AMENDMENT, dated November 20, 1997 to the May 1, 1996 custody agreement
("Agreement"), between those registered investment companies listed on Schedule
A to the Agreement (each a "Customer"), having a place of business at 1818
Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 and The Chase Manhattan Bank ("Bank"),
having a place of business at 270 Park Ave., New York, N.Y. 10017-2070.
It is hereby agreed as follows:
Section 1. Except as modified hereby, the Agreement is confirmed in all
respects. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.
Section 2. The Agreement is amended by deleting the mutual fund rider
thereto and inserting, in lieu thereof, the following mutual fund rider:
1. Add a new Section 15 to the Agreement as follows:
15. COMPLIANCE WITH SEC RULE 17F-5 ("RULE 17F-5").
(a) Customer's board of directors (or equivalent body) (hereinafter
"Board") hereby delegates to Bank, and Bank hereby accepts the delegation to it,
of the obligation to perform as Customer's "Foreign Custody Manager" (as that
term is defined in Rule 17f-5(a)(2)) adopted under the Investment Company Act of
1940 ("Act"), as amended ("1940 Act"), the following responsibilities in a
manner consistent with Rule 17f-5, to: (i) select Eligible Foreign Custodians
(as that term is defined in Rule 17f-5(a)(1), and as the same may be amended
from time to time, or that have otherwise been made exempt pursuant to an SEC
exemptive order); (ii) enter into written contracts with such Eligible Foreign
Custodians that are banks or trust companies and with Eligible Foreign
Custodians that are "Securities Depositories" (as defined in Rule 17f-5(a)(6))
and that are not Compulsory Depositories (as defined below) where the Depository
has such a contract; and (iii) to monitor the appropriateness of maintaining
Assets of the series of the Customer with such Eligible Foreign Custodians;
provided that, Bank shall not be responsible for these duties with respect to
any compulsory Securities Depository ("Compulsory Depository"). A Compulsory
Depository shall mean a Securities Depository or clearing agency the use of
which is compulsory because: (1) its use is required by law or regulation or (2)
maintaining securities outside the depository is not consistent with prevailing
custodial practices in the country which the Depository serves. Compulsory
Depositories used by Chase as of the date hereof are set forth in Appendix 1-A
hereto. Appendix 1-A may be amended on notice to Customer from time to time. In
that connection, Bank shall notify Customer promptly of pending changes to
Appendix 1-A.
(b) In connection with the foregoing, Bank shall:
(i) provide written reports to Customer's Board upon the placement of
Assets with a particular Eligible Foreign Custodian and of any Material
Change (as defined below) in the arrangements with such Eligible Foreign
Custodians, with such reports to be provided to Customer's Board at such
times as the Board deems reasonable and appropriate based on the
circumstances of Customer's foreign custody arrangements (and until further
notice from Customer such reports shall be provided within 30 days after
Bank becomes aware of any such Material Change. For purposes of the
foregoing, a Material Change shall include, but shall not be limited to,
Bank's decision to remove Customer's Assets from a particular Eligible
Foreign Custodian, an event that has a material adverse affect on an
Eligible Foreign Custodian's financial or operational strength, any
non-compliance by an Eligible Foreign Custodian with a "Material Term" of
Bank's subcustodian agreement with such Eligible Foreign Custodian (as
defined below) or any failure by an Eligible Foreign Custodian to meet the
requirements for its status as such under Rule 17f-5. A Material Term shall
mean a term which provides that (a) the Customer will be adequately
indemnified or its Assets adequately insured, or an adequate combination
thereof, in the event of loss; (b) the Assets of the Series will not be
subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind
in favor of an Eligible Foreign Custodian or such Eligible Foreign
Custodian's creditors, except a claim of payment for their safe custody or
administration, or in the case of cash deposits, liens or rights in favor
of creditors of the Eligible Foreign Custodian arising under bankruptcy,
insolvency or similar laws; (c) beneficial ownership for the Assets of the
Series will be freely transferable without the payment of money or value
other than for safe custody or administration of the Assets of the Series;
(d) adequate records will be maintained identifying the Assets as belonging
to the Customer or the Series or as being held by a third party for the
benefit of the Customer or the Series; (e) the independent auditors for the
Customer will be given access to those records or confirmation of the
contents of those records; and (f) the Customer will receive periodic
reports with respect to the safekeeping of the Series' Assets, including,
but not necessarily limited to, notification of any transfer to or from the
Customer's account or a third party account containing Assets held for the
benefit of the Customer. In addition, in the event that a contract with an
Eligible Foreign Custodian does not include any or all of the terms
described in (a) through (f) of this paragraph 15(b)(i), a Material Term
shall mean a term which, in the Bank's judgment, if not complied with,
would cause the contract not to provide the same or greater level of care
and protection for Customer's Assets than if the contract contained the
provisions described in (a) through (f) of this paragraph 15(b)(i).
(ii) exercise such reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing as
Customer's Foreign Custody Manager as a person having responsibility for
the safekeeping of Assets would exercise;
(iii) in selecting an Eligible Foreign Custodian, first have determined
that Assets placed and maintained in the safekeeping of such Eligible
Foreign Custodian shall be subject to reasonable care, based on the
standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market, after having
considered all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such Assets,
including, without limitation, those factors set forth in Rule
17f-5(c)(1)(i)-(iv);
(iv) determine that the written contract with the Eligible Foreign
Custodian (or, in the case of an Eligible Foreign Custodian that is a
Securities Depository or clearing agency, such contract, the rules or
established practices or procedures of the depository, or any combination
of the foregoing) requires that the Eligible Foreign Custodian will provide
reasonable care for Assets based on the standards applicable to custodians
in the relevant market.
(v) have established a system to monitor the continued appropriateness of
maintaining Assets with particular Eligible Foreign Custodians based on the
standards set forth herein and of the governing contractual arrangements
based on the standards set forth in Rule 17f-5(c)(2), as it may be amended
from time to time.
Subject to (b)(i)-(v) above, Bank is hereby authorized to place and maintain
Assets on behalf of Customer with Eligible Foreign Custodians pursuant to a
written contract which either contains the terms described in Rule
17f-5(c)(2)(i) or which, in lieu of any or all of the terms described in Rule
17f-5(c)(2)(i), contains such other provisions which the Bank determines will
provide in their entirety, the same or a greater level of care and protection
for the Customer's Assets as the provisions of Rule 17f-5(c)(2)(i) in their
entirety. The written contract shall be in such form as deemed appropriate by
Bank. In addition, with respect to Eligible Foreign Custodians that are
non-compulsory Securities Depositories, reliance may be had on such a contract,
the rules or established practices and procedures of such Depository or any
combination thereof.
(c) Except as expressly provided herein, Customer shall be solely
responsible to assure that the maintenance of Assets hereunder complies with the
rules, regulations, interpretations and exemptive orders promulgated by or under
the authority of the SEC which are applicable to Fund's business or which have
been granted to Fund. Bank shall advise Customer of any exemptive orders which
it obtains which may have an impact on Bank's relationship with Customer.
(d) Bank represents to Customer that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in Rule
17f-5(a)(7). Customer represents to Bank that: (1) the Assets being placed and
maintained in Bank's custody are subject to the 1940 Act, as the same may be
amended from time to time; (2) its Board has determined that it is reasonable to
rely on Bank to perform as Customer's Foreign Custody Manager. Nothing contained
herein shall require Bank, on Customer's behalf, to make any selection regarding
countries in which Customer invests or to engage in any monitoring of Customer's
decision to invest in any particular country in which Bank selects , contracts
and monitors Eligible Foreign Custodians, as Customer's Foreign Custody Manager
pursuant to the Agreement.
(e) Bank shall provide to Customer such information as is specified in
Appendix 1-B hereto. Customer hereby acknowledges that: (i) such information is
solely designed to inform Customer of market conditions and procedures, but is
not intended to influence Customer's investment decisions; and (ii) Bank has
gathered the information from sources it considers reliable, but that Bank shall
have no responsibility for inaccuracies or incomplete information except to the
extent that Bank was negligent in selecting the sources of such information.
2. Add the following after the first sentence of Section 3
of the Agreement:
At the request of Customer, Bank may, but need not, add to Schedule A an
Eligible Foreign Custodian that is either a bank or a non-Compulsory
Depository where Bank has not acted as Foreign Custody Manager with respect
to the selection thereof. Bank shall notify Customer in the event that it
elects not to add any such entity.
3. Add the following language to the end of Section 3 of the Agreement:
The term Subcustodian as used herein shall mean the following:
(a) a "U.S. Bank," which shall mean a U.S. bank as defined in Rule
17f-5(a)(7); and (b) with respect to Securities for which the primary
market is outside the U.S. an "Eligible Foreign Custodian," shall mean (i)
a banking institution or trust company, incorporated or organized under the
laws of a country other than the United States, that is regulated as such
by that country's government or an agency thereof, (ii) a majority- owned
direct or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. Bank or bank holding company which
subsidiary is incorporated or organized under the laws of a country other
than the United States; (iii) a Securities Depository or clearing agency
(other than a Compulsory Depository), incorporated or organized under the
laws of a country other than the United States, that acts as a system for
the central handling of securities or equivalent book-entries in that
country and that is regulated by a foreign financial regulatory autho rity
as defined under section 2(a)(50) of the 1940 Act, (iv) a Securities
Depository or clearing agency organized under the laws of a country other
than the United States that acts as a transnational system ("Transnational
Depository") for the central handling of securities or equivalent
book-entries, and (v) any other entity that shall have been so qualified by
exemptive order, rule or other appropriate action of the SEC.
The term Subcustodian as used in Section 12(a)(i) (except the last sentence
thereof) shall not include any Eligible Foreign Custodians as to which Bank
has not acted as Foreign Custody Manager, any Compulsory Depository and any
Transnational Depository.
4. Add the following after the word "administration" at the end of
Subsection 4(d)(i): "or, in the case of cash deposits, liens or rights in favor
of creditors of Subcustodian arising under bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar
laws".
5. Delete all of Subsection 4(e) after the word "located" in (ii) thereof
and add the word "and" between "Subcustodian" and "(ii)".
*********************
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the date
first above written.
Customer THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
By: /s/ Michael P. Bishof By: /s/ Rosemary M. Stidmon
Name: Michael P. Bishof Name: Rosemary M. Stidmon
Title: Senior Vice President/ Title: Vice President
Treasurer
Date: Nov. 20, 1997 Date: Nov. 20, 1997
APPENDIX A
Delaware Group Adviser Funds, Inc.
U.S. Growth Fund
Overseas Equity Fund
New Pacific Fund
Delaware Group Equity Funds I, Inc.
Delaware Fund
Devon Fund
Delaware Group Equity Funds II, Inc.
Blue Chip Fund
Quantum Fund
Delaware Group Equity Funds IV, Inc.
DelCap Fund
Capital Appreciation Fund
Delaware Group Equity Funds V, Inc.
Retirement Income Fund
Small Cap Value Fund
Delaware Pooled Trust, Inc.
The International Equity Portfolio
The International Fixed Income Portfolio
The Global Equity Portfolio
The Global Fixed Income Portfolio
The High-Yield Bond Portfolio
The Labor Select International Equity Portfolio
The Real Estate Investment Trust Portfolio
The Real Estate Investment Trust Portfolio II
The Emerging Markets Portfolio
Delaware Group Global & International Funds, Inc.
Emerging Markets Series
Global Assets Series
Global Bond Series
Global Equity Series
International Equity Series
International Small Cap Series
Delaware Group Premium Fund, Inc.
Convertible Securities Series
Devon Series
Emerging Markets Series
Quantum Series
Strategic Income Series
Global Bond Series
DelCap Series
International Equity Series
Delaware Series
Value Series
Voyageur Mutual Funds III, Inc.
Tax-Efficient Equity Fund
Dated: November 20, 1997
Appendix 1-A
COMPULSORY DEPOSITORIES
Argentina Caja de Valores Equity, Corporate &
Government Debt
Australia Austraclear Ltd. Corporate Debt, Money
Market & Semi-Government
Debt
CHESS Equity
(Clearing House Electronic Sub-
register System)
RITS Government Debt
(Reserve Bank Information and
Transfer System)
Austria Oesterreichische Kontrolbank AG Equity, Corporate +
Government Debt
Belgium CIK Equity + Corporate
(Caisse Interprofessionnelle de Debt
Depots et de Virements de Titres)
Banque Nationale de Belgique Treasury Bills +
Government Debt
Brazil BOVESPA Equity
(Bolsa de Valores de Sao Paolo)
BVRJ Equity
(Bolsa de Valores de Rio de
Janeiro)
Canada CDS Equity, Corporate +
(Canadian Depository for Government Debt
Securities)
China, SSCCRC Equity
Shanghai (Shanghai Securities Central
Clearing and Registration Corp.)
China, SSCC Equity
Shenzhen (Shenzhen Securities
Registration Co., Ltd.)
Czech SCP Equity + Long-Term
Republic (Securities Center) Government Debt
TKD Treasury Bills +
(Trh Kratkododich Dlluhopisu or Money Market
Short-Term Bond Market)
Denmark VP Equity, Corporate +
(Vaerdipapircentralen) Government Debt
Egypt Misr Clearing & Sec. Dep. Equity
Estonia EVK Equity
(Estonian Central Depository for
Securities Ltd.)
Euromarket Cedel & Euroclear Euro-Debt
Finland CSR Equity + Government
(Central Share Registry Finland) Debt
Helsinki Money Market Center Money Market
Ltd.
France SICOVAM Equity + Corporate
(Banque de France) Debt.
France SATURNE Government Debt.
(Banque de France)
Germany DKV Equity, Corporate +
(Deutscher Kassenverein) Government Debt
Greece Apothetirio Titlon A.E. Equity
Bank of Greece Government Debt
Hong Kong CCASS Equity
(Central Clearing and
Settlement System)
CMU Corporate +
(Central Moneymarkets Unit) Government Debt
Hungary Keler Ltd. Equity + Government
Debt
Ireland CREST Equity
GSO Government Debt
(Gilt Settlement Office)
Israel TASE Clearing House Equity, Corporate +
(Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Government Debt
Clearing House)
Italy Monte Titoli Equity + Corporate Debt
Bank of Italy Government Debt
Japan Bank of Japan Registered Government
Debt
Latvia LCD Equity + Government
(Latvian Central Depository) Debt
Lebanon Midclear Equity
(Custodian and Clearing Center
of Lebanon and the Middle East)
Luxembourg Cedel Equity
Malaysia MCD Equity
(Malaysian Central Depository
Snd Bhd)
Mauritius CDS Equity
(Central Depository System)
Mexico Indeval Equity, Corporate +
(Institucion para el Deposito Government Debt.
de Valores)
Morocco Maroclear Equity + Corporate Debt
Bank Al'Maghrib Government Debt
Netherlands NECIGEF/KAS Associate NV Equity, Corp. + Govt. D
De Nederlandsche Bank N.V. Money Market
Netherlands NIEC Premium Bonds
(Nederlands Interpforessioneel
Effectencentrum B.V.)
New Zealand Austraclear New Zealand Equity, Corporate +
Government Debt
Norway VPS Equity, Corporate +
(Verdipapirsentralen) Government Debt
Oman NONE
Pakistan CDC Equity
(Central Depository Company of
Pakistan Ltd.)
Peru CAVALI Equity
(Caja de Valores)
Philippines PCD Equity
(Philippine Central Depository)
Poland NDS Equity, Long-Term
(National Securities Government Debt +
Depository) Vouchers
CRT Treasury-Bills
(Central Registry of Treasury-
Bills)
Portugal Interbolsa Equity, Corporate +
Government Debt
Romania SNCDD - RASDAQ Equity
(National Company for Clearing,
Settlement and Depository for
Securities)
Budapest Stock Exchange Equity
Registry
National Bank of Romania Treasury-Bills
Russia MICEX GKO's
(Moscow Interbank Currency (Gosudarstvennye
Exchange) Kratkosrochnye
Obyazatelstva [T-
Bills])
OFZ's
(Obligatsyi
Federalnogo Zaima
[Federal Loan Bonds])s
Singapore CDP Equity + Corporate
(Central Depository Pte. Ltd.) Debt and Malaysian
equities traded on CLOB
Monetary Authority of Singapore Government Debt
Slovak SCP Equity + Government
Republic (Stredisko Cennych Papiru) Debt
National Bank of Slovakia Treasury-Bills
So. Africa CD Corporate + Government
(Central Depository) Debt
So. Korea KSD Equity, Corporate +
Government Debt
Spain SCLV Equity + Corporate
(Servicio de Compensacion y Debt.
Liquidacion de Valores)
CBEO Government Debt
(Central Book Entry Office)
Sri Lanka CDS Equity
(Central Depository System
(Private) Ltd.)
Sweden VPC Equity, Corporate +
(Vardepapperscentralen AB) Government Debt
Switzerland SEGA Equity, Corporate +
(Schweizerische Effekten-Giro Government Debt
AG)
Taiwan TSCD Equity + Government
(Taiwan Securities Central Debt
Depository Co., Ltd.)
Thailand TSDC Equity, Corporate +
(Thailand Securities Depository Government Debt
Company Ltd.)
Tunisia STICODEVAM Equity
(Societe Tunisienne
Interprofessionnelle pour la
Compensation et le Depot des
Valeurs Mobilieres)
Ministry of Finance Government Debt
tradable on the stock
exchange (BTNBs)
Central Bank of Tunisia Government Debt not
tradable on the stock
exchange (BTCs)
Turkey Takas Bank Equity + Corporate
Debt
Central Bank of Turkey Government Debt
United CREST Equity + Corp. Debt
Kingdom
CMO Sterling CDs & CP
(Central Moneymarket Office)
CGO Gilts
(Central Gilts Office)
United DTC Equity + Corporate
States (Depository Trust Company) Debt
PTC Mortgage Back Debt
(Participants Trust Company)
Fed Book-Entry Government Debt.
Zambia LuSE Equity + Government
(LuSE Central Shares Depository Debt
Ltd.)
Appendix 1-B
Information Regarding Country Risk
1. To aid Customer's board in its determinations regarding Country Risk,
Bank shall furnish board annually and upon the initial placing of Assets into a
country the following information (check items applicable):
A. Opinions of local counsel concerning:
___ i. Whether applicable foreign law would restrict the access afforded
Customer's independent public accountants to books and records kept by
an eligible foreign custodian located in that country.
___ ii. Whether applicable foreign law would restrict the Customer's
ability to recover its assets in the event of the bankruptcy of an
Eligible Foreign Custodian located in that country.
___ iii. Whether applicable foreign law would restrict the Customer's
ability to recover assets that are lost while under the control of an
Eligible Foreign Custodian located in the country.
B. Written information concerning:
___ i. The likelihood of expropriation,
nationalization, freezes, or confiscation of
Customer's assets.
___ ii. Whether difficulties in converting Customer's
cash and cash equivalents to U.S. dollars are
reasonably foreseeable.]
C. A market report with respect to the following topics:
(i) securities regulatory environment, (ii) foreign ownership restrictions,
(iii) foreign exchange, (iv) securities settlement and registration, (v)
taxation, and (vi) compulsory depositories (including depository
evaluation).
2. To aid Customer's board in monitoring Country Risk, Bank shall furnish
board the following additional information:
Market flashes, including with respect to changes in the information in
market reports.