Exhibit No. 8
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ INVESTMENT TRUST
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It.....................1
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund
Held By the Custodian in the United States................................2
2.1 Holding Securities...............................................2
2.2 Delivery of Securities...........................................3
2.3 Registration of Securities.......................................7
2.4 Bank Accounts....................................................8
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds....................................9
2.6 Collection of Income.............................................9
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies..........................................10
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities
Purchased.....................................................12
2.9 Appointment of Agents...........................................13
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems....................13
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System.........15
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes.........................18
2.13 Proxies.........................................................18
2.14 Communications Relating to Portfolio Securities.................19
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held
Outside of the United States.............................................19
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians...........................19
3.2 Assets to be Held...............................................20
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories.................................20
3.4 Segregation of Securities.......................................20
3.7 Reports by Custodian............................................22
3.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account.........................22
3.9 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians.............................23
3.10 Liability of Custodian..........................................24
3.11 Reimbursement for Advances......................................24
3.12 Monitoring Responsibilities.....................................25
3.13 Branches of U.S. Banks..........................................26
3.14 Tax Law.........................................................26
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares
of the Fund............................................................27
5. Proper Instructions......................................................27
6. Actions Permitted without Express Authority..............................28
7. Evidence of Authority....................................................29
8. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income............................29
9. Records..................................................................30
10. Opinion of the Fund's Independent Accountant.............................30
11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants........................31
12. Compensation of Custodian................................................31
13. Responsibility of Custodian..............................................31
14. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment..............................33
15. Successor Custodian......................................................34
16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions...................................36
17. Additional Funds.........................................................36
18. Filing of Declaration of Trust...........................................36
19. Limitation of Liability..................................................37
20. Massachusetts Law to Apply...............................................37
21. Prior Contracts..........................................................37
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CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Peabody Investment Trust, a business
trust organized and existing under the laws of Massachusetts, having its
principal place of business at ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇,
hereinafter called the "Fund", and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a
Massachusetts trust company, having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇, hereinafter called the
"Custodian",
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Fund is authorized to issue shares in separate series,
with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of
securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Fund intends to initially offer shares in one series, the
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Global Equity Fund (such series together with all other series
subsequently established by the Fund and made subject to this Contract in
accordance with Article 17, being herein referred to as the "Portfolio(s)");
NOW THEREFOR, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It
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The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of the assets of
the Portfolios of the Fund, including securities which the Fund, on behalf of
the applicable Portfolio desires to be held in places within the United States
("domestic securities") and securities it desires to be held outside the United
States ("foreign securities") pursuant to the provisions of the Declaration of
Trust. The Fund on behalf of the Portfolio(s) agrees to deliver to the Custodian
all securities and cash of the Portfolios, and all payments of income, payments
of principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to all
securities owned by the
Portfolio(s) from time to time, and the cash consideration received by it for
such new or treasury shares of beneficial interest of the Fund representing
interests in the Portfolios, ("Shares") as may be issued or sold from time to
time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of a Portfolio
held or received by the Portfolio and not delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Article
5), the Custodian shall on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) from time to
time employ one or more sub-custodians, located in the United States but only in
accordance with an applicable vote by the Board of Trustees of the Fund on
behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s), and provided that the Custodian shall
have no more or less responsibility or liability to the Fund on account of any
actions or omissions of any sub-custodian so employed than any such
sub-custodian has to the Custodian. The Custodian may employ as sub-custodian
for the Fund's foreign securities on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) the
foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories designated in
Schedule A hereto but only in accordance with the provisions of Article 3.
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held By the
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Custodian in the United States
------------------------------
2.1 Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate
for the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property, to be held by
it in the United States including all domestic securities owned by such
Portfolio, other than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant to
Section 2.10 in a clearing agency which acts as a securities depository
or in a book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the
Treasury, collectively referred to herein as "Securities System" and
(b) commercial paper of an issuer for which State Street Bank and
2
Trust Company acts as issuing and paying agent ("Direct Paper") which
is deposited and/or maintained in the Direct Paper System of the
Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10A.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver
domestic securities owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian or in a
Securities System account of the Custodian or in the Custodian's Direct
Paper book entry system account ("Direct Paper System Account") only
upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the
applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing instructions when deemed
appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases: 1) Upon
sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio and receipt of
payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any
repurchase agreement related to such securities entered into
by the Portfolio;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a Securities System,
in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.10 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for securities of the Portfolio;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are
called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable;
provided that, in any such case, the cash or other
consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;
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6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the
name of the Portfolio or into the name of any nominee or
nominees or the Custodian or into the name or nominee name
of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 or into the
name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant
to Article 1; or for exchange for a different number of
bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same
aggregate face amount or number of units; provided that, in
any such case, the new securities are to be delivered to the
Custodian;
7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the
Portfolio, to the broker or its clearing agent, against a
receipt, for examination in accordance with "street
delivery" custom; provided that in any such case, the
Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any
loss arising from the delivery of such securities prior to
receiving payment for such securities except as may arise
from the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct;
8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or
readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such
securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion
contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit
agreement; provided that, in any such case, the new
securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the
Custodian;
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9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the
surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights
or similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts
or temporary securities for definitive securities; provided
that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any,
are to be delivered to the Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made
by the Portfolio, but only against receipt of adequate
collateral as agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian
and the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, which may be in the
form of cash or obligations issued by the United States
government, its agencies or instrumentalities, except that
in connection with any loans for which collateral is to be
credited to the Custodian's account in the book-entry system
authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the
Custodian will not be held liable or responsible for the
delivery of securities owned by the Portfolio prior to the
receipt of such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings
by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio requiring a pledge of
assets by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, but only
against receipt of amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the
Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
5
(the "Exchange Act") and a member of The National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), relating
to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing
Corporation and of any registered national securities
exchange, or of any similar organization or organizations,
regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with
transactions by the Portfolio of the Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the
Custodian, and a Futures Commission Merchant registered
under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance
with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
and/or any Contract Market, or any similar organization or
organizations, regarding account deposits in connection with
transactions by the Portfolio of the Fund;
14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent
("Transfer Agent") for the Fund, for delivery to such
Transfer Agent or to the holders of shares in connection
with distributions in kind, as may be described from time to
time in the currently effective prospectus and statement of
additional information of the Fund, related to the Portfolio
("Prospectus"), in satisfaction of requests by holders of
Shares for repurchase or redemption; and
6
15) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon
receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund
on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Trustees or of the Executive
Committee signed by an officer of the Fund and certified by
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, specifying the
securities of the Portfolio to be delivered, setting forth
the purpose for which such delivery is to be made, declaring
such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose, and naming
the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities
shall be made.
2.3 Registration of Securities. Domestic securities held by the Custodian
(other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the
Portfolio or in the name of any nominee of the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio or of any nominee of the Custodian which nominee shall be
assigned exclusively to the Portfolio, unless the Fund has authorized
in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in common with other
registered investment companies having the same investment adviser as
the Portfolio, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed
pursuant to Section 2.9 or in the name or nominee name of any
sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Article 1. All securities accepted
by the Custodian on behalf of the Portfolio under the terms of this
Contract shall be in "street name" or other good delivery form. If,
however, the Fund directs the Custodian to maintain securities in
"street name", the Custodian shall utilize its best efforts only to
timely collect income due the Fund on such securities and to notify the
Fund on a
7
best efforts basis only of relevant corporate actions including,
without limitation, pendency of calls, maturities, tender or exchange
offers.
2.4 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
account or accounts in the United States in the name of each Portfolio
of the Fund, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting
pursuant to the terms of this Contract, and shall hold in such account
or accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it
from or for the account of the Portfolio, other than cash maintained by
the Portfolio in a bank account established and used in accordance with
Rule 17f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Funds held by the
Custodian for a Portfolio may be deposited by it to its credit as
Custodian in the Banking Department of the Custodian or in such other
banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem necessary or
desirable; provided, however, that every such bank or trust company
shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the Investment Company
Act of 1940 and that each such bank or trust company and the funds to
be deposited with each such bank or trust company shall on behalf of
each applicable Portfolio be approved by vote of a majority of the
Board of Trustees of the Fund. Such funds shall be deposited by the
Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the
Custodian only in that capacity.
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds. Upon mutual agreement between the Fund
on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian, the Custodian
shall, upon the receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf
of a Portfolio, make federal funds available to such Portfolio as of
specified times agreed upon from
8
time to time by the Fund and the Custodian in the amount of checks
received in payment for Shares of such Portfolio which are deposited
into the Portfolio's account.
2.6 Collection of Income. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the
Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments
with respect to registered domestic securities held hereunder to which
each Portfolio shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in
the securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income
and other payments with respect to bearer domestic securities if, on
the date of payment by the issuer, such securities are held by the
Custodian or its agent thereof and shall credit such income, as
collected, to such Portfolio's custodian account. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for
payment all coupons and other income items requiring presentation as
and when they become due and shall collect interest when due on
securities held hereunder. Income due each Portfolio on securities
loaned pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the
responsibility of the Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or
responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide the Fund
with such information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund in
arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the income to
which the Portfolio is properly entitled.
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the
Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing
instructions when
9
deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out monies
of a Portfolio in the following cases only:
1) Upon the pursuant of domestic securities, options, futures
contracts or options on futures contracts for the account of
the Portfolio but only (a) against the delivery of such
securities or evidence of title to such options, futures
contracts or options on futures contracts to the Custodian
(or any bank, banking firm or trust company doing business
in the United States or abroad which is qualified under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, to act as a
custodian and has been designated by the Custodian as its
agent for this purpose) registered in the name of the
Portfolio or in the name of a nominee of the Custodian
referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form for
transfer; (b) in the case of a purchase effected through a
Securities System, in accordance with the conditions set
forth in Section 2.10 hereof; (c) in the case of a purchase
involving the Direct Paper System, in accordance with the
conditions set forth in Section 2.10A; (d) in the case of
repurchase agreements entered into between the Fund on
behalf of the Portfolio and the Custodian, or another bank,
or a broker-dealer which is a member of NASD, (i) against
delivery of the securities either in certificate form or
through an entry crediting the Custodian's account at the
Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii) against
delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the Portfolio
of securities
10
owned by the Custodian along with written evidence of the
agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such securities
from the Portfolio or (e) for transfer to a time deposit
account of the Fund in any bank, whether domestic or
foreign; such transfer may be effected prior to receipt of a
confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable bank
pursuant to Proper Instructions from the Fund as defined in
Article 5;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of
securities owned by the Portfolio as set forth in Section
2.2 hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the
Portfolio as set forth in Article 4 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the
Portfolio, including but not limited to the following
payments for the account of the Portfolio: interest, taxes,
management, accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and
operating expenses of the Fund whether or not such expenses
are to be in whole or part capitalized or treated as
deferred expenses;
5) For the payment of any dividends on Shares of the Portfolio
declared pursuant to the governing documents of the Fund;
6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect
of securities sold short;
7) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of
the Portfolio, a
11
certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees or
of the Executive Committee of the Fund signed by an officer
or the Fund and certified by its Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, specifying the amount of such payment, setting
forth the purpose for which such payment is to be made,
declaring such purpose to be a proper purpose, and naming
the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased.
Except as specifically stated otherwise in this Contract, in any and
every case where payment for purchase of domestic securities for the
account of a Portfolio is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt
of the securities purchased in the absence of specific written
instructions from the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio to so pay in
advance, the Custodian shall be absolutely liable to the Fund for such
securities to the same extent as if the securities had been received by
the Custodian.
2.9 Appointment of Agents. The Custodian may at any time or times in its
discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust
company which is itself qualified under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry out such
of the provisions of this Article 2 as the Custodian may from time to
time direct; provided, however, that the appointment of any agent shall
not relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities
hereunder.
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems. The Custodian may deposit
and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in a clearing agency
registered with the
12
Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 17A of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, which acts as a securities depository, or in the
book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and
certain federal agencies, collectively referred to herein as
"Securities System" in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve Board
and Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations, if any,
and subject to the following provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of the Portfolio in a
Securities System provided that such securities are
represented in an account ("Account") of the Custodian in
the Securities System which shall not include any assets of
the Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary,
custodian or otherwise for customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of
the Portfolio which are maintained in a Securities System
shall identify by book-entry those securities belonging to
the Portfolio;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities pursuant for the
account of the Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the
Securities System that such securities have been transferred
to the Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and
transfer for the account of the Portfolio. The Custodian
shall transfer securities sold for the account of the
Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities
System that payment for such securities has been transferred
to the Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to
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reflect such transfer and payment for the account of the
Portfolio. Copies of all advices from the Securities System
of transfer of securities for the account of the Portfolio
shall identify the Portfolio, be maintained for the
Portfolio by the Custodian and be provided to the Fund at
its request. Upon request, the Custodian shall furnish the
Fund on behalf of the Portfolio confirmation of each
transfer to or from the account of the Portfolio in the form
of a written advice or notice and shall furnish to the Fund
on behalf of the Portfolio copies of daily transaction
sheets reflecting each day's transactions in the Securities
System for the account of the Portfolio.
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund for the Portfolio with
any report obtained by the Custodian on the Securities
System's accounting system, internal accounting control and
procedures for safeguarding securities deposited in the
Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received from the Fund on behalf of
the Portfolio the 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 the benefit of
the Portfolio for any loss or damage to the Portfolio
resulting from use of the Securities System by reason of any
negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or
any of its agents or of any of its or
14
their employees or from failure of the Custodian or any such
agent to enforce effectively such rights as it may have
against the Securities System; at the election of the Fund,
it shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the
Custodian with respect to any claim against the Securities
System or any other person which the Custodian may have as a
consequence of any such loss or damage if and to the extent
that the Portfolio has not been made whole for any such loss
or damage.
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System. The Custodian
may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in the
Direct Paper System of the Custodian subject to the following
provisions:
1) No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper
System will be effected in the absence of Proper
Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Portfolio in the
Direct Paper System only if such securities are represented
in an account ("Account") of the Custodian in the Direct
Paper System which shall not include any assets of the
Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian
or otherwise for customers;
3) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of
the Portfolio which are maintained in the Direct paper
System shall identify by book-entry those securities
belonging to the Portfolio;
15
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of the Portfolio upon the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and
transfer of securities to the account of the Portfolio. The
Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account of
the Portfolio upon the making of an entry on the records of
the Custodian to reflect such transfer and receipt of
payment for the account of the Portfolio;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio confirmation of each transfer to or from the
account of the Portfolio, in the form of a written advice or
notice, of Direct Paper on the next business day following
such transfer and shall furnish to the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each
day's transaction in the Securities System for the account
of the Portfolio;
6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio with any report on its system of internal
accounting control as the Fund may reasonably require from
time to time.
2.11 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
Instructions from the Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio
establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on
behalf of each such Portfolio, into which account or accounts may be
transferred cash and/or securities, including securities maintained in
an account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof, (i) in
accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund on
16
behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered
under the Exchange Act and a member of the NASD (or any futures
commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act),
relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing
Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any registered contract
market), or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding
escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the
Portfolio, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash or government
securities in connection with options purchased, sold or written by the
Portfolio or commodity futures contracts or options thereon purchased
or sold by the Portfolio, (iii) for the purposes of compliance by the
Portfolio with the procedures required by Investment Company Act
Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release or releases of the
Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the maintenance of
segregated accounts by registered investment companies and (iv) for
other proper corporate purposes, but only, in the case of clause (iv),
upon receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund on
behalf of the applicable Portfolio, a certified copy of a resolution of
the Board of Trustees or of the Executive Committee signed by an
officer of the Fund and certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, setting forth the purpose or purposes of such segregated
account and declaring such purposes to be proper corporate purposes.
2.12 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
17
securities of each Portfolio held by it and in connection with
transfers of securities.
2.13 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic securities
held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder
of such securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in
the name of the Portfolio or a nominee of the Portfolio, all proxies,
without indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted,
and shall promptly deliver to the Portfolio such proxies, all proxy
soliciting materials and all notices relating to such securities.
2.14 Communications Relating to Portfolio Securities. Subject to the
provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the
Fund for each Portfolio all written information (including, without
limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of domestic securities and
expirations of rights in connection therewith and notices of exercise
of call and put options written by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio
and the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold by the
Portfolio) received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities
being held for the Portfolio. With respect to tender or exchange
offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Portfolio all
written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the
securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or
his agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If the Portfolio
desires to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer
or any other similar transaction, the Portfolio shall notify the
Custodian at least three business days prior to the date on which the
Custodian is to take such action.
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3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held Outside
of the United States
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians.
The Fund hereby authorizes and instructs the Custodian to employ as
sub-custodians for each Portfolio's securities and other assets
maintained outside the United States the foreign banking institutions
and foreign securities depositories designated on Schedule A hereto
("foreign sub-custodians"). Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions", as
defined in Article 5 of this Contract, together with a certified
resolution of the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Custodian and the Fund
may agree to amend Schedule A hereto from time to time to designate
additional foreign banking institutions and foreign securities
depositories to act as sub-custodian. Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, the Fund may instruct the Custodian to cease the
employment of any one or more such sub-custodians for maintaining
custody of the assets of the Portfolio(s).
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 foreign securities
transactions of the Portfolio(s).
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories. Except as may otherwise be agreed upon
in writing by the Custodian and the Fund, assets of the Portfolio(s)
shall be maintained in foreign securities depositories only through
arrangements
19
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 3.5 hereof.
3.4 Segregation of Securities. The Custodian shall identify on its books as
belonging to each applicable Portfolio of the Fund, the foreign
securities of such Portfolio held by each foreign sub-custodian. Each
agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs a foreign banking
institution shall require that such institution establish a custody
account for the Custodian on behalf of the Fund for each applicable
Portfolio of the Fund and physically segregate in each account,
securities and other assets of the Portfolio(s), and, in the event that
such institution deposits the securities of one or more of the
Portfolio(s) in a foreign securities depository, that it shall identify
on its books as belonging to the Custodian, as agent for each
applicable Portfolio, the securities so deposited.
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions. Each agreement with a
foreign banking institution shall be substantially in the form set
forth in Exhibit 1 hereto and shall provide that: (a) the assets of
each Portfolio will not be subject to any right, charge, security
interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of the foreign banking
institution or its creditors or agent, except a claim of payment for
their safe custody or administration; (b) beneficial ownership for the
assets of each Portfolio will be freely transferable without the
payment of money or value other than for custody or administration; (c)
adequate records will be maintained identifying the assets as belonging
to each applicable Portfolio; (d) officers of or auditors employed by,
or other representatives of the Custodian, including to the
20
extent permitted under applicable law the independent public
accountants for the Fund, will be given access to the books and records
of the foreign banking institution relating to its actions under its
agreement with the Custodian; and (e) assets of the Portfolio(s) held
by the foreign sub-custodian will be subject only to the instructions
of the Custodian or its agents.
3.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund. Upon request of the
Fund, the Custodian will use its best efforts to arrange for the
independent accountants of the Fund to be afforded access to the books
and records of any foreign banking institution employed as a foreign
sub-custodian insofar as such books and records relate to the
performance of such foreign banking institution under its agreement
with the Custodian.
3.7 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 Portfolio(s) held by foreign
sub-custodians, including but not limited to an identification of
entities having possession of the securities and other assets of the
Portfolio(s) and advices or notifications of any transfers of
securities to or from each custodial account maintained by a foreign
banking institution for the Custodian on behalf of each applicable
Portfolio indicating, as to securities acquired for a Portfolio, the
identity of the entity having physical possession of such securities.
3.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account
(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 3.8,
the provision of Sections 2.2 and 2.7 of this Contract shall apply,
mutatis mutandis to
21
the foreign securities of the Fund held outside the United States by
foreign sub-custodians.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the contrary,
settlement and payment for securities received for the account of each
applicable Portfolio and delivery of securities maintained for the
account of each applicable Portfolio may be affected 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 or 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.
3.9 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 each 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
22
of any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and to
the extent that the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss,
damage, cost, expense, liability or claim.
3.10 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 3.13 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 3.10, 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.
3.11 Reimbursement for Advances. If the Fund requires the Custodian to
advance cash or securities for any purpose for the benefit of a
Portfolio including the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or of
contracts for foreign exchange, or in the event
23
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 Portfolio 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 such Portfolios assets to
the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
3.12 Monitoring Responsibilities. The Custodian shall furnish annually to
the Fund, during the month of June, information concerning the foreign
sub-custodians employed by the Custodian. Such information shall be
similar in kind and scope to that furnished to the Fund in connection
with the initial approval of this Contract. In addition, the Custodian
will promptly inform the Fund in the event that the Custodian learns of
a material adverse change in the financial condition of a foreign
sub-custodian or any material loss of the assets of the Fund or in the
case of any foreign sub-custodian not the subject of an exemptive order
from the Securities and Exchange Commission is notified by such foreign
sub-custodian that there appears to be a substantial likelihood that it
shareholders' equity will decline below $200 million (U.S. dollars or
the equivalent thereof) or that its shareholders' equity has declined
below $200 million (in each case computed in accordance with generally
accepted U.S. accounting principles).
3.13 Branches of U.S. Banks
24
(a) Except as otherwise set forth in this Contract, the provisions of
this Article shall not apply where the custody of the Portfolio(s)
assets are maintained in a foreign branch of a banking institution
which is a "bank" as defined by Section 2(a)(5) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 meeting the qualification set forth in Section
26(a) of said Act. The appointment of any such branch as a
sub-custodian shall be governed by Article 1 of this Contract.
(b) Cash held for each Portfolio of the Fund in the United Kingdom
shall be maintained in an interest bearing account established for the
Fund with the Custodian's London branch, which account shall be subject
to the direction of the Custodian, State Street London Ltd. or both.
3.14 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 of America or
any state or political subdivision thereof. 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.
25
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the Fund
The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Shares or from
the Transfer Agent of the Fund and deposit into the account of the appropriate
Portfolio such payments as are received for Shares of that Portfolio issued or
sold from time to time by the Fund. The Custodian will provide timely
notification to the Fund on behalf of each such Portfolio and the Transfer Agent
of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of such Portfolio.
From such funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the
limitations of the Declaration of Trust and any applicable votes of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund pursuant thereto, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of
instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for payment to
holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for
redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In connection with the redemption or
repurchase of Shares of a Portfolio, the Custodian is authorized upon receipt of
instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial
bank designated by the redeeming shareholders. In connection with the redemption
or repurchase of Shares of the Fund, the Custodian shall honor checks drawn on
the Custodian by a holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished by the
Fund to the holder of Shares, when presented to the Custodian in accordance with
such procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from time to time
between the Fund and the Custodian.
5. Proper Instructions
-------------------
Proper Instructions as used throughout this Contract means a writing
signed or 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
26
instructions will be considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian reasonably
believes them to have been given by a person authorized to give such
instructions with respect to the transaction involved. The Fund shall cause all
oral instructions to be confirmed in writing. Upon receipt of a certificate of
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary as to the authorization by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund accompanied by a detailed description of procedures
approved by the Board of Trustees, Proper Instructions may include
communications effected directly between electro-mechanical or electronic
devices provided that the Board of Trustees and the Custodian are satisfied that
such procedures afford adequate safeguards for the assets of the Portfolio(s).
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 2.11.
6. Actions Permitted without Express Authority
-------------------------------------------
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the
Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this Contract,
provided that all such payments shall be accounted for to the Fund on behalf of
the Portfolio;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
definitive form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, checks,
drafts and other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in
connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other
dealings with the securities and property of the Portfolio except as otherwise
directed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
27
7. Evidence of Authority
---------------------
The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions,
notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper believed by
it to be genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the Fund.
The Custodian may receive and accept a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person
to act in accordance with such vote or (b) of any determination or of any action
by the Board of Trustees pursuant to the 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.
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 of the Fund to keep
the books of account of each Portfolio and/or compute the net asset value per
share of the outstanding shares of each Portfolio or, if directed in writing to
do so by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, shall itself keep such books of
account and/or compute such net asset value per share. If so directed, the
Custodian shall also calculate daily the net income of the Portfolio as
described in the Fund's currently effective prospectus related to such Portfolio
and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the total amounts of
such net income and, if instruction in writing by an officer of the Fund to do
so, shall advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the division of such net
income among its various components. The calculations of the net asset value per
share and the daily income of each Portfolio shall be made at the time or times
described from time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus related
to such Portfolio.
28
9. Records
-------
The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create a maintain
all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Contract in
such manner as will meet the obligations of the Fund under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules
31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder. All such records shall be the property of the Fund
and shall at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be
open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund
and employees and agents of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
Custodian shall, at the Fund's request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of
securities owned by each Portfolio and held by the Custodian and shall, when
requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon
between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such
tabulations.
10. Opinion of the Fund's Independent Accountant
--------------------------------------------
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund on behalf
of each applicable Portfolio may from time to time request, to obtain from year
to year favorable opinions from the Fund's independent accountants with respect
to its activities hereunder in connection with the preparation of the Fund's
Form N-1A, and Form N-SAR or other annual reports to the Securities and Exchange
Commission and with respect to any other requirements of such Commission.
11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
-------------------------------------------------
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, on behalf of each of the
Portfolios 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,
29
futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including securities
deposited and/or maintained in a Securities System, relating to the services
provided by the Custodian under this Contract; such reports, shall be of
sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably be required by the
Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would be
disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the
reports shall so state.
12. Compensation of Custodian
-------------------------
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its
services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between
Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian.
13. Responsibility of Custodian
---------------------------
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of
reasonable care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity
or genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or
delivered by it pursuant to this Contract and shall be held harmless in acting
upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably
believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties,
including any futures commission merchant acting pursuant to the terms of a
three-party futures or options agreement. The Custodian shall be held to the
exercise of reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this Contract, but
shall be kept indemnified by and shall be without liability to the Fund for any
action taken or omitted by it in good faith without negligence. It shall be
entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for
the Fund) on all matters, and shall be without liability for any action
reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice.
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
30
Article 1 hereof with respect to sub-custodians located in the United States
(except as specifically provided in Section 3.10) 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 3.11
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 of 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 or war or
terrorism.
If the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requires the Custodian to take any
action with respect to securities, which action involves the payment of money or
which action may, in the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or
its nominee assigned to the Fund or the Portfolio being liable for the payment
of money or incurring liability of some other form, the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such action,
shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form satisfactory to
it.
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, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement)
for the benefit of a Portfolio 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 applicable Portfolio shall be security therefor and
should the Fund fail t repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be
entitled to utilize
31
available cash and to dispose of such Portfolio's assets to the extent necessary
to obtain reimbursement.
14. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment
-------------------------------------------
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall
continue in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may
be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be
terminated by either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed,
postage prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner
than thirty (30) days after the date of such delivery or mailing; provided,
however that the Custodian shall not with respect to a Portfolio act under
Section 2.10 hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees of the Fund has
approved the initial use of a particular Securities System by such Portfolio and
the receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
that the Board of Trustees has reviewed the use by such Portfolio of such
Securities System, as required in each case by Rule 17f-4 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended and that the Custodian shall not with respect to
a Portfolio act under Section 2.10A hereof in the absence of receipt of an
initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of
Trustees has approved the initial use of the Direct Paper System by such
Portfolio and the receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees has reviewed the use by such
Portfolio of the Direct Paper System; provided further, however, that the Fund
shall not amend or terminate this Contract in contravention of any applicable
federal or state regulations, or any provision of the Declaration of Trust, and
further provided, that the Fund on behalf of one or more of the Portfolio(s) may
at any time by action of its Board of Trustees (i) substitute another bank or
trust company for the Custodian by giving
32
notice as described above to the Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate this
Contract in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the
Custodian by the Comptroller of the Currency or upon the happening of a like
event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent
jurisdiction.
Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund on behalf of each applicable
Portfolio shall pay to the Custodian such compensation as may be due as of the
date of such termination and shall likewise reimburse the Custodian for its
costs, expenses and disbursements.
15. Successor Custodian
-------------------
If a successor custodian for the Fund, of one or more of the
Portfolio(s) shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, the
Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to such successor custodian at the
office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all
securities of each applicable Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall
transfer to an account of the successor custodian all of the securities of each
such Portfolio held in a Securities System.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall,
in like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer such
securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such vote.
In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian or
certified copy of a vote of the Board of Trustees shall have been delivered to
the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become
effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust
company, which is a "bank" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940,
doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, of its own selection, having an
aggregate
34
capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last published report,
of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other properties held by
the Custodian on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and all instruments held by
the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held by it under this
Contact on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and to transfer to an account of
such successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in
any Securities System. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the
successor of the Custodian under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or of
the Board of Trustees to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian shall be
entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the
Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and
the provisions of this Contract relating to the duties and obligations of the
Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions
--------------------------------------
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and
the Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolio(s), 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 of the
Fund. No interpretive or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding
sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Contract.
34
17. Additional Funds
----------------
In the event that the Fund establishes one or more series of Shares in
addition to ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Global Equity Fund with respect to which it desires
to have the Custodian render services as custodian under the terms hereof, it
shall so notify the Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing
to provide such services, such series of Shares shall become a Portfolio
hereunder.
18. Filing of Declaration of Trust
------------------------------
The Fund represents that a copy of the Declaration of Trust is on file
with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and with the Boston City
Clerk.
19. Limitation of Liability
-----------------------
The Fund and Custodian agree that the obligations of the Fund under
this Agreement will not be binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders,
nominees, officers, employees or agents, whether past, present or future, of the
Fund, individually, but are binding only upon the assets and property of the
Fund, as provided in the Declaration of Trust. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees of the Fund, and signed by
an authorized officer of the Fund, acting as such, and neither the authorization
by the Trustees nor the execution and delivery by the officer will be deemed to
have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of
them personally, but will bind only the trust property of the Fund as provided
in the Declaration of Trust. No series of the Fund will be liable for any claims
against any other series.
20. 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.
35
21. Prior Contracts
---------------
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all
prior contracts between the Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolio(s) and the
Custodian relating to the custody of the Fund's assets.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to
be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative and its
seal to be hereunder affixed as of the 9th day of September, 1991.
ATTEST ▇▇▇▇▇▇, PEABODY INVESTMENT TRUST
/s/ By /s/
------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Secretary Treasurer
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY
/s/ By /s/
------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Assistant Secretary Vice President
