Exhibit J
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
This Agreement between THE HYPERION STRATEGIC MORTGAGE INCOME FUND, INC. a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of Maryland (the "Fund"), and
STATE STREET BANK and TRUST COMPANY, a Massachusetts trust company (the
"Custodian"),
WITNESSETH: that in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1. EMPLOYMENT OF CUSTODIAN AND PROPERTY TO BE HELD BY IT
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of its assets, including
securities which the Fund 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"). The Fund agrees to deliver to the Custodian all
securities and cash owned by it, and all payments of income, payments of
principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to all securities
owned by it from time to time, and the cash consideration received by it for
such new or treasury shares of beneficial interest of the Fund ("Shares") as may
be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for
any property of the Fund held or received by the Fund and not delivered to the
Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (as such term is defined in Section 6
hereof), the Custodian shall 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 Directors of the Fund (the "Board"). The Custodian may employ as
sub-custodian for the Fund's foreign securities the foreign banking institutions
and foreign securities depositories designated in Schedules A and B hereto, but
only in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 3 and 4. 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.
SECTION 2. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE
FUND HELD BY THE CUSTODIAN IN THE UNITED STATES
SECTION 2.1 HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall hold and physically
segregate for the account of the Fund all non-cash property, to be held by it in
the United States, including all domestic securities owned by the Fund other
than securities which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.8 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 (each, a "U.S. Securities
System").
SECTION 2.2 DELIVERY OF SECURITIES. The Custodian shall release and
deliver domestic securities owned by the Fund held by the Custodian or in a U.S.
Securities System account of the Custodian only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, 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 Fund and
receipt of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
agreement related to such securities entered into by the Fund;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a U.S. Securities System,
in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for securities of the Fund;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are
called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided
that, in any such case, the cash or other consideration is to be
delivered to the Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name
of the Fund or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the
Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed
pursuant to Section 2.7 or into the name or nominee name of any
sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 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 Fund, to
the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for
examination in accordance with "street delivery" custom; provided
that in any such case, the Custodian shall have no responsibility
or liability for any loss arising from the delivery of such
securities prior to receiving payment for such securities except
as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful
misconduct;
8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment
of the securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant
to provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or
pursuant to any deposit agreement; provided that, in any such
case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to
the Custodian;
9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the
surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or
similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or
temporary securities for definitive securities; provided that, in
any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be
delivered to the Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by
the Fund, but only against receipt of adequate collateral as
agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund,
which may be in the form of cash or obligations issued by the
United States government, its agencies or instrumentalities,
except that in connection with any loans for which collateral is
to be credited to the Custodian's account in the book-entry
system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the
Custodian will not be held liable or responsible for the delivery
of securities owned by the Fund prior to the receipt of such
collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by the
Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, but only
against receipt of amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")
and a member of The National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. ("NASD"), relating to compliance with the rules of The
Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national
securities exchange, or of any similar organization or
organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in
connection with transactions by the Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, the Custodian, and a futures commission merchant
registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to
compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission ("CFTC") and/or any contract market, or any similar
organization or organizations, regarding account deposits in
connection with transactions by the Fund;
14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent for the Fund
(the "Transfer Agent") for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to
the holders of Shares in connection with distributions in kind,
as may be described from time to time in the Fund's currently
effective prospectus and statement of additional information (the
"Prospectus"), in satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares
for repurchase or redemption; and
15) For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions specifying the securities of the Fund to be
delivered and naming the person or persons to whom delivery of
such securities shall be made.
SECTION 2.3 REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES. Domestic securities held by the
Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the
Fund or in the name of any nominee of the Fund or of any nominee of the
Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Fund, unless the
Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in common
with other registered investment companies having the same investment advisor as
the Fund, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to
Section 2.7 or in the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed
pursuant to Section 1. All securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the
Fund under the terms of this Agreement 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.
SECTION 2.4 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall open and maintain a
separate bank account or accounts in the United States in the name of the Fund,
subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement, and shall hold in such account or accounts, subject to the
provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for the account of the Fund,
other than cash maintained by the Fund in a bank account established and used in
accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the "1940 Act"). Monies held by the Custodian for the Fund may be deposited by
it to its credit as Custodian in the banking department of the Custodian or in
such other banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem necessary
or desirable; provided, however, that every such bank or trust company shall be
qualified to act as a custodian under the 1940 Act and that each such bank or
trust company and the monies to be deposited with each such bank or trust
company shall be approved by vote of a majority of the Board. Such monies shall
be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be
withdrawable by the Custodian only in that capacity.
SECTION 2.5 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 the Fund
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 thereof and shall credit
such income, as collected, to the Fund's custodian account. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for payment
all coupons and other income items requiring presentation as and when they
become due and shall collect interest when due on securities held hereunder.
Income due the Fund on securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of Section
2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility of the Fund. The Custodian will have no
duty or responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide the Fund
with such information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund in
arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the income to which the
Fund is properly entitled.
SECTION 2.6 PAYMENT OF FUND MONIES. Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by
the parties, the Custodian shall pay out monies of the Fund in the following
cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of domestic securities, options, futures
contracts or options on futures contracts for the account of the
Fund but only (a) against the delivery of such securities or
evidence of title to such options, futures contracts or options
on 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 1940 Act to act as a custodian and
has been designated by the Custodian as its agent for this
purpose) registered in the name of the Fund or in the name of a
nominee of the Custodian referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in
proper form for transfer; (b) in the case of a purchase effected
through a U.S. Securities System, in accordance with the
conditions set forth in Section 2.8 hereof; (c) in the case of
repurchase agreements entered into between the Fund and the
Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which is a member
of NASD, (i) against delivery of the securities either in
certificate 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 Fund
of securities owned by the Custodian along with written evidence
of the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such securities
from the Fund; or (d) 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 herein;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of
securities owned by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued as set forth in
Section 5 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Fund,
including but not limited to the following payments for the
account of the Fund: interest, taxes, management, accounting,
transfer agent and legal fees, and operating expenses of the Fund
whether or not such expenses are to be in whole or part
capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;
5) For the payment of any dividends on Shares declared pursuant to
the governing documents of the Fund;
6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short; and
7) For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions specifying the amount of such payment and naming the
person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.
SECTION 2.7 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 1940 Act to act as a
custodian, as its agent to carry out such of the provisions of this Section 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.
SECTION 2.8 DEPOSIT OF FUND ASSETS IN U.S. SECURITIES SYSTEMS. The
Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in a U.S.
Securities System subject to the following provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in a U.S.
Securities System provided that such securities are represented
in an account of the Custodian in the U.S. Securities System (the
"U.S. Securities System Account") which account shall not include
any assets of the Custodian other than assets held as a
fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Fund which are maintained in a U.S. Securities System shall
identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account
of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the U.S. Securities
System that such securities have been transferred to the U.S.
Securities System Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for
the account of the Fund. The Custodian shall transfer securities
sold for the account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from
the U.S. Securities System that payment for such securities has
been transferred to the U.S. Securities System Account, and (ii)
the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect
such transfer and payment for the account of the Fund. Copies of
all advices from the U.S. Securities System of transfers of
securities for the account of the Fund shall identify the Fund,
be maintained for the Fund by the Custodian and be provided to
the Fund at its request. Upon request, the Custodian shall
furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer to or from the
account of the Fund in the form of a written advice or notice and
shall furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction sheets
reflecting each day's transactions in the U.S. Securities System
for the account of the Fund;
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by
the Custodian on the U.S. Securities System's accounting system,
internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding
securities deposited in the U.S. Securities System;
5) Anything to the contrary in this Agreement notwithstanding, the
Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to
the Fund resulting from use of the U.S. 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 U.S.
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 U.S. Securities System or any
other person which the Custodian may have as a consequence of any
such loss or damage if and to the extent that the Fund has not
been made whole for any such loss or damage.
SECTION 2.9 SEGREGATED ACCOUNT. The Custodian shall upon receipt of
Proper Instructions establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for
and on behalf of the Fund, into which account or accounts may be transferred
cash and/or securities, including securities maintained in an account by the
Custodian pursuant to Section 2.8 hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions
of any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered
under the Exchange Act and a member of the NASD (or any futures commission
merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance
with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered
national securities exchange (or the CFTC or any registered contract market), or
of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund, (ii) for purposes of
segregating cash or government securities in connection with options purchased,
sold or written by the Fund or commodity futures contracts or options thereon
purchased or sold by the Fund, (iii) for the purposes of compliance by the Fund
with the procedures required by Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any
subsequent release of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"),
or interpretative opinion of the staff of the SEC, relating to the maintenance
of segregated accounts by registered investment companies, and (iv) for any
other purpose upon receipt of Proper Instructions.
SECTION 2.10 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 the Fund held by it and in connection
with transfers of securities.
SECTION 2.11 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 Fund or a nominee of the Fund, all proxies, without indication
of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver
to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices
relating to such securities.
SECTION 2.12 COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO FUND SECURITIES. Subject to the
provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund 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
and the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold by the Fund) received by
the Custodian from issuers of the securities being held for the Fund. With
respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to
the Fund all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the
securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or its agents)
making the tender or exchange offer. If the Fund desires to take action with
respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or any other similar transaction,
the Fund shall notify the Custodian at least three business days prior to the
date on which the Custodian is to take such action.
SECTION 3. PROVISIONS RELATING TO RULES 17F-5 AND 17F-7
SECTION 3.1. DEFINITIONS. As used throughout this Agreement, the
following capitalized terms shall have the indicated meanings:
"Country Risk" means all factors reasonably related to the systemic risk of
holding Foreign Assets in a particular country including, but not limited to,
such country's political environment, economic and financial infrastructure
(including any Eligible Securities Depository operating in the country),
prevailing or developing custody and settlement practices, and laws and
regulations applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Foreign Assets held in
custody in that country.
"Eligible Foreign Custodian" has the meaning set forth in section (a)(1) of Rule
17f-5, including a majority-owned or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. Bank (as
defined in Rule 17f-5), a bank holding company meeting the requirements of an
Eligible Foreign Custodian (as set forth in Rule 17f-5 or by other appropriate
action of the SEC, or a foreign branch of a Bank (as defined in Section 2(a)(5)
of the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇) meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of
the 1940 Act; the term does not include any Eligible Securities Depository.
"Eligible Securities Depository" has the meaning set forth in section (b)(1) of
Rule 17f-7.
"Foreign Assets" means any of the Fund's investments (including foreign
currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States and such
cash and cash equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Fund's
transactions in such investments.
"Foreign Custody Manager" has the meaning set forth in section (a)(3) of Rule
17f-5.
"Rule 17f-5" means Rule 17f-5 promulgated under the 1940 Act.
"Rule 17f-7" means Rule 17f-7 promulgated under the 1940 Act.
SECTION 3.2. THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER.
3.2.1 DELEGATION TO THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER.
The Fund, by resolution adopted by its Board, hereby delegates to the Custodian,
subject to Section (b) of Rule 17f-5, the responsibilities set forth in this
Section 3.2 with respect to Foreign Assets held outside the United States, and
the Custodian hereby accepts such delegation as Foreign Custody Manager of the
Fund.
3.2.2 COUNTRIES COVERED. The Foreign Custody Manager shall be
responsible for performing the delegated responsibilities defined below only
with respect to the countries and custody arrangements for each such country
listed on Schedule A to this Agreement, which list of countries may be amended
from time to time by the Fund with the agreement of the Foreign Custody Manager.
The Foreign Custody Manager shall list on Schedule A the Eligible Foreign
Custodians selected by the Foreign Custody Manager to maintain the Fund's
assets, which list of Eligible Foreign Custodians may be amended from time to
time in the sole discretion of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody
Manager will provide amended versions of Schedule A in accordance with Section
3.2.5 hereof.
Upon the receipt by the Foreign Custody Manager of Proper Instructions to open
an account or to place or maintain Foreign Assets in a country listed on
Schedule A, and the fulfillment by the Fund of the applicable account opening
requirements for such country, the Foreign Custody Manager shall be deemed to
have been delegated by the Board responsibility as Foreign Custody Manager with
respect to that country and to have accepted such delegation. Execution of this
Agreement by the Fund shall be deemed to be a Proper Instruction to open an
account, or to place or maintain Foreign Assets, in each country listed on
Schedule A in which the Custodian has previously placed or currently maintains
Foreign Assets pursuant to the terms of the Agreement. Following the receipt of
Proper Instructions directing the Foreign Custody Manager to close the account
of the Fund with the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody
Manager in a designated country, the delegation by the Board to the Custodian as
Foreign Custody Manager for that country shall be deemed to have been withdrawn
and the Custodian shall immediately cease to be the Foreign Custody Manager of
the Fund with respect to that country.
The Foreign Custody Manager may withdraw its acceptance of delegated
responsibilities with respect to a designated country upon written notice to the
Fund. Thirty days (or such longer period to which the parties agree in writing)
after receipt of any such notice by the Fund, the Custodian shall have no
further responsibility in its capacity as Foreign Custody Manager to the Fund
with respect to the country as to which the Custodian's acceptance of delegation
is withdrawn.
3.2.3 SCOPE OF DELEGATED RESPONSIBILITIES:
(a) SELECTION OF ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS. Subject to the provisions
of this Section 3.2, the Foreign Custody Manager may place and maintain the
Foreign Assets in the care of the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the
Foreign Custody Manager in each country listed on Schedule A, as amended from
time to time. In performing its delegated responsibilities as Foreign Custody
Manager to place or maintain Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian,
the Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the Foreign Assets will be
subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in
the country in which the Foreign Assets will be held by that Eligible Foreign
Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such
assets, including, without limitation the factors specified in Rule 17f-5(c)(1).
(b) CONTRACTS WITH ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS. The Foreign Custody
Manager shall determine that the contract governing the foreign custody
arrangements with each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign
Custody Manager will satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(2).
(c) MONITORING. In each case in which the Foreign Custody Manager
maintains Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the
Foreign Custody Manager, the Foreign Custody Manager shall establish a system to
monitor (i) the appropriateness of maintaining the Foreign Assets with such
Eligible Foreign Custodian and (ii) the contract governing the custody
arrangements established by the Foreign Custody Manager with the Eligible
Foreign Custodian. In the event the Foreign Custody Manager determines that the
custody arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian it has selected are no
longer appropriate, the Foreign Custody Manager shall notify the Board in
accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereunder.
3.2.4 GUIDELINES FOR THE EXERCISE OF DELEGATED AUTHORITY. For
purposes of this Section 3.2, the Board shall be deemed to have considered and
determined to accept such Country Risk as is incurred by placing and maintaining
the Foreign Assets in each country for which the Custodian is serving as Foreign
Custody Manager of the Fund.
3.2.5 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. The Foreign Custody Manager
shall report the withdrawal of the Foreign Assets from an Eligible Foreign
Custodian and the placement of such Foreign Assets with another Eligible Foreign
Custodian by providing to the Board an amended Schedule A at the end of the
calendar quarter in which an amendment to such Schedule has occurred. The
Foreign Custody Manager shall make written reports notifying the Board of any
other material change in the foreign custody arrangements of the Fund described
in this Section 3.2 after the occurrence of the material change.
3.2.6 STANDARD OF CARE AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER OF THE FUND.
In performing the responsibilities delegated to it, the Foreign Custody Manager
agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person
having responsibility for the safekeeping of assets of management investment
companies registered under the 1940 Act would exercise.
3.2.7 REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO RULE 17F-5. The Foreign
Custody Manager represents to the Fund that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in
section (a)(7) of Rule 17f-5. The Fund represents to the Custodian that the
Board has determined that it is reasonable for the Board to rely on the
Custodian to perform the responsibilities delegated pursuant to this Agreement
to the Custodian as the Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund.
3.2.8 EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION OF THE CUSTODIAN AS
FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER. The Board's delegation to the Custodian as Foreign
Custody Manager of the Fund shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall
remain in effect until terminated at any time, without penalty, by written
notice from the terminating party to the non-terminating party. Termination will
become effective thirty (30) days after receipt by the non-terminating party of
such notice. The provisions of Section 3.2.2 hereof shall govern the delegation
to and termination of the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund with
respect to designated countries.
SECTION 3.3 ELIGIBLE SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES.
3.3.1 ANALYSIS AND MONITORING. The Custodian shall (a) provide
the Fund (or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment advisor) with
an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the
Eligible Securities Depositories set forth on Schedule B hereto in accordance
with section (a)(1)(i)(A) of Rule 17f-7, and (b) monitor such risks on a
continuing basis, and promptly notify the Fund (or its duly-authorized
investment manager or investment advisor) of any material change in such risks,
in accordance with section (a)(1)(i)(B) of Rule 17f-7.
3.3.2 STANDARD OF CARE. The Custodian agrees to exercise
reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing the duties set forth in
Section 3.3.1.
SECTION 4. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE
FUND HELD OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES
SECTION 4.1 DEFINITIONS. As used throughout this Agreement, the
following capitalized terms shall have the indicated meanings:
"Foreign Securities System" means an Eligible Securities Depository listed on
Schedule B hereto.
"Foreign Sub-Custodian" means a foreign banking institution serving as an
Eligible Foreign Custodian.
SECTION 4.2. HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall identify on its
books as belonging to the Fund the foreign securities held by each Foreign
Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities System. The Custodian may hold foreign
securities for all of its customers, including the Fund, with any Foreign
Sub-Custodian in an account that is identified as belonging to the Custodian for
the benefit of its customers, provided however, that (i) the records of the
Custodian with respect to foreign securities of the Fund which are maintained in
such account shall identify those securities as belonging to the Fund and (ii),
to the extent permitted and customary in the market in which the account is
maintained, the Custodian shall require that securities so held by the Foreign
Sub-Custodian be held separately from any assets of such Foreign Sub-Custodian
or of other customers of such Foreign Sub-Custodian.
SECTION 4.3. FOREIGN SECURITIES SYSTEMS. Foreign securities shall
be maintained in a Foreign Securities System in a designated country through
arrangements implemented by the Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian, as
applicable, in such country.
SECTION 4.4. TRANSACTIONS IN FOREIGN CUSTODY ACCOUNT.
4.4.1. DELIVERY OF FOREIGN ASSETS. The Custodian or a Foreign
Sub-Custodian shall release and deliver foreign securities of the Fund held by
the Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian, or in a Foreign Securities System
account, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing
instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following
cases:
(i) upon the sale of such foreign securities for the Fund in
accordance with commercially reasonable market practice in the
country where such foreign securities are held or traded,
including, without limitation: (A) delivery against
expectation of receiving later payment; or (B) in the case of
a sale effected through a Foreign Securities System, in
accordance with the rules governing the operation of the
Foreign Securities System;
(ii) in connection with any repurchase agreement related to foreign
securities;
(iii) to the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for foreign securities of the Fund;
(iv) to the issuer thereof or its agent when such foreign
securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become
payable;
(v) to the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the
name of the Custodian (or the name of the respective Foreign
Sub-Custodian or of any nominee of the Custodian or such
Foreign Sub-Custodian) or for exchange for a different number
of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same
aggregate face amount or number of units;
(vi) to brokers, clearing banks or other clearing agents for
examination or trade execution in accordance with market
custom; provided that in any such case the Foreign
Sub-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 Foreign Sub-Custodian's own negligence or willful
misconduct;
(vii) 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;
(viii) in the case of warrants, rights or similar foreign 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;
(ix) for delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by
the Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund;
(x) in connection with trading in options and futures contracts,
including delivery as original margin and variation margin;
(xi) in connection with the lending of foreign securities; and
(xii) for any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions specifying the foreign securities to be delivered
and naming the person or persons to whom delivery of such
securities shall be made.
4.4.2. PAYMENT OF FUND MONIES. Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by
the parties, the Custodian shall pay out, or direct the respective Foreign
Sub-Custodian or the respective Foreign Securities System to pay out, monies of
the Fund in the following cases only:
(i) upon the purchase of foreign securities for the Fund, unless
otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, by (A) delivering
money to the seller thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an
agent for such seller or dealer) against expectation of
receiving later delivery of such foreign securities; or (B) in
the case of a purchase effected through a Foreign Securities
System, in accordance with the rules governing the operation
of such Foreign Securities System;
(ii) in connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender of
foreign securities of the Fund;
(iii) for the payment of any expense or liability of the Fund,
including but not limited to the following payments: interest,
taxes, investment advisory fees, transfer agency fees, fees
under this Agreement, legal fees, accounting fees, and other
operating expenses;
(iv) for the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign
exchange contracts for the Fund, including transactions
executed with or through the Custodian or its Foreign
Sub-Custodians;
(v) in connection with trading in options and futures contracts,
including delivery as original margin and variation margin;
(vi) for payment of part or all of the dividends received in
respect of securities sold short;
(vii) in connection with the borrowing or lending of foreign
securities; and
(viii) for any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions specifying the amount of such payment and naming
the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.
4.4.3. MARKET CONDITIONS. Notwithstanding any provision of
this Agreement to the contrary, settlement and payment for Foreign Assets
received for the account of the Fund and delivery of Foreign Assets maintained
for the account of the Fund may be effected in accordance with the customary
established securities trading or processing practices and procedures in the
country or market in which the transaction occurs, including, without
limitation, delivering Foreign Assets to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer
therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer) with the expectation of
receiving later payment for such Foreign Assets from such purchaser or dealer.
The Custodian shall provide to the Board the information with respect to custody
and settlement practices in countries in which the Custodian employs a Foreign
Sub-Custodian described on Schedule C hereto at the time or times set forth on
such Schedule. The Custodian may revise Schedule C from time to time, provided
that no such revision shall result in the Board being provided with
substantively less information than had been previously provided hereunder.
SECTION 4.5. REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN SECURITIES. The foreign securities
maintained in the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian (other than bearer
securities) shall be registered in the name of the Fund or in the name of the
Custodian or in the name of any Foreign Sub-Custodian or in the name of any
nominee of the foregoing, and the Fund agrees to hold any such nominee harmless
from any liability as a holder of record of such foreign securities. The
Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall not be obligated to accept securities
on behalf of the Fund under the terms of this Agreement unless the form of such
securities and the manner in which they are delivered are in accordance with
reasonable market practice.
SECTION 4.6 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall identify on its books as
belonging to the Fund cash (including cash denominated in foreign currencies)
deposited with the Custodian. Where the Custodian is unable to maintain, or
market practice does not facilitate the maintenance of, cash on the books of the
Custodian, a bank account or bank accounts shall be opened and maintained
outside the United States on behalf of the Fund with a Foreign Sub-Custodian.
All accounts referred to in this Section shall be subject only to draft or order
by the Custodian (or, if applicable, such Foreign Sub-Custodian) acting pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement to hold cash received by or from or for the
account of the Fund. Cash maintained on the books of the Custodian (including
its branches, subsidiaries and affiliates), regardless of currency denomination,
is maintained in bank accounts established under, and subject to the laws of,
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
SECTION 4.7. COLLECTION OF INCOME. The Custodian shall use reasonable
commercial efforts to collect all income and other payments with respect to the
Foreign Assets held hereunder to which the Fund shall be entitled and shall
credit such income, as collected, to the Fund. In the event that extraordinary
measures are required to collect such income, the Fund and the Custodian shall
consult as to such measures and as to the compensation and expenses of the
Custodian relating to such measures.
SECTION 4.8 SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS. With respect to the foreign securities
held pursuant to this Section 4, the Custodian will use reasonable commercial
efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and other shareholder rights,
subject always to the laws, regulations and practical constraints that may exist
in the country where such securities are issued. The Fund acknowledges that
local conditions, including lack of regulation, onerous procedural obligations,
lack of notice and other factors may have the effect of severely limiting the
ability of the Fund to exercise shareholder rights.
SECTION 4.9. COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO FOREIGN SECURITIES. The
Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund written information with respect
to materials received by the Custodian via the Foreign Sub-Custodians from
issuers of the foreign securities being held for the account of the Fund
(including, without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of foreign
securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith). With respect to
tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund
written information with respect to materials so received by the Custodian from
issuers of the foreign securities whose tender or exchange is sought or from the
party (or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer. The Custodian shall
not be liable for any untimely exercise of any tender, exchange or other right
or power in connection with foreign securities or other property of the Fund at
any time held by it unless (i) the Custodian or the respective Foreign
Sub-Custodian is in actual possession of such foreign securities or property and
(ii) the Custodian receives Proper Instructions with regard to the exercise of
any such right or power, and both (i) and (ii) occur at least three business
days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take action to exercise such
right or power.
SECTION 4.10. LIABILITY OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS. Each agreement
pursuant to which the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall, to the
extent possible, require the Foreign Sub-Custodian to exercise reasonable care
in the performance of its duties, and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the
Custodian from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim
arising out of or in connection with the Foreign Sub-Custodian's performance of
such obligations. At the Fund's election, it shall be entitled to be subrogated
to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims against a Foreign
Sub-Custodian 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.
SECTION 4.11 TAX LAW. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or
liability for any obligations now or hereafter imposed on the Fund or the
Custodian as custodian of the Fund by the tax law of the United States or of any
state or political subdivision thereof. It shall be the responsibility of the
Fund to notify the Custodian of the obligations imposed on the Fund or the
Custodian as custodian of the Fund by the tax law of countries other than those
mentioned in the above sentence, including responsibility for withholding and
other taxes, assessments or other governmental charges, certifications and
governmental reporting. The sole responsibility of the Custodian with regard to
such tax law shall be to use reasonable efforts to assist the Fund with respect
to any claim for exemption or refund under the tax law of countries for which
the Fund has provided such information.
SECTION 4.12. LIABILITY OF CUSTODIAN. The Custodian shall be liable for
the acts or omissions of a Foreign Sub-Custodian to the same extent as set forth
with respect to sub-custodians generally in the Agreement and, regardless of
whether assets are maintained in the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian or a
Foreign Securities System, 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 other
loss where the Sub-Custodian has otherwise acted with reasonable care.
SECTION 5. PAYMENTS FOR SALES OR REPURCHASES OR REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES
The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Shares or from the
Transfer Agent and deposit into the Fund's such payments as are received for
Shares thereof issued or sold from time to time by the Fund. The Custodian will
provide timely notification to the Fund and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by
it of payments for Shares of the Fund.
From such funds as may be available for the purpose, 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, 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, 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.
SECTION 6. PROPER INSTRUCTIONS
Proper Instructions, which may also be standing instructions, as used throughout
this Agreement, shall mean instructions received by the Custodian from the Fund,
the Fund's investment manager, or a person or entity duly authorized by either
of them. Such instructions may be in writing signed by the authorized person or
persons or may be in a tested communication or in a communication utilizing
access codes effected between electro-mechanical or electronic devices or may be
by such other means and utilizing such intermediary systems and utilities as may
be agreed to from time to time by the Custodian and the person or entity giving
such instructions, provided that the Fund has followed any security procedures
agreed to from time to time by the Fund and the Custodian, including, but not
limited to, the security procedures selected by the Fund in the form of Funds
Transfer Addendum to this Agreement. 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.
For purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall include instructions
received by the Custodian pursuant to any multi-party agreement which requires a
segregated asset account in accordance with Section 2.10 of this Agreement. The
Fund or the Fund's investment manager shall cause its duly authorized officer to
certify to the Custodian in writing the names and specimen signatures of persons
authorized to give Proper Instructions. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely
upon the identity and authority of such persons until it receives notice from
the Fund to the contrary.
SECTION 7. ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the Fund:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of
handling securities or other similar items relating to its
duties under this Agreement, provided that all such payments
shall be accounted for to the Fund;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
definitive form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks,
drafts and other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in
connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase,
transfer and other dealings with the securities and property
of the Fund except as otherwise directed by the Board.
SECTION 8. 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 copy of a resolution of the Board, certified
by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Fund ("Certified Resolution"),
as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person to act in accordance
with such resolution or (b) of any determination or of any action by the Board
as described in such resolution, and such resolution may be considered as in
full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of written notice to the
contrary.
SECTION 9. DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNT
AND CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND NET INCOME
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the
entity or entities appointed by the Board to keep the books of account of the
Fund and/or compute the net asset value per Share of the outstanding Shares or,
if directed in writing to do so by the Fund, shall itself keep such books of
account and/or compute such net asset value per Share. If so directed, the
Custodian shall also calculate daily the net income of the Fund as described in
the Prospectus and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the
total amounts of such net income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of
the Fund to do so, shall advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the division
of such net income among its various components. The calculations of the net
asset value per Share and the daily income of the Fund shall be made at the time
or times described from time to time in the Prospectus.
SECTION 10. RECORDS
The Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating to its activities
and obligations under this Agreement in such manner as will meet the obligations
of the Fund under the 1940 Act, 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 SEC. The Custodian shall, at
the Fund's request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by the
Fund and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund
and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the
Custodian, include certificate numbers in such tabulations.
SECTION 11. OPINION OF FUND'S INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund may from time to
time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund's
independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in connection
with the preparation of the Fund's Form N-1A, and Form N-SAR or other annual
reports to the SEC and with respect to any other requirements thereof.
SECTION 12. REPORTS TO FUND BY INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may reasonably
require, with reports by independent public accountants on the accounting
system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities,
futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including securities
deposited and/or maintained in a U.S. or a Foreign Securities System
(collectively, a "Securities System"), relating to the services provided by the
Custodian under this Agreement; 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.
SECTION 13. 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.
SECTION 14. 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 Agreement 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 Agreement, 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, including, without
limitation, acting in accordance with any Proper Instruction. 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. The Custodian shall be
without liability to the Fund for any loss, liability, claim or expense
resulting from or caused by anything which is part of Country Risk (as defined
in Section 3 hereof), including without limitation nationalization,
expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of war, revolution, riots or
terrorism.
Except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct or
the negligence or willful misconduct of a sub-custodian or agent, the Custodian
shall be without liability to the Fund for any loss, liability, claim or expense
resulting from or caused by; (i) events or circumstances beyond the reasonable
control of the Custodian or any sub-custodian or Securities System or any agent
or nominee of any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, the
interruption, suspension or restriction of trading on or the closure of any
securities market, power or other mechanical or technological failures or
interruptions, computer viruses or communications disruptions, work stoppages,
natural disasters, or other similar events or acts; (ii) errors by the Fund or
its duly-authorized investment manager or investment advisor in their
instructions to the Custodian provided such instructions have been in accordance
with this Agreement; (iii) the insolvency of or acts or omissions by a
Securities System; (iv) any delay or failure of any broker, agent or
intermediary, central bank or other commercially prevalent payment or clearing
system to deliver to the Custodian's sub-custodian or agent securities purchased
or in the remittance or payment made in connection with securities sold; (v) any
delay or failure of any company, corporation, or other body in charge of
registering or transferring securities in the name of the Custodian, the Fund,
the Custodian's sub-custodians, nominees or agents or any consequential losses
arising out of such delay or failure to transfer such securities including
non-receipt of bonus, dividends and rights and other accretions or benefits;
(vi) delays or inability to perform its duties due to any disorder in market
infrastructure with respect to any particular security or Securities System; and
(vii) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or order of the
United States of America, or any state thereof, or any other country, or
political subdivision thereof or of any court of competent jurisdiction.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a Foreign
Sub-Custodian (as defined in Section 4 hereof) to the same extent as set forth
with respect to sub-custodians generally in this Agreement.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in
the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to
the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some
other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such
action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form
satisfactory to it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or agents, to
advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not limited to
securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement) or in
the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any
taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with
the performance of this Agreement, except such as may arise from its or its
nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct,
any property at any time held for the account of the Fund shall be security
therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian
shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of the Fund's assets
to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
In no event shall the Custodian be liable for indirect, special or consequential
damages.
SECTION 15. EFFECTIVE PERIOD, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
This Agreement shall become effective as of its execution, shall continue in
full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may be amended
at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be terminated by
either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed, postage prepaid to
the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner than sixty (60) days
after the date of such delivery or mailing; provided, however, that the Fund
shall not amend or terminate this Agreement in contravention of any applicable
federal or state regulations, or any provision of the Fund's Articles of
Incorporation, and further provided, that the Fund may at any time by action of
its Board (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the Custodian by
giving notice as described above to the Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate
this Agreement 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 Agreement, the Fund shall pay to the Custodian such
compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall likewise
reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements.
SECTION 16. SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN
If a successor custodian for the Fund shall be appointed by the Board, 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 the Fund then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an
account of the successor custodian all of the securities of the Fund held in a
Securities System.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in like
manner, upon receipt of a Certified Resolution, deliver at the office of the
Custodian and transfer such securities, funds and other properties in accordance
with such resolution.
In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian or
Certified Resolution 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 1940 Act, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, or New York, New York, 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 hereunder and all
instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held
by it under this Agreement on behalf of the Fund, and to transfer to an account
of such successor custodian all of the Fund's securities held in any Securities
System. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the
Custodian under this Agreement.
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 Resolution 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 Agreement relating to the duties
and obligations of the Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 17. INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
In connection with the operation of this Agreement, the Custodian and the Fund
may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in addition to
the provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint opinion be consistent
with the general tenor of this Agreement. 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
Fund's Articles of Incorporation. No interpretive or additional provisions made
as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this
Agreement.
SECTION 18. MASSACHUSETTS LAW TO APPLY
This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under
and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
SECTION 19. PRIOR AGREEMENTS
This Agreement supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior
Agreements between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the custody of the
Fund's assets.
SECTION 20. NOTICES.
Any notice, instruction or other instrument required to be given hereunder may
be delivered in person to the offices of the parties as set forth herein during
normal business hours or delivered prepaid registered mail or by telex, cable or
telecopy to the parties at the following addresses or such other addresses as
may be notified by any party from time to time.
To the Fund: THE HYPERION STRATEGIC MORTGAGE INCOME FUND, INC.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Treasurer
Telephone: ▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
To the Custodian: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
Lafayette Corporate Center
▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇/▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, Vice President
Telephone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: (617) *
Such notice, instruction or other instrument shall be deemed to have been served
in the case of a registered letter at the expiration of five business days after
posting, in the case of cable twenty-four hours after dispatch and, in the case
of telex, immediately on dispatch and if delivered outside normal business hours
it shall be deemed to have been received at the next time after delivery when
normal business hours commence and in the case of cable, telex or telecopy on
the business day after the receipt thereof. Evidence that the notice was
properly addressed, stamped and put into the post shall be conclusive evidence
of posting.
SECTION 21. REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS
This Agreement and all schedules, addenda, exhibits, attachments and amendments
hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm,
micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. The parties hereto
all/each agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the
original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the
original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a
party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or
further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in
evidence.
SECTION 22. REMOTE ACCESS SERVICES ADDENDUM
The Custodian and the Fund agree to be bound by the terms of the Remote Access
Services Addendum attached hereto.
SECTION 23. SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS ELECTION
SEC Rule 14b-2 requires banks which hold securities for the account of customers
to respond to requests by issuers of securities for the names, addresses and
holdings of beneficial owners of securities of that issuer held by the bank
unless the beneficial owner has expressly objected to disclosure of this
information. In order to comply with the rule, the Custodian needs the Fund to
indicate whether it authorizes the Custodian to provide the Fund's name,
address, and share position to requesting companies whose securities the Fund
owns. If the Fund tells the Custodian "no", the Custodian will not provide this
information to requesting companies. If the Fund tells the Custodian "yes" or
does not check either "yes" or "no" below, the Custodian is required by the rule
to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure of this information for all
securities owned by the Fund or any funds or accounts established by the Fund.
For the Fund's protection, the Rule prohibits the requesting company from using
the Fund's name and address for any purpose other than corporate communications.
Please indicate 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.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
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 July 5, 2002.
THE HYPERION STRATEGIC MORTGAGE FUND SIGNATURE ATTESTED TO BY:
INCOME FUND, INC.
By: _________________________ By: ____________________
Name: _________________________ Name: ____________________
Title: _________________________ Title: *[secretary/ass't secretary]
---------------------------
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY SIGNATURE ATTESTED TO BY:
By: ________________________ By: ____________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Executive Vice President Title: Vice President and Counsel
STATE STREET SCHEDULE A
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
SUBCUSTODIANS
Country Subcustodian
Argentina Citibank, N.A.
Australia Westpac Banking Corporation
Austria Erste Bank der Osterreichischen Sparkassen AG
Bahrain HSBC Bank Middle East
(as delegate of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited)
Bangladesh Standard Chartered Bank
Belgium Fortis Bank nv-sa
Benin via Societe Generale de Banques en Cote d'Ivoire,
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Bermuda The Bank of Bermuda Limited
Bolivia Citibank, N. A.
Botswana Barclays Bank of Botswana Limited
Brazil Citibank, N.A.
Bulgaria ING Bank N.V.
Burkina Faso via Societe Generale de Banques en Cote d'Ivoire,
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Canada State Street Trust Company Canada
Cayman Islands Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company (Cayman) Ltd.
Chile BankBoston, N.A.
People's Republic Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited,
of China Shanghai and Shenzhen branches
Colombia Cititrust Colombia S.A. Sociedad Fiduciaria
Costa Rica Banco BCT S.A.
Croatia Privredna Banka Zagreb d.d
Cyprus Cyprus Popular Bank Ltd.
Czech Republic Eeskoslovenska Obchodni Banka, A.S.
Denmark Danske Bank A/S
Ecuador Citibank, N.A.
Egypt HSBC Bank Egypt S.A.E.
(as delegate of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited)
Estonia Hansabank
Finland Nordea Bank Finland Plc.
France BNP Paribas Securities Services, S.A.
Germany Dresdner Bank AG
Ghana Barclays Bank of Ghana Limited
Greece National Bank of Greece S.A.
Guinea-Bissau via Societe Generale de Banques en Cote d'Ivoire,
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Hong Kong Standard Chartered Bank
Hungary HVB Bank Hungary Rt.
Iceland Icebank Ltd.
India Deutsche Bank AG
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
Indonesia Standard Chartered Bank
Ireland Bank of Ireland
Israel Bank Hapoalim B.M.
Italy BNP Paribas Securities Services, S.A.
Ivory Coast Societe Generale de Banques en Cote d'Ivoire
Jamaica Scotiabank Jamaica Trust and Merchant Bank Ltd.
Japan Mizuho Corporate Bank Ltd.
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Jordan HSBC Bank Middle East
(as delegate of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited)
Kazakhstan HSBC Bank Kazakhstan
(as delegate of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited)
Kenya Barclays Bank of Kenya Limited
Republic of Korea Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
Latvia A/s Hansabanka
Lebanon HSBC Bank Middle East
(as delegate of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited)
Lithuania Vilniaus Bankas AB
Malaysia Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad
Mali via Societe Generale de Banques en Cote d'Ivoire,
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Mauritius Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
Mexico Banco Nacional de Mexico S.A.
Morocco Banque Commerciale du Maroc
Namibia Standard Bank Namibia Limited
Netherlands KAS BANK N.V.
New Zealand Westpac Banking Corporation
Niger via Societe Generale de Banques en Cote d'Ivoire,
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Nigeria Stanbic Bank Nigeria Limited
Norway Nordea Bank Norge ASA
Oman HSBC Bank Middle East
(as delegate of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited)
Pakistan Deutsche Bank AG
Palestine HSBC Bank Middle East
(as delegate of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited)
Panama BankBoston, N.A.
Peru Citibank, N.A.
Philippines Standard Chartered Bank
Poland Bank Handlowy w Warszawie S.A.
Portugal Banco Comercial Portugues
Qatar HSBC Bank Middle East
(as delegate of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited)
Romania ING Bank N.V.
Russia ING Bank (Eurasia) ZAO, Moscow
Senegal via Societe Generale de Banques en Cote d'Ivoire,
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Singapore The Development Bank of Singapore Limited
Slovak Republic Eeskoslovenska Obchodni Banka, A.S., pobocka
zahranicnej banky v SR
Slovenia Bank Austria Creditanstalt d.d. - Ljubljana
South Africa Nedcor Bank Limited
Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
Spain Banco Santander Central Hispano S.A.
Sri Lanka Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
Swaziland Standard Bank Swaziland Limited
Sweden Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken
Switzerland UBS AG
Taiwan - R.O.C. Central Trust of China
Thailand Standard Chartered Bank
Togo via Societe Generale de Banques en Cote d'Ivoire,
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Trinidad & Tobago Republic Bank Limited
Tunisia Banque Internationale Arabe de Tunisie
Turkey Citibank, N.A.
Uganda Barclays Bank of Uganda Limited
Ukraine ING Bank Ukraine
United Arab Emirates HSBC Bank Middle East
(as delegate of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited)
United Kingdom State Street Bank and Trust Company, London Branch
Uruguay BankBoston, N.A.
Venezuela Citibank, N.A.
Vietnam The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
Zambia Barclays Bank of Zambia Limited
Zimbabwe Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe Limited
6/30/02
STATE STREET SCHEDULE B
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
DEPOSITORIES OPERATING IN NETWORK MARKETS
Country Depositories
Argentina Caja de Valores S.A.
Australia Austraclear Limited
Austria Oesterreichische Kontrollbank AG
(Wertpapiersammelbank Division)
Bahrain Clearing, Settlement, and Depository
System of the Bahrain Stock Exchange
Belgium Caisse Interprofessionnelle de
Depots et de Virements de Titres,S.A.
Banque Nationale de Belgique
Benin Depositaire Central - Banque de
Reglement
Bermuda Bermuda Securities Depository
Brazil Central de Custodia e de Liquidacao
Financeira de Titulos Privados
(CETIP)
Companhia Brasileira de Liquidacao e
Custodia
Sistema Especial de Liquidacao e de
Custodia (SELIC)
Bulgaria Bulgarian National Bank
Central Depository AD
Burkina Faso Depositaire Central - Banque de
Reglement
Canada Canadian Depository for Securities
Limited
Chile Deposito Central de Valores S.A.
People's Republic China Securities Depository and
of China Clearing Corporation Limited Shanghai
Branch
China Securities Depository and
Clearing Corporation Limited
Shenzhen Branch
Colombia Deposito Central de Valores
Deposito Centralizado de Valores de
Colombia S..A. (DECEVAL)
Costa Rica Central de Valores S.A.
Croatia Ministry of Finance
National Bank of Croatia
Sredisnja Depozitarna Agencija d.d.
Cyprus Central Depository and Central
Registry
Czech Republic Czech National Bank
Stredisko cennych papiru -
Ceska republika
Denmark Vaerdipapircentralen (Danish
Securities Center)
Egypt Misr for Clearing, Settlement, and
Depository S.A.E.
Estonia Eesti Vaartpaberikeskus
Finland Suomen Arvopaperikeskus (Finnish
Central Securities Depository)
France Euroclear France
Germany Clearstream Banking AG, Frankfurt
Greece Apothetirion Titlon AE - Central
Securities Depository
Bank of Greece,
System for Monitoring Transactions
in Securities in Book-Entry Form
Guinea-Bissau Depositaire Central - Banque de
Reglement
Hong ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ Securities Clearing
Company Limited
Hungary Kozponti Elszamolohaz es Ertektar
(Budapest) Rt. (KELER)
Iceland Iceland Securities Depository Limited
India Central Depository Services India
Limited
National Securities Depository
Limited
Reserve Bank of India
Indonesia Bank Indonesia
PT Kustodian Sentral Efek Indonesia
Israel Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Clearing
House Ltd. (TASE Clearinghouse)
Italy Monte Titoli S.p.A.
Ivory Coast Depositaire Central - Banque de
Reglement
Jamaica Jamaica Central Securities Depository
Japan Bank of Japan - Net System
Japan Securities Depository Center
(JASDEC) Incorporated
Kazakhstan Central Depository of Securities
Kenya Central Bank of Kenya
Republic of Korea Korea Securities Depository
Latvia Latvian Central Depository
Lebanon Custodian and Clearing Center of
Financial Instruments for
Lebanon and the Middle East
(Midclear) ▇.▇.▇.
Banque du Liban
Lithuania Central Securities Depository of
Lithuania
Malaysia Malaysian Central Depository Sdn.
Bhd.
Bank Negara Malaysia
Mali Depositaire Central - Banque de
Reglement
Mauritius Central Depository and Settlement Co.
Ltd.
Bank of Mauritius
Mexico S.D. Indeval, S.A. de C.V.
Morocco Maroclear
Netherlands Nederlands Centraal Instituut voor
Giraal Effectenverkeer B.V. (NECIGEF)
New Zealand New Zealand Central Securities
Depository Limited
Niger Depositaire Central - Banque de
Reglement
Nigeria Central Securities Clearing System
Limited
Norway Verdipapirsentralen (Norwegian
Central Securities Depository)
Oman Muscat Depository & Securities
Registration Company, SAOC
Pakistan Central Depository Company of
Pakistan Limited
State Bank of Pakistan
Palestine Clearing Depository and Settlement,
a department of the Palestine Stock
Exchange
Panama Central Latinoamericana de Valores,
S.A. (LatinClear)
Peru Caja de Valores y Liquidaciones,
Institucion de Compensacion y
Liquidacion de Valores S.A
Philippines Philippine Central Depository, Inc.
Registry of Scripless Securities
(▇▇▇▇) of the Bureau of Treasury
Poland Krajowy Depozyt Papierow
Wartosciowych S.A. National
Depository of Securities)
Central Treasury Bills Registrar
Portugal INTERBOLSA - Sociedade Gestora de
Sistemas de Liquidacao e de
Sistemas Centralizados de Valores
Mobiliarios, S.A.
Qatar Central Clearing and Registration
(CCR), a department of the Doha
Securities Market
Romania Bucharest Stock Exchange Registry
Division
National Bank of Romania
National Securities Clearing,
Settlement and Depository Company
Russia Vneshtorgbank, Bank for Foreign Trade
of the Russian Federation
Senegal Depositaire Central - Banque de
Reglement
Singapore Central Depository (Pte) Limited
Monetary Authority of Singapore
Slovak Republic National Bank of Slovakia
Stredisko cennych papierov SR, a.s.
Slovenia KDD - Centralna klirinsko depotna
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇.▇.
South Africa Central Depository Limited
Share Transactions Totally Electronic
(STRATE) Ltd.
Spain Banco de Espana
Servicio de Compensacion y
Liquidacion de Valores, S.A.
Sri Lanka Central Depository System (Pvt)
Limited
Sweden Vardepapperscentralen VPC AB
(Swedish Central Securities Depository)
Switzerland SegaIntersettle AG (SIS)
Taiwan - R.O.C. Taiwan Securities Central Depository
Company Limited
Thailand Bank of Thailand
Thailand Securities Depository
Company Limited
Togo Depositaire Central - Banque de
Reglement
Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago Central Bank
Tunisia Societe Tunisienne Interprofessionelle
pour la Compensation et de Depots des
Valeurs Mobilieres (STICODEVAM)
Turkey Central Bank of Turkey
Takas ve Saklama Bankasi A.S.
(TAKASBANK)
Uganda Bank of Uganda
Ukraine Mizhregionalny Fondovy Souz
National Bank of Ukraine
United Arab Emirates Clearing and Depository System,
a department of theDubai Financial
Market
Venezuela Banco Central de Venezuela
Vietnam Securities Registration, Clearing and
Settlement, Depository Department of
the Securities Trading Center Zambia
Bank of Zambia
▇▇▇▇ Central Shares Depository Limited
TRANSNATIONAL
Euroclear
Clearstream Banking AG
6/30/02
SCHEDULE C
MARKET INFORMATION
Publication/Type of Information Brief Description
(scheduled frequency)
The Guide to Custody in World Markets An overview of settlement and safe-
(hardcopy annually and regular keeping procedures, custody
website updates) practices and foreign investor
considerations for the markets in
which State Street offers custodial
services.
Global Custody Network Review Information relating to Foreign Sub-
----------------------------- Custodians in State Street's
(annually) Global Custody Network. The Review
stands as an integral part of the
materials that State Street provides
to its U.S. mutual fund clients to
assist them in complying with SEC
Rule 17f-5. The Review also gives
insight into State Street's market
expansion and Foreign Sub-Custodian
selection processes, as well as the
procedures and controls used to
monitor the financial condition and
performance of our Foreign Sub-
Custodian banks.
Securities Depository Review Custody risk analyses of the Foreign
-------------------------- Securities Depositories presently
(annually) operating in Network markets. This
publication is an integral part of
the materials that State Street
provides to its U.S. mutual fund
clients to meet informational
obligations created by SEC Rule
17f-7.
Global Legal Survey With respect to each market in which
------------------- State Street offers custodial
annually services, opinions relating to
whether local law restricts
(i) access of a fund's independent
public accountants to books and
records of a Foreign Sub-Custodian
or Foreign Securities System, (ii)
a fund's ability to recover in the
event of bankruptcy or insolvency of
a Foreign Sub-Custodian or Foreign
Securities System, (iii) a fund's
ability to recover in the event of a
loss by a Foreign Sub-Custodian or
Foreign Securities System, and (iv)
the ability of a foreign investor to
convert cash and cash equivalents to
U.S. dollars.
Subcustodian Agreements Copies of the contracts that State
----------------------- Street has entered into with each
(annually) Foreign Sub-Custodian that maintains
U.S. mutual fund assets in the
markets in which State Street offers
custodial services.
Global Market Bulletin Information on changing settlement
---------------------- and custody conditions in markets
(daily or as necessary) where State Street offers custodial
services. Includes changes in market
and tax regulations, depository
developments, dematerialization
information, as well as other market
changes that may impact State
Street's clients.
Foreign Custody Advisories For those markets where State Street
(as necessary) offers custodial services that
exhibit special risks or
infrastructures impacting custody,
State Street issues market
advisories to highlight those unique
market factors which might impact
our ability to offer recognized
custody service levels.
Material Change Notices Informational letters and
(presently on a quarterly accompanying materials confirming
basis or as otherwise necessary) State Street's foreign custody
arrangements, including a basis or
summary of material changes with
Foreign Sub-Custodians that have
occurred during the previous
quarter. The notices also identify
any material changes in the
custodial risks associated with
maintaining assets with Foreign
Securities Depositories.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
FUNDS TRANSFER ADDENDUM
OPERATING GUIDELINES
1. Obligation of the Sender: State Street is authorized to promptly debit
Client's account(s) upon the receipt of a payment order in compliance with the
selected Security Procedure chosen for funds transfer and in the amount of money
that State Street has been instructed to transfer. State Street shall execute
payment orders in compliance with the Security Procedure and with the Client's
instructions on the execution date provided that such payment order is received
by the customary deadline for processing such a request, unless the payment
order specifies a later time. All payment orders and communications received
after this time will be deemed to have been received on the next business day.
2. Security Procedure: The Client acknowledges that the Security Procedure it
has designated on the Selection Form was selected by the Client from Security
Procedures offered by State Street. The Client agrees that the Security
Procedures are reasonable and adequate for its wire transfer transactions and
agrees to be bound by any payment orders, amendments and cancellations, whether
or not authorized, issued in its name and accepted by State Street after being
confirmed by any of the selected Security Procedures. The Client also agrees to
be bound by any other valid and authorized payment order accepted by State
Street. The Client shall restrict access to confidential information relating to
the Security Procedure to authorized persons as communicated in writing to State
Street. The Client must notify State Street immediately if it has reason to
believe unauthorized persons may have obtained access to such information or of
any change in the Client's authorized personnel. State Street shall verify the
authenticity of all instructions according to the Security Procedure.
3. Account Numbers: State Street shall process all payment orders on the basis
of the account number contained in the payment order. In the event of a
discrepancy between any name indicated on the payment order and the account
number, the account number shall take precedence and govern. Financial
institutions that receive payment orders initiated by State Street at the
instruction of the Client may also process payment orders on the basis of
account numbers, regardless of any name included in the payment order. State
Street will also rely on any financial institution identification numbers
included in any payment order, regardless of any financial institution name
included in the payment order.
4. Rejection: State Street reserves the right to decline to process or delay the
processing of a payment order which (a) is in excess of the collected balance in
the account to be charged at the time of State Street's receipt of such payment
order; (b) if initiating such payment order would cause State Street, in State
Street's sole judgment, to exceed any volume, aggregate dollar, network, time,
credit or similar limits upon wire transfers which are applicable to State
Street; or (c) if State Street, in good faith, is unable to satisfy itself that
the transaction has been properly authorized.
5. Cancellation or Amendment: State Street shall use reasonable efforts to act
on all authorized requests to cancel or amend payment orders received in
compliance with the Security Procedure provided that such requests are received
in a timely manner affording State Street reasonable opportunity to act.
However, State Street assumes no liability if the request for amendment or
cancellation cannot be satisfied.
6. Errors: State Street shall assume no responsibility for failure to detect any
erroneous payment order provided that State Street complies with the payment
order instructions as received and State Street complies with the Security
Procedure. The Security Procedure is established for the purpose of
authenticating payment orders only and not for the detection of errors in
payment orders.
7. Interest and Liability Limits: State Street shall assume no responsibility
for lost interest with respect to the refundable amount of any unauthorized
payment order, unless State Street is notified of the unauthorized payment order
within thirty (30) days of notification by State Street of the acceptance of
such payment order. In no event shall State Street be liable for special,
indirect or consequential damages, even if advised of the possibility of such
damages and even for failure to execute a payment order.
8. Automated Clearing House ("ACH") Credit Entries/Provisional Payments: When a
Client initiates or receives ACH credit and debit entries pursuant to these
Guidelines and the rules of the National Automated Clearing House Association
and the New England Clearing House Association, State Street will act as an
Originating Depository Financial Institution and/or Receiving Depository
Institution, as the case may be, with respect to such entries. Credits given by
State Street with respect to an ACH credit entry are provisional until State
Street receives final settlement for such entry from the Federal Reserve Bank.
If State Street does not receive such final settlement, the Client agrees that
State Street shall receive a refund of the amount credited to the Client in
connection with such entry, and the party making payment to the Client via such
entry shall not be deemed to have paid the amount of the entry.
9. Confirmation Statements: Confirmation of State Street's execution of payment
orders shall ordinarily be provided within 24 hours. Notice may be delivered
through State Street's proprietary information systems, such as, but not limited
to Horizon and GlobalQuest(R), account statements, advices, or by facsimile or
callback. The Client must report any objections to the execution of a payment
order within 30 days.
10. Liability on Foreign Accounts: State Street shall not be required to repay
any deposit made at a non-U.S. branch of State Street, or any deposit made with
State Street and denominated in a non-U.S. dollar currency, if repayment of such
deposit or the use of assets denominated in the non-U.S. dollar currency is
prevented, prohibited or otherwise blocked due to: (a) an act of war,
insurrection or civil strife; (b) any action by a non-U.S. government or
instrumentality or authority asserting governmental, military or police power of
any kind, whether such authority be recognized as a defacto or a dejure
government, or by any entity, political or revolutionary movement or otherwise
that usurps, supervenes or otherwise materially impairs the normal operation of
civil authority; or(c) the closure of a non-U.S. branch of State Street in order
to prevent, in the reasonable judgment of State Street, harm to the employees or
property of State Street. The obligation to repay any such deposit shall not be
transferred to and may not be enforced against any other branch of State Street.
The foregoing provisions constitute the disclosure required by Massachusetts
General Laws, Chapter 167D, Section 36.
While State Street is not obligated to repay any deposit made at a non-U.S.
branch or any deposit denominated in a non-U.S. currency during the period in
which its repayment has been prevented, prohibited or otherwise blocked, State
Street will repay such deposit when and if all circumstances preventing,
prohibiting or otherwise blocking repayment cease to exist.
11. MISCELLANEOUS: State Street and the Client agree to cooperate to attempt to
recover any funds erroneously paid to the wrong party or parties, regardless of
any fault of State Street or the Client, but the party responsible for the
erroneous payment shall bear all costs and expenses incurred in trying to effect
such recovery. These Guidelines may not be amended except by a written agreement
signed by the parties.
Security Procedure(s) Selection Form
Please select one or more of the funds transfer security procedures indicated
below.
SWIFT
SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) is a
cooperative society owned and operated by member financial institutions that
provides telecommunication services for its membership. Participation is limited
to securities brokers and dealers, clearing and depository institutions,
recognized exchanges for securities, and investment management institutions.
SWIFT provides a number of security features through encryption and
authentication to protect against unauthorized access, loss or wrong delivery of
messages, transmission errors, loss of confidentiality and fraudulent changes to
messages. SWIFT is considered to be one of the most secure and efficient
networks for the delivery of funds transfer instructions.
Selection of this security procedure would be most appropriate for existing
SWIFT members.
Standing Instructions
Standing Instructions may be used where funds are transferred to a broker on the
Client's established list of brokers with which it engages in foreign exchange
transactions. Only the date, the currency and the currency amount are variable.
In order to establish this procedure, State Street will send to the Client a
list of the brokers that State Street has determined are used by the Client. The
Client will confirm the list in writing, and State Street will verify the
written confirmation by telephone. Standing Instructions will be subject to a
mutually agreed upon limit. If the payment order exceeds the established limit,
the Standing Instruction will be confirmed by telephone prior to execution.
Remote Batch Transmission
Wire transfer instructions are delivered via Computer-to-Computer (CPU-CPU) data
communications between the Client and State Street. Security procedures include
encryption and or the use of a test key by those individuals authorized as
Automated Batch Verifiers. Clients selecting this option should have an existing
facility for completing CPU-CPU transmissions. This delivery mechanism is
typically used for high-volume business.
Global Horizon Interchangesm Funds Transfer Service
Global Horizon Interchange Funds Transfer Service (FTS) is a State Street
proprietary microcomputer-based wire initiation system. FTS enables Clients to
electronically transmit authenticated Fedwire, CHIPS or internal book transfer
instructions to State Street. This delivery mechanism is most appropriate for
Clients with a low-to-medium number of transactions (5-75 per day), allowing
Clients to enter, batch, and review wire transfer instructions on their PC prior
to release to State Street.
Telephone Confirmation (Callback)
Telephone confirmation will be used to verify all non-repetitive funds transfer
instructions received via untested facsimile or phone. This procedure requires
Clients to designate individuals as authorized initiators and authorized
verifiers. State Street will verify that the instruction contains the signature
of an authorized person and prior to execution, will contact someone other than
the originator at the Client's location to authenticate the instruction.
Selection of this alternative is appropriate for Clients who do not have the
capability to use other security procedures.
Repetitive Wires
For situations where funds are transferred periodically (minimum of one
instruction per calendar quarter) from an existing authorized account to the
same payee (destination bank and account number) and only the date and currency
amount are variable, a repetitive wire may be implemented. Repetitive wires will
be subject to a mutually agreed upon limit. If the payment order exceeds the
established limit, the instruction will be confirmed by telephone prior to
execution. Telephone confirmation is used to establish this process. Repetitive
wire instructions must be reconfirmed annually.
This alternative is recommended whenever funds are frequently transferred
between the same two accounts.
Transfers Initiated by Facsimile
The Client faxes wire transfer instructions directly to State Street Mutual Fund
Services. Standard security procedure requires the use of a random number test
key for all transfers. Every six months the Client receives test key logs from
State Street. The test key contains alpha-numeric characters, which the Client
puts on each document faxed to State Street. This procedure ensures all wire
instructions received via fax are authorized by the Client.
We provide this option for Clients who wish to batch wire instructions and
transmit these as a group to State Street Mutual Fund Services once or several
times a day.
Automated Clearing House (ACH)
State Street receives an automated transmission or a magnetic tape from a Client
for the initiation of payment (credit) or collection (debit) transactions
through the ACH network. The transactions contained on each transmission or tape
must be authenticated by the Client. Clients using ACH must select one or more
of the following delivery options:
Global Horizon Interchange Automated Clearing House Service
Transactions are created on a microcomputer, assembled into batches and
delivered to State Street via fully authenticated electronic transmissions in
standard NACHA formats.
Transmission from Client PC to State Street Mainframe with Telephone Callback
Transmission from Client Mainframe to State Street Mainframe with Telephone
Callback
Transmission from DST Systems to State Street Mainframe with Encryption
Magnetic Tape Delivered to State Street with Telephone Callback
State Street is hereby instructed to accept funds transfer instructions only via
the delivery methods and security procedures indicated. The selected delivery
methods and security procedure(s) will be effective ____________ for payment
orders initiated by our organization.
Key Contact Information
Whom shall we contact to implement your selection(s)?
Client operations contact Alternate Contact
Name Name
Address Address
City/State/Zip Code City/State/Zip Code
Telephone Number Telephone Number
Facsimile Number Facsimile Number
SWIFT Number
Telex Number
INSTRUCTION(S)
TELEPHONE CONFIRMATION
Fund The Hyperion Strategic Mortgage Income Fund, Inc.
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Investment Adviser Hyperion Captial Management, Inc.
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Authorized Initiators
Please Type or Print
Please provide a listing of Fund officers or other individuals who are currently
authorized to initiate wire transfer instructions to State Street:
NAME TITLE (Specify whether position SPECIMEN SIGNATURE
is with Fund or Investment
Adviser)
Authorized Verifiers
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Please provide a listing of Fund officers or other individuals who will be
CALLED BACK to verify the initiation of repetitive wires of $10 million or more
and all non-repetitive wire instructions:
NAME CALLBACK PHONE NUMBER DOLLAR
LIMITATION (IF ANY)
REMOTE ACCESS SERVICES ADDENDUM TO CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
ADDENDUM to that certain Custodian Agreement dated as of July 5, 2002
(the "Custodian Agreement") between The Hyperion Strategic Mortgage Income Fund,
Inc. (the "Customer") and State Street Bank and Trust Company, including its
subsidiaries and affiliates ("State Street").
State Street has developed and utilizes proprietary accounting and
other systems in conjunction with the custodian services which State Street
provides to the Customer. In this regard, State Street maintains certain
information in databases under its control and ownership which it makes
available to its customers (the "Remote Access Services").
The Services
State Street agrees to provide the Customer, and its designated investment
advisors, consultants or other third parties authorized by State Street
("Authorized Designees") with access to In~SightSM as described in Exhibit A or
such other systems as may be offered from time to time (the "System") on a
remote basis.
Security Procedures
The Customer agrees to comply, and to cause its Authorized Designees to comply,
with remote access operating standards and procedures and with user
identification or other password control requirements and other security
procedures as may be issued from time to time by State Street for use of the
System and access to the Remote Access Services. The Customer agrees to advise
State Street immediately in the event that it learns or has reason to believe
that any person to whom it has given access to the System or the Remote Access
Services has violated or intends to violate the terms of this Addendum and the
Customer will cooperate with State Street in seeking injunctive or other
equitable relief. The Customer agrees to discontinue use of the System and
Remote Access Services, if requested, for any security reasons cited by State
Street.
Fees
Fees and charges for the use of the System and the Remote Access Services and
related payment terms shall be as set forth in the Custody Fee Schedule in
effect from time to time between the parties (the "Fee Schedule"). The Customer
shall be responsible for any tariffs, duties or taxes imposed or levied by any
government or governmental agency by reason of the transactions contemplated by
this Addendum, including, without limitation, federal, state and local taxes,
use, value added and personal property taxes (other than income, franchise or
similar taxes which may be imposed or assessed against State Street). Any
claimed exemption from such tariffs, duties or taxes shall be supported by
proper documentary evidence delivered to State Street.
Proprietary Information/Injunctive Relief
The System and Remote Access Services described herein and the databases,
computer programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive design
techniques, formulae, processes, systems, software, knowhow, algorithms,
programs, training aids, printed materials, methods, books, records, files,
documentation and other information made available to the Customer by State
Street as part of the Remote Access Services and through the use of the System
and all copyrights, patents, trade secrets and other proprietary rights of State
Street related thereto are the exclusive, valuable and confidential property of
State Street and its relevant licensors (the "Proprietary Information"). The
Customer agrees on behalf of itself and its Authorized Designees to keep the
Proprietary Information confidential and to limit access to its employees and
Authorized Designees (under a similar duty of confidentiality) who require
access to the System for the purposes intended. The foregoing shall not apply to
Proprietary Information in the public domain or required by law to be made
public.
The Customer agrees to use the Remote Access Services only in connection with
the proper purposes of this Addendum. The Customer will not, and will cause its
employees and Authorized Designees not to, (i) permit any third party to use the
System or the Remote Access Services, (ii) sell, rent, license or otherwise use
the System or the Remote Access Services in the operation of a service bureau or
for any purpose other than as expressly authorized under this Addendum, (iii)
use the System or the Remote Access Services for any fund, trust or other
investment vehicle without the prior written consent of State Street, or (iv)
allow or cause any information transmitted from State Street's databases,
including data from third party sources, available through use of the System or
the Remote Access Services, to be published, redistributed or retransmitted for
other than use for or on behalf of the Customer, as State Street's customer.
The Customer agrees that neither it nor its Authorized Designees will modify the
System in any way; enhance or otherwise create derivative works based upon the
System; nor will the Customer or Customer's Authorized Designees reverse
engineer, decompile or otherwise attempt to secure the source code for all or
any part of the System.
The Customer acknowledges that the disclosure of any Proprietary Information, or
of any information which at law or equity ought to remain confidential, will
immediately give rise to continuing irreparable injury to State Street
inadequately compensable in damages at law and that State Street shall be
entitled to obtain immediate injunctive relief against the breach or threatened
breach of any of the foregoing undertakings, in addition to any other legal
remedies which may be available.
Limited Warranties
State Street represents and warrants that it is the owner of and has the right
to grant access to the System and to provide the Remote Access Services
contemplated herein. Because of the nature of computer information technology,
including but not limited to the use of the Internet, and the necessity of
relying upon third party sources, and data and pricing information obtained from
third parties, the System and Remote Access Services are provided "AS IS", and
the Customer and its Authorized Designees shall be solely responsible for the
investment decisions, results obtained, regulatory reports and statements
produced using the Remote Access Services. State Street and its relevant
licensors will not be liable to the Customer or its Authorized Designees for any
direct or indirect, special, incidental, punitive or consequential damages
arising out of or in any way connected with the System or the Remote Access
Services, nor shall either party be responsible for delays or nonperformance
under this Addendum arising out of any cause or event beyond such party's
control.
State Street will take reasonable steps to ensure that its
products (and those of its third-party suppliers) reflect the
available state of the art technology to offer products that
are Year 2000 compliant, including, but not limited to,
century recognition of dates, calculations that correctly
compute same century and multi century formulas and date
values, and interface values that reflect the date issues
arising between now and the next one-hundred years, and if any
changes are required, State Street will make the changes to
its products at no cost to you and in a commercially
reasonable time frame and will require third-party suppliers
to do likewise. The Customer will do likewise for its systems.
EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS ADDENDUM, STATE STREET,
FOR ITSELF AND ITS RELEVANT LICENSORS, EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY
AND ALL WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE SYSTEM AND THE SERVICES TO
BE RENDERED HEREUNDER, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED INCLUDING,
WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Infringement
State Street will defend or, at our option, settle any claim or action brought
against the Customer to the extent that it is based upon an assertion that
access to the System or use of the Remote Access Services by the Customer under
this Addendum constitutes direct infringement of any patent or copyright or
misappropriation of a trade secret, provided that the Customer notifies State
Street promptly in writing of any such claim or proceeding and cooperates with
State Street in the defense of such claim or proceeding. Should the System or
the Remote Access Services or any part thereof become, or in State Street's
opinion be likely to become, the subject of a claim of infringement or the like
under any applicable patent or copyright or trade secret laws, State Street
shall have the right, at State Street's sole option, to (i) procure for the
Customer the right to continue using the System or the Remote Access Services,
(ii) replace or modify the System or the Remote Access Services so that the
System or the Remote Access Services becomes noninfringing, or (iii) terminate
this Addendum without further obligation.
Termination
Either party to the Custodian Agreement may terminate this Addendum (i) for any
reason by giving the other party at least one-hundred and eighty (180) days'
prior written notice in the case of notice of termination by State Street to the
Customer or thirty (30) days' notice in the case of notice from the Customer to
State Street of termination, or (ii) immediately for failure of the other party
to comply with any material term and condition of the Addendum by giving the
other party written notice of termination. This Addendum shall in any event
terminate within ninety (90) days after the termination of the Custodian
Agreement. In the event of termination, the Customer will return to State Street
all copies of documentation and other confidential information in its possession
or in the possession of its Authorized Designees. The foregoing provisions with
respect to confidentiality and infringement will survive termination for a
period of three (3) years.
Miscellaneous
This Addendum and the exhibits hereto constitute the entire understanding of the
parties to the Custodian Agreement with respect to access to the System and the
Remote Access Services. This Addendum cannot be modified or altered except in a
writing duly executed by each of State Street and the Customer and shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
By its execution of the Custodian Agreement, the Customer accepts responsibility
for its and its Authorized Designees' compliance with the terms of this
Addendum.
EXHIBIT A
to
REMOTE ACCESS SERVICES ADDENDUM TO CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
IN~SIGHTSM
System Product Description
In~SightSM provides bilateral information delivery, interoperability, and
on-line access to State Street. In~SightSM allows users a single point of entry
into State Street's diverse systems and applications. Reports and data from
systems such as Investment Policy MonitorSM, Multicurrency HorizonSM, Securities
Lending, Performance & Analytics, and Electronic Trade Delivery can be accessed
through In~SightSM. This Internet-enabled application is designed to run from a
Web browser and perform across low-speed data lines or corporate high-speed
backbones. In~SightSM also offers users a flexible toolset, including an ad-hoc
query function, a custom graphics package, a report designer, and a scheduling
capability. Data and reports offered through In~SightSM will continue to
increase in direct proportion with the customer roll out, as it is viewed as the
information delivery system will grow with State Street's customers.
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
DOMESTIC CUSTODY AND ACCOUNTING FEE SCHEDULE
HYPERION STRATEGIC MORTGAGE INCOME FUND, INC.
I. CUSTODY, PORTFOLIO AND FUND ACCOUNTING
Custody: Maintain custody of fund assets. Settle portfolio purchases and
sales. Report buy and sell fails. Determine and collect portfolio income. Make
cash disbursements and report cash transactions. Monitor corporate actions.
Report portfolio positions.
Portfolio and Fund Accounting: Maintain investment ledgers, provide
selected portfolio transactions, position and income reports. Maintain general
ledger and capital stock accounts. Prepare daily trial balance. Calculate net
asset value. Provide selected general ledger reports. Securities yield or market
value quotations will be provided to State Street via State Street's Automated
Pricing System (see Section V) or by the Fund.
The fee shown below is an annual charge, billed and payable monthly, based
on average monthly net assets.
ANNUAL FEES PER PORTFOLIO
Custody, Portfolio
Fund Net Assets and Fund Accounting
First
Next
Excess
Minimum Monthly Charges
II. PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
State Street Bank Repos
DTC of Fed Book Entry
New York Physical Settlements
Maturity Collections
Per paydown
All Other Trades
III. OPTIONS
Option charge for each option written or closing contract, per issue, per broker
Option expiration or exercised charge, per issue, per broker
IV. HOLDINGS CHARGE
For each issue maintained - monthly charge
V. NAVIGATOR AUTOMATED PRICING
Monthly Base Charge
Monthly Quote Charge:
Municipal Bonds via ▇▇▇▇▇/S & P or ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Data
Corporate, Municipal, Convertible, Government Bonds
and Adjustable Rate Preferred Stocks Via IDSI
Government, Corporate Bonds via ▇▇▇▇▇/S&P or ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Government, Corporate and Convertible
Bonds via ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Foreign Bonds via Extel
Options, Futures and Private Placements
Listed Equities (including International) and OTC Equities
For billing purposes, the monthly quote charge will be based on the average
number of positions in the portfolio at month end.
VI. SPECIAL SERVICES
Fees for activities of a non-recurring nature such as fund consolidations or
reorganizations, extraordinary security shipments and the preparation of special
reports will be subject to negotiation. Fees for SEC yield calculation, fund
administration activities, self directed securities lending transactions, ▇▇▇▇▇▇
financial reporting, multiple class and core/feeder accounting, and other
special items will be negotiated separately.
VII. OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES
A billing for the recovery of applicable out-of-pocket expenses will be
made as of the end of each month. Out-of-pocket expenses include, but are not
limited to the following:
- Telephone - Transfer Fees
- Wire Charges - Sub-custodian Charges
- Postage and Insurance - Price Waterhouse Audit Letter
- Courier Service - Federal Reserve Fee for Return
- Duplicating Check items
- Legal Fees - GNMA Transfer
- Supplies Related to Fund Records - PTC Deposit/Withdrawal for same
- Rush Transfer day turnaround
- Items held in Street name over
record date at the request of traders
VIII. PAYMENT
The-above fees will be charged against the fund's custodian checking
account five (5) days after the invoice is mailed to the fund's offices.
HYPERION STRATEGIC MORTGAGE STATE STREET BANK & TRUST COMPANY
INCOME FUND INC.
By: By:
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Title: Title:
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Date Date:
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