12. “Written Instructions” shall mean written communications actually received by Custodian by letter or by Electronic Means.
ARTICLE II
APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN; ACCOUNTS;
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
1. Customer hereby appoints Custodian as custodian of all Securities and cash at any time delivered to Custodian during the term of this Agreement, and authorizes Custodian to hold Securities in registered form in its name or the name of its nominees. Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to establish and maintain one or more securities accounts and cash accounts (which accounts will be segregated from the accounts of other customers of Custodian) in which Custodian will hold Securities and cash as provided herein. Such accounts (each, an “Account”; collectively, the “Accounts”) shall be in the name of Customer.
2. Customer hereby represents, warrants and covenants, which representations, warranties and covenants shall be continuing and shall be deemed to be reaffirmed upon each Oral Instruction or Written Instruction given by Customer, that:
(a) Customer is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
(b) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Customer, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of Customer, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and no statute, regulation, rule, order, judgment or contract binding on Customer prohibits Customer’s execution or performance of this Agreement; and
(c) Either Customer owns the Securities in the Accounts free and clear of all liens, claims, security interests and encumbrances (except those granted herein) or, if the Securities in an Account are owned beneficially by others, Customer has the right to pledge such Securities to the extent necessary to secure Customer’s obligations hereunder, free of any right of redemption or prior claim by the beneficial owner. Custodian’s security interest pursuant to Article V hereof shall be a first lien and security interest subject to no setoffs, counterclaims or other liens prior to or on a parity with it in favor of any other party (other than specific liens granted preferred status by statute), and Customer shall take any and all additional steps which are required to assure Custodian of such priority and status, including (i) notifying third parties or obtaining their consent to Custodian’s security interest, (ii) prohibiting transfer of any interest in a Security from the nominee name in which such investment is registered without the express written consent of Custodian and (iii) ensuring it does not take any other action that would cause Custodian’s first lien and security interest hereunder to be materially and adversely affected.
3. Custodian hereby represents and warrants, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be reaffirmed upon each Oral or Written Instruction given by Customer to Custodian, that:
(a) Custodian is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder; and
(b) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Custodian, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of Custodian, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and no statute, regulation, rule, order, judgment or contract binding on Custodian prohibits Custodian’s execution or performance of this Agreement.
ARTICLE III
CUSTODY AND RELATED SERVICES
1. (a) Subject to the terms hereof, Customer hereby authorizes Custodian to hold any Securities received by it from time to time for Customer’s account. Custodian shall be entitled to utilize Depositories and Subcustodians to the extent possible in connection with its performance hereunder. Securities and cash deposited by Custodian in a Depository will be held subject to the rules, terms and conditions of such Depository. Securities and cash held through Subcustodians shall be held subject to the terms and conditions of Custodian’s agreements with such Subcustodians. Subcustodians may be authorized to hold Securities in central securities depositories or clearing agencies in which such Subcustodians participate. Unless otherwise required by local law or practice or a particular subcustodian agreement, Securities deposited with Subcustodians will be held in a commingled account in the name of Custodian as custodian or trustee for its customers. Custodian shall identify on its books and records the Securities and cash belonging to Customer, whether held directly or indirectly through Depositories or Subcustodians. Custodian shall use commercially reasonable methods (taking into consideration the methods employed by professional custodians in comparable circumstances) so that, in the event of an attachment, bankruptcy, moratorium or any situation similar event affecting the Custodian, any Subcustodian or Depository, Customer would be entitled to recover, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and claims, the Customer’s Securities and cash held by Custodian, any Subcustodian or Depository and, wherever applicable, the physical possession of the Securities held by Custodian, any