CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT dated as of this 28th day of October, 1998, between THE
WORLD FUNDS, INC., an open-end management investment company incorporated in
Maryland and registered with the Commission under the 1940 Act (the Fund), on
behalf of each of the series listed on the attached Appendix C as the same may
from time to time be updated (each a Series). and ▇▇▇▇▇ BROTHERS ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & CO.,
a limited partnership formed under the laws of the State of New York (BBH&Co. or
the Custodian).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to employ BBH&Co. to act as custodian for the Fund
and to provide related services, all as provided herein, and BBH&Co. is
willing to accept such employment, subject to the terms and conditions
herein set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
herein contained, the Fund and BBH&Co. hereby agree, as follows:
1. Appointment of Custodian. The Fund hereby appoints BBH&Co. as the Fund's
custodian, and BBH&Co. hereby accepts such appointment. All Investments of the
Fund delivered to the Custodian or its agents or Subcustodian shall be dealt
with as provided in this Agreement. The duties of the Custodian with respect to
the Fund's Investments shall be only as set forth expressly in this Agreement
which duties are generally comprised of safekeeping and various administrative
duties that will be performed in accordance with Instructions and as reasonably
required to effect Instructions.
2. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Fund. The Fund
hereby represents, warrants and covenants each of the following:
2.1 This Agreement has been, and at the time of delivery of
each Instruction such Instruction will have been, duly authorized,
executed and delivered by the Fund. This Agreement does not violate any
Applicable Law or conflict with or constitute a default under the
Fund's prospectus or other organic document, agreement, judgment, order
or decree to which the Fund is a party or by which it or its
Investments is bound.
2.2 By providing an Instruction with respect to the first
acquisition of an Investment in a jurisdiction other than the United
States of America, the Fund shall be deemed to have confirmed to the
Custodian that the Fund has (a) assessed and accepted all material
Country or Sovereign Risks and accepted responsibility for their
occurrence, (b) made all determinations required to be made by the fund
under the 1940 Act, and (c) appropriately and adequately disclosed to
its shareholders, other investors and all persons who have rights in or
to such investments, all material investment risks, including those
relating to the custody and settlement infrastructure or the servicing
of securities in such jurisdictions.
2.3 The Fund shall safeguard and shall solely be responsible
for the safekeeping of any testkeys, identification codes, passwords,
other security devices or statements of account with which the
Custodian provides it. In furtherance and not limitation of the
foregoing, in the event the Fund utilizes any on-line service offered
by the Custodian, the Fund and the Custodian shall be fully responsible
for the security of its respective connecting terminal, access thereto
and the proper and authorized use thereof and the initiation and
application of continuing effective safeguards in respect thereof.
3. Representation and Warranty of BBH&Co. BBH&Co. hereby represents and warrants
that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by BBH&Co.
and does not and will not violate any Applicable Law or conflict with or
constitute a default under BBH&Co.'s limited partnership agreement or any
agreement, instrument, judgment, order or decree to which BBH&Co. is a party or
by which it is bound.
4. Instructions. Unless otherwise explicitly indicated herein, the Custodian
shall perform its duties pursuant to Instructions. As used herein, the term
Instruction shall mean a directive initiated by the Fund, acting directly or
through its board of directors, officers or other Authorized Persons, which
directive shall conform to the requirements of this Section 4.
4.1 Authorized Persons. For purposes hereof, an Authorized Person shall
be a person or entity authorized to give Instructions for or on behalf of the
Fund by written notices to the Custodian or otherwise in accordance with
procedures delivered to and acknowledged by the Custodian, including without
limitation the Fund's Investment Adviser or Foreign Custody Manager. The
Custodian may treat any Authorized Person as having full authority of the Fund
to issue Instructions hereunder unless the notice of authorization contains
explicit limitations as to said authority. The Custodian shall be entitled to
rely upon the authority of Authorized Person until it receives appropriate
written notice from the Fund to the contrary.
4.2 Form of Instruction. Each Instruction shall be transmitted by such
secured or authenticated electro-mechanical means as the Custodian shall make
available to the Fund from time to time unless the Fund shall elect to transmit
such Instruction in accordance with Subsections 4.2.1 through 4.2.3 of this
Section.
4.2.1 Fund Designated Secured-Transmission Method.
Instructions may be transmitted from time to time through a secured or
tested electro-mechanical means which has been previously approved by
the parties; it is being understood that such acknowledgment shall
authorize the Custodian to receive and process Instructions received by
such means of delivery but shall not represent a judgment by the
Custodian as to the reasonableness or security of the method determined
by the Authorized Person.
4.2.2 Written Instructions. Instructions may be trans-
mitted in a writing that bears the manual signature of Authorized Persons.
4.2.3 Other Forms of Instructions. Instructions may also be
transmitted by another means determined by the Fund or Authorized
Persons and acknowledged and accepted by the Custodian (subject to the
same limits as to acknowledgments as is contained in Subsection 4.2.1,
above) including Instructions given orally or by SWIFT, telex or
telefax (whether tested or untested).
When an Instruction is given by means established under Subsections 4.2.1
through 4.2.3, it shall be the responsibility of the Custodian to use reasonable
care to adhere to any security or other procedures established in writing
between the Custodian and the Authorized Person with respect to such means of
Instruction, but such Authorized person shall be solely responsible for
determining that the particular means chosen is reasonable under the
circumstances. Oral Instructions shall be binding upon the Custodian only if and
when the Custodian takes action with respect thereto. With respect to telefax
instruction, the parties agree and acknowledge that receipt of legible
instructions cannot be assured, that the Custodian cannot verify that authorized
signatures on telefax instructions are original or properly affixed, and that
the Custodian shall not be liable for losses or expenses incurred through
actions taken in reliance on inaccurately stated, illegible or unauthorized
telefax instructions. The provisions of Section 4A of the Uniform Commercial
Code shall apply to funds transfers performed in accordance with Instructions.
In the event that a Funds Transfer Services Agreement is executed between the
Fund or an Authorized Person and the Custodian, such an agreement shall comprise
a designation of form of a means of delivering Instructions for purposes of this
Section 4.2.
4.3 Completeness and Contents of Instructions. The Authorized Person
shall be responsible for assuring the adequacy and accuracy of Instructions.
Particularly, upon any acquisition or disposition or other dealing in the Fund's
Investments and upon any delivery and transfer of any Investment or moneys, the
person initiating such Instruction shall give the Custodian an Instruction with
appropriate detail, including, without limitation:
4.3.1 The transaction date and the date and location of the
settlement;
4.3.2 The specification of the type of transaction;
4.3.3 A description of the Investments or moneys in question,
including, as appropriate, quantity, price per unit, amount of money to
be received or delivered and currency information. Where an Instruction
is communicated by electronic means, or otherwise where an Instruction
contains an identifying number such as a CUSIP, SEDOL or ISIN number,
the Custodian shall be entitled to rely on such number as controlling
notwithstanding any inconsistency contained in such Instruction,
particularly with respect to Investment description;
4.3.4 The name of the broker or similar entity concerned with
execution of the transaction.
If the Custodian shall determine that an Instruction is either unclear or
incomplete, the Custodian may give prompt notice of such determination to the
Fund, and the Fund shall thereupon amend or otherwise reform such Instruction.
In such event, the Custodian shall have no obligation to take any action in
response to the Instruction initially delivered until the redelivery of an
amended or reformed Instruction.
4.4 Timeliness of Instructions. In giving an Instruction, the Fund
shall take into consideration delays which may occur due to the involvement of a
Subcustodian or agent, differences in time zones, and other factors particular
to a given market, exchange or issuer. When the Custodian has established
specific timing requirements or deadlines with respect to particular classes of
Instruction, or when an Instruction is received by the Custodian at such a time
that it could not reasonably be expected to have acted on such instruction due
to time zone differences or other factors beyond its reasonable control, the
execution of any Instruction received by the Custodian after such deadline or at
such time (including any modification or revocation of a previous Instruction)
shall be at the risk of the Fund.
5. Safekeeping of Fund Assets. The Custodian shall hold Investments delivered to
it or Subcustodians for the Fund in accordance with the provisions of this
Section. The Custodian shall not be responsible for (a) the safekeeping of
Investments not delivered or that are not caused to be issued to it or its
Subcustodians; or, (b) pre-existing faults or defects in Investments that are
delivered to the Custodian, or its Subcustodians. The Custodian is hereby
authorized to hold with itself or a Subcustodian, and to record in one or more
accounts, all Investments delivered to and accepted by the Custodian, any
Subcustodian or their respective agents pursuant to an Instruction or in
consequence of any corporate action. The Custodian shall hold Investments for
the account of the Fund and shall segregate Investments from assets belonging to
the Custodian and shall cause its Subcustodians to segregate Investments from
assets belonging to the Subcustodian in an account held for the Fund or in an
account maintained by the Subcustodian generally for non-proprietary assets of
the Custodian.
5.1 Use of Securities Depositories. The Custodian may deposit and
maintain Investments in any Securities Depository approved on Appendix A, either
directly or through one or more Subcustodians appointed by the Custodian.
Investments held in a Securities Depository shall be held (a) subject to the
agreement, rules, statement of terms and conditions or other document or
conditions effective between the Securities Depository and the Custodian or the
Subcustodian, as the case may be, and (b) in an account for the Fund or in bulk
segregation in an account maintained for the non-proprietary assets of the
entity holding such Investments in the Depository. If market practice or the
rules and regulations of the Securities Depository prevent the Custodian, the
Subcustodian or (any agent of either) from holding its client assets in such a
separate account, the Custodian, the Subcustodian or other agent shall as
appropriate segregate such Investments for benefit of the Fund or for benefit of
clients of the Custodian generally on its own books.
5.2 Certificated Assets. Investments which are certificated may be held
in registered or bearer form: (a) in the Custodian's vault; (b) in the vault of
a Subcustodian or agent of the Custodian or a Subcustodian; or (c) in an account
maintained by the Custodian, Subcustodian or agent at a Securities Depository;
all in accordance with customary market practice in the jurisdiction in which
any Investments are held.
5.3 Registered Assets. Investments which are registered may be
registered in the name of the Custodian, a Subcustodian, or in the name of the
Fund or a nominee for any of the foregoing, and may be held in any manner set
forth in paragraph 5.2 above with or without any identification of fiduciary
capacity in such registration.
5.4 Book Entry Assets. Investments which are represented by book-entry
may be so held in an account maintained by the Book-Entry Agent on behalf of the
Custodian, a Subcustodian or another agent of the Custodian, or a Securities
Depository.
5.5 Replacement of Lost Investments. In the event of a loss of
Investments for which the Custodian is responsible under the terms of this
Agreement, the Custodian shall replace such Investment, or in the event that
such replacement cannot be effected, the Custodian shall pay to the fund the
fair market value of such Investment based on the last available price as of the
close of business in the relevant market on the date that a claim was first made
to the Custodian with respect to such loss, or, if less, such other amount as
shall be agreed by the parties as the date for settlement.
6. Administrative Duties of the Custodian. The Custodian shall perform the
following administrative duties with respect to Investments of the Fund.
6.1 Purchase of Investments. Pursuant to Instructions, Investments
purchased for the account of the Fund shall be paid for (a) against delivery
thereof to the Custodian or a Subcustodian, as the case may be, either directly
or through a Clearing Corporation or a Securities Depository (in accordance with
the rules of such Securities Depository or such Clearing Corporation), or (b)
otherwise in accordance with an Instruction, Applicable Law, generally accepted
trade practices, or the terms of the instrument representing such Investment.
6.2 Sale of Investments. Pursuant to Instruction, Investments sold for
the account of the Fund shall be delivered (a) against payment therefor in cash,
by check or by bank wire transfer, (b) by credit to the account of the Custodian
or the applicable Subcustodian, as the case may be, with a Clearing Corporation
or a Securities Depository (in accordance with the rules of such Securities
Depository or such Clearing Corporation), or (c) otherwise in accordance with an
Instruction, Applicable Law, generally accepted trade practices, or the terms of
the instrument representing such Investment.
6.3 Delivery in Connection with Borrowings of the Fund or other
Collateral and Margin Requirements. Pursuant to Instruction, the Custodian may
delivery Investments or cash of the Fund in connection with borrowings and other
collateral and margin requirements, provided that the Fund shall give no
instructions that would result in the Fund, or an affiliate of the Fund known to
the custodian, obtaining custody of Fund assets. The Fund shall be responsible
for (i) notifying its investment advisor or any party authorized to give
instructions on behalf of the Fund that deliveries to an affiliate of the Fund
are prohibited, and (ii) notifying any such party as to entities which may be
considered affiliates of the Fund.
6.4 Futures and Options. If, pursuant to an Instruction, the Custodian
shall become a party to an agreement with the Fund and a futures commission
merchant regarding margin (Tri-Party Agreement), the Custodian shall (a) receive
and retain, to the extent the same are provided to the Custodian, confirmations
or other documents evidencing the purchase or sale by the Fund of
exchange-traded futures contracts and commodity options, (b) when required by
such Tri-Party Agreement, deposit and maintain in an account opened pursuant to
such Agreement (Margin Account), segregated either physically or by book-entry
in a Securities Depository for the benefit of any futures commission merchant,
such Investments as the Fund shall have designated as initial, maintenance or
variation "margin" deposits or other collateral intended to secure the Fund's
performance of its obligations under the terms of any exchange-traded futures
contracts and commodity options; and (c) thereafter pay, release or transfer
Investments into or out of the margin account in accordance with the provisions
of the such Agreement. Alternatively, the Custodian may deliver Investments, in
accordance with an Instruction, to a futures commission merchant for purposes of
margin requirements in accordance with Rule 17f-6 under the 1940 Act. The
Custodian shall in no event be responsible for the acts and omissions of any
futures commission merchant to whom Investments are delivered pursuant to this
Section; for the sufficiency of Investments held in any Margin Account; or, for
the performance of any terms of any exchange-traded futures contracts and
commodity options.
6.5 Contractual Obligations and Similar Investments. From time to time,
the Fund's Investments may include Investments that are not ownership interests
as may be represented by certificate (whether registered or bearer), by entry in
a Securities Depository or by book entry agent, registrar or similar agent for
recording ownership interests in the relevant Investment. If the Fund shall at
any time acquire such Investments, including without limitation deposit
obligations, loan participations, repurchase agreements and derivative
arrangements, the Custodian shall (a) receive and retain, to the extent the same
are provided to the Custodian, confirmations or other documents evidencing the
arrangement; and (b) perform on the Fund's account in accordance with the terms
of the applicable arrangement, but only to the extent directed to do so by
Instruction. The Custodian shall have no responsibility for agreements running
to the Fund as to which it is not a party other than to retain, to the extent
the same are provided to the Custodian, documents or copies of documents
evidencing the arrangement and, in accordance with Instruction, to include such
arrangements in reports made to the Fund.
6.6 Exchange of Securities. Unless otherwise directed by Instruction,
the Custodian shall: (a) exchange securities held for the account of the Fund
for other securities in connection with any reorganization, recapitalization,
conversion, split-up, change of par value of shares or similar event, and (b)
deposit any such securities in accordance with the terms of any reorganization
or protective plan.
6.7 Surrender of Securities. Unless otherwise directed by Instruction,
the Custodian may surrender securities: (a) in temporary form for definitive
securities; (b) for transfer into the name of an entity allowable under Section
5.3; and (c) for a different number of certificates or instruments representing
the same number of shares or the same principal amount of indebtedness.
6.8 Rights, Warrants, Etc. Pursuant to Instruction, the Custodian shall
(a) deliver warrants, puts, calls, rights or similar securities to the issuer or
trustee thereof, or to any agent of such issuer or trustee, for purposes of
exercising such rights or selling such securities, and (b) deposit securities in
response to any invitation for the tender thereof.
6.9 Mandatory Corporate Actions. Unless otherwise directed by
Instruction, the Custodian shall: (a) comply with the terms of all mandatory or
compulsory exchanges, calls, tenders, redemptions or similar rights of
securities ownership affecting securities held on the Fund's account and
promptly notify the Fund of such action, and (b) collect all stock dividends,
rights and other items of like nature with respect to such securities.
6.10 Income Collection. Unless otherwise directed by Instruction, the
Custodian shall collect any amount due and payable to the Fund with respect to
Investments and promptly credit the amount collected to a Principal or Agency
Account; provided, however, that the Custodian shall not be responsible for: (a)
the collection of amounts due and payable with respect to Investments that are
in default, or (b) the collection of cash or share entitlements with respect to
Investments that are not registered in the name of the Custodian or its
Subcustodians. The Custodian is hereby authorized to endorse and delivery any
instrument required to be so endorsed and delivered to effect collection of any
amount due and payable to the Fund with respect to Investments.
6.11 Ownership Certificates and Disclosure of the Fund's Interest. The
Custodian is hereby authorized to execute on behalf of the Fund ownership
certificates, affidavits or other disclosure required under Applicable Law or
established market practice in connection with the receipt of income, capital
gains or other payments by the Fund with respect to Investments, or in
connection with the sale, purchase of ownership of Investments.
6.12 Proxy Materials. The Custodian shall deliver, or cause to be
delivered, to the Fund proxy forms, notices of meeting, and any other notices or
announcements materially affecting or relating to Investments received by the
Custodian or any nominee.
6.13 Taxes. The Custodian shall, where applicable, assist the Fund in
the reclamation of taxes withheld on dividends and interest payments received by
the Fund. In the performance of its duties with respect to tax withholding and
reclamation, the Custodian shall be entitled to rely on the advice of counsel
and upon information and advice regarding the Fund's tax status that is received
from or on behalf of the Fund without duty of separate inquiry.
6.14 Other Dealings. The Custodian shall otherwise act as directed by
Instruction, including without limitation effecting the free payments of moneys
or the free delivery of securities, provided that such Instruction shall
indicate the purpose of such payment or delivery and that the Custodian shall
record the party to whom such payment or delivery is made.
The Custodian shall attend to all nondiscretionary details in
connection with the sale or purchase or other administration of Investments,
except as otherwise directed by an Instruction, and may make payments to itself
or others for minor expenses of administering Investments under this Agreement;
provided that the Fund shall have the right to request an accounting with
respect to such expenses.
In fulfilling the duties set forth in Sections 6.6 through 6.10 above,
the Custodian shall provide to the Fund all material information pertaining to a
corporate action which the Custodian actually receives; provided that the
Custodian shall not be responsible for the completeness or accuracy of such
information. Any advance credit of cash or shares expected to be received as a
result of any corporate action shall be subject to actual collection and may,
when the Custodian deems collection unlikely, be reversed by the Custodian.
The Custodian may at any time or times in its discretion appoint (and
may at any time remove) agents (other than Subcustodians) to carry out some or
all of the administrative provisions of this Agreement (Agents), provided,
however, that the appointment of such agent shall not relieve the Custodian of
its administrative obligations under this Agreement.
7. Cash Accounts, Deposits and Money Movements. Subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in this Section 7, the Fund hereby authorizes the Custodian
to open and maintain, with itself or with Subcustodians, cash accounts in United
States Dollars, in such other currencies as are the currencies of the countries
in which the Fund maintains Investments or in such other currencies as the Fund
shall from time to time request by Instruction.
7.1 Types of Cash Accounts. Cash accounts opened on the books of the
Custodian (Principal Accounts) shall be opened in the name of the Fund. Such
accounts collectively shall be a deposit obligation of the Custodian and shall
be subject to the terms of this Section 7 and the general liability provisions
contained in Section 9. Cash accounts opened on the books of a Subcustodian may
be opened in the name of the Fund or the Custodian or in the name of the
Custodian for its customers generally (Agency Accounts). Such deposits shall be
obligations of the Subcustodian and shall be treated as an Investment of the
Fund. Accordingly, the Custodian shall be responsible for exercising reasonable
care in the administration of such accounts but shall not be liable for their
repayment in the event such Subcustodian, by reason of its bankruptcy,
insolvency or otherwise, fails to make repayment.
7.2 Payments and Credits with Respect to the Cash Accounts. The
Custodian shall make payments from or deposits to any of said accounts in the
course of carrying out its administrative duties, including but not limited to
income collection with respect to the Fund's Investments, and otherwise in
accordance with Instructions. The Custodian and its Subcustodians shall be
required to credit amounts to the cash accounts only when moneys are actually
received in cleared funds in accordance with banking practice in the country and
currency of deposit. Any credit made to any Principal or Agency Account before
actual receipt of cleared funds shall be provisional and may be reversed by the
Custodian in the event such payment is not actually collected. Unless otherwise
specifically agreed in writing by the Custodian or any Subcustodian, all
deposits shall be payable only at the branch of the Custodian or Subcustodian
where the deposit is made or carried.
7.3 Currency and Related Risks. The Fund bears risks of holding or
transacting in any currency. The Custodian shall not be liable for any loss or
damage arising from the applicability of any law or regulation now or hereafter
in effect, or from the occurrence of any event, which may delay or affect the
transferability, convertibility or availability of any currency in the country
(a) in which such Principal or Agency Accounts are maintained or (b) in which
such currency is issued, and in no event shall the Custodian be obligated to
make payment of a deposit denominated in a currency during the period during
which its transferability, convertibility or availability has been affected by
any such law, regulation or event. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, neither the Custodian nor any Subcustodian shall be required to repay
any deposit made at a foreign branch of either the Custodian or Subcustodian if
such branch cannot repay the deposit due to a cause for which the Custodian
would not be responsible in accordance with the terms of Section 9 of this
Agreement unless the Custodian or such Subcustodian expressly agrees in writing
to repay the deposit under such circumstances. All currency transactions in any
account opened pursuant to this Agreement are subject to exchange control
regulations of the United States and of the country where such currency is the
lawful currency or where the account is maintained. Any taxes, costs, charges or
fees imposed on the convertibility of a currency held by the Fund shall be for
the account of the Fund.
7.4 Foreign Exchange Transactions. The Custodian shall, subject to the
terms of this Section, settle foreign exchange transactions (including
contracts, futures, options and options on futures) on behalf and for the
account of the Fund with such currency brokers or banking institutions,
including Subcustodians, as the Fund may direct pursuant to Instructions. The
Custodian may act as principal in any foreign exchange transaction with the Fund
in accordance with Section 7.4.2 of this Agreement. The obligations of the
Custodian in respect of all foreign exchange transactions (whether or not the
Custodian shall act as principal in such transaction) shall be contingent on the
free, unencumbered transferability of the currency transacted on the actual
settlement date of the transaction.
7.4.1 Third Party Foreign Exchange Transactions. The Custodian
shall process foreign exchange transactions (including without
limitation contracts, futures, options, and options on futures), where
any third party acts as principal counterparty to the Fund on the same
basis it performs duties as agent for the Fund with respect to any
other of the Fund's Investments. Accordingly the Custodian shall only
be responsible for delivering or receiving currency on behalf of the
Fund in respect of such contracts pursuant to Instructions. The
Custodian shall not be responsible for the failure of any counterparty
(including any Subcustodian) in such agency transaction to perform its
obligations thereunder. The Custodian (a) shall transmit cash and
Instructions to and from the currency broker or banking institution
with which a foreign exchange contract or option has been executed
pursuant hereto, (b) may make free outgoing payments of cash in the
form of United States Dollars or foreign currency without receiving
conformation of a foreign exchange contract or option or confirmation
that the countervalue currency completing the foreign exchange contract
has been delivered or received or that the option has been delivered or
received, and (c) shall hold all conformations, certificates and other
documents and agreements received by the Custodian and evidencing or
relating to such foreign exchange transactions in safekeeping. The Fund
accepts full responsibility for its use of third-party foreign exchange
dealers and for execution of said foreign exchange contracts and
options and understands that the Fund shall be responsible for any and
all costs and interest charges which may be incurred by the Fund or the
Custodian as a result of the failure or delay of third parties to
deliver foreign exchange.
7.4.2 Foreign Exchange with the Custodian as Principal. The
Custodian may undertake foreign exchange transactions with the fund as
principal as the Custodian and the Fund may agree from time to time. In
such event, the foreign exchange transaction will be performed in
accordance with the particular agreement of the parties, or in the
event a principal foreign exchange transaction is initiated by
Instruction in the absence of specific agreement, such transaction will
be performed in accordance with the usual commercial terms of the
Custodian.
7.5 Delays. If no event of Force Majeure shall have occurred and be
continuing and in the event that a delay shall have been caused by the
negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian in carrying out an Instruction
to credit or transfer cash, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund: (a) with
respect to Principal Accounts, for interest to be calculated at the rate
customarily paid on such deposit and currency by the Custodian on overnight
deposits at the time the delay occurs for the period from the day when the
transfer should have been effected until the day it is in fact effected; and,
(b) with respect to Agency Accounts, for interest to be calculated at the rate
customarily paid on such deposit and currency by the Subcustodian on overnight
deposits at the time the delay occurs for the period from the day when the
transfer should have been effected until the day it is in fact effected. The
Custodian shall not be liable for delays in carrying out such Instructions to
transfer cash which are not due to the Custodian's own negligence or willful
misconduct.
7.6 Advances. If, for any reason in the conduct of its safekeeping
duties pursuant to Section 5 hereof or its administration of the Fund's assets
pursuant to Section 6 hereof, the Custodian or any Subcustodian advances monies
to facilitate settlement or otherwise for benefit of the Fund (whether or not
any Principal or Agency Account shall be overdrawn either during, or at the end
of, any Business Day), the Fund hereby does:
7.6.1 acknowledge that the Fund shall have no right
or title to any Investments purchased with such Advance save a
right to receive such Investments upon: (a) the debit of the
Principal or Agency Account; or, (b) if such debit would
produce an overdraft in such account, other reimbursement of
the associated Advance;
7.6.2 grant to the Custodian a security interest
in all Investments; and
7.6.3 agree that the Custodian may secure the
resulting Advance by perfecting a security interest in all
Investments under Applicable Law. With respect to obligations
and liabilities which occur to each series under the Fund,
such obligations and liabilities shall apply only to the
respective series and not to any other series under the Fund.
Neither the Custodian nor any Subcustodian shall be obligated to advance monies
to the Fund, and in the event that such Advance occurs, any transaction giving
rise to an Advance shall be for the account and risk of the Fund and shall not
be deemed to be a transaction undertaken by the Custodian for its own account
and risk. If such Advance shall have been made by a Subcustodian or any other
person, the Custodian may assign the security interest and any other rights
granted to the Custodian hereunder to such Subcustodian or other person. If the
Fund shall fail to repay when due the principal balance of an Advance and
accrued and unpaid interest thereon, the Custodian or its assignee, as the case
may be, shall be entitled to utilize the available cash balance in any Agency or
Principal Account and to dispose of any Investments to the extent necessary to
recover payment of all principal of, and interest on, such Advance in full. The
Custodian may assign any rights it has hereunder to a Subcustodian or third
party. Any security interest in Investments taken hereunder shall be treated as
financial assets credited to securities accounts under Articles 8 and 9 of the
Uniform Commercial Code as currently effect in New York. Accordingly, the
Custodian shall have the rights and benefits of a secured creditor that is a
securities intermediary under such Articles 8 and 9.
7.7 Integrated Account. For purposes hereof, deposits maintained in all
Principal Accounts (whether or not denominated in the United States Dollar)
shall collectively constitute a single and indivisible current account with
respect to the Fund's obligations to the Custodian, or its assignee, and
balances in such Principal Accounts shall be available for satisfaction of the
Fund's obligations under this Section 7. The Custodian shall further have a
right of offset against the balances in any Agency Account maintained hereunder
to the extent that the aggregate of all Principal Accounts is overdrawn. With
respect to obligations and liabilities which occur to each series under the
Fund, such obligations and liabilities shall apply only to the respective series
and not to any other series under the Fund.
8. Subcustodians and Securities Depositories. Subject to the provisions
hereinafter set forth in this Section 8, the Fund hereby authorizes the
Custodian to utilize Securities Depositories to act on behalf of the Fund and to
appoint from time to time and to utilize Subcustodians. With respect to
securities and funds held by a Subcustodian, either directly or indirectly
(including by a Securities Depository or Clearing Corporation), notwithstanding
any provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, payment for securities
purchased and delivery of securities sold may be made prior to receipt of
securities or payment, respectively, and securities or payment may be received
in a form, in accordance with (a) governmental regulations, (b) rules of
Securities Depositories and clearing agencies, (c) generally accepted trade
practice in the applicable local market, (d) the terms and characteristics of
the particular Investment, or (e) the terms of Instructions.
8.1 Domestic Subcustodians and Securities Depositories. The Custodian
may deposit and/or maintain, either directly or through one or more agents
appointed by the Custodian, Investments of the Fund in any Securities Depository
in the United States, including The Depository Trust Company, provided such
Depository meets applicable requirements of the Federal Reserve Bank or of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian may, at any time and from time
to time, appoint any bank as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act meeting
the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the
rules and regulations thereunder, to act on behalf of the Fund as a Subcustodian
for purposes of holding Investments of the Fund in the United States.
8.2 Foreign Subcustodians and Securities Depositories. The Custodian
may deposit and/or maintain non-U.S. Investments of the Fund in any non-U.S.
Securities Depository provided such Securities Depository meets the requirements
of an "eligible foreign custodian" under Rule 17f-5 promulgated under the 1940
Act, or any successor rule or regulation ("Rule 17f-5") or which by order of the
Securities and Exchange Commission is exempted therefrom. Additionally, the
Custodian may, at any time and from time to time, appoint (a) any bank, trust
company or other entity meeting the requirements of an Eligible Foreign
Custodian under Rule 17f-5 or which by order of the Securities and Exchange
Commission is exempted therefrom, or (b) any bank as defined in Section 2(a)(5)
of the 1940 Act meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of
the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, to act on behalf of the
Fund as a Subcustodian for purposes of holding Investments of the Fund outside
the United States. Such appointment of foreign Subcustodians shall be subject to
approval of the Fund in accordance with Subsections 8.2.1 and 8.2.2.
8.2.1 Board Approval of Foreign Subcustodians. Unless and
except to the extent that review of certain matters concerning the
appointment of Subcustodians shall have been delegated to the Custodian
pursuant to Subsection 8.2.2, the Custodian shall, prior to the
appointment of any Subcustodian for purposes of holding Investments of
the Fund outside the United States, obtain written confirmation of the
approval of the Board of Trustees or Directors of the Fund with respect
to (a) the identity of a Subcustodian, (b) the country or countries in
which, and the Securities Depositories, if any, through which, any
proposed Subcustodian is authorized to hold Investments of the Fund,
and (c) the Subcustodian agreement which shall govern such appointment.
Each such duly approved country, Subcustodian and Securities Depository
shall be listed on Appendix A attached hereto as the same may from time
to time be amended.
8.2.2 Delegation of Board Review of Subcustodians. From time
to time, the Custodian may offer to perform, and the Fund may accept to
perform, that the Custodian perform certain reviews of Subcustodians
and of Subcustodian Contracts as delegate of the Fund's Board. Any such
duties shall be established by separate agreement.
8.3 Responsibility for Subcustodians. Except as set forth in the
following sentence, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or
damage to the Fund caused by or resulting from the acts or omissions of any
Subcustodian to the extent that such acts or omissions would be deemed to be
negligence, gross negligence or willful misconduct in accordance with the terms
of the relevant subcustodian agreement under the laws, circumstances and
practices prevailing in the place where the act or omission occurred. In the
countries indicated in Appendix A-1 to this Agreement, the liability of the
Custodian shall be subject to the additional condition that the Custodian
actually recovers such loss or damage from the Subcustodian and shall be limited
to the amount of such recovery.
8.4 New Countries. The Fund shall be responsible for informing the
Custodian sufficiently in advance of a proposed investment which is to be held
in a country in which no Subcustodian is authorized to act in order that the
Custodian shall, if it deems appropriate to do so, have sufficient time to
establish a subcustodial arrangement in accordance herewith. In the event,
however, the Custodian is unable to establish such arrangements prior to the
time such investment is to be acquired, the Custodian is authorized to designate
at its discretion a local safekeeping agent, and the use of such local
safekeeping agent shall be at the sole risk of the Fund, and accordingly the
Custodian shall be responsible to the Fund for the actions of such agent if and
only to the extent the Custodian shall have recovered from such agent for any
damages caused the Fund by such agent.
9. Responsibility of the Custodian. In performing its duties and obligations
hereunder, the Custodian shall use reasonable care under the facts and
circumstances prevailing in the market where performance is effected. Subject to
the specific provisions of this Section, the Custodian shall be liable for any
direct damage incurred by the Fund in consequence of the Custodian's negligence,
bad faith or willful misconduct. In no event shall the Custodian be liable
hereunder for any special, indirect, punitive or consequential damages arising
out of, pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement even if the Custodian
has been advised of the possibility of such damages. It is agreed that the
Custodian shall have no duty to assess the risks inherent in the Fund's
Investments or to provide investment advice with respect to such Investments and
that the Fund as principal shall bear any risks attendant to particular
Investments such as failure of counterparty or issuer.
9.1 Limitations of Performance. The Custodian shall not be responsible
under this Agreement for any failure to perform its duties, and shall not be
liable hereunder for any loss or damage in association with such failure to
perform, for or in consequence of the following causes:
9.1.1 Force Majeure. Force Majeure shall mean any
circumstance or event which is beyond the reasonable control
of the Custodian, a Subcustodian or any agent of the Custodian
or a Subcustodian and which adversely affects the performance
by the Custodian of its obligations hereunder, by the
Subcustodian of its obligations under its Subcustody Agreement
or by any other agent of the Custodian or the Subcustodian,
including any event caused by, arising out of or involving (a)
an act of God, (b) accident, fire, water damage or explosion,
(c) any computer, system or other equipment failure or
malfunction caused by any computer virus or the malfunction or
failure of any communications medium, provided that the
Custodian shall take reasonable actions to prevent the
occurrence of failures or malfunctions within its reasonable
control, (d) any interruption of the power supply or other
utility service, (e) any strike or other work stoppage,
whether partial or total, (f) any delay or disruption
resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Sovereign
Risk, (g) any disruption of, or suspension of trading in, the
securities, commodities or foreign exchange markets, whether
or not resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any
Sovereign Risk, (h) any encumbrance on the transferability of
a currency or a currency position on the actual settlement
date of a foreign exchange transaction, whether or not
resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Sovereign
Risk, or (i) any other cause similarly beyond the reasonable
control of the Custodian.
9.1.2 Country Risk. Country Risk shall mean, with
respect to the acquisition, ownership, settlement or custody
of Investments in a jurisdiction, all risks relating to, or
arising in consequence of, systemic and market factors
affecting the acquisition, payment for or ownership of
Investments including (a) the prevalence of crime and
corruption, (b) the inaccuracy or unreliability of business
and financial information, (c) the instability or volatility
of banking and financial systems, or the absence or inadequacy
of an infrastructure to support such systems, (d) custody and
settlement infrastructure of the market in which such
Investments are transacted and held, (e) the acts, omissions
and operation of any Securities Depository, (f) the risk of
the bankruptcy or insolvency of banking agents, counterparts
to cash and securities transactions, registrars or transfer
agents, and (g) the existence of market conditions which
prevent the orderly execution or settlement of transactions or
which affect the value of assets.
9.1.3 Sovereign Risk. Sovereign Risk shall mean, in
respect of any jurisdiction, including the United States of
America, where Investments is acquired or held hereunder or
under a Subcustody Agreement, (a) any act of war, terrorism,
riot, insurrection or civil commotion, (b) the imposition of
any investment, repatriation or exchange control restrictions
by any Governmental Authority, (c) the confiscation,
expropriation or nationalization of any Investments by any
Governmental Authority, whether de facto or de jure, (iv) any
devaluation or revaluation of the currency, (d) the imposition
of taxes, levies or other charges affecting Investments, (vi)
any change in the Applicable Law, or (e) any other economic or
political risk incurred or experience.
9.2 Limitations on Liability. The Custodian shall not be liable for any
loss, claim, damage or other liability arising from the following causes:
9.2.1 Failure of Third Parties. The failure of any third party
including: (a) any issuer of Investments or book-entry or other agent
of any issuer; (b) any counterparty with respect to any Investment,
including any issuer of exchange-traded or other futures, option,
derivative or commodities contract; (c) failure of an Investment
Advisor, Foreign Custody Manager or other agent of the Fund; or (c)
failure of other third parties similarly beyond the control or choice
of the Custodian.
9.2.2 Information Sources. The Custodian may rely upon
information received from issuers of Investments or agents of such
issuers, information received from Subcustodians and from other
commercially reasonable sources such as commercial data bases and the
like, but shall not be responsible for specific inaccuracies in such
information, provided that the Custodian has relied upon such
information in good faith, or for the failure of any commercially
reasonable information provider.
9.2.3 Reliance on Instruction. Action by the Custodian or the
Subcustodian in accordance with an Instruction, even when such action
conflicts with, or is contrary to any provision of, the Fund's
declaration of trust, certificate of incorporation or by-laws,
Applicable Law, or actions by the trustees, directors or shareholders
of the Fund.
9.2.4 Restricted Securities. The limitations inherent in the
rights, transferability or similar investment characteristics of a
given Investment of the Fund.
10. Indemnification. The Fund hereby indemnifies the Custodian and each
Subcustodian, and their respective agents, nominees and their partners,
employees, officers and directors, and agrees to hold each of them harmless from
and against all claims and liabilities, including counsel fees and taxes,
incurred or assessed against any of them in connection with the performance of
this Agreement and any Instruction. If a Subcustodian or any other person
indemnified under the preceding sentence, gives written notice of claim to the
Custodian, the Custodian shall promptly give written notice to the Fund. Not
more than thirty days following the date of such notice, unless the Custodian
shall be liable under Section 8 hereof in respect of such claim, the Fund will
pay the amount of such claim or reimburse the Custodian for any payment made by
the Custodian in respect thereof. The custodian shall consult with the Fund
prior to making payments under this section.
11. Reports and Records. The Custodian shall:
11.1 create and maintain records relating to the performance
of its obligations under this Agreement;
11.2 make available to the Fund, its auditors, agents and
employees, during regular business hours of the Custodian, upon
reasonable request and during normal business hours of the Custodian,
all records maintained by the Custodian pursuant to paragraph (a)
above, subject, however, to all reasonable security requirements of the
Custodian then applicable to the records of its customer customers
generally; and
11.3 make available to the Fund all electronic reports; it
being understood that the Custodian shall not be liable hereunder for
the inaccuracy or incompleteness thereof or for errors in any
information included therein.
The Fund shall examine all records, howsoever produced or transmitted,
promptly upon receipt thereof and notify the Custodian promptly of any
discrepancy or error therein. Unless the Fund delivers written notice of any
such discrepancy or error within a reasonable time after its receipt thereof,
such records shall be deemed to be true and accurate. It is understood that the
Custodian now obtains and will in the future obtain information on the value of
assets from outside sources which may be utilized in certain reports made
available to the Fund. The Custodian deems such sources to be reliable but it is
acknowledged and agreed that the Custodian does not verify nor represent nor
warrant as to the accuracy or completeness of such information and accordingly
shall be without liability in selecting and using such sources and furnishing
such information.
12. Miscellaneous.
12.1 Proxies, etc. The Fund will promptly execute and deliver, upon
request, such proxies, powers of attorney or other instruments as may be
necessary or desirable for the Custodian to provide, or to cause any
Subcustodian to provide, custody services.
12.2 Entire Agreement. Except as specifically provided herein, this
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Fund and the Custodian
with respect to the subject matter hereof. Accordingly, this Agreement
supersedes any custody agreement or other oral or written agreements heretofore
in effect between the Fund and the Custodian with respect to the custody of the
Fund's Investments.
12.3 Waiver and Amendment. No provision of this Agreement may be
waived, amended or modified, and no addendum to this Agreement shall be or
become effective, or be waived, amended or modified, except by an instrument in
writing executed by the party against which enforcement of such waiver,
amendment or modification is sought; provided, however, that an Instruction
shall, whether or not such Instruction shall constitute a waiver, amendment or
modification for purposes hereof, be deemed to have been accepted by the
Custodian when it commences actions pursuant thereto or in accordance therewith.
12.4 GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH, AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF, THE STATE OF NEW YORK,
WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE LAWS OF CONFLICT OF SUCH STATE. THE PARTIES HERETO
IRREVOCABLY CONSENT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK AND THE FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN NEW YORK CITY IN THE BOROUGH OF
MANHATTAN.
12.5 Notices. Notices and other writings contemplated by this
Agreement, other than Instructions, shall be delivered (a) by hand, (b) by first
class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested,
(c) by a nationally recognized overnight courier or (d) by facsimile
transmission, provided that any notice or other writing sent by facsimile
transmission shall also be mailed, postage prepaid, to the party to whom such
notice is addressed. All such notices shall be addressed, as follows:
If to the Fund:
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ III
Commonwealth Shareholder Services, Inc.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Telephone: ▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: ▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
If to the Custodian:
▇▇▇▇▇ Brothers ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co.
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: Manager, Securities Department
Telephone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇,
or such other address as the Fund or the Custodian may from time to
time designate in writing to the other.
12.6 Headings. Paragraph headings included herein are for convenience
of reference only and shall not modify, define, expand or limit any of the terms
or provisions hereof.
12.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. This Agreement shall
become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed and delivered by
the Fund and the Custodian.
12.8 Confidentiality. The parties hereto agree that each shall treat
confidentially the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all information
provided by each party to the other regarding its business and operations. All
confidential information provided by a party hereto shall be used by any other
party hereto solely for the purposes of rendering or obtaining services pursuant
to this Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out this Agreement,
shall not be disclosed to any third party without the prior consent of such
providing party. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information that
is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available
other than through a breach of this Agreement, or that is required to be
disclosed by or to any bank examiner of the Custodian or any Subcustodian, any
regulatory authority, any auditor of the parties hereto, or by judicial or
administrative process or otherwise by Applicable Law.
13. Definitions. The following defined terms will have the respective
meanings set forth below.
13.1 Advance shall mean any extension of credit by or
through the Custodian or by or through any Subcustodian and shall include
amounts paid to third parties for account of the Fund or in discharge of any
expense, tax or other item payable by the Fund.
13.2 Agency Account shall mean any deposit account opened on
the books of a Subcustodian or other banking institution in accordance
with Section 7.1.
13.3 Agent shall have the meaning set forth in the last system
of Section 6.
13.4 Applicable Law shall mean the respect to each
jurisdiction, all (a) laws, statutes, treaties, regulations, guidelines
(or their equivalents); (b) orders, interpretations licenses and
permits; and (c) judgments, decrees, injunctions writs, orders and
similar actions by a court of competent jurisdiction; compliance with
which is required or customarily observed in such jurisdiction.
13.5 Authorized Person shall mean any person or entity
authorized to give Instructions on behalf of the Fund in accordance
with Section 4.1.
13.6 Book-entry Agent shall mean an entity acting as agent for
the issuer of Investments for purposes of recording ownership or
similar entitled to Investments, including without limitation a
transfer agent or registrar.
13.7 Clearing Corporation shall mean any entity or system
established for purposes of providing securities settlement and
movement and associated functions for a given market.
13.8 Delegation Agreement shall mean any separate agreement
entered into between the Custodian and the Fund or its authorized
representative with respect to certain matters concerning the
appointment and administration of Subcustodians delegated to the
Custodian pursuant to Rule 17f-5.
13.9 Foreign Custody Manager shall mean the Fund's foreign
custody manager appointed pursuant to Rule 17f-5 of the 1940 Act.
13.10 Funds Transfer Services Agreement shall mean any
separate agreement entered into between the Custodian and the Fund or
its authorized representative with respect to certain matters
concerning the processing of payment orders from Principal Accounts of
the Fund.
13.11 Instruction(s) shall have the meaning assigned in
Section 4.
13.12 Investment Advisor shall mean any person or entity who
is an Authorized Person to give Instructions with respect to the
investment and reinvestment of the Fund's Investments.
13.13 Investments shall mean any investment asset of the Fund,
including without limitation securities, bonds, notes, and debentures,
as well as receivables, derivatives, contractual rights or entitlements
and other intangible assets.
13.14 Margin Account shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.4 hereof.
13.15 Principal Account shall mean deposit accounts of the
Fund carried on the books of BBH&Co. as principal in accordance with
Section 7.
13.16 Safekeeping Account shall mean an account established on
the books of the Custodian or any Subcustodian for purposes of
segregating the interests of the Fund (or clients of the Custodian or
Subcustodian) from the assets of the Custodian or any Subcustodian.
13.17 Securities Depository shall mean a central or book entry
system or agency established under Applicable Law for purposes of
recording the ownership and/or entitlement to investment securities for
a given market.
13.18 Subcustodian shall mean each foreign bank appointed by
the Custodian pursuant to Section 8, but shall not include Securities
Depositories.
13.19 Tri-Party Agreement shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 6.4 hereof.
13.20 1940 Act shall mean the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended.
14. Compensation. The Fund agrees to pay to the Custodian (a) a fee in an amount
set forth in the fee letter between the Fund and the Custodian in effect on the
date hereof or as amended from time to time, and (b) all authorized, customary
or reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Custodian, including the
fees and expenses of all Subcustodians, and payable from time to time. Amounts
payable by the Fund under and pursuant to this Section 14 shall be payable by
wire transfer to the Custodian at BBH&Co. in New York, New York.
15. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by either party in accordance
with the provisions of this Section. The provisions of this Agreement and any
other rights or obligations incurred or accrued by any party hereto prior to
termination of this Agreement shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
15.1 Notice and Effect. This Agreement may be terminated by
either party by written notice effective no sooner than seventy-five
days following the date that notice to such effect shall be delivered
to other party at its address set forth in paragraph 12.5 hereof.
15.2 Successor Custodian. In the event of the appointment of a
successor custodian, it is agreed that the Investments of the Fund held
by the Custodian or any Subcustodian shall be delivered to the
successor custodian in accordance with reasonable Instructions. The
Custodian agrees to cooperate with the Fund in the execution of
documents and performance of other actions necessary or desirable in
order to facilitate the succession of the new custodian. If no
successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall in like
manner transfer the Fund's Investments in accordance with Instructions.
15.3 Delayed Succession. If no Instruction has been given as
of the effective date of termination, Custodian may at any time on or
after such termination date and upon ten days written notice to the
Fund either (a) deliver the Investments of the Fund held hereunder to
the Fund at the address designated for receipt of notices hereunder, or
(b) delivery any investments held hereunder to a bank or trust company
having a capitalization of $2 million United States Dollars equivalent
and operating under the Applicable law of the jurisdiction where such
Investments are located, such delivery to be at the risk of the Fund.
In the event that Investments or moneys of the Fund remain in the
custody of the Custodian or its Subcustodians after the date of
termination owing to the failure of the Fund to issue Instructions with
respect to their disposition or owing to the fact that such disposition
could not be accomplished in accordance with such Instructions despite
diligent efforts of the Custodian, the Custodian shall be entitled to
compensation for its services with respect to such Investments and
moneys during such period as the Custodian or its subcustodians retain
possession of such items and the provisions of this Agreement shall
remain in full force and effect until disposition in accordance with
this Section is accomplished.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
THE WORLD FUNDS, INC.
By: /S/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, III
By: ▇▇▇▇▇ BROTHERS ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & CO.
By: /S/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
APPENDIX "C"
TO
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE WORLD FUNDS, INC. and ▇▇▇▇▇ BROTHERS ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & CO.
Dated as of 10/28/98
The following is a list of Funds for which the Custodian shall
serve under a Custodian Agreement dated as of 1/28/98 (the
"Agreement"):
THIRD MILLENNIUM RUSSIA FUND
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Appendix to be executed in its name and on behalf of each such Fund.
THE WORLD FUNDS, INC. ▇▇▇▇▇ BROTHERS ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & CO.
/S/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, III /S/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Name: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, III Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: CFO, Treasurer Title: Partner
▇▇▇▇▇ BROTHERS ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & CO. - GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
THE WORLD FUNDS, INC.
APPENDIX A
--------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN DEPOSITORY
--------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------
RUSSIA BANK CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON AO for CREDIT SUISS
Credit VTB Suisse, Zurich Agreement 4/30/96 Requires
Board approval of Amendment to Custodian Agreement
--------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------
RUSSIA CITIBANK T/O FOR CITIBANK, N.A. VTB
Citibank, N.A., New York Agreement 7/16/81 NDC
New York Agreement Amendment 8/31/90
New York Agreement Amendment 7/26/96 Citibank, N.A.
Subsidiary Amendment 10/19/95 Citibank N.A./Citibank
T/O Agreement 6/16/97 A side letter agreement
Requires Board approval of Amendment to Custodian
Agreement
--------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT AT ITS MEETING ON 7/2/98 THE BOARD APPROVED THE COUNTRIES
AND CENTRAL DEPOSITORIES LISTED ON THIS APPENDIX
▇▇▇▇▇ Brothers ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. acting as delegate of the Board under Rule 17f-5
has reviewed and approved the subcustodians listed above and the Agreements
associated with these subcustodians and the list above is intended to confirm
placement of assets with these subcustodians.
/S/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, III 10/28/98
(SIGNATURE) (DATE)
CFO, Treasurer
(TITLE)
APPENDIX A-1
IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES THE LIABILITY OF THE CUSTODIAN UNDER THE
ATTACHED CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE ADDITIONAL
CONDITION THAT THE CUSTODIAN ACTUALLY RECOVERS FROM THE SUBCUSTODIAN IN
THE RELEVANT MARKET.1
LITHUANIA
APPENDIX B
THE WORLD FUNDS, INC.
THE FOLLOWING AUTHORIZED SOURCES ARE TO BE USED FOR PRICING AND FOREIGN
EXCHANGE QUOTATIONS, CORPORATE ACTIONS, DIVIDENDS AND RIGHTS OFFERINGS:
AUTHORIZED SOURCES
BLOOMBERG
EXTEL (LONDON)
FUND MANAGERS
INTERACTIVE DATA CORPORATION
REPUTABLE BROKERS
REUTERS
SUBCUSTODIAN BANKS
TELEKURS
VALORINFORM (GENEVA)
REPUTABLE FINANCIAL PUBLICATIONS
STOCK EXCHANGES
FINANCIAL INFORMATION INC. CARD
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FRI CORPORATION
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APPROVED: /S/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, III October 28, 1998
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1 This list of countries is subject to change from time to time. Certain
countries may be removed from this list while new markets may be added.