As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 15, 2011
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Name and address of agent for service)
COPIES TO:
Steven B. Boehm John J. Mahon Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP 1275 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004 (202) 383-0100 |
Thomas R. Westle Brad L. Shiffman Blank Rome LLP The Chrysler Building 405 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10174 (212) 885-5000 |
Approximate date of proposed public offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box. o
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
o when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c).
Title of Securities Being Registered | Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1)(2) |
Amount of Registration Fee(1)(3) |
||||||
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share | $ | 60,375,000 | $ | 7,009.54 |
(1) | Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933 solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee. |
(2) | Includes shares that may be issued pursuant to the underwriters over-allotment option. |
(3) | Previously paid. |
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The purpose of this Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 is solely to file certain exhibits to the Registration Statement as set forth in Item 25(2) of Part C. The disclosure set forth in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement, as included in Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement, filed on March 30, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to the extent required under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
The following financial statements of NeXt Innovation Corp. (the Registrant or the Company) are included in Part A Information Required to be in the Prospectus of the Registration Statement.
Page | ||||
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | F-2 | |||
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of February 28, 2011 | F-3 | |||
Notes to Statement of Assets and Liabilities | F-4 |
Exhibit Number |
Description | |
a. | Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation* | |
b. | Bylaws* | |
d.1 | Form of Common Stock Certificate* | |
e. | Dividend Reinvestment Plan* | |
g. | Form of Investment Advisory Agreement by and between Registrant and NeXt Asset Management, LLC* | |
h. | Form of Underwriting Agreement* | |
j. | Form of Custodian Agreement | |
k.1 | Form of Administration Agreement by and between Registrant and NeXt Innovation Service Company, LLC* | |
k.2 | Form of Indemnification Agreement by and between Registrant and each of its directors* | |
l. | Opinion of Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP | |
n.1 | Consent of Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP (Incorporated by reference to exhibit l hereto) | |
n.2 | Consent of Grant Thornton LLP* | |
r. | Code of Ethics* |
* | Previously filed in connection Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-171578) filed on March 30, 2011. |
The information contained under the heading Underwriting on this Registration Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
C-1
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused Amendment No. 3 to this Registration Statement on Form N-2 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Woodside, in the State of California, on the 14th day of April, 2011.
NEXT INNOVATION CORP.
By: | /s/ Michael T. Moe Michael T. Moe President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Amendment No. 3 to this Registration Statement on Form N-2 has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant, and in the capacities indicated, on the 14th day of April, 2011.
Signature | Title | |
/s/ Michael T. Moe Michael T. Moe |
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors (Principal Executive Officer) | |
/s/ Stephen D. Bard Stephen D. Bard |
Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | |
* Mark D. Klein |
Director | |
* Leonard A. Potter |
Director | |
* Mark W. Flynn |
Director | |
** R. David Spreng |
Director |
* | Signed by Michael T. Moe pursuant to a power of attorney signed by each individual and filed with this Registration Statement on January 7, 2011. |
** | Signed by Michael T. Moe pursuant to a power of attorney signed by such individual and filed with Amendment No. 2 to this Registration Statement on March 30, 2011. |
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1.
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DEFINITIONS
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1
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2.
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APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN
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6
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3.
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DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN
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7
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4.
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REPORTING
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15
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5.
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DEPOSIT IN U.S. SECURITIES SYSTEMS
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15
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6.
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SECURITIES HELD OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES
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16
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7.
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CERTAIN GENERAL TERMS
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19
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8.
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COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN
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21
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9.
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RESPONSIBILITY OF CUSTODIAN
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21
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10.
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SECURITY CODES
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24
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11.
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TAX LAW
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24
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12.
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EFFECTIVE PERIOD, TERMINATION
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25
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13.
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REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
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26
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14.
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PARTIES IN INTEREST; NO THIRD PARTY BENEFIT
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26
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15.
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NOTICES
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26
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16.
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CHOICE OF LAW AND JURISDICTION
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27
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17.
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ENTIRE AGREEMENT; COUNTERPARTS
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27
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18.
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AMENDMENT; WAIVER
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28
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19.
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SUCCESSOR AND ASSIGNS
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28
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20.
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SEVERABILITY
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28
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21.
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REQUEST FOR INSTRUCTIONS
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29
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22.
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OTHER BUSINESS
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29
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23.
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REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS
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29
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24.
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MISCELLANEOUS
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29
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SCHEDULES
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SCHEDULE A – Trade Confirmation
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SCHEDULE B – Initial Authorized Persons
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1.
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DEFINITIONS
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“Eligible Securities Depository” has the meaning set forth in Section (b)(1) of Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act.
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“Federal Reserve Bank Book-Entry System” means a depository and securities transfer system operated by the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States on which are eligible to be held all United States Government direct obligation bills, notes and bonds.
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(a)
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any reference to this Agreement or another agreement or instrument refers to such agreement or instrument as the same may be amended, modified or otherwise rewritten from time to time;
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(b)
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a reference to a statute, ordinance, code or other law includes regulations and other instruments under it and consolidations, amendments, re-enactments or replacements of any of them;
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(c)
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any term defined in the singular form may be used in, and shall include, the plural with the same meaning, and vice versa;
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(d)
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a reference to a Person includes a reference to the Person’s executors, successors and permitted assigns;
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(e)
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an agreement, representation or warranty in favor of two or more Persons is for the benefit of them jointly and severally;
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(f)
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an agreement, representation or warranty on the part of two or more Persons binds them jointly and severally;
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(g)
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a reference to the term “including” means “including, without limitation,” and
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(h)
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a reference to any accounting term is to be interpreted in accordance with generally accepted principles and practices in the United States, consistently applied, unless otherwise instructed by the Company.
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2.
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APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN
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3.
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DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN
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The Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Custodian all of the Company’s Securities, cash and other investment assets, including (a) all payments of income, payments of principal and capital distributions received by the Company with respect to such Securities, cash or other assets owned by the Company at any time during the period of this Agreement, and (b) all cash received by the Company for the issuance, at any time during such period, of securities or in connection with a borrowing by the Company, except as otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act. Required Documents shall be delivered to the Custodian in its role as, and at the address identified for, the Document Custodian; provided that physical certificates representing a Security shall be delivered to the Securities Custodian. Except to the extent otherwise expressly provided herein, delivery of Securities constituting Certificated Securities to the Custodian shall be in Street Name or the name of the Company or its nominee (or other good delivery form). The Custodian shall not be responsible for such Securities, cash or other assets until actually delivered to, and received by it. With respect to Securities (other than Uncertificated Securities and assets in the nature of “general intangibles” (as hereinafter defined)) held by the Custodian in its capacity as a “securities intermediary” (as defined in Section 8-102 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York (the “UCC”)), the Custodian shall be obligated to exercise due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duties as a securities intermediary to obtain and maintain such Securities. A Security will be deemed to be “delivered” to the Custodian when the Company delivers such Security in the following manner: (i) if such Security is a Certificated Security or an instrument (other than a Security held in a Securities System), then in physical certificated form in the name of the Company or its nominee, (ii) if such Security is an Uncertificated Security or in the form of uncertificated share(s) or other interest (other than a Security held in a Securities System), then delivery of confirmation statements which identify such shares or interests as being recorded in the name of the Company or its nominee, (iii) if such Security is held in a Securities System or maintained in one or more omnibus accounts at the Custodian, its agents or sub-custodians, then delivery of confirmation that such Security is held in the Securities System or maintained through one or more omnibus accounts in the name of the Custodian (or its nominee) who shall identify the same on its books and records as held for the account of the Company, or (iv) in such other good delivery form that may be agreed to by the Custodian from time to time.
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(b)
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(i) In connection with its acquisition of a Security constituting an Uncertificated Security, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian (in its roles as, and at the address identified for, the Custodian and Document Custodian) a properly completed Trade Confirmation containing such information in respect of such Security as the Custodian may reasonably require in order to enable the Custodian to perform its duties hereunder in respect of such Security and on which the Custodian may conclusively rely without further inquiry or investigation, in such form and format as the Custodian reasonably may require, and shall deliver to the Document Custodian (in its role as, and at the address identified for, the Document Custodian) the Required Documents, including the Document Checklist.
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(ii) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, delivery of Securities acquired by the Company in the form of Uncertificated Securities or Participations or which are otherwise not evidenced by a “security” or “instrument” as defined in Section 8-102 and Section 9-102(a)(47) of the UCC), respectively, shall be made by delivery to the Document Custodian of (i) in the case of an Uncertificated Security, a copy of the register of the underlying issuer of such interest evidencing registration of such equity interest on the books and records of the applicable issuer to the name of the Company (or its nominee) or a copy (which may be a facsimile copy) of an assignment agreement in favor of the Company as assignee, as identified on the Document Checklist and (ii) in the case of a Participation, a copy of the related participation agreement or limited liability agreement identifying the Company as participant or owner of such interest. Any duty on the part of the Custodian with respect to the custody of such Securities shall be limited to the exercise of reasonable care by the Custodian in the physical custody of any such Required Documents delivered to it, and any related instrument, security, participation agreement, assignment agreement and/or other agreements or documents, if any (collectively, “Financing Documents”), that may be delivered to it. Nothing herein shall require the Custodian to credit to the Securities Account or to treat as a financial asset (within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(9) of the UCC) any Security that is not represented by a physical share certificate or an asset in the nature of a general intangible (as defined in Section 9-102(a)(42) of the UCC) or uncertificated security (within the meaning of Section 8-102(18) of the UCC) or to “maintain” a sufficient quantity thereof.
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(a)
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The Custodian shall release and deliver, or direct its agents or sub-custodian to release and deliver, as the case may be, Securities or Required Documents of the Company held by the Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian from time to time upon receipt of Proper Instructions (which shall, among other things, specify the Securities or Required Documents to be released, with such delivery and other information as may be necessary to enable the Custodian to perform), which may be standing instructions (in form acceptable to the Custodian), in the following cases:
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(i)
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upon sale of such Securities by or on behalf of the Company, and such sale may, unless and except to the extent otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, be carried out by the Custodian:
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(A)
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in accordance with the customary or established practices and procedures in the jurisdiction or market where the transactions occur, including delivery to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent of such purchaser or dealer) against expectation of receiving later payment; or
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(B)
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in the case of a sale effected through a Securities System, in accordance with the rules governing the operations of the Securities System;
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(ii)
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upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase agreement related to such Securities;
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(iii)
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to a depositary agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for such Securities;
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(iv)
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to the issuer thereof, or its agent, when such Securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable (unless otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian);
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(v)
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to an issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the Custodian or of any nominee of the Custodian or into the name of any of its agents or sub-custodian or their nominees, or for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units;
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(vi)
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to brokers, clearing banks or other clearing agents for examination in accordance with the Street Delivery Custom;
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(vii)
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for exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such Securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement (unless otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian);
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(viii)
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in the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities (unless otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian); and/or
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(ix)
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for any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions and an officer’s certificate signed by an officer of the Company (which officer shall not have been the Authorized Person providing the Proper Instructions) stating (i) the specified securities to be delivered, (ii) the purpose for such delivery, (iii) that such purpose is a proper corporate purpose and (iv) naming the person or persons to whom delivery of such Securities shall be made, and attaching a certified copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the Company or an authorized committee thereof approving the delivery of such Proper Instructions.
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(a)
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Proceeds and other cash received by the Custodian from time to time shall be deposited or credited to the Cash Account. All amounts deposited or credited to the Cash Account shall be subject to clearance and receipt of final payment by the Custodian.
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Amounts held in the Cash Account from time to time may be invested in Eligible Investments pursuant to specific written Proper Instructions (which may be standing instructions) received by the Custodian from an Authorized Person acting on behalf of the Company. Such investments shall be subject to availability and the Custodian’s then applicable transaction charges (which shall be at the Company’s expense). The Custodian shall have no liability for any loss incurred on any such investment. Absent receipt of such written instruction from the Company, the Custodian shall have no obligation to invest (or otherwise pay interest on) amounts on deposit in the Cash Account. In no instance will the Custodian have any obligation to provide investment advice to the Company. Any earnings from such investment of amounts held in the Cash Account from time to time (collectively, “Reinvestment Earnings”) shall be redeposited in the Cash Account (and may be reinvested at the written direction of the Company).
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(c)
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In the event that the Company shall at any time request a withdrawal of amounts from the Cash Account, the Custodian shall be entitled to liquidate, and shall have no liability for any loss incurred as a result of the liquidation of, any investment of the funds credited to such account as needed to provide necessary liquidity.
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(d)
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The Company acknowledges that cash deposited or invested with any bank (including the bank acting as Custodian) may make a margin or generate banking income for which such bank shall not be required to account to the Company.
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(a)
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Upon the receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian may (but shall not be obligated to) enter into all types of contracts for foreign exchange on behalf of the Company, upon terms acceptable to the Custodian and the Company (in each case at the Company’s expense), including transactions entered into with the Custodian, its sub-custodian or any affiliates of the Custodian or the sub-custodian. The Custodian shall have no liability for any losses incurred in or resulting from the rates obtained in such foreign exchange transactions; and absent specific Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall not be deemed to have any duty to carry out any foreign exchange on behalf of the Company. The Custodian shall be entitled at all times to comply with any legal or regulatory requirements applicable to currency or foreign exchange transactions.
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(b)
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The Company acknowledges that the Custodian, any sub-custodian or any affiliates of the Custodian or any sub-custodian, involved in any such foreign exchange transactions may make a margin or generate banking income from foreign exchange transactions entered into pursuant to this Section for which they shall not be required to account to the Company.
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(a)
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Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be standing instructions, the Custodian shall pay out from the Cash Account (or remit to its agents or its sub-custodian, and direct them to pay out) moneys of the Company on deposit therein in the following cases:
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(i)
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upon the purchase of Securities for the Company pursuant to such Proper Instruction; and such purchase may, unless and except to the extent otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, be carried out by the Custodian:
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(A)
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in accordance with the customary or established practices and procedures in the jurisdiction or market where the transactions occur, including delivering money to the seller thereof or to a dealer therefor (or any agent for such seller or dealer) against expectation of receiving later delivery of such securities; or
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(B)
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in the case of a purchase effected through a Securities System, in accordance with the rules governing the operation of such Securities System;
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(ii)
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for the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign exchange agreements for the account of the Company, including transactions executed with or through the Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian, as contemplated by Section 3.8 above; and
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(iii)
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for any other purpose directed by the Company, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying the amount of such payment, and naming the Person or Persons to whom such payment is to be made.
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(b)
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At any time or times, the Custodian shall be entitled to pay (i) itself from the Cash Account, whether or not in receipt of express direction or instruction from the Company, any amounts due and payable to it pursuant to Section 8 hereof, and (ii) as otherwise permitted by Section 7.5, 9.4 or Section 12.5 below; provided, however, that in each case (i) the Custodian shall have first invoiced or billed the Company for such amounts and the Company shall have failed to pay such amounts within thirty (30) days after the date of such invoice or bill, and (ii) all such payments shall be regularly accounted for to the Company.
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(i)
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the Custodian has received Proper Instructions with regard to the exercise of any such right or power; and
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(ii)
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the Custodian, or its agents or sub-custodian are in actual possession of such Securities,
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4.
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REPORTING
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(a)
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The Custodian shall render to the Company a monthly report of (i) all deposits to and withdrawals from the Cash Account during the month, and the outstanding balance (as of the last day of the preceding monthly report and as of the last day of the subject month) and (ii) an itemized statement of the Securities held pursuant to this Agreement as of the end of each month, all transactions in the Securities during the month, as well as a list of all Securities transactions that remain unsettled at that time, and (iii) such other matters as the parties may agree from time to time.
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(b)
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For each Business Day, the Custodian shall render to the Company a daily report of (i) all deposits to and withdrawals from the Cash Account for such Business Day and the outstanding balance as of the end of such Business Day, and (ii) a report of settled trades of Securities for such Business Day.
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(c)
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The Custodian shall have no duty or obligation to undertake any market valuation of the Securities under any circumstance.
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(d)
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The Custodian shall provide the Company, promptly upon request, with such reports as are reasonably available to it and as the Company may reasonably request from time to time, concerning (i) the internal accounting controls, including procedures for safeguarding securities, which are employed by the custodian or any Foreign Sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 6.1 and (ii) the financial strength of the Custodian or any Foreign Sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 6.1.
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5.
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DEPOSIT IN U.S. SECURITIES SYSTEMS
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(a)
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The Custodian may keep domestic Securities in a U.S. Securities System; provided that such Securities are represented in an account of the Custodian in the U.S. Securities System which shall not include any assets of the Custodian other than assets held by it as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;
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(b)
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The records of the Custodian with respect to Securities which are maintained in a U.S. Securities System shall identify by book-entry those Securities belonging to the Company;
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(c)
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The Custodian shall provide to the Company copies of all notices received from the U.S. Securities System of transfers of Securities for the account of the Company; and
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(d)
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Anything to the contrary in this Agreement notwithstanding, the Custodian shall not be liable to the Company for any direct loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim to the Company resulting from use of any U.S. Securities System (other than to the extent resulting from the gross negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian itself, or from failure of the Custodian to enforce effectively such rights as it may have against the U.S. Securities System.)
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6.
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SECURITIES HELD OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES
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With respect to its responsibilities under this Section 6, the Custodian agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of property of the Company would exercise. The Custodian further agrees that the Foreign Securities will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to Custodian in the relevant market, if maintained with each Foreign Sub-custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets, including: (i) the Foreign Sub-custodian’s practices, procedures, and internal controls, including the physical protections available for certificated securities (if applicable), the method of keeping custodial records, and the security and data protection practices; (ii) whether the Foreign Sub-custodian has the requisite financial strength to provide reasonable care for Company assets; (iii) the Foreign Sub-custodian’s general reputation and standing and, in the case of Eligible Securities Depository, the Eligible Securities Depository’s operating history and number of participants; and (iv) whether the Company will have jurisdiction over and be able to enforce judgments against the Foreign Sub-custodian, such as by virtue of the existence of any offices of the Foreign Sub-custodian in the United States or the Sub-custodian’s consent to service of process in the United States.
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(b)
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At the end of each calendar quarter or at such other times as the Company’s board of directors deems reasonable and appropriate based on the circumstances of the Company’s foreign custody arrangements, the Custodian shall provide written reports notifying the board of directors of the Company as to of the placement of the Foreign Securities and cash of the Company with a particular Foreign Sub-custodian and of any material changes in the Company’s foreign custody arrangements. The Custodian shall promptly take such steps as may be required to withdraw assets of the Company from any Foreign Sub-custodian that has ceased to meet the requirements of Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act.
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(c)
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The Custodian shall establish a system to monitor the appropriateness of maintaining the Company’s assets with a particular Foreign Sub-custodian and the performance of the contract governing the Company’s arrangements with such Foreign Sub-custodian. To the extent the Custodian holds Foreign Securities and related Proceeds with one or more Eligible Securities Depositories, the Custodian shall provide the Company with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with such Eligible Securities Depository and shall monitor such custody risks on a continuing basis and promptly notify the Company of any material change in these risks. The Custodian agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing its obligations under this clause (c).
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The Custodian’s responsibility with respect to the selection or appointment of a Foreign Sub-custodian shall be limited to a duty to exercise reasonable care in the selection or retention of such Foreign Intermediaries in light of prevailing settlement and securities handling practices, procedures and controls in the relevant market. With respect to any costs, expenses, damages, liabilities, or claims (including attorneys’ and accountants’ fees) incurred as a result of the acts or the failure to act by any Foreign Sub-custodian, the Custodian shall take reasonable action to recover such costs, expenses, damages, liabilities, or claims from such Foreign Sub-custodian; provided that the Custodian’s sole liability in that regard shall be limited to amounts actually received by it from such Foreign Intermediaries (exclusive of related costs and expenses incurred by the Custodian). The Custodian shall have no responsibility for any act or omission (or the insolvency of) any Securities System (including an Eligible Securities Depository). In the event the Company incurs a loss due to the negligence, willful misconduct, or insolvency of a Securities System (including an Eligible Securities Depository), the Custodian shall make reasonable endeavors, in its discretion, to seek recovery from the Eligible Securities Depository.
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7.
|
CERTAIN GENERAL TERMS
|
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(a)
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The Company will give a notice to the Custodian, in form acceptable to the Custodian, specifying the names and specimen signatures of persons authorized to give Proper Instructions (collectively, “Authorized Persons” and each is an “Authorized Person”), which notice shall be signed by any two Authorized Persons previously certified to the Custodian. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon the identity and authority of such persons until it receives written notice from an Authorized Person of the Company to the contrary. The initial Authorized Persons are set forth on Schedule B attached hereto and made a part hereof (as such Schedule B may be modified from time to time by written notice from the Company to the Custodian); and the Company hereby represents and warrants that the true and accurate specimen signatures of such initial Authorized Persons are set forth on Schedule B.
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(b)
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The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability to the Company (or any other person or entity), and shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company, in the event that a subsequent written confirmation of an oral instruction fails to conform to the oral instructions received by the Custodian. The Custodian shall not have an obligation to act in accordance with purported instructions to the extent that they conflict with applicable law or regulations, local market practice or the Custodian’s operating policies and practices. The Custodian shall not be liable for any loss resulting from a delay while it obtains clarification of any Proper Instructions.
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(a)
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make payments to itself as described in or pursuant to Section 3.9(b), or to make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this Agreement; provided that (i) the Custodian shall have first invoiced or billed the Company for such amounts and the Company shall have failed to pay such amounts within thirty (30) days after the date of such invoice or bill, and (ii) all such payments shall be regularly accounted for to the Company;
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(b)
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surrender Securities in temporary form for Securities in definitive form;
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(c)
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endorse for collection cheques, drafts and other negotiable instruments; and
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(d)
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in general attend to all nondiscretionary details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with the securities and property of the Company.
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(a)
|
the authority of any person to act in accordance with such certificate; or
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(b)
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any determination or action by the Company as described in such certificate,
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8.
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COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN
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9.
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RESPONSIBILITY OF CUSTODIAN
|
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(a)
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The Custodian shall be entitled to refrain from taking any action unless it has such instruction (in the form of Proper Instructions) from the Company as it reasonably deems necessary, and shall be entitled to require, upon notice to the Company, that Proper Instructions to it be in writing. The Custodian shall have no liability for any action (or forbearance from action) taken pursuant to the Proper Instruction of the Company.
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(b)
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Whenever the Custodian is entitled or required to receive or obtain any communications or information pursuant to or as contemplated by this Agreement, it shall be entitled to receive the same in writing, in form, content and medium reasonably acceptable to it and otherwise in accordance with any applicable terms of this Agreement; and whenever any report or other information is required to be produced or distributed by the Custodian it shall be in form, content and medium reasonably acceptable to it and the Company and otherwise in accordance with any applicable terms of this Agreement.
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(a)
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The Custodian may rely on (and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting in reliance upon) any written notice, instruction, statement, certificate, request, waiver, consent, opinion, report, receipt or other paper or document furnished to it (including any of the foregoing provided to it by telecopier or electronic means), not only as to its due execution and validity, but also as to the truth and accuracy of any information therein contained, which it in good faith believes to be genuine and signed or presented by the proper person (which in the case of any instruction from or on behalf of the Company shall be an Authorized Person); and the Custodian shall be entitled to presume the genuineness and due authority of any signature appearing thereon. The Custodian shall not be bound to make any independent investigation into the facts or matters stated in any such notice, instruction, statement, certificate, request, waiver, consent, opinion, report, receipt or other paper or document; provided, however, that, if the form thereof is specifically prescribed by the terms of this Agreement, the Custodian shall examine the same to determine whether it substantially conforms on its face to such requirements hereof.
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(b)
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Neither the Custodian nor any of its directors, officers or employees shall be liable to anyone for any error of judgment, or for any act done or step taken or omitted to be taken by it (or any of its directors, officers of employees), or for any mistake of fact or law, or for anything which it may do or refrain from doing in connection herewith, unless such action or inaction constitutes gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on its part and in breach of the terms of this Agreement. The Custodian shall not be liable for any action taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be within powers conferred upon it, or taken by it pursuant to any direction or instruction by which it is governed hereunder, or omitted to be taken by it by reason of the lack of direction or instruction required hereby for such action. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Custodian shall not be under any obligation at any time to ascertain whether the Company is in compliance with the 1940 Act, the regulations thereunder, or the Company’s investment objectives and policies then in effect.
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(c)
|
In no event shall the Custodian be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages (including lost profits) whether or not it has been advised of the likelihood of such damages.
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The Custodian may consult with, and obtain advice from, legal counsel selected in good faith with respect to any question as to any of the provisions hereof or its duties hereunder, or any matter relating hereto, and the written opinion or advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Custodian in good faith in accordance with the opinion and directions of such counsel; the reasonable cost of such services shall be reimbursed pursuant to Section 8.2 above.
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(e)
|
The Custodian shall not be deemed to have notice of any fact, claim or demand with respect hereto unless actually known by an officer working in its Corporate Trust Services group and charged with responsibility for administering this Agreement or unless (and then only to the extent received) in writing by the Custodian at the applicable address(es) as set forth in Section 15 and specifically referencing this Agreement.
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(f)
|
No provision of this Agreement shall require the Custodian to expend or risk its own funds, or to take any action (or forbear from action) hereunder which might in its judgment involve any expense or any financial or other liability unless it shall be furnished with acceptable indemnification. Nothing herein shall obligate the Custodian to commence, prosecute or defend legal proceedings in any instance, whether on behalf of the Company or on its own behalf or otherwise, with respect to any matter arising hereunder, or relating to this Agreement or the services contemplated hereby.
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(g)
|
The permissive right of the Custodian to take any action hereunder shall not be construed as duty.
|
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(h)
|
The Custodian may act or exercise its duties or powers hereunder through agents or attorneys, and the Custodian shall not be liable or responsible for the actions or omissions of any such agent or attorney (i) appointed with the Company’s prior written consent specifically acknowledging such limitation of liability and (ii) maintained with reasonable due care.
|
|
(i)
|
All indemnifications contained in this Agreement in favor of the Custodian shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
|
|
(a)
|
The Company shall and does hereby indemnify and hold harmless each of the Custodian, and any Foreign Sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 6.1 above, for and from any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses), and any and all losses, damages, claims and liabilities, that may arise, be brought against or incurred by the Custodian, and any advances or disbursements made by the Custodian (including in respect of any Account overdraft, returned deposit item, chargeback, provisional credit, settlement or assumed settlement, reclaimed payment, claw-back or the like), as a result of, relating to, or arising out of this Agreement, or the administration or performance of the Custodian’s duties hereunder, or the relationship between the Company (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Subsidiary) and the Custodian created hereby, other than such liabilities, losses, damages, claims, costs and expenses as are directly caused by the Custodian’s action or inaction constituting gross negligence or willful misconduct.
|
|
(b)
|
If the Company requires the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or agents, to advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not limited to securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement) or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the performance of this Agreement, except such as may arise from its or its nominee’s own gross negligent action, gross negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, or if the Company fails to compensate or pay the Custodian pursuant to Section 8.1 or Section 9.4 hereof, any cash at any time held for the account of the Company shall be security therefor and should the Company fail to repay the Custodian promptly (or, if specified, within the time frame provided herein), the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement
|
10.
|
SECURITY CODES
|
11.
|
TAX LAW
|
12.
|
EFFECTIVE PERIOD, TERMINATION
|
13.
|
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
|
|
(a)
|
it has the power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and it has duly authorized, executed and delivered this Agreement so as to constitute its valid and binding obligation; and
|
|
(b)
|
in giving any instructions which purport to be “Proper Instructions” under this Agreement, the Company will act in accordance with the provisions of its certificate of incorporation and bylaws and any applicable laws and regulations.
|
|
(a)
|
it is qualified to act as a custodian pursuant to Section 26(a)(1) of the 1940 Act;
|
|
(b)
|
it has the power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement;
|
|
(c)
|
it has duly authorized, executed and delivered this Agreement so as to constitute its valid and binding obligations; and
|
|
(d)
|
it maintains business continuity policies and standards that include data file backup and recovery procedures that comply with all applicable regulatory requirements.
|
14.
|
PARTIES IN INTEREST; NO THIRD PARTY BENEFIT
|
15.
|
NOTICES
|
|
(a)
|
if to the Company or any Subsidiary, to
|
|
(b)
|
if to the Custodian (other than in its role as Document Custodian), to
|
|
(c)
|
if to the Custodian solely in its role as Document Custodian, to
|
16.
|
CHOICE OF LAW AND JURISDICTION
|
17.
|
ENTIRE AGREEMENT; COUNTERPARTS
|
18.
|
AMENDMENT; WAIVER
|
19.
|
SUCCESSOR AND ASSIGNS
|
20.
|
SEVERABILITY
|
21.
|
REQUEST FOR INSTRUCTIONS
|
22.
|
OTHER BUSINESS
|
23.
|
REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS
|
24.
|
MISCELLANEOUS
|
Witness:
|
NeXt INNOVATION CORP.
|
||
|
By:
|
|
|
Name:
|
Name:
|
||
Title:
|
Title:
|
||
Witness:
|
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
|
||
|
By:
|
|
|
Name:
|
Name:
|
||
Title:
|
Title:
|
NAME:
|
SPECIMEN SIGNATURE:
|
|
Re:
|
NeXt Innovation Corp.
Registration Statement on Form N-2
|
|
(i)
|
The Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company, certified as of a recent date by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland (the “Charter”);
|
|
(ii)
|
The Bylaws of the Company, certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company (the “Bylaws”);
|
|
(iii)
|
A Certificate of Good Standing with respect to the Company issued by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland as of a recent date (the “Certificate of Good Standing”); and
|
|
(iv)
|
The resolutions of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) relating to, among other things, (a) the authorization and approval of the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, and (b) the authorization, issuance, offer and sale of the Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement, certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company (collectively, the “Resolutions”).
|
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ SUTHERLAND ASBILL & BRENNAN LLP
|