CUSTODIAN CONTRACT Between NEUBERGER & BERMAN EQUITY FUNDS and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY TABLE OF CONTENTS

CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ EQUITY FUNDS
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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 . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.4 Bank Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.6 Collection of Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of
Receipt of Securities Purchased . . . . . . . . . 8
2.9 Appointment of Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's
Direct Paper System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.12 Segregated Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes . . . . 11
2.14 Proxies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.15 Communications Relating to Portfolio
Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the
Fund Held Outside of the United States . . . . . . . . . 12

3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians . . . . . 12
3.2 Assets to be Held . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories . . . . . . . . 12
3.4 Agreements with Foreign Banking
Institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.5 Access of Independent Accountants of the
Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.6 Reports by Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.7 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account . . . . 13
3.8 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians . . . . . . 14
3.9 Liability of custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.10 Reimbursement for Advances . . . . . . . . . . 15
3.11 Monitoring Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.12 Branches of U.S. Banks . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.13 Foreign Exchange Transactions . . . . . . . . . 17
3.13 Tax Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchase or Redemptions of Shares
of the Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

5. Proper Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

6. Actions Permitted Without Express Authority . . . . . . . 19

7. Evidence of Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

8. Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books
of Account and Calculations of Net Asset Value and
Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
9. Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountants . . . . . . . . 21

11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants . . . . 21
12. Compensation of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

13. Responsibility of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

14. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment . . . . . . . 23

15. Successor Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions . . . . . . . . . 24

17. Additional Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

18. Massachusetts Law to Apply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
19. Limitation of Trustee, Officer and Shareholder
Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

20. No Liability of Other Portfolios . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

21. Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
22. Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

23. Severability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

24. Prior Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
25. Shareholder Communications Election . . . . . . . . . . . 26

CUSTODIAN CONTRACT

This Contract between ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Equity Funds, a business
trust organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, having its
principal place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
hereinafter called the "Fund", and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a
Massachusetts trust company, having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇, hereinafter called the
"Custodian",

WITNESSETH:

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 intends to initially offer shares in six
series, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Genesis Fund, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Guardian Fund,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Partners Fund, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Manhattan Fund, and
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Selected Sectors Fund (such series together with all
other series subsequently established by the Fund and made subject to this
Contract in accordance with paragraph 17, being herein referred to as the
"Portfolio(s)");

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It

The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of the
assets of each Portfolio, including securities which the Fund, on behalf
of the applicable Portfolio desires to be held in places within the United
States ("domestic securities") and securities it desires to be held
outside the United States ("foreign securities") pursuant to the
provisions of the Trust Instrument. The Fund on behalf of each Portfolio
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 Portfolio and not
delivered to the Custodian.

Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of
Article 5), the Custodian shall on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s)
from time to time employ one or more sub-custodians, located in the United

States but only in accordance with an applicable vote by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund 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-custodian 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 pursuant to Section 2.10 in a
clearing agency which acts as a securities depository or in a
book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the
Treasury, collectively referred to herein as "Securities System"
and (b) commercial paper of an issuer for which State Street Bank
and Trust Company acts as issuing and paying agent ("Direct
Paper") which is deposited and/or maintained in the Direct Paper
System of the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.11.

2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver
domestic securities owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian or
in a Securities System account of the Custodian or in the
Custodian's Direct Paper book entry system account ("Direct Paper
System Account") only upon receipt of Proper Instructions 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 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;

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 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 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;

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
("Transfer Agent") for a Portfolio, for delivery to such
Transfer Agent or to the holders of shares in connection
with distributions in kind, as may be described from time
to time in the currently effective prospectus and
statement of additional information of the Fund, related
to the Portfolio ("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 signed by an officer of the Fund and
certified by the Secretary or an 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 its best efforts only to timely collect income due
the Fund on such securities and to notify the Fund on a best
efforts basis only of relevant corporate actions including,
without limitation, pendency of calls, maturities, tender or
exchange offers.

2.4 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate
bank account or accounts in the United States in the name of each
Portfolio of the Fund which shall contain only property held by
the Custodian as custodian for that Portfolio, 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. 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 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 of the
Fund. Such funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in its
capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the Custodian
only in that capacity.

2.5 Availability of Federal Funds. Upon mutual agreement between the
Fund 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 registered domestic 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 bearer domestic securities if, on the date of
payment by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian
or its agent and shall credit such income, as collected, to such
Portfolio's custodian account. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for
payment all coupons and other income items requiring presentation
as and when they become due and shall collect interest when due
on securities held hereunder. Collection of income due each
Portfolio on securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of
Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility of the Custodian so
long as the securities are registered and remain in the name of
the Fund, the Custodian, or its nominee, or in the Depository
Trust Company account of the Custodian, but otherwise shall be
the responsibility of the Fund and 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 Portfolio is properly
entitled.

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 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 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 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, accounting, transfer agent and legal
fees, and operating expenses of the Fund whether or not
such expenses are to be in whole or part capitalized or
treated as deferred expenses;

5) For the payment of any dividends on Shares of the
Portfolio declared pursuant to the governing documents of
the Fund;

6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in
respect of securities sold short;

7) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of,
in addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund on
behalf of the Portfolio, a certified copy of a resolution
of the Board of Trustees or of the Executive Committee of
the Fund signed by an officer of the Fund and certified
by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, specifying
the amount of such payment, setting forth the purpose for
which such payment is to be made, declaring such purpose
to be a proper purpose, and naming the person or persons
to whom such payment is to be made.

2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities
Purchased. Except as specifically stated otherwise in this
Contract, in any and every case where payment for purchase of
domestic securities for the account of 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 of 1940, as amended, and its rules or
regulations 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 Fund Assets in Securities Systems. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio 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 Portfolio in a
Securities System provided that such securities are
represented in an account ("Account") of the Custodian in
the Securities System which shall not include any assets
of the Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary,
custodian or otherwise for customers;

2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities
of the Portfolio which are maintained in a Securities
System shall identify by book-entry those securities
belonging to the Portfolio;

3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio.
The Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the
account of the Portfolio 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
Portfolio. Copies of all advices from the 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 Securities System for the account of
the Portfolio;

4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund for the Portfolio
with any report obtained by the Custodian (or by any
agent appointed by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.9)
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 from the Fund on behalf
of the Portfolio the certificate 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
Securities System by reason of any negligence,
misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or any of its
agents or of any of its or their employees or from
failure of the Custodian or any such agent to enforce
effectively such rights as it may have against the
Securities System; at the election of the Fund, it shall
be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the
Custodian with respect to any claim against the
Securities System or any other person which the Custodian
may have as a consequence of any such loss or damage if
and to the extent that the 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;

2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Portfolio in the
Direct Paper System only if such securities are
represented in an account ("Account") of the Custodian in
the Direct Paper System which shall not include any
assets of the Custodian other than assets held as a
fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;

3) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities
of the 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
Securities System for the account of the Portfolio;

6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio with any report on the Custodian's system of
internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably
request from time to time.

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 an 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 any
subsequent release or releases of the Securities and Exchange
Commission relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by
registered investment companies and (iv) for other proper
corporate purposes, but only, in the case of clause (iv), upon
receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund on
behalf of the applicable Portfolio, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Trustees or of the Executive Committee
signed by an officer of the Fund and certified by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary, setting forth the purpose or purposes
of such segregated account and declaring such purposes to be
proper corporate purposes.

2.13 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
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 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 when reasonably possible notify the Custodian at
least three business days prior to the date on which the
Custodian is to take such action.

3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held
Outside of the United States

3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians. The Fund hereby
authorizes and instructs the Custodian to employ as
sub-custodians for each Portfolio's securities and other assets
maintained outside the United States the foreign banking
institutions and foreign securities depositories designated on
Schedule A hereto ("foreign sub-custodians"). Upon receipt of
"Proper Instructions", as defined in Section 5 of this Contract,
together with a certified resolution of the Fund's Board of
Trustees, the Custodian and the Fund may agree to amend Schedule
A hereto from time to time to designate additional foreign
banking institutions and foreign securities depositories to act
as sub-custodian. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Fund
may instruct the Custodian to cease the employment of any one or
more such sub-custodians for maintaining custody of a 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 a Portfolio's foreign securities
transactions. The Custodian shall identify on its books as
belonging to each Portfolio, the foreign securities of the
Portfolio 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
each Portfolio 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 be substantially in the
form set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto and 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 for 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 each applicable
Portfolio; (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 each Portfolio
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 its best efforts to arrange for
the independent accountants of the Fund to be afforded access to
the books and records of any foreign banking institution employed
as a foreign sub-custodian insofar as such books and records
relate to the performance of such foreign banking institution
under its agreement with the Custodian.

3.6 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 each Portfolio held by foreign
sub-custodians, including but not limited to an identification of
entities having possession of each Portfolio's securities and
other assets and advices or notifications of any transfers of
securities to or from each custodial account maintained by a
foreign banking institution for the Custodian on behalf of each
applicable Portfolio 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 Fund held outside the
United States by foreign sub-custodians.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the
contrary, settlement and payment for securities received for the
account of each applicable 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, it
shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian
with respect to any claims against a foreign banking institution
as a consequence of any such loss, damage, cost, expense,
liability or claim if and to the extent that the Fund has not
been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost, expense,
liability or claim.

3.9 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 paragraph 3.12 hereof, the Custodian shall not be liable for
any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting
from nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, or
acts of war or terrorism or any loss where the sub-custodian has
otherwise exercised reasonable care. Notwithstanding the
foregoing provisions of this paragraph 3.9, 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 the like, in each case 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 ("Advance"), 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 ("Liability") then
in such event property equal in value to not more than 125% of
such Advance and accrued interest on the Advance or the
anticipated amount of such Liability, held at any time for the
account of the appropriate Portfolio by the Custodian or sub-
custodian may be held as security for such Liability or for such
Advance and accrued interest on the Advance. The Custodian shall
designate the security or securities constituting security for an
Advance or Liability (the "Designated Securities") by notice in
writing to the Fund (which may be sent by tested telefax or
telex). In the event the value of the Designated Securities shall
decline to less than 110% of the amount of such Advance and
accrued interest on the Advance or the anticipated amount of such
Liability, then the Custodian may designate in the same manner an
additional security for such obligation ("Additional
Securities"), but the aggregate value of the Designated
Securities and Additional Securities shall not be in excess of
125% of the amount of such Advance and the accrued interest on
the Advance or the anticipated amount of such Liability. At the
request of the Fund, on behalf of a Portfolio, the Custodian
shall agree to substitution of a security or securities which
have a value equal to the value of the Designated or Additional
Securities which the Fund desires be released from their status
as security, and such release from status as security shall be
effective upon the Custodian and the Fund agreeing in writing as
to the identity of the substituted security or securities, which
shall thereupon become Designated Securities.

Notwithstanding the above, the Custodian shall, at the request of
the Fund, on behalf of a Portfolio, immediately release from
their status as security any or all of the Designated Securities
or Additional Securities upon the Custodian's receipt from such
of Portfolio cash or cash equivalents in an amount equal to 100%
of the value of the Designated Securities or Additional
Securities that the Fund desires to be released from their status
as security pursuant to this Section. The applicable Portfolio
shall reimburse or indemnify the Custodian in respect of a
Liability and shall pay any Advances upon demand; provided,
however, that the Custodian first notified the Fund on behalf of
the Portfolio of such demand for repayment, reimbursement or
indemnification. If, upon notification, the Portfolio shall fail
to pay such Advance or interest when due or shall fail to
reimburse or indemnify the Custodian promptly in respect of a
Liability, the Custodian shall be entitled to dispose of the
Designated Securities and Additional Securities to the extent
necessary to obtain repayment, reimbursement or indemnification.
Interest, dividends and other distributions paid or received on
the Designated Securities and Additional Securities, other than
payments of principal or payments upon retirement, redemption or
repurchase, shall remain the property of the Portfolio, and shall
not be subject to this Section. To the extent that the

disposition of the Portfolio's property, designated as security
for such Advance or Liability, results in an amount less than
necessary to obtain repayment, reimbursement or indemnification,
the Portfolio shall continue to be liable to the Custodian for
the differences between the proceeds of the disposition of the
Portfolio's property, designated as security for such Advance or
Liability, and the amount of the repayment, reimbursement or
indemnification due to the Custodian and the Custodian shall have
the right to designate in the same manner described above an
additional security for such obligation which shall constitute
Additional Securities hereunder.

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 Securities and Exchange Commission is
notified by such foreign sub-custodian that there appears to be a
substantial likelihood that its shareholders' equity will decline
below $200 million (U.S. dollars or the equivalent thereof) or
that its shareholders' equity has declined below $200 million (in
each case computed in accordance with generally accepted U.S.
accounting principles).

3.12 Branches of U.S. Banks. (a) Except as otherwise set forth in
this Contract, the provisions hereof shall not apply where the
custody of a Portfolio's assets are maintained in a foreign
branch of a banking institution which is a "bank" as defined by
Section 2(a)(5) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 meeting the
qualification set forth in Section 26(a) of said Act. The
appointment of any such branch as a sub-custodian shall be
governed by paragraph 1 of this Contract.

(b) Cash held for each 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 Foreign Exchange Transactions. (a) Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, the Custodian shall settle foreign exchange
contracts or options to purchase and sell foreign currencies for
spot and future delivery on behalf of and for the account of a
Portfolio with such brokers, banks or trust companies other than
the Custodian ("Currency Brokers") as the Fund may determine and

direct pursuant to Proper Instructions or as the Custodian may
select ("Transactions Other Than As Principal").

(b) The Custodian shall not be obligated to enter into foreign
exchange transactions as principal ("Transactions As Principal").
However, if the Custodian has made available to the Fund its
services as a principal in foreign exchange transactions and
subject to any separate agreement between the parties relating to
such transactions, the Custodian shall enter into foreign
exchange contracts or options to purchase and sell foreign
currencies for spot and future delivery on behalf of and for the
account of a Portfolio, with the Custodian as principal.

(c) If, in a Transaction Other Than As Principal, a Currency
Broker is selected by the Fund, on behalf of a Portfolio, the
Custodian shall have no duty with respect to the selection of the
Currency Broker, or, so long as the Custodian acts in accordance
with Proper Instructions, for the failure of such Currency Broker
to comply with the terms of any contract or option. If, in a
Transaction Other Than As Principal, the Currency Broker is
selected by the Custodian or if the Custodian enters into a
Transaction As Principal, the Custodian shall be responsible for
the selection of the Currency Broker and the failure of such
Currency Broker to comply with the terms of nay contract or
option.

(d) In Transactions Other Than As Principal and Transactions
As Principal, the Custodian shall be responsible for any transfer
of cash, the transmission of instructions to and from a Currency
Broker, if any, the safekeeping of all certificates and other
documents and agreements evidencing or relating to such foreign
exchange transactions and the maintenance of proper records as
set forth in Section 9 of this Contract.

3.14 Tax Law. Except to the extent that imposition of any tax
liability arises from State Street's failure to perform in
accordance with the terms of this Section 3.14 or from the
failure of any sub-custodian to perform in accordance with the
terms of the applicable subcustody agreement, State Street shall
have no responsibility or liability for any obligations now or
hereafter imposed on each Portfolio by the tax law of the
domicile of each Portfolio or of any jurisdiction in which each
Portfolio is invested or any political subdivision thereof. It
shall be the responsibility of State Street to use due care to
perform such steps as are required to collect any tax refund, to
ascertain the appropriate rate of tax withholding and to provide
such information and documents as may be required to enable each
Portfolio to receive appropriate tax treatment under applicable
tax laws and any applicable treaty provisions. Unless otherwise
informed by each Portfolio, State Street, in performance of its
duties under this Section, shall be entitled to apply categorical
treatment of each Portfolio according to the nationality of each

Portfolio, the particulars of its organization and other relevant
details that shall be supplied by each Portfolio. State Street
shall be entitled to rely on any information supplied by each
Portfolio. State Street may engage reasonable professional
advisors disclosed to each Portfolio by State Street, which may
include attorneys, accountants or financial institutions in the
regular business of investment administration and may rely upon
advice received therefrom. It shall be the duty of each
Portfolio to inform State Street of any change in the
organization, domicile or other relevant fact concerning tax
treatment of each Portfolio and further to inform State Street if
each Portfolio is or becomes the beneficiary of any special
ruling or treatment not applicable to the general nationality and
category of entity of which each Portfolio is a part under
general laws and treaty provisions.

4. Payments for Sales or Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the
Fund

The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Shares
or from the Transfer Agent of the Fund and deposit into the account of the
appropriate 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 such
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 Trust Instrument and any applicable votes of the
Board of Trustees of the Fund pursuant thereto, the Custodian shall, upon
receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for
payment to holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a
request for redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In connection with
the redemption or repurchase of Shares of a Portfolio, the Custodian is
authorized upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire
funds to or through a commercial bank designated by the redeeming
shareholders. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares
of the Fund, the Custodian shall honor checks drawn on the Custodian by a
holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished by the Fund to the
holder of Shares, when presented to the Custodian in accordance with such
procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from time to time
between the Fund and the Custodian.

5. Proper Instructions

Proper Instructions as used throughout this Contract means a
writing signed or initialled by two or more person or persons as the Board
of Trustees shall have from time to time authorized. Each such writing
shall set forth the specific transaction or type of transaction involved,
including a specific statement of the purpose for which such action is

requested. Oral instructions will be considered Proper Instructions if
the Custodian reasonably believes them to have been given by a person
authorized to give such instructions with respect to the transaction
involved. The Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be confirmed in
writing. Upon receipt of a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary as to the authorization by the Board of Trustees of the Fund
accompanied by a detailed description of procedures approved by the Board
of Trustees, Proper Instructions may include communications effected
directly between electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that
the Fund and the Custodian are satisfied that such procedures afford
adequate safeguards for the Portfolios' assets. For purposes of this
Section, Proper Instructions shall include instructions received by the
Custodian pursuant to any three - party agreement which requires a
segregated asset account in accordance with Section 2.12.

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 of the Fund.

7. Evidence of Authority

The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions,
notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper
believed by it to be genuine and to have been properly executed by or on
behalf of the Fund. The Custodian may receive and accept a certified copy
of a vote of the Board of Trustees of the Fund as conclusive evidence (a)
of the authority of any person to act in accordance with such vote or (b)
of any determination or of any action by the Board of Trustees pursuant to
the Trust Instrument as described in such vote, and such vote may be
considered as in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of
written notice to the contrary.

8. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income

If, and to the extent requested by the Fund, the Custodian shall
cooperate with and supply necessary information to the entity or entities
appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund to keep the books of
account of each 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, 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 Fund's currently effective prospectus related to such
Portfolio and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the
total amounts of such net income and, if instructed in writing by an
officer of the Fund to do so, shall advise the Transfer Agent periodically
of the division of such net income among its various components. The
calculations of the net asset value per share and the daily income of each
Portfolio shall be made at the time or times described from time to time
in the Fund's currently effective prospectus related to such Portfolio.

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 of 1940, 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
Securities and Exchange Commission. 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 Accountant

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 Form N-SAR or other annual
reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and with respect to any
other requirements of such Commission.

11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants

The Custodian shall provide the Fund, on behalf of each Portfolio
at such times as the Fund may reasonably require, with reports by
independent public accountants on the accounting system, internal
accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities, futures
contracts and options on futures contracts, including securities deposited
and/or maintained in a Securities System, relating to the services
provided by the Custodian under this Contract; such reports, shall be of
sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably be required
by the Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies
would be disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such
inadequacies, the reports shall so state.

12. Compensation of Custodian

The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for
its services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time
between the Fund 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.

As a condition to the indemnification provided for in this
Section 13, if in any case the indemnifying party is asked to indemnify
and hold the indemnified party harmless, the indemnified party shall fully
and promptly advise the indemnifying party of all pertinent facts
concerning the situation in question, and shall use all reasonable care to
identify, and promptly notify the indemnifying party of, any situation
which presents or appears likely to present the probability of such a
claim for indemnification against the indemnifying party. The
indemnifying party shall be entitled, at its own expense, to participate
in the investigation and to be consulted as to the defense of any such
claim, and in such event, the indemnified party shall keep the
indemnifying party fully and currently informed of all developments
relating to such investigation or defense. At any time, the indemnifying

party shall be entitled at its own expense to conduct the defense of any
such claim, provided that the indemnifying party: (a) reasonably
demonstrates to the other party its ability to pay the full amount of
potential liability in connection with such claim and (b) first admits in
writing to the other party that such claim is one in respect of which the
indemnifying party is obligated to indemnify the other party hereunder.
Upon satisfaction of the foregoing conditions, the indemnifying party
shall take over complete defense of the claim, and the indemnified party
shall initiate no further legal or other expenses for which it shall seek
indemnification. The indemnified party shall in no case confess any claim
or make any compromise in any case in which the indemnifying party may be
asked to indemnify the indemnified party, except with the indemnifying
party's prior written consent.

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 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 it.

14. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment

This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall
continue in full force and effect with respect to each Portfolio 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 of the
Fund has approved the use of a particular Securities System by such
Portfolio as required by Rule 17f-4 under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended 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 and the receipt of an annual certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees has
reviewed the use by such Portfolio of the Direct Paper System; provided
further, however, that the Fund shall not amend or terminate this Contract
in contravention of any applicable federal or state regulations, or any
provision of the Trust Instrument, and further provided, that the Fund on
behalf of one or more of the Portfolios may at any time by action of its
Board of Trustees (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the
Custodian by giving notice as described above to the Custodian, or (ii)
immediately terminate this Contract in the event of the appointment of a

conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the Comptroller of the
Currency or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an
appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction.

Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund 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. Termination of the
Contract with respect to one Portfolio (but less than all of the
Portfolios) will not constitute termination of the Contract, and the terms
of the Contract continue to apply to the other Portfolios.

15. Successor Custodian

If a successor custodian for the Fund, of one or more of the
Portfolios shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, the
Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to such successor custodian at
the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer,
all securities 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 of the Fund, deliver at the office of the Custodian and
transfer such securities, funds and other properties in accordance with
such vote.

In the event that no written order designating a successor
custodian or certified copy of a vote of the Board of Trustees shall have
been delivered to the Custodian on or before the date when such
termination shall become effective, then the Custodian shall have the
right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a "bank" as defined
in the Investment Company Act of 1940, doing business in Boston,
Massachusetts, of its own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus,
and undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less
than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other properties held by the
Custodian on behalf of each applicable 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 Trust Instrument of the Fund. No interpretive or
additional provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be
deemed to be an amendment of this Contract.

17. Additional Funds

In the event that the Fund establishes one or more series of
Shares in addition to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Genesis Fund, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Guardian Fund, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Partners Fund, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Manhattan Fund, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Selected Sectors 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. Limitation of Trustee, Officer and Shareholder Liability

It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Fund and each
Portfolio hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees,
officers, agents or employees of the Fund or upon the shareholders of any
Portfolio personally, but shall only bind the assets and property of the
Fund, as provided in its Trust Instrument. The execution and delivery of
this Contract have been authorized by the Trustees of the Fund, and this
Contract has been executed and delivered by an authorized officer of the
Fund acting as such; neither such authorization by such Trustees nor such
execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made
by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them
personally, but shall bind only the assets and property of the Fund, as
provided in its Trust Instrument.

20. No Liability of Other Portfolios

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Contract, the parties
agree that the assets and liabilities of each Portfolio are separate and
distinct from the assets and liabilities of each other Portfolio and that
no Portfolio shall be liable or shall be charged for any debt, obligation
or liability of any other Portfolio, whether arising under this Contract
or otherwise.

21. Confidentiality

The Custodian agrees that all books, records, information and
data pertaining to the business of the Fund which are exchanged or
received pursuant to the negotiation or carrying out of this Contract
shall remain confidential, shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any
other person, except as may be required by law, and shall not be used by
the Custodian for any purpose not directly related to the business of the
Fund, except with the Fund's written consent.

22. Assignment

Neither the Fund nor the Custodian shall have the right to assign
any of its rights or obligations under this Contract without the prior
written consent of the other party.

23. Severability

If any provision of this Contract is held to be unenforceable as
a matter of law, the other terms and provisions hereof shall not be
affected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect.

24. Prior Contracts

This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof,
all prior contracts between the Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios,
or any predecessor(s) thereto, and the Custodian relating to the custody
of the Fund's assets.

25. Shareholder Communications Election

Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14b-2 requires banks
which hold securities for the account of customers to respond to requests
by issuers of securities for the names, addresses and holdings of
beneficial owners of securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the
beneficial 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.

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
day of , 199 .

ATTEST ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ EQUITY FUNDS

_______________ By_____________________

ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

_______________ By_____________________
Executive Vice
President

Schedule A

The following foreign banking institutions and foreign securities
depositories have been approved by the Board of Trustees of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ &
▇▇▇▇▇▇ Equity Funds for use as sub-custodians for the Fund's securities
and other assets:

(Insert banks and securities depositories)

Certified:

____________________________
Fund's Authorized Officer

Date: ______________________

CUSTODIAN CONTRACT Between NEUBERGER & BERMAN EQUITY FUNDS and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY TABLE OF CONTENTS

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