CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
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This Contract between Managed High Yield Plus Fund Inc., a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of Maryland , having its principal place
of business at 0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 hereinafter
called the "Fund", and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts
trust company, having its principal place of business at 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, 00000, hereinafter called the "Custodian",
WITNESSETH: That in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It
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The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of its assets,
including securities which it desires to be held in places within the United
States ("domestic securities") and securities it desires to be held outside the
United States ("foreign securities") pursuant to the provisions of the Articles
of Incorporation. The Fund agrees to deliver to the Custodian all securities
and cash owned by it, and all payments of income, payments of principal or
capital distributions received by it with respect to all securities owned by the
Fund from time to time, and the cash consideration received by it for such new
or treasury shares of capital stock ("Shares") of the Fund as may be issued or
sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property
of the Fund held or received by the Fund and not delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Article 4),
the Custodian shall 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 Directors of the Fund, and provided that the Custodian shall have no
more or less responsibility or liability to the Fund on account of any actions
or omissions of any sub-custodian so employed than any such sub-custodian has to
the Custodian. The Custodian may employ as sub-custodian for the Fund's foreign
securities and other assets the foreign banking institutions and foreign
securities depositories designated in Schedule A hereto but only in accordance
with the provisions of Article 3.
For purposes of this Contract, "delivery" of domestic securities or foreign
securities shall include the acquisition of a security entitlement (as that term
is defined in the Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code ("MA UCC")).
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 for
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the account of the Fund all non-cash property, to be held by it in the
United States including all domestic securities owned by the Fund, 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 and certain
federal agencies (each, a "U.S. Securities System") and (b) commercial
paper of an issuer for which State Street Bank and Trust Company acts as
issuing and paying agent ("Direct Paper") which is deposited and/or
maintained in the Direct Paper System of the Custodian (the "Direct Paper
System") pursuant to Section 2.11.
To the extent that State Street holds Fund assets constituting
"financial assets" for purposes of the MA UCC, the Custodian shall maintain
those financial assets in an account established under this Contract as
security entitlements in favor of the Fund.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver domestic
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securities owned by the Fund maintained by the Custodian directly or
indirectly in a U.S. Securities System account of the Custodian or in the
Custodian's Direct Paper book entry system account ("Direct Paper System
Account") only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing
instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the
following cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Fund and receipt
of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
agreement related to such securities entered into by the Fund;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a U.S. Securities System, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.10 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar
offers for securities of the Fund;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are called,
redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided that, in any
such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the
Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the
Fund or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the Custodian or
into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to
Section 2.9 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
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case, the new securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;
7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Fund, 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
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prior to receiving payment for such securities except as may arise
from the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct;
8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the
securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to provisions
for conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant to any
deposit agreement; provided that, in any such case, the new securities
and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;
9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the surrender
thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities
or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for
definitive securities; provided that, in any such case, the new
securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by the
Fund, but only against receipt of adequate collateral as agreed upon
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from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund, which may be in the
form of cash or obligations issued by the United States government,
its agencies or instrumentalities, except that in connection with any
loans for which collateral is to be credited to the Custodian's
account in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of
the Treasury, the Custodian will not be held liable or responsible for
the delivery of securities owned by the Fund prior to the receipt of
such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the Fund
requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, but only against receipt of
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amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and a member of
The National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"),
relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing
Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange, or of
any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the Fund, the Custodian, and a Futures Commission Merchant registered
under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the
rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any Contract
Market, or any similar organization or organizations, regarding
account deposits in connection with transactions by the Fund;
14) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt of, in
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addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of
the Board of Directors or of the Executive Committee signed by an
officer and certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary,
specifying the securities of the Fund to be delivered, setting
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forth the purpose for which such delivery is to be made, declaring
such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose, and naming the person
or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.
2.3 Registration of Securities. Domestic securities held by the Custodian
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(other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Fund
or in the name of any nominee of the Fund or of any nominee of the
Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Fund, unless
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the Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used
in common with other registered investment companies having the same
investment adviser as the Fund, or in the name or nominee name of any agent
appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 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 Fund under the terms of this Contract shall
be in "street name" or other good delivery form. If, however, the Fund
directs the Custodian to maintain securities in "street name", the
Custodian shall utilize its best efforts only to timely collect income due
the Fund on such securities and to notify the Fund on a best efforts basis
only of relevant corporate actions including, without limitation, pendency
of calls, maturities, tender or exchange offers.
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 the Fund, subject
only to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of
this Contract, and shall hold in such account or accounts, subject to the
provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for the account of the
Fund, other than cash maintained by the Fund in a bank account established
and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Investment Company Act of
1940. Funds held by the Custodian for the Fund may be deposited by it to
its credit as Custodian in the Banking Department of the Custodian or in
such other banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem
necessary or desirable; provided, however, that every such bank or trust
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company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and that each such bank or trust company and the funds
to be deposited with each such bank or trust company shall be approved by
vote of a majority of the Board of Directors of the Fund. Such funds shall
be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be
withdrawable by the Custodian only in that capacity.
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds. Upon mutual agreement between the Fund and
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the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper
Instructions, make federal funds available to the Fund as of specified
times agreed upon from time to time by the Fund and the Custodian in the
amount of checks received in payment for Shares of the Fund which are
deposited into the Fund's account.
2.6 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 domestic registered securities held hereunder to which the
Fund shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the
securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income and
other payments with respect to United States bearer domestic securities if,
on the date of payment by the issuer, such securities are held by the
Custodian or its agent thereof and shall credit
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such income, as collected, to the Fund's custodian account. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and
present for payment all coupons and other income items requiring
presentation as and when they become due and shall collect interest when
due on securities held hereunder. Income due the Fund on United States
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 Fund is properly entitled.
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be
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continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the
Custodian shall pay out monies of the Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund or in the name of a nominee of the Custodian
referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer; (b)
in the case of a purchase effected through a U.S. Securities System,
in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.10 hereof;
(c) in the case of a purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in
accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.11; (d) in the
case of repurchase agreements entered into between the Fund 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 Fund of securities owned by the
Custodian along with written evidence of the agreement by the
Custodian to repurchase such securities from the Fund 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 as defined in Article 4;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities
owned by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
3) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Fund,
including but not limited to the following payments for the account of
the Fund: interest, taxes, management, accounting, transfer agent and
legal fees, and operating expenses of the Fund whether or not such
expenses are to be in whole or part capitalized or treated as deferred
expenses;
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4) For the payment of any dividends declared pursuant to the governing
documents of the Fund;
5) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
6) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of, in addition to
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Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of
Directors 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
the Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the securities
purchased in the absence of specific written instructions from the Fund to
so pay in advance, the Custodian shall be absolutely liable to the Fund for
such securities to the same extent as if the securities had been received
by the Custodian.
2.9 Appointment of Agents. The Custodian may at any time or times in its
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discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust
company which is itself qualified under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended, to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry out such of the
provisions of this Article 2 as the Custodian may from time to time direct;
provided, however, that the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the
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Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder.
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in U.S. Securities Systems. The Custodian may
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maintain domestic securities owned by the Fund in a clearing agency
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 17A of
the Exchange Act, which acts as a securities depository, or in a U.S.
Securities System in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve Board and
Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations, if any, and
subject to the following provisions:
1) The Custodian may maintain domestic securities of the Fund indirectly
in a U.S. Securities System provided that such securities are
represented in an account ("Account") of the Custodian in the U.S.
Securities System which shall not include any assets of the Custodian
other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for
customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to domestic securities of
the Fund which are maintained in a U.S. Securities System shall
identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
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3) The Custodian shall pay for domestic securities purchased for the
account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the U.S.
Securities System that such securities have been transferred to the
Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for the account of the
Fund. The Custodian shall transfer domestic securities sold for the
account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the U.S.
Securities System that payment for such securities has been
transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for the
account of the Fund. Copies of all advices from the U.S. Securities
System of transfers of domestic securities for the account of the Fund
shall identify the Fund, be maintained for the Fund by the Custodian
and be provided to the Fund at its request. Upon request, the
Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer to or
from the account of the Fund in the form of a written advice or notice
and shall furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction sheets
reflecting each day's transactions in the U.S. Securities System for
the account of the Fund;
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by the
Custodian on the U.S. Securities System's accounting system, internal
accounting control and procedures for safeguarding domestic securities
deposited in the U.S. Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received the initial certificate required by
Article 12 hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding, the
Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to the
Fund resulting from use of the U.S. Securities System by reason of any
negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or any of its
agents or of any of its or their employees or from failure of the
Custodian or any such agent to enforce effectively such rights as it
may have against the U.S. Securities System; at the election of the
Fund, it shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the
Custodian with respect to any claim against the U.S. Securities System
or any other person which the Custodian may have as a consequence of
any such loss or damage if and to the extent that the Fund has not
been made whole for any such loss or damage.
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System. The Custodian
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may maintain securities owned by the Fund 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;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in the Direct Paper
System only if such securities are represented in an account
("Account") of the Custodian in the
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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 Fund
which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall identify by
book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of
the Fund 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 Fund. The Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the
account of the Fund 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 Fund;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer to
or from the account of the Fund, in the form of a written advice or
notice, of Direct Paper on the next business day following such
transfer and shall furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction
sheets reflecting each day's transaction in the U.S. Securities System
for the account of the Fund;
6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report on its system of
internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from
time to time.
2.12 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
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Instructions establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for
and on behalf of the Fund, into which account or accounts may be
transferred cash and/or securities, including securities maintained in an
account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof, (i) in accordance
with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a
broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a member of the NASD
(or any futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange
Act), relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing
Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any registered contract market), or
of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund, (ii) for purposes
of segregating cash or government securities in connection with options
purchased, sold or written by the Fund or commodity futures contracts or
options thereon purchased or sold by the Fund, (iii) for the purposes of
compliance by the Fund with the procedures required by Investment Company
Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release or releases of the
Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the maintenance of
segregated accounts by registered investment companies and (iv) for other
proper corporate purposes, but only, in the case of clause (iv), upon
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receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Directors or of the Executive Committee signed
by an officer of the Fund and certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, setting forth the purpose or purposes of such segregated account
and declaring such purposes to be proper corporate purposes.
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2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. The Custodian shall execute
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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 the Fund held by it and in connection
with transfers of such securities.
2.14 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic securities
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held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of
such securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the
name of the Fund or a nominee of the Fund, all proxies, without indication
of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly
deliver to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all
notices relating to such securities.
2.15 Communications Relating to Fund Securities. Subject to the provisions of
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Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund 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 and the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold by the Fund)
received by the Custodian from issuers of the domestic securities being
held for the Fund. With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian
shall transmit promptly to the Fund all written information received by the
Custodian from issuers of the domestic securities whose tender or exchange
is sought and from the party (or his agents) making the tender or exchange
offer. If the Fund desires to take action with respect to any tender offer,
exchange offer or any other similar transaction, the Fund shall notify the
Custodian at least three business days prior to the date on which the
Custodian is to take such action.
2.16 Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants The Custodian shall
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provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may reasonably require, with
reports by independent public accountants on the accounting system,
internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities,
futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including domestic
securities deposited and/or maintained in a U.S. 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.
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held Outside
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of the United States
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3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians. The Fund hereby authorizes and
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instructs the Custodian to employ as sub-custodians for the Fund's
securities and other assets maintained outside the United States the
foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories designated
on Schedule A hereto ("foreign sub-custodians"). Upon receipt of "Proper
Instructions", as defined in Section 4 of this Contract, together with a
certified resolution of the Fund's Board of Directors, the Custodian and
the Fund may agree to amend Schedule A
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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 Fund's assets.
3.2 Assets to be Held. The Custodian shall limit the securities and other
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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 Fund's foreign securities transactions. The
Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Fund, the foreign
securities of the Fund held by each foreign sub-custodian.
3.3 Foreign Securities Systems. Except as may otherwise be agreed upon in
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writing by the Custodian and the Fund, assets of the Funds shall be
maintained indirectly in a clearing agency which acts as a securities
depository or in a book-entry system for the central handling of securities
located outside of the United States (each, a "Foreign Securities System")
only through arrangements implemented by the foreign banking institutions
serving as sub-custodians pursuant to the terms hereof (Foreign Securities
Systems and U.S. Securities Systems are collectively referred to herein as
the "Securities Systems"). Where possible, such arrangements shall include
entry into agreements containing the provisions set forth in Section 3.5
hereof.
3.4 Holding Securities. The Custodian may maintain securities and other non-
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cash property for all of its customers, including the Fund, indirectly with
a foreign sub-custodian in a single account that is identified as belonging
to the Custodian for the benefit of its customers, provided however, that
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(i) the records of the Custodian with respect to securities and other non-
cash property of the Fund which are maintained in such account shall
identify by book-entry those securities and other non-cash property
belonging to the Fund and (ii) the Custodian shall require that securities
and other non-cash property so held by the Foreign Sub-custodian be held
separately from any assets of the Foreign Sub-custodian or of others.
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions. Each agreement with a
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foreign banking institution shall provide that: (a) the Fund's assets 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 of the Fund's assets 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 the Fund; (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 Fund held by the foreign sub-custodian will be
subject only to the instructions of the Custodian or its agents.
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3.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund. Upon request of the Fund,
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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
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time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of the securities and
other assets of the Fund held by foreign sub-custodians, including but not
limited to an identification of entities having possession of the Fund'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 the Fund indicating, as
to securities acquired for the Fund, the identity of the entity having
physical possession of such securities.
3.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account. (a) Except as otherwise
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provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 3.8, the provision of Sections
2.2 and 2.7 of this Contract shall apply, mutatis mutandis to the foreign
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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 the Fund
and delivery of securities maintained for the account of the Fund may be
effected in accordance with the customary established securities trading or
securities processing practices and procedures in the jurisdiction or
market in which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation,
delivering securities to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or
an agent for such purchaser or dealer) against a receipt with the
expectation of receiving later payment for such securities from such
purchaser or dealer.
(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 each Fund from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense,
liability or claim arising out of or in connection with the institution's
performance of such obligations. At the election of the Fund, it shall be
entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to
any claims against a foreign banking institution as a consequence of any
such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and to the extent
that the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost,
expense, liability or claim.
11
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, its
--------------------------
affiliates, subsidiaries or agents, to advance cash or securities for any
purpose including but not limited to securities settlements, foreign
exchange contracts and assumed settlement for the benefit of the Fund
including the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or of contracts for
foreign exchange, or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall
incur or be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or
liabilities in connection with the performance of this Contract, except
such as may arise from its or its nominee's own negligent action, negligent
failure to act or willful misconduct, any property at any time held for the
account of the Fund shall be security therefor and should the Fund fail to
repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize
available cash and to dispose of such Funds 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.
3.13 Branches of U.S. Banks. (a) Except as otherwise set forth in this
----------------------
Contract, the provisions hereof shall not apply where the custody of the
Funds assets are maintained in a foreign branch of a banking institution
which is a "bank" as defined by Section 2(a)(5) of the Investment Company
Act of 1940 meeting the qualification set forth in Section 26(a) of said
Act. The appointment of any such branch as a sub-custodian shall be
governed by paragraph 1 of this Contract.
12
(b) Cash held for 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.
3.15 Foreign Exchange Transactions. (a) Upon receipt of Proper
------------------------------
Instructions, the Custodian shall settle foreign exchange contracts or
options to purchase and sell foreign currencies for spot and future
delivery on behalf of and for the account of the Fund with such brokers,
banks or trust companies other than the Custodian ("Currency Brokers") as
the Fund may determine and direct pursuant to Proper Instructions or as the
Custodian may select (Transactions Other Than As Principal").
(b) The Custodian shall not be obligated to enter into foreign exchange
transactions as principal ("Transactions As Principal"). However, if the
Custodian has made available to the Fund its services as a principal in
foreign exchange transactions and, subject to any separate agreement
between the parties relating to such transaction, the Custodian shall enter
into foreign exchange contracts or options to purchase and sell foreign
currencies for spot and future delivery on behalf of and for the account of
the Fund, with the Custodian as principal.
(c) If, in a Transaction Other Than As Principal, a Currency Broker is
selected by the Fund, the Custodian shall have no duty with respect to the
selection of the Currency Broker, or so long as the Custodian acts as in
accordance with Proper Instructions, for the failure of such Currency
Broker to comply with the terms of any contract or option. If, in a
Transaction Other Than As Principal, the Currency Broker is selected by the
Custodian or if the Custodian enters into a Transaction As Principal, the
Custodian shall be responsible for the selection of the Currency Broker and
the failure of such Currency Broker to comply with the terms of any
contract or option.
(d) In Transactions Other Than As Principal and Transactions As Principal,
the Custodian shall be responsible for any transfer of cash, the
transmission of instructions to and from a Currency Broker, if any, the
safekeeping of all certificates and other documents and agreements
evidencing or relating to such foreign exchange transactions and the
maintenance of proper records as set forth in Section 8 of this Contract.
13
4. Proper Instructions
-------------------
Proper Instructions as used herein means a writing signed or initialed by
one or more person or persons as the Board of Directors shall have from time to
time authorized. Each such writing shall set forth the specific transaction or
type of transaction involved, including a specific statement of the purpose for
which such action is requested. Oral instructions will be considered Proper
Instructions if the Custodian reasonably believes them to have been given by a
person authorized to give such instructions with respect to the transaction
involved. The Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be confirmed in
writing. Proper Instructions may include communications effected directly
between electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the Fund and the
Custodian agree to security procedures, including but not limited to, the
security procedure selected by the Fund in the Funds Transfer Addendum attached
hereto. For purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall include
instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to any three-party agreement
which requires a segregated asset account in accordance with Section 2.12.
5. Actions Permitted without Express Authority
-------------------------------------------
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the
Fund:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this
Contract, provided that all such payments shall be accounted for to
--------
the Fund;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive
form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts and
other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection with
the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other
dealings with the securities and property of the Fund except as
otherwise directed by the Board of Directors of the Fund.
6. 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 Directors 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 Directors pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation
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.
14
7. 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 Directors of the Fund to keep the
books of account of the Fund and/or compute the net asset value per share of the
outstanding shares of the Fund or, if directed in writing to do so by the Fund,
shall itself keep such books of account and/or compute such net asset value per
share. If so directed, the Custodian shall also calculate weekly the net income
of the Fund as described in the Fund's currently effective prospectus and shall
advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent weekly 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 weekly income of the Fund shall be made at the time or times described from
time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus.
8. Records
-------
The Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating to its
activities and obligations under this Contract in such manner as will meet the
obligations of the Fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, with
particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder.
All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at all times during
the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection by duly
authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and employees and agents of
the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian shall, at the Fund's
request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by the Fund and
held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund and for
such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the Custodian,
include certificate numbers in such tabulations.
9. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant
----------------------------------------
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund may from time
to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund's
independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in connection
with the preparation of the Fund's Form N-2, and Form N-SAR or other annual
reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and with respect to any other
requirements of such Commission.
10. Compensation of Custodian
-------------------------
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services
and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between the Fund and
the Custodian.
11. 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
15
received by it or delivered by it pursuant to this Contract and shall be held
harmless in acting upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or other
instrument reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the
proper party or parties, including any futures commission merchant acting
pursuant to the terms of a three-party futures or options agreement. The
Custodian shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care in carrying out the
provisions of this Contract, but shall be kept indemnified by and shall be
without liability to the Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in good
faith without negligence. It shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon
advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and shall be
without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such
advice.
Except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful
misconduct or the negligence or willful misconduct of a sub-custodian or agent,
the Custodian shall be without liability to the Fund for any loss, liability,
claim or expense resulting from or caused by; (i) events or circumstances beyond
the reasonable control of the Custodian or any sub-custodian or Securities
System or any agent or nominee of any of the foregoing, including, without
limitation, nationalization or expropriation, imposition of currency controls or
restrictions, the interruption, suspension or restriction of trading on or the
closure of any securities market, power or other mechanical or technological
failures or interruptions, computer viruses or communications disruptions, acts
of war or terrorism, riots, revolutions, work stoppages, natural disasters or
other similar events or acts; (ii) errors by the Fund in its instructions to the
Custodian provided such instructions have been in accordance with this Contract;
(iii) the insolvency of or acts or omissions by a Securities System; (iv) any
delay or failure of any broker, agent or intermediary, central bank or other
commercially prevalent payment or clearing system to deliver to the Custodian's
sub-custodian or agent securities purchased or in the remittance or payment made
in connection with securities sold; (v) any delay or failure of any company,
corporation, or other body in charge or registering or transferring securities
in the name of the Custodian, the Fund, the Custodian's sub-custodians, nominees
or agents or any consequential losses arising out of such delay or failure to
transfer such securities including non-receipt of bonus, dividends and rights
and other accretions or benefits; (vi) delays or inability to perform its duties
due to any disorder in market infrastructure with respect to any particular
security or Securities System; and (vii) any provision of any present or future
law or regulation or order of the United States of America, or any state
thereof, or any other country, or political subdivision thereof or of any court
of competent jurisdiction.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a foreign
banking institution to the same extent as set forth with respect to sub-
custodians generally in this Contract.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in
the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to
the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some
other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such
action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form
satisfactory to it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or agents,
to advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not limited to
securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement) or in
the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be
16
assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in
connection with the performance of this Contract, except such as may arise from
its or its nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful
misconduct, any property at any time held for the account of the Fund shall be
security therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the
Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of the Fund
assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
In no event shall the Custodian be liable for indirect, special or
consequential damages.
12. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment
-------------------------------------------
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall continue in
full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may be amended
at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be terminated by
either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed, postage prepaid to
the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner than thirty (30)
days after the date of such delivery or mailing; provided, however that the
--------
Custodian shall not act under Section 2.10 hereof in the absence of receipt of
an initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board
of Directors of the Fund has approved the initial use of a particular Securities
System, as required by Rule 17f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended and that the Custodian shall not act under Section 2.11 hereof in the
absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary that the Board of Directors has approved the initial use 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 Articles of Incorporation, and further
provided, that the Fund may at any time by action of its Board of Directors (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 shall pay to the Custodian such
compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall likewise
reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements.
13. Successor Custodian
-------------------
If a successor custodian shall be appointed by the Board of Directors of
the Fund, the Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to such successor
custodian at the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for
transfer, all securities then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an
account of the successor custodian all of the Fund's securities held in a
Securities System.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in
like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
Directors of the Fund, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer such
securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such vote.
17
In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian or
certified copy of a vote of the Board of Directors 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 or New York, New York, of its own
selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as
shown by its last published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all
securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian and all instruments
held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held by it under
this Contract and to transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of
the Fund's securities held in any Securities System. Thereafter, such bank or
trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or of
the Board of Directors 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.
14. Interpretive and Additional Provisions
--------------------------------------
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and the
Fund, may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in
addition to the provisions of this Contract as may in their joint opinion be
consistent with the general tenor of this Contract. Any such interpretive or
additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by both parties and shall be
annexed hereto, provided that no such interpretive or additional provisions
--------
shall contravene any applicable federal or state regulations or any provision of
the Articles of Incorporation 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.
15. 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.
16. Prior Contracts
---------------
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior
contracts between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the custody of the
Fund's assets.
17. Reproduction of Documents
-------------------------
This Contract and all schedules, exhibits, attachments and amendments
hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-
card, miniature photographic or
18
other similar process. The parties hereto all/each agree that any such
reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any
judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in
existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the
regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further
reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.
18. Shareholder Communications Election
-----------------------------------
Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14b-2 requires banks which hold
securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of
securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of
securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has
expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to comply with
the rule, the Custodian needs the Fund to indicate whether it authorizes the
Custodian to provide the Fund's name, address, and share position to requesting
companies whose securities the Fund owns. If the Fund tells the Custodian "no",
the Custodian will not provide this information to requesting companies. If the
Fund tells the Custodian "yes" or does not check either "yes" or "no" below, the
Custodian is required by the rule to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure
of this information for all securities owned by the Fund or any funds or
accounts established by the Fund. For the Fund's protection, the Rule prohibits
the requesting company from using the Fund's name and address for any purpose
other than corporate communications. Please indicate below whether the Fund
consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives below.
YES [ ] The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund's name, address,
and share positions.
NO [ ] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund's name,
address, and share positions.
19. Limitation of Liability
-----------------------
The Custodian agrees that the Contract may only be enforced against the
assets of the Fund or the particular Portfolio of the Fund.
20. Data Access Services Addendum
-----------------------------
The Custodian and the Fund agree to be bound by the terms of the Data Access
Services Addendum attached hereto.
21. Year 2000.
----------
The Custodian will take reasonable steps to ensure that its products (and
those of its third-party suppliers) reflect the available state of the art
technology to offer products that are Year 2000-compliant, including, but not
---------
limited to, century recognition of dates, calculations that correctly compute
same-century and multi-century formulas and date values, and interface values
19
that reflect the date issues arising between now and the next one hundred years.
If any changes are required, the Custodian will make the changes to its products
at no cost to the Fund and in a commercially reasonable time frame and will
require third-party suppliers to do likewise.
20
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 day of , 1998.
ATTEST MANAGED HIGH YIELD PLUS FUND INC.
By:
--------------------------- ---------------------------
Name: Name:
Title:
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By:
--------------------------- ---------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Vice President Executive Vice President
21
