| | A “conflict of interest” occurs when a Covered Officer’s personal interests interfere with the interests of the Fund for which he or she serves as an officer. Covered Officers may not improperly use their position with a Fund for personal or private gain to themselves, their family, or any other person. Similarly, Covered Officers may not use their personal influence or personal relationships to influence decisions or other Fund business or operational matters where they would benefit personally at the Fund’s expense or to the Fund’s detriment. Covered Officers may not cause the Fund to take action, or refrain from taking action, for their personal benefit at the Fund’s expense or to the Fund’s detriment. Some examples of conflicts of interest follow (this is not an all-inclusive list): being in the position of supervising, reviewing or having any influence on the job evaluation, pay or benefit of any immediate family member who is an employee of a Fund service provider or is otherwise associated with the Fund; or having an ownership interest in, or having any consulting or employment relationship with, any Fund service provider other than DeAM or its affiliates. Certain conflicts of interest covered by this Code arise out of the relationships between Covered Officers and the Fund that already are subject to conflict of interest provisions in the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act. For example, Covered Officers may not individually engage in certain transactions (such as the purchase or sale of securities or other property) with the Fund because of their status as “affiliated persons” of the Fund. Covered Officers must comply with applicable laws and regulations. Therefore, any violations of existing statutory and regulatory prohibitions on individual behavior could be considered a violation of this Code. As to conflicts arising from, or as a result of the advisory relationship (or any other relationships) between the Fund and DeAM, of which the Covered Officers are also officers or employees, it is recognized by the Board that, subject to DeAM’s fiduciary duties to the Fund, the Covered Officers will in the normal course of their duties (whether formally for the Fund or for DeAM, or for both) be involved in establishing policies and implementing decisions which will have different effects on DeAM and the Fund. The Board recognizes that the participation of the Covered Officers in such activities is inherent in the contract relationship between the Fund and DeAM, and is consistent with the expectation of the Board of the performance by the Covered Officers of their duties as officers of the Fund. Covered Officers should avoid actual conflicts of interest, and appearances of conflicts of interest, between the Covered Officer’s duties to the Fund and his or her personal interests beyond those contemplated or anticipated by applicable regulatory schemes. If a Covered Officer suspects or knows of a conflict or an appearance of one, the Covered Officer must immediately report the matter to the DeAM Compliance Officer. If a Covered Officer, in lieu of reporting such a matter to the DeAM Compliance Officer, may report the matter directly to the Fund’s Board (or committee thereof), as appropriate (e.g., if the conflict involves the DeAM Compliance Officer or the Covered Officer reasonably believes it would be futile to report the matter to the DeAM Compliance Officer). When actual, apparent or suspected conflicts of interest arise in connection with a Covered Officer, DeAM personnel aware of the matter should promptly contact the DeAM Compliance Officer. There will be no reprisal or retaliation against the person reporting the matter. Upon receipt of a report of a possible conflict, the DeAM Compliance Officer will take steps to determine whether a conflict exists. In so doing, the DeAM Compliance Officer may take any actions he or she determines to be appropriate in his or her sole discretion and may use all reasonable resources, including retaining or engaging legal counsel, accounting firms or other consultants, subject to applicable law.2 The costs associated with such actions may be borne by the Fund, if appropriate, after consultation with the Fund’s Board (or committee thereof). Otherwise, such costs will be borne by DeAM or other appropriate Fund service provider. After full review of a report of a possible conflict of interest, the DeAM Compliance Officer may determine that no conflict or reasonable appearance of a conflict exists. If, however, the DeAM Compliance Officer determines that an actual conflict exists, the Compliance Officer will resolve the conflict solely in the interests of the Fund, and will report the conflict and its resolution to the Fund’s Board (or committee thereof). If the DeAM Compliance Officer determines that the appearance of a conflict exists, the DeAM Compliance Officer will take appropriate steps to remedy such appearance. In lieu of determining whether a conflict exists and/or resolving a conflict, the DeAM Compliance Officer instead may refer the matter to the Fund’s Board (or committee thereof), as appropriate. However, the DeAM Compliance Officer must refer the matter to the Fund’s Board (or committee thereof) if the DeAM Compliance Officer is directly involved in the conflict or under similar appropriate circumstances. After responding to a report of a possible conflict of interest, the DeAM Compliance Officer will discuss the matter with the person reporting it (and with the Covered Officer at issue, if different) for purposes of educating those involved on conflicts of interests (including how to detect and avoid them, if appropriate).
Appropriate resolution of conflicts may restrict the personal activities of the Covered Officer and/or his family, friends or other persons. Solely because a conflict is disclosed to the DeAM Compliance Officer (and/or the Board or Committee thereof) and/or resolved by the DeAM Compliance Officer does not mean that the conflict or its resolution constitutes a waiver from the Code’s requirements. Any questions about conflicts of interests, including whether a particular situation might be a conflict or an appearance of one, should be directed to the DeAM Compliance Officer. |