CUSTODIAN SERVICES AGREEMENT
This Agreement is made as of June 19, 1995 by and
between ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ MASSACHUSETTS MUNICIPALS FUND, a
Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), and PNC BANK,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association ("PNC
Bank").
The Fund is registered as an open-end investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the "1940 Act"). The Fund wishes to retain PNC Bank to
provide custodian services and PNC Bank wishes to furnish
such services, either directly or through an affiliate or
affiliates, as more fully described herein. In
consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein
contained, the parties agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
(a) "Authorized Person." The term "Authorized
Person" shall mean any officer of the Fund and any other
person, who is duly authorized by the Fund's Governing
Board, to give Oral and Written Instructions on behalf of
the Fund. Such persons are listed in the Certificate
attached hereto as the Authorized Persons Appendix, as such
Appendix may be amended in writing by the Fund's Governing
Board from time to time.
(b) "Book-Entry System." The term "Book-Entry
System" means Federal Reserve Treasury book-entry system for
United States and federal agency securities, its successor
or successors, and its nominee or nominees and any book-
entry system maintained by an exchange registered with the
SEC under the 1934 Act.
(c) "CFTC." The term "CFTC" shall mean the
Commodities Futures Trading Commission.
(d) "Governing Board." The term "Governing
Board" shall mean the Fund's Board of Directors if the Fund
is a corporation or the Fund's Board of Trustees if the Fund
is a trust, or, where duly authorized, a competent committee
thereof.
(e) "Oral Instructions." The term "Oral
Instructions" shall mean oral instructions received by PNC
Bank from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably
believed by PNC Bank to be an Authorized Person.
(f) "SEC." The term "SEC" shall mean the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
(g) "Securities and Commodities Laws." The term
"Securities and Commodities Laws" shall mean the "1933 Act"
which shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, the "1934 Act"
which shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
1940 Act, and the "CEA" which shall mean the Commodities
Exchange Act, as amended.
(h) "Shares." The term "Shares" shall mean the
shares of stock of any series or class of the Fund, or,
where appropriate, units of beneficial interest in a trust
where the Fund is organized as a Trust.
(i) "Property." The term "Property" shall mean:
(i) any and all securities and other
investment items which the Fund may from time to time
deposit, or cause to be deposited, with PNC Bank or which
PNC Bank may from time to time hold for the Fund;
(ii) all income in respect of any of such
securities or other investment items;
(iii) all proceeds of the sale of any of such
securities or investment items; and
(iv) all proceeds of the sale of securities
issued by the Fund, which are received by PNC Bank from
time to time, from or on behalf of the Fund.
(j) "Written Instructions." The term "Written
Instructions" shall mean written instructions signed by one
Authorized Person and received by PNC Bank. The
instructions may be delivered by hand, mail, tested
telegram, cable, telex or facsimile sending device.
2. Appointment. The Fund hereby appoints PNC Bank to
provide custodian services to the Fund, and PNC Bank accepts
such appointment and agrees to furnish such services.
3. Delivery of Documents. The Fund has provided or,
where applicable, will provide PNC Bank with the following:
(a) certified or authenticated copies of the
resolutions of the Fund's Governing Board, approving the
appointment of PNC Bank or its affiliates to provide
services;
(b) a copy of the Fund's most recent effective
registration statement;
(c) a copy of the Fund's advisory agreement or
agreements;
(d) a copy of the Fund's distribution agreement
or agreements;
(e) a copy of the Fund's administration
agreements if PNC Bank is not providing the Fund with such
services; (f) copies of any shareholder
servicing agreements made in respect of the Fund; and
(g) certified or authenticated copies of any and
all amendments or supplements to the foregoing.
4. Compliance with Government Rules and Regulations.
PNC Bank undertakes to comply with all applicable
requirements of the Securities and Commodities Laws and any
laws, rules and regulations of governmental authorities
having jurisdiction with respect to all duties to be
performed by PNC Bank hereunder. Except as specifically set
forth herein, PNC Bank assumes no responsibility for such
compliance by the Fund.
5. Instructions. Unless otherwise provided in this
Agreement, PNC Bank shall act only upon Oral and Written
Instructions. PNC Bank shall be entitled to rely upon any
Oral and Written Instructions it receives from an Authorized
Person (or from a person reasonably believed by PNC Bank to
be an Authorized Person) pursuant to this Agreement. PNC
Bank may assume that any Oral or Written Instructions
received hereunder are not in any way inconsistent with the
provisions of organizational documents or this Agreement or
of any vote, resolution or proceeding of the Fund's
Governing Board or of the Fund's shareholders.
The Fund agrees to forward to PNC Bank Written
Instructions confirming Oral Instructions so that PNC Bank
receives the Written Instructions by the close of business
on the same day that such Oral Instructions are received.
The fact that such confirming Written Instructions are not
received by PNC Bank shall in no way invalidate the
transactions or enforceability of the transactions
authorized by the Oral Instructions.
The Fund further agrees that PNC Bank shall incur no
liability to the Fund in acting upon Oral or Written
Instructions provided such instructions reasonably appear to
have been received from an Authorized Person.
6. Right to Receive Advice.
(a) Advice of the Fund. If PNC Bank is in doubt
as to any action it should or should not take, PNC Bank may
request directions or advice, including Oral or Written
Instructions, from the Fund.
(b) Advice of Counsel. If PNC Bank shall be in
doubt as to any questions of law pertaining to any action it
should or should not take, PNC Bank may request advice at
its own cost from such counsel of its own choosing (who may
be counsel for the Fund, the Fund's advisor or PNC Bank, at
the option of PNC Bank).
(c) Conflicting Advice. In the event of a
conflict between directions, advice or Oral or Written
Instructions PNC Bank receives from the Fund, and the advice
it receives from counsel, PNC Bank shall be entitled to rely
upon and follow the advice of counsel.
(d) Protection of PNC Bank. PNC Bank shall be
protected in any action it takes or does not take in
reliance upon directions, advice or Oral or Written
Instructions it receives from the Fund or from counsel and
which PNC Bank believes, in good faith, to be consistent
with those directions, advice or Oral or Written
Instructions.
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed so as to
impose an obligation upon PNC Bank (i) to seek such
directions, advice or Oral or Written Instructions, or (ii)
to act in accordance with such directions, advice or Oral or
Written Instructions unless, under the terms of other
provisions of this Agreement, the same is a condition of PNC
Bank's properly taking or not taking such action.
7. Records. The books and records pertaining to the
Fund which are in the possession of PNC Bank, shall be the
property of the Fund. Such books and records shall be
prepared and maintained as required by the 1940 Act and
other applicable securities laws, rules and regulations.
The Fund, or the Fund's Authorized Persons, shall have
access to such books and records at all time during PNC
Bank's normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request
of the Fund, copies of any such books and records shall be
provided by PNC Bank to the Fund or to an Authorized Person
of the Fund, at the Fund's expense.
8. Confidentiality. PNC Bank agrees to keep
confidential all records of the Fund and information
relative to the Fund and its shareholders (past, present and
potential), unless the release of such records or
information is otherwise consented to, in writing, by the
Fund. The Fund agrees that such consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where PNC Bank
may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings or
when required to divulge. The Fund further agrees that,
should PNC Bank be required to provide such information or
records to duly constituted authorities (who may institute
civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to
comply), PNC Bank shall not be required to seek the Fund's
consent prior to disclosing such information.
9. Cooperation with Accountants. PNC Bank shall
cooperate with the Fund's independent public accountants and
shall take all reasonable action in the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement to ensure that the
necessary information is made available to such accountants
for the expression of their opinion, as required by the
Fund.
10. Disaster Recovery. PNC Bank shall enter into and
shall maintain in effect with appropriate parties one or
more agreements making reasonable provision for emergency
use of electronic data processing equipment to the extent
appropriate equipment is available. In the event of
equipment failures, PNC Bank shall, at no additional expense
to the Fund, take reasonable steps to minimize service
interruptions but shall have no liability with respect
thereto.
11. Compensation. As compensation for custody
services rendered by PNC Bank during the term of this
Agreement, the Fund will pay to PNC Bank a fee or fees as
may be agreed to in writing from time to time by the Fund
and PNC Bank.
12. Indemnification. The Fund agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless PNC Bank and its nominees from all taxes,
charges, expenses, assessment, claims and liabilities
(including, without limitation, liabilities arising under
the Securities and Commodities Laws and any state and
foreign securities and blue sky laws, and amendments
thereto, and expenses, including (without limitation)
attorneys' fees and disbursements, arising directly or
indirectly from any action which PNC Bank takes or does not
take (i) at the request or on the direction of or in
reliance on the advice of the Fund or (ii) upon Oral or
Written Instructions. Neither PNC Bank, nor any of its
nominees, shall be indemnified against any liability to the
Fund or to its shareholders (or any expenses incident to
such liability) arising out of PNC Bank's own willful
misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard of
its duties and obligations under this Agreement.
13. Responsibility of PNC Bank. PNC Bank shall be
under no duty to take any action on behalf of the Fund
except as specifically set forth herein or as may be
specifically agreed to by PNC Bank, in writing. PNC Bank
shall be obligated to exercise care and diligence in the
performance of its duties hereunder, to act in good faith
and to use its best effort, within reasonable limits, in
performing services provided for under this Agreement. PNC
Bank shall be responsible for its own negligent failure to
perform its duties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, PNC Bank shall not be responsible for losses
beyond its control, provided that PNC Bank has acted in
accordance with the standard of care set forth above; and
provided further that PNC Bank shall only be responsible for
that portion of losses or damages suffered by the Fund that
are attributable to the negligence of PNC Bank.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or of
any other provision of this Agreement, PNC Bank, in
connection with its duties under this Agreement, shall not
be under any duty or obligation to inquire into and shall
not be liable for (a) the validity or invalidity or
authority or lack thereof of any Oral or Written
Instruction, notice or other instrument which conforms to
the applicable requirements of this Agreement, and which PNC
Bank reasonably believes to be genuine; or (b) delays or
errors or loss of data occurring by reason of circumstances
beyond PNC Bank's control, including acts of civil or
military authority, national emergencies, labor
difficulties, fire, flood or catastrophe, acts of God,
insurrection, war, riots or failure of the mails,
transportation, communication or power supply.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, PNC Bank shall have no liability to the Fund for
any consequential, special or indirect losses or damages
which the Fund may incur or suffer by or as a consequence of
PNC Bank's performance of the services provided hereunder,
whether or not the likelihood of such losses or damages was
known by PNC Bank.
14. Description of Services.
(a) Delivery of the Property. The Fund will
deliver or arrange for delivery to PNC Bank, all the
property owned by the Fund, including cash received as a
result of the distribution of its Shares, during the period
that is set forth in this Agreement. PNC Bank will not be
responsible for such property until actual receipt.
(b) Receipt and Disbursement of Money. PNC Bank,
acting upon Written Instructions, shall open and maintain
separate account(s) in the Fund's name using all cash
received from or for the account of the Fund, subject to the
terms of this Agreement. In addition, upon Written
Instructions, PNC Bank shall open separate custodial
accounts for each separate series, class or portfolio of the
Fund and shall hold in such account(s) all cash received
from or for the accounts of the Fund specifically designated
to each separate series, class or portfolio. PNC Bank shall
make cash payments from or for the account of the Fund only
for:
(i) purchases of securities in the name of
the Fund or PNC Bank or PNC Bank's nominee as provided in
sub-paragraph j and for which PNC Bank has received a copy
of the broker's or dealer's confirmation or payee's invoice,
as appropriate;
(ii) purchase or redemption of Shares of the
Fund delivered to PNC Bank;
(iii) payment of, subject to Written
Instructions, interest, taxes, administration, accounting,
distribution, advisory, management fees or similar expenses
which are to be borne by the Fund;
(iv) payment to, subject to receipt of
Written Instructions, the Fund's transfer agent, as agent
for the shareholders, an amount equal to the amount of
dividends and distributions stated in the Written
Instructions to be distributed in cash by the transfer agent
to shareholders, or, in lieu of paying the Fund's transfer
agent, PNC Bank may arrange for the direct payment of cash
dividends and distributions to shareholders in accordance
with procedures mutually agreed upon from time to time by
and among the Fund, PNC Bank and the Fund's transfer agent;
(v) payments, upon receipt of Written
Instructions, in connection with the conversion, exchange or
surrender of securities owned or subscribed to by the Fund
and held by or delivered to PNC Bank;
(vi) payments of the amounts of dividends
received with respect to securities sold short; payments
made to a sub-custodian pursuant to provisions in sub-
paragraph c of this Paragraph; and
(viii) payments, upon Written Instructions made
for other proper Fund purposes. PNC Bank is hereby
authorized to endorse and collect all checks, drafts or
other orders for the payment of money received as custodian
for the account of the Fund.
(c) Receipt of Securities.
(i) PNC Bank shall hold all securities
received by it for the account of the Fund in a separate
account that physically segregates such securities from
those of any other persons, firms or corporations, except
for securities held in a Book-Entry System. All such
securities shall be held or disposed of only upon Written
Instructions of the Fund pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement. PNC Bank shall have no power or authority to
assign, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise dispose of any such
securities or investment, except upon the express terms of
this Agreement and upon Written Instructions, accompanied by
a certified resolution of the Fund's Governing Board,
authorizing the transaction. In no case may any member of
the Fund's Governing Board, or any officer, employee or
agent of the Fund withdraw any securities. At PNC Bank's
own expense and for its own convenience, PNC Bank may enter
into sub-custodian agreements with other banks or trust
companies to perform duties described in this sub-paragraph
c. Such bank or trust company shall have an aggregate
capital, surplus and undivided profits, according to its
last published report, of at least one million dollars
($1,000,000), if it is a subsidiary or affiliate of PNC
Bank, or at least twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) if
such bank or trust company is not a subsidiary or
affiliate of PNC Bank. In addition, such bank or trust
company must agree to comply with the relevant provisions of
the 1940 Act and other applicable rules and regulations.
PNC Bank shall remain responsible for the performance of all
of its duties as described in this Agreement and shall hold
the Fund harmless from PNC Bank's own (or any sub-custodian
chosen by PNC Bank under the terms of this sub-paragraph c)
acts or omissions, under the standards of care provided for
herein.
(d) Transactions Requiring Instructions. Upon
receipt of Oral or Written Instructions and not otherwise,
PNC Bank, directly or through the use of the Book-Entry
System, shall:
(i) deliver any securities held for the Fund
against the receipt of payment for the sale of such
securities;
(ii) execute and deliver to such persons as
may be designated in such Oral or Written Instructions,
proxies, consents, authorizations, and any other instruments
whereby the authority of the Fund as owner of any
securities may be exercised;
(iii) deliver any securities 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 PNC Bank;
(iv) deliver any securities held for the Fund
against receipt of other securities or cash issued or paid
in connection with the liquidation, reorganization,
refinancing, tender offer, merger, consolidation or
recapitalization of any corporation, or the exercise of any
conversion privilege;
(v) deliver any securities held for the Fund
to any protective committee, reorganization committee or
other person in connection with the reorganization,
refinancing, merger, consolidation, recapitalization or sale
of assets of any corporation, and receive and hold under the
terms of this Agreement such certificates of deposit,
interim receipts or other instruments or documents as may be
issued to it to evidence such delivery;
(vi) make such transfer or exchanges of the
assets of the Fund and take such other steps as shall be
stated in said Oral or Written Instructions to be for the
purpose of effectuating a duly authorized plan of
liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation or
recapitalization of the Fund;
(vii) release securities belonging to the Fund
to any bank or trust company for the purpose of a pledge or
hypothecation to secure any loan incurred by the Fund;
provided, however, that securities shall be released only
upon payment to PNC Bank of the monies borrowed, except that
in cases where additional collateral is required to secure a
borrowing already made subject to proper prior
authorization, further securities may be released for that
purpose; and repay such loan upon redelivery to it of the
securities pledged or hypothecated therefor and upon
surrender of the note or notes evidencing the loan;
(viii) release and deliver securities owned by
the Fund in connection with any repurchase agreement entered
into on behalf of the Fund, but only on receipt of payment
therefor; and pay out moneys of the Fund in connection with
such repurchase agreements, but only upon the delivery of
the securities;
(ix) release and deliver or exchange
securities owned by the Fund in connection with any
conversion of such securities, pursuant to their terms, into
other securities;
(x) release and deliver securities owned by
the Fund for the purpose of redeeming in kind shares of the
Fund upon delivery thereof to PNC Bank; and
(xi) release and deliver or exchange
securities owned by the Fund for other corporate purposes.
PNC Bank must also receive a certified resolution describing
the nature of the corporate purpose and the name and address
of the person(s) to whom delivery shall be made when such
action is pursuant to sub-paragraph d above.
(e) Use of Book-Entry System. The Fund shall deliver
to PNC Bank certified resolutions of the Fund's Governing
Board approving, authorizing and instructing PNC Bank on a
continuous and on-going basis, to deposit in the Book-Entry
System all securities belonging to the Fund eligible for
deposit therein and to utilize the Book-Entry System to the
extent possible in connection with settlements of purchases
and sales of securities by the Fund, and deliveries and
returns of securities loaned, subject to repurchase
agreements or used as collateral in connection with
borrowings. PNC Bank shall continue to perform such duties
until it receives Written or Oral Instructions authorizing
contrary actions(s).
To administer the Book-Entry System properly, the
following provisions shall apply:
(i) With respect to securities of the Fund
which are maintained in the Book-Entry system, established
pursuant to this sub-paragraph e hereof, the records of PNC
Bank shall identify by Book-Entry or otherwise those
securities belonging to the Fund. PNC Bank shall furnish
the Fund a detailed statement of the Property held for the
Fund under this Agreement at least monthly and from time to
time and upon written request.
(ii) Securities and any cash of the Fund
deposited in the Book-Entry System will at all times be
segregated from any assets and cash controlled by PNC Bank
in other than a fiduciary or custodian capacity but may be
commingled with other assets held in such capacities. PNC
Bank and its sub-custodian, if any, will pay out money only
upon receipt of securities and will deliver securities only
upon the receipt of money.
(iii) All books and records maintained by PNC
Bank which relate to the Fund's participation in the Book-
Entry System will at all times during PNC Bank's regular
business hours be open to the inspection of the Fund's duly
authorized employees or agents, and the Fund will be
furnished with all information in respect of the services
rendered to it as it may require.
(iv) PNC Bank will provide the Fund with
copies of any report obtained by PNC Bank on the system of
internal accounting control of the Book-Entry System
promptly after receipt of such a report by PNC Bank. PNC
Bank will also provide the Fund with such reports on its own
system of internal control as the Fund may reasonably
request from time to time.
(f) Registration of Securities. All Securities
held for the Fund which are issued or issuable only in
bearer form, except such securities held in the Book-Entry
System, shall be held by PNC Bank in bearer form; all other
securities held for the Fund may be registered in the name
of the Fund; PNC Bank; the Book-Entry System; a sub-
custodian; or any duly appointed nominee(s) of the Fund, PNC
Bank, Book-Entry system or sub-custodian. The Fund reserves
the right to instruct PNC Bank as to the method of
registration and safekeeping of the securities of the Fund.
The Fund agrees to furnish to PNC Bank appropriate
instruments to enable PNC Bank to hold or deliver in proper
form for transfer, or to register its registered nominee or
in the name of the Book-Entry System, any securities which
it may hold for the account of the Fund and which may from
time to time be registered in the name of the Fund. PNC
Bank shall hold all such securities which are not held in
the Book-Entry System in a separate account for the Fund in
the name of the Fund physically segregated at all times from
those of any other person or persons.
(g) Voting and Other Action. Neither PNC Bank
nor its nominee shall vote any of the securities held
pursuant to this Agreement by or for the account of the
Fund, except in accordance with Written Instructions. PNC
Bank, directly or through the use of the Book-Entry System,
shall execute in blank and promptly deliver all notice,
proxies, and proxy soliciting materials to the registered
holder of such securities. If the registered holder is not
the Fund then Written or Oral Instructions must designate
the person(s) who owns such securities.
(h) Transactions Not Requiring Instructions. In
the absence of contrary Written Instructions, PNC Bank is
authorized to take the following actions:
(i) Collection of Income and Other Payments.
(A) collect and receive for the account
of the Fund, all income, dividends, distributions, coupons,
option premiums, other payments and similar items, included
or to be included in the Property, and, in addition,
promptly advise the Fund of such receipt and credit such
income, as collected, to the Fund's custodian account;
(B) endorse and deposit for collection,
in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts, or other orders for
the payment of money;
(C) receive and hold for the account of
the Fund all securities received as a distribution on the
Fund's portfolio securities as a result of a stock dividend,
share split-up or reorganization, recapitalization,
readjustment or other rearrangement or distribution of
rights or similar securities issued with respect to any
portfolio securities belonging to the Fund held by PNC Bank
hereunder;
(D) present for payment and collect the
amount payable upon all securities which may mature or be
called, redeemed, or retired, or otherwise become payable on
the date such securities become payable; and
(E) take any action which may be
necessary and proper in connection with the collection and
receipt of such income and other payments and the
endorsement for collection of checks, drafts, and other
negotiable instruments.
(ii) Miscellaneous Transactions.
(A) PNC Bank is authorized to deliver
or cause to be delivered Property against payment or other
consideration or written receipt therefor in the following
cases:
(1) for examination by a broker or
dealer selling for the account of the Fund in accordance
with street delivery custom;
(2) for the exchange of interim
receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities;
and
(3) for transfer of securities
into the name of the Fund or PNC Bank or nominee of either,
or for exchange of securities for a different number of
bonds,certificates, or other evidence, representing the same
aggregate face amount or number of units bearing the same
interest rate, maturity date and call provisions, if any;
provided that, in any such case, the new securities are to
be delivered to PNC Bank.
(B) Unless and until PNC Bank receives
Oral or Written Instructions to the contrary, PNC Bank
shall:
(1) pay all income items held by
it which call for payment upon presentation and hold the
cash received by it upon such payment for the account of the
Fund;
(2) collect interest and cash
dividends received, with notice to the Fund, to the Fund's
account;
(3) hold for the account of the
Fund all stock dividends, rights and similar securities
issued with respect to any securities held by PNC Bank; and
(4) execute as agent on behalf of
the Fund all necessary ownership certificates required by
the Internal Revenue Code or the Income Tax Regulations of
the United States Treasury Department or under the laws of
any State now or hereafter in effect, inserting the Fund's
name, on such certificate as the owner of the securities
covered thereby, to the extent it may lawfully do so.
(i) Segregated Accounts.
(i) PNC Bank shall upon receipt of Written
or Oral Instructions establish and maintain segregated
account(s) on its records for and on behalf of the Fund.
Such account(s) may be used to transfer cash and securities,
including securities in the Book-Entry System:
(A) for the purposes of compliance by
the Fund with the procedures required by a securities or
option exchange, providing such procedures comply with the
1940 Act and any releases of the SEC relating to the
maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment
companies; and
(B) Upon receipt of Written
Instructions, for other proper corporate purposes.
(ii) PNC Bank may enter into separate
custodial agreements with various futures commission
merchants ("FCMs") that the Fund uses ("FCM Agreement").
Pursuant to an FCM Agreement, the Fund's margin deposits in
any transactions involving futures contracts and options on
futures contracts will be held by PNC Bank in accounts ("FCM
Account") subject to the disposition by the FCM involved in
such contracts and in accordance with the customer contract
between FCM and the Fund ("FCM Contract"), SEC rules and the
rules of the applicable commodities exchange. Such FCM
Agreements shall only be entered into upon receipt of
Written Instructions from the Fund which state that:
(A) a customer agreement between the
FCM and the Fund has been entered into; and
(B) the Fund is in compliance with all
the rules and regulations of the CFTC. Transfers of initial
margin shall be made into a FCM Account only upon Written
Instructions; transfers of premium and variation margin may
be made into a FCM Account pursuant to Oral Instructions.
Transfers of funds from a FCM
Account to the FCM for which PNC Bank holds such an account
may only occur upon certification by the FCM to PNC Bank
that pursuant to the FCM Agreement and the FCM Contract, all
conditions precedent to its right to give PNC Bank such
instructions have been satisfied.
(iii) PNC Bank shall arrange for the
establishment of ▇▇▇ custodian accounts for such share-
holders holding Shares through ▇▇▇ accounts, in accordance
with the Fund's prospectuses, the Internal Revenue Code
(including regulations), and with such other procedures as
are mutually agreed upon from time to time by and among the
Fund, PNC Bank and the Fund's transfer agent.
(j) Purchases of Securities. PNC Bank shall
settle purchased securities upon receipt of Oral or Written
Instructions from the Fund or its investment advisor(s) that
specify:
(i) the name of the issuer and the title of
the securities, including CUSIP number if applicable;
(ii) the number of shares or the principal
amount purchased and accrued interest, if any;
(iii) the date of purchase and settlement;
(iv) the purchase price per unit;
(v) the total amount payable upon such
purchase; and
(vi) the name of the person from whom or the
broker through whom the purchase was made. PNC Bank shall
upon receipt of securities purchased by or for the Fund pay
out of the moneys held for the account of the Fund the total
amount payable to the person from whom or the broker through
whom the purchase was made, provided that the same conforms
to the total amount payable as set forth in such Oral or
Written Instructions.
(k) Sales of Securities. PNC Bank shall settle
sold securities upon receipt of Oral or Written Instructions
from the Fund that specify:
(i) the name of the issuer and the title of
the security, including CUSIP number if applicable;
(ii) the number of shares or principal amount
sold, and accrued interest, if any;
(iii) the date of trade, settlement and sale;
(iv) the sale price per unit;
(v) the total amount payable to the Fund
upon such sale;
(vi) the name of the broker through whom or
the person to whom the sale was made; and
(vii) the location to which the security must
be delivered and delivery deadline, if any. PNC Bank shall
deliver the securities upon receipt of the total amount
payable to the Fund upon such sale, provided that the total
amount payable is the same as was set forth in the Oral or
Written Instructions. Subject to the foregoing, PNC Bank
may accept payment in such form as shall be satisfactory to
it, and may deliver securities and arrange for payment in
accordance with the customs prevailing among dealers in
securities.
(l) Reports.
(i) PNC Bank shall furnish the Fund the
following reports:
(A) such periodic and special reports
as the Fund may reasonably request;
(B) a monthly statement summarizing all
transactions and entries for the account of the Fund,
listing the portfolio securities belonging to the Fund with
the adjusted average cost of each issue and the market value
at the end of such month, and stating the cash account of
the Fund including disbursement;
(C) the reports to be furnished to the
Fund pursuant to Rule 17f-4; and
(D) such other information as may be
agreed upon from time to time between the Fund and PNC Bank.
(ii) PNC Bank shall transmit promptly to the
Fund any proxy statement, proxy material, notice of a call
or conversion or similar communication received by it as
custodian of the Property. PNC Bank shall be under no other
obligation to inform the Fund as to such actions or events.
(m) Collections. All collections of monies or
other property, in respect, or which are to become part of
the Property (but not the safekeeping thereof upon receipt
by PNC Bank) shall be at the sole risk of the Fund. If
payment is not received by PNC Bank within a reasonable time
after proper demands have been made, PNC Bank shall notify
the Fund in writing, including copies of all demand letters,
any written responses, memoranda of all oral responses and
telephonic demands thereto, and await instructions from the
Fund. PNC Bank shall not be obliged to take legal action
for collection unless and until reasonably indemnified to
its satisfaction. PNC Bank shall also notify the Fund as
soon as reasonably practicable whenever income due on
securities is not collected in due course.
15. Duration and Termination. This Agreement shall
continue until terminated by the Fund or by PNC Bank on
sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the other party.
In the event this Agreement is terminated (pending
appointment of a successor to PNC Bank or vote of the
shareholders of the Fund to dissolve or to function without
a custodian of its cash, securities or other property), PNC
Bank shall not deliver cash, securities or other property of
the Fund to the Fund. It may deliver them to a bank or
trust company of PNC Bank's choice, having an aggregate
capital, surplus and undivided profits, as shown by its last
published report, of not less than twenty million dollars
($20,000,000), as a custodian for the Fund to be held under
terms similar to those of this Agreement. PNC Bank shall
not be required to make any such delivery or payment until
full payment shall have been made to PNC Bank of all of its
fees, compensation, costs and expenses. PNC Bank shall have
a security interest in and shall have a right of setoff
against Property in the Fund's possession as security for
the payment of such fees, compensation, costs and expenses.
16. Notices. All notices and other communications,
including Written Instructions, shall be in writing or by
confirming telegram, cable, telex or facsimile sending
device. Notice shall be addressed (a) if to PNC Bank at PNC
Bank's address: Airport Business Center, International Court
2, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, marked for
the attention of the Custodian Services Department (or its
successor) (b) if to the Fund, at the address of the Fund;
or (c) if to neither of the foregoing, at such other address
as shall have been notified to the sender of any such notice
or other communication. If notice is sent by confirming
telegram, cable, telex or facsimile sending device, it shall
be deemed to have been given immediately. If notice is sent
by first-class mail, it shall be deemed to have been given
five days after it has been mailed. If notice is sent by
messenger, it shall be deemed to have been given on the day
it is delivered.
17. Amendments. This Agreement, or any term hereof,
may be changed or waived only by a written amendment, signed
by the party against whom enforcement of such change or
waiver is sought. 18. Delegation. PNC Bank may
assign its rights and delegate its duties hereunder to any
wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of PNC Bank,
National Association or PNC Bank Corp., provided that (i)
PNC Bank gives the Fund thirty (30) days prior written
notice; (ii) the delegate agrees with PNC Bank to comply
with all relevant provisions of the 1940 Act; and (iii) PNC
Bank and such delegate promptly provide such information as
the Fund may request, and respond to such questions as the
Fund may ask, relative to the assignment, including (without
limitation) the capabilities of the delegate.
19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original, but all of which together shall constitute one and
the same instrument. 20. Further Actions. Each party
agrees to perform such further acts and execute such further
documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes
hereof.
21. Miscellaneous. This Agreement embodies the entire
agreement and understanding between the parties and
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating
to the subject matter hereof, provided that the parties may
embody in one or more separate documents their agreement, if
any, with respect to delegated duties and/or Oral
Instructions. The captions in this Agreement are included
for convenience of reference only and in no way define or
delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect
their construction or effect.
This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract made in
Pennsylvania and governed by Pennsylvania law, without
regard to principles of conflicts of law. If any provision
of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court
decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this
Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement
shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted
assigns.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be executed by their officers designated below
on the day and year first above written.
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:
Title:
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ MASSACHUSETTS
MUNICIPALS FUND
By:
Title:
AUTHORIZED PERSONS APPENDIX
NAME (Type) SIGNATURE
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