CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
CORPORATE HIGH YIELD FUND III, INC.
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT................................................................... 5
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It............................ 5
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held By the
Custodian in the United States................................................... 5
2.1 Holding Securities........................................................ 5
2.2 Delivery of Securities.................................................... 6
2.3 Registration of Securities................................................ 8
2.4 Bank Accounts............................................................. 8
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds............................................. 8
2.6 Collection of Income...................................................... 9
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies.................................................... 9
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased....... 10
2.9 Appointment of Agents..................................................... 10
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in U.S. Securities Systems......................... 11
2.12 Segregated Account........................................................ 13
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes................................... 13
2.14 Proxies................................................................... 13
2.15 Communications Relating to Fund Securities................................ 13
2.16 Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants......................... 14
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held Outside of the
United States.................................................................... 14
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians..................................... 14
3.2 Assets to be Held......................................................... 14
3.3 Foreign Securities Systems....................................................... 15
3.4 Holding Securities........................................................ 15
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions.............................. 15
3.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund............................. 15
3.7 Reports by Custodian...................................................... 16
3.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account................................... 16
3.9 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians....................................... 16
3.10 Liability of Custodian.................................................... 16
3.11 Reimbursement for Advances................................................ 17
3.12 Monitoring Responsibilities............................................... 17
3.13 Branches of U.S. Banks.................................................... 17
3.14 Tax Law................................................................... 18
4. Proper Instructions.............................................................. 18
5. Actions Permitted without Express Authority...................................... 18
6. Evidence of Authority............................................................ 19
7. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and Calculation of Net
Asset Value and Net Income....................................................... 19
8. Records.......................................................................... 20
9. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant......................................... 20
10. Compensation of Custodian........................................................ 20
11. Responsibility of Custodian...................................................... 20
12. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment...................................... 22
13. Successor Custodian.............................................................. 22
14. Interpretive and Additional Provisions........................................... 23
15. Massachusetts Law to Apply....................................................... 23
16. Prior Contracts.................................................................. 23
17. Reproduction of Documents........................................................ 24
18. Shareholder Communications Election.............................................. 24
Exhibit 1
Attachment A
Attachment B
Attachment C
Attachment C-1
Attachment D
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc., a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of , having its
--------
principal place of business at hereinafter called the
-------------------
"Fund", and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company,
having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇, hereinafter called the "Custodian",
WITNESSETH: 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
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, $ par value, ("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.
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held By the
Custodian in the United States
2.1 Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate
for 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.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver
domestic securities owned by the Fund held by the Custodian or 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
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 l; or
for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or
other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or
number of units; provided that, in any such case, the new
securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;
7) 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 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, that only against receipt of adequate collateral
as agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the
Fund, which may be in the form of cash or obligations issued
by the United States government, its agencies or
instrumentalities, except that in connection with any loans
for which collateral is to be credited to the Custodian's
account in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S.
Department of the Treasury, the Custodian will not be held
liable or responsible for the delivery of securities owned by
the Fund prior to the receipt of such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by
the Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, but only
against receipt of amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer
registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act")
3
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 be the Fund;
14) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon 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 and certified by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary, specifying the securities of the
Fund to be delivered, setting forth the purpose for which such
delivery is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper
corporate purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom
delivery of such securities shall be made.
2.3 Registration of Securities. Domestic securities held by the Custodian
(other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the
Fund or in the name of any nominee of the Fund or of any nominee of the
Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Fund,
unless the Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee
to be used in common with other registered investment companies having
the same investment adviser as the Fund, or in the name or nominee name
of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 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
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 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 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
Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments
with respect to United States registered securities held hereunder to
which
4
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 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 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;
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;
5
6) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of, in
addition to 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.
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
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 Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities
hereunder.
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in U.S. Securities Systems. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain domestic securities owned by the Fund in a
clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which acts as
a securities depository, or in the book-entry system authorized by the
U.S. Department of the Treasury and certain federal agencies,
collectively referred to herein as "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 keep domestic securities of the Fund 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;
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;
6
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
may deposit and/or 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 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 second 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
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
7
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 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.
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. The Custodian shall execute
ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and
state tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other
payments with respect to domestic securities of 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
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 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
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 of the United States
8
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians. The Fund hereby authorizes and
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
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
assets maintained in the custody of the foreign sub-custodians to: (a)
"foreign securities", as defined in paragraph (c)(l) 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
writing by the Custodian and the Fund, assets of the Funds shall be
maintained 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 hold securities and other
non-cash property for all of its customers, including the Fund, 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 (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
foreign banking institution shall be substantially in the form set
forth in Exhibit 1 hereto and 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.
3.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund. Upon request of the
Fund, the Custodian will use its best efforts to arrange for the
independent accountants of the Fund to be afforded access to the books
and records of any foreign banking institution employed as a foreign
sub-custodian insofar as such books and records relate to the
performance of such foreign banking institution under its agreement
with the Custodian.
9
3.7 Reports by Custodian. The Custodian will supply to the Fund from time
to time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of the
securities and other assets of the 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
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 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.
3.10 Liability of Custodian. The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or
omissions of a foreign banking institution to the same extent as set
forth with respect to sub-custodians generally in this Contract and,
regardless of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a foreign
banking institution, a foreign securities depository or a branch of a
U.S. bank as contemplated by paragraph 3.13 hereof, the Custodian shall
not be liable for any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim
resulting from nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions,
or acts of war or terrorism or any loss where the sub-custodian has
otherwise exercised reasonable care. Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions of this paragraph 3.10, in delegating custody duties to
State Street London Ltd., the Custodian shall not be relieved of any
responsibility to the Fund for any loss due to such delegation, except
such loss as may result from (a) political risk (including, but not
limited to, exchange control restrictions, confiscation, expropriation,
nationalization, insurrection, civil strife or armed hostilities) or
(b) other losses (excluding a bankruptcy or insolvency of State Street
London Ltd. not caused by political risk) due to Acts of God, nuclear
incident or other losses under circumstances where the Custodian and
State Street London Ltd. have exercised reasonable care.
3.11 Reimbursement for Advances. If the Fund requires the Custodian to
advance cash or securities for any purpose 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,
10
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 loss of the assets of the Fund or in the case of
any foreign sub-custodian not the subject of an exemptive order from
the Securities and Exchange Commission is notified by such foreign
sub-custodian that there appears to be a substantial likelihood that
its shareholders' equity will decline below $200 million (U.S. dollars
or the equivalent thereof) or that its shareholders' equity has
declined below $200 million (in each case computed in accordance with
generally accepted U.S. accounting principles).
3.13 Branches of U.S. Banks. (a) Except as otherwise set forth in this
Contract, the provisions 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.
(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.
4. Proper Instructions
Proper Instructions as used herein means a writing signed or initialled
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.
Upon receipt of a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary as to
the authorization by the Board of Directors of the Fund accompanied by a
detailed description of procedures approved by the Board of Directors, Proper
Instructions may include communications effected directly between
electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the Board of Directors
and the Custodian are satisfied that such procedures afford adequate safeguards
for the Fund's assets. For purposes of this Section, Proper
11
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 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.
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
12
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 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 or the Investment Advisor
in their 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.
13
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 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.
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.
14
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.
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, 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 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
15
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.
16
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 31st day of December, 1996.
ATTEST Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc.
--------------------------- -------------------------------------------
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By
--------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Executive Vice President
17
Schedule A
The following foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories
have been approved by the Board of Directors of Corporate High Yield Fund III,
Inc. for use as sub-custodians for the Fund's securities and other assets:
(Insert banks and securities depositories)
Certified:
Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc.
Fund's Authorized Officer
Date:
---------------------
18
Schedule A
----------
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
FOR MUTUAL FUND CLIENTS
1997
Country Subcustodian Central Depository
Argentina Citibank, N.A. Caja de Valores S.A.
Australia Westpac Banking Austraclear Limited;
Corporation
Reserve Bank lnformation and
Transfer System (RITS)
Austria GiroCredit Bank Otesterreichische
Aktiengesellschaft Kontrollbank AG
der Sparkassen (Wertpapiersammelbank Division)
Bangladesh Standard Chartered Bank None
Belgium Generale Bank Caisse Interprofessionnelle
de Depots et de Virements
de Titres S.A. (CIK);
Banque Nationale de Belgique
Botswana Barclays Bank of Botswana Limited None
Brazil Citibank, N.A. Bolsa de Valores de Sao Paulo
(Bovespa); (Bovespa);
Banco Central do Brasil,
Systema Especial de Liquidacao
e Custodia (SELIC)
Canada Canada Trustco The Canadian Depository
Mortgage Company for Securities Limited (CDS)
Chile Citibank, N.A. None
People's Republic of China The Hong Kong and Shanghai Shanghai Securities Central
Banking Corporation Limited, Clearing and Registration
Shanghai and Shenzhen branches Corporation (SSCCRC);
Shenzhen Securities Central
Clearing Co., Ltd. (SSCC)
Colombia Cititrust Colombia S.A. None
Sociedad Fiduciaria
Cyprus Barclays Bank PLC None
Cyprus Offshore Banking Unit
Czech Republic Ceskoslovenska Obchodni Stredisko Cennych Papiru (SCP);
Banka A.S.
Czech National Bank (CNB)
Denmark Den Danske Bank Vaerdipapircentralen -
The Danish Securities
Center (VP)
Ecuador Citibank, N.A. None
▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ AND TRUST COMPANY
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
FOR MUTUAL FUND CLIENTS
1997
Country Subcustodian Central Depository
Egypt National Bank of Egypt None
Finland ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Bank Limited The Central Share Register of
Finland
France Banque Paribas Societe Interprofessionnelle
pour la Compensation des
Valeurs Mobilieres (SICOVAM);
Banque de France,
Saturne System
Germany Dresdner Bank A.G. The Deutscher Kassenverein AG
Ghana Barclays Bank of Ghana Limited None
Greece S.A. National Bank of The Central Securities Depository
Greece S.A. (Apothetirion Titlon A.E.)
Hong Kong Standard Chartered Bank The Central Clearing and
Settlement System (CCASS)
Hungary Citibank Budapest Rt. The Central Depository and Clearing
House (Budapest) Ltd.
(KELER Ltd.)
India Deutsche Bank AG None
The Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation Limited
Indonesia Standard Chartered Bank None
Ireland Bank of Ireland None;
The Central Bank of Ireland,
The Gilt Settlement Office (GSO)
Israel Bank Hapoalim B.M. The Clearing House of the
Tel Aviv Stock Exchange
Italy Banque Paribas Monte Titoli S.p.A.;
Banca d'Italia
Ivory Coast Societe Generale de Banques None
en Cote d'Ivoire
Japan The Daiwa Bank, Limited Japan Securities Depository Center
(JASDEC);
Bank of Japan Net System
The Fuji Bank, Limited Japan Securities Depository Center
(JASDEC);
Bank of Japan Net System
▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
FOR MUTUAL FUND CLIENTS
1997
Country Subcustodian Central Depository
Japan The Sumitomo Trust Japan Securities Depostiory Center
& Banking Co., Ltd. (JASDEC);
Bank of Japan Net System
Jordan The British Bank of the Middle East None
Kenya Barclays Bank of Kenya Limited None
Republic of Korea SEOULBANK Korea Securities Depository (KSD)
Malaysia Standard Chartered Bank Malaysian Central Depository Sdn.
Malaysia Berhad Bhd. (MCD)
Mauritius The HongKong and Shanghai None
Banking Corporation Limited
Mexico Citibank Mexico, S.A. S.D. INDEVAL, S.A. de C.V.
(Instituto para el Deposito de
Valores);
Banco de Mexico
Morocco Banque Commerciale du Maroc None
Netherlands MeesPierson N.V. Nederlands Centraal
Instituut voor Giraal
Effectenverkeer B.V.
(NECIGEF)
New Zealand ANZ Banking Group New Zealand Central Securities
(New Zealand) Limited Depository Limited (NZCSD)
Norway Christiania Bank og Verdipapirsentralen -
Kreditkasse The Norwegian Registry
of Securities (VPS)
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, N.A. Caja de Valores (CAVAL)
Philippines Standard Chartered Bank None
Poland Citibank Poland S.A. The National Depository
of Securities (Centrum
Krajowy Depozytu
Papierow Wartos'ciowych)
Portugal Banco Comercial Portugues Central de Valores
Mobiliarios (Central)
Russia Credit Suisse, Zurich via None
-Credit Suisse (Moscow) Limited
Singapore The Development Bank The Central Depository
of Singapore Ltd. (Pte) Limited (CDP)
Slovak Republic Ceskoslovenska Obchadna Stredisko cennych
papierov (SCP);
National Bank of Slovakia
▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ AND TRUST COMPANY
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
FOR MUTUAL FUND CLIENTS
1997
Country Subcustodian Central Depository
South Africa Standard Bank of The Central Depository Limited
South Africa Limited
Spain Banco Santander, S.A. Servicio de Compensacion y
Liquidacion de Valores (SCLV);
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ The Hongkong and Shanghai The Central Depository
Banking Corporation Limited System (Pvt) Limited
Swaziland Barclays Bank of Swaziland Limited None
Sweden Skandinaviska Enskilda Vardepapperscentralen VPC AB -
Banken The Swedish Central Securities
Depository
Switzerland Union Bank of Switzerland Schweizerische Effekten -
Giro AG (SEGA)
Taiwan-R.O.C. Central Trust of China The Taiwan Securities
Central Depository
Company, Ltd. (TSCD)
Thailand Standard Chartered Bank Thailand Securities Depository
Company Limited (TSD)
Turkey Citibank, ▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ ve Saklama Bankasi A.S.
(TAKASBANK)
Central Bank of Turkey
United Kingdom State Street Bank and None;
Trust Company
The Bank of England,
The Central Gilts Office (CGO);
The Central Moneymarkets Office
(CMO)
Uruguay Citibank, N.A. None
Venezuela Citibank, N.A. None
Zambia Barclays Bank of Zambia Limited Lusaka Central Depository (LCD)
Zimbabwe Barclays Bank of Zirnbabwe Lirnited None
Euroclear (The Euroclear System)/ State Street London Limited
Cedel (Cedel Bank societe anonyme)/ State Street London Limited
22
EXHIBIT 1
SUBCUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
----------------------
AGREEMENT made this day of , 19 , between State
----- ----------------- --
Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company (hereinafter
referred to as the "Custodian"), having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇, and (hereinafter referred to as
-----------------
the "Subcustodian"), a organized under the laws of and having
-----------------
an office at
WHEREAS, Custodian has been appointed to act as Trustee, Custodian or
Subcustodian of securities and monies on behalf of certain of its customers
including, without limitation, collective investment undertakings, investment
companies subject to the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and
employee benefit plans subject to the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended;
WHEREAS, Custodian wishes to establish Account (the "Account") with the
Subcustodian to hold and maintain certain property for which Custodian is
responsible as custodian; and
WHEREAS, Subcustodian agrees to establish the Account and to hold and
maintain all Property in the Account in accordance with the terms and conditions
herein set forth.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained. the Custodian and the Subcustodian agree as follows:
I. The Account
A. Establishment of the Account. Custodian hereby requests that
Subcustodian establish for each client of the Custodian an Account which shall
be composed of:
1. A Custody Account for any and all Securities (as
hereinafter defined) from time to time received by Subcustodian therefor, and
2. A Deposit Account for any and all Cash (as hereinafter
defined) from time to time received by Subcustodian therefor.
B. Use of the Account. The Account shall be used exclusively to hold,
acquire, transfer or otherwise care for, on behalf of Custodian as custodian and
the customers of Custodian and not for Custodian's own interest, Securities and
such Cash or cash equivalents as are transferred to Subcustodian or as are
received in payment of any transfer of, or as payment on, or interest on. or
dividend from, any such Securities (herein collectively called "Cash").
1
C. Transfer of Property in the Account. Beneficial ownership of the
Securities and Cash in the Account shall be freely transferable without payment
of money or value other than for safe custody and administration.
D. Ownership and Segregation of Property in the Account. The ownership
of the property in the Account, whether Securities, Cash or both, and whether
any such property is held by Subcustodian in an Eligible Depository, shall be
clearly recorded on Subcustodian's books as belonging to Custodian on behalf of
Custodian's customers, and not for Custodian's own interest and, to the extent
that Securities are physically held in the Account, such Securities shall also
be physically segregated from the general assets of Subcustodian, the assets of
Custodian in its individual capacity and the assets of Subcustodian's other
customers. In addition, Subcustodian shall maintain such other records as may be
necessary to identify the property hereunder as belonging to each Account.
E. Registration of Securities in the Account. Securities which are
eligible for deposit in a depository as provided for in Paragraph m may be
maintained with the depository in an account for Subcustodian's customers.
Securities which are not held in a depository and that are ordinarily held in
registered form will be registered in the name of Subcustodian or in the name of
Subcustodian's nominee, unless alternate Instructions are furnished by
Custodian.
II. Services to Be Provided By the Subcustodian
The services Subcustodian will provide to Custodian and the manner in
which such services will be performed will be as set forth below in this
Agreement.
A. Services Performed Pursuant to Instructions. All transactions
involving the Securities and Cash in the Account shall be executed solely in
accordance with Custodian's Instructions as that term is defined in Paragraph VI
hereof, except those described in paragraph B below.
B. Services to Be Performed Without Instructions. Subcustodian will,
unless it receives Instructions from Custodian to the contrary:
1. Collect Cash. Promptly collect and receive all dividends,
income, principal, proceeds from transfer and other payments with respect to
property held in the Account, and present for payment all Securities held in the
Account which are called, redeemed or retired or otherwise become payable and
all coupons and other income items which call for payment upon presentations and
credit Cash receipts therefrom to the Deposit Account.
2. Exchange Securities. Promptly exchange Securities where the
exchange is purely ministerial including, without limitation, the exchange of
temporary Securities for those
2
in definitive form and the exchange of warrants, or other documents of
entitlement to Securities, for the Securities themselves.
3. Sale of Rights and Fractional Interests. Whenever
notification of a rights entitlement or a fractional interest resulting from a
rights issue, stock dividend or stock split is received for the Account and such
rights entitlement or fractional interest bears an expiration date, Subcustodian
will promptly endeavor to obtain Custodian's Instructions, but should these not
be received in time for Subcustodian to take timely action, Subcustodian is
authorized to sell such rights entitlement or fractional interest and to credit
the Account.
4. Execute Certificates. Execute in Custodian's name for the
Account, whenever Subcustodian deems it appropriate, such ownership and other
certificates as may be required to obtain the payment of income from the
Securities held in the account.
5. Pay Taxes and Receive Refunds. To pay or cause to be paid
from the Account any and all taxes and levies in the nature of taxes imposed on
the property in the Account by any governmental authority, and to take all steps
necessary to obtain all tax exemptions, privileges or other benefits, including
reclaiming and recovering any foreign withholding tax, relating to the Account
and to execute any declaration, affidavits, or certificates of ownership which
may be necessary in connection therewith.
6. Prevent Losses. Take such steps as may be reasonably
necessary to secure or otherwise prevent the loss of, entitlements attached to
or otherwise relating to property held in the Account.
C. Additional Services.
1. Transmission of Notices of Corporate Action. By such means as will
permit Custodian to take timely action with respect thereto, Subcustodian will
promptly notify Custodian upon receiving notices or reports, or otherwise
becoming aware, of corporate action affecting Securities held in the Account
(including, but not limited to, calls for redemption, mergers, consolidations,
reorganizations, recapitalizations, tender offers, rights offerings, exchanges,
subscriptions and other offerings) and dividend, interest and other income
payments relating to
2. Communications Regarding the Exercise of Entitlements. Upon request
by Custodian, Subcustodian will promptly deliver, or cause any Eligible
Depository authorized and acting hereunder to deliver, to Custodian all notices,
proxies, proxy soliciting materials and other communications that call for
voting or the exercise of rights or other specific action (including material
relative to legal proceedings intended to be transmitted to security holders)
relating to Securities held in the Account to the extent received by
Subcustodian or said Eligible Depository, such proxies or any voting instruments
to be executed by the registered holder of the Securities, but without
indicating the manner in which such Securities are to be voted.
3
3. Monitor Financial Service. In furtherance of its obligations under
this Agreement, Subcustodian will monitor a leading financial service with
respect to announcements and other information respecting property held in the
Account, including announcements and other information with respect to corporate
actions and dividend, interest and other income payments.
III. Use of Securities Depository
Subcustodian may, with the prior written approval of Custodian, maintain all or
any part of the Securities in the Account with a securities depository or
clearing agency which is incorporated or organized under the laws of a country
other than the United States of America and is supervised or regulated by a
government agency or regulatory authority in the foreign jurisdiction having
authority over such depositories or agencies, and which operates (a) the central
system for handling of designated securities or equivalent book entries in
, or (b) a transnational system for the central handling of
-----------------
securities or equivalent book entries (herein called "Eligible Depository"),
provided however, that, while so maintained, such Securities shall be subject
only to the directions of Subcustodian, and that Subcustodian duties,
obligations and responsibilities with regard to such Securities shall be the
same as if such Securities were held by Subcustodian on its premises.
IV. Claims Against Property in the Account
The property in the account shall not be subject to any right, charge,
security interest, lien or claim of any kind (collectively "Charges") in favor
of Subcustodian or any Eligible Depository or any creditor of Subcustodian or of
any Eligible Depository except a claim for payment for such property's safe
custody or administration in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
Subcustodian will immediately notify Custodian of any attempt by any party to
assert any Charge against the property held in the Account and shall take all
lawful actions to protect such property from such Charges until Custodian has
had a reasonable time to respond to such notice.
V. Subcustodian's Warranty
Subcustodian represents and warrants that:
A. It is a branch of a "qualified U.S. bank" or an "eligible foreign
custodian" as those terms are defined in Rule 17f-5 of the Investment Company
Act of 1940, a copy of which is attached hereto as Attachment A (the "Rule"),
and Subcustodian shall immediately notify Custodian, in writing or by other
authorized means, in the event that there appears to be a substantial likelihood
that Subcustodian will cease to qualify under the Rule as currently in effect or
as hereafter amended, or
4
B. It is the subject of an exemptive order issued by the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission which order permits Custodian to employ
Subcustodian notwithstanding the fact that Subcustodian fails to qualify under
the terms of the Rule, and Subcustodian shall immediately notify Custodian, in
writing or by other authorized means, if for any reason it is no longer covered
by such exemptive order.
Upon receipt of any such notification required under (A) or (B) of this section,
Custodian may terminate this Agreement immediately without prior notice to
Subcustodian.
VI. Definitions
A. Instructions. The term "Instructions" means:
1. instructions in writing signed by authorized individuals
designated as such by Custodian;
2. telex or tested telex instructions of Custodian;
3. other forms of instructions in computer readable form as
shall customarily be used for the transmission of like information, and
4. such other forms of communication as from time to time may
be agreed upon by Custodian and Subcustodian, which Subcustodian believes in
good faith to have been given by Custodian or which are transmitted with proper
testing or authentication pursuant to terms and conditions which Custodian may
specify.
Unless otherwise expressly provided, all Instructions shall continue in full
force and effect until canceled or superseded. Subcustodian shall act in
accordance with Instructions and shall not be liable for any act or omission in
respect of any Instruction except in the case of willful default, negligence,
fraud, bad faith, willful misconduct, or reckless disregard of duties on the
part of Subcustodian. Subcustodian in executing all Instructions will take
relevant action in accordance with accepted industry practice and local
settlement practice.
B. Account. The term "Account" means collectively the Custody Account,
and the Deposit Account.
C. Securities. The term "Securities" includes, without limitation,
stocks, shares, bonds, debentures, debt securities (convertible or
non-convertible), notes, or other obligations or securities and any
certificates, receipts, futures contracts, foreign exchange contracts, options,
warrants, scrip or other instruments representing rights to receive, purchase or
subscribe for the same, or evidencing or representing any other rights or
interests therein, or in any property or assets.
5
VII. Miscellaneous Provisions
A. Statements Regarding the Account. Subcustodian will supply Custodian
with such statements regarding the Account as Custodian may request, including
the identity and location of any Eligible Depository authorized and acting
hereunder. In addition, Subcustodian will supply Custodian an advice or
notification of any transfers of Securities to or from the Account indicating,
as to Securities acquired for the Account, if applicable, the Eligible
Depository having physical possession of such Securities.
B. Examination of Books and Records. Subcustodian agrees that its books
and records relating to the Account and Subcustodian's actions under this
Agreement shall be open to the physical, on-premises inspection and audit at
reasonable times by officers of, auditors employed by or other representatives
of Custodian including (to the extent permitted under the law of
the independent public accountants for any customer of
-----------------
Custodian whose property is being held hereunder and such books and records
shall be retained for such period as shall be agreed upon by Custodian and
Subcustodian.
As Custodian may reasonably request from time to time, Subcustodian will furnish
its auditor's reports on its system of internal controls, and Subcustodian will
use its best efforts to obtain and furnish similar reports of any Eligible
Depository authorized and acting hereunder.
C. Standard of Care. In holding, maintaining, servicing and disposing
of Property under this Agreement, and in fulfilling any other obligations
hereunder, Subcustodian shall exercise the same standard of care that it
exercises over its own assets, provided that Subcustodian shall exercise at
least the degree of care and maintain adequate insurance as expected of a
prudent professional Subcustodian for hire and shall assume the burden of
proving that it has exercised such care in its maintenance of Property held by
Subcustodian in its Account. The maintenance of the Property in an Eligible
Depository shall not affect Subcustodian's standard of care, and Subcustodian
will remain as fully responsible for any loss or damage to such securities as if
it had itself retained physical possession of them. Subcustodian shall also
indemnify and hold harmless Custodian and each of Custodian's customers from and
against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim (including
reasonable attorney's fees) arising out of or in connection with the improper or
negligent performance or the nonperformance of the duties of Subcustodian.
Subcustodian shall be responsible for complying with all provisions of the law
of , or any other law, applicable to Subcustodian in connection
-----------------
with its duties hereunder, including (but not limited to) the payment of all
transfer taxes or other taxes and compliance with any currency restrictions and
securities laws in connection with its duties as Subcustodian.
6
D. Loss of Cash or Securities. Subcustodian agrees that, in the even of
any loss of Securities or Cash in the Account, Subcustodian will use its best
efforts to ascertain the circumstances relating to such loss and will promptly
report the same to Custodian and shall use every legal means available to it to
effect the quickest possible recovery.
E. Compensation of Subcustodian. Custodian agrees to pay to
Subcustodian from time to time such compensation for its services and such
out-of-pocket or incidental expenses of Subcustodian pursuant to this Agreement
as may be mutually agreed upon in writing from time to time.
F. Operating Requirements. The Subcustodian agrees to follow such
Operating Requirements as the Custodian may establish from time to time. A copy
of the current Operating Requirements is attached as Attachment B to this
Agreement.
G. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by Subcustodian or
Custodian on 60 days' written notice to the other party, sent by registered
mail, provided that any such notice, whether given-by Subcustodian or Custodian,
shall be followed within 60 days by Instructions specifying the names of the
persons to whom Subcustodian shall deliver the Securities in the Account and to
whom the Cash in the account shall be paid. If within 60 days following the
giving of such notice of termination, Subcustodian does not receive such
Instructions, Subcustodian shall continue to hold such Securities and Cash
subject to this Agreement until such Instructions are given. The obligations of
the parties under this Agreement shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
H. Notices. Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, all notices
and communications with respect to matters contemplated by this Agreement shall
be in writing, and delivered by mail, postage prepaid, telex, SWIFT, or other
mutually agreed telecommunication methods to the following addresses (or to such
other address as either party hereto may from time to time designate by notice
duly given in accordance with this paragraph):
To Subcustodian:
To Custodian: State Street Bank and Trust Company
Securities Operations/
Network Administration
▇.▇. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
I. Confidentiality. Subcustodian and Custodian shall each use its best
efforts to maintain the confidentiality of the property in the Account and the
beneficial owners thereof, subject, however, to the provisions of any laws,
requiring disclosure. In addition, Subcustodian shall safeguard any test keys,
identification codes or other security devices which Custodian shall
7
make-available to it. The Subcustodian further agrees it will not disclose the
existence of this Agreement or any current business relationship unless
compelled by applicable law or regulation or unless it has secured the
Custodian's written consent.
J. Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable by either
party but shall bind any successor in interest of Custodian and Subcustodian
respectively.
K. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of . To the extent inconsistent with this Agreement or
Custodian's Operating Requirements as attached hereto, Subcustodian's rules and
conditions regarding accounts generally or custody accounts specifically shall
not apply.
CUSTODIAN: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By:
-----------------
Date:
---------------
AGREED TO BY SUBCUSTODIAN
--------------------
By:
-----------------
Date:
---------------
8
DATA ACCESS SERVICES ADDENDUM TO CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
----------------------------------------------------
AGREEMENT between Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. (the "Customer")
and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street").
PREAMBLE
WHEREAS, State Street has been appointed as custodian of certain assets
of the Customer pursuant to a certain Custodian Agreement (the "Custodian
Agreement") dated as of , 199 ;
WHEREAS, State Street has developed and utilizes proprietary accounting
and other systems, including State Street's proprietary Multicurrency
HORIZON(Registered) Accounting System, in its role as custodian of the Customer,
and maintains certain Customer-related data ("Customer Data") in databases under
the control and ownership of State Street (the "Data Access Services"); and
WHEREAS, State Street makes available to the Customer certain Data
Access Services solely for the benefit of the Customer, and intends to provide
additional services, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
herein contained, and for other .good and valuable consideration, the parties
agree as follows:
1. SYSTEM AND DATA ACCESS SERVICES
a. System. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, State
Street hereby agrees to provide the Customer with access to State Street's
Multicurrency HORIZON(Registered) Accounting System and the other information
systems (collectively, the "System") as described in Attachment A, on a remote
basis for the purpose of obtaining reports, solely on computer hardware, system
software and telecommunication links, as listed in Attachment B (the "Designated
Configuration") of the Customer, or certain third parties approved by State
Street that serve as investment advisors or investment managers (the "Investment
Advisor") or independent auditors (the "Independent Auditors") of the Customer
and solely with respect to the Customer or on any designated substitute or
back-up equipment configuration with State Street's written consent, such
consent not to be unreasonably withheld.
b. Data Access Services. State Street agrees to make available to the
Customer the Data Access Services subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and data access operating standards and procedures as may be issued by
State Street from time to time. The ability of the Customer to originate
electronic instructions to State Street on behalf of the
1
Customer in order to (i) effect the transfer or movement of cash or securities
held under custody by State Street or (ii) transmit accounting or other
information (such transactions are referred to herein as "Client Originated
Electronic Financial Instructions"), and (iii) access data for the purpose of
reporting and analysis, shall be deemed to be Data Access Services for purposes
of this Agreement.
c. Additional Services. State Street may from time to time agree to
make available to the Customer additional Systems that are not described in the
attachments to this Agreement. In the absence of any other written agreement
concerning such additional systems, the term "System" shall include, and this
Agreement shall govern, the Customer's access to and use of any additional
System made available by State Street and/or accessed by the Customer.
2. NO USE OF THIRD PARTY SYSTEMS-LEVEL SOFTWARE
State Street and the Customer acknowledge that in connection with the
Data Access Services provided under this Agreement, the Customer will have
access, through the Data Access Services, to Customer Data and to functions of
State Street's proprietary systems; provided, however that in no event will the
Customer have direct access to any third party systems-level software that
retrieves data for, stores data from, or otherwise supports the System.
3. LIMITATION ON SCOPE OF USE
a. Designated Equipment; Designated Location. The System and the Data
Access Services shall be used and accessed solely on and through the Designated
Configuration at the offices of the Customer or the Investment Advisor or
Independent Auditor located in New York, New York ("Designated Location").
b. Designated Configuration; Trained Personnel. State Street shall be
responsible for supplying, installing and maintaining the Designated
Configuration at the Designated Location. State Street and the Customer agree
that each will engage or retain the services of trained personnel to enable both
parties to perform their respective obligations under this Agreement. State
Street agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the System so
that it remains serviceable, provided, however, that State Street does not
guarantee or assure uninterrupted remote access use of the System.
c. Scope of Use. The Customer will use the System and the Data Access
Services only for the processing of securities transactions, the keeping of
books of account for the Customer and accessing data for purposes of reporting
and analysis. The Customer shall not, and shall cause its employees and agents
not to (i) permit any third party to use the System or the Data Access Services,
(ii) sell, rent, license or otherwise use the System or the Data Access Services
in the operation of a service bureau or for any purpose other than as expressly
2
authorized under this Agreement, (iii) use the System or the Data Access
Services for any fund, trust or other investment vehicle without the prior
written consent of State Street, (iv) allow access to the System or the Data
Access Services through terminals or any other computer or telecommunications
facilities located outside the Designated Locations, (v) allow or cause any
information (other than portfolio holdings, valuations of portfolio holdings,
and other information reasonably necessary for the management or distribution of
the assets of the Customer) transmitted from State Street's databases, including
data from third party sources, available through use of the System or the Data
Access Services to be redistributed or retransmitted to another computer,
terminal or other device for other than use for or on behalf of the Customer or
(vi) modify the System in any way, including without limitation, developing any
software for or attaching any devices or computer programs to any equipment,
system, software or database which forms a part of or is resident on the
Designated Configuration.
d. Other Locations. Except in the event of an emergency or of a planned
System shutdown, the Customer's access to services performed by the System or to
Data Access Services at the Designated Location may be transferred to a
different location only upon the prior written consent of State Street. In the
event of an emergency or System shutdown, the Customer may use any back-up site
included in the Designated Configuration or any other back-up site agreed to by
State Street, which agreement will not be unreasonably withheld. The Customer
may secure from State Street the right to access the System or the Data Access
Services through computer and telecommunications facilities or devices complying
with the Designated Configuration at additional locations only upon the prior
written consent of State Street and on terms to be mutually agreed upon by the
parties.
e. Title. Title and all ownership and proprietary rights to the System,
including any enhancements or modifications thereto, whether or not made by
State Street, are and shall remain with State Street.
f. No Modification. Without the prior written consent of State Street,
the Customer shall not modify, enhance or otherwise create derivative works
based upon the System, nor shall the Customer reverse engineer, decompile or
otherwise attempt to secure the source code for all or any part of the System.
g. Security Procedures. The Customer shall comply with data access
operating standards and procedures and with user identification or other
password control requirements and other security procedures as may be issued
from time to time by State Street for use of the System on a remote basis and to
access the Data Access Services. The Customer shall have access only to the
Customer Data and authorized transactions agreed upon from time to time by State
Street and, upon notice from State Street, the Customer shall discontinue remote
use of the System and access to Data Access Services for any security reasons
cited by State Street; provided, that, in such event, State Street shall, for a
period not less than 180 days (or such
3
other shorter period specified by the Customer) after such discontinuance,
assume responsibility to provide accounting services under the terms of the
Custodian Agreement.
h. Inspections. State Street shall have the right to inspect the use of
the System and the Data Access Services by the Customer and the Investment
Advisor to ensure compliance with this Agreement. The on-site inspections shall
be upon prior written notice to Customer and the Investment Advisor and at
reasonably convenient times and frequencies so as not to result in an
unreasonable disruption of the Customer's or the Investment Advisor's business.
4. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
a. Proprietary Information. The Customer acknowledges and State Street
represents that the System and the databases, computer programs, screen formats,
report formats, interactive design techniques, documentation and other
information made available to the Customer by State Street as part of the Data
Access Services and through the use of the System constitute copyrighted, trade
secret, or other proprietary information of substantial value to State Street.
Any and all such information provided by State Street to the Customer shall be
deemed proprietary and confidential information of State Street (hereinafter
"Proprietary Information"). The Customer agrees that it will hold such
Proprietary Information in the strictest confidence and secure and protect it in
a manner consistent with its own procedures for the protection of its own
confidential information and to take appropriate action by instruction or
agreement with its employees who are permitted access to the Proprietary
Information to satisfy its obligations hereunder. The Customer further
acknowledges that State Street shall not be required to provide the Investment
Advisor or the Investment Auditor with access to the System unless it has first
received from the Investment Advisor and the Investment Auditor an undertaking
with respect to State Street's Proprietary Information in the form of Attachment
C and/or Attachment C-1 to this Agreement. The Customer shall use all
commercially reasonable efforts to assist State Street in identifying and
preventing any unauthorized use, copying or disclosure of the Proprietary
Information or any portions thereof or any of the logic, formats or designs
contained therein.
b. Cooperation. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Customer shall
advise State Street immediately in the event the Customer learns or has reason
to believe that any person to whom the Customer has given access to the
Proprietary Information, or any portion thereof, has violated or intends to
violate the terms of this Agreement, and the Customer will, at its expense,
co-operate with State Street in seeking injunctive or other equitable relief in
the name of the Customer or State Street against any such person.
c. Injunctive Relief. The Customer acknowledges that the disclosure of
any Proprietary Information, or of any information which at law or equity ought
to remain confidential, will immediately give rise to continuing irreparable
injury to State Street inadequately compensable in damages at law. In addition,
State Street shall be entitled to obtain
4
immediate injunctive relief against the breach or threatened breach of any of
the foregoing undertakings, in addition to any other legal remedies which may be
available.
d. Survival. The provisions of this Section 4 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement.
5. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY
a. Limitation on Amount and Time for Bringing Action. The Customer
agrees any liability of State Street to the Customer or any third party arising
out of State Street's provision of Data Access Services or the System under this
Agreement shall be limited to the amount paid by the Customer for the preceding
24 months for such services. In no event shall State Street be liable to the
Customer or any other party for any special, indirect, punitive or consequential
damages even if advised of the possibility of such damages. No action,
regardless of form, arising out of this Agreement may be brought by the Customer
more than two years after the Customer has knowledge that the cause of action
has arisen.
b. Limited Warranties. NO OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE MADE BY STATE STREET. IN NO EVENT WILL
STATE STREET BE LIABLE TO THE CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER PARTY FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL
OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES WHICH MAY ARISE FROM THE CUSTOMER'S ACCESS TO THE SYSTEM
OR USE OF INFORMATION OBTAINED THEREBY.
c. Third-Party Data. Organizations from which State Street may obtain
certain data included in the System or the Data Access Services are solely
responsible for the contents of such data, and State Street shall have no
liability for claims arising out of the contents of such third-party data,
including, but not limited to, the accuracy thereof.
d. Regulatory Requirements. As between State Street and the Customer,
the Customer shall be solely responsible for the accuracy of any accounting
statements or reports produced using the Data Access Services and the System and
the conformity thereof with any requirements of law.
e. Force Majeure. Neither party shall be liable for any costs or
damages due to delay or nonperformance under this Agreement arising out of any
cause or event beyond such party's control, including without limitation,
cessation of services hereunder or any damages resulting therefrom to the other
party, or the Customer as a result of work stoppage, power or other mechanical
failure, computer virus, natural disaster, governmental action, or communication
disruption.
5
6. INDEMNIFICATION
The Customer agrees to indemnify and hold State Street harmless from
any loss, damage or expense including reasonable attorney's fees, (a "loss")
suffered by State Street arising from (i) the negligence or willful misconduct
in the use by the Customer of the Data Access Services or the System, including
any loss incurred by State Street resulting from a security breach at the
Designated Location or committed by the Customer's employees or agents or the
Investment Advisor or the Independent Auditor and (ii) any loss resulting from
incorrect Client Originated Electronic Financial Instructions. State Street
shall be entitled to rely on the validity and authenticity of Client Originated
Electronic Financial Instructions without undertaking any further inquiry as
long as such instruction is undertaken in conformity with security procedures
established by State Street from time to time.
7. FEES
Fees and charges for the use of the System and the Data Access Services
and related payment terms shall be as set forth in the Custody Fee Schedule in
effect from time to time between the parties (the "Fee Schedule"). Any tariffs,
duties or taxes imposed or levied by any government or governmental agency by
reason of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without
limitation, federal, state and local taxes, use, value added and personal
property taxes (other than income, franchise or similar taxes which may be
imposed or assessed against State Street) shall be borne by the Customer. Any
claimed exemption from such tariffs, duties or taxes shall be supported by
proper documentary evidence delivered to State Street.
8. TRAINING, IMPLEMENTATION AND CONVERSION
a. Training. State Street agrees to provide training, at a designated
State Street training facility or at the Designated Location, to the Customer's
personnel in connection with the use of the System on the Designated
Configuration. The Customer agrees that it will set aside, during regular
business hours or at other times agreed upon by both parties, sufficient time to
enable all operators of the System and the Data Access Services, designated by
the Customer. to receive the training offered by State Street pursuant to this
Agreement.
b. Installation and Conversion. State Street shall be responsible for
the technical installation and conversion ("Installation and Conversion") of the
Designated Configuration. The Customer shall have the following responsibilities
in connection with Installation and Conversion of the System:
(i) The Customer shall be solely responsible for the timely
acquisition and maintenance of the hardware and software that
attach to the Designated Configuration in order to use the
Data Access Services at the Designated Location.
6
(ii) State Street and the Customer each agree that they will assign
qualified personnel to actively participate during the
Installation and Conversion phase of the System implementation
to enable both parties to perform their respective obligations
under this Agreement.
9. SUPPORT
During the term of this Agreement, State Street agrees to provide the
support services set out in Attachment D to this Agreement.
10. TERM OF AGREEMENT
a. Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective on the date
of its execution by State Street and shall remain in full force and effect until
terminated as herein provided.
b. Termination of Agreement. Either party may terminate this Agreement
(i) for any reason by giving the other party at least one-hundred and eighty
days' prior written notice in the case of notice of termination by State Street
to the Customer or thirty days ' notice in the case of notice from the Customer
to State Street of termination; or (ii) immediately for failure of the other
party to comply with any material term and condition of the Agreement by giving
the other party written notice of termination. In the event the Customer shall
cease doing business, shall become subject to proceedings under the bankruptcy
laws (other than a petition for reorganization or similar proceeding) or shall
be adjudicated bankrupt, this Agreement and the rights granted hereunder shall,
at the option of State Street, immediately terminate with notice to the
Customer. This Agreement shall in any event terminate as to any Customer within
90 days after the termination of the Custodian Agreement applicable to such
Customer.
c. Termination of the Right to Use. Upon termination of this Agreement
for any reason, any right to use the System and access to the Data Access
Services shall terminate and the Customer shall immediately cease use of the
System and the Data Access Services. Immediately upon termination of this
Agreement for any reason, the Customer shall return to State Street all copies
of documentation and other Proprietary Information in its possession; provided,
however, that in the event that either party terminates this Agreement or the
Custodian Agreement for any reason other than the Customer's breach, State
Street shall provide the Data Access Services for a period of time and at a
price to be agreed upon by the parties.
11. MISCELLANEOUS
a. Assignment: Successors. This Agreement and the rights and
obligations of the Customer and State Street hereunder shall not be assigned by
either party without the prior written consent of the other party, except that
State Street may assign this Agreement to a
7
successor of all or a substantial portion of its business, or to a party
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with State Street.
b. Survival. All provisions regarding indemnification, warranty,
liability and limits thereon, and confidentiality and/or protection of
proprietary rights and trade secrets shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
c. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the attachments hereto
constitute the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the
Data Access Services and the use of the System and supersedes any and all prior
or contemporaneous representations or agreements, whether oral or written,
between the parties as such may relate to the Data Access Services or the
System, and cannot be modified or altered except in a writing duly executed by
the parties. This Agreement is not intended to supersede or modify the duties
and liabilities of the parties hereto under the Custodian Agreement or any other
agreement between the parties hereto except to the extent that any such
agreement specifically refers to the Data Access Services or the System. No
single waiver or any right hereunder shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver.
d. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall
be held to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and
enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or
impaired.
e. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be interpreted and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts without
regard to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.
8
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement effective as of the date hereof.
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY
By:
-----------------------------------
Executive Vice President
Title:
-----------------------------------
Date:
-----------------------------------
Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc.
By:
-----------------------------------
Executive Vice President
Title:
-----------------------------------
Date:
-----------------------------------
9
ATTACHMENT A
Multicurrency HORIZON(Registered) Accounting System
System Product Description
--------------------------
I. The Multicurrency HORIZON(Registered) Accounting System is designed to
provide lot level portfolio and general ledger accounting for SEC and ERISA type
requirements and includes the following services: 1) recording of general ledger
entries; 2) calculation of daily income and expense; 3) reconciliation of daily
activity with the trial balance, and 4) appropriate automated feeding mechanisms
to (i) domestic and international settlement systems, (ii) daily, weekly and
monthly evaluation services, (iii) portfolio performance and analytic services,
(iv) customer's internal computing systems and (v) various State Street provided
information services products.
II. GlobalQuest(Registered) GlobalQuest(Registered)is designed to provide
customer access to the following information maintained on The Multicurrency
HORIZON(Registered) Accounting System: 1) cash transactions and balances; 2)
purchases and sales; 3) income receivables; 4) tax refund receivables; 5) daily
priced positions; 6) open trades; 7) settlement status; 8) foreign exchange
transactions; 9) trade history; and 10) daily, weekly and monthly evaluation
services.
Attachment B
Advisor
QUEST ADVISORY
CORPORATION
[insert graphics]
Software is installed for access.
Click on icon for access.
Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc.
DIAL UP ACCESS
CONFIGURATION
ATTACHMENT C
Undertaking
The undersigned understands that in the course of its employment as
Investment Advisor to Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. (the "Customer") it
will have access to State Street Bank and Trust Company's ("State Street")
Multicurrency HORIZON(Registered) Accounting System and other information
systems (collectively, the "System").
The undersigned acknowledges that the System and the databases,
computer programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive design
techniques, documentation, and other information made available to the
Undersigned by State Street as part of the Data Access Services provided to the
Customer and through the use of the System constitute copyrighted, trade secret,
or other proprietary information of substantial value to State Street. Any and
all such information provided by State Street to the Undersigned shall be deemed
proprietary and confidential information of State Street (hereinafter
"Proprietary Information"). The Undersigned agrees that it will hold such
Proprietary Information in confidence and secure and protect it in a manner
consistent with its own procedures for the protection of its own confidential
information and to take appropriate action by instruction or agreement with its
employees who are permitted access to the Proprietary Information to satisfy its
obligations hereunder.
The Undersigned will not attempt to intercept data, gain access to data
in transmission, or attempt entry into any system or files for which it is not
authorized. It will not intentionally adversely affect the integrity of the
System through the introduction of unauthorized code or data, or through
unauthorized deletion.
Upon notice by State Street for any reason, any right to use the System
and access to the Data Access Services shall terminate and the Undersigned shall
immediately cease use of the System and the Data Access Services. Immediately
upon notice by State Street for any reason, the Undersigned shall return to
State Street all copies of documentation and other Proprietary Information in
its possession.
QUEST ADVISORY CORPORATION
By:
-------------------------------------------------
Title:
-------------------------------------------------
Date:
-------------------------------------------------
ATTACHMENT C-1
Undertaking
The undersigned understands that in the course of its employment as
Independent Auditor to Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. (the "Customer") it
will have access to State Street Bank and Trust Company's ("State Street")
Multicurrency HORIZON(Registered) Accounting System and other information
systems (collectively, the "System").
The undersigned acknowledges that the System and the databases,
computer programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive design
techniques, documentation, and other information made available to the
Undersigned by State Street as part of the Data Access Services provided to the
Customer and through the use of the System constitute copyrighted, trade secret,
or other proprietary information of substantial value to State Street. Any and
all such information provided by State Street to the Undersigned shall be deemed
proprietary and confidential information of State Street (hereinafter
"Proprietary Information"). The Undersigned agrees that it will hold such
Proprietary Information in confidence and secure and protect it in a manner
consistent with its own procedures for the protection of its own confidential
information and to take appropriate action by instruction or agreement with its
employees who are permitted access to the Proprietary Information to satisfy its
obligations hereunder.
The Undersigned will not attempt to intercept data, gain access to data
in transmission, or attempt entry into any system or files for which it is not
authorized. It will not intentionally adversely affect the integrity of the
System through the introduction of unauthorized code or data or through
unauthorized deletion.
Upon notice by State Street for any reason, any right to use the System
and access to the Data Access Services shall terminate and the Undersigned shall
immediately cease use of the System and the Data Access Services. Immediately
upon notice by State Street for any reason, the Undersigned shall return to
State Street all copies of documentation and other Proprietary Information in
its possession.
Independent Auditor
By:
-------------------------------------------------
Title:
-------------------------------------------------
Date:
-------------------------------------------------
ATTACHMENT D
Support
During the term of this Agreement, State Street agrees to provide the
following ongoing support services:
a. Telephone Support. The Customer Designated Persons may contact State
Street's HORIZON Help Desk and Customer Assistance Center between the hours of 8
a.m. and 6 p.m. (Eastern time) on all business days for the purpose of obtaining
answers to questions about the use of the System, or to report apparent problems
with the System. From time to time, the Customer shall provide to State Street a
list of persons, not to exceed five in number, who shall be permitted to contact
State Street for assistance (such persons being referred to as the Customer
Designated Persons").
b. Technical Support. State Street will provide technical support to
assist the Customer in using the System and the Data Access Services. The total
amount of technical support provided by State Street shall not exceed 10
resource days per year. State Street shall provide such additional technical
support as is expressly set forth in the fee schedule in effect from time to
time between the parties (the "Fee Schedule"). Technical support, including
during installation and testing, is subject to the fees and other terms set
forth in the Fee Schedule.
c. Maintenance Support. State Street shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to correct system functions that do not work according to the System
Product Description as set forth on Attachment A in priority order in the next
scheduled delivery release or otherwise as soon as is practicable.
d. System Enhancements. State Street will provide to the Customer any
enhancements to the System developed by State Street and made a part of the
System; provided that, sixty (60) days prior to installing any such enhancement,
State Street shall notify the Customer and shall offer the Customer reasonable
training on the enhancement. Charges for system enhancements shall be as
provided in the Fee Schedule. State Street retains the right to charge for
related systems or products that may be developed and separately made available
for use other than through the System.
e. Custom Modifications. In the event the Customer desires custom
modifications in connection with its use of the System, the Customer shall make
a written request to State Street providing specifications for the desired
modification. Any custom modifications may be undertaken by State Street in its
sole discretion in accordance with the Fee Schedule.
f. Limitation on Support. State Street shall have no obligation to
support the Customer's use of the System: (i) for use on any computer equipment
or telecommunication
facilities which does not conform to the Designated Configuration or (ii) in the
event the Customer has modified the System in breach of this Agreement.
