EX-99.G CUST AGREEMT 7 custody.txt CUSTODY AGREEMENT This Agreement is made and entered into as of this 11th day of May, 2001, by and between AssetMark Funds, a business trust organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter referred to as the "Trust") on behalf of its series as described in Exhibit C of this Agreement (each such series is hereafter referred to as a "Fund" and, collectively as the "Funds"), and Firstar Bank, N.A., a national banking association (the "Custodian"). W I T N E S S E T H: WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the"1940 Act"); and WHEREAS, the Trust is an is authorized to create separate series, each with its own separate investment portfolio; and WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain Firstar Bank, N.A. to act as Custodian for each series of the Trust listed on Exhibit C attached hereto (each hereinafter referred to as a "Fund"), as may be amended from time to time. WHEREAS, the Trust desires that each Fund's Securities and cash be held and administered by the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement; and WHEREAS, the Custodian represents that it is a bank having the qualifications prescribed in Section 26(a)(1) of the 1940 Act; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein made, the Trust and the Custodian hereby agree as follows: ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases, unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings: 1.1 "Authorized Person" means any Officer or other person duly authorized by resolution of the Board of Trustees to give Oral Instructions and Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund and named in Exhibit A hereto or in such resolutions of the Board of Trustees, certified by an Officer, as may be received by the Custodian from time to time. 1.2 "Board of Trustees" shall mean the Trustees from time to time serving under the Trust's Declaration of Trust, as from time to time amended. 1.3 Entry System" shall mean a federal book-entry system as provided in Subpart O of Treasury Circular No. 300, 31 CFR 306, in Subpart B of 31 CFR Part 350, or in such book-entry regulations of federal agencies as are substantially in the form of such Subpart O. 1.4 "Business Day" shall mean any day recognized as a settlement day by The New York Stock Exchange, Inc. and any other day for which the Trust computes the net asset value of Shares of the Fund. 1.5 "Foreign Assets" shall mean any investments (including foreign currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States, and any cash and cash equivalents that are reasonably necessary to effect Fund transactions in those investments. 1.6 "Fund Custody Account" shall mean any of the accounts in the name of the Trust, which is provided for in Section 3.2 below. 1.7 "NASD" shall mean The National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. 1.8 "Officer" shall mean the Chairman, President, any Vice President, any Assistant Vice President, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer, or any Assistant Treasurer of the Trust. 1.9 "Oral Instructions" shall mean instructions orally transmitted on behalf of the Trust to and accepted by the Custodian because such instructions are: (i) reasonably believed by the Custodian to have been given by an Authorized Person; (ii) recorded and kept among the records of the Custodian made in the ordinary course of business; and (iii) orally confirmed by the Custodian with an Authorized Person. The Trust shall cause all Oral Instructions to be confirmed by Written Instructions prior to the end of the next Business Day. If such Written Instructions confirming Oral Instructions are not received by the Custodian prior to a transaction, it shall in no way affect the validity of the transaction or the authorization thereof by the trust. If Oral Instructions vary from the Written Instructions which purport to confirm them, the Custodian shall notify the Trust of such variance and if the transaction has not yet been completed, the Custodian shall follow the Written Instructions. 1.10 "Proper Instructions" shall mean Oral Instructions or Written Instructions. Proper Instructions may be continuing Written Instructions when deemed appropriate by both parties. 1.11 "Securities Depository" shall mean The Depository Trust Company and (provided that Custodian shall have received a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees, certified by an Officer, specifically approving the use of such clearing agency as a depository for the Fund) and any other clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 17A of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the "1934 Act"), which acts as a system for the central handling of Securities where all Securities of any particular class or series of an issuer deposited within the system are treated as fungible and may be transferred or pledged by bookkeeping entry without physical delivery of the Securities. 1.12 "Securities" shall include, without limitation, common and preferred stocks, bonds, call options, put options, debentures, notes, bank certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, mortgage-backed securities or other obligations, and any certificates, receipts, warrants or other instruments or documents representing rights to receive, purchase or subscribe for the same, or evidencing or representing any other rights or interests therein, or any similar property or assets that the Custodian has the facilities to clear and to service. 1.13 "Shares" shall mean, with respect to a Fund, the units of beneficial interest issued by the Trust on account of the Fund. 1.14 "Written Instructions" shall mean (i) written communications actually received by the Custodian and signed by an Authorized Person, or (ii) communications by telex, electronic mail, or any other such system from one or more persons reasonably believed by the Custodian to be Authorized Persons, or (iii) communications between electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the use of such devices and the procedures for the use thereof shall have been approved by resolutions of the Board of Trustees, a copy of which, certified by an Officer, shall have been delivered to the Custodian. ARTICLE II APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN 2.1 Appointment. The Trust hereby constitutes and appoints the Custodian as custodian of all Securities and cash owned by or in the possession of the Fund at any time during the period of this Agreement. 2.2 Acceptance. The Custodian hereby accepts appointment as such custodian and agrees to perform the duties thereof as hereinafter set forth. 2.3 Documents to be Furnished. The following documents, including any amendments thereto, will be provided contemporaneously with the execution of the Agreement to the Custodian by the Trust: (a) A copy of the Declaration of Trust certified by the Secretary; (b) A copy of the Bylaws of the Trust certified by the Secretary; (c) A copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust appointing the Custodian, certified by the Secretary; (d) A copy of the then current Prospectus of the Fund; and (e) A certification of the President and Secretary of the Trust setting forth the names and signatures of the current Officers of the Trust and other Authorized Persons. 2.4 Notice of Appointment of Dividend and Transfer Agent. The Trust agrees to notify the Custodian in writing of the appointment, termination or change in appointment of any Dividend and Transfer Agent of the Fund. ARTICLE III CUSTODY OF CASH AND SECURITIES 3.1 Segregation. All Securities and non-cash property held by the Custodian for the account of each Fund (other than Securities maintained in a Securities Depository or Book-Entry System) shall be physically segregated from other Securities and non-cash property in the possession of the Custodian (including the Securities and non-cash property of the other series of the Trust) and shall be identified as subject to this Agreement. 3.2 Fund Custody Accounts. As to each Fund, the Custodian shall open and maintain in its trust department a custody account in the name of the Trust coupled with the name of each Fund, subject only to draft or order of the Custodian, in which the Custodian shall enter and carry all Securities, cash and other assets of such Fund which are delivered to it. 3.3 Appointment of Sub-Custodians. Custodian is hereby authorized to engage another bank or trust company as a Subcustodian for all or any part of a Fund's assets, so long as any such bank or trust company is a bank or trust company organized under the laws of any state of the United States, having an aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profit, as shown by its last published report, of not less than Twenty-Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000) and provided further that, if the Custodian utilizes the services of a Subcustodian, the Custodian shall obtain pre-approval by the Trust and remain fully liable and responsible for any losses caused to the Fund or the Trust by the Subcustodian as fully as if the Custodian was directly responsible for any such losses under the terms of the Custodian Agreement. 3.4 Delivery of Assets to Custodian. The Trust shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Custodian all of the Fund's Securities, cash and other assets, including (a) all payments of income, payments of principal and capital distributions received by the Fund with respect to such Securities, cash or other assets owned by the Fund at any time during the period of this Agreement, and (b) all cash received by the Fund for the issuance, at any time during such period, of Shares. The Custodian shall not be responsible for such Securities, cash or other assets until actually received by it. 3.5 Securities Depositories and Book-Entry Systems. The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain Securities of the Fund in a Securities Depository or in a Book-Entry System, subject to the following provisions: (a) Prior to a deposit of Securities of the Fund in any Securities Depository or Book-Entry System, the Trust shall deliver to the Custodian a resolution of the Board of Trustees, certified by an Officer, authorizing and instructing the Custodian on an on-going basis to deposit in such Securities Depository or Book-Entry System all Securities eligible for deposit therein and to make use of such Securities Depository or Book-Entry System to the extent possible and practical in connection with its performance hereunder, including, without limitation, in connection with settlements of purchases and sales of Securities, loans of Securities, and deliveries and returns of collateral consisting of Securities. (b) Securities of the Fund kept in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository shall be kept in an account ("Depository Account") of the Custodian in such Book-Entry System or Securities Depository which includes only assets held by the Custodian as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers. (c) The records of the Custodian with respect to Securities of the Fund maintained in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository shall, by book-entry, identify such Securities as belonging to the Fund. (d) If Securities purchased by the Fund are to be held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, the Custodian shall pay for such Securities upon (i) receipt of advice from the Book-Entry System or Securities Depository that such Securities have been transferred to the Depository Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for the account of the Fund. If Securities sold by the Fund are held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, the Custodian shall transfer such Securities upon (i) receipt of advice from the Book-Entry System or Securities Depository that payment for such Securities has been transferred to the Depository Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for the account of the Fund. (e) The Custodian shall provide the Trust with copies of any report (obtained by the Custodian from a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository in which Securities of the Fund are kept) on the internal accounting controls and procedures for safeguarding Securities deposited in such Book-Entry System or Securities Depository. (f) Anything to the contrary in this Agreement notwithstanding, the Custodian shall be liable to the Trust for any loss or damage to the Fund resulting (i) from the use of a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository by reason of any negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Custodian or any Sub-Custodian appointed pursuant to Section 3.3 above or any of its or their employees, or (ii) from failure of Custodian or any such Sub-Custodian to enforce effectively such rights as it may have against a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository. At its election, the Trust shall be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claim against a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository or any other person from any loss or damage to the Fund arising from the use of such Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, if and to the extent that the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss or damage. 3.6 Disbursement of Moneys from Fund Custody Account. Only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall promptly disburse moneys from the Fund Custody Account but only in the following cases: (a) For the purchase of Securities for the Fund but only in accordance with Section 4.1 of this Agreement and only (i) in the case of Securities (other than options on Securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts), against the delivery to the Custodian (or any Sub-Custodian appointed pursuant to Section 3.3 above) of such Securities registered as provided in Section 3.9 below or in proper form for transfer, or if the purchase of such Securities is effected through a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 3.5 above; (ii) in the case of options on Securities, against delivery to the Custodian (or such Sub-Custodian) of such receipts as are required by the customs prevailing among dealers in such options; (iii) in the case of futures contracts and options on futures contracts, against delivery to the Custodian (or such Sub-Custodian) of evidence of title thereto in favor of the Fund or any nominee referred to in Section 3.9 below; and (iv) in the case of repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements entered into between the Trust and a bank which is a member of the Federal Reserve System or between the Trust and a primary dealer in U.S. Government securities, against delivery of the purchased Securities either in certificate form or through an entry crediting the Custodian's account at a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository with such Securities; (b) In connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender, as set forth in Section 3.7(f) below, of Securities owned by the Fund; (c) For the payment of any dividends or capital gain distributions declared by the Fund; (d) In payment of the redemption price of Shares as provided in Section 5.1 below; (e) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Fund, including but not limited to the following payments for the account of the Fund: interest; taxes; administration, investment advisory, accounting, auditing, transfer agent, custodian, trustee and legal fees; and other operating expenses of the Fund; in all cases, whether or not such expenses are to be in whole or in part capitalized or treated as deferred expenses; (f) For transfer in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Trust, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act and a member of the NASD, relating to compliance with rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or of any similar organization or organizations) regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund; (g) For transfer in accordance with the provision of any agreement among the Trust, the Custodian, and a futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any contract market (or any similar organization or organizations) regarding account deposits in connection with transactions by the Fund; (h) For the funding of any uncertificated time deposit or other interest-bearing account with any banking institution (including the Custodian), which deposit or account has a term of one year or less; and (i) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt, in addition to Proper Instructions, of a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees, certified by an Officer, specifying the amount and purpose of such payment, declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made. 3.7 Delivery of Securities from Fund Custody Account. Only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall promptly release and deliver Securities from the Fund Custody Account but only in the following cases: (a) Upon the sale of Securities for the account of the Fund but only against receipt of payment therefor in cash, by certified or cashiers check or bank credit; (b) In the case of a sale effected through a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.5 above; (c) To an offeror's depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for Securities of the Fund; provided that, in any such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian; (d) To the issuer thereof or its agent (i) for transfer into the name of the Fund, the Custodian or any Sub-Custodian appointed pursuant to Section 3.3 above, or of any nominee or nominees of any of the foregoing, or (ii) for exchange for a different number of certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units; provided that, in any such case, the new Securities are to be delivered to the Custodian; (e) To the broker selling Securities, for examination in accordance with the "street delivery" custom; (f) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan or merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the issuer of such Securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained in such Securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement, including surrender or receipt of underlying Securities in connection with the issuance or cancellation of depository receipts; provided that, in any such case, the new Securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian; (g) Upon receipt of payment therefor pursuant to any repurchase or reverse repurchase agreement entered into by the Fund; (h) In the case of warrants, rights or similar Securities, upon the exercise thereof, provided that, in any such case, the new Securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian; (i) For delivery in connection with any loans of Securities of the Fund, but only against receipt of such collateral as the Trust shall have specified to the Custodian in Proper Instructions; (j) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Trust, but only against receipt by the Custodian of the amounts borrowed; (k) Pursuant to any authorized plan of liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of the Trust; (l) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Trust, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act and a member of the NASD, relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or of any similar organization or organizations) regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund; (m) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Trust, the Custodian, and a futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any contract market (or any similar organization or organizations) regarding account deposits in connection with transactions by the Fund; or (n) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt, in addition to Proper Instructions, of a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees, certified by an Officer, specifying the Securities to be delivered, setting forth the purpose for which such delivery is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom delivery of such Securities shall be made. 3.8 Actions Not Requiring Proper Instructions. Unless otherwise instructed by the Trust, the Custodian shall with respect to all Securities held for the Fund: (a) Subject to Section 7.4 below, collect on a timely basis all income and other payments to which the Fund is entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the securities business; (b) Present for payment and, subject to Section 7.4 below, collect on a timely basis the amount payable upon all Securities which may mature or be called, redeemed, or retired, or otherwise become payable; (c) Endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts and other negotiable instruments; (d) Surrender interim receipts or Securities in temporary form for Securities in definitive form; (e) Execute, as custodian, any necessary declarations or certificates of ownership under the federal income tax laws or the laws or regulations of any other taxing authority now or hereafter in effect, and prepare and submit reports to the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") and to the Trust at such time, in such manner and containing such information as is prescribed by the IRS; (f) Hold for the Fund, either directly or, with respect to Securities held therein, through a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, all rights and similar securities issued with respect to Securities of the Fund; and (g) In general, and except as otherwise directed in Proper Instructions, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with Securities and assets of the Fund. 3.9 Registration and Transfer of Securities. All Securities held for the Fund that are issued or issuable only in bearer form shall be held by the Custodian in that form, provided that any such Securities shall be held in a Book-Entry System if eligible therefor. All other Securities held for the Fund may be registered in the name of the Fund, the Custodian, or any Sub-Custodian appointed pursuant to Section 3.3 above, or in the name of any nominee of any of them, or in the name of a Book-Entry System, Securities Depository or any nominee of either thereof. The Trust shall furnish to the Custodian appropriate instruments to enable the Custodian to hold or deliver in proper form for transfer, or to register in the name of any of the nominees hereinabove referred to or in the name of a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, any Securities registered in the name of the Fund. 3.10 Collection of Income. The Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to registered securities held hereunder to which a Fund shall be entitled, and shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to bearer securities if, on the date payment by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its agent thereof and shall credit such income, as collected, to the Fund's custodian account. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall promptly detach and present for payment all coupons and other income items requiring presentation as and when they become due and shall collect interest when due on securities held hereunder. 3.11 Depositary Receipts. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall surrender securities to the depositary used for such securities by an issuer of American Depositary Receipts (hereinafter referred to as "ADRs"), against a written receipt therefor adequately describing such securities and written evidence satisfactory to the Custodian that the depositary has acknowledged receipt of instructions to issue ADRs with respect to such securities in the name of the Custodian or a nominee of the Custodian, for delivery to the Custodian at such place as the Custodian may from time to time designate. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall surrender ADRs to the issuer thereof, against a written receipt therefor adequately describing the ADRs surrendered and written evidence satisfactory to the Custodian that the issuer of the ADRs has acknowledged receipt of instructions to cause its depository to deliver the securities underlying such ADRs to the Custodian. 3.12 Records. (a) The Custodian shall create and maintain, for the Fund, complete and accurate records with respect to Securities, cash or other property held for the Fund, including: (i) journals or other records of original entry containing an itemized daily record in detail of all receipts and deliveries of Securities and all receipts and disbursements of cash; (ii) ledgers (or other records) reflecting (A) Securities in transfer, (B) Securities in physical possession, (C) monies and Securities borrowed and monies and Securities loaned (together with a record of the collateral therefor and substitutions of such collateral), (D) dividends and interest received, and (E) dividends receivable and interest receivable; and (iii) canceled checks and bank records related thereto. The Custodian shall keep such other books and records of the Fund as the Trust shall reasonably request, or as may be required by the 1940 Act, including, but not limited to, Section 31 of the 1940 Act and Rule 31a-2 promulgated thereunder. (b) All such books and records created and maintained by the Custodian shall (i) be maintained in a form acceptable to the Trust and in compliance with rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, (ii) be the property of the Trust and at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be made available upon request for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Trust and employees or agents of the Securities and Exchange Commission (iii) be maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals, and (iv) if required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, be preserved for the periods prescribed in Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act. 3.13 Fund Reports by Custodian. The Custodian shall furnish the Trust with a daily activity statement and a summary of all transfers to or from each Fund Custody Account on the day following such transfers. At least monthly and from time to time, the Custodian shall furnish the Trust with a detailed statement of the Securities and moneys held by the Custodian and the Sub-Custodians appointed pursuant to Section 3.3. above for a Fund under this Agreement. 3.14 Other Reports by Custodian. The Custodian shall provide the Trust with such reports, as the Trust may reasonably request from time to time, on the internal accounting controls and procedures for safeguarding Securities, which are employed by the Custodian or any Sub-Custodian appointed pursuant to Section 3.3 above. 3.15 Proxies and Other Materials. The Custodian shall cause all proxies relating to Securities which are not registered in the name of a Fund, to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such Securities, without indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to the Trust such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating to such Securities. 3.16 Information on Corporate Actions. The Custodian shall promptly deliver to the Trust all information received by the Custodian and pertaining to Securities being held by each Fund with respect to optional tender or exchange offers, calls for redemption or purchase, or expiration of rights as described in the Standards of Service Guide attached as Exhibit B. If the Trust desires to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or other similar transaction, the Trust shall notify the Custodian at least five Business Days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take such action. The Trust will provide or cause to be provided to the Custodian all relevant information for any Security which has unique put/option provisions at least five Business Days prior to the beginning date of the tender period. ARTICLE IV PURCHASE AND SALE OF INVESTMENTS OF THE FUND 4.1 Purchase of Securities. Promptly upon each purchase of Securities for a Fund, Written Instructions shall be delivered to the Custodian, specifying (a) the name of the issuer or writer of such Securities, and the title or other description thereof, (b) the number of shares, principal amount (and accrued interest, if any) or other units purchased, (c) the date of purchase and settlement, (d) the purchase price per unit, (e) the total amount payable upon such purchase, and (f) the name of the person to whom such amount is payable. The Custodian shall upon receipt of such Securities purchased by a Fund pay out of the moneys held for the account of the Fund the total amount specified in such Written Instructions to the person named therein. The Custodian shall not be under any obligation to pay out moneys to cover the cost of a purchase of Securities for a Fund, if in the Fund Custody Account there is insufficient cash available to the Fund for which such purchase was made. 4.2 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased. In any and every case where payment for the purchase of Securities for a Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the Securities purchased but in the absence of specified Written Instructions to so pay in advance, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for such Securities to the same extent as if the Securities had been received by the Custodian. 4.3 Sale of Securities. Promptly upon each sale of Securities by a Fund, Written Instructions shall be delivered to the Custodian, specifying (a) the name of the issuer or writer of such Securities, and the title or other description thereof, (b) the number of shares, principal amount (and accrued interest, if any), or other units sold, (c) the date of sale and settlement, (d) the sale price per unit, (e) the total amount payable upon such sale, and (f) the person to whom such Securities are to be delivered. Upon receipt of the total amount payable to a Fund as specified in such Written Instructions, the Custodian shall deliver such Securities to the person specified in such Written Instructions. Subject to the foregoing, the Custodian may accept payment in such form as shall be satisfactory to it, and may deliver Securities and arrange for payment in accordance with the customs prevailing among dealers in Securities. 4.4 Delivery of Securities Sold. Notwithstanding Section 4.3 above or any other provision of this Agreement, the Custodian, when instructed to deliver Securities against payment, shall be entitled, if in accordance with generally accepted market practice, to deliver such Securities prior to actual receipt of final payment therefor, if Custodian has notified an Authorized Person of the Trust of its intent to do so, and the Trust has not objected to such proposed procedure within 24 hours of such notification. In any such case, each Fund shall bear the risk that final payment for such Securities may not be made or that such Securities may be returned or otherwise held or disposed of by or through the person to whom they were delivered, and the Custodian shall have no liability for any for the foregoing. 4.5 Payment for Securities Sold, etc. The Custodian will credit the Fund Custody Account, prior to actual receipt of final payment thereof, with (i) proceeds from the sale of Securities which it has been instructed to deliver against payment, (ii) proceeds from the redemption of Securities or other assets of a Fund, and (iii) income from cash, Securities or other assets of the Fund, in accordance with the Firstar Bank Payment standards set forth in Exhibit B. Any such credit shall be conditional upon actual receipt by Custodian of final payment and may be reversed if final payment is not actually received in full. The Custodian may, in its sole discretion and from time to time, permit a Fund to use funds so credited to the Fund Custody Account in anticipation of actual receipt of final payment. Any such funds shall be repayable immediately upon demand made by the Custodian at any time prior to the actual receipt of all final payments in anticipation of which funds were credited to the Fund Custody Account. 4.6 Advances by Custodian for Settlement. The Custodian may, in its sole discretion and from time to time, advance funds to the Trust to facilitate the settlement of a Fund's transactions in the Fund Custody Account. Any such advance shall be repayable immediately upon demand made by Custodian. ARTICLE V REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES 5.1 Transfer of Funds. From such funds as may be available for the purpose in the relevant Fund Custody Account, and upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying that the funds are required to redeem Shares of the Fund, the Custodian shall wire each amount specified in such Proper Instructions to or through such bank as the Trust may designate with respect to such amount in such Proper Instructions. 5.2 No Duty Regarding Paying Banks. The Custodian shall not be under any obligation to effect payment or distribution by any bank designated in Proper Instructions given pursuant to Section 5.1 above of any amount paid by the Custodian to such bank in accordance with such Proper Instructions. ARTICLE VI SEGREGATED ACCOUNTS Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of a Fund, into which account or accounts may be transferred cash and/or Securities, including Securities maintained in a Depository Account, (a) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Trust, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act and a member of the NASD (or any futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Trust and of any registered national securities exchange (or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any registered contract market), or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by a Fund, (b) for purposes of segregating cash or Securities in connection with securities options purchased or written by a Fund or in connection with financial futures contracts (or options thereon) purchased or sold by a Fund, (c) which constitute collateral for loans of Securities made by a Fund, (d) for purposes of compliance by the Fund with requirements under the 1940 Act for the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies in connection with reverse repurchase agreements and when-issued, delayed delivery and firm commitment transactions, and (e) for other proper corporate purposes, but only upon receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees, certified by an Officer, setting forth the purpose or purposes of such segregated account and declaring such purposes to be proper corporate purposes. Each segregated account established under this Article VI shall be established and maintained for a Fund only. All Proper Instructions relating to a segregated account shall specify a Fund. ARTICLE VII CONCERNING THE CUSTODIAN 7.1 Standard of Care. The Custodian shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care in carrying out its obligations under this Agreement, and shall be without liability to the Trust or any Fund for any loss, damage, cost, expense (including attorneys' fees and disbursements), liability or claim unless such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arises from negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel on all matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice, provided, however, with respect to the performance of any action or omission of any action upon such advice, the Custodian shall be required to conform to the standard of care set forth in this section. The Custodian shall promptly notify the Trust of any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Custodian pursuant to advice of counsel. The Custodian shall not be under any obligation at any time to ascertain whether the Trust or the Fund is in compliance with the 1940 Act, the regulations thereunder, the provisions of the Trust's charter documents or by-laws, or its investment objectives and policies as then in effect. 7.2 Actual Collection Required. The Custodian shall not be liable for, or considered to be the custodian of, any cash belonging to the Fund or any money represented by a check, draft or other instrument for the payment of money, until the Custodian or its agents actually receive such cash or collect on such instrument. 7.3 No Responsibility for Title, etc. So long as and to the extent that it has exercised reasonable care in accepting property or evidence of title thereto, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received or delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement. 7.4 Limitation on Duty to Collect. Custodian shall not be required to enforce collection, by legal means or otherwise, of any money or property due and payable with respect to Securities held for the Fund if such Securities are in default or payment is not made after due demand or presentation. Custodian will, upon receipt of Proper Instructions as well as costs, from the Trust, prosecute any action which may only be taken by the owner of record on any property, to protect the interests of the Trust. 7.5 Reliance Upon Documents and Instructions. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any certificate, notice or other instrument in writing received by it and reasonably believed by it to be genuine. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any Oral Instructions and any Written Instructions actually received by it pursuant to this Agreement. 7.6 Co-operation. The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the entity or entities appointed by the Trust to keep the books of account of a Fund and/or compute the value of the assets of each Fund. The Custodian shall take all such reasonable actions as the Trust may from time to time request to enable the Trust to obtain, from year to year, favorable opinions from the Trust's independent accountants with respect to the Custodian's activities hereunder in connection with (a) the preparation of the Trust's reports on Form N-1A and Form N-SAR and any other reports required by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and (b) the fulfillment by the Trust of any other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION 8.1 Indemnification by Trust. Each Fund severally and not jointly shall indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian and any nominee of the Custodian from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense (including attorneys' fees and disbursements), liability (including, without limitation, liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, and any state securities or banking laws) or claim arising directly or indirectly (a) from the fact that Securities are registered in the name of any such nominee, or (b) from any action or inaction by the Custodian (i) at the request or direction of or in reliance on the advice of the Trust, or (ii) upon Proper Instructions, or (c) generally, from the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, provided that the Custodian shall be indemnified and held harmless from and against any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising or from the Custodian's negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. 8.2 Indemnification by Custodian. The Custodian shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trust from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense (including attorneys' fees and disbursements), liability (including without limitation, liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, and any state securities or banking laws) or claim arising directly or indirectly from any action or inaction by the Custodian from the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, provided that the Custodian shall be indemnified and held harmless from and against any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising or from the Trust's negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. 8.3 Indemnity to be Provided. If the Trust requests the Custodian to take any action with respect to Securities, which may, in the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee becoming liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some other form, the Custodian shall not be required to take such action until the Trust shall have provided indemnity therefor to the Custodian in an amount and form satisfactory to the Custodian. 8.4 Security. If the Custodian advances cash or Securities to any Fund either at the Trust's request or as otherwise contemplated in this Agreement, then, in any such event, property equal in value to not more than 100% of such advances at any time held for the account of the Fund shall be security therefor. ARTICLE IX FORCE MAJEURE Neither the Custodian nor the Trust shall be liable for any failure or delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods; wars; civil or military disturbances; sabotage; strikes; epidemics; riots; power failures; computer failure and any such circumstances beyond its reasonable control as may cause interruption, loss or malfunction of utility, transportation, computer (hardware or software) or telephone communication service; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority; governmental actions; or inability to obtain labor, material, equipment or transportation; provided, however, that the Custodian in the event of a failure or delay (i) shall not discriminate against the Fund in favor of any other customer of the Custodian in making computer time and personnel available to input or process the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) shall use its best efforts to ameliorate the effects of any such failure or delay. ARTICLE X EFFECTIVE PERIOD; TERMINATION 10.1 Effective Period. This Agreement shall become effective as of its execution and shall continue in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided. 10.2 Termination. Either party hereto may terminate this Agreement by giving to the other party a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination, which shall be not less than sixty (60) days after the date of the giving of such notice. If a successor custodian shall have been appointed by the Board of Trustees, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of a notice of acceptance by the successor custodian, on such specified date of termination (a) deliver directly to the successor custodian all Securities (other than Securities held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository) and cash then owned by the Fund and held by the Custodian as custodian, and (b) transfer any Securities held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository to an account of or for the benefit of the Fund at the successor custodian, provided that the Trust shall have paid to the Custodian all fees, expenses and other amounts to the payment or reimbursement of which it shall then be entitled. Upon such delivery and transfer, the Custodian shall be relieved of all obligations under this Agreement. The Trust may at any time immediately terminate this Agreement in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by regulatory authorities or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction. 10.3 Failure to Appoint Successor Custodian. If a successor custodian is not designated by the Trust on or before the date of termination specified pursuant to Section 10.1 above, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or corporation company of its own selection, which (a) is a "bank" as defined in the 1940 Act and (b) has aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits as shown on its then most recent published report of not less than $25 million, all Securities, cash and other property held by Custodian under this Agreement and to transfer to an account of or for the Fund at such bank or trust company all Securities of the Fund held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository. Upon such delivery and transfer, such bank or trust company shall be the successor custodian under this Agreement and the Custodian shall be relieved of all obligations under this Agreement. ARTICLE XI COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN The Custodian shall be entitled to compensation as agreed upon from time to time by the Trust and the Custodian. The fees and other charges in effect on the date hereof and applicable to the Fund are set forth in Exhibit C attached hereto. ARTICLE XII LIMITATION OF LIABILITY It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of the Trust personally, but shall bind only the property of the Trust as provided in the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as from time to time amended. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees, and this Agreement has been signed and delivered by an authorized officer of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by the Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust as provided in the above-mentioned Agreement and Declaration of Trust. It is further agreed that the Custodian will look only to the Trust on whose behalf any fees, costs, expenses or obligations have been incurred for payment of such fees, costs, expenses or obligations. ARTICLE XIII NOTICES Unless otherwise specified herein, all demands, notices, instructions, and other communications to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sent or delivered to the recipient at the address set forth after its name hereinbelow: To the Trust: To Custodian: ------------- ------------- AssetMark Funds Firstar Bank, N.A. 2300 Contra Costa Blvd., Suite 425 425 Walnut Street, M.L. CN-WN-06TC Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Attention: Mutual Fund Custody Services or at such other address as either party shall have provided to the other by notice given in accordance with this Article XIII. Writing shall include transmissions by or through teletype, facsimile, central processing unit connection, on-line terminal and magnetic tape. ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS 14.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio. 14.2 References to Custodian. The Trust shall not circulate any printed matter which contains any reference to Custodian without the prior written approval of Custodian, excepting printed matter contained in the prospectus or statement of additional information for the Fund and such other printed matter as merely identifies Custodian as custodian for the Fund. The Trust shall submit printed matter requiring approval to Custodian in draft form, allowing sufficient time for review by Custodian and its counsel prior to any deadline for printing. 14.3 No Waiver. No failure by either party hereto to exercise, and no delay by such party in exercising, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. The exercise by either party hereto of any right hereunder shall not preclude the exercise of any other right, and the remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided at law or in equity. 14.4 Amendments. This Agreement cannot be changed orally and no amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless evidenced by an instrument in writing executed by the parties hereto. 14.5 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. 14.6 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected or impaired thereby. 14.7 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by either party hereto without the written consent of the other party hereto. 14.8 Headings. The headings of sections in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered in its name and on its behalf by its representatives thereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and year first above written. AssetMark Funds Firstar Mutual Fund Services, LLC Sign: /s/ Ronald D. Cordes Sign: /s/ Joseph C. Neuberger -------------------------------- ------------------------------ Title: President and CEO Title: Senior Vice President ------------------------------- ----------------------------- Print: Ronald D. Cordes Print: Joseph C. Neuberger ------------------------------- ----------------------------- Attest: /s/ Carrie E. Hansen Attest: /s/ Elaine E. Richards ------------------------------ -----------------------------