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EXHIBIT (g)
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the 21st day of March, 1992, by and between
Fortis Growth Fund, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the "Fund"), and Norwest Bank
Minnesota, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing under the
laws of the United States of America (the "Custodian").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to appoint the Custodian as the custodian for
the assets of each Series, and the Custodian desires to accept such appointment,
pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements and covenants
herein made, the Fund and the Custodian agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS
The word "Securities" as used herein shall be construed to include,
without being limited to, shares, stocks, bonds, debentures, notes, scrip,
participation certificates, rights to subscribe, warrants, options, certificates
of deposit, bankers' acceptances, repurchase agreements, commercial paper,
choses in action, evidences of indebtedness, investment contracts, voting trust
certificates, certificates of indebtedness and certificates of interest of any
and every kind and nature whatsoever, severed and unsecured, issued or to be
issued, by any corporation, company, partnership (limited or general),
association, trust, entity or person, public or private, whether organized under
the laws of the United States, or any state, commonwealth, territory or
possession thereof, or organized under the laws of any foreign country, or any
state, province, territory or possession thereof, or issued or to be issued by
the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof, options
on stock indexes, stock index and interest rate futures contracts and options
thereon, and other futures contracts and options thereon.
The words "Written Order from the Fund" shall mean a writing signed or
initialed by one or more person or persons designated in the current certified
list referred to in Article 2, provided that if said writing is signed by only
one person, that person shall be an officer of the Fund designated in said
current certified list. "Written Order from the Fund" also may include a
communication effected directly between electro-mechanical or electronic devices
(including, but not limited to, facsimile transceivers) provided that management
of the Fund and the Custodian are satisfied that such procedures afford adequate
safeguards for the assets of each Series.
ARTICLE 2. NAMES, TITLES AND SIGNATURES OF FUND'S OFFICERS
The Fund shall certify to the Custodian the names, titles and
signatures of officers and other persons who are authorized to give any Written
Order from the Fund on behalf of each Series. The Fund agrees that, whenever any
change in such authorization occurs, it will file with the Custodian a new
certified list of names, titles and signatures which shall be signed by at least
one officer previously certified to the Custodian if any such officer still
holds an office in the fund. The Custodian is authorized to rely and act upon
the names, titles and signatures of the individuals as they appear in the most
recent such certified list which has been delivered to the Custodian as
hereinbefore provided.
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ARTICLE 3. SUB-CUSTODIANS AND DEPOSITORIES
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary,
all or any of the cash and Securities of each Series may be held in the
Custodian's own custody or in the custody of one or more other banks or trust
companies selected by the Custodian or as directed in one or more Written Orders
from the fund. Any such sub-custodian must have the qualifications required for
custodians under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Custodian
or sub-custodian, as the case may be, may participate directly or indirectly in
one or more "securities depositories" (as defined in Rule 17f-4 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or in any successor provisions or
rules thereto). Any references in this Agreement to the delivery of Securities
by or to the Custodian shall, with respect to Securities custodied with one of
the aforementioned "securities depositories," be interpreted to mean that the
Custodian shall cause a bookkeeping entry to be made by the applicable
securities depository to indicate the transfer of ownership of the applicable
Security to or from the Fund, all as set forth in one or more Written Orders
from the Fund. Additionally, any references in this Agreement to the receipt of
proceeds or payments with respect to Securities transactions shall, with respect
to Securities custodied with one of the aforementioned "securities
depositories," be interpreted to mean that the Custodian shall have received an
advice from such securities depository that said proceeds or payments have been
received by such depository and deposited in the Custodian's account.
ARTICLE 4. RECEIPT AND DISBURSING OF MONEY
SECTION (1). The Fund shall from time to time cause cash owned by the
Fund to be delivered or paid to the Custodian for the account of any Series, but
the Custodian shall not be under any obligation or duty to determine whether all
cash of the Fund is being so deposited or to take any action or to give any
notice with respect to cash not so deposited. The Custodian agrees to hold such
cash, together with any other sum collected or received by it for or on behalf
of each Series of the Fund, in the account of such Series in conformity with the
terms of this Agreement. The Custodian shall be authorized to disburse cash from
the account of each Series only:
(a) upon receipt of and in accordance with Written Orders from the Fund
stating that such cash is being used for one or more of the following
purposes, and specifying such purpose or purposes, provided, however,
that a reference in such Written Order from the Fund to the pertinent
paragraph or paragraphs of this Article shall be sufficient compliance
with this provision:
(i) the payment of interest;
(ii) the payment of dividends;
(iii) the payment of taxes;
(iv) the payment of the fees or charges to any investment
adviser of any Series;
(v) the payment of fees to a Custodian, stock registrar,
transfer agent or dividend disbursing agent for any Series;
(vi) the payment of distribution fees and commissions;
(vii) the payment of any operating expenses, which shall be
deemed to include legal and accounting fees and all other
expenses not specifically referred to in this paragraph (a);
(viii) payments to be made in connection with the conversion,
exchange or surrender of Securities owned by any Series;
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(ix) payments on loans that may from time to time be due;
(x) payment to a recognized and reputable broker for
Securities purchased by the fund through said broker (whether
or not including any regular brokerage fees, charges or
commissions on the transaction) upon receipt by the Custodian
of such Securities in proper form for transfer and after the
receipt of a confirmation from the broker or dealer with
respect to the transaction;
(xi) payment to an issuer or its agent on a subscription for
Securities of such issuer upon the exercise of rights so to
subscribe, against a receipt from such issuer or agent for the
cash so paid;
(b) as provided in Article 5 hereof; and
(c) upon the termination of this Agreement.
SECTION (2). The Custodian is hereby appointed the attorney-in-fact of
the Fund to use reasonable efforts to enforce and collect all checks, drafts or
other orders for the payment of money received by the Custodian for the account
of each Series and drawn to or to the order of the Fund and to deposit them in
the account of the applicable Series.
ARTICLE 5. RECEIPT OF SECURITIES
The Fund agrees to place all of the Securities of each Series in its
account with the Custodian, but the Custodian shall not be under any obligation
or duty to determine whether all Securities of any Series are being so
deposited, or to require that such Securities be so deposited, or to take any
action or give any notice with respect to the Securities not so deposited. The
Custodian agrees to hold such Securities in the account of the Series designated
by the Fund, in the name of the Fund or of bearer or of a nominee of the
Custodian, and in conformity with the terms of this Agreement. The Custodian
also agrees, upon Written Order from the Fund, to receive from persons other
than the Fund and to hold in the account of the Series designated by the Fund
Securities specified in said Written Order of the Fund, and, if the same are in
proper form, to cause payment to be made therefor to the persons from whom such
Securities were received, from the funds of the applicable Series held by the
Custodian in said account in the amounts provided and in the manner directed by
the Written Order from the Fund.
The Custodian agrees that all Securities of each Series placed in its
custody shall be kept physically segregated at all times from those of any other
Series, person, firm or corporation, and shall be held by the Custodian with all
reasonable precautions for the safekeeping thereof. Upon delivery of any
Securities of any Series to a subcustodian pursuant to Article 3 of this
Agreement, the Custodian will create and maintain records identifying those
assets which have been delivered to the subcustodian as belonging to the
applicable Series.
ARTICLE 6. DELIVERY OF SECURITIES
The Custodian agrees to transfer, exchange or deliver Securities as
provided in Article 7, or on receipt by it of, and in accordance with, a Written
Order from the Fund in which the Fund shall state specifically which of the
following cases is covered thereby:
(a) in the case of deliveries of Securities sold by the Fund, against
receipt by the custodian of the proceeds of sale and after receipt of a
confirmation from a broker or dealer (or, in accordance with industry practice
with respect to "same day trades," acceptance of delivery of
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such securities by the broker or dealer, which acceptance is followed up by
confirmation thereof within the normal settlement period) with respect to the
transaction;
(b) in the case of deliveries of Securities which may mature or be
called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable, against receipt by the
Custodian of the sums payable thereon or against interim receipts or other
proper delivery receipts;
(c) in the case of deliveries of Securities which are to be transferred
to and registered in the name of the Fund or of a nominee of the Custodian and
delivered to the Custodian for the account of the Series, against receipt by the
Custodian of interim receipts or other proper delivery receipts;
(d) in the case of deliveries of Securities to the issuer thereof, its
transfer agent or other proper agent, or to any committee or other organization
for exchange for other Securities to be delivered to the Custodian in connection
with a reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer or any split-up or
similar transaction involving such Securities, against receipt by the Custodian
of such other Securities or against interim receipts or other proper delivery
receipts;
(e) in the case of deliveries of temporary certificates in exchange for
permanent certificates, against receipt by the Custodian of such permanent
certificates or against interim receipts or other proper delivery receipts;
(f) in the case of deliveries of Securities upon conversion thereof
into other Securities, against receipt by the Custodian of such other Securities
or against interim receipts or other proper delivery receipts;
(g) in the case of deliveries of Securities in exchange for other
Securities (whether or not such transactions also involve the receipt or payment
of cash), against receipt by the Custodian of such other Securities or against
interim receipts or other proper delivery receipts;
(h) 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;
(i) for delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by the
Fund for the benefit of any Series, but only against receipt of adequate
collateral as agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund;
(j) for delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the
Fund for the benefit of any Series requiring a pledge of assets from the
applicable Series, but only against receipt of amounts borrowed;
(k) for delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, the Custodian and a bank, broker-dealer or futures commission
merchant relating to compliance with applicable rules and regulations regarding
account deposits, escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions
by the Fund for the benefit of any Series;
(l) in a case not covered by the preceding paragraphs of this Article,
upon receipt of a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of the Fund,
signed by an officer of the Fund and certified to by the Secretary, specifying
the Securities and assets to be transferred, exchanged or delivered, the
purposes for which such delivery is being made, declaring such purposes to be
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proper corporate purposes, and naming a person or persons (each of whom shall
be a properly bonded officer or employee of the Fund) to whom such transfer,
exchange or delivery is to be made; and
(m) in the case of deliveries pursuant to paragraphs (a) through (k)
above, the Written Order from the Fund shall direct that the proceeds of any
Securities delivered, or Securities or other assets exchanged for or in lieu of
Securities so delivered, are to be delivered to the Custodian.
ARTICLE 7. CUSTODIAN'S ACTS WITHOUT WRITTEN ORDERS FROM THE FUND
Unless and until the Custodian receives contrary Written Orders from
the Fund, the Custodian shall without order from the Fund:
(a) present for payment all bills, notes, checks, drafts and similar
items, and all coupons or other income items (except stock dividends), held or
received for the account of any Series, and which require presentation in the
ordinary course of business, and credit such items to the account of the
applicable Series conditionally, subject to final payment;
(b) present for payment all Securities which may mature or be called,
redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable and credit such items to the
account of the applicable Series conditionally, subject to final payment;
(c) hold for and credit to the account of any Series all shares of
stock and other Securities received as stock dividends or as the result of a
stock split or otherwise from or on account of Securities of the Series, and
notify the Fund, in the Custodian's monthly reports to the Fund, of the receipt
of such items;
(d) deposit or invest (as instructed from time to time by the Fund) any
cash received by it from, for or on behalf of any Series to the credit of the
account of the applicable Series;
(e) charge against the account for any Series disbursements authorized
to be made by the Custodian hereunder and actually made by it, and notify the
Fund of such charges at least once a month;
(f) deliver Securities which are to be transferred to and reissued in
the name of any Series, or of a nominee of the Custodian for the account of any
Series, and temporary certificates which are to be exchanged for permanent
certificates, to a proper transfer agent for such purpose against interim
receipts or other proper delivery receipts; and
(g) hold for disposition in accordance with Written Orders from the
Fund hereunder all options, rights and similar Securities which may be received
by the Custodian and which are issued with respect to any securities held by it
hereunder, and notify the Fund promptly of the receipt of such items.
ARTICLE 8. SEGREGATED ACCOUNTS
Upon receipt of a Written Order from the Fund, the Custodian shall
establish and maintain one or more segregated accounts for and on behalf of the
Series specified in said Written Order from the Fund for purposes of segregating
cash and/or Securities (of the type agreed upon
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from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund) for the purpose or purposes
specified in said Written Order from the Fund.
ARTICLE 9. DELIVERY OF PROXIES
The Custodian shall deliver promptly to the Fund all proxies, notices
and communications with relation to Securities held by it which it may receive
from sources other than the Fund.
ARTICLE 10. TRANSFER
The Fund shall furnish to the Custodian appropriate instruments to
enable the Custodian to hold or deliver in proper form for transfer any
Securities which it may hold for the account of any Series of the Fund. For the
purpose of facilitating the handling of Securities, unless otherwise directed by
Written Order from the Fund, the Custodian is authorized to hold Securities
deposited with it under this Agreement in the name of its registered nominee or
nominees (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code and any regulations of the
United States Treasury Department issued thereunder or in any provision of any
subsequent federal tax law exempting such transaction from liability for stock
transfer taxes) and shall execute and deliver all such certificates in
connection therewith as may be required by such laws or regulations or under the
laws of any state. The Custodian shall, if requested by the Fund, advise the
Fund of the certificate number of each certificate so presented for transfer and
that of the certificate received in exchange therefor, and shall use its best
efforts to the end that the specific Securities held by it hereunder shall be at
all times identifiable.
ARTICLE 11. TRANSFER TAXES AND OTHER DISBURSEMENTS
The Fund, for and on behalf of each Series, shall pay or reimburse the
Custodian for any transfer taxes payable upon transfers of Securities made
hereunder, including transfers incident to the termination of this Agreement,
and for all other necessary and proper disbursements and expenses made or
incurred by the Custodian in the performance or incident to the termination of
this Agreement, and the Custodian shall have a lien upon any cash or Securities
held by it for the account of each applicable Series of the fund for all such
items, enforceable, after thirty days' written notice by registered mail from
the Custodian to the Fund, by the sale of sufficient Securities to satisfy such
lien. The Custodian may reimburse itself by deducting from the proceeds of any
sale of Securities an amount sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon
the transfer of Securities sold. The Custodian shall execute such certificates
in connection with Securities delivered to it under this Agreement as may be
required, under the provisions of any federal revenue act and any regulations of
the Treasury Department issued thereunder or any state laws, to exempt from
taxation any transfers and/or deliveries of any such Securities as may qualify
for such exemption.
ARTICLE 12. CUSTODIAN'S LIABILITY FOR PROCEEDS OF SECURITIES SOLD
If the mode of payment for Securities to be delivered by the Custodian
is not specified in the Written Order from the Fund directing such delivery, the
Custodian shall make delivery of such Securities against receipt by it of cash,
a postal money order or a check drawn by a bank, trust company or other banking
institution, or by a broker named in such Written Order from the Fund, for the
amount the Custodian is directed to receive. The Custodian shall be liable for
the proceeds of any delivery of Securities made pursuant to this Article, but
provided that it has
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complied with the provisions of this Article, but provided that is has complied
with the provisions of this Article, only to the extent that such proceeds are
actually received.
ARTICLE 13. CUSTODIAN'S REPORT
The Custodian shall furnish the Fund, as of the close of business on
the last business day of each month, a statement showing all cash transactions
and entries for the account of each Series of the Fund. The books and records of
the Custodian pertaining to its actions as Custodian under this Agreement shall
be open to inspection and audit, at reasonable times, by officers of, and
auditors employed by, the Fund. The Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a list
of the Securities held by it in custody for the account of each Series of the
fund as of the close of business on the last business day of each quarter of the
Fund's fiscal year.
ARTICLE 14. CUSTODIAN COMPENSATION
The Custodian shall be paid compensation at such rates and at such
times as may from time to time be agreed on in writing by the parties hereto (as
set forth with respect to each Series in EXHIBIT B hereto), and the Custodian
shall have a lien for unpaid compensation, to the date of termination of this
Agreement, upon any cash or Securities held by it for the Series accounts of the
Fund, enforceable in the manner specified in Article 11 hereof.
ARTICLE 15. DURATION, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT OF AGREEMENT
This Agreement shall remain in effect with respect to each Series, as
it may from time to time be amended, until it shall have been terminated as
hereinafter provided, but no such amendment or termination shall affect or
impair any rights or liabilities arising out of any acts or omissions to act
occurring prior to such amendment or termination.
The Custodian may terminate this Agreement by giving the Fund ninety
days' written notice of such termination by registered mail addressed to the
Fund at its principal place of business.
The Fund may terminate this Agreement by giving ninety days' written
notice thereof delivered by registered mail to the Custodian at its principal
place of business. Additionally, this Agreement may be terminated with respect
to any Series of the Fund pursuant to the same procedures, in which case this
Agreement shall continue in full effect with respect to all other Series of the
Fund.
Upon termination of this Agreement, the assets of the Fund, or Series
thereof, held by the Custodian shall be delivered by the Custodian to a
successor custodian upon receipt by the Custodian of a Written Order from the
Fund designating the successor custodian; and if no successor custodian is
designated in said Written Order from the Fund, the Custodian shall, upon such
termination, deliver all such assets to the Fund.
This Agreement may be amended or terminated at any time to the mutual
agreement of the Fund and the Custodian. Additionally, this Agreement may be
amended or terminated with respect to any Series of the Fund at any time by the
mutual agreement of the Fund and the Custodian, in which case such amendment or
termination would apply to such Series amending or terminating this Agreement
but not to the other Series of the Fund.
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This Agreement may not be assigned by the Custodian without the consent
of the Fund, authorized or approved by a resolution of its Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 16. SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN
Any bank or trust company into which the Custodian or any successor
custodian may be merged or converted or with which it or any successor custodian
may be consolidated, or any bank or trust company resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Custodian or any successor custodian
shall be a party, or any bank or trust company succeeding to the business of the
Custodian, shall be and become the successor custodian without the execution of
any instrument or any further act on the part of the Fund or the Custodian or
any successor custodian.
Any successor custodian shall have all the power, duties and
obligations of the preceding custodian under this Agreement and any amendments
thereof and shall succeed to all the exemptions and privileges of the preceding
custodian under this Agreement and any amendments thereof.
ARTICLE 17. GENERAL
Nothing expressed or mentioned in or to be implied from any provisions
of this Agreement is intended to give or shall be construed to give any person
or corporation other than the parties hereto any legal or equitable right,
remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any covenant, condition
or provision herein contained, this Agreement and all of the covenants,
conditions and provisions hereof being intended to be, and being, for the sole
and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and
assigns.
It is the purpose and intention of the parties hereto that the Fund
shall retain all the power, rights and responsibilities of determining policy,
exercising discretion and making decisions with respect to the purchase, or
other acquisition, and the sale, or other disposition, of all of its Securities,
and that the duties and responsibilities of the Custodian hereunder shall be
limited to receiving and safeguarding the assets and Securities of each Series
of the Fund and to delivering or disposing of them pursuant to the Written Order
from the Fund as aforesaid, and the Custodian shall have no authority, duty or
responsibility for the investment policy of the Fund or for any acts of the Fund
in buying or otherwise acquiring, or in selling or otherwise disposing of, any
Securities, except as hereinbefore specifically set forth.
The Custodian shall in no case or event permit the withdrawal of any
money or Securities of the Fund upon the mere receipt of any director, officer,
employee or agent of the Fund, but shall hold such money and Securities for
disposition under the procedures herein set forth.
ARTICLE 18. STANDARD OF CARE; INDEMNIFICATION
In connection with the performance of its duties and responsibilities
hereunder, the Custodian (and each officer, employee, agent, sub-custodian and
depository of or engaged by the Custodian) shall at all times be held to the
standard of reasonable care. The Custodian shall be fully responsible for any
action taken or omitted by any officer, employee, agent, sub-custodian or
depository of or engaged by the Custodian to the same extent as if the Custodian
were to take or omit to take such action directly. The Custodian agrees to
indemnify and hold the Fund and each Series of the Fund harmless from and
against any and all loss, liability and expense, including reasonable legal fees
and expenses, arising out of the Custodian's own negligence,
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misfeasance, bad faith or willful misconduct or that of any officer, employee,
agent, sub-custodian and depository of or engaged by the Custodian in the
performance of the Custodian's duties and obligations under this Agreement;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement,
the Custodian shall not be responsible for the following:
(a) any action taken or omitted in accordance with any Written
Order from the Fund reasonably believed by the Custodian to be genuine
and to be signed by the proper party or parties; or
(b) any action taken or omitted in reasonable reliance on the
advice of counsel of or reasonably acceptable to the Fund relating to
any of its duties and responsibilities hereunder.
The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold the Custodian harmless from and
against any and all loss, liability and expense, including reasonable legal fees
and expenses, arising out of the performance by the Custodian (and each officer,
employee, agent, sub-custodian and depository of or engaged by the Custodian) of
its duties and responsibilities under this Agreement PROVIDED THAT the Custodian
(or any officer, employee, agent, sub-custodian and depository of or engaged by
the Custodian, as applicable) exercised reasonable care in the performance of
its duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.
ARTICLE 19. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Agreement shall become effective with respect to each Series that
adopts this Agreement when this Agreement shall have been approved with respect
to such Series by the Board of Directors of the Fund. The effective date with
respect to each Series shall be set forth on EXHIBIT A hereto. The Fund shall
transmit to the Custodian promptly after such approval by said Board of
Directors a copy of its resolution embodying such approval, certified by the
Secretary of the Fund.
ARTICLE 20. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement is executed and delivered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and
the laws of the State of Minnesota shall be controlling and shall govern the
construction, validity and effect of this contract.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Fund and the custodian have caused this
Agreement to be executed in duplicate as of the date first above written by
their duly authorized officers.
ATTEST: FORTIS GROWTH FUND, INC.
/s/ XXXXXXX X. XXXXXX By /s/ XXXXXX X. XXXXXXX
------------------------- ---------------------------
Its PRESIDENT
ATTEST: NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.
By /s/ XXXXX XXXXXX
--------------------------
Its ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT
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Exhibit A
(as amended through March 21, 1992)
TO
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
FORTIS GROWTH FUND, INC.
AND
NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.
Compensation Schedule
NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA/CUSTODY FEE SCHEDULE (FORTIS)
SAFEKEEPING CHARGES
Per Issue
Bonds: $20.00 per year
Stocks: $40.00 per year
Asset Value
Bonds: $0.10/$1,000.00 par value of assets per year
Stocks: $0.10/$1,000.00 par value of assets per year
TRANSACTION CHARGES
Buy/Sell/Maturity $12.00 per transaction
Principal Payments $12.00 per transaction
Incoming/Outgoing Movement $10.00 per movement
Asset Movements $12.00 per movement
EXTRAORDINARY SERVICES
For any service other than those covered by the aforementioned, a
special charge may be made according to the service provided, time required and
responsibility involved. Such services include, but are not limited to excessive
administrative time, unusual reports, certifications, audits, etc.
ADDITIONAL CHARGES
Reimbursement may be requested for out-of-pocket expenses such as
postage, insurance, shipping, telephone, supplies, etc.
This fee schedule shall remain effective subject to periodic review by
all concerned parties.
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