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globalcustodyagreementda

Exhibit 10.1    GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT  For Foreign and Domestic Securities  This Custodian Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of July 27, 2015 by and between each of the parties listed in  Schedule I (each, a “Fund”) and MUFG Union Bank, N.A. (“Custodian”).  WHEREAS, the Custodian is a bank meeting the qualifications required by Section 17(f)(1) of the Act to act as  custodian of the securities and other assets of each Fund that is a registered investment company; and  WHEREAS, each Fund wishes to retain the Custodian to act as custodian of that Fund’s assets, and the Custodian  has indicated its willingness to so act;  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, and intending to be  legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:  1. DEFINITIONS Certain terms used in this Agreement are defined as follows:  1.1. “Account” means, collectively, each account maintained by Custodian on behalf of a Fund pursuant to Paragraph  4 of this Agreement.  1.2. “Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations adopted by the  U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) thereunder, including §270.17f-4, §270.17f-5 and §270.17f-7,  all as may be amended from time to time.  1.3. “Board” means the Board of Trustees or the Board of Directors of a Fund.  1.4. “Depository” means both any “securities depositary” within the meaning of §270.17f-4 of the Act and any Eligible  Securities Depository.  1.5. “Eligible Foreign Custodian” means an entity that is incorporated or organized under the laws of a country other  than the United States and that is a Qualified Foreign Bank, as defined in §270.17f-5(a)(5) of the Act.  1.6. “Eligible Securities Depository”, (“Depository”, or collectively “Depositories”) means a system for the central  handling of securities as defined in §270.17f-7(b)(1) of the Act.  1.7. “Emerging Market” means each market so identified in Appendix A attached hereto.  1.8. “Foreign Account” means an Account in which Foreign Currencies or Securities are held by the Custodian for  the benefit of clients whether in comingled accounts or accounts designated for each beneficial owner as is required  under the regulatory jurisdiction where the Foreign Account is established.  1.9. “Foreign Assets” has the meaning provided in §270.17f-5(a)(2) of the Act.  1.10. “Foreign Currency” (“Currencies”) means any currency or any composite currency unit issued by a government  or entity other than the United States Department of Treasury.  1.11. “Foreign Market” means each market so identified in Appendix A attached hereto.  1.12. “Sub-Custodian” means an entity, including an Eligible Foreign Custodian and Domestic Sub-Custodian, which  Custodian retains to hold Securities.  

 

1.13. “Global Sub-Agent Network” (“Sub-Agent Network” or “Sub-Agents”) means any Sub-Custodian located in the  United States (the “Domestic Sub-Custodian”), and any sub-agents located in the countries and markets where  Eligible Foreign Sub-Custodians and Eligible Foreign Depositories are maintained by Custodian or any Sub- Custodian located in the United States which utilizes a Sub-Agent Network on behalf of Custodian.  1.14. “Governing Documents” means, with respect to each of the Funds, (i) the declaration of trust, limited liability  company agreement or other constituting document of the Fund and (ii) the current private offering memorandum or  currently effective prospectus and statement of additional information (as applicable).  1.15. “Investment Manager” or “Manager” means Westech Advisors, LLC.  1.16. “Monitoring System” means the policies and procedures established by Custodian to fulfill its duties to monitor  the custody risks associated with maintaining Securities with a Sub-Custodian or Depository on a continuing basis,  pursuant to this Agreement.  1.17. “Securities” means securities as defined in §2(a)(36) of the Act together with cash or any currency or other  property of the Funds and all income and proceeds of sale of such securities or other property of a Fund that are held  by Custodian in the Account.  1.18. “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  2. APPOINTMENT  2.1. Each Fund hereby appoints the Custodian as the custodian of its Securities.  2.2. Each Fund has provided the Custodian with a copy of its Governing Documents, and will provide the Custodian  with a copy of amendments, supplements and modifications thereof from time to time.  2.3. The Custodian hereby accepts appointment as custodian of the Securities of the Funds and agrees to perform the  duties of such custodian in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.  3. REPRESENTATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS   3.1. Power to Enter Agreement. Each Fund represents that, with respect to its Account, it is authorized to enter into  this Agreement and to retain Custodian on the terms and conditions and for the purposes described herein.  3.2. Foreign Custody Manager. The custodian agrees to serve as each Fund’s “Foreign Custody Manager” as  defined in Rule §270.17f-5(a)(3) of the Act, in respect of that Fund’s Foreign Assets held from time to time by the  Custodian with any Sub-Custodian that is an Eligible Foreign Custodian or with any Eligible Securities Depository.  3.3. Custodian’s Sub-Agent Network. Each Fund hereby acknowledges receiving appropriate notice of Custodian’s  selection of the use of those Eligible Foreign Custodians and Eligible Securities Depositories that are identified in  Appendix A of this Agreement as amended from time to time.  4. ESTABLISHMENT OF ACCOUNT  For each Fund, Custodian shall open and maintain a separate Account or Accounts in the name of that Fund and  shall hold in such Account or Accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all Securities received by it from or for the  Account of that Fund. Custodian, in its sole discretion, may reasonably refuse to accept any property now or  hereafter delivered to it for inclusion in the Account. A Fund shall be notified promptly of such refusal and any such  property shall be immediately returned to that Fund. Custodian shall be under no duty to take any action hereunder  on behalf of a Fund except as specifically set forth herein or as may be specifically agreed to by Custodian and that  Fund in a written amendment hereto.  5. CUSTODY AND REGISTRATION  

 

Custodian may (i) maintain possession of all or any portion of the Securities, including possession in a foreign  branch or other office of Custodian; or (ii) retain, in accordance with this Paragraph 5 and Paragraph 6 of this  Agreement one or more Sub-Custodians to hold all or any portion of the Securities. Custodian and any Sub- Custodian may, in accordance with this Paragraph 5 and Paragraph 6 of this Agreement, deposit definitive or book- entry Securities with one or more Depositories.  5.1. Identification of Securities. Custodian shall ensure the Securities are at all times properly identified as being  held for the appropriate Account. Custodian shall segregate physically the Securities from other securities owned by  Custodian. Custodian shall not be required to segregate physically Securities held from other securities or property  held by Custodian for third parties as custodian or other representative capacity, but Custodian shall maintain  adequate records showing the true ownership of the Securities.  5.2. Use of Depositories and Sub-Custodians. Custodian may, in its discretion, deposit any Securities which, under  applicable law, are eligible to be so deposited in a Depository or Sub-Custodian account Securities and Foreign  Currencies held by a Sub-Custodian or Depository will be held subject to the rules, terms and conditions of such  securities markets or securities depositories. If Custodian deposits Securities with a Sub-Custodian or Depository,  Custodian shall maintain adequate records showing the identity and location of the Sub-Custodian or Depository, the  Securities held by the Sub-Custodian or Depository and each account to which such Securities belong. With respect  to Securities that are held for Custodian or any Sub-Custodian at a Depository, as defined in §270.17f-4 of the Act,  Custodian shall satisfy or cause the Sub-Custodian to satisfy the requirements of §270.17f-4 of the Act.  5.3. Use of Nominees. Custodian shall have the right to hold or cause to be held all Securities in the name of the  Custodian, or for any Sub-Custodian or Depository, or in the name of a nominee of any of them as Custodian shall  determine to be appropriate under the circumstances.  5.4. Foreign Currency Deposits. The Custodian may in accordance with customary practices hold any currency in  which any cash is denominated on deposit, and effect transactions relating thereto, through an account with an  affiliate of Custodian, or Sub-Custodian or Depository in the country where such currency is the lawful currency or  in other countries where such currency may be lawfully held on deposit.  5.5. Transferability and Convertibility of Currency. Custodian shall have no liability for any loss or damage arising  from the applicability of any law or regulation now or hereafter in effect, or from the occurrence of any event, which  may affect the transferability, convertibility, or availability of any currency in the countries where such Foreign  Accounts are maintained and in no event shall Custodian be obligated to substitute another currency for a currency  whose transferability, convertibility, or availability has been affected by such law, regulation or event, except to the  extent that such liability is a result of Custodian’s own willful misfeasance, negligence or reckless disregard of  Custodian’s performance of activities under this Agreement. To the extent that any such law, regulation or event  imposes a cost or charge upon Custodian in relation to the transferability, convertibility, or availability of any such  currency, such cost or charge shall be for the Account.  5.6. Delivery of Securities. If a Fund directs Custodian to deliver assets, certificates or other physical evidence of  ownership of Securities to any broker or other party, other than a Sub-Custodian or Depository employed by  Custodian for purposes of maintaining its Account, Custodian’s sole responsibility shall be to exercise care and  diligence in effecting the delivery as instructed by that Fund. Upon completion of the delivery, Custodian shall be  discharged completely of any further liability or responsibility with respect to the safekeeping and custody of  Securities so delivered.  5.7. Transferability of Securities. Except as otherwise provided under this Agreement or as the parties may  otherwise agree, Custodian shall ensure that (i) the Securities will not be subject to any right, charge, security  interest, lien, or claim of any kind in favor of Custodian or any Sub-Custodian or any person claiming through any  of them except for Custodian’s expenses relating to the Securities’ safe custody or administration or other services  made available under contractual agreements to Account by Custodian, and in the case of cash deposits at an  Eligible Foreign Custodian, liens or rights in favor of the creditors of the Eligible Foreign Custodian arising under  bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar laws, and (ii) the beneficial ownership of the Securities will be freely transferable  without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or administration.  

 

5.8. Access to Account Records. Each Fund or its designee, shall have access, upon reasonable prior notice to  Custodian, during regular business hours to the books and records relating to the Accounts, or shall be given  confirmation of the contents of the books and records, maintained by Custodian or any Sub-Custodian holding  securities hereunder to verify the accuracy of such books and records. Custodian shall notify a Fund promptly of any  applicable law or regulation in any country where Securities are held that would restrict such access or confirmation.  6. SELECTION AND MONITORING OF GLOBAL SUE-AGENT NETWORK  Upon written notice to the applicable Fund, as provided in Subparagraph 6.3 of this Agreement, Custodian may  from time to time select one or more Domestic Sub-Custodians and Eligible Foreign Custodians and, subject to the  provisions of Subparagraph 6.5, one or more Eligible Securities Depositories, to hold Securities hereunder.  6.1. Governing Sub-Agent Agreement. Any relationship Custodian establishes with an Eligible Foreign Custodian  with respect to Securities shall be governed by a written contract providing for the reasonable care of Securities  based on the standards specified in section §270.17(f)-5(c)(1) of the Act, and including the provisions set forth in  sections §270.17(f)-5(c)(2)(i)(A) through (F) of the Act, or provisions which Custodian determines provide the same  or greater protection of a Fund’s Securities.  6.2. Sub-Agent Network Selection.  6.2.1. Foreign Sub-Custodian. In selecting an Eligible Foreign Custodian on behalf of Custodian, the Domestic Sub- Custodian shall exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence and shall consider whether the Securities will be  subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market, including (i) the  Eligible Foreign Custodian’s practices, procedures, and internal controls, including, but not limited to, the physical  protections available for certificated securities (if applicable), the method of keeping custodial records, and the  security and data protection practices; (ii) the Eligible Foreign Custodian’s financial strength, general reputation and  standing in the country in which it is located, its ability to provide efficiently the custodial services required, and the  relative cost of such services; and, (iii) whether the Eligible Foreign Custodian has branch offices in the United  States, or consents to service of process in the United States, in order to facilitate jurisdiction over and enforcement  of judgments against it.  6.2.2. Securities Depository. In selecting an Eligible Securities Depository, Custodian shall exercise reasonable care,  prudence, and diligence In evaluating the custody risks associated with maintaining Securities with the Eligible  Securities Depository under Custodian’s custody arrangements with any relevant Eligible Foreign Custodian and the  Eligible Securities Depository.  6.3. Notices to Funds. Custodian shall give written notice to a Fund of the deposit of its Securities with an Eligible  Foreign Custodian or, directly or through an Eligible Foreign Sub-Custodian, with an Eligible Securities Depository.  The notice shall identify the Eligible Foreign Custodian or Eligible Securities Depository and shall include  reasonably available information relied on by Custodian in making the selection.  6.4. Monitoring of Sub-Agent Network. Custodian shall monitor under its Monitoring System the appropriateness of  the continued custody or maintenance of a Fund’s Securities with each Domestic Sub-Custodian and their Global  Network of Eligible Foreign Custodian or Eligible Securities Depository.  6.4.1. Custodian shall evaluate and determine at least annually the continued eligibility of its Domestic Sub- Custodian and each Eligible Foreign Custodian and Eligible Securities Depository approved by a Fund to act as such  hereunder. In discharging this responsibility, Custodian shall (i) monitor on a continuing basis the services and  reports provided by its Domestic Sub-Custodian for each of its Eligible Foreign Custodians or Eligible Securities  Depositories; (ii) at least annually, obtain and review the periodic reports published by its Domestic Sub-Custodian  confirming the Domestic Sub-Custodian’s review of the continued eligibility of each Foreign Sub-Custodian and  Foreign Securities Depository; and (iii) review periodic reports related to the Domestic Sub-Custodian’s periodic  physical inspections of the operations of each Eligible Foreign Custodian or Eligible Securities Depository as  deemed appropriate.  

 

6.4.2. Custodian shall provide to the Board or Manager (as applicable) annually and at such other times as the Board  or Manager may reasonably request based on the circumstances of a Fund’s foreign custody arrangements, written  reports notifying the Board or Manager of the placement of Securities of a Fund with a particular Domestic Sub- Custodian or a particular foreign Eligible Foreign Custodian within a Foreign Market or an Emerging Market and of  any material change in the arrangements (including any material changes in any contracts governing such  arrangements or any material changes in the established practices or procedures of Depositories) with respect to  Securities of a Fund held by the Eligible Foreign Custodian.  6.4.3. If Custodian determines that (i) any Eligible Foreign Custodian or Eligible Securities Depositary no longer  satisfies the applicable requirements described in Subparagraph 1.4 of this Agreement (in the case of an Eligible  Foreign Custodian) or Subparagraph 1.5 of this Agreement (in the case of an Eligible Securities Depository); or, (ii)  any Eligible Foreign Custodian or Eligible Securities Depository is otherwise no longer capable or qualified to  perform the functions contemplated herein; or, (iii) any change in a contract with a Eligible Foreign Custodian or  any change in established Eligible Securities Depository or market practices or procedures shall cause a custody  arrangement to no longer meet the requirements of the Act, Custodian shall promptly give written notice thereof to  each applicable Fund. The notice shall either indicate Custodian’s intention to transfer Securities held by the  removed Eligible Foreign Custodian or Eligible Securities Depository to another Eligible Foreign Custodian or  Eligible Securities Depository previously identified to the Fund, or include a notice pursuant to Subparagraph 6.4 of  this Agreement of Custodian’s intention to deposit Securities with a new Eligible Foreign Custodian or Eligible  Securities Depository, in either instance such transfer of Securities to be effected as soon as reasonably practical.  6.5. Compulsory Depositories. Notwithstanding the foregoing sub-sections of this Paragraph 6, Custodian shall have  no responsibility for the selection or monitoring of any Eligible Securities Depository or Eligible Securities  Depository’s agent (“Compulsory Depository”) (i) the use of which is mandated by law or regulation; (ii) because  securities cannot be withdrawn from the depository; or (iii) because maintaining securities outside the securities  depository is not consistent with prevailing market practices in the relevant market; provided however, that  Custodian shall notify a Fund if that Fund has directed a trade in a market containing a Compulsory Depository, so  that Fund shall have an opportunity to determine the appropriateness of investing in such market. Custodian shall  provide risk analysis and monitoring of any such Compulsory Depository as provided in Rule 17f-7 under the Act,  and will exercise reasonable care, prudence, and diligence in performing these responsibilities.  6.6. Assessment of Custody Risk. Each Fund and Custodian agree that, for purposes of this Paragraph 6, Custodian’s  determination of appropriateness shall only include custody risk, and shall not include any evaluation of “country  risk” or systemic risk associated with the investment or holding of assets in a particular country or market,  including, but not limited to (i) the use of Compulsory Depositories; (ii) the country’s or market’s financial  infrastructure; (iii) the country’s or market’s prevailing custody and settlement practices; (iv) risk of nationalization,  expropriation or other governmental actions; (v) regulation of the banking or securities industries; (vi) currency  controls, restrictions, devaluation or fluctuation; and (vii) country or market conditions which may affect the orderly  execution of securities transactions or affect the value of the transactions. Each Fund and Custodian further agree  that the evaluation of any such country and systemic risks shall be solely the responsibility of such Fund.  7. TRANSACTIONS  7.1. Instructions and Immediately Available Funds. Each Fund is responsible for ensuring that Custodian receives  timely instructions and sufficient immediately available funds for all transactions by such time and date as  conditions in the relevant market dictates. As used herein, “sufficient immediately available funds” shall mean either  (i) sufficient cash denominated in the currency of a Fund’s home jurisdiction to purchase the necessary foreign  currency, or (ii) sufficient applicable foreign currency, to settle the transaction. If Custodian does not receive such  timely instructions and/or immediately available funds, Custodian shall have no liability of any kind to any person,  including a Fund, for failing to effect settlement. However, Custodian shall use reasonable efforts to effect  settlement as soon as possible after receipt of appropriate instructions. Unless otherwise specified by a Fund, foreign  exchange transactions will be processed according to the instructions in Appendix B.  7.2. Customary or Established Settlement Practices. Each Fund acknowledges settlement of and payment for  Securities received for and delivered from the Account may be made in accordance with the customary or  established securities trading and securities processing practices in the market in which the transaction occurs. Each  

 

Fund understands that when Custodian is instructed to deliver Foreign Securities or Foreign Currencies against  payment, delivery of such Foreign Securities and Foreign Currencies and receipt of payment therefore may not be  completed simultaneously. Each Fund assumes full responsibility for all credit risks involved in connection with  Custodian’s delivery of Foreign Securities or Foreign Currencies pursuant to instructions of that Fund.  7.3. Additions to and Withdrawals from Account. Custodian shall make all additions and withdrawals of Securities  to and from this Account only upon receipt of and pursuant to written instructions from the applicable Fund or  Manager.  7.4. Purchase or Sales. The Funds or Manager from time to time may instruct Custodian regarding the purchase or  sale of Securities in accordance with this paragraph 7.  7.5. Purchases. Custodian shall settle purchases by charging the Account with the amount necessary to make the  purchase and effecting payment to the seller or broker for the Securities. Custodian shall have no liability of any  kind to any person, including a Fund, if Custodian effects payment on behalf of the Account, and the settler or  broker specified by Manager falls to deliver the Securities purchased. Custodian shall exercise such ordinary care  and diligence as would be employed by a reasonably prudent custodian in examining and verifying the certificates or  other indicia of ownership of the Securities purchased before accepting them, except with respect to assets described  in Paragraph 7.7.  7.6. Sales. Custodian shall settle sales by delivering certificates or other indicia of ownership of the Securities, and  as instructed, shall receive cash for such sales. Custodian shall have no liability of any kind to any person, including  a Fund, if Custodian exercises due diligence and delivers such certificates or indicia of ownership and the purchaser  or broker fails to effect payment.  7.7. Depository Settlement. If a purchase or sale is settled through a Sub-Custodian or Depository, Custodian shall  exercise such ordinary care and diligence as would be employed by a reasonably prudent custodian in verifying  proper consummation of the transaction by the Sub-Custodian or Depository.  7.8. Income and Principal. Custodian or its designated Sub-Agents are authorized, as a Fund’s agent, to surrender  against payment maturing obligations and obligations called for redemption, and to collect and receive payments of  interest and principal, dividends, warrants, and other things of value in connection with that Fund’s Securities.  Absent written instructions from the applicable Fund or Manager, funds will remain in the currency of collection  upon receipt of payment.  7.9. Foreign Currency Transactions. At the direction of the applicable Fund or Manager, as the case may be,  Custodian shall convert currency in the Account to other currencies through customary channels including, without  limitation, Custodian or any of its affiliates or Sub-Custodian Network, as shall be necessary to effect any  transaction directed by the applicable Fund or Manager. If a Fund or Manager gives Custodian standing instructions  to execute foreign currency exchange transactions on that Fund’s behalf, such transactions will be performed in  accordance with the FX Standing Instructions Defined Spread Service Level Document as amended from time to  time.  7.10. Taxes. Custodian shall pay or cause to be paid from the Account all taxes and levies in the nature of taxes  imposed on the Account or the Foreign Securities thereof by any country. Custodian will use reasonable efforts to  give the applicable Fund or Manager, as the case may be, advance notice of the imposition of such taxes. The  Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any obligations now or hereafter imposed on a Fund or the  Custodian as custodian of that Fund by the tax law of the United States or of any state or political subdivision  thereof or any foreign jurisdiction. The sole responsibilities of the Custodian with regard to such tax law shall be to  use reasonable efforts to effect the withholding of local taxes and related charges with regard to market  entitlement/payment in accordance with local law and subject to local market practice or custom and to assist a Fund  with respect to any claim for exemption or refund under the tax law of countries for which that Fund has provided  such information. Except as specifically provided in this Agreement or otherwise agreed to in writing by the  Custodian, the Custodian shall have no independent obligation to determine the tax obligations now or hereafter  imposed on a Fund by any taxing authority or to obtain or provide information relating thereto, and shall have no  obligation or liability with respect to such tax obligations.  

 

7.11. Foreign Tax Reclamation. Custodian shall use reasonable efforts to obtain refunds of taxes withheld on  Foreign Securities or the income thereof that are available under applicable tax laws, treaties and regulations subject  to a Fund’s provision of all documentation and certifications as required by U.S. and foreign tax authorities to  establish the eligibility of a Fund for tax redamation under applicable law or treaty. Subject to Paragraphs 15.1 and  16.1, each Fund hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Custodian and its agents in respect to any liability  arising from any underwithholding or underpayment of any Tax which results from the inaccuracy or invalidity of  any such forms or other documentation, and such obligation to indemnify shall be a continuing obligation of the  applicable Fund, its successor and assignees, notwithstanding the termination of this agreement. The Custodian is  authorized to disclose any information required by any such tax or other governmental authority in relation to  processing any claim for exemption from or reduction or refund of any taxes relating to a Fund’s transactions and  holdings.  7.12. Collection Obligations. Custodian shall diligently collect income and principal of Securities which the  Custodian has received actual notice in accordance with normal industry practices. However, Custodian shall be  under no obligation or duty to take any action to effect collection of any amount if the Securities upon which such  amount is payable is in default, or if payment is refused after due demand. Custodian shall notify the applicable  Fund and Manager promptly of such default or refusal to pay. Custodian shall have no duty to file or pursue any  bankruptcy or class action claims with respect to Account, unless indemnified by the applicable Fund in manner and  amount satisfactory to Custodian provided, however, unless the applicable Fund directs otherwise, Custodian will  use its best efforts to file claims in class actions and pay any recovery to account, net of Custodian’s fees as  disclosed in the fee schedule.  7.13. Capital Changes. Custodian may, without further instruction from the applicable Fund or Manager, exchange  temporary certificates and may surrender and exchange Securities for other securities in connection with any  reorganization, recapitalization or similar transaction in which the owner of the Securities is not given an option.  Custodian has no responsibility to effect any such exchange unless it has received notice of the event permitting or  requiring such exchange at the office of Custodian’s designated agents.  7.14. Fractional Interest. Custodian shall receive and retain all stock distributed by a corporation as a dividend,  stock split, or otherwise and, in connection therewith, any fractional shares, unless otherwise instructed or without  authorization to sell.  7.15. Delivery of Instructions. Instructions shall be directed to Custodian or Domestic Sub-Custodian, as applicable  with respect to the foregoing.  8. CREDITS TO ACCOUNT  8.1. Payment. Custodian may as a matter of bookkeeping convenience or by separate agreement with a Fund, credit  that Fund’s Account with the proceeds from the sale, redemption or other disposition of Securities or interest or  dividends or other distributions payable on Securities prior to its actual receipt of final payment; therefore, all such  credits shall be conditional until the Custodian’s actual receipt of final payment and may be reversed by  Custodian to the extent that final payment is not received. Payment with respect to a transaction will not be final  until Custodian receives immediately available funds under which applicable local law, rule and/or practice are  irreversible and not subject to any security interest, levy or other encumbrance, and which are specifically applicable  to such transaction. The Funds acknowledge and agree that any currency risk associated with such credits will be  born by the applicable Fund.  8.2. Emerging Market Settlement Dates. Notwithstanding the foregoing Paragraph 8.1, each Fund understands and  agrees that settlement of Securities transactions is available only on settlement date basis in certain Emerging  Markets, which are identified in Appendix A, as amended from time to time.  8.2.1. Cash Deposits. For Emerging Markets with restricted settlement conditions, cash of any currency deposited or  delivered to the Account shall be available for use by a Fund or Investment Manager only on the business day on  which actual receipt of final payment and funds of good value are available to Sub-Custodian in the Account  

 

8.2.2. Securities. For Emerging Markets with restricted settlement conditions, Securities deposited or delivered to  the Account shall be available for use by the applicable Fund or Investment Manager only on the business day on  which such Securities are held in the nominee name or are otherwise subject to the control of and in a form for good  delivery by, the Sub-Custodian.  9. OVERDRAFT AND INDEBTEDNESS  9.1. Advance Funds. If Custodian advances funds to or for the benefit of Account in connection with the settlement  of securities or currency transactions or other activity in the Account including overdrafts or other indebtedness  incurred in connection with the settlement of securities transactions, maturity or income payments or funds transfers,  the applicable Fund agrees to reimburse Custodian on demand the amount of the advance or overdraft and all related  fees as established in Custodian’s published fee schedule. A Fund will bear the risk from any currency valuation  differences associated with that Fund’s reimbursement obligations to Custodian. Custodian shall also have the right  to utilize any cash in the Account in order to obtain reimbursement hereunder and to setoff Custodian’s obligations  with respect to any deposits or credit balances in the Account against any obligation of the applicable Fund  hereunder.  9.2. Repayment. To the extent permissible by applicable law, in order to secure repayment of Account’s obligations  to Custodian hereunder, each Fund hereby pledges and grants to Custodian a continuing lien and security interest in,  and right of set-off against, all of its Account’s right, title and interest in and to (i) all Accounts in that Fund’s name  and the Securities, money and other property now or hereafter held in such Accounts (including proceeds thereof);  and (ii) each of its Accounts in respect of which or for whose benefit the advance or overdraft relates and the  Securities, money and other property now or hereafter held in such Accounts, including proceeds thereof. In this  regard, Custodian shall be entitled to all the rights and remedies of a pledgee and secured creditor under applicable  laws, rules or regulations as then in effect. Each Fund authorizes the Custodian, in the Custodian’s sole discretion, at  any time to charge any overdraft or indebtedness, together with interest due thereon, against any balance of account  standing to the credit of that Fund on the Custodian’s books. In addition, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize  available cash and to dispose of such Fund’s Securities to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.  10. CORPORATE ACTIONS PROXIES AND LITERATURE  10.1. Corporate Actions. Custodian shall notify Manager of the receipt of notices of redemptions, conversions,  exchanges, calls, puts, subscription rights, and scrip certificates (“Corporate Action(s)”). Custodian need not  monitor financial publications for notices of Corporate Actions and shall not be obligated to take any action unless  actual notice has been received by Custodian at the offices of its Domestic Sub-Custodian. Custodian’s sole  responsibility in this regard shall be to give such notices to a Fund or Manager, as the case may be, within a  reasonable time after Custodian receives them. Custodian has no responsibility to respond or otherwise act with  respect to any such notice unless and until Custodian has received timely and appropriate instructions from the  applicable Fund or Manager. Each Fund is responsible to ensure all required documentation and funds are available  to Custodian and its agents as required under the terms of the offer or by legal jurisdiction in order for Custodian and  its agent to take action on behalf of its Account.  10.2. Proxies. Custodian shall promptly forward all proxies and accompanying material actually received by  Custodian’s Domestic Sub-Custodian that are issued by any company whose securities are held in an Account to the  applicable Fund, as directed. The Funds acknowledge that proxy services are limited in foreign markets and  Custodian’s sole responsibility with respect to such proxy materials will be to forward promptly the proxy and  accompanying material received by Custodian’s Domestic Sub-Custodian to the applicable Fund or Manager.  Custodian shall have no duty to translate or retain any material received unless required to do so by law.  10.3. Corporate Literature. Custodian shall have no duty to forward or to retain any other corporate material  received by Custodian for an Account unless required to do so by law. Custodian shall have no duty to translate or  retain any material received from its Global Sub-Agent Network unless required to do so by law.  10.4. Disclosure to Issuers of Securities. Each Fund agrees that unless it directs Custodian in writing to the contrary,  the Custodian or its Domestic Sub-Custodian or its Sub-Agents may disclose the name and address of the party with  the authority to vote the proxies of the Securities held in its Account as well as the number of shares held, to any  

 

issuer of said Securities or its agents upon the written request of such issuer or agent in conformity with the  provisions of the applicable law. Each Fund acknowledges that Custodian or its Domestic Sub-Custodian or its Sub- Agents may be required under jurisdictional law to disclose to issuers beneficial owner information regardless of  that Fund’s instructions otherwise.  11. INSTRUCTIONS  11.1. Written. All instructions from a Fund or Manager with respect to its Accounts must be from an authorized  person and, except those instructions described in Paragraph 7, shall be in writing, and shall continue in force until  changed by subsequent instructions. For purposes of this Paragraph 11, an authorized person means any of the  persons duly authorized by the Board to give instructions on behalf of a Fund, as applicable, as set forth in a  certificate along with any limitations on such Persons’ scope of authority, such certificate to be executed by the  Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Fund, as the same may be revised from time to time. Pending receipt of  written authority, Custodian may in its discretion at any time accept oral, faxed, wired and electronically transmitted  instructions from a Fund or Manager provided Custodian believes in good faith that the instructions are genuine. If  oral instructions are received, the Fund or Manager, as the case may be, shall promptly confirm such instructions in  writing or by facsimile or other means permitted hereunder. A Fund will hold Custodian harmless for the failure of  that Fund or Manager to send confirmation in writing, the failure of such confirmation to conform to the telephone  instructions received or Custodian’s failure to produce such confirmation at any subsequent time. Only those  individuals as may be designated by a Fund or Manager from time to time are authorized to give instructions as  described In this Agreement.  11.2. Reliance on Instructions. Except as otherwise provided herein, all instructions shall be in writing, and shall  continue in force until changed by subsequent instructions. Pending receipt of written authority, Custodian may in  its discretion at any time accept oral, wired or electronically transmitted instructions from a Fund or Manager  provided Custodian believes in good faith that the Instructions are genuine. Further, Custodian may in good faith  assume that any written or oral instructions received hereunder are consistent with the provisions of organizational  documents of a Fund or of any vote, resolution or proceeding of a Fund’s board of directors, unless and until  Custodian receives written instructions to the contrary.  12. RIGHT TO RECEIVE ADVICE   12.1. Advice of a Fund. If Custodian is in doubt as to any action it should or should not take under this Agreement,  Custodian may request directions or advice, including oral instructions or written instructions, from a Fund.  12.2. Advice of Counsel. If Custodian shall be in doubt as to any question of law pertaining to any action it should or  should not take, Custodian may request advice from counsel of its own choosing (who may be counsel for the  Custodian, at the option of Custodian). The applicable Fund(s) shall pay the reasonable cost of any counsel retained  by Custodian with prior notice to such Fund(s).  12.3. Conflicting Advice. In the event of a conflict between directions or advice or oral instructions or written  instructions Custodian receives from a Fund, and the reasonable advice it receives from counsel, Custodian shall be  entitled to rely upon and follow the reasonable advice of counsel.  12.4. Protection of Custodian. Subject to Paragraph 16.1, Custodian shall be indemnified by a Fund and without  liability for any action Custodian takes or does not take in reliance upon directions or advice or oral instructions or  written instructions Custodian receives from or on behalf of that Fund, or from counsel and which Custodian  believes, in good faith, to be consistent with those directions or advice or oral instructions or written instructions.  Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed so as to impose an obligation upon Custodian (i) to seek such directions  or advice or oral instructions or written instructions, or (ii) to act in accordance with such directions or advice or oral  instructions or written instructions.  13. ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING  

 

13.1. Cost and Nominal Value. Each Fund agrees to furnish Custodian with the income tax cost basis and dates of  acquisition of all Securities held in its Account to be carried on its records. If a Fund does not furnish such  information, Custodian shall carry the Securities at any such nominal value it determines, such value to be for  bookkeeping purposes only. All statements and reporting of any matters requiring this information will use this  nominal value. Custodian shall have no duty to verify the accuracy of the cost basis and dates of acquisition  furnished by a Fund. Securities purchased in the Account shall be carried at cost.  13.2. Valuations. To the extent that Custodian has agreed to provide pricing or other information services, Custodian  is authorized to utilize any vendor (including brokers and dealers of Securities and pricing services embedded in  Custodian’s securities processing or accounting systems) reasonably believed by Custodian to be reliable to provide  such information. The Funds understand that certain pricing information with respect to complex financial  instruments including, without limitation, derivatives may be based on calculated amounts rather than actual market  transactions and may not reflect actual market values, and that the variance between such calculated amounts and  actual market values may or may not be material. Where pricing vendors used by Custodian do not provide  information for Securities, a Fund or authorized party may advise Custodian regarding the fair market value of, or  provide other information with respect to, such held Securities. If the Fund or Manager does not provide such  information, Custodian shall use the cost or nominal value for such Securities, solely for administrative  convenience. Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense incurred as a result of errors or omissions  with respect to any pricing or other information utilized by Custodian hereunder and shall have no responsibility or  duty to ascertain or authenticate the value of pricing applied to any such Security.  13.3. Activity Reports. Custodian shall provide access to the Funds end Manager and other persons authorized by a  Fund or Manager to access advices of securities transactions and other information regarding the Account by means  of Custodian’s online system.  13.4. Statements. Custodian shall provide the Funds and Manager with the applicable Account statements and other  reports periodically via paper delivery or electronically by means of the Custodian’s online service or as otherwise  as agreed to by the applicable Fund and Custodian showing all Income and principal transactions and cash positions,  and a list of property. A Fund may approve or disapprove any such statement within thirty (30) days of its receipt,  and, if no written objections are received within the thirty (30) day period, such statement of its Account shall be  deemed approved.  Each Fund acknowledges and agrees that if Custodian’s online service is selected, paper statements will be provided  only upon request and that the Custodian’s online statements, trade confirms and related online communications  satisfy all of Custodian’s existing legal and contractual obligations to provide statements, reports and confirmations  with respect to the account. Printed trade confirmations for trades effected by the Custodian will be available upon  request and at no additional cost. A Fund or Manager may request printed trade confirmations for other securities  transactions from the broker through which they direct such trades.  14. USE OF OTHER BANK SERVICES  14.1. Mutual Fund Investments. A Fund or Manager may direct Custodian to utilize for the Account any mutual fund  available in the market as permitted by law. These investment directions may include, but are not limited to, money  market mutual funds or long equity and fixed income mutual funds. Such funds may be sub-advised by an affiliate  or subsidiary of Custodian and/or for which Custodian may also act as the mutual fund’s custodian and/or provide  other services for the mutual fund. A Fund or Manager shall designate the particular mutual fund that the Fund or  Manager deems appropriate for the applicable Account. Each Fund hereby acknowledges that Custodian or its  affiliate or subsidiary will receive fees for such services which are in addition to those fees charged by Custodian as  agent for a Fund’s custody Account.  14.2. Foreign Exchange. Custodian makes available to a Fund foreign exchange services directly with Custodian or  through Custodian’s Domestic Sub-Custodian to convert currencies in conjunction with transactions in that Fund’s  Account under direction provided in Appendix B, as amended from time to time. Each Fund acknowledges that  Custodian is the counterparty with respect to foreign exchange transactions provided under the Standing Instructions  Defined Spread Service (Defined Spread Service) with Custodian’s Domestic Sub-Custodian and are subject to  Paragraph 9 of this Agreement  

 

14.2.1. Standing Instructions Defined Spread Service. Foreign currency exchanges offered under the Defined Spread  Service are directed to Custodian’s Domestic Sub-Custodian or, for markets with currency restrictions, to the local  market Sub-Agent. Both services may be amended from time to time.  14.2.2. Direct with Custodian’s Global Capital Markets. A Fund may elect to have foreign currency exchanges  provided under separate agreement with Custodian’s Global Capital Markets and performed in accordance with  Custodian’s Foreign Exchange Agreement.  Each Fund acknowledges that (i) it or Manager is not obligated to effect foreign currency exchange with Custodian  or Custodian’s Domestic Sub-Custodian, (ii) Custodian will make available the relevant data so that it or Manager,  as the case may be, can Independently monitor foreign exchange activities, and (iii) Custodian will receive benefits  for such foreign currency transactions as defined in Section 14.2.2 which are in addition to the compensation which  Custodian receives for administering the Account.  14.3. Interest Bearing Deposits. A Fund or Manager may direct that assets of the applicable Account be invested in  deposits with Custodian or Domestic Sub-Custodian as a sweep vehicle or other deposit held in Custodian’s nominee  name for the benefit of Its clients. Such deposits are covered by FDIC insurance up to the designated value in effect  for each beneficial owner.  14.4. Other Transaction Services. A Fund or Manager may direct Custodian to utilize for the applicable Account  other services or facilities provided by Custodian, its subsidiaries or affiliates. Such services may include, but are  not be limited to the placing of orders for the purchase or sale of units or shares of any registered investment  company, including such registered investment company to which Custodian, MUFG Americas Holdings  Corporation, or their subsidiaries or affiliates, manage, provide investment advice, act as custodian or provide other  services.  14.5. Credit Facilities. Custodian may, in accordance with its commercial lending practices, enter into a credit  facility with a Fund for use with the operation of the applicable Account. Such credit facility will be agreed to under  separate agreement and subject to the terms and conditions, therein. The Funds acknowledge that any such credit  facility is subject to the lien provisions of Paragraph 9.2 of this Agreement.  15. CUSTODIAN’S RESPONSIBILITIES AND LIABILITIES  15.1. Standard of Care. In performing the responsibilities delegated to it under this Agreement, the Custodian agrees  to exercise reasonable care and shall not be liable for any damages arising out of the Custodian’s performance of or  failure to perform its duties under this Agreement except to the extent that damages arise directly out of the  Custodian’s willful misfeasance, negligence or otherwise from a material breach of the Custodian’s standard of care  under this Agreement.  15.2. Investment Authority. The parties intend that Custodian shall not be considered a fiduciary of the Account.  15.3. Insurance and Force Majeure. Without limiting the generality of Paragraph 15.1 or of any other provision of  this Agreement, the Custodian shall not be liable so long as and to the extent that it exercises reasonable care, for  any defect in the title, validity or genuineness of any Security or in the evidence of title thereto received by it or  delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement. In addition, Custodian (i) shall not be required to maintain any special  insurance for the benefit of a Fund, and (ii) except as may arise from Custodian’s or its affiliates own willful  misfeasance, negligence or otherwise from a material breach of Custodian’s standard of care under this Agreement,  shall not be liable or responsible for any loss, damage, expense, failure to perform or delay caused by accidents,  strikes, fire, flood, war, riot, electrical or mechanical or communication line or facility failures, acts of third parties  (including without limitation any messenger, telephone or delivery service), acts of God, war, government action,  civil commotion, fire, earthquake, or other casualty or disaster or any other cause or causes which are beyond  Custodian’s reasonable control. However, Custodian shall use reasonable efforts to replace Securities lost or  damaged due to such causes with securities of the same class and issue with all rights and privileges pertaining  thereto. Custodian shall not be liable to a Fund for any loss as the result of a Sub-Custodian to the same extent that  the Custodian would be liable under this Agreement.  

 

15.4. Legal Proceedings  15.4.1. Custodian shall not be required to appear in or defend any legal proceedings with respect to the Account or  the Securities unless Custodian has been indemnified to its reasonable satisfaction against loss and expense  (including reasonable attorneys’ fees).  15.4.2. With respect to legal proceedings, Custodian may consult with counsel acceptable to it after written  notification to a Fund concerning its duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, and shall not be liable for any  action taken or not taken in good faith on the advice of such counsel.  15.4.3. To the extent permissible by law or regulation and upon a Fund request, that Fund shall be subrogated to the  rights of the Custodian with respect to any claim for any loss, damage or claim suffered by that Fund, in each case to  the extent that the Custodian falls to pursue any such claim or that Fund is not made whole in respect of such loss,  damage or claim.  16. INDEMNITIES AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY  16.1. In addition to the indemnification provisions contained in this Agreement, each Fund agrees to indemnify,  defend and hold harmless Custodian and its affiliates providing services under this Agreement, including their  respective officers, directors, agents and employees from all taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims and  liabilities including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements and liabilities (“Claims”)  arising directly or indirectly from any action or omission to act which Custodian takes in connection with the  provision of services to that Fund. Neither Custodian, nor any of its affiliates, shall be indemnified against any  liability (or any expenses incident to such liability) caused by Custodian’s or its affiliates’ or any sub-contractor’s  own willful misfeasance, negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of Custodian’s or its affiliates’ or any  sub-contractors activities under this Agreement. The provisions of this Paragraph 16 shall survive termination of this  Agreement.  16.2. In all cases, Custodian’s liability under this Agreement shall be limited to the resulting direct loss, if any,  incurred by a Fund. Under no circumstances shall Custodian be liable for any incidental, consequential, indirect,  punitive, or special damage which a Fund may incur or suffer in connection with this Agreement.  17. COMPENSATION AND OTHER CHARGES  17.1. Compensation. The Funds shall pay Custodian compensation for its services hereunder as specified in  Appendix C and as amended from time to time. Fees for a Fund shall accrue and be taken in arrears as specified on  the active fee schedule and charged to the Account unless that Fund has requested that it be billed directly. However,  any fees not paid within sixty (60) days of billing will be charged to the Account.  17.2. Expenses. A Fund shall reimburse Custodian by debiting its Account for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses  and processing costs incurred by Custodian and Global Sub-Custodian Network in the administration of the Account  including, without limitation, reasonable counsel fees Incurred by Custodian pursuant to Subparagraph 12.2 of this  Agreement.  18. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION   18.1. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended at any time by a written instrument signed by the parties or by  Custodian immediately if required by applicable law or upon thirty (30) days written notice to the Funds.  18.2. Termination. Custodian may terminate this Agreement immediately if Custodian, in its sole discretion,  determines that (i) a Fund failed to strictly comply with any material provision of this Agreement; or (ii) any  representation, warranty or covenant of the other party in this Agreement is false. Any such termination shall not  constitute a waiver of any other rights that the Custodian may have under this Agreement  

 

In addition, either party may terminate this Agreement and the Account upon sixty (60) days’ written notice. Upon  such termination, Custodian shall deliver or cause to be delivered the Securities, less any amounts due and owing to  Custodian under this Agreement to a successor custodian designated by the Funds or, if a successor custodian has  not accepted an appointment by the effective date of termination of an Account, to the applicable Fund. Upon  completion of such delivery Custodian shall be discharged of any further liability or responsibility with respect to  the Securities so delivered. In the event that Securities or other properties remain in the possession of the Custodian  after the date of termination hereof owing to failure of a Fund to provide proper instructions, the Custodian shall be  entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period to that Fund as the Custodian retains possession of  such securities, funds and other properties and the provisions of this Agreement relating to the duties and obligations  of the Custodian shall remain in full force and effect. In the event that no proper instructions designating a successor  custodian or alternative arrangements shall have been delivered to the Custodian on or before the date when such  termination shall become effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company,  which is a “bank” as defined in the Act of its own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided  profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all Securities held by the Custodian on  behalf of a Fund and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto held by it under this Agreement on behalf  of a Fund, and to transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the Securities held in an Account.  Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Agreement All expenses  associated with the transfer of custody hereunder upon termination hereof shall be borne by the applicable Fund  (except as may be specifically agreed in writing by the parties in relation to special arrangements).  19. SUCCESSORS  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their successors in interest.  This Agreement may not be assigned by either party, nor may the duties of either party hereunder be delegated,  without the prior written consent of the other party.  20. GOVERNING LAW  The validity, construction, and administration of this Agreement shall be governed by the applicable laws of the  United States from time to time in force and effect and, to the extent not preempted by such laws of the United  States, by the laws of the State of California from time to time in force and effect. Any action or proceeding to  enforce, interpret or adjudicate the rights and responsibilities of the parties hereunder shall be commenced in the  State or Federal courts located in the State of California.  21. NOTICES  Except as otherwise specified herein, all notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement  shall be signed and in writing and shall be deemed as having been duly given on the date of service, if served  personally on the party to whom notice is to be given, or on the fifth (5) day after mailing, if mailed to the party to  whom notice is to be given and properly addressed as follows:  To the Funds: Venture Lending & Leasing * Updated per 4/28/21 LOI    104 La Mesa drive, Suite 102 /s/ Kevin Bruni   Portola Valley, CA 94028 Date: 2021.04.28   Attn: Judy Bornstein*      Facsimile: 650 234-4343      Email: judy@westerntech.com*           To Custodian: MUFG Union Bank, N.A.   350 California Street, Suite 2018      San Francisco, CA 94104      Attn: Margaret Bond, Vice President      Facsimile: (877) 823-3601      Email: ITCS Funds 1@unionbank.com or margaret.bond@unionbank.com  

 

This agreement and any amendment, notice or other document required to be signed and in writing under this  Agreement may be delivered by personal service or U.S. first class mail postage prepaid or via fax, email with an  imaged or scanned attachment (such as a PDF), or similar electronic transmission with electronic signature through  Custodian’s online secure messaging service pursuant to security protocols established and agreed by the parties,  unless otherwise specified herein. Signatures delivered via fax, email, or similar electronic transmission shall be  effective as original signatures in binding the parties and shall be effective upon receipt.  Periodic communications related to foreign currencies and global market updates will be available to authorized  parties through Custodian’s secure messaging service.  22. CONFIDENTIALITY  All non-public information and advice furnished by either party to the other shall be treated as confidential and will  not be disclosed to third parties unless required by law, except (a) each Fund and Manager may disclosure any  information to any governmental regulatory or (b) Custodian may disclose (i) the identity of a Fund as a client or  client reference of Custodian; (ii) any information to any government regulator of Custodian or its affiliated entities,  as requested or required by such governmental regulator; and (iii) any information to Custodian’s affiliated entities  and product and service providers to the extent necessary to provide the financial products and services under this  Agreement.  23. EFFECTIVE DATE  This Agreement shall be effective as of the date appearing below, and shall supersede any prior or existing  agreements between the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof.  24. COUNTERPARTS  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of  which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement and all exhibits, appendices,  attachments and amendments hereto may be reproduced by any reasonable means. The parties hereto each agree that  any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative  proceeding, whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in  the regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall  likewise be admissible in evidence.  25. MISCELLANEOUS  Each party agrees to perform such further acts and execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the  purposes hereof. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties and  supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. The captions in this  Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions  hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.    

 

      BY FUND: Venture Lending & Leasing III, LLC ACCEPTED: MUFG Union Bank, N.A.           By: /s/Maurice Werdegar By: /s/Brian Davies  Name: Maurice Werdegar    Name: Brian Davies  Title: President and CEO    Title: Vice President  Date: July 27, 2015    Date: 07/28/15           By: /s/Martin Eng By: /s/Magaret Bond  Name: Martin Eng    Name: Margaret Bond  Title: CFO    Title: Director  Date: July 27, 2015    Date: 07/28/15           BY FUND: Venture Lending & Leasing IV, LLC BY FUND: Venture Lending & Leasing V, LLC  By: /s/Maurice Werdegar    By: /s/Maurice Werdegar  Name: Maurice Werdegar    Name: Maurice Werdegar  Title: President and CEO    Title: President and CEO  Date: July 27, 2015    Date: July 27, 2015           By: /s/Martin Eng By: /s/Martin Eng  Name: Martin Eng    Name: Martin Eng  Title: CFO    Title: CFO  Date: July 27, 2015    Date: July 27, 2015           BY FUND: Venture Lending & Leasing VI, LLC BY FUND: Venture Lending & Leasing VI, Inc.  By: /s/Maurice Werdegar    By: /s/Maurice Werdegar  Name: Maurice Werdegar    Name: Maurice Werdegar  Title: President and CEO    Title: President and CEO  Date: July 27, 2015    Date: July 27, 2015           By: /s/Martin Eng    By: /s/Martin Eng  Name: Martin Eng    Name: Martin Eng  Title: CFO    Title: CFO  Date: July 27, 2015    Date: July 27, 2015  

 

      BY FUND: Venture Lending & Leasing VII, LLC BY FUND: Venture Lending & Leasing VII, Inc.  By: /s/Maurice Werdegar    By: /s/Maurice Werdegar  Name: Maurice Werdegar    Name: Maurice Werdegar  Title: President and CEO    Title: President and CEO  Date: July 27, 2015    Date: July 27, 2015      By: /s/ Martin Eng    By: /s/ Martin Eng  Name: Martin Eng    Name: Martin Eng  Title: CFO    Title: CFO  Date: July 27, 2015    Date: July 27, 2015           BY FUND: Venture Lending & Leasing VIII, LLC BY FUND: Venture Lending & Leasing VIII, Inc.  By: /s/Maurice Werdegar    By: /s/Maurice Werdegar  Name: Maurice Werdegar    Name: Maurice Werdegar  Title: President and CEO    Title: President and CEO  Date: July 27, 2015    Date: July 27, 2015           By: /s/Martin Eng By: /s/Martin Eng  Name: Martin Eng    Name: Martin Eng  Title: CFO    Title: CFO  Date: July 27, 2015    Date: July 27, 2015  

 

SCHEDULE I  TO THE CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT BETWEEN  VENTURE LENDING AND LEASING, INC.  AND US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION  Name of Fund  Venture Lending and Leasing IV, LLC  Venture Lending and Leasing V, Inc.  Venture Lending and Leasing VI LLC  Venture Lending and Leasing VII, LLC  Venture Lending and Leasing VII Inc Collection  Venture Lending and Leasing VIII LLC  Venture Lending and Leasing VIII Inc  Venture Lending and Leasing VIII Inc Collection  Venture Lending and Leasing IX Inc  Venture Lending and Leasing IX LLC  Venture Lending and Leasing IX Inc Collection  Venture Lending and Leasing VI Holdings Inc  Venture Lending and Leasing VII Holdings Inc  Venture Lending and Leasing IX Holdings Inc  Venture Lending and Leasing VIII Holdings Inc  WTI Fund X, Inc.  By: Western Technology Investment, “Principal”  Authorized Signature: /s/ Judy Bornstein    Name & Title:  Judy Bornstein, CFO    Date: 4/26/21      By: US Bank National Association, "Custodian"  Authorized Signature: /s/ Brian Swanson    Attorney in Fact   Name & Title: Brian Swanson, Vice President   Date: April 25, 2021a102venturelendingleasin

GDSVF&H\3074285.8   INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT      THIS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of  December 15, 2017, between VENTURE LENDING & LEASING IX, INC., a Maryland corporation  (the “Fund”), and WESTECH INVESTMENT ADVISORS LLC, a California limited liability  company (“Westech Advisors”). Westech Advisors is sometimes referred to herein as the  “Manager”.    WHEREAS, the Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified closed-end management  investment company that has elected status as a business development company (“BDC”) under the  Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), whose sole shareholder is Venture Lending &  Leasing IX, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “LLC”);    WHEREAS, the Manager is an investment adviser registered as such under the Investment  Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”); and    WHEREAS, the Fund desires to retain the Manager to furnish certain investment advisory,  portfolio management and administrative services to the Fund, and the Manager is willing to furnish  such services.    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein  contained, it is agreed between the parties as follows:    1. Appointment. The Fund hereby appoints Westech Advisors as Investment Manager  for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. Westech Advisors accepts such  appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided.    2. Investment Duties. Subject to the supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors (the  “Board”), the Manager will provide a continuous investment program for the Fund and will  determine from time to time what securities and other investments will be purchased, retained or sold  by the Fund.   Subject to investment policies and guidelines established by the Board, the Manager  will identify, evaluate, structure and close the investments to be made by the Fund, provide portfolio  management and servicing of loans held in the Fund’s portfolio, and administer the Fund’s day-to-  day affairs.   The Manager will also arrange and recommend debt financing for the Fund, provided  that no such debt may be incurred without the prior approval of the Board.    3. Administrative Duties. The Manager will administer the affairs of the Fund under the  supervision of the Board and subject to the following:    (a) The Manager will supervise all aspects of the operations of the Fund, including  oversight of transfer agency, custodial and accounting services; provided, however, that nothing  contained herein shall be deemed to relieve or deprive the Board of its responsibility for and control  of the conduct of the affairs of the Fund.    (b) The Manager will arrange, but not pay, for the periodic preparation, updating,  filing and dissemination (as required) of the Fund’s registration statement under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, proxy material, tax returns and required reports to the Fund’s shareholders  

 

GDSVF&H\3074285.8 2   and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and other appropriate federal or state  regulatory authorities.    (c) The Manager will oversee the computation of the net asset value and the net  income of the Fund in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board.    (d) The Manager will maintain or oversee the maintenance of all books and  records with respect to the Fund, and will furnish the Board with such periodic and special reports as  the Board reasonably may request.   In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the  1940 Act, the Manager hereby agrees that all records that it maintains for the Fund are the property of  the Fund, agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any records  that it maintains for the Fund and that are required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940  Act, and further agrees, upon request by the Fund, to surrender promptly to the Fund any records that  it maintains for the Fund.    (e) All cash, securities and other assets of the Fund will be maintained in the  custody of one or more banks in accordance with the provisions of Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and  the rules thereunder; the authority of the Manager to instruct the Fund’s custodian(s) to deliver and  receive such cash, securities and other assets on behalf of the Fund will be governed by a custodian  agreement between the Fund and each such custodian, and by resolution of the Board.    (f) The Manager will arrange for the Fund, at the Fund’s expense, to obtain (i)  annual audited financial statements and cause such financial statements to be distributed to the  Fund’s shareholders within 120 days of the end of the Fund’s fiscal year, and (ii) audited financial  statements upon the Fund’s liquidation, and cause such financial statements to be distributed to the  Fund’s shareholders promptly after the completion of such audit. All such financial statements shall  be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and audited by an  independent public accountant that is registered with, and subject to regular inspection as of the  commencement of the professional engagement period, and as of each calendar year-end, by, the  Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in accordance with its rules.    4. Further Duties. In all matters relating to the performance of this Agreement, the  Manager will act in conformity with the Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws  of the Fund and with the instructions and directions of the Board and will comply with the  requirements of the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder, and all other applicable federal and state laws and  regulations.    5. Services Not Exclusive.    (a) The services furnished by the Manager hereunder are not to be deemed  exclusive and the Manager, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Section 5, shall be free to  furnish similar services to others so long as its services under this Agreement are not impaired  thereby. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Section 5, nothing in this Agreement shall  limit or restrict the right of any director, officer or employee of the Manager, who may also be a  director, officer or employee of the Fund, to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time  and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar or  dissimilar nature.  

 

GDSVF&H\3074285.8 3   (b) Until the earlier of (i) the termination of the Investment Period (as defined  below) and (ii) such time as the LLC has called capital and either the LLC and/or the Fund has  invested at least 75% of the total amounts subscribed for by the investors in the LLC, except as  provided below, neither the Manager, Venture Lending and Leasing IX GP, LLC (in its role as the  managing member of the LLC, the “Managing Member”) nor any “Controlled Person” of the  Manager or the Managing Member will, without the consent of the LLC, call down capital from any  pooled investment vehicle other than VLLI Holdings II, LLC, Venture Lending & Leasing III, LLC,  Venture Lending & Leasing IV, LLC, Venture Lending & Leasing V, LLC, Venture Lending &  Leasing VI, Inc., Venture Lending & Leasing VI, LLC, Venture Lending & Leasing VII, Inc.,  Venture Lending & Leasing VII, LLC, Venture Lending & Leasing VIII, Inc., Venture Lending &  Leasing VIII, LLC (such entities, collectively, the “Prior Debt Fund Entities”), the LLC or the Fund,  or act as investment adviser or manager to any client, if the investment program of such pooled  investment vehicle or client includes, as a primary or major component, the provision of asset-backed  debt financing to domestic venture capital-backed companies. In the event that the LLC elects  irrevocably to release the members of the LLC from any uncalled portion of their subscription  obligations, then solely for purposes of determining when the 75% investment threshold described  above has occurred, the “total amounts subscribed for” shall be deemed reduced to reflect such  release. The foregoing restriction shall not be deemed to prohibit the Manager, the Managing  Member or any Controlled Person thereof from acting as investment adviser or manager with respect  to any of the Prior Debt Fund Entities; provided, however, that, until the 75% investment threshold  described above has occurred, such party shall not, without the consent of the Fund, accept from the  Prior Debt Fund Entities any additional investment funds (other than amounts required for follow-on  investments to existing investments) beyond the funds invested or committed to the Prior Debt Fund  Entities (for this purpose treating commitments to Venture Lending & Leasing VIII, LLC as also  being commitments to Venture Lending & Leasing VIII, Inc.) as of December 15, 2017. A  “Controlled Person” of the Manager or the Managing Member, as used in this paragraph, means any  entity (i) 50% or more of whose voting securities are beneficially owned by the Manager or the  Managing Member, as applicable, or (ii) 50% or more of whose voting securities are controlled in the  aggregate by Ronald W. Swenson, Salvador O. Gutierrez, Maurice C. Werdegar, David R. Wanek or  Jay L. Cohan. “Investment Period” as used in this paragraph means the period commencing on the  date of the first investment by the Fund (or, if earlier, the LLC) and ending on the last day of the  calendar quarter during which the fifth anniversary of such date occurs; provided, however, that the  Managing Member shall be permitted to extend such period by up to two (2) additional calendar  quarters in its sole and absolute discretion.    The Manager acts as the investment adviser to WTI Equity Opportunity Fund I, L.P. (the  “EOF I” and together with the Prior Debt Fund Entities, collectively, the “Prior Funds”) and as  managing member of the general partner of EOF I. In addition to EOF I, the Manager, the Managing  Member and/or one or more of the Controlled Person of the Manager or Managing Member may  sponsor and/or act as the investment adviser or manager to one or more other private investment  entities formed for the purpose of making equity and equity-oriented investments (other than asset-  backed investments) in privately held companies (any such entity or entities, along with EOF I,  collectively, the “Equity Fund”).   For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Agreement shall  prevent the Manager, the Managing Member and/or any Controlled Person of the Manager or  Managing Member from at any time forming, calling down capital from and/or acting as the  investment adviser or manager to the Equity Fund or any successor thereto.  

 

GDSVF&H\3074285.8 4   6. Expenses.    (a) The Fund will pay all expenses (including, without limitation, accounting,  legal, printing, clerical, filing and other expenses) incurred by the Fund, the Manager or its affiliates  on behalf of the Fund in connection with the organization of the Fund and the initial offering of its  shares.   In addition, except as otherwise expressly provided for in Section 6(b), during the term of  this Agreement, the Fund will bear all of its expenses incurred in its operations including, but not  limited to, the following: (i) brokerage, legal, accounting and commission fees and expenses and  other transaction costs related to the acquisitions, dispositions and/or restructurings (including  collection and/or workout costs and expenses) of investments (including investments that are not  consummated), any hedging transactions with respect thereto and the creation and perfection of  security interests with respect thereto; (ii) federal, state and local taxes and fees, including transfer  taxes and filing fees, incurred by or levied upon the Fund; (iii) interest charges and other fees and  expenses incurred in connection with borrowings (including without limitation costs and expenses  incurred in connection with negotiating with one or more lenders to the Fund (including prospective  lenders) to structure a loan syndicate and to satisfy any conditions imposed by lenders to the Fund);  (iv) SEC fees and expenses, as well as expenses of compliance by the Fund and its directors with  SEC rules, regulations, examinations, and filing requirements, and any fees and expenses of other  federal or state securities or other regulatory authorities (such as obtaining a surety bond); (v)  expenses of preparing, printing and distributing Fund reports and notices; (vi) costs of proxy  solicitation; (vii) costs of meetings of shareholders and the Board; (viii) charges and expenses of the  Fund’s custodian, transfer and dividend disbursing agents; (ix) any fees and expenses incurred to  conduct background checks on the management personnel of prospective Fund investments; (x)  compensation and expenses of the Fund’s disinterested directors (which at present include a $20,000  annual fee for each disinterested director, an additional $5,000 annual fee for the chair of the Fund’s  Audit Committee, and a fee of $1,000 per meeting attended in person, which amounts may be revised  as determined by the Fund’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee), and expenses of  directors in attending Board meetings, expenses of directors and officers liability insurance, and  payments under indemnification agreements; (xi) expenses of administrators, custodians, counsel and  auditors; (xii) costs of any certificates representing the shares of stock of the Fund, if any; (xiii) costs  of stationery and supplies; (xiv) the costs of membership by the Fund in any trade organizations  (including Investment Company Institute membership dues for both the Fund and the Manager); (xv)  expenses associated with the preparation of tax returns, and financial statements and obtaining  accounting and tax advice; (xvi) all costs and expenses associated with litigation involving the Fund  and the amount of any judgment or settlement in connection therewith; (xvii) costs and expenses  incurred in connection with valuing the Fund’s investments, including valuation software and the  retention of any valuation expert; and (xviii) other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses (such as  litigation expenses or indemnification expenses).    (b) The expenses to be borne by the Manager in connection with its duties to the  Fund hereunder are limited to the following: (i) all costs and fees incident to the selection and  investigation of prospective Fund investments, such as travel expenses and professional fees (but  excluding broker, legal and accounting fees and other costs incident to the closing, documentation, or  consummation of such transactions, and further excluding any fees and expenses incurred to conduct  background checks on the management personnel of prospective Fund investments); (ii) the cost of  adequate office space for the Fund and all necessary office equipment and services, including  telephone service, heat, utilities and similar items; (iii) the cost of providing the Fund with such  

 

GDSVF&H\3074285.8 5   corporate, administrative and clerical personnel (including officers and directors of the Fund who are  interested persons of the Manager and are acting in their respective capacities as officers and  directors) as the Board reasonably deems necessary or advisable to perform the services required to  be performed by the Manager under this Agreement; and (iv) costs and expenses associated with the  Manager’s registration or compliance with, or examination by the SEC with respect to, the Advisers  Act (other than charges and expenses of the Fund’s custodian, transfer and dividend disbursing agents  or any other costs or expenses associated with the acquiring, holding or disposing of the Fund’s  assets, whether required by the Advisers Act (or similar state laws) or otherwise).    (c) The Fund may pay directly any expenses incurred by it in its normal operations  and, if any such payment is consented to by the Manager and acknowledged as otherwise payable by  the Manager pursuant to this Agreement, the Fund may reduce the fee payable to the Manager  pursuant to Section 7 hereof by such amount. To the extent that such deductions exceed the fee  payable to the Manager on any quarterly payment date, such excess shall be carried forward and  deducted in the same manner from the fee payable on succeeding quarterly payment dates.    (d) The payment or assumption by the Manager of any expense of the Fund that  the Manager is not required by this Agreement to pay or assume shall not obligate the Manager to  pay or assume the same or any similar expense of the Fund on any subsequent occasion.    7. Management Fee.    (a) For the services provided and the expenses assumed pursuant to this  Agreement, commencing as of the date on which capital contributions are due in connection with the  first capital call issued by the LLC to the members of the LLC, the Fund or its successor trustees will  pay to the Manager, whether before or after dissolution of the Fund, a management fee (the  “Management Fee”), computed and paid quarterly as follows:    (i) the aggregate annual amount of Management Fees for each annual  period (which shall be comprised of four (4) whole fiscal quarters and which, in the case of the first  annual period, shall commence on the first day of the first fiscal quarter commencing on or following  the Initial Contribution Date) shall be equal to the product of the Annual Percentage (as defined  below) with respect to such annual period (as set forth below) and the Member Committed Equity  Capital (as defined below) (regardless of when or if such committed capital is called or released);    (ii) the “Annual Percentage” with respect to each annual period shall be as  follows:    Annual Period Annual Percentage  First 1.575%  Second 1.600%  Third 1.575%  Fourth 1.500%  Fifth 1.250%  

 

GDSVF&H\3074285.8 6   Sixth 0.900%  Seventh 0.600%  Eighth 0.350%  Ninth 0.150%      (iii) There shall be no Management Fee payable by the Fund with respect to  any fiscal quarter commencing following the nine year anniversary of the Initial Contribution Date;    (iv) The “Member Committed Equity Capital” shall be the aggregate  amount of subscription obligations for the purchase of interests in the LLC (including any amounts of  such obligations that have been satisfied). For purposes of calculating the Management Fee, any  capital committed to the LLC at a closing subsequent to the first closing (regardless of when or if  such committed capital is called or released) shall be deemed to have been committed to the LLC as  of the first closing.    (b) The amount of Management Fees for the period beginning on the Initial  Contribution Date and ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter during which the Initial  Contribution Date occurs shall accrue at the same rate as applies for the first annual period, and shall  be payable on the last day of such fiscal quarter. In general, the amount of Management Fees payable  with respect to any annual period shall be payable in equal quarterly installments, in arrears,  provided, however, that the management fee for any partial period shall be pro rated based on the  ratio that the number of days in such partial period bears to the actual number of days in the  applicable annual period.    (c) In the event of the liquidation of the Fund, the Management Fee which is  payable by the Fund as set forth above with respect to the fiscal quarter during which such liquidation  occurs and for each subsequent fiscal quarter shall be payable by the LLC.    (d) If (i) the Manager, (ii) an officer, director or employee of the Manager, (iii) a  company controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Manager, or (iv) an officer,  director or employee of any such company receives any compensation from a company whose  securities are held in the Fund’s portfolio in connection with the provision to that company of  significant managerial assistance, the compensation due to the Manager hereunder shall be reduced  by the amount of such fee. If such amounts have not been fully offset at the time of termination of  this Agreement, the Manager shall pay such excess amounts to the Fund upon termination. In the  event that any such compensation is received from a company whose securities are also held by one  or more Prior Funds, then, for purposes of reducing the amount of compensation due to the Manager  from the Fund, the amount of the compensation received from such company shall be allocated  between the Fund and such Prior Funds pro rata in accordance with the relative investment made by  each of them in such company.    8. Limitation of Liability of Manager. The Manager shall not be liable for any error of  judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to  which this Agreement relates except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross  

 

GDSVF&H\3074285.8 7   negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of its obligations  and duties under this Agreement. Any person, even though also an officer, director, employee or  agent of the Manager, who may be or become an officer, director, employee or agent of the Fund  shall be deemed, when rendering services to the Fund or acting with respect to any business of the  Fund, to be rendering such service to, or acting solely on behalf of, the Fund and not as an officer,  director, employee or agent or one under the control or direction of the Manager even though paid by  it.    9. Duration and Termination.    (a) This Agreement shall become effective upon the date hereabove written  provided that this Agreement shall not take effect unless it has first been approved (i) by a vote of a  majority of those directors of the Fund who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of  any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii)  by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities.    (b) Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall continue in  effect for two years from the above written date.   Thereafter, regardless of the dissolution of the  Fund, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue automatically for successive periods of twelve  months each, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by a vote of  a majority of those directors of the Fund who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons  of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and  (ii) by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.    (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated: (i) by vote  of the Board or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund at any time,  without the payment of any penalty, on sixty days’ written notice to the Manager or (ii) by the  Manager at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on sixty days’ written notice to the Fund.  This Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.    10. Amendment of this Agreement. No provision of this Agreement may be changed,  waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party  against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought, and no  amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until approved by vote of a majority of the Fund’s  outstanding voting securities.    11. Governing Law.   This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of  the State of Maryland, without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles thereof, and in  accordance with the 1940 Act.   To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Maryland  conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.    12. Miscellaneous. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of  reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their  construction or effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court  decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their  respective successors. As used in this Agreement, the terms “majority of the outstanding voting  

 

  securities", "interested person", "assignment", "broker", "investment adviser", "security" and  "significant managerial assistance" shall have the same meaning as such terms have in the 1940  Act, subject  to such exemption  as may be granted by the SEC by any rule, regulation or order.  Where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is  relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or general application, such  provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by  their officers designated as of the day and year first above written.    VENTURE LENDING & LEASING IX, INC.    WESTECH INVESTMENT ADVISORS LLC          By:  /s/ Jay Cohan               By:  /s/ Maurice Werdegar                        Jay Cohan          Maurice Werdegar           Vice President          Chief Executive Officer                                                            GDSVF&l-1\3074285.8 8

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