EXHIBIT 99.8
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & CO. GROWTH FUND, INC.
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.........................................2
2.1 Holding Securities...............................................2
2.2 Delivery of Securities...........................................2
2.3 Registration of Securities.......................................7
2.4 Bank Accounts....................................................8
2.5 Payments of Shares...............................................9
2.6 Availability of Federal Funds....................................9
2.7 Collection of Income.............................................9
2.8 Payment of Fund Monies..........................................10
2.9 Liability for Payment in Advance of
Receipt of Securities Purchased.................................13
2.10 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions
of Shares of the Fund ..........................................13
2.11 Appointment of Agents ..........................................14
2.12 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities System.....................15
2.12A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct
Paper System....................................................18
2.13 Segregated Account..............................................19
2.14 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes.........................20
2.15 Proxies.........................................................20
2.16 Communications Relating to Fund
Portfolio Securities ...........................................21
2.17 Proper Instructions.............................................21
2.18 Actions Permitted Without Express Authority.....................22
2.19 Evidence of Authority...........................................23
3. Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Book of Account
and Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income........................24
4. Records ................................................................24
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant.................................25
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants........................25
7. Compensation of Custodian................................................26
8. Responsibility of Custodian..............................................26
9. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment..............................27
10. Successor Custodian......................................................29
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions...................................30
12. Massachusetts Law to Apply...............................................31
13. Prior Contracts..........................................................31
14. Shareholder Communications Election......................................31
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This contract between ▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Growth Fund, Inc., a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of Maryland, 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, that in consideration of the mutual conventants and agreements
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of its assets
pursuant to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation. The Fund agrees to
deliver to the Custodian all securities and cash owned by it, and all payments
of income, payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with
respect to all securities owned by the Fund from time to time, and the cash
consideration received by it for such new or treasury shares of capital stock
("Shares") of the Fund as may be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian
shall not be responsible for any property of the Fund held or received by the
Fund and not delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Section 2.17),
the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more sub-custodians, but
only in accordance with an
applicable vote by the Board of Directors of the Fund, 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.
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held By the
Custodian
2.1 Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate for
the account of the Fund all non-cash property, including all securities
owned by the Fund, other than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant
to Section 2.12 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 a "Securities System" and (b)
commercial paper of an issuer for which State Street Bank and Trust Company
acts as issuing and paying agent ("Direct Paper") which is deposited and/or
maintained in the Direct Paper System of the Custodian pursuant to Section
2.12A.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver securities
owned by the Fund 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 Account") only upon receipt of Proper Instructions,
which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the
parties, and only in the following cases:
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1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Fund and
receipt of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
agreement related to such securities entered into by the Fund;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a Securities System, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.12 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for portfolio securities of the Fund;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are
called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided
that, in any such case, the cash or other consideration is to be
delivered to the Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name
of the Fund or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the
Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed
pursuant to Section 2.11 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
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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 Fund, to
the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for
examination in accordance with "sreet 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, recapitalizaton, reorganization or readjustment of
the securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to
provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or
pursuant to any deposit agreement; provided that, in any such
case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to
the Custodian;
9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the
surrender thereof in the
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exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities or the
surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for
definitive securities; provided that, in any such case, the new
securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the
Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by
the Fund, but only against receipt of adequate collateral as
agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund,
which may be in the form of cash or obligations issued by the
United States government, its agencies or instrumentalities,
except that in connection with any loans for which collateral is
to be credited to the Custodian's 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 Fund prior to the receipt of such
collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the
Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, but only against
receipt of amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund,
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the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and a member of The
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"),
relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing
Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange,
or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow
or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the
Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, the Custodian, and a Futures Commission Merchant
registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to
compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission and/or any Contract Market, or any similar
organization or organizations, regarding account deposits in
connection with transactions by 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 Fund's currently
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effective prospectus and statement of additional information
("prospectus"), in satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares
for repurchase or redemption; and
15) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt of,
in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Directors or of the Executive
Committee signed by an officer of the Fund and certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, specifying the securities 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. Securities held by the Custodian (other than
bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Fund or in the
name of any nominee of the Fund or any nominee of the Custodian which
nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Fund, unless the Fund has
authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in common
with other registered investment companies having the same investment
adviser as the Fund, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed
pursuant to Section 2.11 or in the name or
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nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Article 1. All
securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the Fund under the terms
of this Contract shall be in "street name" or other good delivery form. If,
however, the Fund directs the Custodian to maintain securities in "street
name" the Custodian shall utilize its best efforts only to timely collect
income due the Fund on such securities and to notify the Fund on a best
efforts basis only of relevant corporate actions including, without
limitation, pendency of calls, maturities, tender or exchange offers.
2.4 Bank Accounts - The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
account or accounts in the name of the Fund, subject only to draft or order
by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Contract, and shall
hold in such account or accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all
cash received by it from or for the account of the Fund, other than cash
maintained by the Fund in a bank account established and used in accordance
with Rule 17f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Funds held by the
Custodian for the Fund may be deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in
the Banking Department of the Custodian or in such other banks or trust
companies as it may in its discretion deem necessary or desirable;
provided, however, that every such bank or trust company shall be qualified
to act as a custodian under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and
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that each such bank or trust company and the funds to be deposited with
each such bank or trust company shall be approved by vote of a majority of
the Board of Directors 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 Payments for Shares. The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for
the Fund's Shares or from the Transfer Agent of the Fund and deposit into
the Fund's account such payments as are received for Shares of the Fund
issued or sold from time to time by the Fund. The Custodian will provide
timely notification to the Fund and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by it
of payments for Shares of the Fund.
2.6 Availability of Federal Funds. Upon mutual agreement between the Fund and
the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper
Instructions, make federal funds available to the Fund as of specified
times agreed upon from time to time by the Fund and the Custodian in the
amount of checks received in payment for Shares of the Fund which are
deposited into the Fund's account.
2.7 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 securities held hereunder to which the Fund
shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the securities
business, and shall collect on a timely
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basis all income and other payments with respect to bearer securities if,
on the date of payment by the issuer, such securities are held by the
Custodian or its agent thereof and shall credit such income, as collected,
to the Fund's custodian account. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for payment all coupons
and other income items requiring representation as and when they become due
and shall collect interest when due on securities held hereunder. Income
due the Fund 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 Fund is properly entitled.
2.8 Payment of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be
continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the
Custodian shall pay out monies of the Fund in the following cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of securities, options, futures contracts or options
on futures contracts for the account of the Fund but only (a) against
the delivery of such securities or evidence of title to such options,
futures contracts or options on
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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 Fund or in the name of
a nominee of the Custodian referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in
proper form for transfer; (b) in the case of a purchase effected
through a Securities System, in accordance with the conditions set
forth in Section 2.12 hereof; (c) in the case of a purchase involving
the Direct Paper System, in accordance with the conditions set forth
in Section 2.12A; (d) in the case of repurchase agreements entered
into between the Fund and the Custodian, or another bank, or a
broker-dealer which is a member of NASD, (i) against delivery of the
securities either in certificate from 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 Fund of securities owned by the Custodian along with written
evidence of the agreement by the
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Custodian to repurchase such securities from the Fund or (e) for
transfer to a time deposit account of the Fund in any bank, whether
domestic or foreign; such transfer may be effected prior to receipt of
a confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable bank pursuant to
Proper Instructions from the Fund as defined in Section 2.17;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities
owned by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Fund as set
forth in Section 2.10 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Fund,
including but not limited to the following payments for the account of
the Fund: interest, taxes, management, 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 declared pursuant to the governing
documents of the Fund;
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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, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of
Directors or of the Executive Committee of the Fund signed by an
officer of the Fund and certified by its Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, specifying the amount of such payment, setting forth the
purpose for which such payment is to be made, declaring such purpose
to be a proper purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom such
payment is to be made.
2.9 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 securities for the account of the Fund is
made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the securities purchased in
the absence of specific written instructions from the Fund to so pay in
advance, the Custodian shall be absolutely liable to the Fund for such
securities to the same extent as if the securities had been received by the
custodian and not credited to the account of the Fund.
2.10 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the Fund. From such
funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the limitations of
the Articles of
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Incorporation and any applicable votes of the Board of Directors 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 or who have received a notice of mandatory
redemption. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares of
the Fund, 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.
2.11 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.
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2.12 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems. The Custodian may deposit
and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in a clearing agency
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 17A of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which acts as a securities depository,
or in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the
Treasury and certain federal agencies, collectively referred to herein as
"Securities System" in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve Board and
Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations, if any, and
subject to the following provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund 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 Fund
which are maintained in a Securities System shall identify by
book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of
the Fund upon
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(i) receipt of advice from the Securities System that such securities
have been transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of an entry
on the records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer
for the account of the Fund. The Custodian shall transfer securities
sold for the account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the
Securities System that payment for such securities has been
transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for the
account of the Fund. Copies of all advices from the Securities System
of transfers of securities for the account of the Fund shall identify
the Fund, be maintained for the Fund by the Custodian and be provided
to the Fund at its request. Upon request, the Custodian shall furnish
the Fund confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the
Fund in the form of a written advice or notice and shall furnish to
the Fund copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's
transactions in the Securities System for the account of the Fund.
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4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund 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 the initial certificate required by
Article 9 hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding, the
Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to the
Fund resulting from use of the Securities System by reason of any
negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or any of its
agents or of any of its or their employees or from failure of the
Custodian or any such agent to enforce effectively such rights as it
may have against the Securities System; at the election of the Fund,
it shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian
with respect to any claim against the Securities System or any other
person which the Custodian may have as a consequence of any such loss
or damage if and to the extent that the Fund has not been made whole
for any such loss or damage.
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2.12A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System.
The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in
the Direct Paper System of the Custodian subject to the following provisions:
1) No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper System will
be effected in the absence of Proper Instructions;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund 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 Fund
which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall identify by
book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of
the Fund upon the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian
to reflect such payment and transfer of securities to the account of
the Fund. The Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account
of the Fund upon the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such transfer and receipt of payment for the
account of the Fund;
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5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer to
or from the account of the Fund, in the form of a written advice or
notice, of Direct Paper on the next business day following such
transfer and shall furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction
sheets reflecting each day's transaction in the Securities System for
the account of the Fund;
6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report on its system of
internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from
time to time.
2.13 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper Instructions
establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf
of the Fund, into which account or accounts may be transferred cash and/or
securities, including securities maintained in an account by the Custodian
pursuant to Section 2.12 hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions of
any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered
under the Exchange Act and a member of the NASD (or any futures commission
merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to
compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any
registered national securities exchange (or the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission or any registered contract market), or of any similar
organization or organizations, regarding
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escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund,
(ii) for purposes of segregating cash or government securities in
connection with options purchased, sold or written by the Fund or commodity
futures contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by the Fund, (iii)
for the purpose of compliance by the Fund 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, a certified copy
of a resolution of the Board of Directors 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.
2.14 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 securities of the Fund held by it and in connection with
transfers of securities.
2.15 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the securities held
hereunder, cause to be promptly executed
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by the registered holder of such securities, if the securities are
registered otherwise than in the name of the Fund or a nominee of the Fund,
all proxies, without indication of the manner in which such proxies are to
be voted, and shall promptly deliver to the Fund such proxies, all proxy
soliciting materials and all notices relating to such securities.
2.16 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolios Securities. Subject to the
provisions of section 2.3, Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund
all written information (including, without limitation, pendency of calls
and maturities of securities and expirations of rights in connection
therewith and notices of exercise of call and put options written by the
Fund and the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold by the Fund)
received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities being held for the
Fund. With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall
transmit promptly to the Fund all written information received by the
Custodian from issuers of the securities whose tender or exchange is sought
and from the party (or his agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If
the Fund desires to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange
offer or any other similar transaction, the Fund shall notify the Custodian
at least three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to
take such action.
2.17 Proper Instructions. Proper Instructions as used throughout this Article 2
means a writing signed or
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initialled by one or more person or persons as the Board of Directors
shall have from time to time authorized. Each such writing shall set
forth the specific transaction or type of transaction involved, including
a specific statement of the purpose for which such action is requested.
Oral instructions will be considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian
reasonably believes them to have been given by a person authorized to
give such instructions with respect to the transaction involved. The Fund
shall cause all oral instructions to be confirmed in writing. Upon
receipt of a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary as to
the authorization by the Board of Directors of the Fund accompanied by a
detailed description of procedures approved by the Board of Directors,
Proper Instructions may include communications effected directly between
electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the Board of
Directors and the Custodian are satisfied that such procedures afford
adequate safeguards for the Fund's assets. For purposes of this Section,
Proper Instructions shall include instructions received by the Custodian
pursuant to any three-party agreement which requires a segregated asset
account in accordance with Section 2.13.
2.18 Actions Permitted Without Express Authority. The Custodian may in its
discretion, without express authority from the Fund:
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1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this
Contract, provided that all such payments shall be accounted for to
the Fund;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive
form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts and
other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection with
the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other
dealings with the securities and property of the Fund except as
otherwise directed by the Board of Directors of the Fund.
2.19 Evidence of Authority. The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any
instructions, notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or
paper reasonably 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 Directors 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
Directors pursuant to the
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Articles of Incorporation 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 of the contrary.
3. 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 Directors of the Fund to keep the
books of account of the Fund and/or compute the net asset value per share of the
outstanding shares of the Fund, or, if directed in writing to do so by the Fund,
shall itself keep such books of account and/or compute such net asset value per
share. If so directed, the Custodian shall also calculate daily the net income
of the Fund as described in the Fund's currently effective prospectus and shall
advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the total amounts of such net
income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of the Fund to do so, shall
advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the division of such net income among
its various components. The calculations of the net asset value per share and
the daily income of the fund shall be made at the time or times described from
time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus.
4. Records
The Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating to its
activities and obligations under this Contract in such manner as will meet the
obligations of the Fund under the Investment Company At of 1940, with particular
attention to
-24-
Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder. All such records shall
be the property of the Fund and shall at 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 the Fund and held by the Custodian and shall,
when requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed
upon between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such
tabulations.
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund may from time
to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund's
independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in connection
with the preparation of the Fund's Form N-1A, and Form N-SAR or other annual
reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and with respect to any other
requirements of such Commission.
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may
reasonably require, with reports by independent public accountants on the
accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding
securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including
securities deposited and/or maintained in a Securities System, relating to the
services provided by the Custodian under this Contract; such
-25-
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.
7. Compensation of Custodian
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services
and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between the Fund and
the Custodian.
8. 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.
-26-
If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in
the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to
the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some
other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such
action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form
satisfactory to 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) or in
the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any
taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with
the performance of this Contract, except such as may arise from its or its
nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct,
any property at any time held for the account of the Fund shall be security
therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian
shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of Fund assets to the
extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
9. 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
-27-
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 act under Section 2.12 hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of
Directors of the Fund has approved the initial use of a particular 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 act under Section 2.12A
hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Directors has approved the initial use
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 Articles of Incorporation, and
further provided, that the Fund may at any time by action of its Board of
Directors (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the Custodian by
giving notice as described above to the Custodian or (ii) immediately terminate
this Contract in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for
the Custodian by the Comptroller of the Currency or upon the happening of a like
event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent
jurisdiction.
Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund shall pay to the Custodian such
compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall likewise
reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements.
-28-
10. Successor Custodian
If a successor custodian shall be appointed by the Board of Directors 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 then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an
account of the successor custodian all of the Fund's securities held in a
Securities System.
If so 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
Directors 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 Directors shall have been delivered to
the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become
effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust
company, which is a "bank" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940,
doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, of its own selection, having an
aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last
published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other
properties held by the Custodian and all instruments held by the Custodian
relative thereto and all other property held by it under this Contract and to
transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the Fund's securities
held in any Securities System. Thereafter,
-29-
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 Directors 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.
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and the
Fund may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in
addition to the provisions of this Contract as may in their joint opinion be
consistent with the general tenor of this Contract. Any such interpretive or
additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by both parties and shall be
annexed hereto, provided that no such interpretive or additional provisions
shall contravene any applicable federal or state regulations or any provision of
the Articles of Incorporation 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.
-30-
12. 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.
13. Prior Contracts
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior
contracts between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the custody of the
Fund's assets.
14. Shareholder Communications Election
Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14b-2 requires banks which hold
securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of
securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of
securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has
expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to comply with
the rule, the Custodian needs the Fund to indicate whether it authorizes the
Custodian to provide the Fund's name, address, and share position to requesting
companies whose securities the Fund owns. If the Fund tells the Custodian "no",
the Custodian will not provide this information to requesting companies. If the
Fund tells the Custodian "yes" or does not check either "yes" or "no" below, the
Custodian is required by the rule to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure
of this information for all securities owned by the Fund or any funds or
accounts established by the Fund. for the Fund's protection, the Rule prohibits
the requesting company from using the Fund's name and address for any purpose
other than corporate communications. Please indicate
-31-
below whether the Fund consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives
below.
YES [_] The Custodian is authorized to release the
Fund's name, address, and share positions.
NO [_] The Custodian is not authorized to release
the Fund's name, address, and share positions.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be
executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative and its
seal to be hereunder affixed as of the 11th day of January, 1994.
ATTEST ▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & CO. GROWTH FUND, INC.
/S/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ By: /S/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------- -----------------------
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Attorney-in-Fact
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
/S/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ By: /S/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
--------------------- -----------------------
Executive Vice President
-▇▇-
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ AND TRUST COMPANY
CUSTODY AND ACCOUNTING FEE SCHEDULE
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I. CUSTODY, PORTFOLIO AND FUND ACCOUNTING
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CUSTODY: Maintain custody of fund assets. Settle portfolio purchases and
sales. Report buy and sell fails. Determine and collect portfolio income.
Make cash disbursements and report cash transactions. Monitor corporation
actions. Report portfolio positions.
PORTFOLIO AND FUND ACCOUNT: Maintain investment ledgers, provide selected
portfolio transactions, position and income reports. Maintain general
ledger and capital stock accounts. Prepare daily trial balance. Calculate
net asset value daily. Provide selected general ledger reports. Securities
yield or market value quotations will be provided to State Street via State
Street's Automated Pricing System (see Section V) or by the fund.
The fee shown below is an annual charge, billed and payable monthly, based
on average monthly net assets.
ANNUAL FEES PER PORTFOLIO
-------------------------
CUSTODY PORTFOLIO
FUND NET ASSETS CUSTODY ONLY AND FUND ACCOUNTING
--------------- ------------ -------------------
First $20 Million 1/30 of 1% 1/15 of 1%
Next $80 Million 1/60 of 1% 1/30th of 1%
Excess 1/100 of 1% 1/60th of 1%
Minimum Monthly Charges $2,000 $3,000
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II. PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
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State Street Bank Repos $ 7.00
DTC or Fed Book Entry $12.00
New York Physical Settlements $25.00
Maturity collections $ 8.00
PTC Purchase, Sale, Deposit or Withdrawal $20.00
All Other Trades $25.00
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III. FUTURES AND OPTIONS
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Option charge for each option written or
closing contract, per issue, per broker $25.00
Option expiration or exercised charge, per issue, per broker $15.00
Future transactions - no security movement $ 8.00
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IV. HOLDINGS CHARGE
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For each issue maintained - monthly charge $ 5.00
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V. NAVIGATOR AUTOMATED PRICING
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Monthly Base Charge $375.00
Monthly Quote Charge:
Municipal Bonds via ▇▇▇▇▇/S&P or ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Data $ 16.00
Corporate, Municipal, Convertible, Government Bonds
and Adjustable Rate Preferred Stocks via IDSI $ 13.00
Government, Corporate Bonds via ▇▇▇▇▇/S&P or ▇▇▇▇▇▇ $ 11.00
Government, Corporate and Convertible Bonds via
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ $ 11.00
Foreign Bonds via Extel $ 10.00
Options, Futures and Private Placements $ 6.00
Listed Equities (including International) and OTC Equities $ 6.00
For billing purposes, the monthly quote charge will be based on the average
number of positions in the portfolio at month end.
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VI. SPECIAL SERVICES
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Fees for activities of a non-recurring nature such as fund
consolidations or reorganizations, extraordinary security shipments and the
preparation of special reports will be subject to negotiation. Fees for SEC
yield calculation, self directed securities lending transactions, ▇▇▇▇▇▇
financial reporting, multiple class and core/feeder accounting, and other
special items will be negotiated separately.
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VII. OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES
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A billing for the recovery of applicable out-of-pocket expenses will be
made as of the end of each month. Out-of-pocket expenses include, but are
not limited to the following:
- Telephone - Transfer Fees
- Wire Charges ($5.25 in and $5 out) - Sub-custodian Charges
- Postage and Insurance - Price Waterhouse Audit Letter
- Courier Service - Federal Reserve Fee for Return
- Duplicating Check items over $2,500 ($4.25)
- Legal Fees - GNMA Transfer ($15 each)
- Supplies Related to Fund Records - PTC Deposit/Withdrawal for same
- Rush Transfer ($8 each) day turnaround ($50)
- Items held in Street name over record date
at the request of traders ($50 each)
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VIII. PAYMENT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The above fees will be charged against the fund's custodian checking
account five (5) days after the invoice is mailed to the fund's offices.
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▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & CO. GROWTH FUND INC. STATE STREET BANK & TRUST COMPANY
By: _________________________ By: _____________________________
Title: _________________________ Title: _____________________________
Date: _________________________ Date: _____________________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------