Exhibit (9)(d)
Amendment to Master Custodian Agreement
AMENDMENT TO MASTER CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Amendment to the Master Custodian Contract is made effective as of May
10, 2002 by and between each party listed on Appendix 1 affixed to the Master
Custodian Contract (as amended from time to time, the "Fund") and State Street
Bank and Trust Company (the "Custodian" or "Foreign Custody Manager").
Capitalized terms used in this Amendment without definition shall have the
respective meanings given to such terms in the Master Custodian Contract
referred to below.
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Custodian entered into a Master Custodian
Contract dated as of May 1, 1997 (as amended and in effect from time to time,
the "Contract");
WHEREAS, the Fund is authorized to issue shares in separate series, with
each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities
and other assets, and the Fund has made each such series subject to the Contract
(each such series, together with all other series subsequently established by
the Fund and made subject to the Contract in accordance with the terms thereof,
shall be referred to as a "Portfolio", and, collectively, the "Portfolios"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Custodian desire to amend and restate certain
provisions of the Contract relating to the custody of assets of each of the
Portfolios held outside of the United States.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants
and agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereby agree to amend the
Contract, pursuant to the terms thereof, as follows:
I. Articles 4 through 21 of the Contract are hereby renumbered, as of the
effective date of this Amendment, as Articles 5 through 22, respectively.
II. New Article 4 of the Contract is hereby added, as of the effective date of
this Amendment, as set forth below.
4. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE PORTFOLIOS HELD
OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.
4.1 DEFINITIONS. Capitalized terms in this Article 4 shall have the following
meanings:
"Foreign Securities System" means an Eligible Securities Depository listed on
Schedule B.
"Foreign Sub-Custodian" means a foreign banking institution serving as an
Eligible Foreign Custodian.
4.2. HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging
to the Portfolios the foreign securities held by each Foreign Sub-Custodian or
Foreign Securities
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System. The Custodian may hold foreign securities for all of its customers,
including the Portfolios, with any Foreign Sub-Custodian in an account that is
identified as belonging to the Custodian for the benefit of its customers,
provided however, that (i) the records of the Custodian with respect to foreign
securities of the Portfolios which are maintained in such account shall identify
those securities as belonging to the Portfolios and (ii), to the extent
permitted and customary in the market in which the account is maintained, the
Custodian shall require that securities so held by the Foreign Sub-Custodian be
held separately from any assets of such Foreign Sub-Custodian or of other
customers of such Foreign Sub-Custodian.
4.3. FOREIGN SECURITIES SYSTEMS. Foreign securities shall be maintained in a
Foreign Securities System in a designated country through arrangements
implemented by the Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian, as applicable, in such
country.
4.4. TRANSACTIONS IN FOREIGN CUSTODY ACCOUNT.
4.4.1. DELIVERY OF FOREIGN ASSETS. The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian
shall release and deliver foreign securities of the Portfolios held by the
Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian, or in a Foreign Securities System
account, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing
instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following
cases:
(i) upon the sale of such foreign securities for the Portfolio in
accordance with commercially reasonable market practice in the
country where such foreign securities are held or traded, including,
without limitation: (A) delivery against expectation of receiving
later payment; or (B) in the case of a sale effected through a
Foreign Securities System, in accordance with the rules governing
the operation of the Foreign Securities System;
(ii) in connection with any repurchase agreement related to foreign
securities;
(iii) to the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar
offers for foreign securities of the Portfolios;
(iv) to the issuer thereof or its agent when such foreign securities are
called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable;
(v) to the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of
the Custodian (or the name of the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian
or of any nominee of the Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian) or
for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other
evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of
units;
(vi) to brokers, clearing banks or other clearing agents for examination
or trade execution in accordance with market custom; provided that
in any such case the Foreign Sub-Custodian shall have no
responsibility or liability for any loss arising
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from the delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment for
such securities except as may arise from the Foreign Sub-Custodian's
own negligence or willful misconduct;
(vii) for exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of
the securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to
provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant
to any deposit agreement;
(viii) in the case of warrants, rights or similar foreign securities, the
surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or
similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary
securities for definitive securities;
(ix) for delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by the
Portfolios requiring a pledge of assets by the Portfolios;
(x) in connection with trading in options and futures contracts,
including delivery as original margin and variation margin;
(xi) in connection with the lending of foreign securities; and
(xii) for any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions
specifying the foreign securities to be delivered and naming the
person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.
4.4.2. PAYMENT OF PORTFOLIO MONIES. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions,
which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the
Custodian shall pay out, or direct the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian or the
respective Foreign Securities System to pay out, monies of a Portfolio in the
following cases only:
(i) upon the purchase of foreign securities for the Portfolio, unless
otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, by (A) delivering money
to the seller thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such
seller or dealer) against expectation of receiving later delivery of
such foreign securities; or (B) in the case of a purchase effected
through a Foreign Securities System, in accordance with the rules
governing the operation of such Foreign Securities System;
(ii) in connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender of foreign
securities of the Portfolio;
(iii) for the payment of any expense or liability of the Portfolio,
including but not limited to the following payments: interest,
taxes, investment advisory fees, transfer agency fees, fees under
this Contract, legal fees, accounting fees, and other operating
expenses;
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(iv) for the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign exchange
contracts for the Portfolio, including transactions executed with or
through the Custodian or its Foreign Sub-Custodians;
(v) in connection with trading in options and futures contracts,
including delivery as original margin and variation margin;
(vi) for payment of part or all of the dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
(vii) in connection with the borrowing or lending of foreign securities;
and
(viii) for any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions
specifying the amount of such payment and naming the person or
persons to whom such payment is to be made.
4.4.3. MARKET CONDITIONS. Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to
the contrary, settlement and payment for Foreign Assets received for the account
of the Portfolios and delivery of Foreign Assets maintained for the account of
the Portfolios may be effected in accordance with the customary established
securities trading or processing practices and procedures in the country or
market in which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation,
delivering Foreign Assets to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or
an agent for such purchaser or dealer) with the expectation of receiving later
payment for such Foreign Assets from such purchaser or dealer.
The Custodian shall provide to the Board the information with respect to custody
and settlement practices in countries in which the Custodian employs a Foreign
Sub-Custodian described on Schedule C hereto at the time or times set forth on
such Schedule. The Custodian may revise Schedule C from time to time, provided
that no such revision shall result in the Board being provided with
substantively less information than had been previously provided hereunder.
4.5. REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN SECURITIES. The foreign securities maintained in
the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be
registered in the name of the applicable Portfolio or in the name of the
Custodian or in the name of any Foreign Sub-Custodian or in the name of any
nominee of the foregoing, and the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio agrees to
hold any such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such
foreign securities, in the absence of the nominee's negligence and willful
misconduct. The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall not be obligated to
accept securities on behalf of a Portfolio under the terms of this Contract
unless the form of such securities and the manner in which they are delivered
are in accordance with reasonable market practice.
4.6 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the
Fund cash (including cash denominated in foreign currencies) deposited with the
Custodian. Where the Custodian is unable to maintain, or market practice does
not facilitate the maintenance of, cash on the books of the Custodian, a bank
account or bank accounts shall be opened and maintained
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outside the United States on behalf of a Portfolio with a Foreign
Sub-Custodian. All accounts referred to in this Section shall be subject only to
draft or order by the Custodian (or, if applicable, such Foreign Sub-Custodian)
acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to hold cash received by or from
or for the account of the Portfolio. Cash maintained on the books of the
Custodian (including its branches, subsidiaries and affiliates), regardless of
currency denomination, is maintained in bank accounts established under, and
subject to the laws of, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
4.7. COLLECTION OF INCOME. The Custodian shall use reasonable commercial
efforts to collect all income and other payments with respect to the Foreign
Assets held hereunder to which the Portfolios shall be entitled and shall credit
such income, as collected, to the applicable Portfolio. In the event that
extraordinary measures are required to collect such income, the Fund and the
Custodian shall consult as to such measures and as to the compensation and
expenses of the Custodian relating to such measures.
4.8 SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS. With respect to the foreign securities held pursuant
to this Article 4, the Custodian will use reasonable commercial efforts to
facilitate the exercise of voting and other shareholder rights, subject always
to the laws, regulations and practical constraints that may exist in the country
where such securities are issued. The Fund acknowledges that local conditions,
including lack of regulation, onerous procedural obligations, lack of notice and
other factors may have the effect of severely limiting the ability of the Fund
to exercise shareholder rights.
4.9. COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO FOREIGN SECURITIES. The Custodian shall
transmit promptly to the Fund written information with respect to materials
received by the Custodian via the Foreign Sub-Custodians from issuers of the
foreign securities being held for the account of the Portfolios (including,
without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of foreign securities and
expirations of rights in connection therewith). With respect to tender or
exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund written
information with respect to materials so received by the Custodian from issuers
of the foreign securities whose tender or exchange is sought or from the party
(or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer. Absent negligence and
willful misconduct on the part of the Custodian, the Custodian shall not be
liable for any untimely exercise of any tender, exchange or other right or power
in connection with foreign securities or other property of the Portfolios at any
time held by it unless (i) the Custodian or the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian
is in actual possession of such foreign securities or property and (ii) the
Custodian receives Proper Instructions with regard to the exercise of any such
right or power, and both (i) and (ii) occur at least three business days prior
to the date on which the Custodian is to take action to exercise such right or
power.
4.10. LIABILITY OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS.
Each agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian
shall, to the extent possible, require the Foreign Sub-Custodian 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
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Foreign Sub-Custodian's performance of such obligations. At the Fund's election,
the Portfolios shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian
with respect to any claims against a Foreign Sub-Custodian as a consequence of
any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and to the extent
that the Portfolios have not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost,
expense, liability or claim.
4.11. TAX LAW.
The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any obligations now
or hereafter imposed on the Fund, the Portfolios or the Custodian as custodian
of the Portfolios by the tax law of the United States or of any state or
political subdivision thereof. It shall be the responsibility of the Fund to
notify the Custodian of the obligations imposed on the Fund with respect to the
Portfolios or the Custodian as custodian of the Portfolios by the tax law of
countries other than those mentioned in the above sentence, including
responsibility for withholding and other taxes, assessments or other
governmental charges, certifications and governmental reporting. The sole
responsibility of the Custodian with regard to such tax law shall be to use
reasonable efforts to assist the Fund with respect to any claim for exemption or
refund under the tax law of countries for which the Fund has provided such
information.
4.12. LIABILITY OF CUSTODIAN.
Except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct or
the negligence or willful misconduct of a Sub-Custodian, the Custodian shall be
without liability to the Fund for any loss, liability, claim or expense
resulting from or caused by anything which is part of Country Risk.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a Foreign
Sub-Custodian to the same extent as set forth with respect to sub-custodians
generally in the Contract and, regardless of whether assets are maintained in
the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian or a Foreign Securities System, the
Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or
claim resulting from nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, or
acts of war or terrorism, or any other loss where the Sub-Custodian has
otherwise acted with reasonable care.
III. Except as specifically superseded or modified herein, the terms and
provisions of the Contract shall continue to apply with full force and
effect. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Contract
prior to this Amendment and this Amendment, the terms of this
Amendment shall prevail. If the Custodian is delegated the
responsibilities of Foreign Custody Manager pursuant to the terms of
Article 3, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of
Articles 3 and 4 hereof, the provisions of Article 3 shall prevail.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to be
executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative as of the
date first above written.
WITNESSED BY: STATE STREET BANK and TRUST COMPANY
/s/ Jean S. Carr By: /s/ Joseph L. Hooley
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Jean S. Carr Name: Joseph L. Hooley
Counsel Title: Executive Vice President
FUND SIGNATURE WITNESSED BY: EACH OF THE FUNDS LISTED ON APPENDIX 1:
/s/ Noreen O'Connell By: /s/ Richard J. Wirth
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Noreen M. O'Connell Name: Richard J. Wirth
Paralegal IV Title: Secretary
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