CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
METLIFE-STATE STREET TAX-EXEMPT TRUST
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
SCS 6/86
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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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 ...................................................... 2
2.1 Holding Securities ........................................... 2
2.2 Delivery of Securities ....................................... 2
2.3 Registration of Securities ................................... 7
2.4 Bank Accounts ................................................ 7
2.5 Payments for Shares .......................................... 8
2.6 Investment and Availability of Federal Funds ................. 9
2.7 Collection of Income ......................................... 9
2.8 Payment of Fund Moneys .......................................10
2.9 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities
Purchased ....................................................12
2.10 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the Fund 13
2.11 Appointment of Agents ........................................13
2.12 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities System ..................14
2.13 Segregated Account ...........................................17
2.14 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes ......................18
2.15 Proxies ......................................................18
2.16 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities .........18
2.17 Proper Instructions ..........................................l9
2.18 Actions Permitted Without Express Authority ..................20
2.19 Evidence of Authority ........................................21
3. Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income ......................21
4. Records ............................................................22
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountants ..........................22
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants ..................23
7. Compensation of Custodian ..........................................23
8. Responsibility of Custodian ........................................23
9. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment ........................25
10. Successor Custodian ................................................26
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions .............................27
12. Additional Funds ...................................................28
13. Massachusetts Law to Apply .........................................28
14. Prior Contracts ....................................................28
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
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This Contract between MetLife-State Street Tax-Exempt Trust, a business
trust organized and existing under the laws of Massachusetts, having its
principal place of business at Xxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
hereinafter called the "Fund", and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a
Massachusetts corporation, having its principal place of business at 000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, 00000, 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 one series, the
MetLife-State Street High Income Tax-Exempt Fund (such series together with all
other series subsequently established by the Fund shall be made subject to this
Contract in accordance with paragraph 12.
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
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The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of its assets
pursuant to the provisions of the Declaration of Trust. The Fund agrees to
deliver to the Custodian all securities and cash owned by it, and all payments
of income,
payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to
all securities owned by the Fund from time to time, and the cash consideration
received by it for such new or treasury shares of beneficial interest ("Shares")
of the Fund as may be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not
be responsible for any property of the Fund held or received by the Fund and not
delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Section
2.17), the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more sub-custodians,
but only in accordance with an applicable vote by the Trustees of the Fund, 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.
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held By the
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Custodian
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2.1 Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate
for the account of the Fund all non-cash property, including all
securities owned by the Fund, other than securities which are maintained
pursuant to Section 2.12 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, collectively referred to herein as "Securities System".
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver
securities owned by the Fund held by the
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Custodian or in a Securities System account of the Custodian only upon receipt
of Proper Instructions, 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 Fund 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 Fund;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a Securities System, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.12 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar
offers for portfolio securities of the Fund;
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 Fund 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 2.11 or into the name or nominee name of any
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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) To the broker selling the same for examination in accordance with
the "street delivery" custom;
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;
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10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by
the Fund, 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, 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 Fund prior to the receipt of such
collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the
Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, but only against
receipt of amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, 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
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and of any registered national securities exchange, or of any
similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, 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 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 Fund's currently
effective prospectus and statement of additional information
("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
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Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of the 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 to be delivered, setting forth the purpose for
which such delivery is to be made, declaring such purposes to be
proper corporate purposes, and naming the person or persons to
whom delivery of such securities shall be made.
2.3 Registration of Securities. Securities held by the Custodian (other than
bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Fund or in the
name of any nominee of the Fund or of any nominee of the Custodian which
nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Fund, 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 Fund, or in the name or nominee name of any agent
appointed pursuant to Section 2.11 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 Fund under the terms of this Contract
shall be in "street name" or other good delivery form.
2.4 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
account or accounts in the name of the
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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 Fund, other than cash maintained by the Fund 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 the
Fund 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 be approved by vote of a majority of the 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 Payments for Shares. The Custodian shall receive from the distributor
for the Fund's Shares or from the Transfer Agent of the Fund and deposit
into the Fund's account such payments as are received for Shares of the
Fund issued or sold from time to time by the Fund. The Custodian will
provide timely notification to the Fund and the Transfer Agent of any
receipt by it of payments for Shares of the Fund.
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2.6 Investment and Availability of Federal Funds. Upon mutual agreement
between the Fund and the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the
receipt of Proper Instructions, make federal funds available to the Fund
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 the
Fund which are deposited into the Fund's account.
2.7 Collection of Income. The Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all
income and other payments with respect to registered securities held
hereunder to which the Fund 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 securities
if, on the date of payment by the issuer, such securities are held by
the Custodian or agent thereof and shall credit such income, as
collected, to the Fund'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 the Fund 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
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may be necessary to assist the Fund in arranging for the timely delivery
to the Custodian of the income to which the Fund is properly entitled.
2.8 Payment of Fund Moneys. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may
be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the
Custodian shall pay out moneys of the Fund in the following cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of securities, futures contracts or options on
futures contracts for the account of the Fund but only (a) against
the delivery of such securities, or evidence of title to 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 Fund 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
Securities System, in accordance with the conditions set forth in
Section 2.12 hereof or (c) in the case of repurchase agreements
entered into between the Fund and the
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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
Fund of securities owned by the Custodian along with written evidence of the
agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such securities from the Fund;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities
owned by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Fund as
set forth in Section 2.10 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Fund,
including but not limited to the following payments for the
account of the Fund: 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;
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5) For the payment of any dividends declared pursuant to the
governing documents of the Fund;
6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
7) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution
of the 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.
2.9 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased. In
any and every case where payment for purchase of securities for the
account of the Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of
the securities purchased in the absence of specific written instructions
from the Fund 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.
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2.10 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the Fund. 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 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 the Fund, 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.
2.11 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
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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.
2.12 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems. The Custodian may deposit
and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund 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 "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 Fund in a Securities
System provided that such securities are represented in an account
("Account") of the Custodian in the 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
Fund which are maintained in a Securities System shall identify by
book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
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3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account
of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the 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 Fund. The
Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account of the
Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the 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 Fund.
Copies of all advices from the Securities System of transfers of
securities for the account of the Fund shall identify the Fund, be
maintained for the Fund by the Custodian and be provided to the
Fund at its request. Upon request, the Custodian shall furnish the
Fund confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the
Fund in the form of a written advice or notice and shall furnish
to the Fund copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each
day's transactions in the
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Securities System for the account of the Fund.
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by
the Custodian on the Securities System's accounting system,
internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding
securities deposited in the Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received the initial or annual
certificate, as the case may be, required by Article 9 hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding, the
Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to
the Fund resulting from use of the 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 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
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 Fund has not been made whole for any such loss or damage.
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2.13 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
Instructions establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for
and on behalf of the Fund, into which account or accounts may be
transferred cash and/or securities, including securities maintained in
an account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.12 hereof, (i) in
accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund, 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 Fund, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash or
government securities in connection with options purchased, sold or
written by the Fund or commodity futures contracts or options thereon
purchased or sold by the Fund, (iii) for the purposes of compliance by
the Fund with the procedures required by Investment Company Act Release
No. 10666, or any subsequent release or releases of the Securities and
Exchange Commission relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts
by registered investment companies and (iv) for other proper corporate
purposes, but only, in the case of clause (iv),
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upon receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of
a resolution of the 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.
2.14 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 securities of the Fund held by it and in
connection with transfers of securities.
2.15 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the 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 Fund or a nominee of the Fund, all proxies, without
indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and
shall promptly deliver to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting
materials and all notices relating to such securities.
2.16 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities. The Custodian
shall transmit promptly to the Fund all written information (including,
without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of securities and
expirations of rights in connection therewith and notices
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of exercise of call and put options written by the Fund and the maturity
of futures contracts purchased or sold by the Fund) received by the
Custodian from issuers of the securities being held for the Fund. With
respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit
promptly to the Fund 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 Fund desires to take action with respect to any tender offer,
exchange offer or any other similar transaction, the Fund shall notify
the Custodian at least three business days prior to the date on which
the Custodian is to take such action.
2.17 Proper Instructions. Proper Instructions as used throughout this Article
2 means a writing signed or initialled by one or more person or persons
as the 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
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authorization by the Trustees of the Fund accompanied by a detailed
description of procedures approved by the Trustees, Proper Instructions
may include communications effected directly between electro-mechanical
or electronic devices provided that the Trustees and the Custodian are
satisfied that such procedures afford adequate safeguards for the Fund's
assets.
2.18 Actions Permitted without Express Authority. The Custodian may in its
discretion, without express authority from the Fund:
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;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
definitive form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, 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 Fund except
as otherwise directed by the Trustees of the Fund.
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2.19 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 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 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.
3. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and Calculation
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of Net Asset Value and Net Income.
----------------------------------
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to
the entity or entities appointed by the Trustees of the Fund to keep the books
of account of the Fund and/or compute the net asset value per share of the
outstanding shares of the Fund or, if directed in writing to do so by the Fund,
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 Fund as described in the Fund's currently effective prospectus 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
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division of such net income among its various components. The calculations of
the net asset value per share and the daily income of the Fund shall be made at
the time or times described from time to time in the Fund's currently effective
prospectus.
4. Records
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The Custodian shall 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,
applicable federal and state tax laws and any other law or administrative rules
or procedures which may be applicable to the Fund. 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 the Fund 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.
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant
----------------------------------------
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund 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
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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.
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
-------------------------------------------------
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, 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, which
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, shall so state.
7. 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 and the Custodian.
8. Responsibility of Custodian
---------------------------
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable
care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or
genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or
delivered by it pursuant to this Contract and shall be held harmless in acting
upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably
-23-
believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties.
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 reputable legal 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
responsibility of the Custodian with respect to redemptions effected by check
shall be in accordance with a separate Agreement entered into between the
Custodian and the Fund.
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.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to advance cash or securities for any
purpose or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be
assessed any taxes, charges, expenxes, 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
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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 Fund assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
9. 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 act under Section 2.12 hereof in the
absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary that the Trustees of the Fund have approved the initial use of a
particular Securities System and the receipt of an annual certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Trustees have reviewed the use by
the Fund of such Securities System, as required in each case by Rule 17f-4 under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; 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 may at any time by action of its
Trustees (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the Custodian by
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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 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.
10. Successor Custodian
-------------------
If a successor custodian shall be appointed by the 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 then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account of the
successor Custodian all of the Fund's securities held in a Securities System.
If no such successor custodians shall be appointed, the Custodian shall,
in like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the 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 Trustees shall have been delivered to the
Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become effective,
then the Custodian
-26-
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
and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other
property held by it under this Contract and to transfer to an account of such
successor custodian all of the Fund's securities 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 vote referred to or of the
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.
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions
--------------------------------------
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and the
Fund 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
-27-
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.
12. Additional Funds
----------------
In the event that the Fund establishes one or more series of Shares in
addition to MetLife-State Street High Income Tax-Exempt 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
Fund hereunder.
13. 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.
14. Prior Contracts
---------------
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all
prior contracts between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the custody of
the Fund's assets.
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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 30th day of June, 1986.
ATTEST METLIFE-STATE STREET TAX-EXEMPT TRUST
/s/ Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xx. By /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx III
----------------------------- -----------------------------
Secretary Treasurer
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
/s/ K.M. Kuben By /s/ X.X. Xxxxxx, Xx.
----------------------------- -----------------------------
Assistant Secretary Vice President
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