1. |
DEFINITIONS |
1
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4 |
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2. |
APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN; ACCOUNTS |
4 |
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2.1
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Appointment of Custodian |
4
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2.2
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Establishment of Accounts
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5
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|
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3. |
AUTHORIZED PERSONS AND INSTRUCTIONS; ELECTRONIC ACCESS |
5
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3.1 |
Authorized Persons |
5
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3.2 |
Instructions |
5 | |
3.3 |
BNY Actions Without Instructions |
6 |
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3.4 |
Funds Transfers |
7 |
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3.5 |
Electronic Access |
7 |
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4. |
SUBCUSTODIANS, DEPOSITORIES AND AGENTS |
7
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4.1 |
Use of Subcustodians and Depositories |
7 |
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4.2 |
Liability for Subcustodians |
8 |
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4.3 |
Liability for Depositories |
8 |
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4.4 |
Use of Agents |
9 |
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5.
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CORPORATE ACTIONS |
9
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|
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5.1 |
Notification |
9
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5.2 |
Exercise of Rights |
9 | |
5.3 |
Partial Redemptions, Payments, Etc. |
9 | |
6. |
SETTLEMENT |
9
|
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6.1 |
Settlement Instructions |
9 | |
6.2 |
Settlement Funds |
10 | |
6.3 |
Settlement Practices |
10 |
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7. |
TAX MATTERS |
10 |
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7.1 |
Tax Obligations |
10 | |
7.2 |
Payments |
11 |
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8. |
CREDITS AND ADVANCES |
11 |
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8.1 |
Contractual Settlement and Income |
11 | |
8.2 |
Advances |
11 | |
8.3 |
Payment |
12 | |
8.4 |
Seciromg Payment |
12 | |
8.5 |
Setoff |
12 | |
8.6 |
Currency Conversion |
13 | |
9. |
STATEMENTS; BOOKS AND RECORDS; THIRD PARTY DATA |
13 |
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9.1 |
Statements |
13 | |
9.2 |
Books and Records |
13 | |
9.3 |
Third Party Data |
14 | |
10. |
DISCLOSURES |
14 |
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10.1 |
Required Disclosure |
14 | |
10.2 |
Foreign Exchange Transactions |
15 | |
10.3 |
Investment of Cash |
15 |
11. |
REGULATORY MATTERS |
15 |
|
11.1 |
USA PATRIOT Act |
15 | |
11.2 |
Sanctions; Anti-Money Laundering |
15 | |
12. |
COMPENSATION |
17 |
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12.1 |
Fees and Expenses |
17 | |
12.2 |
Other Compensation |
17 |
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13. |
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS |
17 |
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13.1 |
BNY |
17 | |
13.2 |
Customer |
18 | |
14. |
LIABILITY |
18 |
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14.1 |
Standard of Care |
18 | |
14.2 |
Limitation of Liability |
19 | |
14.3 |
Force Majeure |
20 | |
14.4 |
Indemnification; Insurance |
21 | |
15. |
CONFIDENTIALITY |
22 |
|
15.1 |
Confidentiality Obligations |
22 | |
15.2 |
Exceptions |
23 | |
16. |
TERM AND TERMINATION |
23 |
|
16.1 |
Term |
23 | |
16.2 |
Termination |
23 | |
16.3 |
Effect of Termination |
24 | |
16.4 |
Survial |
25 |
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17. |
GENERAL |
25 |
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17.1 |
Non-Custody Assets |
25 | |
17.2 |
Assignment |
26 | |
17.3 |
Amendment |
26 | |
17.4 |
Governing Law/Forum |
27 | |
17.5 |
Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery |
27 | |
17.6 |
Non-Fiduciary Status |
27 | |
17.7 |
Notices |
27 | |
17.8 |
Entire Agreement |
28 | |
17.9 |
No Third Party Beneficiaries |
28 | |
17.10 |
Counterparts |
28 | |
17.11 |
Interpretation |
28 | |
17.12 |
No Waiver |
28 | |
17.13 |
Headings |
28 | |
17.14 |
Severability |
28 | |
17.15 |
Limitation of Liability of the Trustees and Shareholders |
29 |
1.
|
DEFINITIONS
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2.
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APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN; ACCOUNTS
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2.1
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Appointment of Custodian
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(a)
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Customer hereby appoints BNY as custodian of all Securities and Cash to be held
under, and in accordance with the terms of, this Agreement (collectively, "Assets"), and BNY hereby accepts such appointment. BNY agrees to perform its duties under this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and in accordance with
statutes, laws, rules and regulations applicable to BNY's
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(b)
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, BNY has no obligation:
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(i)
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With respect to any Assets until they are actually received in an Account;
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(ii)
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To inquire into, make recommendations, supervise or determine the suitability of any
transactions affecting any Account or to question any Instructions ;
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(iii)
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To monitor the Securities in the Accounts to determine whether Customer complies with limitations on ownership or any restrictions on
investors provided for by local law, regulations or market practice, or provisions in the issuer's articles of incorporation or by-laws;
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(iv)
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To determine the adequacy of title to, or the validity or genuineness of, any
Assets received by it or delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement; or
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(v)
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With respect to any matters related to: the establishment, maintenance operation or termination of Customer; or the offer, sale or distribution of the shares of, or interests in, Customer.
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(c)
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Operational terms, procedures and processes supporting the services described herein are set out in a separate service level
description, a current version of which will be available upon request at any time.
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(d)
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Cash held hereunder may be subject to additional deposit terms and conditions issued
by BNY or the applicable Subcustodian from time to time, including rates of interest and deposit account access.
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(e)
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If Customer engages in securities lending activities, such activities will be
subject to certain additional and/or modified terms to be set forth in a separate written agreement between Customer and BNY or a BNY Affiliate.
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2.2
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Establishment of Accounts
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3.
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AUTHORIZED PERSONS AND INSTRUCTIONS; ELECTRONIC ACCESS
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3.1
|
Authorized Persons
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3.2
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Instructions
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(a)
|
Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, BNY will have no obligation to take any action hereunder unless and until it receives Instructions issued in accordance with this Agreement.
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(b)
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Customer will be responsible for ensuring that (i) only Authorized Persons issue
Instructions to BNY and (ii) all Authorized Persons safeguard and treat with extreme care any user and authorization codes, passwords and authentication keys used in connection with the issuance of Instructions.
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(c)
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Where Customer may or is required to issue Instructions, such Instructions will be
issued by an Authorized Person.
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(d)
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BNY will be entitled to deal with any Authorized Person until notified otherwise
pursuant to Instructions, and will be entitled to act and rely upon any Instruction received by BNY.
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(e)
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All Instructions must include all information necessary, and must be delivered using such methods and in such format as BNY may require and be received within BNY's established cut-off times and otherwise in sufficient time, to enable BNY to act upon such Instructions.
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(f)
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BNY may in its sole discretion decline to act upon any Instructions that do not
comply with requirements set forth in Section 3.2(e) or that conflict with
applicable law or regulations or BNY's operating policies and practices, in which event BNY will promptly notify Customer unless prevented from doing so by applicable law.
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(g)
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Customer acknowledges that while it is not part of BNY's normal practices and procedures to accept Oral Instructions, BNY may in certain limited circumstances accept Oral Instructions. In such event, such Oral Instructions will be deemed to be Instructions for purposes of this Agreement. An Authorized Person issuing such an Oral Instruction will promptly confirm such Oral Instruction to BNY in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Customer agrees that the fact that such written confirmation is not received by BNY, or that such written confirmation contradicts the Oral Instruction, will in no way affect (i) BNY's reliance on such Oral Instruction or (ii) the validity or enforceability of transactions authorized by such Oral Instruction and effected by BNY. However, to the extent BNY receives written confirmation which contradicts Oral Instructions, BNY will endeavor to notify Customer, it being acknowledged, agreed and understood that BNY shall have no duty, responsibility, or liability for any failure to or inability to so notify Customer.
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(h)
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Customer acknowledges and agrees that it is fully informed of
the protections and risks associated with the various methods of transmitting Instructions to BNY and that there may be more secure methods of transmitting Instructions than the method selected by the sender. Customer agrees that the security procedures, if
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3.3
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BNY Actions Without Instructions
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(a)
|
Receive income and other payments due to the Accounts; provided, however, that BNY will have no duty to pursue collection of any
amount due to an Account, including for Securities in default, if such amount is not paid when due;
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(b)
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Carry out any exchanges of Securities or other corporate actions not requiring discretionary decisions;
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(c)
|
Facilitate access by Customer or its designee to ballots or online systems to assist it in the voting of proxies received by BNY in
its capacity as custodian for eligible positions of Securities held in the Accounts (excluding bankruptcy matters), all of which will be exercised by Customer or its designee and not by BNY;
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(d)
|
Forward to Customer or its designee information (or summaries of information) that
BNY receives in its capacity as custodian from Depositories or Subcustodians concerning Securities in the Accounts (excluding bankruptcy matters);
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(e)
|
Forward to Customer or its designee an initial notice of bankruptcy cases relating to
Securities held in the Accounts and a notice of any required action related to such bankruptcy cases as may be received by BNY in its capacity as custodian. BNY will take no further action nor provide further notification related to the bankruptcy case;
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(f)
|
Unless otherwise elected by Customer, and in accordance with BNY's standard terms and
conditions, provide class action filing services for settled claims related to Securities with industry recognized identifiers;
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(g)
|
Endorse for collection checks, drafts or other negotiable instruments received for
the Accounts;
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(h)
|
Execute and deliver, solely in its capacity as custodian, certificates, documents or instruments incidental to BNY's performance under
this Agreement; and
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3.4
|
Funds Transfers
|
3.5
|
Electronic Access
|
4.
|
SUBCUSTODIANS, DEPOSITORIES AND AGENTS
|
4.1
|
Use of Subcustodians and Depositories
|
(a)
|
BNY will be entitled to utilize Subcustodians and Depositories in connection with its
performance hereunder; provided that BNY will not utilize a Subcustodian that is an "Eligible Foreign Custodian" (as defined in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act) to hold "Foreign Assets" (as defined in such Rule 17f-5) until after BNY is informed, pursuant to such means as determined by BNY, that Customer's board of directors or similar governing body or Customer's "Foreign
Custody Manager" (as defined in such Rule 17f-5) has determined that utilization of such Subcustodian satisfies
the applicable requirements of such Rule 17f-5.
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(b)
|
BNY will only utilize Subcustodians that have entered into an
agreement with BNY or a BNY Affiliate, and Assets held through a Subcustodian will be held subject to the terms and
conditions of such Subcustodian's respective agreement.
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(c)
|
Assets deposited in a Depository will be held subject to the rules, procedures, terms and conditions of such Depository. Subcustodians may hold Assets in
Depositories in which such Subcustodians participate.
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(d)
|
In connection with each Depository utilized by BNY that is a "securities depository" (as defined in Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act),
BNY (a) will exercise due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duties as a securities intermediary to obtain and thereafter maintain Securities
or financial assets deposited or held in such Depository and (b) will provide, promptly upon request by Customer, such reports as are available concerning the internal accounting controls and financial strength of BNY.
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(e)
|
With respect to each Foreign Depository, BNY will exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence (a) to provide Customer with an analysis of the custody risks
associated with maintaining assets with the Foreign Depository and (b) to monitor such custody risks on a continuing basis and promptly notify Customer of any material change in such risks. Customer acknowledges and agrees that such analysis and monitoring will be made on the basis of,
and limited by, information gathered from certain
Subcustodians or through publicly available information otherwise obtained by BNY, and will not include any
evaluation of the matters referenced in Section 14.2(b)(i).
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(f)
|
Unless otherwise required by local law or practice or a
particular Subcustodian agreement, Assets deposited with Subcustodians or Depositories may be held in a commingled
account in the name of, as applicable, BNY, a BNY Affiliate or the applicable Subcustodian, for its clients.
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4.2
|
Liability for Subcustodians
|
(a)
|
BNY will exercise the Standard of Care in selecting, retaining and monitoring
Subcustodians.
|
(b)
|
BNY shall maintain an appropriate level of monitoring over Subcustodians and make
appropriate inquiries, periodically, to confirm that the obligations of such Subcustodians continue to be competently discharged in light of prevailing settlement and securities handling practices, procedures and controls in the relevant market.
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(c)
|
With respect to Assets held by a Subcustodian, BNY will be liable
to Customer for the activities of such Subcustodian under this Agreement to the extent that BNY would have been liable to Customer under this Agreement if BNY had performed such activities itself in the relevant market in which such
Subcustodian is located; provided, however, that with respect to Securities held by a Subcustodian that
is not a BNY Affiliate:
|
(i)
|
BNY's liability will be limited solely to the extent resulting directly from BNY's failure to exercise the Standard of Care in selecting, retaining, and monitoring such Subcustodian; and
|
(ii)
|
To the extent that BNY is not liable pursuant to Section 4.2(c)(i), BNY's sole responsibility to Customer will be to: (A) take reasonable and appropriate action to recover from such Subcustodian, and (B) forward to Customer any amounts so recovered (exclusive of costs and
expenses incurred by BNY in connection therewith).
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4.3
|
Liability for Depositories
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4.4
|
Use of Agents
|
5.
|
CORPORATE ACTIONS
|
5.1
|
Notification
|
5.2
|
Exercise of Rights
|
5.3
|
Partial Redemptions, Payments, Etc.
|
6.
|
SETTLEMENT
|
6.1
|
Settlement Instructions
|
6.2
|
Settlement Funds
|
6.3
|
Settlement Practices
|
7.
|
TAX MATTERS
|
7.1
|
Tax Obligations
|
(a)
|
To the extent that BNY has received the Tax Information within the time stipulated, BNY will perform the following services with
respect to Tax Obligations:
|
(i)
|
Unless prohibited by law or regulation, at the reasonable request of Customer, BNY
will provide to Customer such information received by BNY in its capacity as custodian that could, in Customer's reasonable belief, assist Customer or its designee in the submission of any reports or returns with respect to Tax
Obligations. An Authorized Person will inform BNY in writing as to which party or parties will receive information
from BNY;
|
(ii)
|
BNY will, upon receipt of sufficient Tax Information from Customer (as reasonably
determined by BNY), file claims for exemptions or refunds with respect to withheld taxes in those markets where it provides such services and subject to BNY's service level description (in each case as made available to Customer from time to time). Where Customer (for whatever reason) fails or neglects to provide BNY with or to review and confirm
the Tax Information within the time stipulated by BNY, then such failure or neglect may result in the disapplication of withholding tax relief or the obligation on Customer to immediately return amounts already refunded by a tax authority. Customer may, however, elect to appoint its own tax agent to file claims for exemptions or refunds in any or all
markets, with advance notice to BNY of such appointment and subject to such terms as separately agreed in writing between Customer and BNY; and
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(iii)
|
BNY or the applicable Subcustodian will withhold appropriate
amounts, as required by applicable tax laws, with respect to amounts received and is authorized to debit the relevant Account in the amount of a Tax Obligation and to pay such amount to the appropriate taxing authority.
|
(b)
|
Customer acknowledges that BNY is a service provider and not an economic
beneficiary of any transaction.
|
(c)
|
Customer will be responsible for understanding its Tax Obligations, and will be solely responsible and liable for all Tax Obligations with respect to any Assets held on behalf of Customer and any
transaction related thereto.
|
(d)
|
Customer will provide BNY with Tax Information to enable BNY to comply with BNY's
obligations under any applicable tax laws or with any tax authority enquiry.
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(e)
|
Customer acknowledges and agrees that none of BNY nor any BNY Affiliate is a tax
adviser and none of BNY nor any BNY Affiliate will, under any circumstances, provide tax advice to Customer. Customer will obtain its own independent tax advice for any tax-related matters or Tax Obligations.
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7.2
|
Payments
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8.
|
CREDITS AND ADVANCES
|
8.1
|
Contractual Settlement and Income
|
8.2
|
Advances
|
8.3
|
Payment
|
8.4
|
Securing Payment
|
8.5
|
Setoff
|
8.6
|
Currency Conversion
|
9.
|
STATEMENTS; BOOKS AND RECORDS; THIRD PARTY DATA
|
9.1
|
Statements
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9.2
|
Books and Records
|
9.3
|
Third Party Data
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(a)
|
Customer acknowledges that BNY will be receiving, utilizing and relying on Market
Data and other data provided by Customer and/or by third parties in connection with its performance of the services hereunder (collectively," Third Party Data"). BNY is entitled to rely without inquiry on all Third Party Data provided to BNY hereunder (and all Instructions related to Third
Party Data), and BNY makes no assurances or warranties in relation to the accuracy or completeness of Third Party
Data and will not be responsible or liable for any losses or damages incurred as a result of any Third Party Data that is inaccurate or incomplete. BNY may follow Instructions with respect to Third Party Data, even if such
Instructions direct BNY to override its usual procedures and data sources or if BNY, in performing services for itself or others (including services similar to those performed for Customer), receives different Third Party Data for the same or similar Securities.
|
(b)
|
Although statements and reports provided by BNY hereunder with
respect to the Accounts may contain values of, and pricing information in relation to, Securities held pursuant to
this Agreement, BNY does not undertake any duty or responsibility under this Agreement to report such values or
pricing information.
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(c)
|
Certain Market Data may be the intellectual property of Market Data Providers, which
impose additional terms and conditions upon Customer's use of such Market Data. Such additional terms and conditions
can be found on the Data Terms Website. Customer agrees to those terms and conditions as they are posted on the Data Terms Website from time to time.
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10.
|
DISCLOSURES
|
10.1
|
Required Disclosure
|
(a)
|
With respect to Securities that are registered under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or that are issued by an issuer registered under the 1940 Act, the U.S. Shareholder Communications Act of 1985 (the "Act") requires BNY to disclose to issuers of such Securities, upon their request, the name, address and securities position of BNY's clients who are "beneficial owners" (as defined in the
Act) of the issuer's Securities, unless the beneficial owner objects to such disclosure. The Act defines a "beneficial owner" as any person who has or shares the power to vote a security (pursuant to an agreement or otherwise) or who directs the voting of a security. Customer has designated on the signature page hereof whether (i) as beneficial owner, it objects to the disclosure of its name, address and securities position to any U.S. issuer that requests such information pursuant to the Act for the specific purpose of direct
communications between such issuer and Customer or (ii) it requires BNY to contact the relevant investment manager with respect to relevant Securities to make the decision as to whether it objects to the disclosure of the beneficial owner's name, address and securities position to any U.S. issuer that requests such information pursuant to the Act.
|
(b)
|
With respect to certain Securities issued outside the United
States, BNY may disclose information to issuers of Securities as required by the organizational documents of the relevant issuer or in accordance with local market practice.
|
(c)
|
In connection with any disclosure contemplated by this Section 10, Customer agrees to supply BNY with any required
information.
|
10.2
|
Foreign Exchange Transactions
|
10.3
|
Investment of Cash
|
11.
|
REGULATORY MATTERS
|
11.1
|
USA PATRIOT Act
|
11.2
|
Sanctions; Anti-Money Laundering
|
(a)
|
Throughout the term of this Agreement, Customer: (i) will have in place and will implement policies and procedures designed to prevent violations of Sanctions,
|
(b)
|
Customer acknowledges and agrees that, in connection with the
services provided by BNY under this Agreement, each of Customer's authorized participants is not a customer or joint
customer with BNY. Customer (and not BNY) has the responsibility to, and will, fulfill any compliance requirement or
obligation with respect to each of its authorized participants under all Anti-Money Laundering Laws. Without
limiting any obligation imposed on Customer by Anti-Money Laundering Laws, throughout the term of this Agreement, Customer will maintain a compliance program with respect to its authorized participants that includes the following: (i) a know-your-customer program in order to understand and verify the identity of each authorized participant, in accordance with the requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act and the relevant regulations thereunder, (ii) a transaction surveillance and monitoring program, and (iii) a policy for identifying and reporting any suspicious transactions and/or activities with respect to each authorized participant to the appropriate law enforcement and regulatory
authorities and to BNY where related to the services provided by BNY hereunder.
|
(c)
|
Customer will promptly provide to BNY such information as BNY reasonably requests in
connection with the matters referenced in this Section 11.2, including information regarding (i) the Accounts, (ii) the Assets and the source thereof, (iii) the identity of any individual or entity having or claiming an interest therein, and (iv) Customer's anti-money laundering and Sanctions compliance programs and any related records and/or transaction information, including with respect to any authorized participant,
regardless of whether such request is made under USA PATRIOT Act Section 314(b) (where applicable). Customer will cooperate with BNY and provide assistance reasonably requested by BNY in connection with any anti-money laundering and
terrorist financing or Sanctions inquiries. Prior to delivering to BNY the assets of any authorized participant,
Customer will obtain from each such authorized participant, and will continue to maintain in effect throughout the term of this Agreement, any consents or waivers that may be required under applicable law in order to comply with the foregoing obligations.
|
(d)
|
BNY may decline to act or provide services in respect of any
Account, and take such other actions as it, in its reasonable discretion, deems necessary or advisable, in
connection with the matters referenced in this Section 11.2. If BNY declines to act or provide services as provided in the preceding sentence, except as otherwise prohibited by applicable law or official request, BNY will inform Customer as soon as reasonably practicable.
|
12.
|
COMPENSATION
|
12.1
|
Fees and Expenses
|
12.2
|
Other Compensation
|
(a)
|
Customer acknowledges that, as part of BNY's compensation, BNY will earn interest on Cash balances held by BNY (including disbursement balances, balances arising from purchase and sale transactions and when Cash otherwise remains uninvested) as provided in BNY's
compensation disclosures.
|
(b)
|
Where an error or omission has occurred under this Agreement that
results in an unintended gain, provided that Customer is put in the same or equivalent position as it would have
been in had such error or omission not occurred, any such gain will be solely for the account of BNY without any
duty to report such gain to the Customer, provided, however, in BNY's discretion, BNY agrees to provide notice to Customer
concerning unintended gains as may be reasonably necessary under the relevant circumstances.
|
13.
|
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
|
13.1
|
BNY
|
13.2
|
Customer
|
(a)
|
Customer represents and warrants that: (i) it is duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing in its jurisdiction of organization; (ii) it has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and (iii) the individual executing this
Agreement on its behalf has the requisite authority to bind Customer to this Agreement including by Electronic Signature, and any such Electronic Signature represents an intent to enter into this Agreement and an agreement with its terms.
|
(b)
|
Customer represents, warrants and covenants that (i) it or the relevant investment manager has determined that the
custody arrangements of each Depository maintaining "Foreign Assets" (as defined in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act) provide reasonable safeguards against the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with such Depository within the
meaning of Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act and (ii) it shall manage its borrowings, including without limitation any advance or overdraft (including any daylight overdraft) in an Account, so that the aggregate of its total borrowings for each
Series do not exceed the amount such Series is permitted to borrow under the 1940 Act.
|
(c)
|
Customer represents and warrants that all actions taken, or to be taken, by or on
behalf of Customer in connection with establishing, maintaining, operating or terminating Customer (including, any offer, sale or distribution of the shares of, or interest in, Customer) shall be done in compliance with all applicable U.S. state and federal securities laws and regulations and all other applicable laws and regulations of all applicable jurisdictions .
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14.
|
LIABILITY
|
14.1
|
Standard of Care
|
(a)
|
In performing its duties under this Agreement, BNY will exercise the standard of
care and diligence that a prudent professional custodian responsible for providing custodial and similar services to registered investment companies would observe in these affairs taking into account the prevailing rules, practices,
procedures and circumstances in the relevant market acting without bad faith, gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud (the "Standard of Care").
|
(b)
|
BNY shall provide the Customer, once annually upon reasonable request, with a SOC 1 report (or any comparable
successor report thereto) by independent public accountants on BNY Mellon's system, relating to the services provided by BNY Mellon under this Agreement.
|
(c)
|
BNY will make commercially reasonable efforts to not remove or replace with any other person, any Key Personnel without providing
notice to Customer unless such Key Personnel is being terminated or suspended or notification is not practicable under the circumstances.
|
(d)
|
The Customer may reasonably request the replacement of Key Personnel during the Term.
|
14.2
|
Limitation of Liability
|
(a)
|
In no event will BNY or Customer be liable for any indirect, incidental,
consequential, exemplary, punitive or special losses or damages, or for any loss of revenues, profits or business opportunity, arising out of or relating to this Agreement (whether or not foreseeable and even if BNY or Customer have been
advised of the possibility of such losses or damages).
|
(b)
|
BNY's liability arising out of or relating to this Agreement will be limited solely
to those direct damages that are caused by BNY's failure to perform its obligations under this Agreement in
accordance with the Standard of Care.
|
(c)
|
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, in no event will BNY be liable for any losses or damages arising
out of any of the following:
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(i)
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Customer's or an Authorized Person's decision to invest in or hold Assets in any particular country, including any losses or damages arising out of or relating to: (A) the financial infrastructure of a country; (B) a country's prevailing custody and settlement practices; (C) nationalization,
expropriation or other governmental actions; (D) a country's regulation of the banking or securities industry; (E)
currency and exchange controls, restrictions, devaluations, redenominations, fluctuations or asset freezes; (F) laws, rules, regulations or orders that at any time prohibit or impose burdens or costs on the transfer of Assets
to, by or for the account of Customer or (G) market conditions which affect the orderly execution of securities
transactions or affect the value of securities;
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(ii)
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BNY's reliance on and acting in accordance with Instructions;
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(iii)
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BNY's receipt or acceptance of fraudulent, forged or invalid Securities (or Securities which are otherwise not freely transferable or
deliverable without encumbrance in any relevant market);
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(iv)
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For any matter with respect to which BNY is required to act only upon the receipt of
Instructions, (A) BNY's failure to act in the absence of such Instructions or (B) Instructions that are late or
incomplete or do not otherwise satisfy the requirements of Section 3.2(e),
whether or not BNY acted upon such Instructions;
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(v)
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BNY receiving or transmitting any data to or from Customer or any Authorized Person via any non-secure method of
transmission or communication selected by Customer;
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(vi)
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Customer's or an Authorized Person's decision to invest in Securities or to hold Cash in any currency;
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(vii)
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The insolvency of any Person, including a Subcustodian that is not a BNY Affiliate, Depository, broker, bank or a counterparty to the
settlement of a
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(viii)
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Any inability of BNY, a Subcustodian or any of their respective agents to file claims
for exemptions or refunds or otherwise obtain relief from Tax Obligations due to (A) Customer's failure to provide,
or delay in providing, Tax Information to BNY, (B) any failure of Customer to comply with applicable tax laws, or (C) any failure or refusal of any taxing authority to provide such relief; or
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(ix)
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The use of any third party appointed or selected by Customer, or by BNY at the express
request of Customer.
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(d)
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If BNY is in doubt as to any action it should or should not take, either pursuant to,
or in the absence of, Instructions, at BNY's expense, BNY may obtain the advice of either reputable counsel of its own choosing or counsel to Customer, and BNY will not be liable for acting in accordance with such advice.
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14.3
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Force Majeure
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(a)
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BNY will not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of
its obligations under this Agreement to the extent caused, directly or indirectly, by natural disasters, fire, acts of God, strikes or other labor disputes, work stoppages, acts of war or terrorism, general civil unrest, actual or threatened
epidemics, disease,
act of any government, governmental authority or police or military authority, declared or threatened state of emergency, legal constraint, the interruption, loss or malfunction of utilities or transportation, communications or computer systems, or any other similar events beyond its reasonable control ("Force Majeure Event"). BNY will use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize the effect of any such events,
and shall give Customer notice describing the Force Majeure Event as soon as reasonably practicable, the effect of the Force Majeure Event on BNY's ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, and give regular updates
regarding the action it is taking to restore performance of its obligations and the actions it has taken to mitigate the impact of the Force Majeure Event.
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(b)
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In the event that the Customer reasonably believes that the occurrence of any such
event will substantially prevent, hinder or delay performance of the services contemplated by this Agreement for more than three (3) consecutive business days, the Customer may take commercially reasonable actions to mitigate the impact of such services not being provided; provided, that the Customer shall consult with BNY in good faith in
connection with any such mitigation and BNY shall provide Customer with reasonable assistance under the relevant circumstances in good faith in connection therewith; provided, further, that BNY shall resume providing, and the Customer
shall pay for, such services when BNY resumes providing them, unless the Customer has terminated this Agreement pursuant to the terms of Section 16.2. Notwithstanding anything set forth
in this Section 14.3, in no event shall the Customer be obligated to pay any fees under
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14.4
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Indemnification; Insurance
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(a)
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Customer will indemnify and hold harmless BNY from and against all losses, costs,
expenses, damages and liabilities (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) incurred by BNY arising out of or relating to BNY's performance under this Agreement, except to the extent resulting from BNY's failure to perform its
obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the Standard of Care. The Parties agree that the foregoing will
include reasonable counsel fees and expenses incurred by BNY in its successful defense of claims that are asserted by Customer against BNY arising out of or relating to BNY's performance under this Agreement. Any obligations of Customer
under this Section 14.4 with respect to a particular Series will not be satisfied out of the assets of another Series.
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(b)
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Subject to the limitations of liability in Sections 14.2 and Section 14.3, BNY will indemnify and hold harmless the
Customer from and against direct losses, costs, expenses, damages and liabilities incurred by the Customer as the direct result of BNY's failure to perform its obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the Standard of Care.
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(c)
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In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this Section 14.4 shall
apply, upon the assertion of a claim for which either Party may be required to indemnify the other, the Party seeking indemnification shall promptly notify the other Party of such assertion, and shall keep the other Party advised with respect to all material developments concerning such claim. The Party who may be required to indemnify shall have
the right to control the defense of the claim, and the party seeking indemnification shall have the option to participate in the defense of such claim, at its own cost and expense. The Party seeking indemnification will
cooperate reasonably, at the indemnifying Party's expense, with the indemnifying Party in the defense of such claim; provided, however, that the Party seeking indemnification shall not be required to take any action that would
impair any claim it may have against the indemnifying Party. The Party seeking indemnification shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the other Party may be required to indemnify it except with the other Party's
prior written consent. The indemnifying Party shall not settle or compromise any claim or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to which indemnification is being sought hereunder without the prior written consent of the Party
seeking indemnification, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.
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(d)
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BNY will maintain, at its own cost, at all times during the term
of this Agreement, errors and omissions insurance, fidelity bonds and such other insurance as BNY may deem appropriate, in each case in a commercially reasonable amount deemed by BNY to be sufficient to cover its potential liabilities under this Agreement, including without limitation cyber-liability insurance coverage deemed by BNY to be
appropriate.
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15.
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CONFIDENTIALITY
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15.1
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Confidentiality Obligations
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15.2
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Exceptions
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16.
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TERM AND TERMINATION
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16.1
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Term
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16.2
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Termination
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(a)
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Notwithstanding Section 16.1, if Customer or BNY materially breaches this Agreement (a "Defaulting Party") the other Party (on one hand, BNY; on the other hand, Customer) (the "Non-Defaulting Party") may give written notice thereof to the Defaulting Party (BNY or Customer) ("Breach Notice"), and if such material breach shall not have been remedied within thirty (30) days after the Breach Notice is given, then the Non-Defaulting Party may terminate this Agreement by giving written
notice of termination to the Defaulting Party ("Breach Termination Notice"), in which case this
Agreement shall terminate as of 11:59 PM (Eastern time) on the 30th day following the date the Breach Termination
Notice is given by the Non-Defaulting Party, or such later date as may be specified in the Breach Termination Notice (but not later than the last day of the Initial Term or then-current Renewal Term, as appropriate). In all cases, termination by the Non-Defaulting Party shall not constitute a waiver by the Non-Defaulting Party of any other
rights it might have under this Agreement or otherwise against the Defaulting Party. If a Force Majeure Event
continues for more than three (3) months after the commencement of the Force Majeure Event either Party hereto may terminate this Agreement by giving not less than thirty (30) days' notice in writing to the other Party.
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(b)
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Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, BNY or Customer may in its
sole discretion terminate this Agreement immediately by sending notice thereof to the other Party upon the happening of any of the following: (i) the other Party commences as debtor any case or proceeding under any bankruptcy, insolvency
or similar law, or there is commenced against such other Party any such case or proceeding, (ii) the other Party commences as debtor any case or proceeding seeking the appointment of a receiver, conservator, trustee, custodian or similar
official for such Party or any substantial part of its property or there is commenced against such other Party any such case or proceeding, (iii) the other Party makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or (iv) the other
Party admits in any recorded medium, written, electronic or otherwise, its inability to pay its debts as they come due. BNY or Customer may exercise its termination right under this Section 16.2(c) at any time after the occurrence of any of the foregoing events notwithstanding that such event may cease to be continuing prior to such exercise, and
any delay in exercising this right shall not be construed as a waiver or other extinguishment of that right. Any exercise by BNY or Customer of its termination right under this Section 16.2(c) shall be without any prejudice to any other remedies or rights available to BNY or Customer and shall not be subject
to any fee or penalty, whether monetary or equitable. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 17.7 below, notice of termination under this Section 16.2(c) shall be considered given and effective when given, not when received.
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(c)
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Either Party may terminate this Agreement at any time upon one-hundred-eighty (180) days' prior
written notice to the other Party.
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16.3
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Effect of Termination
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(a)
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Upon termination hereof, Customer will pay to BNY such compensation as may be due
to BNY, and will reimburse BNY for other amounts payable or reimbursable to BNY hereunder, through the date of termination. As soon as practical following the service of a termination notice (and in any case not less than 30 days before the termination of this Agreement), Customer will give BNY the details of the successor custodian or other person or persons to whom the Assets are to be transferred. BNY will follow such reasonable Instructions as Customer
issues concerning the transfer of custody of records, Assets and other items; provided that (a) BNY will have no responsibility or liability for shipping and insurance costs associated therewith and (b) full payment has been made to BNY
of its compensation, costs, expenses and other amounts to which it is entitled hereunder.
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(b)
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If any Assets remain in any Account after termination, BNY may deliver to Customer
such Assets. The terms of this Agreement (including the terms relating to fees payable to BNY) will continue to
apply from day to day until any transferable Asset is transferred in accordance with this Section, except that no additional Cash or Securities may be deposited with BNY or any Subcustodian after such date other than with BNY's express
prior consent, and
Customer will have a continuing obligation to provide BNY as soon as possible with the details of the Person or Persons to whom the remaining Assets are to be transferred.
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(c)
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Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 16 to the contrary, in the event that
this Agreement is terminated in its entirety, the Parties agree to continue operating under the terms of this Agreement as if this Agreement remained in full force and effect for up to one (1) year or for such shorter period of time as
the Parties mutually agree is necessary for BNY Mellon to transfer the custody records, Assets and other items to a successor custodian pursuant to Instructions (the "Transition Period"); provided, that during any such Transition Period, BNY Mellon will be entitled to compensation for BNY Mellon's Transition Period services pursuant to Section 12 and the
provisions of this Agreement relating to the duties and obligations of BNY Mellon will remain in full force and effect. If any Assets remain in any Account after the Transition Period, BNY Mellon may deliver to Customer such Assets.
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16.4
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Survival
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17.
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GENERAL
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17.1
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Non-Custody Assets
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17.2
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Assignment
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17.3
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Amendment
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17.4
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Governing Law/Forum
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(a)
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The substantive laws of the state of New York (without regard to its conflicts of law
provisions) will govern all matters arising out of or relating to this Agreement, including the establishment and maintenance of the Accounts and for purposes of the Uniform Commercial Code and all issues specified in Article 2(1) of the
Hague Securities Convention.
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(b)
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Each Party irrevocably agrees that all legal actions or
proceedings brought by it against the other Party arising out of or relating to this Agreement will be brought solely and exclusively before the state or federal courts situated in New York City, New York. Each Party irrevocably submits to personal jurisdiction in such courts and waives any objection which it may
now or hereafter have based on improper venue or forum non conveniens. The Parties hereby unconditionally waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right to a jury trial with respect to any such actions or proceedings.
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17.5
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Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery
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17.6
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Non-Fiduciary Status
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17.7
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Notices
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17.8
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Entire Agreement
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17.9
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No Third Party Beneficiaries
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17.10
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Counterparts
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17.11
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Interpretation
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17.12
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No Waiver
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17.13
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Headings
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17.14
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Severability
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17.15
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Limitation of Liability of the Trustees and Shareholders
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THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON | MAN SERIES TRUST | |||
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By:
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/s/ Michael Gronsky |
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By: |
/s/ Lisa Muñoz |
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Name: |
Michael Gronsky |
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Name: |
Lisa Muñoz |
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Title: |
Senior Vice President |
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Title: |
Initial Trustee |
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Date: |
August 27, 2025 |
Date: |
August 26, 2025 |
Address for Notice: | Address for Notice: |
|||
The Bank of New York Mellon |
Man ETF Series Trust |
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160 Queen Victoria Street |
1345 Ave of the Americas, 21st Floor |
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London, EC4V 4LA |
New York, NY 10105 |
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Attention: Lucy Hyams |
Attention: Legal US |
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Pursuant to Section 10.1(a):
[X] as beneficial owner, Customer OBJECTS to disclosure
[ ] as beneficial owner, Customer DOES NOT OBJECT to disclosure
[ ] BNY will CONTACT THE RELEVANT INVESTMENT MANAGEWR with respect to
relevant Securities to make the decision whether it objectives to disclosure
IF NO BOX IS CHECKED, BNY WILL RELEASE SUCH INFORMATION UNTIL IT
RECEIVES A CONTRARY INSTRUCTION FROM CUSTOMER.
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