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EXHIBIT 2(j)
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
between
▇▇▇▇▇▇ MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
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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...............................................................4
2.4 Bank Accounts............................................................................4
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds............................................................5
2.6 Collection of Income.....................................................................5
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies...................................................................5
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of
Securities Purchased.....................................................................7
2.9 Appointment of Agents....................................................................7
2.10 Deposit of Securities in U.S. Securities System..........................................7
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's
Direct Paper System......................................................................8
2.12 Segregated Account.......................................................................9
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes .................................................9
2.14 Proxies..................................................................................9
2.15 Communications Relating to Fund Securities..............................................10
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of
the Fund Held Outside the United States........................................................10
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians...................................................10
3.2 Assets to be Held.......................................................................10
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories.........................................................10
3.4 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions............................................11
3.5 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund...........................................11
3.6 Reports by Custodian....................................................................11
3.7 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account.................................................11
3.8 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians.....................................................12
3.9 Liability of Custodian..................................................................12
3.10 Reimbursement for Advances..............................................................12
3.11 Monitoring Responsibilities.............................................................13
3.12 Branches of U.S. Banks..................................................................13
3.13 Tax Law.................................................................................13
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchases or Redemptions
of Shares......................................................................................13
5. Proper Instructions............................................................................14
6. Actions Permitted without Express Authority....................................................14
7. Evidence of Authority..........................................................................15
8. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account
and Calculations of Net Asset Value and Net Income.............................................15
9. Records........................................................................................15
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountants......................................................16
11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants..............................................16
12. Compensation of Custodian......................................................................16
13. Responsibility of Custodian....................................................................16
14. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment....................................................17
15. Successor Custodian............................................................................18
16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions.........................................................19
17. Massachusetts Law to Apply.....................................................................19
18. Prior Contracts................................................................................19
19. Shareholder Communications Election............................................................19
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CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Municipal Income Trust, a business trust
organized and existing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and
having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ (the "Fund"), and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a
Massachusetts trust company having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ (the "Custodian"),
WITNESSETH:
THAT, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter
contained, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of its assets,
including securities which it desires to be held in places within the United
States of America ("domestic securities") and securities it desires to be held
outside the United States of America ("foreign securities") pursuant to the
provisions of the Fund's declaration of trust (the "Declaration of Trust"). The
Fund agrees to deliver to the Custodian all securities and cash owned by it and
all payments of income, payments of principal or capital distributions received
by it with respect to all securities owned by the Fund from time to time, and
the cash consideration received by it for such new or treasury shares of
beneficial interest of the Fund ("Shares") as may be issued or sold from time to
time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of the Fund held
or received by the Fund and not delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (as such term is defined in Article 5
of this Contract), the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more
sub-custodians located in the United States of America, including any state or
political subdivision thereof and any territory over which its political
sovereignty extends (the "United States" or "U.S."), but only in accordance with
an applicable vote by the board of trustees of the Fund (the "Board of
Trustees") and provided that the Custodian shall have no more or less
responsibility or liability to the Fund on account of any actions or omissions
of any sub-custodian so employed than any such sub-custodian has to the
Custodian. The Custodian may employ as sub-custodians for the Fund's foreign
securities the foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories
designated in Schedule A hereto but only in accordance with the provisions of
Article 3.
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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 the Fund all non-cash property to be held by it in the
United States including all domestic securities owned by the Fund other
than (a) securities which are maintained in a "U.S. Securities System" (as
such term is defined in Section 2.10 of this Contract) and (b) commercial
paper of an issuer for which State Street Bank and Trust Company acts as
issuing and paying agent ("Direct Paper") which is deposited and/or
maintained in the Custodian's Direct Paper System pursuant to Section 2.11.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver domestic
securities owned by the Fund and held by the Custodian or in a U.S.
Securities System account of the Custodian, which account shall not include
any assets of the Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary,
custodian or otherwise for its customers ("U.S. Securities System Account")
or in the Custodian's Direct Paper book-entry system account, which account
shall not include any assets of the Custodian other than assets held as a
fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for its customers ("Direct Paper System
Account") only upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund, 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 Fund and receipt
of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
agreement related to such securities entered into by the Fund;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a U.S. Securities System, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.10 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar
offers for securities of the Fund;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are called,
redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided that, in any
such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the
Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the
Fund or into the name of 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;
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7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Fund, 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
Fund, but only against receipt of adequate collateral as agreed upon
from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund, which may be in the
form of cash or obligations issued by the United States government,
its agencies or instrumentalities, except that in connection with any
loans for which collateral is to be credited to the Custodian's U.S.
Securities System Account, the Custodian will not be held liable or
responsible for the delivery of securities owned by the Fund prior to
the receipt of such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the Fund
requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, but only against receipt of
amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and a member of
The National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"),
relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing
Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange, or of
any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the Fund, the Custodian, and a Futures Commission Merchant registered
under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the
rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any Contract
Market, or any similar
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organization or organizations, regarding account deposits in
connection with transactions by the Fund;
14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent for the Fund (the
"Transfer Agent"), for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to the
holders of shares in connection with distributions in kind, as may be
described from time to time in the Fund's currently effective
prospectus and statement of additional information (the "Prospectus"),
in satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or
redemption; and
15) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Trustees or of the executive committee
thereof signed by an officer of the Fund and certified by the Fund's
Secretary or Assistant Secretary specifying the securities of the Fund
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 Fund
or in the name of any nominee of the Fund or of any nominee of the
Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Fund, unless
the Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used
in common with other registered investment companies having the same
investment adviser as the Fund, or in the name or nominee name of any agent
appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 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 Fund under the terms of this Contract shall
be in "street name" or other good delivery form. If, however, the Fund
directs the Custodian to maintain securities in "street name", the
Custodian shall utilize reasonable efforts only to (i) timely collect
income due the Fund on such securities and (ii) notify the Fund of relevant
corporate actions including, without limitation, pendency of calls,
maturities, tender or exchange offers.
2.4 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
account or accounts in the United States in the name of the Fund, subject
only to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of
this Contract, and shall hold in such account or accounts, subject to the
provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for the account of the
Fund, other than cash maintained by the Fund in a bank account established
and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended. Funds held by the Custodian for the Fund may be deposited
by it to its credit as Custodian in the banking department of the Custodian
or in such other banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem
necessary or desirable; provided, however, that every such bank or trust
company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act") and that
each such bank or trust company and the funds to be deposited with each
such bank or trust company shall on
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behalf of the Fund be approved by vote of a majority of the Board of
Trustees. Such funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as
Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the Custodian only in that capacity.
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds. Upon agreement between the Fund and the
Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper Instructions
from the Fund, make federal funds available to the Fund as of specified
times agreed upon from time to time by the Fund and the Custodian in the
amount of checks received in payment for Shares of the Fund which are
deposited into the Fund's account.
2.6 Collection of Income. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the
Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments
with respect to United States-registered securities held hereunder to which
the Fund shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the
securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income and
other payments with respect to domestic bearer securities if, on the date
of payment by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its
agent thereof and shall credit such income, as collected, to the Fund's
account. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian
shall detach and present for payment all coupons and other income items
requiring presentation as and when they become due and shall collect
interest when due on securities held hereunder. Collection of income due
the Fund on domestic securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of
Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility of the Fund; the Custodian
will have no duty or responsibility in connection therewith, other than to
provide the Fund with such information or data in its possession as may be
necessary to assist the Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to the
Custodian of the income to which the Fund is properly entitled.
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund,
which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the
parties, the Custodian shall pay out monies of the Fund 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 Fund but only
(a) against the delivery of such securities or evidence of title to
such options, futures contracts or options on futures contracts to the
Custodian (or any bank, banking firm or trust company doing business
in the United States or abroad which is qualified under the Investment
Company Act to act as a custodian and has been designated by the
Custodian as its agent for this purpose) registered in the name of the
Fund or in the name of a nominee of the Custodian referred to in
Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer; (b) in the case of
a purchase effected through a U.S. Securities System, in accordance
with the conditions set forth in Section 2.10 hereof; (c) in the case
of a purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in accordance with
the conditions set forth in Section 2.11; (d) in the case of
repurchase agreements entered into between the Fund 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
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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 Fund of securities owned by the Custodian
along with written evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to
repurchase such securities from the Fund 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 Fund as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Fund as set
forth in Article 4 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Fund,
including but not limited to the following payments for the account of
the Fund: interest, taxes, management fees, accounting fees, transfer
agent fees, legal fees and operating expenses of the Fund whether or
not such expenses are to be in whole or part capitalized or treated as
deferred expenses;
5) For the payment of any dividends on Shares of the Fund 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, a certified copy of a resolution of
the Board of Trustees or of the executive committee thereof signed by
an officer of the Fund and certified by the Fund's Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary, specifying the amount of such payment, setting
forth the purpose for which such payment is to be made, declaring such
purpose to be a proper purpose, and naming the person or persons to
whom such payment is to be made.
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased. Except
as specifically stated otherwise in this Contract, in any and every case
where payment for purchase of domestic securities for the account of the
Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the securities
purchased in the absence of specific written instructions from the Fund to
so pay in advance, the Custodian shall be absolutely liable to the Fund for
such securities to the same extent as if the securities had been received
by the Custodian.
2.9 Appointment of Agents. The Custodian may at any time or times in its
discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust
company which is itself qualified under the Investment Company Act to act
as a custodian, as its agent to carry out such of the
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provisions of this Article 2 as the Custodian may from time to time direct;
provided, however, that the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the
Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder.
2.10 Deposit of Securities in U.S. Securities Systems. The Custodian may deposit
and/or maintain domestic securities owned by the Fund in a clearing agency
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under
Section 17A of the Exchange Act, which acts as a securities depository, or
in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury
and certain federal agencies (a "U.S. Securities System") in accordance
with applicable Federal Reserve Board and SEC rules and regulations, if
any, and subject to the following provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep domestic securities of the Fund in a U.S.
Securities System provided that such securities are represented in a
U.S. Securities System Account;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the Fund
which are maintained in a U.S. Securities System shall identify by
book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
3) The Custodian shall pay for domestic securities purchased for the
account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the U.S.
Securities System that such securities have been transferred to the
U.S. Securities System Account and (ii) the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for the
account of the Fund; the Custodian shall transfer securities sold for
the account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the U.S.
Securities System that payment for such securities has been
transferred to the U.S. Securities System Account and (ii) the making
of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer
and payment for the account of the Fund. Copies of all advices from
the U.S. Securities System of transfers of securities for the account
of the Fund shall identify the Fund, be maintained for the Fund by the
Custodian and be provided to the Fund at its request. Upon request,
the Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer to
or from 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 U.S. Securities
System for the account of the Fund;
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by the
Custodian on the U.S. Securities System's accounting system, internal
accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities
deposited in the U.S. Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received from the Fund the initial or annual
certificate, as the case may be, required by Article 14 hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding, the
Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to the
Fund resulting from use of the U.S.
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Securities System by reason of any negligence, misfeasance or
misconduct of the Custodian or any of its agents or of any of its or
their employees or from failure of the Custodian or any such agent to
enforce effectively such rights as it may have against the U.S.
Securities System; at the election of the Fund, it shall be entitled
to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any
claim against the U.S. Securities System or any other person which the
Custodian may have as a consequence of any such loss or damage if and
to the extent that the Fund 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 the Fund 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;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in the Direct Paper
System only if such securities are represented in the Direct Paper
System Account which shall not include any assets of the Custodian
other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for
customers;
3) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the Fund
which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall identify by
book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of
the Fund 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 Fund. The Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account
of the Fund 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 Fund;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer to
or from the account of the Fund, 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 copies of daily transaction
sheets reflecting each day's transaction in the Direct Paper System
for the account of the Fund; and
6) Upon the reasonable request of the Fund, the Custodian shall provide
the Fund with any report on the Direct Paper System's system of
internal accounting controls which had been prepared as of the time of
such request.
2.12 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper Instructions
from the Fund establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for
and on behalf of the Fund, into
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which account or accounts may be transferred cash and/or securities,
including securities maintained in a U.S. Securities System Account by the
Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof (i) in accordance with the
provisions of any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a
broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a member of the NASD
(or any futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange
Act), relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing
Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any registered Contract Market), or
of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund, (ii) for purposes
of segregating cash or government securities in connection with options
purchased, sold or written by the Fund or commodity futures contracts or
options thereon purchased or sold by the Fund, (iii) for the purposes of
compliance by the Fund with the procedures required by Investment Company
Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release or releases of the SEC
relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment
companies and (iv) for other proper corporate purposes, but only, in the
case of this clause (iv), upon receipt of, in addition to Proper
Instructions from the Fund, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board
of Trustees or of the executive committee thereof signed by an officer of
the Fund and certified by the Fund's Secretary or an Assistant Secretary,
setting forth the purpose or purposes of such segregated account and
declaring such purposes to be proper corporate purposes.
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. The Custodian shall execute
ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state
tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with
respect to domestic securities of the Fund held by it and in connection
with transfers of such securities.
2.14 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic securities held
hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such
securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the name of
the Fund or a nominee of the Fund, all proxies, without indication of the
manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to
the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices
relating to such securities.
2.15 Communications Relating to Fund Securities. Subject to the provisions of
Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund 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 and the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold by the Fund)
received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities being held for the
Fund. With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall
transmit promptly to the Fund all written information received by the
Custodian from issuers of the securities whose tender or exchange is sought
and from the party (or his agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If
the Fund desires to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange
offer or any other similar
13
transaction, the Fund shall notify the Custodian at least three (3)
business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take such
action.
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held Outside
of the United States
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians. The Fund hereby authorizes and
instructs the Custodian to employ as sub-custodians for the Fund's
securities and other assets maintained outside the United States the
foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories designated
on Schedule A hereto (the "foreign sub-custodians"). Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, together with a certified resolution of the 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 foreign sub-custodians for maintaining
custody of the Fund's assets.
3.2 Assets to be Held. The Custodian shall limit the securities and other
assets maintained in the custody of the foreign sub-custodians to: (a)
"foreign securities", as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, and (b) cash and cash equivalents in
such amounts as the Custodian or the Fund may determine to be reasonably
necessary to effect the Fund's foreign securities transactions. The
Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Fund, the foreign
securities of the Fund held by each foreign sub-custodian.
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories. Except as may otherwise be agreed upon in
writing by the Custodian and the Fund, assets of the Funds shall be
maintained in foreign securities depositories only through arrangements
implemented by the foreign banking institutions serving as sub-custodians
pursuant to the terms hereof. Where possible, such arrangements shall
include entry into agreements containing the provisions set forth in
Section 3.4 hereof.
3.4 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions. Each agreement with a foreign
banking institution shall provide that (a) the assets of the Fund will not
be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any
kind in favor of the foreign banking institution or its creditors or agent,
except a claim of payment for their safe custody or administration; (b)
beneficial ownership of the assets of the Fund will be freely transferable
without the payment of money or value other than for custody or
administration; (c) adequate records will be maintained identifying the
assets as belonging to the Custodian on behalf of its customers; (d)
officers of or auditors employed by, or other representatives of the
Custodian, including to the extent permitted under applicable law the
independent public accountants for the Fund, will be given access to the
books and records of the foreign banking institution relating to its
actions under its agreement with the Custodian; and (e)
14
assets of the Fund held by the foreign sub-custodian will be subject only
to the instructions of the Custodian or its agents.
3.5 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund. Upon request of the Fund,
the Custodian will use reasonable efforts to arrange for the independent
accountants of the Fund to be afforded access to the books and records of
any foreign banking institution employed as a foreign sub-custodian insofar
as such books and records relate to the performance of such foreign banking
institution under its agreement with the Custodian.
3.6 Reports by Custodian. The Custodian will supply to the Fund from time to
time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of the securities and
other assets of the Fund held by foreign sub-custodians, including but not
limited to an identification of entities having possession of Fund
securities and other assets and advices or notifications of any transfers
of securities to or from each custodial account maintained by a foreign
banking institution for the Custodian on behalf of its customers
indicating, as to securities acquired for the Fund 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 the Fund
and delivery of securities maintained for the account of the Fund 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
15
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 Section 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 Section
3.9, in delegating custody duties to State Street London Ltd., the
Custodian shall not be relieved of any responsibility to the Fund for any
loss due to such delegation, except such loss as may result from (a)
political risk (including, but not limited to, exchange control
restrictions, confiscation, expropriation, nationalization, insurrection,
civil strife or armed hostilities) or (b) other losses (excluding a
bankruptcy or insolvency of State Street London Ltd. not caused by
political risk) due to Acts of God, nuclear incident or other losses under
circumstances where the Custodian and State Street London Ltd. have
exercised reasonable care.
3.10 Reimbursement for Advances. If the Fund requires the Custodian to advance
cash or securities for any purpose for the benefit of the Fund including
the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or of contracts for foreign
exchange, or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or
be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or
liabilities in connection with the performance of this Contract, except
such as may arise from its or its nominee's own negligent action, negligent
failure to act or willful misconduct, any property at any time held for the
account of the Fund shall be security therefor and should the Fund fail to
repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize
available cash and to dispose of the Fund's assets to the extent necessary
to obtain reimbursement.
3.11 Monitoring Responsibilities. The Custodian shall furnish annually to the
Fund (during the month of June) information concerning the foreign
sub-custodians employed by the Custodian. Such information shall be similar
in kind and scope to that furnished to the Fund in connection with the
initial approval of this Contract. In addition, the Custodian will promptly
inform the Fund in the event that the Custodian learns of a material
adverse change in the financial condition of a foreign sub-custodian or any
material loss of the assets of the Fund or in the case of any foreign
sub-custodian not the subject of an exemptive order from the SEC is
notified by such foreign sub-custodian that there appears to be a
substantial likelihood that its shareholders' equity will decline below
$200 million (U.S. dollars or the local currency equivalent thereof) or
that its shareholders' equity has declined below $200 million (in each case
computed in accordance with generally accepted U.S. accounting principles).
16
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 Fund assets are
maintained in a foreign branch of a banking institution which is a "bank"
as defined by Section 2(a)(5) of the Investment Company Act meeting the
qualification set forth in Section 26(a) of said Act. The appointment of
any such branch as a sub-custodian shall be governed by Article 1 of this
Contract.
(b) Cash held for the Fund in the United Kingdom shall be maintained in an
interest bearing account established for the Fund with the Custodian's
London branch, which account shall be subject to the direction of the
Custodian, State Street London Ltd. or both.
3.13 Tax Law. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any
obligations now or hereafter imposed on the Fund or the Custodian as
custodian of the Fund by the tax law of the United States. It shall be the
responsibility of the Fund to notify the Custodian of the obligations
imposed on the Fund or the Custodian as custodian of the Fund by the tax
law of jurisdictions other than those mentioned in the above sentence,
including responsibility for withholding and other taxes, assessments or
other governmental charges, certifications and governmental reporting. The
sole responsibility of the Custodian with regard to such tax law shall be
to use reasonable efforts to assist the Fund with respect to any claim for
exemption or refund under the tax law of jurisdictions for which the Fund
has provided such information.
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares
The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Shares or from the
Transfer Agent and deposit into the account of the Fund such payments as are
received for Shares of the Fund issued or sold from time to time by the Fund.
The Custodian will provide timely notification to the Fund and the Transfer
Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of the Fund.
From such funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the
limitations of the Declaration of Trust and any applicable votes of the Board of
Trustees pursuant thereto, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of instructions
from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for payment to holders of Shares
who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for redemption or repurchase
of their Shares. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares, the
Custodian is authorized upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent to
wire funds to or through a commercial bank designated by the redeeming
shareholders. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares, the
Custodian shall honor checks drawn on the Custodian by a holder of Shares, which
checks have been furnished by the Fund to the holder of Shares, when presented
to the Custodian in accordance with such procedures and controls as are mutually
agreed upon from time to time between the Fund and the Custodian.
17
5. Proper Instructions
Proper Instructions as used throughout this Contract means a writing signed
or initialed by one or more person or persons as the Board of Trustees shall
have from time to time authorized. Each such writing shall set forth the
specific transaction or type of transaction involved, including a specific
statement of the purpose for which such action is requested. Oral instructions
will be considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian reasonably believes them
to have been given by a person authorized to give such instructions with respect
to the transaction involved. The Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be
confirmed in writing. If given pursuant to procedures to be agreed upon by the
Custodian and the Fund, Proper Instructions may include communications effected
directly between electro-mechanical or electronic devices. For purposes of this
Section, Proper Instructions shall include instructions received by the
Custodian pursuant to any three - party agreement which requires a segregated
asset account in accordance with Section 2.12.
6. Actions Permitted without Express Authority
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the
Fund:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this
Contract, provided that all such payments shall be accounted for to
the Fund;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive
form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts and
other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection with
the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other
dealings with the securities and property of the Fund except as
otherwise directed by the Board of Trustees.
7. Evidence of Authority
The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions, notice,
request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper believed by it to be
genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the Fund. The
Custodian may receive and accept a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
Trustees as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person to act in
accordance with such vote or (b) of any determination or of any action by the
Board of Trustees pursuant to the Declaration of Trust as described in such
vote, and such vote may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt
by the Custodian of written notice to the contrary.
18
8. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and Calculation of
Net Asset Value and Net Income
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the
entity or entities appointed by the Board of Trustees to keep the books of
account of the Fund and/or compute the net asset value per share of the
outstanding Shares of the Fund or, if directed in writing to do so by the Fund,
shall itself keep such books of account and/or compute such net asset value per
share. If so directed, the Custodian shall also calculate daily the net income
of the Fund as described in the Prospectus and shall advise the Fund and the
Transfer Agent daily of the total amount of such net income and, if instructed
in writing by an officer of the Fund to do so, shall advise the Transfer Agent
periodically of the division of such net income among its various components.
The calculations of the net asset value per share and the daily income of the
Fund shall be made at the time or times described from time to time in the
Prospectus.
9. Records
The Custodian shall with respect to the Fund create and maintain all
records relating to its activities and obligations under this Contract in such
manner as will meet the obligations of the Fund under the Investment Company
Act, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2
thereunder. All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at all
times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection
by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and employees and
agents of the SEC. The Custodian shall, at the Fund's request, supply the Fund
with a tabulation of securities owned by the Fund and held by the Custodian and
shall, when requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be
agreed upon between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in
such tabulations.
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountants
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund may from time
to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund's
independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in connection
with the preparation of the Fund's Form N-1A and N-SAR or other annual reports
to the SEC and with respect to any other SEC requirements.
11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
The Custodian shall provide the Fund at such times as the Fund may
reasonably require, with reports by independent public accountants on the
accounting system, internal accounting 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
19
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 and
the Custodian.
13. Responsibility of Custodian
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable care,
the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of
any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it
pursuant to this Contract and shall be held harmless in acting upon any notice,
request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably believed by it to
be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties, including any
futures commission merchant acting pursuant to the terms of a three-party
futures or options agreement. The Custodian shall be held to the exercise of
reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this Contract, but shall be
kept indemnified by and shall be without liability to the Fund for any action
taken or omitted by it in good faith without negligence. It shall be entitled to
rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on
all matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or
omitted pursuant to such advice.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a foreign
banking institution appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 to the
same extent as set forth in Article 1 hereof with respect to sub-custodians
located in the United States (except as specifically provided in Section 3.9)
and, regardless of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a foreign
banking institution, a foreign securities depository or a branch of a U.S. bank
as contemplated by Section 3.12 hereof, the Custodian shall not be liable for
any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from, or caused
by, the direction of or authorization by the Fund to maintain custody or any
securities or cash of the Fund in a foreign country including, but not limited
to, losses resulting from nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions,
or acts of war or terrorism.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in
the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to
the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some
other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such
action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form
satisfactory to the Custodian.
20
If the Fund requires the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or agents,
to advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not limited to
securities settlements, the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or of contracts
for foreign exchange, and assumed settlement), or in the event that the
Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges,
expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the performance
of this Contract, except such as may arise from its or its nominee's own
negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, any property
at any time held for the account of the applicable Fund shall be security
therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian
shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of the Fund's assets
to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
14. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment
This Contract shall become effective as of the date of its execution, shall
continue in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may
be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be
terminated by either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed,
postage prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner
than thirty (30) days after the date of such delivery or mailing; provided,
however that the Custodian shall not with respect to the Fund act under Section
2.10 hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees has approved the initial
use of a particular Securities System by the Fund, as required by Rule 17f-4
under the Investment Company Act and that the Custodian shall not with respect
to the Fund 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 the Fund;
provided further, however, that the Fund shall not amend or terminate this
Contract in contravention of any applicable federal or state regulations, or any
provision of the Declaration of Trust, and further provided, that the Fund may
at any time by action of the Board of Trustees (i) substitute another bank or
trust company for the Custodian by giving notice as described above to the
Custodian or (ii) immediately terminate this Contract in the event of the
appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the Comptroller of
the Currency or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an
appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction.
Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund 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.
15. Successor Custodian
If a successor custodian shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees, the
Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to such successor custodian at the
offices of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all
securities of the Fund then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an
account of the successor custodian all of the securities of the Fund held in a
Securities System.
21
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in like
manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the Board of Trustees,
deliver at the offices of the Custodian and transfer such securities, funds and
other properties in accordance with such vote. In the event that no written
order designating a successor custodian or certified copy of a vote of the Board
of Trustees shall have been delivered to the Custodian on or before the date
when such termination shall become effective, then the Custodian shall have the
right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a "bank" as defined in the
Investment Company Act, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, or New York,
New York, of its own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and
undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less than
$25,000,000, all securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian
and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other
property held by it under this Contract on behalf of the Fund and to transfer to
an account of such successor custodian all of the securities of the Fund 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 may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in
addition to the provisions of this Contract as may in their joint opinion be
consistent with the general tenor of this Contract. Any such interpretive or
additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by both parties and shall be
annexed hereto, provided that no such interpretive or additional provisions
shall contravene any applicable federal or state regulations or any provision of
the Declaration of Trust. No interpretive or additional provisions made as
provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this
Contract.
17. 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.
18. Prior Contracts
22
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior
contracts between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the custody of the
assets of the Fund.
19. Shareholder Communications Election
SEC Rule 14b-2 requires banks which hold securities for the account of
customers to respond to requests by issuers of securities for the names,
addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of securities of that issuer held by
the bank unless the beneficial owner has expressly objected to disclosure of
this information. In order to comply with the rule, the Custodian needs the Fund
to indicate whether it authorizes the Custodian to provide the Fund's name,
address, and share position to requesting companies whose securities the Fund
owns. If the Fund tells the Custodian "no", the Custodian will not provide this
information to requesting companies. If the Fund tells the Custodian "yes" or
does not check either "yes" or "no" below, the Custodian is required by the rule
to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure of this information for all
securities owned by the Fund or any funds or accounts established by the Fund.
For the Fund's protection, the Rule prohibits the requesting company from using
the Fund's name and address for any purpose other than corporate communications.
Please indicate below whether the Fund consents or objects by
checking one of the alternatives below.
YES [ ] The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund's name,
address, and share positions.
NO [ ] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund's name,
address, and share positions.
23
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be
executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative and its
seal to be hereunder affixed as of March 15, 1999.
ATTEST ▇▇▇▇▇▇ MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
By:
-------------------------- ------------------------------------
Name: Name:
Title:
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By:
-------------------------- ------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
Associate Counsel Executive Vice President