Exhibit (9)(b)

                     Amendment to Master Custodian Agreement






                     AMENDMENT TO MASTER CUSTODIAN CONTRACT

     Amendment dated /s/ February 10, 2000, to the custody contract, dated May
1, 1997, as amended, by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company (the
"Custodian") and EACH OF THE PARTIES LISTED ON APPENDIX 1, on behalf of each of
its Portfolios, (each a "Fund") (the "Custodian Contract").

     In consideration of the promises and covenants contained herein, the
Custodian and the Fund hereby agree to amend and replace Section 5 of the
Custodian Contract as follows:

5.   Proper Instructions
     -------------------

Proper Instructions as used throughout this Contract means a writing signed or
initialed by one or more person or persons as the Board of Trustees shall have
from time to time authorized. Each such writing shall set forth the specific
transaction or type of transaction involving, including a specific statement of
the purpose for which such action is requested. Oral instructions will be
considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian reasonably believes them to have
been given by a person authorized to give such instructions with respect to the
transaction involved. Each Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be
confirmed in writing. Proper Instructions may include communications effected
directly between electro-mechanical or electronic devices; provided that the
Fund has followed any security procedures agreed to from time to time by Fund
and the Custodian, including, but not limited to, the security procedures
selected by the Fund in the Funds Transfer Agreement. For purposes of this
Section, Proper Instructions shall include instructions received by the
Custodian pursuant to any multi-party agreement which requires a segregated
asset account in accordance with Section 2.12.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be
executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative as
of the /s/ 10th day of February, 2000.

                                     EACH OF THE FUNDS LISTED ON APPENDIX 1

                                     By:  /s/ Nancy G. Curtiss
                                          -----------------------------------

                                     Its: /s/ Treasurer
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                                     STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY


                                     By:  /s/ Ronald E. Logue
                                          --------------------------------------

                                     Title: /s/ Vice Chairman
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