CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
between
▇▇▇▇▇ GROWTH FUND, INC.
and
NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.
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TABLE OF CONTENT5
PAGE
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It 1
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the
Fund Held by the Custodian 1
2.1 Holding Securities 1
2.2 Delivery of Securities 2
2.3 Registration of Securities 4
2.4 Bank Accounts 4
2.5 Payments for Shares 5
2.6 Availability of Federal Funds 5
2.7 Collection of Income 5
2.8 Payment of Fund Monies 6
2.9 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of
Securities Purchased 7
2.10 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares
of the Fund 7
2.11 Appointment of Agents 8
2.12 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities System 8
2.13 Segregated Account 10
2.14 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes 1l
2.15 Proxies 11
2.16 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities 11
2.17 Proper Instructions 12
2.18 Actions Permitted Without Express Authority 12
2.19 Evidence of Authority 12
3. Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books of
Account and Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income 13
4. Records 13
5. Opinion of Fund"s Independent Accountants 14
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants 14
7. Compensation of Custodian 14
8. Responsibility of Custodian 14
9. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment 15
10. Successor Custodian 16
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions 17
12. Minnesota Law to Apply 17
13. Prior Contracts 17
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CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between ▇▇▇▇▇ Associates, Inc. a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of Minnesota, having its principal place of business at
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, hereinafter called
the Fund, and Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A., a National Banking Association,
having its principal place of business at Sixth and Marquette, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇, hereinafter called the "Custodian",
WITNESSETH, that 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 its assets
pursuant to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation. The Fund agrees
to deliver to the Custodian all securities and cash owned by it, and all
payments of income, payments of principal or capital distributions received by
it with respect to all securities owned by the Fund from time to time, and the
cash consideration received by it for such new or treasury shares of capital
stock ("Shares") of the Fund as may be issued or sold from time to time. The
Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of the Fund held or
received by the Fund and not delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Section
2.17), the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more sub-custodians,
but only in accordance with an applicable vote by the Board of Directors of the
Fund, 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 the
Fund all non-cash property, including all securities owned by the Fund, 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
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system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, collectively referred
to herein as a "Securities System".
2.2 DELIVERY OF SECURITIES.
The Custodian shall release and deliver securities owned by the Fund held
by the Custodian or in a Securities System account of the Custodian only upon
receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when
deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following Cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the -Fund and
receipt of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
agreement related to such securities entered into by the Fund:
3) In the case of a sale effected through a 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 portfolio securities of the Fund;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are
called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable, provided that,
in any such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered
to the Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of
the Fund or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the Custodian
or into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to
Section 2.11 or into the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian
appointed pursuant to Article 1; or for exchange for a different
number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same
aggregate face amount or number of units; PROVIDED that, in any such
case, the new securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;
7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Fund,
to the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for
examination in accordance with "street delivery "custom; provided that
in any such case, the Custodian shall have"no responsibility or
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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 or 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 of temporary securities for definitive
securities; provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if
any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by the Fund,
BUT ONLY against receipt of adequate collateral as agreed upon from time to
time by the Custodian and the Fund, which may be in the form of cash or
obligations issued by the -United States government, its agencies or
instrumentalities, except that in connection with any loans for which
collateral is to be credited to the Custodian"s account in the book-entry
system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Custodian will
not be held liable or responsible for the delivery of securities owned by the
Fund prior to the receipt of such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the Fund
requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, BUT ONLY against receipt of amounts
borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the
Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and a member of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), relating to the compliance
with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered
national securities exchange, or of any similar
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organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements
in connection with transactions by the Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, the Custodian, and a Futures Commission Merchant
registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance
with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any
Contract Market, or any similar organization or organizations,
regarding account deposits in connection with transactions by the
Fund;
14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent
("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 Fund"s currently
effective prospectus and statement of additional information
("prospectus"), in satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for
repurchase or redemptions; and
15) For any other proper corporate purpose, BUT ONLY upon receipt of,
in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution
of the Board of Directors or of the Executive Committee signed by an
officer of the Fund and certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, specifying the securities to the 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 Fund or in the name of any nominee of the Fund or
of any nominee of the Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to
the Fund, UNLESS the Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of a
nominee to be used in common with other registered investment companies having
the same investment adviser as the Fund, or in the name of 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 Fund under the terms of this Contract shall be in
"street name" or other good delivery form.
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2.4 BANK ACCOUNTS
The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank account or accounts
in the name 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 Fund, other than cash maintained by the Fund in a bank
account established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. Funds held by the Custodian for the Fund may be deposited
by it to its credit as Custodian in the Banking Department of the Custodian or
in such other banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem
necessary or desirable; PROVIDED, however, that every such bank or trust
company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the 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 be approved by vote of a
majority of the Board of Directors 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 Fund"s Shares or
from the Transfer Agent of the Fund and deposit into the Fund"s account such
payments as are received for Shares of the Fund issued or sold from time to
time by the Fund. The Custodian will provide timely notification to the Fund
and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of the Fund.
2.6 AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL FUNDS.
Upon mutual agreement between the Fund and the Custodian, the Custodian
shall, upon the receipt of Proper Instructions, make federal funds available to
the Fund 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 the
Fund which are deposited into the Fund"s account.
2.7 COLLECTION OF INCOME.
The Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments
with respect to registered securities held hereunder to which the Fund shall be
entitled either by law or pursuant to
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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 the Fund"s custodian
account. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall
detach and present for payment all coupons and other income items requiring
presentation as and when they become due and shall collect interest when due on
securities held hereunder. Income due the Fund on securities loaned pursuant
to the provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility of the Fund.
The Custodian will have no duty or responsibility in connection therewith,
other than to provide the Fund with such information or data as may be
necessary to assist the Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to the
Custodian of the income to which the Fund is properly entitled.
2.8 PAYMENT OF FUND MONIES.
Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions
when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out monies of
the fund in the following cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of securities, options, futures contracts or
options on futures contracts for the account of the Fund but only (a)
against the delivery of such securities or evidence of title to such
options, futures contracts or options on futures contracts, to the
Custodian (or any bank, banking firm or trust company doing business
in the United States or abroad which is qualified under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 to act as a custodian and has been
designated by the Custodian as its agent for this purpose) registered
in the name of the Fund or in the name of a nominee of the Custodian
referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer; (b)
in the case of a purchase effected through a Securities System, in
accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.12 hereof or
(c) in the case of the repurchase agreements entered into between the
Fund and the Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which is
a member of NASD, (i) against delivery of the securities either in
certificate form or through an entry crediting the Custodian"s
account at the Federal Reserve Bank with
such securities or (ii) against delivery of the receipt evidencing
purchase by the Fund of
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securities owned by the Custodian along with written evidence of the
agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such securities from the
Fund;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of
securities owned by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Fund
as set forth in Section 2.10 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the
Fund, including but not limited to the following payments for the
account of the Fund: interest, taxes, management, accounting,
transfer agent and legal fees. and operating expenses of the Fund
whether or not such expenses are to be in whole or part capitalized
or treated as deferred expenses;
5) For the payment of any dividends 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, a certified copy of a resolution of
the Board of Directors 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.
In any and every case where payment for purchase of securities for the
account of the Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the
securities purchased in the absence of specific written instructions from the
Fund 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.
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From such funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to
the limitations of the Articles of Incorporation and any applicable votes of
the Board of Directors 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 the fund, 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 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 the Fund in
a clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange commission under
Section 17A of the Exchange Act, 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 Fund 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;
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2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of
the Fund which are maintained in a Securities System shall identify
by book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account
of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the 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 Fund. The Custodian
shall transfer securities sold for the account of the Fund 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 Fund. Copies of all advises from
the Securities System of transfers of securities for the account of
the Fund shall identify the Fund, be maintained for the Fund by the
Custodian and be provided to the Fund at its request. Upon request,
the Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer to
or from the account of the Fund in the form of a written advice or
notice and shall furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction
sheets reflecting each day's transactions in the Securities System
for the account of the Fund.
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund 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 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 any loss or damage to the
Fund 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
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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 Fund has not
been made whole for any such loss or damage.
2.13 SEGREGATED ACCOUNT.
The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper Instructions establish and
maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of the Fund, into
which account or accounts may be transferred cash and/or securities, including
securities maintained in an account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.12
hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund,
the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a
member of 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 Fund, (ii) for the purpose
of segregating cash or government securities in connection with options
purchased, sold or written by the Fund or commodity futures contracts or
options thereon purchased or sold by the Fund, (iii) for the purpose of
compliance by the Fund 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 the clause (iv), upon receipt of, in addition to
Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors
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 the Fund held by it and
in connection with transfers of securities.
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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 Fund or a nominee
of the Fund, all proxies, without indication of the manner in which such
proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to the Fund such proxies,
all proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating to such securities.
2.16 COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO FUND PORTFOLIO SECURITIES.
The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund 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 and the maturity of futures contracts
purchased or sold by the Fund) received by the Custodian from issuers of the
securities being held for the Fund. With respect to tender or exchange offers,
the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund all written information
received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities whose tender or
exchange is sought and from the party (or his agents) making the tender or
exchange offer. If the fund desires to take action with respect to any tender
offer, exchange offer or any other similar transaction, the Fund shall notify
the Custodian at least three business days prior to the date on which the
Custodian is to take such action.
2.17 PROPER INSTRUCTIONS.
Proper Instructions as used throughout this Article 2 means a writing
signed or initialed by one or more person or persons as the Board of Directors
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
Directors of the Fund accompanied by a detailed description of procedures
approved by the Board of Directors, Proper Instructions may
include communications effected directly between electro-mechanical or
electronic devices provided
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that the Board of Directors and the Custodian are satisfied that such procedures
afford adequate safeguards for the Fund's assets.
2.18 ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY.
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the
Fund;
1) Make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
securities PROVIDED that all such payments shall be accounted for to
the Fund;
2) Surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
definitive form;
3) Endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts
and other negotiable instruments; and
4) In general, attend to all non-discretionary details in
connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer
and other dealings with the securities and property of the Fund except
as otherwise directed by the Board of Directors 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 of 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
Directors of the Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person
to act in accordance with such vote or (b) or any determination or of any action
by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation 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.
2.20 CLASS ACTIONS. The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund all
notices or other communications received by it in connection with any class
action lawsuit relating to securities currently or previously held for the Fund.
Upon being directed by the Fund to do so, the Custodian shall furnish to the
Fund any and all written materials which establish the holding/ownership, amount
held/owned, and period of holding/ownership of the securities in question.
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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 Directors of the Fund to keep the
books of account of the Fund and/or compute the net asset value per share of the
outstanding shares of the Fund or, if directed in writing to do so by the Fund,
shall itself keep such books of account and/or compute such net asset value per
share. If so directed, the Custodian shall also calculate daily the net income
of the Fund as described in the Fund's currently effective prospectus and shall
advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the total amounts of such net
income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of the Fund to do so, shall
advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the division of such net income among
its various components. The calculations of the net asset value per share and
the daily income of the Fund shall be made at the time or times described from
time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus.
4. RECORDS.
The Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating to its
activities and obligations under this Contract in such manner as will meet the
obligations of the Fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, with
particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rule 31a-1 and 31a-2
thereunder, applicable federal and state tax laws and any other law or
administrative rules or procedures which may be applicable to the Fund. 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 authority
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 the Fund and held by
the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund and for such
compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the Custodian,
include certificate numbers in such tabulations.
5. OPINION OF FUND'S INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund and may from
time to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the
Fund's independent accountants with
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respect to its activities hereunder in connection with the preparation of the
Fund's, Form N-1A, and Form N-SAR or other annual reports to the Securities
and Exchange Commission and with respect to any other requirements of such
Commission.
6. REPORTS TO FUND BY INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may
reasonably require, with reports by independent public accountants on the
accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding
securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including
securities deposited and/or maintained in a 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
For performance by the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement, the Fund
agrees to pay the Custodian annual asset fees and supplemental charges as set
out in the fee schedule attached hereto. The fee schedule shall be guaranteed
for service performed and expense incurred through June 30, 1993. A 15%
discount will be granted for 1991 fees. Subsequent to June 30, 1993, such fees
and supplemental charges may be changed from time to time subject to mutual
written agreement between the Fund 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. 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 without negligence. It
shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be
counsel for the Fund)
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on all matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken
or omitted pursuant to such advice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
responsibility of the Custodian with respect to redemptions effected by check
shall be in accordance with a separate Agreement entered into between the
Custodian and the Fund.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in
the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to
the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some
other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such
action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form
satisfactory to it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to advance cash or securities for any
purpose 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 Fund
shall be security therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian
promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to
dispose of Fund assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
9. EFFECTIVE PERIOD, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
The 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 sixty (60) days
after the date of such delivery or mailing; PROVIDED, however, that the
Custodian shall not 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 Directors of the Fund has approved the initial use of a particular Securities
System and the receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary that the Board of Directors has reviewed the use by the Fund of such
Securities System, as required in each case by Rule 17f-4 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, PROVIDED FURTHER, however, that the Fund shall not amend or
terminate this Contract in contravention of any
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applicable federal or state regulations, or any provision of the Articles of
Incorporation, and further provided, that the Fund may at any time be action of
its Board of Directors (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 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 shall be appointed by the Board of Directors 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 to an account of the successor custodian all of the Fund's securities
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
Directors 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 Directors 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, of
its own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits,
as shown by its last published report, or not less than $25,000,000, all
securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian and all instruments
held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held by it under
this Contract and to transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of
the Fund's securities held in any Securities System. Thereafter, such bank or
trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Contract.
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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 Directors 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 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 Articles of Incorporation 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. MINNESOTA LAW TO APPLY.
This Contract shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted
under and in accordance with laws of The State of Minnesota.
13. PRIOR CONTRACTS.
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior
contracts between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the custody of the
Fund's assets.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be
executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized officers as of the day
and year first above written.
THE ▇▇▇▇▇ GROWTH FUND, INC.
By /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------
ATTEST
By /s/ [illegible]
---------------------------------
NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.
By /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------
ATTEST
By
---------------------------------