Exhibit 3
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
ORBITEX GROUP OF FUNDS
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
Global/Series/Trust
21E593
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held By It . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property
of the Fund Held by the Custodian in the United States. . . . . . . . . . . . .2
2.1 Holding Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
2.2 Delivery of Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
2.3 Registration of Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
2.4 Bank Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2.6 Collection of Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of
Securities Purchased. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
2.9 Appointment of Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in U.S. Securities System. . . . . . . . . . . . .7
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System . . . . . . . . .8
2.12 Segregated Account. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.14 Proxies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.15 Communications Relating to Portfolio Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of
the Fund Held Outside of the United States. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.2 Assets to be Held . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.3 Foreign Securities Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.4 Holding Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.7 Reports by Custodian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.9 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.10 Liability of Custodian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.11 Reimbursement for Advances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.12 Monitoring Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.13 Branches of U.S. Banks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.14 Tax Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchases or Redemptions
of Shares of the Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
5. Proper Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
6. Actions Permitted Without Express Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
7. Evidence of Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
8. Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books of Account
and Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
9. Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
12. Compensation of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
13. Responsibility of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
14. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
15. Successor Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
17. Additional Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
18. Massachusetts Law to Apply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
19. Prior Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
20. Reproduction of Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
21. Shareholder Communications Election . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between Orbitex Group of Funds, a business trust organized
and existing under the laws of Delaware , having its principal place of business
at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ hereinafter called the "Fund", and
State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company, having its
principal place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇, hereinafter called the "Custodian",
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Fund is authorized to issue shares in separate series, with
each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities
and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Fund intends to initially offer shares in five series,
Orbitex Global Natural Resources Fund, Orbitex Info-Tech & Communications Fund,
Orbitex Growth Fund, Orbitex Asian High Yield Fund and Orbitex Asian Select
Advisers Fund (such series together with all other series subsequently
established by the Fund and made subject to this Contract in accordance with
paragraph 17, being herein referred to as the "Portfolio(s)");
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT OF CUSTODIAN AND PROPERTY TO BE HELD BY IT
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of the assets of
the Portfolios of the Fund, including securities which the Fund, on behalf of
the applicable Portfolio desires to be held in places within the United States
("domestic securities") and securities it desires to be held outside the United
States ("foreign securities") pursuant to the provisions of the Declaration of
Trust. The Fund on behalf of the Portfolio(s) agrees to deliver to the
Custodian all securities and cash of the Portfolios, and all payments of income,
payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to
all securities owned by the Portfolio(s) from time to time, and the cash
consideration received by it for such new or treasury shares of beneficial
interest of the Fund representing interests in the Portfolios, ("Shares") as may
be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for
any property of a Portfolio held or received by the Portfolio and not delivered
to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Article 5),
the Custodian shall on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) from time to time
employ one or more sub-custodians, located in the United States but only in
accordance with an applicable vote by the Board of Trustees of the Fund on
behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s), and provided that the Custodian shall
have no more or less responsibility or liability to the Fund on account of any
actions or omissions of any sub-custodian so employed than any such
sub-custodian has to the Custodian. The Custodian may employ as sub-custodian
for the Fund's foreign securities on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) the
foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories designated in
Schedule A hereto but only in accordance with the provisions of Article 3.
2. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND HELD BY THE
CUSTODIAN IN THE UNITED STATES
2.1 HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate
for the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property, to be held by it
in the United States including all domestic securities owned by such
Portfolio, other than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant to
Section 2.10 in a clearing agency which acts as a securities depository
or in a book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the
Treasury (each, a U.S. Securities System") and (b) commercial paper of an
issuer for which State Street Bank and Trust Company acts as issuing and
paying agent ("Direct Paper") which is deposited and/or maintained in the
Direct Paper System of the Custodian (the "Direct Paper System") pursuant
to Section 2.11.
2.2 DELIVERY OF SECURITIES. The Custodian shall release and deliver domestic
securities owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian or in a U.S.
Securities System account of the Custodian or in the Custodian's Direct
Paper book entry system account ("Direct Paper System Account") only upon
receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the applicable
Portfolio, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate
by the parties, and only in the following cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio and
receipt of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
agreement related to such securities entered into by the Portfolio;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a U.S. Securities System, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.10 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar
offers for securities of the Portfolio;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are called,
redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided that, in
any such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered
to the Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of
the Portfolio or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the
Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed
pursuant to Section 2.9 or into the name or nominee
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name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Article 1; or for
exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other
evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of
units; PROVIDED that, in any such case, the new securities are to
be delivered to the Custodian;
7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio,
to the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for
examination in accordance with "street delivery" custom; provided
that in any such case, the Custodian shall have no responsibility
or liability for any loss arising from the delivery of such
securities prior to receiving payment for such securities except as
may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful
misconduct;
8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of
the securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to
provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant
to any deposit agreement; provided that, in any such case, the new
securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;
9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the
surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or
similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or
temporary securities for definitive securities; provided that, in
any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be
delivered to the Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by the
Portfolio, BUT ONLY against receipt of adequate collateral as
agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund on
behalf of the Portfolio, which may be in the form of cash or
obligations issued by the United States government, its agencies or
instrumentalities, except that in connection with any loans for
which collateral is to be credited to the Custodian's account in
the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the
Treasury, the Custodian will not be held liable or responsible for
the delivery of securities owned by the Portfolio prior to the
receipt of such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the
Fund on behalf of the Portfolio requiring a pledge of assets by the
Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, BUT ONLY against receipt of
amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian and a
broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the "Exchange Act") and a member of The National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), relating to compliance with the
rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered
national
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securities exchange, or of any similar organization or
organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection
with transactions by the Portfolio of the Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian, and a
Futures Commission Merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange
Act, relating to compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission and/or any Contract Market, or any similar
organization or organizations, regarding account deposits in
connection with transactions by the Portfolio of the Fund;
14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent ("Transfer
Agent") for the Fund, for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to the
holders of shares in connection with distributions in kind, as may
be described from time to time in the currently effective
prospectus and statement of additional information of the Fund,
related to the Portfolio ("Prospectus"), in satisfaction of
requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or redemption; and
15) For any other proper corporate purpose, BUT ONLY upon receipt of,
in addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the
applicable Portfolio, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board
of Trustees or of the Executive Committee signed by an officer of
the Fund and certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary,
specifying the securities of the Portfolio to be delivered, setting
forth the purpose for which such delivery is to be made, declaring
such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose, and naming the
person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be
made.
2.3 REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES. Domestic securities held by the Custodian
(other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the
Portfolio or in the name of any nominee of the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio or of any nominee of the Custodian which nominee shall be
assigned exclusively to the Portfolio, UNLESS the Fund has authorized in
writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in common with other
registered investment companies having the same investment adviser as the
Portfolio, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant
to Section 2.9 or in the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian
appointed pursuant to Article 1. All securities accepted by the
Custodian on behalf of the Portfolio under the terms of this Contract
shall be in "street name" or other good delivery form. If, however, the
Fund directs the Custodian to maintain securities in "street name", the
Custodian shall utilize its best efforts only to timely collect income
due the Fund on such securities and to notify the Fund on a best efforts
basis only of relevant corporate actions including, without limitation,
pendency of calls, maturities, tender or exchange offers.
4
2.4 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
account or accounts in the United States in the name of each Portfolio of
the Fund, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant
to the terms of this Contract, and shall hold in such account or
accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it from
or for the account of the Portfolio, other than cash maintained by the
Portfolio in a bank account established and used in accordance with Rule
17f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Funds held by the
Custodian for a Portfolio may be deposited by it to its credit as
Custodian in the Banking Department of the Custodian or in such other
banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem necessary or
desirable; PROVIDED, however, that every such bank or trust company shall
be qualified to act as a custodian under the Investment Company Act of
1940 and that each such bank or trust company and the funds to be
deposited with each such bank or trust company shall on behalf of each
applicable Portfolio be approved by vote of a majority of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund. Such funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in
its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the Custodian only
in that capacity.
2.5 AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL FUNDS. Upon mutual agreement between the Fund on
behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian, the Custodian
shall, upon the receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of
a Portfolio, make federal funds available to such Portfolio as of
specified times agreed upon from time to time by the Fund and the
Custodian in the amount of checks received in payment for Shares of such
Portfolio which are deposited into the Portfolio's account.
2.6 COLLECTION OF INCOME. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the
Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments
with respect to registered domestic securities held hereunder to which
each Portfolio shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in
the securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income
and other payments with respect to bearer domestic securities if, on the
date of payment by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian
or its agent thereof and shall credit such income, as collected, to such
Portfolio's custodian account. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for payment all coupons
and other income items requiring presentation as and when they become due
and shall collect interest when due on securities held hereunder. Income
due each Portfolio on securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of
Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility of the Fund. The Custodian
will have no duty or responsibility in connection therewith, other than
to provide the Fund with such information or data as may be necessary to
assist the Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of
the income to which the Portfolio is properly entitled.
2.7 PAYMENT OF FUND MONIES. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the
Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing
instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall
pay out monies of a Portfolio in the following cases only:
5
1) Upon the purchase of domestic securities, options, futures
contracts or options on futures contracts for the account of the
Portfolio but only (a) against the delivery of such securities or
evidence of title to such options, futures contracts or options on
futures contracts to the Custodian (or any bank, banking firm or
trust company doing business in the United States or abroad which
is qualified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
to act as a custodian and has been designated by the Custodian as
its agent for this purpose) registered in the name of the Portfolio
or in the name of a nominee of the Custodian referred to in Section
2.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer; (b) in the case of a
purchase effected through a U.S. Securities System, in accordance
with the conditions set forth in Section 2.10 hereof; (c) in the
case of a purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in accordance
with the conditions set forth in Section 2.11; (d) in the case of
repurchase agreements entered into between the Fund on behalf of
the Portfolio and the Custodian, or another bank, or a
broker-dealer which is a member of NASD, (i) against delivery of
the securities either in certificate form or through an entry
crediting the Custodian's account at the Federal Reserve Bank with
such securities or (ii) against delivery of the receipt evidencing
purchase by the Portfolio of securities owned by the Custodian
along with written evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to
repurchase such securities from the Portfolio or (e) for transfer
to a time deposit account of the Fund in any bank, whether domestic
or foreign; such transfer may be effected prior to receipt of a
confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable bank pursuant to
Proper Instructions from the Fund as defined in Article 5;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities
owned by the Portfolio as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Portfolio
as set forth in Article 4 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the
Portfolio, including but not limited to the following payments for
the account of the Portfolio: interest, taxes, management,
accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and operating expenses
of the Fund whether or not such expenses are to be in whole or part
capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;
5) For the payment of any dividends on Shares of the Portfolio
declared pursuant to the governing documents of the Fund;
6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
6
7) For any other proper purpose, BUT ONLY upon receipt of, in addition
to Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, a
certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees or of the
Executive Committee of the Fund signed by an officer of the Fund
and certified by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary,
specifying the amount of such payment, setting forth the purpose
for which such payment is to be made, declaring such purpose to be
a proper purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom such
payment is to be made.
2.8 LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT IN ADVANCE OF RECEIPT OF SECURITIES PURCHASED.
Except as specifically stated otherwise in this Contract, in any and
every case where payment for purchase of domestic securities for the
account of a Portfolio is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of
the securities purchased in the absence of specific written instructions
from the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio to so pay in advance, the
Custodian shall be absolutely liable to the Fund for such securities to
the same extent as if the securities had been received by the Custodian.
2.9 APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS. The Custodian may at any time or times in its
discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust
company which is itself qualified under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry out such
of the provisions of this Article 2 as the Custodian may from time to
time direct; PROVIDED, however, that the appointment of any agent shall
not relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities
hereunder.
2.10 DEPOSIT OF FUND ASSETS IN U.S. SECURITIES SYSTEMS. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in a clearing
agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which acts as a
securities depository, or in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S.
Department of the Treasury and certain federal agencies, collectively
referred to herein as "U.S. Securities System" in accordance with
applicable Federal Reserve Board and Securities and Exchange Commission
rules and regulations, if any, and subject to the following provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of the Portfolio in a U.S.
Securities System provided that such securities are represented in
an account ("Account") of the Custodian in the U.S. Securities
System which shall not include any assets of the Custodian other
than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for
customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Portfolio which are maintained in a U.S. Securities System shall
identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Portfolio;
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3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of
the Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the U.S. Securities
System that such securities have been transferred to the Account,
and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to
reflect such payment and transfer for the account of the Portfolio.
The Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account of the
Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the U.S. Securities
System that payment for such securities has been transferred to the
Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for the account of
the Portfolio. Copies of all advices from the U.S. Securities
System of transfers of securities for the account of the Portfolio
shall identify the Portfolio, be maintained for the Portfolio by
the Custodian and be provided to the Fund at its request. Upon
request, the Custodian shall furnish the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of
the Portfolio in the form of a written advice or notice and shall
furnish to the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio copies of daily
transaction sheets reflecting each day's transactions in the U.S.
Securities System for the account of the Portfolio;
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund for the Portfolio with any
report obtained by the Custodian on the U.S. Securities System's
accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for
safeguarding securities deposited in the U.S. Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received from the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio the initial or annual certificate, as the case may be,
required by Article 14 hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding, the
Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for the benefit of the
Portfolio for any loss or damage to the Portfolio resulting from
use of the U.S. Securities System by reason of any negligence,
misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or any of its agents or
of any of its or their employees or from failure of the Custodian
or any such agent to enforce effectively such rights as it may have
against the U.S. Securities System; at the election of the Fund, it
shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian
with respect to any claim against the U.S. Securities System or any
other person which the Custodian may have as a consequence of any
such loss or damage if and to the extent that the Portfolio has not
been made whole for any such loss or damage.
2.11 FUND ASSETS HELD IN THE CUSTODIAN'S DIRECT PAPER SYSTEM. The Custodian
may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in the Direct
Paper System of the Custodian subject to the following provisions:
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1) No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper System
will be effected in the absence of Proper Instructions from the
Fund on behalf of the Portfolio;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Portfolio in the Direct
Paper System only if such securities are represented in an account
("Account") of the Custodian in the Direct Paper System which shall
not include any assets of the Custodian other than assets held as a
fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;
3) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Portfolio which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall
identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Portfolio;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of
the Portfolio upon the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer of securities to the
account of the Portfolio. The Custodian shall transfer securities
sold for the account of the Portfolio upon the making of an entry
on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and
receipt of payment for the account of the Portfolio;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio
confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the
Portfolio, in the form of a written advice or notice, of Direct
Paper on the next business day following such transfer and shall
furnish to the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio copies of daily
transaction sheets reflecting each day's transaction in the U.S.
Securities System for the account of the Portfolio;
6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio
with any report on its system of internal accounting control as the
Fund may reasonably request from time to time.
2.12 SEGREGATED ACCOUNT. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
Instructions from the Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio
establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf
of each such Portfolio, into which account or accounts may be transferred
cash and/or securities, including securities maintained in an account by
the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof, (i) in accordance with the
provisions of any agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio,
the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a
member of the NASD (or any futures commission merchant registered under
the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the rules of The
Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities
exchange (or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any registered
contract market), or of any similar organization or organizations,
regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by
the Portfolio, (ii) for purposes of
9
segregating cash or government securities in connection with options
purchased, sold or written by the Portfolio or commodity futures
contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by the Portfolio, (iii)
for the purposes of compliance by the Portfolio with the procedures
required by Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent
release or releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to
the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies
and (iv) for other proper corporate purposes, BUT ONLY, in the case of
clause (iv), upon receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions from the
Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Trustees or of the Executive Committee signed
by an officer of the Fund and certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, setting forth the purpose or purposes of such segregated
account and declaring such purposes to be proper corporate purposes.
2.13 OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES FOR TAX PURPOSES. The Custodian shall execute
ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state
tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with
respect to domestic securities of each Portfolio held by it and in
connection with transfers of securities.
2.14 PROXIES. The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic securities
held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of
such securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the
name of the Portfolio or a nominee of the Portfolio, all proxies, without
indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall
promptly deliver to the Portfolio such proxies, all proxy soliciting
materials and all notices relating to such securities.
2.15 COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. Subject to the
provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the
Fund for each Portfolio all written information (including, without
limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of domestic securities and
expirations of rights in connection therewith and notices of exercise of
call and put options written by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio and
the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold by the Portfolio)
received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities being held for
the Portfolio. With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian
shall transmit promptly to the Portfolio all written information received
by the Custodian from issuers of the securities whose tender or exchange
is sought and from the party (or his agents) making the tender or
exchange offer. If the Portfolio desires to take action with respect to
any tender offer, exchange offer or any other similar transaction, the
Portfolio shall notify the Custodian at least three business days prior
to the date on which the Custodian is to take such action.
10
3. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND HELD OUTSIDE
OF THE UNITED STATES
3.1 APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS. The Fund hereby authorizes and
instructs the Custodian to employ as sub-custodians for the Portfolio's
securities and other assets maintained outside the United States the
foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories
designated on Schedule A hereto ("foreign sub-custodians"). Upon receipt
of "Proper Instructions", as defined in Section 5 of this Contract,
together with a certified resolution of the Fund's Board of Trustees, the
Custodian and the Fund may agree to amend Schedule A hereto from time to
time to designate additional foreign banking institutions and foreign
securities depositories to act as sub-custodian. Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, the Fund may instruct the Custodian to cease the employment
of any one or more such sub-custodians for maintaining custody of the
Portfolio's assets.
3.2 ASSETS TO BE HELD. The Custodian shall limit the securities and other
assets maintained in the custody of the foreign sub-custodians to: (a)
"foreign securities", as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, and (b) cash and cash equivalents in
such amounts as the Custodian or the Fund may determine to be reasonably
necessary to effect the Portfolio's foreign securities transactions. The
Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Fund, the
foreign securities of the Fund held by each foreign sub-custodian.
3.3 FOREIGN SECURITIES SYSTEMS. Except as may otherwise be agreed upon in
writing by the Custodian and the Fund, assets of the Portfolios shall be
maintained in a clearing agency which acts as a securities depository or
in a book-entry system for the central handling of securities located
outside the United States (each a "Foreign Securities System") only
through arrangements implemented by the foreign banking institutions
serving as sub-custodians pursuant to the terms hereof (Foreign
Securities Systems and U.S. Securities Systems are collectively referred
to herein as the "Securities Systems"). Where possible, such
arrangements shall include entry into agreements containing the
provisions set forth in Section 3.5 hereof.
3.4 HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian may hold securities and other non-cash
property for all of its customers, including the Fund, with a Foreign
Sub-custodian in a single account that is identified as belonging to the
Custodian for the benefit of its customers, PROVIDED HOWEVER, that (i)
the records of the Custodian with respect to securities and other
non-cash property of the Fund which are maintained in such account shall
identify by book-entry those securities and other non-cash property
belonging to the Fund and (ii) the Custodian shall require that
securities and other non-cash property so held by the foreign
sub-custodian be held separately from any assets of the foreign
sub-custodian or of others.
11
3.5 AGREEMENTS WITH FOREIGN BANKING INSTITUTIONS. Each agreement with a
foreign banking institution shall provide that: (a) the assets of each
Portfolio will not be subject to any right, charge, security interest,
lien or claim of any kind in favor of the foreign banking institution or
its creditors or agent, except a claim of payment for their safe custody
or administration; (b) beneficial ownership for the assets of each
Portfolio will be freely transferable without the payment of money or
value other than for custody or administration; (c) adequate records will
be maintained identifying the assets as belonging to each applicable
Portfolio; (d) officers of or auditors employed by, or other
representatives of the Custodian, including to the extent permitted under
applicable law the independent public accountants for the Fund, will be
given access to the books and records of the foreign banking institution
relating to its actions under its agreement with the Custodian; and (e)
assets of the Portfolios held by the foreign sub-custodian will be
subject only to the instructions of the Custodian or its agents.
3.6 ACCESS OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS OF THE FUND. Upon request of the Fund,
the Custodian will use its best efforts to arrange for the independent
accountants of the Fund to be afforded access to the books and records of
any foreign banking institution employed as a foreign sub-custodian
insofar as such books and records relate to the performance of such
foreign banking institution under its agreement with the Custodian.
3.7 REPORTS BY CUSTODIAN. The Custodian will supply to the Fund from time to
time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of the securities
and other assets of the Portfolio(s) held by foreign sub-custodians,
including but not limited to an identification of entities having
possession of the Portfolio(s) securities and other assets and advices or
notifications of any transfers of securities to or from each custodial
account maintained by a foreign banking institution for the Custodian on
behalf of each applicable Portfolio indicating, as to securities acquired
for a Portfolio, the identity of the entity having physical possession of
such securities.
3.8 TRANSACTIONS IN FOREIGN CUSTODY ACCOUNT. (a) Except as otherwise
provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 3.8, the provision of Sections
2.2 and 2.7 of this Contract shall apply, MUTATIS MUTANDIS to the foreign
securities of the Fund held outside the United States by foreign
sub-custodians.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the contrary,
settlement and payment for securities received for the account of each
applicable Portfolio and delivery of securities maintained for the
account of each applicable Portfolio may be effected in accordance with
the customary established securities trading or securities processing
practices and procedures in the jurisdiction or market in which the
transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivering securities
to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such
purchaser or dealer) against a receipt with the expectation of receiving
later payment for such securities from such purchaser or dealer.
12
(c) Securities maintained in the custody of a foreign sub-custodian may
be maintained in the name of such entity's nominee to the same extent as
set forth in Section 2.3 of this Contract, and the Fund agrees to hold
any such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of
such securities.
3.9 LIABILITY OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS. Each agreement pursuant to which
the Custodian employs a foreign banking institution as a foreign
sub-custodian shall require the institution to exercise reasonable care
in the performance of its duties and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the
Custodian and the Fund from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense,
liability or claim arising out of or in connection with the institution's
performance of such obligations. At the election of the Fund, it shall
be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect
to any claims against a foreign banking institution as a consequence of
any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and to the
extent that the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss, damage,
cost, expense, liability or claim.
3.10 LIABILITY OF CUSTODIAN. The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or
omissions of a foreign banking institution to the same extent as set
forth with respect to sub-custodians generally in this Contract and,
regardless of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a foreign
banking institution, a foreign securities depository or a branch of a
U.S. bank as contemplated by paragraph 3.13 hereof, the Custodian shall
not be liable for any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim
resulting from nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, or
acts of war or terrorism or any loss where the sub-custodian has
otherwise exercised reasonable care. Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions of this paragraph 3.10, in delegating custody duties to State
Street London Ltd., the Custodian shall not be relieved of any
responsibility to the Fund for any loss due to such delegation, except
such loss as may result from (a) political risk (including, but not
limited to, exchange control restrictions, confiscation, expropriation,
nationalization, insurrection, civil strife or armed hostilities) or (b)
other losses (excluding a bankruptcy or insolvency of State Street London
Ltd. not caused by political risk) due to Acts of God, nuclear incident
or other losses under circumstances where the Custodian and State Street
London Ltd. have exercised reasonable care.
3.11 REIMBURSEMENT FOR ADVANCES. If the Fund requires the Custodian to
advance cash or securities for any purpose for the benefit of a Portfolio
including the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or of contracts for
foreign exchange, or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall
incur or be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or
liabilities in connection with the performance of this Contract, except
such as may arise from its or its nominee's own negligent action,
negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, any property at any time
held for the account of the applicable Portfolio shall be security
therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the
Custodian shall be
13
entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of such Portfolio's
assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
3.12 MONITORING RESPONSIBILITIES. The Custodian shall furnish annually to the
Fund, during the month of June, information concerning the foreign
sub-custodians employed by the Custodian. Such information shall be
similar in kind and scope to that furnished to the Fund in connection
with the initial approval of this Contract. In addition, the Custodian
will promptly inform the Fund in the event that the Custodian learns of a
material adverse change in the financial condition of a foreign
sub-custodian or any material loss of the assets of the Fund or in the
case of any foreign sub-custodian not the subject of an exemptive order
from the Securities and Exchange Commission is notified by such foreign
sub-custodian that there appears to be a substantial likelihood that its
shareholders' equity will decline below $200 million (U.S. dollars or the
equivalent thereof) or that its shareholders' equity has declined below
$200 million (in each case computed in accordance with generally accepted
U.S. accounting principles).
3.13 BRANCHES OF U.S. BANKS. (a) Except as otherwise set forth in this
Contract, the provisions hereof shall not apply where the custody of the
Portfolios assets are maintained in a foreign branch of a banking
institution which is a "bank" as defined by Section 2(a)(5) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 meeting the qualification set forth in
Section 26(a) of said Act. The appointment of any such branch as a
sub-custodian shall be governed by paragraph 1 of this Contract.
(b) Cash held for each Portfolio of the Fund in the United Kingdom shall
be maintained in an interest bearing account established for the Fund
with the Custodian's London branch, which account shall be subject to the
direction of the Custodian, State Street London Ltd. or both.
3.14 TAX LAW. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any
obligations now or hereafter imposed on the Fund or the Custodian as
custodian of the Fund by the tax law of the United States of America or
any state or political subdivision thereof. It shall be the
responsibility of the Fund to notify the Custodian of the obligations
imposed on the Fund or the Custodian as custodian of the Fund by the tax
law of jurisdictions other than those mentioned in the above sentence,
including responsibility for withholding and other taxes, assessments or
other governmental charges, certifications and governmental reporting.
The sole responsibility of the Custodian with regard to such tax law
shall be to use reasonable efforts to assist the Fund with respect to any
claim for exemption or refund under the tax law of jurisdictions for
which the Fund has provided such information.
14
4. PAYMENTS FOR SALES OR REPURCHASES OR REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES OF THE FUND
The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Shares or from
the Transfer Agent of the Fund and deposit into the account of the appropriate
Portfolio such payments as are received for Shares of that Portfolio issued or
sold from time to time by the Fund. The Custodian will provide timely
notification to the Fund on behalf of each such Portfolio and the Transfer Agent
of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of such Portfolio.
From such funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the
limitations of the Declaration of Trust and any applicable votes of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund pursuant thereto, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of
instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for payment to
holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for
redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In connection with the redemption or
repurchase of Shares of a Portfolio, the Custodian is authorized upon receipt of
instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial
bank designated by the redeeming shareholders. In connection with the
redemption or repurchase of Shares of the Fund, the Custodian shall honor checks
drawn on the Custodian by a holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished
by the Fund to the holder of Shares, when presented to the Custodian in
accordance with such procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from
time to time between the Fund and the Custodian.
5. PROPER INSTRUCTIONS
Proper Instructions as used throughout this Contract means a writing
signed or initialled by one or more person or persons as the Board of Trustees
shall have from time to time authorized. Each such writing shall set forth the
specific transaction or type of transaction involved, including a specific
statement of the purpose for which such action is requested. Oral instructions
will be considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian reasonably believes them
to have been given by a person authorized to give such instructions with respect
to the transaction involved. The Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be
confirmed in writing. Upon receipt of a certificate of the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary as to the authorization by the Board of Trustees of the Fund
accompanied by a detailed description of procedures approved by the Board of
Trustees, Proper Instructions may include communications effected directly
between electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the Board of
Trustees and the Custodian are satisfied that such procedures afford adequate
safeguards for the Portfolios' assets. For purposes of this Section, Proper
Instructions shall include instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to
any three-party agreement which requires a segregated asset account in
accordance with Section 2.12.
6. ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the
Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio:
15
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this
Contract, PROVIDED that all such payments shall be accounted for to
the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive
form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, checks,
drafts and other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection
with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other
dealings with the securities and property of the Portfolio except
as otherwise directed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
7. EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY
The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions, notice,
request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper believed by it to be
genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the Fund. The
Custodian may receive and accept a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person
to act in accordance with such vote or (b) of any determination or of any action
by the Board of Trustees pursuant to the Declaration of Trust as described in
such vote, and such vote may be considered as in full force and effect until
receipt by the Custodian of written notice to the contrary.
8. DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNT AND CALCULATION
OF NET ASSET VALUE AND NET INCOME
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to
the entity or entities appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund to keep
the books of account of each Portfolio and/or compute the net asset value per
share of the outstanding shares of each Portfolio or, if directed in writing to
do so by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, shall itself keep such books of
account and/or compute such net asset value per share. If so directed, the
Custodian shall also calculate daily the net income of the Portfolio as
described in the Fund's currently effective prospectus related to such Portfolio
and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the total amounts of
such net income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of the Fund to do
so, shall advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the division of such net
income among its various components. The calculations of the net asset value
per share and the daily income of each Portfolio shall be made at the time or
times described from time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus
related to such Portfolio.
16
9. RECORDS
The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create and maintain
all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Contract in
such manner as will meet the obligations of the Fund under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules
31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder. All such records shall be the property of the Fund
and shall at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be
open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund
and employees and agents of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
Custodian shall, at the Fund's request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of
securities owned by each Portfolio and held by the Custodian and shall, when
requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon
between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such
tabulations.
10. OPINION OF FUND'S INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund on behalf of
each applicable Portfolio may from time to time request, to obtain from year to
year favorable opinions from the Fund's independent accountants with respect to
its activities hereunder in connection with the preparation of the Fund's Form
N-1A, and Form N-SAR or other annual reports to the Securities and Exchange
Commission and with respect to any other requirements of such Commission.
11. REPORTS TO FUND BY INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, on behalf of each of the Portfolios
at such times as the Fund may reasonably require, with reports by independent
public accountants on the accounting system, internal accounting control and
procedures for safeguarding securities, futures contracts and options on futures
contracts, including securities deposited and/or maintained in a Securities
System, relating to the services provided by the Custodian under this Contract;
such reports, shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may
reasonably be required by the Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any
material inadequacies would be disclosed by such examination, and, if there are
no such inadequacies, the reports shall so state.
12. COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its
services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between the
Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian.
13. RESPONSIBILITY OF CUSTODIAN
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable
care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or
genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto
17
received by it or delivered by it pursuant to this Contract and shall be held
harmless in acting upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or other
instrument reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the
proper party or parties, including any futures commission merchant acting
pursuant to the terms of a three-party futures or options agreement. The
Custodian shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care in carrying out the
provisions of this Contract, but shall be kept indemnified by and shall be
without liability to the Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in good
faith without negligence. It shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon
advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and shall be
without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such
advice.
Except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful
misconduct or the negligence or willful misconduct of a sub-custodian or agent,
the Custodian shall be without liability to the Fund for any loss, liability,
claim or expense resulting from or caused by; (i) events or circumstances beyond
the reasonable control of the Custodian or any sub-custodian or Securities
System or any agent or nominee of any of the foregoing, including, without
limitation, nationalization or expropriation, imposition of currency controls or
restrictions, the interruption, suspension or restriction of trading on or the
closure of any securities market, power or other mechanical or technological
failures or interruptions, computer viruses or communications disruptions, acts
of war or terrorism, riots, revolutions, work stoppages, natural disasters or
other similar events or acts; (ii) errors by the Fund or the Investment Advisor
in their instructions to the Custodian provided such instructions have been in
accordance with this Contract; (iii) the insolvency of or acts or omissions by a
Securities System; (iv) any delay or failure of any broker, agent or
intermediary, central bank or other commercially prevalent payment or clearing
system to deliver to the Custodian's sub-custodian or agent securities purchased
or in the remittance or payment made in connection with securities sold; (v) any
delay or failure of any company, corporation, or other body in charge of
registering or transferring securities in the name of the Custodian, the Fund,
the Custodian's sub-custodians, nominees or agents or any consequential losses
arising out of such delay or failure to transfer such securities including
non-receipt of bonus, dividends and rights and other accretions or benefits;
(vi) delays or inability to perform its duties due to any disorder in market
infrastructure with respect to any particular security or Securities System; and
(vii) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or order of the
United States of America, or any state thereof, or any other country, or
political subdivision thereof or of any court of competent jurisdiction.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a foreign
banking institution to the same extent as set forth with respect to
sub-custodians generally in this Contract.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in
the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to
the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some
other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such
action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form
satisfactory to it.
18
If the Fund requires the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or
agents, to advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not limited
to securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement) or
in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any
taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with
the performance of this Contract, except such as may arise from its or its
nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct,
any property at any time held for the account of the Fund shall be security
therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian
shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of the Fund assets to
the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
In no event shall the Custodian be liable for indirect, special or
consequential damages.
14. EFFECTIVE PERIOD, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall continue
in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may be
amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be
terminated by either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed,
postage prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner
than thirty (30) days after the date of such delivery or mailing; PROVIDED,
however that the Custodian shall not with respect to a Portfolio act under
Section 2.10 hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees of the Fund has
approved the initial use of a particular Securities System by such Portfolio, as
required by Rule 17f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and
that the Custodian shall not with respect to a Portfolio act under Section 2.11
hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees has approved the initial use
of the Direct Paper System by such Portfolio; PROVIDED FURTHER, however, that
the Fund shall not amend or terminate this Contract in contravention of any
applicable federal or state regulations, or any provision of the Declaration of
Trust, and further provided, that the Fund on behalf of one or more of the
Portfolios may at any time by action of its Board of Trustees (i) substitute
another bank or trust company for the Custodian by giving notice as described
above to the Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate this Contract in the event
of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the
Comptroller of the Currency or upon the happening of a like event at the
direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent
jurisdiction.
Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund on behalf of each applicable
Portfolio shall pay to the Custodian such compensation as may be due as of the
date of such termination and shall likewise reimburse the Custodian for its
costs, expenses and disbursements.
19
15. SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN
If a successor custodian for the Fund, of one or more of the Portfolios
shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, the Custodian shall,
upon termination, deliver to such successor custodian at the office of the
Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all securities of each
applicable Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account
of the successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in
a Securities System.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall,
in like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer such
securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such vote.
In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian or
certified copy of a vote of the Board of Trustees shall have been delivered to
the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become
effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust
company, which is a "bank" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940,
doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, of its own selection, having an
aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last
published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other
properties held by the Custodian on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and all
instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held
by it under this Contract on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and to transfer
to an account of such successor custodian all of the securities of each such
Portfolio held in any Securities System. Thereafter, such bank or trust company
shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or of
the Board of Trustees to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian shall be
entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the
Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and
the provisions of this Contract relating to the duties and obligations of the
Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
16. INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and the
Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios, may from time to time agree on such
provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this Contract as
may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this
Contract. Any such interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a writing
signed by both parties and shall be annexed hereto, PROVIDED that no such
interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any applicable federal or
state regulations or any provision of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund. No
interpretive or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence
shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Contract.
20
17. ADDITIONAL FUNDS
In the event that the Fund establishes one or more series of Shares in
addition to Orbitex Global Natural Resources Fund, Orbitex Info-Tech &
Communications Fund, Orbitex Growth Fund, Orbitex Asian High Yield Fund and
Orbitex Asian Select Advisers Fund with respect to which it desires to have the
Custodian render services as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so
notify the Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing to
provide such services, such series of Shares shall become a Portfolio hereunder.
18. MASSACHUSETTS LAW TO APPLY
This Contract shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted
under and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
19. PRIOR CONTRACTS
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior
contracts between the Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios and the Custodian
relating to the custody of the Fund's assets.
20. REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS
This Contract and all schedules, exhibits, attachments and amendments
hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm,
micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. The parties hereto
all/each agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the
original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the
original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a
party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or
further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in
evidence.
21. SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS ELECTION
Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14b-2 requires banks which hold
securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of
securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of
securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has
expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to comply with
the rule, the Custodian needs the Fund to indicate whether it authorizes the
Custodian to provide the Fund's name, address, and share position to requesting
companies whose securities the Fund owns. If the Fund tells the Custodian "no",
the Custodian will not provide this information to requesting companies. If the
Fund tells the Custodian "yes" or does not check either "yes" or "no" below, the
Custodian is required by the rule to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure
of this information for all securities owned by the Fund or any funds or
accounts established by the Fund. For the
21
Fund's protection, the Rule prohibits the requesting company from using the
Fund's name and address for any purpose other than corporate communications.
Please indicate below whether the Fund consents or objects by checking one of
the alternatives below.
YES [ ] The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund's name,
address, and share positions.
NO [ ] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund's name,
address, and share positions.
22
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be
executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative and its
seal to be hereunder affixed as of the 14th day of May, 1997.
ATTEST ORBITEX GROUP OF FUNDS
/s/▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ By /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
/s/▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Surprise By /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Surprise ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
Executive Vice President
23
SCHEDULE A
The following foreign banking institutions and foreign securities
depositories have been approved by the Board of Trustees of Orbitex Group of
Funds for use as sub-custodians for the Fund's securities and other assets:
(Insert banks and securities depositories)
Certified:
------------------------------------
Fund's Authorized Officer
Date:
------------------------------
24
SCHEDULE A
COUNTRIES, FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS AND
FOREIGN SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES
APPROVED FOR THE
ORBITEX GROUP OF FUNDS
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN CENTRAL DEPOSITORY
------- ------------ ------------------
Australia Westpac Banking Corporation Austraclear Limited;
Reserve Bank Information and
Transfer System (RITS)
Canada Canada Trustco Mortgage Company The Canadian Depository
for Securities Limited (CDS)
People's Republic The Hongkong and Shanghai Shanghai Securities Central Clearing and
of China Banking Corporation Limited, Registration Corporation (SSCCRC);
Shanghai and Shenzhen branches Shenzhen Securities Central Clearing
Co., Ltd. (SSCC)
Hong Kong Standard Chartered Bank The Central Clearing and
Settlement System (CCASS)
India Deutsche Bank AG None
Indonesia Standard Chartered Bank None
Republic of Korea SEOULBANK Korea Securities Depository (KSD)
Malaysia Standard Chartered Bank Malaysian Central Depository Sdn.
Malaysia Berhad Bhd. (MCD)
New Zealand ANZ Banking Group New Zealand Central Securities
(New Zealand) Limited Depository Limited (NZCSD)
Pakistan Deutsche Bank AG None
Philippines Standard Chartered Bank None
25
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN CENTRAL DEPOSITORY
------- ------------ ------------------
Singapore The Development Bank The Central Depository (Pte)
of Singapore Ltd. Limited (CDP)
Sri Lanka The Hongkong and Shanghai Central Depository System
Banking Corporation Limited (Pvt) Limited
Taiwan - R.O.C. Central Trust of China The Taiwan Securities Central
Depository Company, Ltd. (TSCD)
Thailand Standard Chartered Bank Thailand Securities Depository
Company Limited (TSD)
Euroclear (The Euroclear System)/State Street London Limited
Cedel (Cedel Bank, societe anonyme)/State Street London Limited
26
