CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
PRUDENTIAL-BACHE SPECIAL MONEY
MARKET FUND, INC.
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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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 in the United States . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.1 Holding Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.2 Delivery of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.3 Registration of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.4 Bank Accounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.6 Collection of Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of
Receipt of Securities Purchased. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
2.9 Appointment of Agents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
2.10 Deposit of Securities in Securities System . . . . . . . . . . . .14
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct
Paper System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
2.11 Segregated Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
2.13 Proxies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
2.14 Communications Relating to Fund
Portfolio Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
2.15 Reports to Fund by Independent Public
Accountants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of
the Fund Held Outside of the United States. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
3.2 Assets to be Held. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
3.4 Segregation of Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions . . . . . . . . . . .23
3.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund. . . . . . . . . . .24
3.7 Reports by Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
3.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account. . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
3.9 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
3.10 Liability of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
3.11 Reimbursement for Advances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
3.12 Monitoring Responsibilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
3.13 Branches of U.S. Banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
4. Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions and Sales
of Shares of the Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
5. Proper Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
6. Actions Permitted Without Express Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
7. Evidence of Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
8. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of
Account and Calculations of Net Asset Value and
Net Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
9. Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
11. Compensation of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
12. Responsibility of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
13. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
14. Successor Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
15. Interpretive and Additional Provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
16. Massachusetts Law to Apply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
17. Prior Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between Prudential-Bache Special Money Market Fund,
Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Maryland, having
its principal place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇,
hereinafter called the "Fund", and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a
Massachusetts trust company, having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇, hereinafter called the
"Custodian",
WITNESSETH: 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,
including securities it desires to be held in places within the United States
("domestic securities") and securities it desires to be held outside the United
States ("foreign securities") 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, $ par value, ("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
Article 5), the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more
sub-custodians located in the United States, but only in accordance with an
applicable vote by the Board of Directors of the Fund, 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. The Custodian may employ as
sub-custodians for the Fund's securities and other assets the foreign banking
institutions and foreign securities depositories designated in Schedule "A"
hereto but only in accordance with the provisions of Article 3.
2. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND HELD BY
THE CUSTODIAN IN THE UNITED STATES
2.1 HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate
for the account of the Fund all non-cash property, to be held by it in
the United States, including all domestic securities owned by the
Fund, other than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant to
Section 2.10 in a clearing agency which acts as a securities
depository or in a book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department
of the Treasury, collectively referred to herein as "Securities
System" and (b) commercial paper of an issuer for which State Street
Bank and Trust Company acts as issuing and paying agent ("Direct
Paper") which is deposited and/or maintained in the Direct Paper
System of the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10A.
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2.2 DELIVERY OF SECURITIES. The Custodian shall release and deliver
domestic securities owned by the Fund held by the Custodian or in a
Securities System account of the Custodian or in the Custodian's
Direct Paper book-entry system account ("Direct Paper System Account")
only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, 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 2.10 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
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the name of any nominee or nominees of the Custodian or into
the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to
Section 2.9 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 liability for any loss arising from the
delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment for
such securities except as may arise from the Custodian's own
negligence or willful misconduct;
8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or
readjustment of the securities of the issuer
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of such securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion
contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit
agreement; provided that, in any such case, the new securities
and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;
9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the
surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or
similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or
temporary securities for definitive securities; provided that,
in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to
be delivered to the Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made
by the Fund, BUT ONLY against receipt of adequate collateral
as agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the
Fund, which may be in the form of cash or obligations issued
by the United States government, its agencies or
instrumentalities, except that in connection with any loans
for which collateral is to be credited to the Custodian's
account in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S.
Department of the Treasury, the Custodian will not be held
liable or responsible for
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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 compliance with
the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any
registered national securities exchange, or of any similar
organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund, the Custodian, and a Futures
Commission Merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange
Act, relating to compliance with the rules of the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission and/or any Contract Market, or any
similar organization or organizations,
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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 redemption;
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 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. Domestic securities held by the Custodian
(other than bearer securities) shall be
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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 or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 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.
2.4 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
account or accounts in the United States in the name of the Fund, subject
only to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of
this 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
-8-
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 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.
2.6 COLLECTION OF INCOME. The Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all
income and other payments with respect to United States registered
securities held hereunder to which the Fund shall be entitled either by law
or pursuant to custom in the securities business, and shall collect on a
timely basis all income and other payments with respect to United States
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
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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 United States 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.
2.7 PAYMENT OF FUND MONIES. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be
continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the
Custodian shall pay out monies of the Fund in the following cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of domestic securities, options, futures
contracts, or options on futures contracts for the account of
the Fund but only (a) against the delivery of such securities,
or evidence of title to such options, futures contracts or
options on futures contracts, to the Custodian (or any bank,
banking firm or trust company doing business in the United
States or abroad which is qualified under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, to act as a custodian and has
been designated by the Custodian as
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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 2.10 hereof or (c) in the
case of a purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in
accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.10A; or (d)
in the case of repurchase agreements entered into between the
Fund and the Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which
is a member of NASD, (i) against delivery of the securities
either in certificate form or through an entry crediting the
Custodian's account at the Federal Reserve Bank with such
securities or (ii) against delivery of the receipt evidencing
purchase by the Fund of securities owned by the Custodian along
with written evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to
repurchase such securities from the Fund;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of
securities owned by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
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3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Fund as
set forth in Article 4 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
-12-
to be a proper purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom
such payment is to be made.
2.8 LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT IN ADVANCE OF RECEIPT OF SECURITIES PURCHASED. In
any and every case where payment for purchase of domestic 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.
2.9 APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS. The Custodian may at any time or times in its
discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust
company which is itself qualified under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry out such
of the provisions of this Article 2 as the Custodian may from time to
time direct; PROVIDED, however, that the appointment of any agent shall
not relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities
hereunder.
2.10 DEPOSIT OF SECURITIES IN SECURITIES SYSTEMS. The Custodian may deposit
and/or maintain domestic securities owned by the Fund in a clearing agency
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 17A of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which acts as a securities depository,
or in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the
Treasury and
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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 domestic 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;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to domestic 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 domestic 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 domestic
securities
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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 advices from the
Securities System of transfers of domestic 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
promptly 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
domestic securities deposited in the Securities System;
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5) The Custodian shall have received the initial or annual
certificate, as the case may be, required by Article 13
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 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.
2.10A FUND ASSETS HELD IN THE CUSTODIAN'S DIRECT PAPER SYSTEM.
The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the
Fund in the Direct Paper System of the Custodian subject to the
following provisions:
1) No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper
System will be effected in the absence of Proper
Instructions;
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2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in the
Direct Paper System only if such securities are
represented in an account ("Account") of the Custodian in
the Direct Paper System which shall not include any
assets of the Custodian other than assets held as a
fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;
3) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities
of the Fund which are maintained in the Direct Paper
System shall identify by book-entry those securities
belonging to the Fund;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of the Fund upon the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and
transfer of securities to the account of the Fund. The
Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account
of the Fund upon the making of an entry on the records of
the Custodian to reflect such transfer and receipt of
payment for the account of the Fund;
-17-
5) 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, of Direct Paper on the
next business day following such transfer and shall
furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction sheets
reflecting each day's transaction in the Securities
System for the account of the Fund;
6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report on
its system of internal accounting control as the Fund may
reasonably request from time to time;
2.11 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 2.10 hereof, (i) in
accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund, the
Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a
member of the NASD (or any futures commission merchant registered under
the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the rules of The
Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities
exchange (or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any registered
contract market), or
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of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund, (ii) for
purposes of segregating cash, government securities or liquid high-grade
debt obligations in connection with options purchased, sold or written by
the Fund or commodity futures contracts or options thereon purchased or
sold by the Fund, (iii) for the purposes of compliance by the Fund with
the procedures required by Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or
any subsequent release or releases of the Securities and Exchange
Commission relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by
registered investment companies and (iv) for other proper corporate
purposes, BUT ONLY, in the case of clause (iv), upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions, 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.
2.12 OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES FOR TAX PURPOSES. The Custodian shall execute
ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state
tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with
respect to domestic securities of the Fund held by it and in connection
with transfers of such securities.
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2.13 PROXIES. The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic securities
held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of
such securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the
name of the Fund or a nominee of the Fund, all proxies, without
indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall
promptly deliver to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials
and all notices relating to such securities.
2.14 COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO FUND PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. The Custodian shall
transmit promptly to the Fund all written information (including, without
limitation, pendency of calls and securities of domestic securities and
expirations of rights in connection therewith and notices of exercise of
call and put options written by the Fund and the maturity of futures
contracts purchased or sold by the Fund) received by the Custodian from
issuers of the domestic 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 domestic 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.
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2.15 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 domestic
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.
3. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND HELD OUTSIDE
OF THE UNITED STATES.
3.1 APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS.
The Custodian is authorized and instructed to employ as sub-custodians
for the Fund's securities and other assets maintained outside of the
United States the foreign banking institutions and foreign securities
depositories designated on Schedule A hereto ("foreign sub-custodians").
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions", together with a certified
resolution of the Fund's Board of Directors, the Custodian and the Fund
may agree to amend Schedule A hereto from time to time to designate
-21-
additional foreign banking institutions and foreign securities
depositories to act as sub-custodians. Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions from the Fund the Custodian shall cease the employment of
any one or more of such sub-custodians for maintaining custody of the
Fund's assets.
3.2 ASSETS TO BE HELD. The Custodian shall limit the securities and other
assets maintained in the custody of the foreign sub-custodians to: (a)
"foreign securities", as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, and (b) cash and cash equivalents in
such amounts as the Custodian or the Fund may determine to be reasonably
necessary to effect the Fund's foreign securities transactions.
3.3 FOREIGN SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES. Except as may otherwise be agreed upon
in writing by the Custodian and the Fund, assets of the Fund shall be
maintained in foreign securities depositories only through arrangements
implemented by the foreign banking institutions serving as sub-custodians
pursuant to the terms hereof.
3.4 SEGREGATION OF SECURITIES. The Custodian shall identify on its books as
belonging to the Fund, the foreign securities of the Fund held by each
foreign sub-custodians. Each agreement pursuant to which the Custodian
employs a foreign banking institution shall require that such institution
establish a custody account for the Custodian on behalf of the Fund and
physically
-22-
segregate in that account securities and other assets of the Fund, and,
in the event that such institution deposits the Fund's securities in a
foreign securities depository, that it shall identify on its books as
belonging to the Custodian, as agent for the Fund, the securities so
deposited (all collectively referred to as the "Account").
3.5 AGREEMENTS WITH FOREIGN BANKING INSTITUTIONS. Each agreement with a
foreign banking institution shall be substantially in the form set forth
in Exhibit 1 hereto and shall provide that: (a) the Fund's assets will
not be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lieu or claim of
any kind in favor of the foreign banking institution of its creditors,
except a claim of payment for their safe custody or administration; (b)
beneficial ownership for the Fund's assets will be freely transferable
without the payment of money or value other than for custody or
administration; (c) adequate records will be maintained identifying the
assets as belonging to the Fund; (d) officers of or auditors employed by,
or other representatives of the Custodian, including to the extent
permitted under applicable law the independent public accountants for the
Fund, will be given access to the books and records of the foreign
banking institution relating to its actions under its agreement with the
Custodian; and (e) assets of the Fund held by the foreign sub-custodian
will be subject only to the instructions of the Custodian or its agents.
-23-
3.6 ACCESS OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS OF THE FUND. Upon request of the Fund,
the Custodian will use its best efforts to arrange for the independent
accountants of the Fund to be afforded access to the books and records of
any foreign banking institution employed as a foreign sub-custodian
insofar as such books and records relate to the performance of such
foreign banking institutions under its agreement with the Custodian.
3.7 REPORTS BY CUSTODIAN. The Custodian will supply to the Fund from time to
time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of the securities
and other assets of the Fund held by foreign sub-custodians, including
but not limited to an identification of entities having possession of the
Fund's securities and other assets and advices or notifications of any
transfers of securities to or from each custodial account maintained by a
foreign banking institution for the Custodian on behalf of the Fund
indicating, as to securities acquired for the Fund, the identity of the
entity having physical possession of such securities.
3.8 TRANSACTIONS IN FOREIGN CUSTODY ACCOUNT. (a) Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed
appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall make or cause its foreign
sub-custodian to transfer, exchange or deliver foreign securities owned
by the Fund, but except to the extent explicitly provided herein only in
any of the cases specified in Section 2.2
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(b) Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing
instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties the Custodian shall
pay out or cause its foreign sub-custodians to pay out monies of the Fund,
but except to the extent explicitly provided herein only in any of the
cases specified in Section 2.7.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the contrary,
settlement and payment for securities received for the account of the
Fund and delivery of securities maintained for the account of the Fund
may be effected in accordance with the customary or established
securities trading of securities processing practices and procedures in
the jurisdiction or market in which the transaction occurs, including,
without limitation, delivering securities to the purchaser thereof or to
a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer) against a
receipt with the expectation of receiving later payment for such
securities from such purchaser or dealer. (d) Securities maintained in
the custody of a foreign sub-custodian may be maintained in the name of
such entity's nominee to the same extent as set forth in Section 2.3 of
this Contract and the Fund agrees to hold any such nominee harmless from
any liability as a holder of record of such securities.
3.9 LIABILITY OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS. Each agreement pursuant to which
the Custodian employs a foreign banking institution as a foreign
sub-custodian shall require the
-25-
institution to exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties
and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the Custodian and Fund from and
against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out
of or in connection with the institution's performance of such
obligations. At the election of the Fund, it shall be entitled to be
subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims
against a foreign banking institution as a consequence of any such loss,
damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and to the extent that the
Fund has not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost, expense,
liability or claim.
3.10 MONITORING RESPONSIBILITIES. The Custodian shall furnish annually to the
Fund, during the month of June, information concerning the foreign
sub-custodians employed by the Custodian. Such information shall be
similar in kind and scope to that furnished to the Fund in connection
with the initial approval of this Contract. In addition, the Custodian
will promptly inform the Fund in the event that the Custodian learns of a
material adverse change in the financial condition of a foreign
sub-custodian or is notified by a foreign banking institution employed as
a foreign sub-custodian that there appears to be a substantial likelihood
that its shareholders' equity will decline below $200 million (U.S.
dollars or the equivalent thereof) or that its shareholders' equity has
declined below $200 million (in each case computed in accordance with
generally accepted U.S. accounting principles).
-26-
3.11 BRANCHES OF U.S. BANKS. Except as otherwise set forth in this Contract,
the provisions hereof shall not apply where the custody or the Fund
assets maintained in a foreign branch of a banking institution which is a
"bank" as defined by Section 2(a)(5) of the Investment Company Act of
1940 which meets the qualification set forth in Section 26(a) of said
Act. The appointment of any such branch as a sub-custodian shall be
governed by Article 1 of this Contract.
4. PAYMENTS FOR REPURCHASES OR REDEMPTIONS AND SALES OF SHARES OF THE FUND
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.
-27-
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.
5. PROPER INSTRUCTIONS
Proper Instructions as used herein means a writing signed or initialled
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. It is understood and agreed that the Board of Directors has authorized
(i) The Prudential Insurance Company of America ("Prudential"), as investment
adviser of the Fund pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement dated ,
1987, between Prudential and the Fund, to deliver proper instructions with
respect to all matters for which proper instructions are required by Article 2
or Article 3 except Section 2.2(13), Section 2.2(14), Section 2.7(3), Section
2.7(4), Section 2.7(5), and Section 2.7(7) hereof and (ii) Prudential
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Mutual Fund Management, Inc. ("PMF"), as administrator of the Fund pursuant
to an Administration Agreement dated October 21, 1987, between PMF and the
Fund, to deliver proper instructions with respect to matters set forth in
Section 2.2(13), Section 2.7(3), Section 2.7(4) and Section 2.7(5). The
Custodian may rely upon the certificate of an officer of Prudential or PMF as
the case may be, with respect to the person or persons authorized on behalf
of Prudential and PMF, respectively, to sign, initial or give proper
instructions for the purposes of Article 2 or Article 3. 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 that the Board of Directors
and the Custodian are satisfied that such procedures afford adequate
safeguards for the Fund's assets.
6. ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the
Fund:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this Contract,
PROVIDED that all such payments shall be accounted for to the Fund;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive
form;
-29-
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.
7. EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY
The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions, notice,
request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper believed by it to be
genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the Fund. The
Custodian may receive and accept a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
Directors of the Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person
to act in accordance with such vote or (b) of any determination or of any action
by the Board of 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.
8. 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
-30-
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.
9. 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 Rules 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
authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and employees and agents
of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian shall, at the
Fund's request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by 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.
-31-
10. OPINION OF FUND'S INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund may from time
to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund's
independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in connection
with the preparation of the Fund's Form N-1A, and Form N-SAR or other annual
reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and with respect to any other
requirements of such Commission.
11. COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services
and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between the Fund and
the Custodian.
12. 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 in good faith without
negligence. It shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel
(who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and shall be without liability
for any action reasonably
-32-
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.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a foreign
banking institution appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 to the
same extent as set forth in Article 1 hereof with respect to sub-custodians
located in the United States and, regardless of whether assets are maintained
in the custody of a foreign banking institution, a foreign securities
depository or a branch of a U.S. bank as contemplated by paragraph 3.11
hereof, the Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage, cost,
expense, liability or claim resulting from, or caused by, the direction of or
authorization by the Fund to maintain custody or any securities or cash of
the Fund in a foreign country including, but not limited to, losses resulting
from nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of war or
terrorism.
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.
-33-
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 the Fund
assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
13. EFFECTIVE PERIOD, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall continue
in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may be
amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be
terminated by either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed,
postage prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect not
sooner than thirty (30) days after the date of such delivery or mailing;
PROVIDED, however that the Custodian shall not act under Section 2.10 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
-34-
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and that the Custodian shall not
act under Section 2.10A hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of
Directors has approved the initial use of the Direct Paper 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 the Direct Paper
System; PROVIDED FURTHER, however, that the Fund shall not amend or terminate
this Contract in contravention of any applicable federal or state regulations,
or any provision of the Articles of Incorporation, and further provided, that
the Fund may at any time by 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.
14. 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
-35-
Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all securities then held
by it hereunder and shall 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,
doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, of its own selection, having an
aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last
published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other
properties held by the Custodian 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.
In the event that securities, fund and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of
-36-
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.
15. 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.
16. MASSACHUSETTS LAW TO APPLY
This Contract shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted
under and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
17. PRIOR CONTRACTS
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior
contracts between the Fund and Custodian relating to the custody of the Fund's
assets.
-37-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be
executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative and its
seal to be hereunder affixed as of the 22nd day of January, 1990.
ATTEST PRUDENTIAL-BACHE SPECIAL MONEY
MARKET FUND, INC.
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ By /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
------------------------------ -------------------------------
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
/s/ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ By /s/ Illegible
------------------------------ -------------------------------
Assistant Secretary Vice President
-38-
SCHEDULE A
The following foreign banking institutions and foreign securities
depositories have been approved by the Board of Directors of Prudential-Bache
Special Money Market Fund, Inc., for use as sub-custodians for the Fund's
securities and other assets:
(Insert banks and securities depositories)
STATE STREET LONDON LTD.
Certified:
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------
Fund's Authorized Officer
Date: 1/22/90
---------------------
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