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EXHIBIT 7
AGREEMENT BETWEEN
▇▇▇▇▇ BROTHERS ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & CO.
AND
MERCURY FUNDS
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
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AGREEMENT made this _____________ day of _____________________ , 1996, between
MERCURY FUNDS (the "Fund") and ▇▇▇▇▇ Brothers ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. (the "Custodian").
WITNESSETH: That in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. The Fund hereby employs and appoints the Custodian as a custodian
for the term and subject to the provisions of this Agreement. The Custodian
shall not be under any duty or obligation to require the Fund to deliver to it
any securities or funds owned by the Fund and shall have no responsibility or
liability for or on account of securities or funds not so delivered. The Fund
will deposit with the Custodian copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and
By-Laws (or comparable documents) of the Fund and all amendments thereto, and
copies of such votes and other proceedings of the Fund as may be necessary for
or convenient to the Custodian in the performance of its duties.
2. Except for securities and funds held by subcustodians appointed
pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 hereof, the Custodian shall have and
perform the following powers and duties:
A. Safekeeping - To keep safely the securities of the Fund that have
been delivered to the Custodian and from time to time to receive delivery of
securities for safekeeping.
B. Manner of Holding Securities - To hold securities of the Fund (1)
by physical possession of the share certificates or other instruments
representing such securities in registered or bearer form, or (2) in book-entry
form by a Securities System (as said term is defined in Section 2S).
C. Registered Name; Nominee - To hold registered securities of the Fund
(1) in the name or any nominee name of the Custodian or the Fund, or in the name
or any nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 5E, or (2) in
street certificate form, so-called, and in any case with or without any
indication of fiduciary capacity.
D. Purchases - Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, as defined in
Section V on Page 14, insofar as funds are available for the purpose, to pay for
and receive securities purchased for the account of the Fund, payment being made
only upon receipt of the securities (1) by the
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Custodian, or (2) by a clearing corporation of a national securities exchange of
which the Custodian is a member, or (3) by a Securities System. However, (i) in
the case of repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund, the Custodian may
release funds to a Securities System or to a Subcustodian prior to the receipt
of advice from the Securities System or Subcustodian that the securities
underlying such repurchase agreement have been transferred by book entry into
the Account (as defined in Section 2S) of the Custodian maintained with such
Securities System or Subcustodian, so long as such payment instructions to
Securities System or Subcustodian include a requirement that delivery is only
against payment of securities, and (ii) in the case of time deposits, call
account deposits, currency deposits, and other deposits, contracts or options
pursuant to Sections 2K, 2L and 2M, the Custodian may make payment therefor
without receiving an instrument evidencing said deposit so long as such payment
instructions detail specific securities to be acquired.
E. Exchanges - Upon receipt of proper instructions, to exchange
securities held by it for the account of the Fund for other securities in
connection with any reorganization, recapitalization, split-up of shares, change
of par value, conversion or other event, and to deposit any such securities in
accordance with the terms of any reorganization or protective plan. Without such
instructions, the Custodian may surrender securities in temporary form for
definitive securities, may surrender securities for transfer into a name or
nominee name as permitted in Section 2C, and may surrender securities for a
different number of certificates or instruments representing the same number of
shares or same principal amount of indebtedness, provided the securities to be
issued are to be delivered to the Custodian and further provided custodian shall
at the time of surrendering securities or instruments receive a receipt or other
evidence of ownership thereof.
F. Sales of Securities - Upon receipt of proper instructions, to
make delivery of securities which have been sold for the account of the Fund,
but only against payment therefor (1) in cash, by a certified check, bank
cashier's check, bank credit, or bank wire transfer, or (2) by credit to the
account of the Custodian with a clearing corporation of a national securities
exchange of which the Custodian is a member, or (3) by credit to the account of
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the Custodian or an Agent of the Custodian with a Securities System.
G. Depositary Receipts - Upon receipt of proper instructions, to
instruct a subcustodian appointed pursuant to Section 3 hereof (a
"Subcustodian") or an agent of the Custodian appointed pursuant to Section 5E
hereof (an "Agent") to surrender securities to the depositary used by an issuer
of American Depositary Receipts or International Depositary Receipts
(hereinafter collectively referred to as "ADRs") for such securities against a
written receipt therefor adequately describing such securities and written
evidence satisfactory to the Subcustodian or Agent that the depositary has
acknowledged receipt of instructions to issue with respect to such securities
ADRs in the name of the Custodian, or a nominee of the Custodian, for delivery
to the Custodian in Boston, Massachusetts, or at such other place as the
Custodian may from time to time designate.
Upon receipt of proper instructions, to surrender ADRs to the issuer
thereof against a written receipt therefor adequately describing the ADRs
surrendered and written evidence satisfactory to the Custodian that the issuer
of the ADRs has acknowledged receipt of instructions to cause its depositary to
deliver the securities underlying such ADRs to a Subcustodian or an Agent.
H. Exercise of Rights; Tender Offers - Upon timely receipt of proper
instructions, to deliver to the issuer or trustee thereof, or to the agent of
either, warrants, puts, calls, rights or similar securities for the purpose of
being exercised or sold, provided that the new securities and cash, if any,
acquired by such action are to be delivered to the Custodian, and, upon receipt
of proper instructions, to deposit securities upon invitations for tenders of
securities, provided that the consideration is to be paid or delivered or the
tendered securities are to be returned to the Custodian.
I. Stock Dividends, Rights, Etc. - To receive and collect all stock
dividends, rights and other items of like nature; and to deal with the same
pursuant to proper instructions relative thereto.
J. Borrowings - Upon receipt of proper instructions, to deliver
securities of the Fund to lenders or their agents as collateral for borrowings
effected by the Fund, provided that such borrowed money is payable to or upon
the Custodian's order as Custodian for the Fund.
K. Demand Deposit Bank Accounts - To open and operate an account or
accounts in the name of the Fund on the Custodian's books subject only to draft
or order by the Custodian. All
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funds received by the Custodian from or for the account of the Fund shall be
deposited in said account(s). The responsibilities of the Custodian to the Fund
for deposits accepted on the Custodian's books shall be that of a U. S. bank for
a similar deposit.
If and when authorized by proper instructions, the Custodian may open
and operate an additional account(s) in such other banks or trust companies as
may be designated by the Fund in such instructions (any such bank or trust
company so designated by the Fund being referred to hereafter as a "Banking
Institution"), provided that such account(s) shall be in the name of the
Custodian for account of the Fund and subject only to the Custodian's draft or
order. Such accounts may be opened with Banking Institutions in the United
States and in other countries and may be denominated in either U. S. Dollars or
other currencies as the Fund may determine. All such deposits shall be deemed to
be portfolio securities of the Fund and accordingly the responsibility of the
Custodian therefore shall be the same as and neither lesser nor greater than the
Custodian's responsibility in respect of other portfolio securities of the Fund.
L. Interest Bearing Call or Time Deposits - To place interest bearing
fixed term and call deposits with such banks and in such amounts as the Fund may
authorize pursuant to proper instructions. Such deposits may be placed with the
Custodian or with Subcustodians or other Banking Institutions as the Fund may
determine. Deposits may be denominated in U. S. Dollars or other currencies and
need not be evidenced by the issuance or delivery of a certificate to the
Custodian, provided that the Custodian shall include in its records with respect
to the assets of the Fund, appropriate notation as to the amount and currency of
each such deposit, the accepting Banking Institution, and other appropriate
details. Such deposits, other than those placed with the Custodian, shall be
deemed portfolio securities of the Fund and the responsibilities of the
Custodian therefor shall be the same as those for demand deposit bank accounts
placed with other banks, as described in Section K of this agreement. The
responsibility of the Custodian for such deposits accepted on the Custodian's
books shall be that of a U. S. bank for a similar deposit.
M. Foreign Exchange Transactions and Futures Contracts - Pursuant to
proper instructions, to enter into foreign exchange contracts or options to
purchase and sell foreign currencies for spot and
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future delivery on behalf and for the account of the Fund. Such transactions may
be undertaken by the Custodian with such Banking Institutions, including the
Custodian and Subcustodian(s) as principals, as approved and authorized by the
Fund. Foreign exchange contracts and options other than those executed with the
Custodian, shall be deemed to be portfolio securities of the Fund and the
responsibilities of the Custodian therefor shall be the same as those for demand
deposit bank accounts placed with other banks as described in Section 2-K of
this agreement. Upon receipt of proper instructions, to receive and retain
confirmations evidencing the purchase or sale of a futures contract or an option
on a futures contract by the Fund; to deposit and maintain in a segregated
account, for the benefit of any futures commission merchant or to pay to such
futures commission merchant, assets designated by the fund as initial,
maintenance or variation "margin" deposits intended to secure the Fund's
performance of its obligations under any futures contracts purchased or sold or
any options on futures contracts written by the Fund, in accordance with the
provisions of any agreement or agreements among any of the Fund, the Custodian
and such futures commission merchant, designated to comply with the rules of the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any contract market, or any similar
organization or organizations, regarding such margin deposits; and to release
and/or transfer assets in such margin accounts only in accordance with any such
agreements or rules.
N. Stock Loans - Upon receipt of proper instructions to deliver
securities of the Fund, in connection with loans of securities by the Fund, to
the borrower thereof upon the receipt of the cash collateral, if any, for such
borrowing. In the event U.S. Government securities are to be used as collateral,
the Custodian will not release the securities to be loaned until it has received
confirmation that such collateral has been delivered to the Custodian. The
Custodian and Fund understand that the timing of receipt of such confirmation
will normally require that the delivery of securities to be loaned will be made
one day after receipt of the U. S. Government collateral.
O. Collections - To collect, receive and deposit in said account or
accounts all income and other payments with respect to the securities held
hereunder, and to execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for
all federal and state tax purposes in connection with receipt of income
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or other payments with respect to securities of the Fund or in connection with
transfer of securities, and pursuant to proper instructions to take such other
actions with respect to collection or receipt of funds or transfer of securities
which involve an investment decision.
P. Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions - Upon receipt of proper
instructions from the Fund, or upon receipt of instructions from the Fund's
shareholder servicing agent or agent with comparable duties (the "Shareholder
Servicing Agent") (given by such person or persons and in such manner on behalf
of the Shareholder Servicing Agent as the Fund shall have authorized), the
Custodian shall release funds or securities to the Shareholder Servicing Agent
or otherwise apply funds or securities, insofar as available, for the payment of
dividends or other distributions to Fund shareholders. Upon receipt of proper
instructions from the Fund, or upon receipt of instructions from the Shareholder
Servicing Agent (given by such person or persons and in such manner on behalf of
the Shareholder Servicing Agent as the Fund shall have authorized), the
Custodian shall release funds or securities, insofar as available, to the
Shareholder Servicing Agent or as such Agent shall otherwise instruct for
payment to Fund shareholders who have delivered to such Agent a request for
repurchase or redemption of their shares of capital stock of the Fund.
Q. Proxies, Notices, Etc. - Promptly to deliver or mail to the Fund all
forms of proxies and all notices of meetings and any other notices or
announcements affecting or relating to securities owned by the Fund that are
received by the Custodian, and upon receipt of proper instructions, to execute
and deliver or cause its nominee to execute and deliver such proxies or other
authorizations as may be required. Neither the Custodian nor its nominee shall
vote upon any of such securities or execute any proxy to vote thereon or give
any consent or take any other action with respect thereto (except as otherwise
herein provided) unless ordered to do so by proper instructions.
R. Bills - Upon receipt of proper instructions from the Administrator,
to pay or cause to be paid, insofar as funds are available for the purpose,
bills, statements, or other obligations of the Fund.
S. Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems - The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in (i) The Depository Trust
Company, (ii) any book-entry
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system as provided in Subpart O of Treasury Circular ▇▇. ▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇ of 31 CFR Part 350, or the book-entry regulations of federal agencies
substantially in the form of Subpart O. or (iii) any other domestic 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 and
whose use the Fund has previously approved in writing (each of the foregoing
being referred to in this Agreement as a "Securities System"). Utilization of a
Securities System shall be 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 deposit and/or maintain Fund securities, either
directly or through one or more Agents appointed by the Custodian (provided that
any such agent shall be qualified to act as a custodian of the Fund pursuant to
the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations thereunder), in
a Securities System provided that such securities are represented in an account
("Account") of the Custodian or such Agent in the Securities System which shall
not include any assets of the Custodian or Agent other than assets held as a
fiduciary, custodian, or otherwise for customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the Fund
which are maintained in a 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 or an Agent as referred to
above, and be provided to the Fund at its request. The Custodian shall furnish
the Fund confirmation of each transfer to or from
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the account of the Fund in the form of a written advice or notice and shall
furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's
transactions in the Securities System for the account
of the Fund on the next business day;
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by the
Custodian or any Agent as referred to above on the Securities System's
accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding
securities deposited in the Securities System; and the Custodian and such Agents
shall send to the Fund such reports on their own systems of internal accounting
control as the Fund may reasonably request from time to time.
5) At the written request of the Fund, the Custodian will terminate the
use of any such Securities System on behalf of the Fund as promptly as
practicable.
T. Other Transfers - Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, to deliver
securities, funds and other property of the Fund to a Subcustodian or another
custodian of the Fund; and, upon receipt of proper instructions, to make such
other disposition of securities, funds or other property of the Fund in a manner
other than or for purposes other than as enumerated elsewhere in this Agreement,
provided that the instructions relating to such disposition shall include a
statement of the purpose for which the delivery is to be made, the amount of
securities to be delivered and the name of the person or persons to whom
delivery is to be made.
U. Investment Limitations - In performing its duties generally, and
more particularly in connection with the purchase, sale and exchange of
securities made by or for the Fund, the Custodian may assume unless and until
notified in writing to the contrary that proper instructions received by it are
not in conflict with or in any way contrary to any provisions of the Fund's
Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws (or comparable documents) or votes or
proceedings of the shareholders or Directors of the Fund. The Custodian shall in
no event be liable to the Fund and shall be indemnified by the Fund for any
violation which occurs in the course of carrying out instructions given by the
Fund of any investment limitations to which the Fund is subject or other
limitations with respect to the Fund's powers to make expenditures, encumber
securities, borrow or take similar actions affecting its portfolio.
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V. Proper Instructions - Proper instructions shall mean a tested telex
from the Fund or a written request, direction, instruction or certification
signed or initialed on behalf of the Fund by two or more persons as the Board of
Directors of the Fund shall have from time to time authorized, provided,
however, that no such instructions directing the delivery of securities or the
payment of funds to an authorized signatory of the Fund shall be signed by such
person. Those persons authorized to give proper instructions may be identified
by the Board of Directors by name, title or position and will include at least
one officer empowered by the Board to name other individuals who are authorized
to give proper instructions on behalf of the Fund. Telephonic or other oral
instructions given by any one of the above persons 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. Oral instructions will be confirmed by tested telex or in writing in
the manner set forth above but the lack of such confirmation shall in no way
affect any action taken by the Custodian in reliance upon such oral
instructions. The Fund authorizes the Custodian to tape record any and all
telephonic or other oral instructions given to the Custodian by or on behalf of
the Fund (including any of its officers, Directors, employees or agents) and
will deliver to the Custodian a similar authorization from any investment
manager or adviser or person or entity with similar responsibilities which is
authorized to give proper instructions on behalf of the Fund to the Custodian.
Proper instructions may relate to specific transactions or to types or classes
of transactions, and may be in the form of standing instructions.
Proper instructions may include communications effected directly
between electro-mechanical or electronic devices or systems, in addition to
tested telex, provided that the Fund and the Custodian agree to the use of such
device or system.
3. Securities, funds and other property of the Fund may be held by
subcustodians appointed pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3 (a
"Subcustodian"). The Custodian may, at any time and from time to time, appoint
any bank or trust company (meeting the requirements of a custodian or a foreign
custodian under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and
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regulations thereunder) to act as a Subcustodian for the Fund, provided that the
Fund shall have approved in writing (1) any such bank or trust company and the
subcustodian agreement to be entered into between such bank or trust company and
the Custodian, and (2) if the subcustodian is a bank organized under the laws of
a country other than the United States, the holding of securities, cash and
other property of the Fund in the country in which it is proposed to utilize the
services of such subcustodian. Upon such approval by the Fund, the Custodian is
authorized on behalf of the Fund to notify each Subcustodian of its appointment
as such. The Custodian may, at any time in its discretion, remove any bank or
trust company that has been appointed as a Subcustodian but will promptly notify
the Fund of any such action.
Those Subcustodians, their offices or branches which the Fund has
approved to date are set forth on Appendix A hereto. Such Appendix shall be
amended from time to time as Subcustodians, branches or offices are changed,
added or deleted. The Fund shall be responsible for informing the Custodian
sufficiently in advance of a proposed investment which is to be held at a
location not listed on Appendix A, in order that there shall be sufficient time
for the Fund to give the approval required by the preceding paragraph and for
the Custodian to put the appropriate arrangements in place with such
Subcustodian pursuant to such subcustodian agreement.
Although the Fund does not intend to invest in a country before the
foregoing procedures have been completed, in the event that an investment is
made prior to approval, if practical, such security shall be removed to an
approved location or if not practical such security shall be held by such agent
as the Custodian may appoint. In such event, the Custodian shall be liable to
the Fund for the actions of such agent if and only to the extent the Custodian
shall have recovered from such agent for any damages caused the Fund by such
agent and provided that the Custodian shall pursue its rights against such
agent.
In the event that any Subcustodian appointed pursuant to the provisions
of this Section 3 fails to perform any of its obligations under the terms and
conditions of the applicable subcustodian agreement, the Custodian shall use its
best efforts to cause such Subcustodian to perform such
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obligations. In the event that the Custodian is unable to cause such
Subcustodian to perform fully its obligations thereunder, the Custodian shall
forthwith upon the Fund's request terminate such Subcustodian and, if necessary
or desirable, appoint another subcustodian in accordance with the provisions of
this Section 3. At the election of the Fund, it shall have the right to enforce,
to the extent permitted by the subcustodian agreement and applicable law, the
Custodian's rights against any such Subcustodian for loss or damage caused the
Fund by such Subcustodian.
At the written request of the Fund, the Custodian will terminate any
subcustodian Appointed pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3 in
accordance with the termination provisions under the applicable subcustodian
agreement. The Custodian will not amend any subcustodian agreement or agree to
change or permit any changes thereunder except upon the prior written approval
of the Fund.
In the event the Custodian receives a claim from a Subcustodian under
the indemnification provisions of any subcustodian agreement, the Custodian
shall promptly give written notice to the Fund of such claim. No more than
thirty days after written notice to the Fund of the Custodian's intention to
make such payment, the Fund will reimburse the Custodian the amount of such
payment except in respect of any negligence or misconduct of the Custodian.
4. The Custodian may assist generally in the preparation of reports to
Fund shareholders and others, audits of accounts, and other ministerial matters
of like nature.
5. A. The Custodian shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted
in reliance upon proper instructions believed by it to be genuine or upon any
other written notice, request, direction, instruction, certificate or other
instrument believed by it to be genuine and signed by the proper party or
parties.
The Chairman of the Board of the Fund shall certify to the Custodian
the names, signatures and scope of authority of all persons authorized to give
proper instructions or any other such notice, request, direction, instruction,
certificate or instrument on behalf of the Fund, the names and signatures of the
officers of the Fund, the name and address of the Shareholder Servicing Agent,
and any resolutions, votes, instructions or directions of the Fund's Board of
Directors or
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shareholders. Such certificate may be accepted and relied upon by the Custodian
as conclusive evidence of the facts set forth therein and may be considered in
full force and effect until receipt of a similar certificate to the contrary.
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 Agreement.
The Custodian shall be entitled, at the expense of the Fund, (but only
to the extent such expenses are reasonable) to receive and act upon advice of
counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and the Custodian
shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant
to such advice.
B. With respect to the portfolio securities, cash and other property of
the Fund held by a Securities System, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund
only for any loss or damage to the Fund resulting from use of the Securities
System if caused by any negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian
or any of its agents or of any of its or their employees or from any failure of
the Custodian or any such agent to enforce effectively such rights as it may
have against the Securities System.
C. The Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to
the Fund caused by or resulting from the acts or omissions of any Subcustodian
if such acts or omissions would be deemed to be negligence, gross negligence or
willful misconduct hereunder if such acts or omissions were those of the
Custodian taken or omitted by the Custodian in the country in which the
Subcustodian is operating. The Custodian shall also be liable to the Fund for
its own negligence in transmitting any instructions received by it from the Fund
and for its own negligence in connection with the delivery of any securities or
funds held by it to any Subcustodian.
D. Except as may otherwise be set forth in this Agreement with respect
to particular matters, the Custodian shall be held only to the exercise of
reasonable care and diligence in carrying out the provisions of this Agreement,
provided that the Custodian shall not thereby be required to take any action
which is in contravention of any applicable law. However, nothing herein shall
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exempt the Custodian from liability due to its own negligence or willful
misconduct. The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian and its
nominees from all claims and liabilities (including reasonable counsel fees)
incurred or assessed against it or its nominees in connection with the
performance of this Agreement, except such as may arise from its or its
nominee's breach of the relevant standard of conduct set forth in this
Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing indemnification obligation of the
Fund, the Fund agrees to indemnify the Custodian and its nominees against any
liability the Custodian or such nominee may incur by reason of taxes assessed to
the Custodian or such nominee or other costs, liability or expense incurred by
the Custodian or such nominee resulting directly or indirectly from the fact
that portfolio securities or other property of the Fund is registered in the
name of the Custodian or such nominee.
In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this
Paragraph 5-C shall apply, however, it is understood that if in any case the
Fund may be asked to indemnify or hold the Custodian harmless, the Fund shall be
fully and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in
question, and it is further understood that the Custodian will use all
reasonable care to identify and notify the Fund promptly concerning any
situation which presents or appears likely to present the probability of such a
claim for indemnification against the Fund. The Fund shall have the option to
defend the Custodian against any claim which may be the subject of this
indemnification, and in the event that the Fund so elects it will so notify the
Custodian, and thereupon the Fund shall take over complete defense of the claim,
and the Custodian shall in such situation initiate no further legal or other
expenses for which it shall seek indemnification under this Paragraph 5-C. The
Custodian shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case
in which the Fund will be asked to indemnify the Custodian except with the
Fund's prior written consent.
It is also understood that the Custodian shall not be liable for any
loss involving any securities, currencies, deposits or other property of the
Fund, whether maintained by it, a Subcustodian, an agent of the Custodian or a
Subcustodian, a Securities System, or a Banking
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Institution, or a loss arising from a foreign currency transaction or contract,
resulting from a Sovereign Risk. A "Sovereign Risk" shall mean nationalizaton,
expropriation, devaluation, revaluation, confiscation, seizure, cancellation,
destruction or similar action by any governmental authority, de facto or de
jure; or enactment, promulgation, imposition or enforcement by any such
governmental authority of currency restrictions, exchange controls, taxes,
levies or other charges affecting the Fund's property; or acts of war,
terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or any other similar act or event beyond
the Custodian's control.
E. The Custodian shall be entitled to receive reimbursement from the
Fund on demand, in the manner provided in Section 6, for its cash disbursements,
expenses and charges (including the fees and expenses of any Subcustodian or any
Agent) in connection with this Agreement, but excluding salaries and usual
overhead expenses.
F. The Custodian may at any time or times in its discretion appoint (and
may at any time remove) any other bank or trust company as its agent (an
"Agent") to carry out such of the provisions of this Agreement as the Custodian
may from time to time direct, provided, however, that the appointment of such
Agent (other than an Agent appointed pursuant to the third paragraph of Section
3) shall not relieve the Custodian of any of its responsibilities under this
agreement.
G. Upon request, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian such proxies,
powers of attorney or other instruments as may be reasonable and necessary or
desirable in connection with the performance by the Custodian or any
Subcustodian of their respective obligations under this Agreement or any
applicable subcustodian agreement.
6. The Fund shall pay the Custodian a custody fee based on such fee
schedule as may from time to time be agreed upon in writing by the Custodian and
the Fund. Such fee, together with all amounts for which the Custodian is to be
reimbursed in accordance with Section 5D, shall be billed to the Fund in such a
manner as to permit payment by a direct cash payment to the Custodian.
7. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until
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 seventy five (75) days after the date of such delivery or mailing. In the
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event of termination the Custodian shall be entitled to receive prior to
delivery of the securities, funds and other property held by it all accrued fees
and unreimbursed expenses the payment of which is contemplated by Sections 5D
and 6, upon receipt by the Fund of a statement setting forth such fees and
expenses.
In the event of the appointment of a successor custodian, it is agreed
that the funds and securities owned by the Fund and held by the Custodian or any
Subcustodian shall be delivered to the successor custodian, and the Custodian
agrees to cooperate with the Fund in execution of documents and performance of
other actions necessary or desirable in order to substitute the successor
custodian for the Custodian under this Agreement.
8. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. No provision of
this Agreement may be amended or terminated except by a statement in writing
signed by the party against which enforcement of the amendment or termination is
sought.
In connection with the operation of this Agreement, the Custodian and
the Fund may agree in writing from time to time on such provisions
interpretative of or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement as may in
their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. No
interpretative or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding
sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement.
9. This instrument is executed and delivered in The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and shall be governed by and construed according to the laws of
said Commonwealth.
10. Notices and other writings delivered or mailed postage prepaid to
the Fund addressed to the Fund in care of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ Asset Management, Inc.,
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Mailing address: ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention: ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
Senior Vice President/Treasurer, or to such other address as the Fund may have
designated to the Custodian in writing, or to the Custodian at ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention: Manager, Securities Department, or to
such other address as the Custodian may have designated to the Fund in writing,
shall be deemed to have been properly
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delivered or given hereunder to the respective addressee.
11. This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit
of the Fund and the Custodian and their respective successors and assigns,
provided that neither party hereto may assign this Agreement or any of its
rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other
party.
12. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original. This Agreement shall become effective when
one or more counterparts have been signed and delivered by each of the parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be
executed in its name and behalf on the day and year first above written.
MERCURY FUNDS ▇▇▇▇▇ BROTHERS ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & CO.
By per pro
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