EXHIBIT 8
FORM OF
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT dated as of __________________, 199__ between BANKERS TRUST
COMPANY (the "Custodian") and ISI STRATEGY FUND, INC. (the "Customer").
WHEREAS, the Customer may be organized with one or more series of
shares, each of which shall represent an interest in a separate portfolio of
Securities and Cash (each as hereinafter defined) (all such existing and
additional series now or hereafter listed on Exhibit A being hereafter referred
to individually as a "Portfolio" and collectively, as the "Portfolios"); and
WHEREAS, the Customer desire to appoint the Custodian as custodian on
behalf of the Portfolios under the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, and the Custodian has agreed to so act as custodian.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment of Custodian. The Customer hereby employs the
Custodian as custodian of all assets of each Portfolio which are delivered to
and accepted by the Custodian or any Subcustodian (as that term is defined in
Section 4) (the "Property") pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth
herein. Without limitation, such Property shall include stocks and other equity
interests of every type, evidences of indebtedness, other instruments
representing same or rights or obligations to receive, purchase, deliver or sell
same and other noncash investment property of a Portfolio which is acceptable
for deposit ("Securities") and cash from any source and in any currency
("Cash"). The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of a Portfolio
held or received by the Customer or others and not delivered to the Custodian or
any Subcustodian.
2. Maintenance of Securities and Cash at Custodian and Subcustodian
Locations. Pursuant to Instructions, the Customer shall direct the Custodian to
(a) settle Securities transactions and maintain cash in the country or other
jurisdiction in which the principal trading market for such Securities is
located, where such Securities are to be presented for payment or where such
Securities are acquired and (b) maintain cash and cash equivalents in such
countries in amounts reasonably necessary to effect the Customer's transactions
in such Securities. Instruction to settle Securities transactions in any country
shall be deemed to authorize the holding of such Securities and Cash in that
country.
3. Custody Account. The Custodian agrees to establish and maintain
one or more custody accounts on its books each in the name of a Portfolio (each,
an "Account") for any and all Property from time to time received and accepted
by the Custodian or any Subcustodian for the account of such Portfolio. Upon
delivery by the Customer to the Custodian of any Property belonging to a
Portfolio, the Customer shall, by Instructions (as herein defined in Section
14), specifically indicate which
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Portfolio such Property belongs or if such Property belongs to more than one
Portfolio shall allocate such Property to the appropriate Portfolio. The
Custodian shall allocate such Property to the Accounts in accordance with the
Instructions; provided that the Custodian shall have the right, in its sole
discretion, to refuse to accept any Property that is not in proper form for
deposit for any reason. The Customer on behalf of each Portfolio, acknowledges
its responsibility as a principal for all of its obligations to the Custodian
arising under or in connection with this Agreement warrants its authority to
deposit in the appropriate Account any Property received therefor by the
Custodian or a Subcustodian and to give, and authorize others to give,
instructions relative thereto. The Custodian may deliver securities of the same
class in place of those deposited in the Account.
The Custodian shall hold, keep safe and protect as custodian for each
Account, on behalf of the Customer, all Property in such Account. All
transactions, including, but not limited to, foreign exchange transactions,
involving the Property shall be executed or settled solely in accordance with
Instructions (which shall specifically reference the Account for which such
transaction is being settled), except that until the Custodian receives
Instructions to the contrary, the Custodian will:
(a) collect all interest and dividends and all other income and
payments, whether paid in cash or in kind, on the Property, as
the same become payable and credit the same to the appropriate
Account;
(b) present for payment all Securities held in an Account which
are called, redeemed or otherwise become payable and all coupons
and other income items which call for payment upon presentation
to the extent that the Custodian or Subcustodian is actually
aware of such opportunities and hold the cash received in such
Account pursuant to this Agreement;
(c) (i) exchange Securities where the exchange is purely
ministerial (including, without limitation, the exchange of
temporary securities for those in definitive form and the
exchange of warrants, or other documents of entitlement to
securities, for the Securities themselves) and (ii) when
notification of a tender or exchange offer (other than
ministerial exchanges described in (i) above) is received for an
Account, endeavor to receive Instructions, provided that if such
Instructions are not received in time for the Custodian to take
timely action, no action shall be taken with respect thereto;
(d) whenever notification of a rights entitlement or a fractional
interest resulting from a rights issue, stock dividend or stock
split is received for an Account and such rights entitlement or
fractional interest bears an expiration date, if after
endeavoring to obtain Instructions such Instructions are not
received in time for the Custodian to take timely action or if
actual notice of such actions was received too late to seek
Instructions, sell in the discretion of the Custodian (which
sale the Customer hereby authorizes the Custodian to make) such
rights entitlement or fractional interest and credit the Account
with the net proceeds of such sale:
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(e) execute in the Customer's name for an Account whenever the
Custodian deems it appropriate, such ownership and other
certificates as may be required to obtain the payment of income
from the Property in such Account;
(f) pay for each Account, any and all taxes and levies in the
nature of taxes imposed on interest, dividends or other similar
income on the Property in such Account by any governmental
authority. In the event there is insufficient Cash available in
such Account to pay such taxes and levies, the Custodian shall
notify the Customer of the amount of the shortfall and the
Customer, at its option, may deposit additional Cash in such
Account or take steps to have sufficient Cash available. The
Customer agrees, when and if requested by the Custodian and
required in connection with the payment of any such taxes to
cooperate with the Custodian in furnishing information,
executing documents or otherwise; and
(g) appoint brokers and agents for any of the ministerial
transactions involving the Securities described in (a) - (f),
including, without limitation, affiliates of the Custodian or
any Subcustodian.
4. Subcustodians and Securities Systems. The Customer authorizes
and instructs the Custodian to hold the Property in each Account in custody
accounts which have been established by the Custodian with (a) one of its U.S.
branches or another U.S. bank or trust company or branch thereof located in the
U.S., which is itself qualified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended ("1940 Act"), to act as custodian (individually, a "U.S. Subcustodian"),
or a U.S. securities depository or clearing agency or system in which the
Custodian or a U.S. Subcustodian participates (individually, a "U.S. Securities
System") or (b) one of its non-U.S. branches or majority-owned non-U.S.
subsidiaries, a non-U.S. branch or majority-owned subsidiary of a U.S. bank or a
non-U.S. bank or trust company, acting as custodian (individually, a "non-U.S.
Subcustodian"; U.S. Subcustodians and non-U.S. Subcustodians, collectively,
"Subcustodians"), or a non-U.S. depository or clearing agency or system in which
the Custodian or any Subcustodian participates (individually, a "non-U.S.
Securities System"; U.S. Securities System and non-U.S. Securities System
collectively, Securities System"), provided that in each case in which a U.S.
Subcustodian or U.S. Securities System is employed, each such Subcustodian or
Securities System shall have been approved by Instructions: provided further
that in each case in which a non-U.S. Subcustodian or non-U.S. Securities System
is employed, (a) such Subcustodian or Securities System either is (i) a
"qualified U.S. bank" as defined by Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act ("Rule 17f-5")
or (ii) an "eligible foreign custodian" within the meaning of Rule 17f-5 or such
Subcustodian or Securities System is the subject of an order granted by the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") exempting such agent or the
subcustody arrangements thereto from all or part of the provisions of Rule 17f-5
and (b) the agreement between the Custodian and such non-U.S. Subcustodian has
been approved by Instructions; it being understood that the Custodian shall have
no liability or responsibility for determining whether the approval of any
Subcustodian or Securities System has been proper under the 1940 Act or any rule
or regulation thereunder.
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Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian agrees to cease the
employment of any Subcustodian or Securities System with respect to the
Customer, and if desirable and practicable, appoint a replacement Subcustodian
or securities system in accordance with the provisions of this Section. In
addition, the Custodian may, at any time in its discretion, upon written
notification to the Customer, terminate the employment of any Subcustodian or
Securities System.
Upon request of the Customer, the Custodian shall deliver to the
Customer annually a certificate stating: (a) the identity of each non-U.S.
Subcustodian and non-U.S. Securities System then acting on behalf of the
Custodian and the name and address of the governmental agency or other
regulatory authority that supervises or regulates such non-U.S Subcustodian and
non-U.S. Securities System; (b) the countries in which each non-U.S.
Subcustodian or non-U.S. Securities System is located; and (c) so long as Rule
17f-5 requires the Customer's Board of Trustees to directly approve its foreign
custody arrangements, such other information relating to such non-U.S.
Subcustodians and non-U.S. Securities as may reasonably be requested by the
Customer to ensure compliance with Rule 17f-5. So long as Rule 17f-5 requires
the Customer's Board of Trustees to directly approve its foreign custody
arrangements, the Custodian also shall furnish annually to the Customer
information concerning such non-U.S. Subcustodians and non-U.S. Securities
Systems similar in kind and scope as that furnished to the Customer in
connection with the initial approval of this Agreement. Custodian agrees to
promptly notify the Customer if, in the nominal course of its custodial
activities, the Custodian has reason to believe that any non-U.S. Subcustodian
or non-U.S. Securities System has ceased to be a qualified U.S. bank or an
eligible foreign custodian each within the meaning of Rule 17f-5 or has ceased
to be subject to an exemptive order from the SEC.
5. Use of Subcustodian. With respect to Property in an Account
which is maintained by the Custodian in the custody of a Subcustodian employed
pursuant to Section 4:
(a) The Custodian will identify on its books as belonging to the
Customer on behalf of a Portfolio, any Property held by such
Subcustodian.
(b) Any Property in the Account held by a Subcustodian will be
subject only to the instructions of the Custodian or its agents.
(c) Property deposited with a Subcustodian will be maintained in
an account holding only assets for customers of the Custodian.
(d) Any agreement the Custodian shall enter into with a non-U.S.
Subcustodian with respect to the holding of Property shall
require that (i) the Account will be adequately indemnified or
its losses adequately insured; (ii) the Securities are not
subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim
of any kind in favor of such Subcustodian or its creditors
except a claim for payment in accordance with such agreement
for their safe custody or administration and expenses related
thereto, (iii) beneficial ownership of such Securities be
freely transferable without the payment of money or value
other than for safe custody or administration and expenses
related
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thereto, (iv) adequate records will be maintained identifying
the Property held pursuant to such Agreement as belonging to the
Custodian, on behalf of its customers and (v) to the extent
permitted by applicable law, officers of or auditors employed
by, or other representatives of or designated by, the Custodian,
including the independent public accountants of or designated
by, the Customer be given access to the books and records of
such Subcustodian relating to its actions under its agreement
pertaining to any Property held by it thereunder or confirmation
of or pertinent information contained in such books and records
be furnished to such persons designated by the Custodian.
6. Use of Securities System. With respect to Property in the
Account(s) which are maintained by the Custodian or any Subcustodian in the
custody of a Securities System employed pursuant to Section 4:
(a) The Custodian shall, and the Subcustodian will be required by
its agreement with the Custodian to, identify on its books such
Property as being held for the account of the Custodian or
Subcustodian for its customers.
(b) Any Property held in a Securities System for the account of
the Custodian or a Subcustodian will be subject only to the
instructions of the Custodian or such Subcustodian, as the case
may be.
(c) Property deposited with a Securities System will be maintained
in an account holding only assets for customers of the Custodian
or Subcustodian, as the case may be, unless precluded by
applicable law, rule, or regulation.
(d) The Custodian shall provide the Customer 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.
7. Agents. The Custodian may at any time or times in its sole
discretion appoint (or remove) any other U.S. bank or trust company which is
itself qualified under the 1940 Act to act as custodian, as its agent to carry
out such of the provisions of this Agreement 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.
8. Records, Ownership of Property, Statements, Opinions of
Independent Certified Public Accountants.
(a) The ownership of the Property whether Securities, Cash and/or
other property, and whether held by the Custodian or a
Subcustodian or in a Securities System as authorized herein,
shall be clearly recorded on the Custodian's books as belonging
to the appropriate Account and not for the Custodian's own
interest. The Custodian
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shall keep accurate and detailed accounts of all investments,
receipts, disbursements and other transactions for each Account.
All accounts, books and records of the Custodian relating
thereto shall be open to inspection and audit at all reasonable
times during normal business hours by any person designated by
the Customer. All such accounts shall be maintained and
preserved in the form reasonably requested by the Customer. The
Custodian will supply to the Customer from time to time, as
mutually agreed upon, a statement in respect to any Property in
an Account held by the Custodian or by a Subcustodian. In the
absence of the filing in writing with the Custodian by the
Customer of exceptions or objections to any such statement
within sixty (60) days of the mailing thereof, the Customer
shall be deemed to have approved such statement and in such case
or upon written approval of the Customer of any such statement,
such statement shall be presumed to be for all purposes correct
with respect to all information set forth therein.
(b) The Custodian shall take all reasonable action as the Customer
may request to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from
the Customer's independent certified public accountants with
respect to the Custodian's activities hereunder in connection
with the preparation of the Customer's Form N1-A and the
Customer's Form N-SAR or other periodic reports to the SEC and
with respect to any other requirements of the SEC.
(c) At the request of the Customer, the Custodian shall deliver to
the Customer a written report prepared by the Custodian's
independent certified public accountants with respect to the
services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement,
including, without limitation, the Custodian's accounting
system, internal accounting control and procedures for
safeguarding Cash and Securities, including Cash and Securities
deposited and/or maintained in a securities system or with a
Subcustodian. Such report shall be of sufficient scope and in
sufficient detail as may reasonably be required by the Customer
and as may reasonably be obtained by the Custodian.
(d) The Customer may elect to participate in any of the electronic
on-line service and communications systems offered by the
Custodian which can provide the Customer, on a daily basis, with
the ability to view on-line or to print on hard copy various
reports of Account activity and of Securities and/or Cash being
held in any Account. To the extent that such service shall
include market values of Securities in an Account, the Customer
hereby acknowledges that the Custodian now obtains and may in
the future obtain information on such values from outside
sources that the Custodian considers to be reliable and the
Customer agrees that the Custodian (i) does not verify or
represent or warrant either the reliability of such service nor
the accuracy or completeness of any such information furnished
or obtained by or through such service and (ii) shall be without
liability in selecting and utilizing such service or furnishing
any information derived therefrom.
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9. Holding of Securities, Nominees, etc. Securities in an Account
which are held by the Custodian or any Subcustodian may be held by such entity
in the name of the Customer, on behalf of a Portfolio, in the Custodian's or
Subcustodian's name, in the name of the Custodian's or Subcustodian's nominee,
or in bearer form. Securities that are held by a Subcustodian or which are
eligible for deposit in a Securities System as provided above may be maintained
with the Subcustodian or the Securities System in an account for the Custodian's
or Subcustodian's customers, unless prohibited by law, rule, or regulation. The
Custodian or Subcustodian, as the case may be, may combine certificates
representing Securities held in an Account with certificates of the same issue
held by it as fiduciary or as a custodian. In the event that any Securities in
the name of the Custodian or its nominee or held by a Subcustodian and
registered in the name of such Subcustodian or its nominee are called for
partial redemption by the issuer of such Security, the Custodian may, subject to
the rules or regulations pertaining to allocation of any Securities System in
which such Securities have been deposited, allot, or cause to be allotted, the
called portion of the respective beneficial holders of such class of security in
any manner the Custodian deems to be fair and equitable.
10. Proxies, etc. With respect to any proxies, notices, reports or
other communications relative to any of the Securities in any Account, the
Custodian shall perform such services and only such services relative thereto as
are (i) set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement, (ii) described in Exhibit B
attached hereto (as such service therein described may be in effect from time to
time) (the "Proxy Service") and (iii) as may otherwise be agreed upon between
the Custodian and the Customer. The liability and responsibility of the
Custodian in connection with the Proxy Service referred to in (ii) of the
immediately preceding sentence and in connection with any additional services
which the Custodian and the Customer may agree upon as provided in (iii) of the
immediately preceding sentence shall be as set forth in the description of the
Proxy Service and as may be agreed upon by the Custodian and the Customer in
connection with the furnishing of any such additional service and shall not be
affected by any other term of this Agreement. Neither the Custodian nor its
nominees or agents shall vote upon or in respect of any of the Securities in an
Account, execute any form of proxy to vote thereon, or give any consent or take
any action (except as provided in Section 3) with respect thereto except upon
the receipt of Instructions relative thereto.
11. Segregated Account. To assist the Customer in complying with the
requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, the
Custodian shall, upon receipt of Instructions, establish and maintain a
segregated account or accounts on its books for and on behalf of a Portfolio.
12. Settlement Procedures. Securities will be transferred, exchanged
or delivered by the Custodian or a Subcustodian upon receipt by the Custodian of
Instructions which include all information required by the Custodian.
Settlement and payment for Securities received for an Account and delivery of
Securities out of such Account may be effected in accordance with the customary
or 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
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purchaser or dealer, as such practices and procedures may be modified or
supplemented in accordance with the standard operating procedures of the
Custodian in effect from time to time for that jurisdiction or market. The
Custodian shall not be liable for any loss which results from effecting
transactions in accordance with the customary or established securities trading
or securities processing practices and procedures in the applicable jurisdiction
or market.
Notwithstanding that the Custodian may settle purchases and sales
against, or credit income to, an Account, on a contractual basis, as outlined in
the Global Guide provided to the Customer by the Custodian, the Custodian may,
at its sole option, reverse such credits or debits to the appropriate Account in
the event that the transaction does not settle, or the income is not received in
a timely manner, and the Customer agrees to hold the Custodian harmless from any
losses which may result therefrom.
13. Conditional Credits.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the
Custodian shall not be required to comply with any
Instructions to settle the purchase of any securities for the
Account, unless there are sufficient immediately available
funds in the relevant currency in the Account, provided that
if, after all expenses, debits and withdrawals of Cash in the
relevant currency ("Debits") applicable to the Account have
been made and if after all Conditional Credits, as defined
below, applicable to the Account have been made final entries
as set forth in (c) below, the amount of immediately available
funds of the relevant currency in such Account is at least
equal to the aggregate purchase price of all securities for
which the Custodian has received Instructions to settle on
that date ("Settlement Date"), the Custodian, upon settlement,
shall credit the Securities to the Account by making a final
entry on its books and records.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if after all Debits applicable
to the Account have been made, there remains outstanding any
Conditional Credit (as defined below) applicable to the
Account or the amount of immediately available funds in a
given currency in such Account are less than the aggregate
purchase price in such currency of all securities for which
the Custodian has received Instructions to settle on the
Settlement Date, the Custodian, upon settlement, may credit
the securities to the Account by making a conditional entry on
its books and records ("Conditional Credit"), pending receipt
of sufficient immediately available funds in the relevant
currency in the Account.
(c) If, within a reasonable time from the posting of a Conditional
Credit and after all Debits applicable to the Account have
been made, immediately available funds in the relevant
currency at least equal to the aggregate purchase price in
such currency of all securities subject to a Conditional
Credit on a Settlement Date are deposited into the Account,
the Custodian shall make the Conditional Credit a final entry
on its books and records. In such case, the Customer shall be
liable to the Custodian only for late
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charges at a rate which the Custodian customary charges for
similar extensions of credit.
(d) If, within a reasonable time from the posting of a
Conditional Credit and after all Debits applicable to the
Account have been made, immediately available funds in the
relevant currency at least equal to the aggregate purchase
price in such currency of all securities subject to a
Conditional Credit on a Settlement Date are not deposited into
the Account, the Customer authorizes the Custodian, as agent,
to sell the securities and credit the Account with the
proceeds of such sale. In such case, the Customer shall be
liable to the Custodian for any deficiencies, out-of-pocket
costs and expenses associated with the sale of the securities,
including but not limited to, shortfalls in the sales proceeds
and the Custodian is hereby authorized to sell such other
securities to the extent necessary to satisfy such shortfalls
with the net proceeds of such sales.
(e) The Customer agrees that it will not use the Account to
facilitate the purchase of securities without sufficient funds
in the Account (which funds shall not include the expected
proceeds of the sale of the purchased securities).
14. Permitted Transactions. The Customer agrees that it will
cause transactions to be made pursuant to this Agreement only upon Instructions
in accordance with Section 15 and only for the purposes listed below.
(a) In connection with the purchase or sale of Securities at
prices as confirmed by Instructions.
(b) When Securities are called, redeemed or retired, or otherwise
become payable.
(c) In exchange for or upon conversion into other securities alone
or other securities and cash pursuant to any plan or merger,
consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or
readjustment.
(d) Upon conversion of Securities pursuant to their terms into
other securities.
(e) Upon exercise of subscription, purchase or other similar
rights represented by Securities.
(f) For the payment of interest, taxes, management or
supervisory fees, distributions or operating expenses.
(g) In connection with any borrowings by the Customer requiring a
pledge of Securities, but only against receipt of amounts
borrowed.
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(h) In connection with any loans, but only against receipt of
collateral as specified in Instructions which shall reflect
any restrictions applicable to the Customer.
(i) For the purpose of redeeming shares of the capital stock of
the Customer against delivery of the shares to be redeemed to
the Custodian, a Subcustodian or the Customer's transfer
agent.
(j) For the purpose of redeeming in kind shares of the Customer
against delivery of the shares to be redeemed to the
Custodian, a Subcustodian or the Customer's transfer agent.
(k) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Customer, on behalf of a Portfolio, the
Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and a member of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc., relating to compliance with the
rules of The Options Clearing Corporation, the Commodities
Futures Trading Commission 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 Customer.
(l) For release of Securities to designated brokers under covered
call options, provided, however, that such Securities shall be
released only upon payment to the Custodian of monies for the
premium due and a receipt for the Securities which are to be
held in escrow. Upon exercise of the option, or at expiration,
the Custodian will receive the Securities previously deposited
from broker. The Custodian will act strictly in accordance
with Instructions in the delivery of Securities to be held in
escrow and will have no responsibility or liability for any
such Securities which are not returned promptly when due other
than to make proper request for such return.
(m) For spot or forward foreign exchange transactions to
facilitate security trading or receipt of income from
Securities related transactions.
(n) Upon the termination of this Agreement as set forth in
Section 20.
(o) For other proper purposes.
The Customer agrees that the Custodian shall have no obligation to
verify the purpose for which a transaction is being effected.
15. Instructions. The term "Instructions" means instructions from
the Customer in respect of any of the Custodian's duties hereunder which have
been received by the Custodian at its address set forth in Section 22 below
(i) in writing (including, without limitation, facsimile transmission) or by
tested telex signed or given by such one or more person or persons as the
Customer shall have from time to time authorized in writing to give the
particular class of Instructions in question and whose
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name and (if applicable) signature and office address have been filed with the
Custodian, or (ii) which have been transmitted electronically through an
electronic on-line service and communications system offered by the Custodian or
other electronic instruction system acceptable to the Custodian, or (iii) a
telephonic or oral communication by one or more persons as the Customer shall
have from time to time authorized to give the particular class of Instructions
in question and whose name has been filed with the Custodian; or (iv) upon
receipt of such other form of instructions as the Customer may from time to time
authorize in writing and which the Custodian has agreed in writing to accept.
Instructions in the form of oral communications shall be confirmed by the
Customer by tested telex or writing in the manner set forth in clause (i) above,
but the lack of such confirmation shall in no way affect any action taken by the
Custodian in reliance upon such oral instructions prior to the Custodian's
receipt of such confirmation. Instructions may relate to specific transactions
or to types or classes of transactions, and may be in the form of standing
instructions.
The Custodian shall have the night to assume in the absence of notice
to the contrary from the Customer tha t any person whose name is on file with
the Custodian pursuant to this Section has been authorized by the Customer to
give the Instructions in question and that such authorization has not been
revoked. The Custodian may act upon and conclusively rely on, without any
liability to the Customer or any other person or entity for any losses resulting
therefrom, any Instructions reasonably believed by it to be furnished by the
proper person or persons as provided above.
16. Standard of Care. The Custodian shall be responsible for the
performance of only such duties as are set forth herein or contained in
Instructions given to the Custodian which are not contrary to the provisions of
this Agreement. The Custodian will use reasonable care with respect to the
safekeeping of Property in each Account and, except as otherwise expressly
provided herein, in carrying out its obligations under this Agreement. So long
as and to the extent that it has exercised reasonable care, the Custodian shall
not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of any Property or
other property or evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it
pursuant to this Agreement and shall be held harmless in acting upon, and may
conclusively rely on, without liability for any loss resulting therefrom, any
notice, request consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably believed by
it to be genuine and to be signed or furnished by the proper party or parties,
including, without limitation, Instructions, and shall be indemnified by the
Customer for any losses, damages, costs and expenses (including, without
limitation, the fees and expenses of counsel) incurred by the Custodian and
arising out of action taken or omitted with reasonable care by the Custodian
hereunder or under any Instructions. The Custodian shall be liable to the
Customer for any act or omission to act of any Subcustodian to the same extent
as if the Custodian committed such act itself. With respect to a Securities
System, the Custodian shall only be responsible or liable for losses arising
from employment of such Securities System caused by the Custodian's own failure
to exercise reasonable care. In the event of any loss to the Customer by reason
of the failure of the Custodian or a Subcustodian to utilize reasonable care,
the Custodian shall be liable to the Customer to the extent of the Customer's
actual damages at the time such loss was discovered without reference to any
special conditions or circumstances. In no event shall the Custodian be liable
for any consequential or special damages. The Custodian shall be entitled to
rely, and may act, on advice of counsel (who may be
11
counsel for the Customer) on all matters and shall be without liability for any
action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice.
In the event the Customer subscribes to an electronic on-line service
and communications system offered by the Custodian, the Customer shall be fully
responsible for the security of the Customer's connecting terminal, access
thereto and the proper and authorized use thereof and the initiation and
application of continuing effective safeguards with respect thereto and agree to
defend and indemnify the Custodian and hold the Custodian harmless from and
against any and all losses, damages, costs and expenses (including the fees and
expenses of counsel) incurred by the Custodian as a result of any improper or
unauthorized use of such terminal by the Customer or by any others.
All collections of funds or other property paid or distributed in
respect of Securities in an Account, including funds involved in third-party
foreign exchange transactions, shall be made at the risk of the Customer.
Subject to the exercise of reasonable care, the Custodian shall have no
liability for any loss occasioned by delay in the actual receipt of notice by
the Custodian or by a Subcustodian of any payment, redemption or other
transaction regarding Securities in each Account in respect of which the
Custodian has agreed to take action as provided in Section 3 hereof. The
Custodian shall not be liable for any loss resulting from, or caused by, or
resulting from acts of governmental authorities (whether de jure or de facto),
including, without limitation, nationalization, expropriation, and the
imposition of currency restrictions; devaluations of or fluctuations in the
value of currencies; changes in laws and regulations applicable to the banking
or securities industry; market conditions that prevent the orderly execution of
securities transactions or affect the value of Property; acts of war, terrorism,
insurrection or revolution, strikes or work stoppages; the inability of a local
clearing and settlement system to settle transactions for reasons beyond the
control of the Custodian; hurricane, cyclone, earthquake, volcanic eruption,
nuclear fusion, fission or radioactivity, or other acts of God.
The Custodian shall have no liability in respect of any loss, damage or
expense suffered by the Customer, insofar as such loss, damage or expense arises
from the performance of the Custodian's duties hereunder by reason of the
Custodian's reliance upon records that were maintained for the Customer by
entities other than the Custodian prior to the Custodian's employment under this
Agreement.
The provisions of this Section shall survive termination
of this Agreement.
17. Investment Limitations and Legal or Contractual Restrictions or
Regulations. The Custodian shall not be liable to the Customer and the Customer
agrees to indemnify the Custodian and its nominees, for any loss, damage or
expense suffered or incurred by the Custodian or its nominees arising out of any
violation of any investment restriction or other restriction or limitation
applicable to the Customer or any Portfolio pursuant to any contract or any law
or regulation. The provisions of this Section shall survive termination of this
Agreement.
12
18. Fees and Expenses. The Customer agrees to pay to the Custodian
such compensation for its services pursuant to this Agreement as may be mutually
agreed upon in writing from time to time and the Custodian's reasonable
out-of-pocket or incidental expenses in connection with the performance of this
Agreement, including (but without limitation) legal fees as described herein
and/or deemed necessary in the judgment of the Custodian to keep safe or protect
the Property in the Account. The initial fee schedule is attached hereto as
Exhibit C. The Customer hereby agrees to hold the Custodian harmless from any
liability or loss resulting from any taxes or other governmental charges, and
any expense related thereto, which may be imposed, or assessed with respect to
any Property in an Account and also agrees to hold the Custodian, its
Subcustodians, and their respective nominees harmless from any liability as a
record holder of Property in such Account. The Custodian is authorized to charge
the applicable Account for such items and the Custodian shall have a lien on the
Property in the applicable Account for any amount payable to the Custodian under
this Agreement, including but not limited to amounts payable pursuant to Section
13 and pursuant to indemnities granted by the Customer under this Agreement. The
provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
19. Tax Reclaims. With respect to withholding taxes deducted and
which may be deducted from any income received from any Property in an Account,
the Custodian shall perform such services with respect thereto as are described
in Exhibit D attached hereto and shall in connection therewith be subject to the
standard of care set forth in such Exhibit D. Such standard of care shall not be
affected by any other term of this Agreement.
20. Amendment, Modifications, etc. No provision of this Agreement
may be amended, modified or waived except in a writing signed by the parties
hereto. No waiver of any provision hereto shall be deemed a continuing waiver
unless it is so designated. No failure or delay on the part of either party in
exercising any power or right under this Agreement operates as a waiver, nor
does any single or partial exercise of any power or right preclude any other or
further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power or right.
21. Termination.
(a) Termination of Entire Agreement. This Agreement may be
terminated by the Customer or the Custodian by ninety (90) days'
written notice to the other; provided that notice by the
Customer shall specify the names of the persons to whom the
Custodian shall deliver the Securities in each Account and to
whom the Cash in such Account shall be paid. If notice of
termination is given by the Custodian, the Customer shall,
within ninety (90) days following the giving of such notice,
deliver to the Custodian a written notice specifying the names
of the persons to whom the Custodian shall deliver the
Securities in each Account and to whom the Cash in such Account
shall be paid. In either case, the Custodian will deliver such
Securities and Cash to the persons so specified, after deducting
therefrom any amounts which the Custodian determines to be owed
to it under Sections 13, 18, and 24. In addition, the Custodian
may in its discretion withhold from such delivery such Cash and
Securities as may be necessary
13
to settle transactions pending at the time of such delivery. The
Customer grants to the Custodian a lien and right of setoff
against the Account and all Property held therein from time to
time in the full amount of the foregoing obligations. If within
ninety (90) days following the giving of a notice of termination
by the Custodian, the Custodian does not receive from the
Customer a written notice specifying the names of the persons to
whom the Custodian shall deliver the Securities in each Account
and to whom the Cash in such Account shall be paid, the
Custodian, at its election, may deliver such Securities and pay
such Cash to a bank or trust company doing business in the State
of New York to be held and disposed of pursuant to the
provisions of this Agreement, or may continue to hold such
Securities and Cash until a written notice as aforesaid is
delivered to the Custodian, provided that the Custodian's
obligations shall be limited to safekeeping.
(b) Termination as to One or More Portfolios. This Agreement may be
terminated by the Customer or the Custodian as to one or more
Portfolios (but less than all of the Portfolios) by delivery of
an amended Exhibit A deleting such Portfolios, in which case
termination as to such deleted Portfolios shall take effect
ninety (90) days after the date of such delivery, or such
earlier time as mutually agreed. The execution and delivery of
an amended Exhibit A which deletes one or more Portfolios shall
constitute a termination of this Agreement only with respect to
such deleted Portfolio(s), shall be governed by the preceding
provisions of Section 21 as to the identification of a successor
custodian and the delivery of Cash and Securities of the
Portfolio(s) so deleted to such successor custodian and shall
not affect the obligations of the Custodian and the Customer
hereunder with respect to the other Portfolios set forth in
Exhibit A, as amended from time to time.
22. Notices. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all
requests, demands or other communications between the parties or notices in
connection herewith (a) shall be in writing, hand delivered or sent by
registered mail, telex or facsimile addressed to such other address as shall
have been furnished by the receiving party pursuant to the provisions hereof and
(b) shall be deemed effective when received, or, in the case of a telex, when
sent to the proper number and acknowledged by a proper answerback.
23. Several Obligations of the Portfolios. With respect to any
obligations of the Customer on behalf of each Portfolio and each of its related
Accounts arising out of this Agreement, the Custodian shall look for payment or
satisfaction of any obligation solely to the assets and property of the
Portfolio and such Accounts to which such obligation relates as though the
Customer had separately contracted with the Custodian by separate written
instrument with respect to each Portfolio and its related Accounts.
24. Security for Payment. To secure payment of all obligations due
hereunder, the Customer hereby grants to Custodian a continuing security
interest in and right of setoff against each Account and all Property held
therein from time to time in the full amount of such obligations;
14
provided that, if there is more than one Account and the obligations secured
pursuant to this Section can be allocated to a specific Account or the Portfolio
related to such Account, such security interest and right of setoff will be
limited to Property held for that Account only and its related Portfolio. Should
the Customer fail to pay promptly any amounts owed hereunder, Custodian shall be
entitled to use available Cash in the Account or applicable Account, as the case
may be, and to dispose of Securities in the Account or such applicable Account
as is necessary. In any such case and without limiting the foregoing, Custodian
shall be entitled to take such other action(s) or exercise such other options,
powers and rights as Custodian now or hereafter has as a secured creditor under
the New York Uniform Commercial Code or any other applicable law.
25. Representations and Warranties.
(a) The Customer hereby represents and warrants to the Custodian
that:
(i) the employment of the Custodian and the allocation of
fees, expenses and other charges to any Account as herein provided, is not
prohibited by law or any governing documents or contracts to which the Customer
is subject;
(ii) the terms of this Agreement do not violate any obligation
by which the Customer is bound, whether arising by contract, operation of law
or otherwise;
(iii) this Agreement has been duly authorized by appropriate
action and when executed and delivered will be binding upon the Customer and
each Portfolio in accordance with its terms; and
(iv) the Customer will deliver to the Custodian a duly
executed Secretary's Certificate in the form of Exhibit E hereto or such other
evidence of such authorization as the Custodian may reasonably require, whether
by way of a certified resolution or otherwise.
(b) The Custodian hereby represents and warrants to the Customer
that:
(i) the terms of this Agreement do not violate any obligation
by which the Custodian is bound, whether arising by
contract, operation of law or otherwise;
(ii) this Agreement has been duly authorized by appropriate
action and when executed and delivered will be binding
upon the Custodian in accordance with its terms;
(iii) the Custodian will deliver to the Customer such evidence
of such authorization as the Customer may reasonably
require, whether by way of a certified resolution or
otherwise; and
15
(iv) Custodian is qualified as a custodian under Section 26(a)
of the 1940 Act and warrants that it will remain so
qualified or upon ceasing to be so qualified shall
promptly notify the Customer in writing.
26. Governing Law and Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall
be governed by the law of the State of New York and shall not be assignable by
either party, but shall bind the successors in interest of the Customer and the
Custodian.
27. Publicity. Customer shall furnish to Custodian at its office
referred to in Section 22 above, prior to any distribution thereof, copies of
any material prepared for distribution to any persons who are not parties hereto
that refer in any way to the Custodian. Customer shall not distribute or permit
the distribution of such materials if Custodian reasonably objects in writing
within ten (10) business days of receipt thereof (or such other time as may be
mutually agreed) after receipt thereof. The provisions of this Section shall
survive the termination of this Agreement.
[28. Representative Capacity and Binding Obligation. A copy of the
[Declaration of Trust/Trust Instrument] of the Customer is on file with The
Secretary of the [Commonwealth of Massachusetts/State of Delaware], and notice
is hereby given that this Agreement is not executed on behalf of the Trustees of
the Customer as individuals, and the obligations of this Agreement are not
binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders of the Customer
individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the
Portfolios.]
The Custodian agrees that no shareholder, trustee or officer of the
Customer may be held personally liable or responsible for any obligations of the
Customer arising out of this Agreement.
29. Submission to Jurisdiction. Any suit, action or proceeding
arising out of this Agreement may be instituted in any State or Federal court
sitting in the City of βββ ββββ, βββββ ββ βββ ββββ, ββββββ ββββββ of America,
and the Customer irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any
such court in any such suit, action or proceeding and waives, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the
laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court
and any claim that such suit, action or proceeding was brought in an
inconvenient forum.
30. Confidentiality. The parties hereto agree that each shall treat
confidentially the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all information
provided by each party to the other regarding its business and operations. All
confidential information provided by a party hereto shall be used by any other
party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering services pursuant to this
Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out this Agreement, shall
not be disclosed to any third party without the prior consent of such providing
party. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information that is publicly
available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available other than
through a breach of this Agreement, or that is required or requested to be
disclosed by any bank or other regulatory examiner of the Custodian, Customer,
or any Subcustodian, any auditor of the
16
parties hereto, by judicial or administrative process or otherwise by applicable
law or regulation. The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination
of this Agreement.
31. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is determined
to be invalid or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.
32. Entire Agreement. This Agreement together with any exhibits
attached hereto, contains the entire agreement between the parties relating to
the subject matter hereof and supersedes any oral statements and prior writings
with respect thereto.
33. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs hereof are included for
convenience of reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement.
34. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. This Agreement shall
become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed and delivered by
each of the parties hereto.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused its duly authorized
signatories to execute this Agreement as of the date first written above.
ISI STRATEGY FUND, INC.
By:____________________________________
Name:__________________________________
Title:_________________________________
By:____________________________________
Name:__________________________________
Title:_________________________________
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
By:____________________________________
Name:__________________________________
Title:_________________________________
17
EXHIBIT A
To Custodian Agreement dated as of ______________,199__ between Bankers
Trust Company and ISI Strategy Fund, Inc.
LIST OF PORTFOLIOS
The following is a list of Portfolios referred to in the first WHEREAS
clause of the above-referred to Custodian Agreement. Terms used herein as
defined terms unless otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them
in the above-referred to Custodian Agreement.
ISI STRATEGY FUND, INC.
Dated as of: By:____________________________________
Name:__________________________________
Title:_________________________________
By:____________________________________
Name:__________________________________
Title:_________________________________
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
By:____________________________________
Name:__________________________________
Title:_________________________________
EXHIBIT B
To Custodian Agreement dated as of ________________, 199__ between
Bankers Trust Company and ISI Strategy Fund, Inc.
PROXY SERVICE
The following is a description of the Proxy Service referred to in
Section 10 of the above referred to Custodian Agreement. Terms used herein as
defined terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them therein unless otherwise
defined below.
The Custodian provides a service, described below, for the transmission
of corporate communications in connection with shareholder meetings relating to
Securities held in the countries specified in the Global Guide. For the United
States and Canada, the term "corporate communications" means the proxy
statements or meeting agenda, proxy cards, annual reports and any other meeting
materials received by the Custodian. For countries other then the United States
and Canada, the term "corporate communications" means the meeting agenda only
and does not include any meeting circulars, proxy statements or any other
corporate communications furnished by the issuer in connection with such
meeting. Non-meeting related corporate communications are not included in the
transmission service to be provided by the Custodian except upon request as
provided below.
The Custodian's process for transmitting and translating meeting
agendas will be as follows:
1) If the meeting agenda is not provided by the issuer in the
English language, and if the language of such agenda is in the
official language of the country in which the related security
is held, the Custodian will as soon as practicable after
receipt of the original meeting agenda by a Subcustodian
provide an English translation prepared by that Subcustodian.
2) If an English translation of the meeting agenda is furnished,
the local language agenda will not be furnished unless requested.
Translations will be free translations and neither the Custodian nor
any Subcustodian will be liable or held responsible for the accuracy thereof or
any direct or indirect consequences arising therefrom, including without
limitation arising out of any action taken or omitted to be taken based thereon.
If requested, the Custodian will, on a reasonable efforts basis,
endeavor to obtain any additional corporate communication such as annual or
interim reports, proxy statements, meeting circulars, or local language agendas,
and provide them in the form obtained.
Timing in the voting process is important and, in that regard, upon
receipt by the Custodian of notice from a Subcustodian, the Custodian will
provide a notice to the Customer indicating the deadline for receipt of its
instructions to enable the voting process to take place effectively and
efficiently. As voting procedures will vary from market to market, attention to
any required procedures will be very important. Upon timely receipt of voting
instructions, the Custodian will promptly forward such instructions to the
applicable Subcustodian. If voting instructions are not timely received, the
Custodian shall have no liability or obligation to take any action.
For Securities held in markets other than those set forth in the first
paragraph, the Custodian wall not furnish the material described above or seek
voting instructions. However, if requested to exercise voting rights at a
specific meeting, the Custodian will endeavor to do so on a reasonable efforts
basis without any assurance that such rights will be so exercised at such
meeting.
If the Custodian or any Subcustodian incurs extraordinary expenses in
exercising voting rights related to any Securities pursuant to appropriate
instructions or direction (e.g., by way of illustration only and not by way of
limitation, physical presence is required at a meeting and/or travel expenses
are incurred), such expenses will be reimbursed out of the Account containing
such Securities unless other arrangements have been made for such reimbursement.
It is the intent of the Custodian to expand the Proxy Service to
include jurisdictions which are not currently included as set forth in the
Global Guide. The Custodian will notify the Customer as
to the inclusion of additional countries or deletion of existing countries after
their inclusion or deletion and this Exhibit B will be deemed to be
automatically amended to include or delete such countries as the case may be.
Dated as of ISI STRATEGY FUND, INC.
By:____________________________________
Name:__________________________________
Title:_________________________________
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
By:____________________________________
Name:__________________________________
Title:_________________________________
EXHIBIT C
To Custodian Agreement dated as of _____________, 199__ between Bankers
Trust Company and ISI Strategy Fund, Inc.
CUSTODY FEE SCHEDULE
This Exhibit C shall be amended upon delivery by the Custodian of a new Exhibit
C to the Customer and acceptance thereof by the Customer and shall be effective
as of the date of acceptance by the Customer or a date agreed upon between the
Custodian and the Customer.
EXHIBIT D
To Custodian Agreement dated as of _____________, 199__ between Bankers
Trust Company and ISI Strategy Fund, Inc.
TAX RECLAIMS
Pursuant to Section 18 of the above referred to Custodian Agreement,
the Custodian shall perform the following services with respect to withholding
taxes imposed or which may be imposed on income from Property in any Account.
Terms used herein as defined terms shall unless otherwise defined have the
meanings ascribed to them in the above referred to Custodian Agreement.
When Withholding tax has been deducted with respect to income from any
Property in an Account, the Custodian will actively pursue on a reasonable
efforts basis the reclaim process, provided that the Custodian shall not be
required to institute any legal or administrative proceeding against any
Subcustodian or other person. The Custodian will provide fully detailed
advices/vouchers to support reclaims submitted to the local authorities by the
Custodian or its designee. In all cases of withholding, the Custodian will
provide full details to the Customer. If exemption from withholding at the
source can be obtained in the future, the Custodian will notify the Customer and
advise what documentation, if any, is required to obtain the exemption. Upon
receipt of such documentation from the Customer, the Custodian will file for
exemption on the Customer's behalf and notify the Customer when it has been
obtained.
In connection with providing the foregoing service, the Custodian shall
be entitled to apply categorical treatment of the Customer according to the
Customer's nationality, the particulars of its organization and other relevant
details that shall be supplied by the Customer. It shall be the duty of the
Customer to inform the Custodian of any change in the organization, domicile or
other relevant fact concerning tax treatment of the Customer and further to
inform the Custodian if the Customer is or becomes the beneficiary of any
special ruling or treatment not applicable to the general nationality and
category or entity of which the Customer is a part under general laws and treaty
provisions. The Custodian may rely on any such information provided by the
Customer.
In connection with providing the foregoing service, the Custodian may
also rely on professional tax services published by a major international
accounting firm and/or advice received from a Subcustodian in the jurisdictions
in question. In addition, the Custodian may seek the advice of counsel or other
professional tax advisers in such jurisdictions. The Custodian is entitled to
rely, and may act, on information set forth in such services and on advice
received from a Subcustodian,
counsel or other professional tax advisers and shall be without liability to the
Customer for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to information
contained in such services or such advice.
Dated as of ISI STRATEGY FUND, INC.
By:____________________________________
Name:__________________________________
Title:_________________________________
By:____________________________________
Name:__________________________________
Title:_________________________________
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
By:____________________________________
Name:__________________________________
Title:_________________________________
EXHIBIT E
[Name of Entity]
Certificate of the Secretary
I, [Name of Secretary], hereby certify that I am the Secretary of
ISI Strategy Fund, Inc., an open-end investment company organized under the laws
of the State of Maryland (the "Company"), and as such I am duly authorized to,
and do hereby, certify that:
1. Organizational Documents. The Company's organizational documents,
and all amendments thereto, have been filed with the appropriate governmental
officials of Maryland, the Company continues to be in existence and is in good
standing, and no action has been taken to repeal such organizational documents,
the same being in full force and effect on the date hereof.
2. Bylaws. The Company's Bylaws have been duly adopted and no action
has been taken to repeal such Bylaws, the same being in full force and effect.
3. Resolutions. Resolutions have been duly adopted on behalf of the
Company, which resolutions (i) have not in any way been revoked or rescinded,
(ii) have been in full force and effect since their adoption, to and including
the date hereof, and are now in full force and effect, and (iii) are the only
corporate proceedings of the Company now in force relating to or affecting the
matters referred to therein, including, without limitation, confirming that the
Company is duly authorized to enter into a certain custody agreement with
Bankers Trust Company (the "Agreement"), and that certain designated officers,
including those identified in paragraph 4 of this Certificate, are authorized to
execute said Agreement on behalf of the Company, in conformity with the
requirements of the Company's organizational documents, Bylaws, and other
pertinent documents to which the Company may be bound.
4. Incumbency. The following named individuals are duly elected (or
appointed), qualified, and acting officers of the Company holding those offices
set forth opposite their respective names as of the date hereof, each having
full authority, acting individually, to bind the Company as a legal matter, with
respect to all matters pertaining to the Agreement, and to execute and deliver
said Agreement on behalf of the Company, and the signatures set forth opposite
the respective names and titles of said officers are their true, authentic
signatures:
Name Title Signature
[Name] [Position] _________________________
[Name] [Position] _________________________
[Name] [Position] _________________________
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this _______ day of
[Date], 19__.
By:____________________________________
Name:__________________________________
Title: Secretary
I, [Name of Confirming Officer], [Title] of the Company, hereby certify
that on this ___ day of [Date], 19__, [Name of Secretary] is the duly elected
Secretary of the Company and that the signature above is his genuine signature.
By:____________________________________
Name:__________________________________
Title:_________________________________