If the Customer requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to the applicable Customer being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some other form, the Customer, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form satisfactory to it.
If the Customer requires the Custodian to advance cash or securities for any purpose or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the performance of this Contract, except such as may arise from its own, or its nominee’s, negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, any property at any time held for the account of the applicable Customer shall be security therefor and should such Customer fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of such Customer assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Contract, each Customer and the Custodian hereby agrees that in no event shall either such Customer or the Custodian be liable to the other party for indirect, special or consequential damages, or for any damages of a similar nature.
15. | Effective Period, Termination and Amendment |
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall continue in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be terminated by any party by an instrument in writing delivered in accordance with Section 21, such termination to take effect not sooner than thirty (30) days after the date of such delivery or mailing; provided, however, that the Custodian shall not with respect to any Customer act under Section 2.10 hereof in the absence of receipt of Proper Instructions that the Board of such Customer has approved the initial use of a particular Securities System by such Customer and the receipt of an annual certificate that the Board of such Customer has reviewed the use by such Customer of such Securities System, as required in each case by Rule 17f-4 under the Investment Company Act; provided further, however, that each Customer shall not amend or terminate this Contract in contravention of any applicable federal or state regulations, or any provision of such Customer’s Constitutive Documents, and further provided, that each Customer may at any time by action of its Board (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the Custodian with respect to such Customer, by giving notice as described above to the Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate this Contract in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the Comptroller of the Currency or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction.
Upon termination of this Contract, the Customers shall pay to the Custodian such compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall likewise reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements.
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