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EXHIBIT 8(b)
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
AIM SUMMIT FUND, INC.
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
Global/Corporation 21D
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held By It. . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the
Fund Held by the Custodian in the United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2.1 Holding Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2.2 Delivery of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.3 Registration of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.4 Bank Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.6 Collection of Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of
Securities Purchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.9 Appointment of Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.10 Deposit of Funds Asset in Securities System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System . . . . . . . 9
2.12 Segregated Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.14 Proxies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.15 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities . . . . . . . . . 10
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund
Held Outside of the United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.2 Assets to be Held . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.4 Segregation of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.7 Reports by Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.9 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.10 Liability of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.11 Reimbursement for Advances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.12 Monitoring Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.13 Branches of U.S. Banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3.14 Tax Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchase or Redemptions of Shares
of the Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
5. Proper Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
6. Actions Permitted Without Express Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
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7. Evidence of Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
8. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
9. Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
12. Compensation of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
13. Responsibility of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
14. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
15. Successor Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
17. Massachusetts Law to Apply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
18. Prior Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
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CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
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This Contract between AIM Summit Fund, Inc., a corporation organized
and existing under the laws of Maryland, having its principal place of business
at Eleven ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇, hereinafter called
the "Fund", and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust
company, having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇, hereinafter called the "Custodian",
WITNESSETH: That in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It
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The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of its assets,
including securities it desires to be held in places within the United States
("domestic securities") and securities it desires to be held outside the United
States ("foreign securities") consistent with the provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation. The Fund agrees to deliver to the Conjugating all securities and
cash owned by it, and all payments of income, payments of principal or capital
distributions received by it with respect to all securities owned by the Fund
from time to time, and the cash consideration received by it for such new or
treasury shares of capital stock, ("Shares") of the Fund as may be issued or
sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property
of the Fund held or received by the Fund and not delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Article
5), the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more sub-custodians
located in the United States, but only in accordance with an applicable vote by
the Board of Directors of the Fund, and provided that the Custodian shall have
no more or less responsibility or liability to the Fund on account of any
actions or omissions of any sub-custodian so employed than any such
sub-custodian has to the Custodian. The Custodian may employ as sub-custodians
for the Fund's foreign securities and other assets the foreign banking
institutions and foreign securities depositories designated in Schedule "A"
hereto but only in accordance with the provisions of Article 3.
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held
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By the Custodian in the United States
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2.1 Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically
segregate for the account of the Fund all non-cash property,
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to be held by it in the United States, including all domestic securities owned
by the Fund, other than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant to Section
2.10 in a clearing agency which acts as a securities depository or in a book-
entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, collectively
referred to herein as "Securities System" and (b) commercial paper of an issuer
for which State Street Bank and Trust Company acts as issuing and paying agent
("Direct Paper") which is deposited and/or maintained in the Direct Paper
System of the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.11.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver
domestic securities owned by the Fund held by the Custodian or in a Securities
System account of the Custodian or in the Custodian's Direct Paper book-entry
system account ("Direct Paper System Account") only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions from the Fund, 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 Securities System, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.10 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar
offers for securities of the Fund;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are called,
redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided that, in any such case,
the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of
the Fund or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the Custodian or into
the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 or into
the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Article 1;
or for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence
representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units; provided that,
in any such 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
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receipt, for examination in accordance with "street delivery" custom; provided
that in any such case, the Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability
for any loss arising from the delivery of such securities prior to receiving
payment for such securities except as may arise from the Custodian's own
negligence or willful misconduct;
8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the
securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to provisions for
conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement;
provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be
delivered to the Custodian;
9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the
surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar
securities or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for
definitive securities; provided that, in any such case, the new securities and
cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by
the Fund, but only against receipt of adequate collateral as agreed upon from
time to time by the Custodian and the Fund, which may be in the form of cash or
obligations issued by the United States government, its agencies or
instrumentalities, except that in connection with any loan" for which
collateral is to be credited to the Custodian's account in the book-entry
system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Custodian will
not be held liable or responsible for the delivery of securities owned by the
Fund prior to the receipt of such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the
Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, but only against receipt of
amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") 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;
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13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, the Custodian, and a Futures Commission Merchant registered
under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any Contract Market, or any similar
organization or organizations, regarding account deposits in connection with
transactions by the Fund;
14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent ("Transfer
Agent'') for the Fund, 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 ("Prospectus"), in satisfaction of requests by holders
of Shares for repurchase or redemption; and
15) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt of,
in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of the
Board of Directors or of the Executive Committee signed by an officer of the
Fund and certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, specifying the
securities to be delivered, setting forth the purpose for which such delivery
is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose, and
naming the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.
2.3 Registration of Securities. Domestic securities held by the
Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the
Fund or in the name of any nominee of the Fund or of any nominee of the
Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Fund, unless the
Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used
in common with other registered investment companies having the same investment
adviser as the Fund, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed
pursuant to Section 2.9 or in the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian
appointed pursuant to Article 1. All securities accepted by the Custodian on
behalf of the Fund under the terms of this Contract shall be in "street name"
or other good delivery form. If, however, the Fund directs the Custodian to
maintain securities in "street name", the Custodian shall utilize its best
efforts only to timely collect income due the Fund on such securities and to
notify the Fund on a best efforts basis only of relevant corporate actions
including, without limitation, pendency of calls, maturities, tender or
exchange offers.
2.4 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate
bank account or accounts in the United States in the
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name of the Fund, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting
pursuant to the terms of this Contract, and shall hold in such account or
accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for
the account of the Fund, other than cash maintained by the Fund in a bank
account established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. Funds held by the Custodian for the Fund may be deposited
by it to its credit as Custodian in the Banking Department of the Custodian or
in such other banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem
necessary or desirable; provided, however, that every such bank or trust
company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the Investment Company
Act of 1940 and that each such bank or trust company and the funds to be
deposited with each such bank or trust company shall be approved by vote of a
majority of the Board of Directors of the Fund. Such funds shall be deposited
by the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the
Custodian only in that capacity.
2.5 Availabilitv of Federal Funds. Upon mutual agreement between the
Fund and the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper
Instructions, make federal funds available to the Fund as of specified times
agreed upon from time to time by the Fund and the Custodian in the amount of
checks received in payment for Shares of the Fund which are deposited into the
Fund's account.
2.6 Collection of Income. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3,
the Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments
with respect to United States registered securities held hereunder to which the
Fund shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the securities
business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments
with respect to United States bearer securities if, on the date of payment by
the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its agent thereof and
shall credit such income, as collected, to the Fund's custodian account.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach
and present for payment all coupons and other income items requiring
presentation as and when they become due and shall collect interest when due on
securities held hereunder. Income due the Fund on United States securities
loaned pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the
responsibility of the Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or responsibility
in connection therewith, other than to provide the Fund with such information
or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund in arranging for the timely
delivery to the Custodian of the income to which the Fund is properly entitled.
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2.7 Payment of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which
may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the
Custodian shall pay out monies of the Fund in the following cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of domestic securities, options, futures
contracts or options on futures contracts for the account of the Fund but only
(a) against the delivery of such securities, or evidence of title to such
options, futures contracts or options on futures contracts, to the Custodian
(or any bank, banking firm or trust company doing business in the United States
or abroad which is qualified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, to act as a custodian and has been designated by the Custodian as its
agent for this purpose) registered in the name of the Fund or in the name of a
nominee of the Custodian referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form
for transfer; (b) in the case of a purchase effected through a Securities
System, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.10 hereof; (c)
in the case of a purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in accordance with
the conditions set forth in Section 2.11; (d) in the case of repurchase
agreements entered into between the Fund and the Custodian, or another bank, or
a broker-dealer which is a member of NASD, (i) against delivery of the
securities either in certificate form or through an entry crediting the
Custodian's account at the Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii)
against delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the Fund of securities
owned by the Custodian along with written evidence of the agreement by the
Custodian to repurchase such securities from the Fund or (e) for transfer to a
time deposit account of the Fund in any bank, whether domestic or foreign; such
transfer may be effected prior to receipt of a confirmation from a broker
and/or the applicable bank pursuant to Proper Instructions from the Fund as
defined in Article 5;
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 by the Fund as
set forth in Article 4 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;
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5) For the payment of any dividends 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) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of, in addition
to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of
Directors or of the Executive Committee of the Fund signed by an officer of the
Fund and certified by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, specifying the
amount of such payment, setting forth the purpose for which such payment is to
be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper purpose, and naming the person or
persons to whom such payment is to be made.
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities
Purchased. Except as specifically stated otherwise in this Contract, in any and
every case where payment for purchase of domestic securities for the account of
the Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the securities
purchased in the absence of specific written instructions from the Fund to so
pay in advance, the Custodian shall be absolutely liable to the Fund for such
securities to the same extent as if the securities had been received by the
Custodian.
2.9 Appointment of Agents. The Custodian may at any time or times in
its discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust
company which is itself qualified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry out such of the
provisions of this Article 2 as the Custodian may from time to time direct;
provided, however, that the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the
Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder.
2.10 Deposit of Securities in Securities Systems. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain domestic securities owned by the Fund in a clearing
agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 17A
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which acts as a securities depository,
or in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury
and certain federal agencies, collectively referred to herein as "Securities
System" in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve Board and Securities and
Exchange Commission rules and regulations, if any, and subject to the following
provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep domestic securities of the Fund in a
Securities System provided that such securities are represented in an account
("Account") of the Custodian in the Securities System which shall not include
any assets
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of the Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise
for customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to domestic securities of
the Fund which are maintained in a Securities System shall identify by
book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
3) The Custodian shall pay for domestic securities purchased for the
account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities System that
such securities have been transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of an
entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for
the account of the Fund. The Custodian shall transfer domestic securities sold
for the account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities
System that payment for such securities has been transferred to the Account,
and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such
transfer and payment for the account of the Fund. Copies of all advices from
the Securities System of transfers of domestic securities for the account of
the Fund shall identify the Fund, be maintained for the Fund by the Custodian
and be provided to the Fund at its request. Upon request, the Custodian shall
furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the
Fund in the form of a written advice or notice and shall furnish to the Fund
copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's transactions in the
Securities System for the account of the Fund.
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by the
Custodian on the Securities System's accounting system, internal accounting
control and procedures for safeguarding domestic securities deposited in the
Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received the initial or annual
certificate, as the case may be, required by Article 13 hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding, the
Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to the Fund
resulting from use of the Securities System by reason of any negligence,
misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or any of its agents or of any of
its or their employees or from failure of the Custodian or any such agent to
enforce effectively such rights as it may have against the Securities System;
at the election of the Fund, it shall be entitled to be subrogated to the
rights of the Custodian with respect to any claim against the
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Securities System or any other person which the Custodian may have as a
consequence of any such loss or damage if and to the extent that the Fund has
not been made whole for any such loss or damage.
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System.
The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund
in the Direct Paper System of the Custodian subject to the following
provisions:
1) No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper System
will be effected in the absence of Proper Instructions;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in the Direct Paper
System only if such securities are represented in an account ("Account") of the
Custodian in the Direct Paper System which shall not include any assets of the
Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for
customers;
3) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the Fund
which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall identify by book-entry
those securities belonging to the Fund;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of
the Fund upon the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect
such payment and transfer of securities to the account of the Fund. The
Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account of the Fund upon the
making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and
receipt of payment for the account of the Fund;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer
to or from the account of the Fund, in the form of a written advice or notice,
of Direct Paper on the next business day following such transfer and shall
furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's
transaction in the Securities System for the account of the Fund;
6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report on its system
of internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from time to
time;
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2.12 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
Instructions establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on
behalf of the Fund, into which account or accounts may be transferred cash
and/or securities, including securities maintained in an account by the
Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof, (i) in accordance with the
provisions of any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer
registered under the Exchange Act and a member of the NASD (or any futures
commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to
compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any
registered national securities exchange (or the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission or any registered contract market), or of any similar organization
or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with
transactions by the Fund, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash or government
securities in connection with options purchased, sold or written by the Fund
or commodity futures contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by the
Fund, (iii) for the purposes of compliance by the Fund with the procedures
required by Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent
release or releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the
maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies and
(iv) for other proper corporate purposes, but only, in the case of clause (iv),
upon receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Directors or of the Executive Committee signed by an
officer of the Fund and certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary,
setting forth the purpose or purposes of such segregated account and such
declaring purposes to be proper corporate purposes.
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. The Custodian shall
execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and
state tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with
respect to domestic securities of the Fund held by it and in connection with
transfers of such securities.
2.14 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic
securities held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered
holder of such securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in
the name of the Fund or a nominee of the Fund, all proxies, without indication
of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver
to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices
relating to such securities.
2.15 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities. Subject to
the provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the
Fund all written information (including,
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without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of domestic securities and
expirations of rights in connection therewith and notices of exercise of call
and put options written by the Fund and the maturity of futures contracts
purchased or sold by the Fund) received by the Custodian from issuers of the
domestic securities being held for the Fund. With respect to tender or exchange
offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund all written
information received by the Custodian from issuers of the domestic securities
whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or his agents) making
the tender or exchange offer. If the Fund desires to take action with respect
to any tender offer, exchange offer or any other similar transaction, the Fund
shall notify the Custodian at least three business days prior to the date on
which the Custodian is to take such action.
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held
------ -- --- --------- ---- ------- -- -------- -- --- ---- ----
Outside of the United States
------- -- --- ------ ------
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians. The Fund hereby authorizes
and instructs the Custodian to employ as sub-custodians for the Fund's
securities and other assets maintained outside the United States the foreign
banking institutions and foreign securities depositories designated on Schedule
A hereto ("foreign sub-custodians"). Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions", as
defined in Section 5 of this Contract, together with a certified resolution of
the Fund's Board of Directors, the Custodian and the Fund may agree to amend
Schedule A hereto from time to time to designate additional foreign banking
institutions and foreign securities depositories to act as sub-custodian. Upon
receipt of Proper Instructions, the Fund may instruct the Custodian to cease
the employment of any one or more such sub-custodians for maintaining custody
of the Fund's assets.
3.2 Assets to be Held. The Custodian shall limit the securities and
other assets maintained in the custody of the foreign sub-custodians to: (a)
"foreign securities", as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, and (b) cash and cash equivalents in such
amounts as the Custodian or the Fund may determine to be reasonably necessary
to effect the Fund's foreign securities transactions. The Custodian shall
identify on its books as belonging to the Fund, the foreign securities of the
Fund held by each foreign sub-custodian.
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories. Except as may otherwise be agreed
upon in writing by the Custodian and the Fund, assets of the Fund shall be
maintained in foreign securities depositories only through arrangements
implemented by the foreign banking institutions serving as sub-custodians
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pursuant to the terms hereof. Where possible, such arrangements shall include
entry into agreements containing the provisions set forth in Section 3.5
hereof.
3.4 Segregation of Securities. The Custodian shall identify on its
books as belonging to each applicable Portfolio of the Fund, the foreign
securities of such Portfolios held by each foreign sub-custodian. Each
agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs a foreign banking institution
shall require that such institution establish a custody account for the
Custodian on behalf of the Fund for each applicable Portfolio of the Fund and
physically segregate in each account, securities and other assets of the
Portfolios, and, in the event that such institution deposits the securities of
one or more of the Portfolios in a foreign securities depository, that it shall
identify on its books as belonging to the Custodian, as agent for each
applicable Portfolio, the securities so deposited.
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions. Each agreement with a
foreign banking institution shall be substantially in the form set forth in
Exhibit 1 hereto and shall provide that: (a) the Fund's assets will not be
subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in
favor of the foreign banking institution or its creditors or agent, except a
claim of payment for their safe custody or administration; (b) beneficial
ownership of the Fund's assets will be freely transferable without the payment
of money or value other than for custody or administration; (c) adequate records
will be maintained identifying the assets as belonging to the Fund; (d) officers
of or auditors employed by, or other representatives of the Custodian, including
to the extent permitted under applicable law the independent public accountants
for the Fund, will be given access to the books and records of the foreign
banking institution relating to its actions under its agreement with the
Custodian; and (e) assets of the Fund held by the foreign sub-custodian will be
subject only to the instructions of the Custodian or its agents.
3.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund. Upon request of the
Fund, the Custodian will use its best efforts to arrange for the independent
accountants of the Fund to be afforded access to the books and records of any
foreign banking institution employed as a foreign sub-custodian insofar as such
books and records relate to the performance of such foreign banking institution
under its agreement with the Custodian.
3.7 Reports by Custodian. The Custodian will supply to the Fund from
time to time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of the securities
and other assets of the Fund held by foreign sub-custodians, including but not
limited to an
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identification of entities having possession of the Fund's securities and other
assets and advices or notifications of any transfers of securities to or from
each custodial account maintained by a foreign banking institution for the
Custodian on behalf of the Fund indicating, as to securities acquired for the
Fund, the identity of the entity having physical possession of such securities.
3.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account. (a) Except as otherwise
provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 3.8, the provision of Sections 2.2
and 2.7 of this Contract shall apply, mutatis mutandis to the foreign
securities of the Fund held outside the United States by foreign
sub-custodians. (b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the
contrary, settlement and payment for securities received for the account of the
Fund and delivery of securities maintained for the account of the Fund may be
effected in accordance with the customary established securities trading or
securities processing practices and procedures in the jurisdiction or market in
which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivering
securities to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for
such purchaser or dealer) against a receipt with the expectation of receiving
later payment for such securities from such purchaser or dealer. (c) Securities
maintained in the custody of a foreign sub-custodian may be maintained in the
name of such entity's nominee to the same extent as set forth in Section 2.3 of
this Contract, and the Fund agrees to hold any such nominee harmless from any
liability as a holder of record of such securities.
3.9 Liabilitv of Foreign Sub-Custodians. Each agreement pursuant to
which the Custodian employs a foreign banking institution as a foreign
sub-custodian shall require the institution to exercise reasonable care in the
performance of its duties and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the Custodian
and each Fund from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or
claim arising out of or in connection with the institution's performance of
such obligations. At the election of the Fund, it shall be entitled to be
subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims against a
foreign banking institution as a consequence of any such loss, damage, cost,
expense, liability or claim if and to the extent that the Fund has not been
made whole for any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim.
3.10 Liability of Custodian. The Custodian shall be liable for the
acts or omissions of a foreign banking institution to the same extent as set
forth with respect to sub-custodians generally in this Contract and, regardless
of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a foreign banking
institution, a foreign securities depository or a branch of a U.S. bank as
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contemplated by paragraph 3.13 hereof, the Custodian shall not be liable for
any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from
nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of war or
terrorism or any loss where the sub-custodian has otherwise exercised
reasonable care. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph
3.10, in delegating custody duties to State Street London Ltd., the Custodian
shall not be relieved of any responsibility to the Fund for any loss due to
such delegation, except such loss as may result from (a) political risk
(including, but not limited to, exchange control restrictions, confiscation,
expropriation, nationalization, insurrection, civil strife or armed
hostilities) or (b) other losses (excluding a bankruptcy or insolvency of State
Street London Ltd. not caused by political risk) due to Acts of God, nuclear
incident or other losses under circumstances where the Custodian and State
Street London Ltd. have exercised reasonable care.
3.11 Reimbursement for Advances. If the Fund requires the Custodian to
advance cash or securities for any purpose including the purchase or sale of
foreign exchange or of contracts for foreign exchange, or in the event that the
Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges,
expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the performance
of this Contract, except such as may arise from its or its nominee's own
negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, any property
at any time held for the account of the Fund shall be security therefor and
should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly after notice, the
Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of the
Fund assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
3.12 Monitoring Responsibilities. The Custodian shall furnish annually
to the Fund, during the month of June, information concerning the foreign
sub-custodians employed by the Custodian. Such information shall be similar in
kind and scope to that furnished to the Fund in connection with the initial
approval of this Contract. In addition, the Custodian will promptly inform the
Fund in the event that the Custodian learns of a material adverse change in the
financial condition of a foreign sub-custodian or any material loss of the
assets of the Fund or in the case of any foreign sub-custodian not the subject
of an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission is notified
by such foreign sub-custodian that there appears to be a substantial likelihood
that its shareholders' equity will decline below $200 million (U.S. dollars or
the equivalent thereof) or that its shareholders' equity has declined below
$200 million (in each case computed in accordance with generally accepted U.S.
accounting principles).
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3.13 Branches of U.S. Banks. (a) Except as otherwise set forth in this
Contract, the provisions hereof shall not apply where the custody of the Fund
assets are maintained in a foreign branch of a banking institution which is a
"bank" as defined by Section 2(a)(5) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
meeting the qualification set forth in Section 26(a) of said Act. The
appointment of any such branch as a sub-custodian shall be governed by
paragraph 1 of this Contract. (b) Cash held for the Fund in the United Kingdom
shall be maintained in an interest bearing account established for the Fund
with the Custodian's London branch, which account shall be subject to the
direction of the Custodian, State Street London Ltd. or both.
3.14 Tax Law. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability
for any obligations now or hereafter imposed on the Fund or the Custodian as
custodian of the Fund by the tax law of the United States of America or any
state or political subdivision thereof. It shall be the responsibility of the
Fund to notify the Custodian of the obligations imposed on the Fund or the
Custodian as custodian of the Fund by the tax law of jurisdictions other than
those mentioned in the above sentence, including responsibility for withholding
and other taxes, assessments or other governmental charges, certifications and
governmental reporting. The sole responsibility of the Custodian with regard to
such tax law shall be to use reasonable efforts to assist the Fund with respect
to any claim for exemption or refund under the tax law of jurisdictions for
which the Fund has provided such information.
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the Fund
---------------------------------------------------------------------
From such funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the
limitations of the Articles of Incorporation and any applicable votes of the
Board of Directors of the Fund pursuant thereto, 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 of the Fund, 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 of the Fund, 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.
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The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Fund's Shares
or from the Transfer Agent of the Fund and deposit into the Fund's account such
payments as are received for Shares of the Fund 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.
5. Proper Instructions
-------------------
Proper Instructions as used herein means a writing signed or
initialled by one or more person or persons as the Board of Directors shall
have from time to time authorized. Each such writing shall set forth the
specific transaction or type of transaction involved, including a specific
statement of the purpose for which such action is requested. Oral instructions
will be considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian reasonably believes
them to have been given by a person authorized to give such instructions with
respect to the transaction involved. The Fund shall cause all oral instructions
to be confirmed in writing. Upon receipt of a certificate of the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary as to the authorization by the Board of Directors of the
Fund accompanied by a detailed description of procedures approved by the Board
of Directors, Proper Instructions may include communications effected directly
between electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the Board of
Directors and the Custodian are satisfied that such procedures afford adequate
safeguards for the Fund's assets. For purposes of this Section, Proper
Instructions shall include instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to
any three-party agreement which requires a segregated asset account in
accordance with Section 2.12.
6. Actions Permitted without Express Authority
-------------------------------------------
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from
the Fund:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this Contract,
provided that all such payments shall be accounted for to the Fund;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive
form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts and
other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection
with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase,
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transfer and other dealings with the securities and property of the Fund except
as otherwise directed by the Board of Directors of the Fund.
7. Evidence of Authority
---------------------
The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions,
notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper believed by
it to be genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the
Fund. The Custodian may receive and accept a certified copy of a vote of the
Board of Directors of the Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of
any person to act in accordance with such vote or (b) of any determination or
of any action by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Articles of
Incorporation as described in such vote, and such vote may be considered as in
full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of written notice to the
contrary.
8. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to
the entity or entities appointed by the Board of Directors of the Fund to keep
the books of account of the Fund and/or compute the net asset value per share
of the outstanding shares of the Fund or, if directed in writing to do so by
the Fund, shall itself keep such books of account and/or compute such net asset
value per share. If so directed, the Custodian shall also calculate daily the
net income of the Fund as described in the Fund's currently effective
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 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 Fund's currently effective prospectus.
9. Records
-------
The Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating to its
activities and obligations under this Contract in such manner as will meet the
obligations of the Fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, with
particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2
thereunder. All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at all
times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection
by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and employees and
agents of the Securities and Exchange
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Commission. The Custodian shall, at the Fund's request, supply the Fund with a
tabulation of securities owned by the Fund and held by the Custodian and shall,
when requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be
agreed upon between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in
such tabulations.
10. 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-1A, and Form N-SAR or
other annual reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and with respect
to any other requirements of such Commission.
11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
-------------------------------------------------
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may
reasonably require, with reports by independent public accountants on the
accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding
securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including
domestic securities deposited and/or maintained in a Securities System,
relating to the services provided by the Custodian under this Contract; such
reports shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may
reasonably be required by the Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any
material inadequacies would be disclosed by such examination, and, if there are
no such inadequacies, the reports shall so state.
12. 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.
13. Responsibility of Custodian
---------------------------
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable
care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or
genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or
delivered by it pursuant to this Contract and shall be held harmless in acting
upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably
believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties,
including any futures commission merchant acting pursuant to the terms of a
three-party futures or options agreement. The Custodian shall be held to the
exercise of reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this Contract,
but shall be kept indemnified by
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and shall be without liability to the Fund for any action taken or omitted by
it in good faith without negligence. It shall be entitled to rely on and may
act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters,
and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted
pursuant to such advice.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a foreign
banking institution appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 to the
same extent as set forth in Article 1 hereof with respect to sub-custodians
located in the United States (except as specifically provided in Article 3.9)
and, regardless of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a foreign
banking institution, a foreign securities depository or a branch of a U.S. bank
as contemplated by paragraph 3.12 hereof, the Custodian shall not be liable for
any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from, or caused
by, the direction of or authorization by the Fund to maintain custody or any
securities or cash of the Fund in a foreign country including, but not limited
to, losses resulting from nationalization, expropriation, currency
restrictions, or acts of war or terrorism.
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) including the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or of contracts
for foreign exchange or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall
incur or be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or
liabilities in connection with the performance of this Contract, except such as
may arise from its or its nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to
act or willful misconduct, any property at any time held for the account of the
Fund shall be security therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian
promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to
dispose of the Fund's assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
14. Effective Period Termination and Amendment
------------------------------------------
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall
continue in full force and effect until terminated as
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hereinafter provided, may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the
parties hereto and may be terminated by either party by an instrument in writing
delivered or mailed, postage prepaid to the other party, such termination to
take effect not sooner than thirty (30) days after the date of such delivery or
mailing; provided, however that the Custodian shall not act under Section 2.10
hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Directors of the Fund has approved the
initial use of a particular Securities System, as required by Rule 17f-4 under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and that the Custodian shall not
act under Section 2.11 hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of
Directors has approved the initial use of the Direct Paper System; provided
further, however, that the Fund shall not amend or terminate this Contract in
contravention of any applicable federal or state regulations, or any provision
of the Articles of Incorporation, and further provided, that the Fund may at any
time by action of its Board of Directors (i) substitute another bank or trust
company for the Custodian by giving notice as described above to the Custodian,
or (ii) immediately terminate this Contract in the event of the appointment of a
conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the Comptroller of the Currency or
upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory
agency or court of competent jurisdiction.
Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund shall pay to the Custodian
such compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall
likewise reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements.
15. Successor Custodian
-------------------
If a successor custodian shall be appointed by the Board of Directors
of the Fund, the Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to such successor
custodian at the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for
transfer, all securities then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an
account of the successor custodian all of the Fund's securities held in a
Securities System.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian
shall, in like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the Board
of Directors of the Fund, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer
such securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such vote.
In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian
or certified copy of a vote of the Board of Directors shall have been delivered
to the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become
effective, then the Custodian
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shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a "bank"
as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, doing business in Boston,
Massachusetts, of its own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and
undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less than
$25,000,000, all securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian
and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other
property held by it under this Contract and to transfer to an account of such
successor custodian all of the Fund's securities held in any Securities System.
Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian
under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or of
the Board of Directors to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian shall be
entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the
Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and
the provisions of this Contract relating to the duties and obligations of the
Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions
--------------------------------------
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and
the Fund may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in
addition to the provisions of this Contract as may in their joint opinion be
consistent with the general tenor of this Contract. Any such interpretive or
additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by both parties and shall be
annexed hereto, provided that no such interpretive or additional provisions
shall contravene any applicable federal or state regulations or any provision
of the Articles of Incorporation of the Fund. No interpretive or additional
provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an
amendment of this Contract.
17. Massachusetts Law to Apply
--------------------------
This Contract shall be construed and the provisions thereof
interpreted under and in accordance with laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
18. Prior Contracts
---------------
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all
prior contracts between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the custody of
the Fund's assets.
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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 dated as of the 7th day of March, 1988.
ATTEST AIM SUMMIT FUND, INC.
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
NOT LEGIBLE By: NOT LEGIBLE
----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Executive Vice President
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Schedule A
----------
TO CUSTODIAN CONTRACT BETWEEN
AIM SUMMIT FUND, INC. AND
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
The following foreign banking institutions and foreign securities
depositories have been approved by the Board of Directors of AIM Summit Fund,
Inc. for use as sub-custodians for the Fund's securities and other assets:
(Insert banks and securities depositories)
Certified:
-----------------------------------
Fund's Authorized Officer
Date:
------------------------------
23