Exhibit 8(a)
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ FUNDS
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held By It........... 2
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund
Held by the Custodian in the United States...................... 3
2.1 Holding Securities...................................... 3
2.2 Delivery of Securities.................................. 3
2.3 Registration of Securities.............................. 9
2.4 Bank Accounts........................................... 9
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds........................... 10
2.6 Collection of Income.................................... 11
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies.................................. 11
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of
Receipt of Securities Purchased......................... 15
2.9 Appointment of Agents................................... 15
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities System............. 15
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct
Paper System............................................ 18
2.11 Segregated Account...................................... 20
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes................. 22
2.13 Proxies................................................. 22
2.14 Communications Relating to Portfolio
Securities.............................................. 22
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of
the Fund Held Outside the United States........................ 23
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians................... 23
3.2 Assets to be Held....................................... 24
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories......................... 24
3.4 Segregation of Securities............................... 24
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions............ 25
3.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund........... 26
3.7 Reports by Custodian.................................... 26
3.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Accounts................ 26
3.9 Liability on Foreign Sub-Custodians..................... 27
3.10 Liability of Custodian.................................. 28
3.11 Reimbursement for Advances.............................. 29
3.12 Monitoring Responsibilities............................. 29
3.13 Branches of U.S. Banks.................................. 30
2
3.14 Tax Law................................................. 31
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchase or Redemptions
of Shares of the Fund.......................................... 31
5. Proper Instructions............................................ 32
6. Actions Permitted Without Express Authority.................... 33
7. Evidence of Authority.......................................... 34
8. Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income.................. 34
9. Records........................................................ 35
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountants...................... 36
11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants.............. 36
12. Compensation of Custodian...................................... 37
13. Responsibility of Custodian.................................... 37
14. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment.................... 40
15. Successor Custodian............................................ 41
16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions......................... 43
17. Additional Funds............................................... 43
18. Massachusetts Law to Apply..................................... 44
19. Prior Contracts................................................ 44
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CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
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This Contract between ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Funds, a business trust organized and
existing under the laws of Massachusetts, having its principal place of business
at one Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts 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 eight series, the
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Growth Fund, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Growth & Income Fund, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Small Capital Fund, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ International Equity Fund, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Bond
Fund, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Global Bond Fund, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Municipal Bond Fund and
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ U.S. Government Securities 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
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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
4
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
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Custodian in the United States
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2.1 Holding securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate
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for the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property, to be held by
it in the United States
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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, collectively
referred to herein as "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 pursuant to Section 2.10A.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver domestic
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securities owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian or in a Securities
System account of the Custodian or in the Custodians 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 relate to such securities entered into by the
Portfolio;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a 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,
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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
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
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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
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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 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 Custodians 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
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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
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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
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 siorganization ortionor 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
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of, in addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf
of the applicable
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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
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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
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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 and tender or exchange
offers.
2.4 Bank Accounts. The custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
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account or accounts in the United States in the name of each
Portfolio of the Fund, subject only to draft or order
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 and shall credit such income,
as collected, to such Portfolios 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:
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
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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 2.10
hereof; (c) in the case of a purchase involving the Direct
Paper System, in accordance with the conditions set forth in
Section 2.10A; (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
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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;
7) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of, in addition
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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.
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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
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discretion appoint
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(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 Securities Systems. The Custodian may deposit
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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 "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 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 Portfolio which are maintained in a
Securities System shall identify by book-entry those
securities belonging to the Portfolio;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account
of the
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Portfolio 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
Portfolio. The Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the
account of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio. Copies of all advices
from the 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 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 Securities System's
accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures
for safeguarding securities deposited in the Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received from the Fund on behalf of the
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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 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 Portfolio has not been made whole for any such loss or
damage.
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System The Custodian
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may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in the
Direct Paper System of the Custodian subject to the following
provisions:
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
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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 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
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.
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2.11 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
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 broke r-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 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,
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setting forth the purpose or purposes of such segregated account and
declaring such purposes to be proper corporate purposes.
2.12 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.
2.13 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic securities held
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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.
2.14 Communications Relating to Portfolio Securities. Subject to the provisions
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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
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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.
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held
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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 Portfolios 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.
3.3 Foreign securities Depositories. Except as may otherwise be agreed upon
-------------------------------
in writing by
21
the Custodian and the Fund, assets of the Portfolios shall be
maintained in foreign securities depositories only through arrangements
implemented by the foreign banking institutions serving as sub-
custodians pursuant to the terms hereof. where possible, such
arrangements shall include entry into agreements containing the
provisions set forth in Section 3.5 hereof.
3.4 Segregation of Securities. The Custodian shall identify on its books as
-------------------------
belonging to each applicable Portfolio of the Fund, the foreign securities
of such Portfolios held by each foreign sub-custodian. Each agreement
pursuant to which the Custodian employs a foreign banking institution shall
require that such institution establish a custody account for the Custodian
on behalf of the Fund for each applicable Portfolio of the Fund and
physically segregate in each account, securities and other assets of the
Portfolios, and, in the event that such institution deposits the securities
of one or more of the Portfolios in a foreign securities depository, that
it shall identify on its books as belonging to the Custodian, as agent for
each applicable Portfolio, the securities so deposited.
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions. Each agreement with a foreign
--------------------------------------------
banking institution shall be substantially in the form set forth in
Exhibit 1 hereto and 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
22
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 provisions of Sections 2.2 and 2.7 of this Contract shall apply,
mutatis mutandis, to the foreign
------- --------
23
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 therefore (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. (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,
24
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
25
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
entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of such Portfolios 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 of
Article 3 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
26
said Act. The appointment of any such branch as a sub-custodian
shall be governed by Article 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.
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
27
Custodian will provide timely notification of 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 initialed 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
28
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 electromechanical 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 2.11.
6. Actions Permitted without Express Authority
-------------------------------------------
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the
Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio:
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.
29
7. Evidence of Authority
---------------------
The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions,
notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper reasonably
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
30
Fund's currently effective prospectus related to such Portfolio.
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
3la-1 and 3la-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-lA, 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,
31
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 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.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a foreign
banking institution
32
appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 to the same extent as set
forth in Article 1 hereof with respect to sub-custodians located in the United
States (except as specifically provided in Article 3.10) 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 3.11 hereof, the Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage,
cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from, or caused by, the direction of
or authorization by the Fund to maintain custody or any securities or cash of
the Fund in a foreign country including, but not limited to, losses resulting
from nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of war or
terrorism.
If the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio 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 or the Portfolio being liable for the payment
of money or incurring liability of some other form, the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio, 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.
The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless State Street and its
nominee from and against all taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims and
liabilities (including counsel fees) incurred or assessed against it or its
nominee in connection with the performance of this Contract, except such as may
arise from it or its nominees own negligent action, negligent failure to act or
willful misconduct. State Street is authorized to charge any account of the Fund
for such items and its fees. To secure any such authorized charges and any
advances of cash or securities made by State Street to or for the benefit of the
Fund for any purposes which result in
33
the Fund incurring an overdraft at the end of any business day or for
extraordinary or emergency purposes during any business day, the Fund hereby
grants to State Street a security interest in and pledges to State Street
securities held for it by State Street, in an amount not to exceed the lesser of
the dollar amounts borrowed or ten percent of the Fund's gross assets, the
specific securities to be designated in writing from time to time by the Fund or
its investment adviser; provided, however, that (1) if from time to time neither
the Fund nor its investment adviser shall have designated in writing specific
securities in an amount at least equal to the lesser of the dollar amounts
borrowed or ten percent of the Fund's gross assets, or (2) if as a result of the
delivery by State Street out of its custody, pursuant to Proper Instructions, of
any securities previously so designated, the remaining amount of securities so
designated shall be less than the lesser of the dollar amounts borrowed or ten
percent of the Fund's gross assets, then State Street shall have a security
interest in the Fund's securities in an amount that, taken together with amounts
of securities from time to time designated in writing by the Fund or its
investment adviser that have not been delivered out of the custody of State
Street pursuant to Proper Instructions, does not exceed the lesser of the dollar
amounts borrowed or ten percent of the Fund's gross assets. Should the Fund fail
to repay promptly any advances of cash or securities, State Street shall be
entitled to use available cash and to dispose of pledged securities and property
as is necessary to repay any such advances.
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
34
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
and the receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary that the Board of Trustees has reviewed the use by such Portfolio of
such Securities System, as required in each case 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 2.10A 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 and the receipt of an annual certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees has reviewed the
use by such Portfolio of the Direct Paper System; 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
35
shall likewise reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and
disbursements.
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
36
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 cinereal 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.
17. Additional Funds
----------------
In the event that the Fund establishes one or more series of Shares in
addition to those specified on the first page of this Contract 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
37
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.
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 23rd day of April, 1991.
ATTEST ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ FUNDS
By
------------------------------ -----------------------------------
Assistant Secretary President
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By
------------------------------ -----------------------------------
Assistant Secretary Vice President
A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust establishing ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Funds (the "Trust") is on file with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that this agreement is executed on
behalf of the Trust by officers of the Trust as officers and not individually
and that the obligations of or arising out of this agreement are not binding
upon any of the trustees, officers or shareholders of the Trust individually but
are binding only upon the assets and property of the relevant series of the
Trust.
38
Schedule A
----------
The following foreign banking institutions and foreign securities
depositories have been approved by the Board of Trustees of ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Funds
for use as sub-custodians for the Fund's securities and other assets:
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
-----------------------------------
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
FOR MUTUAL FUND CLIENTS
Country Bank
------- ----
Argentina Citibank, N.A.
Australia Australia and New Zealand Banking Group United
Austria Girozentrale und Bank der oesteffeichischen
Sparkassen AG
Belgium Banque Bruxelles ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Brazil Citibank, N.A.
Canada Canada Trust Company
Chile Citibank, N.A.
Denmark Den Danske Bank
Finland Kansallis-Osake-Pankid
France Credit Commercial De France
▇▇
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▇▇▇▇▇▇ National Bank of Greece
Hong Kong Standard Chartered Bank
Indonesia Standard Chartered Bank
Ireland Bank of Ireland
Italy Credito ltallano
Japan Sumitomo Trust & Banking Co.. Ltd.
Malaysia Standard Chartered Bank
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EXHIBIT I
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CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
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TO:
Gentlemen:
The undersigned ("State Street") hereby requests* that you (the "Bank))
establish a custody account and a cash account for each State Street client
whose account is identified to this Agreement. Each such Custody or cash account
as applicable will be referred to herein as the "Account'$ and will be subject
to the following terms and conditions:
1. The Bank shall hold as agent for State Street and shall physically
segregate in the Account such cash, bullion, coin, stocks, shares, bonds,
debentures, notes and other securities and other property which is delivered to
the Bank for that State Street Account (the "Property").
2. (a) Without the prior approval of State Street it will not deposit
securities in any securities depository or utilize a clearing agency,
incorporated or organized under the laws of a country other than the United
States, unless such depository or clearing house operates the central system for
handling of securities or equivalent back-entries in that country or operates a
transnational system for the central handling of securities or equivalent
book-entries.
(b) When Securities hold for an Account are deposited in a
Securities depository or clearing agency by the Bank, the Bank shall identify on
its books as belonging to State Street as agent for such Account, the Securities
so deposited.
The Bank represents that either:
3. (a) It currently has stockholders' equity in excess of $200 million
(US dollars or the equivalent of US dollars computed in accordance with
generally accepted US accounting principles) and will promptly inform State
Street in the event that there appears to be a substantial likelihood that its
stockholders' equity will decline below $200 million. or in any event, at such
time as its stockholders' equity in fact declines below $200 million: or
(b) It is the subject of an exemptive order issued by the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission, which such order permits State Street
to employ the Bank as a subcustodian, notwithstanding the fact that the Bank's
stockholders' equity is currently below $200 million or may in the future
decline below $200 million due to currency fluctuation.
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4. Upon the written instructions of State Street as permitted by
Section 8, the Bank is authorized to pay out cash from the Account and to sell,
assign, transfer, deliver or exchange, or to purchase for the Account, any and
all stocks, shares, bonds, debentures, notes and other securities
("Securities"), bullion, coin and other property, but only as provided in such
written instructions. The Bank shall not be held liable for any act or omission
to act on instructions given or purported to be given should there be any error
in such instructions.
5. Unless the Bank receives written instructions of State Street to the
contrary, the Bank is authorized:
a. To promptly receive and collect all income and principal with
respect to the Property and to credit cash receipts to the Account;
b. To promptly exchange Securities where the exchange is purely
ministerial (including, without limitation, the exchange of
temporary Securities for those in definitive form and the exchange
of warrants, or other documents of entitlement to Securities, for
the Securities themselves);
c. To promptly surrender Securities at maturity or when called for
redemption upon receiving payment therefor;
d. Whenever notification of a rights entitlement or a fractional
interest resulting from a rights issue., stock dividend or stock
split is received for the Account and such rights entitlement or
fractional interest bears an expiration date, the Bank will endeavor
to obtain State Street's instructions, but should these not be
received in time for the Bank to take timely action, the Bank is
authorized to sell such rights entitlement or fractional interest
and to credit the Account;
e. To hold registered in the name of the nominee of the Bank or its
agents such Securities as are ordinarily held in registered form;
f. To execute In State Street's name for the Account, whenever the Bank
▇▇▇▇ it appropriate, such ownership and other certificates as may be
required to obtain the payment of Income from the Property; and
g. To pay or cause to be paid from the Account any and all taxes and
levies In the nature of taxes imposed on such assets by any
governmental authority, and shall use reasonable efforts to promptly
reclaim any foreign withholding tax relating to the Account.
6. If the Bank shall receive any proxies, notices, reports, or other
communications relative to any of the Securities of the Account in connection
with tender offers; reorganizations, mergers, consolidations, or similar events
which may have an impact upon the issuer thereof, the
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Bank shall promptly transmit any such communication to State Street by means as
will permit State Street to take timely action with respect thereto.
7. The Bank is authorized in its discretion to appoint brokers and
agents in connection with the Bank's handling of transactions relating to the
Property provided that any such appointment shall not relieve the Bank of any of
its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder.
8. Written instructions shall include (i) instructions in writing
signed by such persons as are designated in writing by State Street (ii) telex
or tested telex instructions of State Street, (iii) other forms of instruction
in computer readable form as shall be customarily utilized for the transmission
of like information and (iv) such other forms of communication as from time to
time shall be agreed upon by State Street and the Bank.
9. The Bank shall supply periodic reports with respect to the
safekeeping of assets held by it under this Agreement. The content of Such
reports shall include but not be limited to any transfer to or from any Account
held by the Bank hereunder and such other information as State Street may
reasonably request.
10. In addition to its obligations under Section 2 hereof, the Bank
shall maintain such other records as may be necessary to identify the assets
hereunder as belonging to each State Street client identified to this Agreement
from time to time.
11. The Bank agrees that its books and records relating to its actions
under this Agreement shall be opened to the physical, on-premises inspection and
audit at reasonable times by officers of, auditors employed by or other
representatives of State Street (including to the extent permitted under law the
independent public accountants for any entity whose Property is being hold
hereunder) and shall be retained for such period as shall be agreed by State
Street and the Bank.
12. The Bank shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its
services and expenses as custodian under this Agreement, as agreed upon from
time to time by the Bank and State Street.
13. The Bank shall exercise reasonable care in the performance of its
duties as are set forth or contemplated herein or contained in instructions
given to the Bank which are not contrary to this Agreement, and shall maintain
adequate insurance and agree to indemnity and hold State Street and each Account
from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out
of or in connection with the Bank's performance of its obligations hereunder.
14. The Bank agrees that (i) the Property is not subject to any right,
charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind In favor of the Bank or any
of Its agents or its creditors except a claim of payment for their safe custody
and administration and (ii) the beneficial ownership of
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the Property shall be freely transferable without the payment of money or other
value other than for safe custody or administration.
15. This Agreement may be terminated by the Bank or State Street by at
least 60 days' written notice to the other, sent by registered mail or express
courier. The Bank, upon the date this Agreement terminates pursuant to notice
which has been given in a timely fashion, shall deliver the Property in
accordance with written instructions of State Street specifying the name(s) of
the person(s) to whom the Property shall be delivered.
16. The Bank and State Street shall each use its best efforts to
maintain the confidentiality of the Property in each Account, Subject, however,
to the provisions of any laws requiring the disclosure of the Property.
17. The Bank agrees to follow such Operating Requirements as State
Street may require from time to time. A copy of the current State Street
Operating Requirements is attached as an exhibit to this Agreement.
18. Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, all notices with
respect to matters contemplated by this Agreement shall be deemed duly given
when received in writing or by tested telex by the Bank or State Street at their
respective addresses set forth below, or at such other address as specified in
each case in a notice similarly given:
To State Street: Global Custody Services Division STATE STREET
BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
P. 0. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
To the Bank:
19. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of .
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Please acknowledge your agreement to the foregoing by executing a copy
of this letter.
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Very truly yours,
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY
By
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Agreed to by :
By:
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Date:
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