OPPENHEIMER MIDCAP VALUE FUND
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
Agreement made as of this ____ day of _______________, 2001, between OPPENHEIMER
MIDCAP VALUE FUND, a business trust organized and existing under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having its principal office and place of business
at Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048 (hereinafter called the
"Fund"), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New York corporation authorized to do a
banking business, having its principal office and place of business at 48 Wall
Street, New York, New York 10286 (hereinafter called the "Custodian").
WITNESSETH, that for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set
forth, the Fund and the Custodian agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases, shall have the
following meanings:
1. "Agreement" shall mean this Custody Agreement and all Appendices and
Certifications described in the Exhibits delivered in connection herewith.
2. "Authorized Person" shall mean any person, whether or not such person is an
Officer or employee of the Fund, duly authorized by the Board of Trustees of the
Fund to give Oral Instructions and Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund
and listed in the Certificate annexed hereto as Appendix A or such other
Certificate as may be received by the Custodian from time to time, provided that
each person who is designated in any such Certificate as an "Officer of OSS"
shall be an Authorized Person only for purposes of Articles XII and XIII hereof.
3. "Book-Entry System" shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-entry system
for United States and federal agency securities, its successor or successors and
its nominee or nominees.
4. "Call Option" shall mean an exchange traded Option with respect to Securities
other than Index, Futures Contracts, and Futures Contract Options entitling the
holder, upon timely exercise and payment of the exercise price, as specified
therein, to purchase from the writer thereof the specified underlying
instruments, currency, or Securities.
5. "Certificate" shall mean any notice, instruction, or other instrument in
writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Custodian
which is actually received (irrespective of constructive receipt) by the
Custodian and signed on behalf of the Fund by any two Officers. The term
Certificate shall also include instructions by the Fund to the Custodian
communicated by a Terminal Link.
6. "Clearing Member" shall mean a registered broker-dealer which is a clearing
member under the rules of O.C.C. and a member of a national securities exchange
qualified to act as a custodian for an investment company, or any broker-dealer
reasonably believed by the Custodian to be such a clearing member.
7. "Collateral Account" shall mean a segregated account so denominated which is
specifically allocated to a Series and pledged to the Custodian as security for,
and in consideration of, the Custodian's issuance of any Put Option guarantee
letter or similar document described in paragraph 8 of Article V herein.
8. "Covered Call Option" shall mean an exchange traded Option entitling the
holder, upon timely exercise and payment of the exercise price, as specified
therein, to purchase from the writer thereof the specified underlying
instruments, currency, or Securities (excluding Futures Contracts) which are
owned by the writer thereof.
9. "Depository" shall mean The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), a clearing
agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, its successor or
successors and its nominee or nominees. The term "Depository" shall further mean
and include any other person authorized to act as a depository under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, its successor or successors and its nominee or
nominees, specifically identified in a certified copy of a resolution of the
Fund's Board of Trustees specifically approving deposits therein by the
Custodian, including, without limitation, a Foreign Depository.
10. "Financial Futures Contract" shall mean the firm commitment to buy or sell
financial instruments on a U.S. commodities exchange or board of trade at a
specified future time at an agreed upon price.
11. "Foreign Subcustodian" shall mean an "Eligible Foreign Custodian" as defined
in Rule 17-5 which is appointed by the Custodian to perform or coordinate the
receipt, custody and delivery of Foreign Property of the Fund outside the United
States in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Agreement and whose
written contract is approved by the Board of Trustees of the Fund in accordance
with Rule 17f-5. References to the Custodian herein shall, when appropriate,
include reference to its Foreign Subcustodians.
12. "Foreign Depository" shall mean an entity organized under the laws of a
foreign country which operates a system outside the United States in general use
by foreign banks and securities brokers for the central or transnational
handling of securities or equivalent book-entries which is regulated by a
foreign government or agency thereof and which is an "Eligible Foreign
Custodian" as defined in Rule 17f-5.
13. "Foreign Securities" shall mean securities and/or short term paper as
defined in Rule 17f-5 under the Act, whether issued in registered or bearer
form.
14. "Foreign Property" shall mean Foreign Securities and money of any currency
which is held outside of the United States.
15. "Futures Contract" shall mean a Financial Futures Contract and/or Index
Futures Contracts.
16. "Futures Contract Option" shall mean an Option with respect to a Futures
Contract.
17. "Investment Company Act of 1940" shall mean the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
18. "Index Futures Contract" shall mean a bilateral agreement pursuant to which
the parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a
specified dollar amount times the difference between the value of a particular
index at the close of the last business day of the contract and the price at
which the futures contract is originally struck.
19. "Index Option" shall mean an exchange traded Option entitling the holder,
upon timely exercise, to receive an amount of cash determined by reference to
the difference between the exercise price and the value of the index on the date
of exercise.
20. "Margin Account" shall mean a segregated account in the name of a broker,
dealer, futures commission merchant, or a Clearing Member, or in the name of the
Fund for the benefit of a broker, dealer, futures commission merchant, or
Clearing Member, or otherwise, in accordance with an agreement between the Fund,
the Custodian and a broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or a Clearing
Member (a "Margin Account Agreement"), separate and distinct from the custody
account, in which certain Securities and/or money of the Fund shall be deposited
and withdrawn from time to time in connection with such transactions as the Fund
may from time to time determine. Securities held in the Book-Entry System or a
Depository shall be deemed to have been deposited in, or withdrawn from, a
Margin Account upon the Custodian's effecting an appropriate entry in its books
and records.
21. "Money Market Security" shall mean all instruments and obligations commonly
known as a money market instruments, where the purchase and sale of such
securities normally requires settlement in federal funds on the same day as such
purchase or sale, including, without limitation, certain Reverse Repurchase
Agreements, debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to interest and/or
principal by the government of the United States or agencies or
instrumentalities thereof, any tax, bond or revenue anticipation note issued by
any state or municipal government or public authority, commercial paper,
certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances, repurchase agreements with
respect to Securities and bank time deposits.
22. "Nominee" shall mean, in addition to the name of the registered nominee of
the Custodian, (i) a partnership or other entity of a Foreign Subcustodian which
is used solely for the assets of its customers other than the Custodian and the
Foreign Subcustodian, if any, by which it was appointed; or (ii) the nominee of
a Foreign Depository which is used for the securities and other assets of its
customers, members or participants.
23. "O.C.C." shall mean the Options Clearing Corporation, a clearing agency
registered under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, its
successor or successors, and its nominee or nominees.
24. "Officers" shall mean the President, any Vice President, the Secretary, the
Treasurer, the Controller, any Assistant Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer, and
any other person or persons, whether or not any such other person is an officer
or employee of the Fund, but in each case only if duly authorized by the Board
of Trustees of the Fund to execute any Certificate, instruction, notice or other
instrument on behalf of the Fund and listed in the Certificate annexed hereto as
Appendix B or such other Certificate as may be received by the Custodian from
time to time; provided that each person who is designated in any such
Certificate as holding the position of "Officer of OSS" shall be an Officer only
for purposes of Articles XII and XIII hereof.
25. "Option" shall mean a Call Option, Covered Call Option, Index Option and/or
a Put Option.
26. "Oral Instructions" shall mean verbal instructions actually received
(irrespective of constructive receipt) by the Custodian from an Authorized
Person or from a person reasonably believed by the Custodian to be an Authorized
Person.
27. "Put Option" shall mean an exchange traded Option with respect to
instruments, currency, or Securities other than Index Options, Futures
Contracts, and Futures Contract Options entitling the holder, upon timely
exercise and tender of the specified underlying instruments, currency, or
Securities, to sell such instruments, currency, or Securities to the writer
thereof for the exercise price.
28. "Repurchase Agreement" shall mean an agreement pursuant to which the Fund
buys Securities and agrees to resell such Securities at a described or specified
date and price.
29. "Reverse Repurchase Agreement" shall mean an agreement pursuant to which the
Fund sells Securities and agrees to repurchase such Securities at a described or
specified date and price.
30. "Rule 17f-5" shall mean Rule 17f-5 (Reg. Section 270.17f-5) promulgated by
the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended.
31. "Security" shall be deemed to include, without limitation, Money Market
Securities, Call Options, Put Options, Index Options, Index Futures Contracts,
Index Futures Contract Options, Financial Futures Contracts, Financial Futures
Contract Options, Reverse Repurchase Agreements, over the counter Options on
Securities, common stocks and other securities having characteristics similar to
common stocks, preferred stocks, debt obligations issued by state or municipal
governments and by public authorities, (including, without limitation, general
obligation bonds, revenue bonds, industrial bonds and industrial development
bonds), bonds, debentures, notes, mortgages or other obligations, and any
certificates, receipts, warrants or other instruments representing rights to
receive, purchase, sell or subscribe for the same, or evidencing or representing
any other rights or interest therein, or rights to any property or assets.
32. "Senior Security Account" shall mean an account maintained and specifically
allocated to a Series under the terms of this Agreement as a segregated account,
by recordation or otherwise, within the custody account in which certain
Securities and/or other assets of the Fund specifically allocated to such Series
shall be deposited and withdrawn from time to time in accordance with
Certificates received by the Custodian in connection with such transactions as
the Fund may from time to time determine.
33. "Series" shall mean the various portfolios, if any, of the Fund as described
from time to time in the current and effective prospectus for the Fund, except
that if the Fund does not have more than one portfolio, "Series" shall mean the
Fund or be ignored where a requirement would be imposed on the Fund or the
Custodian which is unnecessary if there is only one portfolio.
34. "Shares" shall mean the shares of beneficial interest of the Fund and its
Series.
35. "Terminal Link" shall mean an electronic data transmission link between the
Fund and the Custodian requiring in connection with each use of the Terminal
Link the use of an authorization code provided by the Custodian and at least two
access codes established by the Fund, provided, that the Fund shall have
delivered to the Custodian a Certificate substantially in the form of Appendix
C.
36. "Transfer Agent" shall mean OppenheimerFunds Services, a division of
OppenheimerFunds, Inc., its successors and assigns.
37. "Transfer Agent Account" shall mean any account in the name of the Fund, or
the Transfer Agent, as agent for the Fund, maintained with United Missouri Bank
or such other Bank designated by the Fund in a Certificate.
38, "Written Instructions" shall mean written communications actually received
(irrespective of constructive receipt) by the Custodian from an Authorized
Person or from a person reasonably believed by the Custodian to be an Authorized
Person by telex or any other such system whereby the receiver of such
communications is able to verify by codes or otherwise with a reasonable degree
of certainty the identity of the sender of such communication.
ARTICLE II
APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN
1. The Fund hereby constitutes and appoints the Custodian as custodian of the
Securities and moneys at any time owned or held by the Fund during the period of
this Agreement.
2. The Custodian hereby accepts appointment as such custodian and agrees to
perform the duties thereof as hereinafter set forth.
ARTICLE III
CUSTODY OF CASH AND SECURITIES
1. Except for monies received and maintained in the Transfer Agent Account, or
as otherwise provided in paragraph 7 of this Article or in Article VIII or XV,
the Fund will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian all Securities
and all moneys owned by it, at any time during the period of this Agreement, and
shall specify with respect to such Securities and money the Series to which the
same are specifically allocated, and the Custodian shall not be responsible for
any Securities or money not so delivered. Except for assets held at DTC, the
Custodian shall physically segregate, keep and maintain the Securities of the
Series separate and apart from each other Series and from other assets held by
the Custodian. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the
Custodian will not be responsible for any Securities and moneys not actually
received by it, unless the Custodian has been negligent or has engaged in
willful misconduct with respect thereto. The Custodian will be entitled to
reverse any credit of money made on the Fund's behalf where such credits have
been previously made and moneys are not finally collected, unless the Custodian
has been negligent or has engaged in willful misconduct with respect thereto;
provided that if such reversal is thirty (30) days or more after the credit was
issued, the Custodian will give five (5) days' prior notice of such reversal.
The Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a certified resolution of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, approving,
authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a continuous and on-going basis to
deposit in the Book-Entry System all Securities eligible for deposit therein,
regardless of the Series to which the same are specifically allocated and to
utilize the Book-Entry System to the extent possible 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 Securities collateral. Prior to a deposit of
Securities specifically allocated to a Series in any Depository, the Fund shall
deliver to the Custodian a certified resolution of the Board of Trustees of the
Fund, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, approving, authorizing and
instructing the Custodian on a continuous and ongoing basis until instructed to
the contrary by a Certificate to deposit in such Depository all Securities
specifically allocated to such Series eligible for deposit therein, and to
utilize such Depository to the extent possible with respect to such Securities
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 Securities collateral. Securities and
moneys deposited in either the Book-Entry System or a Depository will be
represented in accounts which include only assets held by the Custodian for
customers, including, but not limited to, accounts in which the Custodian acts
in a fiduciary or representative capacity and will be specifically allocated on
the Custodian's books to the separate account for the applicable Series. Prior
to the Custodian's accepting, utilizing and acting with respect to Clearing
Member confirmations for Options and transactions in Options for a Series as
provided in this Agreement, the Custodian shall have received a certified
resolution of the Fund's Board of Trustees, substantially in the form of Exhibit
C hereto, approving, authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a continuous
and on-going basis, until instructed to the contrary by a Certificate to accept,
utilize and act in accordance with such confirmations as provided in this
Agreement with respect to such Series. All Securities are to be held or disposed
of by the Custodian for, and subject at all times to the instructions of, the
Fund pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. The Custodian shall have no power
or authority to assign, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise dispose of any
Securities except as provided by the terms of this Agreement, and shall have the
sole power to release and deliver Securities held pursuant to this Agreement.
2. The Custodian shall establish and maintain separate accounts, in the name of
each Series, and shall credit to the separate account for each Series all moneys
received by it for the account of the Fund with respect to such Series. Money
credited to a separate account for a Series shall be subject only to drafts,
orders, or charges of the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement and shall be
disbursed by the Custodian only:
(a) As hereinafter provided;
(b) Pursuant to Certificates or Resolutions of the Fund's Board of
Trustees certified by an Officer and by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of
the Fund setting forth the name and address of the person to whom the payment is
to be made, the Series account from which payment is to be made, the purpose for
which payment is to be made, and declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate
purpose; provided, however, that amounts representing dividends, distributions,
or redemptions proceeds with respect to Shares shall be paid only to the
Transfer Agent Account;
(c) In payment of the fees and in reimbursement of the expenses and
liabilities of the Custodian attributable to such Series and authorized by this
Agreement; or
(d) Pursuant to Certificates to pay interest, taxes, management fees or
operating expenses (including, without limitation thereto, Board of Trustees'
fees and expenses, and fees for legal accounting and auditing services), which
Certificates set forth the name and address of the person to whom payment is to
be made, state the purpose of such payment and designate the Series for whose
account the payment is to be made.
3. Promptly after the close of business on each day, the Custodian shall furnish
the Fund with confirmations and a summary, on a per Series basis, of all
transfers to or from the account of the Fund for a Series, either hereunder or
with any co-custodian or subcustodian appointed in accordance with this
Agreement during said day. Where Securities are transferred to the account of
the Fund for a Series but held in a Depository, the Custodian shall upon such
transfer also by book-entry or otherwise identify such Securities as belonging
to such Series in a fungible bulk of Securities registered in the name of the
Custodian (or its nominee) or shown on the Custodian's account on the books of
the Book-Entry System or the Depository. At least monthly and from time to time,
the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a detailed statement, on a per Series
basis, of the Securities and moneys held under this Agreement for the Fund.
4. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 7 of this Article and in Article
VIII, all Securities held by the Custodian hereunder, which are issued or
issuable only in bearer form, except such Securities as are held in the
Book-Entry System, shall be held by the Custodian in that form; all other
Securities held hereunder may be registered in the name of the Fund, in the name
of any duly appointed registered nominee of the Custodian as the Custodian may
from time to time determine, or in the name of the Book-Entry System or a
Depository or their successor or successors, or their nominee or nominees. The
Fund agrees to 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 its registered nominee or in the name of the Book-Entry System or a
Depository any Securities which it may hold hereunder and which may from time to
time be registered in the name of the Fund. The Custodian shall hold all such
Securities specifically allocated to a Series which are not held in the
Book-Entry System or in a Depository in a separate account in the name of such
Series physically segregated at all times from those of any other person or
persons.
5. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and unless otherwise
instructed to the contrary by a Certificate, the Custodian by itself, or through
the use of the Book-Entry System or a Depository with respect to Securities held
hereunder and therein deposited, shall with respect to all Securities held for
the Fund hereunder in accordance with preceding paragraph 4:
(a) Promptly collect all income, dividends and distributions due or
payable;
(b) Promptly give notice to the Fund and promptly present for payment and
collect the amount of money or other consideration payable upon such Securities
which are called, but only if either (i) the Custodian receives a written notice
of such call, or (ii) notice of such call appears in one or more of the
publications listed in Appendix D annexed hereto, which can be amended at any
time by the Custodian without the prior consent of the Fund, provided the
Custodian gives prior notice of such amendment to the Fund;
(c) Promptly present for payment and collect for the Fund's account the
amount payable upon all Securities which mature;
(d) Promptly surrender Securities in temporary form in exchange for
definitive Securities;
(e) Promptly 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;
(f) Hold directly, or through the Book-Entry System or the Depository with
respect to Securities therein deposited, for the account of a Series, all rights
and similar securities issued with respect to any Securities held by the
Custodian for such Series hereunder; and
(g) Promptly deliver to the Fund all notices, proxies, proxy soliciting
materials, consents and other written information (including, without
limitation, notices of tender offers and exchange offers, pendency of calls,
maturities of Securities and expiration of rights) relating to Securities held
pursuant to this Agreement which are actually received by the Custodian, such
proxies and other similar materials to be executed by the registered holder (if
Securities are registered otherwise than in the name of the Fund), but without
indicating the manner in which proxies or consents are to be voted.
6. Upon receipt of a Certificate and not otherwise, the Custodian, directly
or through the use of the Book-Entry System or the Depository, shall:
(a) Promptly execute and deliver to such persons as may be designated in
such Certificate proxies, consents, authorizations, and any other instruments
whereby the authority of the Fund as owner of any Securities held hereunder for
the Series specified in such Certificate may be exercised;
(b) Promptly deliver any Securities held hereunder for the Series
specified in such Certificate in exchange for other Securities or cash issued or
paid in connection with the liquidation, reorganization, refinancing, merger,
consolidation or recapitalization of any corporation, or the exercise of any
right, warrant or conversion privilege and receive and hold hereunder
specifically allocated to such Series any cash or other Securities received in
exchange;
(c) Promptly deliver any Securities held hereunder for the Series
specified in such Certificate to any protective committee, reorganization
committee or other person in connection with the reorganization, refinancing,
merger, consolidation, recapitalization or sale of assets of any corporation,
and receive and hold hereunder specifically allocated to such Series in exchange
therefor such certificates of deposit, interim receipts or other instruments or
documents as may be issued to it to evidence such delivery or such Securities as
may be issued upon such delivery; and
(d) Promptly present for payment and collect the amount payable upon
Securities which may be called as specified in the Certificate.
7. Notwithstanding any provision elsewhere contained herein, the Custodian shall
not be required to obtain possession of any instrument or certificate
representing any Futures Contract, any Option, or any Futures Contract Option
until after it shall have determined, or shall have received a Certificate from
the Fund stating, that any such instruments or certificates are available. The
Fund shall deliver to the Custodian such a Certificate no later than the
business day preceding the availability of any such instrument or certificate.
Prior to such availability, the Custodian shall comply with Section 17(f) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 in connection with the purchase, sale,
settlement, closing out or writing of Futures Contracts, Options, or Futures
Contract Options by making payments or deliveries specified in Certificates in
connection with any such purchase, sale, writing, settlement or closing out upon
its receipt from a broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant of a statement
or confirmation reasonably believed by the Custodian to be in the form
customarily used by brokers, dealers, or future commission merchants with
respect to such Futures Contracts, Options, or Futures Contract Options, as the
case may be, confirming that such Security is held by such broker, dealer or
futures commission merchant, in book-entry form or otherwise in the name the
Custodian (or any nominee of the Custodian) as custodian for the Fund; provided,
however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, payments to or deliveries from the
Margin Account and payments with respect to Securities to which a Margin Account
relates, shall be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin
Account Agreement. Whenever any such instruments or certificates are available,
the Custodian shall, notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the
contrary, make payment for any Futures Contract, Option, or Futures Contract
Option for which such instruments or such certificates are available only
against the delivery to the Custodian of such instrument or such certificate,
and deliver any Futures Contract, Option or Futures Contract Option for which
such instruments or such certificates are available only against receipt by the
Custodian of payment therefor. Any such instrument or certificate delivered to
the Custodian shall be held by the Custodian hereunder in accordance with, and
subject to, the provisions of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
PURCHASE AND SALE OF INVESTMENTS OF THE FUND
OTHER THAN OPTIONS, FUTURES CONTRACTS,
FUTURES CONTRACT OPTIONS, REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS,
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND SHORT SALES
1. Promptly after each execution of a purchase of Securities by the Fund, other
than a purchase of an Option, a Futures Contract, a Futures Contract Option, a
Repurchase Agreement, a Reverse Repurchase Agreement or a Short Sale, the Fund
shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each purchase of Securities
which are not Money Market Securities, a Certificate, and (ii) with respect to
each purchase of Money Market Securities, a Certificate, oral Instructions or
Written Instructions, specifying with respect to each such purchase: (a) the
Series to which such Securities are to be specifically allocated; (b) the name
of the issuer and the title of the Securities; (c) the number of shares or the
principal amount purchased and accrued interest, if any; (d) the date of
purchase and settlement; (e) the purchase price per unit; (f) the total amount
payable upon such purchase; (g) the name of the person from whom or the broker
through whom the purchase was made, and the name of the clearing broker, if any;
and (h) the name of the broker or other party to whom payment is to be made.
Custodian shall, upon receipt of such Securities purchased by or for the Fund,
pay to the broker specified in the Certificate out of the moneys held for the
account of such Series the total amount payable upon such purchase, provided
that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such
Certificate, oral Instructions or Written Instructions.
2. Promptly after each execution of a sale of Securities by the Fund, other than
a sale of any Option, Futures Contract, Futures Contract Option, Repurchase
Agreement, Reverse Repurchase Agreement or Short Sale, the Fund shall deliver
such to the Custodian (i) with respect to each sale of Securities which are not
Money Market Securities, a Certificate, and (ii) with respect to each sale of
Money Market Securities, a Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions, specifying with respect to each such sale: (a) the Series to which
such Securities were specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the
title of the Security; (c) the number of shares or principal amount sold, and
accrued interest, if any; (d) the date of sale and settlement; (e) the sale
price per unit; (f) the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale; (g) the
name of the broker through whom or the person to whom the sale was made, and the
name of the clearing broker, if any; and (h) the name of the broker to whom the
Securities are to be delivered. On the settlement date, the Custodian shall
deliver the Securities specifically allocated to such Series to the broker in
accordance with generally accepted street practices and as specified in the
Certificate upon receipt of the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale,
provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such
Certificate, oral Instructions or Written Instructions.
ARTICLE V
OPTIONS
1. Promptly after each execution of a purchase of any Option by the Fund other
than a closing purchase transaction, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to each Option purchased: (a) the Series to
which such Option is specifically allocated; (b) the type of Option (put or
call); (c) the instrument, currency, or Security underlying such Option and the
number of Options, or the name of the in the case of an Index Option, the index
to which such Option relates and the number of Index Options purchased; (d) the
expiration date; (e) the exercise price; (f) the dates of purchase and
settlement; (g) the total amount payable by the Fund in connection with such
purchase; and (h) the name of the Clearing Member through whom such Option was
purchased. The Custodian shall pay, upon receipt of a Clearing Member's written
statement confirming the purchase of such Option held by such Clearing Member
for the account of the Custodian (or any duly appointed and registered nominee
of the Custodian) as Custodian for the Fund, out of moneys held for the account
of the Series to which such Option is to be specifically allocated, the total
amount payable upon such purchase to the Clearing Member through whom the
purchase was made, provided that the same conforms to the amount payable as set
forth in such Certificate.
2. Promptly after the execution of a sale of any Option purchased by the Fund,
other than a closing sale transaction, pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund
shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each
such sale: (a) the Series to which such Option was specifically allocated; (b)
the type of Option (put or call); (c) the instrument, currency, or Security
underlying such Option and the number of Options, or the name of the issuer and
the title and number of shares subject to such Option or, in the case of a Index
Option, the index to which such Option relates and the number of Index Options
sold; (d) the date of sale; (e) the sale price; (f) the date of settlement; (g)
the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale; and (h) the name of the
Clearing Member through whom the sale was made. The Custodian shall consent to
the delivery of the Option sold by the Clearing Member which previously supplied
the confirmation described in preceding paragraph of this Article with respect
to such Option upon receipt by the Custodian of the total amount payable to the
Fund, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth
in such Certificate.
3. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Call Option purchased by the
Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to such Call Option: (a) the Series to which
such Call Option was specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the
title and number of shares subject to the Call Option; (c) the expiration date;
(d) the date of exercise and settlement; (e) the exercise price per share; (f)
the total amount to be paid by the Fund upon such exercise; and (g) the name of
the Clearing Member through whom such Call Option was exercised. The Custodian
shall, upon receipt of the Securities underlying the Call Option which was
exercised, pay out of the moneys held for the account of the Series to which
such Call Option was specifically allocated the total amount payable to the
Clearing Member through whom the Call Option was exercised, provided that the
same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such Certificate.
4. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Put Option purchased by the
Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to such Put Option: (a) the Series to which
such Put Option was specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the
title and number of shares subject to the Put Option; (c) the expiration date;
(d) the date of exercise and settlement; (e) the exercise price per share; (f)
the total amount to be paid to the Fund upon such exercise; and (g) the name of
the Clearing Member through whom such Put Option was exercised. The Custodian
shall, upon receipt of the amount payable upon the exercise of the Put Option,
deliver or direct a Depository to deliver the Securities specifically allocated
to such Series, provided the same conforms to the amount payable to the Fund as
set forth in such Certificate.
5. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Index Option purchased by the
Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to such Index Option: (a) the Series to
which such Index Option was specifically allocated; (b) the type of Index Option
(put or call) (c) the number of Options being exercised; (d) the index to which
such Option relates; (e) the expiration date; (f) the exercise price; (g) the
total amount to be received by the Fund in connection with such exercise; and
(h) the Clearing Member from whom such payment is to be received.
6. Whenever the Fund writes a Covered Call Option, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Covered
Call Option: (a) the Series for which such Covered Call Option was written; (b)
the name of the issuer and the title and number of shares for which the Covered
Call Option was written and which underlie the same; (c) the expiration date;
(d) the exercise price; (e) the premium to be received by the Fund; (f) the date
such Covered Call Option was written; and (g) the name of the Clearing Member
through whom the premium is to be received. The Custodian shall deliver or cause
to be delivered, upon receipt of the premium specified in the Certificate with
respect to such Covered Call Option, such receipts as are required in accordance
with the customs prevailing among Clearing Members dealing in Covered Call
Options and shall impose, or direct a Depository to impose, upon the underlying
Securities specified in the Certificate specifically allocated to such Series
such restrictions as may be required by such receipts. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Custodian has the right, upon prior written notification to the
Fund, at any time to refuse to issue any receipts for Securities in the
possession of the Custodian and not deposited with a Depository underlying a
Covered Call Option.
7. Whenever a Covered Call Option written by the Fund and described in the
preceding paragraph of this Article is exercised, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate instructing the Custodian to deliver, or
to direct the Depository to deliver, the Securities subject to such Covered Call
Option and specifying: (a) the Series for which such Covered Call Option was
written; (b) the name of the issuer and the title and number of shares subject
to the Covered Call Option; (c) the Clearing Member to whom the underlying
Securities are to be delivered; and (d) the total amount payable to the Fund
upon such delivery. Upon the return and/or cancellation of any receipts
delivered pursuant to paragraph 6 of this Article, the Custodian shall deliver,
or direct a Depository to deliver, the underlying Securities as specified in the
Certificate upon payment of the amount to be received as set forth in such
Certificate.
8. Whenever the Fund writes a Put Option, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Put Option: (a) the
Series for which such Put Option was written; (b) the name of the issuer and the
title and number of shares for which the Put Option is written and which
underlie the same; (c) the expiration date; (d) the exercise price; (e) the
premium to be received by the Fund; (f) the date such Put Option is written; (g)
the name of the Clearing Member through whom the premium is to be received and
to whom a Put Option guarantee letter is to be delivered; (h) the amount of
cash, and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically allocated
to such Series to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such Series;
and (i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities specifically
allocated to such Series to be deposited into the Collateral Account for such
Series. The Custodian shall, after making the deposits into the Collateral
Account specified in the Certificate, issue a Put Option guarantee letter
substantially in the form utilized by the Custodian on the date hereof, and
deliver the same to the Clearing Member specified in the Certificate upon
receipt of the premium specified in said Certificate. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Custodian shall be under no obligation to issue any Put Option
guarantee letter or similar document if it is unable to make any of the
representations contained therein.
9. Whenever a Put Option written by the Fund and described in the preceding
paragraph is exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Put Option was written; (b)
the name of the issuer and title and number of shares subject to the Put Option;
(c) the Clearing Member from whom the underlying Securities are to be received;
(d) the total amount payable by the Fund upon such delivery; (e) the amount of
cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities specifically allocated to such
Series to be withdrawn from the Collateral Account for such Series and (f) the
amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, specifically allocated
to such series, if any, to be withdrawn from the Senior Security Account. Upon
the return and/or cancellation of any Put Option guarantee letter or similar
document issued by the Custodian in connection with such Put Option, the
Custodian shall pay out of the moneys held for the account of the series to
which such Put Option was specifically allocated the total amount payable to the
Clearing Member specified in the Certificate as set forth in such Certificate,
upon delivery of such Securities, and shall make the withdrawals specified in
such Certificate.
10. Whenever the Fund writes an Index Option, the Fund shall promptly deliver to
the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Index Option: (a)
the Series for which such Index Option was written; (b) whether such Index
Option is a put or a call; (c) the number of Options written; (d) the index to
which such Option relates; (e) the expiration date; (f) the exercise price; (g)
the Clearing Member through whom such Option was written; (h) the premium to be
received by the Fund; (i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities, if any, specifically allocated to such Series to be deposited in the
Senior Security Account for such Series; (j) the amount of cash and/or the
amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically allocated to such Series to
be deposited in the Collateral Account for such Series; and (k) the amount of
cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically allocated to
such Series to be deposited in a Margin Account, and the name in which such
account is to be or has been established. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of
the premium specified in the Certificate, make the deposits, if any, into the
Senior Security Account specified in the Certificate, and either (1) deliver
such receipts, if any, which the Custodian has specifically agreed to issue,
which are in accordance with the customs prevailing among Clearing Members in
Index Options and make the deposits into the Collateral Account specified in the
Certificate, or (2) make the deposits into the Margin Account specified in the
Certificate.
11. Whenever an Index Option written by the Fund and described in the preceding
paragraph of this Article is exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Index Option: (a) the
Series for which such Index Option was written; (b) such information as may be
necessary to identify the Index Option being exercised; (c) the Clearing Member
through whom such Index Option is being exercised; (d) the total amount payable
upon such exercise, and whether such amount is to be paid by or to the Fund; (e)
the amount of cash and/or amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn
from the Margin Account; and (f) the amount of cash and/or amount and kind of
Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Senior Security Account for such
Series; and the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any,
to be withdrawn from the Collateral Account for such Series. Upon the return
and/or cancellation of the receipt, if any, delivered pursuant to the preceding
paragraph of this Article, the Custodian shall pay out of the moneys held for
the account of the Series to which such Stock Index Option was specifically
allocated to the Clearing Member specified in the Certificate the total amount
payable, if any, as specified therein.
12. Promptly after the execution of a purchase or sale by the Fund of any Option
identical to a previously written Option described in paragraphs, 6, 8 or 10 of
this Article in a transaction expressly designated as a "Closing Purchase
Transaction" or a "Closing Sale Transaction", the Fund shall promptly deliver to
the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to the Option being
purchased: (a) that the transaction is a Closing Purchase Transaction or a
Closing Sale Transaction; (b) the Series for which the Option was written; (c)
the instrument, currency, or Security subject to the Option, or, in the case of
an Index Option, the index to which such Option relates and the number of
Options held; (d) the exercise price; (e) the premium to be paid by or the
amount to be paid to the Fund; (f) the expiration date; (g) the type of Option
(put or call); (h) the date of such purchase or sale; (i) the name of the
Clearing Member to whom the premium is to be paid or from whom the amount is to
be received; and (j) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Collateral Account, a specified
Margin Account, or the Senior Security Account for such Series. Upon the
Custodian's payment of the premium or receipt of the amount, as the case may be,
specified in the Certificate and the return and/or cancellation of any receipt
issued pursuant to paragraphs 6, 8 or 10 of this Article with respect to the
Option being liquidated through the Closing Purchase Transaction or the Closing
Sale Transaction, the Custodian shall remove, or direct a Depository to remove,
the previously imposed restrictions on the Securities underlying the Call
Option.
13. Upon the expiration, exercise or consummation of a Closing Purchase
Transaction with respect to any Option purchased or written by the Fund and
described in this Article, the Custodian shall delete such Option from the
statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 Article III herein, and
upon the return and/or cancellation of any receipts issued by the Custodian,
shall make such withdrawals from the Collateral Account, and the Margin Account
and/or the Senior Security Account as may be specified in a Certificate received
in connection with such expiration, exercise, or consummation.
14. Securities acquired by the Fund through the exercise of an Option described
in this Article shall be subject to Article IV hereof.
ARTICLE VI
FUTURES CONTRACTS
1. Whenever the Fund shall enter into a Futures Contract, the Fund shall deliver
to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Futures Contract,
(or with respect to any number of identical Futures Contract (s)): (a) the
Series for which the Futures Contract is being entered; (b) the category of
Futures Contract (the name of the underlying index or financial instrument); (c)
the number of identical Futures Contracts entered into; (d) the delivery or
settlement date of the Futures Contract(s); (e) the date the Futures Contract(s)
was (were) entered into and the maturity date; (f) whether the Fund is buying
(going long) or selling (going short) such Futures Contract(s); (g) the amount
of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be deposited in the
Senior Security Account for such Series; (h) the name of the broker, dealer, or
futures commission merchant through whom the Futures Contract was entered into;
and (i) the amount of fee or commission, if any, to be paid and the name of the
broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant to whom such amount is to be
paid. The Custodian shall make the deposits, if any, to the Margin Account in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement. The
Custodian shall make payment out of the moneys specifically allocated to such
Series of the fee or commission, if any, specified in the Certificate and
deposit in the Senior Security Account for such Series the amount of cash and/or
the amount and kind of Securities specified in said Certificate.
2. (a) Any variation margin payment or similar payment required to be made by
the Fund to a broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant with respect to an
outstanding Futures Contract shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
(b) Any variation margin payment or similar payment from a broker, dealer,
or futures commission merchant to the Fund with respect to an outstanding
Futures Contract shall be received and dealt with by the Custodian in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
3. Whenever a Futures Contract held by the Custodian hereunder is retained by
the Fund until delivery or settlement is made on such Futures Contract, the Fund
shall deliver to the Custodian prior to the delivery or settlement date a
Certificate specifying: (a) the Futures Contract and the Series to which the
same relates; (b) with respect to an Index Futures Contract, the total cash
settlement amount to be paid or received, and with respect to a Financial
Futures Contract, the Securities and/or amount of cash to be delivered or
received; (c) the broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant to or from whom
payment or delivery is to be made or received; and (d) the amount of cash and/or
Securities to be withdrawn from the Senior Security Account for such Series. The
Custodian shall make the payment or delivery specified in the Certificate, and
delete such Futures Contract from the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant
to paragraph 3 of Article III herein.
4. Whenever the Fund shall enter into a Futures Contract to offset a Futures
Contract held by the Custodian hereunder, the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the items of information required in a
Certificate described in paragraph 1 of this Article, and (b) the Futures
Contract being offset. The Custodian shall make payment out of the money
specifically allocated to such Series of the fee or commission, if any,
specified in the Certificate and delete the Futures Contract being offset from
the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article III
herein, and make such withdrawals from the Senior Security Account for such
Series as may be specified in the Certificate. The withdrawals, if any, to be
made from the Margin Account shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
FUTURES CONTRACT OPTIONS
1. Promptly after the execution of a purchase of any Futures Contract Option by
the Fund, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with
respect to such Futures Contract Option: (a) the Series to which such Option is
specifically allocated; (b) the type of Futures Contract Option (put or call);
(c) the type of Futures Contract and such other information as may be necessary
to identify the Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option
purchased; (d) the expiration date; (e) the exercise price; (f) the dates of
purchase and settlement; (g) the amount of premium to be paid by the Fund upon
such purchase; (h) the name of the broker or futures commission merchant through
whom such Option was purchased; and (i) the name of the broker, or futures
commission merchant, to whom payment is to be made. The Custodian shall pay out
of the moneys specifically allocated to such Series the total amount to be paid
upon such purchase to the broker or futures commissions merchant through whom
the purchase was made, provided that the same conforms to the amount set forth
in such Certificate.
2. Promptly after the execution of a sale of any Futures Contract Option
purchased by the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to
the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such sale: (a)
Series to which such Futures Contract Option was specifically allocated; (b) the
type of Future Contract Option (put or call); (c) the type of Futures Contract
and such other information as may be necessary to identify the Futures Contract
underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the date of sale; (e) the sale
price; (f) the date of settlement; (g) the total amount payable to the Fund upon
such sale; and (h) the name of the broker of futures commission merchant through
whom the sale was made. The Custodian shall consent to the cancellation of the
Futures Contract Option being closed against payment to the Custodian of the
total amount payable to the Fund, provided the same conforms to the total amount
payable as set forth in such Certificate.
3. Whenever a Futures Contract Option purchased by the Fund pursuant to
paragraph 1 is exercised by the Fund, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Futures
Contract Option was specifically allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract
Option (put or call) being exercised; (c) the type of Futures Contract
underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the date of exercise; (e) the name
of the broker or futures commission merchant through whom the Futures Contract
Option is exercised; (f) the net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund; (g)
the amount, if any, to be received by the Fund; and (h) the amount of cash
and/or the amount and kind of Securities to be deposited in the Senior Security
Account for such Series. The Custodian shall make, out of the moneys and
Securities specifically allocated to such Series, the payments of money, if any,
and the deposits of Securities, if any, into the Senior Security Account as
specified in the Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin
Account shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
4. Whenever the Fund writes a Futures Contract Option, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Futures
Contract Option: (a) the Series for which such Futures Contract Option was
written; (b) the type of Futures Contract Option (put or call); (c) the type of
Futures Contract and such other information as may be necessary to identify the
Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the expiration
date; (e) the exercise price; (f) the premium to be received by the Fund; (g)
the name of the broker or futures commission merchant through whom the premium
is to be received; and (h) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities, if any, to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such
Series. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the premium specified in the
Certificate, make out of the moneys and Securities specifically allocated to
such Series the deposits into the Senior Security Account, if any, as specified
in the Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin Account shall
be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Margin Account Agreement.
5. Whenever a Futures Contract Option written by the Fund which is a call is
exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying: (a) the Series to which such Futures Contract Option was
specifically allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract Option exercised;
(c) the type of Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the
name of the broker or futures commission merchant through whom such Futures
Contract Option was exercised; (e) the net total amount, if any, payable to the
Fund upon such exercise; (f) the net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund
upon such exercise; and (g) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such Series. The
Custodian shall, upon its receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund,
if any, specified in such Certificate make the payments, if any, and the
deposits, if any, into the Senior Security Account as specified in the
Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin Account shall be
made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin
Account Agreement.
6. Whenever a Futures Contract Option which is written by the Fund and which is
a put is exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Option was specifically
allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract Option exercised; (c) the type of
Futures Contract underlying such Futures Contract Option; (d) the name of the
broker or futures commission merchant through whom such Futures Contract Option
is exercised; (e) the net total amount, if any, payable to the Fund upon such
exercise; (f) the net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund upon such
exercise; and (g) the amount and kind of Securities and/or cash to be withdrawn
from or deposited in, the Senior Security Account for such Series, if any. The
Custodian shall, upon its receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund,
if any, specified in the Certificate, make out of the moneys and Securities
specifically allocated to such Series, the payments, if any, and the deposits,
if any, into the Senior Security Account as specified in the Certificate. The
deposits to and/or withdrawals from the Margin Account, if any, shall be made by
the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account
Agreement.
7. Promptly after the execution by the Fund of a purchase of any Futures
Contract Option identical to a previously written Futures Contract Option
described in this Article in order to liquidate its position as a writer of such
Futures Contract Option, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to the Futures Contract Option being purchased: (a) the
Series to which such Option is specifically allocated; (b) that the transaction
is a closing transaction; (c) the type of Future Contract and such other
information as may be necessary to identify the Futures Contract underlying the
Futures Option Contract; (d) the exercise price; (e) the premium to be paid by
the Fund; (f) the expiration date; (g) the name of the broker or futures
commission merchant to whom the premium is to be paid; and (h) the amount of
cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the
Senior Security Account for such Series. The Custodian shall effect the
withdrawals from the Senior Security Account specified in the Certificate. The
withdrawals, if any, to be made from the Margin Account shall be made by the
Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account
Agreement.
8. Upon the expiration, exercise, or consummation of a closing transaction with
respect to, any Futures Contract Option written or purchased by the Fund and
described in this Article, the Custodian shall (a) delete such Futures Contract
Option from the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 of
Article III herein and (b) make such withdrawals from and/or in the case of an
exercise such deposits into the Senior Security Account as may be specified in a
Certificate. The deposits to and/or withdrawals from the Margin Account, if any,
shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of
the Margin Account Agreement.
9. Futures Contracts acquired by the Fund through the exercise of a Futures
Contract Option described in this Article shall be subject to Article VI hereof.
ARTICLE VIII
SHORT SALES
1. Promptly after the execution of any short sales of Securities by any Series
of the Fund, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying:
(a) the Series for which such short sale was made; (b) the name of the
issuer-and the title of the Security; (c) the number of shares or principal
amount sold, and accrued interest or dividends, if any; (d) the dates of the
sale and settlement; (e) the sale price per unit; (f) the total amount credited
to the Fund upon such sale, if any, (g) the amount of cash and/or the amount and
kind of Securities, if any, which are to be deposited in a Margin Account and
the name in which such Margin Account has been or is to be established; (h) the
amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be deposited
in a Senior Security Account, and (i) the name of the broker through whom such
short sale was made. The Custodian shall upon its receipt of a statement from
such broker confirming such sale and that the total amount credited to the Fund
upon such sale, if any, as specified in the Certificate is held by such broker
for the account of the Custodian (or any nominee of the Custodian) as custodian
of the Fund, issue a receipt or make the deposits into the Margin Account and
the Senior Security Account specified in the Certificate.
2. Promptly after the execution of a purchase to close-out any short sale of
Securities, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to each such closing out: (a) the Series for which such
transaction is being made; (b) the name of the issuer and the title of the
Security; (c) the number of shares or the principal amount, and accrued interest
or dividends, if any, required to effect such closing-out to be delivered to the
broker; (d) the dates of closing-out and settlement; (e) the purchase price per
unit; (f) the net total amount payable to the Fund upon such closing-out; (g)
the net total amount payable to the broker upon such closing-out; (h) the amount
of cash and the amount and kind of Securities to be withdrawn, if any, from the
Margin Account; (i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities,
if any, to be withdrawn from the Senior Security Account; and (j) the name of
the broker through whom the Fund is effecting such closing-out. The Custodian
shall, upon receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund upon such
closing-out, and the return and/or cancellation of the receipts, if any, issued
by the Custodian with respect to the short sale being closed-out, pay out of the
moneys held for the account of the Fund to the broker the net total amount
payable to the broker, and make the withdrawals from the Margin Account and the
Senior Security Account, as the same are specified in the Certificate.
ARTICLE IX
REPURCHASE AND REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
1. Promptly after the Fund enters a Repurchase Agreement or a Reverse Repurchase
Agreement with respect to Securities and money held by the Custodian hereunder,
the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate, or in the event such
Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement is a Money Market Security,
a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions specifying: (a) the
Series for which the Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement is
entered; (b) the total amount payable to or by the Fund in connection with such
Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement and specifically allocated
to such Series; (c) the broker, dealer, or financial institution with whom the
Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement is entered; (d) the amount
and kind of Securities to be delivered or received by the Fund to or from such
broker, dealer, or financial institution; (e) the date of such Repurchase
Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement; and (f) the amount of cash and/or the
amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically allocated to such Series to
be deposited in a Senior Security Account for such Series in connection with
such Reverse Repurchase Agreement. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the
total amount payable to or by the Fund specified in the Certificate, Oral
Instructions, or Written Instructions make or accept the delivery to or from the
broker, dealer, or financial institution and the deposits, if any, to the Senior
Security Account, specified in such Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions.
2. Upon the termination of a Repurchase Agreement or a Reverse Repurchase
Agreement described in preceding paragraph 1 of this Article, the Fund shall
promptly deliver a Certificate or, in the event such Repurchase Agreement or
Reverse Repurchase Agreement is a Money Market Security, a Certificate, Oral
Instructions, or Written Instructions to the Custodian specifying: (a) the
Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement being terminated and the
Series for which same was entered; (b) the total amount payable to or by the
Fund in connection with such termination; (c) the amount and kind of Securities
to be received or delivered by the Fund and specifically allocated to such
Series in connection with such termination; (d) the date of termination; (e) the
name of the broker, dealer, or financial institution with whom the Repurchase
Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement is to be terminated; and (f) the
amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn
from the Senior Securities Account for such Series. The Custodian shall, upon
receipt or delivery of the amount and kind of Securities or cash to be received
or delivered by the Fund specified in the Certificate, Oral Instructions, or
Written Instructions, make or receive the payment to or from the broker, dealer,
or financial institution and make the withdrawals, if any, from the Senior
Security Account, specified in such Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions.
3. The Certificates, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions described in
paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article may with respect to any particular Repurchase
Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement be combined and delivered to the
Custodian at the time of entering into such Repurchase Agreement or Reverse
Repurchase Agreement.
ARTICLE X
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES OF THE FUND
1. Promptly after each loan of portfolio Securities specifically allocated to a
Series held by the Custodian hereunder, the Fund shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such
loan: (a) the Series to which the loaned Securities are specifically allocated;
(b) the name of the issuer and the title of the Securities, (c) the number of
shares or the principal amount loaned, (d) the date of loan and delivery, (e)
the total amount to be delivered to the Custodian against the loan of the
Securities, including the amount of cash collateral and the premium, if any,
separately identified, and (f) the name of the broker, dealer, or financial
institution to which the loan was made. The Custodian shall deliver the
Securities thus designated to the broker, dealer or financial institution to
which the loan was made upon receipt of the total amount designated in the
Certificate as to be delivered against the loan of Securities. The Custodian may
accept payment in connection with a delivery otherwise than through the
Book-Entry System or a Depository only in the form of a certified or bank
cashier's check payable to the order of the Fund or the Custodian drawn on New
York Clearing House funds.
2. In connection with each termination of a loan of Securities by the Fund, the
Fund shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to each such loan termination and return of Securities:
(a) the Series to which the loaned Securities are specifically allocated; (b)
the name of the issuer and the title of the Securities to be returned, (c) the
number of shares or the principal amount to be returned, (d) the date of
termination, (e) the total amount to be delivered by the Custodian (including
the cash collateral for such Securities minus any offsetting credits as
described in said Certificate), and (f) the name of the broker, dealer, or
financial institution from which the Securities will be returned. The Custodian
shall receive all Securities returned from the broker, dealer, or financial
institution to which such Securities were loaned and upon receipt thereof shall
pay, out of the moneys held for the account of the Fund, the total amount
payable upon such return of Securities as set forth in the Certificate.
ARTICLE XI
CONCERNING MARGIN ACCOUNTS, SENIOR SECURITY
ACCOUNTS, AND COLLATERAL ACCOUNTS
1. The Custodian shall establish a Senior Security Account and from time to time
make such deposits thereto, or withdrawals therefrom, as specified in a
Certificate. Such Certificate shall specify the Series for which such deposit or
withdrawal is to be made and the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities specifically allocated to such Series to be deposited in, or
withdrawn from, such Senior Security Account for such Series. In the event that
the Fund fails to specify in a Certificate the Series, the name of the issuer,
the title and the number of shares or the principal amount of any particular
Securities to be deposited by the Custodian into, or withdrawn from, a Senior
Securities Account, the Custodian shall be under no obligation to make any such
deposit or withdrawal and shall promptly notify the Fund that no such deposit
has been made.
2. The Custodian shall make deliveries or payments from a Margin Account to the
broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member in whose name, or
for whose benefit, the account was established as specified in the Margin
Account Agreement.
3. Amounts received by the Custodian as payments or distributions with respect
to Securities deposited in any Margin Account shall be dealt with in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
4. The Custodian shall to the extent permitted by the Fund's Declaration of
Trust, investment restrictions and the Investment Company Act of 1940 have a
continuing lien and security interest in and to any property at any time held by
the Custodian in any Collateral Account described herein. In accordance with
applicable law the Custodian may enforce its lien and realize on any such
property whenever the Custodian has made payment or delivery pursuant to any Put
Option guarantee letter or similar document or any receipt issued hereunder by
the Custodian; provided, however, that the Custodian shall not be required to
issue any Put Option guarantee letter unless it shall have received an opinion
of counsel to the Fund or its investment adviser that the issuance of such
letters is authorized by the Fund and that the Custodian's continuing lien and
security interest is valid, enforceable and not limited by the Declaration of
Trust, any investment restrictions or the Investment Company Act of 1940. In the
event the Custodian should realize on any such property net proceeds which are
less than the Custodian's obligations under any Put Option guarantee letter or
similar document or any receipt, such deficiency shall be a debt owed the
Custodian by the Fund within the scope of Article XIV herein.
5. On each business day the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a statement
with respect to each Margin Account in which money or Securities are held
specifying as of the close of business on the previous business day: (a) the
name of the Margin Account; (b) the amount and kind of Securities held therein;
and (c) the amount of money held therein. The Custodian shall make available
upon request to any broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant specified in
the name of a Margin Account a copy of the statement furnished the Fund with
respect to such Margin Account.
6. The Custodian shall establish a Collateral Account and from time to time
shall make such deposits thereto as may be specified in a Certificate. Promptly
after the close of business on each business day in which cash and/or Securities
are maintained in a Collateral Account for any Series, the Custodian shall
furnish the Fund with a statement with respect to such Collateral Account
specifying the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities held
therein. No later than the close of business next succeeding the delivery to the
Fund of such statement, the Fund shall furnish to the Custodian a Certificate or
Written Instructions specifying the then market value of the Securities
described in such statement. In the event such then market value is indicated to
be less than the Custodian's obligation with respect to any outstanding Put
Option guarantee letter or similar document, the Fund shall promptly specify in
a Certificate the additional cash and/or Securities to be deposited in such
Collateral Account to eliminate such deficiency.
ARTICLE XII
PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS
1. The Fund shall furnish to the Custodian a copy of the resolution of the Board
of Trustees of the Fund, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary,
either (i) setting forth with respect to the Series specified therein the date
of the declaration of a dividend or distribution, the date of payment thereof,
the record date as of which shareholders entitled to payment shall be
determined, the amount payable per Share of such Series to the shareholders of
record as of that date and the total amount payable to the Transfer Agent
Account and any sub-dividend agent or co-dividend agent of the Fund on the
payment date, or (ii) authorizing with respect to the Series specified therein
and the declaration of dividends and distributions thereon the Custodian to rely
on Oral Instructions, Written Instructions, or a Certificate setting forth the
date of the declaration of such dividend or distribution, the date of payment
thereof, the record date as of which shareholders entitled to payment shall be
determined, the amount payable per Share of such Series to the shareholders of
record as of that date and the total amount payable to the Transfer Agent
Account on the payment date.
2. Upon the payment date specified in such resolution, Oral Instructions,
Written Instructions, or Certificate, as the case may be, the Custodian shall
pay to the Transfer Agent Account out of the moneys held for the account of the
Series specified therein the total amount payable to the Transfer Agent Account
and with respect to such Series.
ARTICLE XIII
SALE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
1. Whenever the Fund shall sell any Shares, it shall deliver or cause to be
delivered, to the Custodian a Certificate duly specifying:
(a) The Series, the number of Shares sold, trade date, and price; and
(b) The amount of money to be received by the Custodian for the sale of
such Shares and specifically allocated to the separate account in the name of
such Series. 2. Upon receipt of such money from the Fund's General Distributor,
the Custodian shall credit such money to the separate account in the name of the
Series for which such money was received.
3. Upon issuance of any Shares of any Series the Custodian shall pay, out of the
money held for the account of such Series, all original issue or other taxes
required to be paid by the Fund in connection with such issuance upon the
receipt of a Certificate specifying the amount to be paid.
4. Except as provided hereinafter, whenever the Fund desires the Custodian to
make payment out of the money held by the Custodian hereunder in connection with
a redemption of any Shares, it shall furnish, or cause to be furnished, to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying:
(a) The number and Series of Shares redeemed; and
(b) The amount to be paid for such Shares.
5. Upon receipt of an advice from an Authorized Person setting forth the Series
and number of Shares received by the Transfer Agent for redemption and that such
Shares are in good form for redemption, the Custodian shall make payment to the
Transfer Agent Account out of the moneys held in the separate account in the
name of the Series the total amount specified in the Certificate issued pursuant
to the foregoing paragraph 4 of this Article.
ARTICLE XIV
OVERDRAFTS OR INDEBTEDNESS
1. If the Custodian should in its sole discretion advance funds on behalf of any
Series which results in an overdraft because the moneys held by the Custodian in
the separate account for such Series shall be insufficient to pay the total
amount payable upon a purchase of Securities specifically allocated to such
Series, as set forth in a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions or which results in an overdraft in the separate account of such
Series for some other reason, or if the Fund is for any other reason indebted to
the Custodian with respect to a Series, (except a borrowing for investment or
for temporary or emergency purposes using Securities as collateral pursuant to a
separate agreement and subject to the provisions of paragraph 2 of this
Article), such overdraft or indebtedness shall be deemed to be a loan made by
the Custodian to the Fund for such Series payable on demand and shall bear
interest from the date incurred at a rate per annum (based on a 360-day year for
the actual number of days involved) equal to the Federal Funds Rate plus ?%,
such rate to be adjusted on the effective date of any change in such Federal
Funds Rate but in no event to be less than 6% per annum. In addition, unless the
Fund has given a Certificate that the Custodian shall not impose a lien and
security interest to secure such overdrafts (in which event it shall not do so),
the Custodian shall have a continuing lien and security interest in the
aggregate amount of such overdrafts and indebtedness as may from time to time
exist in and to any property specifically allocated to such Series at any time
held by it for the benefit of such Series or in which the Fund may have an
interest which is then in the Custodian's possession or control or in possession
or control of any third party acting in the Custodian's behalf. The Fund
authorizes the Custodian, in its sole discretion, at any time to charge any such
overdraft or indebtedness together with interest due thereon against any money
balance in an account standing in the name of such Series' credit on the
Custodian's books. In addition, the Fund hereby covenants that on each Business
Day on which either it intends to enter a Reverse Repurchase Agreement and/or
otherwise borrow from a third party, or which next succeeds a Business Day on
which at the close of business the Fund had outstanding a Reverse Repurchase
Agreement or such a borrowing, it shall prior to 9 a.m., New York City time,
advise the Custodian, in writing, of each such borrowing, shall specify the
Series to which the same relates, and shall not incur any indebtedness,
including pursuant to any Reverse Repurchase Agreement, not so specified other
than from the Custodian.
2. The Fund will cause to be delivered to the Custodian by any bank (including,
if the borrowing is pursuant to a separate agreement, the Custodian) from which
it borrows money for investment or for temporary or emergency purposes using
Securities held by the Custodian hereunder as collateral for such borrowings, a
notice or undertaking in the form currently employed by any such bank setting
forth the amount which such bank will loan to the Fund against delivery of a
stated amount of collateral. The Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to each such borrowing: (a) the Series to
which such borrowing relates; (b) the name of the bank, (c) the amount and terms
of the borrowing, which may be set forth by incorporating by reference an
attached promissory note, duly endorsed by the Fund, or other loan agreement,
(d) the time and date, if known, on which the loan is to be entered into, (e)
the date on which the loan becomes due and payable, (f) the total amount payable
to the Fund on the borrowing date, (g) the market value of Securities to be
delivered as collateral for such loan, including the name of the issuer, the
title and the number of shares or the principal amount of any particular
Securities, and (h) a statement specifying whether such loan is for investment
purposes or for temporary or emergency purposes and that such loan is in
conformance with the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Fund's prospectus
and Statement of Additional Information. The Custodian shall deliver on the
borrowing date specified in a Certificate the specified collateral and the
executed promissory note, if any, against delivery by the lending bank of the
total amount of the loan payable, provided that the same conforms to the total
amount payable as set forth in the Certificate. The Custodian may, at the option
of the lending bank, keep such collateral in its possession, but such collateral
shall be subject to all rights therein given the lending bank by virtue of any
promissory note or loan agreement. The Custodian shall deliver such Securities
as additional collateral as may be specified in a Certificate to collateralize
further any transaction described in this paragraph. The Fund shall cause all
Securities released from collateral status to be returned directly to the
Custodian, and the Custodian shall receive from time to time such return of
collateral as may be tendered to it. In the event that the Fund fails to specify
in a Certificate the Series, the name of the issuer, the title and number of
shares or the principal amount of any particular Securities to be delivered as
collateral by the Custodian, to any such bank, the Custodian shall not be under
any obligation to deliver any Securities.
ARTICLE XV
CUSTODY OF ASSETS OUTSIDE THE U.S.
1. The Custodian is authorized and instructed to employ, as its agent, as
subcustodians for the securities and other assets of the Fund maintained outside
of the United States the Foreign Subcustodians and Foreign Depositories
designated on Schedule A hereto. Except as provided in Schedule A, the Custodian
shall employ no other Foreign Custodian or Foreign Depository. The Custodian and
the Fund may amend Schedule A hereto from time to time to agree to designate any
additional Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Depository with which the Custodian
has an agreement for such entity to act as the Custodian's agent, as
subcustodian, and which the Custodian in its absolute discretion proposes to
utilize to hold any of the Fund's Foreign Property. Upon receipt of a
Certificate or Written Instructions from the Fund, the Custodian shall cease the
employment of any one or more of such subcustodians for maintaining custody of
the Fund's assets and such custodian shall be deemed deleted from Schedule A.
2. The Custodian shall limit the securities and other assets maintained in the
custody of the Foreign Subcustodians to: (a) "foreign securities," as defined in
paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and (b)
cash and cash equivalents in such amounts as the Fund may determine to be
reasonably necessary to effect the foreign securities transactions of the Fund.
3. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Fund, the
Foreign Securities held by each Foreign Subcustodian.
4. Each agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs a Foreign Subcustodian
shall be substantially in the form reviewed and approved by the Fund and will
not be amended in a way that materially affects the Fund without the Fund's
prior written consent and shall:
(a) require that such institution establish custody account(s) for the
Custodian on behalf of the Fund and physically segregate in each such account
securities and other assets of the fund, and, in the event that such institution
deposits the securities of the Fund in a Foreign Depository, that it shall
identify on its books as belonging to the Fund or the Custodian, as agent for
the Fund, the securities so deposited;
(b) provide that:
(1) the assets of the Fund will not be subject to any right, charge,
security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of the Foreign
Subcustodian or its creditors, except a claim of payment for their safe custody
or administration;
(2) beneficial ownership for the assets of the Fund will be freely
transferable without the payment of money or value other than for custody or
administration;
(3) adequate records will be maintained identifying the assets as belonging
to the Fund;
(4) the independent public accountants for the Fund will be given
access to the books and records of the Foreign Subcustodian relating to its
actions under its agreement with the Custodian or confirmation of the contents
of those records;
(5) the Fund will receive periodic reports with respect to the
safekeeping of the Fund's assets, including, but not necessarily limited to,
notification of any transfer to or from the custody account(s); and
(6) assets of the Fund held by the Foreign Subcustodian will be
subject only to the instructions of the Custodian or its agents.
(c) Require the institution to exercise reasonable care in the performance
of its duties and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the Custodian from and
against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out of or in
connection with the institution's performance of such obligations, with the
exception of any such losses, damages, costs, expenses, liabilities or claims
arising as a result of an act of God. At the election of the Fund, it shall be
entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any
claims against a Foreign Subcustodian as a consequence of any such loss, damage,
cost, expense, liability or claim of or to the Fund, if and to the extent that
the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost, expense,
liability or claim.
5. Upon receipt of a Certificate or Written Instructions, which may be
continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian
shall on behalf of the Fund make or cause its Foreign Subcustodian to transfer,
exchange or deliver securities owned by the Fund, except to the extent
explicitly prohibited therein. Upon receipt of a Certificate or Written
Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by
the parties, the Custodian shall on behalf of the fund pay out or cause its
Foreign Subcustodians to pay out monies of the Fund. The Custodian shall use all
means reasonably available to it, including, if specifically authorized by the
Fund in a Certificate, any necessary litigation at the cost and expense of the
Fund (except as to matters for which the Custodian is responsible hereunder) to
require or compel each Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Depository to perform the
services required of it by the agreement between it and the Custodian authorized
pursuant to this Agreement.
6. The Custodian shall maintain all books and records as shall be necessary to
enable the Custodian readily to perform the services required of it hereunder
with respect to the Fund's Foreign Properties. The Custodians shall supply to
the Fund from time to time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of
the Foreign Securities and other Foreign Properties of the Fund held by Foreign
Subcustodians, directly or through Foreign Depositories, including but not
limited to an identification of entities having possession of the Fund's Foreign
Securities and other assets, an advice or other notification of any transfers of
securities to or from each custodial account maintained for the Fund or the
Custodian on behalf of the Fund indicating, as to securities acquired for the
Fund, the identity of the entity having physical possession of such securities.
The Custodian shall promptly and faithfully transmit all reports and information
received pertaining to the Foreign Property of the Fund, including, without
limitation, notices or reports of corporate action, proxies and proxy soliciting
materials.
7. Upon request of the Fund, the Custodian shall use reasonable efforts to
arrange for the independent accountants of the Fund to be afforded access to the
books and records of any Foreign Subcustodian, or confirmation of the contents
thereof, insofar as such books and records relate to the Foreign Property of the
Fund or the performance of such Foreign Subcustodian under its agreement with
the Custodian; provided that any litigation to afford such access shall be at
the sole cost and expense of the Fund.
8. The Custodian recognizes that employment of a Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign
Depository for the Fund's Foreign Securities and Foreign Property is permitted
by Section 17(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 only upon compliance with
Section (a) of Rule 17f-5 promulgated thereunder. With respect to the Foreign
Subcustodians and Foreign Depositories identified on Schedule A, the Custodian
represents that it has furnished the Fund with certain materials prepared by the
Custodian and with such other information in the possession of the Custodian as
the Fund advised the Custodian was reasonably necessary to assist the Board of
Trustees of the Fund in making the determinations required of the Board of
Trustees by Rule 17f-5, including, without limitation, consideration of the
matters set forth in the Notes to Rule 17f-5. If the Custodian recommends any
additional Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Depository, the Custodian shall
supply information similar in kind and scope to that furnished pursuant to the
preceding sentence. Further, the Custodian shall furnish annually to the Fund,
at such time as the Fund and Custodian shall mutually agree, information
concerning each Foreign Subcustodian and Foreign Depository then identified on
Schedule A similar in kind and scope to that furnished pursuant to the preceding
two sentences.
9. The Custodian's employment of any Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Depository
shall constitute a representation that the Custodian believes in good faith that
such Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Depository provides a level of safeguards
for maintaining the Fund's assets not materially different from that provided by
the Custodian in maintaining the Fund's securities in the United States. In
addition, the Custodian shall monitor the financial condition and general
operational performance of the Foreign Subcustodians and Foreign Depositories
and shall promptly inform the Fund in the event that the Custodian has actual
knowledge of a material adverse change in the financial condition thereof or
that there appears to be a substantial likelihood that the shareholders' equity
of any Foreign Subcustodian will decline below $200 million (U.S. dollars or the
equivalent thereof) or that its shareholders' equity has declined below $200
million , or that the Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Depository has breached
the agreement between it and the Custodian in a way that the Custodian believes
adversely affects the Fund. Further, the Custodian shall advise the Fund if it
believes that there is a material adverse change in the operating environment of
any Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Depository.
ARTICLE XVI
CONCERNING THE CUSTODIAN
1. The Custodian shall use reasonable care in the performance of its duties
hereunder, and, except as hereinafter provided, neither the Custodian nor its
nominee shall be liable for any loss or damage, including counsel fees,
resulting from its action or omission to act or otherwise, either hereunder or
under any Margin Account Agreement, except for any such loss or damage arising
out of its own negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct or that of the
subcustodians or co-custodians appointed by the Custodian or of the officers,
employees, or agents of any of them. The Custodian may, with respect to
questions of law arising hereunder or under any Margin Account Agreement, apply
for and obtain the advice and opinion of counsel to the Fund, at the expense of
the Fund, or of its own counsel, at its own expense, and shall be fully
protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in
conformity with such advice or opinion. The Custodian shall be liable to the
Fund for any loss or damage resulting from the use of the Book-Entry System or
any Depository arising by reason of any negligence, bad faith or willful
misconduct on the part of the Custodian or any of its employees or agents.
2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian shall be under no obligation to
inquire into, and shall not be liable for:
(a) The validity (but not the authenticity) of the issue of any Securities
purchased, sold, or written by or for the Fund, the legality of the purchase,
sale or writing thereof, or the propriety of the amount paid or received
therefor, as specified in a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions;
(b) The legality of the sale or redemption of any Shares, or the propriety
of the amount to be received or paid therefor, as specified in a Certificate;
(c) The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend by the Fund,
as specified in a resolution, Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions;
(d) The legality of any borrowing by the Fund using Securities as
collateral;
(e) The legality of any loan of portfolio Securities, nor shall the
Custodian be under any duty or obligation to see to it that the cash collateral
delivered to it by a broker, dealer, or financial institution or held by it at
any time as a result of such loan of portfolio Securities of the Fund is
adequate collateral for the Fund against any loss it might sustain as a result
of such loan, except that this subparagraph shall not excuse any liability the
Custodian may have for failing to act in accordance with Article X hereof or any
Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written Instructions given in accordance with
this Agreement. The Custodian specifically, but not by way of limitation, shall
not be under any duty or obligation periodically to check or notify the Fund
that the amount of such cash collateral held by it for the Fund is sufficient
collateral for the Fund, but such duty or obligation shall be the sole
responsibility of the Fund. In addition, the Custodian shall be under no duty or
obligation to see that any broker, dealer or financial institution to which
portfolio Securities of the Fund are lent pursuant to Article X of this
Agreement makes payment to it of any dividends or interest which are payable to
or for the account of the Fund during the period of such loan or at the
termination of such loan, provided, however, that the Custodian shall promptly
notify the Fund in the event that such dividends or interest are not paid and
received when due; or
(f) The sufficiency or value of any amounts of money and/or Securities
held in any Margin Account, Senior Security Account or Collateral Account in
connection with transactions by the Fund, except that this subparagraph shall
not excuse any liability the Custodian may have for failing to establish,
maintain, make deposits to or withdrawals from such accounts in accordance with
this Agreement. In addition, the Custodian shall be under no duty or obligation
to see that any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member
makes payment to the Fund of any variation margin payment or similar payment
which the Fund may be entitled to receive from such broker, dealer, futures
commission merchant or Clearing Member, to see that any payment received by the
Custodian from any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing
Member is the amount the Fund is entitled to receive, or to notify the Fund of
the Custodian's receipt or non-receipt of any such payment.
3. The Custodian shall not be liable for, or considered to be the Custodian of,
any money, whether or not represented by any check, draft, or other instrument
for the payment of money, received by it on behalf of the Fund until the
Custodian actually receives such money directly or by the final crediting of the
account representing the Fund's interest at the Book-Entry System or the
Depository.
4. With respect to Securities held in a Depository, except as otherwise provided
in paragraph 5(b) of Article III hereof, the Custodian shall have no
responsibility and shall not be liable for ascertaining or acting upon any
calls, conversions, exchange offers, tenders, interest rate changes or similar
matters relating to such Securities, unless the Custodian shall have actually
received timely notice from the Depository in which such Securities are held. In
no event shall the Custodian have any responsibility or liability for the
failure of a Depository to collect, or for the late collection or late crediting
by a Depository of any amount payable upon Securities deposited in a Depository
which may mature or be redeemed, retired, called or otherwise become payable.
However, upon receipt of a Certificate from the Fund of an overdue amount on
Securities held in a Depository the Custodian shall make a claim against the
Depository on behalf of the Fund, except that the Custodian shall not be under
any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action suit or proceeding
in respect to any Securities held by a Depository which in its opinion may
involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against
all expense and liability be furnished as often as may be required, or
alternatively, the Fund shall be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with
respect to such claim against the Depository should it so request in a
Certificate. This paragraph shall not, however, excuse any failure by the
Custodian to act in accordance with a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions given in accordance with this Agreement.
5. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action to
effect collection of any amount due the Fund from the Transfer Agent of the Fund
nor to take any action to effect payment or distribution by the Transfer Agent
of the Fund of any amount paid by the Custodian to the Transfer Agent of the
Fund in accordance with this Agreement.
6. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action to
effect collection of any amount if the Securities upon which such amount is
payable are in default, or if payment is refused after the Custodian has timely
and properly, in accordance with this Agreement, made due demand or
presentation, unless and until (i) it shall be directed to take such action by a
Certificate and (ii) it shall be assured to its satisfaction of reimbursement of
its costs and expenses in connection with any such action, but the Custodian
shall have such a duty if the Securities were not in default on the payable date
and the Custodian failed to timely and properly make such demand for payment and
such failure is the reason for the non-receipt of payment.
7. The Custodian may, with the prior approval of the Board of Trustees of the
Fund, appoint one or more banking institutions as subcustodian or subcustodians,
or as co-Custodian or co-Custodians, of Securities and moneys at any time owned
by the Fund, upon such terms and conditions as may be approved in a Certificate
or contained in an agreement executed by the Custodian, the Fund and the
appointed institution; provided, however, that appointment of any foreign
banking institution or depository shall be subject to the provisions of Article
XV hereof.
8. The Custodian agrees to indemnify the Fund against and save the Fund harmless
from all liability, claims, losses and demands whatsoever, including attorney's
fees, howsoever arising or incurred because of the negligence, bad faith or
willful misconduct of any subcustodian of the Securities and moneys owned by the
Fund.
9. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation (a) to ascertain
whether any Securities at any time delivered to, or held by it, for the account
of the Fund and specifically allocated to a Series are such as properly may be
held by the Fund or such Series under the provisions of its then current
prospectus, or (b) to ascertain whether any transactions by the Fund, whether or
not involving the Custodian, are such transactions as may properly be engaged in
by the Fund.
10. The Custodian shall be entitled to receive and the Fund agrees to pay to the
Custodian all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and such compensation as may be
agreed upon in writing from time to time between the Custodian and the Fund. The
Custodian may charge such compensation, and any such expenses with respect to a
Series incurred by the Custodian in the performance of its duties under this
Agreement against any money specifically allocated to such Series. The Custodian
shall also be entitled to charge against any money held by it for the account of
a Series the amount of any loss, damage, liability or expense, including counsel
fees, for which it shall be entitled to reimbursement under the provisions of
this Agreement attributable to, or arising out of, its serving as Custodian for
such Series. The expenses for which the Custodian shall be entitled to
reimbursement hereunder shall include, but are not limited to, the expenses of
subcustodians and foreign branches of the Custodian incurred in settling outside
of New York City transactions involving the purchase and sale of Securities of
the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else contained in this
Agreement to the contrary, the Custodian shall, prior to effecting any charge
for compensation, expenses, or any overdraft or indebtedness or interest
thereon, submit an invoice therefor to the Fund.
11. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any Certificate, notice or
other instrument in writing, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions received
by the Custodian and reasonably believed by the Custodian to be genuine. The
Fund agrees to forward to the Custodian a Certificate or facsimile thereof
confirming Oral Instructions or Written Instructions in such manner so that such
Certificate or facsimile thereof is received by the Custodian, whether by hand
delivery, telecopier or other similar device, or otherwise, by the close of
business of the same day that such Oral Instructions or Written Instructions are
given to the Custodian. The Fund agrees that the fact that such confirming
instructions are not received by the Custodian shall in no way affect the
validity of the transactions or enforceability of the transactions thereby
authorized by the Fund. The Fund agrees that the Custodian shall incur no
liability to the Fund in acting upon Oral Instructions or Written Instructions
given to the Custodian hereunder concerning such transactions provided such
instructions reasonably appear to have been received from an Authorized Person.
12. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any instrument, instruction or
notice received by the Custodian and reasonably believed by the Custodian to be
given in accordance with the terms and conditions of any Margin Account
Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall
be under no duty to inquire into, and shall not be liable for, the accuracy of
any statements or representations contained in any such instrument or other
notice including, without limitation, any specification of any amount to be paid
to a broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member. This
paragraph shall not excuse any failure by the Custodian to have acted in
accordance with any Margin Agreement it has executed or any Certificate, Oral
Instructions, or Written Instructions given in accordance with this Agreement.
13. The books and records pertaining to the Fund, as described in Appendix E
hereto, which are in the possession of the Custodian shall be the property of
the Fund. Such books and records shall be prepared and maintained by the
Custodian as required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and
other applicable Securities laws and rules and regulations. The Fund, or the
Fund's authorized representatives, shall have access to such books and records
during the Custodian's normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the
Fund, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by the Custodian to
the Fund or the Fund's authorized representative, and the Fund shall reimburse
the Custodian its expenses of providing such copies. Upon reasonable request of
the Fund, the Custodian shall provide in hard copy or on micro-film, whichever
the Custodian elects, any records included in any such delivery which are
maintained by the Custodian on a computer disc, or are similarly maintained, and
the Fund shall reimburse the Custodian for its expenses of providing such hard
copy or micro-film.
14. The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by the
Custodian on the system of internal accounting control of the Book-Entry system,
each Depository or O.C.C., and with such reports on its own systems of internal
accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from time to time.
15. The Custodian shall furnish upon request annually to the Fund a letter
prepared by the Custodian's accountants with respect to the Custodian's internal
systems and controls in the form generally provided by the Custodian to other
investment companies for which the Custodian acts as custodian.
16. The Fund agrees to indemnify the Custodian against and save the Custodian
harmless from all liability, claims, losses and demands whatsoever, including
attorney's fees, howsoever arising out of, or related to, the Custodian's
performance of its obligations under this Agreement, except for any such
liability, claim, loss and demand arising out of the negligence, bad faith, or
willful misconduct of the Custodian, any co-Custodian or subcustodian appointed
by the Custodian, or that of the officers, employees, or agents of any of them.
17. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Agreement, the Custodian shall
deliver and receive Securities, and receipts with respect to such Securities,
and shall make and receive payments only in accordance with the customs
prevailing from time to time among brokers or dealers in such Securities and,
except as may otherwise be provided by this Agreement or as may be in accordance
with such customs, shall make payment for Securities only against delivery
thereof and deliveries of Securities only against payment therefor.
18. The Custodian will comply with the procedures, guidelines or restrictions
("Procedures") adopted by the Fund from time to time for particular types of
investments or transactions, e.g., Repurchase Agreements and Reverse Repurchase
Agreements, provided that the Custodian has received from the Fund a copy of
such Procedures. If within ten days after receipt of any such Procedures, the
Custodian determines in good faith that it is unreasonable for it to comply with
any new procedures, guidelines or restrictions set forth therein, it may within
such ten day period send notice to the Fund that it does not intend to comply
with those new procedures, guidelines or restrictions which it identifies with
particularity in such notice, in which event the Custodian shall not be required
to comply with such identified procedures, guidelines or restrictions; provided,
however, that, anything to the contrary set forth herein or in any other
agreement with the Fund, if the Custodian identifies procedures, guidelines or
restrictions with which it does not intend to comply, the Fund shall be entitled
to terminate this Agreement without cost or penalty to the Fund upon thirty
days' written notice.
19. Whenever the Custodian has the authority to deduct monies from the account
for a series without a Certificate, it shall notify the Fund within one business
day of such deduction and the reason for it. Whenever the Custodian has the
authority to sell Securities or any other property of the Fund on behalf of any
Series without a Certificate, the Custodian will notify the Fund of its
intention to do so and afford the Fund the reasonable opportunity to select
which Securities or other property it wishes to sell on behalf of such Series.
If the Fund does not promptly sell sufficient Securities or Deposited Property
on behalf of the Series, then, after notice, the Custodian may proceed with the
intended sale.
20. The Custodian shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except
such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth or referred to in
this Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied in this Agreement
against the Custodian.
ARTICLE XVII
TERMINATION
1. Except as provided in paragraph 3 of this Article, this Agreement shall
continue until terminated by either the Custodian giving to the Fund, or the
Fund giving to the Custodian, a notice in writing specifying the date of such
termination, which date shall be not less than 60 days after the date of the
giving of such notice. In the event such notice or a notice pursuant to
paragraph 3 of this Article is given by the Fund, it shall be accompanied by a
copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, certified by an
Officer and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Fund, electing to
terminate this Agreement and designating a successor custodian or custodians,
each of which shall be eligible to serve as a custodian for the Securities of a
management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In the
event such notice is given by the Custodian, the Fund shall, on or before the
termination date, deliver to the Custodian a copy of a resolution of the Board
of Trustees of the Fund, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary,
designating a successor custodian or custodians. In the absence of such
designation by the Fund, the Custodian may designate a successor custodian which
shall be a bank or trust company eligible to serve as a custodian for Securities
of a management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and
which is acceptable to the Fund. Upon the date set forth in such notice this
Agreement shall terminate, and the Custodian shall upon receipt of a notice of
acceptance by the successor custodian on that date deliver directly to the
successor custodian all Securities and moneys then owned by the Fund and held by
it as Custodian, after deducting all fees, expenses and other amounts for the
payment or reimbursement of which it shall then be entitled.
2. If a successor custodian is not designated by the Fund or the Custodian in
accordance with the preceding paragraph, the Fund shall upon the date specified
in the notice of termination of this Agreement and upon the delivery by the
Custodian of all Securities (other than Securities held in the Book-Entry System
which cannot be delivered to the Fund) and moneys then owned by the Fund be
deemed to be its own custodian and the Custodian shall thereby be relieved of
all duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement arising thereafter,
other than the duty with respect to Securities held in the Book Entry System
which cannot be delivered to the Fund to hold such Securities hereunder in
accordance with this Agreement.
3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund may terminate this Agreement upon the
date specified in a written notice in the event of the "Bankruptcy" of The Bank
of New York. As used in this sub-paragraph, the term "Bankruptcy" shall mean The
Bank of New York's making a general assignment, arrangement or composition with
or for the benefit of its creditors, or instituting or having instituted against
it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of a
order for relief under any applicable bankruptcy law or any other relief under
any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors
rights, or if a petition is presented for the winding up or liquidation of the
party or a resolution is passed for its winding up or liquidation, or it seeks,
or becomes subject to, the appointment of an administrator, receiver, trustee,
custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all of
its assets or its taking any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent
to approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing.
ARTICLE XVIII
TERMINAL LINK
1. At no time and under no circumstances shall the Fund be obligated to have or
utilize the Terminal Link, and the provisions of this Article shall apply if,
but only if, the Fund in its sole and absolute discretion elects to utilize the
Terminal Link to transmit Certificates to the Custodian.
2. The Terminal Link shall be utilized only for the purpose of the Fund
providing Certificates to the Custodian and the Custodian providing notices to
the Fund and only after the Fund shall have established access codes and
internal safekeeping procedures to safeguard and protect the confidentiality and
availability of such access codes. Each use of the Terminal Link by the Fund
shall constitute a representation and warranty that at least two officers have
each utilized an access code that such internal safekeeping procedures have been
established by the Fund, and that such use does not contravene the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations thereunder.
3. Each party shall obtain and maintain at its own cost and expense all
equipment and services, including, but not limited to communications services,
necessary for it to utilize the Terminal Link, and the other party shall not be
responsible for the reliability or availability of any such equipment or
services, except that the Custodian shall not pay any communications costs of
any line leased by the Fund, even if such line is also used by the Custodian.
4. The Fund acknowledges that any data bases made available as part of, or
through the Terminal Link and any proprietary data, software, processes,
information and documentation (other than any such which are or become part of
the public domain or are legally required to be made available to the public)
(collectively, the "Information"), are the exclusive and confidential property
of the Custodian. The Fund shall, and shall cause others to which it discloses
the Information, to keep the Information confidential by using the same care and
discretion it uses with respect to its own confidential property and trade
secrets, and shall neither make nor permit any disclosure without the express
prior written consent of the Custodian.
5. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, each Fund shall return to
the Custodian any and all copies of the Information which are in the Fund's
possession or under its control, or which the Fund distributed to third parties.
The provisions of this Article shall not affect the copyright status of any of
the Information which may be copyrighted and shall apply to all Information
whether or not copyrighted.
6. The Custodian reserves the right to modify the Terminal Link from time to
time without notice to the Fund, except that the Custodian shall give the Fund
notice not less than 75 days in advance of any modification which would
materially adversely affect the Fund's operation, and the Fund agrees not to
modify or attempt to modify the Terminal Link without the Custodian's prior
written consent. The Fund acknowledges that any software provided by the
Custodian as part of the Terminal Link is the property of the Custodian and,
accordingly, the Fund agrees that any modifications to the same, whether by the
Fund or the Custodian and whether with or without the Custodian's consent, shall
become the property of the Custodian.
7. Neither the Custodian nor any manufacturers and suppliers it utilizes or the
Fund utilizes in connection with the Terminal Link makes any warranties or
representations, express or implied, in fact or in law, including but not
limited to warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
8. Each party will cause its officers and employees to treat the authorization
codes and the access codes applicable to Terminal Link with extreme care, and
irrevocably authorizes the other to act in accordance with and rely on
Certificates and notices received by it through the Terminal Link. Each party
acknowledges that it is its responsibility to assure that only its authorized
persons use the Terminal Link on its behalf, and that a party shall not be
responsible nor liable for use of the Terminal Link on behalf of the other party
by unauthorized persons of such other party.
9. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement to the contrary, neither
party shall have any liability to the other for any losses, damages, injuries,
claims, costs or expenses arising as a result of a delay, omission or error in
the transmission of a Certificate or notice by use of the Terminal Link except
for money damages for those suffered as the result of the negligence, bad faith
or willful misconduct of such party or its officers, employees or agents in an
amount not exceeding for any incident $100,000; provided, however, that a party
shall have no liability under this Section 9 if the other party fails to comply
with the provisions of Section 11.
10. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in no event shall either
party or any manufacturer or supplier of its computer equipment, software or
services relating to the Terminal Link be responsible for any special, indirect,
incidental or consequential damages which the other party may incur or
experience by reason of its use of the Terminal Link even if such party,
manufacturer or supplier has been advised of the possibility of such damages,
nor with respect to the use of the Terminal Link shall either party or any such
manufacturer or supplier be liable for acts of God, or with respect to the
following to the extent beyond such person's reasonable control: machine or
computer breakdown or malfunction, interruption or malfunction of communication
facilities, labor difficulties or any other similar or dissimilar cause.
11. The Fund shall notify the Custodian of any errors, omissions or
interruptions in, or delay or unavailability of, the Terminal Link as promptly
as practicable, and in any event within 24 hours after the earliest of (i)
discovery thereof, and (ii) in the case of any error, the date of actual receipt
of the earliest notice which reflects such error, it being agreed that discovery
and receipt of notice may only occur on a business day. The Custodian shall
promptly advise the Fund whenever the Custodian learns of any errors, omissions
or interruption in, or delay or unavailability of, the Terminal Link.
12. Each party shall, as soon as practicable after its receipt of a Certificate
or a notice transmitted by the Terminal Link, verify to the other party by use
of the Terminal Link its receipt of such Certificate or notice, and in the
absence of such verification the party to which the Certificate or notice is
sent shall not be liable for any failure to act in accordance with such
Certificate or notice and the sending party may not claim that such Certificate
or notice was received by the other party.
ARTICLE XIX
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Annexed hereto as Appendix A is a Certificate signed by two of the present
Officers of the Fund under its seal, setting forth the names and the signatures
of the present Authorized Persons. The Fund agrees to furnish to the Custodian a
new Certificate in similar form in the event that any such present Authorized
Person ceases to be an Authorized Person or in the event that other or
additional Authorized Persons are elected or appointed. Until such new
Certificate shall be received, the Custodian shall be entitled to rely and to
act upon Oral Instructions, Written Instructions, or signatures of the present
Authorized Persons as set forth in the last delivered Certificate to the extent
provided by this Agreement.
2. Annexed hereto as Appendix B is a Certificate signed by two of the present
Officers of the Fund under its seal, setting forth the names and the signatures
of the present Officers of the Fund. The Fund agrees to furnish to the Custodian
a new Certificate in similar form in the event any such present officer ceases
to be an officer of the Fund, or in the event that other or additional officers
are elected or appointed. Until such new Certificate shall be received, the
Custodian shall be entitled to rely and to act upon the signatures of the
officers as set forth in the last delivered Certificate to the extent provided
by this Agreement.
3. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this
Agreement to be given to the Custodian, other than any Certificate or Written
Instructions, shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Custodian and
mailed or delivered to it at its offices at 90 Washington Street, New York, New
York 10286, or at such other place as the Custodian may from time to time
designate in writing.
4. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or rehired by this
Agreement to be given to the Fund shall be sufficiently given if addressed to
the Fund and mailed or delivered to it at its office at the address for the Fund
first above written, or at such other place as the Fund may from time to time
designate in writing.
5. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties, replaces
all prior agreements and may not be amended or modified in any manner except by
a written agreement executed by both parties with the same formality as this
Agreement and approved by a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund,
except that Appendices A and B may be amended unilaterally by the Fund without
such an approving resolution.
6. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto,
and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this
Agreement shall not be assignable by the Fund without the written consent of the
Custodian, or by the Custodian or The Bank of New York without the written
consent of the Fund, authorized or approved by a resolution of the Fund's Board
of Trustees. For purposes of this paragraph, no merger, consolidation, or
amalgamation of the Custodian, The Bank of New York, or the Fund shall be deemed
to constitute an assignment of this Agreement.
7. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
New York without giving effect to conflict of laws principles thereof. Each
party hereby consents to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated
in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder and
hereby waives its right to trial by jury.
8. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together,
constitute only one instrument.
9. A copy of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund is on file with the Secretary
of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that this
instrument is executed on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Fund as
Trustees and not individually and that the obligations of the instrument are not
binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders individually but are binding
upon the assets and property of the Fund; provided, however, that the
Declaration of Trust of the Fund provides that the assets of a particular series
of the Fund shall under no circumstances be charges with liabilities
attributable to any other series of the Fund and that all persons extending
credit to, or contracting with or having any claim against a particular series
of the Fund shall look only to the assets of that particular series for payment
of such credit, contract or claim.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed
by their respective Officers, thereunto duly authorized and their respective
seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above written.
Oppenheimer MidCap Value Fund
By: ____________________________________
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
[SEAL]
Attest: _________________________________
Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary
The Bank of New York
[SEAL] By: ____________________________________
Jorge Ramos, Vice President
Attest: ___________________________________
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
I, Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary, and I, Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary of
Oppenheimer MidCap Value Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund") do
hereby certify that:
The following individuals have been duly authorized by the Board of Trustees of
the Fund in conformity with the Fund's Declaration of Trust and By-Laws to give
Oral Instructions and Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund and further
that the signatures set forth opposite their respective names are their true and
correct signatures:
Name Position Signature
Brian W. Wixted Treasurer __________________________
Andrew J. Donohue Secretary, EVP, OFI __________________________
Robert G. Zack Assistant Secretary __________________________
Scott Farrar Assistant Treasurer __________________________
Mitchell J. Lindauer Vice President, OFI __________________________
Katherine P. Feld Vice President, OFI __________________________
David Mabry Vice President/OFI __________________________
Robert Bishop Assistant Treasurer __________________________
David Foxhoven Assistant Vice President/OFI ______________________
Connie Bechtolt Assistant Vice President/OFI ______________________
The following persons have been duly authorized by the Board of Trustees of the
Fund to provide Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund provided that the
signature of any one of such persons is accompanied by the signature of any one
of the foregoing persons:
Janette Aprilante ___________________________
Tracey Beauchamp ___________________________
Jack Brown ___________________________
Brian Petersen ___________________________
Dale W. Campbell ___________________________
Vincent Toner ___________________________
Matthew O'Donnell ___________________________
David Foxhoven ___________________________
Lisa Chaffee ___________________________
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand in the seal of Oppenheimer MidCap
Value Fund as of the _____ day of _________________, 2001.
--------------------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
--------------------------------
Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary
<PAGE>
APPENDIX B
I, Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary, and I, Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary of
Oppenheimer MidCap Value Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund") do
hereby certify that:
The following individuals serve in the following positions with the Fund, each
has been duly elected or appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund to each
such position and qualified therefor in conformity with the Fund's Declaration
of Trust and By-Laws and further that the signatures of each individual below
set forth opposite their respective names are their true and correct signatures:
Name Position Signature
Robert Bishop Assistant Treasurer __________________________
Brian W. Wixted Treasurer __________________________
Andrew J. Donohue Secretary, EVP and General __________________________
Counsel of OFI
Scott Farrar Assistant Treasurer __________________________
Robert G. Zack Assistant Secretary __________________________
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand in the seal of Oppenheimer MidCap
Value Fund as of the _____ day of _________________, 2001.
----------------------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
----------------------------------
Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary
<PAGE>
APPENDIX C
The undersigned, Andrew J. Donohue, hereby certifies that he or she is the duly
elected and acting secretary of Oppenheimer MidCap Value Fund (the "Fund"),
further certifies that the following resolutions were adopted by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on ______________, 2001, at which a
quorum at all times present and that such resolutions have not been modified or
rescinded and are in full force an effect as of the date hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank New York, as Custodian pursuant to a Custody
Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund in substantially
the form of such agreement presented to this meeting (the "Custody
Agreement") is authorized and instructed on a continuous and ongoing
basis to act in accordance with, and to rely on instructions by the
Fund to the Custodian communicated by a Terminal Link as defined in
the Custody Agreement.
RESOLVED, that the Fund shall establish access codes and grant use
of such access codes only to officers of the Fund as defined in the
Custody Agreement, and shall establish internal safekeeping
procedures to safeguard and protect the confidentiality and
availability of such access codes.
RESOLVED, that Officers of the Fund as defined in the Custody
Agreement shall, following the establishment of such access codes
and such internal safekeeping procedures, advise the Custodian that
the same have been established by delivering a Certificate, as
defined in the Custody Agreement, and the Custodian shall be
entitled to rely upon such advice.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand in the seal of Oppenheimer
MidCap Value Fund, as of the _____ day of _________________, 2001.
-------------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
<PAGE>
APPENDIX D
Pursuant to Article III, Section 5(b) of the Custody Agreement by and between
Oppenheimer MidCap Value Fund and The Bank of New York, the following
publications are hereby designated:
The Bond Buyer
Depository Trust Company Notices
Financial Daily Card Service
JJ Kenney Municipal Bond Service
London Financial Times
New York Times
Standard & Poor's Called Bond Record
Wall Street Journal
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand in the seal of The Bank of New
York, as of the _____ day of _________________, 2001.
------------------------------------
Jorge Ramos, Vice President
<PAGE>
APPENDIX E
The following books and records pertaining to Fund shall be prepared and
maintained by the Custodian and shall be the property of the Fund:
None.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, Andrew J. Donohue, hereby certifies that he is the duly elected
and acting secretary of Oppenheimer MidCap Value Fund, a Massachusetts business
trust (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the following resolution was
adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on
_________________, 2001, at which a quorum was at all times present and that
such resolution has not been modified or rescinded and is in full force and
effect as of the date hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to a Custody
Agreement to be entered between The Bank of New York and the Fund
substantially the form of such agreement presented to this meeting, (the
"Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on a continuous and
ongoing basis to deposit in the Book-Entry System, as defined in the
Custody Agreement, all Securities eligible for deposit therein, regardless
of the Series to which the same are specifically allocated, and to utilize
the Book-Entry System to the extent possible in connection with its
performance thereunder, including, without limitation, in connection with
settlements of purchases and sales of Securities, loans of Securities, and
deliveries and returns of Securities collateral.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of Oppenheimer
MidCap Value Fund, as of the _____ day of _________________, 2001.
----------------------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
[SEAL]
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, Andrew J. Donohue, hereby certifies that he is the duly elected
and acting secretary of Oppenheimer MidCap Value Fund, a Massachusetts business
trust (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the following resolution was
adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on
_________________, 2001, at which a quorum was at all times present and that
such resolution has not been modified or rescinded and is in full force and
effect as of the date hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to a Custody
Agreement to be entered between The Bank of New York and the Fund in
substantially the form of such agreement presented to this meeting (the
"Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on a continuous and
ongoing basis until such time as it receives a Certificate, as defined in
the Custody Agreement, to the contrary to deposit in The Depository Trust
Company ("DTC") as a "Depository" as defined in the Custody Agreement, all
Securities eligible for deposit therein, regardless of the Series to which
the same are specifically allocated, and to utilize DTC to the extent
possible in connection with its performance thereunder, including, without
limitation, in connection with settlements of purchases and sales of
Securities, loans of Securities, and deliveries and returns of Securities
collateral.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of Oppenheimer
MidCap Value Fund as of the _____ day of ________________, 2001.
-----------------------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
[SEAL]
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B-1
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, Andrew J. Donohue hereby certifies that he is the duly elected
and acting secretary of Oppenheimer MidCap Value Fund, a Massachusetts business
trust (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the following resolution was
adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on
_________________, 2001, at which a quorum was at all times present and that
such resolution has not been modified or rescinded and is in full force and
effect as of the date hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to a Custody
Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund in substantially the
form of such agreement presented to this meeting (the "Custody Agreement")
is authorized and instructed on a continuous and ongoing basis until such
time as it receives a Certificate, as defined in the Custody Agreement, to
the contrary to deposit in the Participants Trust Company as a Depository,
as defined in the Custody Agreement, all Securities eligible for deposit
therein, regardless of the Series to which the same are specifically
allocated, and to utilize the Participants Trust Company to the extent
possible in connection with its performance thereunder, including, without
limitation, in connection with settlements of purchases and sales of
Securities, loans of Securities, and deliveries and returns of Securities
collateral.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of Oppenheimer
MidCap Value Fund as of the ____ day of ________________, 2001.
-----------------------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
[SEAL]
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, Andrew J. Donohue hereby certifies that he is the duly elected
and acting secretary of Oppenheimer MidCap Value Fund, a Massachusetts business
trust (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the following resolution was
adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on
_________________, 2001, at which a quorum was at all times present and that
such resolution has not been modified or rescinded and is in full force and
effect as of the date hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to a Custody
Agreement between The Bank of New York in substantially the form of such
agreement presented to this meeting (the "Custody Agreement") is
authorized and instructed on a continuous and ongoing basis until such
time as it receives a Certificate, as defined in the Custody Agreement, to
the contrary, to accept, utilize and act with respect to Clearing Member
confirmations for Options and transaction in Options, regardless of the
Series to which the same are specifically allocated, as such terms are
defined in the Custody Agreement, as provided in the Custody Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of Oppenheimer
MidCap Value Fund as of the _____ day of ______________, 2001.
-----------------------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
[SEAL]
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT D
[THE FORM OF FOREIGN SUBCUSTODIAN AGREEMENT VARIES DEPENDING ON THE COUNTRY.]
