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EX-99.B8(a)
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, made the ____ day of ___________, 1995 by and
between ▇▇▇▇▇▇ VALUE PLUS GROWTH FUND, a Massachusetts business
trust having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ("Fund") and Investors Fiduciary
Trust Company, a trust company organized and existing under the
laws of Missouri, having its principal place of business at
Kansas City, Missouri ("Custodian").
WHEREAS, Fund wants to appoint Investors Fiduciary Trust
Company as Custodian to have custody of a portion of Fund's
portfolio securities and monies pursuant to this Agreement; and,
for purposes related to its foreign investments held outside the
United States, Fund wants another custodian to have custody of
the remainder of Fund's portfolio securities and monies pursuant
to a separate agreement; and
WHEREAS, Investors Fiduciary Trust Company wants to accept
such appointment;
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual
promises contained herein, the parties hereto, intending to be
legally bound, mutually covenant and agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN.
Fund hereby constitutes and appoints Investors Fiduciary
Trust Company as Custodian of Fund which is to include:
A. Custody of the securities and monies at any time
owned by Fund and received by Custodian; and
B. Performing certain accounting and record keeping
functions relating to its function as Custodian for Fund and
each of its Portfolios.
2. DELIVERY OF CORPORATE DOCUMENTS.
Fund has delivered or will deliver to Custodian prior to the
effective date of this Agreement, copies of the following
documents and all amendments or supplements thereto,
properly certified or authenticated:
A. Resolutions of the Board of Trustees of Fund
appointing Investors Fiduciary Trust Company as Custodian
hereunder and approving the form of this Agreement; and
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B. Resolutions of the Board of Trustees of Fund
authorizing certain persons to give instructions on behalf
of Fund to Custodian and authorizing Custodian to rely upon
written instructions over their signatures.
3. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CUSTODIAN.
A. Delivery of Assets
All Fund's securities and monies, except as permitted by the
Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"), will be
delivered either to Custodian or to The Chase Manhattan
Bank, N.A., pursuant to a separate custody agreement. Fund
will deliver or cause to be delivered to Custodian on the
effective date of this Agreement, or as soon thereafter as
practicable, and from time to time thereafter, portfolio
securities acquired by it and monies then owned by it except
as permitted by the 1940 Act or from time to time coming
into its possession during the time this Agreement shall
continue in effect. Custodian shall have no responsibility
or liability whatsoever for or on account of securities or
monies not so delivered. All securities so delivered to
Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered
in the name of Fund or its nominee, or of a nominee of
Custodian, or shall be properly endorsed and in form for
transfer satisfactory to Custodian.
B. Safekeeping
Custodian will receive delivery of and keep safely the
assets of Fund delivered to it from time to time. Custodian
will not deliver any such assets to any person except as
permitted by the provisions of this Agreement or any
agreement executed by it according to the terms of this
Agreement. Custodian shall be responsible only for the
monies and securities of Fund held directly by it or its
nominees or sub-custodian under this Agreement; provided
that Custodian's responsibility for any sub-custodian
appointed at the Fund's direction for purposes of (i)
effecting third-party repurchase transactions with banks,
brokers, dealers, or other entities through the use of a
common custodian or sub-custodian; or (ii) providing
depository and clearing agency services with respect to
certain variable rate demand note securities ("special sub-
custodian") shall be further limited as set forth in this
Agreement. Custodian may participate directly or
indirectly through a sub-custodian in the Depository Trust
Company, the Treasury/Federal Reserve Book Entry System,
the Participants Trust Company and any other securities
depository approved by the Board of Trustees of the Fund,
subject to compliance with the provisions of Rule 17f-4
under the 1940 Act including, without limitation, the
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specific provisions of subsections (a) (1) through (d) (4)
thereof.
C. Registration of Securities
Custodian will hold stocks and other registerable portfolio
securities of Fund registered in the name of Fund or in the name
of any nominee of Custodian for whose fidelity and liabilities
Custodian shall be fully responsible, or in street certificate
form, so-called, with or without any indication of fiduciary
capacity. Unless otherwise instructed, Custodian will register
all such portfolio securities in the name of its authorized
nominee.
D. Exchange of Securities
Upon receipt of instructions, Custodian will exchange,
or cause to be exchanged, portfolio securities held by it
for the account of Fund for other securities or cash issued
or paid in connection with any reorganization,
recapitalization, merger, consolidation, split-up of shares,
change of par value, conversion or otherwise, and will
deposit any such securities in accordance with the terms of
any reorganization or protective plan. Without instructions,
Custodian is authorized to exchange securities held by it in
temporary form for securities in definitive form, to effect
an exchange of shares when the par value of the stock is
changed, and, upon receiving payment therefore, to surrender
bonds or other securities held by it at maturity or when
advised of earlier call for redemption, except that
Custodian shall receive instructions prior to surrendering
any convertible security.
E. Purchases or Sales of Investments of Fund
Fund shall, on each business day on which a purchase or
sale of a portfolio security shall be made by it, deliver to
Custodian instructions which shall specify with respect to
each such transaction:
(1) The name of the issuer and description of the security;
(2) The number of shares or the principal amount purchased
or sold, and accrued interest, if any;
(3) The trade date;
(4) The settlement date;
(5) The date when the securities sold were purchased by
Fund or other information identifying the securities
sold and to be delivered;
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(6) The price per unit and the brokerage commission, taxes
and other expenses in connection with the transaction;
(7) The total amount payable or receivable upon such
transaction; and
(8) The name of the person from whom or the broker or
dealer through whom the transaction was made.
In accordance with such purchase instructions, Custodian
shall pay for out of monies held for the account of Fund,
but only insofar as monies are available therein for such
purpose, and receive the portfolio securities so purchased
by or for the account of Fund. Such payment shall be made
only upon receipt by Custodian of the securities so
purchased in form for transfer satisfactory to Custodian.
In accordance with such sales instructions, Custodian will
deliver or cause to be delivered the securities thus
designated as sold for the account of Fund to the broker or
other person specified in the instructions relating to such
sale, such delivery to be made only upon receipt of payment
therefor in such form as shall be satisfactory to Custodian,
with the understanding that Custodian may deliver or cause
to be delivered securities for payment in accordance with
the customs prevailing among dealers in securities.
F. Purchases or Sales of Options and Futures
Transactions
Fund will, on each business day on which a purchase or
sale of the following options and/or futures shall be made
by it, deliver to Custodian instructions which shall specify
with respect to each such purchase or sale:
(1) Securities Options
(a) The underlying security;
(b) The price at which purchased or sold;
(c) The expiration date;
(d) The number of contracts;
(e) The exercise price;
(f) Whether opening, exercising, expiring or closing
the transaction;
(g) Whether the transaction involves a put or call;
(h) Whether the option is written or purchased;
(i) Market on which option traded; and
(j) Name and address of the broker or dealer through
whom the sale or purchase was made.
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(2) Options on Indices
(a) The index;
(b) The price at which purchased or sold;
(c) The exercise price;
(d) The premium;
(e) The multiple;
(f) The expiration date;
(g) Whether the transaction is an opening, exercising,
expiring or closing transaction;
(h) Whether the transaction involves a put or call;
(i) Whether the option is written or purchased; and
(j) Name and address of the broker or dealer through
whom the sale or purchase was made.
(3) Securities Index Futures Transactions
(a) The last trading date specified in the contract
and, when available, the closing level, thereof;
(b) The index level on the date the contract is
entered into;
(c) The multiple;
(d) Any margin requirements;
(e) The need for a segregated margin account (in
addition to instructions; and, if not already in
the possession of Custodian, Fund shall deliver a
substantially complete and executed custodial
safekeeping account and procedural agreement
which shall be incorporated into this Custody
Agreement); and
(f) The name and address of the futures commission
merchant through whom the sale or purchase was
made.
(4) Options on Index Futures Contracts
(a) The underlying index futures contract;
(b) The premium;
(c) The expiration date;
(d) The number of options;
(e) The exercise price;
(f) Whether the transaction involves an opening,
exercising, expiring or closing transaction;
(g) Whether the transaction involves a put or call;
(h) Whether the option is written or purchased; and
(i) The market on which the option is traded.
G. Securities Pledged to Secure Loans
(1) Upon receipt of instructions, Custodian will
release or cause to be released securities held in
custody to the pledgee designated in such
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instructions by way of pledge or hypothecation to
cure any loan incurred by Fund; provided, however,
that the securities shall be released only upon
payment to Custodian of the monies borrowed,
except that in cases where additional collateral
is required to secure a borrowing already made,
further securities may be released or caused to be
released for that purpose upon receipt of
instructions. Upon receipt of instructions,
Custodian will pay, but only from funds available
for such purpose, any such loan upon redelivery to
it of the securities pledged or hypothecated
therefor and upon surrender of the note or notes
evidencing such loan.
(2) Upon receipt of instructions, Custodian will
release securities held in custody to the borrower
designated in such instructions; provided, however, that the
securities shall be released only upon deposit with
Custodian of full cash collateral as specified in such
instructions, and that Fund will retain the right to any
dividends, interest or distribution on such loaned
securities. Upon receipt of instructions and the loaned
securities, Custodian will release the cash collateral to
the borrower.
H. Routine Matters
Custodian will, in general, attend to all routine and
mechanical matters in connection with the sale, exchange,
substitution, purchase, transfer, or other dealings with
securities or other property of Fund except as may be
otherwise provided in this Agreement or directed from time
to time by the Board of Trustees of Fund.
I. Demand Deposit Account
Custodian will open and maintain a demand deposit
account or accounts in the name of Custodian, subject only
to draft or order by Custodian upon receipt of instructions.
All monies received by Custodian from or for the account of
Fund shall be deposited in said account or accounts.
When properly authorized by a resolution of the Board
of Trustees of Fund, Custodian may open and maintain an
additional demand deposit account or accounts in such other
banks or trust companies as may be designated in such
resolution, such accounts, however, to be in the name of
Custodian and subject only to its draft or order.
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J. Income and Other Payments to Fund
Custodian will:
(1) collect, claim and receive and deposit for the
account of Fund all income and other payments which become
due and payable on or after the effective date of this
Agreement with respect to the securities deposited under
this Agreement, and credit the account of Fund with such
income on the payable date;
(2) execute ownership and other certificates and
affidavits for all federal, state and local tax purposes in
connection with the collection of bond and note coupons; and
(3) take such other action as may be necessary or
proper in connection with:
(a) the collection, receipt and deposit of such income
and other payments, including but not limited to the
presentation for payment of:
(1) all coupons and other income items requiring
presentation;
(2) all other securities which may mature or be
called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become
payable and regarding which the Custodian has
actual knowledge, or notice of which is contained
in publications of the type to which it normally
subscribes for such purpose; and
(b) the endorsement for collection, in the name of
Fund, of all checks, drafts or other negotiable
instruments.
Custodian, however, shall not be required to institute
suit or take other extraordinary action to enforce
collection except upon receipt of instructions and upon
being indemnified to its satisfaction against the costs and
expenses of such suit or other actions. Custodian will
receive, claim and collect all stock dividends, rights and
other similar items and deal with the same pursuant to
instructions. Unless prior instructions have been received
to the contrary, Custodian will, without further
instructions, sell any rights held for the account of Fund
on the last trade date prior to the date of expiration of
such rights.
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K. Payment of Dividends and Other Distributions
On the declaration of any dividend or other
distribution on the shares of beneficial interest of any
Portfolio ("Portfolio Shares") by the Board of Trustees of
Fund, Fund shall deliver to Custodian instructions with
respect thereto, including a copy of the Resolution of said
Board of Trustees certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of Fund wherein there shall be set forth the
record date as of which shareholders are entitled to receive
such dividend or distribution, and the amount payable per
share on such dividend or distribution.
On the date specified in such Resolution for the
payment of such dividend or other distribution, Custodian
shall pay out of the monies held for the account of Fund,
insofar as the same shall be available for such purposes,
and credit to the account of the Dividend Disbursing Agent
for Fund, such amount as may be necessary to pay the amount
per share payable in cash on Portfolio Shares issued and
outstanding on the record date established by such
Resolution.
L. Portfolio Shares Purchased by Fund
Whenever any Portfolio Shares are purchased by Fund,
Fund or its agent shall advise Custodian of the aggregate
dollar amount to be paid for such shares and shall confirm
such advice in writing. Upon receipt of such advice,
Custodian shall charge such aggregate dollar amount to the
custody account of Fund and either deposit the same in the
account maintained for the purpose of paying for the
purchase of Portfolio Shares or deliver the same in
accordance with such advice.
M. Portfolio Shares Purchased from Fund
Whenever Portfolio Shares are purchased from Fund, Fund
will deposit or cause to be deposited with Custodian the
amount received for such shares. Custodian shall not have
any duty or responsibility to determine that Fund Shares
purchased from Fund have been added to the proper
shareholder account or accounts or that the proper number of
such shares have been added to the shareholder records.
N. Proxies and Notices
Custodian will promptly deliver or mail to Fund all
proxies properly signed, all notices of meetings, all proxy
statements and other notices, requests or announcements
affecting or relating to securities held by Custodian for
Fund and will, upon receipt of instructions, execute and
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deliver or cause its nominee to execute and deliver such
proxies or other authorizations as may be required. Except
as provided by this Agreement or pursuant to instructions
hereafter received by Custodian, neither it nor its nominee
shall exercise any power inherent in any such securities,
including any power to vote the same, or execute any proxy,
power of attorney, or other similar instrument voting any of
such securities, or give any consent, approval or waiver
with respect thereto, or take any other similar action.
O. Disbursements
Custodian will pay or cause to be paid insofar as funds
are available for the purpose, bills, statements and other
obligations of Fund (including but not limited to
obligations in connection with the conversion, exchange or
surrender of securities owned by Fund, interest charges,
variation margin, dividend disbursements, taxes, management
fees, administration-distribution fees, custodian fees,
legal fees, auditors' fees, transfer agents' fees, brokerage
commissions, compensation to personnel, and other operating
expenses of Fund) pursuant to instructions of Fund setting
forth the name of the person to whom payment is to be made,
the amount of the payment, and the purpose of the payment.
P. Books, Records and Accounts
Custodian acknowledges that all the records it shall
prepare and maintain pursuant to this Agreement shall be the
property of Fund and that upon request of Fund it shall make
Fund's records available to it, along with such other
information and data as are reasonably requested by Fund,
for inspection, audit or copying, or turn said records over
to Fund.
Custodian shall, within a reasonable time, render to
Fund as of the close of business on each day, a detailed
statement of the amounts received or paid and of securities
received or delivered for the account of Fund during said
day. Custodian shall, from time to time, upon request by
Fund, render a detailed statement of the securities and
monies held for Fund under this Agreement, and Custodian
shall maintain such books and records as are necessary to
enable it do so and shall permit such persons as are
authorized by Fund, including Fund's independent public
accountants, to examine such records or to confirm the
contents of such records; and, if demanded, shall permit
federal and state regulatory agencies to examine said
securities, books and records. Upon the written
instructions of Fund or as demanded by federal or state
regulatory agencies, Custodian shall instruct any sub-
custodian to permit such persons as are authorized by Fund
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to examine the books, records and securities held by such
sub-custodian which relate to Fund.
Q. Appointment of Sub-Custodian
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement,
all or any of the monies or securities of Fund may be held
in Custodian's own custody or in the custody of one or more
other banks or trust companies acting as sub-custodians as
may be approved by resolutions of Fund's Board of Trustees,
evidenced by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or
Assistant Secretary of Fund. Any sub-custodian must have
the qualifications required for custodians under the 1940
Act unless exempted therefrom. Any sub-custodian may
participate directly or indirectly in the Depository Trust
Company, the Treasury/Reserve Book Entry System, the
Participants Trust Company and any other securities
depository approved by the Board of Trustees of the Fund to
the same extent and subject to the same conditions as
provided hereunder. Neither Custodian nor sub-custodian
shall be entitled to reimbursement by Fund for any fees or
expenses of any sub-custodian; provided that Custodian shall
not be liable for, and Fund shall hold Custodian harmless
from, the expenses of any special sub-custodian. The
appointment of a sub-custodian shall not relieve Custodian
of any of its obligations hereunder; provided that Custodian
shall be responsible to Fund for any loss, damage, or
expense suffered or incurred by Fund resulting from the
actions or omissions of a special sub-custodian only to the
extent the special sub-custodian is liable to Custodian.
R. Multiple Portfolios
If Fund shall issue shares of more than one Portfolio
during the term hereof, Custodian agrees that all securities
and other assets of Fund shall be segregated by Portfolio
and all books and records, account values or actions shall
be maintained, held, made or taken, as the case may be,
separately for each Portfolio.
S. Other Custodian
Pursuant to instructions, Custodian will transmit
securities and moneys of Fund to The Chase Manhattan Bank,
N.A., as custodian for Fund.
4. INSTRUCTIONS.
A. The term "instructions", as used herein, means
written or oral instructions to Custodian from an authorized
person of Fund. Certified copies of resolutions of the
Board of Trustees of Fund naming one or more persons
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authorized to give instructions in the name and on behalf of
Fund may be received and accepted by Custodian as conclusive
evidence of the authority of any person so to act and may be
considered to be in full force and effect (and Custodian
shall be fully protected in acting in reliance thereon)
until receipt by Custodian of notice to the contrary.
Unless the resolution authorizing any person to give
instructions specifically requires that the approval of
anyone else shall first have been obtained, Custodian shall
be under no obligation to inquire into the right of the
person giving such instructions to do so. Notwithstanding
any of the foregoing provisions of this Section 4, no
authorizations or instructions received by Custodian from
Fund shall be deemed to authorize or permit any trustee,
officer, employee, or agent of Fund to withdraw any of the
securities or monies of Fund upon the mere receipt of
instructions from such trustee, officer, employee or agent.
B. No later than the next business day immediately
following each oral instruction referred to herein, Fund
shall give Custodian written confirmation of each such oral
instruction. Either party may electronically record any
oral instruction whether given in person or via telephone.
5. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF CUSTODIAN
A. Custodian shall hold harmless and indemnify Fund
from and against any loss or liability arising out of
Custodian's failure to comply with the terms of this
Agreement or arising out of Custodian's negligence, willful
misconduct, or bad faith. Custodian may request and obtain
the advice and opinion of counsel for Fund or of its own
counsel with respect to questions or matters of law, and it
shall be without liability to Fund for any action taken or
omitted by it in good faith, in conformity with such advice
or opinion.
B. If Fund requires Custodian in any capacity to
take, with respect to any securities, any action which
involves the payment of money by it, or which in Custodian's
opinion might make it or its nominee liable for payment of
monies or in any other way, Custodian shall be and be kept
indemnified by Fund in an amount and form satisfactory to
Custodian against any liability on account of such action.
C. Custodian shall be entitled to receive, and Fund
agrees to pay to Custodian, on demand, reimbursement for
such cash disbursements, costs and expenses as may be agreed
upon from time to time by Custodian and Fund.
D. Custodian shall be protected in acting as
custodian hereunder upon any instructions, advice, notice,
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request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper
reasonably appearing to it to be genuine and to have been
properly executed and shall, unless otherwise specifically
provided herein, be entitled to receive as conclusive proof
of any fact or matter required to be ascertained from Fund
hereunder, a certificate signed by Fund's President, or
other officer specifically authorized for such purpose.
E. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
Custodian shall be under no duty or obligation to inquire
into, and shall not be liable for:
(1) The validity of the issue of any securities
purchased by or for Fund, the legality of the purchase
thereof or evidence of ownership required by Fund to be
received by Custodian, or the propriety of the decision
to purchase or amount paid therefor;
(2) The legality of the sales of any securities
by or for Fund, or the propriety of the amount paid
therefor;
(3) The legality of the issue or sale of any
shares of Fund, or the sufficiency of the amount to be
received therefor;
(4) The legality of the purchase of any shares of
Fund, or the propriety of the amount to be paid
therefor; or
(5) The legality of the declaration of any
dividend by Fund, or the legality of the issue of any
shares of Fund in payment of any share dividend.
F. Custodian shall not be liable for, or considered
to be the custodian of, any money represented by any check,
draft, wire transfer, clearing house funds, uncollected
funds, or instrument for the payment of money received by it
on behalf of Fund, until Custodian actually receives such
money, provided only that it shall advise Fund promptly if
it fails to receive any such money in the ordinary course of
business, and use its best efforts and cooperate with Fund
toward the end that such money shall be received.
G. Subject to the obligations of Custodian under
Section 3.B. hereof, Custodian shall not be responsible for
loss occasioned by the acts, neglects, defaults or
insolvency of any broker, bank, trust company, or any other
person with whom Custodian may deal in the absence of negli-
gence, misconduct or bad faith on the part of Custodian.
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H. Custodian or any sub-custodian shall provide Fund
for its approval by its Board of Trustees agreements with
banks or trust companies which will act as sub-custodian for
Fund pursuant to this Agreement; and, as set forth in
Section 3.B hereof, Custodian shall be responsible for the
monies and securities of the Fund held by it or its nominees
or sub-custodians under this Agreement, but not for monies
and securities of the Fund held by any special sub-custodian
except to the extent the special sub-custodian is liable to
Custodian.
6. COMPENSATION.
Fund shall pay to Custodian such compensation at such times
as may from time to time be agreed upon in writing by Custodian
and Fund. Custodian may charge such compensation against monies
held by it for the account of Fund. Custodian shall also be
entitled, notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 5B or 5C
hereof, to charge against any monies held by it for the account
of Fund the amount of any loss, damage, liability or expense for
which it shall be entitled to reimbursement under the provisions
of this Agreement. Custodian shall not be entitled to
reimbursement by Fund for any loss or expenses of any sub-
custodian; provided that Custodian shall not be liable for, and
Fund shall hold Custodian harmless from, the expenses of any
special sub-custodian.
7. TERMINATION.
Either party to this Agreement may terminate the same by
notice in writing, delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the
other party hereto and received not less than sixty (60) days
prior to the date upon which such termination shall take effect.
Upon termination of this Agreement, Fund shall pay to Custodian
such compensation for its reimbursable disbursements, costs and
expenses paid or incurred to such date and Fund shall use its
best efforts to obtain a successor custodian. Unless the holders
of a majority of the outstanding shares of Fund vote to have the
securities, funds and other properties held under this Agreement
delivered and paid over to some other person, firm or corporation
specified in the vote, having not less than Two Million Dollars
($2,000,000) aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits, as
shown by its last published report, and meeting such other
qualifications for custodian as set forth in the Bylaws of Fund,
the Board of Trustees of Fund shall, forthwith upon giving or
receiving notice of termination of this Agreement, appoint as
successor custodian a bank or trust company having such
qualifications. Custodian shall, upon termination of this
Agreement, deliver to the successor custodian so specified or
appointed, at custodian's office, all securities then held by
Custodian hereunder, duly endorsed and in form for transfer, and
all funds and other properties of Fund deposited with or held by
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Custodian hereunder, and shall cooperate in effecting changes in
book-entries at the Depository Trust Company, the
Treasury/Federal Reserve Book-Entry System, the Participants
Trust Company and any other securities depository holding assets
of the Fund. In the event no such vote has been adopted by the
shareholders of Fund and no written order designating a successor
custodian shall have been delivered to Custodian on or before the
date when such termination shall become effective, then Custodian
shall deliver the securities, funds and properties of Fund to a
bank or trust company at the selection of Custodian and meeting
the qualifications for custodian, if any, set forth in the Bylaws
of Fund and having not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000)
aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits, as shown by its
last published report. Upon either such delivery to a successor
custodian, Custodian shall have no further obligations or
liabilities under this Agreement. Thereafter such bank or trust
company shall be the successor custodian under this Agreement and
shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services.
In the event that no such successor custodian can be found, Fund
will submit to its shareholders, before permitting delivery of
the cash and securities owned by Fund to anyone other than a
successor custodian, the question of whether Fund shall be
liquidated or shall function without a custodian. Not-
withstanding the foregoing requirement as to delivery upon
termination of this Agreement, Custodian may make any other
delivery of the securities, funds and property of Fund which
shall be permitted by the 1940 Act and Fund's Agreement and
Declaration of Trust and Bylaws then in effect. Except as
otherwise provided herein, neither this Agreement nor any portion
thereof may be assigned by Custodian without the consent of Fund,
authorized or approved by a resolution of its Board of Trustees.
8. NOTICES.
Notices, requests, instructions and other writings received
by Fund at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ or
at such other address as Fund may have designated by certified
resolution of the Board of Trustees to Custodian and notices,
requests, instructions and other writings received by Custodian
at its offices at ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇, or to such other address as it may have designated to Fund
in writing, shall be deemed to have been properly given
hereunder.
9. MISCELLANEOUS.
A. This Agreement is executed and delivered in the
State of Missouri and shall be governed by the laws of the
State of Missouri (except as to Section 9.H. hereof which
shall be governed in accordance with the laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts).
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B. All the terms and provisions of this Agreement
shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by the respective successors and assigns of the
parties hereto.
C. No provisions of the Agreement may be amended or
modified in any manner except by a written agreement
properly authorized and executed by both parties hereto.
D. The captions in this Agreement are included for
convenience of reference only, and in no way define or
delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect
their construction or effect.
E. This Agreement shall become effective at the close
of business on the date hereof.
F. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in
two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original but all of which together shall constitute one and
the same instrument.
G. If any part, term or provision of this Agreement
is by the courts held to be illegal, in conflict with any
law or otherwise invalid, the remaining portion or portions
shall be considered severable and not be affected, and the
rights and obligations of the parties shall be construed and
enforced as if the Agreement did not contain the particular
part, term or provision held to be illegal or invalid.
H. All parties hereto are expressly put on notice of
Fund's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, which is on file
with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and
the limitation of shareholder and trustee liability
contained therein. This Agreement has been executed by and
on behalf of Fund by its representatives as such
representatives and not individually, and the obligations of
Fund hereunder are not binding upon any of the Trustees,
officers or shareholders of Fund individually but are
binding upon only the assets and property of Fund. With
respect to any claim by Custodian for recovery of that
portion of the compensation (or any other liability of Fund
arising hereunder) allocated to a particular Portfolio,
whether in accordance with the express terms hereof or
otherwise, Custodian shall have recourse solely against the
assets of that Portfolio to satisfy such claim and shall
have no recourse against the assets of any other Portfolio
for such purpose.
I. This Agreement, together with the Fee Schedule, is
the entire contract between the parties relating to the
subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement
to be executed by their respective authorized officers.
▇▇▇▇▇▇ VALUE PLUS GROWTH FUND
By:______________________________
Title:___________________________
Attest: _______________________
Title:_________________________
INVESTORS FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY
By:_______________________________
Title:____________________________
Attest:________________________
Title:_________________________
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