BONFIGLIO & REED INVESTMENT TRUST
N-1A/A, EX-99.23.G, 2000-06-22
Previous: BONFIGLIO & REED INVESTMENT TRUST, N-1A/A, 2000-06-22
Next: PRIMEHOLDINGS COM INC, RW, 2000-06-22




                                CUSTODY AGREEMENT
                                -----------------

     This AGREEMENT, dated as of _________, 2000, by and between the BONFIGLIO &
REED INVESTMENT  TRUST (the "Trust"),  a business trust organized under the laws
of the State of Ohio,  acting with respect to its existing series as of the date
of this  Agreement,  and such other series as shall be  designated  from time to
time by the Trust (individually,  a "Fund" and, collectively, the "Funds"), each
of them a series of the Trust and each of them operated and  administered by the
Trust, and FIRSTAR BANK, N.A., a national banking association (the "Custodian").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                              --------------------

     WHEREAS,  the Trust desires that the Funds' Securities and cash be held and
administered by the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management  investment company registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and

     WHEREAS,   the  Custodian   represents   that  it  is  a  bank  having  the
qualifications prescribed in Section 26(a)(i) of the 1940 Act;

     NOW, THEREFORE,  in consideration of the mutual agreements herein made, the
Trust and the Custodian hereby agree as follows:

<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE I
                                    ---------
                                   DEFINITIONS
                                   -----------

     Whenever used in this Agreement,  the following  words and phrases,  unless
the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings:

     1.1  "AUTHORIZED  PERSON" means any Officer or other person duly authorized
by  resolution  of the Board of Trustees to give Oral  Instructions  and Written
Instructions  on behalf  of the  Funds and named in  Exhibit A hereto or in such
resolutions  of the  Board  of  Trustees,  certified  by an  Officer,  as may be
received by the Custodian from time to time.

     1.2 "BOARD OF TRUSTEES"  shall mean the Trustees  from time to time serving
under the  Trust's  Agreement  and  Declaration  of Trust,  as from time to time
amended.

     1.3 "BOOK-ENTRY  SYSTEM" shall mean a federal book-entry system as provided
in Subpart O of  Treasury  Circular  No. 300, 31 CFR 306, in Subpart B of 31 CFR
Part  350,  or in  such  book-entry  regulations  of  federal  agencies  as  are
substantially in the form of such Subpart O.

     1.4 "BUSINESS DAY" shall mean any day recognized as a settlement day by The
New York Stock Exchange, Inc. and any other day for which the Trust computes the
net asset value of Shares of any Fund.

     1.5 "FUND  CUSTODY  ACCOUNT"  shall mean any of the accounts in the name of
the Trust, which is provided for in Section 3.2 below.

     1.6 "NASD" shall mean The National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>

     1.7 "OFFICER" shall mean the Chairman,  the President,  any Vice President,
any Assistant  Vice  President,  the  Secretary,  any Assistant  Secretary,  the
Treasurer, or any Assistant Treasurer of the Trust.

     1.8 "ORAL  INSTRUCTIONS"  shall mean instructions orally transmitted to and
accepted by the Custodian because such instructions are: (i) reasonably believed
by the Custodian to have been given by an Authorized  Person,  (ii) recorded and
kept among the records of the Custodian made in the ordinary  course of business
and (iii)  orally  confirmed  by the  Custodian.  The Trust shall cause all Oral
Instructions  to be  confirmed by Written  Instructions  prior to the end of the
next Business Day. If such Written Instructions confirming Oral Instructions are
not received by the Custodian prior to a transaction,  it shall in no way affect
the validity of the  transaction or the  authorization  thereof by the Trust. If
Oral  Instructions vary from the Written  Instructions  which purport to confirm
them,  the  Custodian  shall  notify  the Trust of such  variance  but such Oral
Instructions will govern unless the Custodian has not yet acted.

     1.9  "PROPER   INSTRUCTIONS"   shall  mean  Oral  Instructions  or  Written
Instructions.  Proper  Instructions may be continuing Written  Instructions when
deemed appropriate by both parties.

     1.10  "SECURITIES  DEPOSITORY"  shall mean The Depository Trust Company and
(provided that Custodian shall have received a copy of a resolution of the Board
of Trustees,  certified by an Officer,  specifically  approving  the use of such
clearing  agency  as a  depository  for the  Funds)  any other  clearing  agency
registered with the Securities and Exchange  Commission under Section 17A of the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the "1934 Act"), which acts as a

                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>

system for the  central  handling  of  Securities  where all  Securities  of any
particular  class or series of an issuer deposited within the system are treated
as fungible  and may be  transferred  or pledged by  bookkeeping  entry  without
physical delivery of the Securities.

     1.11 "SECURITIES" shall include,  without limitation,  common and preferred
stocks, bonds, call options, put options,  debentures,  notes, bank certificates
of  deposit,   bankers'   acceptances,   mortgage-backed   securities  or  other
obligations,  and any certificates,  receipts,  warrants or other instruments or
documents representing rights to receive, purchase or subscribe for the same, or
evidencing or representing any other rights or interests therein, or any similar
property  or  assets  that the  Custodian  has the  facilities  to clear  and to
service.

     1.12 "SHARES"  shall mean,  with respect to a Fund, the units of beneficial
interest issued by the Trust on account of such Fund.

     1.13  "SUB-CUSTODIAN"  shall  mean and  include  (i) any  branch of a "U.S.
Bank," as that  term is  defined  in Rule  17f-5  under  the 1940 Act,  (ii) any
"Eligible  Foreign  Custodian,"  as that term is defined in Rule 17f-5 under the
1940  Act,  having a  contract  with  the  Custodian  which  the  Custodian  has
determined  will  provide  reasonable  care of assets of the Funds  based on the
standards specified in Section 3.3 below. Such contract shall include provisions
that  provide:  (i)  for  indemnification  or  insurance  arrangements  (or  any
combination of the foregoing)  such that the Funds will be adequately  protected
against the risk of loss of assets held in accordance  with such contract;  (ii)
that the  Funds'  assets  will not be subject  to any  right,  charge,  security
interest,  lien or  claim  of any  kind in  favor  of the  Sub-Custodian  or its
creditors except a claim of payment

                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>

for their safe custody or administration, in the case of cash deposits, liens or
rights in favor of  creditors of the  Sub-Custodian  arising  under  bankruptcy,
insolvency,  or similar  laws;  (iii) that  beneficial  ownership  of the Funds'
assets will be freely  transferable  without the payment of money or value other
than for safe  custody or  administration;  (iv) that  adequate  records will be
maintained  identifying the assets as belonging to the Funds or as being held by
a third  party for the  benefit  of the Funds;  (v) that the Funds'  independent
public  accountants will be given access to those records or confirmation of the
contents of those records; and (vi) that the Funds will receive periodic reports
with respect to the safekeeping of the Funds' assets, including, but not limited
to,  notification  of any transfer to or from a Fund's  account or a third party
account  containing  assets held for the benefit of the Fund.  Such contract may
contain,  in lieu of any or all of the provisions  specified  above,  such other
provisions that the Custodian  determines will provide,  in their entirety,  the
same or greater  level of care and  protection  for Fund assets as the specified
provisions, in their entirety.

     1.14 "WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS" shall mean (i) written communications  actually
received  by  the  Custodian  and  signed  by  an  Authorized  Person,  or  (ii)
communications  by telex  or any  other  such  system  from one or more  persons
reasonably  believed  by  the  Custodian  to be  Authorized  Persons,  or  (iii)
communications  between  electro-mechanical  or electronic devices provided that
the use of such devices and the  procedures  for the use thereof shall have been
approved by resolutions of the Board of Trustees, a copy of which,  certified by
an Officer, shall have been delivered to the Custodian.

                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE II
                                   ----------
                            APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN
                            ------------------------

     2.1 APPOINTMENT. The Trust hereby constitutes and appoints the Custodian as
custodian of all  Securities and cash owned by or in the possession of the Funds
at any time during the period of this Agreement.

     2.2 ACCEPTANCE.  The Custodian hereby accepts appointment as such custodian
and agrees to perform the duties thereof as hereinafter set forth.

     2.3  DOCUMENTS TO BE  FURNISHED.  The  following  documents,  including any
amendments thereto, will be provided contemporaneously with the execution of the
Agreement to the Custodian by the Trust:

     a.   A copy of the  Declaration  of Trust  of the  Trust  certified  by the
          Secretary or an Assistant Secretary;

     b.   A copy of the  Bylaws  of the  Trust  certified  by the  Secretary  or
          Assistant Secretary;

     c.   A copy  of the  resolution  of the  Board  of  Trustees  of the  Trust
          appointing  the  Custodian,  certified  by the  Secretary or Assistant
          Secretary;

     d.   A copy of the then current Prospectus of each Fund; and

     e.   A  certification  of the Chairman or the  President  and  Secretary or
          Assistant   Secretary  of  the  Trust  setting  forth  the  names  and
          signatures of the current  Officers of the Trust and other  Authorized
          Persons.

                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>

     2.4 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF DIVIDEND AND TRANSFER AGENT.  The Trust agrees
to notify the Custodian in writing of the appointment,  termination or change in
appointment of any Dividend and Transfer Agent of the Funds.

                                   ARTICLE III
                                   -----------
                         CUSTODY OF CASH AND SECURITIES
                         ------------------------------

     3.1 SEGREGATION. All Securities and non-cash property held by the Custodian
for the account of a Fund  (other than  Securities  maintained  in a  Securities
Depository or  Book-Entry  System)  shall be  physically  segregated  from other
Securities and non-cash  property in the possession of the Custodian  (including
the Securities and non-cash property of the other Funds) and shall be identified
as subject to this Agreement.

     3.2 FUND CUSTODY  ACCOUNTS.  As to each Fund, the Custodian  shall open and
maintain  in its trust  department  a custody  account  in the name of the Trust
coupled  with  the  name of such  Fund,  subject  only to  draft or order of the
Custodian, in which the Custodian shall enter and carry all Securities, cash and
other assets of such Fund which are delivered to it.

     3.3 APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS. (a) In its discretion, the Custodian may appoint
one  or  more   Sub-Custodians   to  act  as  Securities   Depositories   or  as
sub-custodians  to hold  Securities  and cash of the Funds and to carry out such
other provisions of this Agreement as it may determine,  provided, however, that
the appointment of any such agents and maintenance of any Securities

                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

and cash of the Fund shall be at the  Custodian's  expense and shall not relieve
the Custodian of any of its obligations or liabilities under this Agreement.

     (b) If,  after  the  initial  approval  of  Sub-Custodians  by the Board of
Trustees in connection  with this  Agreement,  the  Custodian  wishes to appoint
other  Sub-Custodians to hold property of the Funds, it will so notify the Trust
and provide it with information  reasonably  necessary to determine any such new
Sub-Custodian's  eligibility  under Rule 17f-5  under the 1940 Act,  including a
copy of the proposed agreement with such  Sub-Custodian.  The Trust shall at the
meeting of the Board of  Trustees  next  following  receipt  of such  notice and
information give a written approval or disapproval of the proposed action.

     (c) The  Agreement  between the  Custodian  and each  Sub-Custodian  acting
hereunder   shall   contain   the   required   provisions   set  forth  in  Rule
17f-5(a)(1)(iii).

     (d) At the  end of each  calendar  quarter,  the  Custodian  shall  provide
written  reports  notifying  the  Board  of  Trustees  of the  placement  of the
Securities  and cash of the Funds  with a  particular  Sub-Custodian  and of any
material changes in the Funds'  arrangements.  The Custodian shall promptly take
such  steps  as may be  required  to  withdraw  assets  of the  Funds  from  any
Sub-Custodian  that has ceased to meet the  requirements of Rule 17f-5 under the
1940 Act.

     (e) With  respect to its  responsibilities  under  this  Section  3.3,  the
Custodian  hereby  warrants to the Trust that it agrees to  exercise  reasonable
care, prudence and diligence such as a

                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>

person having  responsibility  for the safekeeping of property of the Funds. The
Custodian  further  warrants  that a Fund's assets will be subject to reasonable
care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market, if
maintained with each  Sub-Custodian,  after  considering all factors relevant to
the  safekeeping  of  such  assets,  including,   without  limitation:  (i)  the
Sub-Custodian's practices, procedures, and internal controls, including, but not
limited to, the physical protections  available for certificated  securities (if
applicable),  the method of keeping custodial records, and the security and data
protection practices; (ii) whether the Sub-Custodian has the requisite financial
strength to provide reasonable care for Fund assets;  (iii) the  Sub-Custodian's
general reputation and standing and, in the case of a Securities Depository, the
Securities  Depository's operating history and number of participants;  and (iv)
whether the Fund will have  jurisdiction  over and be able to enforce  judgments
against the Sub-Custodian,  such as by virtue of the existence of any offices of
the Sub-Custodian in the United States or the Sub-Custodian's consent to service
of process in the United States.

     (f) The Custodian shall  establish a system to monitor the  appropriateness
of  maintaining  the  Funds'  assets  with a  particular  Sub-Custodian  and the
contract governing the Funds' arrangements with such Sub-Custodian.

     3.4 DELIVERY OF ASSETS TO CUSTODIAN.  The Trust shall deliver,  or cause to
be  delivered,  to the Custodian  all of the Funds'  Securities,  cash and other
assets,  including (a) all payments of income, payments of principal and capital
distributions  received by the Funds with  respect to such  Securities,  cash or
other assets owned by the Funds at any time during the period of this

                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>

Agreement,  and (b) all cash received by the Funds for the issuance, at any time
during such period,  of Shares.  The Custodian shall not be responsible for such
Securities, cash or other assets until actually received by it.

     3.5  SECURITIES  DEPOSITORIES  AND  BOOK-ENTRY  SYSTEMS.  The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain Securities of the Funds in a Securities Depository or in
a Book-Entry System, subject to the following provisions:

     (a)  Prior to a  deposit  of  Securities  of the  Funds  in any  Securities
          Depository  or  Book-Entry  System,  the Trust  shall  deliver  to the
          Custodian  a  resolution  of the Board of  Trustees,  certified  by an
          Officer,  authorizing  and  instructing  the  Custodian on an on-going
          basis to deposit in such  Securities  Depository or Book-Entry  System
          all  Securities  eligible for deposit  therein and to make use of such
          Securities  Depository or Book-Entry System to the extent possible and
          practical in connection  with its  performance  hereunder,  including,
          without  limitation,  in connection with  settlements of purchases and
          sales of Securities,  loans of Securities,  and deliveries and returns
          of collateral consisting of Securities.

     (b)  Securities  of the Funds  kept in a  Book-Entry  System or  Securities
          Depository shall be kept in an account  ("Depository  Account") of the
          Custodian in such  Book-Entry  System or Securities  Depository  which
          includes only assets held by the  Custodian as a fiduciary,  custodian
          or otherwise for customers.

                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>

     (c)  The records of the  Custodian  with  respect to  Securities  of a Fund
          maintained in a Book-Entry  System or Securities  Depository shall, by
          book-entry, identify such Securities as belonging to such Fund.

     (d)  If  Securities  purchased  by a Fund  are to be held  in a  Book-Entry
          System or  Securities  Depository,  the  Custodian  shall pay for such
          Securities  upon (i) receipt of advice from the  Book-Entry  System or
          Securities  Depository that such  Securities have been  transferred to
          the Depository Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records
          of the  Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for the account
          of such Fund.  If  Securities  sold by a Fund are held in a Book-Entry
          System or Securities  Depository,  the Custodian  shall  transfer such
          Securities  upon (i) receipt of advice from the  Book-Entry  System or
          Securities  Depository  that  payment  for  such  Securities  has been
          transferred to the Depository Account, and (ii) the making of an entry
          on the records of the  Custodian to reflect such  transfer and payment
          for the account of such Fund.

     (e)  The  Custodian  shall  provide  the Trust  with  copies of any  report
          (obtained  by the  Custodian  from a Book-Entry  System or  Securities
          Depository in which  Securities of the Funds are kept) on the internal
          accounting   controls  and  procedures  for  safeguarding   Securities
          deposited in such Book-Entry System or Securities Depository.

     (f)  Anything  to the  contrary  in  this  Agreement  notwithstanding,  the
          Custodian  shall be  liable  to the  Trust for any loss or damage to a
          Fund  resulting (i) from the use of

                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>

          a  Book-Entry  System  or  Securities  Depository  by  reason  of  any
          negligence  or  willful  misconduct  on the part of  Custodian  or any
          Sub-Custodian appointed pursuant to Section 3.3 above or any of its or
          their  employees,  or (ii)  from  failure  of  Custodian  or any  such
          Sub-Custodian  to  enforce  effectively  such  rights  as it may  have
          against a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository. At its election,
          the Trust  shall be  subrogated  to the rights of the  Custodian  with
          respect  to any  claim  against  a  Book-Entry  System  or  Securities
          Depository  or any other  person  from any loss or damage to the Funds
          arising  from  the  use  of  such  Book-Entry   System  or  Securities
          Depository,  if and to the  extent  that the Funds  have not been made
          whole for any such loss or damage.

     3.6  DISBURSEMENT  OF MONEYS FROM FUND  CUSTODY  ACCOUNTS.  Upon receipt of
Proper  Instructions,  the Custodian  shall disburse  moneys from a Fund Custody
Account but only in the following cases:

     (a)  For the  purchase of  Securities  for the Fund but only in  accordance
          with  Section  4.1 of  this  Agreement  and  only  (i) in the  case of
          Securities  (other than options on Securities,  futures  contracts and
          options on futures  contracts),  against the delivery to the Custodian
          (or any Sub-Custodian appointed pursuant to Section 3.3 above) of such
          Securities  registered  as  provided in Section 3.9 below or in proper
          form for transfer,  or if the purchase of such  Securities is effected
          through a Book-Entry  System or Securities  Depository,  in accordance
          with the conditions  set forth in Section 3.5 above;  (ii) in the case
          of options on Securities, against delivery to the

                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>

          Custodian (or such  Sub-Custodian) of such receipts as are required by
          the customs  prevailing  among dealers in such  options;  (iii) in the
          case of futures  contracts and options on futures  contracts,  against
          delivery to the Custodian (or such Sub-Custodian) of evidence of title
          thereto in favor of the Fund or any nominee referred to in Section 3.9
          below;  and  (iv) in the  case of  repurchase  or  reverse  repurchase
          agreements entered into between the Trust and a bank which is a member
          of the  Federal  Reserve  System  or  between  the Trust and a primary
          dealer  in  U.S.  Government  securities,   against  delivery  of  the
          purchased  Securities  either in certificate  form or through an entry
          crediting the Custodian's account at a Book-Entry System or Securities
          Depository with such Securities;

     (b)  In connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender, as set forth
          in Section 3.7(f) below, of Securities owned by the Fund;

     (c)  For  the  payment  of any  dividends  or  capital  gain  distributions
          declared by the Fund;

     (d)  In payment of the  redemption  price of Shares as  provided in Section
          5.1 below;

     (e)  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;  administration,   investment  advisory,
          accounting,  auditing,  transfer agent,  custodian,  trustee and legal
          fees; and other operating expenses of the Fund; in all cases,  whether
          or not such  expenses  are to be in whole  or in part  capitalized  or
          treated as deferred expenses;

                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>

     (f)  For transfer in accordance  with the provisions of any agreement among
          the Trust, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the 1934
          Act and a member of the NASD, relating to compliance with 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;

     (g)  For transfer in accordance  with the provision of any agreement  among
          the Trust, the Custodian, and a futures commission merchant registered
          under the  Commodity  Exchange Act,  relating to  compliance  with the
          rules of the Commodity Futures Trading  Commission and/or any contract
          market  (or  any  similar  organization  or  organizations)  regarding
          account deposits in connection with transactions by the Fund;

     (h)  For  the  funding  of  any   uncertificated   time  deposit  or  other
          interest-bearing  account with any banking institution  (including the
          Custodian),  which  deposit or account has a term of one year or less;
          and

     (i)  For any other proper  purpose,  but only upon receipt,  in addition to
          Proper  Instructions,  of a  copy  of a  resolution  of the  Board  of
          Trustees,  certified by an Officer,  specifying the amount and purpose
          of such  payment,  declaring  such  purpose  to be a proper  corporate
          purpose,  and naming the person or persons to whom such  payment is to
          be made.

                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>

     3.7  DELIVERY OF  SECURITIES  FROM FUND CUSTODY  ACCOUNTS.  Upon receipt of
Proper  Instructions,  the Custodian shall release and deliver Securities from a
Fund Custody Account but only in the following cases:

     (a)  Upon  the  sale of  Securities  for the  account  of the Fund but only
          against receipt of payment  therefor in cash, by certified or cashiers
          check or bank credit;

     (b)  In  the  case  of a sale  effected  through  a  Book-Entry  System  or
          Securities  Depository,  in accordance  with the provisions of Section
          3.5 above;

     (c)  To an offeror's  depository  agent in connection  with tender or other
          similar offers for Securities of the Fund;  provided that, in any such
          case,  the  cash or  other  consideration  is to be  delivered  to the
          Custodian;

     (d)  To the issuer  thereof or its agent (i) for transfer  into the name of
          the Fund,  the Custodian or any  Sub-Custodian  appointed  pursuant to
          Section  3.3  above,  or of  any  nominee  or  nominees  of any of the
          foregoing, or (ii) for exchange for a different number of 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;

     (e)  To the broker selling  Securities,  for examination in accordance with
          the "street delivery" custom;

     (f)  For   exchange  or   conversion   pursuant  to  any  plan  or  merger,
          consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the
          issuer of such Securities, or

                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>

          pursuant to provisions for conversion contained in such Securities, or
          pursuant to any deposit agreement,  including  surrender or receipt of
          underlying  Securities in connection with the issuance or cancellation
          of  depository  receipts;  provided  that,  in any such case,  the new
          Securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;

     (g)  Upon receipt of payment therefor pursuant to any repurchase or reverse
          repurchase agreement entered into by the Fund;

     (h)  In the  case of  warrants,  rights  or  similar  Securities,  upon the
          exercise thereof,  provided that, in any such case, the new Securities
          and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;

     (i)  For delivery in  connection  with any loans of Securities of the Fund,
          but only against  receipt of such  collateral  as the Trust shall have
          specified to the Custodian in Proper Instructions;

     (j)  For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the Fund
          requiring a pledge of assets by the Trust, but only against receipt by
          the Custodian of the amounts borrowed;

     (k)  Pursuant  to  any  authorized  plan  of  liquidation,  reorganization,
          merger, consolidation or recapitalization of the Trust;

     (l)  For delivery in accordance  with the provisions of any agreement among
          the Trust, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the 1934
          Act and a member of

                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>

          the  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;

     (m)  For delivery in accordance  with the provisions of any agreement among
          the Trust, the Custodian, and a futures commission merchant registered
          under the  Commodity  Exchange Act,  relating to  compliance  with the
          rules of the Commodity Futures Trading  Commission and/or any contract
          market  (or  any  similar  organization  or  organizations)  regarding
          account deposits in connection with transactions by the Fund; or

     (n)  For any other proper  corporate  purpose,  but only upon  receipt,  in
          addition  to Proper  Instructions,  of a copy of a  resolution  of the
          Board of Trustees,  certified by an Officer, 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.

     3.8 ACTIONS NOT REQUIRING PROPER INSTRUCTIONS.  Unless otherwise instructed
by the Trust,  the  Custodian  shall with respect to all  Securities  held for a
Fund:

     (a)  Subject to Section 7.4 below, collect on a timely basis all income and
          other payments to which the Fund is entitled either by law or pursuant
          to custom in the securities business;

                                     - 17 -
<PAGE>

     (b)  Present for payment  and,  subject to Section 7.4 below,  collect on a
          timely basis the amount payable upon all  Securities  which may mature
          or be called, redeemed, or retired, or otherwise become payable;

     (c)  Endorse for collection,  in the name of the Fund,  checks,  drafts and
          other negotiable instruments;

     (d)  Surrender  interim  receipts  or  Securities  in  temporary  form  for
          Securities in definitive form;

     (e)  Execute, as custodian,  any necessary  declarations or certificates of
          ownership under the federal income tax laws or the laws or regulations
          of any other taxing authority now or hereafter in effect,  and prepare
          and submit reports to the Internal  Revenue Service ("IRS") and to the
          Trust at such time, in such manner and containing such  information as
          is prescribed by the IRS;

     (f)  Hold for the Fund, either directly or, with respect to Securities held
          therein,  through a Book-Entry  System or Securities  Depository,  all
          rights and similar securities issued with respect to Securities of the
          Fund; and

     (g)  In general,  and except as otherwise directed in Proper  Instructions,
          attend to all  non-discretionary  details in connection with the sale,
          exchange,  substitution,  purchase,  transfer and other  dealings with
          Securities and assets of the Fund.

                                     - 18 -
<PAGE>

     3.9 REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER OF SECURITIES. All Securities held for a Fund
that are issued or issuable  only in bearer form shall be held by the  Custodian
in that form,  provided that any such  Securities  shall be held in a Book-Entry
System  if  eligible  therefor.  All  other  Securities  held  for a Fund may be
registered  in the  name of  such  Fund,  the  Custodian,  or any  Sub-Custodian
appointed pursuant to Section 3.3 above, or in the name of any nominee of any of
them,  or in the  name of a  Book-Entry  System,  Securities  Depository  or any
nominee of either thereof. The Trust shall furnish to the Custodian  appropriate
instruments  to enable  the  Custodian  to hold or  deliver  in proper  form for
transfer, or to register in the name of any of the nominees hereinabove referred
to or  in  the  name  of a  Book-Entry  System  or  Securities  Depository,  any
Securities registered in the name of a Fund.

     3.10  RECORDS.  (a) The Custodian  shall  maintain,  by Fund,  complete and
accurate records with respect to Securities, cash or other property held for the
Funds,  including (i) journals or other records of original entry  containing an
itemized daily record in detail of all receipts and deliveries of Securities and
all  receipts  and  disbursements  of cash;  (ii)  ledgers  (or  other  records)
reflecting  (A) Securities in transfer,  (B) Securities in physical  possession,
(C) monies and Securities  borrowed and monies and Securities  loaned  (together
with a record of the collateral  therefor and substitutions of such collateral),
(D) dividends and interest received,  and (E) dividends  receivable and interest
receivable;  and (iii) canceled  checks and bank records  related  thereto.  The
Custodian  shall  keep such  other  books and  records of the Funds as the Trust
shall reasonably request, or as may be required by the 1940 Act, including,  but
not  limited  to,  Section  31 of  the  1940  Act  and  Rule  31a-2  promulgated
thereunder.

                                     - 19 -
<PAGE>

     (b) All such books and records  maintained  by the  Custodian  shall (i) be
maintained in a form  acceptable  to the Trust and in compliance  with rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange  Commission,  (ii) be the property of
the Trust and at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be
made  available  upon  request  for  inspection  by  duly  authorized  officers,
employees or agents of the Trust and employees or agents of the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission,  and (iii) if required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under
the 1940 Act, be preserved  for the periods  prescribed  in Rule 31a-2 under the
1940 Act.

     3.11 FUND REPORTS BY CUSTODIAN.  The Custodian shall furnish the Trust with
a daily  activity  statement  by Fund and a summary of all  transfers to or from
each Fund Custody Account on the day following such transfers.  At least monthly
and from time to time,  the  Custodian  shall  furnish the Trust with a detailed
statement,  by Fund, of the  Securities and moneys held by the Custodian and the
Sub-Custodians for the Funds under this a Agreement.

     3.12 OTHER REPORTS BY CUSTODIAN. The Custodian shall provide the Trust with
such  reports,  as the Trust may  reasonably  request from time to time,  on the
internal accounting controls and procedures for safeguarding  Securities,  which
are employed by the Custodian or any Sub-Custodian appointed pursuant to Section
3.3 above.

     3.13 PROXIES AND OTHER  MATERIALS.  The  Custodian  shall cause all proxies
relating to  Securities  which are not  registered  in the name of a Fund, to be
promptly  executed  by  the  registered  holder  of  such  Securities,   without
indication of the manner in which such proxies are

                                     - 20 -
<PAGE>

to be voted,  and shall  promptly  deliver to the Trust such proxies,  all proxy
soliciting materials and all notices relating to such Securities.

     3.14 INFORMATION ON CORPORATE ACTIONS. The Custodian shall promptly deliver
to the Trust  all  information  received  by the  Custodian  and  pertaining  to
Securities  being held by the Funds with respect to optional  tender or exchange
offers,  calls for redemption or purchase,  or expiration of rights as described
in the Standards of Service Guide attached as Exhibit B. If the Trust desires to
take action with respect to any tender  offer,  exchange  offer or other similar
transaction,  the Trust shall notify the  Custodian at least five  Business Days
prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take such action.  The Trust will
provide or cause to be provided to the  Custodian all relevant  information  for
any Security which has unique put/option  provisions at least five Business Days
prior to the beginning date of the tender period.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                   ----------
                  PURCHASE AND SALE OF INVESTMENTS OF THE FUNDS
                  ---------------------------------------------

     4.1 PURCHASE OF SECURITIES. Promptly upon each purchase of Securities for a
Fund, Written  Instructions shall be delivered to the Custodian,  specifying (a)
the Fund for which the purchase  was made,  (b) the name of the issuer or writer
of such Securities,  and the title or other description  thereof, (c) the number
of shares,  principal  amount  (and  accrued  interest,  if any) or other  units
purchased,  (d) the date of purchase and settlement,  (e) the purchase price per
unit, (f) the total amount  payable upon such purchase,  and (g) the name of the
person to whom such amount is payable.  The Custodian shall upon receipt of such
Securities  purchased  by a Fund pay out of the moneys  held for the  account of
such Fund the total amount specified in such Written

                                     - 21 -
<PAGE>

Instructions  to the person named therein.  The Custodian shall not be under any
obligation to pay out moneys to cover the cost of a purchase of Securities for a
Fund,  if in the  relevant  Fund  Custody  Account  there is  insufficient  cash
available to the Fund for which such purchase was made.

     4.2 LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT IN ADVANCE OF RECEIPT OF SECURITIES PURCHASED. In
any and every case where  payment for the purchase of  Securities  for a Fund is
made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the  Securities  purchased but in
the  absence  of  specified  Written  Instructions  to so  pay in  advance,  the
Custodian  shall be liable to the Fund for such Securities to the same extent as
if the Securities had been received by the Custodian.

     4.3 SALE OF  SECURITIES.  Promptly  upon each sale of Securities by a Fund,
Written  Instructions  shall be delivered to the  Custodian,  specifying (a) the
Fund for which the sale was made,  (b) the name of the  issuer or writer of such
Securities,  and the  title or other  description  thereof,  (c) the  number  of
Shares,  principal amount (and accrued  interest,  if any), or other units sold,
(d) the date of sale and settlement,  (e) the sale price per unit, (f) the total
amount payable upon such sale, and (g) the person to whom such Securities are to
be delivered.  Upon receipt of the total amount payable to the Fund as specified
in such Written Instructions, the Custodian shall deliver such Securities to the
person  specified in such Written  Instructions.  Subject to the foregoing,  the
Custodian may accept  payment in such form as shall be  satisfactory  to it, and
may deliver  Securities  and arrange for payment in accordance  with the customs
prevailing among dealers in Securities.

                                     - 22 -
<PAGE>

     4.4 DELIVERY OF SECURITIES SOLD.  Notwithstanding  Section 4.3 above or any
other  provision of this  Agreement,  the Custodian,  when instructed to deliver
Securities against payment,  shall be entitled,  if in accordance with generally
accepted market practice,  to deliver such Securities prior to actual receipt of
final payment  therefor.  In any such case,  the Fund for which such  Securities
were  delivered  shall bear the risk that final payment for such  Securities may
not be made  or that  such  Securities  may be  returned  or  otherwise  held or
disposed  of by or  through  the  person to whom they  were  delivered,  and the
Custodian shall have no liability for any for the foregoing.

     4.5 PAYMENT FOR SECURITIES  SOLD, ETC. In its sole discretion and from time
to time,  the Custodian may credit the relevant Fund Custody  Account,  prior to
actual  receipt of final  payment  thereof,  with (i) proceeds  from the sale of
Securities  which  it has been  instructed  to  deliver  against  payment,  (ii)
proceeds from the  redemption  of  Securities  or other assets of the Fund,  and
(iii) income from cash,  Securities or other assets of the Fund. Any such credit
shall be  conditional  upon actual receipt by Custodian of final payment and may
be reversed if final  payment is not actually  received in full.  The  Custodian
may, in its sole discretion and from time to time, permit a Fund to use funds so
credited to its Fund Custody  Account in anticipation of actual receipt of final
payment.  Any such funds shall be repayable  immediately upon demand made by the
Custodian  at any time prior to the  actual  receipt  of all final  payments  in
anticipation of which funds were credited to the Fund Custody Account.

     4.6 ADVANCES BY CUSTODIAN FOR  SETTLEMENT.  The Custodian  may, in its sole
discretion  and from time to time,  advance funds to the Trust to facilitate the
settlement of a Fund's

                                     - 23 -
<PAGE>

transactions  in its Fund Custody  Account.  Any such advance shall be repayable
immediately upon demand made by Custodian.

                                    ARTICLE V
                                    ---------
                            REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES
                            -------------------------

     5.1 TRANSFER OF FUNDS.  From such funds as may be available for the purpose
in the relevant Fund Custody  Account,  and upon receipt of Proper  Instructions
specifying that the funds are required to redeem Shares of a Fund, the Custodian
shall wire each amount specified in such Proper  Instructions to or through such
bank as the Trust may  designate  with  respect  to such  amount in such  Proper
Instructions.

     5.2 NO DUTY REGARDING  PAYING BANKS.  The Custodian  shall not be under any
obligation to effect payment or  distribution  by any bank  designated in Proper
Instructions  given  pursuant  to Section  5.1 above of any  amount  paid by the
Custodian to such bank in accordance with such Proper Instructions.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                   ----------
                               SEGREGATED ACCOUNTS
                               -------------------

     Upon receipt of Proper  Instructions,  the  Custodian  shall  establish and
maintain a  segregated  account or  accounts  for and on behalf of a Fund,  into
which account or accounts may be transferred cash and/or  Securities,  including
Securities maintained in a Depository Account,

                                     - 24 -
<PAGE>

     (a)  in accordance  with the  provisions of any agreement  among the Trust,
          the Custodian and a broker-dealer  registered under the 1934 Act and a
          member  of the NASD (or any  futures  commission  merchant  registered
          under the Commodity  Exchange  Act),  relating to compliance  with the
          rules  of The  Options  Clearing  Corporation  and  of any  registered
          national   securities  exchange  (or  the  Commodity  Futures  Trading
          Commission  or any  registered  contract  market),  or of any  similar
          organization or organizations,  regarding escrow or other arrangements
          in connection with transactions by the Fund,

     (b)  for purposes of  segregating  cash or Securities  in  connection  with
          securities  options  purchased or written by the Fund or in connection
          with financial  futures  contracts (or options  thereon)  purchased or
          sold by the Fund,

     (c)  which constitute collateral for loans of Securities made by the Fund,

     (d)  for purposes of  compliance  by the Fund with  requirements  under the
          1940 Act for the  maintenance  of  segregated  accounts by  registered
          investment companies in connection with reverse repurchase  agreements
          and when-issued,  delayed  delivery and firm commitment  transactions,
          and

     (e)  for other  proper  corporate  purposes,  but only upon  receipt of, in
          addition to Proper  Instructions,  a certified copy of a resolution of
          the Board of  Trustees,  certified  by an Officer,  setting  forth the
          purpose or purposes of such  segregated  account  and  declaring  such
          purposes to be proper corporate purposes.

     Each  segregated  account  established  under  this  Article  VI  shall  be
established and

                                     - 25 -
<PAGE>

maintained  for a single  Fund  only.  All  Proper  Instructions  relating  to a
segregated account shall specify the Fund involved.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                                   -----------
                            CONCERNING THE CUSTODIAN
                            ------------------------

     7.1  STANDARD  OF CARE.  The  Custodian  shall be held to the  exercise  of
reasonable care in carrying out its obligations under this Agreement,  and shall
be  without  liability  to the  Trust or any Fund for any  loss,  damage,  cost,
expense (including attorneys' fees and disbursements), liability or claim unless
such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arises from negligence, bad
faith or  willful  misconduct  on its  part or on the part of any  Sub-Custodian
appointed pursuant to Section 3.3 above. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely
on and may act upon  advice of  counsel  on all  matters,  and shall be  without
liability for any action  reasonably  taken or omitted  pursuant to such advice.
The Custodian  shall promptly notify the Trust of any action taken or omitted by
the Custodian  pursuant to advice of counsel.  The Custodian  shall not be under
any  obligation  at any  time to  ascertain  whether  the  Trust or a Fund is in
compliance with the 1940 Act, the regulations thereunder,  the provisions of the
Trust's charter documents or bylaws,  or its investment  objectives and policies
as then in effect.

     7.2 ACTUAL COLLECTION  REQUIRED.  The Custodian shall not be liable for, or
considered  to be the  custodian  of, any cash  belonging to a Fund or any money
represented  by a check,  draft or other  instrument  for the  payment of money,
until the Custodian or its agents actually receive

                                     - 26 -
<PAGE>

such cash or collect on such instrument.

     7.3 NO RESPONSIBILITY  FOR TITLE, ETC. 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 or delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement.

     7.4  LIMITATION  ON DUTY TO  COLLECT.  Custodian  shall not be  required to
enforce  collection,  by legal means or otherwise,  of any money or property due
and payable with respect to Securities held for a Fund if such Securities are in
default or payment is not made after due demand or presentation.

     7.5 RELIANCE  UPON  DOCUMENTS  AND  INSTRUCTIONS.  The  Custodian  shall be
entitled to rely upon any  certificate,  notice or other  instrument  in writing
received by it and reasonably believed by it to be genuine.  The Custodian shall
be entitled  to rely upon any Oral  Instructions  and any  Written  Instructions
actually received by it pursuant to this Agreement.

     7.6 EXPRESS DUTIES ONLY. The Custodian  shall have no duties or obligations
whatsoever  except such duties and obligations as are  specifically set forth in
this Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied in this Agreement
against the Custodian.

     7.7  CO-OPERATION.  The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary
information,  by Fund, to the entity or entities  appointed by the Trust to keep
the books of account of the Funds and/or  compute the value of the assets of the
Funds.  The Custodian  shall take all such  reasonable  actions as the Trust may
from time to time  request  to enable  the Trust to  obtain,  from year to year,
favorable opinions from the Trust's independent accountants with respect to

                                     - 27 -
<PAGE>

the Custodian's  activities  hereunder in connection with (a) the preparation of
the Trust's  reports on Form N-1A and Form N-SAR and any other reports  required
by the Securities and Exchange Commission,  and (b) the fulfillment by the Trust
of any other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                  ------------
                                 INDEMNIFICATION
                                 ---------------

     8.1  INDEMNIFICATION  BY TRUST. The Trust shall indemnify and hold harmless
the Custodian and any Sub-Custodian appointed pursuant to Section 3.3 above, and
any  nominee of the  Custodian  or of such  Sub-Custodian,  from and against any
loss,  damage,  cost,  expense  (including  attorneys' fees and  disbursements),
liability (including, without limitation, liability arising under the Securities
Act of 1933,  the 1934 Act,  the 1940 Act,  and any state or foreign  securities
and/or  banking laws) or claim arising  directly or indirectly (a) from the fact
that Securities are registered in the name of any such nominee,  or (b) from any
action or inaction by the Custodian or such  Sub-Custodian (i) at the request or
direction  of or in  reliance  on the advice of the Trust,  or (ii) upon  Proper
Instructions,  or (c) generally,  from the performance of its obligations  under
this  Agreement or any  sub-custody  agreement  with a  Sub-Custodian  appointed
pursuant to Section 3.3 above,  provided that neither the Custodian nor any such
Sub-Custodian  shall be indemnified  and held harmless from and against any such
loss, damage, cost, expense,  liability or claim arising from the Custodian's or
such Sub-Custodian's negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

                                     - 28 -
<PAGE>

     8.2  INDEMNIFICATION  BY CUSTODIAN.  The Custodian shall indemnify and hold
harmless the Trust from and against any loss,  damage,  cost, expense (including
attorneys' fees and  disbursements),  liability  (including without  limitation,
liability  arising under the Securities Act of 1933, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act,
and any state or foreign  securities  and/or banking laws) or claim arising from
the  negligence,  bad  faith  or  willful  misconduct  of the  Custodian  or any
Sub-Custodian  appointed  pursuant to Section  3.3 above,  or any nominee of the
Custodian or of such Sub-Custodian.

     8.3 INDEMNITY TO BE PROVIDED.  If the Trust  requests the Custodian to take
any  action  with  respect  to  Securities,  which  may,  in the  opinion of the
Custodian,  result in the  Custodian  or its  nominee  becoming  liable  for the
payment of money or incurring  liability of some other form, the Custodian shall
not be  required  to take  such  action  until  the Trust  shall  have  provided
indemnity  therefor to the Custodian in an amount and form  satisfactory  to the
Custodian.

     8.4 SECURITY.  If the  Custodian  advances cash or Securities to a Fund for
any purpose,  either at the Trust's request or as otherwise contemplated in this
Agreement,  or in the  event  that  the  Custodian  or its  nominee  incurs,  in
connection with its performance under this Agreement,  any loss,  damage,  cost,
expense  (including  attorneys'  fees  and  disbursements),  liability  or claim
(except  such as may arise from its or its  nominee's  negligence,  bad faith or
willful misconduct),  then, in any such event, any property at any time held for
the account of such Fund shall be security  therefor,  and should such Fund fail
promptly to repay or indemnify the Custodian, the Custodian shall be entitled to
utilize  available cash of such Fund and to dispose of other assets of such Fund
to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement or indemnification.

                                     - 29 -
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                   ----------
                                  FORCE MAJEURE
                                  -------------

     Neither  the  Custodian  nor the Trust  shall be liable for any  failure or
delay in performance of its obligations  under this Agreement  arising out of or
caused, directly or indirectly,  by circumstances beyond its reasonable control,
including,  without limitation,  acts of God; earthquakes;  fires; floods; wars;
civil or military  disturbances;  sabotage;  strikes;  epidemics;  riots;  power
failures;  computer  failure and any such  circumstances  beyond its  reasonable
control  as  may  cause   interruption,   loss  or   malfunction   of   utility,
transportation,  computer  (hardware or  software)  or  telephone  communication
service;  accidents;  labor  disputes;  acts of  civil  or  military  authority;
governmental  actions;  or inability  to obtain  labor,  material,  equipment or
transportation;  provided, however, that the Custodian in the event of a failure
or delay  (i)  shall not  discriminate  against  the Funds in favor of any other
customer of the Custodian in making  computer  time and  personnel  available to
input or process the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) shall
use its best efforts to ameliorate the effects of any such failure or delay.

                                    ARTICLE X
                                    ---------
                          EFFECTIVE PERIOD; TERMINATION
                          -----------------------------

     10.1  EFFECTIVE  PERIOD.  This Agreement  shall become  effective as of its
execution  and shall  continue  in full force and  effect  until  terminated  as
hereinafter provided.

                                     - 30 -
<PAGE>

     10.2  TERMINATION.  Either party  hereto may  terminate  this  Agreement by
giving  to the  other  party a notice  in  writing  specifying  the date of such
termination,  which shall be not less than sixty (60) days after the date of the
giving of such notice. If a successor custodian shall have been appointed by the
Board of Trustees,  the Custodian shall,  upon receipt of a notice of acceptance
by the successor  custodian,  on such specified date of termination  (a) deliver
directly to the successor  custodian all Securities  (other than Securities held
in a  Book-Entry  System or  Securities  Depository)  and cash then owned by the
Funds and held by the  Custodian as custodian,  and (b) transfer any  Securities
held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository to an account of or for the
benefit of the Funds at the successor  custodian,  provided that the Trust shall
have paid to the Custodian  all fees,  expenses and other amounts to the payment
or  reimbursement  of which it shall then be  entitled.  Upon such  delivery and
transfer,  the  Custodian  shall  be  relieved  of all  obligations  under  this
Agreement. The Trust may at any time immediately terminate this Agreement in the
event of the  appointment  of a  conservator  or receiver  for the  Custodian by
regulatory authorities or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of
an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction.

     10.3 FAILURE TO APPOINT SUCCESSOR  CUSTODIAN.  If a successor  custodian is
not  designated  by the Trust on or  before  the date of  termination  specified
pursuant  to Section  10.1  above,  then the  Custodian  shall have the right to
deliver to a bank or trust company of its own  selection,  which (a) is a "bank"
as defined in the 1940 Act and (b) has aggregate capital,  surplus and undivided
profits as shown on its then most recent  published  report of not less than $25
million,  all  Securities,  cash and other property held by Custodian under this
Agreement and to transfer to

                                     - 31 -
<PAGE>

an account of or for the Funds at such bank or trust  company all  Securities of
the Funds  held in a  Book-Entry  System  or  Securities  Depository.  Upon such
delivery  and  transfer,  such  bank or trust  company  shall  be the  successor
custodian  under this  Agreement  and the  Custodian  shall be  relieved  of all
obligations under this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE XI
                                   ----------
                            COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN
                            -------------------------

     The Custodian shall be entitled to compensation as agreed upon from time to
time by the Trust and the Custodian. The fees and other charges in effect on the
date  hereof  and  applicable  to the Funds are set forth in  Exhibit C attached
hereto.

                                   ARTICLE XII
                                   -----------
                             LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
                             -----------------------

     It is expressly  agreed that the  obligations of the Trust  hereunder shall
not be  binding  upon any of the  Trustees,  shareholders,  nominees,  officers,
agents or  employees  of the  Trust  personally,  but shall  bind only the trust
property of the Trust as provided in the Trust's  Agreement and  Declaration  of
Trust,  as  from  time to time  amended.  The  execution  and  delivery  of this
Agreement  have been  authorized  by the Trustees,  and this  Agreement has been
signed and delivered by an authorized officer of the Trust,  acting as such, and
neither such  authorization  by the Trustees nor such  execution and delivery by
such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to
impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind

                                     - 32 -
<PAGE>

only  the  trust  property  of the  Trust  as  provided  in the  above-mentioned
Agreement and Declaration of Trust.

                                  ARTICLE XIII
                                  ------------
                                     NOTICES
                                     -------

     Unless otherwise specified herein, all demands, notices,  instructions, and
other communications to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sent
or  delivered  to  the  recipient  at the  address  set  forth  after  its  name
hereinbelow:

                  TO THE TRUST:
                  -------------

                  Bonfiglio & Reed Investment Trust
                  312 Walnut Street, 21st Floor
                  Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
                  Telephone:  (513) 629-2000
                  Facsimile:  (513) 629-2008

                  TO CUSTODIAN:
                  -------------

                  Firstar Bank, N.A.
                  425 Walnut Street, M.L. 6118
                  Cincinnati, Ohio  45202
                  Attention:  Mutual Fund Custody Services
                  Telephone:  (513)  632-3016
                  Facsimile:  (513)  632-4448


or at such other  address as either  party  shall have  provided to the other by
notice  given in  accordance  with this  Article  XIII.  Writing  shall  include
transmissions  by  or  through  teletype,  facsimile,  central  processing  unit
connection, on-line terminal and magnetic tape.

                                     - 33 -
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE XIV
                                   -----------
                                  MISCELLANEOUS
                                  -------------

     14.1 GOVERNING  LAW. This  Agreement  shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.

     14.2  REFERENCES  TO  CUSTODIAN.  The Trust shall not circulate any printed
matter which  contains any  reference  to  Custodian  without the prior  written
approval of Custodian,  excepting  printed matter contained in the prospectus or
statement of additional  information for a Fund and such other printed matter as
merely identifies  Custodian as custodian for one or more Funds. The Trust shall
submit printed matter  requiring  approval to Custodian in draft form,  allowing
sufficient  time for review by Custodian  and its counsel  prior to any deadline
for printing.

     14.3 NO WAIVER. No failure by either party hereto to exercise, and no delay
by such  party in  exercising,  any right  hereunder  shall  operate as a waiver
thereof.  The exercise by either party hereto of any right  hereunder  shall not
preclude the exercise of any other right,  and the remedies  provided herein are
cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided at law or in equity.

     14.4  AMENDMENTS.  This Agreement cannot be changed orally and no amendment
to this  Agreement  shall be  effective  unless  evidenced by an  instrument  in
writing executed by the parties hereto.

     14.5  COUNTERPARTS.   This  Agreement  may  be  executed  in  one  or  more
counterparts, and

                                     - 34 -
<PAGE>

by the parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original  but all of  which  together  shall  constitute  but  one and the  same
instrument.

     14.6  SEVERABILITY.  If any provision of this  Agreement  shall be invalid,
illegal or  unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law, the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected or
impaired thereby.

     14.7 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their  respective  successors and
assigns;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that this  Agreement  shall not be  assignable by
either party hereto without the written consent of the other party hereto.

     14.8  HEADINGS.  The  headings  of  sections  in  this  Agreement  are  for
convenience of reference  only and shall not affect the meaning or  construction
of any provision of this Agreement.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to
be executed and  delivered in its name and on its behalf by its  representatives
thereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and year first above written.


ATTEST:                                 BONFIGLIO & REED INVESTMENT TRUST



                                        By:
--------------------------------           --------------------------------
                                        Its: President


ATTEST:                                 FIRSTAR BANK, N.A.

                                        By:
--------------------------------           --------------------------------
                                        Its: Senior Vice President


                                     - 35 -
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                               AUTHORIZED PERSONS


         Set forth below are the names and  specimen  signatures  of the persons
authorized by the Trust to administer the Fund Custody Accounts.

NAME                                    SIGNATURE


Chad E. Bonfiglio
                                        --------------------------------
Reese W. Reed
                                        --------------------------------
David E. Dennison
                                        --------------------------------
Lisa Oliverio
                                        --------------------------------
Tina D. Hosking
                                        --------------------------------
Wade Bridge
                                        --------------------------------
Renee Pape
                                        --------------------------------

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B

                               FIRSTAR BANK, N.A.
                           STANDARDS OF SERVICE GUIDE

     Firstar Bank,  N.A., is committed to providing  superior quality service to
all  customers  and their agents at all times.  We have compiled this guide as a
tool for our clients to determine our  standards for the  processing of security
settlements,  payment  collection,  and capital change  transactions.  Deadlines
recited in this guide represent the times required for Firstar Bank to guarantee
processing.  Failure to meet these  deadlines  will result in  settlement at our
client's risk. In all cases, Firstar Bank will make every effort to complete all
processing on a timely basis.

     Firstar Bank is a direct  participant  of the Depository  Trust Company,  a
direct member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, and utilizes the Bankers
Trust Company as its agent for ineligible and foreign securities.

     For corporate  reorganizations,  Firstar Bank utilizes  SEI's Reorg Source,
Financial Information,  Inc., XCITEK, DTC Important Notices, and the WALL STREET
JOURNAL,

     For bond calls and mandatory puts, Firstar Bank utilizes SEI's Bond Source,
Kenny  Information  Systems,  Standard & Poor's  Corporation,  and DTC Important
Notices. Firstar Bank will not notify clients of optional put opportunities.

     Any  securities  delivered  free  to  Firstar  Bank or its  agents  must be
received three (3) business days prior to any payment or settlement in order for
the Firstar Bank standards of service to apply.

     Should you have any questions  regarding the information  contained in this
guide, please feel free to contact your account representative.


The information  contained in this Standards Service Guide is subject to change.
Should any changes be made Firstar Bank will provide you with an updated copy of
its Standards of Service Guide.

<PAGE>

                   FIRSTAR BANK SECURITY SETTLEMENT STANDARDS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TRANSACTION TYPE                   INSTRUCTIONS DEADLINES*                 DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
----------------                   -----------------------                 ---------------------
<S>                                <C>                                     <C>
DTC                                1:30 P.M. on Settlement Date            DTC Participant #2219
                                                                           Agent Bank ID #27895
                                                                           Institutional # _______________
                                                                           For Account # _______________

Federal Reserve Book Entry         12:30 P.M. on Settlement Date           Federal Reserve Bank of
                                                                           Cinti/Trust for Firstar Bank, N.A.
                                                                           ABA# 042000013
                                                                           For Account # _______________

Federal Reserve Book Entry         1:00 P.M. on Settlement Date            Federal Reserve Bank of
(Repurchase Agreement                                                      Cinti/Spec for Firstar Bank, N.A.
Collateral Only)                                                           ABA# 042000013
                                                                           For Account # _______________

PTC Securities                     12:00 P.M. on Settlement Date           PTC For Account BTRST/CUST
(GNMA Book Entry)                                                          Sub Account: Firstar Bank, N.A. #090334


Physical Securities                9:30 A.M. EST on Settlement Date        Bankers Trust Company
                                   (for Deliveries, by 4:00 P.M. on        16 Wall Street 4th Floor, Window 43
                                   Settlement Date minus 1)                for Star Bank Account #090334

CEDEL/EURO-CLEAR                   11:00 A.M. on Settlement Date           Eurclear Via Cedel Bridge
                                   minus 2                                 In favor of Bankers Trust Comp
                                                                           Cedel 53355
                                                                           For Firstar Bank Account #501526354

Cash Wire Transfer                 3:00 P.M.                               Firstar Bank, N.A. Cinti/Trust ABA# 042000013
                                                                           Credit Account #9901877
                                                                           Further Credit to ________________
                                                                           Account # _______________
</TABLE>

*All times listed are Cincinnati time.

<PAGE>

                         FIRSTAR BANK PAYMENT STANDARDS

SECURITY TYPE                   INCOME                        PRINCIPAL

Equities                        Payable Date

Municipal Bonds*                Payable Date                  Payable Date

Corporate Bonds*                Payable Date                  Payable Date

Federal Reserve Bank
Book Entry*                     Payable Date                  Payable Date

PTC GNMA's (P&I)                Payable Date + 1              Payable Date + 1

CMOs*
   DTC                          Payable Date + 1              Payable Date + 1
   Bankers Trust                Payable Date + 1              Payable Date + 1

SBA Loan Certificates           When Received                 When Received

Unit Investment Trust           Payable Date                  Payable Date
Certificates*

Certificates of Deposit*        Payable Date                  Payable Date

Limited Partnerships            When Received                 When Received

Foreign Securities              When Received                 When Received

*Variable Rate Securities
    Federal Reserve Bank
      Book Entry                Payable Date                  Payable Date
    DTC                         Payable Date + 1              Payable Date + 1
    Bankers Trust               Payable Date + 1              Payable Date + 1

NOTE: If a payable date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, payment will be made
on the immediately following business day.

<PAGE>

                 FIRSTAR BANK CORPORATE REORGANIZATION STANDARDS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TYPE OF ACTION                  NOTIFICATION TO CLIENT                     DEADLINE FOR CLIENT INSTRUCTIONS         TRANSACTION
                                TO FIRSTAR BANK                            POSTING
<S>                             <C>                                        <C>                                      <C>
Rights, Warrants,               Later of 10 business days prior            5 business days prior to expiration      Upon receipt
and Optional Mergers            to expiration or receipt of notice

Mandatory Puts with             Later of 10 business days prior            5 business days prior to expiration      Upon receipt
Option to Retain                to expiration or receipt of notice

Class Actions                   10 business days prior to                  5 business days prior to expiration      Upon receipt
                                expiration date

Voluntary Tenders,              Later of 10 business days prior            5 business days prior to expiration      Upon receipt
Exchanges,                      to expiration or receipt of notice
and Conversions

Mandatory Puts, Defaults,       At posting of funds or securities          None                                     Upon receipt
Liquidations, Bankruptcies,     received
Stock Splits, Mandatory
Exchanges

Full and Partial Calls          Later of 10 business days prior            None                                     Upon receipt
                                to expiration or receipt of notice
</TABLE>

NOTE:Fractional shares/par amounts resulting from any of the above will be sold.

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT C

                     FIRSTAR INSTITUTIONAL CUSTODY SERVICES
  PROPOSED DOMESTIC CUSTODY FEE SCHEDULE FOR THE BONFIGLIO & REED OPTIONS FUND

Firstar  Institutional  Custody  Services,  as Custodian,  will receive  monthly
compensation for services according to the terms of the following Schedule:

I.   PORTFOLIO TRANSACTION FEES:
     ---------------------------
     (a)  For each repurchase agreement transaction              $ 7.00
     (b)  For each portfolio transaction processed through
          DTC or Federal Reserve                                 $ 9.00
     (c)  For each portfolio transaction processed through
          our New York custodian                                 $25.00
     (d)  For each GNMA/Amortized Security Purchase              $25.00
     (e)  For each GNMA Prin/Int Paydown, GNMA Sales             $ 8.00
     (f)  For each covered call option/future contract written,
          exercised or expired                                   $10.00
     (g)  For each Cedel/Euro clear transaction                  $80.00
     (h)  For each Disbursement (Fund expenses only)             $ 5.00

A transaction  is a  purchase/sale  of a security,  free  receipt/free  delivery
(excludes initial conversion), maturity, tender or exchange:

II.  MARKET VALUE FEE
     ----------------
     Based upon an annual rate of:                        Million
     .0003 (3 Basis Points) on First                      $20
     .0002 (2 Basis Points) on Next                       $30
     .00015 (1.5 Basis Points) on                         Balance

III. MONTHLY MINIMUM FEE-PER FUND                         $300.00
     ----------------------------

IV.  OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES
     ----------------------
     The only  out-of-pocket  expenses  charged to your account will be shipping
     fees or transfer fees.

V.   IRA DOCUMENTS
     -------------
     Per Shareholder/year to hold each IRA Document       $8.00

VI.  EARNINGS CREDITS
     ----------------
     On a monthly basis any earnings credits  generated from uninvested  custody
     balances  will  be  applied  against  any  cash  management   service  fees
     generated.

<PAGE>

                     FIRSTAR INSTITUTIONAL CUSTODY SERVICES
     PROPOSED CASH MANAGEMENT FEE SCHEDULE FOR BONFIGLIO & REED OPTIONS FUND

SERVICES                           UNIT COST ($)            MONTHLY COST ($)
--------                           -------------            ----------------
D.D.A. Account Maintenance                                       15.00
Deposits                                 .42
Deposited Items                          .109
Checks Paid                              .159
Balance Reporting - P.C. Access                             50.00 1st Acct
                                                            35.00 each add'l
ACH Transaction                          .105
ACH Monthly Maintenance                                          40.00
ACH Additions, Deletions, Changes       6.00
ACH Stop Payment                        5.00
ACH Debits                               .12
Deposited Items Returned                6.00
International Items Returned           10.00
NSF Returned Checks                    25.00
Stop Payments                          22.00
Data Transmission per account                                   115.00
Drafts Cleared                           .179
Lockbox Maintenance                                              60.00
Lockbox items Processed                  .34
Miscellaneous Lockbox items              .12
Positive Pay                             .06
Issued Items                             .015
Invoicing for Service Charge           15.00
Wires Incoming
   Domestic                            11.00
   International                       11.00
Wires Outgoing
   Domestic                      International
      Repetitive         14.00     Repetitive      35.00
      Non-Repetitive     13.00     Non-Repetitive  40.00
PC - Initiated Wires:
  Domestic                       International
  Repetitive             10.00     Repetitive      25.00
  Non-Repetitive         11.00     Non-Repetitive  25.00
  Customer Initiated      9.00

Uncollected  Charge --  Firstar  Prime  Rate as of first of month  plus 4% Other
available cash management services are priced separately.



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission