CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
SEI WEALTH MANAGEMENT TRUST
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held By It . . . . . . .1
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of
the Fund Held by the Custodian in the United States . . . . . . . .2
2.1 Holding Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
2.2 Delivery of Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
2.3 Registration of Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
2.4 Bank Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
2.6 Collection of Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of
Receipt of Securities Purchased . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.9 Appointment of Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.10 Deposit of Securities in Securities System. . . . . . . 14
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct
Paper System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2.11 Segregated Account. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes . . . . . . . . 19
2.13 Proxies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
2.14 Communications Relating to Fund
Portfolio Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
2.15 Reports to Fund by Independent Public
Accountants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of
the Fund Held Outside of the United States. . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians . . . . . . . . . 21
3.2 Assets to be Held . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.4 Segregation of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions. . . . . . 23
3.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund . . . . . 24
3.7 Reports by Custodian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account . . . . . . . . 25
3.9 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians . . . . . . . . . . 25
3.10 Liability of Custodian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
3.11 Reimbursement for Advances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
3.12 Monitoring Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
3.13 Branches of U.S. Banks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
4. Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions and Sales
of Shares of the Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
5. Proper Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
6. Actions Permitted Without Express Authority . . . . . . . . . . . 31
7. Evidence of Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
8. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of
Account and Calculations of Net Asset Value and
Net Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
9. Records.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant. . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
11. Compensation of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
12. Responsibility of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
13. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment . . . . . . . . . . . 36
14. Successor Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
15. Interpretive and Additional Provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
16. Massachusetts Law to Apply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
17. Prior Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between SEI Wealth Management Trust, a Massachusetts
Business Trust, having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇, and State Street Bank and Trust Company,
a Massachusetts trust company, having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇, hereinafter called the
"Custodian",
WITNESSETH: That in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT OF CUSTODIAN AND PROPERTY TO BE HELD BY IT
SEI Wealth Management Trust hereby employs the Custodian as the
custodian of the assets of the International Portfolio and such
other portfolios as the parties may hereinafter agree on (the
"Fund"), including securities it desires to be held in places
within the United States ("domestic securities") and securities it
desires to be held outside the United States ("foreign
securities"). The Fund agrees to deliver to the Custodian all
securities and cash owned by it, and all payments of income,
payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with
respect to all securities owned by the Fund from time to time, and
the cash consideration received by it for new units of beneficial
interest, ("Shares") of the Fund as may be issued or sold from time
to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property
of the Fund held or received by the
Fund and not delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of
Article 5), the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more
sub-custodians located in the United States, but only in accordance with an
applicable vote by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, and provided that the
Custodian shall have no more or less responsibility or liability to the Fund on
account of any actions or omissions of any sub-custodian so employed than any
such sub-custodian has to the Custodian. The Custodian may employ as
sub-custodians for the Fund's securities and other assets the foreign banking
institutions and foreign securities depositories designated in Schedule "A"
hereto but only in accordance with the provisions of Article 3.
2. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND HELD BY
THE CUSTODIAN IN THE UNITED STATES
2.1 HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate
for the account of the Fund all non-cash property, to be held by it in
the United States, including all domestic securities owned by the
Fund, other than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant to
Section 2.10 in a clearing agency which acts as a securities
depository or in a book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department
of the Treasury, collectively referred to herein as "Securities
System" and (b) commercial paper of an issuer for which State Street
Bank and Trust Company acts as issuing and paying agent ("Direct
Paper") which is deposited and/or
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maintained in the Direct Paper System of the Custodian pursuant to
Section 2.10A.
2.2 DELIVERY OF SECURITIES. The Custodian shall release and deliver
domestic securities owned by the Fund held by the Custodian or in a
Securities System account of the Custodian or in the Custodian's
Direct Paper book entry system account ("Direct Paper System Account")
only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing
instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the
following cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Fund and
receipt of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any
repurchase agreement related to such securities entered into
by the Fund;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a Securities System,
in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.10 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for portfolio securities of the Fund;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are
called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable;
provided that, in any such case, the cash or other
consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;
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6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the
name of the Fund or into the name of any nominee or nominees
of the Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any
agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 or into the name or
nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to
Article 1; or for exchange for a different number of bonds,
certificates or other evidence representing the same
aggregate face amount or number of units; PROVIDED that, in
any such case, the new securities are to be delivered to the
Custodian;
7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the
Fund, to the broker or its clearing agent, against a
receipt, for examination in accordance with "street
delivery" custom; provided that in any such case, the
Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any
loss arising from the delivery of such securities prior to
receiving payment for such securities except as may arise
from the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct;
8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger,
consolidation,
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recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the
securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to
provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or
pursuant to any deposit agreement; provided that, in any
such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be
delivered to the Custodian;
9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the
surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights
or similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts
or temporary securities for definitive securities; provided
that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any,
are to be delivered to the Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made
by the Fund, BUT ONLY against receipt of adequate collateral
as agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the
Fund, which may be in the form of cash or obligations issued
by the United States government, its agencies or
instrumentalities, except that in connection with any loans
for which collateral is to be credited to the Custodian's
account in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S.
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Department of the Treasury, the Custodian will not be held
liable or responsible for the delivery of securities owned
by the Fund prior to the receipt of such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings
by the Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, BUT
ONLY as permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and
against receipt of amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer
registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act") and a member of The National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), relating to compliance
with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of
any registered national securities exchange, or of any
similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or
other arrangements in connection with transactions by the
Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of
any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian, and a Futures
Commission Merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange
Act, relating to compliance with the
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rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any
Contract Market, or any similar organization or
organizations, regarding account deposits in connection
with transactions by the Fund;
14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent
("Transfer Agent") for the Fund, for delivery to such
Transfer Agent or to the holders of shares in connection
with distributions in kind, as may be described from time to
time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus and
statement of additional information ("prospectus"), in
satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase
or redemption; and
15) For any other proper corporate purpose, BUT ONLY upon
receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified
copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees or of the
Executive Committee signed by an officer of the Fund and
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary,
specifying the securities to be delivered, setting forth the
purpose for which such delivery is to be made, declaring
such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose, and naming
the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities
shall be made.
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2.3 REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES. Domestic securities held by the Custodian
(other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the
Fund or in the name of any nominee of the Fund or of any nominee of
the Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to
the Fund, UNLESS the Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of
a nominee to be used in commmon with other registered investment
companies having the same invesment adviser as the Fund, or in the
name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9
or in the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed
pursuant to Article 1. All securities accepted by the Custodian
on behalf of the Fund under the terms of this Contract shall be in
"street name" or other good delivery form.
2.4 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
account or accounts in the United States in the name of the Fund,
subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the
terms of this Contract, and shall hold in such account or accounts,
subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for
the account of the Fund, other than cash maintained by the Fund in a
bank account established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under
the Investment Company Act of 1940. Funds held by the Custodian for
the Fund may be deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in the
Banking Department of the Custodian or in such other banks or trust
companies as it may in its discretion deem
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necessary or desirable; PROVIDED, however, that every such bank or
trust company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and that each such bank or trust
company and the funds to be deposited with each such bank or trust
company shall be approved by vote of a majority of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund. Such funds shall be deposited by the Custodian
in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the
Custodian only in that capacity.
2.5 AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL FUNDS. Upon mutual agreement between the Fund
and the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper
Instructions, make federal funds available to the Fund as of specified
times agreed upon from time to time by the Fund and the Custodian in
the amount of checks received in payment for Shares of the Fund
which are deposited into the Fund's account.
2.6 COLLECTION OF INCOME. The Custodian shall collect on a timely basis
all income and other payments with respect to United States registered
securities held hereunder to which the Fund shall be entitled either
by law or pursuant to custom in the securities business, and shall
collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect
to United States bearer securities if, on the date of payment by the
issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its agent thereof
and shall credit such income, as collected, to the Fund's custodian
account. Without limiting the generality of the
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foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for payment all
coupons and other income items requiring presentation as and when they
become due and shall collect interest when due on securities held
hereunder. Income due the Fund on United States securities loaned
pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the
responsibility of the Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or
responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide the Fund
with such information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund
in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the income to
which the Fund is properly entitled.
2.7 PAYMENT OF FUND MONIES. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which
may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties,
the Custodian shall pay out monies of the Fund in the following cases
only:
1) Upon the purchase of domestic securities, options, futures
contracts or options on futures contracts for the account of
the Fund but only (a) against the delivery of such
securities, or evidence of title to such options, futures
contracts or options on futures contracts, to the Custodian
(or any bank, banking firm or trust company doing business
in the United States or abroad which is qualified under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, to act as a
custodian
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and has been designated by the Custodian as its agent for
this purpose) registered in the name of the Fund or in the
name of a nominee of the Custodian referred to in Section
2.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer; (b) in the case
of a purchase effected through a Securities System, in
accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.10
hereof; (c) in the case of a purchase involving the Direct
Paper System, in accordance with the conditions set forth
in Section 2.10A; (d) in the case of repurchase agreements
entered into between the Fund and the Custodian, or another
bank, or a broker-dealer which is a member of NASD, (i)
against delivery of the securities either in certificate
form or through an entry crediting the Custodian's account
at the Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii)
against delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the
Fund of securities owned by the Custodian along with written
evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase
such securities from the Fund or (e) for the transfer to a
time deposit account of the Fund in any bank, whether
domestic or foreign; such transfer may be effected prior to
receipt of a
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confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable bank
pursuant to Proper Instructions from the Fund as defined in
Article 5;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of
securities owned by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2
hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the
Fund as set forth in Article 4 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the
Fund, including but not limited to the following payments
for the account of the Fund: interest, taxes, management,
accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and operating
expenses of the Fund whether or not such expenses are to be
in whole or part capitalized or treated as deferred
expenses;
5) For the payment of any dividends declared pursuant to the
governing documents of the Fund;
6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect
of securities sold short;
7) For any other proper purpose, BUT ONLY upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a
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resolution of the Board of Trustees or of the Executive
Committee of the Fund signed by an officer of the Fund and
certified by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary,
specifying the amount of such payment, setting forth the
purpose for which such payment is to be made, declaring such
purpose to be a proper purpose, and naming the person or
persons to whom such payment is to be made.
2.8 LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT IN ADVANCE OF RECEIPT OF SECURITIES PURCHASED.
Except as specifically stated otherwise in this Contract, in any and
every case where payment for purchase of domestic securities for the
account of the Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of
the securities purchased in the absence of specific written
instructions from the Fund to so pay in advance, the Custodian shall
be absolutely liable to the Fund for such securities to the same extent
as if the securities had been received by the Custodian.
2.9 APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS. The Custodian may at any time or times in its
discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or
trust company which is itself qualified under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry
out such of the provisions of this Article 2 as the Custodian may from
time to time direct; PROVIDED, however, that the appointment of any
agent shall not relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities or
liabilities hereunder.
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2.10 DEPOSIT OF SECURITIES IN SECURITIES SYSTEMS. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain domestic securities owned by the Fund in a
clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which acts
as a securities depository, or in the book-entry system authorized by
the U.S. Department of the Treasury and certain federal agencies,
collectively referred to herein as "Securities System" in accordance
with applicable Federal Reserve Board and Securities and Exchange
Commission rules and regulations, if any, and subject to the following
provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep domestic securities of the Fund in a
Securities System provided that such securities are
represented in an account ("Account") of the Custodian in
the Securities System which shall not include any assets of
the Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary,
custodian or otherwise for customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to domestic
securities of the Fund which are maintained in a Securities
System shall identify by book-entry those securities
belonging to the Fund;
3) The Custodian shall pay for domestic securities purchased
for the account of the
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Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities System
that such securities have been transferred to the Account,
and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for the
account of the Fund. The Custodian shall transfer domestic
securities sold for the account of the Fund upon (i) receipt
of advice from the Securities System that payment for such
securities has been transferred to the Account, and (ii) the
making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to
reflect such transfer and payment for the account of the
Fund. Copies of all advices from the Securities System of
transfers of domestic securities for the account of the Fund
shall identify the Fund, be maintained for the Fund by the
Custodian and be provided to the Fund at its request. Upon
request, the Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation
of each transfer to or from the account of the Fund in the
form of a written advice or notice and shall furnish to the
Fund copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each
day's transactions in the Securities System for the account
of the Fund.
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any
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report obtained by the Custodian on the Securities System's
accounting system, internal accounting control and
procedures for safeguarding domestic securities deposited in
the Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received the initial or annual
certificate, as the case may be, required by Article 13
hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding,
the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or
damage to the Fund resulting from use of the Securities
System by reason of any negligence, misfeasance or
misconduct of the Custodian or any of its agents or of any
of its or their employees or from failure of the Custodian
or any such agent to enforce effectively such rights as it
may have against the Securities System; at the election of
the Fund, it shall be entitled to be subrogated to the
rights of the Custodian with respect to any claim against
the Securities System or any other person which the
Custodian may have as a consequence of any such loss or
damage if and to the extent that the Fund has not been made
whole for any such loss or damage.
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2.10A FUND ASSETS HELD IN THE CUSTODIAN'S DIRECT PAPER SYSTEM. The
Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in
the Direct Paper System of the Custodian subject to the following
provisions:
1) No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper
System will be effected in the absence of Proper
Instructions;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in the Direct
Paper System only if such securities are represented in an
account ("Account") of the Custodian in the Direct Paper
System which shall not include any assets of the Custodian
other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or
otherwise for customers;
3) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of
the Fund which are maintained in the Direct Paper System
shall identify by book-entry those securities belonging to
the Fund;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of the Fund upon the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and
transfer of securities to the account of the Fund. The
Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account of
the Fund
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upon the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian
to reflect such transfer and receipt of payment for the
account of the Fund;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each
transfer to or from the account of the Fund, in the form of
a written advice or notice, of Direct Paper on the next
business day following such transfer and shall furnish to
the Fund copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each
day's transaction in the Securities System for the account
of the Fund;
6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report on its
system of internal accounting control as the Fund may
reasonably request from time to time;"
2.11 SEGREGATED ACCOUNT. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
Instructions establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts
for and on behalf of the Fund, into which account or accounts may be
transferred cash and/or securities, including securities maintained in
an account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof, (i) in
accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund, the
Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a
member of the NASD (or any futures commission merchant registered
under the Commodity
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Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the rules of The
Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national
securities exchange (or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
or any registered contract market), or of any similar
organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund, (ii)
for purposes of segregating cash or government securities in
connection with options purchased, sold or written by the Fund or
commodity futures contracts or options thereon purchased or sold
by the Fund, (iii) for the purposes of compliance by the Fund
with the procedures required by Investment Company Act Release
No. 10666, or any subsequent release or releases of the
Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the maintenance of
segregated accounts by registered investment companies and (iv)
for other proper corporate purposes, BUT ONLY, in the case of
clause (iv), upon receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions,
a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees or of
the Executive Committee signed by an officer of the Fund and
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, setting
forth the purpose or purposes of such segregated account and
declaring such purposes to be proper corporate purposes.
2.12 OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES FOR TAX PURPOSES. The Custodian shall execute
ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and
state tax purposes in
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connection with receipt of income or other payments with respect
to domestic securities of the Fund held by it and in
connection with transfers of such securities.
2.13 PROXIES. The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic securities
held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder
of such securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in
the name of the Fund or a nominee of the Fund, all proxies, without
indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and
shall promptly deliver to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting
materials and all notices relating to such securities.
2.14 COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO FUND PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. The Custodian
shall transmit promptly to the Fund all written information
(including, without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of
domestic securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith
and notices of exercise of call and put options written by the Fund
and the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold by the Fund)
received by the Custodian from issuers of the domestic securities
being held for the Fund. With respect to tender or exchange offers,
the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund all written
information received by the Custodian from issuers of the domestic
securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or
his agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If the Fund desires
to take action with
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respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or any other similar
transaction, the Fund shall notify the Custodian at least three
business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take
such action.
2.15 REPORTS TO FUND BY INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS. The Custodian
shall provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may reasonably
require, with reports by independent public accountants on the
accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for
safeguarding securities, futures contracts and options on futures
contracts, including domestic securities deposited and/or maintained
in a Securities System, relating to the services provided by the
Custodian under this Contract; such reports shall be of sufficient
scope and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably be required by the
Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies
would be disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such
inadequacies, the reports shall so state.
3. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND HELD
OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES.
3.1 APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS. The Fund hereby authorizes and
instructs the Custodian to employ as sub-custodians for the Fund's
securities and other assets maintained outside the United States the
foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories
designated on Schedule A hereto ("foreign
-21-
sub-custodians"). Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions", as defined
in Section 5 of this Contract, together with a certified resolution of
the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Custodian and the Fund may agree to
amend Schedule A hereto from time to time to designate additional
foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories to
act as sub-custodian. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Fund
may instruct the Custodian to cease the employment of any one or more
such sub-custodians for maintaining custody of the Fund's assets.
3.2 ASSETS TO BE HELD. The Custodian shall limit the securities and other
assets maintained in the custody of the foreign sub-custodians to:
(a) "foreign securities", as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and (b) cash and cash
equivalents in such amounts as the Custodian or the Fund may determine
to be reasonably necessary to effect the Fund's foreign securities
transactions.
3.3 FOREIGN SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES. Except as may otherwise be agreed
upon in writing by the Custodian and the Fund, assets of the Fund
shall be maintained in foreign securities depositories only through
arrangements implemented by the foreign banking institutions serving
as sub-custodians pursuant to the terms hereof. Where possible, such
arrangements shall include entry into agreements containing the
provisions set forth in Section 3.5 hereof.
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3.4 SEGREGATION OF SECURITIES
The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Fund,
the foreign securities of the Fund held by each foreign sub-custodian.
Each agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs a foreign
banking institution shall require that such institution establish a
custody account for the Custodian on behalf of the Fund and physically
segregate in that account, securities and other assets of the Fund,
and, in the event that such institution deposits the Fund's securities
in a foreign securities depository, that it shall identify on its
books as belonging to the Custodian, as agent for the Fund, the
securities so deposited.
3.5 AGREEMENTS WITH FOREIGN BANKING INSTITUTIONS. Each agreement with a
foreign banking institution shall be substantially in the form set
forth in Exhibit 1 hereto and shall provide that: (a) the Fund's
assets will not be subject to any right, charge, security interest,
lien or claim of any kind in favor of the foreign banking institution
or its creditors or agent, except a claim of payment for their safe
custody or administration; (b) beneficial ownership of the Fund's
assets will be freely transferable without the payment of money or
value other than for custody or administration; (c) adequate records
will be maintained identifying the assets as belonging to the Fund;
(d) officers of or auditors employed by, or other representatives of
the Custodian, including to the
-23-
extent permitted under applicable law the independent public
accountants for the Fund, will be given access to the books and
records of the foreign banking institution relating to its actions
under its agreement with the Custodian; and (e) assets of the Fund
held by the foreign sub-custodian will be subject only to the
instructions of the Custodian or its agents.
3.6 ACCESS OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS OF THE FUND. Upon request of the
Fund, the Custodian will use its best efforts to arrange for the
independent accountants of the Fund to be afforded access to the books
and records of any foreign banking institution employed as a foreign
sub-custodian insofar as such books and records relate to the
performance of such foreign banking institution under its agreement
with the Custodian.
3.7 REPORTS BY CUSTODIAN. The Custodian will supply to the Fund from time
to time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of the
securities and other assets of the Fund held by foreign sub-
custodians, including but not limited to an identification of entities
having possession of the Fund's securities and other assets and
advices or notifications of any transfers of securities to or from
each custodial account maintained by a foreign banking institution for
the Custodian on behalf of the Fund indicating, as to securities
acquired for the Fund, the identity of the entity having physical
possession of such securities.
-24-
3.8 TRANSACTIONS IN FOREIGN CUSTODY ACCOUNT.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 3.8,
the provision of Sections 2.2 and 2.7 of this Contract shall apply,
MUTATIS MUTANDIS to the foreign securities of the Fund held outside
the United States by foreign sub-custodians.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the contrary,
settlement and payment for securities received for the account of the
Fund and delivery of securities maintained for the account of the Fund
may be effected in accordance with the customary established
securities trading or securities processing practices and procedures
in the jurisdiction or market in which the transaction occurs,
including, without limitation, delivering securities to the purchaser
thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or
dealer) against a receipt with the expectation of receiving later
payment for such securities from such purchaser or dealer.
(c) Securities maintained in the custody of a foreign sub-custodian
may be maintained in the name of such entity's nominee to the same
extent as set forth in Section 2.3 of this Contract, and the Fund
agrees to hold any such nominee harmless from any liability as a
holder of record of such securities.
3.9 LIABILITY OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS. Each agreement pursuant to which
the Custodian employs a foreign banking institution as a foreign sub-
custodian shall require the
-25-
institution to exercise reasonable care in the performance of its
duties and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the Custodian and each
Fund from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or
claim arising out of or in connection with the institution's
performance of such obligations. At the election of the Fund, it
shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with
respect to any claims against a foreign banking institution as a
consequence of any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or
claim if and to the extent that the Fund has not been made whole for
any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim.
3.10 LIABILITY OF CUSTODIAN. The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or
omissions of a foreign banking institution to the same extent as set
forth with respect to sub-custodians generally in this Contract and,
regardless of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a
foreign banking institution, a foreign securities depository or a
branch of a U.S. bank as contemplated by paragraph 3.13 hereof, the
Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage, cost, expense,
liability or claim resulting from nationalization, expropriation,
currency restrictions, or acts of war or terrorism or any loss where
the sub-custodian has otherwise exercised reasonable care.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph 3.10, in
delegating custody duties to State Street London Ltd.,
-26-
the Custodian shall not be relieved of any responsibility to the Fund
for any loss due to such delegation, except such loss as may result
from (a) political risk (including, but not limited to, exchange
control restrictions, confiscation, expropriation, nationalization,
insurrection, civil strife or armed hostilities) or (b) other losses
(excluding a bankruptcy or insolvency of State Street London Ltd. not
caused by political risk) due to Acts of God, nuclear incident or
other losses under circumstances where the Custodian and State Street
London Ltd. have exercised reasonable care.
3.11 REIMBURSEMENT FOR ADVANCES. If the Fund requires the Custodian to
advance cash or securities for any purpose including the purchase or
sale of foreign exchange or of contracts for foreign exchange, or in
the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed
any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in
connection with the performance of this Contract, except such as may
arise from its or its nominee's own negligent action, negligent
failure to act or willful misconduct, any property at any time held
for the account of the Fund shall be security therefor and should the
Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be
entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of the Fund assets
to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement, but only to the
extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940.
-27-
3.12 MONITORING RESPONSIBILITIES. The Custodian shall furnish annually to
the Fund, during the month of June, information concerning the foreign
sub-custodians employed by the Custodian. Such information shall be
similar in kind and scope to that furnished to the Fund in connection
with the initial approval of this Contract. In addition, the
Custodian will promptly inform the Fund in the event that the
Custodian learns of a material adverse change in the financial
condition of a foreign sub-custodian or any material loss of the
assets of the Fund or in the case of any foreign sub-custodian not the
subject of an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange
Commission is notified by such foreign sub-custodian that there
appears to be a substantial likelihood that its shareholders' equity
will decline below $200 million (U.S. dollars or the equivalent
thereof) or that its shareholders' equity has declined below $200
million (in each case computed in accordance with generally accepted
U.S. accounting principles).
3.13 BRANCHES OF U.S. BANKS.
(a) Except as otherwise set forth in this Contract, the provisions
hereof shall not apply where the custody of the Fund assets are
maintained in a foreign branch of a banking institution which is a
"bank" as defined by Section 2(a)(5) of the Investment Company Act of
1940 meeting the qualification set forth in Section 26(a) of said Act.
The appointment of any such branch as a
-28-
sub-custodian shall be governed by paragraph 1 of this Contract.
(b) Cash held for the Fund in the United Kingdom shall be maintained
in an interest bearing account established for the Fund with the
Custodian's London branch, which account shall be subject to the
direction of the Custodian, State Street London Ltd. or both.
4. PAYMENTS FOR REPURCHASES OR REDEMPTIONS AND SALES OF SHARES OF THE FUND
From such funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the
limitations of the Declaration of Trust and any applicable votes of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund pursuant thereto, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of
instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for payment to
holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for
redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In connection with the redemption or
repurchase of Shares of the Fund, the Custodian is authorized upon receipt of
instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial
bank designated by the redeeming shareholders. In connection with the
redemption or repurchase of Shares of the Fund, the Custodian shall honor checks
drawn on the Custodian by a holder of Shares, which checks have been
furnished by the Fund to the holder of Shares, when presented to the Custodian
in accordance with such procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from
time to time between the Fund and the Custodian.
The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the
-29-
Fund's Shares or from the Transfer Agent of the Fund and deposit into the Fund's
account such payments as are received for Shares of the Fund issued or sold from
time to time by the Fund. The Custodian will provide timely notification to the
Fund and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of the
Fund.
5. PROPER INSTRUCTIONS
Proper Instructions as used herein means a writing signed or
initialled by one or more person or persons as the Board of Trustees shall have
from time to time authorized. Each such writing shall set forth the specific
transaction or type of transaction involved, including a specific statement of
the purpose for which such action is requested. Oral instructions will be
considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian reasonably believes them to have
been given by a person authorized to give such instructions with respect to the
transaction involved. The Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be
confirmed in writing. Upon receipt of a certificate of the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary as to the authorization by the Board of Trustees of the Fund
accompanied by a detailed description of procedures approved by the Board of
Trustees, Proper Instructions may include communications effected directly
between electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the Board of
Trustees and the Custodian are satisfied that such procedures afford adequate
safeguards for the Fund's assets. For purposes of this Section, Proper
Instructions shall include instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to
any
-30-
three-party agreement which requires a segregated asset account in accordance
with Section 2.11.
6. ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the
Fund:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this Contract,
PROVIDED that all such payments shall be accounted for to the Fund;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive
form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts and
other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection with
the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with the
securities and property of the Fund except as otherwise directed by the Board
of Trustees of the Fund.
7. EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY
The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions, notice,
request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper believed by it to be
genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the Fund. The
Custodian may receive and accept a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person
to act in accordance with such vote or (b) of any determination or of any action
by the Board of Trustees pursuant
-31-
to the Declaration of Trust as described in such vote, and such vote may be
considered as in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of written
notice to the contrary.
8. DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNT AND CALCULATION OF
NET ASSET VALUE AND NET INCOME
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the
entity or entities appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund to keep the
books of account of the Fund and/or compute the net asset value per share of the
outstanding shares of the Fund or, if directed in writing to do so by the Fund,
shall itself keep such books of account and/or compute such net asset value per
share. If so directed, the Custodian shall also calculate daily the net income
of the Fund as described in the Fund's currently effective prospectus and shall
advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the total amounts of such net
income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of the Fund to do so, shall
advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the division of such net income among
its various components. The calculations of the net asset value per share and
the daily income of the Fund shall be made at the time or times described from
time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus.
9. RECORDS
The Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating to its
activities and obligations under this Contract in such manner as will meet
the obligations of the Fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, with
particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2
thereunder,
-32-
applicable federal and state tax laws and any other law or administrative rules
or procedures which may be applicable to the Fund. All such records shall be
the property of the Fund and shall at all times during the regular business
hours of the Custodian be open for inspection by duly authorized officers,
employees or agents of the Fund and employees and agents of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The Custodian shall, at the Fund's request, supply the
Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by the Fund and held by the Custodian
and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as
shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate
numbers in such tabulations.
10. OPINION OF FUND'S INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund may from time
to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the
Fund's independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in
connection with the preparation of the Fund's Form N-1A, and Form N-SAR or
other annual reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and with
respect to any other requirements of such Commission.
11. COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services
and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between SEI
Financial Management Corporation and the Custodian, as reflected in a letter
agreement dated _____ between the parties.
12. RESPONSIBILITY OF CUSTODIAN
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable care,
the Custodian shall not be responsible for
-33-
the title, validity or genuineness of any property or evidence of title
thereto received by it or delivered by it pursuant to this Contract and shall
be held harmless in acting upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or
other instrument reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by
the proper party or parties, including any futures commission merchant acting
pursuant to the terms of a three-party futures or options agreement. The
Custodian shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care in carrying out
the provisions of this Contract, but shall be kept indemnified by and shall
be without liability to the Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in
good faith without negligence. It shall be entitled to rely on and may act
upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and
shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted
pursuant to such advice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the responsibility
of the Custodian with respect to redemptions effected by check shall be in
accordance with a separate Agreement entered into between the Custodian and
the Fund.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a foreign
banking institution appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 to the
same extent as set forth in Article 1 hereof with respect to sub-custodians
located in the United States and, regardless of whether assets are maintained
in the custody of a foreign banking institution, a foreign securities depository
or a branch of a U.S. bank as contemplated by paragraph 3.11 hereof, the
Custodian shall not be liable for
-34-
any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from, or caused
by, the direction of or authorization by the Fund to maintain custody or any
securities or cash of the Fund in a foreign country including, but not limited
to, losses resulting from nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions,
or acts of war or terrorism.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in
the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to
the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some
other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such
action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form
satisfactory to it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to advance cash or securities for any
purpose or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be
assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in
connection with the performance of this Contract, except such as may arise from
its or its nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful
misconduct, any property at any time held for the account of the Fund shall be
security therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the
Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of the Fund
assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement, but only to the extent
permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940.
-35-
13. EFFECTIVE PERIOD, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall
continue in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided,
may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may
be terminated by either party by an instrument in writing delivered or
mailed, postage prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect
not sooner than thirty (30) days after the date of such delivery or mailing;
PROVIDED, however that the Custodian shall not act under Section 2.10 hereof
in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees of the Fund has approved the
initial use of a particular Securities System and the receipt of an annual
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of
Trustees has reviewed the use by the Fund of such Securities System, as
required in each case by Rule 17f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended and that the Custodian shall not act under Section 2.10A hereof in
the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees has approved the initial use
of the Direct Paper System and the receipt of an annual certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees has reviewed
the use by the Fund of the Direct Paper System; PROVIDED FURTHER, however,
that the Fund shall not amend or terminate this Contract in contravention of
any applicable federal or state regulations, or any provision of the
Declaration of Trust, and further provided, that the Fund may
-36-
at any time by action of its Board of Trustees (i) substitute another bank or
trust company for the Custodian by giving notice as described above to the
Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate this Contract in the event of the
appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the Comptroller
of the Currency or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an
appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction.
Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund shall pay to the
Custodian such compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination
and shall likewise reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and
disbursements.
14. SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN
If a successor custodian shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees
of the Fund, the Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to such successor
custodian at the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for
transfer, all securities then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an
account of the successor custodian all of the Fund's securities held in a
Securities System.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian
shall, in like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the
Board of Trustees of the Fund, deliver at the office of the Custodian and
transfer such securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such
vote.
In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian
or certified copy of a vote of the Board of
-37-
Directors shall have been delivered to the Custodian on or before the date when
such termination shall become effective, then the Custodian shall have the right
to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a "bank" as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, of its
own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as
shown by its last published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all
securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian and all instruments
held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held by it under
this Contract and to transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of
the Fund's securities held in any Securities System. Thereafter, such bank or
trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in
the possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or
of the Board of Trustees to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian
shall be entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as
the Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other
properties and the provisions of this Contract relating to the duties and
obligations of the Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
15. INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian
and the Fund may from time to time agree on such
-38-
provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this Contract as
may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this
Contract. Any such interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a writing
signed by both parties and shall be annexed hereto, PROVIDED that no such
interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any applicable federal or
state regulations or any provision of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund. No
interpretive or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence
shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Contract.
16. MASSACHUSETTS LAW TO APPLY
This Contract shall be construed and the provisions thereof
interpreted under and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
17. PRIOR CONTRACTS
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all
prior contracts between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the custody of
the Fund's assets.
-39-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument
to be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative
and its seal to be hereunder affixed as of the 17th day of October, 1988.
ATTEST SEI WEALTH MANAGEMENT TRUST
/s/ Signature appears here By /s/ Signature appears here
----------------------------- ---------------------------------
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
/s/ Signature appears here By /s/ Signature appears here
----------------------------- ---------------------------------
Assistant Secretary Vice President
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