EX-99.J.3 6 dex99j3.htm 2ND AMEND TO CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT 07/08/2005 2nd AMEND TO CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT 07/08/2005

Exhibit (j)(3)

 

SECOND AMENDMENT TO CUSTODIAN CONTRACT

 

This Amendment to the Custodian Contract is made as of July 8, 2005 by and between Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (formerly known as The First Australia Fund, Inc.) (the “Fund”) and State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Custodian”). Capitalized terms used in this Amendment without definition shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Custodian Contract referred to below.

 

WHEREAS, the Fund and the Custodian entered into a Custodian Contract dated as of November 25, 1985 (as amended and in effect from time to time, the “Contract”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Fund and the Custodian desire to amend certain provisions of the Contract to reflect revisions to Rule 17f-5 (“Rule 17f-5”) and the adoption of Rule 17f-7 (“Rule 17f-7”) promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Fund and the Custodian desire to amend and restate certain other provisions of the Contract relating to the custody of assets of the Fund 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. The provisions of Articles 3 and 4 of the Contract, and Schedules A, B and C thereto, added by the Amendment to Custodian Contract dated December 4, 1998 are hereby deleted, and the parties hereto agree that such provisions shall be and are replaced in their entirety by the provisions set forth below.

 

3. Provisions Relating to Rules 17f-5 and 17f-7

 

3.1. Definitions. Capitalized terms in this Article 3 and in Article 4 shall have the following meanings:

 

“Country Risk” means all factors reasonably related to the systemic risk of holding Foreign Assets in a particular country including, but not limited to, such country’s political environment, economic and financial infrastructure (including any Eligible Securities Depository operating in the country), prevailing or developing custody and settlement practices, and laws and regulations applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Foreign Assets held in custody in that country.

 

“Eligible Foreign Custodian” has the meaning set forth in section (a)(1) of Rule 17f-5, including without limitation a majority-owned or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. Bank (as defined in Rule 17f-5), a bank holding company meeting the requirements of an Eligible Foreign Custodian (as set forth in Rule 17f-5 or by other appropriate action of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)), or a foreign branch of a Bank (as

 

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defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act) meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act; the term does not include any Eligible Securities Depository.

 

“Eligible Securities Depository” has the meaning set forth in section (b)(1) of Rule 17f-7.

 

“Foreign Assets” means any of the Fund’s investments (including foreign currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States and such cash and cash equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Fund’s transactions in such investments.

 

“Foreign Custody Manager” has the meaning set forth in section (a)(3) of Rule 17f-5.

 

3.2. The Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager.

 

3.2.1 Delegation to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager. The Fund, by resolution adopted by its Board of Directors (the “Board”), hereby delegates to the Custodian, subject to Section (b) of Rule 17f-5, the responsibilities set forth in this Section 3.2 with respect to Foreign Assets held outside the United States, and the Custodian hereby accepts such delegation as Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund.

 

3.2.2 Countries Covered. The Foreign Custody Manager shall be responsible for performing the delegated responsibilities defined below only with respect to the countries and custody arrangements for each such country listed on Schedule A to this Contract, which list of countries may be amended from time to time by the Fund with the agreement of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager shall list on Schedule A the Eligible Foreign Custodians selected by the Foreign Custody Manager to maintain the Fund’s assets, which list of Eligible Foreign Custodians may be amended from time to time in the sole discretion of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager will provide amended versions of Schedule A in accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereof.

 

Upon the receipt by the Foreign Custody Manager of Proper Instructions to open an account or to place or maintain Foreign Assets in a country listed on Schedule A, and the fulfillment by the Fund of the applicable account opening requirements for such country, the Foreign Custody Manager shall be deemed to have been delegated by the Board responsibility as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to that country and to have accepted such delegation. Execution of this Amendment by the Fund shall be deemed to be a Proper Instruction to open an account, or to place or maintain Foreign Assets, in each country listed on Schedule A in which the Custodian has previously placed or currently maintains Foreign Assets pursuant to the terms of the Contract. Following the receipt of Proper Instructions directing the Foreign Custody Manager to close the account of the Fund with the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in a designated country, the delegation by the Board to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager for that country shall be deemed to have been withdrawn and the Custodian shall immediately cease to be the Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund with respect to that country.

 

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The Foreign Custody Manager may withdraw its acceptance of delegated responsibilities with respect to a designated country upon written notice to the Fund. Thirty (30) days (or such longer period to which the parties agree in writing) after receipt of any such notice by the Fund, the Custodian shall have no further responsibility in its capacity as Foreign Custody Manager to the Fund with respect to the country as to which the Custodian’s acceptance of delegation is withdrawn.

 

3.2.3 Scope of Delegated Responsibilities:

 

(a) Selection of Eligible Foreign Custodians. Subject to the provisions of this Section 3.2, the Foreign Custody Manager may place and maintain the Foreign Assets in the care of the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in each country listed on Schedule A, as amended from time to time. In performing its delegated responsibilities as Foreign Custody Manager to place or maintain Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian, the Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the Foreign Assets will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the country in which the Foreign Assets will be held by that Eligible Foreign Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation the factors specified in Rule 17f-5(c)(1).

 

(b) Contracts With Eligible Foreign Custodians. The Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the contract governing the foreign custody arrangements with each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager will satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(2).

 

(c) Monitoring. In each case in which the Foreign Custody Manager maintains Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager, the Foreign Custody Manager shall establish a system to monitor (i) the appropriateness of maintaining the Foreign Assets with such Eligible Foreign Custodian and (ii) the contract governing the custody arrangements established by the Foreign Custody Manager with the Eligible Foreign Custodian. In the event the Foreign Custody Manager determines that the custody arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian it has selected are no longer appropriate, the Foreign Custody Manager shall notify the Board in accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereunder.

 

3.2.4 Guidelines for the Exercise of Delegated Authority. For purposes of this Section 3.2, the Board shall be deemed to have considered and determined to accept such Country Risk as is incurred by placing and maintaining the Foreign Assets in each country for which the Custodian is serving as Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund.

 

3.2.5 Reporting Requirements. The Foreign Custody Manager shall report the withdrawal of the Foreign Assets from an Eligible Foreign Custodian and the placement of such Foreign Assets with another Eligible Foreign Custodian by providing to the Board an amended Schedule A at the end of the calendar quarter in which an amendment to such Schedule has occurred. The Foreign Custody Manager shall make written reports notifying

 

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the Board of any other material change in the foreign custody arrangements of the Fund described in this Section 3.2 after the occurrence of the material change.

 

3.2.6 Standard of Care as Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund. In performing the responsibilities delegated to it, the Foreign Custody Manager agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of assets of management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act would exercise.

 

3.2.7 Representations with Respect to Rule 17f-5. The Foreign Custody Manager represents to the Fund that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in Rule 17f-5(a)(7). The Fund represents to the Custodian that the Board has determined that it is reasonable for the Board to rely on the Custodian to perform the responsibilities delegated pursuant to this Contract to the Custodian as the Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund.

 

3.2.8 Effective Date and Termination of the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager. The Board’s delegation to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall remain in effect until terminated at any time, without penalty, by written notice from the terminating party to the non-terminating party. Termination will become effective thirty (30) days after receipt by the non-terminating party of such notice. The provisions of Section 3.2.2 hereof shall govern the delegation to and termination of the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund with respect to designated countries.

 

3.3 Eligible Securities Depositories.

 

3.3.1 Analysis and Monitoring. The Custodian shall (a) provide the Fund (or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment adviser) with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Eligible Securities Depositories set forth on Schedule B hereto in accordance with Rule 17f-7(a)(1)(i)(A), and (b) monitor such risks on a continuing basis, and promptly notify the Fund (or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment adviser) of any material change in such risks, in accordance with Rule 17f-7(a)(1)(i)(B).

 

3.3.2 Standard of Care. The Custodian agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing the duties set forth in Section 3.3.1.

 

4. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Fund Property 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 hereto.

 

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“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 Fund the foreign securities held by each Foreign Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities System. The Custodian may hold foreign securities for all of its customers, including the Fund, 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 Fund which are maintained in such account shall identify those securities as belonging to the Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund;

 

  (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

 

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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 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 Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund;

 

  (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 Fund 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 the Fund in the following cases only:

 

  (i) upon the purchase of foreign securities for the Fund, 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;

 

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  (ii) in connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender of foreign securities of the Fund;

 

  (iii) for the payment of any expense or liability of the Fund, 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;

 

  (iv) for the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign exchange contracts for the Fund, 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 Fund and delivery of Foreign Assets maintained for the account of the Fund 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 Fund 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 agrees to hold any such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such foreign securities. The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall not be obligated to accept

 

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securities on behalf of the Fund 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 outside the United States on behalf of the Fund 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 the Contract to hold cash received by or from or for the account of the Fund. 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 Fund shall be entitled and shall credit such income, as collected, to the Fund. 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 Fund (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. 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 Fund 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

 

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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 Foreign Sub-Custodian’s performance of such obligations. At the election of the Fund, the Fund 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 Fund has 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, or the Custodian as custodian of the Fund, 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, or the Custodian as custodian of the Fund, by the tax law of countries other than the United States, 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 Foreign Sub-Custodian has otherwise acted with reasonable care.

 

II. Schedule A to the Contract (attached to the Contract as originally entered into, and as subsequently modified) is hereby deleted.

 

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 hereof, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of Articles 3 and 4 hereof, the provisions of Article 3 shall prevail.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 

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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/ Michael J. Savitz

           

Michael J. Savitz

     

By:

 

/s/ Joseph L. Hooley

Vice President and Counsel

         

Joseph L. Hooley

               

Executive Vice President

WITNESSED BY:

     

ABERDEEN AUSTRALIA EQUITY FUND, INC.

/s/ Timothy P. Sullivan

           

Name:

 

Timothy P. Sullivan

     

By:

 

/s/ Andrew Smith

Title:

 

Asst. Treasurer

         

Andrew Smith

               

Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer


SCHEDULE A

 

STATE STREET

GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK

SUBCUSTODIANS

 

Country


 

Subcustodian


Argentina

  Citibank, N.A.

Australia

  Westpac Banking Corporation
   

Citibank Pty. Limited

Austria

  Erste Bank der Österreichischen Sparkassen AG

Bahrain

  HSBC Bank Middle East
    (as delegate of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

Bangladesh

  Standard Chartered Bank

Belgium

  BNP Paribas Securities Services, S.A.

Benin

  via Société Générale de Banques en Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Bermuda

  The Bank of Bermuda Limited

Botswana

  Barclays Bank of Botswana Limited

Brazil

  Citibank, N.A.

Bulgaria

  ING Bank N.V.

Burkina Faso

  via Société Générale de Banques en Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Canada

  State Street Trust Company Canada

Cayman Islands

  Scotiabank & Trust (Cayman) Limited

Chile

  BankBoston, N.A.

 

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STATE STREET

GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK

SUBCUSTODIANS

 

Country


 

Subcustodian


People’s Republic of China

  The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited,
Shanghai and Shenzhen branches

Colombia

  Cititrust Colombia S.A. Sociedad Fiduciaria

Costa Rica

  Banco BCT S.A.

Croatia

  Privredna Banka Zagreb d.d

Cyprus

  Cyprus Popular Bank Ltd.

Czech Republic

  Československá Obchodní Banka, A.S.

Denmark

  Danske Bank A/S

Ecuador

  Banco de la Producción S.A.

Egypt

  HSBC Bank Egypt S.A.E.
    (as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

Estonia

  AS Hansabank

Finland

  Nordea Bank Finland Plc.

France

  BNP Paribas Securities Services, S.A.
    Deutsche Bank AG, Netherlands (operating through its Paris branch)

Germany

  Deutsche Bank AG

Ghana

  Barclays Bank of Ghana Limited

Greece

  National Bank of Greece S.A.

 

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STATE STREET

GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK

SUBCUSTODIANS

 

Country


 

Subcustodian


Guinea-Bissau

  via Société Générale de Banques en Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Hong Kong

  Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited

Hungary

  HVB Bank Hungary Rt.

Iceland

  Kaupthing Bank hf.

India

  Deutsche Bank AG
    The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

Indonesia

  Deutsche Bank AG

Ireland

  Bank of Ireland

Israel

  Bank Hapoalim B.M.

Italy

  BNP Paribas Securities Services, S.A.

Ivory Coast

  Société Générale de Banques en Côte d’Ivoire

Jamaica

  Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Ltd.

Japan

  Mizuho Corporate Bank Ltd.
    Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

Jordan

  HSBC Bank Middle East
    (as delegate of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

Kazakhstan

  HSBC Bank Kazakhstan
    (as delegate of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

 

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STATE STREET

GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK

SUBCUSTODIANS

 

Country


 

Subcustodian


Kenya

  Barclays Bank of Kenya Limited

Republic of Korea

  Deutsche Bank AG
    The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

Latvia

  A/s Hansabanka

Lebanon

  HSBC Bank Middle East
    (as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

Lithuania

  SEB Vilniaus Bankas AB

Malaysia

  Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad

Mali

  via Société Générale de Banques en Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Malta

  HSBC Bank Malta Plc.

Mauritius

  The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

Mexico

  Banco Nacional de México S.A.

Morocco

  Attijariwafa bank

Namibia

  Standard Bank Namibia Limited

Netherlands

  Deutsche Bank N.V.
    KAS BANK N.V.

New Zealand

  Westpac Banking Corporation

 

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STATE STREET

GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK

SUBCUSTODIANS

 

Country


 

Subcustodian


Niger

  via Société Générale de Banques en Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Nigeria

  Stanbic Bank Nigeria Limited

Norway

  Nordea Bank Norge ASA

Oman

  HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
    (as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

Pakistan

  Deutsche Bank AG

Palestine

  HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
    (as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

Panama

  HSBC Bank (Panama) S.A.

Peru

  Citibank del Péru, S.A.

Philippines

  Standard Chartered Bank

Poland

  Bank Handlowy w Warszawie S.A.

Portugal

  Banco Comercial Português S.A.

Puerto Rico

  Citibank N.A.

Qatar

  HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
    (as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

Romania

  ING Bank N.V.

Russia

  ING Bank (Eurasia) ZAO, Moscow

 

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STATE STREET

GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK

SUBCUSTODIANS

 

Country


 

Subcustodian


Senegal

  via Société Générale de Banques en Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Serbia

  HVB Bank Serbia and Montenegro a.d.

Singapore

  DBS Bank Limited
    United Overseas Bank Limited

Slovak Republic

  Československá Obchodní Banka, A.S., pobocka zahranicnej banky v SR

Slovenia

  Bank Austria Creditanstalt d.d. - Ljubljana

South Africa

  Nedcor Bank Limited
    Standard Bank of South Africa Limited

Spain

  Santander Central Hispano Investment S.A.

Sri Lanka

  The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

Swaziland

  Standard Bank Swaziland Limited

Sweden

  Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB

Switzerland

  UBS AG

Taiwan - R.O.C.

  Central Trust of China

Thailand

  Standard Chartered Bank

Togo

  via Société Générale de Banques en Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, Ivory Coast

 

6


STATE STREET

GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK

SUBCUSTODIANS

 

Country


 

Subcustodian


Trinidad & Tobago

  Republic Bank Limited

Tunisia

  Banque Internationale Arabe de Tunisie

Turkey

  Citibank, A.S.

Uganda

  Barclays Bank of Uganda Limited

Ukraine

  ING Bank Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

  HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
    (as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

United Kingdom

  State Street Bank and Trust Company, United kingdom Branch

Uruguay

  BankBoston, N.A.

Venezuela

  Citibank, N.A.

Vietnam

  The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

Zambia

  Barclays Bank of Zambia Plc.

Zimbabwe

  Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe Limited

 

7


SCHEDULE B

 

STATE STREET

GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK

DEPOSITORIES OPERATING IN NETWORK MARKETS

 

Country


 

Depositories


Argentina

  Caja de Valores S.A.

Australia

  Austraclear Limited

Austria

  Oesterreichische Kontrollbank AG
    (Wertpapiersammelbank Division)

Bahrain

  Clearing, Settlement, and Depository System of the Bahrain Stock Exchange

Bangladesh

  Central Depository Bangladesh Limited

Belgium

  Banque Nationale de Belgique
Caisse Interprofessionnelle de Dépôts et de Virements de Titres, S.A.

Benin

  Dépositaire Central – Banque de Règlement

Bermuda

  Bermuda Securities Depository

Brazil

  Central de Custódia e de Liquidação Financeira de Títulos Privados (CETIP)
    Companhia Brasileira de Liquidação e Custódia
    Sistema Especial de Liquidação e de Custódia (SELIC)

Bulgaria

  Bulgarian National Bank
    Central Depository AD

Burkina Faso

  Dépositaire Central – Banque de Règlement

Canada

  The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited

Chile

  Depósito Central de Valores S.A.

 

1


STATE STREET

GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK

DEPOSITORIES OPERATING IN NETWORK MARKETS

 

Country


 

Depositories


People’s Republic

of China

  China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited
Shanghai Branch
    China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited
Shenzhen Branch

Colombia

  Depósito Central de Valores
    Depósito Centralizado de Valores de Colombia S.A. (DECEVAL)

Costa Rica

  Central de Valores S.A.

Croatia

  Središnja Depozitarna Agencija d.d.

Cyprus

  Central Depository and Central Registry

Czech Republic

  Czech National Bank
    Stredisko cenných papíru – Ceská republika

Denmark

  Værdipapircentralen (Danish Securities Center)

Egypt

  Misr for Clearing, Settlement, and Depository S.A.E.

Estonia

  AS Eesti Väärtpaberikeskus

Finland

  Suomen Arvopaperikeskus

France

  Euroclear France

Germany

  Clearstream Banking AG, Frankfurt

Greece

  Apothetirion Titlon AE - Central Securities Depository
Bank of Greece,
System for Monitoring Transactions in Securities in Book-Entry Form

 

2


STATE STREET

GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK

DEPOSITORIES OPERATING IN NETWORK MARKETS

 

Country


 

Depositories


Guinea-Bissau

  Dépositaire Central – Banque de Règlement

Hong Kong

  Central Moneymarkets Unit
    Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited

Hungary

  Központi Elszámolóház és Értéktár (Budapest) Rt. (KELER)

Iceland

  Icelandic Securities Depository Limited

India

  Central Depository Services (India) Limited
    National Securities Depository Limited
    Reserve Bank of India

Indonesia

  Bank Indonesia
    PT Kustodian Sentral Efek Indonesia

Israel

  Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Clearing House Ltd. (TASE Clearinghouse)

Italy

  Monte Titoli S.p.A.

Ivory Coast

  Dépositaire Central – Banque de Règlement

Jamaica

  Jamaica Central Securities Depository

Japan

  Bank of Japan - Net System
    Japan Securities Depository Center (JASDEC) Incorporated

 

3


STATE STREET

GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK

DEPOSITORIES OPERATING IN NETWORK MARKETS

 

Country


 

Depositories


Jordan

  Securities Depository Center

Kazakhstan

  Central Securities Depository

Kenya

  Central Depository and Settlement Corporation Limited
    Central Bank of Kenya

Republic of Korea

  Korea Securities Depository

Latvia

  Latvian Central Depository

Lebanon

  Banque du Liban
    Custodian and Clearing Center of Financial Instruments
    for Lebanon and the Middle East (Midclear) S.A.L.

Lithuania

  Central Securities Depository of Lithuania

Malaysia

  Bank Negara Malaysia
    Bursa Malaysia Depository Sdn. Bhd.

Mali

  Dépositaire Central – Banque de Règlement

Malta

  Central Securities Depository of the Malta Stock Exchange

Mauritius

  Bank of Mauritius
    Central Depository and Settlement Co. Ltd.

Mexico

  S.D. Indeval, S.A. de C.V.

Morocco

  Maroclear

 

4


STATE STREET

GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK

DEPOSITORIES OPERATING IN NETWORK MARKETS

 

Country


 

Depositories


Namibia

  Bank of Namibia

Netherlands

  Euroclear Nederland

New Zealand

  New Zealand Central Securities Depository Limited

Niger

  Dépositaire Central – Banque de Règlement

Nigeria

  Central Securities Clearing System Limited

Norway

  Verdipapirsentralen (Norwegian Central Securities Depository)

Oman

  Muscat Depository & Securities Registration Company, SAOC

Pakistan

  Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited
    State Bank of Pakistan

Palestine

  Clearing, Depository and Settlement, a department
    of the Palestine Stock Exchange

Panama

  Central Latinoamericana de Valores, S.A. (LatinClear)

Peru

  Caja de Valores y Liquidaciones, Institución de
    Compensación y Liquidación de Valores S.A

Philippines

  Philippine Central Depository, Inc.
    Registry of Scripless Securities (ROSS) of the Bureau of Treasury

Poland

  Rejestr Papierów Wartosciowych
    Krajowy Depozyt Papierów Wartosciowych S.A.

 

5


STATE STREET

GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK

DEPOSITORIES OPERATING IN NETWORK MARKETS

 

Country


 

Depositories


Portugal

  INTERBOLSA – Sociedade Gestora de Sistemas de Liquidação
    e de Sistemas Centralizados de Valores Mobiliários, S.A.

Qatar

  Central Clearing and Registration (CCR), a
    department of the Doha Securities Market

Romania

  Bucharest Stock Exchange Registry Division
    National Bank of Romania
    National Securities Clearing, Settlement and Depository Company

Russia

  Vneshtorgbank, Bank for Foreign Trade of the Russian Federation

Senegal

  Dépositaire Central – Banque de Règlement

Serbia

  Central Registrar and Central Depository for Securities

Singapore

  The Central Depository (Pte) Limited
    Monetary Authority of Singapore

Slovak Republic

  Náodná banka slovenska
    Centralny depozitar cenných papierov SR, a.s.

Slovenia

  KDD – Centralna klirinsko depotna druzba d.d.

South Africa

  Share Transactions Totally Electronic (STRATE) Ltd.

Spain

  IBERCLEAR

Sri Lanka

  Central Depository System (Pvt) Limited

 

6


STATE STREET

GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK

DEPOSITORIES OPERATING IN NETWORK MARKETS

 

Country


 

Depositories


Sweden

  Värdepapperscentralen VPC AB
    (Swedish Central Securities Depository)

Switzerland

  SegaIntersettle AG (SIS)

Taiwan - R.O.C.

  Taiwan Securities Central Depository Company Limited

Thailand

  Bank of Thailand
    Thailand Securities Depository Company Limited

Togo

  Dépositaire Central – Banque de Règlement

Trinidad and Tobago

  Trinidad and Tobago Central Bank

Tunisia

  Société Tunisienne Interprofessionelle pour la Compensation
    et de Dépôts des Valeurs Mobilières (STICODEVAM)

Turkey

  Central Bank of Turkey
    Takas ve Saklama Bankasi A.S. (TAKASBANK)

Uganda

  Bank of Uganda

Ukraine

  Mizhregionalny Fondovy Souz
   

National Bank of Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

 

Clearing and Depository System,

a department of the Dubai Financial Market

United Kingdom

  CrestCo.

Uruguay

  Banco Central del Uruguay

 

7


STATE STREET

GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK

DEPOSITORIES OPERATING IN NETWORK MARKETS

 

Country


 

Depositories


Venezuela

  Banco Central de Venezuela
Caja Venezolana de Valores

Vietnam

 

Securities Registration, Clearing and Settlement,

Depository Department of the Securities Trading Center

Zambia

  Bank of Zambia
LuSE Central Shares Depository Limited

 

TRANSNATIONAL

 

Euroclear

 

Clearstream Banking, S.A.

 

8


SCHEDULE C

 

MARKET INFORMATION

 

Publication/Type of Information


  

Brief Description


(scheduled frequency)

    
The Guide to Custody in World Markets    An overview of settlement and safekeeping procedures,
(hardcopy annually and regular website updates)    custody practices and foreign investor considerations for the markets in which State Street offers custodial services.
Global Custody Network Review    Information relating to Foreign Sub-Custodians in State Street’s

 

(annually)

   Global Custody Network. The Review stands as an integral part of the materials that State Street provides to its U.S. mutual fund clients to assist them in complying with SEC Rule 17f-5. The Review also gives insight into State Street’s market expansion and Foreign Sub-Custodian selection processes, as well as the procedures and controls used to monitor the financial condition and performance of our Foreign Sub-Custodian banks.
Securities Depository Review    Custody risk analyses of the Foreign Securities Depositories presently

 

(annually)

   operating in Network markets. This publication is an integral part of the materials that State Street provides to its U.S. mutual fund clients to meet informational obligations created by SEC Rule 17f-7.
Global Legal Survey    With respect to each market in which State Street offers custodial

 

(annually)

   services, opinions relating to whether local law restricts (i) access of a fund’s independent public accountants to books and records of a Foreign Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities System, (ii) a fund’s ability to recover in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of a Foreign Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities System, (iii) a fund’s ability to recover in the event of a loss by a Foreign Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities System, and (iv) the ability of a foreign investor to convert cash and cash equivalents to U.S. dollars.
Subcustodian Agreements    Copies of the contracts that State Street has entered into with each

 

(annually)

   Foreign Sub-Custodian that maintains U.S. mutual fund assets in the markets in which State Street offers custodial services.
Global Market Bulletin    Information on changing settlement and custody conditions in

(daily or as necessary)

   markets where State Street offers custodial services.
     Includes changes in market and tax regulations, depository developments, dematerialization information, as well as other market changes that may impact State Street’s clients.

Foreign Custody Advisories

   For those markets where State Street offers custodial

 

(as necessary)

   services that exhibit special risks or infrastructures impacting custody, State Street issues market advisories to highlight

 

9


MARKET INFORMATION

 

Publication/Type of Information


  

Brief Description


(scheduled frequency)

    
     those unique market factors which might impact our ability to offer recognized custody service levels.

Material Change Notices

   Informational letters and accompanying materials confirming

(presently on a quarterly

   State Street’s foreign custody arrangements, including a

basis or as otherwise necessary)

   summary of material changes with Foreign Sub-Custodians that have
     occurred during the previous quarter. The notices also identify any material changes in the custodial risks associated with maintaining assets with Foreign Securities Depositories.

 

10