EXHIBIT 8
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
THE GABELLI MONEY MARKET FUNDS
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held By It
l
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund
Held by the Custodian 2
2.1 Holding Securities 2
2.2 Delivery of Securities 3
2.3 Registration of Securities 8
2.4 Bank Accounts 9
2.5 Payments for Shares 10
2.6 Availability of Federal Funds 10
2.7 Collection of Income 10
2.8 Payment of Fund Monies 11
2.9 Liability for Payment in Advance of 14
2.10 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of
the Fund 15
2.11 Appointment of Agents 15
2.12 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities System
16
2.12A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper
System l9
2.13 Segregated Account 21
2.14 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes 22
2.15 Proxies 22
2.16 Communications Relating to Portfolio Securities
23
2.17 Proper Instructions 23
2.18 Actions Permitted Without Express Authority
24
2.19 Evidence of Authority 25
3. Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income 26
4. Records 26
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountants 27
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
27
7. Compensation of Custodian 28
8. Responsibility of Custodian 28
9. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment 30
10. Successor Custodian 31
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions 33
12. Additional Funds 33
13. Massachusetts Law to Apply 34
14 Prior Contracts 34
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between The Gabelli Money Market Funds, a
business trust organized and existing under the laws of Delaware,
having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ hereinafter called the "Fund", and State
Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company,
having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇, hereinafter called the "Custodian",
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Fund is authorized to issue shares in separate
series, with each such series representing interests in a separate
portfolio of securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Fund intends to initially offer shares in one
series, The Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund (such series
together with all other series subsequently established by the
Fund and made subject to this Contract in accordance with
paragraph 12, being herein referred to as the "Portfolio(s)");
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of
the assets of the Portfolios of the Fund pursuant to the
provisions of the Declaration of Trust. The Fund on behalf of the
portfolio(s) agrees to deliver to the Custodian all securities and
cash of the Portfolios, and all payments of income, payments of
principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to
all securities owned by the Portfolio(s) from time to time, and
the cash consideration received by it for such new or treasury
shares of beneficial interest of the Fund representing interests
in the Portfolios, ("Shares") as may be issued or sold from time
to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property
of a Portfolio held or received by the Portfolio and not delivered
to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of
Section 2.17), the Custodian shall on behalf of the applicable
Portfolio(s) from time to time employ one or more sub-custodians,
but only in accordance with an applicable vote by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s), and
provided that the Custodian shall have no more or less
responsibility or liability to the Fund on account of any actions
or omissions of any sub-custodian so employed than any such
sub-custodian has to the Custodian.
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund
Held By the Custodian
2.1 Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically
segregate for the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property,
including all securities owned by such Portfolio, other than (a)
securities which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.12 in a
clearing agency which acts as a securities depository or in a
book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the
Treasury, collectively referred to herein as "Securities System"
and (b) commercial paper of an issuer for which State Street Bank
and Trust Company acts as issuing and paying agent ("Direct
Paper") which is deposited and/or maintained in the Direct Paper
System of the custodian pursuant to Section 2.12A.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and
deliver securities owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian or
in a Securities System account of the Custodian or in the
Custodian's Direct Paper book entry system account ("Direct Paper
System Account") only upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the
Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be
continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties,
and only in the following cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of
the Portfolio and receipt of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with
any repurchase agreement related to such securities entered into
by the Portfolio;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a
Securities System, in accordance with the provisions of Section
2.12 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with
tender or other similar offers for securities of the Portfolio;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such
securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become
payable; provided that, in any such case, the cash or other
consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for
transfer into the name of the Portfolio or into the name of any
nominee or nominees of the Custodian or into the name or nominee
name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.11 or into the
name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to
Article l; or for exchange for a different number of bonds,
certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate
face amount or number of units; provided that, in any such case,
the new securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;
7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account
of the Portfolio, to the broker or its clearing agent, against a
receipt, for examination in accordance with "street delivery"
custom; provided that in any such case, the Custodian shall have
no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the
delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment for such
securities except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence
or willful misconduct;
8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan
of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or
readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such securities,
or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained in such
securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement; provided that,
in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be
delivered to the Custodian;
9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar
securities, the surrender thereof in the exercise of such
warrants, rights or similar securities or the surrender of interim
receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities;
provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if
any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of
securities made by the Portfolio, but only against receipt of
adequate collateral as agreed upon from time to time by the
Custodian and the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, which may be in
the form of cash or obligations issued by the united States
government, its agencies or instrumentalities, except that in
connection with any loans for which collateral is to be credited
to the Custodian's account in the book-entry system authorized by
the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Custodian will not be
held liable or responsible for the delivery of securities owned by
the Portfolio prior to the receipt of such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any
borrowings by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio requiring a
pledge of assets by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, but only
against receipt of amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions
of any agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the
Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and a member of The
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"),
relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing
Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange, or
of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or
other arrangements in connection with transactions by the
Portfolio of the Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions
of any agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the
Custodian, and a Futures Commission Merchant registered under the
Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of
the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any Contract
Market, or any similar organization or organizations, regarding
account deposits in connection with transactions by the Portfolio
of the Fund;
14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer
agent ("Transfer Agent") for the Fund, for delivery to such
Transfer Agent or to the holders of shares in connection with
distributions in kind, as may be described from time to time in
the currently effective prospectus and statement of additional
information of the Fund, related to the Portfolio ("Prospectus"),
in satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or
redemption; and
15) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only
upon receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund
on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Trustees or of the Executive Committee
signed by an officer of the Fund and certified by the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary, specifying the securities of the Portfolio
to be delivered, setting forth the purpose for which such delivery
is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate
purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom delivery of such
securities shall be made.
2.3 Registration of Securities. Securities held by the
Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in
the name of the Portfolio or in the name of any nominee of the
Fund on behalf of the Portfolio or of any nominee of the Custodian
which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Portfolio,
unless the Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of a
nominee to be used in common with other registered investment
companies having the same investment adviser as the Portfolio, or
in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to
Section 2.11 or in the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian
appointed pursuant to Article 1. All securities accepted by the
Custodian on behalf of the Portfolio under the terms of this
Contract shall be in "street name" or other good delivery form.
If, however, the Fund directs the Custodian to maintain securities
in "street name", the Custodian shall utilize its best efforts
only to timely collect income due the Fund on such securities and
to notify the Fund on a best efforts basis only of relevant
corporate actions including, without limitation, pendency of
calls, maturities, tender or exchange offers.
2.4 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a
separate bank account or accounts in the name of each Portfolio of
the Fund, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting
pursuant to the terms of this Contract, and shall hold in such
account or accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all cash
received by it from or for the account of the Portfolio, other
than cash maintained by the Portfolio in a bank account
established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. Funds held by the Custodian for a
Portfolio may be deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in the
Banking Department of the Custodian or in such other banks or
trust companies as it may in its discretion deem necessary or
desirable; provided, however, that every such bank or trust
company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and that each such bank or trust
company and the funds to be deposited with each such bank or trust
company shall on behalf of each applicable Portfolio be approved
by vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Fund. Such
funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as
Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the Custodian only in that
capacity.
2.5 Payments for Shares. The Custodian shall receive from the
distributor for the Shares or from the Transfer Agent of the Fund
and deposit into the account of the appropriate Portfolio such
payments as are received for Shares of that Portfolio issued or
sold from time to time by the Fund. The Custodian will provide
timely notification to the Fund on behalf of each such Portfolio
and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares
of such Portfolio.
2.6 Availability of Federal Funds. Upon mutual agreement
between the Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the
Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper
Instructions from the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio, make federal
funds available to such Portfolio as of specified times agreed
upon from time to time by the Fund and the Custodian in the amount
of checks received in payment for Shares of such Portfolio which
are deposited into the Portfolio's account.
2.7 Collection of Income. Subject to the provisions of Section
2.3, the Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and
other payments with respect to registered securities held
hereunder to which each Portfolio shall be entitled either by law
or Pursuant to custom in the securities business, and shall
collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with
respect to bearer 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 such
Portfolio's custodian account. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for payment
all coupons and other income items requiring presentation as and
when they become due and shall collect interest when due on
securities held hereunder. Income due each Portfolio 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 Portfolio is properly
entitled.
2.8 Payment of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions
from the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be
continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties,
the Custodian shall pay out monies of a Portfolio in the following
cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of securities, options,
futures contracts or options on futures contracts for the account
of the Portfolio but only (a) against the delivery of such
securities or evidence of title to such options, futures contracts
or options on futures contracts to the Custodian (or any bank,
banking firm or trust company doing business in the United States
or abroad which is qualified under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, to act as a custodian and has been designated by
the Custodian as its agent for this purpose) registered in the
name of the Portfolio or in the name of a nominee of the Custodian
referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer;
(b) in the case of a purchase effected through a Securities
System, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section
2.12 hereof; (c) in the case of a purchase involving the Direct
Paper System, in accordance with the conditions set forth in
Section 2.12A; (d) in the case of repurchase agreements entered
into between the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio and the
Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which is a member
of NASD, (i) against delivery of the securities either in
certificate form or through an entry crediting the Custodian's
account at the Federal Reserve Bank with Such securities or (ii)
against delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the
Portfolio of securities owned by the Custodian along with written
evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such
securities from the Portfolio or (e) for transfer to a time
deposit account of the Fund in any bank, whether domestic or
foreign; such transfer may be effected prior to receipt of a
confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable bank pursuant to
Proper Instructions from the Fund as defined in Section 2.17;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or
surrender of securities owned by the Portfolio as set forth in
Section 2.2 hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares
issued by the Portfolio as set forth in Section 2.10 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability
incurred by the Portfolio, including but not limited to the
following payments for the account of the Portfolio: interest,
taxes, management, accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and
operating expenses of the Fund whether or not such expenses are to
be in whole or part capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;
5) For the payment of any dividends on Shares of
the Portfolio declared pursuant to the governing documents of the
Fund;
6) For payment of the amount of dividends received
in respect of securities sold short;
7) For any other proper purpose, but only upon
receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund on
behalf of the Portfolio, a certified copy of a resolution of the
Board of Trustees or of the Executive Committee of the Fund signed
by an officer of the Fund and certified by its Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary, specifying the amount of such payment,
setting forth the purpose for which such payment is to be made,
declaring such purpose to be a proper purpose, and naming the
person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.
2.9 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities
Purchased. Except as specifically stated otherwise in this
Contract, in any and every case where payment for purchase of
securities for the account of a Portfolio is made by the Custodian
in advance of receipt of the securities purchased in the absence
of specific written instructions from the Fund on behalf of such
Portfolio to so pay in advance, the Custodian shall be absolutely
liable to the Fund for such securities to the same extent as if
the securities had been received by the Custodian.
2.10 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the
Fund. From such funds as may be available for the purpose but
subject to the limitations of the Declaration of Trust and any
applicable votes of the Board of Trustees of the Fund pursuant
thereto, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of instructions from
the Transfer Agent, make funds available for payment to holders of
Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for
redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In connection with the
redemption or repurchase of Shares of a Portfolio, the Custodian
is authorized upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent
to wire funds to or through a commercial bank designated by the
redeeming shareholders. In connection with the redemption or
repurchase of Shares of the Fund, the Custodian shall honor checks
drawn on the Custodian by a holder of Shares, which checks have
been furnished by the Fund to the holder of Shares, when presented
to the Custodian in accordance with such procedures and controls
as are mutually agreed upon from time to time between the Fund and
the Custodian.
2.11 Appointment of Agents. The Custodian may at any time or
times in its discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any
other bank or trust company which is itself qualified under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, to act as a custodian,
as its agent to carry out such of the provisions of this Article 2
as the Custodian may from time to time direct; provided, however,
that the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the Custodian
of its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder.
2.12 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems. The Custodian
may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in a
clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, which acts as a securities depository, or in the book-entry
system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and
certain federal agencies, collectively referred to herein as
"Securities System" in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve
Board and Securities and Exchange Commission rules and
regulations, if any, and subject to the following provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of the
Portfolio in a Securities System provided that such securities are
represented in an account ("Account") of the Custodian in the
Securities System which shall not include any assets of the
Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or
otherwise for customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to
securities of the Portfolio which are maintained in a Securities
System shall identify by book-entry those securities belonging to
the Portfolio;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased
for the account of the Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from
the Securities System that such securities have been transferred
to the Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of
the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for the account
of the Portfolio. The Custodian shall transfer securities sold for
the account of the Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the
Securities System that payment for such securities has been
transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for
the account of the Portfolio. Copies of all advices from the
Securities System of transfers of securities for the account of
the Portfolio shall identify the Portfolio, be maintained for the
Portfolio by the Custodian and be provided to the Fund at its
request. Upon request, the Custodian shall furnish the Fund on
behalf of the Portfolio confirmation of each transfer to or from
the account of the Portfolio in the form of a written advice or
notice and shall furnish to the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio
copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's
transactions in the Securities System for the account of the
Portfolio;
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund for the
Portfolio with any report obtained by the Custodian on the
Securities System's accounting system, internal accounting control
and procedures for safeguarding securities deposited in the
Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received from the Fund
on behalf of the Portfolio the initial or annual certificate, as
the case may be, required by Article 9 hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract
notwithstanding, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for the
benefit of the Portfolio for any loss or damage to the Portfolio
resulting from use of the Securities System by reason of any
negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or any of
its agents or of any of its or their employees or from failure of
the Custodian or any such agent to enforce effectively such rights
as it may have against the Securities System; at the election of
the Fund, it shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of
the Custodian with respect to any claim against the Securities
System or any other person which the Custodian may have as a
consequence of any such loss or damage if and to the extent that
the Portfolio has not been made whole for any such loss or damage.
2.12A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System The
Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a
Portfolio in the Direct Paper System of the Custodian subject to
the following provisions:
1) No transaction relating to securities in the
Direct Paper System will be effected in the absence of Proper
Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the
Portfolio in the Direct Paper System only if such securities are
represented in an account ("Account") of the Custodian in the
Direct Paper System which shall not include any assets of the
Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or
otherwise for customers;
3) The records of the Custodian with respect to
securities of the Portfolio which are maintained in the Direct
Paper System shall identify by book-entry those securities
belonging to the Portfolio;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased
for the account of the Portfolio upon the making of an entry on
the records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer
of securities to the account of the Portfolio. The Custodian
shall transfer securities sold for the account of the Portfolio
upon the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to
reflect such transfer and receipt of payment for the account of
the Portfolio;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund on behalf
of the Portfolio confirmation of each transfer to or from the
account of the Portfolio, in the form of a written advice or
notice, of Direct Paper on the next business day following such
transfer and shall furnish to the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio
copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's
transaction in the Securities System for the account of the
Portfolio;
6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund on behalf
of the Portfolio with any report on its system of internal
accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from time to
time.
2.13 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of
Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of each applicable
Portfolio establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts
for and on behalf of each such Portfolio, into which account or
accounts may be transferred cash and/or securities, including
securities maintained in an account by the Custodian pursuant to
Section 2.12 hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian
and a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a member
of the NASD (or any futures commission merchant registered under
the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the rules
of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national
securities exchange (or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
or any registered contract market), or of any similar organization
or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in
connection with transactions by the Portfolio, (ii) for purposes
of segregating cash or government securities in connection with
options purchased, sold or written by the Portfolio or commodity
futures contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by the
Portfolio, (iii) for the purposes of compliance by the Portfolio
with the procedures required by Investment Company Act Release No.
10666, or any subsequent release or releases of the Securities and
Exchange Commission relating to the maintenance of segregated
accounts by registered investment companies and (iv) for other
proper corporate purposes, but only, in the case of clause (iv),
upon receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund
on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Trustees or of the Executive Committee
signed by an officer of the Fund and certified by the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary, setting forth the purpose or purposes of
such segregated account and declaring such purposes to be proper
corporate purposes.
2.14 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. The Custodian
shall execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for
all federal and state tax purposes in connection with receipt of
income or other payments with respect to securities of each
Portfolio held by it and in connection with transfers of
securities.
2.15 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the
securities held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the
registered holder of such securities, if the securities are
registered otherwise than in the name of the Portfolio or a
nominee of the Portfolio, all proxies, without indication of the
manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly
deliver to the Portfolio such proxies, all prosy soliciting
materials and all notices relating to such securities.
2.16 Communications Relating to Portfolio Securities Subject to
the provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit
promptly to the Fund for each Portfolio all written information
(including, without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities
of securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith
and notices of exercise of call and put options written by the
Fund on behalf of the Portfolio and the maturity of futures
contracts purchased or sold by the Portfolio) received by the
Custodian from issuers of the securities being held for the
Portfolio. With respect to tender or exchange offers, the
Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Portfolio all written
information received by the Custodian from issuers of the
securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party
(or his agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If the
Portfolio desires to take action with respect to any tender offer,
exchange offer or any other similar transaction, the Portfolio
shall notify the Custodian at least three business days prior to
the date on which the Custodian is to take such action.
2.17 Proper Instructions. Proper Instructions as used throughout
this Article 2 means a writing signed or initialled by one or more
person or persons as the Board of Trustees shall have from time to
time authorized. Each such writing shall set forth the specific
transaction or type of transaction involved, including a specific
statement of the purpose for which such action is requested. Oral
instructions will be considered Proper Instructions if the
Custodian reasonably believes them to have been given by a person
authorized to give such instructions with respect to the
transaction involved. The Fund shall cause all oral instructions
to be confirmed in writing. Upon receipt of a certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary as to the authorization by the
Board of Trustees of the Fund accompanied by a detailed
description of procedures approved by the Board of Trustees,
Proper Instructions may include communications effected directly
between electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the
Board of Trustees and the Custodian are satisfied that such
procedures afford adequate safeguards for the Portfolios' assets.
For purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall include
instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to any three-party
agreement which requires a segregated asset account in accordance
with Section 2.13.
2.18 Actions Permitted without Express Authority. The Custodian
may in its discretion, without express authority from the Fund on
behalf of each applicable Portfolio:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor
expenses of handling securities or other similar items relating to
its duties under this Contract, provided that all such payments
shall be accounted for to the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for
securities in definitive form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the
Portfolio, checks, drafts and other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary
details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution,
purchase, transfer and other dealings with the securities and
property of the Portfolio except as otherwise directed by the
Board of Trustees of the Fund.
2.19 Evidence of Authority. The Custodian shall be protected in
acting upon any instructions, notice, request, consent,
certificate or other instrument or paper believed by it to be
genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the
Fund. The Custodian may receive and accept a certified copy of a
vote of the Board of Trustees of the Fund as conclusive evidence
(a) of the authority of any person to act in accordance with such
vote or (b) of any determination or of any action by the Board of
Trustees Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust as described in such
vote, and such vote may be considered as in full force and effect
until receipt by the Custodian of written notice to the contrary.
3. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary
information to the entity or entities appointed by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund to keep the books of account of each
Portfolio and/or compute the net asset value per share of the
outstanding shares of each Portfolio or, if directed in writing to
do so by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, shall itself keep
such books of account and/or compute such net asset value per
share. If so directed, the Custodian shall also calculate daily
the net income of the Portfolio as described in the Fund's
currently effective prospectus related to such Portfolio and shall
advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the total amounts
of such net income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of
the Fund to do so, shall advise the Transfer Agent periodically of
the division of such net income among its various components. The
calculations of the net asset value per share and the daily income
of each Portfolio shall be made at the time or times described
from time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus
related to such Portfolio.
4. Records
The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create
and maintain all records relating to its activities and
obligations under this Contract in such manner as will meet the
Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder. All such
records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at all times
during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for
inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the
Fund and employees and agents of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The Custodian shall, at the Fund's request, supply
the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by each Portfolio
and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by
the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between
the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such
tabulations.
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund
on behalf of each applicable Portfolio may from time to time
request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the
Fund's independent accountants with respect to its activities
hereunder in connection with the preparation of the Fund's Form
N-lA, and Form N-SAR or other annual reports to the Securities and
Exchange Commission and with respect to any other requirements of
such Commission.
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, on behalf of each of
the Portfolios at such times as the Fund may reasonably require,
with reports by independent public accountants on the accounting
system, internal accounting control and procedures for
safeguarding securities, futures contracts and options on futures
contracts, including securities deposited and/or maintained in a
Securities System, relating to the services provided by the
Custodian under this Contract; such reports, shall be of
sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably be
required by the Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any
material inadequacies would be disclosed by such examination, and,
if there are no such inadequacies, the reports shall so state.
7. Compensation of Custodian
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation
for its services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from
time to time between the Fund on behalf of each applicable
Portfolio and the Custodian.
8. Responsibility of Custodian
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of
reasonable care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the
title, validity or genuineness of any property or evidence of
title thereto received by it or delivered by it pursuant to this
Contract and shall be held harmless in acting upon any notice,
request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably
believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper party
or parties, including any futures commission merchant acting
pursuant to the terms of a three-party futures or options
agreement. The Custodian shall be held to the exercise of
reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this Contract,
but shall be kept indemnified by and shall be without liability to
the Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith
without negligence. It shall be entitled to rely on and may act
upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all
matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably
taken or omitted pursuant to such advice.
If the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requires the Custodian
to take any action with respect to securities, which action
involves the payment of money or which action may, in the opinion
of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned
to the Fund or the Portfolio being liable for the payment of money
or incurring liability of some other form, the Fund on behalf of
the Portfolio, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to
take such action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an
amount and form satisfactory to it.
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 assumes settlement) for the benefit
of a Portfolio or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee
shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses,
assessments, claims or liabilities-in connection with the
performance of this Contract, except such as may arise from its or
its nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to act or
willful misconduct, any property at any time held for the account
of the applicable Portfolio 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 such
Portfolio's assets to the extent necessary to obtain
reimbursement.
9. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution,
shall continue in full force and effect until terminated as
hereinafter provided, may be amended at any time by mutual
agreement of the parties hereto and may be terminated by either
party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed, postage
prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect not
sooner than thirty (30) days after the date of such delivery or
mailing; provided, however that the Custodian shall not with
respect to a Portfolio act under Section 2.12 hereof in the
absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees of the Fund has
approved the initial use of a particular Securities System by such
Portfolio and the receipt of an annual certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees has
reviewed the use by such Portfolio of such Securities System, as
required in each case by Rule 17f-4 under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended and that the Custodian shall not with
respect to a Portfolio act under Section 2.12A hereof in the
absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees has approved the
initial use of the Direct Paper System by such Portfolio and the
receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary that the Board of Trustees has reviewed the use by such
Portfolio of the Direct Paper System; provided further, however,
that the Fund shall not amend or terminate this Contract in
contravention of any applicable federal or state regulations, or
any provision of the Declaration of Trust, and further provided,
that the Fund on behalf of one or more of the Portfolios may at
any time by action of its Board of Trustees (i) substitute another
bank or trust company for the Custodian by giving notice as
described above to the Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate
this Contract in the event of the appointment of a conservator or
receiver for the Custodian by the Comptroller of the Currency or
upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an
appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction.
Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund on behalf of each
applicable Portfolio shall pay to the Custodian such compensation
as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall
likewise reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and
disbursements.
10. Successor Custodian
If a successor custodian for the Fund, of one or more of the
Portfolios shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees of the
Fund, the Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to such
successor custodian at the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed
and in the form for transfer, all securities of each applicable
Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an
account of the successor custodian all of the securities of each
such Portfolio held in a Securities System.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the
Custodian shall, in like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy
of a vote of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, deliver at the
office of the Custodian and transfer such securities, funds and
other properties in accordance with such vote.
In the event that no written order designating a successor
custodian or certified copy of a vote of the Board of Trustees
shall have been delivered to the Custodian on or before the date
when such termination shall become effective, then the Custodian
shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which
is a "bank" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940,
doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, of its own selection,
having. an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as
shown by its last published report, of not less than $25,000,000,
all securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian
on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and all instruments held by
the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held by it
under this Contract on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and to
transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the
securities of each such Portfolio held in any Securities System.
Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of
the Custodian under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties
remain in the possession of the Custodian after the date of
termination hereof owing to failure of the Fund to procure the
certified copy of the vote referred to or of the Board of Trustees
to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian shall be entitled
to fair compensation for its services during such period as the
Custodian retains Possession of such securities, funds and other
properties and the provisions of this Contract relating to the
duties and obligations of the Custodian shall remain in full force
and effect.
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the
Custodian and the Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios, may
from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in
addition to the provisions of this Contract as may in their joint
opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Contract. Any
such interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a writing
signed by both parties and shall be annexed hereto, provided that
no such interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any
applicable federal or state regulations or any provision of the
Declaration of Trust of the Fund. No interpretive or additional
provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be
deemed to be an amendment of this Contract.
12. Additional Funds
In the event that the Fund establishes one or more series of
Shares in addition to The Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund
with respect to which it desires to have the Custodian render
services as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so notify
the Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing
to provide such services, such series of Shares shall become a
Portfolio hereunder.
13. Massachusetts Law to Apply
This Contract shall be construed and the provisions thereof
interpreted under and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth
of Massachusetts.
14. Prior Contracts
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date
hereof, all prior contracts between the Fund on behalf of each of
the Portfolios and the Custodian relating to the custody of the
Fund's assets.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this
instrument to be executed in its name and behalf by its duly
authorized representative and its seal to be hereunder affixed as
of the 18th day of August, 1992.
ATTEST THE GABELLI MONEY MARKET FUNDS
By /s/ Illigible
Illigible
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY
By /s/ Illigible
Illigible
/s/ Illigible /s/ Illigible
Illigible Illigible
Assistant Secretary Senior Vice President
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
Custodian Fee Schedule
The Gabelli Money Market Fund
I. Administration
Custody Service - 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.
The administration fee shown below is an annual charge, billed and
payable monthly, based on average monthly net assets.
ANNUAL FEES PER PORTFOLIO
Fund Net Assets Custody
First $20 Million 1/30 of 1%
Next $80 Million 1/60 of 1%
Excess 1/100 of 1%
Minimum Monthly
Charges $2,000
1990 Minimum Waived
II. Global Custody - Services provided include:
Cash Movements, Foreign Communication, Foreign
Exchange (local currency settlements).
Fund Net Assets Annual Fees
First $50 Million 22 Basis Points
Over $50 Million 20 Basis Points
Minimum Per Client $5,000.00
Annually
III. Portfolio Trades - For each line item processed
State Street Bank Repos $ 7.00
DTC or Fed Book Entry $12.00
New York Physical Settlements $25.00
Maturity Collections $ 8.00
All other trades $16.00
IV. Options
Option charge for each option written or closing
contract, per issue, per broker $25.00
Option expiration charge, per issue, per broker $15.00
Option exercised charge, per issue, per broker $15.00
V. Interest Rate Futures
Transaction -- no security movement $ 8.00
VI. Principal Reduction Payments
Per paydown $10.00
VII. Dividend Charges (For items held at the Request of
Traders over record date in street form) $30.00
VIII. 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 automated pricing, yield calculation and
other special items will be negotiated separately.
IX. 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
Wire Charges ($5.25 per wire in and $5.00 out)
Postage and Insurance
Courier Service
Duplicating
Legal Fees
Supplies Related to Fund Records
Rush Transfer -- $8.00 Each
Transfer Fees
Sub-custodian Charges
Price Waterhouse Audit Letter
Federal Reserve Fee for Return Check items over
$2,500 - $4.25
GNMA Transfer - $15 each
PTC Deposit/Withdrawal for same day turnarounds
- $50.00
X. Payment
The above fees will be charged against the fund's
custodian checking account five (5) days after the invoice is
mailed to the fund's offices.
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