CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ INCOME TRUST
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held
By It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property
of the Fund Held by the Custodian in the
United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.1 Holding Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.2 Delivery of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.3 Registration of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.4 Bank Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.6 Collection of Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of
Securities Purchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.9 Appointment of Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities System . . . . . . . 8
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.12 Segregated Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes . . . . . . . . . 11
2.14 Proxies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.15 Communications Relating to Portfolio Securities . . . . . 11
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of
the Fund Held Outside of the United States . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.2 Assets to be Held . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.4 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions . . . . . . . 12
3.5 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund . . . . . . 13
3.6 Reports by Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.7 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account . . . . . . . . . 13
3.8 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.9 Liability of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.10 Reimbursement for Advances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3.11 Monitoring Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.12 Branches of U.S. Banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.13 Foreign Exchange Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3.13 Tax Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchase or Redemptions
of Shares of the Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5. Proper Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
6. Actions Permitted Without Express Authority . . . . . . . . . . 19
7. Evidence of Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
8. Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books of Account
and Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income . . . . . . . 20
9. Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountants . . . . . . . . . . . 21
11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants . . . . . . . 21
12. Compensation of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
13. Responsibility of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
14. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment . . . . . . . . . . 23
15. Successor Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
17. Additional Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
18. Massachusetts Law to Apply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
19. Limitation of Trustee, Officer and Shareholder Liability . . . . 25
20. No Liability of Other Portfolios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
21. Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
22. Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
23. Severability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
24. Prior Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
25. Shareholder Communications Election . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Income Trust, a business
trust organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, 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 three series,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Limited Maturity Bond Trust, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Government Income Trust, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Ultra Short Bond Trust
(such series together with all other series subsequently established by
the Fund and made subject to this Contract in accordance with paragraph
17, being herein referred to as the "Portfolio(s)");
NOW THEREFORE, 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
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of the assets
of each Portfolio, 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
Trust Instrument. The Fund on behalf of each Portfolio 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 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 2.11.
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;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the
name of the Portfolio or into the name of any nominee or
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nominees of the Custodian or into the name or nominee name of
any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 or into the name
or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to
Article 1; or for exchange for a different number of bonds,
certificates or other evidence representing the same
aggregate face amount or number of units; PROVIDED that, in
any such case, the new securities are to be delivered to the
Custodian;
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;
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;
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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 (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 a Portfolio, 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
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
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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 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 which shall contain only property held by the
Custodian as custodian for that Portfolio, 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 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 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
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collect interest when due on securities held hereunder. Collection
of income due each Portfolio on securities loaned pursuant to the
provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility of the
Custodian so long as the securities are registered and remain in the
name of the Fund, the Custodian, or its nominee, or in the
Depository Trust Company account of the Custodian, but otherwise
shall be the responsibility of the Fund and 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 deemed appropriate by the parties, the
Custodian shall pay out monies of a Portfolio in the following cases
only:
1) Upon the purchase of domestic securities, options, futures
contracts or options on futures contracts for the account of
the 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 2.11; (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 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;
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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 certified copy of a resolution of the Board
of Trustees 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.
2.8 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, and its rules or regulations 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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2.10 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 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 purchased 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 reflect such transfer and payment for the
account of the Portfolio. Copies of all advices from the
Securities System of transfers 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 (or by any agent
appointed by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.9) on the
Securities System's accounting system, internal accounting
control and procedures for safeguarding securities deposited
in the Securities System;
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5) The Custodian shall have received from the Fund on behalf of
the Portfolio the certificate 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 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.
2.11 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;
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
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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 the Custodian's system of
internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably
request from time to time.
2.12 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
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.
2.13 OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES FOR TAX PURPOSES. The Custodian shall
execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all
federal and state tax purposes in connection with receipt of income
or other payments with respect to domestic securities of each
Portfolio held by it and in connection with transfers of securities.
2.14 PROXIES. The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic
securities held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the
registered holder of such securities, if the securities are
registered otherwise than in the name of the Portfolio or a nominee
- 10 -
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.
2.15 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 when reasonably possible notify the
Custodian at least three business days prior to the date on which
the Custodian is to take such action.
3. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND HELD
OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES
3.1 APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS. The Fund hereby authorizes
and instructs the Custodian to employ as sub-custodians for 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 Section 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 a Portfolio's assets.
3.2 ASSETS TO BE HELD. The Custodian shall limit the securities and
other assets maintained in the custody of the foreign sub-custodians
to: (a) "foreign securities", as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of
Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and (b) cash
and cash equivalents in such amounts as the Custodian or the Fund
may determine to be reasonably necessary to effect a Portfolio's
foreign securities transactions. The Custodian shall identify on
its books as belonging to each Portfolio, the foreign securities of
the Portfolio held by each foreign sub-custodian.
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3.3 FOREIGN SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES. Except as may otherwise be agreed
upon in writing by the Custodian and the Fund, assets of each
Portfolio shall be maintained in foreign securities depositories
only through arrangements implemented by the foreign banking
institutions serving as sub-custodians pursuant to the terms hereof.
Where possible, such arrangements shall include entry into
agreements containing the provisions set forth in Section 3.4
hereof.
3.4 AGREEMENTS WITH FOREIGN BANKING INSTITUTIONS. Each agreement with a
foreign banking institution shall 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 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 each
Portfolio held by the foreign sub-custodian will be subject only to
the instructions of the Custodian or its agents.
3.5 ACCESS OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS OF THE FUND. Upon request of the
Fund, the Custodian will use 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.
3.6 REPORTS BY CUSTODIAN. The Custodian will supply to the Fund from
time to time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of the
securities and other assets of each Portfolio held by foreign
sub-custodians, including but not limited to an identification of
entities having possession of each Portfolio's securities and other
assets and advices or notifications of any transfers of securities
to or from each custodial account maintained by a foreign banking
institution for the Custodian on behalf of each applicable Portfolio
indicating, as to securities acquired for a Portfolio, the identity
of the entity having physical possession of such securities.
3.7 TRANSACTIONS IN FOREIGN CUSTODY ACCOUNT. (a) Except as otherwise
provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 3.7, the provision of
Sections 2.2 and 2.7 of this Contract shall apply, MUTATIS MUTANDIS
to the foreign securities of the Fund held outside the United States
by foreign sub-custodians.
- 12 -
(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 effected in
accordance with the customary established securities trading or
securities processing practices and procedures in the jurisdiction
or market in which the transaction occurs, including, without
limitation, delivering securities to the purchaser thereof or to a
dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer) against a
receipt with the expectation of receiving later payment for such
securities from such purchaser or dealer.
(c) Securities maintained in the custody of a foreign sub-custodian
may be maintained in the name of such entity's nominee to the same
extent as set forth in Section 2.3 of this Contract, and the Fund
agrees to hold any such nominee harmless from any liability as a
holder of record of such securities.
3.8 LIABILITY OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS. Each agreement pursuant to
which the Custodian employs a foreign banking institution as a
foreign sub-custodian shall require the institution to exercise
reasonable care in the performance of its duties and to indemnify,
and hold harmless, the Custodian and the Fund from and against any
loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out of or in
connection with the institution's performance of such obligations.
At the election of the Fund, it shall be entitled to be subrogated
to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims against a
foreign banking institution as a consequence of any such loss,
damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and to the extent that
the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost,
expense, liability or claim.
3.9 LIABILITY OF CUSTODIAN. The Custodian shall be liable for the acts
or omissions of a foreign banking institution to the same extent as
set forth with respect to sub-custodians generally in this Contract
and, regardless of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a
foreign banking institution, a foreign securities depository or a
branch of a U.S. bank as contemplated by paragraph 3.12 hereof, the
Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage, cost, expense,
liability or claim resulting from nationalization, expropriation,
currency restrictions, or acts of war or terrorism or any loss where
the sub-custodian has otherwise exercised reasonable care.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph 3.9, in
delegating custody duties to State Street London Ltd., the Custodian
shall not be relieved of any responsibility to the Fund for any loss
due to such delegation, except such loss as may result from (a)
political risk (including, but not limited to, exchange control
restrictions, confiscation, expropriation, nationalization,
insurrection, civil strife or armed hostilities) or (b) other losses
(excluding a bankruptcy or insolvency of State Street London Ltd.
not caused by political risk) due to Acts of God, nuclear incident
- 13 -
or the like, in each case under circumstances where the Custodian
and State Street London Ltd. have exercised reasonable care.
3.10 REIMBURSEMENT FOR ADVANCES. If the Fund requires the Custodian to
advance cash or securities for any purpose for the benefit of a
Portfolio including the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or of
contracts for foreign exchange ("Advance"), 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 ("Liability") then in such event property
equal in value to not more than 125% of such Advance and accrued
interest on the Advance or the anticipated amount of such Liability,
held at any time for the account of the appropriate Portfolio by the
Custodian or sub-custodian may be held as security for such
Liability or for such Advance and accrued interest on the Advance.
The Custodian shall designate the security or securities
constituting security for an Advance or Liability (the "Designated
Securities") by notice in writing to the Fund (which may be sent by
tested telefax or telex). In the event the value of the Designated
Securities shall decline to less than 110% of the amount of such
Advance and accrued interest on the Advance or the anticipated
amount of such Liability, then the Custodian may designate in the
same manner an additional security for such obligation ("Additional
Securities"), but the aggregate value of the Designated Securities
and Additional Securities shall not be in excess of 125% of the
amount of such Advance and the accrued interest on the Advance or
the anticipated amount of such Liability. At the request of the
Fund, on behalf of a Portfolio, the Custodian shall agree to
substitution of a security or securities which have a value equal to
the value of the Designated or Additional Securities which the Fund
desires be released from their status as security, and such release
from status as security shall be effective upon the Custodian and
the Fund agreeing in writing as to the identity of the substituted
security or securities, which shall thereupon become Designated
Securities.
Notwithstanding the above, the Custodian shall, at the request of
the Fund, on behalf of a Portfolio, immediately release from their
status as security any or all of the Designated Securities or
Additional Securities upon the Custodian's receipt from such of
Portfolio cash or cash equivalents in an amount equal to 100% of the
value of the Designated Securities or Additional Securities that the
Fund desires to be released from their status as security pursuant
to this Section. The applicable Portfolio shall reimburse or
indemnify the Custodian in respect of a Liability and shall pay any
Advances upon demand; provided, however, that the Custodian first
notified the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio of such demand for
repayment, reimbursement or indemnification. If, upon notification,
the Portfolio shall fail to pay such Advance or interest when due or
shall fail to reimburse or indemnify the Custodian promptly in
- 14 -
respect of a Liability, the Custodian shall be entitled to dispose
of the Designated Securities and Additional Securities to the extent
necessary to obtain repayment, reimbursement or indemnification.
Interest, dividends and other distributions paid or received on the
Designated Securities and Additional Securities, other than payments
of principal or payments upon retirement, redemption or repurchase,
shall remain the property of the Portfolio, and shall not be subject
to this Section. To the extent that the disposition of the
Portfolio's property, designated as security for such Advance or
Liability, results in an amount less than necessary to obtain
repayment, reimbursement or indemnification, the Portfolio shall
continue to be liable to the Custodian for the differences between
the proceeds of the disposition of the Portfolio's property,
designated as security for such Advance or Liability, and the amount
of the repayment, reimbursement or indemnification due to the
Custodian and the Custodian shall have the right to designate in the
same manner described above an additional security for such
obligation which shall constitute Additional Securities hereunder.
3.11 MONITORING RESPONSIBILITIES. The Custodian shall furnish annually
to the Fund, during the month of June, information concerning the
foreign sub-custodians employed by the Custodian. Such information
shall be similar in kind and scope to that furnished to the Fund in
connection with the initial approval of this Contract. In addition,
the Custodian will promptly inform the Fund in the event that the
Custodian learns of a material adverse change in the financial
condition of a foreign sub-custodian or any material loss of the
assets of the Fund or in the case of any foreign sub-custodian not
the subject of an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange
Commission is notified by such foreign sub-custodian that there
appears to be a substantial likelihood that its shareholders' equity
will decline below $200 million (U.S. dollars or the 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).
3.12 BRANCHES OF U.S. BANKS. (a) Except as otherwise set forth in this
Contract, the provisions hereof shall not apply where the custody of
a 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 paragraph 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.
3.13 FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS. (a) Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, the Custodian shall settle foreign exchange contracts
- 15 -
or options to purchase and sell foreign currencies for spot and
future delivery on behalf of and for the account of a Portfolio with
such brokers, banks or trust companies other than the Custodian
("Currency Brokers") as the Fund may determine and direct pursuant
to Proper Instructions or as the Custodian may select ("Transactions
Other Than As Principal").
(b). The Custodian shall not be obligated to enter into foreign
exchange transactions as principal ("Transactions As Principal").
However, if the Custodian has made available to the Fund its
services as a principal in foreign exchange transactions and subject
to any separate agreement between the parties relating to such
transactions, the Custodian shall enter into foreign exchange
contracts or options to purchase and sell foreign currencies for
spot and future delivery on behalf of and for the account of a
Portfolio, with the Custodian as principal.
(c) If, in a Transaction Other Than As Principal, a Currency
Broker is selected by the Fund, on behalf of a Portfolio, the
Custodian shall have no duty with respect to the selection of the
Currency Broker, or, so long as the Custodian acts in accordance
with Proper Instructions, for the failure of such Currency Broker to
comply with the terms of any contract or option. If, in a
Transaction Other Than As Principal, the Currency Broker is selected
by the Custodian or if the Custodian enters into a Transaction As
Principal, the Custodian shall be responsible for the selection of
the Currency Broker and the failure of such Currency Broker to
comply with the terms of nay contract or option.
(d) In Transactions Other Than As Principal and Transactions As
Principal, the Custodian shall be responsible for any transfer of
cash, the transmission of instructions to and from a Currency
Broker, if any, the safekeeping of all certificates and other
documents and agreements evidencing or relating to such foreign
exchange transactions and the maintenance of proper records as set
forth in Section 9 of this Contract.
3.14 TAX LAW. Except to the extent that imposition of any tax liability
arises from State Street's failure to perform in accordance with the
terms of this Section 3.14 or from the failure of any sub-custodian
to perform in accordance with the terms of the applicable subcustody
agreement, State Street shall have no responsibility or liability
for any obligations now or hereafter imposed on each Portfolio by
the tax law of the domicile of each Portfolio or of any jurisdiction
in which each Portfolio is invested or any political subdivision
thereof. It shall be the responsibility of State Street to use due
care to perform such steps as are required to collect any tax
refund, to ascertain the appropriate rate of tax withholding and to
provide such information and documents as may be required to enable
each Portfolio to receive appropriate tax treatment under applicable
tax laws and any applicable treaty provisions. Unless otherwise
informed by each Portfolio, State Street, in performance of its
- 16 -
duties under this Section, shall be entitled to apply categorical
treatment of each Portfolio according to the nationality of each
Portfolio, the particulars of its organization and other relevant
details that shall be supplied by each Portfolio. State Street
shall be entitled to rely on any information supplied by each
Portfolio. State Street may engage reasonable professional advisors
disclosed to each Portfolio by State Street, which may include
attorneys, accountants or financial institutions in the regular
business of investment administration and may rely upon advice
received therefrom. It shall be the duty of each Portfolio to
inform State Street of any change in the organization, domicile or
other relevant fact concerning tax treatment of each Portfolio and
further to inform State Street if each Portfolio is or becomes the
beneficiary of any special ruling or treatment not applicable to the
general nationality and category of entity of which each Portfolio
is a part under general laws and treaty provisions.
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 Trust Instrument 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 initialled by two 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
- 17 -
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 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 Fund and the Custodian are satisfied that such procedures afford
adequate safeguards for the Portfolios' 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 2.12.
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.
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 Trust Instrument as described in such vote, and such vote may be
considered as in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of
written notice to the contrary.
- 18 -
8. DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNT AND
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND NET INCOME
If, and to the extent requested by the Fund, 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 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 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.
9. RECORDS
The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create and
maintain all records relating to its activities and obligations under this
Contract in such manner as will meet the obligations of the Fund under the
Investment Company Act 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 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.
- 19 -
11. REPORTS TO FUND BY INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, on behalf of each Portfolio at
such times as the Fund may reasonably require, with reports by independent
public accountants on the accounting system, internal accounting control
and procedures for safeguarding securities, futures contracts and options
on futures contracts, including securities deposited and/or maintained in
a Securities System, relating to the services provided by the Custodian
under this Contract; such reports, shall be of sufficient scope and in
sufficient detail, as may reasonably be required by the Fund to provide
reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would be disclosed by
such examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the reports
shall so state.
12. COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its
services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time
between the Fund 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.
As a condition to the indemnification provided for in this
Section 13, if in any case the indemnifying party is asked to indemnify
and hold the indemnified party harmless, the indemnified party shall fully
and promptly advise the indemnifying party of all pertinent facts
concerning the situation in question, and shall use all reasonable care to
identify, and promptly notify the indemnifying party of, any situation
which presents or appears likely to present the probability of such a
claim for indemnification against the indemnifying party. The indemni-
fying party shall be entitled, at its own expense, to participate in the
investigation and to be consulted as to the defense of any such claim, and
in such event, the indemnified party shall keep the indemnifying party
fully and currently informed of all developments relating to such investi-
- 20 -
gation or defense. At any time, the indemnifying party shall be entitled
at its own expense to conduct the defense of any such claim, provided that
the indemnifying party: (a) reasonably demonstrates to the other party
its ability to pay the full amount of potential liability in connection
with such claim and (b) first admits in writing to the other party that
such claim is one in respect of which the indemnifying party is obligated
to indemnify the other party hereunder. Upon satisfaction of the
foregoing conditions, the indemnifying party shall take over complete
defense of the claim, and the indemnified party shall initiate no further
legal or other expenses for which it shall seek indemnification. The
indemnified party shall in no case confess any claim or make any
compromise in any case in which the indemnifying party may be asked to
indemnify the indemnified party, except with the indemnifying party's
prior written consent.
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.
14. EFFECTIVE PERIOD, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall
continue in full force and effect with respect to each Portfolio 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 use of a particular Securities System by such
Portfolio as required 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 2.11 hereof in the absence of receipt of an
initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the
Board of Trustees has approved the initial use of the Direct Paper System
by 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 Trust Instrument, and further provided, that the Fund on
behalf of one or more of the Portfolios may at any time by action of its
Board of Trustees (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the
Custodian by giving notice as described above to the Custodian, or (ii)
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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. Termination of the
Contract with respect to one Portfolio (but less than all of the
Portfolios) will not constitute termination of the Contract, and the terms
of the Contract continue to apply to the other Portfolios.
15. SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN
If a successor custodian for the Fund, of one or more of the
Portfolios 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 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 Contract 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
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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 Portfolios, 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 Trust Instrument 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.
17. ADDITIONAL FUNDS
In the event that the Fund establishes one or more series of Shares
in addition to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Limited Maturity Bond Trust, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ &
▇▇▇▇▇▇ Government Income Trust, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Ultra Short Bond
Trust 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. 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.
19. LIMITATION OF TRUSTEE, OFFICER AND SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY
It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Fund and each
Portfolio hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees,
officers, agents or employees of the Fund or upon the shareholders of any
Portfolio personally, but shall only bind the assets and property of the
Fund, as provided in its Trust Instrument. The execution and delivery of
this Contract have been authorized by the Trustees of the Fund, and this
Contract has been executed and delivered by an authorized officer of the
Fund acting as such; neither such authorization by such Trustees nor such
execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made
by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them
personally, but shall bind only the assets and property of the Fund, as
provided in its Trust Instrument.
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20. NO LIABILITY OF OTHER PORTFOLIOS
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Contract, the parties
agree that the assets and liabilities of each Portfolio are separate and
distinct from the assets and liabilities of each other Portfolio and that
no Portfolio shall be liable or shall be charged for any debt, obligation
or liability of any other Portfolio, whether arising under this Contract
or otherwise.
21. CONFIDENTIALITY
The Custodian agrees that all books, records, information and data
pertaining to the business of the Fund which are exchanged or received
pursuant to the negotiation or carrying out of this Contract shall remain
confidential, shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any other person,
except as may be required by law, and shall not be used by the Custodian
for any purpose not directly related to the business of the Fund, except
with the Fund's written consent.
22. ASSIGNMENT
Neither the Fund nor the Custodian shall have the right to assign
any of its rights or obligations under this Contract without the prior
written consent of the other party.
23. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Contract is held to be unenforceable as a
matter of law, the other terms and provisions hereof shall not be affected
thereby and shall remain in full force and effect.
24. PRIOR CONTRACTS
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all
prior contracts between the Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios, or
any predecessor(s) thereto, and the Custodian relating to the custody of
the Fund's assets.
25. 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
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it authorizes the Custodian to provide the Fund's name, address, and share
position to requesting companies whose securities the Fund owns. If the
Fund tells the Custodian "no", the Custodian will not provide this
information to requesting companies. If the Fund tells the Custodian
"yes" or does not check either "yes" or "no" below, the Custodian is
required by the rule to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure of this
information for all securities owned by the Fund or any funds or accounts
established by the Fund. For the Fund's protection, the Rule prohibits
the requesting company from using the Fund's name and address for any
purpose other than corporate communications. Please indicate below
whether the Fund consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives
below.
YES [ ] The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund's name,
address, and share positions.
NO [X ] 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 representa-
tive and its seal to be hereunder affixed as of the 2nd day of July, 1993.
ATTEST ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ INCOME TRUST
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
------------------------- ----------------------------
CEO
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
/s/ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
------------------------- -------------------------------
Executive Vice President
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