Exhibit (g)(2)
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT dated as of February 1, 2007, between HSBC INVESTOR PORTFOLIOS,
a trust organized under the laws of the State of New York, having its principal
office and place of business at 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000-0000
(the "Fund"), and THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY (the "Custodian"), an Illinois
company with its principal place of business at 00 Xxxxx XxXxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000.
W I T N E S S E T H:
That for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set
forth, the Fund and the Custodian agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
Whenever used in this Agreement or in any Schedules to this Agreement, the
following words and phrases, unless the context otherwise requires, shall have
the following meanings:
(a) "Authorized Person" shall be deemed to include the President, and any
Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer or any other person, whether
or not any such person is an officer or employee of the Fund, duly
authorized by the Board of Trustees to give Instructions on behalf of the
Fund and listed in the certification annexed hereto as Schedule A or such
other certification as may be received by the Custodian from time to time
pursuant to Section 18(a).
(b) "Board of Trustees" shall mean the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
(c) "Book-Entry System" shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-entry
system for United States and federal agency securities, its successor or
successors and its nominee or nominees.
(d) "Declaration of Trust" shall mean the Declaration of Trust of the
Fund, including all amendments thereto.
(e) "Delegate of the Fund" shall mean and include any entity to whom the
Board of Trustees of the Fund has delegated responsibility under Rule
17f-5 of the 1940 Act.
(f) "Depository" shall mean The Depository Trust Company, a clearing
agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
Section 17(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, its
successor or successors and its nominee or nominees, the use of which is
hereby specifically
authorized. The term "Depository" shall further mean and include any other
person named in an Instruction and approved by the Fund to act as a
depository in the manner required by Rule 17f-4 of the 1940 Act, its
successor or successors and its nominee or nominees.
(g) "Eligible Securities Depository" shall have the same meaning as set
forth in Rule 17f-7(b)(1).
(h) "Instruction" shall mean written (including telecopied, telexed, or
electronically transmitted in a form that can be converted to print) or
oral instructions actually received by the Custodian which the Custodian
reasonably believes were given by an Authorized Person. An Instruction
shall also include any instrument in writing actually received by the
Custodian which the Custodian reasonably believes to be genuine and to be
signed by any two officers of the Fund, whether or not such officers are
Authorized Persons. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement,
"Instructions" may include instructions given on a standing basis.
(i) "1940 Act" shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the
Rules and Regulations thereunder, all as amended from time to time.
(j) "Portfolio" refers to each of the separate and distinct series or
investment portfolios of the Fund which the Fund and the Custodian shall
have agreed in writing shall be subject to this Agreement, as identified
in Schedule B-1 hereto as that Schedule may be amended from time to time
by notice to, and acceptance by, the Custodian. Each Portfolio serves as a
"master fund" in a master/feeder fund structure in which separate feeder
funds ("Feeder Funds") having the same investment objectives and
strategies as the Portfolio invest all their assets and in which separate
affiliated funds of funds ("Funds of Funds") may invest a portion of their
assets, all of which are identified in Schedule B-2 hereto.
(k) "Prospectus" shall include each current prospectus and statement of
additional information of the Fund with respect to a Portfolio.
(l) "Rule 17f-5" shall mean Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act.
(m) "Rule 17f-7" shall mean Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act.
(n) "Shares" refers to the units of beneficial interest representing
ownership of the Fund.
(o) "Security" or "Securities" shall be deemed to include bonds,
debentures, notes, stocks, shares, evidences of indebtedness, and other
securities, commodity interests and investments from time to time owned by
the Fund and held in a Portfolio.
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(p) "Sub-Custodian" shall mean and include (i) any branch of the
Custodian, and (ii) any "eligible foreign custodian," as that term is
defined in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act, approved by the Fund or a
Delegate of the Fund in the manner required by Rule 17f-5. For the
avoidance of doubt, the term "Sub-Custodian" shall not include any central
securities depository or clearing agency.
(q) "Transfer Agent" shall mean the person which performs as the transfer
agent, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent, or
provides similar services, for the Fund.
2. APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN.
(a) The Fund hereby constitutes and appoints the Custodian as custodian of
all the Securities and moneys owned by or in the possession of a Portfolio
during the period of this Agreement.
(b) The Custodian hereby accepts appointment as such custodian and agrees
to perform the duties thereof as hereinafter set forth.
3. APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF SUB-CUSTODIANS.
(a) The Custodian may appoint one or more Sub-Custodians to act as
sub-custodian or sub-custodians of Securities and moneys at any time held
in any Portfolio, upon the terms and conditions specified in this
Agreement. The Custodian shall oversee the maintenance by any
Sub-Custodian of any Securities or moneys of any Portfolio.
(b) The Agreement between the Custodian and each Sub-Custodian described
in clause (ii) of Section 1(p) and acting hereunder shall contain any
provisions necessary to comply with Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act.
(c) Prior to the Custodian's use of any Sub-Custodian described in clause
(ii) of Paragraph 1(p), the Fund or a Delegate of the Fund must approve
such Sub-Custodian in the manner required by Rule 17f-5 and provide the
Custodian with satisfactory evidence of such approval.
(d) The Custodian shall promptly take such steps as may be required to
remove any Sub-Custodian that has ceased to be an "eligible foreign
custodian" or has otherwise ceased to meet the requirements under Rule
17f-5. If the Custodian intends to remove any Sub-Custodian previously
approved by the Fund or a Delegate of the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3(c),
and the Custodian proposes to replace such Sub-Custodian with a
Sub-Custodian that has not yet been approved by the Fund or a Delegate of
the Fund, it will so notify the Fund or a Delegate of the Fund and provide
it with information reasonably necessary to determine such
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proposed Sub-Custodian's eligibility under Rule 17f-5, including a copy of
the proposed agreement with such Sub-Custodian. The Fund shall at the
meeting of the Board of Trustees next following receipt of such notice and
information, or a Delegate of the Fund shall promptly after receipt of
such notice and information, determine whether to approve the proposed
Sub-Custodian and will promptly thereafter give written notice of the
approval or disapproval of the proposed action.
(e) The Custodian hereby represents to the Fund that in its opinion, after
due inquiry, the established procedures to be followed by each
Sub-Custodian in connection with the safekeeping of property of a
Portfolio pursuant to this Agreement afford reasonable care for the
safekeeping of such property based on the standards applicable in the
relevant market.
3A. DELEGATION OF FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGEMENT.
(a) The Fund hereby delegates to Custodian the responsibilities set forth
in subparagraph (b) below of this Section 3A, in accordance with Rule
17f-5 with respect to foreign custody arrangements for the Fund's existing
and future investment portfolios, except that the Custodian shall not have
such responsibility with respect to central depositories and clearing
agencies or with respect to custody arrangements in the countries listed
on Schedule I, attached hereto, as that Schedule may be amended from time
to time by notice to the Fund.
(b) With respect to each arrangement with any Sub-custodian regarding the
assets of any investment portfolio of the Fund for which Custodian has
responsibility under this Section 3A (a "Foreign Custodian"), Custodian
shall:
1. determine that the Fund's assets will be subject to reasonable
care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the
relevant market, if maintained with the Foreign Custodian, after
considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets;
2. determine that the written contract with such Foreign Custodian
governing the foreign custody arrangements complies with the
requirements of Rule 17f-5 and will provide reasonable care for the
Fund's assets;
3. establish a system to monitor the appropriateness of maintaining
the Fund's assets with such Foreign Custodian and the contract
governing the Fund's foreign custody arrangements;
4. provide to the Fund's Board of Trustees, at least annually,
written reports notifying the Board of the placement of the Fund's
assets with a
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particular Foreign Custodian and periodic reports of any material
changes to the Fund's foreign custodian arrangements; and
5. withdraw the Fund's assets from any Foreign Custodian as soon as
reasonably practicable, if the foreign custody arrangement no longer
meets the requirement of Rule 17f-5.
4. USE OF SUB-CUSTODIANS AND SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES.
With respect to property of a Portfolio which is maintained by the
Custodian in the custody of a Sub-Custodian pursuant to Section 3:
(a) The Custodian will identify on its books as belonging to the
particular Portfolio any property held by such Sub-Custodian.
(b) In the event that a Sub-Custodian permits any of the Securities placed
in its care to be held in a foreign securities depository, such
Sub-Custodian will be required by its agreement with the Custodian to
identify on its books such Securities as being held for the account of the
Custodian as a custodian for its customers.
(c) Any Securities held by a Sub-Custodian will be subject only to the
instructions of the Custodian or its agents; and any Securities held in an
foreign securities depository for the account of a Sub-Custodian will be
subject only to the instructions of such Sub-Custodian.
(d) The Custodian will only deposit property of a Portfolio in an account
with a Sub-Custodian which includes exclusively the assets held by the
Custodian for its customers, and will cause such account to be designated
by such Sub-Custodian as a special custody account for the exclusive
benefit of customers of the Custodian.
(e) Before any Securities are placed in a foreign securities depository,
the Custodian shall provide the fund's Board of Trustees with an analysis
of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the foreign
securities depository.
(f) The Custodian or its agent shall continue to monitor the custody risks
associated with maintaining the Securities with a foreign securities
depository and shall promptly notify the Fund's Board of Trustees of any
material changes in said risks.
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5. COMPENSATION.
(a) The Fund will compensate the Custodian for its services rendered under
this Agreement in accordance with the fees set forth in the Fee Schedule
annexed hereto as Schedule C and incorporated herein. Such Fee Schedule
does not include out-of-pocket disbursements of the Custodian for which
the Custodian shall be entitled to xxxx separately; provided that
out-of-pocket disbursements may include only the items specified in
Schedule C.
(b) If the Fund requests that the Custodian act as Custodian for any
Portfolio hereafter established, at the time the Custodian commences
serving as such for said Portfolio, the compensation for such services
shall be reflected in a fee schedule for that Portfolio, dated and signed
by an officer of each party hereto, which shall be attached to or
otherwise reflected in Schedule C of this Agreement.
(c) Any compensation agreed to hereunder may be adjusted from time to time
by attaching to Schedule C, or replacing Schedule C with, a revised Fee
Schedule, dated and signed by an officer of each party hereto.
(d) The Custodian will xxxx the Fund for its services to each Portfolio
hereunder as soon as practicable after the end of each calendar quarter,
and said xxxxxxxx will be detailed in accordance with the Fee Schedule for
the Fund. The Fund will promptly pay to the Custodian the amount of such
billing. The Custodian shall have a claim of payment against the property
in each Portfolio for any compensation or expense amount owing to the
Custodian in connection with such Portfolio from time to time under this
Agreement.
(e) The Custodian (not the Fund) will be responsible for the payment of
the compensation of each Sub-Custodian.
6. CUSTODY OF CASH AND SECURITIES
(a) RECEIPT AND HOLDING OF ASSETS. The Fund will deliver or cause to be
delivered to the Custodian and any Sub-Custodians all Securities and
moneys of any Portfolio at any time during the period of this Agreement
and shall specify the Portfolio to which the Securities and moneys are to
be specifically allocated. The Custodian will not be responsible for such
Securities and moneys until actually received by it or by a Sub-Custodian.
The Fund may, from time to time in its sole discretion, provide the
Custodian with Instructions as to the manner in which and in what amounts
Securities, and moneys of a Portfolio are to be held on behalf of such
Portfolio in the Book-Entry System or a Depository. Securities and moneys
of a Portfolio held in the Book-Entry System or a Depository will be held
in accounts which include only assets of Custodian that are held for its
customers.
(b) ACCOUNTS AND DISBURSEMENTS. The Custodian shall establish and maintain
a separate account for each Portfolio and shall credit to the separate
account all
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moneys received by it or a Sub-Custodian for the account of such Portfolio
and shall disburse, or cause a Sub-Custodian to disburse, the same only:
1. In payment for Securities purchased for the Portfolio, as
provided in Section 7 hereof;
2. In payment of dividends or distributions with respect to the
Shares of such Portfolio, as provided in Section 11 hereof;
3. In payment of original issue or other taxes with respect to the
Shares of such Portfolio, as provided in Section 12(c) hereof;
4. In payment for Shares which have been redeemed by such Portfolio,
as provided in Section 12 hereof;
5. In payment of fees and in reimbursement of the expenses and
liabilities of the Custodian attributable to the Fund, as provided
in Sections 5 and 16(h) hereof;
6. Pursuant to Instructions setting forth the name of the Portfolio
and the name and address of the person to whom the payment is to be
made, the amount to be paid and the purpose for which payment is to
be made.
(c) FAIL FLOAT. In the event that any payment made for a Portfolio under
this Section 6 exceeds the funds available in that Portfolio's account,
the Custodian or relevant Sub-Custodian, as the case may be, may, in its
discretion, advance the Fund on behalf of that Portfolio an amount equal
to such excess and such advance shall be deemed an overdraft from the
Custodian or such Sub-Custodian to that Portfolio payable on demand,
bearing interest at the rate of interest customarily charged by the
Custodian or such Sub-Custodian on similar overdrafts.
(d) CONFIRMATION AND STATEMENTS. At least monthly, the Custodian shall
furnish the Fund with a detailed statement of the Securities and moneys
held by it and all Sub-Custodians for each Portfolio. Where securities
purchased for a Portfolio are 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 a Depository, the Book-Entry System or a
Sub-Custodian, the Custodian shall maintain such records as are necessary
to enable it to identify the quantity of those securities held for such
Portfolio. In the absence of the filing in writing with the Custodian by
the Fund of exceptions or objections to any such statement within 60 days
after the date that a material defect is reasonably discoverable, the Fund
shall be deemed to have approved such statement; and in such case or upon
written approval of the Fund of any such statement the Custodian shall, to
the extent permitted by law and provided the Custodian has met the
standard of care in Section 16 hereof, be released, relieved and
discharged with respect to all
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matters and things set forth in such statement as though such statement
had been settled by the decree of a court of competent jurisdiction in an
action in which the Fund and all persons having any equity interest in the
Fund were parties.
(e) REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES AND PHYSICAL SEPARATION. All Securities
held for a Portfolio which are issued or issuable only in bearer form,
except such Securities as are held in the Book-Entry System, shall be held
by the Custodian or a Sub-Custodian in that form; all other Securities
held for a Portfolio may be registered in the name of that Portfolio, in
the name of any duly appointed registered nominee of the Custodian or a
Sub-Custodian as the Custodian or such Sub-Custodian may from time to time
determine, or in the name of the Book-Entry System or a Depository or
their successor or successors, or their nominee or nominees. The Fund
reserves the right to instruct the Custodian as to the method of
registration and safekeeping of the Securities. The Fund agrees to furnish
to the Custodian appropriate instruments to enable the Custodian or any
Sub-Custodian to hold or deliver in proper form for transfer, or to
register in the name of its registered nominee or in the name of the
Book-Entry System or a Depository, any Securities which the Custodian of a
Sub-Custodian may hold for the account of a Portfolio and which may from
time to time be registered in the name of a Portfolio. The Custodian shall
hold all such Securities specifically allocated to a Portfolio which are
not held in the Book-Entry System or a Depository in a separate account
for such Portfolio in the name of such Portfolio physically segregated at
all times from those of any other person or persons.
(f) SEGREGATED ACCOUNTS. Upon receipt of an Instruction, the Custodian
will establish segregated accounts on behalf of a Portfolio to hold liquid
or other assets as it shall be directed by such Instruction and shall
increase or decrease the assets in such segregated accounts only as it
shall be directed by subsequent Instruction.
(g) COLLECTION OF INCOME AND OTHER MATTERS AFFECTING SECURITIES. Except as
otherwise provided in an Instruction, the Custodian, by itself or through
the use of the Book-Entry System or a Depository with respect to
Securities therein maintained, shall, or shall instruct the relevant
Sub-Custodian to:
1. Collect all income due or payable with respect to Securities in
accordance with this Agreement;
2. Present for payment and collect the amount payable upon all
Securities which may mature or be called, redeemed or retired, or
otherwise become payable;
3. Surrender Securities in temporary form for derivative Securities;
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4. Execute any necessary declarations or certificates of ownership
under the federal income tax laws or the laws or regulations of any
other taxing authority now or hereafter in effect; and
5. Hold directly, or through the Book-Entry System or a Depository
with respect to Securities therein deposited, for the account of
each Portfolio all rights and similar Securities issued with respect
to any Securities held by the Custodian or relevant Sub-Custodian
for each Portfolio.
(h) DELIVERY OF SECURITIES AND EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY. Upon receipt of an
Instruction, the Custodian, directly or through the use of the Book-Entry
System or a Depository, shall, or shall instruct the relevant
Sub-Custodian to:
1. Execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered to such
persons as may be designated in such Instructions, proxies,
consents, authorizations, and any other instruments whereby the
authority of the Fund as owner of any Securities may be exercised;
2. Deliver or cause to be delivered any Securities held for a
Portfolio in exchange for other Securities 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;
3. Deliver or cause to be delivered any Securities held for a
Portfolio to any protective committee, reorganization committee or
other person in connection with the reorganization, refinancing,
merger, consolidation or recapitalization or sale of assets of any
corporation, and receive and hold under the terms of this Agreement
in the separate account for each such Portfolio certificates of
deposit, interim receipts or other instruments or documents as may
be issued to it to evidence such delivery;
4. Make or cause to be made such transfers or exchanges of the
assets specifically allocated to the separate account of a Portfolio
and take such other steps as shall be stated in Written Instructions
to be for the purpose of effectuating any duly authorized plan of
liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation or
recapitalization of the Fund;
5. Deliver Securities upon sale of such Securities for the account
of a Portfolio pursuant to Section 7;
6. Deliver Securities upon the receipt of payment in connection with
any repurchase agreement related to such Securities entered into on
behalf of a Portfolio;
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7. Deliver Securities of a Portfolio to the issuer thereof or its
agent when such Securities are called, redeemed, retired or
otherwise become payable; provided, however, that in any such case
the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian
or Sub-Custodian, as the case may be;
8. Deliver Securities for delivery in connection with any loans of
securities made by a Portfolio but only against receipt of adequate
collateral as agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the
Fund which may be in the form of cash or obligations issued by the
United States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities;
9. Deliver Securities for delivery as security in connection with
any borrowings by a Portfolio requiring a pledge of Portfolio
assets, but only against receipt of the amounts borrowed;
10. Deliver Securities to the Transfer Agent or its designee or to
the holders of Shares in connection with distributions in kind, in
satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or
redemption;
11. Deliver Securities for any other proper business purpose, but
only upon receipt of, in addition to written Instructions, a copy of
a resolution or other authorization of the Fund certified by the
Secretary of the Fund, specifying the Securities to be delivered,
setting forth the purpose for which such delivery is to be made,
declaring such purpose to be a proper business purpose, and naming
the person or persons to whom delivery of such Securities shall be
made.
(i) ENDORSEMENT AND COLLECTION OF CHECKS, ETC. The Custodian is hereby
authorized to endorse and collect all checks, drafts or other orders for
the payment of money received by the Custodian for the account of a
Portfolio.
(j) EXECUTION OF REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. The Custodian is hereby authorized to
execute any and all applications or other documents required by a
regulatory agency or similar entity as a condition of making investments
in the foreign market under such entity's jurisdiction.
7. PURCHASE AND SALE OF SECURITIES.
(a) Promptly after the purchase of Securities, the Fund or its designee
shall deliver to the Custodian an Instruction specifying with respect to
each such purchase: (1) the name of the Portfolio to which such Securities
are to be specifically allocated; (2) the name of the issuer and the title
of the Securities; (3) the number of shares or the principal amount
purchased and accrued interest, if
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any; (4) the date of purchase and settlement; (5) the purchase price per
unit; (6) the total amount payable upon such purchase; and (7) the name of
the person from whom or the broker through whom the purchase was made, if
any. The Custodian or specified Sub-Custodian shall receive the Securities
purchased by or for a Portfolio and upon receipt thereof (or upon receipt
of advice from a Depository or the Book-Entry System that the Securities
have been transferred to the Custodian's account) shall pay to the broker
or other person specified by the Fund or its designee out of the moneys
held for the account of such Portfolio the total amount payable upon such
purchase, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as
set forth in such Instruction.
(b) Promptly after the sale of Securities, the Fund or its designee shall
deliver to the Custodian an Instruction specifying with respect to each
such sale: (1) the name of the Portfolio to which the Securities sold were
specifically allocated; (2) the name of the issuer and the title of the
Securities; (3) the number of shares or principal amount sold, and accrued
interest, if any; (4) the date of sale; (5) the sale price per unit; (6)
the total amount payable to the Portfolio upon such sale; and (7) the name
of the broker through whom or the person to whom the sale was made. The
Custodian or relevant Sub-Custodian shall deliver or cause to be delivered
the Securities to the broker or other person designated by the Fund upon
receipt of the total amount payable to such Portfolio upon such sale,
provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable to such
Portfolio as set forth in such Instruction. Subject to the foregoing, the
Custodian or relevant Sub-Custodian may accept payment in such form as
shall be satisfactory to it, and may deliver Securities and arrange for
payment in accordance with the customs prevailing among dealers in
Securities.
(c) Notwithstanding (a) and (b) above, cash in any of the Portfolios may
be invested by the Custodian for short term purposes pursuant to standing
Instructions from the Fund.
8. LENDING OF SECURITIES.
If the Fund and the Custodian enter into a separate written agreement
authorizing the Custodian to lend Securities, the Custodian may lend Securities
pursuant to such agreement. Such agreement must be approved by the Fund in the
manner required by any applicable law, regulation or administrative
pronouncement, and may provide for the payment of additional reasonable
compensation to the Custodian.
9. INVESTMENT IN FUTURES, OPTIONS ON FUTURES AND OPTIONS
The Custodian shall pursuant to Instructions (which may be standing
instructions):
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(a) with respect to futures or options on futures, transfer initial margin
to a futures commission merchant or safekeeping bank or, with respect to
options, transfer collateral to a broker;
(b) pay or demand variation margin to or from a designated futures
commission merchant or other broker based on daily marking to market
calculations and in accordance with accepted industry practices; and
(c) subject to the Custodian's consent, enter into separate procedural,
safekeeping or other agreements with respect to the custody of initial
margin deposits or collateral in transactions involving futures contracts
or options, as the case may be.
The Custodian shall have no custodial or investment responsibility for any
assets transferred to a safekeeping bank, futures commission merchant or broker
pursuant to this paragraph. In addition, in connection with options transactions
in a Portfolio, the Custodian is authorized to pledge assets of the Portfolio as
collateral for such transactions in accordance with industry practice.
10. PROVISIONAL CREDITS AND DEBITS.
(a) The Custodian is authorized, but shall not be obligated, to credit the
account of a Portfolio provisionally on payable date with interest,
dividends, distributions, redemptions or other amounts due. Otherwise,
such amounts will be credited to the Portfolio on the date such amounts
are actually received and reconciled to the Portfolio. In cases where the
Custodian has credited a Portfolio with such amounts prior to actual
collection and reconciliation, the Fund acknowledges that the Custodian
shall be entitled to recover any such credit on demand from the Fund and
further agrees that the Custodian may reverse such credit if and to the
extent that Custodian does not receive such amounts in the ordinary course
of business.
(b) If the Portfolio is maintained as a global custody account it shall
participate in the Custodian's contractual settlement date processing
service ("CSDP") unless the Custodian directs the Fund, or the Fund
informs the Custodian, otherwise. Pursuant to CSDP the Custodian shall be
authorized, but not obligated, to automatically credit or debit the
Portfolio provisionally on contractual settlement date with cash or
securities in connection with any sale, exchange or purchase of
securities. Otherwise, such cash or securities shall be credited to the
Portfolio on the day such cash or securities are actually received by the
Custodian and reconciled to the Portfolio. In cases where the Custodian
credits or debits the Portfolio with cash or securities prior to actual
receipt and reconciliation, the Custodian may reverse such credit or debit
as of contractual settlement date if and to the extent that any securities
delivered by the Custodian are returned by the recipient, or if the
related transaction fails to settle (or fails,
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due to market change or other reasons, to settle on terms which provide
the Custodian full reimbursement of any provisional credit the Custodian
has granted) within a period of time judged reasonable by the Custodian
under the circumstances. The Fund agrees that it will not make any claim
or pursue any legal action against the Custodian for loss or other
detriment allegedly arising or resulting from the Custodian's good faith
determination to effect, not effect or reverse any provisional credit or
debit to the Portfolio.
The Fund acknowledges and agrees that funds debited from the Portfolio on
contractual settlement date including, without limitation, funds provided
for the purchase of any securities under circumstances where settlement is
delayed or otherwise does not take place in a timely manner for any
reason, shall be held pending actual settlement of the related purchase
transaction in a non-interest bearing deposit at the Custodian's London
Branch; that such funds shall be available for use in the Custodian's
general operations; and that the Custodian's maintenance and use of such
funds in such circumstances are, without limitation, in consideration of
the Custodian's providing CSDP.
(c) The Fund recognizes that any decision to effect a provisional credit
or an advancement of the Custodian's own funds under this agreement will
be an accommodation granted entirely at the Custodian's option and in
light of the particular circumstances, which circumstances may involve
conditions in different countries, markets and classes of assets at
different times. The Fund shall make the Custodian whole for any loss
which it may incur from granting such accommodations and acknowledges that
the Custodian shall be entitled to recover any relevant amounts from the
Fund on demand. All amounts thus due to the Custodian shall be paid by the
Fund from the account of the relevant Portfolio unless otherwise paid on a
timely basis and in that connection the Fund acknowledges that the
Custodian has a continuing lien on all assets of such Portfolio to secure
such payments and agrees that the Custodian may apply or set off against
such amounts any amounts credited by or due from the Custodian to the
Fund. If funds in the Portfolio are insufficient to make any such payment
the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian the amount of such
deficiency in immediately available funds when and as specified by the
Custodian's written or oral notification to the Fund.
(d) In connection with the Custodian's global custody service the Fund
will maintain deposits at the Custodian's London Branch. The Fund
acknowledges and agrees that such deposits are payable only in the
currency in which an applicable deposit is denominated; that such deposits
are payable only on the Fund's demand at the Custodian's London Branch;
that such deposits are not payable at any of the Custodian's offices in
the United States; and that the Custodian will not in any manner directly
or indirectly promise or guarantee any such payment in the United States.
13
The Fund further acknowledges and agrees that such deposits are subject to
cross-border risk, and therefore the Custodian will have no obligation to
make payment of deposits if and to the extent that the Custodian is
prevented from doing so by reason of applicable law or regulation or any
Sovereign Risk event affecting the London Branch or the currency in which
the applicable deposit is denominated. "Sovereign Risk" for this purpose
means nationalization, expropriation, devaluation, revaluation,
confiscation, seizure, cancellation, destruction or similar action by any
governmental authority, de facto or de jure; or enactment, promulgation,
imposition or enforcement by any such governmental authority of currency
restrictions, exchange controls, taxes, levies or other charges affecting
the property rights of persons who are not residents of the affected
jurisdiction; or acts of war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or
any other act or event beyond the Custodian's control.
THE FUND ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS MAINTAINED AT
FOREIGN BRANCHES OF UNITED STATES BANKS (INCLUDING, IF APPLICABLE,
ACCOUNTS IN WHICH CUSTOMER FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF SECURITIES ARE HELD
ON AND AFTER CONTRACTUAL SETTLEMENT DATE), ARE NOT INSURED BY THE U.S.
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION; MAY NOT BE GUARANTEED BY ANY LOCAL
OR FOREIGN GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY; ARE UNSECURED; AND IN A LIQUIDATION MAY
BE SUBORDINATED IN PRIORITY OF PAYMENT TO DOMESTIC (U.S.- DOMICILED)
DEPOSITS. THEREFORE, BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF SUCH FOREIGN BRANCH DEPOSITS MAY
BE UNSECURED CREDITORS OF THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY.
Deposit account balances that are owned by United States residents are
expected to be maintained in an aggregate amount of at least $100,000 or
the equivalent in other currencies.
11. PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS.
(a) In the event that the Board of Trustees of the Fund (or a committee
thereof) authorizes the declaration of dividends or distributions with
respect to a Portfolio, an Authorized Person shall provide the Custodian
with Instructions specifying the record date, the date of payment of such
distribution and the total amount payable to the Transfer Agent or its
designee on such payment date.
(b) Upon the payment date specified in such Instructions, the Custodian
shall pay the total amount payable to the Transfer Agent or its designee
out of the moneys specifically allocated to and held for the account of
the appropriate Portfolio.
14
12. SALE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES.
(a) Whenever the Fund shall sell any Shares, the Fund shall deliver or
cause to be delivered to the Custodian an Instruction specifying the name
of the Portfolio whose Shares were sold and the amount to be received by
the Custodian for the sale of such Shares.
(b) Upon receipt of such amount from the Transfer Agent or its designee,
the Custodian shall credit such money to the separate account of the
Portfolio specified in the Instruction described in paragraph (a) above.
(c) Upon issuance of any Shares in accordance with the foregoing
provisions of this Section 12, the Custodian shall pay all original issue
or other taxes required to be paid in connection with such issuance upon
the receipt of an Instruction specifying the amount to be paid.
(d) Except as provided hereafter, whenever any Shares are redeemed, the
Fund shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian an
Instruction specifying the name of the Portfolio whose Shares were
redeemed and the total amount to be paid for the Shares redeemed.
(e) Upon receipt of an Instruction described in paragraph (d) above, the
Custodian shall pay to the Transfer Agent (or such other person as the
Transfer Agent directs) the total amount specified in such Instruction.
Such payment shall be made from the separate account of the Portfolio
specified in such Instruction.
13. INDEBTEDNESS.
(a) The Fund or its designee will cause to be delivered to the Custodian
by any bank (excluding the Custodian) from which the Fund borrows money,
using Securities as collateral, a notice or undertaking in the form
currently employed by any such bank setting forth the amount which such
bank will loan to the Fund against delivery of a stated amount of
collateral. The Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian an
Instruction stating with respect to each such borrowing: (1) the name of
the Portfolio for which the borrowing is to be made; (2) the name of the
bank; (3) 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 other loan agreement; (4) the time and date, if known, on
which the loan is to be entered into (the "borrowing date"); (5) the date
on which the loan becomes due and payable; (6) the total amount payable to
the Fund for the separate account of the Portfolio on the borrowing date;
(7) the market value of Securities to be delivered as collateral for such
loan, including the name of the issuer, the title and the number of shares
or the principal amount of any particular Securities; (8) whether the
Custodian is to deliver such collateral through the
15
Book-Entry System or a Depository; and (9) a statement that such loan is
in conformance with the 1940 Act and the Prospectus.
(b) Upon receipt of the Instruction referred to in paragraph (a) above,
the Custodian shall deliver on the borrowing date the specified collateral
and the executed promissory note, if any, against delivery by the lending
bank of the total amount of the loan payable, provided that the same
conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in the Instruction. The
Custodian may, at the option of the lending bank, keep such collateral in
its possession, but such collateral shall be subject to all rights therein
given the lending bank by virtue of any promissory note or loan agreement.
The Custodian shall deliver as additional collateral in the manner
directed by the Fund from time to time such Securities specifically
allocated to such Portfolio as may be specified in the Instruction to
collateralize further any transaction described in this Section 13. 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. In the
event that the Fund fails to specify in such Instruction all of the
information required by this Section 13, the Custodian shall not be under
any obligation to deliver any Securities. Collateral returned to the
Custodian shall be held hereunder as it was prior to being used as
collateral.
14. CORPORATE ACTION.
Whenever the Custodian or any Sub-Custodian receives information
concerning Securities held for a Portfolio which requires discretionary
action by the beneficial owner of the Securities (other than a proxy),
such as subscription rights, bond issues, stock repurchase plans and
rights offerings, or legal notices or other material intended to be
transmitted to Securities holders ("Corporate Actions"), the Custodian
will give the Fund or its designee notice of such Corporate Actions to the
extent that the Custodian's central corporate actions department has
actual knowledge of a Corporate Action in time to notify the Fund.
When a rights entitlement or a fractional interest resulting from a rights
issue, stock dividend, stock split or similar Corporate Action which bears
an expiration date is received, the Custodian will endeavor to obtain an
Instruction relating to such Corporate Action from an Authorized Person,
but if such Instruction is not received in time for the Custodian to take
timely action, or actual notice of such Corporate Action was received too
late to seek such an Instruction, the Custodian is authorized to sell, or
cause a Sub-Custodian to sell, such rights entitlement or fractional
interest and to credit the applicable account with the proceeds and to
take any other action it deems, in good faith, to be appropriate, in which
case, provided it has met the standard of care in Section 16 hereof, it
shall be held harmless by the particular Portfolio involved for any such
action.
16
The Custodian will deliver proxies to the Fund or its designated agent
pursuant to special arrangements which may have been agreed to in writing
between the parties hereto. Such proxies shall be executed in the
appropriate nominee name relating to Securities registered in the name of
such nominee but without indicating the manner in which such proxies are
to be voted; and where bearer Securities are involved, proxies will be
delivered in accordance with an applicable Instruction, if any.
15. PERSONS HAVING ACCESS TO THE PORTFOLIOS.
(a) Neither the Fund nor any officer, director, employee or agent of the
Fund, the Fund's investment adviser, or any sub-investment adviser, shall
have physical access to the assets of any Portfolio held by the Custodian
or any Sub-Custodian or be authorized or permitted to withdraw any
investments of a Portfolio, nor shall the Custodian or any Sub-Custodian
deliver any assets of a Portfolio to any such person. No officer,
director, employee or agent of the Custodian who holds any similar
position with the Fund's investment adviser, with any sub-investment
adviser of the Fund or with the Fund shall have access to the assets of
any Portfolio.
(b) Nothing in this Section 15 shall prohibit any Authorized Person from
giving Instructions to the Custodian so long as such Instructions do not
result in delivery of or access to assets of a Portfolio prohibited by
paragraph (a) of this Section 15.
(c) The Custodian represents that it maintains a system that is reasonably
designed to prevent unauthorized persons from having access to the assets
that it holds (by any means) for its customers.
16. CONCERNING THE CUSTODIAN.
(a) SCOPE OF SERVICES. The Custodian shall be obligated to perform only
such services as are set forth in this Agreement or expressly contained in
an Instruction given to the Custodian which is not contrary to the
provisions of this Agreement.
(b) STANDARD OF CARE.
1. The Custodian will use reasonable care, prudence and diligence
with respect to its obligations under this Agreement and the
safekeeping of property of the Portfolios. The Custodian shall be
liable to, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Fund from and
against any loss which shall occur as the result of the failure of
the Custodian or a Sub-Custodian to exercise reasonable care,
prudence and diligence with respect to their respective obligations
under this Agreement and the safekeeping of such property. The
determination of whether the Custodian or Sub-Custodian
17
has exercised reasonable care, prudence and diligence in connection
with their obligations under this Agreement shall be made in light
of prevailing standards applicable to professional custodians in the
jurisdiction in which such custodial services are performed. In the
event of any loss to the Fund by reason of the failure of the
Custodian or a Sub-Custodian to exercise reasonable care, prudence
and diligence, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund only to the
extent of the Fund's direct damages and expenses, which damages, for
purposes of property only, shall be determined based on the market
value of the property which is the subject of the loss at the date
of discovery of such loss and without reference to any special
condition or circumstances.
2. The Custodian will not be responsible for any act, omission, or
default of, or for the solvency of, any central securities
depository or clearing agency.
3. The Custodian will not be responsible for any act, omission, or
default of, or for the solvency of, any broker or agent (not
referred to in paragraph (b)(2) above) which it or a Sub-Custodian
appoints and uses unless such appointment and use is made or done
negligently or in bad faith. In the event such an appointment and
use is made or done negligently or in bad faith, the Custodian shall
be liable to the Fund only for direct damages and expenses
(determined in the manner described in paragraph (b)(1) above)
resulting from such appointment and use and, in the case of any loss
due to an act, omission or default of such agent or broker, only to
the extent that such loss occurs as a result of the failure of the
agent or broker to exercise reasonable care ("reasonable care" for
this purpose to be determined in light of the prevailing standards
applicable to agents or brokers, as appropriate, in the jurisdiction
where the services are performed).
4. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely, and may act, upon the
advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters
and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or
omitted in good faith and without negligence pursuant to such
advice.
5. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any Instruction it
receives pursuant to the applicable Sections of this Agreement that
it reasonably believes to be genuine and to be from an Authorized
Person. In the event that the Custodian receives oral Instructions,
the Fund or its designee shall cause to be delivered to the
Custodian, by the close of business on the same day that such oral
Instructions were given to the Custodian, written Instructions
confirming such oral Instructions, whether by hand delivery, telex
or otherwise. The Fund agrees that the fact that no such confirming
written Instructions are received by the Custodian shall in
18
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 in connection
with (i) acting upon oral Instructions given to the Custodian
hereunder, provided such instructions reasonably appear to have been
received from an Authorized Person or (ii) deciding not to act
solely upon oral Instructions, provided that the Custodian first
contacts the giver of such oral Instructions and requests written
confirmation immediately following any such decision not to act.
6. The Custodian shall supply the Fund or its designee with such
daily information regarding the cash and Securities positions and
activity of each Portfolio as the Custodian and the Fund or its
designee shall from time to time agree. It is understood that such
information will not be audited by the Custodian and the Custodian
represents that such information will be the best information then
available to the Custodian. The Custodian shall have no
responsibility whatsoever for the pricing of Securities, accruing
for income, valuing the effect of Corporate Actions, or for the
failure of the Fund or its designee to reconcile differences between
the information supplied by the Custodian and information obtained
by the Fund or its designee from other sources, including but not
limited to pricing vendors and the Fund's investment adviser.
Subject to the foregoing, to the extent that any miscalculation by
the Fund or its designee of a Portfolio's net asset value is
attributable to the willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence of
the Custodian (including any Sub-Custodian ) in supplying or
omitting to supply the Fund or its designee with information as
aforesaid, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any
resulting loss (subject to such de minimis rule of change in value
as the Board of Trustees may from time to time adopt).
(c) LIMIT OF DUTIES. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Custodian shall be under no duty or obligation to inquire into, and shall
not be liable for:
1. The validity of the issue of any Securities purchased by any
Portfolio, the legality of the purchase thereof, or the propriety of
the amount specified by the Fund or its designee for payment
therefor;
2. The legality of the sale of any Securities by any Portfolio or
the propriety of the amount of consideration for which the same are
sold;
3. The legality of the issue or sale of any Shares, or the
sufficiency of the amount to be received therefor;
19
4. The legality of the redemption of any Shares, or the propriety of
the amount to be paid therefor;
5. The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend or
distribution by the Fund; or
6. The legality of any borrowing.
(d) The Custodian need not maintain any insurance for the exclusive
benefit of the Fund, but hereby warrants that as of the date of this
Agreement it is maintaining a bankers Blanket Bond and hereby agrees to
notify the Fund in the event that such bond is canceled or otherwise
lapses.
(e) Consistent with and without limiting the language contained in Section
16(a), it is specifically acknowledged that the Custodian shall have no
duty or responsibility to:
1. Question any Instruction or make any suggestions to the Fund or
an Authorized Person regarding any Instruction;
2. Supervise or make recommendations with respect to investments or
the retention of Securities;
3. Subject to Section 16(b)(3) hereof, evaluate or report to the
Fund or an Authorized Person regarding the financial condition of
any broker, agent or other party to which Securities are delivered
or payments are made pursuant to this Agreement; or
4. Review or reconcile trade confirmations received from brokers.
(f) AMOUNTS DUE FROM OR TO TRANSFER AGENT. The Custodian shall not be
under any duty or obligation to take action to effect collection of any
amount due to any Portfolio from the Transfer Agent or its designee nor to
take any action to effect payment or distribution by the Transfer Agent or
its designee of any amount paid by the Custodian to the Transfer Agent in
accordance with this Agreement.
(g) NO DUTY TO ASCERTAIN AUTHORITY. The Custodian shall not be under any
duty or obligation to ascertain whether any Securities at any time
delivered to or held by it for the Fund and specifically allocated to a
Portfolio are such as may properly be held by the Fund under the
provisions of the Declaration of Trust and the Prospectus.
(h) INDEMNIFICATION. The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold the Custodian
harmless from all loss, cost, taxes, charges, assessments, claims, and
liabilities (including, without limitation, liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933,
20
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the 1940 Act and state or foreign
securities laws) and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and
disbursements) arising directly or indirectly from any action taken or
omitted by the Custodian (i) at the request or on the direction of or in
reliance on the advice of the Fund or in reasonable reliance upon the
Prospectus or (ii) upon an Instruction; provided, that the foregoing
indemnity shall not apply to any loss, cost, tax, charge, assessment,
claim, liability or expense to the extent the same is attributable to the
Custodian's or any Sub-Custodian's negligence, willful misconduct, bad
faith or reckless disregard of duties and obligations under this Agreement
or any other agreement relating to the custody of Fund property.
(i) The Fund agrees to hold the Custodian harmless from any liability or
loss resulting from the imposition or assessment of any taxes or other
governmental charges on a Portfolio.
(j) Without limiting the foregoing, the Custodian shall not be liable for
any loss which results from:
1. the general risk of investing;
2. subject to Section 16(b) hereof, investing or holding property in
a particular country including, but not limited to, losses resulting
from nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions;
regulation of the banking or securities industry; currency
restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations; and market conditions
which prevent the orderly execution of securities transactions or
affect the value of property held pursuant to this Agreement; or
3. consequential, special or punitive damages for any act or failure
to act under any provision of this Agreement, even if advised of the
possibility thereof.
(k) FORCE MAJEURE. No party shall be liable to the other for any delay in
performance, or non- performance, of any obligation hereunder to the
extent that the same is due to forces beyond its reasonable control,
including but not limited to delays, errors or interruptions caused by the
other party or third parties, any industrial, juridical, governmental,
civil or military action, acts of terrorism, insurrection or revolution,
nuclear fusion, fission or radiation, failure or fluctuation in electrical
power, heat, light, air conditioning or telecommunications equipment, or
acts of God.
(1) INSPECTION OF BOOKS AND RECORDS. The Custodian shall create and
maintain all records relating to its activities and obligations under this
Agreement in such manner as will meet the obligations of the Fund under
the 1940 Act, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules
31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder,
21
and under applicable federal and state laws. All such records shall be the
property of the Fund and shall at all times during regular business hours
of the Custodian be open for inspection by duly authorized officers,
employees and agents of the Fund and by the appropriate employees of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian shall, at the Fund's
request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of Securities and shall, when
requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be
agreed upon between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate
numbers in such tabulations.
(m) ACCOUNTING CONTROL REPORT. The Custodian shall provide, promptly, upon
request of the Fund, such reports as are available concerning the internal
accounting controls and financial strength of the Custodian.
17. TERM AND TERMINATION.
(a) This Agreement shall become effective on the date first set forth
above (the "Effective Date") and shall continue in effect thereafter until
terminated in accordance with Section 17(b).
(b) Either of the parties hereto may terminate this Agreement with respect
to any Portfolio by giving to the other party a notice in writing
specifying the date of such termination, which, in case the Fund is the
terminating party, shall be not less than 60 days after the date of
Custodian receives such notice or, in case the Custodian is the
terminating party, shall be not less than 90 days after the date the Fund
receives such notice. In the event such notice is given by the Fund, it
shall be accompanied by a certified resolution of the Board of Trustees,
electing to terminate this Agreement with respect to any Portfolio and
designating a successor custodian or custodians.
In the event such notice is given by the Custodian, the Fund shall, on or
before the termination date, deliver to the Custodian a certified
resolution of the Board of Trustees, designating a successor custodian or
custodians. In the absence of such designation by the Fund, the Custodian
may designate a successor custodian, which shall be a person qualified to
so act under the 0000 Xxx. If the Fund fails to designate a successor
custodian with respect to any Portfolio, the Fund shall upon the date
specified in the notice of termination of this Agreement and upon the
delivery by the Custodian of all Securities (other than Securities held in
the Book-Entry System which cannot be delivered to the Fund) and moneys of
such Portfolio, be deemed to be its own custodian 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.
22
(c) Upon the date set forth in such notice under paragraph (b) of this
Section 17, this Agreement shall terminate to the extent specified in such
notice, and the Custodian shall upon receipt of a notice of acceptance by
the successor custodian on that date deliver directly to the successor
custodian all Securities and moneys then held by the Custodian and
specifically allocated to the Portfolio or Portfolios specified, after
deducting all fees, expenses and other amounts for the payment or
reimbursement of which it shall then be entitled with respect to such
Portfolio or Portfolios.
18. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Annexed hereto as Schedule A is a certification signed by two of the
present officers of the Fund setting forth the names of the present
Authorized Persons. The Fund agrees to furnish to the Custodian a new
certification in similar form in the event that any such present
Authorized Person ceases to be such an Authorized Person or in the event
that other or additional Authorized Persons are elected or appointed.
Until such new certification is received by the Custodian, the Custodian
shall be fully protected in acting under the provisions of this Agreement
upon Instructions which Custodian reasonably believes were given by an
Authorized Person, as identified in the last delivered certification.
Unless such certification specifically limits the authority of an
Authorized Person to specific matters or requires that the approval of
another Authorized Person is required, Custodian shall be under no duty to
inquire into the right of such person, acting alone, to give any
instructions whatsoever under this Agreement.
(b) Each party agrees that any non-public information obtained hereunder
concerning the other party, including non-public information about
investors in the Fund or any Portfolio, is confidential and may not be
disclosed to any other person without the consent of the other party,
except as may be required to perform the duties set forth in this
Agreement or by applicable law, regulation, court order, decrees or legal
process or at the request of a governmental agency. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, each party may disclose such information to its auditors or
legal counsel. Each party further agrees that a breach of this provision
would irreparably damage the other party and accordingly agrees that each
of them is entitled, without bond or other security, to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this provision.
(c) Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by
this Agreement to be given to the Custodian, shall be sufficiently given
if addressed to the Custodian and mailed or delivered to it at its offices
at its address stated on the first page hereof or at such other place as
the Custodian may from time to time designate in writing.
(d) Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by
this Agreement to be given to the Fund, shall be sufficiently given if
addressed to the
23
Fund and mailed or delivered to it at its offices at its address shown on
the first page hereof or at such other place as the Fund may from time to
time designate in writing.
(e) Except as expressly provided herein, Agreement may not be amended or
modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both
parties with the same formality as this Agreement.
(f) 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 without the
written consent of the Custodian, or by the Custodian without the written
consent of the Fund, and any attempted assignment without such written
consent shall be null and void.
(g) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of Illinois.
(h) The captions of the Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions
hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
(i) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall,
together, constitute only one instrument.
(j) The Fund and the Custodian agree that the obligations of the Fund
under this Agreement shall not be binding upon or any member of the Board
of Trustees or any shareholder, nominee, officer, employee or agent,
whether past, present or future, of the Fund individually, but are binding
only upon the assets and property of the Fund or of the appropriate
Portfolio(s) thereof. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have
been duly authorized by Fund and signed by an authorized officer of the
Fund, acting as such, but neither such authorization by the Fund nor such
execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made
by any member of the Board of Trustees or by any officer or shareholder of
the Fund individually or to impose any liability on any of them
personally, but shall bind only the assets and property of the Fund or of
the appropriate Portfolio(s) thereof.
(remainder of page intentionally blank)
24
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be executed by their respective representatives duly authorized as of the day
and year first above written.
HSBC INVESTOR PORTFOLIOS
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Title: President
The undersigned, Xxxx Xxxxxxx, does hereby certify that he/she is the duly
elected, qualified and acting Secretary of HSBC Investor Portfolios (the "Fund")
and further certifies that the person whose signature appears above is a duly
elected, qualified and acting officer of the Fund with full power and authority
to execute this Custody Agreement on behalf of the Fund and to take such other
actions and execute such other documents as may be necessary to effectuate this
Agreement.
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxx
------------------------
Secretary
HSBC Investor Portfolios
THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY
By: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
---------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Vice President
25
SCHEDULE A
CERTIFICATION OF AUTHORIZED PERSONS
Pursuant to paragraphs 1(b) and 18(a) of the Agreement, the undersigned
officers of HSBC Investor Portfolios hereby certify that the person(s) whose
name(s) and signature(s) appear below have been duly authorized by the Board of
Trustees to give Instructions on behalf of the Fund.
NAME SIGNATURE
__________________________ __________________________
__________________________ __________________________
__________________________ __________________________
__________________________ __________________________
__________________________ __________________________
__________________________ __________________________
Certified as of the ____ day of _____________, 200__:
OFFICER: OFFICER:
_______________________________ _____________________________________
(Signature) (Signature)
_______________________________ _____________________________________
(Name) (Name)
_______________________________ _____________________________________
(Title) (Title)
26
SCHEDULE B-1
PORTFOLIOS OF THE FUND SUBJECT TO THIS AGREEMENT
NAME OF PORTFOLIO EFFECTIVE DATE
----------------- --------------
HSBC Investor Core Fixed Income Portfolio February 1, 2007
HSBC Investor Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio _________, 2007
HSBC Investor Growth Portfolio February 1, 2007
HSBC Investor High Yield Fixed Income Portfolio February 1, 2007
HSBC Investor Intermediate Duration Fixed Income Portfolio _________, 2007
HSBC Investor International Equity Portfolio February 1, 2007
HSBC Investor Short Duration Fixed Income Portfolio February 1, 2007
HSBC Investor Small Cap Equity Portfolio February 1, 2007
HSBC Investor Value Portfolio February 1, 2007
Date Last Updated: February 1, 2007
27
SCHEDULE B-2
FEEDER FUNDS INVESTING IN THE PORTFOLIOS
HSBC Investor Core Fixed Income Fund, HSBC Investor Core Plus Fixed Income Fund,
HSBC Investor Growth Fund, HSBC Investor High Yield Fund, HSBC Investor
Intermediate Duration Fixed Income Fund, HSBC Investor Opportunity Fund, HSBC
Investor Overseas Equity Fund, HSBC Investor Short Duration Fixed Income Fund,
and HSBC Investor Value Fund, each a series of HSBC Investor Funds.
HSBC Investor Core Plus Fixed Income Fund (Advisor), HSBC Investor International
Equity Fund, and HSBC Investor Opportunity Fund (Advisor), each a series of HSBC
Advisor Funds Trust.
HSBC Core Fixed Income Fund, Ltd., HSBC Investor Core Plus Fixed Income Fund,
Ltd., HSBC Investor High Yield Fixed Income Fund, Ltd., HSBC Investor
Intermediate Duration Fixed Income Fund, Ltd., HSBC Investor International
Equity Fund, Ltd., HSBC Investor Large Cap Growth Equity Fund, Ltd., HSBC
Investor Large Cap Value Equity Fund, Ltd., HSBC Investor Short Duration Fixed
Income Fund, Ltd., and HSBC Investor Small Cap Equity Fund, Ltd., each a
separate Cayman Islands limited company.
FUNDS OF FUNDS INVESTING IN THE PORTFOLIOS
HSBC Investor Aggressive Growth Strategy Fund, HSBC Investor Growth Strategy
Fund, HSBC Investor Moderate Growth Strategy Fund, HSBC Investor Conservative
Growth Strategy Fund, and HSBC Investor Conservative Income Strategy Fund, each
a series of HSBC Investor Funds.
Date Last Updated: February 1, 2007
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SCHEDULE I
(COUNTRIES FOR WHICH CUSTODIAN SHALL NOT HAVE RESPONSIBILITY UNDER
SECTION 3A FOR MANAGING FOREIGN CUSTODY ARRANGEMENTS)
None
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