CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ EQUITY SERIES
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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1. Employment of Custodian and Property
to be Held By It......................1
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2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to
Property of the Fund Held by the
Custodian in the United States...........2
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2.1 Holding Securities...................2
2.2 Delivery of Securities...............2
2.3 Registration of Securities...........4
2.4 Bank Accounts........................4
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds........4
2.6 Collection of Income.................4
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies...............5
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance
of Receipt of Securities
Purchased................................6
2.9 Appointment of Agents................6
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in
Securities System........................6
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the
Custodian's Direct Paper
System...................................7
2.12 Segregated Account..................8
2.13 Ownership Certificates for
Tax Purposes.............................9
2.14 Proxies.............................9
2.15 Communications Relating to
Portfolio Securities.....................9
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3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect
to Property of the Fund Held Outside
of the United States..................9
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3.1 Appointment of Foreign
Sub-Custodians...........................9
3.2 Assets to be Held...................10
3.3 Foreign Securities
Depositories............................10
3.4 Agreements with Foreign
Banking Institutions....................10
3.5 Access of Independent
Accountants of the Fund.................10
3.6 Reports by Custodian................10
3.7 Transactions in Foreign
Custody Account.........................10
3.8 Liability of Foreign
Sub-Custodians..........................11
3.9 Liability of Custodian..............11
3.10 Reimbursement for Advances.........11
3.11 Monitoring Responsibilities........12
3.12 Branches of U.S. Banks.............13
3.13 Foreign Exchange Transactions......13
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3.13 Tax Law............................13
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4. Payments for Sales or Repurchase or
Redemptions of Shares of the Fund.......14
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5. Proper Instructions..................14
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6. Actions Permitted Without Express
Authority...............................15
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7. Evidence of Authority................15
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8. Duties of Custodian With Respect to
the Books of Account and Calculations
of Net Asset Value and Net Income....15
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9. Records..............................16
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10. Opinion of Fund's Independent
Accountants.............................16
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11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public
Accountants.............................16
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12. Compensation of Custodian...........16
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13. Responsibility of Custodian.........17
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14. Effective Period, Termination and
Amendment...............................17
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15. Successor Custodian.................18
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16. Interpretive and Additional
Provisions..........................19
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17. Additional Funds....................19
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18. Massachusetts Law to Apply..........19
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19. Limitation of Trustee, Officer and
Shareholder Liability ..................19
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20. No Liability of Other Portfolios....20
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21. Confidentiality.....................20
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22. Assignment..........................20
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23. Severability........................20
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24. Prior Contracts.....................20
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25. Shareholder Communications Election.20
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CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Equity Series, 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 one series,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Socially Responsive Assets (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 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
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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;
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
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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 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
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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 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.
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:
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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;
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:
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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 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
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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 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.
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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.
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.
10
(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 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
11
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
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
12
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 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
13
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
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.
14
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 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.
15
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.
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,
16
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 indemnifying 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
investigation 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
17
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) 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
18
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 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 ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Socially Responsive Assets 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.
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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.
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.
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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 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
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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 representative and its
seal to be hereunder affixed as of the 30th day of December, 1998.
ATTEST ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ EQUITY SERIES
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------- --------------------------------
By: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
/s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------- --------------------------------
By: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Executive Vice President
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