Transfer Agency and Service Agreement
Among
Each of the BlackRock Closed-End Investment Companies
and
EquiServe Trust Company, N.A.
and
EquiServe, Inc.
Table of Contents
Section 1. Certain Definitions.............................................................4
Section 2. Appointment of Agent............................................................5
Section 3. Standard Services...............................................................6
Section 4. Dividend Disbursing Services....................................................7
Section 5. Fee and Expenses................................................................8
Section 6. Representations and Warranties of Transfer Agent................................9
Section 7. Representations and Warranties of Customer.....................................10
Section 8. Indemnification/Limitation of Liability........................................10
Section 9. Damages........................................................................13
Section 10. Responsibilites of the Transfer Agent..........................................13
Section 11. Covenants of the Customer and Transfer Agent...................................14
Section 12. Confidentiality................................................................14
Section 13. Term and Terminiation..........................................................15
Section 14. Assignment.....................................................................17
Section 15. Unaffiliated Third Parties.....................................................17
Section 16. Miscellaneous..................................................................17
Section 16.1 Notices........................................................................17
Section 16.2 Successors.....................................................................18
Section 16.3. Amendments.....................................................................18
Section 16.4. Severability...................................................................18
Section 16.5. Governing Law..................................................................18
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Section 16.6 Force Majeure..................................................................18
Section 16.7 Descriptive Headings...........................................................18
Section 16.8 Third Party Beneficiaries......................................................18
Section 16.9 Survival.......................................................................18
Section 16.10 Priorities.....................................................................19
Section 16.11. Merger of Agreement............................................................19
Section 16.12 Counterparts...................................................................19
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AGREEMENT made as of the ___ day of ___________, 2003, by and among
each of the BlackRock closed-end investment companies listed on Exhibit B
attached hereto, having a principal office and place of business at 000 Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 (each the "Customer"), and EquiServe, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation, and its fully owned subsidiary EquiServe Trust Company,
N.A., a federally charted trust company doing business at 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000 (collectively the "Transfer Agent").
WHEREAS, the Customer desires to appoint the Transfer Agent as sole
transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and administrator of
dividend reinvestment plans.
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors or Trustees, as applicable, of each
Customer has approved appointment of the Transfer Agent and the form of this
Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained,
the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.
-------------------
(a) "ACCOUNT" or "ACCOUNTS" shall mean the account of each Shareholder which
account shall hold any full or fractional shares of stock held by such
Shareholder and/or outstanding funds or tax reporting to be done.
(b) "ADDITIONAL SERVICES" shall mean any and all services which are not Services
as set forth in the Fee and Service Schedule, but performed by Transfer Agent
upon request of Customer.
(c) "AGREEMENT" shall mean this agreement and any and all exhibits or schedules
attached hereto and any and all amendments or modifications, which may from time
to time be executed.
(d) "ANNUAL PERIOD" shall mean each twelve (12) month period commencing on the
Effective Date and, thereafter, on each anniversary of the Effective Date.
(e) "BOARD OF DIRECTORS" means the Board of Directors or the Board of Trustees,
as the case may be, of each Customer.
(f) "CLOSED ACCOUNT" shall mean an account with a zero share balance, no
outstanding funds or no reportable tax information.
(g) "DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN" shall mean the services as set forth in Section
4 and in the Fee and Service Schedule.
(h) "EFFECTIVE DATE" shall mean the date first stated above.
(i) "FEE AND SERVICE SCHEDULE" shall mean the fees and services set forth in the
"Fee and Service Schedule" attached hereto.
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(j) "PARTICIPANT" or "PARTICIPANTS" shall mean Shareholders enrolled in a
Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
(k) "SERVICES" shall mean any and all services as further described herein and
in the "Fee and Service Schedule" or other schedules attached hereto.
(l) "SHARE" shall mean common units of beneficial interest or common stock, as
the case may be, of each Customer authorized by the Customer's respective
Declaration of Trust or Articles of Incorporation, as the case may be.
(m) "SHAREHOLDER" shall mean the holder of record of Shares.
2. APPOINTMENT OF AGENT.
--------------------
2.1 Appointments. The Customer hereby appoints the Transfer Agent to act as
sole transfer agent and registrar for all Shares in accordance with the terms
and conditions hereof, and the Transfer Agent accepts said appointment.
2.2 Documents. In connection with the appointment of Transfer Agent as the
transfer agent and registrar for a Customer, the Customer will provide or has
previously provided the following documents to the Transfer Agent:
(a) Copies of Registration Statements and amendments thereto,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for
initial public offerings;
(b) Specimens of all forms of stock certificates relating to
outstanding Shares, in forms approved by the Board of Directors
of the Customer, with a certificate of the Secretary of each
Customer as to such approval; and
(c) Specimens of the Signatures of the officers of the Customer
authorized to sign stock certificates and individuals
authorized to sign written instructions and requests.
2.3 Records. Transfer Agent may adopt as part of its records all lists of
holders, records of the Customer's stock, books, documents and records which
have been employed by any former agent of the Customer for the maintenance of
the ledgers for the Customer's Shares, provided such ledger is certified by an
officer of Customer or the prior transfer agent to be true, authentic and
complete.
2.4 Shares. Customer shall, if applicable, inform Transfer Agent as to (i)
the existence or termination of any restrictions on the transfer of Shares and
in the application to or removal from any certificate of stock of any legend
restricting the transfer of such Shares or the substitution for such certificate
of a certificate without such legend, (ii) any authorized but unissued Shares
reserved for specific purposes, (iii) any outstanding shares which are
exchangeable for Shares and the basis for exchange, (iv) reserved Shares subject
to option and the details of such
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reservation and (v) special instructions regarding dividends and information of
foreign holders.
2.5 Customer's Agent. Transfer Agent represents that it is engaged in an
independent business and will perform its obligations under this Agreement as an
agent of Customer.
2.6 Certificates. Upon notification from Transfer Agent, Customer shall
deliver to Transfer Agent an appropriate supply of stock certificates, which
certificates shall provide a signature panel for use by an officer of or
authorized xxxxxx for Transfer Agent to sign as transfer agent and registrar,
and which shall state that such certificates are only valid after being
countersigned and registered.
3. STANDARD SERVICES.
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3.1 Services. The Transfer Agent will perform the following services:
In accordance with the procedures established from time to time by
agreement between the Customer and the Transfer Agent, the Transfer Agent shall:
(a) issue and record the appropriate number of Shares as
authorized and hold such shares in the appropriate
shareholder ("Shareholder") account;
(b) effect transfers of Shares by the registered owners
thereof upon receipt of appropriate documentation;
(c) prepare and transmit payments for dividends and
distributions declared by the Customer, provided good
funds for said dividends or distributions are received by
the Transfer Agent on or prior to the scheduled payable
date for said dividends or distributions;
(d) act as agent for Shareholders pursuant to the dividend
reinvestment plan, and other investment programs, if any,
as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms
of the agreements relating thereto to which the Transfer
Agent is or will be a party;
(e) issue replacement certificates for those certificates
alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed upon
receipt from the respective Shareholder by the Transfer
Agent of an open penalty surety bond satisfactory to it
and holding it and the Customer harmless, absent notice to
the Customer and the Transfer Agent that such certificates
have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser. The Transfer
Agent, at its option, may issue replacement certificates
in place of mutilated stock certificates upon presentation
thereof without such indemnity. Further, the Transfer
Agent may at its sole option accept indemnification from a
Customer to issue replacement certificates for those
certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or
destroyed in lieu of an open penalty bond; and
(f) issue replacement checks and place a stop payment order on
original checks
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based on shareholder's representation that a check was not
received or was lost. Such stops and replacement will be
deemed to have been made at the request of Customer and
Customer shall be responsible for all losses or claims
resulting from such replacement.
3.2 Customary Services. The Transfer Agent shall perform all the customary
services of a transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, dividend reinvestment
plan agent, and other investment programs as described in Section 3.1 consistent
with those requirements in effect as of the date of this Agreement. The detailed
services and definition, frequency, limitations and associated costs (if any)
are set out in the attached fee and service schedule ("Fee and Service
Schedule").
3.3 Compliance with Laws. The Customer agrees the Transfer Agent is
obligated to and the Transfer Agent agrees to comply with all applicable
federal, state and local laws and regulations, codes, order and government rules
in the performance of its duties under this Agreement.
3.4 Unclaimed Property and Lost Shareholders. The Transfer Agent shall
report unclaimed property to each state in compliance with state law and Section
17Ad-17 of the Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the "Exchange Act") for lost
shareholders. If the Funds are not in compliance with applicable state laws,
there will be no charge for such Funds for the first two years for this service,
other than a charge of $3.00 per due diligence notice mailed; provided that
after the first two years, the Transfer Agent will charge Customer its then
standard fee plus any out-of-pocket expenses, and such fees will be estimated
and provided upon liquidation of any Customer.
3.5 Compliance with Office of Foreign Asset Control ("OFAC") Regulations.
The Transfer Agent shall ensure compliance with OFAC laws and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
4. DIVIDEND DISBURSING SERVICES.
----------------------------
4.1 Declaration of Dividends. Upon receipt of a written notice from the
President, any Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer or
Assistant Treasurer of Customer declaring the payment of a dividend, Transfer
Agent shall disburse such dividend payments provided that in advance of such
payment, Customer furnishes Transfer Agent with sufficient funds. The payment of
such funds to Transfer Agent for the purpose of being available for the payment
of dividend checks from time to time is not intended by Customer to confer any
rights in such funds on Fund Shareholders whether in trust or in contract or
otherwise.
4.2 Stop Payments. Customer hereby authorizes Transfer Agent to stop
payment of checks issued in payment of dividends, but not presented for payment,
when the payees thereof allege either that they have not received the checks or
that such checks have been mislaid, lost, stolen, destroyed or, through no fault
of theirs, are otherwise beyond their control and cannot be produced by them for
presentation and collection, and Transfer Agent shall issue and deliver
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duplicate checks in replacement thereof, and Customer shall indemnify Transfer
Agent against any loss or damage resulting from reissuance of the checks.
4.3 Tax Withholding. Transfer Agent is hereby authorized to deduct from all
dividends declared by the Funds and disbursed by Transfer Agent, as dividend
disbursing agent, the tax required to be withheld pursuant to Sections 1441,
1442 and 3406 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or by any
Federal or State statutes subsequently enacted, and to make the necessary return
and payment of such tax in connection therewith.
4.4 Dividends and Other Distributions. For Customers that are municipal
term trusts, Transfer Agent will act as the paying agent for the Customer for
all dividends and distributions, but upon receipt thereof shall hold such
dividends or distributions on behalf of the shareholders.
5. FEES AND EXPENSES.
-----------------
5.1 Fee and Service Schedules. Customer agrees to pay Transfer Agent fees
for services performed pursuant to this Agreement as set forth in the Fee and
Service Schedule attached hereto, for the Initial Term of the Agreement, as
defined in Section 13.
5.2 COLA/Fee Increases. After the Initial Term of the Agreement, providing
that service mix and volumes remain constant, the fees listed in the Fee and
Service Schedule shall be increased by the accumulated change in the National
Employment Cost Index for Service Producing Industries (Finance, Insurance, Real
Estate) for the preceding years of the contract, as published by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics of the United States Department of. Fees will be increased on
this basis on each successive contract anniversary thereafter.
5.3 Adjustments. Notwithstanding Section 5.1 above, fees, and the
out-of-pocket expenses and advances identified under Section 5.4 below, may be
changed from time to time as agreed upon in writing between the Transfer Agent
and the Customer.
5.4 Out-of-Pocket Expenses. In addition to the fees paid under Section 5.1
above, the Customer agrees to reimburse the Transfer Agent for out-of-pocket
expenses, including but not limited to postage, forms, telephone, microfilm,
microfiche, taxes, records storage, exchange and broker fees, or advances
incurred by the Transfer Agent for the items set out in Exhibit A attached
hereto. Out-of-pocket expenses may include the costs to Transfer Agent of
administrative expenses, as indicated on Exhibit A. In addition, any other
expenses incurred by the Transfer Agent at the request or with the consent of
the Customer, will be reimbursed by the Customer.
5.5 Postage. Postage for mailing of dividends, proxies, Customer reports
and other mailings to all shareholder accounts shall be advanced to the Transfer
Agent by the Customer prior to commencement of the mailing date of such
materials.
5.6 Invoices. The Customer agrees to pay all fees and reimbursable
expenses within forty-five (45) days of receipt of the respective billing
notice, except for any fees or expenses that are subject to good faith dispute.
In the event of such a dispute, the Customer may only
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withhold that portion of the fee or expense subject to the good faith dispute.
The Customer shall notify the Transfer Agent in writing within forty-five (45)
days following the receipt of each billing notice if the Customer is disputing
any amounts in good faith. If the Customer does not provide such notice of
dispute within the required time, the billing notice will be deemed accepted by
the Customer. The Customer shall settle such disputed amounts within five (5)
days of the day on which the parties agree on the amount to be paid by payment
of the agreed amount. If no agreement is reached, then such disputed amounts
shall be settled as may be required by law or legal process. Invoices shall be
sent to each Customer, with a duplicate copy to BlackRock Financial Management,
Inc.
5.7 Taxes. Customer shall pay all sales or use taxes in lieu thereof with
respect to the Services (if applicable) provided by Transfer Agent under this
Agreement.
5.8 Late Payments.
(a) If any undisputed amount in an invoice of the Transfer Agent (for fees
or reimbursable expenses) is not paid when due, the Customer shall pay the
Transfer Agent interest thereon (from the due date to the date of payment) at a
per annum rate equal to one percent (1.0%) plus the Prime Rate (that is, the
base rate on corporate loans posted by large domestic Transfer Agents) published
by The Wall Street Journal (or, in the event such rate is not so published, a
reasonably equivalent published rate selected by Customer on the first day of
publication during the month when such amount was due. Notwithstanding any other
provision hereof, such interest rate shall be no greater than permitted under
applicable provisions of Massachusetts law.
(b) The failure by Customer to pay an invoice within 45 days after written
and telephonic notice to Customer that payment is overdue or the failure by the
Customer to timely pay two consecutive invoices shall constitute a material
breach pursuant to Section 15.4(a) below. Transfer Agent will provide notice by
writing and telephone forty-five (45) days after payment is past due. The
Transfer Agent may terminate this Agreement for such material breach immediately
and shall not be obligated to provide the Customer with 30 days to cure such
breach.
5.9 Services Required by Legislation. Services required by legislation or
regulatory mandate that become effective after the effective date of this
Agreement shall not be part of the standard services, and shall be billed by
appraisal.
5.10 Overtime Charges. Overtime charges will be assessed in the event of a
late delivery to the Transfer Agent of Customer material for mailings to
shareholders, unless the mail date is rescheduled. Such material includes, but
is not limited to, proxy statements, quarterly and annual reports, dividend
enclosures and news releases.
5.11 Bank Accounts. The Customer acknowledges that the Transfer Agent may
receive float benefits and/or investment earnings in connection with maintaining
certain bank accounts required to provide services under this Agreement (e.g.,
dividend disbursing accounts).
6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TRANSFER AGENT.
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6.1 Governance. EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. is a federally chartered
limited purpose national bank duly organized under the laws of the United States
and EquiServe, Inc. is a corporation validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the State of Delaware and they have full corporate power, authority
and legal right to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement. The execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement by Transfer Agent has been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action and constitutes the legal valid and
binding obligation of Transfer Agent enforceable against Transfer Agent in
accordance with its terms.
6.2 Compliance. The execution, delivery and performance of the Agreement by
Transfer Agent will not violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any
material term, condition or provision of, or require the consent of any other
party to, (i) any existing law, ordinance, or governmental rule or regulation to
which Transfer Agent is subject, (ii) any judgement, order, writ, injunction,
decree or award of any court, arbitrator or governmental or governmental or
regulatory official, body or authority which is applicable to Transfer Agent,
(iii) the incorporation documents or by-laws of , or any material agreement to
which Transfer Agent is a party.
6.3 Facilities. The Transfer Agent has and will continue to have access to
the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and
obligations under this Agreement.
7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CUSTOMER.
-------------------------------------------
Each Customer severally and not jointly represents and warrants to the
Transfer Agent that:
7.1 Organizations. It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in
good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization;
7.2 Governance. It is empowered under applicable laws and by its charter
documents to enter into and perform this Agreement. All corporate proceedings
required by said charter documents and applicable law have been taken to
authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement. The execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement by each Customer has been duly authorized by
all necessary corporate or trust action and constitutes the legal valid and
binding obligation of each Customer enforceable against each Customer in
accordance with its terms;
7.3 Securities Act of 1933. A registration statement under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") has been filed and is currently
effective, or will be effective prior to the sale of any Shares, and will remain
so effective, and all appropriate state securities law filings have been made
with respect to all the Shares of each Customer outstanding or being offered for
sale except for any Shares which are offered in a transaction or series of
transactions which are exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act
and state securities laws; information to the contrary will result in immediate
notification to the Transfer Agent.
8. INDEMNIFICATION/LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.
----------------------------------------
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8.1 Standard of Care. The Transfer Agent shall at all times act in good
faith and agrees to use its best efforts within reasonable time limits to insure
the accuracy of all services performed under this Agreement, but assumes no
responsibility and shall not be liable for loss or damage due to errors unless
said errors are caused by its negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct or
that of its employees as set forth and subject to the limitations set forth in
Section 8.4 below.
8.2 Customer Indemnity. The Transfer Agent shall not be responsible for,
and the Customer shall indemnify and hold the Transfer Agent harmless from and
against, any and all losses, claims, damages, costs, charges, and counsel fees
reasonably acceptable to Customer and expenses, payments, expenses and liability
arising out of or attributable to:
(a) All actions of the Transfer Agent or its agents or subcontractors
required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement, provided such actions
are taken in good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct;
(b) The Customer's bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct or the
material breach of any representation or warranty of the Customer
hereunder;
(c) The reliance or use by the Transfer Agent or its agents or
subcontractors of information, records and documents which (i) are
received by the Transfer Agent or its agents or subcontractors and
furnished to it by or on behalf of the Customer, and (ii) have been
prepared and /or maintained by the Customer or any other person or firm
on behalf of the Customer. Such other person or firm shall include any
former transfer agent or former registrar, or co-transfer agent or
co-registrar or any current registrar where the Transfer Agent is not
the current registrar other than State Street Bank and Trust Company in
its role as prior transfer agent during the period from September 30,
1995 until the date of this Agreement;
(d) The reliance or use by the Transfer Agent or its agents or
subcontractors of any paper or document reasonably believed to be
genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons
including Shareholders;
(e) The reliance on, or the carrying out by the Transfer Agent or its
agents or subcontractors of any instructions or requests of the
Customer's representatives, provided such actions are taken in good
faith and without negligence or willful misconduct;
(f) The offer or sale of Shares in violation of any federal or state
securities laws requiring that such shares be registered or in violation
of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any federal or
state agency with respect to the offer or sale of such Shares; and
(g)Any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any former agent of
Customer (other than State Street Bank and Trust Company in its role as
prior transfer agent during the period from September 30, 1995 until the
date of this Agreement) and arising from
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Transfer Agent's reliance on the certified list of holders.
8.3Instructions. At any time the Transfer Agent may apply to any officer
of the Customer for instruction, and may consult with legal counsel reasonably
acceptable to Customer with respect to any matter arising in connection with the
services to be performed by the Transfer Agent under this Agreement, and
Transfer Agent and its agents and subcontractors shall not be liable and shall
be indemnified by the Customer for taking action or omitting to take action by
it in reliance upon such instructions or upon the advice or opinion of such
counsel provided that when the action is taken it is performed in good faith and
without negligence or willful misconduct. The Transfer Agent, its agents and
subcontractors shall be protected and indemnified in acting upon any paper or
document reasonably believed to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper
person or persons, or upon any instruction, information, data, records or
documents provided the Transfer Agent or its agents or subcontractors by
telephone, in person, machine readable input, telex, CRT data entry or similar
means authorized by the Customer or the Funds, and shall not be held to have
notice of any change of authority of any person, until receipt of written notice
thereof from the Customer. The Transfer Agent, its agents and subcontractors
shall also be protected and indemnified in recognizing stock certificates which
are reasonably believed to bear the proper manual or facsimile signatures of
officers of the Customer, and the proper countersignature of any former transfer
agent or former registrar, or of a co-transfer agent or co-registrar.
8.4 Transfer Agent Indemnification/Limitation of Liability. Transfer Agent
shall be responsible for and shall indemnify and hold the Customer harmless from
and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments,
expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to Transfer Agent's
refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, or which arise
out of Transfer Agent's bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct or which
arise out of the breach of any representation or warranty of Transfer Agent
hereunder, for which Transfer Agent is not entitled to indemnification under
this Agreement; provided, however, that Transfer Agent's aggregate liability
during any term of this Agreement with respect to, arising from, or arising in
connection with this Agreement, or as a result of any services provided or
omitted to be provided under this Agreement, whether in contract, or in tort, or
otherwise, is limited to, and shall not exceed, the following amounts: (a)
amounts paid hereunder by the Customer to Transfer Agent as fees and charges,
but not including reimbursable expenses, during the thirty-six (36) calendar
months immediately preceding the event for which recovery from the Transfer
Agent is being sought which arises out of the Transfer Agent's negligence and
(b) amounts paid hereunder by the Customer to Transfer agent as fees and
charges, but not including reimbursable expenses, during the sixty (60) calendar
months immediately preceding the event for which recovery is being sought which
arises out of the Transfer Agent's bad faith, gross negligence or willful
misconduct.
8.5 Notice. In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this
Section shall apply, upon the assertion of a claim for which one party may be
required to indemnify the other, the party seeking indemnification shall
promptly notify the other party of such assertion, and shall keep the other
party advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim. The
indemnifying party shall have the option to participate with the indemnified
party in the defense of such claim or to defend against said claim in its own
name or the name of the indemnified
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party. The indemnified party shall in no case confess any claim or make any
compromise in any case in which the indemnifying party may be required to
indemnify it except with the indemnifying party's prior written consent.
9. DAMAGES.
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NEITHER PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
LOSS OF ANTICIPATED PROFITS, OCCASIONED BY A BREACH OF ANY PROVISION OF THIS
AGREEMENT EVEN IF APPRISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
10. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRANSFER AGENT.
---------------------------------------
The Transfer Agent undertakes the duties and obligations imposed by this
Agreement upon the following terms and conditions, by all of which the Customer,
by its acceptance hereof, shall be bound:
10.1 Whenever in the performance of its duties hereunder the Transfer
Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or
established prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or
matter may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate
signed by the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President, the
Treasurer, any Assistant treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of
the Customer or the Funds and delivered to the Transfer Agent. Such certificate
shall be full authorization to the Transfer Agent for any action taken or
suffered in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance
upon such certificate provided the action taken is without negligence, bad faith
or willful misconduct.
10.2 The Customer agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and
deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such
further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required
by the Transfer Agent for the carrying out, or performing by the Transfer Agent
of the provisions of this Agreement.
10.3 Transfer Agent, any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, and any
stockholder, director, officer or employee of the Transfer Agent may buy, sell
or deal in the securities of the Customer or the Funds or become pecuniary
interested in any transaction in which the Customer may be interested, or
contract with or lend money to the Customer or the Funds or otherwise act as
fully and freely as though it were not appointed as agent under this Agreement.
Nothing herein shall preclude the Transfer Agent from acting in any other
capacity for the Customer or the Funds or for any other legal entity.
10.4 No provision of this Agreement shall require the Transfer Agent to
expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the
performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights if
it shall believe in good faith that repayment of such funds or adequate
indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
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11. COVENANTS OF THE CUSTOMER AND TRANSFER AGENT.
---------------------------------------------
11.1 Customer Corporate Authority. The Customer has previously furnished or
shall furnish to the Transfer Agentthe following:
(a) A copy of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the
Customer;
(b) Copies of all material amendments to its Articles of Incorporation
or By-Laws made after the date of this Agreement, promptly after such
amendments are made; and
(c) A certificate of the Customer as to the Shares authorized, issued
and outstanding, as well as a description of all reserves of unissued
shares relating to the exercise of options, warrants or a conversion
of debentures or otherwise.
11.2 Transfer Agent Facilities. The Transfer Agent hereby agrees to
establish and maintain facilities and procedures reasonably acceptable to the
Customer for the safekeeping of stock certificates, check forms and facsimile
signature imprinting devices, if any, and for the preparation, use, and
recordkeeping of such certificates, forms and devices.
11.3 Records. The Transfer Agent shall keep records relating to the
services to be performed hereunder, in the form and manner it may deem advisable
and as required under the Exchange Act. The Transfer Agent agrees that all such
records prepared or maintained by it relating to the services performed
hereunder are the property of the Customer and will be preserved, maintained and
made available in accordance with the requirements of law, and will be
surrendered promptly to the Customer on and in accordance with its request.
11.4 Non-Solicitation of Transfer Agent Employees. Customer shall not
attempt to hire or assist with the hiring of an employee of EquiServe or
affiliated companies or encourage any employee to terminate their relationship
with EquiServe or its affiliated companies.
11.5 Notification. Customer shall notify Transfer Agent as soon as
possible in advance of any stock split, stock dividend or any similar event
which may affect the Shares and any bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other
proceeding regarding Customer affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement to the contrary, Transfer
Agent will have no obligation to perform any Services under the Agreement
subsequent to the commencement of any bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or
other proceeding regarding Customer affecting the enforcement of creditor'
rights unless Transfer Agent receives assurance satisfactory to it that it will
receive full payment for such services. Further, Customer may not assume the
Agreement after the filing of a bankruptcy petition without Transfer Agent's
written consent.
12. CONFIDENTIALITY.
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12.1 Covenant. The Transfer Agent and the Customer agree that they will
not, at any time during the term of this Agreement or after its termination,
reveal, divulge, or make known to any person, firm, corporation or other
business organization, any customers' lists, trade
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secrets, or any other secret or confidential information whatsoever identified
as confidential, whether of the Transfer Agent or of the Customer, used or
gained by the Transfer Agent or the Customer during performance under this
Agreement. The Customer and the Transfer Agent further covenant and agree to
retain all such knowledge and information acquired during and after the term of
this Agreement respecting such lists, trade secrets, or any secret or
confidential information whatsoever in trust for the sole benefit of the
Transfer Agent or the Customer and their successors and assigns. The above
prohibition of disclosure shall not apply to the extent that the Transfer Agent
must disclose such data to its sub-contractor or agents for purposes of
providing services under this Agreement.
12.2 Shareholder "Non-Public Personal Information". The Transfer Agent
agrees that it will not disclose or use any "non-public personal information"
about a Customer's Shareholders other than such uses or disclosures which are
necessary to permit the Transfer Agent to carry out its duties under this
Agreement, or are otherwise required by the Transfer Agent in compliance with a
regulatory investigation or in response to judicial process, including as set
forth in Section 12.3 below. "Non-public personal information" about a
Shareholder shall mean (i) personally identifiable financial information; (ii)
any list, description, or other grouping of consumers that is derived from using
any personally identifiable information that is not publicly available; and
(iii) any other information that the Transfer Agent is prohibited from using or
disclosing pursuant to Regulation S-P under Section 504 of the Gramm Xxxxx
Xxxxxx Act.
12.3 Request for Records. In the event that any requests or demands are
made for the inspection of the Shareholder records, other than request for
records of Shareholders pursuant to standard subpoenas from state or federal
government authorities (e.g., in divorce and criminal actions), the Transfer
Agent will endeavor to notify the Customer and to secure instructions from an
authorized officer of the Customer as to such inspection. The Transfer Agent
expressly reserves the right, however, to exhibit the Shareholder records to any
person whenever it is advised by counsel that it may be held liable for the
failure to exhibit the Shareholder records to such person or if required by law
or court order.
13. TERM AND TERMINATION.
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13.1 Term. The initial term of this Agreement (the "Initial Term") shall be
three (3) years from the date first stated above unless terminated pursuant to
the provisions of this Section 13. Unless a terminating party gives written
notice to the other party sixty (60) days before the expiration of the Initial
Term this Agreement will renew automatically from year to year ("Renewal Term").
Sixty (60) days before the expiration of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term the
parties to this Agreement will agree upon a Fee Schedule for the upcoming
Renewal Term. If no new fee schedule is agreed upon, the fees will increase as
set forth in Section 5.2.
13.2 Early Termination. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Agreement to the contrary, should Customer desire to move any of its services
provided by the Transfer Agent hereunder to a successor service provider prior
to the expiration of the then current Initial or Renewal Term, or without the
required notice period, the Transfer Agent shall make a good faith effort to
facilitate the conversion on such prior date, however, there can be no guarantee
that the
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Transfer Agent will be able to facilitate a conversion of services on
such prior date. In connection with the foregoing, should services be converted
to a successor service provider, or if the Customer is fully liquidated other
than the liquidation of a Customer which is a term trust at its scheduled
liquidation time, or its assets merged or purchased or the like with another
entity which does not utilize the services of the Transfer Agent, all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses or costs associated with the movement of records and
material will be borne by the Customer. Additionally, the Transfer Agent
reserves the right to charge for any other reasonable expenses associated with
such termination and a de-conversion/transition fee in an amount equal to 20% of
the aggregate fees incurred by Customer during the immediately preceding twelve
(12) month period.
13.3 Expiration of Term. After the expiration of the Initial Term or
Renewal Term whichever currently in effect, should either party exercise its
right to terminate, all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses or costs associated
with the movement of records and material will be borne by the Customer.
Additionally, the Transfer Agent reserves the right to charge for any other
reasonable expenses associated with such termination and a
de-conversion/transition fee in an amount equal to 20% of the aggregate fees
incurred by Customer during the immediately preceding twelve (12) month period.
13.4 Termination.
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This Agreement may be terminated in accordance with the following:
(a) at any time by either party upon a material breach of a
representation, covenant or term of this Agreement by the
other which is not cured within a period not to exceed thirty
(30) days after the date of written notice thereof by the
other party; and
(b) by Transfer Agent, at any time, in the event that during
the term if this Agreement, a bankruptcy or insolvency
proceeding is filed by or against Customer or a trustee or
receiver is appointed for any substantial part of Customer's
property (and in a case of involuntary bankruptcy, insolvency
or receivership proceeding, there is entered an order for
relief, or order appointing a receiver or some similar order
or decree and Customer does not succeed in having such order
lifted or stayed within sixty (60) days from the date of its
entry), or Customer makes an assignment of all or
substantially all of its property for the benefit of creditors
or ceases to conduct its operations in the normal course or
business.
13.5 Records. Upon receipt of written notice of termination, the parties
will use commercially practicable efforts to effect an orderly termination
of this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, Transfer Agent will
deliver promptly to Customer, in machine readable form on media as
reasonably requested by Customer, all stockholder and other records, files
and data supplied to or compiled by Transfer Agent on behalf of Customer.
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14. ASSIGNMENT.
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14.1 Affiliates. The Transfer Agent may, without further consent of the
Customer assign its right and obligations hereunto to any affiliated and
registered transfer agent under Section 17(A)(c)(2) of the Securities and
Exchange Act. The Transfer Agent will not assign its rights and obligations to
any other person without consent.
14.2 Sub-contractors. Transfer Agent may, without further consent on
the part of Customer, subcontract with other subcontractors for telephone and
mailing services as may be required from time to time; provided, however, that
the Transfer Agent shall be as fully responsible to the Customer for the acts
and omissions of any subcontractor as it is for its own acts and omissions.
15. UNAFFILIATED THIRD PARTIES.
---------------------------
Nothing herein shall impose any duty upon the Transfer Agent in connection
with or make the Transfer Agent liable for the actions or omissions to act of
unaffiliated third parties such as, by way of example and not limitation,
airborne services, the U.S. mails and telecommunication companies, provided, if
the Transfer Agent selected such company, the Transfer Agent shall have
exercised due care in selecting the same.
16. MISCELLANEOUS.
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16.1 Notices.
Any notice or communication by the Transfer Agent or the Customer to the
other is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first
class mail, postage prepaid, telex, telecopier or overnight air courier
guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other's address:
If to the Customer:
c/o BlackRock Advisors Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: _______________
If to the Transfer Agent:
EquiServe Trust Company, N.A.
c/o EquiServe, Inc.
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Telecopy No.: (000) 000-0000
Attn: General Counsel
The Transfer Agent and the Customer may, by notice to the other, designate
additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
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16.2 Successors.
All the covenants and provisions of this agreement by or for the benefit
of the Customer or the Transfer Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of
their respective successors and assigns hereunder.
16.3 Amendments.
This Agreement may be amended or modified by a written amendment executed
by both parties hereto and authorized or approved by a resolution of the Board
of Directors of the Customer.
16.4 Severability.
If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held
by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or
unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provision, covenants and restrictions
of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be
affected, impaired or invalidated.
16.5 Governing Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
16.6 Force Majeure.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Transfer Agent
shall not be liable for any delays or failures in performance resulting from
acts beyond its reasonable control including, without limitation, acts of God,
shortage of supply, breakdowns or malfunctions, interruptions or malfunction of
computer facilities, or loss of data due to power failures or mechanical
difficulties with information storage or retrieval systems, labor difficulties,
war, or civil unrest.
16.7 Descriptive Headings.
Descriptive headings of the several sections of this Agreement are inserted
for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction
of any of the provisions hereof.
16.8 Third Party Beneficiaries.
The provisions of this Agreement are intended to benefit only the Transfer
Agent, the Customer and their respective permitted successors and assigns. No
rights shall be granted to any other person by virtue of this agreement, and
there are no third party beneficiaries hereof.
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16.9 Survival.
All provisions regarding indemnification, warranty, liability and limits
thereon, and confidentiality and protection of proprietary rights and trade
secrets shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
16.10 Priorities.
In the event of any conflict, discrepancy, or ambiguity between the terms
and conditions contained in this Agreement and any schedules or attachments
hereto, the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement shall take
precedence.
16.11 Merger of Agreement.
This agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto
and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof,
whether oral or written.
16.12 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of
such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all
such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed by one of its officers thereunto duly authorized, all
as of the date first written above.
BLACKROCK ADVISORS, INC.
ON BEHALF OF THE BLACKROCK CLOSED-END INVESTMENT
COMPANIES LISTED ON EXHIBIT C
BY:_____________________
NAME:__________________
TITLE:___________________
EQUISERVE, INC. EQUISERVE TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
BY:_____________________ BY:_____________________
NAME:__________________ NAME:___________________
TITLE:___________________ TITLE:___________________
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EXHIBIT B
THE BLACKROCK ADVANTAGE TERM TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK INSURED MUNICIPAL TERM TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK MUNICIPAL TARGET TERM TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK INVESTMENT QUALITY TERM TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK INSURED MUNICIPAL 2008 TERM TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK NEW YORK INSURED MUNICIPAL 2008 TERM TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK CALIFORNIA INSURED MUNICIPAL 2008 TERM TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK FLORIDA INSURED MUNICIPAL 2008 TERM TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK INVESTMENT QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK HIGH YIELD TRUST
THE BLACKROCK BROAD INVESTMENT GRADE 2009 TERM TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL TRUST
THE BLACKROCK PENNSYLVANIA STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL TRUST
THE BLACKROCK CALIFORNIA INVESTMENT QUALITY MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST, INC.
THE BLACKROCK FLORIDA INVESTMENT QUALITY MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST, INC.
THE BLACKROCK NEW YORK INVESTMENT QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST, INC.
THE BLACKROCK CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST II
THE BLACKROCK CORE BOND TRUST
THE BLACKROCK CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL 2018 TERM TRUST
THE BLACKROCK CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL BOND TRUST
THE BLACKROCK FLORIDA MUNICIPAL BOND TRUST
THE BLACKROCK FLORIDA MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
THE BLACKROCK CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
THE BLACKROCK MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST II
THE BLACKROCK NEW JERSEY MUNICIPAL BOND TRUST
THE BLACKROCK MUNICIPAL BOND TRUST
THE BLACKROCK MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
THE BLACKROCK MARYLAND MUNICIPAL BOND TRUST
THE BLACKROCK NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND TRUST
THE BLACKROCK NEW JERSEY MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
THE BLACKROCK INCOME OPPORTUNITY TRUST, INC.
THE BLACKROCK NEW YORK MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
THE BLACKROCK NEW YORK MUNICIPAL 2018 TERM TRUST
THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC BOND TRUST
THE BLACKROCK MUNICIPAL 2018 TERM TRUST
THE BLACKROCK VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL BOND TRUST
THE BLACKROCK NEW YORK MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST II
THE BLACKROCK INSURED MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
THE BLACKROCK CALIFORNIA INSURED MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
THE BLACKROCK FLORIDA INSURED MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
THE BLACKROCK NEW YORK INSURED MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
THE BLACKROCK NEW JERSEY INVESTMENT QUALITY MUNI TRUST, INC.
THE BLACKROCK PREFERRED OPPORTUNITY TRUST
BAT SUBSIDIARY, INC.
BCT SUBSIDIARY, INC.
BQT SUBSIDIARY, INC.
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