CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
This Agreement between LAZARD WORLD DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND, INC., a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland (the
"FUND"), and STATE STREET BANK and TRUST COMPANY, a Massachusetts trust company
(the "CUSTODIAN"),
WITNESSETH: that in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 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 the Fund 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"). 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 it from time to time, and the cash consideration received by it for
such new or treasury shares of beneficial interest of the Fund ("SHARES") as may
be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for
any property of the Fund which is not received by it or which is delivered out
in accordance with Proper Instructions (as such term is defined in Section 6
hereof) including, without limitation, Fund property (i) held by brokers,
private bankers or other entities on behalf of the Fund (each a "LOCAL AGENT"),
other than any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to this Section 1, and (ii) held
by entities which have advanced monies to or on behalf of the Fund and which
have received Fund property as security for such advance(s) (each a "PLEDGEE").
With respect to uncertificated shares (the "UNDERLYING SHARES") of registered
"investment companies" (as defined in Section 3(a)(1) of the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended from time to time (the "1940 ACT")), whether in the same
"group of investment companies" (as defined in Section 12(d)(1)(G)(ii) of the
0000 Xxx) or otherwise, including pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940
Act (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "UNDERLYING PORTFOLIOS") the
holding of confirmation statements that identify the shares as being recorded in
the Custodian's name on behalf of the Fund will be deemed custody for purposes
hereof.
Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, 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 (the
"BOARD"). The Custodian may employ as sub-custodian for the Fund's foreign
securities the foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories
designated in Schedules A and B hereto, in accordance with the applicable
provisions of Sections 3 and 4. 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.
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SECTION 2. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND
HELD BY THE CUSTODIAN IN THE UNITED STATES
SECTION 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 2.8 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 (each, a "U.S. SECURITIES
SYSTEM"), and (b) Underlying Shares owned by the Fund which are maintained
pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof in an account with State Street Bank and Trust
Company or such other entity which may from time to time act as a transfer agent
for the Underlying Portfolios and with respect to which the Custodian is
provided with Proper Instructions (the "UNDERLYING TRANSFER AGENT").
SECTION 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 an account at the Underlying
Transfer Agent, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be
continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the
following cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Fund and
receipt of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
agreement related to such securities entered into by the Fund;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a U.S. Securities
System, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8
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 2.7 or into the name or nominee
name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 1; or
for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or
other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or
number of units; PROVIDED that, in any such case, the new
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
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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 (a) 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, or (b) to the lending agent, or the
lending agent's custodian, in accordance with written Proper
Instructions (which may not provide for the receipt by the
Custodian of collateral therefor) agreed upon from time to
time by the Custodian and the Fund;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowing 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") 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 ("CFTC") and/or any contract
market, or any similar organization or organizations,
regarding account deposits in connection with transactions by
the Fund;
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14) Upon the sale or other delivery of such investments
(including, without limitation, to one or more additional
custodians appointed by the Fund, and communicated to the
Custodian from time to time via a writing duly executed by an
authorized officer of the Fund, for the purpose of engaging in
repurchase agreement transactions(s), each a "REPO
CUSTODIAN"), and prior to receipt of payment therefor, as set
forth in written Proper Instructions (such delivery in advance
of payment, along with payment in advance of delivery made in
accordance with Section 2.6(7), as applicable, shall each be
referred to herein as a "FREE TRADE"), provided that such
Proper Instructions shall set forth (a) the securities of the
Fund to be delivered and (b) the person(s) to whom delivery of
such securities shall be made;
15) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent for the
Fund (the "TRANSFER AGENT") for delivery to such Transfer
Agent or to the holders of Shares in connection with
distributions in kind, as may be described from time to time
in the Fund's currently effective prospectus and statement of
additional information (the "PROSPECTUS"), in satisfaction of
requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or redemption;
16) For delivery as initial or variation margin in connection with
futures or options on futures contracts entered into by the
Fund;
17) In the case of a sale processed through the Underlying
Transfer Agent of Underlying Shares, in accordance with
Section 2.10 hereof; and
18) For any other purpose, BUT ONLY upon receipt of Proper
Instructions specifying the securities of the Fund to be
delivered and the person or persons to whom delivery of such
securities shall be made.
SECTION 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 advisor as
the Fund, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to
Section 2.7 or in the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed
pursuant to Section 1. All securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the
Fund under the terms of this Agreement 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.
SECTION 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 Agreement, and shall hold in such account or
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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 1940 Act.
Monies 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 1940 Act and that each such bank or trust company
and the monies to be deposited with each such bank or trust company shall be
approved by vote of a majority of the Board. Such monies shall be deposited by
the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the
Custodian only in that capacity.
SECTION 2.5 COLLECTION OF INCOME. Except with respect to Fund property
released and delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(14) or purchased pursuant to
Section 2.6(7), and subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian
shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to
registered domestic securities held hereunder to which the Fund shall be
entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the securities business, and
shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to
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 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.
SECTION 2.6 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 1940 Act 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 2.8
hereof; (c) in the case of a purchase of Underlying Shares, in
accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.10
hereof; (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
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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 from the Fund as defined
herein;
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 redemption or repurchase of Shares issued as set forth
in Section 5 hereof;
4) 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;
5) For the payment of any dividends/distributions on Shares
declared pursuant to the governing documents of the Fund;
6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
7) Upon the purchase of domestic investments including, without
limitation, repurchase agreement transactions involving
delivery of Fund monies to Repo Custodian(s), and prior to
receipt of such investments, as set forth in written Proper
Instructions (such payment in advance of delivery, along with
delivery in advance of payment made in accordance with Section
2.2(14), as applicable, shall each be referred to herein as a
"FREE TRADE"), provided that such Proper Instructions shall
also set forth (a) the amount of such payment and (b) the
person(s) to whom such payment is made;
8) For delivery as initial or variation margin in connection with
futures or options on futures contracts entered into by the
Fund; and
9) For any other purpose, BUT ONLY upon receipt of Proper
Instructions specifying the amount of such payment and the
person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.
SECTION 2.7 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 1940 Act to act as a
custodian, as its agent to carry out such of the provisions of this Section 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
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hereunder. The Underlying Transfer Agent shall not be deemed an agent or
sub-custodian of the Custodian for purposes of this Section 2.7 or any other
provision of this Agreement.
SECTION 2.8 DEPOSIT OF FUND ASSETS IN U.S. SECURITIES SYSTEMS. The
Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in a U.S.
Securities System in compliance with the conditions of Rule 17f-4 of the 1940
Act, as amended from time to time.
SECTION 2.9 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 2.8 hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions
of any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered
under the Exchange Act and a member of the NASD (or any futures commission
merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance
with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered
national securities exchange (or the CFTC 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 of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"),
or interpretative opinion of the staff of the SEC, relating to the maintenance
of segregated accounts by registered investment companies, and (iv) for any
other purpose upon receipt of Proper Instructions.
SECTION 2.10 DEPOSIT OF FUND ASSETS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRANSFER AGENT.
Underlying Shares beneficially owned by the Fund shall be deposited and/or
maintained in an account or accounts maintained with an Underlying Transfer
Agent and the Custodian's only responsibilities with respect thereto shall be
limited to the following:
1) Upon receipt of a confirmation or statement from an Underlying
Transfer Agent that such Underlying Transfer Agent is holding
or maintaining Underlying Shares in the name of the Custodian
(or a nominee of the Custodian) for the benefit of the Fund,
the Custodian shall identify by book-entry that such
Underlying Shares are being held by it as custodian for the
benefit of the Fund.
2) In respect of the purchase of Underlying Shares for the
account of the Fund, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the
Custodian shall pay out monies of the Fund as so directed, and
record such payment from the account of the Fund on the
Custodian's books and records.
3) In respect of the sale or redemption of Underlying Shares for
the account of the Fund, upon receipt of Proper Instructions,
the Custodian shall transfer such Underlying Shares as so
directed, record such transfer from the account of the Fund on
the Custodian's books and records and, upon the Custodian's
receipt of the proceeds therefor, record such payment for the
account of the Fund on the Custodian's books and records.
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The Custodian shall not be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to
the Fund resulting from the maintenance of Underlying Shares with an
Underlying Transfer Agent except to the extent such losses result
directly from the fraud, negligence or willful misconduct of the
Custodian.
SECTION 2.11 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 securities.
SECTION 2.12 PROXIES. Except with respect to Fund property released and
delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(14), or purchased pursuant to Section 2.6(7),
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.
SECTION 2.13 COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO FUND SECURITIES. Except with
respect to Fund property released and delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(14), or
purchased pursuant to Section 2.6(7), and 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 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 securities whose
tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or its 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.
SECTION 2.14 LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT IN ADVANCE OF RECEIPT OF SECURITIES
PURCHASED. Except as specifically stated otherwise in this Agreement, 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.
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SECTION 3. PROVISIONS RELATING TO RULES 17F-5 AND 17F-7
SECTION 3.1. DEFINITIONS. As used throughout this Agreement, the
capitalized terms set forth below shall have the indicated meanings:
"COUNTRY RISK" means all factors reasonably related to the systemic risk of
holding Foreign Assets in a particular country including, but not limited to,
such country's political environment, economic and financial infrastructure
(including any Eligible Securities Depository operating in the country),
prevailing or developing custody and settlement practices, and laws and
regulations applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Foreign Assets held in
custody in that country.
"ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIAN" has the meaning set forth in section (a)(1) of Rule
17f-5, including a majority-owned or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. Bank (as
defined in Rule 17f-5), a bank holding company meeting the requirements of an
Eligible Foreign Custodian (as set forth in Rule 17f-5 or by other appropriate
action of the SEC, or a foreign branch of a Bank (as defined in Section 2(a)(5)
of the 0000 Xxx) meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of
the 1940 Act; the term does not include any Eligible Securities Depository.
"ELIGIBLE SECURITIES DEPOSITORY" has the meaning set forth in section (b)(1) of
Rule 17f-7.
"FOREIGN ASSETS" means any of the Fund's investments (including foreign
currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States and such
cash and cash equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Fund's
transactions in such investments.
"FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER" has the meaning set forth in section (a)(3) of Rule
17f-5.
"RULE 17F-5" means Rule 17f-5 promulgated under the 1940 Act.
"RULE 17F-7" means Rule 17f-7 promulgated under the 1940 Act.
SECTION 3.2. THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER.
3.2.1 DELEGATION TO THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER.
The Fund, by resolution adopted by its Board, hereby delegates to the Custodian,
subject to Section (b) of Rule 17f-5, the responsibilities set forth in this
Section 3.2 with respect to Foreign Assets held outside the United States, and
the Custodian hereby accepts such delegation as Foreign Custody Manager of the
Fund.
3.2.2 COUNTRIES COVERED. The Foreign Custody Manager shall be
responsible for performing the delegated responsibilities defined below only
with respect to the countries and custody arrangements for each such country
listed on Schedule A to this Agreement, which list of countries may be amended
from time to time by the Fund with the agreement of the Foreign Custody Manager.
The Foreign Custody Manager shall list on Schedule A the Eligible Foreign
Custodians selected by the Foreign Custody Manager to maintain the Fund's
assets, which list of Eligible Foreign Custodians may be amended from time to
time in the sole discretion of the Foreign Custody
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Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager will provide amended versions of Schedule A
in accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereof.
Upon the receipt by the Foreign Custody Manager of Proper Instructions to open
an account or to place or maintain Foreign Assets in a country listed on
Schedule A, and the fulfillment by the Fund of the applicable account opening
requirements for such country, the Foreign Custody Manager shall be deemed to
have been delegated by the Board responsibility as Foreign Custody Manager with
respect to that country and to have accepted such delegation. Execution of this
Agreement by the Fund shall be deemed to be a Proper Instruction to open an
account, or to place or maintain Foreign Assets, in each country listed on
Schedule A. Following the receipt of Proper Instructions directing the Foreign
Custody Manager to close the account of the Fund with the Eligible Foreign
Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in a designated country, the
delegation by the Board to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager for that
country shall be deemed to have been withdrawn and the Custodian shall
immediately cease to be the Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund with respect to
that country.
The Foreign Custody Manager may withdraw its acceptance of delegated
responsibilities with respect to a designated country upon written notice to the
Fund. Thirty days (or such longer period to which the parties agree in writing)
after receipt of any such notice by the Fund, the Custodian shall have no
further responsibility in its capacity as Foreign Custody Manager to the Fund
with respect to future activities in the country as to which the Custodian's
acceptance of delegation is withdrawn.
3.2.3 SCOPE OF DELEGATED RESPONSIBILITIES:
(a) SELECTION OF ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS. Subject to the
provisions of this Section 3.2, the Foreign Custody Manager may place and
maintain the Foreign Assets in the care of the Eligible Foreign Custodian
selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in each country listed on Schedule A, as
amended from time to time. In performing its delegated responsibilities as
Foreign Custody Manager to place or maintain Foreign Assets with an Eligible
Foreign Custodian, the Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the Foreign
Assets will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to
custodians in the country in which the Foreign Assets will be held by that
Eligible Foreign Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the
safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation the factors specified
in Rule 17f-5(c)(1).
(b) CONTRACTS WITH ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS. The Foreign
Custody Manager shall determine that the contract governing the foreign custody
arrangements with each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign
Custody Manager will satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(2).
(c) MONITORING. In each case in which the Foreign Custody Manager
maintains Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the
Foreign Custody Manager, the Foreign Custody Manager shall establish a system to
monitor, in accordance with the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(3), (i) the
appropriateness of maintaining the Foreign Assets with such Eligible Foreign
Custodian and (ii) the performance of the contract governing the custody
arrangements established
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by the Foreign Custody Manager with the Eligible Foreign Custodian. In the event
the Foreign Custody Manager determines that the custody arrangements with an
Eligible Foreign Custodian it has selected are no longer appropriate, the
Foreign Custody Manager shall notify the Board in accordance with Section 3.2.5
hereunder.
3.2.4 GUIDELINES FOR THE EXERCISE OF DELEGATED AUTHORITY. For
purposes of this Section 3.2, the Board shall be deemed to have considered and
determined to accept such Country Risk as is incurred by placing and maintaining
the Foreign Assets in each country for which the Custodian is serving as Foreign
Custody Manager of the Fund.
3.2.5 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. The Foreign Custody Manager
shall report the withdrawal of the Foreign Assets from an Eligible Foreign
Custodian and the placement of such Foreign Assets with another Eligible Foreign
Custodian by providing to the Board an amended Schedule A at the end of the
calendar quarter in which an amendment to such Schedule has occurred. The
Foreign Custody Manager shall make written reports notifying the Board of any
other material change in the foreign custody arrangements of the Fund described
in this Section 3.2 after the occurrence of the material change.
3.2.6 STANDARD OF CARE AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER OF THE FUND.
In performing the responsibilities delegated to it, the Foreign Custody Manager
agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person
having responsibility for the safekeeping of assets of management investment
companies registered under the 1940 Act would exercise.
3.2.7 REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO RULE 17F-5. The Foreign
Custody Manager represents to the Fund that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in
section (a)(7) of Rule 17f-5. The Fund represents to the Custodian that the
Board has determined that it is reasonable for the Board to rely on the
Custodian to perform the responsibilities delegated pursuant to this Agreement
to the Custodian as the Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund.
3.2.8 EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION OF THE CUSTODIAN AS
FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER. The Board's delegation to the Custodian as Foreign
Custody Manager of the Fund shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall
remain in effect until terminated at any time, without penalty, by written
notice from the terminating party to the non-terminating party. Termination will
become effective thirty (30) days after receipt by the non-terminating party of
such notice. The provisions of Section 3.2.2 hereof shall govern the delegation
to and termination of the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund with
respect to designated countries.
SECTION 3.3 ELIGIBLE SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES.
3.3.1 ANALYSIS AND MONITORING. The Custodian shall (a) provide
the Fund (or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment advisor) with
an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the
Eligible Securities Depositories set forth on Schedule B hereto in accordance
with section (a)(1)(i)(A) of Rule 17f-7, and (b) monitor such risks on a
continuing basis, and promptly notify the Fund (or its duly-authorized
investment manager or
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investment advisor) of any material change in such risks, in accordance with
section (a)(1)(i)(B) of Rule 17f-7.
3.3.2 STANDARD OF CARE. The Custodian agrees to exercise
reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing the duties set forth in
Section 3.3.1.
SECTION 4. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND
HELD OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES
SECTION 4.1 DEFINITIONS. As used throughout this Agreement, the
capitalized terms set forth below shall have the indicated meanings:
"FOREIGN SECURITIES SYSTEM" means an Eligible Securities Depository listed on
Schedule B hereto.
"FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIAN" means a foreign banking institution serving as an
Eligible Foreign Custodian.
SECTION 4.2. HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall identify on its
books as belonging to the Fund the foreign securities held by each Foreign
Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities System. The Custodian may hold foreign
securities for all of its customers, including the Fund, with any Foreign
Sub-Custodian in an 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 foreign securities of the Fund which are maintained in
such account shall identify those securities as belonging to the Fund and (ii),
to the extent permitted and customary in the market in which the account is
maintained, the Custodian shall require that securities so held by the Foreign
Sub-Custodian be held separately from any assets of such Foreign Sub-Custodian
or of other customers of such Foreign Sub-Custodian.
SECTION 4.3. FOREIGN SECURITIES SYSTEMS. Foreign securities shall be
maintained in a Foreign Securities System in a designated country through
arrangements implemented by the Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian, as
applicable, in such country.
SECTION 4.4. TRANSACTIONS IN FOREIGN CUSTODY ACCOUNT.
4.4.1. DELIVERY OF FOREIGN ASSETS. The Custodian or a Foreign
Sub-Custodian shall release and deliver foreign securities of the Fund held by
the Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian, or in a Foreign Securities 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:
(i) upon the sale of such foreign securities for the Fund in
accordance with commercially reasonable market practice in the
country where such foreign securities are held or traded,
including, without limitation: (A) delivery against
expectation of receiving later payment; or (B) in the case of
a sale effected through a Foreign
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Securities System, in accordance with the rules governing the
operation of the Foreign Securities System;
(ii) in connection with any repurchase agreement related to foreign
securities;
(iii) to the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for foreign securities of the Fund;
(iv) to the issuer thereof or its agent when such foreign
securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become
payable;
(v) to the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the
name of the Custodian (or the name of the respective Foreign
Sub-Custodian or of any nominee of the Custodian or such
Foreign Sub-Custodian) or for exchange for a different number
of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same
aggregate face amount or number of units;
(vi) upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Fund,
to brokers, clearing banks or other clearing agents for
examination or trade execution in accordance with market
custom; provided that in any such case the Foreign
Sub-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 Foreign Sub-Custodian's own negligence or willful
misconduct;
(vii) 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;
(viii) in the case of warrants, rights or similar foreign 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;
(ix) for delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by
the Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund;
(x) for delivery as initial or variation margin in connection with
futures or options on futures contracts entered into by the
Fund;
(xi) Upon the sale or other delivery of such foreign securities
(including, without limitation, to one or more Repo
Custodians) as a Free Trade, provided that applicable Proper
Instructions shall set forth (A) the foreign securities to be
delivered and (B) the person or persons to whom delivery shall
be made;
(xii) in connection with the lending of foreign securities; and
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(xiii) for any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions specifying the foreign securities to be delivered
and the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities
shall be made.
4.4.2. 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, or direct the respective Foreign
Sub-Custodian or the respective Foreign Securities System to pay out, monies of
the Fund in the following cases only:
(i) upon the purchase of foreign securities for the Fund, unless
otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, by (A) delivering
money to the seller thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an
agent for such seller or dealer) against expectation of
receiving later delivery of such foreign securities; or (B) in
the case of a purchase effected through a Foreign Securities
System, in accordance with the rules governing the operation
of such Foreign Securities System;
(ii) in connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender of
foreign securities of the Fund;
(iii) for the payment of any expense or liability of the Fund,
including but not limited to the following payments: interest,
taxes, investment advisory fees, transfer agency fees, fees
under this Agreement, legal fees, accounting fees, and other
operating expenses;
(iv) for the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign
exchange contracts for the Fund, including transactions
executed with or through the Custodian or its Foreign
Sub-Custodians;
(v) for delivery as initial or variation margin in connection with
futures or options on futures contracts entered into by the
Fund;
(vi) Upon the purchase of foreign investments including, without
limitation, repurchase agreement transactions involving
delivery of Fund monies to Repo Custodian(s), as a Free Trade,
provided that applicable Proper Instructions shall set forth
(A) the amount of such payment and (B) the person or persons
to whom payment shall be made;
(vii) for payment of part or all of the dividends received in
respect of securities sold short;
(viii) in connection with the borrowing or lending of foreign
securities; and
(ix) for any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions specifying the amount of such payment and the
person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.
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4.4.3. MARKET CONDITIONS. Notwithstanding any provision of
this Agreement to the contrary, settlement and payment for Foreign Assets
received for the account of the Fund and delivery of Foreign Assets maintained
for the account of the Fund may be effected in accordance with the customary
established securities trading or processing practices and procedures in the
country or market in which the transaction occurs, including, without
limitation, delivering Foreign Assets to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer
therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer) with the expectation of
receiving later payment for such Foreign Assets from such purchaser or dealer.
The Custodian shall provide to the Board the information with respect to custody
and settlement practices in countries in which the Custodian employs a Foreign
Sub-Custodian described on Schedule C hereto at the time or times set forth on
such Schedule. The Custodian may revise Schedule C from time to time, provided
that no such revision shall result in the Board being provided with
substantively less information than had been previously provided hereunder.
SECTION 4.5. REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN SECURITIES. The foreign securities
maintained in the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian (other than bearer
securities) shall be registered in the name of the Fund or in the name of the
Custodian or in the name of any Foreign Sub-Custodian or in the name of any
nominee of the foregoing, and the Fund agrees to hold any such nominee harmless
from any liability as a holder of record of such foreign securities. The
Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall not be obligated to accept securities
on behalf of the Fund under the terms of this Agreement unless the form of such
securities and the manner in which they are delivered are in accordance with
reasonable market practice.
SECTION 4.6 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall identify on its books as
belonging to the Fund cash (including cash denominated in foreign currencies)
deposited with the Custodian. Where the Custodian is unable to maintain, or
market practice does not facilitate the maintenance of, cash on the books of the
Custodian, a bank account or bank accounts shall be opened and maintained
outside the United States on behalf of the Fund with a Foreign Sub-Custodian.
All accounts referred to in this Section shall be subject only to draft or order
by the Custodian (or, if applicable, such Foreign Sub-Custodian) acting pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement to hold cash received by or from or for the
account of the Fund. Cash maintained on the books of the Custodian (including
its branches, subsidiaries and affiliates), regardless of currency denomination,
is maintained in bank accounts established under, and subject to the laws of,
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
SECTION 4.7. COLLECTION OF INCOME. The Custodian shall use reasonable
commercial efforts to collect all income and other payments with respect to the
Foreign Assets held hereunder to which the Fund shall be entitled and shall
credit such income, as collected, to the Fund. In the event that extraordinary
measures are required to collect such income, the Fund and the Custodian shall
consult as to such measures and as to the compensation and expenses of the
Custodian relating to such measures.
SECTION 4.8 SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS. With respect to the foreign securities
held pursuant to this Section 4, the Custodian shall use reasonable commercial
efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and other shareholder rights,
subject always to the laws, regulations and practical constraints that may exist
in the country where such securities are issued. The Fund acknowledges that
local
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conditions, including lack of regulation, onerous procedural obligations, lack
of notice and other factors may have the effect of severely limiting the ability
of the Fund to exercise shareholder rights.
SECTION 4.9. COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO FOREIGN SECURITIES. The
Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund written information with respect
to materials received by the Custodian via the Foreign Sub-Custodians from
issuers of the foreign securities being held for the account of the Fund
(including, without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of foreign
securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith). With respect to
tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund
written information with respect to materials so received by the Custodian from
issuers of the foreign securities whose tender or exchange is sought or from the
party (or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer. The Custodian shall
not be liable for any untimely exercise of any tender, exchange or other right
or power in connection with foreign securities or other property of the Fund at
any time held by it unless (i) the Custodian or the respective Foreign
Sub-Custodian is in actual possession of such foreign securities or property and
(ii) the Custodian receives Proper Instructions with regard to the exercise of
any such right or power, and both (i) and (ii) occur at least three business
days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take action to exercise such
right or power.
SECTION 4.10. LIABILITY OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS. Each agreement
pursuant to which the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall, to the
extent possible, require the Foreign Sub-Custodian to exercise reasonable care
in the performance of its duties, and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the
Custodian from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim
arising out of or in connection with the Foreign Sub-Custodian's performance of
such obligations. At the Fund's election, it shall be entitled to be subrogated
to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims against a Foreign
Sub-Custodian 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.
SECTION 4.11 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 or of 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 countries 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 countries for which
the Fund has provided such information.
SECTION 4.12. LIABILITY OF CUSTODIAN. The Custodian shall be liable for
the acts or omissions of a Foreign Sub-Custodian to the same extent as set forth
with respect to sub-custodians generally in the Agreement and, regardless of
whether assets are maintained in the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian or a
Foreign Securities System, the Custodian shall not be liable for any loss,
damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from nationalization,
expropriation, currency
-16-
restrictions, or acts of war or terrorism, or any other loss where the
Sub-Custodian has otherwise acted with reasonable care.
SECTION 4.13. ACCESS OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS OF THE FUND. Upon
request of the Fund, the Custodian will use commercially reasonable efforts to
arrange for the independent accountants for 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
SECTION 5A. LOAN SERVICING PROVISIONS
SECTION 5A.1 GENERAL. The following provisions shall apply with respect
to investments, property or assets in the nature of loans, or interests or
participations in loans, including without limitation interests in syndicated
bank loans and bank loan participations, whether in the U.S. or outside the U.S.
(collectively, "LOANS") entered into by the Fund.
SECTION 5A.2 SAFEKEEPING. Instruments, certificates, agreements and/or
other documents which the Custodian may receive with respect to Loans, if any
(collectively "FINANCING DOCUMENTS"), from time to time, shall be held by the
Custodian at its offices in Boston, Massachusetts.
SECTION 5A.3 DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN. The Custodian shall accept such
Financing Documents, if any, with respect to Loans as may be delivered to it
from time to time by the Fund. The Custodian shall be under no obligation to
examine the contents or determine the sufficiency of any such Financing
Documents or to provide any certification with respect thereto, whether received
by the Custodian as original documents, photocopies, by facsimile or otherwise.
Without limiting the foregoing, the Custodian is under no duty to examine any
such Financing Documents to determine whether necessary steps have been taken or
requirements met with respect to the assignment or transfer of the related Loan
or applicable interest or participation in such Loan. The Custodian shall be
entitled to assume the genuineness, sufficiency and completeness of any
Financing Documents received, and the genuineness and due authority of any
signature appearing on such documents. Notwithstanding any term of this
Agreement to the contrary, with respect to any Loans, (i) the Custodian shall be
under no obligation to determine, and shall have no liability for, the
sufficiency of, or to require delivery of, any instrument, document or agreement
constituting, evidencing or representing such Loan, other than to receive such
Financing Documents, if any, as may be delivered or caused to be delivered to it
by the Fund (or its investment manager acting on its behalf), (ii) without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, delivery of any such Loan (including
without limitation, for purposes of Section 2.6 above) may be made to the
Custodian by, and may be represented solely by, delivery to the Custodian of a
facsimile or photocopy of an assignment agreement (an "ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT") or
a confirmation or certification from the Fund (or the investment manager) to the
effect that it has acquired such Loan and/or has received or will receive, and
will deliver to the Custodian, appropriate Financing Documents constituting,
evidencing or representing such Loan (such confirmation or certification,
together with any Assignment Agreement, collectively, an "ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
OR CONFIRMATION"), in any case without delivery of any promissory note,
participation certificate or similar instrument (collectively, an "INSTRUMENT"),
(iii) if an original Instrument shall be or shall become available with respect
to any such Loan, it shall be the sole responsibility of the Fund (or the
investment manager acting on its behalf) to
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make or cause delivery thereof to the Custodian, and the Custodian shall be
under no obligation at any time or times to determine whether any such original
Instrument has been issued or made available with respect to such Loan, and
shall not be under any obligation to compel compliance by the Fund to make or
cause delivery of such Instrument to the Custodian, and (iv) any reference to
Financing Documents appearing in this Section 5A shall be deemed to include,
without limitation, any such Instrument and/or Assignment Agreement or
Confirmation.
If payments with respect to a Loan ("LOAN PAYMENT") are not received by the
Custodian on the date on which they are due, as reflected in the Payment
Schedule (as such term is defined in Section 5A.4 below) of the Loan ("PAYMENT
DATE"), or in the case of interest payments, not received either on a scheduled
interest payable date, as reported to the Custodian by the Fund (or the
investment manager acting on its behalf) for the Loan (the "INTEREST PAYABLE
DATE"), or in the amount of their accrued interest payable, the Custodian shall
promptly, but in no event later than one business day after the Payment Date or
the Interest Payable Date, give telephonic notice to the party obligated under
the Financing Documents to make such Loan Payment (the "OBLIGOR") of its failure
to make timely payment, and (2) if such payment is not received within three
business days of its due date, shall notify the Fund (or the investment manager
on its behalf) of such Obligor's failure to make the Loan Payment. The Custodian
shall have no responsibility with respect to the collection of Loan Payments
which are past due, other than the duty to notify the Obligor and the Fund (or
the investment manager acting on its behalf) as provided herein.
The Custodian shall have no responsibilities or duties whatsoever under this
Agreement, with respect to Loans or the Financing Documents, except for such
responsibilities as are expressly set forth herein. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall have no obligation to preserve
any rights against prior parties or to exercise any right or perform any
obligation in connection with the Loans or any Financing Documents (including,
without limitation, no obligation to take any action in respect of or upon
receipt of any consent solicitation, notice of default or similar notice
received from any bank agent or Obligor, except that the Custodian shall
undertake reasonable efforts to promptly forward any such notice to the Fund or
the investment manager acting on its behalf). In case any question arises as to
its duties hereunder, the Custodian may request instructions from the Fund and
shall be entitled at all times to refrain from taking any action unless it has
received Proper Instructions from the Fund or the investment manager and the
Custodian shall in all events have no liability, risk or cost for any action
taken, with respect to a Loan, pursuant to and in compliance with the Proper
Instructions of such parties.
The Custodian shall be only responsible and accountable for Loan Payments
actually received by it and identified as for the account of the Fund; any and
all credits and payments credited to the Fund, with respect to Loans, shall be
conditional upon clearance and actual receipt by the Custodian of final payment
thereon.
The Custodian shall promptly, upon the Fund's request, release to the Fund's
investment manager or to any party as the Fund or the Fund's investment manager
may specify, any Financing Documents being held on behalf of the Fund. Without
limiting the foregoing, the Custodian shall not be deemed to have or be charged
with knowledge of the sale of any Loan, unless and except to the extent it shall
have
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received written notice and instruction from the Fund (or the investment manager
acting on its behalf) with respect thereto, and except to the extent it shall
have received the sale proceeds thereof.
In no event shall the Custodian be under any obligation or liability to make any
advance of its own funds with respect to any Loan.
SECTION 5A.4 RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FUND. With respect to each Loan held
by the Custodian hereunder in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Fund
shall (a) cause the Financing Documents evidencing such Loan to be delivered to
the Custodian; (b) include with such Financing Documents an amortization
schedule of payments (the "PAYMENT SCHEDULE") identifying the amount and due
dates of scheduled principal payments, the Interest Payable Date(s) and related
payment amount information, and such other information with respect to the
related Loan and Financing Documents as the Custodian reasonably may require in
order to perform its services hereunder (collectively, "LOAN INFORMATION"), in
such form and format as the Custodian reasonably may require; (c) take, or cause
the investment manager to take, all actions necessary to acquire good title to
such Loan (or the participation in such Loan, as the case may be), as and to the
extent intended to be acquired; and (d) cause the Custodian to be named as its
nominee for payment purposes under the Financing Documents or otherwise provide
for the direct payment of the Payments to the Custodian. The Custodian shall be
entitled to rely upon the Loan Information provided to it by the Fund (or the
investment manager acting on its behalf) without any obligation on the part of
the Custodian independently to verify, investigate, recalculate, update or
otherwise confirm the accuracy or completeness thereof; and the Custodian shall
have no liability for any delay or failure on the part of the Fund in providing
necessary Loan Information to the Custodian, or for any inaccuracy therein or
incompleteness thereof. With respect to each such Loan, the Custodian shall be
entitled to rely on any information and notices it may receive from time to time
from the related bank agent, Obligor or similar party with respect to the
related Loan, and shall be entitled to update its records on the basis of such
information or notices received, without any obligation on its part
independently to verify, investigate or recalculate such information.
SECTION 5A.5 INSTRUCTIONS; AUTHORITY TO ACT. The certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Fund, identifying certain individuals
to be officers of the Fund or employees of the Fund's investment manager
authorized to sign any such instructions, may be received and accepted as
conclusive evidence of the incumbency and authority of such to act and may be
considered by the Custodian to be in full force and effect until it receives
written notice to the contrary from the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the
Fund. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Custodian shall
have no responsibility to ensure that any investment by the Fund with respect to
Loans has been authorized.
SECTION 5A.6 ATTACHMENT. In case any portion of the Loans or the
Financing Documents shall be attached or levied upon pursuant to an order of
court, or the delivery or disbursement thereof shall be stayed or enjoined by an
order of court, or any other order, judgment or decrees shall be made or entered
by any court affecting the property of the Fund or any act of the Custodian
relating thereto, the Custodian is hereby expressly authorized in its sole
discretion to obey and comply with all orders, judgments or decrees so entered
or issued, without the necessity of inquire whether such court had jurisdiction,
and, in case the Custodian obeys or complied with any such order, judgment or
decree, it
-19-
shall not be liable to anyone by reason of such compliance. The Custodian shall
promptly notify the Fund of any such order, judgment or decree.
SECTION 5. PAYMENTS FOR SALES OR REPURCHASES OR REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES
The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Shares or from the
Transfer Agent and deposit into the Fund's such payments as are received for
Shares thereof issued or sold from time to time by the Fund. The Custodian will
provide timely notification to the Fund and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by
it of payments for Shares of the Fund.
From such funds as may be available for this purpose, the Custodian shall, upon
receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for
payment to holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request
for redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In connection with the redemption
or repurchase of Shares, the Custodian is authorized upon receipt of
instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial
bank designated by the redeeming shareholders. In connection with the redemption
or repurchase of Shares, the Custodian shall honor checks drawn on the Custodian
by a holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished by the Fund to the
holder of Shares, when presented to the Custodian in accordance with such
procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from time to time between
the Fund and the Custodian.
SECTION 6. PROPER INSTRUCTIONS
Proper Instructions, which may also be standing instructions, as used throughout
this Agreement, shall mean instructions received by the Custodian from the Fund,
the Fund's investment manager, or a person or entity duly authorized by either
of them. Such instructions may be in writing signed by the authorized person or
persons or may be in a tested communication or in a communication utilizing
access codes effected between electro-mechanical or electronic devices or may be
by such other means and utilizing such intermediary systems and utilities as may
be agreed to from time to time by the Custodian and the person or entity giving
such instructions, provided that the Fund has followed any security procedures
agreed to from time to time by the Fund and the Custodian, including, but not
limited to, the security procedures selected by the Fund in the Funds Transfer
Addendum to this Agreement. 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 promptly in
writing. For purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall include
instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to any multi-party agreement
which requires a segregated asset account in accordance with Section 2.9 of this
Agreement. The Fund or the Fund's investment manager shall cause its duly
authorized officer to certify to the Custodian in writing the names and specimen
signatures of persons authorized to give Proper Instructions. The Custodian
shall be entitled to rely upon the identity and authority of such persons until
it receives notice from the Fund to the contrary.
SECTION 7. ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the Fund:
-20-
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of
handling securities or other similar items relating to its
duties under this Agreement, 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.
SECTION 8. 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 copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of
the authority of any person to act in accordance with such resolution or (b) of
any determination or of any action by the Board as described in such resolution,
and such resolution may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt
by the Custodian of written notice to the contrary.
SECTION 9. 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 to keep the books of account of the
Fund and/or compute the net asset value per Share of the outstanding Shares 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 daily the net income of the Fund as described in
the Prospectus and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the
total amounts of such net income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of
the Fund to do so, shall advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the division
of such net income among its various components. The Fund acknowledges and
agrees that, with respect to investments maintained with the Underlying Transfer
Agent, the Underlying Transfer Agent is the sole source of information on the
number of Underlying Shares of an Underlying Portfolio held by it on behalf of
the Fund and that the Custodian has the right to rely on holdings information
furnished by the Underlying Transfer Agent to the Custodian in performing its
duties under this Agreement, including without limitation, the duties set forth
in this Section 9 and in Section 10 hereof; provided, however, that the
Custodian shall be obligated to reconcile information as to purchases and sales
of Underlying Shares contained in trade instructions and confirmations received
by the Custodian and to report promptly any discrepancies to the Underlying
Transfer Agent. The calculations of the net asset value per Share and the daily
income of the Fund shall be made at the time or times described from time to
time in the Prospectus. The Fund acknowledges
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that, in keeping the books of account of the Fund and/or making the calculations
described herein with respect to Fund property released and delivered pursuant
to Section 2.2(14), or purchased pursuant to Section 2.6(7) hereof, the
Custodian is authorized and instructed to rely upon information provided to it
by the Fund, the Fund's counterparty(ies), or the agents of either of them.
SECTION 10. RECORDS
The Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating to its activities
and obligations under this Agreement in such manner as will meet the obligations
of the Fund under the 1940 Act, 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, will be surrendered upon request by 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 SEC. 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. The Fund acknowledges that, in creating and maintaining the
records as set forth herein with respect to Fund property released and delivered
pursuant to Section 2.2(14), or purchased pursuant to Section 2.6(7) hereof, the
Custodian is authorized and instructed to rely upon information provided to it
by the Fund, the Fund's counterparty(ies), or the agents of either of them.
SECTION 11. 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, Form N-SAR or other annual reports
to the SEC and with respect to any other requirements thereof.
SECTION 12. 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 securities
deposited and/or maintained in a U.S. Securities System or a Foreign Securities
System, relating to the services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement;
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.
SECTION 13. 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.
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SECTION 14. 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 Agreement 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 Agreement, 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 or willful misconduct,
including, without limitation, acting without negligence or willful misconduct
in accordance with any Proper Instruction. It shall be entitled to rely on and
may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters,
and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted
pursuant to such advice. The Custodian shall be without liability to the Fund
for any loss, liability, claim or expense resulting from or caused by anything
which is part of Country Risk (as defined in Section 3 hereof), including
without limitation nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, or
acts of war, revolution, riots or terrorism.
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, 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, work stoppages,
natural disasters, or other similar events or acts; (ii) errors by the Fund or
its duly-authorized investment manager or investment adviser in their
instructions to the Custodian provided such instructions have been in accordance
with this Agreement; (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 of
registering or transferring securities in the name of the Custodian, the Fund,
the Custodian's sub-custodians, nominees or agents or any consequential losses
arising out of such delay or failure to transfer such securities including
non-receipt of bonus, dividends and rights and other accretions or benefits;
(vi) delays or inability to perform its duties due to any disorder in market
infrastructure with respect to any particular security or Securities System; and
(vii) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or order of the
United States of America, or any state thereof, or any other country, or
political subdivision thereof or of any court of competent jurisdiction.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a Foreign
Sub-Custodian (as defined in Section 4 hereof) to the same extent as set forth
with respect to sub-custodians generally in this Agreement.
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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 Agreement, 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's assets
to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
In no event shall the Custodian be liable for indirect, special or consequential
damages.
SECTION 15. EFFECTIVE PERIOD, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
This Agreement 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 sixty (60) days
after the date of such delivery or mailing; PROVIDED, however, that the Fund
shall not amend or terminate this Agreement in contravention of any applicable
federal or state regulations, or any provision of the Fund's Articles of
Incorporation, By-Laws, or other governing documents, and further provided, that
the Fund may at any time by action of its Board (i) substitute another bank or
trust company for the Custodian by giving notice as described above to the
Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate this Agreement 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 Agreement, 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.
SECTION 16. SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN
If a successor custodian for the Fund shall be appointed by the Board, the
Custodian shall, upon termination and receipt of Proper Instructions, deliver to
such successor custodian at the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in
the form for transfer, all securities of the Fund then held by it hereunder and
shall transfer to an account of the successor custodian all of the securities of
the Fund held in a Securities System or at the Underlying Transfer Agent.
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If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in like
manner, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, deliver at the office of the
Custodian and transfer such securities, funds and other properties in accordance
with such resolution.
In the event that no Proper Instructions designating a successor custodian or
alternate arrangements 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 1940 Act, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, or New York,
New York, of its own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and
undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less than
$25,000,000, all securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian
hereunder and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all
other property held by it under this Agreement on behalf of the Fund, and to
transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the Fund's securities
held in any Securities System or Underlying Transfer Agent. Thereafter, such
bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian under this
Agreement.
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 provide Proper Instructions as aforementioned, 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 Agreement relating to the duties and
obligations of the Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 17. INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
In connection with the operation of this Agreement, the Custodian and the Fund
may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in addition to
the provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint opinion be consistent
with the general tenor of this Agreement. 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
Fund's Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws or other governing documents. No
interpretive or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence
shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement.
SECTION 18. MASSACHUSETTS LAW TO APPLY
This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under
and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
SECTION 19. PRIOR AGREEMENTS
This Agreement supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior
Agreements between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the custody of the
Fund's assets.
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SECTION 20. NOTICES.
Any notice, instruction or other instrument required to be given hereunder may
be delivered in person to the offices of the parties as set forth herein during
normal business hours or delivered prepaid registered mail or by telex, cable or
telecopy to the parties at the following addresses or such other addresses as
may be notified by any party from time to time.
To the Fund: Lazard World Dividend & Income Fund, Inc.
c/o Lazard Asset Management LLC
00 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: General Counsel
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Telecopy: 000-000-0000
To the Custodian: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
0 Xxxxxx xx Xxxxxxxxx, XXX/0X
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Telecopy: 000-000-0000
Such notice, instruction or other instrument shall be deemed to have been served
in the case of a registered letter at the expiration of five business days after
posting, in the case of cable twenty-four hours after dispatch and, in the case
of telex, immediately on dispatch and if delivered outside normal business hours
it shall be deemed to have been received at the next time after delivery when
normal business hours commence and in the case of cable, telex or telecopy on
the business day after the receipt thereof. Evidence that the notice was
properly addressed, stamped and put into the post shall be conclusive evidence
of posting.
SECTION 21. REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS
This Agreement and all schedules, addenda, 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 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.
SECTION 22. REMOTE ACCESS SERVICES ADDENDUM
The Custodian and the Fund agree to be bound by the terms of the Remote Access
Services Addendum attached hereto.
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SECTION 23. ASSIGNMENT.
This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the written consent
of the other.
SECTION 24. COUNTERPARTS.
This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts taken together shall
constitute one and the same Agreement.
SECTION 25. 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.
SECTION 26. SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS ELECTION
SEC 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 [ X ] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund's name,
address, and share positions.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK]
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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 June 17, 2005.
LAZARD WORLD DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND SIGNATURE ATTESTED TO BY:
FUND, INC.
By: _________________________ By: ____________________
Name: Xxxxxxx St. Clair Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
Title: Treasurer Title: Vice President
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY SIGNATURE ATTESTED TO BY:
By: ________________________ By: _____________________
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx Name: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Executive Vice President Title: Vice President
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