MUTUAL FUND CUSTODY AGREEMENT
1838 BOND-DEBENTURE TRADING FUND
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Table of Contents
Paragraph Page
1. Definitions 1
2. Appointment 3
3. Delivery of Documents 4
4. Delivery and Registration of the Property 4
5. Voting and Other Rights 4
6. Receipt and Disbursement of Money 5
7. Receipt and Delivery of Securities 6
8. Scope of Responsibilities as Foreign Custody Manager 6
9. Eligible Securities Depositories; Compliance with Rule 17f-7 10
10. Foreign Market Transactions 10
11. Pledge or Encumbrance of Securities or Cash 10
12. Segregated Account 10
13. Foreign Exchange 11
14. Lending of Securities 11
15. Overdrafts or Indebtedness 12
16. Use of Domestic Depository or the Book-Entry System 12
17. Instructions Consistent With The Declaration, etc. 14
18. Transactions Not Requiring Instructions 15
19. Transactions Requiring Instructions 17
20. Purchase and Sale of Securities 18
21. Records 20
22. Cooperation with Accountants 20
23. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants 20
24. Confidentiality 20
25. Equipment 21
26. Right to Receive Advice 21
27. Compensation 21
28. Representations 22
29. Performance of Duties and Standard of Care 22
30. Indemnification 23
31. Effective Period; Termination and Amendment 24
32. Successor Custodian 25
33. Notices 25
34. Further Actions 25
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35. Additional Portfolios 25
36. Miscellaneous 26
ATTACHMENT A Fees
ATTACHMENT B Authorized Persons
ATTACHMENT C Portfolios of the Fund
EXHIBIT A Provision of Additional Information
EXHIBIT B Eligible Securities Depositories
EXHIBIT C List of Foreign Markets
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MUTUAL FUND CUSTODY AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of ___________________, by and between 1838
Bond-Debenture Trading Fund, a Delaware Business Trust (the "Fund"), and
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a National Bank ("Wachovia").
1. Definitions.
"Authorized Person" means the Fund's President, Vice-President,
Treasurer and any other person, whether or not that person is an officer or
employee of the Fund, duly authorized by the Directors or Trustees of the Fund
to give Proper Instructions on behalf of the Fund and listed on Attachment B
hereto, which may be amended from time to time in writing.
"Board" means the board of trustees or board of directors, as
applicable, of the Fund.
"Book-Entry System" shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-entry
system for United States and federal agency securities, its successor or
successors and its nominee or nominees.
"Business Day" shall mean any day on which Wachovia, the Book-Entry
System, and relevant Depositories are open for business.
"Country Risks" means the systemic risks arising from holding Foreign
Assets in a particular country, including those arising from a country's
financial infrastructure, prevailing custody and settlement practices;
expropriation, nationalization or other governmental actions; and laws
applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of assets held in custody in such
country.
"Depository" shall include the Book-Entry System, the Depository Trust
Company, any other domestic securities depository, book-entry system or clearing
agency registered with the SEC or its successor or successors and its nominee or
nominees, and any other entity permitted to hold Securities under 1940 Act Rule
17f-4, and shall also mean any other registered clearing agency that acts as a
securities depository, its successor or successors, specially identified in a
certified copy of a resolution of the Fund's Directors or Trustees approving
deposits by Wachovia therein. Wachovia shall hold Securities through a
Depository only if (a) the Depository and any of its creditors may not assert
any right, charge, security interest, lien, encumbrance or other claim of any
kind to Securities except a claim of payment for their safe custody or
administration, and (b) beneficial ownership of Securities may be freely
transferred without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or
administration.
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"Eligible Foreign Custodian" means an Eligible Foreign Custodian as
defined in Rule 17f-5(a)(1) under the 1940 Act or any other entity that the SEC
qualifies as such by exemptive order, no-action relief, rule or other
appropriate SEC action.
"Eligible Securities Depository" means an Eligible Securities
Depository as defined in section (b)(1) of Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act or that
has otherwise been made exempt pursuant to an SEC exemptive order.
"Wachovia " shall include any office, branch or subsidiary of Wachovia
Bank National Association, and shall include any banking or trust institution
which acquires substantially all of the assets of Wachovia Bank National
Association or into which Wachovia Bank National Association is merged or
consolidated.
"Foreign Assets" means any Portfolio's investments (including foreign
currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States and such
cash and cash equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Portfolio's
transactions in such investments.
"Foreign Custody Manager" means a Foreign Custody Manager as defined in
Rule 17f-5(a)(3) under the 1940 Act.
"Foreign Market" means each market so identified in Exhibit C hereto.
"Portfolio" means each separate series of shares offered by the Fund
representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets.
"Proper Instructions" shall mean any notices, instructions or other
instruments in writing Wachovia receives from an Authorized Person or from a
person Wachovia reasonably believes to be an Authorized Person by letter, telex,
facsimile transmission, Wachovia's on-line communication system, or any other
method whereby Wachovia is able to verify with a reasonable degree of certainty
the identity of the sender of the communications or the sender is required to
provide a password or other identification code. Oral instructions will be
considered Proper Instructions if Wachovia reasonably believes that an
Authorized Person has given the oral instructions. The Fund shall cause all oral
instructions to be confirmed in writing. Proper Instructions that conflict with
earlier Proper Instructions will supersede earlier Instructions unless Wachovia
has already acted in reliance on the earlier Instructions.
"Property" shall mean any and all Securities, cash, and other property
of the Fund which the Fund may from time to time deposit, or cause to be
deposited, with Wachovia or which Wachovia may from time to time hold for the
Fund; all income of any Securities or other property; all proceeds of the sales
of any Securities or other property; and all proceeds of the sale of securities
issued by the Fund, which Wachovia receives from time to time from or on behalf
of the Fund.
"Rule 17f-5" means ss.270.17(f)-5 under the 1940 Act, as amended from
time to time.
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"Rule 17f-7" means ss.270.17(f)-7 under the 1940 Act, as amended from
time to time.
"SEC" means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Securities" shall include, without limitation, any common stock and
other equity securities; bonds, debentures and other debt securities; forwards,
swaps, futures, derivatives, mortgages or other obligations; and any instruments
representing rights to receive, purchase, or subscribe for the same, or
representing any other rights or interests therein (whether represented by a
certificate or held in a Securities Depository, Eligible Foreign Custodian, or
Eligible Securities Depository).
"Securities Depository" means any securities depository as defined in
Rule 17f-4(c).
"U.S. Bank" means a U.S. bank as defined in Rule 17f-5(a)(7) under the
1940 Act.
"1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
2. Appointment.
a. Appointment as Custodian. The Fund is registered as an open-end
management investment company under the 1940 Act, and the Fund desires to retain
Wachovia to serve as the Fund's custodian and Wachovia is willing to furnish
these services. The Fund hereby appoints Wachovia to act as custodian of its
Securities, cash and other Property on the terms set forth in this Agreement.
Wachovia accepts this appointment and agrees to furnish the services set forth
below for the compensation as provided in Paragraph 29 of this Agreement.
b. Appointment as Foreign Custody Manager. The Fund hereby appoints
Wachovia as a Foreign Custody Manager to perform the responsibilities set forth
in Paragraph 8 with respect to Foreign Assets, and Wachovia hereby accepts such
appointment as a Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund.
3. Delivery of Documents. The Fund will promptly furnish to Wachovia
copies, properly certified or authenticated, of contracts, documents and other
related information that Wachovia may request or requires to properly discharge
its duties. These documents may include but are not limited to the following:
a. Resolutions of the Fund's Trustees authorizing the appointment of
Wachovia as custodian of the Property of the Fund and approving this Agreement;
b. Incumbency and signature certificates identifying and containing the
signatures of the Fund's Authorized Persons;
c. The Fund's most recent prospectus including all amendments and
supplements thereto (the "Prospectus").
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The Fund will furnish Wachovia from time to time with copies of all
amendments of or supplements to the foregoing, if any. The Fund also will
furnish Wachovia with a copy of the opinion of counsel for the Fund on the
validity of the shares of common stock or units of beneficial interest (the
"Shares") of the Fund and the status of the Shares under the 1933 Act, and under
any other applicable federal law or regulation.
4. Delivery and Registration of the Property. The Fund will deliver or
cause to be delivered to Wachovia all Property it owns, including cash received
for the issuance of its Shares, at any time during the period of this Agreement,
except for Securities and monies to be delivered to any subcustodian appointed
pursuant to Paragraph 7. Wachovia will not be responsible for Securities and
monies until Wachovia or any subcustodian actually receives them. All Securities
delivered to Wachovia or to any subcustodian, Eligible Foreign Custodian, or
Eligible Securities Depository (other than in bearer form) shall be registered
in the name of the Fund or in the name of a nominee of the Fund, in the name of
Wachovia or any nominee of Wachovia (with or without indication of fiduciary
status), in the name of any subcustodian or any nominee of a subcustodian
appointed pursuant to Paragraph 7, any Eligible Foreign Custodian used pursuant
to Paragraph 8, or any Eligible Securities Depository used pursuant to Paragraph
9, or shall be properly endorsed and in form for transfer satisfactory to
Wachovia .
5. Voting and Other Rights.
a. The Fund shall exercise voting and other rights and powers for all
Securities, however registered. Wachovia's only duty shall be to mail for
delivery on the next Business Day to the Fund any documents received, including
proxy statements and offering circulars, with any proxies executed by the
nominee for Securities registered in a nominee name. Wachovia reserves the right
to provide any documents received, or parts thereof, in the language received.
The Fund acknowledges that in certain countries Wachovia may be unable to vote
individual proxies but be able only to vote proxies on a net basis. Wachovia
shall vote or cause proxies to be voted only as expressly directed in writing
pursuant to Proper Instructions of the Fund's Authorized Person. In the absence
of Proper Instructions, neither Wachovia nor any subcustodian shall vote or
cause proxies to be voted, and they shall expire without liability to Wachovia.
Wachovia will not advise the Fund or act for the Fund in any legal proceedings,
including bankruptcies, involving Securities the Fund holds or previously held
or the issuers of these Securities, except as the Fund and Wachovia expressly
agree upon in writing.
b. Wachovia shall transmit promptly to the Fund all written information
(including, without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of Securities
and expirations of rights in connection therewith and notices of exercise of
call and put options the Fund writes and the maturity of futures contracts the
Fund purchases or sells) Wachovia receives from issuers of the Securities the
Fund holds, or from an Eligible Foreign Custodian or Eligible Securities
Depository holding Foreign Assets of the Fund. For tender or exchange offers,
Wachovia shall transmit promptly by facsimile to the Fund all written
information Wachovia receives from issuers of the Securities whose tender or
exchange is sought and from the party (or his agents) making the tender or
exchange offer, or from an Eligible Foreign Custodian or Eligible Securities
Depository holding Foreign Assets of the Fund. If the Fund desires to take
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action on any tender offer, exchange offer or any other similar transaction, the
Fund shall notify Wachovia at least three business days before the date on which
Wachovia is to take action [five business days if the tender offer, exchange
offer, or other similar transaction involves a Foreign Asset] or upon the date
the Fund first receives the notification, if later. Absent Wachovia's failure to
promptly transmit such written information that it has received to the Fund, or
absent Wachovia's timely receipt of Proper Instructions, Wachovia shall not be
liable for failure to take any action relating to or to exercise any rights the
Securities confer.
c. Wachovia shall promptly notify the Fund of any rights or
discretionary actions or of the date or dates by when the rights must be
exercised or action must be taken provided that Wachovia has received, from the
issuer, from persons making a tender or exchange offer, or from an Eligible
Foreign Custodian or Eligible Securities Depository, or otherwise, timely notice
of rights, discretionary corporate action, or dates. Absent actual receipt of
this notice, Wachovia shall have no liability for failing to so notify the Fund.
d. Wachovia shall retain shares with respect to tender offers for less
than 5% of outstanding shares at less than 99% of the current market value,
without obligation to provide notice of such offers.
6. Receipt and Disbursement of Money.
a. Wachovia shall open and maintain a custody account for the Fund (the
"Account") subject only to draft or order by Wachovia acting pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement, and shall hold in the Account, subject to the
provisions in this Paragraph 6, all cash it receives by or for the Fund, other
than cash the Fund maintains in a bank account established and used in
accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the 1940 Act. Wachovia shall make payments of
cash to, or for the account of, the Fund from cash only (i) for the purchase of
Securities against delivery of such Securities except as provided in Paragraph
10; (ii) in the case of a purchase of Securities effected through a Book-Entry
System or Securities Depository, in accordance with the conditions set forth in
Paragraph 18; (iii) in the case of repurchase agreements entered into between
the Fund and Wachovia, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which is a member of
The National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), either (a)
against delivery of the Securities either in certificate form or through an
entry crediting Wachovia's account at the Federal Reserve Bank with the
Securities or (b) against delivery of the receipt evidencing the Fund's purchase
of Securities Wachovia owns along with written evidence of Wachovia's agreement
to repurchase the Securities from the Fund; (iv) for transfer to a time deposit
account of the Fund in any bank, whether domestic or foreign; the transfer may
be effected before receipt of a confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable
bank pursuant to Proper Instructions from the Fund; (v) for the payment of
dividends or other distributions on shares declared pursuant to the governing
documents of the Fund, or for the payment of interest, taxes, administration,
distribution or advisory fees or expenses which the Fund is to bear under the
terms of this Agreement, any Advisory Agreement, or any distribution or
administration agreement; (vi) for payments in connection with the conversion,
exchange or surrender of Securities the Fund owns or subscribes to and Wachovia
holds or is to deliver ; (vii) to a subcustodian pursuant to Paragraph 7; (viii)
for common expenses the Fund incurs in the ordinary course of its business,
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including but not limited to printing and mailing expenses, legal fees,
accountants' fees, exchange fees; or (ix) for any other proper purpose, but only
upon receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board 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 the payment, setting forth the purpose for which the
payment is to be made, declaring the purpose to be a proper purpose, and naming
the person or persons to whom the payment is to be made.
b. Wachovia is hereby authorized to endorse and collect all checks,
drafts or other orders for the payment of money received as custodian for the
Fund.
7. Receipt and Delivery of Securities.
a. Except as provided in this Paragraph 7 and Paragraphs 8 and 9,
Wachovia shall hold and segregate (physically, where Securities are held in
certificate form) all Securities and non-cash Property it receives for the Fund.
Wachovia will hold or dispose of all Securities and non-cash Property for the
Fund pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. In the absence of Proper
Instructions accompanied by a certified resolution of the Fund's Board
authorizing the specific transaction, Wachovia shall have no power or authority
to withdraw, deliver, assign, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise dispose of any
Securities and other Property, except in accordance with this Agreement. In no
case may any director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Fund withdraw
any Securities. Wachovia may, at its own expense, employ subcustodians for the
receipt of certain non-Foreign Assets Wachovia is to hold for the account of the
Fund pursuant to this Agreement; provided that each subcustodian has an
aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits, as shown by its last published
report, of not less than twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) and that such
subcustodian agrees with Wachovia to comply with all relevant provisions of the
1940 Act and applicable rules and regulations thereunder. Wachovia will be
liable for acts or omissions of any subcustodian to the same extent that
Wachovia is liable to the Fund under this Agreement. Wachovia shall employ
subcustodians upon receipt of Proper Instructions, but only in accordance with
an applicable vote of the Board of the Fund.
b. When requested, Wachovia shall furnish the Fund with confirmations
and a summary of all transfers to or from the account of the Fund during said
day. Where Securities are transferred to the account of the Fund established at
a Securities Depository or Book-Entry System, Wachovia shall also by book-entry
or otherwise identify as belonging to the Fund (and a Portfolio) the quantity of
Securities in a fungible bulk of Securities registered in the name of Wachovia
(or its nominee) or shown in Wachovia's account on the books of a Securities
Depository or Book-Entry System. At least monthly and from time to time,
Wachovia shall furnish the Fund with a detailed statement of the Property held
for the Fund under this Agreement.
8. Scope of Responsibilities as Foreign Custody Manager.
a. Authorization. Subject to the terms and conditions herein, Wachovia
is hereby authorized to: (i) place and maintain Foreign Assets on behalf of the
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Fund with Eligible Foreign Custodians pursuant to a written contract determined
appropriate by Wachovia in accordance with the terms and conditions herein and
(ii) withdraw Foreign Assets from Eligible Foreign Custodians in accordance with
the terms and conditions herein.
b. Selection. Wachovia shall place and maintain Foreign Assets in the
care of one or more Eligible Foreign Custodians. In performing its
responsibilities to place and maintain Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign
Custodian, Wachovia shall determine that the Eligible Foreign Custodian will
hold Foreign Assets in the exercise of reasonable care, based on the standards
applicable to custodians in the jurisdiction or market in which the Foreign
Assets will be held by that Eligible Foreign Custodian, after considering all
factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets, including, without
limitation:
(i) the Eligible Foreign Custodian's practices,
procedures, and internal controls, including, but not
limited to, the physical protections available for
certificated securities (if applicable), its methods
of keeping custodial records, its security and data
protection practices, and its settlement practices;
(ii) whether the Eligible Foreign Custodian has the
financial strength to provide reasonable care for
Foreign Assets and to protect Foreign Assets against
the Eligible Foreign Custodian's insolvency;
(iii) the Eligible Foreign Custodian's general reputation
and standing; and
(iv) whether the Fund will have jurisdiction over, and be
able to enforce judgments against, the Eligible
Foreign Custodian in the United States.
c. Contracts. Wachovia shall ensure that the Fund's foreign custody
arrangements with each Eligible Foreign Custodian are governed by a written
contract with such Eligible Foreign Custodian. Wachovia shall determine that the
written contract governing the foreign custody arrangements with each Eligible
Foreign Custodian that Wachovia selects will provide reasonable care for Foreign
Assets held by that Eligible Foreign Custodian. Each written contract will
include terms that provide:
(i) for indemnification and/or insurance arrangements
that will adequately protect the Fund against the
risk of loss of the Foreign Assets held in accordance
with such contract;
(ii) that the Foreign Assets will not be subject to any
right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of
any kind in favor of the Eligible Foreign Custodian
or its creditors, except a claim for the Eligible
Foreign Custodian's services under the contract or,
in the case of cash deposits, liens or rights in
favor of creditors of such Eligible Foreign Custodian
arising under bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws;
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(iii) that beneficial ownership of the Foreign Assets will
be freely transferable without the payment of money
or value, other than payments for the Eligible
Foreign Custodian's services under the contract;
(iv) that the Eligible Foreign Custodian will maintain
adequate records identifying the Foreign Assets held
under the contract as belonging to a Portfolio or as
being held by a third party for the benefit of a
Portfolio;
(v) that the Fund's independent public accountants will
be given access to those records or confirmation of
the contents of those records;
(vi) that the Fund will receive periodic reports with
respect to the safekeeping of the Foreign Assets,
including, but not limited to, notification of any
transfer of the Foreign Assets to or from the account
of a Portfolio or a third party account containing
the Foreign Assets held for the benefit of a
Portfolio; and
(vii) that the Eligible Foreign Custodian will indemnify
and hold harmless Wachovia (or its agent) or the Fund
from and against any loss, expense, liability or
claim incurred by Wachovia (or its agent) or the Fund
to the extent such loss, expense, liability or claim
arises from the Eligible Foreign Custodian's
negligence or willful misconduct.
or, in lieu of any or all of the terms set forth in (i) through (vi) above, such
other terms that Wachovia determines will provide, in their entirety, the same
or greater level of care and protection for the Foreign Assets as the provisions
set forth in (i) through (vi) above in their entirety.
d. Monitoring. Wachovia will establish and maintain a system to
monitor: (i) the appropriateness of maintaining Foreign Assets with each
Eligible Foreign Custodian; (ii) Material Changes to the Fund's foreign custody
arrangements, as defined in paragraph (f) below; and (iii) the performance of
the contracts described in subparagraph c. above (the "Monitoring System").
e. Withdrawing Fund Assets. In the event that a foreign custody
arrangement no longer meets the terms and conditions set forth in Rule ▇▇▇-▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will promptly notify the Fund and will then act in accordance with the
Fund's Proper Instructions with respect to the disposition of the affected
Foreign Assets. Under exigent circumstances, however, Wachovia is authorized to
withdraw Foreign Assets if, after first notifying the Fund, forty-eight (48)
hours has passed without receiving a response to the notification from an
Authorized Person.
f. Reporting Requirements. Wachovia shall notify the Board of the
placement of Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian and any Material
Changes in the Fund's foreign custody arrangements by providing a written report
to the Board at the end of each calendar quarter or at such times as the Fund's
trustees deem reasonable and appropriate. With respect to Material Changes,
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Wachovia shall provide the Board with a written report promptly after the
occurrence of the Material Change. Material Changes" include, but are not
limited to: a decision to remove all Foreign Assets from a particular
subcustodian; any event that may adversely and materially affect an Eligible
Foreign Custodian's financial or operational strength; Wachovia's inability to
perform its duties in accordance with the standard of care under this Paragraph
8; a change in control of an Eligible Foreign Custodian; the failure of an
Eligible Foreign Custodian to comply with the standards in the Guidelines, the
terms of Rule 17f-5, its contract governing the Fund's foreign custody
arrangements; any material change in any contract governing the Fund's foreign
custody arrangements; the failure of Wachovia or a foreign custody arrangement
to meet the standards in Rule 17f-5 or the Guidelines; any event that may
adversely affect Wachovia's ability to comply with the Guidelines or Rule 17f-5;
and a material change in any information provided to the Board regarding
Wachovia's expertise in foreign custody issues and risks, Wachovia's use of
third party experts to perform its foreign custody responsibilities, the Board's
ability to monitor Wachovia's performance, Wachovia's financial strength or its
ability to indemnify the Fund.
g. Provision of Information. Wachovia shall provide to the Fund (or its
investment adviser(s)) such information as is specified in Exhibit A hereto, as
may be amended from time to time by the parties. The Fund hereby acknowledges
that such information is solely designed to inform the Fund of market conditions
and procedures, but is not intended to influence the Fund's investment decisions
(or those of its investment adviser(s)). Wachovia will use reasonable care in
gathering such information. Wachovia agrees to promptly notify the Fund (or its
investment adviser(s)) at the time that Wachovia becomes aware of a material
change to the information provided or if Wachovia learns that any information
previously provided is incomplete or inaccurate. Wachovia will provide to the
Fund (or its investment adviser(s)) upon reasonable request a written statement
as may reasonably be required to document its compliance with the terms of this
Agreement, as well as information regarding the following factors: (i)
Wachovia's expertise in foreign custody issues and risks; (ii) Wachovia's use of
third party experts to perform its foreign custody responsibilities; (iii) the
Board's ability to monitor Wachovia's performance; and (iv) Wachovia's financial
strength and its ability to indemnify the Fund if necessary. With respect to
each Eligible Foreign Custodian employed by the Fund under Paragraph 8.i below,
Wachovia agrees to provide to the Fund (or its investment adviser(s)) any
information it possesses regarding Country Risk or the risks associated with
placing or maintaining Foreign Assets with the Eligible Foreign Custodian.
h. Standard of Care as Foreign Custody Manager. In performing its
delegated responsibilities as the Fund's Foreign Custody Manager, Wachovia
agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person
having responsibility for the safekeeping of a Portfolio's Foreign Assets under
the 1940 Act would exercise. In particular, regardless of whether assets are
maintained in the custody of an Eligible Foreign Custodian or an Eligible
Securities Depository, Wachovia shall be liable to the Fund for the acts or
omissions of an Eligible Foreign Custodian where that Eligible Foreign Custodian
has not acted with reasonable care.
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i. Direction of Eligible Foreign Custodians. The Fund may direct
Wachovia to place and maintain Foreign Assets with a particular Eligible Foreign
Custodian. In such event, Wachovia will have no duties under this Paragraph 8
with respect to such arrangement, except those included under Paragraph 8.g and
those that it may undertake specifically in writing.
j. Best Customer. If at any time Wachovia is or becomes a party to an
agreement to serve as Foreign Custody Manager to an investment company that
provides for either: (i) a standard of care with respect to the selection of
Eligible Foreign Custodians in any jurisdiction higher than that set forth in
Paragraph 8.a., or (ii) a standard of care with respect to exercise of
Wachovia's duties other than that set forth in Paragraph 8.b., Wachovia agrees
to notify the Fund of this fact and to raise the applicable standard of care
hereunder to the standard specified in such other agreement.
k. Condition Precedent. As a condition precedent to Wachovia's
performance under this Paragraph 8, the Fund shall deliver to Wachovia a
certificate from the Fund's secretary containing the resolution of the Board
regarding the Board's determination that it is reasonable to rely on Wachovia to
perform the responsibilities delegated pursuant to this Agreement to Wachovia as
Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund.
l. Limitations. Wachovia shall have only such duties as are expressly
set forth herein. In no event shall Wachovia be liable for any Country Risks
associated with investments in a particular country.
m. Representations with respect to Rule 17f-5. Wachovia represents to
the Fund that it is a U.S. Bank.
9. Eligible Securities Depositories; Compliance with Rule 17f-7. Wachovia
shall provide an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining
the Fund's Foreign Assets with each Eligible Securities Depository
prior to the initial placement of the Fund's Foreign Assets at such Depository
and at which any Foreign Assets of the Fund are held or are expected to be held.
Wachovia shall monitor the custody risks associated with maintaining the Fund's
Foreign Assets at each such Eligible Securities Depository on a continuing basis
and shall promptly notify the Fund and its advisers of any material changes in
such risks. Wachovia shall exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence in
performing the requirements set forth in this Paragraph. Based on the
information available to it in the exercise of the foregoing standard of care,
Wachovia shall determine the eligibility under Rule 17f-7 of each Depository
before including it on Exhibit B hereto and shall promptly advise the Fund (and
its investment adviser(s)) if any Eligible Securities Depository ceases to be
eligible and will withdraw the Fund's foreign assets from the depository as soon
as reasonably practical. For purposes of this Paragraph 9, the Fund (and its
investment adviser(s)) shall be deemed to have considered the Country Risk as is
incurred by placing and maintaining Foreign Assets in each country in which each
such Eligible Securities Depository operates. Wachovia's responsibilities under
this Paragraph 9 shall not include, or be deemed to include, any evaluation of
Country Risks associated with investment in a particular country.
10. Foreign Market Transactions. The Fund agrees that all settlements
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of Foreign Assets transactions shall be transacted in accordance with the local
laws, customs, market practices and procedures to which Eligible Foreign
Custodians and Eligible Securities Depositories are subject in each Foreign
Market, including, without limitation, delivering Foreign Assets to the
purchaser, dealer, or an agent for such purchaser or dealer, with the
expectation of receiving later payment for the Foreign Assets from the
purchaser, dealer, or agent. Wachovia shall provide a report of settlement
practices in Foreign Markets as described in Exhibit A.
11. Pledge or Encumbrance of Securities or Cash. Except as provided in
this Agreement, Wachovia may not pledge, assign, hypothecate or otherwise
encumber Securities or cash in any Account without the Fund's prior written
consent.
12. Segregated Account. Wachovia 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 that Wachovia maintains in an account
pursuant to Paragraph 6: (i) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, Wachovia and a broker-dealer registered under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (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 Fund
transactions, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash or government securities in
connection with options the Fund purchases, sells or writes or commodity futures
contracts or options thereon that the Fund purchases or sells, (iii) for the
purposes of the Fund's compliance with the procedures set out in 1940 Act
Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release or releases of the SEC relating to
registered investment companies' maintenance of segregated accounts; 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 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 the segregated account and declaring the purposes to be proper
corporate purposes.
13. Foreign Exchange.
a. For the purpose of settling Securities and foreign exchange
transactions, the Fund shall provide Wachovia with sufficient immediately
available funds for all transactions by such time and date as conditions in the
relevant market dictate. As used herein, "sufficient immediately available
funds" shall mean either (i) sufficient cash denominated in the currency of the
Fund's home jurisdiction to purchase the necessary foreign currency, or (ii)
sufficient applicable foreign currency to settle the transaction. Wachovia shall
provide the Fund with immediately available funds, which result from the actual
settlement of all sale transactions each day, based upon advices Wachovia
receives from the Fund's Eligible Foreign Custodians and Eligible Securities
Depositories. Such funds shall be in the currency of the Fund's home
jurisdiction or such other currency as the Fund may specify to Wachovia.
-11-
b. Any foreign exchange transaction Wachovia effects in connection with
this Agreement may be entered with Wachovia acting as principal or otherwise
through customary banking channels. The Fund may issue standing Proper
Instructions with respect to foreign exchange transactions but Wachovia may
establish rules or limitations concerning any foreign exchange facility made
available to the Fund. The Fund shall bear all risks of investing in Securities
or holding cash denominated in a foreign currency. In particular (and except to
the extent that this paragraph is inconsistent with paragraphs 8 or 9), the Fund
shall bear the risks that (i) a transfer to, by or for the account of the Fund
of Securities or cash held outside the Fund's jurisdiction or denominated in a
currency other than its home jurisdiction, or (ii) the conversion of cash from
one currency into another, may be prohibited, limited, or be subject to burdens
or costs, because of (w) Eligible Securities Depository rules or procedures, (x)
exchange controls, (y) asset freezes, or (z) other laws, rules, regulations or
orders. Wachovia shall not be obligated to substitute another currency for a
currency (including a currency that is a component of a composite currency unit
such as the Euro) whose transferability, convertibility or availability has been
affected by such law, regulation, rule or procedure. Wachovia shall not be
liable to the Fund of any loss resulting from any of the foregoing events.
14. Lending of Securities.
a. Promptly after the Fund or its agent lends Securities in the Fund's
account, the Fund shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Wachovia a
certificate specifying (a) the name of the issuer and the title of the
Securities; (b) the number of shares or principal amount loaned; (c) the date of
the loan and delivery; (d) the total amount to be delivered to Wachovia against
the loan of the Securities, including the amount of the cash collateral and the
premium, if any, separately identified; and (e) the name of the broker-dealer or
financial institution to which the loan was made. Wachovia shall not lend
Securities except as the Fund or its agent instructs. Wachovia shall deliver
Securities so designated to the broker-dealer or financial institution to which
the loan was made upon the receipt of the total amount designated as to be
delivered against the loan of Securities. Wachovia may accept payment in
connection with a delivery otherwise than through the Book-Entry System or a
Depository only in the form of a certified or bank cashier's check payable to
the order of the Fund or Wachovia drawn on New York Clearing House funds and may
deliver Securities in accordance with the customs prevailing among dealers in
Securities.
b. Promptly after each termination of a loan of Securities, the Fund
shall deliver to Wachovia a certificate specifying (a) the name of the issuer
and the title of the Securities to be returned; (b) the number of shares or
principal amount to be returned; (c) the date of termination; (d) the total
amount Wachovia is to deliver, including the amount of the cash collateral less
any offsetting credits as described in the certificate; (e) the name of the
broker-dealer or financial institution from which the Securities will be
returned; and (f) whether the return is to be effected through the Book-Entry
System or a Depository. Wachovia shall receive all Securities returned from a
broker-dealer or other financial institution to which the Securities were
loaned, and upon receipt thereof shall pay the total amount payable upon the
return of the Securities as set forth in the certificate. Securities returned to
Wachovia shall be held as they were before the loan.
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15. Overdrafts or Indebtedness. If Wachovia in its sole discretion advances
funds in any currency hereunder or if there shall arise for whatever reason an
overdraft in a Fund (including, without limitation, overdrafts incurred in
connection with the settlement of securities transactions, funds transfers or
foreign exchange transactions) or if the Fund is for any other reason indebted
to Wachovia, the Fund agrees to repay Wachovia on demand the amount of the
advance, overdraft or indebtedness plus accrued interest at a rate Wachovia
ordinarily charges to its institutional custody customers in the relevant
currency. To secure repayment of the Fund's and each third party's obligations
to Wachovia hereunder, the Fund hereby pledges and grants to Wachovia a
continuing lien and security interest in, and right of set off against, all of
the Fund's right, title and interest in and to (a) all accounts in the Fund's
name and the securities, money and other property now or hereafter held in such
accounts (including the proceeds thereof), (b) each account in respect of which,
or for whose benefit the advance, overdraft or indebtedness relates and the
securities, money and other property now or hereafter held in such account
(including the proceeds thereof), and (c) any other property at any time
Wachovia holds for the account of the Fund. In this regard, Wachovia shall be
entitled to all the rights and remedies of a pledgee and secured creditor under
applicable laws, rules or regulations then in effect.
16. Use of Domestic Depository or the Book-Entry System.
a. The Fund shall deliver to Wachovia a certified resolution of the
Directors or Trustees of the Fund approving, authorizing and instructing
Wachovia on a continuous and ongoing basis, until Wachovia actually receives
Proper Instructions to the contrary, (i) to deposit in a Depository or the
Book-Entry System all Securities of the Fund eligible for deposit therein and
(ii) to use a Depository or the Book-Entry System to the extent possible in
connection with the performance of its duties hereunder, including without
limitation, settlements of the Fund's purchases and sales of Securities, and
deliveries and returns of securities collateral in connection with borrowings.
Without limiting the generality of this use, it is agreed that the following
provisions shall apply thereto:
b. Securities and any cash of the Fund deposited in a Securities
Depository or Book-Entry System or subcustodian will at all times (1) be
represented in an account of Wachovia in the Securities Depository or Book-Entry
System (the "Account") and (2) be segregated from any assets and cash Wachovia
controls in other than a fiduciary or custodian capacity but may be commingled
with other assets held in these capacities. Securities and cash Wachovia
deposits in a Depository or Book-Entry System will be held subject to the rules,
terms and conditions of the Depository or Book-Entry System. Securities and cash
held through subcustodians shall be held subject to the terms and conditions of
Wachovia's agreements with the subcustodians. Wachovia shall identify on its
books and records the Securities and cash belonging to the Fund, whether held
directly or indirectly through Depositories, the Book-Entry System, or
subcustodians. Wachovia shall not be responsible for Securities or cash until
actually received. Wachovia will effect payment for Securities and receive and
deliver Securities in accordance with accepted industry practices as set forth
in (c) below, unless the Fund has given Wachovia Proper Instructions to the
contrary.
c. Wachovia shall pay for Securities purchased for the account of the
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Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities Depository or Book-Entry
System that the Securities have been transferred to the Fund, and (ii) the
making of an entry on the records of Wachovia to reflect the payment and
transfer for the account of the Fund. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions,
Wachovia shall transfer Securities sold for the account of the Fund upon (i)
receipt of advice from the Securities Depository or Book-Entry System that
payment for the Securities has been transferred to the Account, and (ii) the
making of an entry on the records of Wachovia to reflect the transfer and
payment for the account of the Fund. Copies of all advices from the Securities
Depository or Book-Entry System of transfers of Securities for the account of
the Fund shall identify the Fund, and Wachovia shall maintain these copies for
the Fund and provide them to the Fund at its request.
d. Wachovia shall provide the Fund with any report Wachovia obtains on
the Securities Depository or Book-Entry System's accounting system, internal
accounting controls and procedures for safeguarding Securities deposited in the
Securities Depository or Book-Entry System.
e. All books and records Wachovia maintains that relate to the Fund's
participation in a Securities Depository or Book-Entry System will at all times
during Wachovia's regular business hours be open to the inspection of the Fund's
duly authorized employees or agents, and the Fund will be furnished with all
information in respect of the services rendered to it as it may require.
f. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Wachovia
shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to the Fund resulting from
any gross negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of Wachovia or any of its agents
or of any of its or their employees in connection with its or their use of the
Securities Depository or Book-Entry Systems or from failure of Wachovia or any
agent to enforce effectively the rights it may have against the Securities
Depository or Book-Entry System; at the election of the Fund on a case by case
basis , it shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of Wachovia for any
claim against the Securities Depository or Book-Entry System or any other person
that Wachovia may have as a consequence of any loss or damage if and to the
extent that the Fund has not been made whole for any loss or damage.
17. Instructions Consistent With The Declaration, etc.
a. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, Wachovia shall act only
upon Proper Instructions. Wachovia may assume that any Proper Instructions
received hereunder are not in any way inconsistent with any provision of the
Declaration or By-Laws of the Fund or any vote or resolution of the Fund's
Trustees, or any committee thereof. Wachovia shall be entitled to rely upon any
Proper Instructions it actually receives pursuant to this Agreement and which it
reasonably believes an Authorized Person has given. The Fund agrees that
Wachovia shall incur no liability in acting in good faith upon Proper
Instructions that Wachovia reasonably believes an Authorized Person has given to
Wachovia. The Fund agrees to forward to Wachovia Proper Instructions confirming
oral instructions by the close of business of the same day that the oral
instructions are given to Wachovia. However, the Fund agrees that where Wachovia
-14-
does not receive confirming Proper Instructions or receives contrary Proper
Instructions, the validity or enforceability of transactions the oral
instructions authorize and which Wachovia carries out shall not be affected.
b. In accordance with instructions from the Fund, as accepted industry
practice requires or as Wachovia may elect in effecting Proper Instructions,
Wachovia shall be deemed to make a loan to the Fund, payable on demand, bearing
interest at a rate it customarily charges for similar loans, when Wachovia
advances cash or other Property, arising from the purchase, sale, redemption,
transfer or other disposition of Property of the Fund, or in connection with the
disbursement of funds to any party, or in payment of fees, expenses, claims or
liabilities the Fund owes to Wachovia , or to any other party that has secured
judgment in a court of law against the Fund which creates an overdraft in the
accounts or over-delivery of Property.
c. The Fund agrees that test arrangements, authentication methods or
other security devices to be used for Proper Instructions which the Fund may
give by telephone, telex, TWX, facsimile transmission, bank wire or through an
electronic instruction system, shall be processed in accordance with terms and
conditions for the use of the arrangements, methods or devices as Wachovia may
put into effect and modify from time to time. The Fund shall safeguard any test
keys, identification codes or other security devices which Wachovia makes
available to the Fund and agrees that the Fund shall be responsible for any
loss, liability or damage Wachovia or the Fund incurs as a result of Wachovia's
acting in accordance with instructions from any unauthorized person using the
proper security device unless the loss, liability or damage was incurred as a
result of Wachovia's gross negligence or willful misconduct. Wachovia may, but
is not obligated to, electronically record any instructions given by telephone
and any other telephone discussions about the Account.
18 Transactions Not Requiring Instructions. Wachovia is authorized to
take the following action without Instructions:
a. Collection of Income and Other Payments. Wachovia shall:
i. collect and receive on a timely basis for the account of
the Fund, all income and other payments and distributions, including (without
limitation) stock dividends, rights, warrants and similar items, included or to
be included in the Property of the Fund, and promptly advise the Fund of the
receipt and shall credit the income, as collected, to the Fund. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, Wachovia shall detach and present for payment
all coupons and other income items requiring presentation as and when they
become due and shall collect interest when due on Securities held hereunder.
Income due the Fund on Securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph
16 shall be the responsibility of the Fund. Wachovia will have no duty or
responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide the Fund with
information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund in arranging for the
timely delivery to Wachovia of the income to which the Fund is properly
entitled. From time to time, Wachovia may elect, but shall not be so obligated,
to credit the Account with interest, dividends or principal payments on payable
or contractual settlement date, in anticipation of receiving the same from a
payor, central depository, broker or other agent the Fund or Wachovia employs.
-15-
Any such crediting and posting shall be at the Fund's sole risk, and Wachovia
shall be authorized to reverse any advance posting in the event Wachovia does
not receive good funds from any payor, central depository, broker or agent of
the Fund;
ii. endorse and deposit for collection in the name of the
Fund, checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money on the same day
as received;
iii. receive and hold for the account of the Fund all
Securities the Fund receives as a result of a stock dividend, share split-up or
reorganization, recapitalization, readjustment or other rearrangement or
distribution of rights or similar securities issued with respect to any
Securities of the Fund Wachovia holds hereunder;
iv. present for payment and collect the amount payable upon
all Securities which may mature or be called, redeemed or retired, or otherwise
become payable on the date the Securities become payable;
v. take any action which may be necessary and proper in
connection with the collection and receipt of the income and other payments and
the endorsement for collection of checks, drafts and other negotiable
instruments;
vi. effect an exchange of the shares where the par value of
stock is changed, and to surrender Securities at maturity or when advised of an
earlier call for redemption or when Securities otherwise become available,
against payment therefor in accordance with accepted industry practice. The Fund
understands that Wachovia subscribes to one or more nationally recognized
services that provide information on calls for redemption of bonds or other
corporate actions. Wachovia shall transmit promptly to the Fund written
information with respect to materials received by Wachovia (or its agent) via
Eligible Foreign Custodians from issuers of the foreign securities being held
for the Fund (such as pendency of calls and maturities of foreign securities and
expirations of rights in connection therewith). With respect to tender or
exchange offers on foreign securities, Wachovia shall transmit promptly to the
Fund written information with respect to materials so received by Wachovia from
issuers of the foreign securities whose tender or exchange is sought or from the
party (or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer. Wachovia will use
reasonable care in facilitating the exercise of voting and other shareholder
rights by the Fund, subject always to the laws, regulations and practical
constraints that may exist in the country where such securities are issued. The
Fund acknowledges that local conditions, including lack of regulation, onerous
procedural obligations, lack of notice and other factors may have the effect of
severely limiting the ability of the Fund to exercise shareholder rights.
Subject to the foregoing acknowledgement and the standard of care to which
Wachovia is held under this Agreement, Wachovia shall not be liable for any
untimely exercise of any tender, exchange or other right or power in connection
with foreign securities or other property of the Fund at any time held by it
unless Wachovia receives Proper Instructions from the Fund with regard to the
exercise of any such right or power at least two New York business days before
the date on which Wachovia is to take action to exercise such right or power.
Wachovia shall have no duty to notify the Fund of any rights,
-16-
duties, limitations, conditions or other information set forth in any Security
(including mandatory or optional put, call and similar provisions), but Wachovia
shall forward to the Fund any notices or other documents subsequently received
in regard to any security. When fractional shares of stock of a declaring
corporation are received as a stock distribution, unless specifically instructed
to the contrary in writing, Wachovia is authorized to sell the fraction received
and credit the Fund's account. Unless specifically instructed to the contrary in
writing, Wachovia is authorized to exchange Securities in bearer form for
Securities in registered form. If the Fund owns Property that is registered in
the name of a nominee of Wachovia and the issuer of any such Property calls the
Property for partial redemption, Wachovia is authorized to allot the called
portion to the beneficial holders of the Property in a manner it deems fair and
equitable in its sole discretion;
vii. forward to the Fund copies of all information or
documents that it may receive from an issuer of Securities which, in the opinion
of Wachovia , are intended for the Fund as the beneficial owner of Securities;
and
viii. execute, as Wachovia , any certificates of ownership,
affidavits, declarations or other certificates for all foreign governments,
federal and state tax purposes in connection with the collection or receipt of
income, bond and note coupons, or other payments from Securities or in
connection with transfers of Securities.
b. Miscellaneous Transactions. Wachovia is authorized to deliver or
cause to be delivered Property against payment or other consideration or written
receipt therefor in the following cases:
i. for examination by a broker selling for the Account of the
Fund in accordance with street delivery custom;
ii. for the exchange of interim receipts or temporary
Securities for definitive securities; and
iii. for transfer of Securities into the name of the Fund or
Wachovia or a nominee of either, or to the issuer thereof for exchange of
Securities for a different number of bonds, certificates, or other evidence,
representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units bearing the same
interest rate, maturity date and call provisions, if any; provided that, in any
case, the new Securities are to be delivered to Wachovia .
19. Transactions Requiring Instructions. In addition to the actions
requiring Proper Instructions set forth in this Agreement, upon receipt of
Proper Instructions and not otherwise, Wachovia, directly or through the use of
a Depository or the Book-Entry System, shall:
a. Execute and deliver to the persons as may be designated in Proper
Instructions, proxies, consents, authorizations, and any other instruments
whereby the authority of the Fund as owner of any Securities may be exercised;
b. Deliver any Securities held for the Fund against receipt of other
-17-
Securities or cash issued or paid in connection with the liquidation,
reorganization, refinancing, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of any
corporation, or the exercise of any conversion privilege;
c. Deliver any Securities held for the Fund to any protective
committee, reorganization committee or other person in connection with the
reorganization, refinancing, merger, consolidation, recapitalization or sale of
assets of any corporation, against receipt of certificates of deposit, interim
receipts or other instruments or documents as may be issued to it to evidence
delivery;
d. Make transfers or exchanges of the assets of the Fund and take such
other steps as shall be stated in the instructions to effectuate any duly
authorized plan of liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation or
recapitalization of the Fund;
e. Release Securities belonging to the Fund to any bank or trust
company for the purpose of pledge or hypothecation to secure any loan the Fund
incurs; provided, however, that securities shall be released only upon payment
to Wachovia of the monies borrowed or upon receipt of adequate collateral as the
Fund and Wachovia agree, which may be in cash or obligations issued by the U.S.
government, its agencies, or instrumentalities, except that in cases where
additional collateral is required to secure a borrowing already made, subject to
proper prior authorization, further securities may be released for that purpose;
and pay the loan upon redelivery to it of the securities pledged or hypothecated
therefor and upon surrender of the note or notes evidencing the loan;
f. Deliver Securities in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund, Wachovia and a broker-dealer registered under the
Exchange Act and a member of the 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 Fund transactions;
g. Deliver Securities in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund, Wachovia 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
Fund transactions;
h. Surrender, in connection with their exercise, warrants, rights or
similar Securities, provided that in each case, the new Securities and cash, if
any, are to be delivered to Wachovia;
i. Deliver Securities upon receipt of payment for any repurchase
agreement the Fund enters into;
j. Deliver Securities pursuant to 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 Trustees or of the Executive Committee signed by
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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
the delivery is to be made, declaring the purpose to be a proper corporate
purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom delivery of the Securities
shall be made; and
k. Deliver Securities held for the Fund pursuant to separate security
lending agreements concerning the lending of the Fund's Securities into which
the Fund may enter, from time to time.
20. Purchase and Sale of Securities.
a. Promptly after the investment adviser (or any sub-adviser) purchases
Securities, the Fund shall deliver to Wachovia (as custodian) Proper
Instructions specifying for each purchase: (a) the name of the issuer and the
title of the Securities, (b) the number of shares or the principal amount
purchased and accrued interest, if any, (c) the dates of purchase and
settlement, (d) the purchase price per unit, (e) the total amount payable upon
the purchase, (f) the name of the person from whom or the broker through whom
the purchase was made and (g) the Portfolio of the Fund for which the purchase
was made. Wachovia shall upon receipt of Securities purchased by or for the Fund
pay out of the monies held for the account of the Fund the total amount payable
to the person from whom or the broker through whom the purchase was made,
provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in
Proper Instructions.
b. Promptly after the investment adviser (or any sub-adviser) sells
Securities, the Fund shall deliver to Wachovia (as Custodian) Proper
Instructions, specifying for each sale: (a) the name of the issuer and the title
of the security, (b) the number of shares or principal amount sold, and accrued
interest, if any, (c) the dates of sale and settlement, (d) the sale price per
unit, (e) the total amount payable to the Fund upon sale, (f) the name of the
broker through whom or the person to whom the sale was made and (g) the
Portfolio of the Fund for which the sale was made. Wachovia shall deliver the
Securities upon receipt of the total amount payable to the Fund upon sale,
provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in
Proper Instructions. Subject to the foregoing, Wachovia may accept payment in
any form as shall be satisfactory to it, and may deliver Securities and arrange
for payment in accordance with the customs prevailing among dealers in
Securities.
c. The Fund understands that when Wachovia is instructed to deliver
Securities against payment, delivery of the Securities and receipt of payment
therefor may not be completed simultaneously. The Fund assumes full
responsibility for all credit risks involved in connection with Wachovia's
delivery of Securities pursuant to instructions of the Fund.
d. Upon the Fund's Proper Instructions, Wachovia shall purchase or sell
Securities and is authorized to use any broker or agent in connection with these
transactions, but shall use affiliates of Wachovia only as the Fund directs.
Wachovia shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of any broker or agent
(except an affiliate of Wachovia). Upon the Fund's Proper Instructions (which
may include standing instructions), Wachovia shall also invest cash balances in
certificates of deposit, savings accounts or other similar instruments Wachovia
issues or in money market or other mutual funds for which Wachovia or an
affiliate may serve as investment adviser, administrator, custodian, shareholder
-19-
servicing agent, or other capacity notwithstanding that Wachovia or its
affiliate collects fees from these mutual funds for providing the services.
e. Except as otherwise provided by law, a cash account (including
subdivisions of accounts maintained in different currencies) shall constitute
one single and indivisible Account. Consequently, Wachovia has the right, among
others, to transfer the balance of any subaccount of a cash account to any other
subaccount at any time and without prior notice.
f.(i) For puts and calls traded on securities exchanges, Nasdaq, or
over-the-counter, Wachovia shall take action as to put options and call options
the Fund purchases or sells (writes) regarding escrow or other arrangements in
accordance with the provisions of any agreement entered into upon receipt of
Proper Instructions among Wachovia , any broker-dealer that is a member of the
NASD, and, if necessary, the Fund, relating to compliance with rules of the
Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange,
or of any similar organization or organizations.
(ii) Unless another agreement requires it to do so, Wachovia shall be
under no obligation or duty to see that the Fund has deposited or is maintaining
adequate margin, if required, with any broker in connection with any option, nor
shall Wachovia be under any obligation or duty to present the option to the
broker for exercise unless it receives Proper Instructions from the Fund.
Wachovia shall have no responsibility for the legality of any put or call option
sold on the Fund's behalf, the propriety of any purchase or sale, or the
adequacy of any collateral delivered to a broker in connection with an option or
deposited to or withdrawn from any account. Wachovia specifically, but not by
way of limitation, shall not be under any obligation or duty to: (x)
periodically check with or notify the Fund that the amount of collateral a
broker holds is sufficient to protect the broker or the Fund against any loss;
(y) effect the return of any collateral delivered to a broker; or (z) advise the
Fund that any option it holds has expired or is about to expire, subject tot he
requirement of Paragraph 5(b) to promptly transmit notices. These obligations
and duties shall be the Fund's sole responsibility.
(iii) For puts, calls, and futures traded on commodities exchanges,
Wachovia shall take action as to put options and call options the Fund purchases
or sells (writes) regarding escrow or other arrangements in accordance with the
provisions of any agreement entered into upon receipt of Proper Instructions
among Wachovia, any futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity
Exchange Act, and the Fund, relating to compliance with rules of the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission and/or any Contract Market, or of any similar
organization or organizations, regarding account deposits for the Fund's
transactions.
(iv) Wachovia's responsibility as to futures, puts, and calls traded on
commodities exchanges, any futures commission merchant account, and any account
of the Fund shall be limited as set forth in subparagraph (f)(ii) of this
Paragraph 18 as if the subparagraph referred to futures commission merchants
rather than brokers, and futures and puts and calls thereon instead of options.
21. Records. The books and records pertaining to the Fund that are in
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the possession of Wachovia shall be the property of the Fund. Wachovia shall
prepare and maintain these books and records as the 1940 Act and other
applicable federal securities laws and rules and regulations require. The Fund
or the Fund's authorized representatives shall have access to Wachovia's books
and records pertaining to the Fund at all times during Wachovia's normal
business hours, and Wachovia shall surrender these books and records to the Fund
promptly upon request. Upon reasonable request of the Fund, Wachovia shall
provide copies of any books and records to the Fund or the Fund's authorized
representative at the Fund's expense.
22. Cooperation with Accountants. Wachovia shall cooperate with the
Fund's independent public accountants and shall take all reasonable action in
the performance of its obligations under this Agreement to assure that the
necessary information is made available to the accountants for the expression of
their unqualified opinion, including but not limited to the opinion included in
the Fund's Form N-1A, Form N-SAR, and other reports to the SEC and for any other
requirement of the SEC.
23. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants. Wachovia shall
provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may reasonably require, with reports
from Wachovia's independent public accountants on the accounting system,
internal accounting controls and procedures for safeguarding Securities, futures
contracts and options on futures contracts, including Securities deposited
and/or maintained in a Securities Depository or Book-Entry System, relating to
the services Wachovia provides under this Agreement. These reports shall be of
sufficient scope and in sufficient detail as the Fund may reasonably require to
provide reasonable assurance that the examination would disclose any material
inadequacies and, if there are no material inadequacies, the reports shall so
state.
24. Confidentiality. Wachovia agrees on behalf of itself and its
employees to treat confidentially and as the proprietary information of the Fund
all records and other information related to the Fund and its prior, present or
potential Shareholders, and to the investment adviser and its prior, present or
potential customers, and not to use these records and information for any
purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder,
except after prior notification to the Fund and the Fund's written approval. The
Fund shall not unreasonably withhold this approval, and may not withhold its
approval where Wachovia may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings
for failure to comply, when duly constituted authorities request Wachovia to
divulge this information, or when the Fund so requests. Nothing contained
herein, however, shall prohibit Wachovia from advertising or soliciting the
public generally for other products or services, regardless of whether the
advertisement or solicitation may include prior, present or potential
shareholders of the Fund.
25. Equipment.
a. Wachovia represents and warrants that each and every commercial and
noncommercial hardware, software, and firmware used with any services provided
under this Agreement shall, at no additional costs to the Fund, be able to store
and process accurately any and all date and date-related data (including, but
not limited to processing leap year calculations and processing any other dates
with unique digit arrangements such as, by way of example, 9/9/99). These
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representations and warranties shall be in effect so long as Wachovia provides
the services under this Agreement for the Fund's benefit.
b. Wachovia shall notify the Fund of any errors, omissions or
interruptions in, or delay or unavailability of Wachovia's ability to safeguard
and hold Securities and cash in accordance with this Agreement as promptly as
practicable, and proceed to correct the same as soon as is reasonably possible
at no less or additional expense to the Fund.
c. In the event of equipment failures beyond Wachovia's control,
Wachovia shall, at no additional expense to the Fund, take reasonable steps to
minimize service interruptions but shall not have liability with respect
thereto. Wachovia shall enter into and shall maintain in effect with appropriate
parties one or more agreements making reasonable provision for back-up emergency
use of electronic data processing equipment to the extent appropriate equipment
is available.
26. Right to Receive Advice.
a. If Wachovia shall be in doubt as to any action it may take or omit
to take, it may request, and shall receive, from the Fund clarification or
advice. If Wachovia shall be in doubt as to any question of law involved in any
action it may take or omit to take, it may request advice at its own cost from
counsel of its own choosing (who may be counsel for the Fund or Wachovia, at the
option of Wachovia ). If Wachovia receives conflicting advice from the Fund and
from counsel of its choosing, Wachovia shall be entitled to rely on and follow
the advice of its counsel, and shall be fully protected for anything it does or
omits to do in good faith in conformity with this advice.
b. Wachovia shall be protected in any action or inaction which it takes
or omits to take in reliance on any directions or advice received pursuant to
subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph 28 which Wachovia, after receipt of any
directions or advice, in good faith believes to be consistent with these
directions or advice. However, nothing in this Paragraph shall be construed as
imposing upon Wachovia any obligation (i) to seek directions or advice, or (ii)
to act in accordance with directions or advice when received, unless, under the
terms or another provision of this Agreement, the same is a condition to
Wachovia's properly taking or omitting to take action. Nothing in this
subparagraph shall excuse Wachovia when an action or omission on the part of
Wachovia constitutes willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.
27. Compensation.
As compensation for the services described in this Agreement that
Wachovia shall provide during the term of this Agreement, the Fund will pay to
Wachovia (a) monthly fees as outlined in Attachment A, and (b) out-of-pocket
expenses, including but not limited to all costs associated with the conversion
of the Fund's Securities to Wachovia's systems hereunder and the transfer of
Securities and records kept in connection with this Agreement, reimbursement of
any taxes or other charges which may be imposed upon the Fund or its income and
fees, or on Wachovia in connection with any acquisition, holding, sale,
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transfer, delivery, or receipt of Securities or cash under this Custody
Agreement (other than income or other taxes imposed upon Wachovia in connection
with its provision of the custodial services contemplated hereunder); and
expenses of third parties providing services to the Fund (other than services of
third parties as are already compensated as described in this Agreement),
including the services of legal counsel (other than as described in Paragraph
28) and independent accountants, appraisers, and brokers. These fees and charges
will be payable quarterly in arrears.
28. Representations.
a. The Fund hereby represents to Wachovia that (i) this Agreement has
been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund, constitutes a valid
and legally binding obligation of the Fund enforceable in accordance with its
terms, and no statute, regulation, rule, order, judgment or contract binding on
the Fund prohibits the Fund's execution or performance under this Agreement.
Wachovia hereby represents to the Fund that (i) it is a U.S. bank with the full
power to carry on its businesses as now conducted, and to enter into this
Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder; and (ii) this Agreement has
been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Wachovia, constitutes a valid
and legally binding obligation of Wachovia enforceable in accordance with its
terms, and no statute, regulation, rule, order, judgment or contract binding on
Wachovia prohibits Wachovia's execution or performance of this Agreement; and
(iii) Wachovia has established, and agrees to maintain during the term of this
Agreement, the Monitoring System.
b. Wachovia hereby represents and warrants that each and every
commercial and noncommercial hardware, software, firmware, mechanical, or
electrical product ("Products") used, created, assembled, manufactured,
developed, or modified in connection with any goods or services offered or
provided under this Agreement shall, at no additional costs to the Fund, be able
to store and process accurately any and data reflected in the currency unit of
the European Monetary Union, the Euro, and related to the Euro (including, but
not limited to, calculating, comparing, storing, processing, recording, valuing,
recognizing, validating, presenting and sequencing). The Fund may, at no
additional cost, require Wachovia to demonstrate compliance and/or compliance
techniques and test procedures it intends to follow or evidence of compliance by
Wachovia and relevant third party vendors, consistent with the Euro related
representations, warranties and obligations contained herein. These
representations and warranties shall be in effect so long as the service(s) or
Product(s) provided under this Agreement are used by Wachovia or provided by
Wachovia for the benefit of the Fund.
29. Performance of Duties and Standard of Care.
a. Except as stated in Paragraphs 8 and 9 of this Agreement, in the
performance of its duties hereunder, Wachovia shall be obligated to exercise
care and diligence and act in good faith to ensure the accuracy and completeness
of all services performed under this Agreement.
b. Wachovia shall be under no duty to take any action on behalf of the
Fund except as specifically set forth herein or as Wachovia may specifically
agree to in writing.
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c. Wachovia may enter into subcontracts, agreements and understandings
with affiliates, whenever and on any terms and conditions as it deems necessary
or appropriate to perform its services under this Agreement, consistent with the
1940 Act and other applicable law. No subcontract, agreement or understanding
shall discharge Wachovia from its obligations under this Agreement.
d. Wachovia shall not be obligated to execute any of the Fund's Proper
Instructions if Wachovia believes that to do so will or may contravene any law
or regulation, any relevant market practice, or Wachovia's general practice in
performing custody services. The Fund hereby agrees to hold Wachovia harmless
from loss, claims, liability or expense asserted against Wachovia as a result of
any contravention undertaken at the Fund's request.
e. Except as stated in Paragraphs 8 and 9 of this Agreement, Wachovia
shall be responsible for its own grossly negligent failure or that of any
subcustodian it shall appoint to perform its duties under this Agreement but to
the extent that duties, obligations and responsibilities are not expressly set
forth in this Agreement, Wachovia shall not be liable for any act or commission
that does not constitute willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on
the part of Wachovia or any subcustodian it appoints or reckless disregard of
such duties, obligations and responsibilities. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing or of any other provision of this Agreement, Wachovia in
connection with its duties under this Agreement, so long as and to the extent it
is in the exercise of reasonable care, shall not be under any duty or obligation
to inquire into and shall not be liable for or in respect of (i) the validity or
invalidity or authority or lack thereof of any advice, direction, notice or
other instrument which conforms to the applicable requirements of this
Agreement, if any, and which Wachovia reasonably believes to be genuine, (ii)
the validity of the issue of any Securities the Fund purchases or sells, the
legality of the purchase or sale thereof or the propriety of the amount paid or
received therefor, (iii) the legality of the issue or sale of any Shares, or the
sufficiency of the amount to be received therefor, (iv) the legality of the
redemption of any Shares, or the propriety of the amount to be paid therefor,
(v) the legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend or distribution
on Shares, or (vi) delays or errors or loss of data occurring by reason of
circumstances beyond Wachovia's control, including acts of civil or military
authority, acts of terrorism, national emergencies, labor difficulties, fire,
mechanical breakdown (except as provided in Paragraph 23), flood or catastrophe,
acts of God, insurrection, war, riots, or failure of the mail, transportation
systems, communication systems or power supply.
f. The Fund assumes full responsibility for insuring that the contents
of each Registration Statement of the Fund complies with all applicable
requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act, and any laws, rules and regulations
of governmental authorities having jurisdiction.
30. Indemnification. The Fund, as sole owner of the Property, agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless Wachovia and its nominees from all taxes, charges,
assessments, claims, and liabilities (including, without limitation, liabilities
arising under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, and any state and
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foreign securities and blue sky laws, all as or to be amended from time to time)
and expenses, including (without limitation) attorney's fees and disbursements,
arising directly or indirectly from any action or thing which Wachovia takes or
does or omits to take or do (i) at the request or on the direction of or in
reliance on the advice of the Fund given in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, or (ii) upon Proper Instructions; provided, however, that neither
Wachovia nor any of its nominees or subcustodian shall be indemnified against
any liability to the Fund or to its Shareholders (or any expenses incident to
this liability) arising out of (x) Wachovia's or its nominee's or subcustodian's
own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
its duties under this Agreement or any agreement between Wachovia and any
nominee or subcustodian or (y) Wachovia's own negligent failure to perform its
duties under this Agreement. Wachovia similarly agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the Fund from all liabilities and expenses arising directly or
indirectly from Wachovia's or its nominee's or sub-custodian's willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard in performing its
duties under this agreement. If Wachovia advances any cash for any purpose
resulting from Proper Instructions, or if Wachovia or its nominee or
subcustodian shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses,
assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the performance of this
Agreement, except as may arise from its or its nominee's or subcustodian's own
negligent action, negligent failure to act, willful misconduct, or reckless
disregard of its duties under this Agreement or any agreement between Wachovia
and any nominee or subcustodian, the Fund shall promptly reimburse Wachovia for
the advance of cash or taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or
liabilities.
31. Effective Period; Termination and Amendment. This Agreement shall
become effective as of its execution and shall continue in full force and effect
until terminated as hereinafter provided. The parties may mutually agree to
amend this Agreement at any time. Either party may terminate this Agreement by
an instrument in writing delivered or mailed, postage prepaid to the other
party, the termination to take effect not sooner than sixty (60) days after the
date of delivery or mailing; provided, however, that Wachovia shall not act
under Paragraph 18 in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of the Fund has approved the
initial use of a particular Securities Depository or Book-Entry System and the
receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that
the Board has reviewed the Fund's use of the Securities Depository and/or
Book-Entry System, as Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act requires, nor shall Wachovia
act under Paragraph 8 in the absence of receipt of a certificate from the Fund's
secretary containing the resolution of the Board regarding the Board's
determination that it is reasonable to rely on Wachovia to perform the
responsibilities delegated pursuant to this Agreement to Wachovia as Foreign
Custody Manager of the Fund, provided further, however, that the Fund shall not
amend or terminate this Agreement in contravention of any applicable federal or
state regulations, or any provision of the Declaration of Trust, and further
provided, that the Fund may at any time by action of its Board (i) substitute
another bank or trust company for Wachovia by giving notice as described above
to Wachovia or (ii) immediately terminate this Agreement in the event the
Comptroller of the Currency appoints a conservator or receiver for Wachovia or
upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory
agency or court of competent jurisdiction. Upon termination of the Agreement,
the Fund shall pay to Wachovia all compensation as may be due as of the date of
termination and shall likewise reimburse Wachovia for its costs, expenses and
disbursements.
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32. Successor Custodian. If the Board shall appoint a successor
custodian, Wachovia shall, upon termination, deliver to the successor custodian
at the office of the custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all
Securities it then holds under this Agreement and shall transfer to an account
of the successor custodian all of the Fund's Securities held in a Securities
Depository, Book-Entry System, Eligible Securities Depository, or Eligible
Foreign Custodian. If the Fund does not deliver to Wachovia a written order
designating a successor custodian or certified copy of a vote of the Board on or
before the date when the termination shall become effective, Wachovia shall have
the right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a "bank" as defined in
the 1940 Act, doing business in New York, New York, of its own selection, having
an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last
published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all Securities, monies, and
other Property Wachovia holds and all instruments Wachovia holds relative
thereto and all other Property it holds under this Agreement and to transfer to
an account of the successor custodian all of the Fund's Securities held in any
Securities Depository, Book-Entry System, Eligible Securities Depository, or
Eligible Foreign Custodian. Thereafter, that bank or trust company shall be the
successor of Wachovia under this Agreement. If Property of the Fund remains in
the possession of Wachovia after the date of termination of this Agreement owing
to the Fund's failure to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or
of the Board to appoint a successor custodian, Wachovia shall be entitled to
fair compensation for its services during the period Wachovia retains possession
of the Property and the provisions of this Agreement relating to the duties and
obligations of Wachovia shall remain in full force and effect.
33. Notices. All notices and other communications ("Notice" or
"Notices" in this Paragraph) hereunder shall be in writing and shall first be
sent by telegram, cable, telex, or facsimile sending device, and thereafter by
overnight mail for delivery on the next business day. Notices shall be addressed
(a) if to Wachovia, at Wachovia's address, ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇; (b) if to the Fund, at the address of the Fund; or (c)
if to neither of the foregoing, at another address as shall have been notified
to the sender of any such Notice or other communication. If the location of the
sender of a Notice and the address of the addressee thereof are, at the time of
sending, more than 100 miles apart, the Notice may be sent by first-class mail,
in which case it shall be deemed to have been given three days after it is sent,
or if sent by confirming telegram, cable, telex or facsimile sending device, it
shall be deemed to have been given immediately, and, if the location of the
sender of a Notice and the address of the addressee thereof are, at the time of
sending, not more than 100 miles apart, the Notice may be sent by first-class
mail, in which case it shall be deemed to have been given two days after it is
sent, of if sent by messenger, it shall be deemed to have been given on the day
it is delivered, or if sent by confirming telegram, cable, telex or facsimile
sending device, it shall be deemed to have been given immediately. The sender
shall pay all postage, cable, telegram, telex and facsimile sending device
charges arising from the sending of a Notice.
34. Further Actions. Each party agrees to perform further acts and
execute further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of this
Agreement.
35. Additional Portfolios. In the event that the Fund establishes one
or more portfolios of a Fund in addition to the Portfolios listed on Attachment
C, for which it desires Wachovia to render services as custodian under the terms
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hereof, it shall so notify Wachovia in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in
writing to provide these services, the portfolios shall become a Portfolio
hereunder.
36. Miscellaneous. This Agreement embodies the entire Agreement and
understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements
and understandings relating to the parties hereto. 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. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall together,
constitute only one instrument. This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract
made in Pennsylvania and governed by Pennsylvania law. If a court decision,
statute, rule or otherwise holds or invalidates any provision of this Agreement,
the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected. This Agreement shall be
binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective
successors. The Fund's Articles of Incorporation or Declaration of Trust is on
file with the Secretary of the [State/Commonwealth of Delaware]. The Fund's
officers have executed this Agreement on behalf of the Fund as officers and not
individually and the obligations this Agreement imposes upon the Fund are not
binding upon any of the Fund's Directors or Trustees, officers or shareholders
individually but are binding only upon the assets and Property of the Fund.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused their officers
designated below to execute this Agreement as of the day and year first above
written.
FUND
Attest:/s/ By: /s/____________________________
Name: ______________________________
Title: _____________________________
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Attest:/s/ By: /s/____________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Vice President
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ATTACHMENT A
ATTACHMENT B
Authorized Persons
ATTACHMENT C
Portfolios of the Fund
Exhibit A
Provision of Additional Information
For purposes of Paragraph 8 of the Agreement, the Fund (or its investment
adviser(s)) shall be deemed to have considered the Country Risk as is incurred
by placing and maintaining Foreign Assets in each country for which Wachovia is
serving as Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund. To aid the Fund (and its
investment adviser(s)) in monitoring Country Risk, however, Wachovia shall
provide the Fund (or its investment adviser(s)) the following information with
respect to the foreign countries of Eligible Foreign Custodians that Wachovia
selects pursuant to Paragraph 8.b of the Agreement: (a) opinions of local
counsel or reports concerning whether applicable foreign law would restrict the
access afforded to the Fund's independent public accountants to books and
records kept by an Eligible Foreign Custodian located in that country; whether
applicable foreign law would restrict the Fund's ability to recover its Foreign
Assets and cash in the event of the bankruptcy of an Eligible Foreign Custodian
located in that country; whether applicable foreign law would restrict the
Fund's ability to recover Foreign Assets that are lost while under the control
of an Eligible Foreign Custodian located in the country; and (b) periodic market
reports with respect to securities settlement and registration, taxation, and
depositories (including depository evaluation), if any.
Wachovia will also periodically provide the Fund (or its investment adviser(s))
the following information relating to Country Risk with respect to the foreign
countries of Eligible Foreign Custodians that Wachovia selects pursuant to
Paragraph 8.b of the Agreement, or eligible securities depositories pursuant to
Paragraph 9, as Wachovia receives this information: (y) written information
concerning each foreign country's practices with regard to expropriation,
nationalization, freezes, or confiscation of financial assets; or whether
difficulties in converting the Fund's cash and cash equivalents to U.S. dollars
are reasonably foreseeable; (z) market reports with respect to each foreign
country's securities regulatory environment, foreign ownership restrictions, or
foreign exchange practices. The Fund hereby acknowledges that: (i) this
information is solely designed to inform the Fund (or its investment adviser(s))
of market conditions and procedures and is not intended to be considered
comprehensive or as a recommendation to invest or not invest in particular
markets; and (ii) Wachovia is not the primary source of the information and has
gathered the information from sources it considers reliable, but that Wachovia
shall have no responsibility for inaccuracies or incomplete information.
To aid the Fund or its delegate in its consideration of Country Risks, Wachovia
shall furnish the Fund annually and prior to the initial placing of Foreign
Assets into a country, the following information:
(i) securities settlement and registration, (ii) taxation, and (iii) compulsory
depositories.
Wachovia shall furnish additional information customarily provided to other
investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 for
which Wachovia provides foreign custody services.
Wachovia shall furnish additional information regarding Country Risks as the
Fund may reasonably request from time to time.
Exhibit B
List of Eligible Securities Depositories
Exhibit C
List of Foreign Markets