THE DREYFUS/LAUREL FUNDS, INC.
(formerly, The Laurel Funds, Inc. and prior thereto The
Boston Company Funds, Inc.)
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT dated as of April 4, 1994, as amended, November 1, 1995,
between The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds, Inc., a Maryland corporation having its
principal office and place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ (the "Fund"), and MELLON BANK, N.A., a national banking association
with its principal place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ (the "Custodian").
W I T N E S S E T H:
That for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set
forth, the Fund and the Custodian agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
Whenever used in this Agreement or in any Schedules or Appendices to
this Agreement, the following words and phrases, unless the context
otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings:
(a) "Authorized Person" shall be deemed to include the Chairman of
the Board of Directors, the President, and any Vice President,
the Secretary, the Treasurer or any other person, whether or not
any such person is an officer or employee of the Fund, duly
authorized by the Board of Directors of the Fund to give Oral
Instructions and Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund and
listed in the certification annexed hereto as Appendix A or such
other certification as may be received by the Custodian from time
to time.
(b) "Book-Entry System" shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury
book-entry system for United States and federal agency
Securities, its successor or successors and its nominee or
nominees.
(c) "Certificate" shall mean any notice, instruction or other
instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement
to be given to the Custodian, which is actually received by the
Custodian and signed on behalf of the Fund by any two Authorized
Persons or any two officers thereof.
(d) "Articles of Incorporation" shall mean the Articles of
Incorporation of the Fund dated July 31, 1987, as the same may be
amended from time to time.
(e) "Depository" shall mean The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), a
clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under Section 17(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, its successor or successors and its nominee or
nominees, in which the Custodian is hereby specifically
authorized to make deposits. The term "Depository" shall further
mean and include any other person to be named in a Certificate
authorized to act as a depository under the 1940 Act, its
successor or successors and its nominee or nominees.
(f) "Money Market Security" shall be deemed to include, without
limitation, debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to interest
and principal by the Government of the United States or agencies
or instrumentalities thereof, commercial paper, bank certificates
of deposit, bankers' acceptances and short-term corporate
obligations, where the purchase or sale of such securities
normally requires settlement in federal funds on the same day as
such purchase or sale, and repurchase and reverse repurchase
agreements with respect to any of the foregoing types of
securities.
(g) "Oral Instructions" shall mean verbal instructions actually
received by the Custodian from a person reasonably believed by
the Custodian to be an Authorized Person.
(h) "Prospectus" shall mean the Fund's current prospectus(es) and
statement of additional information relating to the registration
of the Fund's Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
(i) "Shares" refers to shares of common stock, $.001 par value per
share, of the Fund.
(j) "Security" or "Securities" shall be deemed to include bonds,
debentures, notes, stocks, shares, evidences of indebtedness, and
other securities, commodities interests and investments from time
to time owned by the Fund.
(k) "Transfer Agent" shall mean the person which performs as the
transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder
servicing agent functions for the Fund.
(l) "Written Instructions" shall mean a written communication
actually received by the Custodian from a person reasonably
believed by the Custodian to be an Authorized Person by any
system whereby the receiver of such communication is able to
verify through codes or otherwise with a reasonable degree of
certainty the authenticity of the sender of such communication.
(m) The "1940 Act" refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940, and
the Rules and Regulations thereunder, all as amended from time to
time.
2. Appointment of Custodian.
(a) The Fund hereby constitutes and appoints the Custodian as
custodian of all the Securities and monies at the time owned by or in
the possession of the Fund during the period of this Agreement.
(b) The Custodian hereby accepts appointment as such custodian and
agrees to perform the duties thereof as hereinafter set forth.
3. Compensation.
The Custodian will be deemed to be compensated for the
performance of its obligations hereunder by the payment by the Fund of
investment management fees to The Dreyfus Corporation, as investment
manager, pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement between the
Fund and Mellon Bank, N.A., dated April 4, 1994 as transferred to The
Dreyfus Corporation pursuant to the Assignment and Assumption of
Investment Management Agreement, dated October 17, 1994.
4. Custody of Cash and Securities.
(a) Receipt and Holding of Assets.
The Fund will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian all
Securities and monies owned by the Fund at any time during the period
of this Agreement. The Custodian will not be responsible for such
Securities and monies until actually received by it. The Fund shall
instruct the Custodian from time to time in its sole discretion, by
means of Written Instructions, or, in connection with the purchase or
sale of Money Market Securities, by means of Oral Instructions or
Written Instructions, as to the manner in which and in what amounts
Securities and monies are to be deposited on behalf of the Fund in the
Book-Entry System or the Depository; provided, however, that prior to
the deposit of Securities of the Fund in the Book-Entry System or the
Depository, including a deposit in connection with the settlement of a
purchase or sale, the Custodian shall have received a Certificate
specifically approving such deposits by the Custodian in the
Book-Entry System or the Depository. Securities and monies of the Fund
deposited in the Book-Entry System or the Depository will be
represented in accounts which include only assets held by the
Custodian for customers, including but not limited to accounts which
the Custodian acts in a fiduciary or representative capacity.
(b) Accounts and Disbursements. The Custodian shall establish and
maintain a separate account for the Fund and shall credit to the
separate account all monies received by it for the account of the Fund
and shall disburse the same only:
1. In payment for Securities purchased for the Fund, as provided in
Section 5 hereof;
2. In payment of dividends or distributions with respect to the
Shares of the Fund, as provided in Section 7 hereof;
3. In payment of original issue or other taxes with respect to the
Shares of the Fund, as provided in Section 8 hereof;
4. In payment for Shares which have been redeemed by the Fund, as
provided in Section 8 hereof;
5. Pursuant to Written Instructions, or with respect to Money
Market Securities, Oral Instructions or Written Instructions,
setting forth the name and address of the person to whom the payment
is to be made, the amount to be paid and the purpose for which
payment is to be made; or
6. In payment of fees and in reimbursement of the expenses and
liabilities of the Custodian attributable to the Fund, as provided
in Section 3 and Section 12(h) hereof.
(c) Confirmation and Statements. Promptly after the close of
business on each day, the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with
confirmations and a summary of all transfers to or from the account
of the Fund during said day. Where securities purchased by the Fund
are in a fungible bulk of securities registered in the name of the
Custodian (or its nominee) or shown on the Custodian's account on
the books of the Depository or the Book-Entry System, the Custodian
shall by book entry or otherwise identify the quantity of those
securities belonging to the Fund. At least monthly, the Custodian
shall furnish the Fund with a detailed statement of the Securities
and monies held for the Fund under this Agreement.
(d) Registration of Securities and Physical Separation. All
Securities held for the Fund which are issued or issuable only in
bearer form, except such Securities as are held in the Book-Entry
System, shall be held by the Custodian in that form; all other
Securities held for the Fund may be registered in the name of the
Fund, in the name of any duly appointed registered nominee of the
Custodian as the Custodian may from time to time determine, or in
the name of the Book-Entry System or the Depository or their
successor or successors, or their nominee or nominees. The Fund
reserves the right to instruct the Custodian as to the method of
registration and safekeeping of the Securities. The Fund agrees to
furnish to the Custodian appropriate instruments to enable the
Custodian to hold or deliver in proper form for transfer, or to
register in the name of its registered nominee or in the name of the
Book-Entry System or the Depository, any Securities which it may
hold for the account of the Fund and which may from time to time be
registered in the name of the Fund. The Custodian shall hold all
such Securities specifically allocated to the Fund which are not
held in the Book-Entry System or the Depository in a separate
account for the Fund in the name of the Fund physically segregated
at all times from those of any other person or persons.
(e) Segregated Accounts. Upon receipt of a Written Instruction the
Custodian will establish segregated accounts on behalf of the Fund
to hold liquid or other assets as it shall be directed by a Written
Instruction and shall increase or decrease the assets in such
Segregated Accounts only as it shall be directed by subsequent
Written Instruction.
(f) Collection of Income and Other Matters Affecting Securities.
Unless otherwise instructed to the contrary by a Written
Instruction, the Custodian by itself, or through the use of the
Book-Entry System or the Depository with respect to Securities
therein deposited, shall with respect to all Securities held for the
Fund in accordance with this Agreement:
1. Collect all income due or payable;
2. Present for payment and collect the amount payable upon
all Securities which may mature or be called, redeemed or
retired, or otherwise become payable. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Custodian shall have no responsibility to
the Fund for monitoring or ascertaining any call,
redemption or retirement dates with respect to put bonds
which are owned by the Fund and held by the Custodian or
its nominees. Nor shall the Custodian have any
responsibility or liability to the Fund for any loss
by the Fund for any missed payments or other defaults
resulting therefrom; unless the Custodian received timely
notification from the Fund specifying the time, place and
manner for the presentment of any such put bond owned by
the Fund and held by the Custodian or its nominee. The
Custodian shall not be responsible and assumes no
liability to the Fund for the accuracy or completeness of
any notification the Custodian may furnish to the Fund
with respect to put bonds;
3. Surrender Securities in temporary form for definitive
Securities;
4. Execute any necessary declarations or certificates of
ownership under the Federal income tax laws or the laws or
regulations of any other taxing authority now or hereafter in
effect; and
5. Hold directly, or through the Book-Entry System or the
Depository with respect to Securities therein deposited, for
the account of the Fund all rights and similar Securities
issued with respect to any Securities held by the Custodian
hereunder for the Fund.
(g) Delivery of Securities and Evidence of Authority. Upon receipt of
a Written Instruction and not otherwise, except for subparagraphs 5,
6, 7 and 8 of this section 4(g) which may be effected by Oral or
Written Instructions, the Custodian, directly or through the use of
the Book-Entry System or the Depository, shall:
1. Execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered to
such persons as may be designated in such Written Instructions,
proxies, consents, authorizations, and any other instruments whereby
the authority of the Fund as owner of any Securities may be
exercised;
2. Deliver or cause to be delivered any Securities held for the
Fund in exchange for other Securities or cash issued or paid in
connection with the liquidation, reorganization, refinancing,
merger, consolidation or recapitalization of any corporation, or the
exercise of any conversion privilege;
3. Deliver or cause to be delivered any Securities held for the
Fund to any protective committee, reorganization committee or other
person in connection with the reorganization, refinancing, merger,
consolidation or recapitalization or sale of assets of any
corporation, and receive and hold under the terms of this Agreement
in the separate account for the Fund such certificates of deposit,
interim receipts or other instruments or documents as may be issued
to it to evidence such delivery;
4. Make or cause to be made such transfers or exchanges of the
assets specifically allocated to the separate account of the Fund
and take such other steps as shall be stated in Written Instructions
to be for the purpose of effectuating any duly authorized plan of
liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation or
recapitalization of the Fund;
5. Deliver Securities upon sale of such Securities for the account
of the Fund pursuant to Section 5;
6. Deliver Securities upon the receipt of payment in connection
with any repurchase agreement related to such Securities entered
into by the Fund;
7. Deliver Securities owned by the Fund to the issuer thereof or
its agent when such Securities are called, redeemed, retired or
otherwise become payable; provided, however, that in any such case
the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian shall have no
responsibility to the Fund for monitoring or ascertaining any call,
redemption or retirement dates with respect to the put bonds which
are owned by the Fund and held by the Custodian or its nominee. Nor
shall the Custodian have any responsibility or liability to the Fund
for any loss by the Fund for any missed payment or other default
resulting therefrom; unless the Custodian received timely
notification from the Fund specifying the time, place and manner for
the presentment of any such put bond owned by the Fund and held by
the Custodian or its nominee. The Custodian shall not be responsible
and assumes no liability to the Fund for the accuracy or
completeness of any notification the Custodian may furnish to the
Fund with respect to put bonds;
8. Deliver Securities 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;
9. Deliver Securities for delivery as security in connection with
any borrowings by the Fund requiring a pledge of Fund assets, but
only against receipt of amounts borrowed;
10. Deliver Securities upon receipt of Written Instructions from
the Fund for delivery to the 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 Prospectus, in satisfaction of
requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or redemption;
11. Deliver Securities as collateral in connection with short sales
by the Fund of common stock for which the Fund owns the stock or
owns preferred stocks or debt securities convertible or
exchangeable, without payment or further consideration, into shares
of the common stock sold short;
12. Deliver Securities for any purpose expressly permitted by and
in accordance with procedures described in the Fund's Prospectus;
and
13. Deliver Securities for any other proper business purpose, but
only upon receipt of, in addition to Written Instructions, a
certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors signed by
an Authorized Person and certified by the Secretary of the Fund,
specifying the Securities to be delivered, setting forth the purpose
for which such delivery is to be made, declaring such purpose to be
a proper business purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom
delivery of such Securities shall be made.
(h) Endorsement and Collection of Checks, Etc. The Custodian is
hereby authorized to endorse and collect all checks, drafts or other
orders for the payment of money received by the Custodian for the
account of the Fund.
5. Purchase and Sale of Investments of the Fund.
(a) Promptly after each purchase of Securities for the Fund, the Fund
shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each purchase of
Securities which are not Money Market Securities, a Written
Instruction, and (ii) with respect to each purchase of Money Market
Securities, either a Written Instruction or Oral Instruction, in
either case specifying with respect to each purchase: (1) the name of
the issuer and the title of the Securities; (2) the number of shares
or the principal amount purchased and accrued interest, if any; (3)
the date of purchase and settlement; (4) the purchase price per unit;
(5) the total amount payable upon such purchase; (6) the name of the
person from whom or the broker through whom the purchase was made, if
any; (7) whether or not such purchase is to be settled through the
Book-Entry System or the Depository; and (8) whether the Securities
purchased are to be deposited in the Book-Entry System or the
Depository. The Custodian shall receive the Securities purchased by or
for the Fund and upon receipt of Securities shall pay out of the
monies held for the account of the Fund the total amount payable upon
such purchase, provided that the same conforms to the total amount
payable as set forth in such Written or Oral Instruction.
(b) Promptly after each sale of Securities of the Fund, the Fund
shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each sale of
Securities which are not Money Market Securities, a Written
Instruction, and (ii) with respect to each sale of Money Market
Securities, either Written Instruction or Oral Instructions, in either
case specifying with respect to such sale: (1) the name of the issuer
and the title of the Securities; (2) the number of shares or principal
amount sold, and accrued interest, if any; (3) the date of sale; (4)
the sale price per unit; (5) the total amount payable to the Fund upon
such sale; (6) the name of the broker through whom or the person to
whom the sale was made; and (7) whether or not such sale is to be
settled through the Book-Entry System or the Depository. The Custodian
shall deliver or cause to be delivered the Securities to the broker or
other person designated by the Fund upon receipt of the total amount
payable to the Fund upon such sale, provided that the same conforms to
the total amount payable to the Fund as set forth in such Written or
Oral Instruction. Subject to the foregoing, the Custodian may accept
payment in such form as shall be satisfactory to it, and may deliver
Securities and arrange for payment in accordance with the customs
prevailing among dealers in Securities.
6. Lending of Securities.
If the Fund is permitted by the terms of the Articles of
Incorporation and as disclosed in its Prospectus to lend Securities,
within 24 hours after each loan of Securities, the Fund shall deliver
to the Custodian a Written Instruction specifying with respect to each
such loan: (a) the name of the issuer and the title of the Securities;
(b) the number of shares or the principal amount loaned; (c) the date
of loan and delivery; (d) the total amount to be delivered to the
Custodian, and specifically allocated against the loan of the
Securities, including the amount of cash collateral and the premium,
if any, separately identified; (e) the name of the broker, dealer or
financial institution to which the loan was made; and (f) whether the
Securities loaned are to be delivered through the Book-Entry System or
the Depository.
Promptly after each termination of a loan of Securities,
the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Written Instruction
specifying with respect to each such loan termination and return of
Securities: (a) the name of the issuer and the title of the Securities
to be returned; (b) the number of shares or the principal amount to be
returned; (c) the date of termination; (d) the total amount to be
delivered by the Custodian (including the cash collateral for such
Securities minus any offsetting credits as described in said Written
Instruction); (e) the name of the broker, dealer or financial
institution from which the Securities will be returned; and (f)
whether such return is to be effected through the Book-Entry System or
the Depository. The Custodian shall receive all Securities returned
from the broker, dealer or financial institution to which such
Securities were loaned and upon receipt thereof shall pay the total
amount payable upon such return of Securities as set forth in the
Written Instruction. Securities returned to the Custodian shall be
held as they were prior to such loan.
7. Payment of Dividends or Distributions.
(a) The Fund shall furnish to the Custodian the vote of the Board of
Directors of the Fund certified by the Secretary (i) authorizing the
declaration of distributions on a specified periodic basis and
authorizing the Custodian to rely on Oral or Written Instructions
specifying the date of the declaration of such distribution, the date
of payment thereof, the record date as of which shareholders entitled
to payment shall be determined, the amount payable per Share to the
shareholders of record as of the record date and the total amount
payable to the Transfer Agent on the payment date, or (ii) setting
forth the date of declaration of any distribution by the Fund, the
date of payment thereof, the record date as of which shareholders
entitled to payment shall be determined, the amount payable per share
to the shareholders of record as of the record date and the total
amount payable to the Transfer Agent on the payment date.
(b) Upon the payment date specified in such vote, Oral Instructions,
or Written Instructions, as the case may be, the Custodian shall pay
out the total amount payable to the Transfer Agent of the Fund.
8. Sale and Redemption of Shares of the Fund.
(a) Whenever the Fund shall sell any Shares, the Fund shall deliver
or cause to be delivered to the Custodian a Written Instruction duly
specifying:
1. The number of Shares sold, trade date, and price; and
2. The amount of money to be received by the Custodian for the sale
of such Shares.
The Custodian understands and agrees that Written Instructions
may be furnished subsequent to the purchase of Shares and that the
information contained therein will be derived from the sales of Shares
as reported to the Fund by the Transfer Agent.
(b) Upon receipt of such money from the Transfer Agent, the Custodian
shall credit such money to the separate account of the Fund.
(c) Upon issuance of any Shares in accordance with the foregoing
provisions of this Section 8, the Custodian shall pay all original
issue or other taxes required to be paid in connection with such
issuance upon the receipt of a Written Instruction specifying the
amount to be paid.
(d) Except as provided hereafter, whenever any Shares are redeemed,
the Fund shall cause the Transfer Agent to promptly furnish to the
Custodian Written Instructions, specifying:
1. The number of Shares redeemed; and
2. The amount to be paid for the Shares redeemed.
The Custodian further understands that the information
contained in such Written Instructions will be derived from the
redemption of Shares as reported to the Fund by the Transfer Agent.
(e) Upon receipt from the Transfer Agent of advice setting forth the
number of Shares received by the Transfer Agent for redemption and
that such Shares are valid and in good form for redemption, the
Custodian shall make payment to the Transfer Agent of the total amount
specified in a Written Instruction issued pursuant to paragraph (d) of
this Section 8.
(f) Notwithstanding the above provisions regarding the redemption of
Shares, whenever such Shares are redeemed pursuant to any check
redemption privilege which may from time to time be offered by the
Fund, the Custodian, unless otherwise instructed by a Written
Instruction shall, upon receipt of advice from the Fund or its agent
stating that the redemption is in good form for redemption
in accordance with the check redemption procedure, honor the check
presented as part of such check redemption privilege out of the monies
specifically allocated to the Fund in such advice for such purpose.
9. Indebtedness.
(a) The Fund will cause to be delivered to the Custodian by any bank
(excluding the Custodian) from which the Fund borrows money for
temporary administrative or emergency purposes using Securities as
collateral for such borrowings, a notice or undertaking in the form
currently employed by any such bank setting forth the amount which
such bank will loan to the Fund against delivery of a stated amount of
collateral. The Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian Written
Instructions stating with respect to each such borrowing: (1) the name
of the bank; (2) the amount and terms of the borrowing, which may be
set forth by incorporating by reference an attached promissory note,
duly endorsed by the Fund, or other loan agreement; (3) the time and
date, if known, on which the loan is to be entered into (the
"borrowing date"); (4) the date on which the loan becomes due and
payable; (5) the total amount payable to the Fund on the borrowing
date; (6) the market value of Securities to be delivered as collateral
for such loan, including the name of the issuer, the title and the
number of shares or the principal amount of any particular Securities;
(7) whether the Custodian is to deliver such collateral through the
Book-Entry System or the Depository; and (8) a statement that such
loan is in conformance with the 1940 Act and the Fund's Prospectus.
(b) Upon receipt of the Written Instruction referred to in
subparagraph (a) above, the Custodian shall deliver on the borrowing
date the specified collateral and the executed promissory note, if
any, against delivery by the lending bank of the total amount of the
loan payable, provided that the same conforms to the total amount
payable as set forth in the Written Instruction. The Custodian may, at
the option of the lending bank, keep such collateral in its
possession, but such collateral shall be subject to all rights therein
given the lending bank by virtue of any promissory note or loan
agreement. The Custodian shall deliver as additional collateral in the
manner directed by the Fund from time to time such Securities as may
be specified in Written Instruction to collateralize further any
transaction described in this Section 9. The Fund shall cause all
Securities released from collateral status to be returned directly to
the Custodian, and the Custodian shall receive from time to time such
return of collateral as may be tendered to it. In the event that the
Fund fails to specify in Written Instruction all of the information
required by this Section 9, the Custodian shall not be under any
obligation to deliver any Securities. Collateral returned to the
Custodian shall be held hereunder as it was prior to being used as
collateral.
10. Persons Having Access to Assets of the Fund.
(a) No director or agent of the Fund, and no officer, director,
employee or agent of the Fund's investment adviser, of any
sub-investment adviser of the Fund, or of the Fund's administrator,
shall have physical access to the assets of the Fund held by the
Custodian or be authorized or permitted to withdraw any investments of
the Fund, nor shall the Custodian deliver any assets of the Fund to
any such person. No officer, director, employee or agent of the
Custodian who holds any similar position with the Fund's investment
adviser, with any sub-investment adviser of the Fund or with the
Fund's administrator shall have access to the assets of the Fund.
(b) Nothing in this Section 10 shall prohibit any officer, employee
or agent of the Fund, or any officer, director, employee or agent of
the investment adviser, of any sub-investment adviser of the Fund or
of the Fund's administrator, from giving Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions to the Custodian or executing a Certificate so long as it
does not result in delivery of or access to assets of the Fund
prohibited by paragraph (a) of this Section 10.
11. Overdraft Facility and Security for Payment.
In the event that the Custodian is directed by Written
Instruction (or Oral Instructions confirmed in writing) to make any
payment or transfer of funds on behalf of the Fund for which there
would be, at the close of business on the date of such payment or
transfer, insufficient funds held by the Custodian on behalf of the
Fund, the Custodian may, in its sole discretion, provide an overdraft
(an "Overdraft") to the Fund in an amount sufficient to allow the
completion of such payment or transfer. Any Overdraft provided
hereunder: (a) shall be payable on the next Business Day, unless
otherwise agreed by the Fund and the Custodian; and (b) shall accrue
interest from the date of the Overdraft to the date of payment in full
by the Fund at a rate agreed upon in writing, from time to time, by
the Custodian and the Fund. The Custodian and the Fund acknowledge
that the purpose of such Overdraft is to temporarily finance the
purchase of securities for prompt delivery in accordance with the
terms hereof, to meet unanticipated or unusual redemptions, or to meet
other emergency expenses not reasonably foreseeable by the Fund. The
Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund in writing (an "Overdraft
Notice") of any Overdraft by facsimile transmission or in such other
manner as the Fund and the Custodian may agree in writing. To secure
payment of any Overdraft, the Fund hereby grants to the Custodian a
continuing security interest in and right of setoff against the
Securities in the Fund's account from time to time in the full amount
of such Overdraft. Shall the Fund fail to pay promptly any amounts
owed hereunder, the Custodian shall be entitled to use available cash
in the Fund's account and to liquidate Securities in the account as is
necessary to meet the Fund's obligations under the Overdraft. In any
such case, and without limiting the foregoing, the Custodian shall be
entitled to take such other action(s) or exercise such other options,
powers and rights as the Custodian now or hereafter has as a secured
creditor under the Maryland Uniform Commercial Code or any other
applicable law.
12. Concerning the Custodian.
(a) Standard of Conduct. Except as otherwise provided herein, neither
the Custodian nor its nominee shall be liable for any loss or damage,
including counsel fees, resulting from its action or omission to act
or otherwise, except for any such loss or damage arising out of its
own negligence or willful misconduct. The Custodian may, with respect
to questions of law, apply for and obtain the advice and opinion of
counsel to the Fund or of its own counsel, at the expense of the Fund,
and shall be fully protected with respect to anything done or omitted
by it in good faith in conformity with such advice or opinion. The
Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage resulting
from the use of the Book-Entry System or the Depository arising by
reason of any negligence, misfeasance or misconduct on the part of the
Custodian or any of its employees or agents.
(b) Limit of Duties. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Custodian shall be under no duty or obligation to
inquire into, and shall not be liable for:
l. The validity of the issue of any Securities purchased by the
Fund, the legality of the purchase thereof, or the propriety of the
amount paid therefor;
2. The legality of the sale of any Securities by the Fund or
the propriety of the amount for which the same are sold;
3. The legality of the issue or sale of any Shares, or the
sufficiency of the amount to be received therefore;
4. The legality of the redemption of any Shares, or the propriety
of the amount to be paid therefor;
5. The legality of the declaration or payment of any distribution
of the Fund; or
6. The legality of any borrowing for temporary or emergency
administrative purposes.
(c) No Liability Until Receipt. The Custodian shall not be liable
for, or considered to be the Custodian of, any money, whether or not
represented by any check, draft, or other instrument for the payment
of money, received by it on behalf of the Fund until the Custodian
actually receives and collects such money directly or by the final
crediting of the account representing the Fund's interest in the
Book-Entry System or the Depository.
(d) Amounts Due from Transfer Agent. The Custodian shall not be under
any duty or obligation to take action to effect collection of any
amount due to the Fund from the Transfer Agent nor to take any action
to effect payment or distribution by the Transfer Agent of any amount
paid by the Custodian to the Transfer Agent in accordance with this
Agreement.
(e) Collection Where Payment Refused. The Custodian shall not be
under any duty or obligation to take action to effect collection of
any amount, if the Securities upon which such amount is payable are in
default, or if payment is refused after due demand or presentation,
unless and until (a) it shall be directed to take such action by a
Certificate and (b) it shall be assured to its satisfaction of
reimbursement of its costs and expenses in connection with any such
action.
(f) Appointment of Agents and Sub-Custodians. The Custodian may
appoint one or more banking institutions, including but not limited to
banking institutions located in foreign countries, to act as
Depository or Depositories or as SubCustodian or as SubCustodians of
Securities and monies at any time owned by the Fund, upon terms and
conditions specified in a Certificate. The Custodian shall use
reasonable care in selecting a Depository and/or Sub-Custodian located
in a country other than the United States ("Foreign Sub-Custodian"),
and shall oversee the maintenance of any Securities or monies of the
Fund by any Foreign SubCustodian. In addition, the Custodian shall
hold the Fund harmless from, and indemnify the Fund against, any loss
that occurs as a result of the failure of any Foreign Sub-Custodian to
exercise reasonable care with respect to the safekeeping of Securities
and monies of the Fund.
(g) No Duty to Ascertain Authority. The Custodian shall not be under
any duty or obligation to ascertain whether any Securities at any time
delivered to or held by it for the Fund are such as may properly be
held by the Fund under the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation
and the Fund's Prospectus.
(h) Reliance on Certificates and Instructions. The Custodian shall be
entitled to rely upon any Certificate, notice or other instrument in
writing received by the Custodian and reasonably believed by the
Custodian to be genuine and to be signed by two officers of the Fund.
The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any Written Instructions
or Oral Instructions actually received by the Custodian pursuant to
the applicable Sections of this Agreement and reasonably believed by
the Custodian to be genuine and to be given by an Authorized Person.
The Fund agrees to forward to the Custodian Written Instructions from
an Authorized Person confirming such Oral Instructions in such manner
so that such Written Instructions are received by the Custodian,
whether by hand delivery, telex or otherwise, by the close of business
on the same day that such Oral Instructions are given to the
Custodian. The Fund agrees that the fact that such confirming
instructions are not received by the Custodian shall in no way affect
the validity of the transactions or enforceability of the transactions
hereby authorized by the Fund. The Fund agrees that the Custodian
shall incur no liability to the Fund in acting upon Oral Instructions
given to the Custodian hereunder concerning such transactions provided
such instructions reasonably appear to have been received from a duly
Authorized Person.
(i) Inspection of Books and Records. The books and records of the
Custodian shall be open to inspection and audit at reasonable times by
officers and auditors employed by the Fund and by the appropriate
employees of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained
by the Custodian on the system of internal accounting control of the
Book-Entry System or the Depository and with such reports on its own
systems of internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably
request from time to time.
13. Term and Termination.
(a) This Agreement shall become effective on the date first set forth
above (the "Effective Date") and shall continue in effect thereafter
as the parties may mutually agree.
(b) Either of the parties hereto may terminate this Agreement by
giving to the other party a notice in writing specifying the date of
such termination, which shall be not less than 60 days after the date
of receipt of such notice. In the event such notice is given by the
Fund, it shall be accompanied by a certified vote of the Board of
Directors of the Fund, electing to terminate this Agreement and
designating a successor custodian or custodians, which shall be a
person qualified to so act under the 1940 Act.
In the event such notice is given by the Custodian, the Fund
shall, on or before the termination date, deliver to the Custodian a
certified vote of the Board of Directors of the Fund, designating a
successor custodian or custodians. In the absence of such designation
by the Fund, the Custodian may designate a successor custodian, which
shall be a person qualified to so act under the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇. If the Fund
fails to designate a successor custodian, the Fund shall upon the date
specified in the notice of termination of this Agreement and upon the
delivery by the Custodian of all Securities (other than Securities
held in the Book-Entry System which cannot be delivered to the Fund)
and monies then owned by the Fund, be deemed to be its own custodian,
and the Custodian shall thereby be relieved of all duties and
responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement, other than the duty with
respect to Securities held in the Book-Entry System which cannot be
delivered to the Fund.
(c) Upon the date set forth in such notice under paragraph (b) of
this Section 13, this Agreement shall terminate to the extent
specified in such notice, and the Custodian shall upon receipt of a
notice of acceptance by the successor custodian on that date deliver
directly to the successor custodian all Securities and monies then
held by the Custodian on behalf of the Fund, after deducting all fees,
expenses and other amounts for the payment or reimbursement of which
it shall then be entitled.
14. Miscellaneous.
(a) Annexed hereto as Appendix A is a certification signed by the
Secretary of the Fund setting forth the names and the signatures of
the present Authorized Persons. The Fund agrees to furnish to the
Custodian a new certification in similar form in the event that any
such present Authorized Person ceases to be such an Authorized Person
or in the event that other or additional Authorized Persons are
elected or appointed. Until such new certification shall be received,
the Custodian shall be fully protected in acting under the provisions
of this Agreement upon Oral Instructions or signatures of the present
Authorized Persons as set forth in the last delivered certification.
(b) Annexed hereto as Appendix B is a certification signed by the
Secretary of the Fund setting forth the names and the signatures of
certain officers of the Fund. The Fund agrees to furnish to the
Custodian a new certification in similar form in the event any such
present officer ceases to be an officer of the Fund or in the event
that other or additional officers are elected or appointed. Until such
new certification shall be received, the Custodian shall be fully
protected in acting under the provisions of this Agreement upon the
signature of the officers as set forth in the last delivered
certification.
(c) Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required
by this Agreement to be given to the Custodian, shall be sufficiently
given if addressed to the Custodian and mailed or delivered to it at
its offices at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
or at such other place as the Custodian may from time to time
designate in writing.
(d) Any notice or other instrument in writings authorized or required
by this Agreement to be given to the Fund shall be sufficiently given
if addressed to the Fund or the Fund and mailed or delivered to it at
its offices at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
or at such other place as the Fund may from time to time designate in
writing.
(e) This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner
except by a written agreement executed by both parties with the same
formality as this Agreement, (i) authorized and approved by a vote of
the Board of Directors of the Fund, including a majority of the
members of the Board of Directors of the Fund who are not "interested
persons" of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act), or (ii) authorized
and approved by such other procedures as may be permitted or required
by the 1940 Act.
(f) This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the
parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided,
however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Fund
without the written consent of the Custodian, or by the Custodian
without the written consent of the Fund authorized or approved by a
vote of the Board of Directors of the Fund, and any attempted
assignment without such written consent shall be null and void.
(g) The Fund represents that a copy of the Articles of Incorporation
are on file with the State of Maryland.
(h) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Pennsylvania.
(i) The captions of the Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions
hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
(j) This agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts
shall, together, constitute only one instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be executed by their respective representatives duly authorized as of the
day and year first above written.
THE DREYFUS/LAUREL FUNDS, INC.
By: __________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: President
MELLON BANK, N.A.
By: ___________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: F.V.P.
FORM OF
APPENDIX A
I, ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Secretary of The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds, Inc., a
corporation organized under the laws of The State of Maryland (the
"Fund"), do hereby certify that:
The following individuals have been duly authorized as Authorized
Persons to give Oral Instructions and Written Instructions on behalf of the
Fund and the signatures set forth opposite their respective names are their
true and correct signatures:
Name Signature
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ _________________________
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ _________________________
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇ _________________________
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ _________________________
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ _________________________
______________________________________
Secretary
Dated:
FORM OF
APPENDIX B
I, ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Secretary of The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds, Inc., a
corporation organized under the laws of The State of Maryland (the "Fund"),
do hereby certify that:
The following individuals serve in the following positions with the
Fund and each individual has been duly elected or appointed to each such
position and qualified therefor in conformity with the Fund's Articles of
Incorporation and the signatures set forth opposite their respective names
are their true and correct signatures:
Name Position Signature
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ President and Treasurer ________________________
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Vice President and Secretary ________________________
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇ Vice President ________________________
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Vice President ________________________
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Vice President ________________________
_______________________________________
Secretary
Dated: