Ex-8.(a)
Custodian Contract
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
PRUDENTIAL-BACHE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held By
It ..................................................................... 1
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property
of the Fund Held by the Custodian ...................................... 2
2.1 Holding Securities ............................................... 2
2.2 Delivery of Securities ........................................... 2
2.3 Registration of Securities ....................................... 7
2.4 Bank Accounts .................................................... 8
2.5 Payments for Shares .............................................. 8
2.6 Investment and Availability of Federal Funds ..................... 9
2.7 Collection of Income ............................................. 9
2.8 Payment of Fund Moneys ...........................................10
2.9 Liability for Payment in Advance of
Receipt of Securities Purchased ..................................12
2.10 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions
of Shares of the Fund ............................................13
2.11 Appointment of Agents ............................................13
2.12 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities System ......................14
2.13 Segregated Account ...............................................17
2.14 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes ..........................18
2.15 Proxies ..........................................................18
2.16 Communications Relating to Fund
Portfolio Securities .............................................19
2.17 Proper Instructions ..............................................19
2.18 Actions Permitted Without Express Authority ......................20
2.19 Evidence of Authority ............................................22
3. Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books of Account
and Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net
Income .................................................................22
4. Records ................................................................23
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountants ..............................23
6 Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants ......................24
7. Compensation of Custodian ..............................................24
8. Responsibility of Custodian ............................................24
9. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment ............................26
10. Successor Custodian.....................................................27
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions .................................28
12. Massachusetts Law to Apply .............................................29
13. Prior Contracts ........................................................29
14. Trustees ...............................................................29
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between Prudential-Bache Municipal Bond Fund, a business
trust organized and existing under the laws of Massachusetts, having its
principal place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
hereinafter called the "Fund", and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a
Massachusetts corporation, having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇, hereinafter called the
"Custodian",
WITNESSETH, that in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of its assets
pursuant to the provisions of the Declaration of Trust. The Fund agrees to
deliver to the Custodian all securities and cash owned by it, and all payments
of income, payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with
respect to all securities owned by the Fund from time to time, and the cash
consideration received by it for such new or treasury shares of beneficial
interest ("Shares") of the Fund as may be issued or sold from time to time. The
Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of the Fund held or received
by the Fund and not delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Section
2.17), the Custodian shall from time to time employ
one or sore sub-custodians, but if such sub-custodian is located outside the
U.S. only in accordance with Rule 17f-5 of the 1940 Act, and provided that the
Custodian shall have the same responsibility or liability to the Fund on account
of any action or omissions of any sub-custodian so employed as any such
sub-custodian has to the Custodian, provided that the Custodian agreement with
any such sub-custodian shall impose on such sub-custodian responsibilities and
liabilities similar in nature and scope to those imposed by this Agreement with
respect to the functions to be performed by such sub-custodian.
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held By the
Custodian
2.1 Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate for
the account of the Fund all non-cash property, including all securities
owned by the Fund, other than securities which are maintained pursuant to
Section 2.12 in a clearing agency which acts as a securities depository or
in a book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury,
collectively referred to herein as "Securities System".
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver securities
owned by the Fund held by the Custodian or in a Securities System account
of the Custodian only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be
continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only
in the following cases:
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1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Fund and receipt
of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
agreement related to such securities entered into by the Fund;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a Securities System, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.12 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar
offers for portfolio securities of the Fund;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are called,
redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided that, in any
such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the
Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of
the Fund or into the name of my nominee or nominees of the Custodian
or into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to
Section 2.11 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
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or number of units; provided that, in any such case, the new
securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;
7) To the broker selling the same for examination in accordance with
the "street delivery" custom, provided that the Custodian shall
adopt such procedures as the Fund may from time to time approve to
ensure prompt return of the securities to the Custodian by the
broker if the broker elects not to accept them;
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
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such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered
to the Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by the
Fund, but only against receipt of adequate collateral as agreed upon
from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund, which may be in the
form of cash or obligations issued by the United States government,
its agencies or instrumentalities, except that in connection with
any loans for which collateral is to be credited to the Custodian's
account in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department
of the Treasury, the Custodian will not be held liable or
responsible for the delivery of securities owned by the Fund prior
to the receipt of such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the
Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, but only against
receipt of amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and a
member of The National Association of Securities Dealers,
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Inc. ("NASD"), relating to compliance with the rules of The Options
Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities
exchange, or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding
escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the
Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, the Custodian, and a Futures Commission Merchant
registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance
with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or
any Contract Market, or any similar organization or organizations,
regarding account deposits in connection with transactions by the
Fund;
14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent ("Transfer
Agent") for the Fund, for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to the
holders of shares in connection with distributions in kind, as may
be described free time to time in the Fund's currently effective
prospectus and statement of additional information ("prospectus"),
in satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or
redemption; and
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15) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of
the Trustees or of the Executive Committee signed by an officer of
the Fund and certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary,
specifying the securities to be delivered, setting forth the purpose
for which such delivery is to be made, declaring such purpose to be
a proper corporate purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom
delivery of such securities shall be made.
2.3 Registration of Securities. Securities held by the Custodian (other than
bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Fund or in the
name of any nominee of the Fund or of any nominee of the Custodian which
nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Fund, unless the Fund has
authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in common
with other registered investment companies having the same investment
adviser as the Fund, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed
pursuant to Section 2.11 or in the name or nominee name of any
sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Article 1. All securities accepted by
the Custodian on behalf of the Fund under the terms of this Contract shall
be in "street name" or other good delivery form.
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2.4 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
account or accounts in the name of the Fund, subject only to draft or
order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Contract, and
shall hold in such account or accounts, subject to the provisions hereof,
all cash received by it from or for the account of the Fund, other than
cash maintained by the Fund in a bank account established and used in
accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Funds
held by the Custodian for the Fund may be deposited by it to its credit as
Custodian in the flanking Department of the Custodian or in such other
banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem necessary or
desirable; provided, however, that every such bank or trust company shall
be qualified to act as a custodian under the Investment Company Act of
1940 and that each such bank or trust company and the funds to be
deposited with each such bank or trust company shall be approved by vote
of a majority of the Trustees of the Fund. Such funds shall be deposited
by the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by
the Custodian only in that capacity.
2.5 Payments for Shares. The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for
the Fund's Shares or from the Transfer Agent of the Fund and deposit into
the Fund's account such payments as are received for Shares of the Fund
issued or sold from time to time by the Fund. The
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Custodian will provide timely notification to the Fund and the Transfer
Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of the Fund.
2.6 Investment and Availability of Federal Funds. Upon mutual agreement
between the Fund and the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt
of Proper Instructions, (i) invest in such instruments as may be set forth
in such instructions on the same day as received all federal funds
received after a time agreed upon between the Custodian and the Fund, (ii)
make federal funds available to the Fund as of specified times agreed upon
from time to time by the Fund and the Custodian in the amount of checks
received in payment for Shares of the Fund which are deposited into the
Fund's account.
2.7 Collection of Income. The Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all
income and other payments with respect to registered securities held
hereunder to which the Fund shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to
custom in the securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all
income and other payments with respect to bearer securities if, on the
date of payment by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian
or its agent thereof and shall credit such income, as collected, to the
Fund's custodian account. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for payment all coupons
and other income items requiring presentation as and when they become due
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and shall collect when due on securities held hereunder. Income due the Fund on
securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the
responsibility of the Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or responsibility in
connection therewith, other than to provide the Fund with such information or
data as may be necessary to assist the Fund in arranging for the timely delivery
to the Custodian of the income to which the Fund is properly entitled.
2.8 Payment of Fund Moneys. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be
continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the
Custodian shall pay out moneys of the Fund in the following cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of securities, futures contracts or options on
futures contracts for the account of the Fund but only (a) against
the delivery of such securities, or evidence of title to futures
contracts or options on futures contracts, to the Custodian (or any
bank, banking firm or trust company doing business in the United
States or abroad which is qualified under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended, to act as a custodian and has been designated
by the Custodian as its agent for this purpose) registered in the
name of the Fund or in the name of a nominee of the Custodian
referred to in Section 2.3
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hereof or in proper form for transfer; (b) in the case of a purchase
effected through a Securities System, in accordance with the
conditions set forth in Section 2.12 hereof or (c) in the case of
repurchase agreements entered into between the Fund and the
Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which is a member of
NASD, (i) against delivery of the securities either in certificate
form or through an entry crediting the Custodian's customer account
at the Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii) against
delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the Fund of
securities owned by the Custodian along with written evidence of the
agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such securities from the
Fund;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities
owned by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Fund as set
forth in Section 2.10 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Fund,
including but not limited to the following payments for the account
of the Fund: interest, taxes,
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management, accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and operating
expenses of the Fund whether or not such expenses are to be in whole
or part capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;
5) For the payment of any dividends declared pursuant to the governing
documents of the Fund;
6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
7) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of, in addition
to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of the
Trustees or of the Executive Committee of the Fund signed by an
officer of the Fund and certified by its Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, specifying the amount of such payment, setting forth the
purpose for which such payment is to be made, declaring such purpose
to be a proper purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom
such payment is to be made.
2.9 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased. In
any and every case where payment for purchase of securities for the
account of the Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the
securities purchased in the absence of specific written
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instructions from the Fund to so pay in advance, the Custodian shall be
absolutely liable to the Fund for such securities to the same extent as if
the securities had been received by the Custodian.
2.10 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the Fund. From such
funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the limitations
of the Declaration of Trust and any applicable votes of the Trustees of
the Fund pursuant thereto, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of
instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for payment to
holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for
redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In connection with the
redemption or repurchase of Shares of the Fund, the Custodian is
authorized upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire
funds to or through a commercial bank designated by the redeeming
shareholders. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares of
the Fund, the Custodian shall honor checks drawn on the Custodian by a
holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished by the Fund to the
holder of Shares, when presented to the Custodian in accordance with such
procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from time to time
between the Fund and the Custodian.
2.11 Appointment of Agents. The Custodian may from time to time in its
discretion appoint (and may at any time
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remove) any other bank or trust company, which is itself qualified under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, to act as a custodian, as
its agent for a defined time period to carry out one or more designated
duties under the provisions of this Article 2 as the Custodian may direct;
provided, however, that the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the
Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder.
2.12 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems. The custodian may deposit
and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in a clearing agency
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 17A
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which acts as a securities
depository, or in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department
of the Treasury and certain federal agencies, collectively referred to
herein as "Securities System" in accordance with applicable Federal
Reserve Board and Securities and Exchange Commission rules and
regulations, if any, and subject to the following provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in a Securities
System provided that such securities are represented in an
account ("Account") of the Custodian in the Securities System
which shall not include any assets of the Custodian other than
assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for
customers;
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2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Fund which are maintained in a Securities System shall
identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the
Securities System that such securities have been transferred
to the Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records
of the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for the
account of the Fund. The Custodian shall transfer securities
sold for the account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice
from the Securities System that payment for such securities
has been transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of an
entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer
and payment for the account of the Fund. Copies of all advices
from the Securities System of transfers of securities for the
account of the Fund shall identify the Fund, be maintained for
the Fund by the Custodian and be provided to the Fund at its
request. Upon request, the Custodian shall furnish the Fund
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confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the
Fund in the form of a written advice or notice and shall
furnish promptly to the Fund copies of daily transaction
sheets reflecting each day's transactions in the Securities
System for the account of the Fund.
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained
by the Custodian on the Securities System's accounting system,
internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding
securities deposited in the Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received the initial or annual
certificate, as the case may be, required by Article 9 hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding, the
Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage
to the Fund resulting from use of the Securities System by
reason of any negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the
Custodian or any of its agents or of any of its or their
employees or from failure of the Custodian or any such agent
to enforce effectively such rights as it may have against the
Securities System; at the election of the Fund, it shall be
entitled to be subrogated to the rights of
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the Custodian with respect to any claim against the Securities
System or any other person which the Custodian may have as a
consequence of any such loss or damage if and to the extent
that the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss or
damage.
2.13 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
Instructions establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for
and on behalf of the Fund, into which account or accounts may be
transferred cash and/or securities, including securities maintained in an
account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.12 hereof, (i) in
accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund, the
Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a
member of the NASD (or any futures commission merchant registered under
the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the rules of The
Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities
exchange (or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any registered
contract market), or of any similar organization or organizations,
regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by
the Fund, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash, government securities or
liquid high grade debt obligations in connection with options purchased,
sold or written by the Fund or commodity futures contracts or options
thereon purchased or sold by
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the Fund, (iii) for the purposes of compliance by the Fund with the
procedures required by Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any
subsequent release or releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission
relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered
investment companies and (iv) for other proper corporate purposes, but
only, in the case of clause (iv), upon receipt of, in addition to Proper
Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of the Trustees or of the
Executive Committee signed by an officer of the Fund and certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, setting forth the purpose or purposes
of such segregated account and declaring such purposes to be proper
corporate purposes.
2.14 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 securities of the Fund held by it and in connection with
transfers of securities.
2.15 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the securities held
hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such
securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the name of
the Fund or a nominee of the Fund, all proxies, without indication of the
manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver
to the Fund such
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proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating to such
securities.
2.16 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities. The Custodian shall
transmit promptly to the Fund all written information (including, without
limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of securities and expirations
of rights in connection therewith and notices of exercise of call and put
options written by the Fund and the maturity of futures contracts
purchased or sold by the Fund) received by the Custodian from issuers of
the securities being held for the Fund. With respect to tender or exchange
offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund all written
information received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities whose
tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or his agents) making the
tender or exchange offer. If the Fund desires to take action with respect
to any tender offer, exchange offer or any other similar transaction, the
Fund shall notify the Custodian at least three business days prior to the
date on which the Custodian is to take such action.
2.17 Proper Instructions. Proper Instructions as used throughout this Article 2
means a writing signed or initialled by one or more person or persons as
the officers of the Fund 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
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such action is requested. Oral instructions will be considered Proper
Instructions if the Custodian reasonably believes them to have been given
by a person authorized to give such instructions with respect to the
transaction involved. The Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be
confirmed in writing. It is understood and agreed that the Board of
Trustees has authorized (i) The Prudential Insurance Company of America
("Prudential"), as investment adviser of the Fund pursuant to an
Investment Advisory Agreement, dated August 25, 1987 , between Prudential
and the Fund, to deliver proper instructions with respect to all matters
for which proper instructions are required by this Article 2 except
Section 2.2(13), Section 2.2(14), Section 2.8(3), Section 2.8(4), Section
2.8(5) and Section 2.8(7) hereof and (ii) Prudential Mutual Fund
Management, Inc. ("PMF"), as administrator of the Fund pursuant to an
Administration Agreement, dated August 25, 1987 , between PMF and the
Fund, to deliver proper instruction with respect to matters set forth in
Section 2.2(13), Section 2.8(3), Section 2.8(4) and Section 2.8(5). The
Custodian may rely upon the certificate of an officer of Prudential or
PMF, as the case may be, with respect to the person or persons authorized
on behalf of Prudential and PMF, respectively, to sign, initial or give
proper instructions for the purposes of this Article 2.
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Upon receipt of a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
as to the authorization by an officer of the Fund accompanied by a
detailed description of procedures approved by the Trustees, Proper
Instructions may include communications effected directly between
electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the Fund and the
Custodian are satisfied that such procedures afford adequate safeguards
for the Fund's assets.
2.18 Actions Permitted without Express Authority. The custodian may in its
discretion, without express authority from the Fund:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of
handling securities or other similar items relating to its
duties under this Contract, provided that all such payments
shall be accounted for to the Fund;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
definitive form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks,
drafts and other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in
connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase,
transfer and other dealings with the securities and property
of the Fund except as otherwise directed by the Trustees of
the Fund.
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2.19 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 Trustees of the Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of
the authority of any person to act in accordance with such vote or (b) of
any determination or of any action by the 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.
3. 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 Trustees of the Fund to keep the books of
account of the Fund and/or compute the net asset value per share of the
outstanding shares of the Fund or, if directed in writing to do so by the Fund,
shall itself keep such books of account and/or compute such net asset value per
share. If so directed, the Custodian shall also calculate daily the net income
of the Fund as described in the Fund's currently effective prospectus and shall
advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the total amounts of such net
income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of the Fund to do so, shall
advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the
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division of such net income among its various components. The calculations of
the net asset value per share and the daily income of the Fund shall be made at
the time or times described from time to time in the Fund's currently effective
prospectus.
4. Records
The Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating to its
activities and obligations under this Contract in such manner as will meet the
obligations of the Fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, with
particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-l and 31a-2 thereunder,
applicable federal and state tax laws and any other law or administrative rules
or procedures which may be applicable to the Fund. All such records shall be the
property of the Fund and shall at all times during the regular business hours of
the Custodian be open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or
agents of the Fund and employees and agents of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The Custodian shall, at the Fund's request, supply the Fund with a
tabulation of securities owned by the Fund and held by the Custodian and shall,
when requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed
upon between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such
tabulations.
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund may from time
to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund's
independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in connection
with the
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preparation of the Fund's Form N-1A, and Form N-SAR or other annual reports to
the Securities and Exchange Commission and with respect to any other
requirements of such Commission.
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may
reasonably require, with reports by independent public accountants on the
accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding
securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including
securities deposited and/or maintained in a Securities System, relating to the
services provided by the Custodian under this Contract; such reports, shall be
of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably be required by
the Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would be
disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the
reports shall so state.
7. Compensation of Custodian
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its
services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between the
Fund and the Custodian.
8. 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
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believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties.
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 far any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such
advice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the responsibility of the Custodian with
respect to redemptions effected by check shall be in accordance with a separate
Agreement entered into between the Custodian and the Fund.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in
the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to
the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some
other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such
action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form
satisfactory to it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to advance cash or securities for any
purpose or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be
assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in
connection with the performance of this Contract, except such as may arise from
its or its nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to
-25-
act or willful misconduct, any property at any time held for the account of the
Fund shall be security therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian
promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to
dispose of Fund assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
9 Effective Period, Termination and Amendment
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall continue
in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may be
amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be
terminated by either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed,
postage prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner
than sixty (60) days after the date of such delivery or mailing; provided,
however that the Custodian shall not act under Section 2.12 hereof in the
absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary that the Trustees of the Fund hare approved the initial use of a
particular Securities System and the receipt of an annual certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Trustees hare renewed the use by
the Fund of such Securities System, as required in each case by Rule 17f-4 under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; 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 or the By-laws, and further provided, that the Fund may at any time by
action of its Trustees (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the
-26-
Custodian by giving notice as described above to the Custodian, or
(ii) immediately terminate this Contract in the event of the appointment of a
conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the Comptroller of the Currency
or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate
regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction.
Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund shall pay to the Custodian such
compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall likewise
reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements.
10. Successor Custodian
If a successor custodian shall be appointed by the Trustees of the Fund,
the Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to such successor custodian at
the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all
securities then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account of the
successor custodian all of the Fund's securities held in a Securities System.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in
like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the Trustees of the
Fund, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer such securities, funds
and other properties in accordance with such vote.
In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian or
certified copy of a vote of the Trustees shall have been delivered to the
Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become effective,
then the Custodian
-27-
shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a "bank" as
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, doing business in Boston,
Massachusetts, of its own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and
undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less than
$25,000,000, all securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian
and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other
property held by it under this Contract and to transfer to an account of such
successor custodian all of the Fund's securities held in any Securities System.
Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian
under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or of
the 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 to this Contract relating to the duties and obligations of the
custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and the
Fund may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in
addition to the provisions of this Contract as may in their joint opinion be
consistent with
-28-
the general tenor of this Contract. Any such interpretive or additional
provisions shall be in a writing signed by both parties and shall be annexed
hereto, provided that no such interpretive or additional provisions shall
contravene any applicable federal or state regulations or any provision of the
Declaration of Trust of the Fund. No interpretive or additional provisions made
as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this
Contract.
12. 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.
13. Prior Contracts
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior
contracts between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the custody of the
Fund's assets.
14. Trustees
All references to actions of or by Trustees herein shall require action by
such Trustees acting as a board or a formally constituted group and not
individually. The name "Prudential-Bache Municipal Bond Fund" is the designation
of the Trustees under the Declaration of Trust, and all persons dealing with the
Fund must look solely to the property of the Fund for the enforcement of any
claims against the Fund as neither the Trustees, officer, agents or shareholders
assume any personal responsibility for obligations entered into on behalf of the
Fund.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be
executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative and its
seal to be hereunder affixed as of the 25th day of August, 1987.
ATTEST PRUDENTIAL-BACHE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ By /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------- ------------------------------------
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
/s/ [ILLEGIBLE] By /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
---------------------- ------------------------------------
Assistant Secretary Vice President
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