CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
between
▇▇▇▇▇▇ EQUITY TRUST
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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 Monies....................................6
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of
Securities Purchased......................................7
2.9 Appointment of Agents.....................................7
2.10 Deposit of Securities in U.S. Securities System...........7
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's
Direct Paper System.......................................8
2.12 Segregated Account........................................8
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes .................10
2.14 Proxies..................................................10
2.15 Communications Relating to Portfolio Securities..........10
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of
the Fund Held Outside the United States...........................11
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians....................11
3.2 Assets to be Held........................................11
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories..........................11
3.4 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions.............11
3.5 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund............11
3.6 Reports by Custodian.....................................11
3.7 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account..................12
3.8 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians......................12
3.9 Liability of Custodian...................................12
3.10 Reimbursement for Advances...............................13
3.11 Monitoring Responsibilities..............................13
3.12 Branches of U.S. Banks...................................13
3.13 Tax Law..................................................14
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchases or Redemptions
of Shares ........................................................14
5. Proper Instructions...............................................14
6. Actions Permitted without Express Authority.......................15
7. Evidence of Authority.............................................15
8. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account
and Calculations of Net Asset Value and Net Income................16
9. Records...........................................................16
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountants.........................16
11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants.................16
12. Compensation of Custodian.........................................17
13. Responsibility of Custodian.......................................17
14. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment.......................18
15. Successor Custodian...............................................19
16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions........................... 19
17. Additional Funds..................................................20
18. Massachusetts Law to Apply........................................20
19. Prior Contracts...................................................20
20. Shareholder Communications Election...............................20
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
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This Contract between ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Equity Trust, a business trust organized
and existing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and having its
principal place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ (the "Fund"), and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts
trust company having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ (the "Custodian"),
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Fund is authorized to issue shares in separate series,
with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of
securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Fund currently intends to offer shares in one series,
▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇ Financial Services Fund (such series together with all other
series subsequently established by the Fund and made subject to this Contract in
accordance with Article 17, being herein referred to as the "Portfolio(s)");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto do hereby 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 Portfolios of the Fund, including securities which the Fund, on behalf of
the applicable Portfolio desires to be held in places within the United States
of America ("domestic securities") and securities it desires to be held outside
the United States of America ("foreign securities") pursuant to the provisions
of the Fund's declaration of trust (the "Declaration of Trust"). The Fund on
behalf of the Portfolio(s) agrees to deliver to the Custodian all securities and
cash of the Portfolios, and all payments of income, payments of principal or
capital distributions received by it with respect to all securities owned by the
Portfolio(s) from time to time, and the cash consideration received by it for
such new or treasury shares of beneficial interest of the Fund representing
interests in the Portfolios ("Shares") as may be issued or sold from time to
time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of a Portfolio
held or received by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio and not delivered to the
Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (as such term is defined in
Article 5 of this Contract), the Custodian shall on behalf of the applicable
Portfolio(s) from time to time employ one or more sub-custodians located in the
United States of America, including any state or political subdivision thereof
and any territory over which its political sovereignty extends (the "United
States" or
"U.S."), but only in accordance with an applicable vote by the board of trustees
of the Fund (the "Board of Trustees") on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s)
and provided that the Custodian shall have no more or less responsibility or
liability to the Fund on account of any actions or omissions of any
sub-custodian so employed than any such sub-custodian has to the Custodian. The
Custodian may employ as sub-custodians for the Fund's foreign securities on
behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) 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 Portfolio all non-cash property to be held by
it in the United States including all domestic securities owned by such
Portfolio other than (a) securities which are maintained in a "U.S.
Securities System" (as such term is defined in Section 2.10 of this
Contract) 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 Custodian's Direct
Paper System pursuant to Section 2.11.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver
domestic securities owned by a Portfolio and held by the Custodian or
in a U.S. Securities System account of the Custodian, which account
shall not include any assets of the Custodian other than assets held as
a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for its customers ("U.S. Securities
System Account") or in the Custodian's Direct Paper book-entry system
account, which account shall not include any assets of the Custodian
other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for its
customers ("Direct Paper System Account") only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, 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 Portfolio
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
Portfolio;
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 Portfolio;
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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 Portfolio 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
Portfolio, 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
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 Portfolio, but only against receipt of adequate
collateral as agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian
and the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, 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 U.S. Securities System Account,
the Custodian will not be held liable or responsible for the
delivery of securities owned by the Portfolio prior to the
receipt of such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by
the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio requiring a pledge of
assets by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, but only
against receipt of amounts borrowed;
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12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio of the Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio of the Fund;
14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent for the
Fund (the "Transfer Agent"), 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 related to the Portfolio (the
"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 from the Fund on behalf
of the applicable Portfolio, a certified copy of a resolution
of the Board of Trustees or of the executive committee thereof
signed by an officer of the Fund and certified by the Fund's
Secretary or Assistant Secretary specifying the securities of
the Portfolio to be delivered, setting forth the purpose for
which such delivery is to be made, declaring such purpose to
be a proper corporate purpose, and naming the person or
persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.
2.3 Registration of Securities. Domestic securities held by the Custodian
(other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the
Portfolio or in the name of any nominee of the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio or of any nominee of the Custodian which nominee shall be
assigned exclusively to the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio, 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 Portfolio 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 reasonable efforts only to
(i) timely collect income
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due the Fund on such securities and (ii) notify the Fund 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 Portfolio
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 Portfolio, other than cash maintained by
the Portfolio in a bank account established and used in accordance with
Rule 17f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Funds
held by the Custodian for a Portfolio 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, as amended (the "Investment Company
Act") 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 Portfolio be approved by vote of a majority of the Board of
Trustees. 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 agreement between the Fund on
behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian, the Custodian
shall, upon the receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf
of a Portfolio, make federal funds available to such Portfolio 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 Portfolio which are deposited into the Portfolio's account.
2.6 Collection of Income. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the
Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments
with respect to United States-registered securities held hereunder to
which each Portfolio 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 domestic 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 such Portfolio's 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. Collection of income due each Portfolio on
domestic 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 in its possession as may
be necessary to assist the Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to
the Custodian of the income to which the Portfolio is properly
entitled.
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2.7 Payment of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the
Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing
instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian
shall pay out monies of a Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 to act as a custodian and has been
designated by the Custodian as its agent for this purpose)
registered in the name of the Portfolio 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 on behalf of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio
of securities owned by the Custodian along with written
evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such
securities from the Portfolio or (e) for transfer to a time
deposit account of the Fund in any bank, whether domestic or
foreign; such transfer may be effected prior to receipt of a
confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable bank pursuant
to Proper Instructions from the Fund as defined in Article 5;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of
securities owned by the Portfolio as set forth in Section 2.2
hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the
Portfolio as set forth in Article 4 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the
Portfolio, including but not limited to the following payments
for the account of the Portfolio: interest, taxes, management
fees, accounting fees, transfer agent fees, 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 Portfolio
declared pursuant to the governing documents of the Fund;
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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 on behalf of the
Portfolio, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of
Trustees or of the executive committee thereof signed by an
officer of the Fund and certified by the Fund's 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 a Portfolio is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt
of the securities purchased in the absence of specific written
instructions from the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio 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 to
act as a custodian, as its agent to carry out such of the provisions of
this Article 2 as the Custodian may from time to time direct; provided,
however, that the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the
Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder.
2.10 Deposit of Securities in U.S. Securities Systems. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain domestic securities owned by a Portfolio in a
clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC") under Section 17A of the Exchange Act, 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 (a "U.S.
Securities System") in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve Board
and SEC rules and regulations, if any, and subject to the following
provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep domestic securities of the Portfolio in
a U.S. Securities System provided that such securities are
represented in a U.S. Securities System Account;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Portfolio which are maintained in a U.S. Securities System
shall identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the
Portfolio;
3) The Custodian shall pay for domestic securities purchased for
the account of the Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from
the U.S. Securities System that such
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securities have been transferred to the U.S. Securities System
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 Portfolio; the Custodian shall transfer securities sold
for the account of the Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice
from the U.S. Securities System that payment for such
securities has been transferred to the U.S. Securities System
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 Portfolio. Copies of all advices from the U.S.
Securities System of transfers of securities for the account
of the Portfolio shall identify the Portfolio, be maintained
for the Portfolio by the Custodian and be provided to the Fund
at its request. Upon request, the Custodian shall furnish the
Fund on behalf of the Portfolio confirmation of each transfer
to or from the account of the Portfolio in the form of a
written advice or notice and shall furnish to the Fund on
behalf of the Portfolio copies of daily transaction sheets
reflecting each day's transactions in the U.S. Securities
System for the account of the Portfolio;
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio(s) 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 on behalf of
the Portfolio the initial or annual certificate, as the case
may be, required by Article 14 hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding, the
Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for the benefit of the
Portfolio for any loss or damage to the Portfolio 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
Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 on behalf of the Portfolio;
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2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Portfolio in the
Direct Paper System only if such securities are represented in
the Direct Paper System Account 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
Portfolio which are maintained in the Direct Paper System
shall identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the
Portfolio;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio. The Custodian
shall transfer securities sold for the account of the
Portfolio 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 Portfolio;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio confirmation of each transfer to or from the account
of the Portfolio, 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 on behalf of the
Portfolio copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each
day's transaction in the Direct Paper System for the account
of the Portfolio; and
6) Upon the reasonable request of the Fund, the Custodian shall
provide the Fund with any report on the Direct Paper System's
system of internal accounting controls which had been prepared
as of the time of such request.
2.12 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
Instructions from the Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio
establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on
behalf of each such Portfolio, into which account or accounts may be
transferred cash and/or securities, including securities maintained in
a U.S. Securities System Account by the Custodian pursuant to Section
2.10 hereof (i) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, 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
Portfolio, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash or government
securities in connection with options purchased, sold or written by the
Portfolio or commodity futures contracts or options thereon purchased
or sold by the Portfolio, (iii) for the purposes of compliance by the
Portfolio with the procedures required by Investment Company Act
Release No. 10666, or
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any subsequent release or releases of the SEC relating to the
maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies
and (iv) for other proper corporate purposes, but only, in the case of
this clause (iv), upon receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions
from the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, a certified copy
of a resolution of the Board of Trustees or of the executive committee
thereof signed by an officer of the Fund and certified by the Fund's
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, setting forth the purpose or
purposes of such segregated account and declaring such purposes to be
proper corporate purposes.
2.13 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 Portfolio held by
it and in connection with transfers of such securities.
2.14 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic securities
held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder
of such securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in
the name of the Portfolio or a nominee of the Portfolio, all proxies,
without indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted,
and shall promptly deliver to the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio such
proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating to
such securities.
2.15 Communications Relating to Portfolio Securities. Subject to the
provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the
Fund for each Portfolio 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 on behalf of the Portfolio
and the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold by the
Portfolio) received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities
being held for the Portfolio. With respect to tender or exchange
offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Portfolio all
written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the
securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or
his agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If the Portfolio
desires to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer
or any other similar transaction, the Portfolio shall notify the
Custodian at least three (3) 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 Portfolio's
securities and other assets maintained outside the United States the
foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories
designated on Schedule A hereto (the "foreign sub-custodians"). Upon
receipt
-10-
of Proper Instructions, together with a certified resolution of the
Board of Trustees, the Custodian and the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio(s) 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 foreign sub-custodians for
maintaining custody of the Portfolio's assets.
3.2 Assets to be Held. The Custodian shall limit the securities and other
assets maintained in the custody of the foreign sub-custodians to: (a)
"foreign securities", as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and (b) cash and cash
equivalents in such amounts as the Custodian or the Fund may determine
to be reasonably necessary to effect the Fund's foreign securities
transactions. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to
the Fund, the foreign securities of the Fund held by each foreign
sub-custodian.
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories. Except as may otherwise be agreed upon
in writing by the Custodian and the Fund, assets of the Funds 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 3.4 hereof.
3.4 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions. Each agreement with a
foreign banking institution shall provide that (a) the assets of each
Portfolio 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 assets of
each Portfolio 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 Custodian
on behalf of its customers; (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 Portfolios held by the foreign
sub-custodian will be subject only to the instructions of the Custodian
or its agents.
3.5 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund. Upon request of the
Fund, the Custodian will use reasonable 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.
3.6 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
-11-
Portfolio(s) held by foreign sub-custodians, including but not limited
to an identification of entities having possession of Portfolio
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 its
customers indicating, as to securities acquired for a Portfolio, the
identity of the entity having physical possession of such securities.
3.7 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account. (a) Except as otherwise
provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 3.7, the provision of
Sections 2.2 and 2.7 of this Contract shall apply, mutatis mutandis to
the foreign securities of the Portfolio(s) 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 Portfolio and delivery of securities maintained for the
account of each applicable Portfolio 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.
3.8 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 the 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 on behalf of the Portfolio, 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
Portfolio has not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost,
expense, liability or claim.
3.9 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 Section 3.12 hereof, the Custodian shall
not be liable for any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim
resulting from nationalization, expropriation, currency
-12-
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 Section 3.9, in delegating custody
duties to State Street London Ltd., the Custodian shall not be relieved
of any responsibility to the Fund for any loss due to such delegation,
except such loss as may result from (a) political risk (including, but
not limited to, exchange control restrictions, confiscation,
expropriation, nationalization, insurrection, civil strife or armed
hostilities) or (b) other losses (excluding a bankruptcy or insolvency
of State Street London Ltd. not caused by political risk) due to Acts
of God, nuclear incident or other losses under circumstances where the
Custodian and State Street London Ltd. have exercised reasonable care.
3.10 Reimbursement for Advances. If the Fund requires the Custodian to
advance cash or securities for any purpose for the benefit of a
Portfolio 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
Portfolio 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 Portfolio's assets to the extent
necessary to obtain reimbursement.
3.11 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 SEC 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 local currency
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).
3.12 Branches of U.S. Banks. (a) Except as otherwise set forth in this
Contract, the provisions hereof shall not apply where the custody of
Portfolio 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 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 Article 1 of this Contract.
-13-
(b) Cash held for each Portfolio of the Fund in the United Kingdom
shall be maintained in an interest bearing account established for the
Fund with the Custodian's London branch, which account shall be subject
to the direction of the Custodian, State Street London Ltd. or both.
3.13 Tax Law. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for
any obligations now or hereafter imposed on the Fund or the Custodian
as custodian of the Fund by the tax law of the United States. It shall
be the responsibility of the Fund to notify the Custodian of the
obligations imposed on the Fund or the Custodian as custodian of the
Fund by the tax law of jurisdictions other than those mentioned in the
above sentence, including responsibility for withholding and other
taxes, assessments or other governmental charges, certifications and
governmental reporting. The sole responsibility of the Custodian with
regard to such tax law shall be to use reasonable efforts to assist the
Fund with respect to any claim for exemption or refund under the tax
law of jurisdictions for which the Fund has provided such information.
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares
----------------------------------------------------------
The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Shares or from
the Transfer Agent and deposit into the account of the appropriate Portfolio
such payments as are received for Shares of that Portfolio issued or sold from
time to time by the Fund. The Custodian will provide timely notification to the
Fund on behalf of each Portfolio and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of
payments for Shares of such Portfolio.
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 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, 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, 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
-14-
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. If given pursuant to procedures to be agreed upon by the Custodian
and the Fund, Proper Instructions may include communications effected directly
between electro-mechanical or electronic devices. For purposes of this Section,
Proper Instructions shall include instructions received by the Custodian
pursuant to any three - party agreement which requires a segregated asset
account in accordance with Section 2.12.
6. Actions Permitted without Express Authority
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the
Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio:
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 on behalf of the Portfolio;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
definitive form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio except as otherwise directed by the Board of
Trustees.
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 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 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.
-15-
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 to keep the books of
account of each Portfolio and/or compute the net asset value per share of the
outstanding Shares of each Portfolio or, if directed in writing to do so by the
Fund on behalf of the Portfolio(s), 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 Portfolio as described in the
Prospectus and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the total
amount 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 each Portfolio shall be made at the time
or times described from time to time in the Prospectus.
9. Records
-------
The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio 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, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and
31a-2 thereunder. All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall
at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for
inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and
employees and agents of the SEC. The Custodian shall, at the Fund's request,
supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by each Portfolio 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 Accountants
-----------------------------------------
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund on behalf
of each applicable Portfolio 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 N-SAR or other annual reports to the SEC and with respect to any
other SEC requirements.
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
-16-
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 on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian.
13. Responsibility of Custodian
---------------------------
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable
care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or
genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or
delivered by it pursuant to this Contract and shall be held harmless in acting
upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably
believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties,
including any futures commission merchant acting pursuant to the terms of a
three-party futures or options agreement. The Custodian shall be held to the
exercise of reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this Contract, but
shall be kept indemnified by and shall be without liability to the Fund for any
action taken or omitted by it in good faith without negligence. It shall be
entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for
the Fund) on all matters, and shall be without liability for any action
reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a foreign
banking institution appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 to the
same extent as set forth in Article 1 hereof with respect to sub-custodians
located in the United States (except as specifically provided in Section 3.9)
and, regardless of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a foreign
banking institution, a foreign securities depository or a branch of a U.S. bank
as contemplated by Section 3.12 hereof, the Custodian shall not be liable for
any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from, or caused
by, the direction of or authorization by the Fund to maintain custody or any
securities or cash of the Fund in a foreign country including, but not limited
to, losses resulting from nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions,
or acts of war or terrorism.
If the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio 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 or the Portfolio being liable for the payment
of money or incurring liability of some other form, the Fund on behalf of the
-17-
Portfolio, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such action,
shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form satisfactory to
the Custodian.
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, the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or of
contracts for foreign exchange, and assumed settlement) for the benefit of a
Portfolio, 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
Portfolio 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 Portfolio's assets to the extent necessary to obtain
reimbursement.
14. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment
-------------------------------------------
This Contract shall become effective as of the date 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 Portfolio 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 has approved
the initial use of a particular Securities System by such Portfolio, as required
by Rule 17f-4 under the Investment Company Act and that the Custodian shall not
with respect to a Portfolio act under Section 2.11 hereof in the absence of
receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
that the Board of Trustees has approved the initial use of the Direct Paper
System by such Portfolio; 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 on behalf of one or more of the Portfolios may at any
time by action of the 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 on behalf of each applicable
Portfolio 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.
-18-
15. Successor Custodian
-------------------
If a successor custodian shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees,
the Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to such successor custodian at
the offices of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all
securities of each applicable Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall
transfer to an account of the successor custodian all of the securities of each
such Portfolio 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, deliver at the offices 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, doing
business in Boston, Massachusetts, or New York, New York, of its own selection,
having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its
last published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and
other properties held by the Custodian on behalf of each applicable Portfolio
and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other
property held by it under this Contract on behalf of each applicable Portfolio
and to transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the securities
of each such Portfolio 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 on behalf of each of the Portfolios may from time to time agree on such
provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this Contract as
may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this
Contract. Any such interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a writing
signed by both parties and shall be annexed hereto, provided that no such
interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any applicable federal or
state regulations or any provision of the Declaration of Trust. No interpretive
or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be
deemed to be an amendment of this Contract.
-19-
17. Additional Funds
----------------
In the event that the Fund establishes one or more series of Shares in
addition to ▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇ Financial Services Fund 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 series of Shares shall become a
Portfolio 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 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 assets of the Portfolio(s).
20. Shareholder Communications Election
-----------------------------------
SEC 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 owner has expressly objected to disclosure of
this information. In order to comply with the rule, the Custodian needs the Fund
to indicate whether it authorizes the Custodian to provide the Fund's name,
address, and share position to requesting companies whose securities 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
does 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 consents or objects by checking one of
the alternatives below.
YES [ ] The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund's name,
address, and share positions.
NO [ ] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund's name,
address, and share positions.
-20-
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 March 9, 1998.
ATTEST ▇▇▇▇▇▇ EQUITY TRUST
/s/▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ By: /s/▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
--------------- ---------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ Name:
Title:
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
/s/▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ By: /s/▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
----------------- ----------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
Vice President Executive Vice President
-21-
