Please wait
Exhibit. (K)(2)
EXECUTION COPY
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is dated as of December 29, 2000 by and among STATE STREET BANK
AND TRUST COMPANY, a Massachusetts trust company (“State Street”), and each entity listed on
Schedule I hereto, together with any other entity which may from time to time become a party to
this Agreement by execution of an Instrument of Accession substantially in the form attached as
Exhibit 1 hereto (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”).
WHEREAS, each Fund is, unless otherwise noted, registered as an open-end or closed-end, management
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS, each Fund desires to retain State Street to furnish certain accounting and other
administrative services, and State Street is willing to furnish such services, on the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained and other
good and valuable consideration the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
| |
|
“Agreement” means this Agreement including the recitals hereto and the Schedules and
Exhibits, as the same may be amended from time to time by agreement of the parties. |
| |
|
“Authorized Person” means any person authorized by a Fund to give Proper Instructions on
behalf of the Fund and in respect of whom State Street has not received written notice from
the Fund that such authorization has been revoked. |
| |
|
“Authorized Price Sources” means pricing sources designated by a Fund on State Street’s
standard form price source authorization, as the same may be amended by the Fund and State
Street from time to time or as otherwise designated by the Fund or an Authorized Person,
including, without limitation, the investment adviser to the Fund. |
| |
|
“Business Day” means any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading or on
which banking institutions in the City of New York are open for business. |
| |
|
“Charter Documents” means a Fund’s Articles of Incorporation or Declaration of Trust, as the
case may be, and By-Laws. |
| |
|
“Compliance Monitoring Services” means the agreed investment compliance checks as may be
carried out by State Street in respect of a Fund on a daily (or other periodic) basis
pursuant to the provisions of the Compliance Monitoring Services Addendum attached
|
hereto as Exhibit 2. “Constitutive Documents” means, collectively, a Fund’s Charter
Documents and Prospectus, as defined herein.
“Existing Service” means a Service which is described in the Service Level Agreement or
which is determined by the JSC (as defined in Section 15) to be an Existing Service.
“Historic Fund Records” means the books, records, data files, documents and other
information maintained by or on behalf of each Fund as part of the Services prior to the
effective date of this Agreement and which are necessary for the provision of the Services
by State Street hereunder.
“MLIM” means Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P.
“New Service” means a Service other than an Existing Service.
“Proper Instructions” means instructions (which may be standing instructions) received by
State Street from an Authorized Person, in any of the following forms:
(i) in writing signed by the Authorized Person; or
(ii) in a tested communication; or
(iii) in a communication utilizing access codes effected between electro mechanical or
electronic devices as may be agreed upon by the parties in writing from time to time; or
(iv) by such other means as may be agreed upon in writing from time to time by State Street
and the party giving such instruction including, without limitation, oral instructions.
“Prospectus” means a Fund’s currently effective registration statement under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and the 1940 Act and the Fund’s Prospectus(es) and
Statement(s) of Additional Information relating to all portfolios and all amendments and
supplements thereto as in effect from time to time.
“Service Level Agreement” means the Service Level Agreement of even date herewith between
State Street and MLIM relating to the provision of the Services, as amended from time to
time.
“Services” means the accounting and other administrative services described in Sections 3
and 4 hereof.
| 1.2 |
|
References herein to a Fund shall be deemed to include each portfolio or class of share of
such Fund, as applicable. For purposes of any liability or indemnification provision hereunder
each separate portfolio of an investment company shall be considered a Fund. |
| 1.3 |
|
In this Agreement references to “persons” shall include legal as well as natural entities,
references importing the singular shall include the plural (and vice versa), use of the
masculine pronoun shall include the feminine and numbered schedules, exhibits, sections or
sub-sections shall (unless the contrary intention appears) be construed as references to such
schedules and exhibits hereto and sections or sub-sections herein bearing those numbers. The
Schedules and Exhibits are hereby incorporated herein by reference. |
2
| 2.1 |
|
Each Fund hereby retains State Street and State Street agrees to provide the Services, in
each case subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement and subject to the control, supervision and direction of the Fund and the review and
comment by the Fund’s auditors and legal counsel and in accordance with such procedures as may
be established from time to time between the Fund and State Street. State Street confirms that
it shall offer employment to substantially all of those persons employed by, and in good
standing with, the Mutual Fund Accounting Department of MLIM as of the date hereof |
| 2.2 |
|
In the event that a Fund establishes one or more additional series of shares with respect to
which it desires to have State Street render Services under the terms hereof, it shall so
notify State Street in writing and thereafter such series will be subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, and shall be maintained and accounted for by State Street on a
discrete basis. |
| 2.3 |
|
Subject to obtaining the prior written approval of each Fund, State Street may assign,
delegate or otherwise transfer any or all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement
to a third party, provided that State Street’s liability to the Funds shall not be affected
thereby. |
| 2.4 |
|
It is hereby acknowledged and agreed by each Fund that this Agreement is entered into by the
Fund as a principal contracting party and not as agent for any other party and nothing
contained herein shall be interpreted as creating any contractual obligations on the part of
State Street towards any shareholders of the Fund. |
| 2.5 |
|
State Street shall not be responsible for any duties or obligations which it has not
specifically undertaken pursuant to this Agreement and no such duties or obligations shall be
implied or inferred. |
| 2.6 |
|
This Agreement and the Services to be provided by State Street hereunder shall be revised by
the parties from time to time to comply with changes in any law, rule or regulation applicable
to the Funds. |
| 2.7 |
|
If any literature, including, but not limited to, brochures, advertising materials, web site
contents and marketing materials, issued by or on behalf of a Fund contains any reference to
State Street, other than literature merely identifying State Street as providing accounting or
administrative services to the Fund, or if any literature issued by State Street contains any
reference to a Fund, then the Fund or State Street, as the case may be, will obtain the other
party’s prior written consent to such reference before its publication in any form. |
| 3.1 |
|
State Street shall maintain the books of account and other financial records of each Fund in
accordance with applicable law, including Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and rules thereunder,
other than records maintained by the Fund’s custodian (as agreed among the |
3
| |
|
Fund, State Street and the custodian) and shall perform the following
duties in the manner prescribed by the Constitutive Documents and
further in accordance with such written procedures, including, but
not limited to, the Service Level Agreement, as may be established
between the Fund and State Street from time to time: |
| |
3.1.1 |
|
Record general ledger entries; |
| |
| |
3.1.2 |
|
Calculate daily net income; |
| |
| |
3.1.3 |
|
Reconcile activity to the trial balance; |
| |
| |
3.1.4 |
|
Calculate and publish daily net asset value; |
| |
| |
3.1.5 |
|
Prepare account balances; and |
| |
| |
3.1.6 |
|
Provide such other accounting services as may be required to
enable each Fund to maintain its books and records in compliance with
applicable law and generally accepted accounting principles. |
| 3.2 |
|
Each Fund shall provide timely prior written notice to State Street of any modification in
the manner in which such calculations are to be performed. For purposes of calculating the net
asset value of a Fund, State Street shall value the Fund’s portfolio securities utilizing
prices obtained from Authorized Price Sources. State Street shall not be responsible for any
revisions to the methods of calculation prescribed by the Constitutive Documents or the Fund
unless and until such revisions are communicated in writing to State Street. |
| |
| 4. |
|
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES |
| |
| 4.1 |
|
State Street shall provide the following additional administrative services to each Fund in
the manner prescribed by the Constitutive Documents and further in accordance with such
written procedures, including, but not limited to, the Service Level Agreement, as may be
established between the Fund and State Street from time to time: |
| |
4.1.1 |
|
Oversee the maintenance by the Fund’s custodian of certain
books and records of the Fund as required under Rule 31a-1(b) of the 1940 Act; |
| |
| |
4.1.2 |
|
Calculate, submit for approval by officers of the Fund and
arrange for payment of the Fund’s expenses; |
| |
| |
4.1.3 |
|
Prepare for review and approval by officers of the Fund
financial information for the Fund’s semi-annual and annual reports, proxy
statements and other communications required or otherwise to be sent to Fund
shareholders; |
| |
| |
4.1.4 |
|
Prepare and file, following review by an officer of and legal
counsel for the Fund, the Fund’s periodic financial reports required to be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Form N- |
4
| |
|
|
SAR and prepare financial information required by Form N-1A, Form N-2 and
other regulatory filings and such other financial reports, forms or
filings as may be mutually agreed upon; |
| |
| |
4.1.5 |
|
Prepare reports relating to the business and affairs of the
Fund as may be mutually agreed upon and not otherwise prepared by the Fund’s
investment adviser, custodian, legal counsel or independent accountants; |
| |
| |
4.1.6 |
|
Make such reports and recommendations to the Board of
Directors of the Fund (the “Board”) concerning the performance of the Fund’s
independent accountants as the Board may reasonably request; |
| |
| |
4.1.7 |
|
Make such reports and recommendations to the Board concerning
the performance and fees of the Fund’s custodian and transfer and dividend
disbursing agent (the “Transfer Agent”) as the Board may reasonably request or
deem appropriate; |
| |
| |
4.1.8 |
|
Consult with the Fund’s officers, independent accountants,
legal counsel, custodian and Transfer Agent in establishing and following the
accounting policies of the Fund; |
| |
| |
4.1.9 |
|
Provide Compliance Monitoring Services to assist the Fund’s
investment adviser in complying with Internal Revenue Code mandatory
qualification requirements, the requirements of the 1940 Act and Fund
prospectus limitations as may be mutually agreed upon; |
| |
| |
4.1.10 |
|
Assist the Fund in the handling of routine regulatory examinations and work
closely with the Fund’s legal counsel in response to any non-routine regulatory
matters; |
| |
| |
4.1.11 |
|
Assist the Fund in the preparation of reports to the Board of Directors and
with any other work of a routine or non-routine nature that requires
information maintained or accessible through the Fund’s accounting and
financial records. |
| 4.2 |
|
State Street shall be responsible for the provision of the office facilities and the
personnel required by it to perform the Services contemplated herein. State Street shall also
provide reasonable facilities for use by the Fund’s auditors in connection with any periodic
inspection of the books and records maintained by State Street hereunder. |
| |
| 5. |
|
SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT |
| |
| 5.1 |
|
In conjunction with this Agreement, State Street and MLIM shall enter into a Service Level
Agreement which specifies key performance indicators and delivery benchmarks in respect of the
Services and which reflects the performance goals of the parties from time to time. |
5
| 5.2 |
|
Subject at all times to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, State Street shall use
all reasonable endeavors to provide the Services in accordance with the Service Level
Agreement. |
| |
| 5.3 |
|
Each Fund shall use all reasonable endeavors to fulfill its duties and obligations under the
Service Level Agreement and to cause any third parties referenced therein to do likewise.
State Street shall have no liability for any loss, liability, claim, cost or expense to the
extent resulting from or caused by the failure of a Fund or any other party referenced in the
Service Level Agreement to comply with the terms thereof. For avoidance of doubt, the
preceding sentence shall not relieve State Street of liability to the extent any such loss or
expense arises from its own negligence, bad faith, fraud, willful default or willful
misconduct in the discharge of its duties hereunder. |
| |
| 5.4 |
|
The liability of State Street in respect of its obligations under the Service Level Agreement
shall be governed by the terms of this Agreement. In no event shall a failure by State Street
to comply with any term or condition of the Service Level Agreement constitute a breach or
violation of this Agreement giving rise to financial penalties, damages or contractual or
other remedies, except as set out in this Section 5. However, the fact that State Street has
met the key performance indicators or delivery benchmarks of the Service Level Agreement shall
not relieve State Street of any liability that it might otherwise have under this Agreement
arising from or as a result of its fraud, willful default, negligence or willful misconduct in
the performance of its duties hereunder. It is the intention of State Street and each Fund
that the remedy for any: |
| |
5.4.1 |
|
failure by State Street, a Fund or any third party referenced
in the Service Level Agreement to meet the performance indicators, delivery
benchmarks or other aspects of the Service Level Agreement; or |
| |
| |
5.4.2 |
|
consistent failure by State Street, a Fund or any third party
referenced in the Service Level Agreement to fulfill its duties and obligations
under the Service Level Agreement in a material respect; or |
| |
| |
5.4.3 |
|
dispute relating to the Service Level Agreement, |
| |
|
|
shall be referral of the matter to the JSC (as defined below) for attempted
resolution or, where applicable, termination of this Agreement in accordance with
Section 20.6.4. |
| 5.5 |
|
The purpose of the referral to the JSC is to resolve the inability of the relevant party to
meet the provisions of the Service Level Agreement. It shall be the responsibility of the JSC
to develop and oversee implementation of procedural or operational changes which will enable
the Service Level Agreement to be more regularly met; revise the obligations of the parties
under the Service Level Agreement to more adequately meet the service requirements of the
Funds; or otherwise develop a solution aimed at ensuring that the inability to meet the
Service Level Agreement will be less likely to occur in the future. |
| 5.6 |
|
If a matter is referred to the JSC pursuant to Section 5.4 and despite implementation of the
JSC’s recommendations, a party consistently fails to meet in a material respect its
|
6
|
|
obligations under the Service Level Agreement that were the subject of the referral or any
revised obligations agreed as a result of the referral (other than for reasons outside the
party’s reasonable control), then the matter shall be referred to the senior executive of
the Global Investor Services Group of State Street and the First Vice President — MLIM
Operations (or their equivalents following any reorganization) (together the “Executive
Officers”) for resolution. The referral shall expressly cite this Section 5 and state that
the relevant Fund(s) or State Street, as the case may be, may exercise its right to
terminate this Agreement should the matter not be resolved. |
| 5.7 |
|
If the Executive Officers are unable to resolve the matter within thirty (30) Business Days
of the referral, and if (but only if) all relevant parties agree in writing within five (5)
Business Days of the aforementioned deadline, the matter may be submitted to a
mutually-acceptable Professional Mediator (as defined in Section 26.5 below) to attempt to
facilitate a resolution within thirty (30) Business Days of the referral. Any such mediation
shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 26.4 through 26.6 below. |
| 5.8 |
|
If either (i) following a failure by the Executive Officers to resolve the matter, the
relevant Fund(s) and State Street do not agree on use of a Professional Mediator or (ii) the
matter has not been resolved within thirty (30) Business Days of the conclusion of such
mediation effort, then the relevant Fund(s) or State Street, as the case may be, shall be
entitled to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Sections 20.4.3 and 20.6.4,
respectively. |
| 5.9 |
|
Nothing in this Section 5 shall limit the liability of State Street for any failure to
perform the Services in accordance with the standard of care set forth in Section 11 and the
terms of this Agreement as distinct from a failure by State Street to meet key performance
indicators or delivery benchmarks of the Service Level Agreement. The fact that the Service
Level Agreement performance metrics have been met shall not excuse State Street from liability
that it would otherwise have under the terms of this Agreement. |
| 6.1 |
|
Each Fund will promptly deliver to State Street copies of each of the following documents and
all future amendments and supplements thereto, if any: |
| |
6.1.1 |
|
The Fund’s Charter Documents; |
| |
6.1.2 |
|
The Fund’s Prospectus; |
| |
6.1.3 |
|
Certified copies of the resolutions of the Board authorizing
(1) the Fund to enter into this Agreement and (2) certain individuals on behalf
of the Fund to (a) give Proper Instructions to State Street pursuant to this
Agreement and (b) sign checks and pay expenses; |
| |
6.1.4 |
|
A copy of the investment advisory agreement between the Fund
and its investment adviser; and |
7
| |
6.1.5 |
|
Such other certificates, documents or opinions which State
Street may, in its reasonable discretion, deem necessary or appropriate in the
proper performance of its duties. |
| 6.2 |
|
Each Fund shall provide or cause to be provided to State Street such additional data and
information as State Street may reasonably require in order to discharge its duties under this
Agreement, including, without limitation, the information detailed in the Service Level
Agreement. State Street shall have no liability for the failure to provide, any error in the
provision of, or any delay in providing, any of the Services to the extent the provision of
such Services is dependent upon receipt of the aforesaid information and the same has not been
provided in a materially complete, accurate and timely manner. For avoidance of doubt, the
preceding sentence shall not relieve State Street of liability to the extent any such loss or
expense arises from its own negligence, bad faith, fraud, willful default or willful
misconduct in the discharge of its duties hereunder. |
| 6.3 |
|
Each Fund shall assure that its custodian and other service providers make available to State
Street such information in respect of the Fund as State Street may reasonably require for the
performance of the Services. |
| 6.4 |
|
Each Fund shall use all reasonable endeavors to ensure that any information provided or
caused to be provided to State Street pursuant to this Agreement, including the Service Level
Agreement, shall be provided in a complete, accurate and timely manner so as to enable State
Street to duly render the Services. |
| 6.5 |
|
In the course of discharging its duties hereunder, State Street may rely on the information
provided to it by or on behalf of a Fund or by any persons authorized by a Fund including,
without limitation, any other service providers to the Fund or any Authorized Price Sources. |
| 6.6 |
|
Each Fund acknowledges and agrees that except as otherwise expressly set forth in the Service
Level Agreement, State Street shall have no responsibility for, or duty to review, confirm or
otherwise perform any investigation as to the completeness, accuracy or sufficiency of any
information provided to it by the Fund, any persons authorized by the Fund or any other
service providers to the Fund, including, without limitation, any Authorized Price Sources and
shall be without liability for any loss, liability, claim, expense or damage suffered or
incurred by any person as a result of State Street having relied upon and utilized such
information in good faith. For avoidance of doubt, the preceding sentence shall not relieve
State Street of liability to the extent any such loss or expense arises from its own
negligence, bad faith, fraud, willful default or willful misconduct in the discharge of its
duties hereunder. State Street will promptly notify a Fund in the event it becomes aware that
any information received by it is incomplete, inaccurate or insufficient or in the event of a
failure or delay by any party to provide information required by State Street to discharge its
duties under this Agreement. |
8
| 7.1 |
|
Each Fund represents and warrants to State Street that it has completed or caused to be
completed a full reconciliation of the Historic Fund Records and except as otherwise disclosed
in writing to State Street such records are accurate and complete in all material respects. |
| 7.2 |
|
To the extent the Historic Fund Records remain unreconciled as of the effective date of this
Agreement, each Fund shall ensure that the outstanding items are reconciled as soon as
practicable or otherwise promptly redressed, in each case at the expense of the Fund. State
Street shall provide all reasonable assistance to each Fund (at the expense of the Fund) to
reconcile any outstanding items. |
| 7.3 |
|
State Street shall have no liability to a Fund or any other person and shall be indemnified
and held harmless by each Fund from and against any loss, liability, damage, claim, cost or
expense resulting from or caused by its good faith reliance on the accuracy and completeness
of the Historic Fund Records. |
| 8.1 |
|
Each Fund shall provide State Street with an incumbency certificate specifying the names,
specimen signatures and powers of all Authorized Persons in respect of the Fund. State Street
may rely upon the identity and authority of such persons until it receives written notice from
the relevant Fund to the contrary. |
| 8.2 |
|
Each Fund will give State Street all necessary instructions to enable State Street to fulfill
its obligations under this Agreement at such times and in such form as mutually agreed upon,
including, without limitation, as State Street may request. |
| 8.3 |
|
State Street shall have no responsibility or liability to a Fund and shall be indemnified and
held harmless by the Fund, if a subsequent written confirmation of an oral Proper Instruction
fails to conform to the oral instructions received by State Street. State Street shall
promptly seek written confirmation of any oral instruction received by it. |
| 8.4 |
|
State Street shall have no obligation to act in accordance with purported instructions to the
extent they conflict with applicable law or regulation, provided that State Street shall not
be under any obligation to ensure that any instruction received by it would not contravene any
such laws or regulations. |
| 8.5 |
|
State Street shall not be liable for any loss resulting from a delay while it obtains
clarification of any Proper Instructions which it reasonably deems to be incomplete or
unclear, provided that it promptly seeks such clarification. |
| 8.6 |
|
State Street shall be held harmless by a Fund in acting upon any instruction, notice,
request, consent, certificate or instrument reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to be
signed or otherwise given by the proper party or parties. |
9
| 8.7 |
|
If a Fund instructs State Street to take any action (including, without limitation, the
initiation of legal proceedings) which may involve the payment of money or liability on the
part of State Street, State Street may refrain from acting in accordance with such instruction
until it has received indemnity, security or both reasonably satisfactory to it and sufficient
to hold it harmless from and against any loss, liability or expense which State Street may
incur as a result of taking such action. |
| |
|
When deemed necessary for the proper performance of its duties under this Agreement with
respect to specific and non-routine matters involving one or more of the Funds, State Street
may, with the consent of a Fund (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), seek
legal, tax, financial, administrative or other advice of a reputable professional adviser
and State Street shall be reimbursed in respect of any costs and expenses properly incurred
in obtaining and receiving any such advice. State Street shall have no liability to a Fund
for any loss, liability, claim, cost, expense, tax or assessment arising as a direct or
indirect result of having relied on such advice in good faith. |
| 10. |
|
COMPLIANCE WITH GOVERNMENTAL RULES AND REGULATIONS |
| |
|
Each Fund assumes responsibility for complying with all securities, tax, commodities and
other laws, rules and regulations applicable to it in the conduct of its business. |
| 11. |
|
STANDARD OF CARE; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY |
| 11.1 |
|
State Street shall at all times exercise reasonable care and diligence and act in good faith
in the performance of its duties hereunder, provided, however, that State Street shall be
without liability to any Fund or any agent thereof for any loss, liability, damage, claim,
cost or expense unless caused by its own fraud, willful default, negligence or willful
misconduct or that of its agents, delegates or employees. State Street shall be responsible
for the performance of only such duties as are explicitly set forth in this Agreement and
shall have no responsibility for the actions or activities of any other party (save its
agents, delegates or employees), including other service providers to a Fund. |
| 11.2 |
|
Each Fund, severally but not jointly, hereby indemnifies and secures harmless (to the maximum
extent permitted by law) State Street from and against all claims, actions, costs, charges,
losses, damages and expenses (including without limitation legal fees and amounts reasonably
paid in settlement) which State Street may incur or sustain (other than by reason of State
Street’s bad faith, willful default or negligence or that of its agents, delegates or
employees) in connection with the performance of its duties for that particular Fund under
this Agreement or otherwise arising from any act or omission of that particular Fund or any
other person (including any predecessor service provider to the Fund) prior to the effective
date of this Agreement. |
| 11.3 |
|
If State Street (the “Indemnified Party”) shall seek indemnification from a Fund (the
“Indemnifying Party”) in respect of a claim or liability asserted by a third party, the
Indemnified Party shall give written notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party promptly after
it receives notice of the claim or liability being asserted, but the failure to do so shall
|
10
| |
|
not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability except to the extent that it is
prejudiced by the failure or delay in giving such notice. Such notice shall summarize the
basis for the claim for indemnification and any claim or liability being asserted by the
third party. Within 15 days after receiving such notice, the Indemnifying Party shall give
written notice to the Indemnified Party stating whether it disputes the claim for
indemnification and whether it will defend against the third-party claim or liability at its
own cost and expense. If the Indemnifying Party fails to give notice that it disputes an
indemnification claim within 15 days after receipt of notice thereof, it shall be deemed to
have accepted and agreed to the claim. The Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to direct
the defense against the third-party claim or liability with counsel selected by it (subject
to the consent of the Indemnified Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld)
as long as the Indemnifying Party is conducting a good faith and diligent defense. The
Indemnified Party shall at all times have the right to fully participate in the defense of a
third-party claim or liability at its own expense directly or through counsel. If no such
notice of intent to dispute and defend a third-party claim or liability is given by the
Indemnifying Party, or if such good faith and diligent defense is not being or ceases to be
conducted by the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnified Party shall have the right, at the
expense of the Indemnifying Party, to undertake the defense of such claim or liability (with
counsel selected by the Indemnified Party), and to compromise or settle it, exercising
reasonable business judgment. Except as otherwise provided in the immediately preceding
sentence, neither the Indemnified Party nor the Indemnifying Party shall settle or confess
any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the Indemnifying Party will be asked
to indemnify the Indemnified Party, except with the prior written consent of both parties.
The Indemnified Party shall at all times make available such information and assistance as
the Indemnifying Party may reasonably request and shall cooperate with the Indemnifying
Party in such defense, at the expense of the Indemnifying Party. |
| 11.4 |
|
In no event shall any party be liable for any loss arising by reason of the occurrence of a
Force Majeure Event (as defined in Section 12) which prevents, hinders or delays it from or in
performing its obligations under this Agreement. |
| 11.5 |
|
State Street shall not be liable for any liabilities, damages, losses, claims, taxes, duties,
costs or expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees) whatsoever incurred or suffered
by a Fund at any time as a result of the failure of the Fund or any other person (other than
State Street, its employees, agents or delegates) to comply with the laws or regulations of
any country or jurisdiction. For avoidance of doubt, the preceding sentence shall not relieve
State Street of liability to the extent such other person’s failure to comply with laws or
regulations is the direct result of State Street’s negligence, bad faith, fraud, willful
default or willful misconduct in the discharge of its duties hereunder. |
| 11.6 |
|
The provisions herein regarding indemnification, liability and limits thereon shall survive
following the expiration or termination of this Agreement to the extent relating to any claim
or right of action arising in connection with the performance of this Agreement and each Fund
and State Street shall enter into such documents as shall be necessary to ensure the survival
of the same. |
11
| 11.7 |
|
Each Fund acknowledges that except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, State
Street’s duties under this Agreement do not include any obligation to monitor the compliance
of the Fund or any other person whatsoever with any restriction or guideline imposed by its
Constitutive Documents or by law or regulation or otherwise with regard to the investment of
the assets of the Fund. In no event shall State Street have any duty to enforce compliance by
the Fund or any other person whatsoever with any such restrictions or guidelines. |
| |
| 11.8 |
|
Each Fund acknowledges and agrees that State Street shall provide Compliance Monitoring
Services, if any, on a contractual basis only in accordance with the terms of the Compliance
Monitoring Services Addendum attached hereto as Exhibit 2. The Compliance Monitoring Services
are provided by State Street as a supplement to and not in place or in lieu of a Fund’s own
compliance program and/or that of the investment advisers of the Fund. |
| |
| 11.9 |
|
State Street shall have no liability to a Fund or otherwise for any loss or liability
resulting from State Street’s performance or non-performance of the Compliance Monitoring
Services except as expressly set forth in the Compliance Monitoring Services Addendum. |
| |
| 11.10 |
|
In no event shall State Street or any Fund be liable for any special, indirect, incidental,
punitive or consequential damages of any kind whatsoever, even if advised of the possibility
of such damages. The limitation on liability imposed by this Section 11.10 shall not be
construed to relieve State Street of liability to a Fund in circumstances where (i) it is
otherwise liable to the Fund under the terms of this Agreement for losses resulting from an
inaccurate Net Asset Value calculation and (ii) the liability of the Fund arises from its
obligation to compensate shareholders for direct loss resulting from the purchase or
redemption of shares at such inaccurate Net Asset Value. |
| |
| 12. |
|
FORCE MAJEURE |
| |
| 12.1 |
|
If a party is prevented, hindered or delayed from or in performing any of its obligations
under this Agreement by a Force Majeure Event (as defined below) then: |
| |
12.1.1 |
|
that party’s obligations under this Agreement shall be suspended for so long
as the Force Majeure Event continues and to the extent that party is so
prevented, hindered or delayed; |
| |
| |
12.1.2 |
|
as soon as reasonably possible after commencement of the Force Majeure Event
that party shall notify the other party in writing of the occurrence of the
Force Majeure Event, the date of commencement of the Force Majeure Event and
the effects of the Force Majeure Event on its ability to perform its
obligations under this Agreement; and |
| |
| |
12.1.3 |
|
as soon as reasonably possible after the cessation of the Force Majeure Event
that party shall notify the other party in writing of the cessation of the
Force Majeure Event and shall resume performance of its obligations under this
Agreement. |
12
| 12.2 |
|
For the purposes of this Section 12 and Section 11.4, “Force Majeure Event” means any event
beyond the reasonable control of a party including, without limitation, acts of God, war
damage, enemy action, riot, civil commotion, rebellion, act of any government or any other
competent authority or compliance with any law or governmental order, rule, regulation or
direction. For avoidance of doubt, provided that State Street has exercised reasonable care
and diligence and complied with its obligations under Section 12.3 and 13 below, a Force
Majeure Event shall include any failure or malfunction of any telecommunications, computer or
other electrical, mechanical or technological application, service or system to the extent any
such failure is beyond State Street’s reasonable control. |
| |
| 12.3 |
|
Each party hereto shall use all reasonable efforts to mitigate the effects of any Force
Majeure Event. |
| |
| 13. |
|
CONTINGENCY MEASURES |
| |
| 13.1 |
|
State Street shall maintain in a separate and safe place additional copies of all records
required to be maintained pursuant to this Agreement or additional tapes, disks or other
sources of information necessary to reproduce all such records. |
| |
| 13.2 |
|
Within twelve (12) months of the date hereof, State Street shall establish and maintain a
disaster recovery back-up facility available for its use in providing the Services required
hereunder in the event circumstances beyond State Street’s control result in State Street not
being able to process the necessary work at its principal facility. State Street shall, from
time to time, upon request from a Fund provide written evidence and details of its arrangement
with respect to such back-up facility. State Street further agrees to provide each Fund from
time to time on request with a copy of the disaster recovery and contingency plans of State
Street and to make its staff available to discuss such plans on request. Nothing in this
Section shall relieve State Street of any liability that it might otherwise have under this
Agreement arising from or as a result of its fraud, willful default, negligence or willful
misconduct in the performance of its duties hereunder, provided, however, that the aggregate
liability of State Street to any Fund in relation to the maintenance of a disaster recovery
back-up facility during the initial twelve (12) months of this Agreement shall not at any time
exceed an amount equal to ten (10) per cent of the fee paid or accrued and payable by such
Fund (as of the date of the liability) in respect of the accounting and administrative
services provided pursuant to the Agreement. |
| |
| 13.3 |
|
State Street shall at all times employ a then current version of one of the leading
commercially available virus detection software programs to test the on-site hardware and
software applications utilized by it to deliver the Services to determine that such hardware
and software does not contain any computer code designed to disrupt, disable, harm, or
otherwise impede operation. With respect to any applications utilized on a remote basis, State
Street shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a similar representation or
commitment from the third party provider of such application. |
| |
| 13.4 |
|
State Street shall at its expense retain a firm of independent auditors to perform an annual
audit of the internal accounting controls and procedures employed by State Street in the |
13
| |
|
performance of the Services and to issue a detailed report thereon and shall provide to each
Fund a copy of such report within ten (10) Business Days of its issue by the independent
auditors. The first such annual audit shall be carried out in the fourth quarter of 2001.
State Street shall also allow each Fund’s independent auditors and the corresponding
personnel of each Fund’s investment adviser reasonable access to perform their own audit of
State Street’s internal accounting controls, provided, however, that the frequency and scope
of such audits shall be as agreed by the JSC from time to time. |
| |
| 13.5 |
|
Upon request of a Fund, State Street shall from time to time as appropriate, furnish to such
Fund a letter setting forth the insurance coverage maintained by State Street, any changes in
such coverage which may have occurred from the date of the last such request and any claim
relating to the Fund which State Street may have made under such insurance. |
| |
| 14. |
|
FEES AND EXPENSES |
| |
| 14.1 |
|
In consideration of the provision of the Services by State Street, each Fund (or Merrill
Lynch Investment Managers, L.P., for those Funds identified on Schedule 1 hereto as Funds for
which its investment adviser pays accounting costs) shall pay to State Street such fees and
shall reimburse State Street such expenses as may be agreed by the parties from time to time
in a separate written fee schedule. |
| |
| 14.2 |
|
Each Fund will bear all expenses that are incurred in its operation and not specifically
assumed by State Street. Expenses to be borne by each Fund, include, but are not limited to:
organizational expenses; cost of services of independent accountants and outside legal and tax
counsel (including such counsel’s review of the Fund’s registration statement, proxy
materials, federal and state tax qualification as a regulated investment company and other
reports and materials prepared by State Street under this Agreement); cost of any services
contracted for by the Fund directly from parties other than State Street; cost of trading
operations and brokerage fees, commissions and transfer taxes in connection with the purchase
and sale of securities for the Fund; investment advisory fees; taxes, insurance premiums and
other fees and expenses applicable to its operation; costs incidental to any meetings of
shareholders including, but not limited to, legal and independent accountants’ fees, proxy
filing fees and the costs of preparation, printing and mailing of any proxy materials; costs
incidental to Board meetings, including fees and expenses of Board members; the salary and
expenses of any officer, director\trustee or employee of the Fund; costs incidental to the
preparation, printing and distribution of the Fund’s registration statements and any
amendments thereto and shareholder reports; cost of typesetting and printing of prospectuses;
cost of preparation and filing of the Fund’s tax returns, Form N-1A or N-2, and all notices,
registrations and amendments associated with applicable federal and state tax and securities
laws; all applicable registration fees and filing fees required under federal and state
securities laws; and fidelity bond and directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. |
14
| 15. |
|
JOINT SERVICES COMMITTEE |
| |
| 15.1 |
|
Following the signing of this Agreement, State Street and the Funds, in conjunction with MLIM
and Princeton Administrators, L.P. (collectively, the “MLIM Group”) which have entered into
separate Administrative Services Agreements with State Street, shall establish a Joint
Services Committee (the “JSC”) comprised of an equal number of representatives appointed to
represent State Street and the MLIM Group (the “Committee Members”). For purposes of this
section, the MLIM Group shall be treated as one entity in terms of their ability to appoint
representatives to the JSC. Except as otherwise agreed, a meeting shall not be validly
constituted unless an equal number of representatives from the MLIM Group and State Street are
present. The JSC shall continue in existence after termination of this Agreement until such
time as all activities performed by State Street under this Agreement have been transferred to
a successor service provider. All parties shall be entitled from time to time to replace any
of their representatives (and shall notify one another of their intention to do so). The JSC
shall monitor the progress and performance of this Agreement in relation to the Services and
shall meet on a regular basis no less frequently than quarterly unless otherwise agreed. Each
of State Street and the MLIM Group shall also be entitled to convene meetings of the JSC by
giving notice to all members of the JSC. A representative of the Funds shall chair all
meetings of the JSC. The minutes shall be kept by State Street and, subject to review of all
parties, issued to the MLIM Group. The JSC shall establish its own procedures and each party
shall use all reasonable endeavors to meet the actions agreed at those meetings and cooperate
with the other to provide personnel, resources and actions to meet their obligations under
this Agreement. |
| |
| 15.2 |
|
State Street shall provide to the JSC and the representative(s) of the MLIM Group a monthly
report in such form as the Committee Members shall agree (the “Key Performance Indicator
Report”) showing the following performance levels achieved by State Street in providing the
relevant Services including, but not limited to: |
| |
15.2.1 |
|
the average performance in the previous 12 months; |
| |
| |
15.2.2 |
|
the month with the highest and lowest performance levels in the previous 12
months; and |
| |
| |
15.2.3 |
|
the performance in each month since the previous meeting. |
| 15.3 |
|
The JSC shall be responsible for: |
| |
15.3.1 |
|
determining whether a Service is an Existing Service or a New Service and,
for this purpose, a Service shall be determined to be an Existing Service if,
although that Service is not described in a Service Level Agreement, it is a
service which a Fund can demonstrate (to the reasonable satisfaction of State
Street) has been provided or made available prior to the date of this Agreement
by MLIM to one or more of the Funds. |
| |
| |
15.3.2 |
|
oversight of the performance of the Services; |
15
| |
15.3.3 |
|
oversight of the performance by State Street, each Fund and third parties of
their duties under the Service Level Agreement; |
| |
| |
15.3.4 |
|
determining when and where revisions need to be made to this Agreement and to
the Service Level Agreement(s) to more adequately meet or address the service
requirements of the Funds from time to time; and |
| |
| |
15.3.5 |
|
determining changes to be made in the Services as a result of changes in any
law, rule or regulation applicable to the Funds. |
| 16. |
|
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF STATE STREET |
| |
| 16.1 |
|
State Street represents and warrants to each Fund that: |
| |
16.1.1 |
|
It is a Massachusetts trust company, duly organized and existing under the
laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts; |
| |
| |
16.1.2 |
|
It has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business in The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of New Jersey; |
| |
| |
16.1.3 |
|
All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter
into and perform this Agreement; |
| |
| |
16.1.4 |
|
No legal or administrative proceedings have been instituted or threatened
which would impair State Street’s ability to perform its duties and obligations
under this Agreement; and |
| |
| |
16.1.5 |
|
Its entrance into this Agreement shall not cause a material breach or be in
material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of State Street or any
law or regulation applicable to it. |
| 17. |
|
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE FUNDS |
| |
| 17.1 |
|
Each Fund represents and warrants to State Street that: |
| |
17.1.1 |
|
It is a corporation or business trust, as the case may be, duly organized,
existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation or establishment; |
| |
| |
17.1.2 |
|
It has the requisite corporate or trust power and authority under applicable
laws and by its Constitutive Documents to enter into and perform this
Agreement; |
| |
| |
17.1.3 |
|
All requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and
perform this Agreement; |
| |
| |
17.1.4 |
|
It is an investment company properly registered under the 1940 Act; |
16
| |
17.1.5 |
|
A registration statement under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act has been filed
and, if the Fund is offering securities in a transaction that requires
registration under the 1933 Act, will be effective and remain effective during
the term of this Agreement as required by applicable law. The Fund also
warrants to State Street that as of the effective date of this Agreement, all
necessary filings under the securities laws of the states in which the Fund
offers or sells its shares have been made; |
| |
| |
17.1.6 |
|
No legal or administrative proceedings have been instituted or threatened
which would impair the Fund’s ability to perform its duties and obligations
under this Agreement; and |
| |
| |
17.1.7 |
|
Its entrance into this Agreement will not cause a material breach or be in
material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Fund or any law
or regulation applicable to it. |
| 18. |
|
CONFIDENTIALITY |
| |
| |
|
The parties hereto agree that each shall treat confidentially the terms and conditions of
this Agreement and all information provided by each party to the other regarding its
business and operations. All confidential information provided by a party hereto, including
nonpublic personal information pursuant to Regulation S-P of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, shall be used by any other party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering
services pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out this
Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any third party without the prior consent of such
provident party. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information that is publicly
available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available other than through a breach
of this Agreement, or that is required to be disclosed by any regulatory authority, any
auditor or legal counsel of the parties hereto, by judicial or administrative process or
otherwise by applicable law or regulation. |
| |
| 19. |
|
RECORDS |
| |
| 19.1 |
|
State Street is authorized to maintain all accounts, registers, corporate books and other
documents and information on magnetic tape or disc or in accordance with any other mechanical
or electronic system provided that they are capable of being reproduced in legible form in
accordance with applicable laws. |
| |
| 19.2 |
|
In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, State Street agrees
that all records which it maintains for a Fund shall at all times remain the property of the
Fund, shall be readily accessible during normal business hours, and shall be promptly
surrendered upon the termination of the Agreement or otherwise on written request. State
Street further agrees that all records which it maintains for a Fund pursuant to Rule 3la-1
under the 1940 Act will be preserved for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940
Act unless any such records are earlier surrendered as provided above. Records shall be
surrendered in usable machine-readable form. State Street shall |
17
| |
|
have the right to retain copies of such records subject to observance of its confidentiality
obligations under this Agreement. |
| |
| 20. |
|
TERM; TERMINATION |
| |
| 20.1 |
|
This Agreement shall become effective as of the date of its execution and delivery and shall
continue in full force and effect for an initial term of five (5) years (the “Initial Term”)
with automatic one year renewals from year to year thereafter unless otherwise terminated in
accordance with this provisions of this Section 20. |
| |
| 20.2 |
|
Upon termination of this Agreement, each Fund shall pay to State Street upon demand, such
fees and reimbursable costs, expenses and disbursements as may be due as of the date of such
termination. |
| |
| 20.3 |
|
State Street shall be entitled to resign its appointment hereunder in respect of a Fund: |
| |
20.3.1 |
|
following expiration of the Initial Term, by giving not less than 270 days
notice in writing to the Fund to expire at any time, provided, however, that
State Street will use reasonable efforts in assisting the Fund to select a
successor and if, after the expiration of the notice period, a new
administrative services provider has not been appointed or is not ready to
assume its duties, State Street shall continue its appointment hereunder for
such additional period as may be mutually agreed between State Street and the
Fund. |
| |
| |
20.3.2 |
|
with immediate effect at any time prior to the expiry of the Initial Term if: |
| |
20.3.2.1 |
|
such Fund shall generally not pay its debts as such debts become
due, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts
generally, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of
creditors; or any proceeding shall be instituted by or against the
Fund seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking
liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment,
protection, relief, or composition of it or its debts under any law
relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of
debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the
appointment of a receiver, trustee, or other similar official for it
or for any substantial part of its property; or the Fund shall take
any corporate action to authorize any of the preceding actions,
provided, however, that State Street may not resign its position on
the basis that a Fund is being liquidated or reorganized for reasons
other than bankruptcy or insolvency; or |
18
| 20.5 |
|
In the event that a Fund terminates one or more series of shares with respect to which State
Street renders Services or a Fund terminates State Street’s appointment pursuant to Section
20.4.2 above, it shall so notify State Street in writing. |
| |
| 20.6 |
|
Following any termination of this Agreement, State Street and each Fund agree to provide
their committed cooperation to effect an orderly transition of State Street’s duties and
responsibilities hereunder to a new administrative services provider(s) selected by the Fund
or Funds as soon as may be reasonably practicable. |
| |
| 20.7 |
|
In the event this Agreement is terminated by one or more of the Funds pursuant to Section
20.4.2.4 or by State Street pursuant to Section 20.3.2.3, State Street shall pay one-half of
the direct costs and expenses incurred by State Street and the Fund(s) in connection with such
termination and the conversion to a successor administrative services provider and the Fund or
Funds involved shall arrange for the payment of the balance. |
| |
| 21. |
|
NOTICES |
| |
| |
|
Any notice or other communication authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to
either party shall be in writing and deemed to have been given when delivered in person or
by confirmed facsimile, or posted by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the
following address (or such other address as a party may specify by written notice to the
other): if to a Fund c/o Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P., 500 College Road East,
Plainsboro, NJ 08536, Attn: Treasurer, fax (609) 282-7231; and if to State Street: State
Street Bank and Trust Company, 500 College Road East, Plainsboro, NJ 08536, Attn: Donald
DeMarco, fax: 609-282-9239. |
| |
| 22. |
|
FURTHER ASSURANCE |
| |
| |
|
Each party to this Agreement shall do and execute or procure to be done and executed all
necessary acts, deeds, documents and things reasonably in its power to give effect to this
Agreement. |
| |
| 23. |
|
NON-EXCLUSIVITY |
| |
| 23.1 |
|
The services of State Street to the Funds hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive and State
Street and any affiliate shall be free to render similar services to others and to retain for
its own use and benefit all fees or other monies payable thereby and neither State Street nor
any affiliate shall be deemed to be affected with notice of or to be under any duty to
disclose to the Funds any fact or thing which comes to the notice of State Street or that
affiliate or any servant or agent of State Street or that affiliate in the course of State
Street rendering similar services to others or in the course of its business in any other
capacity or in any manner whatsoever otherwise than in the course of carrying out its duties
hereunder. |
| |
| 23.2 |
|
Nothing herein contained shall prevent State Street or any affiliate from buying holding and
dealing in any assets upon its own account or the account of others notwithstanding that
similar assets may be held by State Street for the account of a Fund. |
19
| 24. |
|
NO PARTNERSHIP OR AGENCY |
| |
| |
|
Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as creating a partnership between State Street
and a Fund or as constituting any party the agent of another party (save as expressly set
out in this Agreement) for any purpose whatsoever and no party shall have the authority or
power to bind another party or to contract in the name of or create a liability against
another party in any way or for any purpose. |
| |
| 25. |
|
NON-WAIVER; FORBEARANCE |
| |
| |
|
The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any
occasion or the failure of a party to exercise or any delay in exercising a right or remedy
under this Agreement (including any right implied by law) shall not constitute a waiver of
any such term, right or remedy or a waiver of any other rights or remedies and no single or
partial exercise of any right or remedy under this Agreement shall prevent any further
exercise of the right or remedy or the exercise of any other right or remedy. |
| |
| 26. |
|
DISPUTES |
| |
| 26.1 |
|
The parties desire to prevent both disputes and unanticipated issues arising under or
relating to this Agreement. The parties further desire to resolve such disputes and
unanticipated issues that nevertheless do occur by use of processes that are intended to avoid
and prevent delaying or impairing in any way the performance by all parties of their
respective obligations under this Agreement. Therefore, the parties have agreed to utilize the
processes specified below in this Section 26 to resolve certain disputes, as described below,
arising under or relating to this Agreement. |
| |
| 26.2 |
|
The parties agree that any issue(s) which may arise in connection with the Agreement shall
initially be referred to the JSC, which shall establish a deadline for resolution of each
matter submitted to it. |
| |
| 26.3 |
|
If the JSC has not fully resolved such issue(s) by the stated deadline, then the matter shall
be referred to the Executive Officers for resolution. |
| |
| 26.4 |
|
If the Executive Officers are unable to resolve the matter within thirty (30) Business Days
of the referral, and if (but only if) all relevant parties agree in writing within five (5)
Business Days of the aforementioned deadline, then a mutually-acceptable Professional Mediator
(as defined below) may be utilized to review the open issue(s) and attempt to facilitate a
resolution within thirty (30) Business Days of referral of the issue(s). The parties will
mutually determine the location, date, duration, and process for any such mediation effort,
which shall be in all respects advisory to, and not binding on, the parties. State Street
shall pay one-half of the costs of the Professional Mediator and the Fund or Funds involved
shall arrange for the payment of the balance. |
| |
| 26.5 |
|
To be considered as the Professional Mediator, an individual must have experience in the
investment and/or administrative services industry/ies (preferably both). Any individual
employed during the last two (2) calendar years by any party or any party’s current primary
legal, accounting, or consulting firm may not be utilized. |
20
| 26.6 |
|
In order to enable and facilitate candor and completeness during, and the optimal potential
benefits of, the mediation process, both (1) the parties’ respective contentions,
communications, documents, and/or submissions, if any, during the mediation, and (2) the
analysis, comments, and/or recommendations of the Professional Mediator, if any (x) will
remain confidential among the parties (to the extent permissible under applicable law, State
Street and each Fund hereby acknowledging that State laws and/or regulations may require the
public availability of some or all information and documents relating to this Agreement) and
(y) may not be asserted, admitted, or otherwise utilized by any party as evidence against
another party in any later or simultaneous mediation, binding arbitration, litigation, or
otherwise. |
| |
| 26.7 |
|
If either (i) following a failure by the Executive Officers to resolve the matter, the
relevant parties do not agree on use of a Professional Mediator or (ii) the open issue(s) have
not been resolved within thirty (30) Business Days of the conclusion of such mediation effort,
then resolution between the parties’ will be deemed to have failed and each party shall be
free to enforce of its legal rights under this Agreement in such manner as it shall deem fit. |
| |
| 27. |
|
REMEDIES ARE CUMULATIVE |
| |
| |
|
Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the rights and remedies contained in this
Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law. |
| |
| 28. |
|
REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS |
| |
| |
|
This Agreement and all schedules, exhibits, attachments and amendments hereto may be
reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic
or other similar process. The parties hereto each agree that any such reproduction shall be
admissible in evidence as the original itself, subject to any challenge on the grounds that
the reproduction has been materially altered so that it does not conform to the terms of the
original agreement, 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. |
| |
| 29. |
|
VARIATION OF AGREEMENT |
| |
| |
|
No variation, amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be valid unless it is in
writing and signed for or on behalf of each party hereto. |
| |
| 30. |
|
ASSIGNABILITY |
| |
| |
|
This Agreement shall not be assigned by either State Street or a Fund without the prior
consent in writing of the other party, except that State Street may assign this Agreement to
a successor of all or a substantial portion of its business, or to a party controlling,
controlled by or under common control with State Street. |
21
| 31. |
|
SUCCESSORS |
| |
| |
|
This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the Fund and State
Street and their respective successors and permitted assigns. |
| |
| 32. |
|
SEVERABILITY |
| |
| |
|
In the event that any part of this Agreement shall be determined to be void or unenforceable
for any reason, the remainder of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby (unless the
purpose of the agreement is substantially frustrated by such determination), and shall be
enforceable in accordance with the remainder of its terms as if the void or unenforceable
part were not part hereof. |
| |
| 33. |
|
COUNTERPARTS |
| |
| |
|
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall, when
executed and delivered be an original, but all the counterparts taken together shall
constitute one and the same agreement. |
| |
| 34. |
|
LIMITATION ON LIABILITY OF TRUSTEES |
| |
| |
|
In relation to each Fund which is a business trust, this Agreement is executed and made by
the Trustees of the Fund not individually, but as trustees under the Declarations of Trust
of the Fund and the obligations of this Agreement are not binding upon any of such Trustees
or upon any of the shareholders of the Fund individually, but bind only the trust estate of
the Fund. |
| |
| 35. |
|
GOVERNING LAW |
| |
| |
|
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of New York, without regard to the conflicts of law principles thereof. |
| |
| 36. |
|
ENTIRE AGREEMENT |
| |
| |
|
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between State Street and each Fund on the
subject matter hereof and supersedes and terminates as of the date hereof, all prior oral or
written agreements, arrangements or understandings between the parties. |
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank]
22
SIGNATURE PAGE
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their officers
designated below as of the date first written above.
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
| |
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Donald DeMarco |
|
|
|
|
Name: Donald DeMarco
Title: Senior Vice President
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TERRY K. GLENN, |
|
|
|
|
President |
|
|
|
|
for and on behalf of the Funds listed on Schedule I hereto |
|
|
| |
|
|
/s/ Terry K. Glenn
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23
SCHEDULE I
MLIM-ADVISED1 INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Apex Municipal Fund, Inc.
CBA Money Fund
CMA Government Securities Fund
CMA Money Fund
CMA Multi-State Municipal Series Trust (10 series)
CMA Tax-Exempt Fund
CMA Treasury Fund
Corporate High Yield Fund II, Inc.
Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc.
Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc.
Debt Strategies Fund II, Inc.
Financial Institutions Series Trust (Summit Cash Reserves Fund)
Global Financial Services Master Trust
Income Opportunities Fund 2000, Inc.
Master Basic Value Trust
Master Equity Income Trust
Mercury Master Trust (7 portfolios
Mercury Asset Management VI Funds, Inc.
Master Small Cap Value Trust
Master Large Cap Series Trust (3 series)
Master Premier Growth Trust
Master Mid Cap Growth Trust
Master Senior Floating Rate Trust
Master U.S. High Yield Trust
Mercury Basic Value Fund
Mercury Focus Twenty Fund
Mercury Large Cap Series Funds, Inc. (3 series)
Mercury Mid Cap Growth Fund
Mercury Premier Growth Fund
Mercury Small Cap Value Fund
Mercury Internet Strategies Fund
Mercury U.S. High Yield Fund
Mercury Senior Floating Rate Fund
Mercury US Large Cap Fund
Mercury US Small Cap Growth Fund
Master Focus Twenty Trust
Master Internet Strategies Trust
Master Large Cap Series Trust
|
|
|
| 1 |
|
Includes funds advised by Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. and Fund Asset Management, L.P. |
Master Premier Growth Trust
Mercury Global Holdings, Inc.
Mercury QA Equity Series, Inc.
Mercury QA Strategy Series, Inc.
Mercury Pan-European Growth Fund
Mercury International Fund
Mercury Global Balanced Fund
Mercury Gold and Mining Fund
Mercury Select Growth Fund
Mercury VI US Large Cap Fund
Mercury VI Pan-European Growth Fund
Mercury Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Fund
Merrill Lynch Short-Term US Government Fund (formerly Adjustable Rate)
Merrill Lynch Emerging Markets Debt Fund (formerly Americas Income Fund)
Merrill Lynch Balanced Capital Fund, Inc.2
Merrill Lynch Basic Value Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch California Municipal Series Trust (2 series)
Merrill Lynch Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. (3 series)
Merrill Lynch Developing Capital Markets Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Disciplined Equity Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Dragon Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch EuroFund
Merrill Lynch Fundamental Growth Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Funds for Institutions Series
Merrill Lynch Government Fund
Merrill Lynch Institutional Fund
Merrill Lynch Premier Institutional Fund
Merrill Lynch Rated Institutional Fund
Merrill Lynch Institutional Tax-Exempt Fund
Merrill Lynch Treasury Fund
Merrill Lynch Global Allocation Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Global Bond Fund for Investment and Retirement
Merrill Lynch Global Financial Services Fund
Merrill Lynch Global Growth Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Natural Resources Trust (formerly Global Resources Trust)
Merrill Lynch Global SmallCap Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Global Technology Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Utilities & Telecommunications Fund (formerly Global Utility Fund)
Merrill Lynch Global Value Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Growth Fund
Merrill Lynch Healthcare Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch High Income Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Index Funds, Inc. (Administration Agreement only)
|
|
|
| 2 |
|
Costs of Services for this Fund to be billed to and paid by MLIM. |
2
Merrill Lynch Intermediate Government Bond Fund
Merrill Lynch International Equity Fund
Merrill Lynch Large Cap Series Funds, Inc. (3 series)
Merrill Lynch Focus Twenty Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Mid Cap Growth Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Latin America Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Multi-State Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust (2 series)
Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal Series Trust (17 series)
Merrill Lynch Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. (3 series)
Merrill Lynch Municipal Series Trust (Merrill Lynch Municipal Intermediate Term Fund)
Merrill Lynch Municipal Strategy Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Pacific Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Focus Value Fund (formerly Merrill Lynch Phoenix Fund)
Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust
Merrill Lynch Real Estate Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Retirement Series Trust (Merrill Lynch Retirement Reserves Money Fund)
Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund II, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Series Fund, Inc. (10 portfolios)
Merrill Lynch Short-Term Global Income Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Small Cap Value Fund, Inc. (formerly Merrill Lynch Special Value Fund, Inc.)
Merrill Lynch Equity Income Fund (formerly Strategic Dividend Fund)
Merrill Lynch U.S. Treasury Money Fund
Merrill Lynch U.S. High Yield Fund, Inc. (formerly Merrill Lynch Corporate High Yield)
Merrill Lynch U.S. Government Mortgage Fund (formerly Merrill Lynch Federal Securities Trust)
Merrill Lynch U.S.A. Government Reserves
Merrill Lynch Variable Series Funds, Inc. (20 portfolios)
Merrill Lynch World Income Fund, Inc.
MuniAssets Fund, Inc.
MuniEnhanced Fund, Inc.
MuniHoldings California Insured Fund, Inc.
MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund
MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund V
MuniHoldings Fund, Inc.
MuniHoldings Fund II, Inc.
MuniHoldings Insured Fund, Inc.
MuniHoldings Insured Fund II, Inc.
MuniHoldings Michigan Insured Fund II, Inc.
MuniHoldings New Jersey Insured Fund, Inc.
MuniHoldings New Jersey Insured Fund IV, Inc.
MuniHoldings New York Insured Fund, Inc.
MuniHoldings New York Insured Fund IV, Inc.
MuniInsured Fund, Inc.
MuniVest Fund, Inc.
3
MuniVest Fund II, Inc.
MuniYield Arizona Fund, Inc.
MuniYield California Fund, Inc.
MuniYield California Insured Fund, Inc.
MuniYield California Insured Fund II, Inc.
MuniYield Florida Fund
MuniYield Florida Insured Fund
MuniYield Fund, Inc.
MuniYield Insured Fund, Inc.
MuniYield Michigan Insured Fund, Inc.
MuniYield Michigan Fund, Inc.
MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc.
MuniYield New Jersey Insured Fund, Inc.
MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.
MuniYield Pennsylvania Insured Fund
MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc.
MuniYield Quality Fund II, Inc.
Quantitative Master Series Trust
Senior High Income Portfolio, Inc.
The Asset Program, Inc. (formerly Asset Builder Program, Inc.) (5 series)
The Corporate Fund Accumulation Program, Inc.
The Municipal Fund Accumulation Program, Inc.
Worldwide DollarVest Fund, Inc.
4
EXHIBIT 1
Instrument of Accession
Reference is hereby made to the Administrative Services Agreement (the “Agreement”) dated December
29, 2000 by and between STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY (“State Street”) and each entity listed
on Schedule 1 thereto or which has or shall become a signatory thereto by execution of an
instrument of accession substantially in the form hereof.
In order that it may become a party to the aforesaid Agreement, including, without limitation, any
and all schedules and exhibits thereto, [Fund Name] agrees and binds itself to the terms and
conditions thereof and acknowledges that by its execution and delivery of this Instrument it shall
assume all of the obligations and shall be entitled to all of the rights of a Fund (as such term is
defined in the Agreement), as if it were an original party thereto.
This Instrument of Accession shall take effect and shall become a part of said Agreement
immediately upon its execution and delivery.
Executed as of the date set forth below under the laws of the State of New York.
[NAME OF FUND]
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Accepted and agreed to: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exh. 1 - 1