EXHIBIT (9)(a)
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
BETWEEN
EACH OF THE PARTIES LISTED ON APPENDIX A
AND
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
Master.cus
GlobalSeriesCorp
21N
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.......................................... 2
2.3 Registration of Securities...................................... 4
2.4 Bank Accounts .................................................. 5
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds................................... 5
2.6 Collection of Income............................................ 5
2.7 Payment of Fund Moneys.......................................... 5
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities
Purchased....................................................... 7
2.9 Appointment of Agents........................................... 7
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in U.S. Securities System................ 7
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System......... 8
2.12 Segregated Account.............................................. 9
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes......................... 10
2.14 Proxies......................................................... 10
2.15 Communications Relating to Fund Securities...................... 10
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held
Outside of the United States.............................................. 11
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians........................... 11
3.2 Assets to be Held............................................... 11
3.3 Foreign Securities Systems...................................... 11
3.4 Holding Securities ............................................. 11
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions ................... 12
3.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund .................. 12
3.7 Reports by Custodian ........................................... 12
3.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account ........................ 12
3.9 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians ............................ 13
3.10 Liability of Custodian ......................................... 13
3.11 Reimbursement for Advances ..................................... 13
3.12 Monitoring Responsibilities .................................... 14
3.13 Branches of U.S. Banks ......................................... 14
3.14 Tax Law ........................................................ 14
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchase or Redemptions of Shares of the Fund ... 14
5. Proper Instructions ..................................................... 15
6. Actions Permitted Without Express Authority ............................. 15
7. Evidence of Authority ................................................... 16
8. Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income ........................... 16
9. Records ................................................................. 16
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountants ............................... 17
11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants ....................... 17
12. Compensation of Custodian ............................................... 17
13. Responsibility of Custodian ............................................. 17
14. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment ............................. 19
15. Successor Custodian ..................................................... 19
16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions .................................. 20
17. Additional Funds ........................................................ 20
18. Massachusetts Law to Apply .............................................. 21
19. Prior Contracts ......................................................... 21
20. Reproduction of Documents ............................................... 21
21. Shareholder Communications .............................................. 21
22. Limitation of Liability .................................................
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between each fund or series of a fund listed on Appendix A which
evidences its agreement to be bound hereby by executing a copy of this Contract
(each such Fund is individually hereinafter referred to as the "Fund") and State
Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company, having its
principal place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇, hereinafter called the "Custodian",
WITNESSETH:
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
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of the assets of the
Fund, including securities which the Fund 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") pursuant to the provisions of
the Fund's governing documents. The Fund agrees to deliver to the Custodian all
securities and cash of the Fund, and all payments of income, payments of
principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to all securities
owned by the Fund from time to time, and the cash consideration received by it
for such new or treasury shares of capital stock, beneficial interest or
partnership interest, as applicable, of the Fund ("Shares") as may be issued or
sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property
of a 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 on behalf of the applicable Fund(s) 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-custodian for the Fund's foreign securities 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 each Fund all non-cash property to be held by it in the United
States including all domestic securities owned by such 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 and certain federal agencies (collectively
referred to herein as a "U.S. Securities System") and (b) commercial paper of an
issuer for which State Street Bank and Trust Company acts as issuing and paying
agent
("Direct Paper") which is deposited and/or maintained in the Direct Paper System
of the Custodian (the "Direct Paper System") pursuant to Section
2.11.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver domestic
securities owned by a Fund held by the Custodian or in a U.S. Securities System
account of the Custodian or in the Custodian's Direct Paper book entry system
account ("Direct Paper System Account") only upon receipt of Proper Instructions
from the Fund, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by
the parties, and only in the following cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Fund and receipt of
payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase agreement
related to such securities entered into by the Fund;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a U.S. Securities System. in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.10 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for
securities of the Fund;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are called, redeemed,
retired or otherwise become payable; provided that, in any such case, the cash
or other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the Fund
or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the Custodian or into the name or
nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 or into the name or
nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Article 1; or for
exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence
representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units; provided that,
in any such case, the new securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;
7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Fund, to the broker
or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for examination in accordance with
"street delivery" custom; provided that in any such case, the Custodian shall
have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the delivery of
such securities prior to receiving payment for such securities except as may
arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct;
8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, consolidation,
recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the securities of the issuer
of such
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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.
Department of the Treasury, the Custodian will not be held liable or responsible
for the delivery of securities owned by the Fund prior to the receipt of such
collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the Fund
requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, but only against receipt of amounts
borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the
Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and a member of The National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), relating to compliance with the rules of The
Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange,
or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the
Fund, the Custodian, and a Futures Commission Merchant registered under the
Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission and/or any Contract Market, or any similar
organization or organizations, regarding account deposits in connection with
transactions by the Fund;
14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent ("Transfer Agent") for
the Fund, for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to the holders of shares in
connection with distributions in kind, as may be described from time to time in
the currently effective prospectus and statement of additional information of
the Fund ("Prospectus"), in satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for
repurchase or redemption;
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15) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund, a certified copy of a resolution
of the Board of Trustees, specifying the securities of the Fund 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; and
16) Upon termination of the Contract.
2.3 Registration of Securities. Domestic securities held by the Custodian (other
than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Fund or in the
name of any nominee of the Fund or of any nominee of the Custodian which nominee
shall be assigned exclusively to the Fund, unless the Fund has authorized in
writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in common with other registered
investment companies having the same investment adviser as the Fund, or in the
name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 or in the
name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Article 1. All
securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the Fund under the terms of
this Contract shall be in "street name" or other good delivery form. If,
however, the Fund directs the Custodian to maintain securities in "street name",
the Custodian shall utilize its best efforts only to timely collect income due
the Fund on such securities and to notify the Fund on a best efforts basis only
of relevant corporate actions including, without limitation, pendency of calls,
maturities, tender or exchange offers.
2.4 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank account
or accounts in the United States in the name of each 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 a Fund may be deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in the Banking
Department of the Custodian or in such other banks or trust companies as it may
in its discretion deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that every
such bank or trust company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and that each such bank or trust company and the
funds to be deposited with each such bank or trust company shall on behalf of
each applicable Fund 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 from
the Fund, make
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federal funds available to such 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 such Fund which are deposited into the Fund's account.
2.6 Collection of Income. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the
Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with
respect to registered domestic 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
bearer domestic 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 such Fund's custodian account. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for payment
all coupons and other income items requiring presentation as and when they
become due and shall collect interest when due on securities held hereunder.
Income due each Fund on 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 Moneys. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund,
which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the
Custodian shall pay out moneys of a Fund in the following cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of domestic securities, options, futures contracts or
options on futures contracts for the account of the Fund but only (a) against
the delivery of such securities or evidence of title to such options, futures
contracts or options on futures contracts to the Custodian (or any bank, banking
firm or trust company doing business in the United States or abroad which is
qualified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, to act as a
custodian and has been designated by the Custodian as its agent for this
purpose) registered in the name of the Fund or in the name of a nominee of the
Custodian referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer; (b)
in the case of a purchase effected through a U.S. Securities System, in
accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.10 hereof; (c) in the case
of a purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in accordance with the
conditions set forth in Section 2.11; (d) in the case of repurchase agreements
entered into between the Fund and the Custodian, or another bank, or a
broker-dealer which is a member of NASD, (i) against delivery of the securities
either in certificate form or through an entry crediting the Custodian's account
at the Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii) against delivery of the
receipt evidencing purchase by the Fund of securities owned by the Custodian
along with written evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such
securities from the Fund or (e) for transfer to a time deposit account of the
Fund in
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any bank, whether domestic or foreign; such transfer may be effected prior to
receipt of a confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable bank pursuant to
Proper Instructions from the Fund as defined in Article 5;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities owned by
the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Fund as set forth in
Article 4 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Fund, including
but not limited to the following payments for the account of the Fund: interest,
taxes, management, accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and operating
expenses of the Fund whether or not such expenses are to be in whole or part
capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;
5) For the payment of any dividends on Shares of the Fund 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 from the Fund, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of
Trustees, 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; and
8) Upon termination of this Contract.
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 a 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 Fund Assets in U.S. Securities Systems. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a 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 "U.S. 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 securities of the Fund in a U.S. Securities System
provided that such securities are represented in an account ("Account") of the
Custodian in the U.S. 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 securities of the Fund which are
maintained in a U.S. Securities System shall identify by book-entry those
securities belonging to the Fund;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of the Fund
upon (i) receipt of advice from the U.S. 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 securities sold for the account of the
Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the U.S. 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 U.S. Securities System
of transfers of 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 U.S. Securities System for the account
of the Fund.
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by the
Custodian on the U.S. Securities System's accounting system, internal accounting
control and procedures for safeguarding securities deposited in the U.S.
Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received from the Fund the initial or annual
certificate, as the case may be, required by Article 14 hereof;
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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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. Securities System or
any other person which the Custodian may have as a consequence of any such loss
or damage if and to the extent that the Fund has not been made whole for any
such loss or damage.
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a 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 from the Fund;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in the Direct Paper System only
if such securities are represented in an account of the Custodian in the Direct
Paper System which shall not include any assets of the Custodian other than
assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;
3) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the Fund which are
maintained in the Direct Paper System shall identify by book-entry those
securities belonging to the Fund;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of the Fund
upon the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such
payment and transfer of securities to the account of the Fund. The Custodian
shall transfer securities sold for the account of the Fund upon the making of an
entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and receipt of
payment for the account of the Fund;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer to or from
the account of the Fund, in the form of a written advice or notice, of Direct
Paper on the next business day following such transfer and shall furnish to the
Fund copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's transaction in the
U.S. Securities System for the account of the Fund;
6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report on its system of
internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from time to
time.
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2.12 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper Instructions
from the Fund establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on
behalf of each such Fund, into which account or accounts may be transferred cash
and/or securities, including securities maintained in an account by the
Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions
of any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered
under the Exchange Act and a member of the NASD (or any futures commission
merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance
with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered
national securities exchange (or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any
registered contract market), or of any similar organization or organizations,
regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the
Fund, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash or government securities in
connection with options purchased, sold or written by the Fund or commodity
futures contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by the Fund, (iii) for
the purposes of compliance by the Fund with the procedures required by
Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release or releases
of the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the maintenance of
segregated accounts by registered investment companies and (iv) for other proper
corporate purposes, but only, in the case of clause (iv), upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund, a certified copy of a resolution
of the Board of Trustees setting forth the purpose or purposes of such
segregated account and declaring such purposes to be proper corporate purposes.
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. The Custodian shall execute
ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state tax
purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with respect to
domestic securities of each Fund held by it and in connection with transfers of
securities.
2.14 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic securities held
hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such
securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the name of the
Fund or a nominee of the Fund, all proxies, without indication of the manner in
which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to the Fund such
proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating to such
securities.
2.15 Communications Relating to Fund Securities. Subject to the provisions of
Section 2.3, 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 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 securities
whose tender or exchange is sought
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and from the party (or his agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If the
Fund desires to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or
any other similar transaction, the Fund shall notify the Custodian at least
three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take such
action.
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held Outside of
the United States
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians. The Fund hereby authorizes and
instructs the Custodian to employ as sub-custodians for the Fund's securities
and other assets maintained outside the United States the foreign banking
institutions and foreign securities depositories designated on Schedule A hereto
("foreign sub-custodians"). Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions", as defined in
Section 5 of this Contract, together with a certified resolution of the Fund's
Board of 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)(l) of Rule 17f-5 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, and (b) cash and cash equivalents in such amounts as the
Custodian or the Fund may determine to be reasonably necessary to effect the
Fund's foreign securities transactions. The Custodian shall identify on its
books as belonging to the Fund, the foreign securities of the Fund held by each
foreign sub-custodian.
3.3 Foreign Securities Systems. Except as may otherwise be agreed upon in
writing by the Custodian and the Fund, assets of the Funds shall be maintained
in a clearing agency which acts as a securities depository or in a book-entry
system for the central handling of securities located outside of the United
States (each a "Foreign Securities System") only through arrangements
implemented by the foreign banking institutions serving as sub-custodians
pursuant to the terms hereof (Foreign Securities Systems and U.S. Securities
Systems are collectively referred to herein as the "Securities Systems"). Where
possible, such arrangements shall include entry into agreements containing the
provisions set forth in Section 3.5 hereof.
3.4 Holding Securities. The Custodian may hold cash, securities and other
non-cash property for all of its customers, including the Fund, with a foreign
sub-custodian in a single account that is identified as belonging to the
Custodian for the benefit of its customers, provided however, that (i) the
records of the Custodian with respect to cash, securities and other non-cash
property of the Fund which are maintained in such account shall identify by
book-
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entry the cash, securities and other non-cash property belonging to the Fund
and (ii) the Custodian shall require that cash, securities and other non-cash
property so held by the foreign sub-custodian be held separately from any assets
of the Custodian, the foreign sub-custodian or of others.
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions. Each agreement with a foreign
banking institution shall provide that: (a) the assets of each Fund 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 for the assets of each Fund 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 each
applicable Fund; (d) officers of or auditors employed by, or other
representatives of the Custodian, including to the extent permitted under
applicable law the independent public accountants for the Fund, will be given
access to the books and records of the foreign banking institution relating to
its actions under its agreement with the Custodian; and (e) assets of the Funds
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(s) 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 each applicable Fund indicating, as to securities
acquired for a Fund, the identity of the entity having physical possession of
such securities.
3.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account. (a) Except as otherwise provided in
paragraph (b) of this Section 3.8, the provision of Sections 2.2 and 2.7 of this
Contract shall apply, mutatis mutandis to the foreign securities of the Fund
held outside the United States by foreign sub-custodians.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the contrary, settlement
and payment for securities received for the account of each applicable Fund and
delivery of securities maintained for the account of each applicable Fund may be
effected in accordance with the customary established securities trading or
securities processing practices and
11
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. In addition, and whether or not such practice is a
customary established trading practice in the relevant jurisdictions, the
Custodian will, upon Proper Instructions from the Fund, deliver cash to
securities brokers in foreign jurisdictions who will effect securities trades
for the Fund and cause the securities purchased to be delivered to the
applicable foreign sub-custodian at some later date.
(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 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., 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.
12
3.11 Reimbursement for Advances. If the Fund requires the Custodian to advance
cash or securities for any purpose for the benefit of a Fund 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 applicable 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 such
Fund's assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
3.12 Monitoring Responsibilities. The Custodian shall furnish annually to the
Fund, during the month of June, information concerning the foreign
sub-custodians employed by the Custodian. Such information shall be similar in
kind and scope to that furnished to the Fund in connection with the initial
approval of this Contract. In addition, the Custodian will promptly inform the
Fund in the event that the Custodian learns of a material adverse change in the
financial condition of a foreign sub-custodian or any material loss of the
assets of the Fund or in the case of any foreign sub-custodian not the subject
of an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission is notified by
such foreign sub-custodian that there appears to be a substantial likelihood
that its shareholders' equity will decline below $200 million (U.S. dollars or
the equivalent thereof) or that its shareholders' equity has declined below $200
million (in each case computed in accordance with generally accepted U.S.
accounting principles).
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 Funds' assets are
maintained in a foreign branch of a banking institution which is a "bank" as
defined by Section 2(a)(5) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 meeting the
qualification set forth in Section 26(a) of said Act. The appointment of any
such branch as a sub-custodian shall be governed by paragraph 1 of this
Contract. (b) Cash held for each Fund in the United Kingdom shall be maintained
in an interest bearing account established for the Fund with the Custodian's
London branch, which account shall be subject to the direction of the Custodian,
State Street London Ltd. or both.
3.14 The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any obligations
now or hereafter imposed on the Fund or the Custodian as custodian of the Fund
by the tax law of the United States of America or any state or political
subdivision thereof. It shall be the responsibility of the Fund to notify the
Custodian of the obligations imposed on the Fund or the Custodian as custodian
of the Fund by the tax law of jurisdictions other than those mentioned in the
above sentence, including responsibility for withholding and other taxes,
assessments or other governmental charges, certifications and governmental
reporting. The sole responsibility of the Custodian with regard to such tax law
shall be to use reasonable
13
efforts to assist the Fund with respect to any claim for exemption or refund
under the tax law of jurisdictions for which the Fund has provided such
information.
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the Fund
The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Shares or from the
Transfer Agent of the Fund and deposit into the account of the appropriate Fund
such payments as are received for Shares of that Fund issued or sold from time
to time by the Fund. The Custodian will provide timely notification to the Fund
on behalf of each such Fund and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of
payments for Shares of such Fund.
From such funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the
limitations of the applicable Fund's governing documents 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 a 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.
5. Proper Instructions
Proper Instructions as used throughout this Contract means a writing signed or
initialed 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 Funds' assets. For purposes of this Section, Proper
Instructions shall include instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to
any three-party agreement which requires a segregated asset account in
accordance with Section 2.12.
14
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 to the governing documents of the Fund 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 each Fund and/or compute the net asset value per share of
the outstanding shares of the Fund or, if the Custodian and the Fund execute the
applicable Price Source Authorization (the "Authorization"), the Custodian shall
keep such books of account and/or compute the net asset value per share pursuant
to the terms of the Authorization and the attachments thereto. If so directed,
the Custodian shall also calculate daily the net income of the Fund as described
in the Fund's currently effective Prospectus related to such Fund 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
15
components. The calculations of the net asset value per share and the daily
income of each Fund shall be made at the time or times described from time to
time in the Fund's currently effective Prospectus related to such Fund.
9. RECORDS
The Custodian shall with respect to each Fund 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 31 a-1 and 31 a-2
thereunder. All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at all
times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection
by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and employees and
agents of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian shall, at the
Fund's request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by each
Fund and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund
and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the
Custodian, include certificate numbers in such tabulations.
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund may from time to
time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund's
independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in connection
with the preparation of the Fund's Form N-1A, and Form N-SAR or other annual
reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and with respect to any other
requirements of such Commission.
11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may reasonably
require, with reports by independent public accountants on the accounting
system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities,
futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including securities
deposited and/or maintained in a Securities System, relating to the services
provided by the Custodian under this Contract; such reports, shall be of
sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably be required by the
Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would be
disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the
reports shall so state.
12. Compensation of Custodian
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services and
expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between the Fund and the
Custodian.
16
13. Responsibility of Custodian
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable care, the
Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of any
property or evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it pursuant
to this Contract and shall be held harmless in acting upon any notice, request,
consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably believed by it to be genuine
and to be signed by the proper party or parties, including any futures
commission merchant acting pursuant to the terms of a three-party futures or
options agreement. The Custodian shall be held to the exercise of reasonable
care in carrying out the provisions of this Contract, but shall be kept
indemnified by 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.
Except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct or
the negligence or willful misconduct of a sub-custodian or agent, the Custodian
shall be without liability to the Fund for any loss, liability, claim or expense
resulting from or caused by: (i) events or circumstances beyond the reasonable
control of the Custodian or any sub-custodian or Securities System or any agent
or nominee of any of the foregoing, including, without limitation,
nationalization or expropriation, imposition of currency controls or
restrictions, the interruption, suspension or restriction of trading on or the
closure of any securities market, power or other mechanical or technological
failures or interruptions, computer viruses or communications disruptions, acts
of war or terrorism, riots, revolutions, work stoppages, natural disasters or
other similar events or acts; (ii) errors by the Fund or its investment adviser
in their instructions to the Custodian provided such instructions have been in
accordance with this Contract; (iii) the insolvency of or acts or omissions by a
Securities System; (iv) any delay or failure of any broker, agent or
intermediary, central bank or other commercially prevalent payment or clearing
system to deliver to the Custodian's sub-custodian or agent securities purchased
or in the remittance or payment made in connection with securities sold; (v) any
delay or failure of any company, corporation, or other body in charge of
registering or transferring securities in the name of the Custodian, the Fund,
the Custodian's sub-custodians, nominees or agents or any consequential losses
arising out of such delay or failure to transfer such securities including
non-receipt of bonus, dividends and rights and other accretions or benefits;
(vi) delays or inability to perform its duties due to any disorder in market
infrastructure with respect to any particular security or Securities System; and
(vii) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or order of the
United States of America, or any state thereof, or any other country, or
political subdivision thereof or of any court of competent jurisdiction.
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.
17
If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in
the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to
the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some
other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such
action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form
satisfactory to it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or agents, to
advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not limited to
securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement) 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 applicable 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 such
Fund's assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
14. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall continue in full
force and effect until terminated as 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 with respect to a Fund 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 the Fund has approved the initial use of a particular
Securities System by such Fund and the receipt of an annual certificate of the
Secretary or Assistant Secretary that the Board of the Fund has reviewed any
subsequent change regarding the use by such 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 with respect to a Fund act under
Section 2.11 hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board has approved the initial use
of the Direct Paper System by such Fund and the receipt of an annual certificate
of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of the Fund has
reviewed the use by such 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 Fund's governing documents, and further provided, that the Fund on behalf
of one or more of the Funds may at any time by action of its Board (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.
18
Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund shall pay to the Custodian such
compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall likewise
reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements.
15. Successor Custodian
If a successor custodian for a Fund shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees
of such 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, funds and other properties of each applicable Fund
then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account of the successor
custodian all of the securities of each such Fund 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 Trustees 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 on behalf of each applicable Fund and all
instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held
by it under this Contract on behalf of each applicable Fund and to transfer to
an account of such successor custodian all of the securities of each such Fund
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.
16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and the Fund
may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in addition to
the provisions of this Contract as may in their joint opinion be consistent with
the general tenor of this Contract. Any such interpretive or additional
provisions shall be in a writing signed by both parties and shall be annexed
hereto, provided that no such interpretive or additional provisions shall
contravene any
19
applicable federal or state regulations or any provision of the governing
documents of the Fund. No interpretive or additional provisions made as provided
in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Contract.
17. Additional Funds
In the event that ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Distributors, Inc. establishes any
funds in addition to the Funds listed on Appendix A with respect to which it
desires to have the Custodian render services as custodian under the terms
hereof, it shall so notify the Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian agrees
in writing to provide such services, such fund shall become a Fund hereunder,
subject to the delivery by the new Fund of resolutions authorizing the
appointment of the Custodian and such other supporting or related documentation
as the Custodian may request. All references herein to the "Fund" are to each of
the Funds listed on Appendix A individually, as if this Contract were between
each such individual Fund and the Custodian. With respect to any Fund which
issues shares in separate classes or series, each class or series of such Fund
shall be treated as a separate Fund hereunder.
18. 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.
19. Prior Contacts
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior
contracts between the Funds and the Custodian relating to the custody of the
Funds' assets.
20. Reproduction of Documents
This Contract and all schedules, exhibits, attachments and amendments hereto may
be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature
photographic or other similar process. The parties hereto all/each agree that
any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in
any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in
existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the
regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further
reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.
21. Shareholder Communications
Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14b-2 requires banks which hold
securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of
securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of
securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial
20
owner has expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to
comply with the rule, the Custodian needs the Fund to indicate whether the Fund
authorizes the Custodian to provide the Fund's name, address, and share position
to requesting companies whose stock the Fund owns. If the Fund tells the
Custodian "no", the Custodian will not provide this information to requesting
companies. If the Fund tells the Custodian "yes" or do not check either "yes" or
"no" below, the Custodian is required by the rule to treat the Fund as
consenting to disclosure of this information for all securities owned by the
Fund or any funds or accounts established by the Fund. For the Fund's
protection, the Rule prohibits the requesting company from using the Fund's name
and address for any purpose other than corporate communications. Please indicate
below whether the Fund consent or object by checking one of the alternatives
below.
YES [_] The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund's name, address, and
share positions of each Fund listed on Exhibit A.
NO [X] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund's name, address, and
share positions of each Fund listed on Exhibit A.
21. Limitation of Liability.
The execution of this Contract has been authorized by each Fund's Board of
Trustees. This Contract is executed on behalf of each Fund or the trustees of
such Fund as trustees and not individually and the obligations of the Fund under
this Contract are not binding upon any of the Fund's trustees, officers or
shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of
the Fund.
21
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 1st day of August, 1997.
ATTEST EACH OF THE FUNDS LISTED ON
APPENDIX A
/s/ [Illegible] By /s/ [Illegible]
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Vice President & Secretary
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
/s/ [Illegible] By /s/ [Illegible]
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Executive Vice President
Schedule A
The following foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories
have been approved by the Board of Trustees of for use as sub-custodians for the
Fund's securities and other assets:
(Insert banks and securities depositories)
Certified: /s/ [Illegible]
Fund's Authorized Officer
Date: August 1, 1997
SCHEDULE A
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
FOR MUTUAL FUND CLIENTS
1997
Country Subcustodian Central Depository
Argentina Citibank, N.A. Caja de Valores S.A.
Australia Westpac Banking Austraclear Limited;
Corporation
Reserve Bank Information and
Transfer System (RITS)
Austria GiroCredit Bank Oesterreichische
Aktiengesellschaft Kontrollbank AG
der Sparkassen (Wertpapiersammelbank Division)
Bangladesh Standard Chartered Bank None
Belgium Generale Bank Caisse Interprofessionnelle
de Depots et de Virements
de Titres S.A. (CIK);
Banque Nationale de Belgique
Botswana Barclays Bank of Botswana Limited None
Brazil Citibank, N.A. Bolsa de Valores de Sao Paulo
(Bovespa);
Banco Central do Brasil,
Systema Especial de Liquidacao
e Custodia (SELIC)
Canada Canada Trustco The Canadian Depository
Mortgage Company for Securities Limited (CDS)
Chile Citibank, N.A. None
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
FOR MUTUAL FUND CLIENTS
1997
Country Subcustodian Central Depository
People's Republic of China The Hongkong and Shanghai Shanghai Securities Central
Banking Corporation Limited, Clearing and Registration
Shanghai and Shenzhen branches Corporation (SSCCRC);
Shenzhen Securities Central
Clearing Co., Ltd. (SSCC)
Colombia Cititrust Colombia S.A. None
Sociedad Fiduciaria
Cyprus Barclays Bank PLC None
Cyprus Offshore Banking Unit
Czech Republic Ceskoslovenska Obchodni Stredisko Cennych Papiru
(SCP);
Banka A.S.
Czech National Bank (CNB)
Denmark Den Danske Bank Vaerdipapircentralen -
The Danish Securities
Center (VP)
Ecuador Citibank, N.A. None
Egypt National Bank of Egypt None
Finland ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Bank Limited The Central Share Register of
Finland
France Banque Paribas Societe Interprofessionnelle
pour la Compensation des
Valeurs Mobilieres (SICOVAM);
Banque de France,
Saturne System
Germany Dresdner Bank A.G. The Deutscher Kassenverein AG
Ghana Barclays Bank of Ghana Limited None
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
FOR MUTUAL FUND CLIENTS
1997
Country Subcustodian Central Depository
Greece National Bank of The Central Securities Depository
Greece S.A. (Aporhetirion Titlon A.E.)
Hong Kong Standard Chartered Bank The Central Clearing and
Settlement System (CCASS)
Hungary Citibank Budapest Rt. The Central Depository and Clearing
House (Budapest) Ltd.
India Deutsche Bank AG None
The Hongkong and Shanghai None
Banking Corporation Limited
Indonesia Standard Chartered Bank None
Ireland Bank of Ireland None;
The Central Bank of Ireland,
The Gilt Settlement Office (GSO)
Israel Bank Hapoalim B.M. The Clearing House of the
Tel Aviv Stock Exchange
Italy Banque Paribas Monte Titoli S.p.A.;
Banca d'Italia
Ivory Coast Societe Generale de Banques None
en Cote d'Ivoire
Bank of Japan Net System
The Fuji Bank, Limited Japan Securities Depository Center
(JASDEC);
Bank of Japan Net System
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
FOR MUTUAL FUND CLIENTS
1997
Country Subcustodian Central Depository
Japan (cont.) The Sumitomo Trust Japan Securities Depostiory
& Banking Co., Ltd. Center (JASDEC);
Bank of Japan Net System
Jordan The British Bank of the Middle East None
Kenya Barclays Bank of Kenya Limited None
Republic of Korea SEOULBANK Korea Securities Depository (KSD)
Malaysia Standard Chartered Bank Malaysian Central Depository Sdn.
Malaysia Berhad Bhd. (MCD)
Mauritius The HongKong and Shanghai None
Banking Corporation Limited
Mexico Citibank Mexico, S.A. S.D. INDEVAL, S.A. de C.V.
(Instituto para el Deposito de
Valores);
Banco de Mexico
Morocco Banque Commerciale du Maroc None
Netherlands MeesPierson N.V. Nederlands Centraal
Instituut voor Giraal
Effectenverkeer B.V.
(NECIGEF)
New Zealand ANZ Banking Group New Zealand Central Securities
(New Zealand) Limited Depository Limited (NZCSD)
Norway Christiania Bank og Verdipapirsentralen -
Kreditkasse The Norwegian Registry
of Securities (VPS)
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
FOR MUTUAL FUND CLIENTS
1997
Country Subcustodian Central Depository
Pakistan Deutsche Bank AG None
Peru Citibank, N.A. Caja de Valores (CAVAL)
Philippines Standard Chartered Bank None
Poland Citibank Poland S.A. The National Depository
of Securities (Centrum
Krajowy Depozytu
Papierow Wartos'ciowych);
National Bank of Poland
Portugal Banco Comercial Portugues Central de Valores
Mobiliarios (Central)
Russia Credit Suisse First Boston, Zurich via None
Credit Suisse First Boston
(Moscow) Limited
Singapore The Development Bank The Central Depository
of Singapore Ltd. (Pte) Limited (CDP)
Slovak Republic Ceskoslovenska Obchadna Stredisko cennych
Banka A.S. papierov (SCP);
National Bank of Slovakia
South Africa Standard Bank of The Central Depository Limited
South Africa Limited
Spain Banco Santander, S.A. Servicio de Compensacion y
Liquidacion de Valores (SCLV);
Banco de Espana,
Anotaciones en Cuenta
Sri Lank The Hongkong and Shanghai The Central Depository
Banking Corporation Limited System (Pvt) Limited
Swaziland Barclays Bank of Swaziland Limited None
Sweden Skandinaviska Enskilda Vardepapperscentralen VPC AB -
Banken The Swedish Central Securities
Depository
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
FOR MUTUAL FUND CLIENTS
1997
Country Subcustodian Central Depository
Switzerland Union Bank of Switzerland Schweizerische Effekten -
Giro AG (SEGA)
Taiwan-R.O.C. Central Trust of China The Taiwan Securities
Central Depository
Company, Ltd.(TSCD)
Thailand Standard Chartered Bank Thailand Securities Depository
Company Limited (TSD)
Turkey Citibank, ▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ ve Saklama Bankasi A.S.
(TAKASBANK)
Central Bank of Turkey
United Kingdom State Street Bank and None;
Trust Company
The Bank of England,
The Central Gilts Office (CGO);
The Central Moneymarkets Office
(CMO)
Uruguay Citibank, N.A. None
Venezuela Citibank, N.A. None
Zambia Barclays Bank of Zambia Limited Lusaka Central Depository (LCD)
Zimbabwe Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe Limited None
Euroclear (The Euroclear System)/ State Street London Limited
Cedel (Cedel Bank societe anonyme)/ State Street London Limited
Appendix A
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Corporate Bond Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Emerging Growth Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Enterprise Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Equity Income Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Global Managed Assets Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Government Securities Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Government Target Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Growth and Income Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Harbor Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital High Income Corporate Bond Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Life Investment Trust on behalf of its series
Asset Allocation Portfolio
Domestic Income Portfolio
Emerging Growth Portfolio
Enterprise Portfolio
Global Equity Portfolio
Government Portfolio
Growth and Income Portfolio
Money Market Portfolio
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Real Estate Securities Portfolio
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Limited Maturity Government Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Pace Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Real Estate Securities Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Reserve Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Small Capitalization Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Tax-Exempt Trust on behalf of its series
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital High Yield Municipal Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital U.S. Government Trust for Income
1
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital World Portfolio Series Trust on behalf of its series
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Global Equity Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Global Government Securities Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital U.S. Government Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital U.S. Government Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Tax Free Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Insured Tax Free Income Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Tax Free High Income Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital California Insured Tax Free Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Municipal Income Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Intermediate Term Municipal Income Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Florida Insured Tax Free Income Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital New Jersey Tax Free Income Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital New York Tax Free Income Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital High Yield Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Short-Term Global Income Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Strategic Income Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Equity Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Utility Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Value Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Great American Companies Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Growth Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Prospector Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Aggressive Growth Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Pennsylvania Tax Free Income Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Tax Free Money Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Foreign Securities Fund
The Explorer Institutional Trust
Explorer Institutional Active Core Fund
Explorer Institutional Limited Duration Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Navigator Funds
Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio
Emerging Markets Fixed Income Portfolio
U.S. Quality Equity Portfolio
2
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Exchange Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Municipal Income Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital California Municipal Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital High Income Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital High Income Trust II
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Investment Grade Municipal Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Prime Rate Income Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Municipal Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital California Quality Municipal Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Florida Quality Municipal Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital New York Quality Municipal Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Ohio Quality Municipal Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Trust for Insured Municipals
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Trust for Investment Grade Municipals
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Trust for Investment Grade California Municipals
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Trust for Investment Grade Florida Municipals
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Trust for Investment Grade New Jersey Municipals
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Trust for Pennsylvania Municipals
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Municipal Opportunity Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Advantage Municipal Income Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Advantage Pennsylvania Municipal Income Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Strategic Sector Municipal Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Value Municipal Income Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital California Value Municipal Income Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Massachusetts Value Municipal Income Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital New Jersey Value Municipal Income Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital New York Value Municipal Income Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Ohio Value Municipal Income Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Pennsylvania Value Municipal Income Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Municipal Opportunity Trust II
▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Municipal Opportunity Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Advantage Municipal Income Trust II
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Select Sector Municipal Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Bond Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Convertible Securities Fund
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ American Capital Income Trust
4