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Exhibit 99.J
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
READINGTON HOLDINGS, INC.
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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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......................................... 1
2.1 Holding Securities................................................................... 1
2.2 Delivery of Securities............................................................... 2
2.3 Registration of Securities........................................................... 4
2.4 Bank Accounts........................................................................ 4
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds........................................................ 4
2.6 Collection of Income................................................................. 4
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies............................................................... 5
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of
Receipt of Securities Purchased...................................................... 6
2.9 Appointment of Agents................................................................ 6
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities System.......................................... 6
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct
Paper System......................................................................... 7
2.11 Segregated Account................................................................... 8
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes.............................................. 9
2.13 Proxies.............................................................................. 9
2.14 Communications Relating to Portfolio Securities...................................... 9
2.15 Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants.................................... 9
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of
the Fund Held Outside of the United States..................................................... 9
4. Proper Instructions............................................................................ 13
5. Actions Permitted Without Express Authority.................................................... 13
6. Evidence of Authority.......................................................................... 13
7. Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books of Account and Calculation
of Net Asset Value and Net Income.............................................................. 14
8. Records ...................................................................................... 14
9. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountants...................................................... 14
10. Compensation of Custodian...................................................................... 15
11. Responsibility of Custodian.................................................................... 15
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12. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment.................................................... 16
13. Successor Custodian............................................................................ 16
14. Interpretive and Additional Provisions......................................................... 17
15. Massachusetts Law to Apply..................................................................... 17
16. Prior Contracts................................................................................ 17
17. Shareholder Communications Election............................................................ 18
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This Contract between Readington Holdings, Inc., a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of New Jersey, having its principal place
of business at 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536 hereinafter
called the "Fund", and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts
trust company, having its principal place of business at 225 Franklin Street,
Boston, Massachusetts, 02110, hereinafter called the "Custodian", 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 the assets of
the Fund, including securities which the Fund 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 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The Fund agrees to
deliver to the Custodian all securities and cash of the Fund, 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 of
the Fund ("Shares") 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
4), the Custodian shall on behalf of the Fund 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. The Custodian covenants
with the Fund that each agreement whereby the Custodian employs any such
sub-custodian shall provide that the sub-custodian will be liable to the
Custodian for losses and liabilities caused by the negligence, misfeasance, or
willful misconduct of the sub-custodian. The Fund agrees that, so long as the
Custodian has complied with its obligation set forth in the preceding sentence,
the Custodian shall have no more or less responsibility or liability to the Fund
on account of any actions or omissions of any U.S. sub-custodian employed by it
on behalf of the Fund than any such sub-custodian has to the Custodian.
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held By
the Custodian 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
(the "Direct Paper System") pursuant to Section 2.10A.
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 from the Fund, which may be
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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 securities of the Fund;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are
called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable;
provided that, in any such case, the cash or other
consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the
name of the Fund or into the name of any nominee or nominees
of the Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any agent
appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 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 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
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account in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S.
Department of the Treasury, the Custodian will not be held
liable or responsible for the delivery of securities owned by
the Fund prior to the receipt of such collateral except as may
arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful
misconduct;
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, regarding account
deposits in connection with transactions by the Fund; and
14) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt
of, in addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund, 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 of the Fund 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 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. If, however, the Fund directs the Custodian to maintain
securities in "street name", the Custodian shall utilize all reasonable
efforts to timely collect income due the Fund on such securities and to
notify the Fund of relevant corporate actions including, without
limitation, pendency of calls, maturities, tender or exchange offers.
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
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established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. Funds held by the Custodian for the Fund may be
deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in the Banking Department of
the Custodian or in such other banks or trust companies as it may in
its discretion deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that
every such bank or trust company shall be qualified to act as a
custodian under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and that each such
bank or trust company and the funds to be deposited with each such bank
or trust company shall be approved by vote of a majority of the Board
of Directors of the Fund. Such funds shall be deposited by the
Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the
Custodian only in that capacity.
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds. Upon mutual agreement between the Fund
and the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper
Instructions from the Fund, 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. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the
Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments
with respect to registered domestic 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 bearer domestic 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 such Fund's custodian account. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for
payment all coupons and other income items requiring presentation as
and when they become due and shall collect interest when due on
securities held hereunder. Income due the Fund on securities loaned
pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the
responsibility of the Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or
responsibility in connection therewith, other than to exercise
reasonable care in providing 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 from the
Fund, 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 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 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; (c) in the case of a purchase
involving the Direct Paper System, in accordance with the
conditions set forth in Section 2.10A hereof; (d) in the case
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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 or (e) for
transfer to a time deposit account of the Fund in any bank,
whether domestic or foreign; such transfer may be effected
prior to receipt of a confirmation from a broker and/or the
applicable bank pursuant to Proper Instructions as defined in
Article 4;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of
securities owned by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2
hereof;
3) For the 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;
4) For the payment of any dividends on Shares of the Fund
declared pursuant to the governing documents of the Fund;
5) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
6) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund, a certified
copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors or of the
Executive Committee of the Fund signed by an officer of the
Fund and certified by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary,
specifying the amount of such payment, setting forth the
purpose for which such payment is to be made, declaring such
purpose to be a proper purpose, and naming the person or
persons to whom such payment is to be made.
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased.
Except as specifically stated otherwise in this Contract, 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.
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2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems. The Custodian may deposit
and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in a clearing agency
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section
17A of the 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 certain federal agencies, collectively
referred to herein as "Securities System" in accordance with applicable
Federal Reserve Board and Securities and Exchange Commission rules and
regulations, if any, and subject to the following provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in a Securities
System provided that such securities are represented in an
account ("Account") of the Custodian in the Securities System
which shall not include any assets of the Custodian other than
assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for
customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Fund which are maintained in a Securities System shall
identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the
Securities System that such securities have been transferred
to the Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records
of the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for the
account of the Fund. The Custodian shall transfer securities
sold for the account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice
from the Securities System that payment for such securities
has been transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of an
entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer
and payment for the account of the Fund. Copies of all advices
from the Securities System of transfers of securities for the
account of the Fund shall identify the Fund, be maintained for
the Fund by the Custodian and be provided to the Fund at its
request. Upon request, the Custodian shall furnish the Fund
confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the
Fund in the form of a written advice or notice and shall
furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction sheets
reflecting each day's transactions in the Securities System
for the account of the Fund;
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained
by the Custodian on the Securities System's accounting system,
internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding
securities deposited in the Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received from the Fund the initial or
annual certificate, as the case may be, required by Article 12
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
officers or 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
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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
from the Fund;
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;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each
transfer to or from 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 from the Fund 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 of any similar organization or organizations, regarding
escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the
Fund, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash or government securities in
connection with options purchased, sold or written by the Fund or
commodity futures contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by the
Fund, (iii) for the purposes of compliance by the Fund with the
procedures required by Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any
subsequent
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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 from the Fund, 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 securities.
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 Portfolio Securities. Subject to the
provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the
Fund all written information (including, without limitation, pendency
of calls and maturities 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 securities being held for the Fund. With respect to tender or
exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund all
written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the
securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or
his agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If the Fund desires to
take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or any
other similar transaction, the Fund shall notify the Custodian at least
three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take
such action.
2.15 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 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. [Reserved]
4. Proper Instructions
Proper Instructions as used throughout this Contract means a writing
signed or initialed by one or more person or persons as the Board of Directors
shall have from time to time authorized. Each such writing shall set forth the
specific transaction or type of transaction
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involved, including a specific statement of the purpose for which such action is
requested. Oral instructions will be considered Proper Instructions if the
Custodian reasonably believes them to have been given by a person authorized to
give such instructions with respect to the transaction involved. The Fund shall
cause all oral instructions to be confirmed in writing. Upon receipt of a
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary as to the authorization
by the Board of Directors of the Fund accompanied by a detailed description of
procedures approved by the Board of Directors, Proper Instructions may include
communications effected directly between electro-mechanical or electronic
devices provided that the Board of Directors and the Custodian are satisfied
that such procedures afford adequate safeguards for the Fund's assets. For
purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall include instructions
received by the Custodian pursuant to any three-party agreement which requires a
segregated asset account in accordance with Section 2.11.
5. 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 and provided that the Fund
shall not object to such payments;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
definitive form;
3) endorse for collection 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.
6. Evidence of Authority
The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions,
notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper reasonably
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.
7. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to
the entity or entities appointed by the Board of Directors of the Fund to keep
the books of account of the Fund and/or compute the net asset value per share of
the outstanding Shares of the Fund or, if directed in writing to do so by the
Fund, shall itself keep such books of account and/or compute such net asset
value per share. If so directed, the Custodian shall also calculate weekly the
net income of
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the Fund as described in the Fund's currently effective prospectus and shall
advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent weekly 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 weekly income of the Fund shall be made at the time or times described from
time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus.
8. Records
The Custodian shall with respect to the Fund 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, as amended, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules
31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder. 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.
9. 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-2, and Form N-SAR or other
annual reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and with respect to any
other requirements of such Commission.
10. 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.
11. 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,
including any futures commission merchant acting pursuant to the terms of a
three-party futures or options agreement. 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, misfeasance or
willful misconduct. 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 taken or omitted pursuant to such advice.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a foreign
banking institution appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 as
provided in Section 3.9 hereof and,
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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 3.12 hereof, the Custodian shall not be liable for any
loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from, or caused by
nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of war or
terrorism, acts of God, or other occurrences beyond the Custodian's or
sub-custodian's reasonable control.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in
the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to
the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some
other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such
action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form
satisfactory to it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or
agents, to advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not limited
to securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement)
for the benefit of the Fund including the purchase or sale of foreign exchange
or of contracts for foreign exchange 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's assets to the extent necessary to
obtain reimbursement.
12. 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 of the Fund that the Board of Directors of the Fund has approved the
initial use of a particular Securities System by the Fund, as required by Rule
17f-4 under 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 of the Fund
that the Board of Directors of the Fund has approved the initial use of the
Direct Paper System by the Fund; 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.
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13. Successor Custodian
If a successor custodian for the Fund shall be appointed by the Board
of Directors of the Fund, the Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to such
successor custodian at the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the
form for transfer, all securities of the Fund then held by it hereunder and
shall transfer to an account of the successor custodian all of the securities of
the Fund 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 of the Fund 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, as amended, 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 on behalf of the Fund and all instruments
held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held by it under
this Contract on behalf of the Fund and to transfer to an account of such
successor custodian all of the securities of each the Fund 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, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or of
the Board of Directors of the Fund 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
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16. Prior Contracts
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all
prior contracts between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the custody of
the Fund's assets.
17. Shareholder Communications Election
Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14b-2 requires banks which hold
securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of
securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of
securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has
expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to comply with
the rule, the Custodian needs the Fund to indicate whether it authorizes the
Custodian to provide the Fund's name, address, and share position to requesting
companies whose securities the Fund owns. If the Fund tells the Custodian "no",
the Custodian will not provide this information to requesting companies. If the
Fund tells the Custodian "yes" or does not check either "yes" or "no" below, the
Custodian is required by the rule to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure
of this information for all securities owned by the Fund or any funds or
accounts established by the Fund. For the Fund's protection, this rule prohibits
the requesting company from using the Fund's name and address for any purpose
other than corporate communications. Please indicate below whether the Fund
consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives below.
YES [ ] The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund's name,
address, and share positions.
NO [ ] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund's name,
address, and share positions.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to
be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative
and its seal to be hereunder affixed as of the day of , 2000.
ATTEST READINGTON HOLDINGS, INC.
______________________________ By:___________________________________
Name:______________________________
Title:_____________________________
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
______________________________ By:___________________________________
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