Document:

Exhibit 10.2

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

FIFTH AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

FIFTH AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “Fifth Amendment”) dated May 7, 2018, by and among MVC CAPITAL, INC., a corporation formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Borrower”), MVC FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC., a corporation formed under the laws of the State of Delaware, MVC CAYMAN, an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, MVC GP II, LLC, a limited liability company formed under the laws of the State of Delaware, and MVC PARTNERS LLC, a limited liability company formed under the laws of the State of Delaware, (collectively, the “Guarantors”, and each a “Guarantor”), the financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to the Loan Agreement (as such term is defined herein) (collectively, the “Lenders”, and each a “Lender”), and SANTANDER BANK, N.A., as agent (the “Agent”), and WINTRUST BANK, as syndication agent (“Wintrust”).

 

BACKGROUND

 

WHEREAS, Borrower, Lenders and Agent are parties to a Credit and Security Agreement dated as of December 9, 2015 (as same has been and may be further modified, amended, supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 

WHEREAS, Borrower has requested that the Agent and the Lenders amend the Credit Agreement as described in this Fifth Amendment.

 

WHEREAS, Agent and Lenders are willing to amend certain terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement and grant the requested waivers as set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, it is agreed as follows:

 

1.                                      Amendments to Credit Agreement.  As of the date hereof, the Credit Agreement is amended as follows:

 

1.1                               Definitions.  Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended by the addition, the deletion or the amendment and restatement of the following definitions, as applicable, to read in their entirety as follows:

 

(a)                                 Subsection (k) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

 

“(k)                           unsecured Indebtedness and unsecured Guaranty Obligations for Indebtedness of the Portfolio Companies not otherwise permitted by the other clauses of this definition in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000).”

 

(b)                                 Subsection (b) of the definition of Permitted Investments is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

 

 

“(b)                           Investments consisting of (i) the Debt Investments listed on Schedule 7.26(b), (ii) the Equity Investments listed on Schedules 7.26(a) and (c), and (iii) “follow-on” Investments consisting of Debt Investments or Equity Interests in Portfolio Companies currently owned by Credit Parties in an aggregate amount not to exceed Twenty-Eight Million Five Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($28,500,000);”

 

(c)                                  The following new definition shall be inserted in the appropriate alphabetical order:

 

““Fifth Amendment Closing Date” means May 7, 2018.”

 

1.2                               Section 2.4(a).  Section 2.4(a) of the Credit Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

 

“(a)                           Letters of Credit. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Lenders agree to incur, from time to time, upon the request of Borrower and for Borrower’s account, Letter of Credit Obligations by Agent causing Letters of Credit to be issued by a bank or other legally authorized Person selected by or acceptable to Agent in its sole discretion (each, an “L/C Issuer”) for such Borrower’s account, which may be guaranteed by Agent; provided, that if the L/C Issuer is a Lender, then such Letters of Credit shall not be guaranteed by Agent but rather each Lender shall, subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, purchase (or be deemed to have purchased) risk participations in all such Letters of Credit issued with the written consent of Agent, as more fully described in Section 2.4(b)(ii) below. The initial L/C Issuer shall be Santander Bank, N.A. and all Letters of Credit issued by Santander Bank, N.A. shall be issued in its capacity as a Lender, not as Agent. The aggregate amount of all Letter of Credit Obligations relating to the issuance of Letters of Credit shall not at any time exceed Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000); provided, however, in no event shall Agent cause a Letter of Credit to be issued to the extent that (i) Agent is in receipt of written notice that the conditions precedent set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement cannot be satisfied or (ii) the face amount of such Letter of Credit would then cause the sum of (x) the outstanding Revolving Loans plus (y) outstanding Letters of Credit, to exceed Borrowing Availability. All Letters of Credit shall be payable in Dollars. No standby Letter of Credit shall have an expiry date that is more than one year following the date of issuance thereof and no commercial Letter of Credit shall have an expiry date that is more than 90 days following the date of issuance thereof, unless otherwise determined by the Agent, in its sole discretion, and neither Agent nor Lenders shall be under any obligation to incur Letter of Credit Obligations in respect of, or purchase risk participations in, any Letter of Credit having an expiry date that is later than the Final Maturity Date.

 

1.3                               No Other Changes. Except as explicitly amended by this Fifth Amendment, all of the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall apply to all Revolving Loans and Letters of Credit thereunder.

 

2.                                      Conditions Precedent. This Fifth Amendment shall be effective when the Agent shall have received an executed copy hereof and each of the following documents (collectively,

 

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the “Fifth Amendment Documents”):

 

(a)                                 this Fifth Amendment duly executed;

 

(b)                                 the Acknowledgment and Agreement of Guarantors set forth at the end of this Fifth Amendment, duly executed by the Guarantor; and

 

(c)                                  payment of an amendment fee to the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders in an amount equal to Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000), which fee shall be fully earned, irrevocable, due and payable on the Fifth Amendment Closing Date.

 

3.                                      Representations and Warranties. Borrower hereby represents and warrants to Agent and Lenders as follows:

 

(a)                                 Borrower has all requisite power and authority to execute this Fifth Amendment and the other Fifth Amendment Documents and to perform all of its obligations hereunder and thereunder, and the Fifth Amendment Documents have been duly executed and delivered by Borrower and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of Borrower, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable Federal and state bankruptcy and insolvency laws affecting generally the rights of creditors.

 

(b)                                 The execution, delivery and performance by Borrower of this Fifth Amendment and the other Fifth Amendment Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not (i) require any authorization, consent or approval by any governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, (ii) violate any provision of any law, rule or regulation or of any order, writ, injunction or decree presently in effect, having applicability to Borrower, or the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of Borrower, or (iii) result in a breach of or constitute a default under any indenture or loan or Credit Agreement or any other agreement, lease or instrument to which Borrower is a party or by which it or its properties may be bound or affected.

 

(c)                                  All of the representations and warranties contained in the Credit Agreement are correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date.

 

4.                                      References. All references in the Credit Agreement to the “Agreement” shall be deemed to refer to the Credit Agreement as amended hereby; and any and all references in the Loan Documents to the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the Credit Agreement as amended hereby.

 

5.                                      No Waiver.  The execution of this Fifth Amendment and of any documents related hereto shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any Default or Event of Default under the Credit Agreement or breach, default or event of default under any Loan Documents or other document held by Agent or Lenders, whether or not known to Agent or Lenders and whether or not existing on the date of this Fifth Amendment.

 

6.                                      Release.  Borrower and Guarantors by signing the Acknowledgment and

 

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Agreement of Guarantors set forth below, each hereby absolutely and unconditionally releases and forever discharges the Agent, Lenders and L/C Issuers, and any and all participants, parent corporations, subsidiary corporations, affiliated corporations, insurers, indemnitors, successors and assigns thereof, together with all of the present and former directors, officers, agents and employees of any of the foregoing, from any and all claims, demands or causes of action of any kind, nature or description, whether arising in law or equity or upon contract or tort or under any state or federal law or otherwise, which Borrower or Guarantors has had, now has or has made claim to have against any such person for or by reason of any act, omission, matter, cause or thing whatsoever arising from the beginning of time to and including the date of this Fifth Amendment, whether such claims, demands and causes of action are matured or unmatured or known or unknown.

 

7.                                      Costs and Expenses. Borrower hereby reaffirms its agreement under the Credit Agreement to pay or reimburse Agent, Lenders and L/C Issuer on demand for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Agent, Lenders and L/C Issuer in connection with the Loan Documents, including without limitation all reasonable fees and disbursements of legal counsel. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Borrower specifically agrees to pay all reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to Agent, Lenders and L/C Issuer for the services performed by such counsel in connection with the preparation of this Fifth Amendment and the documents and instruments incidental hereto.  Borrower hereby agrees that Agent may, at any time or from time to time in its sole discretion and without further authorization by Borrower, make an Advance to Borrower under the Credit Agreement, or apply the proceeds of any Advance, for the purpose of paying any such fees, disbursements, costs and expenses.

 

8.                                Miscellaneous. This Fifth Amendment and the Acknowledgment and Agreement of Guarantors may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original and all of which counterparts, taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Fifth Amendment by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Fifth Amendment.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fifth Amendment to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

	
 
    	
MVC   CAPITAL, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Michael   T. Tokarz
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
MICHAEL   T. TOKARZ
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
SANTANDER   BANK, N.A.,
    
	
 
    	
as   Agent and as a Lender
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Pierre A. Desbiens
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Pierre   A. Desbiens
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Mark Metsky
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Mark   Metsky
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
WINTRUST   BANK, as Lender
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ John Paul Hills
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
John Paul Hills
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND AGREEMENT OF GUARANTORS

 

The undersigned, each a Guarantor of the Indebtedness of MVC Capital, Inc. (the “Borrower”) to Santander Bank, N.A. ( “Agent”) for itself, as a lender, and as agent for the other lenders (the “Lenders”) signatory to that certain Credit and Security Agreement dated as of December 9, 2015 by and among the Borrower, the Lenders, and the Agent, pursuant to the Guaranty Agreement dated as of December 9, 2015 (the “Guaranty”), hereby (i) acknowledges receipt of the foregoing amendment; (ii) consents to the terms and execution thereof; (iii) reaffirms its obligations to Agent, Lenders or L/C Issuer pursuant to the terms of the Guaranty; and (iv) acknowledges that the Agent and Lenders may amend, restate, extend, renew or otherwise modify the Credit Agreement and any indebtedness or agreement of the Borrower, or enter into any agreement or extend additional or other credit accommodations, without notifying or obtaining the consent of the undersigned and without impairing the liability of the undersigned under the Guaranty for all of the Borrower’s present and future indebtedness to the Agent and Lenders.

 

	
 
    	
MVC   FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Michael   T. Tokarz
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
MICHAEL   T. TOKARZ
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
MVC   CAYMAN
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Michael   T. Tokarz
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
MICHAEL   T. TOKARZ
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
MVC   GP II, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ James Pinto
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
JAMES   PINTO
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
MVC   PARTNERS LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Michael   T. Tokarz
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
MICHAEL   T. TOKARZ
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    

 

Date:   May 7, 2018Exhibit 10.3

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CUSTODY AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of April 30, 2018 by and between MVC CAPITAL, INC., a Delaware corporation, (the “Fund”), and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America with its principal place of business at Minneapolis, Minnesota (the “Custodian”).

 

WHEREAS the parties have entered into a Custody Agreement dated, November 1, 2002.

 

WHEREAS, the Fund is a closed-end management investment company, which has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Custodian is a bank having the qualifications prescribed in Section 26(a)(1) of the 1940 Act; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors (as defined below) has delegated to the Custodian the responsibilities set forth in Rule 17f-5(c) under the 1940 Act and the Custodian is willing to undertake such responsibilities and serve as the foreign custody manager for the Fund.

 

WHEREAS, the Fund desires to retain the Custodian to act as custodian of its cash and securities; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

 

Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings set forth below unless the context otherwise requires:

 

1.01                                                “Authorized Person” means any Officer or person (including an investment advisor or other agent) who has been designated by written notice as such from the Fund or the Fund’s investment advisor or other agent and is named in Exhibit A attached hereto.  Such officer or person shall continue to be an Authorized Person until such time as the Custodian receives Written Instructions from the Fund or the Fund’s investment advisor or other agent that any such person is no longer an Authorized Person.

 

1.02                                                “Board of Directors” shall mean the directors from time to time serving under the Fund’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, as amended from time to time.

 

1.03                                                “Book-Entry System” shall mean a federal book-entry system as provided in Subpart O of Treasury Circular No. 300, 31 CFR 306, in Subpart B of 31 CFR Part 350, or in such book-entry regulations of federal agencies as are substantially in the form of such Subpart O.

 

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1.04                                                “Business Day” shall mean any day recognized as a settlement day by The New York Stock Exchange, Inc., and any other day for which the Fund computes the net asset value of Shares of the Fund.

 

1.05                                                “Eligible Foreign Custodian” has the meaning set forth in Rule 17f-5(a)(1), including 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 SEC), or a foreign branch of a Bank (as 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.

 

1.06                                                “Eligible Securities Depository” shall mean a system for the central handling of securities as that term is defined in Rule 17f-4 and 17f-7 under the 1940 Act.

 

1.07                                                “Foreign Securities” 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.

 

1.08                                                “Fund Custody Account” shall mean any of the accounts in the name of the Fund, which is provided for in Section 3.02 below.

 

1.09                                                “IRS” shall mean the Internal Revenue Service.

 

1.10                                                “FINRA” shall mean the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. .

 

1.11                                                “Officer” shall mean the Chairman, President, any Vice President, any Assistant Vice President, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer, or any Assistant Treasurer of the Fund.

 

1.12                                                “Proper Instructions” shall mean Written Instructions.

 

1.13                                                “SEC” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

1.14                                                “Securities” shall include, without limitation, common and preferred stocks, bonds, corporate loans, derivatives, call options, put options, debentures, notes, bank certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, mortgage-backed securities or other obligations, and any certificates, receipts, warrants or other instruments or documents representing rights to receive, purchase or subscribe for the same, or evidencing or representing any other rights or interests therein, or any similar property or assets that the Custodian or its agents have the facilities to clear and service.

 

1.15                                                “Securities Depository” shall mean The Depository Trust Company and any other clearing agency registered with the SEC under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), which acts as a system for the central handling of Securities where all Securities of any particular class or series of an issuer deposited within the system are treated as fungible and may be transferred or pledged by bookkeeping entry without physical delivery of the Securities.

 

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1.16                                                “Shares” shall mean, with respect to a Fund, the shares of common stock issued by the Fund on account of the Fund.

 

1.17                                                “Sub-Custodian” shall mean and include (i) any branch of a “U.S. bank,” as that term is defined in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act, and (ii) any “Eligible Foreign Custodian”, as that term is defined in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act, having a contract with the Custodian which the Custodian has determined will provide reasonable care of assets of the Fund based on the standards specified in Section 3.03 below.  Such contract shall be in writing and shall include provisions that provide: (i) for indemnification or insurance arrangements (or any combination of the foregoing) such that the Fund will be adequately protected against the risk of loss of assets held in accordance with such contract; (ii) that the Foreign Securities will not be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of the Sub-Custodian or its creditors except a claim of payment for their safe custody or administration, in the case of cash deposits, liens or rights in favor of creditors of the Sub-Custodian arising under bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar laws; (iii) that beneficial ownership for the Foreign Securities will be freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or administration; (iv) that adequate records will be maintained identifying the assets as belonging to the Fund or as being held by a third party for the benefit of the Fund; (v) that the Fund’s independent public accountants will be given access to those records or confirmation of the contents of those records; and (vi) that the Fund will receive periodic reports with respect to the safekeeping of the Fund’s assets, including, but not limited to, notification of any transfer to or from a Fund’s account or a third party account containing assets held for the benefit of the Fund.  Such contract may contain, in lieu of any or all of the provisions specified in (i)-(vi) above, such other provisions that the Custodian determines will provide, in their entirety, the same or a greater level of care and protection for Fund assets as the specified provisions.

 

1.18                                                “Written Instructions” shall mean (i) written communications received by the Custodian and signed by an Authorized Person (ii) communications by facsimile or e-mail or any other such system from one or more persons reasonably believed by the Custodian to be an Authorized Person, or (iii) communications between electronic devices.

 

ARTICLE II.

 

APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN

 

2.01                                                Appointment.  The Fund hereby appoints the Custodian as custodian of all Securities and cash owned by or in the possession of the Fund at any time during the period of this Agreement, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the services and duties set forth in this Agreement.  The Fund hereby delegates to the Custodian, subject to Rule 17f-5(b), the responsibilities with respect to the Fund’s Foreign Securities, and the Custodian hereby accepts such delegation as foreign custody manager with respect to the Fund.  The services and duties of the Custodian shall be confined to those matters expressly set forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against the Custodian hereunder.

 

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2.02                                                Documents to be Furnished.  The following documents, including any amendments thereto, will be provided contemporaneously with the execution of the Agreement to the Custodian by the Fund:

 

(a)              A copy of the Fund’s Articles of Incorporation, certified by the Secretary;

 

(b)              A copy of the Fund’s Bylaws, certified by the Secretary or other Authorized Person;

 

(c)               A copy of the resolution of the Board of  Directors of the Fund appointing the Custodian, certified by the Secretary or other Authorized Person;

 

(d)              A certification of the Chairman or the President and the Secretary or other Authorized Person of the Fund setting forth the names and signatures of the current Officers of the Fund and other Authorized Persons; and

 

(e)               An executed authorization required by the Shareholder Communications Act of 1985, attached hereto as Exhibit E.

 

2.03                                                Notice of Appointment of Transfer Agent.  The Fund agrees to notify the Custodian in writing of the appointment, termination or change in appointment of any transfer agent of the Fund, except if the Fund appoints an affiliate of the Custodian to serve as transfer agent of the Fund, the Custodian hereby waives the Fund’s obligation to provide such written notice.

 

ARTICLE III.

 

CUSTODY OF CASH AND SECURITIES

 

3.01                                                Segregation.  All Securities and non-cash property held by the Custodian for the account of the Fund (other than Securities maintained in a Securities Depository, Eligible Securities Depository or Book-Entry System) shall be physically segregated from other Securities and non-cash property in the possession of the Custodian (including the Securities and non-cash property of the other series of the Fund, if applicable) and shall be identified as subject to this Agreement.

 

3.02                                                Fund Custody Accounts.  The Custodian shall open and maintain in its trust department a custody account in the name of the Fund coupled with the name of the Fund, subject only to draft or order of the Custodian, in which the Custodian shall enter and carry all Securities, cash and other assets of the Fund which are delivered to it.

 

3.03                                                Appointment of Agents.

 

(a)              In its discretion, the Custodian may appoint one or more Sub-Custodians to establish and maintain arrangements with (i) Eligible Securities Depositories or (ii) Eligible Foreign Custodians that are members of the Sub-Custodian’s network to hold Securities and cash of the Fund and to carry out such other provisions of this Agreement as it may determine; provided, however, that the appointment of any such agents and maintenance of any Securities and cash of the Fund shall be at the Custodian’s expense and shall not relieve the Custodian of any of its obligations or liabilities under this Agreement.  The Custodian

 

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shall be liable for the actions of any Sub-Custodians (regardless of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a Sub-Custodian, a member of its network or an Eligible Securities Depository) appointed by it as if such actions had been done by the Custodian.

 

(b)              If, after the initial appointment of Sub-Custodians by the Custodian in connection with this Agreement, the Custodian wishes to appoint other Sub-Custodians to hold property of the Fund, it will so notify the Fund and make the necessary determinations as to any such new Sub-Custodian’s eligibility under Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act.

 

(c)               In performing its delegated responsibilities as foreign custody manager to place or maintain the Fund’s assets with a Sub-Custodian, the Custodian will determine that the Fund’s assets will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the country in which the Fund’s assets will be held by that Sub-Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation the factors specified in Rule 17f-5(c)(1).

 

(d)              The agreement between the Custodian and each Sub-Custodian acting hereunder shall contain the required provisions set forth in Rule 17f-5(c)(2) under the 1940 Act.

 

(e)               At the end of each calendar quarter, the Custodian shall provide written reports notifying the Board of Directors of the withdrawal or placement of the Securities and cash of the Fund with a Sub-Custodian and of any material changes in the Fund’s arrangements.  Such reports shall include an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with any Eligible Securities Depositories.  The Custodian shall promptly take such steps as may be required to withdraw assets of the Fund from any Sub-Custodian arrangement that has ceased to meet the requirements of Rule 17f-5 or Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act, as applicable.

 

(f)                With respect to its responsibilities under this Section 3.03, the Custodian hereby warrants to the Fund that it agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of property of the Fund.  The Custodian further warrants that the Fund’s assets will be subject to reasonable care if maintained with a Sub-Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation:  (i) the Sub-Custodian’s practices, procedures, and internal controls for certificated securities (if applicable), its method of keeping custodial records, and its security and data protection practices;  (ii)  whether the Sub-Custodian has the requisite financial strength to provide reasonable care for Fund assets; (iii)  the Sub-Custodian’s general reputation and standing and, in the case of a Securities Depository, the Securities Depository’s operating history and number of participants; and (iv)  whether the Fund will have jurisdiction over and be able to enforce judgments against the Sub-Custodian, such as by virtue of the existence of any offices of the Sub-Custodian in the United States or the Sub-Custodian’s consent to service of process in the United States.

 

(g)               The Custodian shall establish a system or ensure that its Sub-Custodian has established a system to monitor on a continuing basis (i) the appropriateness of maintaining the Fund’s assets with a Sub-Custodian or Eligible Foreign Custodians who are members of a Sub-Custodian’s network; (ii) the performance of the contract governing the Fund’s

 

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arrangements with such Sub-Custodian or Eligible Foreign Custodian’s members of a Sub-Custodian’s network; and (iii) the custody risks of maintaining assets with an Eligible Securities Depository.  The Custodian must promptly notify the Fund or its investment adviser of any material change in these risks.

 

(h)              The Custodian shall use commercially reasonable efforts to collect all income and other payments with respect to Foreign Securities 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 Custodian shall consult as to the measurers and as to the compensation and expenses of the Custodian relating to such measures.

 

3.04                                                Delivery of Assets to Custodian.  The Fund shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Custodian all of the Fund’s Securities, cash and other investment assets, including (i) all payments of income, payments of principal and capital distributions received by the Fund with respect to such Securities, cash or other assets owned by the Fund at any time during the period of this Agreement, and (ii) all cash received by the Fund for the issuance of Shares.  The Custodian shall not be responsible for such Securities, cash or other assets until actually received by it.

 

3.05                                                Manner of Holding Securities. The Custodian shall at all times hold Securities of the Fund either: (a) by physical possession of the share certificates or other instruments representing such Securities in registered or bearer form, subject to the following provisions:

 

(i)                           The Custodian may hold registrable portfolio Securities which have been delivered to it in physical form, by registering the same in the name of the Fund or its nominee, or in the name of the Custodian or its nominee, for whose actions the Fund and Custodian, respectively, shall be fully responsible. Upon the receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall hold such Securities in street certificate form, so called, with or without any indication of fiduciary capacity. The Custodian will hold such securities in the Fund’s name, unless, however, the Custodian receives Proper Instructions to register all such portfolio Securities in the name of the Custodian’s authorized nominee. All such Securities shall be held in an account of the Custodian containing only assets of the Fund or only assets held by the Custodian as a fiduciary, provided that the records of the Custodian shall indicate at all times the Fund or other customer for which such Securities are held in such accounts and the respective interests therein.

 

or (b) the Custodian may deposit and/or maintain Securities of the Fund in a Securities Depository or in a Book-Entry System, subject to the following provisions:

 

(a)              The Custodian, on an on-going basis, shall deposit in a Securities Depository or Book-Entry System all Securities eligible for deposit therein and shall make use of such Securities Depository or Book-Entry System to the extent possible and practical in connection with its performance hereunder, including, without limitation, in connection with settlements of purchases and sales of Securities, loans of Securities, and deliveries and returns of collateral consisting of Securities.

 

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(b)              Securities of the Fund kept in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository shall be kept in an account (“Depository Account”) of the Custodian in such Book-Entry System or Securities Depository which includes only assets held by the Custodian as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers.

 

(c)               The records of the Custodian with respect to Securities of the Fund maintained in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository shall, by book-entry, identify such Securities as belonging to the Fund.

 

(d)              If Securities purchased by the Fund are to be held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, the Custodian shall pay for such Securities upon: (i) receipt of advice from the Book-Entry System or Securities Depository that such Securities have been transferred to the Depository Account;  and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for the account of the Fund.  If Securities sold by the Fund are held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, the Custodian shall transfer such Securities upon (i) receipt of advice from the Book-Entry System or Securities Depository that payment for such Securities has been transferred to the Depository Account;  and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for the account of the Fund.

 

(e)               The Custodian shall provide the Fund with copies of any report (obtained by the Custodian from a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository in which Securities of the Fund are kept) on the internal accounting controls and procedures for safeguarding Securities deposited in such Book-Entry System or Securities Depository.

 

(f)                Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to the Fund resulting from: (i) the use of a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository by reason of any negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Custodian or any Sub-Custodian; or (ii) failure of the Custodian or any Sub-Custodian to enforce effectively such rights as it may have against a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository.  At its election, the Fund shall be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claim against a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository or any other person from any loss or damage to the Fund arising from the use of such Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, if and to the extent that the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss or damage.

 

(g)               With respect to its responsibilities under this Section 3.05 and pursuant to Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act, the Custodian hereby warrants to the Fund that it agrees to (i) exercise due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duty as a securities intermediary to obtain and thereafter maintain such assets, (ii) provide, promptly upon request by the Fund, such reports as are available concerning the Custodian’s internal accounting controls and financial strength, and (iii) require any Sub-Custodian to exercise due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duty as a securities intermediary to obtain and thereafter maintain assets corresponding to the security entitlements of its entitlement holders.

 

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3.06                                                Disbursement of Moneys from Fund Custody Account.  Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall disburse moneys from the Fund Custody Account but only in the following cases:

 

(a)              For the purchase of Securities for the Fund but only in accordance with Section 4.01 of this Agreement and only (i) in the case of Securities (other than options on Securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts), against the delivery to the Custodian (or any Sub-Custodian) of such Securities registered as provided in Section 3.09 below or in proper form for transfer, or if the purchase of such Securities is effected through a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 3.05 above; (ii) in the case of options on Securities, against delivery to the Custodian (or any Sub-Custodian) of such receipts as are required by the customs prevailing among dealers in such options; (iii) in the case of futures contracts and options on futures contracts, against delivery to the Custodian (or any Sub-Custodian) of evidence of title thereto in favor of the Fund or any nominee referred to in Section 3.09 below; and (iv) in the case of repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements entered into between the Fund and a bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System or between the Fund and a primary dealer in U.S. Government securities, against delivery of the purchased Securities either in certificate form or through an entry crediting the Custodian’s account at a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository with such Securities; and (v) in the case of Securities as to which payment for the Security and receipt of the instrument evidencing the Security are, under generally accepted trade practice or the terms of the instrument representing the Security, expected to take place in different locations or through separate parties, such as commercial paper which is indexed to foreign currency exchange rates, derivatives and similar Securities, the Custodian may make payment for such Securities prior to delivery thereof in accordance with such generally accepted trade practice or the terms of the instrument representing such Security.

 

(b)              In connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender, as set forth in Section 3.07(f) below, of Securities owned by the Fund;

 

(c)               For the payment of any dividends or capital gain distributions declared by the Fund;

 

(d)              In payment of the repurchase price of Shares as provided in Section 5.01 below;

 

(e)               For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Fund, including, but not limited to, the following payments for the account of the Fund:  interest; taxes; administration, investment advisory, accounting, auditing, transfer agent, custodian, director and legal fees; and other operating expenses of the Fund; in all cases, whether or not such expenses are to be in whole or in part capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;

 

(f)                For transfer in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act and a member of FINRA, relating to compliance with rules of the Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or of any similar organization or organizations) regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;

 

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(g)               For transfer in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any contract market (or any similar organization or organizations) regarding account deposits in connection with transactions by the Fund;

 

(h)              For the funding of any uncertificated time deposit or other interest-bearing account with any banking institution (including the Custodian), which deposit or account has a term of one year or less; and

 

(i)                  For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.

 

3.07                                                Delivery of Securities from Fund Custody Account.  Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall release and deliver, or cause the Sub-Custodian to release and deliver, Securities from the Fund Custody Account but only in the following cases:

 

(a)              Upon the sale of Securities for the account of the Fund but only against receipt of payment therefor in cash, by certified or cashiers check or bank credit;

 

(b)              In the case of a sale effected through a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.05 above;

 

(c)               To an offeror’s depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for Securities of the Fund; provided that, in any such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;

 

(d)              To the issuer thereof or its agent (i) for transfer into the name of the Fund, the Custodian or any Sub-Custodian, or any nominee or nominees of any of the foregoing, or (ii) for exchange for a different number of certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units; provided that, in any such case, the new Securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;

 

(e)               Securities held in physical form may be delivered and paid for in accordance with “street delivery custom” to a broker or its clearing agent, against delivery to the Custodian of a receipt for such Securities provided that the Custodian shall have taken reasonable steps to ensure prompt collection of the payment for, or return of, such Securities by the broker or its clearing agent, and provided further that the Custodian shall not be responsible for the selection of or the failure or inability to perform of such broker or its clearing agent or for any related loss arising from delivery or custody of such Securities prior to receiving payment therefor;

 

(f)                To the broker selling the Securities, for examination in accordance with the “street delivery” custom;

 

(g)               For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the issuer of such Securities, or

 

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pursuant to provisions for conversion contained in such Securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement, including surrender or receipt of underlying Securities in connection with the issuance or cancellation of depository receipts; provided that, in any such case, the new Securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;

 

(h)              Upon receipt of payment therefor pursuant to any repurchase or reverse repurchase agreement entered into by the Fund;

 

(i)                  In the case of warrants, rights or similar Securities, upon the exercise thereof, provided that, in any such case, the new Securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;

 

(j)                 For delivery in connection with any loans of Securities of the Fund, but only against receipt of such collateral as the Fund shall have specified to the Custodian in Proper Instructions;

 

(k)              For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, but only against receipt by the Custodian of the amounts borrowed;

 

(l)                  Pursuant to any authorized plan of liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of the Fund;

 

(m)          For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act and a member of FINRA, relating to compliance with the rules of the Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or of any similar organization or organizations) regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;

 

(n)              For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any contract market (or any similar organization or organizations) regarding account deposits in connection with transactions by the Fund;

 

(o)              For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, specifying the Securities to be delivered, declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom delivery of such Securities shall be made; or

 

(p)              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 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 Custodian’s own negligence or willful misconduct.

 

3.08                                                Actions Not Requiring Proper Instructions.  Unless otherwise instructed by the Fund, the Custodian shall with respect to all Securities held for the Fund:

 

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(a)              Subject to Section 9.04 below, collect on a timely basis all income and other payments to which the Fund is entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the securities business;

 

(b)              Present for payment and, subject to Section 9.04 below, collect on a timely basis the amount payable upon all Securities that may mature or be called, redeemed, or retired, or otherwise become payable;

 

(c)               Endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts and other negotiable instruments;

 

(d)              Surrender interim receipts or Securities in temporary form for Securities in definitive form;

 

(e)               Execute, as custodian, any necessary declarations or certificates of ownership under the federal income tax laws or the laws or regulations of any other taxing authority now or hereafter in effect, and prepare and submit reports to the IRS and the Fund at such time, in such manner and containing such information as is prescribed by the IRS;

 

(f)                Hold for the Fund, either directly or, with respect to Securities held therein, through a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, all rights and similar Securities issued with respect to Securities of the Fund; and

 

(g)               In general, and except as otherwise directed in Proper Instructions, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with Securities and other assets of the Fund.

 

3.09                                                Registration and Transfer of Securities.  All Securities held for the Fund that are issued or issuable only in bearer form shall be held by the Custodian in that form, provided that any such Securities shall be held in a Book-Entry System if eligible therefor.  All other Securities held for the Fund may be registered in the name of the Fund, the Custodian, a Sub-Custodian or any nominee thereof, or in the name of a Book-Entry System, Securities Depository or any nominee of either thereof.  The records of the Custodian with respect to the Fund’s Foreign Securities that are maintained with a Sub-Custodian in an account that is identified as belonging to the Custodian for the benefit of its customers shall identify those securities as belonging to the Fund.  The Fund shall furnish to the Custodian appropriate instruments to enable the Custodian to hold or deliver in proper form for transfer, or to register in the name of any of the nominees referred to above or in the name of a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, any Securities registered in the name of the Fund.

 

3.10                                                Records.

 

(a)              The Custodian shall maintain complete and accurate records with respect to Securities, cash or other property held for the Fund, including (i) journals or other records of original entry containing an itemized daily record in detail of all receipts and deliveries of Securities and all receipts and disbursements of cash; (ii) ledgers (or other records) reflecting (A) Securities in transfer, (B) Securities in physical possession, (C) monies and Securities borrowed and monies and Securities loaned (together with a record of the collateral therefor and substitutions of such collateral), (D) dividends and interest

 

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received, and (E) dividends receivable and interest receivable; (iii) canceled checks and bank records related thereto; and (iv) all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Agreement.  The Custodian shall keep such other books and records of the Fund as the Fund shall reasonably request, or as may be required by the 1940 Act, including, but not limited to, Section 31 of the 1940 Act and Rule 31a-2 promulgated thereunder.

 

(b)              All such books and records maintained by the Custodian shall (i) be maintained in a form acceptable to the Fund and in compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, (ii) be the property of the Fund and at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be made available upon request for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and employees or agents of the SEC, and (iii) if required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, be preserved for the periods prescribed in Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 under the 1940 Act.

 

(c)               The Custodian agrees to provide to the Fund any records and certifications necessary for the Fund to comply with the Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures adopted in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall cooperate with the Fund and assist the Fund as necessary by providing information to enable the appropriate officers of the Fund to execute any required certifications.

 

3.11                                                Fund Reports by Custodian.  The Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a daily activity statement and a summary of all transfers to or from each Fund Custody Account on the day following such transfers.  At least monthly, the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a detailed statement of the Securities and moneys held by the Custodian and the Sub-Custodians for the Fund under this Agreement.

 

3.12                                                Other Reports by Custodian.  As the Fund may reasonably request from time to time, the Custodian shall provide the Fund with reports on the internal accounting controls and procedures for safeguarding Securities which are employed by the Custodian or any Sub-Custodian.

 

3.13                                                Proxies and Other Materials.  The Custodian shall cause all proxies relating to Securities that are not registered in the name of the Fund to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such Securities, without indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating to such Securities.  With respect to the foreign Securities, the Custodian will use reasonable commercial efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and other shareholder rights, subject 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.

 

3.14                                                Information on Corporate Actions.  The Custodian shall promptly deliver to the Fund all information received by the Custodian and pertaining to Securities being held by the Fund with respect to optional tender or exchange offers, calls for redemption or purchase or expiration

 

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of rights. If the Fund desires to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or other similar transaction, the Fund shall notify the Custodian at least three Business Days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take such action.  The Fund will provide or cause to be provided to the Custodian all relevant information for any Security which has unique put/option provisions at least three Business Days prior to the beginning date of the tender period.

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

PURCHASE AND SALE OF INVESTMENTS OF THE FUND

 

4.01                                                Purchase of Securities.  Promptly upon each purchase of Securities for the Fund, Written Instructions shall be delivered to the Custodian, specifying (i) the name of the issuer or writer of such Securities, and the title or other description thereof, (ii) the number of shares, principal amount (and accrued interest, if any) or other units purchased, (iii) the date of purchase and settlement, (iv) the purchase price per unit, (v) the total amount payable upon such purchase, and (vi) the name of the person to whom such amount is payable.  The Custodian shall upon receipt of such Securities purchased by the Fund pay out of the moneys held for the account of the Fund the total amount specified in such Written Instructions to the person named therein.  The Custodian shall not be under any obligation to pay out moneys to cover the cost of a purchase of Securities for the Fund, if in the Fund Custody Account there is insufficient cash available to the Fund for which such purchase was made.

 

4.02                                                Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased.  In any and every case where payment for the purchase of Securities for the Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the Securities purchased and in the absence of specified Written Instructions to so pay in advance, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for such payment.

 

4.03                                                Sale of Securities.  Promptly upon each sale of Securities by the Fund, Written Instructions shall be delivered to the Custodian, specifying: (i) the name of the issuer or writer of such Securities, and the title or other description thereof; (ii) the number of shares, principal amount (and accrued interest, if any), or other units sold; (iii) the date of sale and settlement, (iv) the sale price per unit; (v) the total amount payable upon such sale; and (vi) the person to whom such Securities are to be delivered.  Upon receipt of the total amount payable to the Fund as specified in such Written Instructions, the Custodian shall deliver such Securities to the person specified in such Written Instructions.  Subject to the foregoing, the Custodian may accept payment in such form as shall be satisfactory to it, and may deliver Securities and arrange for payment in accordance with the customs prevailing among dealers in Securities.

 

4.04                                                Delivery of Securities Sold.  Notwithstanding Section 4.03 above or any other provision of this Agreement, the Custodian, when instructed to deliver Securities against payment, shall be entitled, if in accordance with generally accepted market practice, to deliver such Securities prior to actual receipt of final payment therefor.  In any such case, the Fund shall bear the risk that final payment for such Securities may not be made or that such Securities may be returned or otherwise held or disposed of by or through the person to whom they were delivered, and the Custodian shall have no liability for any for the foregoing.

 

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4.05                                                Payment for Securities Sold.  In its sole discretion and from time to time, the Custodian may credit the Fund Custody Account, prior to actual receipt of final payment thereof, with: (i) proceeds from the sale of Securities which it has been instructed to deliver against payment;  (ii) proceeds from the redemption of Securities or other assets of the Fund; and (iii) income from cash, Securities or other assets of the Fund.  Any such credit shall be conditional upon actual receipt by Custodian of final payment and may be reversed if final payment is not actually received in full.  The Custodian may, in its sole discretion and from time to time, permit the Fund to use funds so credited to the Fund Custody Account in anticipation of actual receipt of final payment.  Any such funds shall be repayable immediately upon demand made by the Custodian at any time prior to the actual receipt of all final payments in anticipation of which funds were credited to the Fund Custody Account.

 

4.06                                                Advances by Custodian for Settlement.  The Custodian may, in its sole discretion and from time to time, advance funds to the Fund to facilitate the settlement of a Fund’s transactions in the Fund Custody Account.  Any such advance shall be repayable immediately upon demand made by Custodian.

 

ARTICLE V.

 

REPURCHASE OF FUND SHARES

 

5.01                                                Transfer of Funds.  From such funds as may be available for the purpose in the relevant Fund Custody Account, and upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying that the funds are required to repurchase Shares of the Fund, the Custodian shall wire each amount specified in such Proper Instructions to or through such bank or broker-dealer as the Fund may designate.

 

5.02                                                No Duty Regarding Paying Banks.  Once the Custodian has wired amounts to a bank or broker-dealer pursuant to Section 5.01 above, the Custodian shall not be under any obligation to effect any further payment or distribution by such bank or broker-dealer.

 

ARTICLE VI.

 

SEGREGATED ACCOUNTS

 

Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of the Fund, into which account or accounts may be transferred cash and/or Securities, including Securities maintained in a Depository Account:

 

(a)              in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act and a member of FINRA (or any futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the rules of the Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any registered contract market), or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;

 

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(b)              for purposes of segregating cash or Securities in connection with securities options purchased or written by the Fund or in connection with financial futures contracts (or options thereon) purchased or sold by the Fund;

 

(c)               which constitute collateral for loans of Securities made by the Fund;

 

(d)              for purposes of compliance by the Fund with requirements under the 1940 Act for the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies in connection with reverse repurchase agreements and when-issued, delayed delivery and firm commitment transactions; and

 

(e)               for other proper corporate purposes, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, setting forth the purpose or purposes of such segregated account and  declaring such purposes to be proper corporate purposes.

 

Each segregated account established under this Article VI shall be established and maintained for the Fund only.  All Proper Instructions relating to a segregated account shall specify the Fund.

 

ARTICLE VII.

 

COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN

 

7.01                                                Compensation.  The Custodian shall be compensated for providing the services set forth in this Agreement in accordance with the fee schedule set forth on Exhibit B hereto (as amended from time to time).  The Custodian shall also be reimbursed for such miscellaneous expenses as set forth on Exhibit B hereto and are reasonably incurred by the Custodian in performing its duties hereunder.  The Fund shall pay all such fees and reimbursable expenses within 30 calendar days following receipt of the billing notice, except for any fee or expense subject to a good faith dispute.  The Fund shall notify the Custodian in writing within 30 calendar days following receipt of each invoice if the Fund is disputing any amounts in good faith. The Fund shall pay such disputed amounts within 10 calendar days of the day on which the parties agree to the amount to be paid.  With the exception of any fee or expense the Fund is disputing in good faith as set forth above, unpaid invoices shall accrue a finance change of 11⁄2 % per month after the due date.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, amounts owed by the Fund to the Custodian shall only be paid out of the assets and property of the particular Fund involved.

 

7.02                                                Overdrafts.  The Fund is responsible for maintaining an appropriate level of short term cash investments to accommodate cash outflows.  The Fund may obtain a formal line of credit for potential overdrafts of its custody account.  In the event of an overdraft or in the event the line of credit is insufficient to cover an overdraft, the overdraft amount or the overdraft amount that exceeds the line of credit will be charged in accordance with the fee schedule set forth on Exhibit B hereto (as amended from time to time).

 

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ARTICLE VIII.

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

8.01                                                Representations and Warranties of the Fund.  The Fund hereby represents and warrants to the Custodian, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:

 

(a)              It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;

 

(b)              This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and

 

(c)               It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.

 

8.02                                                Representations and Warranties of the Custodian.  The Custodian hereby represents and warrants to the Fund, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:

 

(a)              It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;

 

(b)              It is a “U.S. Bank” as defined in section (a)(7) of Rule 17f-5.

 

(c)               This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Custodian in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Custodian, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and

 

(d)              It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE IX.

 

CONCERNING THE CUSTODIAN

 

9.01                                                Standard of Care.  The Custodian shall exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement.  The Custodian shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with its duties under this Agreement, except a loss arising out of or relating to the Custodian’s (or a Sub-Custodian’s) refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement (or any sub-custody agreement) or from its (or a Sub-Custodian’s) bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement (or any sub-custody agreement).  The Custodian shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel on all matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice.  The Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund of any action taken or omitted by the Custodian pursuant to advice of counsel.

 

9.02                                                Actual Collection Required.  The Custodian shall not be liable for, or considered to be the custodian of, any cash belonging to the Fund or any money represented by a check, draft or other instrument for the payment of money, until the Custodian or its agents actually receive such cash or collect on such instrument.

 

9.03                                                No Responsibility for Title, etc.  So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received or delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement.

 

9.04                                                Limitation on Duty to Collect.  Custodian shall not be required to enforce collection, by legal means or otherwise, of any money or property due and payable with respect to Securities held for the Fund if such Securities are in default or payment is not made after due demand or presentation.

 

9.05                                                Reliance Upon Documents and Instructions.  The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any certificate, notice or other instrument in writing received by it and reasonably believed by it to be genuine.  The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any Written Instructions actually received by it pursuant to this Agreement.

 

9.06                                                Cooperation.  The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the entity or entities appointed by the Fund to keep the books of account of the Fund and/or compute the value of the assets of the Fund.  The Custodian shall take all such reasonable actions as the Fund may from time to time request to enable the Fund to obtain, from year to year, favorable opinions from the Fund’s independent accountants with respect to the Custodian’s activities hereunder in connection with (i) the preparation of the Fund’s reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and any other reports or public filings required by the SEC or any future registration statement on Form N-2, and (ii) the fulfillment by the Fund of any other requirements of the SEC.

 

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ARTICLE X.

 

INDEMNIFICATION

 

10.01                                         Indemnification by Fund.  The Fund shall indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian, any Sub-Custodian and any nominee thereof (each, an “Indemnified Party” and collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, reasonable expenses and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that an Indemnified Party may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against an Indemnified Party by any person arising directly or indirectly (i) from the fact that Securities are registered in the name of any such nominee, (ii) from any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Custodian or such Sub-Custodian (a) at the request or direction of or in reliance on the advice of the Fund, or (b) upon Proper Instructions, or (iii) from the performance of its obligations under this Agreement or any sub-custody agreement, provided that neither the Custodian nor any such Sub-Custodian shall be indemnified and held harmless from and against any such claim, demand, loss, expense or liability arising out of or relating to its refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement (or any sub-custody agreement), or from its bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement (or any sub-custody agreement).  This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Fund, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.  As used in this paragraph, the terms “Custodian” and “Sub-Custodian” shall include their respective directors, officers and employees.

 

10.02                                         Indemnification by Custodian.  The Custodian shall indemnify and hold harmless the Fund from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that the Fund may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against the Fund by any person arising directly or indirectly out of any action taken or omitted to be taken by an Indemnified Party as a result of the Indemnified Party’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement (or any sub-custody agreement), or from its bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement (or any sub-custody agreement).  This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Custodian, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.  As used in this paragraph, the term “Fund” shall include the Fund’s directors, officers and employees.

 

10.03                                         Security.  If the Custodian advances cash or Securities to the Fund for any purpose, either at the Fund’s request or as otherwise contemplated in this Agreement, or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee incurs, in connection with its performance under this Agreement, any claim, demand, loss, expense or liability (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) (except such as may arise from its or its nominee’s bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct), then, in any such event, any property at any time held for the account of the Fund shall be security therefor, and should the Fund fail to promptly repay or indemnify the Custodian, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash of such Fund and to dispose of other assets of such Fund to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement or indemnification.

 

18

 

10.04                                         Miscellaneous.

 

(a)              Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party for consequential, special or punitive damages under any provision of this Agreement.

 

(b)              The indemnity provisions of this Article shall indefinitely survive the termination and/or assignment of this Agreement.

 

(c)               In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this Article shall apply, it is understood that if in any case the indemnitor may be asked to indemnify or hold the indemnitee harmless, the indemnitor shall be fully and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and it is further understood that the indemnitee will use all reasonable care to notify the indemnitor promptly concerning any situation that presents or appears likely to present the probability of a claim for indemnification. The indemnitor shall have the option to defend the indemnitee against any claim that may be the subject of this indemnification.  In the event that the indemnitor so elects, it will so notify the indemnitee and thereupon the indemnitor shall take over complete defense of the claim, and the indemnitee shall in such situation initiate no further legal or other expenses for which it shall seek indemnification under this Article X; provided however, that the indemnitor shall not settle a claim that results in any admission of wrongdoing by the indemnitee without the indemnitee’s prior written consent.  The indemnitee shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the indemnitor will be asked to indemnify the indemnitee except with the indemnitor’s prior written consent.

 

ARTICLE XI.

 

FORCE MAJEURE

 

Neither the Custodian nor the Fund shall be liable for any failure or delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods; wars; civil or military disturbances; acts of terrorism; sabotage; strikes; epidemics; riots; power failures; computer failure and any such circumstances beyond its reasonable control as may cause interruption, loss or malfunction of utility, transportation, computer (hardware or software) or telephone communication service; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority; governmental actions; or inability to obtain labor, material, equipment or transportation; provided, however, that in the event of a failure or delay, the Custodian: (i) shall not discriminate against the Fund in favor of any other customer of the Custodian in making computer time and personnel available to input or process the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and (ii) shall use its best efforts to ameliorate the effects of any such failure or delay.

 

ARTICLE XII.

 

PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

 

12.01                                         The Custodian agrees on behalf of itself and its directors, officers, and employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund, all records and other information relative to the Fund and prior, present, or potential shareholders of the Fund (and clients of said shareholders), and not to use such records and information for any purpose other than the

 

19

 

performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except: (i) after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where the Custodian may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply; (ii) when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, although the Custodian will promptly report such disclosure to the Fund if disclosure is permitted by applicable law and regulation; or (iii) when so requested by the Fund.  Records and other information which have become known to the public through no wrongful act of the Custodian or any of its employees, agents or representatives, and information that was already in the possession of the Custodian prior to receipt thereof from the Fund or its agent, shall not be subject to this paragraph.

 

12.02                                         Further, the Custodian will adhere to the privacy policies adopted by the Fund pursuant to Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, as may be modified from time to time.  In this regard, the Custodian shall have in place and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards reasonably designed to protect the security, confidentiality and integrity of, and to prevent unauthorized access to or use of, records and information relating to the Fund and its shareholders.

 

ARTICLE XIII.

 

EFFECTIVE PERIOD; TERMINATION

 

13.01                                         Effective Period.  This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written above.

 

13.02                                         Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated by either party upon giving 90 days prior written notice to the other party or such shorter period as is mutually agreed upon by the parties.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated by either party upon the breach of the other party of any material term of this Agreement if such breach is not cured within 15 days of notice of such breach to the breaching party.  In addition, the Fund may, at any time, immediately terminate this Agreement in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by regulatory authorities or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction.

 

13.03                                         Appointment of Successor Custodian.  If a successor custodian shall have been appointed by the Board of Directors, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of a notice from the Fund, on such specified date of termination (i) deliver directly to the successor custodian all Securities (other than Securities held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository) and cash then owned by the Fund and held by the Custodian as custodian, and (ii) transfer any Securities held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository to an account of or for the benefit of the Fund at the successor custodian, provided that the Fund shall have paid to the Custodian all fees, expenses and other amounts to the payment or reimbursement of which it shall then be entitled.  In addition, the Custodian shall, in the absence of a material breach by the Custodian, at the expense of the Fund, transfer to such successor all relevant books, records, correspondence, and other data established or maintained by the Custodian under this Agreement in a form reasonably

 

20

 

acceptable to the Fund (if such form differs from the form in which the Custodian has maintained the same, the Fund shall pay any expenses associated with transferring the data to such form), and will cooperate in the transfer of such duties and responsibilities, including provision for assistance from the Custodian’s personnel in the establishment of books, records, and other data by such successor.  Upon such delivery and transfer, the Custodian shall be relieved of all obligations under this Agreement, except with respect to its obligations under Article 12 and as otherwise specificifically provided for in this Agreement.

 

13.04                                         Failure to Appoint Successor Custodian.  If a successor custodian is not designated by the Fund on or before the date of termination of this Agreement, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company of its own selection, which bank or trust company: (i) is a “bank” as defined in the 1940 Act; and (ii) has aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits as shown on its most recent published report of not less than $25 million, all Securities, cash and other property held by the Custodian under this Agreement and to transfer to an account of or for the Fund at such bank or trust company all Securities of the Fund held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository.  Upon such delivery and transfer, such bank or trust company shall be the successor custodian under this Agreement and the Custodian shall be relieved of all obligations under this Agreement, except with respect to its obligations under Article 12 and as otherwise specificifically provided for in this Agreement.  In addition, under these circumstances, all books, records and other data of the Fund shall be returned to the Fund.

 

ARTICLE XIV.

 

CLASS ACTIONS

 

Subject to any specific instructions of the Fund, the Custodian shall use its best efforts to identify and file claims for the Fund involving any class action litigation that impacts any security the Fund may have held during the class period.  The Fund agrees that the Custodian may file such claims on its behalf and understands that it may be waiving and/or releasing certain rights to make claims or otherwise pursue class action defendants who settle their claims.  Further, the Fund acknowledges that there is no guarantee these claims will result in any payment or partial payment of potential class action proceeds and that the timing of such payment, if any, is uncertain.

 

However, the Fund may instruct the Custodian to distribute class action notices and other relevant documentation to the Fund or its designee and, if it so elects, will relieve the Custodian from any and all liability and responsibility for filing class action claims on behalf of the Fund.

 

ARTICLE XV.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

15.01                 Compliance with Laws.  The Fund has and retains primary responsibility for all compliance matters relating to the Fund, including but not limited to compliance with the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and the policies and limitations of the Fund relating to its portfolio investments as set forth in its prospectus and statement of additional information on Form N-2.  The Custodian will

 

21

 

perform the services hereunder in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The Custodian’s services hereunder shall not relieve the Fund of its responsibilities for assuring such compliance or the Board of Director’s oversight responsibility with respect thereto.

 

15.02   Amendment.  This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by written agreement executed by the Custodian and the Fund, and authorized or approved by the Board of Directors.

 

15.03                 Assignment.  This Agreement shall extend to and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Fund without the written consent of the Custodian, or by the Custodian without the written consent of the Fund accompanied by the authorization or approval of the Board of Directors.

 

15.04    Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota, without regard to conflicts of law principles.  To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Minnesota, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control, and nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act or any rule or order of the SEC thereunder.

 

15.05   No Agency Relationship.  Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or empower either party to act as agent for the other party to this Agreement, or to conduct business in the name, or for the account, of the other party to this Agreement.

 

15.06   Services Not Exclusive.  Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the Custodian from providing services to other parties that are similar or identical to some or all of the services provided hereunder.

 

15.07                 Invalidity.  Any provision of this Agreement which may be determined by competent authority to be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.  In such case, the parties shall in good faith modify or substitute such provision consistent with the original intent of the parties.

 

15.08   Notices.  Any notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other shall be in writing (which can include email) and shall be deemed to have been given on the date delivered personally or by courier service, or three days after sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or on the date sent and confirmed received by facsimile transmission to the other party’s address set forth below:

 

Notice to the Custodian shall be sent to:

U.S Bank, N.A.

1555 N. Rivercenter Dr., MK-WI-S302

Milwaukee, WI 53212

Attn:  Tom Fuller

Phone: 414-905-6118

 

22

 

Fax: 866-350-5066

 

and notice to the Fund shall be sent to:

 

MVC Capital, Inc

287 Bowman Avenue, 2nd Floor

Purchase, NY 10577

Attn:

Phone:

Fax:

 

15.09   Multiple Originals.  This Agreement may be executed on two or more counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

15.10  No Waiver.  No failure by either party hereto to exercise, and no delay by such party in exercising, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof.  The exercise by either party hereto of any right hereunder shall not preclude the exercise of any other right, and the remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided at law or in equity.

 

15.11  References to Custodian.  The Fund shall not circulate any written material that contains any reference to the Custodian without the prior written approval of the Custodian, excepting written material contained in the prospectus or statement of additional information for the Fund and such other written material as merely identifies the Custodian as custodian for the Fund.  The Fund shall submit written material requiring approval to the Custodian in draft form, allowing sufficient time for review by the Custodian and its counsel prior to any deadline for publication.

 

23

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer on one or more counterparts as of the date first above written.

 

 

	
MVC CAPITAL, INC.
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
/s/ Scott Schuenke
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:
    	
Scott Schuenke
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
/s/ Anita Zagrodnik
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:
    	
Anita Zagrodnik
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

24

 

EXHIBIT A

 

AUTHORIZED PERSONS — MVC CAPITAL, Inc.

 

Set forth below are the names and specimen signatures of the persons authorized by the Fund to administer the Fund Custody Accounts.

 

	
Name
    	
 
    	
Telephone/Fax Number
    	
 
    	
Signature
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

25

 

Exhibit B to the Custody Agreement

 

Custody Services Fee Schedule at April 2018

 

Annual Fee Based Upon Net Asset Value per Fund*

 

1.0       basis point on average daily net asset value of all long securities and cash held in the portfolio for the first $200 Million

0.5       basis point on average daily net asset value of all long securities and cash held in the portfolio on the balance

 

Minimum annual fee per fund — $6000

Plus portfolio transaction fees

 

Portfolio Transaction Fees

 

·                  $7.00 — Book entry DTC transaction, Federal Reserve transaction,

·                  $8.00 -  Principal Paydown

·                  $7.00 — Repurchase agreement, reverse repurchase agreement, time deposit/CD or other non-depository transaction

·                  $ 15.00— Option/SWAPS/future contract written, exercised or expired

·                  $10.00 — Mutual fund trade, Margin Variation Wire and outbound Fed wire

·                  $ 25.00 — Physical security transaction

·                  $  5.00 — Check disbursement (waived if U.S. Bancorp is Administrator)

·                  $50.00 - per Cedel/Euroclear transaction

·                  $15.00 per Fed wire

·                  $6.00 per short sale

·                  $150.00 per segregated account per year

 

A transaction is a purchase/sale of a security, free receipt/free delivery, maturity, tender or exchange.

 

Securities Lending and Money Market Deposit Account (MMDA)

 

·                  Negotiable

 

In addition to the fees described above, additional fees may be charged, as mutually agreed to by the parties, to the extent that changes to applicable laws, rules or regulations require additional work or expenses related to services provided (e.g., compliance with new liquidity risk management and reporting requirements).

 

Miscellaneous Expenses

 

All other miscellaneous fees and expenses, including but not limited to the following, will be separately billed as incurred: expenses incurred in the safekeeping, delivery and receipt of securities, shipping, transfer fees, deposit withdrawals at custodian (DWAC) fees, SWIFT charges, negative interest charges and extraordinary expenses based upon complexity.

 

Additional Services

 

·                  See Additional Services fee schedule for global servicing.

·                  $600 per custody sub — account per year (e.g., per sub —adviser, segregated account, etc.)

·                  Class Action Services — $25 filing fee per class action per account, plus 2% of gross proceeds, up to a maximum per recovery not to exceed $2,000.

·                  No charge for the initial conversion free receipt.

·                  Overdrafts — charged to the account at prime interest rate plus 2 unless a line of credit is in place.

 

Additional services not included above shall be mutually agreed upon at the time of the service being added.  In addition to the fees described above, additional fees may be charged to the extent that changes to applicable laws, rules or regulations require additional work or expenses related to services provided (e.g., compliance with new liquidity risk management and reporting requirements).

 

26

 

Exhibit B (continued) to the Custody Agreement

 

Additional Global Sub-Custodial Services Annual Fee Schedule

 

	
COUNTRY
    	
 
    	
INSTRUMENT
    	
 
    	
SAFEKEEPING
   (BPS)
    	
 
    	
TRANSACTION
   FEE
    	
 
    
	
Argentina
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
13.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
35
    	
 
    
	
Australia
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
1.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
15
    	
 
    
	
Austria
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
2.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
20
    	
 
    
	
Bahrain
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
44.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
115
    	
 
    
	
Bangladesh
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
35.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
120
    	
 
    
	
Belgium
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
1.5
    	
 
    	
$
    	
25
    	
 
    
	
Benin
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
44.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
125
    	
 
    
	
Bermuda
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
13.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
50
    	
 
    
	
Botswana
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
22.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
40
    	
 
    
	
Brazil
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
8.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
20
    	
 
    
	
Bulgaria
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
35.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
65
    	
 
    
	
Burkina Faso
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
44.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
125
    	
 
    
	
Canada
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
1.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
5
    	
 
    
	
Cayman Islands*
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
1.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
10
    	
 
    
	
Channel Islands*
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
1.5
    	
 
    	
$
    	
20
    	
 
    
	
Chile
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
18.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
50
    	
 
    
	
China (B share only)
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
11.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
45
    	
 
    
	
Colombia
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
35.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
80
    	
 
    
	
Costa Rica
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
13.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
50
    	
 
    
	
Croatia
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
31.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
55
    	
 
    
	
Cyprus
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
13.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
50
    	
 
    
	
Czech Republic
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
11.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
25
    	
 
    
	
Denmark
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
2.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
25
    	
 
    
	
Egypt
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
28.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
65
    	
 
    
	
Estonia
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
6.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
20
    	
 
    
	
Euromarkets**
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
1.00
    	
 
    	
$
    	
5
    	
 
    
	
Finland
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
2.5
    	
 
    	
$
    	
25
    	
 
    
	
France
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
1.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
15
    	
 
    
	
Germany
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
1.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
15
    	
 
    
	
Ghana
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
22.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
40
    	
 
    
	
Greece
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
8.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
35
    	
 
    
	
Guinea Bissau
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
44.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
125
    	
 
    
	
Hong Kong
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
2.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
20
    	
 
    
	
Hungary
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
22.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
60
    	
 
    
	
Iceland
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
13.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
45
    	
 
    
	
India
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
9.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
85
    	
 
    
	
Indonesia
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
6.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
70
    	
 
    
	
Ireland
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
2.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
15
    	
 
    
	
Israel
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
11.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
30
    	
 
    
	
Italy
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
2.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
25
    	
 
    
	
Ivory Coast
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
44.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
125
    	
 
    
	
Japan
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
1.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
10
    	
 
    
	
Jordan
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
35.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
100
    	
 
    
	
Kazakhstan
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
53.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
120
    	
 
    
	
Kenya
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
26.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
40
    	
 
    
	
Kuwait
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
35.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
120
    	
 
    
	
Latvia
    	
 
    	
Equities
    	
 
    	
13.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
60
    	
 
    
	
Lithuania
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
18.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
40
    	
 
    
	
Luxembourg
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
4.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
20
    	
 
    
	
Malaysia
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
3.5
    	
 
    	
$
    	
40
    	
 
    
	
Mali
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
44.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
125
    	
 
    
	
Malta
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
20.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
60
    	
 
    
	
Mauritius
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
26.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
80
    	
 
    
	
Mexico
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
2.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
10
    	
 
    
	
Morocco
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
31.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
80
    	
 
    
	
Namibia
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
26.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
40
    	
 
    
	
Netherlands
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
2.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
15
    	
 
    
	
New Zealand
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
2.5
    	
 
    	
$
    	
25
    	
 
    
	
Niger
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
44.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
125
    	
 
    
	
Nigeria
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
26.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
40
    	
 
    
	
Norway
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
2.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
25
    	
 
    
	
Oman
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
45.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
115
    	
 
    
	
Pakistan
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
26.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
80
    	
 
    
	
Peru
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
39.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
85
    	
 
    
	
Philippines
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
5.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
40
    	
 
    
	
Poland
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
13.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
25
    	
 
    
	
Portugal
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
5.5
    	
 
    	
$
    	
40
    	
 
    
	
Qatar
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
40.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
115
    	
 
    
	
Romania
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
31.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
80
    	
 
    
	
Russia
    	
 
    	
Equities
    	
 
    	
33.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
165
    	
 
    
	
Senegal
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
44.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
125
    	
 
    
	
Serbia
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
55.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
150
    	
 
    
	
Singapore
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
2.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
20
    	
 
    
	
Slovak Republic
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
22.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
90
    	
 
    
	
Slovenia
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
22.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
90
    	
 
    
	
South Africa
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
2.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
10
    	
 
    
	
South Korea
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
5.5
    	
 
    	
$
    	
10
    	
 
    
	
Spain
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
1.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
15
    	
 
    
	
Sri Lanka
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
13.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
50
    	
 
    
	
Swaziland
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
26.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
40
    	
 
    
	
Sweden
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
1.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
25
    	
 
    
	
Switzerland
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
1.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
25
    	
 
    
	
Taiwan
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
13.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
65
    	
 
    
	
Thailand
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
3.5
    	
 
    	
$
    	
25
    	
 
    
	
Togo
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
44.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
125
    	
 
    
	
Tunisia
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
35.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
40
    	
 
    
	
Turkey
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
11.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
10
    	
 
    
	
UAE
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
40.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
105
    	
 
    
	
United Kingdom
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
1.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
5
    	
 
    
	
Ukraine
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
21.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
30
    	
 
    
	
Uruguay
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
45.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
55
    	
 
    
	
Vietnam
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
20.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
85
    	
 
    
	
Zambia
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
26.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
40
    	
 
    
	
Zimbabwe
    	
 
    	
All
    	
 
    	
26.0
    	
 
    	
$
    	
40
    	
 
    

 

Safekeeping and transaction fees are assessed on security and currency transactions.

* Additional customer documentation and indemnification will be required prior to establishing accounts in these markets.

** Tiered  by market value:<$5 billion: 1bp, >$5 billion and <$10 billion: .75 bps; >$10 billion: .50 bps.

** Euromarkets - Non-Eurobonds: Surcharges vary by local market.

 

A monthly base fee per fund will apply based on the number of foreign securities held. If no global assets are held within a given month, the monthly base charge will not apply for that month.

 

·                  1 — 25 foreign securities — $500; 26 — 50 foreign securities — $1,000; Over 50 foreign securities — $1,500

·                  Euroclear — Eurobonds only.  Eurobonds are held in Euroclear at a standard rate, but other types of securities (including but not limited to equities, domestic market debt and mutual funds) will be subject to a surcharge.  In addition, certain transactions that are delivered within Euroclear or from a Euroclear account to a third party depository or settlement system, will be subject to a surcharge.

·                  For all other markets specified in above grid, surcharges may apply if a security is held outside of the local market.

 

Miscellaneous Expenses

 

·                  Tax reclaims that have been outstanding for more than 6 (six) months with the client will be charged $50 per claim.

·                  Charges incurred by U.S. Bank, N.A. directly or through sub-custodians for account opening fees, local taxes, stamp duties or other local duties and assessments, stock exchange fees, foreign exchange transactions, postage and insurance for shipping, facsimile reporting, extraordinary telecommunications fees, proxy services and other shareholder communications, recurring administration fees, negative interest charges, overdraft charges or other expenses which are unique to a country in which the client or its clients is investing will be passed along as incurred.

·                  A surcharge may be added to certain miscellaneous expenses listed herein to cover handling, servicing and other administrative costs associated with the activities giving rise to such expenses.  Also, certain expenses are charged at a predetermined flat rate.

·                  SWIFT reporting and message fees.

 

27

 

Exhibit B (continued) to the Custody Agreement

 

Margin Management Services

 

Requires U.S. Bank as custodian for all assets

 

$30,000 annual program fee (includes up to 4 Account Control Agreements)

 

$7,500 annual fee per each additional Account Control Agreement.

 

Fees are calculated pro rata and billed monthly

 

Extraordinary Services —

 

Extraordinary services are duties or responsibilities of an unusual nature, including termination, but not provided for in the governing documents or otherwise set forth in this schedule. A reasonable charge will be assessed based on the nature of the service and the responsibility involved. At our option, these charges will be billed at a flat fee or at our hourly rate then in effect.

 

Account approval is subject to review and qualification. Fees are subject to change at our discretion and upon written notice. The fees set forth above and any subsequent modifications thereof are part of your agreement. Finalization of the transaction constitutes agreement to the above fee schedule, including agreement to any subsequent changes upon proper written notice. In the event your transaction is not finalized, any related out-of-pocket expenses will be billed to the client directly. Absent your written instructions to sweep or otherwise invest, all sums in your account will remain uninvested and no accrued interest or other compensation will be credited to the account. Payment of fees constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions set forth.

 

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an Account. For a non-individual person such as a business entity, a charity, a Trust, or other legal entity, we ask for documentation to verify its formation and existence as a legal entity. We may also ask to see financial statements, licenses, identification and authorization documents from individuals claiming authority to represent the entity or other relevant documentation.

 

28

 

Exhibit C to the Custody Agreement

 

SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS ACT AUTHORIZATION

 

MVC CAPITAL, Inc.

 

The Shareholder Communications Act of 1985 requires banks and trust companies to make an effort to permit direct communication between a company which issues securities and the shareholder who votes those securities.

 

Unless you specifically require us to NOT release your name and address to requesting companies, we are required by law to disclose your name and address.

 

Your “yes” or “no” to disclosure will apply to all securities U.S. Bank holds for you now and in the future, unless you change your mind and notify us in writing.

 

	
o   YES
    	
 
    	
U.S. Bank is authorized   to provide the Fund’s name, address and security position to requesting   companies whose stock is owned by the Company.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
o   NO
    	
 
    	
U.S. Bank is NOT   authorized to provide the Fund’s name, address and security position to   requesting companies whose stock is owned by the Company.
    

 

MVC CAPITAL, Inc.

 

 

	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

29

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