CUSTODIAN SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of April 15, 2004 by and between PFPC TRUST
COMPANY, a limited purpose trust company incorporated under the laws of Delaware
("PFPC Trust"), and FIRST TRUST/VALUE LINE(R) & IBBOTSON EQUITY ALLOCATION FUND,
a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as a closed-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:
(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
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successor or successors, and its nominee or nominees and any
book-entry system registered with the SEC under the 1934 Act.
(e) "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.
(f) "PFPC Trust" means PFPC Trust Company or a subsidiary or affiliate
of PFPC Trust Company.
(g) "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(h) "Securities Laws" mean the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act.
(i) "Shares" mean the shares of beneficial interest of any series or
class of the Fund.
(j) "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.
(k) "Written Instructions" mean (i) written instructions signed by two
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
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be delivered electronically or by hand, mail or facsimile sending
device.
2. APPOINTMENT. The Fund hereby appoints PFPC Trust to provide custodian
services to the Fund and PFPC Trust accepts such appointment and agrees
to furnish such services.
3. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. The Fund has provided or, where applicable, will
provide PFPC Trust with the following:
(a) at PFPC Trust's request, certified or authenticated copies of the
resolutions of the Fund's board of directors, approving the
appointment of PFPC Trust or its affiliates to provide services;
(b) a copy of the Fund's most recent effective registration statement;
(c) a copy of the Fund's advisory agreements;
(d) a copy of the distribution/underwriting agreement with respect to
each class of Shares;
(e) a copy of the Fund's administration agreement;
(f) copies of any distribution and/or shareholder servicing plans and
agreements made in respect of the Fund; and
(g) certified or authenticated copies of any and all amendments or
supplements to the foregoing.
4. 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.
5. INSTRUCTIONS.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, PFPC Trust shall
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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 from an Authorized Person (or from
a person reasonably believed by PFPC Trust to be an Authorized
Person) 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 of any vote, resolution or proceeding of
the Fund's board of directors 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.
6. RIGHT TO RECEIVE ADVICE.
(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
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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.
(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.
7. RECORDS; VISITS.
(a) The books and records pertaining to the Fund, 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
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provided by PFPC Trust to the Fund or to an authorized
representative of the Fund, at the Fund's expense.
(b) PFPC Trust shall keep the following records:
(i) all books and records as are customarily maintained by the
custodian for a registered investment company.
8. 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, present or future
business activities of the Fund or PFPC Trust, their respective
subsidiaries and affiliated companies and the customers, clients and
suppliers of any of them; (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 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
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protected party to a third party without restriction; (e) it is
required to be disclosed by the receiving party pursuant to a
requirement of a court order, subpoena, governmental or regulatory
agency or law (provided the receiving party will provide the other
party written notice of such requirement, to the extent such notice is
permitted); (f) it is relevant to the defense of any claim or cause of
action asserted against the receiving party; or (g) it has been or is
independently developed or obtained by the receiving party.
9. COOPERATION WITH ACCOUNTANTS. PFPC Trust shall cooperate with the
Fund's independent public accountants and shall take all reasonable
action to make any requested information available to such accountants
as reasonably requested by the Fund.
10. 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.
11. DISASTER RECOVERY. PFPC Trust shall enter into and shall maintain in
effect with ppropriate 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.
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12. COMPENSATION. As compensation for custody services rendered by PFPC
Trust during the term of this Agreement, the Fund will pay to PFPC
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.
13. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) The Fund 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,
reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements and liabilities
arising under the Securities Laws and any state and foreign
securities and blue sky laws) ("Claims") 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, negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of
PFPC Trust's activities under this Agreement. The provisions of
this Section 13 shall survive termination of this Agreement.
(b) Indemnification of the Fund. PFPC agrees to defend, indemnify and
hold the Fund and its officers, directors and employees harmless
from any and all Claims arising directly or indirectly from the
negligence, bad faith or willful misfeasance of PFPC in the
performance of its duties hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Fund shall not be indemnified against any Claim caused by the
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Fund's or the Fund's other service providers' willful misfeasance,
bad faith or negligence.
(c) Indemnification Procedure.
(i) Notice of the Action. A party that seeks indemnification
under this Agreement must promptly give the other party
notice of any legal action; provided, however, that a delay
in notice does not relieve an indemnifying party of any
liability to an indemnified party, except to the extent the
indemnifying party shows that the delay prejudiced the
defense of the action.
(ii) Participating in or Assuming the Defense. The indemnifying
party may participate in the defense at any time or it may
assume the defense by giving notice to the other party. After
assuming the defense, the indemnifying party:
(1) must select an attorney that is satisfactory to the
other party;
(2) is not liable to the other party for any later attorney's
fees or for any other later expenses that the other party
incurs, except for reasonable investigation costs;
(3) must not compromise or settle the action without the
other party's consent (but the other party must not
unreasonably withhold its consent); and
(4) is not liable for any compromise or settlement made
without its consent.
(iii) Failing to Assume the Defense. If the indemnifying party
fails to participate in or assume the defense within 15 days
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after receiving notice of the action, the indemnifying party
is bound by any determination made in the action or by any
compromise or settlement made by the other party.
14. RESPONSIBILITY OF PFPC TRUST.
(a) PFPC Trust shall be under no duty to take any action hereunder on
behalf of the Fund 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 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 thereof, of any
instruction, direction, notice, instrument or other information
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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) Each party shall have a duty to mitigate damages for which the
other party may become responsible.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary (other
than as specifically provided in Section 15(h)(ii)(B)(4) and
Section 15(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).
(f) The provisions of this Section 14 shall survive termination of this
Agreement.
15. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES.
(a) Delivery of the Property. The Fund will deliver or arrange for
delivery to PFPC Trust, all the Property owned by the Fund,
including cash received as a result of the distribution of
Shares, during the term of this Agreement. PFPC Trust will not
be responsible for such property until actual receipt.
(b) Receipt and Disbursement of Money. PFPC Trust, acting upon
Written Instructions, shall open and maintain separate
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accounts in the Fund's name using all cash received from or
for the account of the Fund, subject to the terms of this
Agreement.
PFPC Trust shall make cash payments from or for the Account
of the Fund only for:
(i) purchases of securities in the name of the Fund, 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 15(h)(iii)(B) of this
Agreement), administration, accounting, distribution,
advisory, license and management fees which are to be
borne by the Fund;
(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 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,
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drafts or other orders for the payment of money received as custodian
for the Account.
(c) Receipt of Securities; Subcustodians.
(i) PFPC Trust shall hold all securities received by it for the
Account 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 of the Fund 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 directors, 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 an 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 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 the Fund against the receipt
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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 the Fund 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 the Fund 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 the Fund 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 Fund
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 liquidation,
reorganization, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of
the Fund;
(vii) release securities belonging to the Fund to any bank or
trust company for the purpose of a pledge or hypothecation
to secure any loan incurred by the Fund; 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 the Fund in
connection with any repurchase agreement entered into by the
Fund, 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;
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(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 is
authorized and instructed, on a continuous basis, to deposit in
Book-Entry Systems and other depositories all securities belonging
to the Fund eligible for deposit therein and to utilize Book-Entry
Systems and other depositories to the extent possible in connection
with settlements of purchases and sales of securities by the Fund,
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 the Fund which are maintained
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in a Book-Entry System or another depository, the records of
PFPC Trust shall identify by book-entry or otherwise those
securities belonging to the Fund.
(ii) Assets of the Fund 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 the Fund which
are issued or issuable only in bearer form, except such securities
held in the Book-Entry System or in another depository, shall be
held by PFPC Trust in bearer form; all other securities held for
the Fund may be registered in the name of the Fund, 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 the securities of the Fund. The Fund agrees to
furnish to PFPC Trust appropriate instruments to enable PFPC Trust
to hold 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 hold for the Account.
(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 the Fund, 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,
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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, then Written
Instructions or Oral Instructions must designate the person who
owns such securities.
(h) Transactions Not Requiring Instructions. In the absence of contrary
Written Instructions, PFPC Trust is authorized to take the
following actions:
(i) Collection of Income and Other Payments.
(A) collect and receive for the account of the Fund, 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 the Fund of such receipt and credit
such income to the Fund'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 the Fund all
securities received as a distribution on the Fund'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 the Fund and held by PFPC
Trust hereunder;
(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:
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(1) for examination by a broker or dealer selling
for the account of the Fund 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 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) unless and until PFPC Trust receives Oral Instructions
or Written Instructions to the contrary, 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 the Fund;
(2) collect interest and cash dividends received,
with notice to the Fund, to the account of the
Fund;
(3) hold for the account of the Fund all stock
dividends, rights and similar securities issued
with respect to any securities held by PFPC
Trust; and
(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 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
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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 the Fund. 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.
(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;
Page 19
(v) the total amount payable upon such purchase; and
(vi) 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 the Fund (or otherwise in
accordance with standard market practice) pay out of the
monies held for the account of the Fund 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; and
(vii) the location to which the security must be delivered and
delivery deadline, if any.
PFPC Trust shall deliver the securities upon receipt of the total
amount payable to the Fund upon such sale, provided that the total
amount payable is the same as was set forth in the Oral Instructions or
Written Instructions. Notwithstanding the other provisions thereof,
PFPC Trust may accept payment in such form as is consistent with
standard industry practice and may deliver securities and arrange for
payment in accordance with the customs prevailing among dealers in
securities.
(l) Reports; Proxy Materials.
Page 20
(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 the Fund, listing each
portfolio security belonging to the Fund (with the
corresponding security identification number) held at
the end of such month and stating the cash balance of
the Fund 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 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
Page 21
credit any amounts until PFPC Trust's actual receipt thereof. If
PFPC Trust in its sole discretion 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 the
Fund. The Fund hereby grants 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 of any advance or
credit made by PFPC Trust (including charges related thereto) to
such Account.
(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
Page 22
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) 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.
16. DURATION AND TERMINATION.
(a) This Agreement shall be effective on the date first written above
and shall continue until June 12, 2008 (the "Initial Term").
(b) Upon the expiration of the Initial Term, this Agreement shall
automatically renew for successive terms of one (1) year ("Renewal
Terms") each, unless the Fund or PFPC provides written notice to
the other of its intent not to renew. Such notice must be received
not less than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the
Initial Term or the then current Renewal Term.
(c) If a party hereto is guilty of a material failure to perform its
duties and obligations hereunder (a "Defaulting Party") the other
party (the "Non-Defaulting Party") may give written notice thereof
to the Defaulting Party, and if such material breach shall not have
Page 23
been remedied within thirty (30) days after such written notice is
given, then the Non-Defaulting Party may terminate this Agreement
by giving thirty (30) days written notice of such termination to
the Defaulting Party. In all cases, termination by the
Non-Defaulting Party shall not constitute a waiver by the
Non-Defaulting Party of any other rights it might have under this
Agreement or otherwise against the Defaulting 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 Fund to the Fund. It may deliver them to a
bank or trust company of PFPC Trust's choice, having an 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 (such expenses include,
without limitation, expenses associated with movement (or
duplication) of records and materials and conversion thereof to a
successor service provider, or to a bank or trust company pending
appointment of such successor, and all trailing expenses incurred
by PFPC Trust). PFPC Trust shall have a 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.
Page 24
17. NOTICES. Notices shall be addressed (a) if to PFPC Trust at ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇,
Attention: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇; (b) if to the Fund, at ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention: W. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇; 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, 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.
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
Page 25
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 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) 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.
(f) Partial Invalidity. If any provision of this Agreement shall be
Page 26
held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or
otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected
thereby.
(g) 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.
(h) Facsimile Signatures. The facsimile signature of any party to this
Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding execution hereof
by such party.
(i) The Fund and PFPC Trust agree that the obligations of the Fund
under the Agreement shall not be binding upon any of the directors,
shareholders, nominees, officers, employees or agents, whether
past, present or future, of the Fund individually, but are binding
only upon the assets and property of the Fund (or applicable series
thereof), as provided in the Declaration of Trust. The execution
and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the
directors of the Fund, and signed by an authorized officer of the
Fund, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such
directors nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be
deemed to have been made by any of them or any shareholder of the
Fund individually or to impose any liability on any of them or any
shareholder of the Fund personally, but shall bind only the assets
and property of the Fund (or applicable series thereof), as
provided in the Articles of Incorporation or Declaration of Trust.
(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 each financial institution to obtain,
verify, and record certain information that identifies each person
Page 27
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.
Page 28
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
PFPC INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇
-------------------------------------
Title: Vice President
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FIRST TRUST/VALUE LINE(R)& IBBOTSON
EQUITY ALLOCATION FUND
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
-------------------------------------
Title: President
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