CUSTODIAN SERVICES AGREEMENT
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THIS AGREEMENT is made as of September 15, 2005 by and between PFPC TRUST
COMPANY, a limited purpose trust company incorporated under the laws of Delaware
("PFPC Trust"), and BLACK PEARL FUNDS, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Fund").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act");
and WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to retain PFPC Trust to provide custodian services,
and PFPC Trust wishes to furnish custodian services, either directly or through
an affiliate or affiliates, as more fully described herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS AGREEMENT:
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(A) "1933 ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(b) "1934 ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(c) "AUTHORIZED PERSON" means any officer of the Fund and any other person
authorized by the Fund to give Oral or Written Instructions on behalf
of the Fund. An Authorized Person's scope of authority may be limited
by setting forth such limitation in a written document signed by both
parties hereto.
(d) "BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM" means the Federal Reserve Treasury book-entry
system for United States and federal agency securities, its successor
or successors, and its nominee or nominees and any book-entry system
registered with the SEC under
the 1934 Act.
(e) "CEA" means the Commodities Exchange Act, as amended.
(f) "CHANGE OF CONTROL" means a change in ownership or control (not
including transactions between wholly-owned direct or indirect
subsidiaries of a common parent) of 25% or more of the beneficial
ownership of the shares of common stock or shares of beneficial
interest of an entity or its parent(s).
(g) "ORAL INSTRUCTIONS" mean oral instructions received by PFPC Trust from
an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by PFPC
Trust to be an Authorized Person. PFPC Trust may, in its sole
discretion in each separate instance, consider and rely upon
instructions it receives from an Authorized Person via electronic mail
as Oral Instructions.
(h) "PFPC TRUST" means PFPC Trust Company or a subsidiary or affiliate of
PFPC Trust Company.
(i) "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(j) "SECURITIES LAWS" mean the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act and
the CEA.
(k) "SHARES" mean the shares of beneficial interest of any series or class
of the Fund.
(l) "PROPERTY" means:
(i) any and all securities and other investment items which the Fund
may from time to time deposit, or cause to be deposited, with
PFPC Trust or which PFPC Trust may from time to time hold for the
Fund;
(ii) all income in respect of any of such securities or other
investment items;
(iii) all proceeds of the sale of any of such securities or investment
items; and
(iv) all proceeds of the sale of securities issued by the Fund, which
are received by PFPC Trust from time to time, from or on behalf
of the Fund.
(m) "WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS" mean (i) written instructions signed by two
Authorized
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Persons (or persons reasonably believed by PFPC Trust to be Authorized
Persons) and received by PFPC Trust or (ii) trade instructions
transmitted by means of an electronic transaction reporting system
which requires the use of a password or other authorized identifier in
order to gain access. The instructions may be delivered electronically
(with respect to sub-item (ii) above) or by hand, mail or facsimile
sending device.
2. APPOINTMENT. The Fund hereby appoints PFPC Trust to provide custodian
services to the Fund as set forth herein, on behalf of each of its
investment portfolios (each, a "Portfolio"), and PFPC Trust accepts such
appointment and agrees to furnish such services.
3. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.
----------------------
PFPC Trust undertakes to comply with material applicable requirements of
the Securities Laws and material laws, rules and regulations of
governmental authorities having jurisdiction with respect to the duties to
be performed by PFPC Trust hereunder. Except as specifically set forth
herein, PFPC Trust assumes no responsibility for such compliance by the
Fund or any other entity.
4. INSTRUCTIONS.
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(a) Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, PFPC Trust shall act only
upon Oral Instructions or Written Instructions.
(b) PFPC Trust shall be entitled to rely upon any Oral Instruction or
Written Instruction it receives pursuant to this Agreement. PFPC Trust
may assume that any Oral Instructions or Written Instructions received
hereunder are not in any way inconsistent with the provisions of
organizational documents of the Fund or
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of any vote, resolution or proceeding of the Fund's Board of Trustees or of
the Fund's shareholders, unless and until PFPC Trust receives Written
Instructions to the contrary.
(c) The Fund agrees to forward to PFPC Trust Written Instructions confirming
Oral Instructions (except where such Oral Instructions are given by PFPC
Trust or its affiliates) so that PFPC Trust receives the Written
Instructions by the close of business on the same day that such Oral
Instructions are received. The fact that such confirming Written
Instructions are not received by PFPC Trust or differ from the Oral
Instructions shall in no way invalidate the transactions or enforceability
of the transactions authorized by the Oral Instructions or PFPC Trust's
ability to rely upon such Oral Instructions.
5. RIGHT TO RECEIVE ADVICE.
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(a) ADVICE OF THE FUND. If PFPC Trust is in doubt as to any action it
should or should not take, PFPC Trust may request directions or
advice, including Oral Instructions or Written Instructions, from the
Fund.
(b) ADVICE OF COUNSEL. If PFPC Trust shall be in doubt as to any question
of law pertaining to any action it should or should not take, PFPC
Trust may request advice from counsel of its own choosing (who may be
counsel for the Fund, the Fund's investment adviser or PFPC Trust, at
the option of PFPC Trust).
(c) CONFLICTING ADVICE. In the event of a conflict between directions or
advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions PFPC Trust
receives from the Fund, and the advice it receives from counsel, PFPC
Trust shall be entitled to rely upon and follow the advice of counsel.
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(d) PROTECTION OF PFPC TRUST. PFPC Trust shall be indemnified by the Fund
and without liability for any action PFPC Trust takes or does not take
in reliance upon directions or advice or Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions PFPC Trust receives from or on behalf of the Fund or from
counsel and which PFPC Trust believes, in good faith, to be consistent
with those directions or advice or Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions. Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to
impose an obligation upon PFPC Trust (i) to seek such directions or
advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions, or (ii) to act in
accordance with such directions or advice or Oral Instructions or
Written Instructions.
6. RECORDS; VISITS. The books and records pertaining to the Fund and any
Portfolio, which are in the possession or under the control of PFPC Trust,
shall be the property of the Fund. Such books and records shall be prepared
and maintained as required by the 1940 Act and other applicable securities
laws, rules and regulations. The Fund and Authorized Persons shall have
access to such books and records at all times during PFPC Trust's normal
business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Fund, copies of any such
books and records shall be provided by PFPC Trust to the Fund or to an
authorized representative of the Fund, at the Fund's expense.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY. Each party shall keep confidential any information
relating to the other party's business ("Confidential Information").
Confidential Information shall include (a) any data or information that is
competitively sensitive material, and not generally known to the public,
including, but not limited to, information about product plans, marketing
strategies, finances, operations, customer relationships, customer
profiles, customer lists, sales estimates, business plans, and internal
performance results relating to the past,
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present or future business activities of the Fund or PFPC Trust, their
respective subsidiaries and affiliated companies; (b) any scientific or
technical information, design, process, procedure, formula, or improvement
that is commercially valuable and secret in the sense that its
confidentiality affords the Fund or PFPC Trust a competitive advantage over
its competitors; (c) all confidential or proprietary concepts,
documentation, reports, data, specifications, computer software, source
code, object code, flow charts, databases, inventions, know-how, and trade
secrets, whether or not patentable or copyrightable; and (d) anything
designated as confidential. Notwithstanding the foregoing, information
shall not be Confidential Information and shall not be subject to such
confidentiality obligations if: (a) it is already known to the receiving
party at the time it is obtained; (b) it is or becomes publicly known or
available through no wrongful act of the receiving party; (c) it is
rightfully received from a third party who, to the best of the receiving
party's knowledge, is not under a duty of confidentiality; (d) it is
released by the protected party to a third party without restriction; (e)
it is requested or required to be disclosed by the receiving party pursuant
to a court order, subpoena, governmental or regulatory agency request or
law (provided the receiving party will provide the other party written
notice of the same, to the extent such notice is permitted); (f) release of
such information by PFPC Trust is necessary or desirable in connection with
the provision of services under this Agreement; (g) it is relevant to the
defense of any claim or cause of action asserted against the receiving
party; or (h) it has been or is independently developed or obtained by the
receiving party.
8. COOPERATION WITH ACCOUNTANTS. PFPC Trust shall cooperate with the Fund's
independent public accountants and shall take all reasonable action to make
any
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requested information available to such accountants as reasonably requested
by the Fund.
9. PFPC SYSTEM. PFPC Trust shall retain title to and ownership of any and all
data bases, computer programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive
design techniques, derivative works, inventions, discoveries, patentable or
copyrightable matters, concepts, expertise, patents, copyrights, trade
secrets, and other related legal rights utilized by PFPC Trust in
connection with the services provided by PFPC Trust to the Fund; provided
that the foregoing language shall not grant PFPC Trust any right, title or
interest to any particular foregoing item to the extent such foregoing item
belongs to the Fund or Firsthand Capital Management, Inc. or was provided
by the Fund or Firsthand Capital Management, Inc. to PFPC Trust.
10. DISASTER RECOVERY. PFPC Trust shall enter into and shall maintain in effect
with appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable
provisions for emergency use of electronic data processing equipment to the
extent appropriate equipment is available. In the event of equipment
failures, PFPC Trust shall, at no additional expense to the Fund, take
reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions. PFPC Trust shall have
no liability with respect to the loss of data or service interruptions
caused by equipment failure provided such loss or interruption is not
caused by PFPC Trust's own willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or
reckless disregard of its duties or obligations under this Agreement.
11. COMPENSATION.
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(a) As compensation for custody services rendered by PFPC Trust during the
term of this Agreement, the Fund, on behalf of each of the Portfolios,
will pay to PFPC
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Trust a fee or fees as may be agreed to in writing from time to time
by the Fund and PFPC Trust. The Fund acknowledges that PFPC Trust may
receive float benefits in connection with maintaining certain accounts
required to provide services under this Agreement.
(b) The undersigned hereby represents and warrants to PFPC Trust that (i)
the terms of this Agreement, (ii) the fees and expenses associated
with this Agreement, and (iii) any benefits accruing to PFPC Trust or
to the adviser or sponsor to the Fund in connection with this
Agreement, including but not limited to any fee waivers, conversion
cost reimbursements, up front payments, signing payments or periodic
payments made or to be made by PFPC Trust to such adviser or sponsor
or any affiliate of the Fund relating to this Agreement have been
fully disclosed to the Board of Trustees of the Fund and that, if
required by applicable law, such Board of Trustees has approved or
will approve the terms of this Agreement, any such fees and expenses,
and any such benefits (if any).
12. INDEMNIFICATION. The Fund, on behalf of each Portfolio, agrees to
indemnify, defend and hold harmless PFPC Trust and its affiliates,
including their respective officers, directors, agents and employees from
all taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims and liabilities
(including, without limitation, attorneys' fees and disbursements and
liabilities arising under the Securities Laws and any state and foreign
securities and blue sky laws) arising directly or indirectly from any
action or omission to act which PFPC Trust takes in connection with the
provision of services to the Fund. Neither PFPC Trust, nor any of its
affiliates, shall be indemnified against any liability (or any expenses
incident to such liability) caused by PFPC Trust's or its affiliates' own
willful misfeasance, bad faith,
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negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of PFPC Trust's
activities under this Agreement. The provisions of this Section 12 shall
survive termination of this Agreement.
13. RESPONSIBILITY OF PFPC TRUST.
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(a) PFPC Trust shall be under no duty to take any action hereunder on
behalf of the Fund or any Portfolio except as specifically set forth
herein or as may be specifically agreed to by PFPC Trust and the Fund
in a written amendment hereto. PFPC Trust shall be obligated to
exercise care and diligence in the performance of its duties hereunder
and to act in good faith in performing services provided for under
this Agreement. PFPC Trust shall be liable only for any damages
arising out of PFPC Trust's failure to perform its duties under this
Agreement and only to the extent such damages arise out of PFPC
Trust's willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless
disregard of its duties under this Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) PFPC
Trust shall not be liable for losses, delays, failure, errors,
interruption or loss of data occurring directly or indirectly by
reason of circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including
without limitation acts of God; action or inaction of civil or
military authority; public enemy; war; terrorism; riot; fire; flood;
sabotage; epidemics; labor disputes; civil commotion; interruption,
loss or malfunction of utilities, transportation, computer or
communications capabilities; insurrection; elements of nature; or
non-performance by a third party; and (ii) PFPC Trust shall not be
under any duty or obligation to inquire into and shall not be liable
for the validity or invalidity, authority or lack thereof, or
truthfulness or accuracy or lack
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thereof, of any instruction, direction, notice, instrument or other
information which PFPC Trust reasonably believes to be genuine.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither
PFPC Trust nor its affiliates shall be liable for any consequential,
special or indirect losses or damages, whether or not the likelihood
of such losses or damages was known by PFPC Trust or its affiliates.
(d) No party may assert a cause of action against PFPC Trust or any of its
affiliates more than 12 months after the conclusion of the Fund's
annual audit covering the time period during which such cause of
action first arose.
(e) Each party shall have a duty to mitigate damages for which the other
party may become responsible.
(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary (other than
as specifically provided in Section 14(h)(ii)(B)(4) and Section
14(h)(iii)(A) of this Agreement), the Fund shall be responsible for
all filings, tax returns and reports on any transactions undertaken
pursuant to this Agreement, or in respect of the Property or any
collections undertaken pursuant to this Agreement, which may be
requested by any relevant authority. In addition, the Fund shall be
responsible for the payment of all taxes and similar items (including
without limitation penalties and interest related thereto).
(g) The provisions of this Section 13 shall survive termination of this
Agreement.
(h) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, PFPC Trust
shall have no liability either for any error or omission of any of its
predecessors as
10
servicer on behalf of the Fund or for any failure to discover any such
error or omission.
14. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES.
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(a) DELIVERY OF THE PROPERTY. The Fund will deliver or arrange for
delivery to PFPC Trust, all the Property owned by the Portfolios,
including cash received as a result of the distribution of Shares,
during the term of this Agreement. PFPC Trust will not be responsible
for any assets until actual receipt.
(b) RECEIPT AND DISBURSEMENT OF MONEY. PFPC Trust, acting upon Written
Instructions, shall open and maintain a separate account for each
separate Portfolio of the Fund (each an "Account") and shall maintain
in the Account of a particular Portfolio all cash and other assets
received from or for the Fund specifically designated to such Account.
PFPC Trust shall make cash payments from or for the Account of a
Portfolio only for:
(i) purchases of securities in the name of a Portfolio, PFPC Trust,
PFPC Trust's nominee or a sub-custodian or nominee thereof as
provided in sub-section (j) and for which PFPC Trust has received
a copy of the broker's or dealer's confirmation or payee's
invoice, as appropriate;
(ii) purchase or redemption of Shares of the Fund delivered to PFPC
Trust;
(iii)payment of, subject to Written Instructions, interest, taxes
(provided that tax which PFPC Trust considers is required to be
deducted or withheld "at source" will be governed by Section
14(h)(iii)(B) of this Agreement), administration, accounting,
distribution, advisory and management fees which are to be borne
by a Portfolio;
(iv) payment to, subject to receipt of Written Instructions, the
Fund's transfer agent, as agent for the shareholders, of an
amount equal to the amount of dividends and distributions stated
in the Written Instructions to be distributed in cash by the
transfer agent to shareholders, or, in lieu of paying the Fund's
transfer agent, PFPC Trust may arrange for the direct payment of
cash dividends and distributions to shareholders in accordance
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with procedures mutually agreed upon from time to time by and
among the Fund, PFPC Trust and the Fund's transfer agent;
(v) payments, upon receipt of Written Instructions, in connection
with the conversion, exchange or surrender of securities owned or
subscribed to by the Fund and held by or delivered to PFPC Trust;
(vi) payments of the amounts of dividends received with respect to
securities sold short;
(vii) payments to PFPC Trust for its services hereunder;
(viii) payments to a sub-custodian pursuant to provisions in
sub-section (c) of this Section; and
(ix) other payments, upon Written Instructions.
PFPC Trust is hereby authorized to endorse and collect all checks, drafts
or other orders for the payment of money received as custodian for the
Accounts.
(c) Receipt of Securities; Subcustodians.
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(i) PFPC Trust shall hold all securities received by it for the Accounts
in a separate account that physically segregates such securities from
those of any other persons, firms or corporations, except for
securities held in a Book-Entry System or through a sub-custodian or
depository. All such securities shall be held or disposed of only upon
Written Instructions or otherwise pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement. PFPC Trust shall have no power or authority to assign,
hypothecate, pledge or otherwise dispose of any such securities or
investment, except upon the express terms of this Agreement or upon
Written Instructions authorizing the transaction. In no case may any
member of the Fund's Board of Trustees, or any officer, employee or
agent of the Fund withdraw any securities.
At PFPC Trust's own expense and for its own convenience, PFPC Trust
may enter into sub-custodian agreements with other banks or trust
companies to perform duties described in this sub-section (c) with
respect to domestic assets. Such bank or trust company shall have
aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits, according to its
last published report, of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000),
if it is a subsidiary or affiliate of PFPC Trust, or at least twenty
million dollars ($20,000,000) if such bank or trust company is not a
subsidiary or affiliate of PFPC Trust. In addition, such bank or trust
company must be qualified to act as custodian and agree to comply with
the relevant provisions of applicable rules and regulations. Any such
arrangement will not be entered into
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without prior written notice to the Fund (or as otherwise provided in
the 1940 Act).
In addition, PFPC Trust may enter into arrangements with
sub-custodians with respect to services regarding foreign assets. Any
such arrangement will not be entered into without prior written notice
to the Fund (or as otherwise provided in the 1940 Act).
PFPC Trust shall remain responsible for the acts and omissions of any
sub-custodian chosen by PFPC Trust under the terms of this sub-section
(c) to the same extent that PFPC Trust is responsible for its own acts
and omissions under this Agreement.
(d) TRANSACTIONS REQUIRING INSTRUCTIONS. Upon receipt of Oral Instructions
or Written Instructions and not otherwise, PFPC Trust shall:
(i) deliver any securities held for a Portfolio against the receipt
of payment for the sale of such securities or otherwise in
accordance with standard market practice;
(ii) execute and deliver to such persons as may be designated in such
Oral Instructions or Written Instructions, proxies, consents,
authorizations, and any other instruments whereby the authority
of a Portfolio as owner of any securities may be exercised;
(iii)deliver any securities to the issuer thereof, or its agent, when
such securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become
payable at the option of the holder; provided that, in any such
case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to PFPC
Trust;
(iv) deliver any securities held for a Portfolio against receipt of
other securities or cash issued or paid in connection with the
liquidation, reorganization, refinancing, tender offer, merger,
consolidation or recapitalization of any corporation, or the
exercise of any conversion privilege;
(v) deliver any securities held for a Portfolio to any protective
committee, reorganization committee or other person in connection
with the reorganization, refinancing, merger, consolidation,
recapitalization or sale of assets of any corporation, and
receive and hold under the terms of this Agreement such
certificates of deposit, interim receipts or other instruments or
documents as may be issued to it to evidence such delivery;
(vi) make such transfer or exchanges of the assets of the Portfolios
and take such other steps as shall be stated in said Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions to be for the purpose of
effectuating a duly authorized plan of
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liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation or
recapitalization of the Fund;
(vii)release securities belonging to a Portfolio to any bank or trust
company for the purpose of a pledge or hypothecation to secure
any loan incurred by the Fund on behalf of that Portfolio;
provided, however, that securities shall be released only upon
payment to PFPC Trust of the monies borrowed, except that in
cases where additional collateral is required to secure a
borrowing already made subject to proper prior authorization,
further securities may be released for that purpose; and repay
such loan upon redelivery to it of the securities pledged or
hypothecated therefor and upon surrender of the note or notes
evidencing the loan;
(viii) release and deliver securities owned by a Portfolio in
connection with any repurchase agreement entered into by the Fund
on behalf of that Portfolio, but only on receipt of payment
therefor; and pay out monies of the Fund in connection with such
repurchase agreements, but only upon the delivery of the
securities;
(ix) release and deliver or exchange securities owned by the Fund in
connection with any conversion of such securities, pursuant to
their terms, into other securities;
(x) release and deliver securities to a broker in connection with the
broker's custody of margin collateral relating to futures and
options transactions;
(xi) release and deliver securities owned by the Fund for the purpose
of redeeming in kind shares of the Fund upon delivery thereof to
PFPC Trust; and
(xii)release and deliver or exchange securities owned by the Fund for
other purposes. PFPC Trust must also receive a certified
resolution describing the nature of the corporate purpose and the
name and address of the person(s) to whom delivery shall be made
when such action is pursuant to sub-paragraph d(xii).
(e) USE OF BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM OR OTHER DEPOSITORY. PFPC Trust will deposit
in Book-Entry Systems and other depositories all securities belonging
to the Portfolios eligible for deposit therein and will utilize
Book-Entry Systems and other depositories to the extent possible in
connection with settlements of
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purchases and sales of securities by the Portfolios, and deliveries
and returns of securities loaned, subject to repurchase agreements or
used as collateral in connection with borrowings. PFPC Trust shall
continue to perform such duties until it receives Written Instructions
or Oral Instructions authorizing contrary actions. Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, PFPC Trust's use of a
Book-Entry System shall comply with the requirements of Rule 17f-4
under the 1940 Act.
PFPC Trust shall administer a Book-Entry System or other depository as
follows:
(i) With respect to securities of each Portfolio which are maintained
in a Book-Entry System or another depository, the records of PFPC
Trust shall identify by book-entry or otherwise those securities
as belonging to each Portfolio.
(ii) Assets of each Portfolio deposited in a Book-Entry System or
another depository will (to the extent consistent with applicable
law and standard practice) at all times be segregated from any
assets and cash controlled by PFPC Trust in other than a
fiduciary or custodian capacity but may be commingled with other
assets held in such capacities.
PFPC Trust will provide the Fund with such reports on its own system
of internal control as the Fund may reasonably request from time to
time.
(f) REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES. All securities held for a Portfolio which
are issued or issuable only in bearer form, except such securities
maintained in the Book-Entry System or in another depository, shall be
held by PFPC Trust in bearer form; all other securities maintained for
a Portfolio may be registered in the name of the Fund on behalf of
that Portfolio, PFPC Trust, a Book-Entry System, another depository, a
sub-custodian, or any duly appointed nominee of the Fund, PFPC Trust,
Book-Entry System, depository or sub-custodian. The Fund reserves the
right to instruct PFPC Trust as to the method of registration and
safekeeping of
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the securities of the Fund. The Fund agrees to furnish to PFPC Trust
appropriate instruments to enable PFPC Trust to maintain or deliver in
proper form for transfer, or to register in the name of its nominee or
in the name of the Book-Entry System or in the name of another
appropriate entity, any securities which it may maintain for the
Accounts. With respect to uncertificated securities which are
registered in the name of the Fund or a Portfolio (or a nominee
thereof), PFPC Trust will reflect such securities on its records based
upon the holdings information provided to it by the issuer of such
securities, but notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary PFPC Trust shall not be obligated to safekeep such securities
or to perform other duties with respect to such securities other than
to make payment for the purchase of such securities upon receipt of
Oral or Written Instructions, accept in sale proceeds received by PFPC
Trust upon the sale of such securities of which PFPC Trust is informed
pursuant to Oral or Written Instructions, and accept in other
distributions received by PFPC Trust with respect to such securities
or reflect on its records any reinvested distributions with respect to
such securities of which it is informed by the issuer of the
securities; for clarity, with respect to agreements and other
documentation relating to warrants issued by a company or other entity
to the Fund, PFPC Trust will safekeep such agreements and other
documentation (to the extent such agreements and other documentation
are delivered by the Fund to PFPC Trust) and PFPC Trust will release
such agreements and other documentation upon Oral or Written
Instructions, but notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary PFPC Trust shall not be obligated to perform any other duties
with
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respect to such agreements or other documentation.
(g) VOTING AND OTHER ACTION. Neither PFPC Trust nor its nominee shall vote
any of the securities held pursuant to this Agreement by or for the
account of a Portfolio, except in accordance with Written
Instructions. PFPC Trust, directly or through the use of another
entity, shall execute in blank and promptly deliver all notices,
proxies and proxy soliciting materials received by PFPC Trust as
custodian of the Property to the registered holder of such securities.
If the registered holder is not the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio,
then Written Instructions or Oral Instructions must designate the
person who owns such securities.
(h) TRANSACTIONS NOT REQUIRING INSTRUCTIONS. Notwithstanding anything in
this Agreement requiring instructions in order to take a particular
action, in the absence of a contrary Written Instruction, PFPC Trust
is authorized to take the following actions without the need for
instructions:
(i) Collection of income and other payments.
---------------------------------------
(A) collect and receive for the account of each Portfolio, all
income, dividends, distributions, coupons, option premiums,
other payments and similar items, included or to be included
in the Property, and, in addition, promptly advise each
Portfolio of such receipt and credit such income to each
Portfolio's custodian account;
(B) endorse and deposit for collection, in the name of the Fund,
checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money;
(C) receive and hold for the account of each Portfolio all
securities received as a distribution on the Portfolio's
securities as a result of a stock dividend, share split-up
or reorganization, recapitalization, readjustment or other
rearrangement or distribution of rights or similar
securities issued with respect to any securities belonging
to a Portfolio and held by PFPC Trust hereunder;
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(D) present for payment and collect the amount payable upon all
securities which may mature or be called, redeemed, retired
or otherwise become payable (on a mandatory basis) on the
date such securities become payable; and
(E) take any action which may be necessary and proper in
connection with the collection and receipt of such income
and other payments and the endorsement for collection of
checks, drafts, and other negotiable instruments.
(ii) Miscellaneous Transactions.
--------------------------
(A) PFPC Trust is authorized to deliver or cause to be delivered
Property against payment or other consideration or written
receipt therefor in the following cases:
(1) for examination by a broker or dealer selling for the
account of a Portfolio in accordance with street
delivery custom;
(2) for the exchange of interim receipts or temporary
securities for definitive securities; and
(3) for transfer of securities into the name of the Fund on
behalf of a Portfolio or PFPC Trust or a sub-custodian
or a nominee of one of the foregoing, or for exchange
of securities for a different number of bonds,
certificates, or other evidence, representing the same
aggregate face amount or number of units bearing the
same interest rate, maturity date and call provisions,
if any; provided that, in any such case, the new
securities are to be delivered to PFPC Trust.
(B) PFPC Trust shall:
(1) pay all income items held by it which call for payment
upon presentation and hold the cash received by it upon
such payment for the account of each Portfolio;
(2) collect interest and cash dividends received, with
notice to the Fund, to the account of each Portfolio;
(3) hold for the account of each Portfolio all stock
dividends, rights and similar securities issued with
respect to any securities held by PFPC Trust; and
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(4) subject to receipt of such documentation and
information as PFPC Trust may request, execute as agent
on behalf of the Fund all necessary ownership
certificates required by a national governmental taxing
authority or under the laws of any U.S. state now or
hereafter in effect, inserting the Fund's name, on
behalf of a Portfolio, on such certificate as the owner
of the securities covered thereby, to the extent it may
lawfully do so.
(iii) Other Matters.
-------------
(A) subject to receipt of such documentation and information as
PFPC Trust may request, PFPC Trust will, in such
jurisdictions as PFPC Trust may agree from time to time,
seek to reclaim or obtain a reduction with respect to any
withholdings or other taxes relating to assets maintained
hereunder (provided that PFPC Trust will not be liable for
failure to obtain any particular relief in a particular
jurisdiction); and
(B) PFPC Trust is authorized to deduct or withhold any sum in
respect of tax which PFPC Trust considers is required to be
deducted or withheld "at source" by any relevant law or
practice.
(i) Segregated Accounts.
-------------------
(i) PFPC Trust shall upon receipt of Written Instructions or Oral
Instructions establish and maintain segregated accounts on its
records for and on behalf of each Portfolio. Such accounts may be
used to transfer cash and securities, including securities in a
Book-Entry System or other depository:
(A) for the purposes of compliance by the Fund with the
procedures required by a securities or option exchange,
providing such procedures comply with the 1940 Act and any
releases of the SEC relating to the maintenance of
segregated accounts by registered investment companies; and
(B) upon receipt of Written Instructions, for other purposes.
(ii) PFPC Trust shall arrange for the establishment of ▇▇▇ custodian
accounts for such shareholders holding Shares through ▇▇▇
accounts, in accordance with the Fund's prospectuses, the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (including regulations
promulgated thereunder), and with such other procedures as are
mutually agreed upon from time to time by and among the Fund,
PFPC Trust and the Fund's transfer agent.
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(j) PURCHASES OF SECURITIES. PFPC Trust shall settle purchased securities
upon receipt of Oral Instructions or Written Instructions that
specify:
(i) the name of the issuer and the title of the securities, including
CUSIP number if applicable;
(ii) the number of shares or the principal amount purchased and
accrued interest, if any;
(iii) the date of purchase and settlement;
(iv) the purchase price per unit;
(v) the total amount payable upon such purchase;
(vi) the Portfolio involved; and
(vii)the name of the person from whom or the broker through whom the
purchase was made. PFPC Trust shall upon receipt of securities
purchased by or for a Portfolio (or otherwise in accordance with
standard market practice) pay out of the monies held for the
account of the Portfolio the total amount payable to the person
from whom or the broker through whom the purchase was made,
provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as
set forth in such Oral Instructions or Written Instructions.
(k) SALES OF SECURITIES. PFPC Trust shall settle sold securities upon
receipt of Oral Instructions or Written Instructions that specify:
(i) the name of the issuer and the title of the security, including
CUSIP number if applicable;
(ii) the number of shares or principal amount sold, and accrued
interest, if any;
(iii) the date of trade and settlement;
(iv) the sale price per unit;
(v) the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale;
(vi) the name of the broker through whom or the person to whom the
sale was made;
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(vii)the location to which the security must be delivered and
delivery deadline, if any; and
(viii) the Portfolio involved.
PFPC Trust shall deliver the securities upon receipt of the total amount
payable to the Portfolio upon such sale, provided that the total amount
payable is the same as was set forth in the Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement,
PFPC Trust may accept payment in such form as is consistent with standard
industry practice and may deliver assets and arrange for payment in
accordance with standard market practice.
(l) Reports; Proxy Materials.
------------------------
(i) PFPC Trust shall furnish to the Fund the following reports:
(A) such periodic and special reports as the Fund may reasonably
request;
(B) a monthly statement summarizing all transactions and entries
for the account of each Portfolio, listing each portfolio
security belonging to each Portfolio (with the corresponding
security identification number) held at the end of such
month and stating the cash balance of each Portfolio at the
end of such month.
(C) the reports required to be furnished to the Fund pursuant to
Rule 17f-4 of the 1940 Act; and
(D) such other information as may be agreed upon from time to
time between the Fund and PFPC Trust.
(ii) PFPC Trust shall transmit promptly to the Fund any proxy
statement, proxy material, notice of a call or conversion or
similar communication received by it as custodian of the
Property. PFPC Trust shall be under no other obligation to inform
the Fund as to such actions or events. For clarification, upon
termination of this Agreement PFPC Trust shall have
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no responsibility to transmit such material or to inform the Fund
or any other person of such actions or events.
(m) CREDITING OF ACCOUNTS. PFPC Trust may in its sole discretion credit an
Account with respect to income, dividends, distributions, coupons,
option premiums, other payments or similar items prior to PFPC Trust's
actual receipt thereof, and in addition PFPC Trust may in its sole
discretion credit or debit the assets in an Account on a contractual
settlement date with respect to any sale, exchange or purchase
applicable to the Account; provided that nothing herein or otherwise
shall require PFPC Trust to make any advances or to credit any amounts
until PFPC Trust's actual receipt thereof. If PFPC Trust credits an
Account with respect to (a) income, dividends, distributions, coupons,
option premiums, other payments or similar items on a contractual
payment date or otherwise in advance of PFPC Trust's actual receipt of
the amount due, (b) the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of
assets on the contractual settlement date or otherwise in advance of
PFPC Trust's actual receipt of the amount due or (c) provisional
crediting of any amounts due, and (i) PFPC Trust is subsequently
unable to collect full and final payment for the amounts so credited
within a reasonable time period using reasonable efforts or (ii)
pursuant to standard industry practice, law or regulation PFPC Trust
is required to repay to a third party such amounts so credited, or if
any Property has been incorrectly credited, PFPC Trust shall have the
absolute right in its sole discretion without demand to reverse any
such credit or payment, to debit or deduct the amount of such credit
or payment from the Account, and to otherwise pursue recovery of any
such amounts so credited from
22
the Fund. The Fund hereby grants to PFPC Trust and to each
sub-custodian utilized by PFPC Trust in connection with providing
services to the Fund a first priority contractual possessory security
interest in and a right of setoff against the assets maintained in an
Account hereunder in the amount necessary to secure the return and
payment to PFPC Trust and to each such sub-custodian of any advance or
credit made by PFPC Trust and/or by such sub-custodian (including
charges related thereto) to such Account. Notwithstanding anything in
this Agreement to the contrary, PFPC Trust shall be entitled to assign
any rights it has under this sub-section (m) to any sub-custodian
utilized by PFPC Trust in connection with providing services to the
Fund which sub-custodian makes any credits or advances with respect to
the Fund.
(n) COLLECTIONS. All collections of monies or other property in respect,
or which are to become part, of the Property (but not the safekeeping
thereof upon receipt by PFPC Trust) shall be at the sole risk of the
Fund. If payment is not received by PFPC Trust within a reasonable
time after proper demands have been made, PFPC Trust shall notify the
Fund in writing, including copies of all demand letters, any written
responses and memoranda of all oral responses and shall await
instructions from the Fund. PFPC Trust shall not be obliged to take
legal action for collection unless and until reasonably indemnified to
its satisfaction. PFPC Trust shall also notify the Fund as soon as
reasonably practicable whenever income due on securities is not
collected in due course and shall provide the Fund with periodic
status reports of such income collected after a reasonable time.
(o) EXCESS CASH SWEEP. PFPC Trust will, consistent with applicable law,
sweep any
23
net excess cash balances daily into an investment vehicle or other
instrument designated in writing by the Fund, so long as the
investment vehicle or instrument is acceptable to PFPC Trust, subject
to a fee, paid to PFPC Trust for such service, to be agreed between
the parties. Such investment vehicle or instrument may be offered by
an affiliate of PFPC Trust or by a PFPC Trust client and PFPC Trust
may receive compensation therefrom.
(p) FOREIGN EXCHANGE. PFPC Trust and/or sub-custodians may enter into or
arrange foreign exchange transactions (at such rates as they may
consider appropriate) in order to facilitate transactions under this
Agreement, and such entities and/or their affiliates may receive
compensation in connection with such foreign exchange transactions.
15. DURATION AND TERMINATION. This Agreement shall continue until terminated by
the Fund or PFPC Trust on one-hundred and twenty (120) days' prior written
notice to the other party. In the event this Agreement is terminated
(pending appointment of a successor to PFPC Trust or vote of the
shareholders of the Fund to dissolve or to function without a custodian of
its cash, securities or other property), PFPC Trust shall not deliver cash,
securities or other property of the Portfolios to the Fund. It may deliver
them to a bank or trust company of PFPC Trust's choice, having aggregate
capital, surplus and undivided profits, as shown by its last published
report, of not less than twenty million dollars ($20,000,000), as a
custodian for the Fund to be held under terms similar to those of this
Agreement. PFPC Trust shall not be required to make any delivery or payment
of assets upon termination until full payment shall have been made to PFPC
Trust of all of its fees, compensation, costs and expenses (including
without limitation fees and
24
expenses associated with deconversion or conversion to another service
provider and other trailing expenses incurred by PFPC Trust). PFPC Trust
shall have a first priority contractual possessory security interest in and
shall have a right of setoff against the Property as security for the
payment of such fees, compensation, costs and expenses.
16. CHANGE OF CONTROL. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
in the event of an agreement to enter into a transaction that would result
in a Change of Control of the Fund's adviser or sponsor, the Fund's ability
to terminate the Agreement pursuant to Section 15 will be suspended from
the time of such agreement until two years after the Change of Control.
17. NOTICES. Notices shall be addressed (a) if to PFPC Trust at ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention: ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇; (b) if to the Fund, at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, President, with copies to
Firsthand Capital Management, Inc., ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Chief Operating Officer; or
(c) if to neither of the foregoing, at such other address as shall have
been given by like notice to the sender of any such notice or other
communication by the other party. If notice is sent by confirming
electronic delivery, hand or facsimile sending device, it shall be deemed
to have been given immediately. If notice is sent by first-class mail, it
shall be deemed to have been given five days after it has been mailed. If
notice is sent by messenger, it shall be deemed to have been given on the
day it is delivered.
18. AMENDMENTS. This Agreement, or any term hereof, may be changed or waived
only by a written amendment, signed by the party against whom enforcement
of such change or waiver is sought.
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19. DELEGATION; ASSIGNMENT. PFPC Trust may assign its rights and delegate its
duties hereunder to any affiliate of PFPC Trust or of The PNC Financial
Services Group, Inc., provided that PFPC Trust gives the Fund 30 days'
prior written notice of such assignment or delegation.
20. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument. 21. Miscellaneous.
(a) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and
understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements
and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof, provided
that the parties may embody in one or more separate documents their
agreement, if any, with respect to delegated duties.
(b) NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES. Except as expressly provided in this
Agreement, PFPC Trust hereby disclaims all representations and
warranties, express or implied, made to the Fund or any other person,
including, without limitation, any warranties regarding quality,
suitability, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or
otherwise (irrespective of any course of dealing, custom or usage of
trade), of any services or any goods provided incidental to services
provided under this Agreement. PFPC Trust disclaims any warranty of
title or non-infringement except as otherwise set forth in this
Agreement.
(c) NO CHANGES THAT MATERIALLY AFFECT OBLIGATIONS. Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Fund agrees not to
make any modifications to its
26
registration statement or adopt any policies which would affect
materially the obligations or responsibilities of PFPC Trust hereunder
without the prior written approval of PFPC Trust, which approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
(d) CAPTIONS. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience
of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the
provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
(e) INFORMATION. The Fund will provide such information and documentation
as PFPC Trust may reasonably request in connection with services
provided by PFPC Trust to the Fund.
(f) GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract made in
Delaware and governed by Delaware law, without regard to principles of
conflicts of law.
(g) PARTIAL INVALIDITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held
or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the
remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
(h) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns.
(i) FACSIMILE SIGNATURES. The facsimile signature of any party to this
Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding execution hereof by
such party.
(j) CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM NOTICE. To help the U.S. government
fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, U.S.
Federal law requires
27
each financial institution to obtain, verify, and record certain
information that identifies each person who initially opens an account
with that financial institution on or after October 1, 2003.
Consistent with this requirement, PFPC Trust may request (or may have
already requested) the Fund's name, address and taxpayer
identification number or other government-issued identification
number, and, if such party is a natural person, that party's date of
birth. PFPC Trust may also ask (and may have already asked) for
additional identifying information, and PFPC Trust may take steps (and
may have already taken steps) to verify the authenticity and accuracy
of these data elements.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
PFPC TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, III
--------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, III
Title: Vice President
BLACK PEARL FUNDS
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
--------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
--------------------
Title: President
--------------------
29