The Authorized Person shall be responsible for
assuring the adequacy and accuracy of Instructions. Particularly,
upon any acquisition or disposition or other dealing in Investments and upon any
delivery and transfer of any Investment or moneys, the person initiating the
Instruction shall give the Custodian an Instruction with appropriate detail. If
the Custodian determines that an Instruction is either unclear or incomplete,
the Custodian may give prompt notice of such determination to the Fund, and the
Fund shall thereupon amend or otherwise reform the Instruction. In
such event, the Custodian shall have no obligation to take any action in
response to the Instruction initially delivered until the redelivery of an
amended or reformed Instruction.
4.4 Timeliness of
Instructions. In giving an Instruction, the Fund shall take
into consideration delays which may occur due to the involvement of a
Sub-custodian or agent, differences in time zones, and other factors particular
to a given market, exchange or issuer. When the Custodian has
established specific timing requirements or deadlines with respect to particular
classes of Instruction, or when an Instruction is received by the Custodian at
such a time that it could not reasonably be expected to have acted on such
instruction due to time zone differences or other factors beyond its reasonable
control, the execution of any Instruction received by the Custodian after such
deadline (including any modification or revocation of a previous Instruction)
shall be at the risk of the Fund.
5 Purchase and Sale of
Investments.
5.1 Delivery of
Investments. During the term of this Agreement, Fund will deliver or
cause to be delivered to the Custodian all Investments to be held by the
Custodian for the account of the Fund. Custodian will not have any
duties or responsibilities with respect to such Investments until actually
received by the Custodian. The Custodian is hereby authorized by the
Fund, acting on behalf of the Fund, to actually deposit any assets of the Fund
in the Book-Entry System or in a Securities Depository, provided, however, that
the Custodian shall be accountable to the Fund for the assets of the Fund so
deposited. Assets deposited in the Book-Entry System or the Security
Depository will be represented in accounts which include only assets held by the
Custodian for customers, including but not limited to accounts in which the
Custodian acts in a fiduciary or representative capacity. As and when received,
the Custodian shall deposit to the account(s) of a Fund any and all payments for
Shares of that Fund issued or sold from time to time as they are received from
the Fund’s distributor or Dividend and Transfer Agent or from the Fund itself.
The Custodian shall not be responsible for any Securities, moneys or other
assets of any Fund until actually received.
5.
1.1 Purchase of
Investments. Promptly after each purchase of Investments by the Fund, the
Fund shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each purchase of
Investments which are not Money Market Securities, Written Instructions, and
(ii) with respect to each purchase of Money Market Securities, Oral or Written
Instructions, specifying with respect to each such purchase the:
1)
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Name
of the issuer and the title of the
securities;
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2)
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Number
of shares, principal amount purchased (and accrued interest, if any) or
other units purchased;
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3)
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Date
of purchase and settlement;
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4)
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Purchase
price per unit;
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5)
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Total
amount payable;
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6)
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Name
of the person from whom, or the broker through which, the purchase was
made;
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7)
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Name
of the person to whom such amount is payable;
and
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8)
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Name
of the Fund for which the purchase was
made.
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The
Custodian shall, against receipt of Investments purchased by or for the Fund,
pay out of the moneys held for the account of such Fund the total amount
specified in the Written Instructions to the person named
therein. The Custodian shall not be under any obligation to pay out
moneys to cover the cost of a purchase of Investments for a Fund, if in the
relevant Fund custody account there is insufficient cash available to the Fund
for which such purchase was made. With respect to any repurchase
agreement transaction for the Funds, the Custodian shall assure that the
collateral reflected on the transaction advice is received by the
Custodian.
5.2. Sale of
Investments. Promptly after each sale of Investments by a
Fund, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each sale of
Investments which are not Money Market Securities, Written Instructions, and
(ii) with respect to each sale of Money Market Securities, Oral or Written
Instructions, specifying with respect to each such sale the:
1)
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Name
of the issuer and the title of the
Investments;
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2)
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Number
of shares, principal amount sold (and accrued interest, if any) or other
units sold;
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3)
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Date
of sale and settlement;
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4)
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Sale
price per unit;
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5)
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Total
amount receivable;
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6)
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Name
of the person to whom, or the broker through which, the sale was
made,
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7)
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Name
of the person to whom such Investments are to be delivered,
and
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8)
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Fund
for which the sale was made;
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The
Custodian shall deliver the Investments against receipt of the total amount
specified in the Instructions.
5.3 Delivery Versus Payment for
Purchases and Sales. Purchases and sales of Investments
effected by Custodian will be made on a delivery versus payment basis in
accordance with generally accepted trade practices, or the terms of the
instrument representing such Investment. The Custodian may, in its
sole discretion, upon receipt of Written Instructions, elect to settle a
purchase or sale transaction in some other manner, but only upon receipt of
acceptable indemnification from the Fund.
5.4 Payment on Settlement
Date. On contractual settlement date, the account of the Fund
will be charged for all purchased Investments settling on that day, regardless
of whether or not delivery is made. Likewise, on contractual settlement date,
proceeds from the sale of Investments settling that day will be credited to the
account of Fund, irrespective of delivery. Exceptions to contractual settlement
on purchases and sales, that will continue to settle delivery versus payment,
include real estate, venture capital, international trades, open-ended mutual
funds, non standard depository settlements and in-kind trades.
5.5 Segregated
Accounts. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of Written
Instructions so directing it, establish and maintain a segregated account or
accounts for and on behalf of the Fund. Cash and/or Investments may
be transferred into such account or accounts for specific purposes,
to-wit:
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1)
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In
accordance with the provision of any agreement among the Fund, the
Custodian, and a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act, and also a
member of the FINRA (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, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, any registered
contract market, or any similar organization or organizations requiring
escrow or other similar arrangements in connection with transactions by
the Fund;
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2)
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For
purposes of segregating cash or Investments in connection with options
purchased, sold, or written by the Fund or commodity futures contracts or
options thereon purchased or sold by the
Fund;
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3)
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For
the purpose of compliance by the Fund with the procedures required for
reverse repurchase agreements, firm commitment agreements, standby
commitment agreements, short sales, or any other securities by Act Release
No. 10666, or any subsequent release or releases or rule of the SEC
relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered
investment companies;
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4) For
the purpose of segregating collateral for loans of Investments made by the Fund;
and
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5)
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For
other proper corporate purposes, but only upon receipt of, in addition to
Instructions, a copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors, certified
by an Officer, setting forth the purposes of such segregated
account.
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Each
segregated account established hereunder shall be established and maintained for
a single Fund only. All Instructions relating to a segregated account
shall specify the Fund involved.
5.6 Advances for
Settlement. Except as otherwise may be agreed upon by the parties hereto,
Custodian shall not be required to comply with any Instructions to settle the
purchase of any Investments on behalf of a Fund unless there is sufficient cash
in the account(s) pertaining to such Fund at the time or to settle the sale of
any Investments from such an account(s) unless such Investments are in
deliverable form. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the purchase
price of such Investments exceeds the amount of cash in the account(s) at the
time of such purchase, Custodian may, in its sole discretion, advance the amount
of the difference in order to settle the purchase of such
Investments. The amount of any such advance shall be deemed a loan
from Custodian to Fund payable on demand and bearing interest accruing from the
date such loan is made up to but not including the date such loan is repaid at
the rate per annum customarily charged by Custodian on similar
loans.
5.7. Safekeeping of Fund
Assets. The Custodian shall not be responsible for (a) the
safekeeping of Investments not delivered or that are not caused to be issued to
it or its Sub-custodians, or, (b) pre-existing faults or defects in Investments
that are delivered to the Custodian or its Sub-custodians. The
Custodian shall hold Investments for the account of the Fund and shall segregate
Investments from assets belonging to the Custodian and shall cause its
Sub-custodians to segregate Investments from assets belonging to the
Sub-custodian in an account held for the Fund or in an account maintained by the
Sub-custodian generally for non-proprietary assets of the Custodian. In the
event of a loss of a Security for which loss the Custodian is responsible under
the terms of this Agreement, the Custodian shall replace such
Security, or in the event that such replacement cannot be effected, the
Custodian shall pay to the Fund the fair market value of such Investment based
on the last available price as of the close of business in the relevant market
on the date that a claim was first made to the Custodian with respect to such
loss, or, such other lesser amount as shall be agreed by the
parties.
6. Administrative Duties
Custodian.
6.1 Duties. Custodian
shall perform the following administrative duties with respect to and in
connection with Investments of the Fund.
A. Segregation of Non-Cash
Assets; Use of Securities Depositories. All Investments and
non-cash property held by the Custodian for the account of a Fund (other than
Investments maintained in a Securities Depository or Book-entry System) shall be
physically segregated from other Investments and non-cash property in the
possession of the Custodian (including the Investments and non-cash property of
the other Funds) and shall be identified as subject to this Agreement. The
Custodian may deposit and maintain Investments in any Securities Depository,
either directly or through one or more Sub-custodians appointed by the
Custodian. Investments held in a Securities Depository shall be held
(a) subject to the agreement, rules, statement of terms and conditions or other
document or conditions effective between the Securities Depository and the
Custodian or the Sub-custodian, as the case may be, and (b) in an account for
the Fund or in bulk segregation in an account maintained for the non-proprietary
assets of the entity holding such Investments in the Securities
Depository. If market practice or the rules and regulations of the
Securities Depository prevent the Custodian, the Sub-custodian or (any agent of
either) from holding its client assets in such a separate account, the
Custodian, the Sub-custodian or other agent shall as appropriate segregate such
Investments for the benefit of the Fund from the assets held for the benefit of
clients of the Custodian’s generally on its own books.
B. Securities in Bearer and
Registered Form. All Investments held which are issued or
issuable only in bearer form, shall be held by the Custodian in that form; all
other Investments held for a Fund may be registered in the name of the
Custodian, any sub-custodian appointed in accordance with this Agreement, or the
nominee of any of them. The Fund agrees to furnish to the Custodian
appropriate instruments to enable the Custodian to hold, or deliver in proper
form for transfer, any Investments that it may hold for the account of any Fund
and which may, from time to time, be registered in the name of a Fund.
Investments which are certificated may be held in registered or bearer form: (a)
in the Custodian's vault; (b) in the vault of a Sub-custodian or agent of the
Custodian or a Sub-custodian; or (c) in an account maintained by the Custodian,
Sub-custodian or agent at a Securities Depository, all in accordance with
customary market practice in the jurisdiction in which any Investments are held.
Investments which are registered may be registered in the name of the Custodian,
a Sub-custodian, or in the name of the Fund or a nominee for any of the
foregoing, and may be held in any manner set forth in this Section 6 with or
without any identification of fiduciary capacity in such registration.
Investments which are represented by book-entry may be so held in an account
maintained by the book-entry agent on behalf of the Custodian, a Sub-custodian,
an Agent of the Custodian, or a Securities Depository.
C. Duties of Custodian as to
Securities. Unless otherwise instructed by the Fund, with
respect to all Investments held for the Fund, the Custodian shall:
1) Collect
all income due and payable with respect to such Investments, including, where
applicable, reclamation of taxes withheld on dividends and interest payments
received by the Fund;
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2)
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Present
for payment and collect amounts payable upon all Investments which may
mature or be called, redeemed, or retired, or otherwise become
payable;
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3)
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Surrender
interim receipts or Investments in temporary form for Securities in
definitive form; and
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4.)
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Execute,
as Custodian, any necessary declarations or certificates of ownership
under the Federal income tax laws or the laws or regulations of any other
taxing authority, including any foreign taxing authority, now or hereafter
in effect.
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D. Certain Actions Upon Written
Instructions. Upon receipt of a Written Instructions and not
otherwise, the Custodian shall:
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1)
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Execute
and deliver to such persons as may be designated in such Written
Instructions proxies, consents, authorizations, and any other instruments
whereby the authority of the Fund as beneficial owner of any Investments
may be exercised;
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2)
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Deliver
any Investments in exchange for other Investments or cash issued or paid
in connection with the liquidation, reorganization, refinancing, merger,
consolidation, or recapitalization of any corporation, or the exercise of
any conversion privilege;
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3)
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Deliver
any Investments to any protective committee, reorganization committee, or
other person in connection with the reorganization, refinancing, merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, or sale of assets of any corporation, and
receive and hold under the terms of this Agreement such certificates of
deposit, interim receipts or other instruments or documents as may be
issued to it to evidence such
delivery;
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4)
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Make
such transfers or exchanges of the assets of any Fund and take such other
steps as shall be stated in the Written Instructions to be for the purpose
of effectuating any duly authorized plan of liquidation, reorganization,
merger, consolidation or recapitalization of the Fund;
and
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5)
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Deliver
any Securities held for the Fund to the depository agent for tender or
other similar offers.
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E. Custodian to Deliver Proxy
Materials. The Custodian shall promptly deliver to the Fund
all notices, proxy material and executed but unvoted proxies pertaining to
shareholder meetings of Securities held by any Fund. The Custodian
shall not vote or authorize the voting of any Securities or give any consent,
waiver or approval with respect thereto unless so directed by Written
Instructions.
F. Custodian to Deliver Tender
Offer Information. The Custodian shall promptly deliver to the
Fund all information received by the Custodian and pertaining to Securities held
by any Fund with respect to tender or exchange offers, calls for redemption or
purchase, or expiration of rights. If the Fund desires to take action
with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or other similar transaction,
the Fund shall notify the Custodian at least five Business Days prior to the
date on which the Custodian is to take such action. The Fund will
provide or cause to be provided to the Custodian all relevant information for
any Investment which has unique put/option provisions at least five Business
Days prior to the beginning date of the tender period.
G. Custodian to Deliver
Security and Transaction Information. On each Business Day
that the Federal Reserve Bank is open, the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with
a detailed statement of monies held for the Fund under this Agreement and with
confirmations and a summary of all transfers to or from the account of the
Fund. At least monthly and from time to time, the Custodian shall
furnish the Fund with a detailed statement of the Securities held for the Fund
under this Agreement. Where Securities are transferred to the account
of the Fund without physical delivery, the Custodian shall also identify as
belonging to the Fund a quantity of Securities in a fungible bulk of Securities
registered in the name of the Custodian (or its nominee) or shown on the
Custodian's account on the books of the Book-Entry System or the
Depository. With respect to information provided by this section, it
shall not be necessary for the Custodian to provide formal Notice as described
below. It shall be sufficient to communicate by such means as shall be mutually
agreeable to the Fund and the Custodian.
6.2 Contractual Obligations and
Similar Investments. From time to time, a Fund’s assets may
include Investments that are not ownership interests as may be represented by
certificate (whether registered or bearer), by entry in a Securities Depository
or by Book-entry Agent, registrar or similar agent for recording ownership
interests in the relevant Investment. If the Fund shall at any time
acquire such Investments, including without limitation deposit obligations, loan
participations, repurchase agreements and derivative arrangements, the Custodian
shall (a) receive and retain, to the extent the same are provided to the
Custodian, confirmations or other documents evidencing the arrangement; and (b)
perform on the Fund's account in accordance with the terms of the applicable
arrangement, but only to the extent directed to do so by Written
Instruction. The Custodian shall have no responsibility for
agreements running to the Fund as to which it is not a party other than to
retain, to the extent the same are provided to the Custodian, documents or
copies of documents evidencing the arrangement and, in accordance with Written
Instruction, to include such arrangements in reports made to the
Fund.
6.3 Ownership Certificates and
Disclosure of the Custodian's Interest. The Custodian is
hereby authorized to execute on behalf of the Fund ownership certificates,
affidavits or other disclosure required under Applicable Law or established
market practice in connection with the receipt of income, capital gains or other
payments by the Fund with respect to Investments, or in connection with the
sale, purchase or ownership of Investments.
6.4
Distribution of
Assets. The Fund shall furnish to the Custodian a copy of the
resolution of the Board of Directors of the Fund, certified by the Fund's
Secretary, either (i) setting forth the date of the declaration of any dividend
or distribution in respect of Shares of the Fund, the date of payment
thereof, the record date as of which the Fund shareholders entitled to payment
shall be determined, the amount payable per share to Fund shareholders of record
as of that date, and the total amount to be paid by the Dividend and Transfer
Agent on the payment date, or (ii) authorizing the declaration of dividends and
distributions in respect of Shares of the Fund on a daily basis and authorizing
the Custodian to rely on Written Instructions setting forth the date of the
declaration of any such dividend or distribution, the date of payment thereof,
the record date as of which the Fund shareholders entitled to payment shall be
determined, the amount payable per share to Fund shareholders of record as of
that date, and the total amount to be paid by the Dividend and Transfer Agent on
the payment date. On the payment date specified in the resolution or Written
Instructions described above, the Custodian shall segregate such amounts from
moneys held for the account of the Fund so that they are available for such
payment.
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6.4.1
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Segregation of
Redemption Proceeds. Upon receipt of Written
Instructions so directing it, the Custodian shall segregate amounts
necessary for the payment of redemption proceeds to be made by the
Dividend and Transfer Agent from moneys held for the account of the Fund
so that they are available for such
payment.
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6.4.2
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Disbursements of
Custodian. Upon receipt of a Written Instruction
directing payment and setting forth the name and address of the person to
whom such payment is to be made, the amount of such payment, the name of
the Fund from which payment is to be made, and the purpose for which
payment is to be made, the Custodian shall disburse amounts as and when
directed from the assets of that Fund. The Custodian is
authorized to rely on such directions and shall be under no obligation to
inquire as to the propriety of such
directions.
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6.4.3
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Payment of Custodian
Fees. Upon receipt of Written Instructions directing
payment, the Custodian shall disburse moneys from the assets of the Fund
in payment of the Custodian's fees and expenses as provided in this
Agreement.
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6.4.4. Sufficient Funds for
Payment. The Custodian shall not be under any obligation to pay out
moneys to cover any of the foregoing payments if in the relevant Fund account
there is insufficient cash available to the Fund for which such payment is to be
made.
6.5 Other
Dealings. The Custodian shall otherwise act as directed by
Instruction, including without limitation effecting the free payments of moneys
or the free delivery of Investments, provided that such Instruction shall
indicate the purpose of such payment or delivery and that the Custodian shall
record the party to whom the payment or delivery is made.
6.6 Nondiscretionary
Details. The Custodian shall attend to all nondiscretionary
details in connection with the sale or purchase or other administration of
Investments, except as otherwise directed by an Instruction.
7. Cash Accounts, Deposits, Money
Movements, & Fund Borrowings.
7.1 Cash Deposits. During
the term of this Agreement, Fund will deliver or cause to be delivered to
Custodian all moneys to be held by the Custodian for the account of the
Fund. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section
7, the Fund hereby authorizes the Custodian to open and maintain, with itself or
with Sub-custodians, cash accounts in United States Dollars, in such other
currencies as are the currencies of the countries in which Fund maintains
Investments or in such other currencies as Fund shall from time to time request
by Written Instruction. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to
contrary effect, the Fund shall be liable as principal for any overdrafts
occurring in any cash accounts. Custodian shall be entitled to reverse any
deposits made on Fund's or any Fund’s behalf where such deposits have been
entered and moneys are not finally collected within 20 days of the making of
such entry.
7.1.1 Types of
Accounts. Cash accounts opened on the books of the Custodian
(Principal Accounts) shall be opened in the name of the Fund. Custodian shall
hold all cash received by it for the account of the Fund in accordance with Rule
17f-3 under the Act. Such accounts collectively shall be a deposit obligation of
the Custodian and shall be subject to the terms of this Section 7 and the
general liability provisions contained in this Agreement. Cash
accounts opened on the books of a Sub-custodian may be opened in the name of the
Fund or the Sub-custodian or in the name of its Sub-custodian for its customers
generally (Agency Accounts). Such deposits shall be obligations of the
Sub-custodian, and shall be treated as an Investment of the
Fund. Accordingly, the Custodian shall be responsible for exercising
reasonable care in the administration of such accounts but shall not be liable
for their repayment in the event such Sub-custodian by reason of its bankruptcy,
insolvency or otherwise, fails to make repayment through no fault of the
Custodian.
7.1.2 Administrative
Accounts. In connection with the services provided hereunder,
the Custodian is hereby directed to open cash accounts on its books and records
from time to time for the purposes of receiving subscriptions and/or processing
redemptions on behalf of the Fund, and/or for the purposes of aggregating,
netting and/or clearing transactions (including, without limitation foreign
exchange, repurchase agreements, capital stock activity, expense payment) or
other administrative purposes, each on behalf of the Fund. Each such
account shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the
Fund shall be liable for the satisfaction of its own obligations in connection
with each such account.
7.2 Payments and Credits with
Respect to the Cash Accounts. The Custodian shall make
payments from or deposits to any of the cash accounts in the course of carrying
out its administrative duties, including but not limited to income collection
with respect to Investments, and otherwise in accordance with
Instructions. The Custodian and its Sub-custodians shall be required
to credit amounts to the cash accounts only when moneys are actually received in
cleared funds in accordance with banking practice in the country and currency of
deposit. Any credit made to any Principal or Agency Account or any
other Fund account before actual receipt of cleared funds shall be provisional
and may be reversed by the Custodian or its Sub-custodian in the event such
payment is not actually collected. Unless otherwise specifically agreed in
writing by the Custodian or any Sub-custodian, all deposits shall be payable
only at the branch of the Custodian or Sub-custodian where the deposit is made
or carried.
7.3 Currency and Related
Risks. The Fund bears risks of holding or transacting in any
currency, including any xxxx to market exposure associated with a foreign
exchange transaction undertaken with or through the
Custodian. Neither the Custodian nor any Sub-custodian shall be
liable for any loss or damage arising from the applicability of any law or
regulation now or hereafter in effect, or from the occurrence of any event,
which may delay or affect the transferability, convertibility or availability of
any currency in the country (a) in which such Principal or Agency Accounts are
maintained or (b) in which such currency is issued, and in no event shall the
Custodian or any Sub-custodian be obligated to make payment of a deposit
denominated in a currency during the period during which its transferability,
convertibility or availability has been affected by any such law, regulation or
event. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the
Custodian nor any Sub-custodian shall be required to repay any deposit made at a
foreign branch of either the Custodian or any Sub-custodian if such branch
cannot repay the deposit due to a cause for which the Custodian would not be
responsible in accordance with the terms of Section 9 of this Agreement unless
the Custodian or such Sub-custodian expressly agrees in writing to repay the
deposit under such circumstances. All currency transactions in any
account opened pursuant to this Agreement are subject to exchange control
regulations of the United States and of the country where such currency is the
lawful currency or where the account is maintained. Any taxes, costs, charges or
fees imposed on the convertibility of a currency held by the Fund shall be for
the account of the Fund.
7.4 Foreign Exchange
Transactions. The Custodian shall, subject to the terms of
this Section, settle foreign exchange transactions (including contracts,
futures, options and options on futures) on behalf and for the account of the
Fund with such currency brokers or banking institutions, including
Sub-custodians, as the Fund may direct pursuant to Instructions. The
obligations of the Custodian in respect of all foreign exchange transactions
shall be contingent on the free, unencumbered transferability of the currency
transacted on the actual settlement date of the transaction.
7.4.1 Third Party Foreign Exchange
Transactions. The Custodian shall process foreign exchange
transactions (including without limitation contracts,
futures, options, and options on futures), where any third party acts
as principal counterparty to the Fund on the same basis, if any, that it
performs duties as agent for the Fund with respect to any other of the Fund’s
investments. Accordingly, the Custodian shall only be responsible for delivering
or receiving currency on behalf of the Fund in respect of such contracts
pursuant to Written Instructions. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the
failure of any counterparty (including any Sub-custodian) in such agency
transaction to perform its obligations thereunder. The Custodian (a) shall
transmit cash and Written Instructions to and from the currency broker or
banking institution with which a foreign exchange contract or option has been
executed pursuant hereto, (b) may make free outgoing payments of cash in the
form of Dollars or foreign currency without receiving confirmation of a foreign
exchange contract or option or confirmation that the countervalue currency
completing the foreign exchange contract has been delivered or received or that
the option has been delivered or received, (c) may, in connection with cash
payments made to third party currency broker/dealers for settlement of the
Fund’s foreign exchange spot or forward transactions, foreign exchange swap
transactions and similar foreign exchange transactions, process settlements
using the banking facilities selected by Custodian from time to time according
to such banking facilities standard terms, and (d) shall hold all confirmations,
certificates and other documents and agreements received by the Custodian and
evidencing or relating to such foreign exchange transactions in
safekeeping. The Fund accepts full responsibility for its use of
third-party foreign exchange dealers and for execution of said foreign exchange
contracts and options and understands that the Fund shall be responsible for any
and all costs and interest charges which may be incurred by the Fund or the
Custodian as a result of the failure or delay of third parties to deliver
foreign exchange.
7.5 Delays. If
no event of Force Majeure shall have occurred and be continuing and
in the event that a delay shall have been caused by the negligence or willful
misconduct of the Custodian in carrying out an Instruction to credit or transfer
cash, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund: (a) with respect to
Principal Accounts, for interest to be calculated at the rate customarily paid
on such deposit and currency by the Custodian on overnight deposits at the time
the delay occurs for the period from the day when the transfer should have been
effected until the day it is in fact effected; and, (b) with respect to Agency
Accounts, for interest to be calculated at the rate customarily paid on such
deposit and currency by the Sub-custodian on overnight deposits at the time the
delay occurs for the period from the day when the transfer should have been
effected until the day it is in fact effected. The Custodian shall not be liable
for delays in carrying out such Instructions to transfer cash which are not due
to the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct.
7.6 Advances. With
respect to any advances of cash made by the Custodian to or for the benefit of
the Fund for any purpose which results in the Fund incurring an overdraft at the
end of any Business Day, such advance shall be repayable immediately upon demand
made by the Custodian at any time. The Custodian may, in its sole
discretion, charge interest accruing from the date of such overdraft to but not
including the date of such repayment at the rate per annum customarily charged
by the Custodian on similar overdrafts. In addition, the Custodian shall have an
automatically perfected statutory security interest in any Investments purchased
with any such unpaid Advance pursuant to Section 9-206 of the Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect in the State of Ohio from time to time and that the
Custodian may take any further actions that the Custodian may reasonably require
to collect such unpaid Advance. In addition, for purposes hereof, deposits
maintained in all Principal Accounts (whether or not denominated in Dollars)
shall collectively constitute a single and indivisible current account with
respect to the Fund's obligations to the Custodian for any unpaid Advances, and
balances in such Principal Accounts shall be available for satisfaction of the
Fund's obligations under this Section 7. The Custodian shall further
have a right of offset against the balances in any Agency Account maintained
hereunder to the extent that the aggregate of all Principal Accounts is
overdrawn.
7.7 Borrowings. In
connection with any borrowings by the Fund, the Fund will cause to be delivered
to the Custodian by a bank or broker requiring securities as collateral for such
borrowings (including the Custodian if the borrowing is from the Custodian), a
notice or undertaking in the form currently employed by such bank or broker
setting forth the amount of collateral. The Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian Written Instructions specifying with respect to each
such borrowing: (a) the name of the bank or broker, (b) the amount and terms of
the borrowing, which may be set forth by incorporating by reference an attached
promissory note duly endorsed by the Fund, or a loan agreement, (c) the date,
and time if known, on which the loan is to be entered into, (d) the date on
which the loan becomes due and payable, (e) the total amount payable to the Fund
on the borrowing date, and (f) the description of the securities securing the
loan, including the name of the issuer, the title and the number of shares or
other units or the principal amount. The Custodian shall deliver on
the borrowing date specified in the Written Instructions the required collateral
against the lender's delivery of the total loan amount then payable, provided
that the same conforms to that which is described in the Written
Instructions. The Custodian shall deliver, in the manner directed by
the Fund, such securities as additional collateral, as may be specified in
Written Instructions, to secure further any borrowing
transaction. The Fund shall cause all securities released from
collateral status to be returned directly to the Custodian and the Custodian
shall receive from time to time such return of collateral as may be tendered to
it.
8. Domestic
and Foreign Sub-custodians; Securities
Depositories. Subject to the provisions hereinafter set
forth in this Section 8, the Fund hereby authorizes the Custodian to utilize
Securities Depositories to act on behalf of the Fund and to appoint from time to
time (and at any time remove) and to utilize agents (Agents) and
sub-custodians (“Sub-custodians”) to carry out some or all of the duties and
obligations of Custodian under this Agreement provided, however, that the
appointment of such agents and Sub-custodians shall not relieve the Custodian of
its administrative obligations under this Agreement. The list of the Custodian’s
current Agents and Sub-custodians is attached hereto on Appendix C. With respect
to securities and cash held by a Sub-custodian, either directly or indirectly
(including by a Securities Depository), notwithstanding any provisions of this
Agreement to the contrary, payment for securities purchased and delivery of
securities sold may be made prior to receipt of securities or payment,
respectively, and securities or payment may be received in a form, in accordance
with (a) governmental regulations, (b) rules of Securities Depositories and
Clearing Corporations, (c) generally accepted trade practice in the applicable
local market, (d) the terms and characteristics of the particular Investment, or
(e) the terms of Written Instructions. The Fund shall reimburse the Custodian
for all costs incurred by the Custodian in connection with opening accounts with
any such Agents or Sub-custodians. Upon request, the Custodian shall
promptly forward to the Fund any documents it receives from any Agent or
Sub-custodian appointed hereunder which may assist Directors of registered
investment companies to fulfill their responsibilities under Rule 17f-5 of the
Act.
8.1 Domestic Subcustodians and
Securities Depositories. The Custodian may deposit and/or
maintain, either directly or through one or more Agents appointed by the
Custodian, Investments of the Fund or its Funds in any Securities Depository in
the United States, including The Depository Fund Fund, provided such Securities
Depository meets applicable requirements of the Federal Reserve Bank or of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian may, at any time, appoint any
bank as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act meeting the requirements of a
custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder to act on behalf of the Fund or the Funds as a Sub-custodian for
purposes of holding Investments of the Fund in the United States.
8.2 Foreign Subcustodians and
Securities Depositories. Unless instructed otherwise by the
Fund, the Custodian may deposit and/or maintain non-U.S. Investments of the Fund
in any non-U.S. Securities Depository provided such Securities Depository meets
the requirements of an "eligible securities depository" under Rule 17f-7
promulgated under the 1940 Act, or any successor rule or regulation ("Rule
17f-7") or which by order of the Securities and Exchange Commission is exempted
therefrom. Prior to the time that securities are placed with
such depository, but subject to the provisions of Section 8.4 below, the
Custodian shall have prepared or obtained from an Agent or Sub-custodian, and
shall have delivered to the Fund, an assessment of the custody risks associated
with maintaining assets with the Securities Depository and shall have
established a system to monitor such risks on a continuing basis in accordance
with Section 8.5. Additionally, the Custodian may, from time to time
and pursuant to the provisions of Appendix E to this Agreement, appoint (a) any
bank, trust company or other entity meeting the requirements of an “eligible
foreign custodian” under Rule 17f-5 or which by order of the Securities and
Exchange Commission is exempted therefrom, or (b) any bank as defined in Section
2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section
17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, to act on behalf
of the Fund or its Funds as a Sub-custodian for purposes of holding Investments
of the Fund and/or its Funds outside the United States.
8.3 Review of
Sub-custodians. From time to time, the Custodian may agree to
perform certain reviews of Sub-custodians at the Fund’s request. In
such event, the Custodian's duties and obligations with respect to this review
will be performed in accordance with the terms of the attached 17f-5
Delegation Schedule to this Agreement.
8.4 Approval of Foreign
Sub-custodians. Unless and except to the extent that the
Fund has requested and the Custodian has accepted delegation of the appointment
of Sub-custodians, the Custodian shall, prior to the appointment of any
Sub-custodian for purposes of holding Investments of the Fund outside the United
States, obtain written confirmation of the approval of the Fund with respect to
the identity of such Sub-custodian, such approval to be signed by an Authorized
Person. A Written Instruction to open an account in a given country
shall comprise authorization by the Fund for the Custodian to hold assets in
such country in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement. The Sub-custodian shall not be required to make
independent inquiry as to the authorization of the Fund to invest in such
country.
8.5 Monitoring and Risk
Assessment of Securities Depositories. Prior to the placement
of any assets of the Fund or its Funds with a non-U.S. Securities Depository,
the Custodian: (a) shall provide to the Fund an assessment
of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets within such Securities
Depository; and (b) shall have established a system to monitor the custody risks
associated with maintaining assets with such Securities Depository on a
continuing basis and to promptly notify the Fund of any material changes in such
risk. In performing its duties under this subsection, the
Custodian shall use reasonable care and may rely on such reasonable sources of
information as may be available including but not limited to: (i)
published ratings; (ii) information supplied by a Sub-custodian that is a
participant in such Securities Depository; (iii) industry surveys or
publications; (iv) information supplied by the depository itself, by its
auditors (internal or external) or by the relevant foreign financial regulatory
authority. It is acknowledged that information procured through some
or all of these sources may not be independently verifiable by the Custodian and
that direct access to Securities Depositories is limited under most
circumstances. Accordingly, the Custodian shall not be responsible for errors or
omissions in its duties hereunder provided that it has performed its monitoring
and assessment duties with reasonable care, prudence and
diligence. The risk assessment shall be provided to the Fund by such
means as the Custodian shall reasonably establish. Advices of
material change in such assessment may be provided by the Custodian in the
manner established as customary between the Fund and the Custodian.
8.6 Responsibility for
Sub-custodians. Except as provided in the last sentence of
this Section 8.6, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or
damage to the Fund caused by or resulting from the acts or omissions of any
Sub-custodian to the extent that such acts or omissions would be deemed to be
negligence, gross negligence or willful misconduct in accordance with the terms
of the relevant Sub-custodian agreement under the laws, circumstances and
practices prevailing in the place where the act or omission
occurred. The liability of the Custodian in respect of the countries
and Sub-custodians so designated by the Custodian, from time to time shall be
subject to the additional condition that the Custodian actually recovers such
loss or damage from the Sub-custodian.
8.7 New
Countries. The Fund shall be responsible for informing the
Custodian sufficiently in advance of a proposed investment which is to be held
in a country in which no Sub-custodian is authorized to act in order that the
Custodian shall, if it deems appropriate to do so, have sufficient time to
establish a sub-custodial arrangement in accordance herewith. In the event the
Custodian is unable to establish such arrangements prior to the time the
Investment is to be acquired, the Custodian is authorized to designate at its
discretion a local safekeeping Agent, and the use of such local safekeeping
Agent shall be at the sole risk of the Fund, and accordingly the Custodian shall
be responsible to the Fund for the actions of the Agent if and only to the
extent the Custodian shall have recovered from the Agent for any damages caused
the Fund by the Agent.
9. Responsibility
of Custodian.
9.1 Limitations on Liability of
Custodian. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Custodian
shall not be liable for any loss or damage, including counsel fees, resulting
from its action or omission to act or otherwise, except for any such loss or
damage arising out of its negligence or willful misconduct. The Fund,
and only from assets of the Fund (or insurance purchased by the Fund with
respect to its liabilities), shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the
Custodian and its directors, officers, employees and agents with respect to any
loss, claim, liability or cost (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising or
alleged to arise from or relating to the Fund's duties hereunder or any other
action or inaction of the Fund or its Directors, officers, employees or agents,
except such as may arise from the negligent action, negligent omission, willful
misconduct or any breach of this Agreement by the Custodian, its directors,
officers, employees or agents, provided, however, the Fund shall not in any
event be liable for any special, incidental, consequential, or punitive
damages. The Custodian shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the
Fund and its Directors, officers, employees or agents with respect to any loss,
claim, liability or cost (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising or
alleged to arise from actual losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses and
liabilities asserted against, imposed upon or incurred by the Fund resulting
from any negligent action taken or omission or willful misconduct by the
Custodian in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, or a material breach
of any of the Custodian’s duties as specifically set forth in this Agreement,
except such as may arise from the negligent action, omission or willful
misconduct of the Fund, its Directors, officers, employees, or agents, provided,
further, however, that Custodian shall not in any event be liable for any any
special, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages. The
Custodian may, with respect to questions of law apply for and obtain the advice
and opinion of counsel to the Fund at the expense of the Fund, or of its own
counsel at its own expense, and shall be fully protected with respect to
anything done or omitted by it in good faith in conformity with the advice or
opinion of counsel to the Fund, and shall be similarly protected with respect to
anything done or omitted by it in good faith in conformity with advice or
opinion of its counsel, unless counsel to the Fund shall, within a reasonable
time after being notified of legal advice received by the Custodian, have a
differing interpretation of such question of law. The Custodian shall
be liable to the Fund for any proximate loss or damage resulting from the use of
the Book-Entry System or any Depository arising by reason of any negligence,
misfeasance or misconduct on the part of the Custodian or any of its employees,
agents, nominees or Sub-Custodians, but not for any special, incidental,
consequential, or punitive damages; provided, however, that nothing contained
herein shall preclude recovery by the Fund, , of principal and of interest to
the date of recovery on Investments incorrectly omitted from the Fund’s account
or penalties imposed on the Fund, , for any failures to deliver
Securities. In any case in which one party hereto may be asked to
indemnify the other or hold the other harmless, the party from whom
indemnification is sought (the "Indemnifying Party") shall be advised of all
pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and the party claiming a
right to indemnification (the "Indemnified Party") will use reasonable care to
identify and notify the Indemnifying Party promptly concerning any situation
which presents or appears to present a claim for indemnification against the
Indemnifying Party. The Indemnifying Party shall have the option to
defend the Indemnified Party against any claim which may be the subject of the
indemnification, and in the event the Indemnifying Party so elects, such defense
shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party and satisfactory
to the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party will so notify the
Indemnified Party and thereupon such Indemnifying Party shall take over the
complete defense of the claim and the Indemnifying Party shall sustain no
further legal or other expenses in such situation for which indemnification has
been sought under this paragraph, except the reasonable expenses of any
additional counsel retained by the Indemnified Party. In no case
shall any party claiming the right to indemnification confess any claim or make
any compromise in any case in which the other party has been asked to indemnify
such party (unless such confession or compromise is made with such other party's
prior written consent). The provisions of this Section 9.1 shall
survive the termination of this Agreement.
9.2 Specific Actions Not
Required by Custodian. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Custodian, acting in the capacity of custodian hereunder, shall
be under no obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable
for:
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1.
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The
validity of the issue of any Securities purchased by or for the account
of Fund, the legality of the purchase thereof, or the propriety
of the amount paid therefor;
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2.
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The
legality of the sale of any Securities by or for the account of Fund, or
the propriety of the amount for which the same are
sold;
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3.
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The
legality of the issue or sale of any Shares of any Fund, or the
sufficiency of the amount to be received
therefor;
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4.
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The
legality of the redemption of any Shares of any Fund, or the propriety of
the amount to be paid therefor;
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5.
|
The
legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend by Fund in respect
of Shares of any Fund;
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6.
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The
legality of any borrowing by Fund or any Fund, using Securities as
collateral;
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7.
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Whether
the Fund is in compliance with the 1940 Act or the regulations thereunder;
the provisions of the Fund’s declaration of trustcertificate of
incorporation, by-laws, or other constitutive document; Applicable Law; or
any directives by the trustees, directors or shareholders of the Fund, or
its investment objectives and policies as then in
effect.
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9.3 Limitations of
Performance. The Custodian shall not be responsible under this
Agreement for any failure to perform its duties, and shall not be liable
hereunder for any loss, claim, or damage in association with such failure to
perform, for or in consequence of the following causes:
9.3.1 Force
Majeure. Force Majeure shall mean any circumstance or event
which is beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian, a Sub-custodian or any
agent of the Custodian or a Sub-custodian and which adversely affects the
performance by the Custodian of its obligations hereunder, by the Sub-custodian
of its obligations under its sub-custody agreement or by any other agent of the
Custodian or the Sub-custodian, including any event caused by, arising out of or
involving (a) an act of God, (b) accident, fire, water or wind damage or
explosion, (c) any computer, system or other equipment failure or malfunction
caused by any computer virus or the malfunction or failure of any communications
medium, (d) any interruption of the power supply or other utility service, (e)
any strike or other work stoppage, whether partial or total, (f) any delay or
disruption resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Country or
Sovereign Risk, (g) any disruption of, or suspension of trading in, the
securities, commodities or foreign exchange markets, whether or not resulting
from or reflecting the occurrence of any Country or Sovereign Risk, (h) any
encumbrance on the transferability of a currency or a currency position on the
actual settlement date of a foreign exchange transaction, whether or not
resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Country or Sovereign Risk, or
(i) any other cause similarly beyond the reasonable control of the
Custodian.
9.3.2 Country
Risk. Country Risk shall mean, with respect to the
acquisition, ownership, settlement or custody of Investments in a jurisdiction,
all risks relating to, or arising in consequence of, systemic and markets
factors affecting the acquisition, payment for or ownership of Investments
including (a) the prevalence of crime and corruption, (b) the inaccuracy or
unreliability of business and financial information, (c) the instability or
volatility of banking and financial systems, or the absence or inadequacy of an
infrastructure to support such systems, (d) custody and settlement
infrastructure of the market in which such Investments are transacted and held,
(e) the acts, omissions and operation of any Securities Depository, (f) the risk
of the bankruptcy or insolvency of banking agents, counterparties to cash and
securities transactions, registrars or transfer agents, and (g) the existence of
market conditions which prevent the orderly execution or settlement of
transactions or which affect the value of assets.
9.3.3 Sovereign
Risk. Sovereign Risk shall mean, in respect of any
jurisdiction, including the United States of America, where an Investment is
acquired or held hereunder or under a sub-custody agreement, (a) any act of war,
terrorism, riot, insurrection or civil commotion, (b) the imposition of any
investment, repatriation or exchange control restrictions by any Governmental
Authority, (c) the confiscation, expropriation or nationalization of any
Investment or cash deposit by any Governmental Authority, whether de facto or de
jure, (d) any devaluation or revaluation of the currency, (e) the imposition of
taxes, levies or other charges affecting Investments or cash deposits, (f) any
change in the Applicable Law, or (g) any other economic or political risk
incurred or experienced.
9.3.4 Failure of Third
Parties. The failure of any third party
including: (a) any issuer of Investments or Book-entry Agent or other
agent of an issuer; (b) any counterparty with respect to any Investment,
including any issuer of exchange-traded or other futures, option, derivative or
commodities contract; (c) failure of an investment adviser or other Agent of the
Fund; or (d) failure of other third parties similarly beyond the control or
choice of the Custodian.
9.3.5 Information
Sources. Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.6, reliance
by Custodian upon or inaccuracies in information received from issuers of
Investments or agents of such issuers, information received from Sub-custodians
and from other commercially reasonable sources provided that the Custodian has
relied upon such information in good faith, or for the failure of any
commercially reasonable information provider.
9.3.6 Reliance on
Instruction. Action by the Custodian or the Sub-custodian in
accordance with an Instruction.
9.3.7 Restricted
Securities. The limitations inherent in the rights,
transferability or similar investment characteristics of a given Investment of
the Fund.
9.4 No Duty to Collect Amounts
Due From Dividend and Transfer Agent. The Custodian shall not
be under any duty or obligation to take action to effect collection of any
amount due to the Fund from any Dividend and Transfer Agent of the Fund nor to
take any action to effect payment or distribution by any Dividend and Transfer
Agent of the Fund of any amount paid by the Custodian to any Dividend and
Transfer Agent of the Fund in accordance with this Agreement.
9.5 No Enforcement
Actions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement, Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action,
by legal means or otherwise, to effect collection of any amount, if the
Investment upon which such amount is payable is/are in default, or if payment is
refused after due demand or presentation, unless and until (i) it shall be
directed to take such action by Written Instructions and (ii) it shall be
assured to its satisfaction (including prepayment thereof) of reimbursement of
its costs and expenses in connection with any such action.
9.6 No Duty to Supervise
Investments. Custodian shall not be under any duty or
obligation to ascertain whether any Investments at any time delivered to or held
by it for the account of the Fund are such as properly may be held by the Fund
under the provisions of the Fund’s declaration of Fund and the Fund’s
By-laws.
9.7 Compensation of
Custodian. The Custodian shall be entitled to receive and the
Fund agrees to pay to the Custodian, for the Fund's account from the Fund's
assets only, such compensation as shall be determined pursuant to Appendix D attached hereto, or
as shall be determined pursuant to amendments to Appendix D as approved by the
Custodian and the Fund. The Custodian shall be entitled
to charge against any money held by it for the accounts of the Fund the amount
of any loss, damage, liability or expense, including counsel fees, for which it
shall be entitled to reimbursement under the provisions of this Agreement as
determined by agreement of the Custodian and the Fund or by the final order of
any court or arbitrator having jurisdiction and as to which all rights of appeal
shall have expired. The expenses which the Custodian may charge
against the account of a Fund include, but are not limited to, the expenses of
agents or Sub-Custodians incurred in settling transactions involving the
purchase and sale of Investments of the Fund.
10. Reports
and Records.
10.
1. Provision of Records to
Fund. The Custodian shall:
10.1.1 Internal Accounting and
Control Systems. Make available to the Fund and shall send to the Fund
any report received on the systems of internal accounting control of Custodian
or its Agents or Sub-custodians as the Fund may reasonably request from time to
time, subject, however, to all reasonable security requirements of the Custodian
then applicable to the records of its custody customers generally.
10.1.2 Books and Records
Generally. Make available to the Fund, its auditors, agents and
employees, upon reasonable request and during normal business hours of the
Custodian, all records maintained by the Custodian pursuant to its obligations
under this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Custodian shall set up and maintain proper books of account and complete records
of all transactions in the accounts maintained by the Custodian hereunder in
such manner as will meet the obligations of the Fund under the Act, with
particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 3la-1 and 3la-2 thereunder
and those records are the property of the Fund, (ii) preserve for the
periods prescribed by applicable Federal statute or regulation all records
required to be so preserved. All such books and records shall be
available, upon request, for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees
or agents of the Fund and employees of the SEC.
10.1.3
Assistance to
Fund. Take all reasonable action, that the Fund may from time to time
request, to assist the Fund in obtaining favorable opinions from the Fund's
independent accountants, with respect to the Custodian's activities hereunder,
in connection with the preparation of the Fund's Form N- IA, Form N-SAR, or
other annual reports to the SEC.
10.2 The
Fund shall examine all records, however produced or transmitted, promptly upon
receipt thereof and notify the Custodian promptly of any discrepancy or error
therein. Unless the Fund delivers written notice of any such
discrepancy or error within a reasonable time after its receipt thereof, such
records shall be deemed to be true and accurate.
10.3 No Management of Assets by
Custodian. The Custodian performs only the services of a
custodian and shall have no responsibility for the management, investment or
reinvestment of the Securities or other assets from time to time owned by the
Fund. The Custodian is not a selling agent for Shares of the Fund and
performance of its duties as custodian shall not be deemed to be a
recommendation to the Fund's depositors or others of Shares of the Fund as an
investment. The Custodian shall have no duties or obligations
whatsoever except such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in
this Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied in this Agreement
against the Custodian.
11. Miscellaneous.
11.1 Powers of Attorney,
etc. The Fund will promptly execute and deliver, upon request,
such proxies, powers of attorney or other instruments as may be necessary or
desirable for the Custodian to provide, or to cause any Sub-custodian to
provide, custody services under this Agreement.
11.2 Entire
Agreement. This Agreement and the exhibits and/or other
schedules attached hereto, including the 17f-5 Delegation Schedule, constitutes
the entire agreement between the Fund and the Custodian and supersedes any other
oral or written agreements heretofore in effect between the Fund and the
Custodian with respect to the subject matter hereof. No provision of
this Agreement may be amended or terminated except by an instrument in writing
signed by the party against which enforcement of the amendment or termination is
sought, provided, however, that an Written Instruction shall, whether or not
such Written Instruction shall constitute a waiver, amendment or modification
for purposes hereof, be deemed to have been accepted by the Custodian when it
commences actions pursuant thereto or in accordance therewith.
11.3 Binding Effect;
Assignment. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be
binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns;
provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Fund or by
the Custodian, and no attempted assignment by the Fund or the Custodian shall be
effective without the written consent of the other party
hereto. Each party agrees that only the parties to this
agreement and /or their successors in interest shall have a right to enforce the
terms of this Agreement. Accordingly, no client of the Fund or other
third party shall have any rights under this Agreement and such rights are
explicitly disclaimed by the parties.
11.4 GOVERNING LAW, JURISDICTION
AND VENUE; JURY WAIVER. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF, THE STATE OF OHIO, WITHOUT
GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW OF SUCH STATE. THE PARTIES
HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE
STATE OF OHIO AND THE COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT AND
EACH PARTY BY ITS EXECUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT IRREVOCABLY (I) SUBMITS TO SUCH
JURISDICTION AND (II) CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF ANY PROCESS OR PLEADINGS BY
FIRST CLASS U.S. MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID AND RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, OR BY ANY
OTHER MEANS FORM TIME TO TIME AUTHORIZED BY THE LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.
FURTHERMORE, EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT THAT IT MAY HAVE TO
TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
11.5 Notices. Notices
and other writings contemplated by this Agreement, other than Instructions,
shall be delivered (a) by hand, (b) by first class registered or certified mail,
postage prepaid, return receipt requested, (c) by a nationally recognized
overnight courier, delivery charge prepaid, or (d) by facsimile transmission,
provided that any notice or other writing sent by facsimile transmission shall
also be mailed, postage prepaid, or by overnight courier delivery charge
prepaid, to the party to whom such notice is addressed. All such
notices shall be addressed, as follows:
If to Fund:
_Z –Seven Fund,
Inc.__________________________
_1819 X. Xxxxxx Rd, Suite
207__________________________
_Mesa,
AZ 85202__________________________
Attn: __Barry
Ziskin____________________
Telephone: (480 )
897-6214
Facsimile (000 ) 000-0000
If to Custodian:
The
Huntington National Bank.
___________________________
___________________________
Attn: ______________________
Telephone: ( )
Facsimile ( )
or such
other address as the Fund or Custodian may have designated in writing to the
other. Such Notice shall be deemed received when delivered if by hand or by
facsimile transmission, on the third business day after mailing if sent by
registered or certified mail, and on the next business day if sent by overnight
courier.
11.6 Headings. The
headings of paragraphs in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only
and shall not affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this
Agreement.
11.7 Severability. In
the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void or
unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of this
Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.
11.8 Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original, but each such counterpart shall, together, constitute only
one instrument. This Agreement shall become effective when one or
more counterparts have been signed and delivered by the Fund and the
Custodian. A photocopy or telefax of the signed signature page to the
Agreement shall be acceptable evidence of the existence of the Agreement and the
Custodian shall be protected in relying on such photocopy or telefax until the
Custodian has received the original signed copy of the Agreement.
11.9 Confidentiality. The
parties hereto agree that each shall treat confidentially the terms and
conditions of this Agreement and all information provided by each party to the
other regarding its business and operations. All confidential
information provided by a party hereto shall be used by any other party hereto
solely for the purpose of rendering or obtaining services pursuant to this
Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out this Agreement, shall
not be disclosed to any third party without the prior consent of such providing
party. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information that
is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available
other than through a breach of this Agreement, or that is required to be
disclosed by or to any bank examiner of the Custodian or any Sub-custodian, any
regulatory authority, any auditor of the parties hereto, or by judicial or
administrative process or otherwise by Applicable Law.
11.10 Tape-recording. Fund
authorizes the Custodian to tape record any and all telephonic or other oral
instructions given to the Custodian by or on behalf of the Fund, including from
any Authorized Person. This authorization will remain in effect until
and unless revoked by the Fund in writing. The Fund, upon request,
further agrees to solicit valid written or other consent from any of its
employees with respect to telephone communications to the extent such consent is
required by Applicable Law.
11.11 Custodian's Consent to Use
of Its Name. Fund shall obtain the Custodian's written consent
prior to the publication and/or dissemination or distribution, of a Prospectus
or any other documents (including advertising material) specifically mentioning
the Custodian (other than merely by name and address).
11.12 Termination. Either
party hereto may terminate this Agreement for any reason by giving to the other
party a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination, which shall
be not less than ninety (90) days after the date of giving of such
notice. If such notice is given by the Fund, it shall be accompanied
by a copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Fund electing to
terminate this Agreement and designating a successor custodian or custodians
each of which shall be a bank or trust company having not less than $100,000,000
aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits. In the event such
notice is given by the Custodian, the Fund shall, on or before the termination
date, deliver to the Custodian a copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors
of the Fund designating a successor custodian or custodians to act on behalf of
the Fund. In the absence of such designation by the Fund, the
Custodian may designate a successor custodian which shall be a bank or trust
company having not less than $100,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus, and
undivided profits. Upon the date set forth in such notice this
Agreement shall terminate, and the Custodian, provided that it has received a
notice of acceptance by the successor custodian, shall deliver, on that date,
directly to the successor custodian all Securities and monies then owned by the
FUND and held by it as Custodian. Upon termination of this Agreement,
the Fund shall pay to the Custodian such compensation as may be due as of the
date of such termination. The Fund agrees that the Custodian shall be
reimbursed for its reasonable costs in connection with the termination of this
Agreement.
11.13 Failure to Designate
Successor Custodian. If a successor custodian is not
designated by the Fund, or by the Custodian in accordance with the preceding
paragraph, or the designated successor cannot or will not serve, the Fund shall,
upon the delivery by the Custodian to the Fund of all Securities (other than
Securities held in the Book-Entry System which cannot be delivered to the Fund)
and moneys then owned by the Fund, be deemed to be the custodian for the Fund,
and the Custodian shall thereby be relieved of all duties and responsibilities
pursuant to this Agreement, other than the duty with respect to Securities held
in the Book-Entry System, which cannot be delivered to the Fund, which shall be
held by the Custodian in accordance with this Agreement.
11.14 Compliance Policies and
Procedures. To assist the Custodian in complying with Rule
38a-1 of the 1940 Act, Fund represents that it has adopted written policies and
procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the federal securities
laws in fulfilling its obligations under the Agreement and that it has in place
a compliance program to monitor its compliance with those policies and
procedures. Fund will upon request provide the Custodian with information about
our compliance program as mutually agreed.
11.15 Limitation of Personal
Liability. No recourse under any obligation of this Agreement
or for any claim based thereon shall be had against any organizer, shareholder,
officer, Director, past, present or future as such, of the Fund or of any
predecessor or successor, either directly or through the Fund or any such
predecessor or successor, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule
of law or equity, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or
otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that this Agreement and the
obligations thereunder are enforceable solely against the assets of the Fund,
and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be
incurred by, the organizers, shareholders, officers, or Directors of the Fund or
of any predecessor or successor, or any of them as such, because of the
obligations contained in this Agreement or implied therefrom and that any and
all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released by the Custodian as a
condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this
Agreement.
Balance of Page Left Blank
Intentionally.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties
hereto has caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above
written.
Fund: Custodian
________________________________ THE
HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK
By:
__________________________________ By:
________________________________
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
Date: Date:
APPENDIX
A
Authorized
Persons Specimen
Signatures
Chairman: _________________ __________________________________
President: _________________ __________________________________
Secretary: _________________ __________________________________
Treasurer: _________________ __________________________________
Senior
Vice
President: _________________ __________________________________
Assistant
Secretary: _________________ _________________________________
Assistant
Treasurer: _________________ __________________________________
Adviser
Employees: _________________ __________________________________
_________________ __________________________________
Transfer
Agent/Fund Accountant
Employees: _________________ __________________________________
_________________ __________________________________
_________________ __________________________________
_________________ __________________________________
* Authority
restricted; does not include:
______________________________________
APPENDIX
B
Series of
the Fund
APPENDIX
C
Agents
of the Custodian
The
following agents are employed currently by The Huntington National Bank for
securities processing and control.
The Depository Fund Fund (New
York)
0 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
The Federal Reserve Bank
Cleveland Branch
Xxxxx Brothers Xxxxxxxx &
Co.
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
00000
(Sub-custodian for Foreign Investments
and certain non-DTC eligible Investments)
APPENDIX
D
(CURRENT
SCHEDULE OF CUSTODY FEES)
APPENDIX
E
17f-5
DELEGATION SCHEDULE
By its
execution of this Delegation Schedule dated as of _____________,
2009, between_Z-Seven Fund,
Inc.______________________________________ (the “Fund”), a corporation
formed under the laws of the State of __Maryland_____________________ acting on
behalf of the funds listed on Appendix B- of the Custody Agreement (each a
“Fund” and collectively the “Funds”), the Fund hereby appoints THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK (the
“Delegate”), a national bank organized under the laws of the United
States, as its delegate to perform certain functions with respect to the custody
of the Funds’ Assets outside the United States.
WHEREAS the Fund has appointed
the Delegate as custodian “Custodian” of each Fund’s Assets pursuant to the
“Custody Agreement_ between the Fund and the Delegate dated
_______________________;
WHEREAS the Fund may, from
time to time, determine to invest and maintain some or all of the Fund’s Assets
outside of the United States;
WHEREAS the Fund wishes to
delegate to the Delegate certain functions with respect to the custody of Fund’s
Assets outside the United States;
NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the Fund
and the Delegate agree as follows:
1. Maintenance of Fund's Assets
Abroad. The Fundhereby instructs the Delegate pursuant
to the terms of the Custody Agreement to place and maintain the Fund's Assets in
countries outside the United States in accordance with Instructions received
from the Fund. Such instruction shall constitute an Instruction under
the terms of the Custody Agreement. The Fund acknowledges that (a) the Delegate
shall perform services hereunder only with respect to the countries where it
accepts delegation as foreign custody manager; (b) depending on conditions in
the particular country, advance notice may be required before the Delegate shall
be able to perform its duties hereunder in or with respect to such country (such
advance notice to be reasonable in light of the specific facts and circumstances
attendant to performance of duties in such country); and (c) nothing in this
Delegation Schedule shall require the Delegate to provide delegated or custodial
services in any country, and there may from time to time be countries as to
which the Delegate determines it will not provide delegation
services.
2. Delegation. Pursuant
to the provisions of Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act as amended, the Fund hereby
delegates to the Delegate, and the Delegate hereby accepts such delegation and
agrees to perform only those duties set forth in this Delegation Schedule
concerning the safekeeping of the Fund's Assets in each of the countries as to
which it acts as delegate. The Delegate is hereby authorized to take such
actions on behalf of or in the name of the Fund, as are reasonably required to
discharge its duties under this Delegation Schedule, including, without
limitation, to cause the Fund's Assets to be placed with a particular Eligible
Foreign Custodian in accordance herewith. The Fund confirms to the Delegate that
the Fund has considered the Sovereign Risk and prevailing Country Risk as part
of its continuing investment decision process, including such factors as may be
reasonably related to the systemic risk of maintaining the Fund's Assets in a
particular country, including, but not limited to, financial infrastructure,
prevailing custody and settlement systems and practices (including the use of
any Securities Depository in the context of information provided by the Delegate
in the performance of its duties as required under Rule 17f-7 and the terms of
the Custody Agreement governing such duties), and the laws relating to the
safekeeping and recovery of the Fund's Assets held in custody pursuant to the
terms of the Custody Agreement. Fund acknowledges that Delegate has appointed
Xxxxx Brothers Xxxxxxxx & Co. as its sub-custodian and sub-foreign custody
manager for purposes of carrying out some or all of the duties and obligations
of Delegate under this Delegation Schedule, provided however, that such
appointment shall not relieve the Delegate of its obligations under this
Delegation Schedule.
3. Selection of Eligible
Foreign Custodian and Contract Administration. The Delegate shall
perform the following duties with respect to the selection of Eligible Foreign
Custodians and administration of certain contracts governing the Fund’s foreign
custodial arrangements:
(a) Selection of Eligible
Foreign Custodian. The Delegate shall place and maintain the Fund's
Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian, provided that the Delegate shall have
determined that the Fund's Assets will be subject to reasonable care based on
the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market after considering
factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets including without
limitation:
(i) The
Eligible Foreign Custodian's practices, procedures, and internal controls,
including, but not limited to, the physical protections available for
certificated securities (if applicable), the controls and procedures for dealing
with any Securities Depository, the method of keeping custodial records, and the
security and data protection practices;
(ii) Whether
the Eligible Foreign Custodian has the requisite financial strength to provide
reasonable care for the Fund's Assets;
(iii) The
Eligible Foreign Custodian's general reputation and standing; and
(iv) Whether
the Fund will have jurisdiction over and be able to enforce judgments against
the Eligible Foreign Custodian, such as by virtue of the existence of any
offices of such Eligible Foreign Custodian in the United States or such Eligible
Foreign Custodian's appointment of an agent for service of process in the United
States or consent to jurisdiction in the United States.
The
Delegate shall be required to make the foregoing determination to the best of
its knowledge and belief based only on information reasonably available to
it.
(b) Contract
Administration. The Delegate shall cause that the foreign
custody arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian shall be governed by a
written contract that the Delegate has determined will provide reasonable care
for Fund assets based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant
market. Each such contract shall, except as set forth in the last
paragraph of this subsection (b), include provisions that provide:
(i) For
indemnification or insurance arrangements (or any combination of the foregoing)
such that the Fund will be adequately protected against the risk of loss of
assets held in accordance with such contract;
(ii) That
the Fund's Assets will not be subject to any right, charge, security interest,
lien or claim of any kind in favor of the Eligible Foreign Custodian or its
creditors except a claim of payment for their safe custody or administration or,
in the case of cash deposits, liens or rights in favor of creditors of such
Custodian arising under bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws;
(iii) That
beneficial ownership of the Fund's Assets will be freely transferable without
the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or
administration;
(iv) That
adequate records will be maintained identifying the Fund's Assets as belonging
to the Fund or as being held by a third party for the benefit of the
Fund;
(v) That
the Fund's independent public accountants will be given access to those records
described in (iv) above or confirmation of the contents of such records;
and
(vi) That
the Delegate will receive sufficient and timely periodic reports with respect to
the safekeeping of the Fund's Assets, including, but not limited to,
notification of any transfer to or from the Fund's account or a third party
account containing the Fund's Assets.
Such
contract may contain, in lieu of any or all of the provisions specified in this
Section 3(b), such other provisions that the Delegate determines will provide,
in their entirety, the same or a greater level of care and protection for the
Fund's Assets as the specified provisions, in their entirety.
4. Monitoring. The
Delegate shall establish a system to monitor at reasonable intervals (but at
least annually) the appropriateness of maintaining the Fund's Assets with each
Eligible Foreign Custodian that has been selected by the Delegate pursuant to
Section 3 of this Delegation Schedule. The Delegate shall monitor the
continuing appropriateness of placement of the Fund's Assets in accordance with
the criteria established under Section 3(a) of this Delegation
Schedule. The Delegate shall monitor the continuing appropriateness
of the contract governing the Fund's arrangements in accordance with the
criteria established under Section 3(b) of this Delegation
Schedule.
5. Reporting. At
least annually and more frequently as mutually agreed between the parties, the
Delegate shall provide to the Board written reports specifying placement of the
Fund's Assets with each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Delegate
pursuant to Section 3 of this Delegation Schedule and shall promptly report on
any material changes to such foreign custody arrangements. Delegate
will prepare such a report with respect to any Eligible Foreign Custodian that
the Delegate has been instructed to use pursuant to Section 7 of this Delegation
Schedule only to the extent specifically agreed with respect to the particular
situation.
6. Withdrawal of Fund's
Assets.
If the Delegate determines that an arrangement with a specific Eligible Foreign
Custodian selected by the Delegate under Section 3 of this Delegation Schedule
no longer meets the requirements of said Section, Delegate shall withdraw the
Fund's Assets from the non-complying arrangement as soon as reasonably
practicable; provided, however, that if in the reasonable judgment of the
Delegate, such withdrawal would require liquidation of any of the Fund's Assets
or would materially impair the liquidity, value or other investment
characteristics of the Fund's Assets, it shall be the duty of the Delegate to
provide information regarding the particular circumstances and to act only in
accordance with Instructions of the Fund with respect to such
liquidation or other withdrawal.
7. Foreign
Taxes. The Custodian shall, where applicable,
assist the Fund in the reclamation of taxes withheld on dividends and interest
payments received by the Fund. In the performance of its duties with
respect to tax withholding and reclamation, the Custodian shall be entitled to
rely on the advice of counsel and upon information and advice regarding the
Fund’s tax status that is received from or no behalf of the Fund without duty of
separate inquiry.
8. Standard of
Care. In
carrying out its duties under this Delegation Schedule, the Delegate agrees to
exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having
responsibility for safekeeping the Fund's Assets would exercise.
9.
Representations. The
Fund hereby represents and warrants that it is a U.S. Fund and that this
Delegation Schedule has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Delegate and is a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Delegate. The Fund
hereby represents and warrants that each Board of Directors has determined that
it is reasonable to rely on the Delegate to perform the delegated
responsibilities provided for herein and that this Delegation Schedule has been
duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund and is a legal, valid and
binding agreement of the Fund.
10. Effectiveness;
termination. This
Delegation Schedule shall be effective as of the date on which this Delegation
Schedule shall have been accepted by the Delegate, as indicated by the date set
forth below the Delegate's signature. This Delegation Schedule
may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by written notice from the
terminating party to the non-terminating party. Such termination
shall be effective on the 30th calendar day following the date on which the
non-terminating party shall receive the foregoing
notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Delegation Schedule shall
be deemed to have been terminated concurrently with the termination of the
Custody Agreement.
11. Notices. Notices
and other communications under this Delegation Schedule are to be made in
accordance with the arrangements designated for such purpose under the Custody
Agreement unless otherwise indicated in a writing referencing this Delegation
Schedule and executed by both parties.
12. Definitions. Capitalized
terms not otherwise defined in this Delegation Schedule have the following
meanings:
a. Country
Risk – shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.3.2 of the Custody
Agreement.
b. Eligible Foreign
Custodian - shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 17f-5(a)(1) of the
1940 Act and shall also include a U.S. Bank.
c. Fund's Assets - shall
mean any of the Fund's investments (including foreign currencies) for which the
primary market is outside the United States, and such cash and cash equivalents
as are reasonably necessary to effect the Fund's transactions in such
investments.
d. Instructions - shall
have the meaning set forth in the Custody Agreement.
e. Securities Depository
- shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 17f-7 of the 1940 Act.
f. Sovereign Risk -
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.3.3 of the Custody
Agreement.
g
.. U.S. Bank - shall
mean a bank which qualifies to serve as a custodian of assets of investment
companies under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act.
13. Governing Law and
Jurisdiction. This
Delegation Schedule shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of New Ohio without reference to the conflict of law provisions
thereof. The parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of
the Federal courts sitting in the State of Ohio or the or of the state courts of
such State.
14. Fees. Delegate
shall perform its functions under this Delegation Schedule for the compensation
determined under the Custody Agreement.
15. Integration. This
Delegation Schedule sets forth all of the Delegate's duties with respect to the
selection and monitoring of Eligible Foreign Custodians, the administration of
contracts with Eligible Foreign Custodians, the withdrawal of assets from
Eligible Foreign Custodians and the issuance of reports in connection with such
duties. The terms of the Custody Agreement shall apply generally as
to matters not expressly covered in this Delegation Schedule, including dealings
with the Eligible Foreign Custodians in the course of discharge of the
Delegate's obligations under the Custody Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of
the parties hereto has caused this Delegation Schedule to be duly executed as of
the date first above written.
The
undersigned acknowledges that (I/we) have received a copy of this
document.
_______________________________ THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL
BANK
By:
__________________________________ By:
________________________________
Name: Name:
Title: Title: