ASA
Gold and Precious Metals Limited
VIA
EDGAR
Securities
and Exchange Commission
100
F Street, N.E.
Washington,
DC 20549
Re:
ASA Gold and Precious Metals Limited (“Registrant”) (File No. 811-21650)
Ladies
and Gentlemen:
Pursuant
to Rule 17g-1(g) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, we are filing herewith the attached materials in connection with Registrant’s
currently effective Fidelity bond:
| 1) | a
copy of the executed Fidelity bond, and |
| 2) | a
copy of the resolutions of the Board of Directors, including a majority of directors
who are not “interested persons” of the Registrant, approving the amount,
type, form and coverage of the Fidelity bond. |
The
premium for the attached Fidelity bond has been paid for the period September 30, 2024 to September 30, 2025.
|
Sincerely,
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jack
P. Huntington |
|
Chief
Compliance Officer |
|
ASA
Gold and Precious Metals Limited |
|
|
PO
Box 2950
Hartford,
CT 06104-2950
September
26, 2024
ASA
GOLD AND PRECIOUS METALS LTD
3 CANAL PLZ STE 600
PORTLAND,
ME 04101-4080
Re:
Important Information about Claims Information Line
Dear
ASA GOLD AND PRECIOUS METALS LTD
Travelers
Bond & Specialty Insurance is pleased to announce its 1-800-842-8496 Claims Information Line. This line is designed
to provide insureds with an additional resource on how to report claims or those circumstances or events which may become claims.
Policyholders
will be able to obtain assistance on the following topics from the Claims Information Line:
| • | The
information that needs to be included with the claim notice |
| • | The
address, electronic mail address and/or facsimile number to which the policyholder can
send claims related information |
| • | Get
questions on the claim process answered |
The
Declarations Page of your policy sets forth where you should report claims and claims related information. You should also review
the policy’s reporting requirements to be aware of how much time you have to report a claim to Travelers. The sooner Travelers
is notified, the sooner we can become involved in the process and offer assistance to our policyholder. A delay in reporting may
result in all or part of a matter to fall outside of the coverage provided.
The
Claims Information Line should streamline the claim reporting process and allow policyholders to ask questions on what information
is needed as well as other questions which will assist them in working with Travelers. While the Claims Information Line provides
policyholders a valuable resource by answering questions and providing information, the line does not replace the reporting requirements
contained in the Policy.
We
hope this improvement to customer service is something our policyholders will find helps them understand the claim process and
provides them a resource for reporting.
LTR-4035
Ed. 06-09 |
Page
1 of 1 |
©
2009 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved.
P.O.
Box 2950
Hartford,
CT 06104-2950
09/26/2024
ASA
GOLD AND PRECIOUS METALS LTD
3
CANAL PLZ STE 600
PORTLAND,
ME 04101-4080
RE:
Risk Management PLUS+ Online ® from Travelers Bond & Specialty Insurance (www.rmplusonline.com)
As
a Travelers Bond & Specialty Insured you receive risk management services, at no cost, to help protect you and your business.
Risk
Management PLUS+ Online, is a robust website to assist you in the mitigation of risk relative to employment practices, directors
and officers, fiduciary liability, cyber, crime, kidnap & ransom, and identity fraud exposures.
Highlights
of Risk Management PLUS+ Online include:
| • | Thousands
of articles on a variety of risk management topics |
| • | Topical
webinars and podcasts on current issues |
| • | Checklists
to assist in managing risk |
| • | Model
Employee Handbook, including policies and forms for downloading or printing that reduce risks in the workplace. |
The
following Risk Management PLUS+ Online Registration Instructions contain easy, step-by-step instructions to register for this
valuable tool. For more information, call 1-888-712-7667 and ask for your Risk Management PLUS+ Online representative. It’s
that simple.
Thank
you for choosing Travelers Bond & Specialty Insurance for your insurance needs. Travelers is a market leader in providing
management liability and crime coverages that are specifically customized for your organization.
Instructions
for Registration & Orientation to Risk Management PLUS+ Online®
Registration
for Site Administrators:
The
Site Administrator is the person in your organization who will oversee Risk Management PLUS+ Online for the organization. The
Site Administrator is typically a person who leads human resources and/or financial functions or is responsible for legal matters
pertaining to personnel. The Site Administrator may add other Site Administrators later to assist with their responsibilities.
To register:
| 1. | Go
to www.rmplusonline.com. |
| 2. | In
the Sign-In box, click Register. |
| 3. | Enter
the password/passcode: <TRVP300100 for Insurance Companies> <TRVP300400 for Banks and Diversified> <TRVP300300
for Asset Management> |
| 4. | Fill
in the Registration Information and click Submit. |
| 5. | Your
organization is registered, and you are registered as Site Administrator. |
Learning
to Navigate the Site:
| 1. | Go
to www.rmplusonline.com. On each page, you will see a box outlined in blue that contains
the instructions for use of that page. |
| 2. | If
you have any questions, just
click on Contact Us on the front page. Enter your question in the form
provided, and the System Administrator will get back to you quickly with the answer. |
| 3. | You
can also schedule a live walk-through of the site by sending a request for a walk-through
via the contact link on the front
page. |
LTR-4107
Rev. 06-18
©
2018 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. |
Page
1 of 1 |
This
notice provides no coverage, nor does it change any policy terms. To determine the scope of coverage and the insured’s
rights and duties under the policy, read the entire policy carefully. For more information about the content of this notice,
the insured should contact their agent or broker. If there is any conflict between the policy and this notice, the terms of
the policy prevail. |
Independent
Agent And Broker
Compensation
Notice |
For
information on how Travelers compensates independent agents, brokers, or other insurance producers, please visit this website:
www.travelers.com/w3c/legal/Producer_Compensation_Disclosure.html.
Or
write or call:
Travelers,
Agency Compensation
One Tower Square
Hartford,
Connecticut 06183
(866)
904.8348
NTC-19036
Rev. 01-19 |
Page
1 of 1 |
©
2019 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved.
Investment
Company Bond
Declarations
BOND
NO. 107919063
Travelers
Casualty and Surety Company of America
Hartford, Connecticut
(A
Stock Insurance Company, herein called the Company)
ASA
GOLD AND PRECIOUS METALS LTD
Principal
Address:
3
CANAL PLZ STE 600
PORTLAND,
ME 04101-4080
(hereinafter,
“Insured”)
Inception
Date: September 30, 2024 Expiration Date: September 30, 2025
12:01 A.M. local time as to both dates at the Principal Address
stated in ITEM 1.
| ITEM
3 | ALL
NOTICES OF CLAIM OR LOSS MUST BE SENT TO THE COMPANY BY EMAIL, FACSIMILE, OR MAIL AS SET
FORTH BELOW: |
Email:
BSIclaims@travelers.com
Fax: 1-888-460-6622
Mail:
Travelers Bond & Specialty Insurance Claim
P.O.
Box 2989
Hartford,
CT 06104-2989
Overnight
Mail: Travelers Bond & Specialty Insurance Claim
One
Tower Square, MN06
Hartford,
CT 06183
For
questions related to claim reporting or handling, please call 1-800-842-8496.
| ITEM
4 | If
“Not Covered” is inserted opposite any specified Insuring Agreement below, or if no amount is included in the
Single Loss Limit of Insurance, such Insuring Agreement and any other reference thereto is deemed to be deleted from this bond. |
IVBB-15001 Ed. 01-16
©
2016 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. |
Page 1
of 3 |
INSURING
AGREEMENT |
SINGLE
LOSS
LIMIT OF
INSURANCE |
SINGLE
LOSS
DEDUCTIBLE
AMOUNT |
A. | FIDELITY |
|
|
|
|
Coverage
A.1. |
Larceny
or Embezzlement |
$1,000,000 |
$0 |
|
Coverage
A.2. |
Restoration
Expenses |
$100,000 |
$5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
B. |
ON PREMISES |
$1,000,000 |
$25,000 |
|
|
|
|
C. |
IN TRANSIT |
$1,000,000 |
$25,000 |
|
|
|
|
D. |
FORGERY OR ALTERATION |
$1,000,000 |
$25,000 |
|
|
|
|
E. |
SECURITIES |
$1,000,000 |
$25,000 |
|
|
|
|
F. |
COUNTERFEIT MONEY AND COUNTERFEIT MONEY ORDERS |
$1,000,000 |
$25,000 |
|
|
|
|
G. |
CLAIM EXPENSE |
$25,000 |
$0 |
|
|
|
|
H. |
STOP PAYMENT ORDERS OR WRONGFUL DISHONOR OF CHECKS |
$100,000 |
$5,000 |
|
|
|
|
I. |
COMPUTER SYSTEMS |
|
|
|
Coverage
I.1. |
Computer Fraud |
$1,000,000 |
$25,000 |
|
Coverage I.2. |
Fraudulent Instructions |
$1,000,000 |
$25,000 |
|
Coverage I.3. |
Restoration Expense |
$100,000 |
$25,000 |
J. |
UNCOLLECTIBLE ITEMS OF DEPOSIT |
$100,000 |
$25,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
| ITEM
5 | PREVIOUS
BONDS OR POLICIES: |
The
Insured, by acceptance of this bond, gives notice to the Company canceling or terminating prior bond or policy numbers:
Not
Applicable
such
cancellation or termination to be effective as of the time this bond becomes effective.
| Additional Premium Percentage: |
100% of the annualized premium |
| |
|
| Additional Months: |
12 months |
(If
exercised in accordance with section VI. CONDITIONS, S. DISCOVERY PERIOD)
| ITEM
7 | FORMS
AND ENDORSEMENTS ATTACHED AT ISSUANCE: |
IVBB-16001-0116;
IVBB-19044-0518; IVBB-19045-0319; IVBB-19038-0422; IVBB-17011-0116; IVBB-18016-0116
PRODUCER
INFORMATION:
WTW
NORTHEAST INC
200 LIBERTY ST
NEW YORK,
NY 10281
IVBB-15001 Ed. 01-16
©
2016 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. |
Page 2
of 3 |
Countersigned
By
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this bond to be signed by its authorized officers.
|
|
President |
Corporate
Secretary |
IVBB-15001 Ed. 01-16
©
2016 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. |
Page 3
of 3 |
|
Investment
Company Bond |
Table of Contents
IVBB-16001
Ed. 01-16 |
Page
1 of 25 |
© 2016 The Travelers Indemnity Company.
All rights reserved. |
|
IVBB-16001
Ed. 01-16 |
Page
2 of 25 |
© 2016 The Travelers Indemnity Company.
All rights reserved. |
|
|
Investment
Company Bond |
with
Extended Coverages
IN
CONSIDERATION of the payment of an agreed premium and subject to the Declarations and pursuant to all the terms, conditions,
exclusions and limitations of this bond, the Company agrees to indemnify the Insured as set forth in ITEM 1 of the Declarations
(herein called Insured) for:
Coverage
A.1. Larceny or Embezzlement
Loss
resulting directly from Larceny or Embezzlement committed by an Employee acting alone or in collusion with others.
Coverage
A.2. Restoration Expenses
Restoration
Expenses incurred by the Insured and resulting directly from a Computer Violation by an Employee.
| 1. | Loss
of Property resulting directly from: |
| a. | robbery,
burglary, mysterious unexplainable disappearance or misplacement and damage or destruction;
or |
| b. | theft,
false pretenses, or common law or statutory larceny, committed by a person physically
present in an office of, or on the premises of, the Insured at the time the Property
was surrendered, |
while
the Property is lodged or deposited within offices or premises located anywhere. The premises of a Depository will
be deemed premises of the Insured, but solely as respects loss of Certificated Securities. Coverage for Certificated
Securities held by such Depository is limited to the extent of the Insured’s interest therein as effected by
the making of appropriate entries on the books and records of such Depository. The Company will not be liable under Insuring
Agreement B for loss in connection with the central handling of securities within the systems established and maintained by any
Depository unless the amount of such loss exceeds the amount recoverable or recovered under any bond or policy or participants’
fund insuring the Depository against such loss.
This
bond does not afford any coverage in favor of any Depository or exchange or any nominee in whose name is registered any
security included within the Depository’s systems.
| 2. | Direct
loss, through any hazard specified in Insuring Agreement B.1. of any Property while
such Property is within any of the Insured’s or an Investment Adviser’s
offices and in the possession of any customer of the Insured, any representative
of such customer or any Employee whether or not the Insured is liable for the
loss thereof, and provided such loss, at the option of the Insured, is included in the
Insured’s proof of loss, but excluding, in any event, loss caused by such customer,
any representative of such customer, or any Employee. |
IVBB-16001
Ed. 01-16 |
Page
3 of 25 |
© 2016 The Travelers Indemnity Company.
All rights reserved. |
|
Loss
of Property (occurring with or without negligence or violence) resulting directly from robbery, larceny, theft, holdup,
mysterious unexplainable disappearance, misplacement, being lost or otherwise made away with, damage thereto or destruction thereof,
and loss of subscription, conversion, redemption or deposit privileges through the misplacement or loss of Property, while
the Property is in transit anywhere in the custody of any person or persons acting as Messenger, except while in
the mail or with a carrier for hire other than an armored motor vehicle company, for the purpose of transportation, such transit
to begin immediately upon receipt of such Property by the transporting person or persons, and to end immediately upon delivery
thereof at destination, but only while the Property is being conveyed.
Loss
resulting directly from the Insured having, in good faith, paid or transferred any Property in reliance on any Written,
Original:
| 1. | Negotiable
Instrument (except an Evidence of Debt); |
| 2. | Certificate
of Deposit; |
| 6. | receipt
for the withdrawal of Property; or |
| 7. | instruction
or advice directed to the Insured or an Investment Adviser and purportedly signed
by a Customer of the Insured or by a Financial Institution, |
which
(a) bears a handwritten signature which is a Forgery; or (b) is altered, but only to the extent the Forgery or
alteration causes the loss.
Actual
physical possession of the items listed in 1. through 7. above by the Insured is a condition precedent to the Insured’s
having relied on the items.
Loss
resulting directly from the Insured having, in good faith, for its own account or for the account of others:
| 1. | acquired,
sold, delivered, or given value, extended credit or assumed liability, on the faith of
any Original
Written document that is a (an): |
| c. | deed,
mortgage, or other instrument conveying title to, or creating or discharging a lien on,
real property; |
| d. | Certificate
of Origin or Title; |
| e. | Certificate
of Deposit; |
| g. | corporate,
partnership, or personal Guarantee; |
IVBB-16001
Ed. 01-16 |
Page
4 of 25 |
© 2016 The Travelers Indemnity Company.
All rights reserved. |
|
| j. | Statement
of Uncertificated Security, |
that
| (1) | bears
a handwritten signature material to the validity or enforceability of the Original
Written document that is a Forgery, but only to the extent the Forgery
causes the loss; |
| (2) | is
altered, but only to the extent the alteration causes the loss; or |
| 2. | guaranteed
in writing or witnessed any handwritten signature upon any transfer, assignment, bill
of sale, power of attorney, Guarantee, endorsement, or any items listed in items
1.a. through 1.i. above; or |
| 3. | acquired,
sold or delivered, given value, extended credit or assumed liability, on the faith of
any item listed in 1.a. through 1.d. above, that is a Counterfeit, but only to
the extent the Counterfeit causes the loss. |
Actual
physical possession, and continued actual physical possession if taken as collateral, of the items listed in 1.a. through 1.j.
above by the Insured, an Investment Adviser, a Custodian, or a Federal or State chartered deposit institution of
the Insured is a condition precedent to the Insured’s having relied on the faith of such items. Release or return of such
collateral is an acknowledgment by the Insured that it no longer relies on such collateral.
| F. | COUNTERFEIT
MONEY AND COUNTERFEIT MONEY ORDERS |
Loss
resulting directly from the receipt by the Insured, in good faith, of any Counterfeit Money of the United States of America
and its territories and possessions, Canada or any other country, or of Counterfeit money orders denominated in United
States or Canadian currency.
Reasonable
expenses necessarily incurred and paid by the Insured in preparing any covered claim for loss under any Insuring Agreement covered
under this bond, which loss exceeds the Single Loss Deductible Amount applicable to such Insuring Agreement. Such expenses include
costs incurred (including necessary wages of Employees) for that part of audits or examinations performed, whether or not
required by State or Federal supervisory authorities and conducted either by such authorities or by independent accountants, by
reason of the discovery of loss sustained by the Insured.
| H. | STOP
PAYMENT ORDERS OR WRONGFUL DISHONOR OF CHECKS |
Damages
that the Insured becomes legally liable to pay its customers resulting directly from the Insured or an Investment Adviser having:
| 1. | failed
to comply with any notice of any customer of the Insured or any authorized representative
of such customer to stop payment on any check or draft made or drawn by such customer;
or |
| 2. | wrongfully
dishonored or wrongfully failed to certify any check or draft made or drawn by the customer
of the Insured or any authorized representative of such customer. |
Notwithstanding
any other provision of this bond, damages under paragraph 2. above do not include the amount of any check or draft in question,
or any amounts paid to the payee, endorser, or accommodation party of such check or draft.
IVBB-16001
Ed. 01-16 |
Page
5 of 25 |
© 2016 The Travelers Indemnity Company.
All rights reserved. |
|
Coverage
I.1. Computer Fraud
Loss
resulting directly from Computer Fraud.
Coverage
I.2. Fraudulent Instructions
Loss
resulting directly from the Insured or an Investment Adviser having, in good faith, caused a transfer of funds as a result
of a Fraudulent Instruction when the Insured or an Investment Adviser, prior to causing the transfer of the funds,
used its best efforts to verify the identity of the person transmitting the instruction; provided that if the instruction is purported
to be from a Customer, the Insured, or an Investment Adviser:
| a. | performed
a Callback Verification with respect to such instruction; or |
| b. | followed
commercially reasonable Security Procedures applicable to the transaction and
instruction. |
Such
Fraudulent Instruction received and, if applicable, Callback Verification performed, must be either recorded, logged,
or documented by the Insured or an Investment Adviser.
Coverage
I.3. Restoration Expenses
Restoration
Expenses incurred by the Insured or an Investment Adviser and resulting from a Computer Violation by
someone other than an Employee.
| J. | UNCOLLECTIBLE
ITEMS OF DEPOSIT |
Loss,
including dividends and interest accrued not to exceed 15% of the value of each Item of Deposit that is deposited, resulting
directly from the Insured or Investment Adviser having credited an account of a customer, shareholder or subscriber on
the faith of any Items of Deposit that prove to be uncollectible, provided that the crediting of such account causes:
| 1. | redemptions
or withdrawals to be permitted; |
| 2. | shares
to be issued; or |
It
is a condition precedent to coverage under this Insuring Agreement that the Insured or Investment Adviser hold funds represented
in Items of Deposit for the maximum number of days allowable under Regulation CC before permitting any redemptions or withdrawals,
or issuing any shares or paying any dividends with respect to such Items of Deposit.
Items
of Deposit will not be deemed to be uncollectible until the Insured’s or Investment Adviser’s standard
collection procedures have failed.
This
Insuring Agreement applies to Insureds with exchange privileges if all funds in the exchange program are insured by the Company
for Uncollectible Items of Deposit. Regardless of the number of transactions between funds, the maximum number of days
allowable under Regulation CC begins from the date a deposit was first credited to any fund in the exchange program.
If
an Insured or Investment Adviser, while this bond is in force, adds additional Employees other than by
consolidation or merger with, or purchase or acquisition of the assets, assets under management or liabilities of, another
institution, such Employees will automatically be covered hereunder from the date of such addition without the
requirement of notice to the Company or the payment of additional premium for the remainder of the Policy Period as set forth
in ITEM 2 of the Declarations.
IVBB-16001
Ed. 01-16 |
Page
6 of 25 |
© 2016 The Travelers Indemnity Company.
All rights reserved. |
|
| B. | CONSOLIDATION
- MERGER - PURCHASE OR ACQUISITION OF ASSETS |
If
the Insured or an Investment Adviser, while this bond is in force, consolidates or merges with, or purchases or acquires
assets, assets under management or liabilities of, or purchases or acquires more than 50% voting stock ownership of another institution
(hereinafter referred to as a “Transaction”), coverage under this bond for loss which:
| 1. | has
occurred or will occur in the offices or premises of such institution; |
| 2. | has
been caused or will be caused by any employee or employees of such institution; or |
| 3. | has
arisen or will arise out of the assets, assets under management or liabilities acquired
by the Insured as a result of such Transaction, |
is
provided as follows:
| a. | Automatic
Loss Sustained Coverage |
If
a Transaction involves assets, assets under management and liabilities in an amount that is more than 25% of the consolidated
assets of all Insureds as of the most recent calendar year-end preceding the date of the Transaction, then coverage of this bond
as respects the Transaction will be afforded for a Single Loss that is both discovered and for which the acts giving rise to the
loss occur in their entirety on or after the effective date of the Transaction. This coverage terminates 60 days after the Transaction
date, or the termination date of the bond, whichever comes earlier, unless the Insured provides notice to the Company and obtains
the written consent of the Company to extend such coverage beyond said date and, upon obtaining such consent, pays to the Company
an additional premium, if required.
| b. | Automatic
Discovery Coverage |
If
a Transaction involves assets, assets under management and liabilities in an amount that is 25% or less of the consolidated assets
of all Insureds as of the most recent calendar year-end preceding the date of the Transaction, then coverage of this bond as respects
the Transaction will be afforded for a Single Loss that is discovered on or after the effective date of the Transaction, for the
remainder of the Policy Period as set forth in ITEM 2 of the Declarations, without additional premium being charged and without
notice to the Company of the Transaction.
| C. | REPRESENTATION
OF INSURED |
No
statement made by or on behalf of the Insured, whether contained in the application or otherwise, is deemed to be a warranty of
anything except that it is true to the best of the knowledge and belief of the person making the statement.
This
bond does not indemnify or hold harmless any Insured for loss sustained by an Investment Adviser, or by a proprietorship,
partnership or corporation that is owned, controlled or operated by such Insured, and not named as an Insured hereunder, except
as may be provided on a limited basis within General Agreement B., but this paragraph does not apply to loss sustained by a nominee
organized by an Insured hereunder other than a holding company.
If
two or more Insureds are covered under this bond, the first named Insured will act for all Insureds. Payment by the Company
to the first named Insured of loss sustained by any Insured fully releases the Company on account of such loss. If the first
named Insured ceases to be covered under this bond, the Insured next named will thereafter be considered the first named
Insured. In the absence of an Insured being specifically next named, the Insured entity having the greatest consolidated
assets of all remaining Insureds then becomes the first named Insured. Knowledge possessed or discovery made by any Insured
or Investment Adviser constitutes knowledge or discovery by all Insureds for all purposes of this bond. The liability
of the Company for loss or losses sustained by all Insureds will not exceed the amount for which the Company would have been
liable had all such loss or losses been sustained by one Insured.
IVBB-16001
Ed. 01-16 |
Page
7 of 25 |
© 2016 The Travelers Indemnity Company.
All rights reserved. |
|
| E. | COURT
COSTS AND ATTORNEY’S FEES - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS - ELECTION TO DEFEND |
The
Company will indemnify the Insured against court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees incurred and paid by the Insured in
defending any suit or legal proceeding brought against the Insured to enforce the Insured’s liability, or alleged liability,
on account of any loss, claim or damage that, if established against the Insured, would constitute a collectible loss under this
bond in excess of any Single Loss Deductible Amount, provided, however, that with respect to Insuring Agreement A this indemnity
will apply only in the event that:
| 1. | an
Employee admits to being guilty of Larceny or Embezzlement; |
| 2. | an
Employee is adjudicated to be guilty of Larceny or Embezzlement; or |
| 3. | in
the absence of 1. or 2. above, an arbitration panel agrees, after a review of an agreed
statement of facts, that an Employee would be found guilty of Larceny or Embezzlement
if such Employee were prosecuted. |
Such
indemnity is in addition to the Single Loss Limit of Insurance for the applicable Insuring Agreement or Coverage.
The
Insured or an Investment Adviser must notify the Company promptly after notice thereof, of any such suit or legal proceeding
and at the request of the Company will furnish it with copies of all pleadings and other papers therein. At the Company’s
election the Insured will permit the Company to conduct the defense of such suit or legal proceeding, in the Insured’s name,
through attorneys of the Company’s selection. In such event, the Insured and Investment Adviser will give all reasonable
information and assistance, other than pecuniary, that the Company deems necessary to the defense of such suit or legal proceeding.
If
the amount of the Insured’s liability or alleged liability is greater than the amount recoverable under this bond, or if
a Single Loss Deductible Amount is applicable, or both, then the liability of the Company under this General Agreement E. is limited
to the proportion of court costs and attorney’s fees incurred and paid by the Insured or by the Company that the amount
recoverable under this bond bears to the total amount of the Insured’s liability or alleged liability. Any amount not recoverable
by reason of the Insured’s liability or alleged liability being greater than the amount recoverable under any insuring agreement
of this bond, does not serve to reduce the Single Loss Deductible Amount applicable to such Insuring Agreement or Coverage.
If
the Company pays court costs and attorney’s fees in excess of its proportionate share of such costs and fees, the Insured
will promptly reimburse the Company for such excess.
As
used in this bond:
| A. | Acceptance
means a Written draft that the drawee has, by signature thereon, engaged
to honor as presented. |
| B. | Bond
Period has the meaning set forth in section VI. CONDITIONS, C. BOND PERIOD. |
| C. | Callback
Verification means a verbal conversation with the purported Customer,
using a Pre- Determined Telephone Number, to verify the identity of the Customer
and the authenticity of a funds transfer request. |
IVBB-16001
Ed. 01-16 |
Page
8 of 25 |
© 2016 The Travelers Indemnity Company.
All rights reserved. |
|
| D. | Certificate
of Deposit means a Written acknowledgment by an Insured or a Financial
Institution of receipt of Money with an engagement to repay it. |
| E. | Certificate
of Origin or Title means a Written document issued by a manufacturer of
personal property or a governmental agency evidencing the ownership of the personal property
and by which ownership is transferred. |
| F. | Certificated
Security means a share, participation or other interest in property of, or an
enterprise of, the issuer or an obligation of the issuer, that is: |
| 1. | represented
by a Written instrument issued in bearer or registered form; |
| 2. | of
a type commonly dealt in on securities exchanges or markets or commonly recognized in
any area in which it is issued or dealt in as a medium for investment; and |
| 3. | either
one of a class or series or by its terms divisible into a class or series of shares,
participations, interests or obligations. |
| G. | Computer
Fraud means an intentional, unauthorized, and fraudulent entry of data or computer
instructions directly into, or change of data or computer instructions within, a Computer
System by a natural person or entity other than an Employee, including any
such entry or change made via the internet or a Network, provided that such entry
or change causes: |
| 1. | Property
to be transferred, paid, or delivered; |
| 2. | an
account of the Insured, or of its customer, to be added, deleted, debited or credited;
or |
| 3. | an
unauthorized or fictitious account to be debited or credited. |
| 2. | any
input, output, processing, storage or communication device, or any related network, operating
system or application software, that is connected to, or used in connection with, such
computer, |
that
is rented by, owned by, leased by, licensed to, or under the direct operational control of, the Insured or an Investment Adviser.
| I. | Computer
Violation means: |
| 1. | the
introduction of a Computer Virus into a Computer System; or |
| 2. | damage
to, or destruction of, computer programs, software or other electronic data stored within
a Computer System by a natural person, who has: |
| a. | gained
unauthorized access to such Computer System; or |
| b. | authorized
access to such Computer System but uses such access to cause such damage or destruction. |
| J. | Computer
Virus means any malicious code that could destroy, alter, contaminate, or degrade
the integrity, quality, or performance of: |
| 1. | electronic
data used, or stored, in any Computer System or network; or |
| 2. | a
computer network, any computer application software, or a computer operating system or
related network. |
| K. | Counterfeit
means a Written imitation of an actual, valid, or verifiable Original
that is intended to deceive and to be taken as the Original. |
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| L. | Custodian
means an institution designated by an Insured or an Investment Adviser to
maintain possession and control of the Insured’s assets. |
| M. | Customer
means, only with respect to Insuring Agreement I.2., an entity or natural person that has a Funds Transfer Agreement
with the Insured or with an Investment Adviser. |
| N. | Depository
means a clearing corporation that is: |
| 1. | registered
with the Securities Exchange Commission as a clearing agency under section 17A of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78q-1); or |
| 2. | a
Federal Reserve Bank or other person or entity authorized to operate the federal book
entry system described in the regulations of the Department of Treasury codified at 31
CFR 357, Subpart B, or book-entry systems operated pursuant to comparable regulations
of other federal agencies. |
| O. | Document
of Title means a Written document that is a bill of lading, dock warrant,
dock receipt, warehouse receipt or order for the delivery of goods, and also any other
Written document that in the regular course of business or financing is treated
as adequately evidencing that the person in possession of it is entitled to receive,
hold and dispose of the document and the goods it covers and must purport to be issued
by or addressed to a bailee and purport to cover goods in the bailee’s possession
that are either identified or are fungible portions of an identified mass. |
| P. | Electronic
Data Processor means a natural person, partnership or corporation authorized
in writing by the Insured or an Investment Adviser to perform services as a data
processor of checks presented to the Insured by a customer or Financial Institution,
but excluding any such processor who acts as a transfer agent or in any other agency
capacity in issuing checks, drafts or securities for the Insured, A Federal Reserve Bank
or clearinghouse will not be construed to be an Electronic Data Processor. |
| Q. | Electronic
Record means information that is created, generated, sent, communicated, received,
or stored by electronic means, and is retrievable in perceivable form. |
| 1. | an
officer, partner or other employee of the Insured, while such person is employed by and
performing services for the Insured, and whom the Insured directly compensates by wages,
salaries or commissions; or for 60 days after such individual’s termination of
service, provided such termination is not due to employee fraud or dishonesty; |
| 2. | a
guest student or intern pursuing studies or duties in any of the Insured’s or an
Investment Adviser’s offices or premises covered hereunder, while such person
is performing services for the Insured; |
| 3. | any
attorney retained by the Insured or an Investment Adviser, and any employee of
such attorney, but only while performing legal services for the Insured; |
| 4. | any
natural person assigned to perform the usual duties of an employee within the premises
of the Insured or an Investment Adviser and under the Insured’s supervision,
by contract, including such persons provided by any employment agency furnishing temporary
personnel to the Insured or an Investment Adviser on a contingent or part-time
basis, and including a natural person who is leased to the Insured or an Investment
Adviser under a written agreement between the Insured and a labor leasing firm to
perform duties related to the conduct of the Insured’s business; (all such natural
persons provided by a single employment agency or labor leasing firm will collectively
be deemed to be one person for all the purposes of this bond, excepting, however, the
last paragraph of Condition R.2.); |
| 5. | an
employee of an institution merged or consolidated with the Insured prior to the effective
date of this bond, or, subject to General Agreement B., after the effective date of this
bond, but only with respect to acts while an employee of such institution and which acts
caused said institution to sustain
a loss that was not known to the Insured or to the institution at the time of the merger or consolidation; |
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| 6. | each
natural person, partnership, or corporation authorized by the Insured or an Investment
Adviser to perform services as an Electronic Data Processor (each such Electronic
Data Processor, and the partners, officers and employees of such Electronic Data
Processor will collectively be deemed to be one Employee for all the purposes
of this bond, except with respect to Condition R.2.); |
| 7. | any
director or trustee of an Insured, Investment Adviser, underwriter (distributor),
transfer agent, shareholder accounting record keeper, or administrator authorized by
Written agreement with the Insured to keep financial or other required records,
but only while performing acts coming within the scope of the usual duties of an officer
or employee or while acting as a member of any committee duly elected or appointed to
examine or audit or have custody of or access to the Property of the Insured; |
| 8. | any
natural person who is a volunteer, while such person is subject to the Insured’s
direction and control and is performing services for the Insured; |
| 9. | any
natural person who is a former employee retained as a consultant, pursuant to a written
agreement with the Insured, while that person is subject to the Insured’s direction
and control and performing services for the Insured; and |
| 10. | any
officer, partner, or employee of: |
| b. | an
underwriter (distributor); |
| c. | a
transfer agent or shareholder accounting record-keeper; or |
| d. | an
administrator authorized by written agreement to keep financial or other required records, |
for
an Insured but only while performing acts coming within the scope of the usual duties of an officer or employee of the Insured,
or while acting as a member of any committee duly elected or appointed to examine or audit or have custody of or access to the
Property of any such Insured, provided that only employees or partners of a transfer agent, shareholder accounting record-
keeper or administrator that is an affiliated person, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, of an Insured or is an
affiliated person of the Investment Adviser, underwriter or administrator of such Insured, and that is not a bank, will
be included within the definition of Employee.
Employee
also means any natural person described above while such person is on medical, military, or other leave of absence. Coverage
applies to any such Employee while on leave, regardless of whether such person remains subject to the Insured’s direction
and control during the time of leave.
Employee
does not mean any agent, broker, factor, commission merchant, consignee, independent contractor or representative or other
person of the same general character not specified above.
| S. | Evidence
of Debt means a Written instrument, including a Negotiable Instrument,
executed, or purportedly executed, by a customer of the Insured and held by the Insured
or an Investment Adviser that in the regular course of business is treated as
evidencing the customer’s debt to the Insured. |
| T. | Financial
Institution means: |
| 1. | a
bank, trust company, savings bank, credit union, savings and loan association, or similar
thrift institution; or |
| 2. | a
stock brokerage firm, mutual fund, liquid assets fund or similar investment institution; |
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provided
that Financial Institution does not include any such entity, institution or organization that is an Insured or an Investment
Adviser.
| U. | Forgery
means signing the name of another person or organization with a handwritten signature
directly applied to a Written document without authority, and with the intent
to deceive. |
A
signature written on an electronic pad that captures the signature for purposes of creating an electronic digitized image of a
handwritten signature, or a reproduction of a handwritten signature, is treated the same as a handwritten signature. Any other
form of electronic signature or digital signature is not treated the same as a handwritten signature.
Forgery
does not mean a signature that consists in whole or in part of one’s own name signed with or without authority, in any
capacity, for any purpose.
| V. | Fraudulent
Instruction means an intentional, fraudulent and unauthorized instruction directed
to the Insured or an Investment Adviser, that is: |
| 1. | transmitted
via telefacsimile, and: |
| a. | purports
and reasonably appears to be from a Customer, a Financial Institution,
or another office of the Insured; |
| b. | was
in fact transmitted by someone other than a Customer, a Financial Institution,
or another office of the Insured; and |
| c. | purports
and reasonably appears to contain the handwritten signature of a person authorized to
initiate such transfer that proves to have been used by an unauthorized person; or |
| 2. | transmitted
verbally, via telephone, and purports to be from: |
| a. | an
officer, director, partner or employee of a Customer, who is authorized by the Customer to instruct the Insured
or an Investment Adviser to make such a transfer; |
| b. | a
Customer who is a natural person; or |
| c. | an
Employee in another office of the Insured who was authorized by the Insured to
instruct other Employees to transfer funds on deposit in a Customer’s
account; and was received by an Employee specifically designated to receive
and act upon such instructions, |
but
was in fact transmitted by someone other than a person described in paragraph V.2.; or
| 3. | transmitted
via electronic mail and purports and reasonably appears to be from a Customer of
the Insured, but was in fact transmitted by someone other than such Customer. |
Fraudulent
Instruction does not include any instruction that purports to be from a Customer unless the instruction is transmitted
by a method that is authorized in the Funds Transfer Agreement between the Insured and the Customer.
| W. | Funds
Transfer Agreement means an agreement, signed by the Customer, that: |
| a. | authorizes
the Insured or an Investment Adviser to rely on instructions transmitted by either
voice, telefacsimile or electronic mail to make funds transfers; and |
| b. | provides
the Insured or an Investment Adviser with the names of persons authorized to initiate
funds transfers. |
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| X. | Guarantee
means a Written undertaking obligating the signer to pay the debt of another
to the Insured or its assignee or to a Financial Institution from which the Insured
has purchased participation in the debt, if the debt is not paid in accordance with its
terms. |
| Y. | Instruction means a Written order to the issuer of an Uncertificated Security
requesting that the transfer, pledge, or release from pledge of the Uncertificated Security specified be registered. |
| Z. | Investment Adviser means any entity defined in §202(a)(11) of, and registered
under, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, but only while acting on behalf of the Insured. |
| AA. | Item of Deposit means any checks or drafts deposited into the account of a customer,
shareholder or subscriber. |
| BB. | Larceny or Embezzlement means larceny or embezzlement as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940, §37 as amended. |
| CC. | Letter of Credit means an engagement in writing by a Financial Institution
or other person made at the request of a customer that the Financial Institution or other person will honor drafts or other
demands for payment upon compliance with the conditions specified in the Letter of Credit. |
| DD. | Loan means all extensions of credit by the Insured and all transactions creating
a creditor relationship in favor of the Insured and all transactions by which the Insured assumes an existing creditor relationship. |
| EE. | Messenger means an Employee while in possession of the Insured’s Property
away from the Insured’s or Investment Adviser’s premises and any other natural person acting as custodian of
the Property during an emergency arising from the incapacity of the original Employee. |
| FF. | Money means a medium of exchange in current use authorized or adopted by a domestic
or foreign government as a part of its currency. |
| GG. | Negotiable Instrument means a Written document, that: |
| 1. | is signed by the maker or drawer; |
| 2. | contains an unconditional promise or order to pay a sum certain in Money and no other promise,
order, obligation or power given by the maker or drawer; |
| 3. | is payable on demand or at a definite time; and |
| 4. | is payable to order or bearer. |
Negotiable Instrument also means a counterfeit
check or Substitute Check.
| HH. | Network means any and all services provided by or through the facilities of any electronic
or computer communication system, including Fedwire, Clearing House Interbank Payment System (CHIPS), Society for Worldwide Interbank
Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA) and similar interbank payment or settlement
systems, including any shared networks, internet access facilities, or other similar facilities for such systems in which the Insured
participates, allowing the input, output, examination, or transfer of data or programs from one computer to a Computer System. |
| II. | Original means the first rendering or archetype and does not include photocopies
or electronic transmissions even if received and printed. |
| JJ. | Pre-Determined Telephone Number means a telephone number that: |
| 1. | was provided by the Customer when the Customer opened the account with the Insured
or an Investment Adviser; |
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| 2. | was provided in person by the Customer after the Customer opened the account with
the Insured or an Investment Adviser, while physically present on the Insured’s or Investment Adviser’s premises
and while presenting a government-issued photo identification; |
| 3. | was provided in a Funds Transfer Agreement; |
| 4. | replaced a telephone number previously provided for the Customer’s account, provided
that confirmation of the legitimacy of the change was achieved through direct contact with the Customer at a telephone number
described in paragraph JJ.1., JJ.2. or JJ.3. above; or |
| 5. | replaced a telephone number previously provided for the Customer’s account and was
received by the Insured or the Investment Adviser at least 30 days prior to the receipt of the Fraudulent Instruction. |
| KK. | Property means Money, Certificated Securities, Uncertificated Securities, Negotiable
Instruments, Certificates of Deposit, Documents of Title, Acceptances, Evidences of Debt, Security
Agreements, Withdrawal Orders, Certificates of Origin or Title, Letters of Credit, insurance policies,
abstracts of title, deeds and mortgages on real estate, revenue and other stamps, tokens, unsold state lottery tickets, books of
account and other records whether Written or recorded electronically, gems, jewelry, precious metals of all kinds and in
any form, and tangible items of personal property that are not hereinbefore enumerated. |
| LL. | Restoration Expenses means reasonable costs incurred by the Insured or an Investment
Adviser, with the Company’s prior written consent, to restore, replace or reproduce damaged or destroyed computer programs,
software or other electronic data stored within a Computer System, or that the Insured owns, holds or is responsible for,
to the condition that existed immediately preceding a Computer Violation; provided that if it is determined by the Insured
or Investment Adviser that such computer programs, software or other electronic data cannot reasonably be restored, replaced
or reproduced, then Restoration Expenses means only the reasonable costs incurred by the Insured or an Investment Adviser,
with the Company’s prior written consent, to reach such determination. |
Restoration Expenses do
not include:
| 1. | expenses incurred as a result of the reconstruction of computer programs, software, or other electronic
data that the Insured did not have a license to use; |
| 2. | expenses incurred to restore, replace, or reproduce damaged or destroyed computer programs, software
or other electronic data if such damage or destruction was caused by computer programs, software, or other electronic data that
the Insured did not have a license to use; |
| 3. | expenses incurred to design, update, improve, or perfect the operation or performance of computer
programs, software, or other electronic data; or |
| 4. | expenses incurred to redo the work product, research, or analysis that was the basis of, or resulted
in, any computer programs, software, or other electronic data stored. |
| MM. | Security Agreement means a Written agreement that creates an interest in personal
property or fixtures and that secures payment or performance of an obligation. |
| NN. | Security Procedure means the Insured’s or Investment Adviser’s
established authentication process, other than voice recognition, that requires the use of algorithms or other codes, identifying
words or numbers, encryption, or similar security devices or procedures. The following are not considered a |
Security Procedure:
| 1. | a general statement that the Insured or Investment Adviser may establish security procedures; |
| 2. | a statement that the Insured or Investment Adviser may perform a callback or other security
procedure; or |
| 3. | a statement that the Insured or Investment Adviser will only accept requests from persons
named on the account. |
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| OO. | Single Loss has the meaning set forth in section VI. CONDITIONS, D. SINGLE LOSS. |
| PP. | Statement of Uncertificated Security means a Written statement of the issuer
of an Uncertificated Security containing: |
| 1. | a description of the issue of which the Uncertificated Security is a part; |
| 2. | the number of shares or units: |
| a. | transferred to the registered owner; |
| b. | pledged by the registered owner to the registered pledgee; |
| c. | released from pledge by the registered pledgee; |
| d. | registered in the name of the registered owner on the date of the statement; or |
| e. | subject to pledge on the date of the statement; |
| 3. | the name and address of the registered owner and registered pledgee; |
| 4. | a notation of any liens and restrictions of the issuer and any adverse claims to which the Uncertificated
Security is or may be subject to, or a statement that there are none of those liens, restrictions or adverse claims; and |
| a. | the transfer of the shares or units to the new registered owner of the shares or units was registered; |
| b. | the pledge of the registered pledgee was registered; or |
| c. | of the statement, if it is a periodic or annual statement. |
| QQ. | Substitute Check means a paper reproduction of an Original
Written check as defined in the Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act of 2003, as amended. |
| RR. | Transportation Company means any organization that provides its own or leased vehicles
for transportation or that provides freight forwarding or air express services. |
| SS. | Uncertificated Security means a share, participation or other interest in property
of, or an enterprise of, the issuer or an obligation of the issuer, that is: |
| 1. | not represented by a Written instrument issued in bearer or registered form and the transfer
of which is registered upon books maintained for that purpose by or on behalf of the issuer; |
| 2. | of a type commonly dealt in on securities exchanges or markets, or commonly recognized in any area
in which it is issued or dealt in as a medium for investment; and |
| 3. | either one of a class or series or by its terms divisible into a class or series of shares, participations,
interests or obligations. |
| TT. | Withdrawal Order means a non-negotiable Written instrument, other than an
Instruction, signed by a customer of the Insured authorizing the Insured to debit the customer's account in the amount of
funds stated therein. |
| UU. | Written means expressed through letters or marks placed upon paper and visible to
the eye. It does not include information contained in an Electronic Record, or only with respect to Insuring Agreement D,
information communicated via telefacsimile. |
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| A. | This bond does not cover loss resulting directly or indirectly from forgery or alteration, except
when covered under Insuring Agreement A, D, E, F or G. |
| B. | This bond does not cover loss due to war, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities (whether
war is declared or not), civil war, rebellion, revolution, insurrection, military or usurped power, confiscation, nationalization,
requisition, or destruction of, or damage to, property by or under the order of any government, public or local authority, unless
such loss occurs in transit in the circumstances recited in Insuring Agreement C and unless, when such transit was initiated, there
was no knowledge of such act or condition related to any of the foregoing on the part of any person acting for the Insured in initiating
such transit. |
| C. | This bond does not cover loss resulting directly or indirectly from nuclear reaction, nuclear radiation,
radioactive contamination, biological, or chemical contamination or to any related act or incident. |
| D. | This bond does not cover loss resulting directly or indirectly from any acts of any director or
trustee of the Insured other than one employed as a salaried, pensioned, or elected official or an Employee of the Insured,
except when performing acts coming within the scope of the usual duties of an Employee, or while acting as a member of any
committee duly elected or appointed by resolution of the board of directors or trustees of the Insured to perform specific, as
distinguished from general, directorial acts on behalf of the Insured. |
| E. | This bond does not cover loss resulting directly or indirectly from the complete or partial non-payment
of, or default upon, any Loan or transaction involving the Insured as a lender or borrower, or extension of credit, including
the purchase, discounting or other acquisition of false or genuine accounts, invoices, notes, agreements or Evidences of Debt,
whether such Loan, transaction or extension was procured in good faith or through trick, artifice, fraud, or false pretenses,
except when covered under Insuring Agreement A or E. |
| F. | This bond does not cover loss caused by an Employee, except: |
| 1. | when covered under Insuring Agreement A.; or |
| 2. | when covered under Insuring Agreement B. or C. and resulting directly from mysterious unexplainable
disappearance or misplacement, or unintentional destruction of or damage to Property. |
| G. | This bond does not cover loss resulting directly or indirectly from the use or purported use of
credit, debit, charge, access, convenience, identification cash management or other cards: |
| 1. | in obtaining credit or funds; |
| 2. | in gaining access to any automated teller machine; or |
| 3. | in gaining access to any point of sale terminal, customer-bank communication terminal, or similar
electronic terminal of any electronic funds transfer system, |
whether such cards were issued, or purport to have been
issued, by the Insured or by anyone other than the Insured, except when covered under Insuring Agreement A.
| H. | This bond does not cover loss through the surrender of Property away from an office of the
Insured or an Investment Adviser as a result of a threat: |
| 1. | to do bodily harm to any person, except loss of Property in transit in the custody of a
Messenger provided that when such transit was initiated there was no knowledge by the Insured of any such threat; or |
| 2. | to do damage to the premises or property of the Insured, except when covered under Insuring Agreement A. |
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| I. | This bond does not cover loss resulting directly or indirectly from payments made or withdrawals
from a customer's account involving erroneous credits to such account, unless such payments or withdrawals are physically received
by such depositor or representative of such depositor who is within the office of the Insured or an Investment Adviser at
the time of such payment or withdrawal, or except when covered under Insuring Agreement A. |
| J. | This bond does not cover loss resulting directly or indirectly from payments made or withdrawals
from a customer's account involving items of deposit that are not finally paid for any reason, including forgery or any other fraud,
except when covered under Insuring Agreement A or J, however, this exclusion does not apply to United States Government checks
or drafts that are returned to the Insured by the United States Government for any reason after the funds for said checks or drafts
have been remitted to the Insured or credited to the Insured’s account. |
| K. | This bond does not cover loss resulting directly or indirectly from counterfeiting, except when
covered under Insuring Agreement A, D, but only as respects Negotiable Instruments (except Evidences of Debt or Substitute
Checks), E or F. |
| L. | This bond does not cover loss of Property while: |
| 2. | in the custody of any Transportation Company, unless covered under Insuring Agreement C
provided however that non-negotiable instruments while in the possession and custody of any Transportation Company will
be deemed to be covered under Insuring Agreement C; or |
| 3. | located on the premises of any Transportation Company, |
except when covered under Insuring Agreement A.
| M. | This bond does not cover potential income, including interest and dividends not realized by the
Insured. |
| N. | This bond does not cover damages of any type for which the Insured is legally liable, except direct
compensatory damages, but not multiples thereof, arising directly from a loss covered under this bond. |
| O. | This bond does not cover any fees, costs, or other expenses incurred by the Insured in establishing
the existence of or amount of loss covered under this bond except when covered under Insuring Agreement G. |
| P. | This bond does not cover indirect or consequential loss of any nature. |
| Q. | This bond does not cover loss resulting from any violation by the Insured or by any Employee: |
| 1. | of law regulating: (i) the issuance, purchase or sale of securities; (ii) securities transactions
upon security exchanges or over the counter market; (iii) investment companies; or (iv) investment advisers; or |
| 2. | of any rule or regulation made pursuant to any such law, |
unless it is established by
the Insured that the act or acts that caused said loss involved fraudulent or dishonest conduct that would have caused a covered
loss to the Insured in a similar amount in the absence of such laws, rules or regulations.
| R. | This bond does not cover loss resulting directly or indirectly from the failure of a financial
or depository institution, or its receiver or liquidator, to pay or deliver, on demand of the Insured or an Investment Adviser,
funds or Property of the Insured held by it in any capacity, except when covered under Insuring Agreement A or B.1.a. |
| S. | This bond does not cover loss involving any Uncertificated Security except an Uncertificated
Security of any Federal Reserve Bank of the United States or when covered under Insuring Agreement A, E or I. |
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| T. | This bond does not cover under Insuring Agreement I, in addition to all of the other exclusions,
loss: |
| 1. | resulting directly or indirectly from entries or changes made by an individual authorized to have
access to a Computer System, who acts in good faith on instructions or advices received by telegraph, teletype, human voice
over a telephone, or by any other means, unless such instructions or advices are given to that individual by a software contractor
(or by a partner, officer or employee thereof) authorized by the Insured or an Investment Adviser to design, develop, prepare,
supply, service, write, or implement programs for the Computer System, except when covered under Insuring Agreement I.2.; |
| 2. | caused by an employee or director of an automated clearing house (including a Federal Reserve Bank),
service bureau, electronic communications systems (including Fedwire, CHIPS and SWIFT) or merchants who have contracted with the
Insured to perform electronic funds transfer services; or |
| 3. | resulting directly or indirectly from entries or changes made by an Employee acting in good
faith on any electronic communication, unless such instructions are purportedly sent by a customer, Financial Institution,
or automated clearing house, except when covered under Insuring Agreement I.2. |
| U. | This bond does not cover loss resulting directly or indirectly from Computer Fraud or mechanical
breakdown or failure to function properly of any Computer System, except when covered under Insuring Agreement A, B, or
I. |
| V. | This bond does not cover under Insuring Agreement I.2., in addition to all of the other exclusions,
loss resulting directly or indirectly from the Insured’s or an Investment Adviser’s assumption of liability
by contract unless the liability arises from a loss covered by Insuring Agreement I.2. and would be imposed on the Insured regardless
of the existence of the contract. |
| W. | This bond does not cover loss resulting directly or indirectly from theft, disappearance, destruction,
or disclosure of intangible property or confidential information, including trade secrets, customer lists, customer’s intellectual
property, confidential processing methods, formulas, patents, computer programs, negatives, drawings, manuscripts, prints and other
records of a similar nature, whether such confidential information is owned by the Insured or an Investment Adviser or held
by the Insured or Investment Adviser in any capacity including concurrently with another person. |
| X. | This bond does not cover expenses arising from a data security breach or incident, including forensic
audit expenses, fines, penalties, expenses to comply with federal and state laws, payment card industry data security standards
(if applicable), or expenses related to notifying affected individuals when the affected individual’s personally identifiable
customer, financial or medical information was stolen, accessed, downloaded, or misappropriated while in the Insured’s care,
custody, or control. |
| Y. | This bond does not cover under Insuring Agreement A.1., in addition to all of the other exclusions,
loss resulting directly or indirectly from the alleged or actual destruction of Property by an Employee. |
| Z. | This bond does not cover loss, costs, or expenses the Insured or an Investment Adviser agrees
to incur, or incurs on behalf of another person or entity, when the Insured is not legally obligated to incur such loss, costs,
or expenses under the Uniform Commercial Code or any other common, case, or tort law, statute, rule, or code anywhere in the world,
including any rule or code of any clearing or similar organization; except when covered under Insuring Agreement I.2. |
| AA. | This bond does not cover loss resulting directly or indirectly from the dishonest or fraudulent
acts of an Employee as to whom the bond has terminated pursuant to Condition R. Cancelation, Termination, Change or Modification,
provided, however, that this exclusion does not apply to loss of any Property already in transit in the custody of such
Employee at the time the bond terminated or to loss resulting directly from dishonest or fraudulent acts occurring prior
to the time the bond terminated. |
| BB. | This bond does not cover loss resulting from the unauthorized online Network, Computer
System or internet access to a customer account maintained by the Insured, through the use of fraudulently obtained customer
login, identification, password, or authentication information, except where such information has been obtained directly from unauthorized
fraudulent access to a secure file containing such information on a Computer System, except when covered under Insuring
Agreement I.2. |
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| CC. | This bond does not cover damages resulting from any civil, criminal, or other legal proceeding
in which the Insured or Investment Adviser is adjudicated to have engaged in racketeering activity, except when the Insured
establishes that the act or acts giving rise to such damages were committed by an Employee under circumstances that result
directly in a loss to the Insured covered by Insuring Agreement A. For purposes of this exclusion, "racketeering activity"
is defined in 18 U.S.C. 1961 et seq., as amended. |
| DD. | This bond does not cover any loss resulting directly or indirectly from a Fraudulent Instruction
except when covered under Insuring Agreement I.2. |
| EE. | This bond does not cover loss or expenses due to liability imposed upon the Insured as a result
of the unlawful disclosure of non-public information by the Insured, an Investment Adviser, or any Employee, or as
a result of any Employee acting upon such information, whether or not authorized. |
| FF. | This bond does not cover loss resulting directly or indirectly from the input of an Electronic
Record into a Computer System, either on the premises of a customer of the Insured or under the control of such a customer,
by a customer or other person who had authorized access to the customer's authentication mechanism. |
| A. | ADDITIONAL COMPANIES INCLUDED AS INSURED |
If more than one corporation, co-partnership,
or person, or any combination of them are included as the Insured herein:
| 1. | the total liability of the Company for loss or losses sustained by any one or more or all of them
will not exceed the limit for which the Company would be liable hereunder if all such loss were sustained by any one of them; |
| 2. | the Insured first named will be deemed authorized to make, adjust and receive and enforce payment
of all claims under the bond and will be deemed to be the agent of the others for such purposes and for the giving or receiving
of any notice required or permitted to be given by the terms of this bond, provided however that the Company will furnish each
named Insured with a copy of the bond and with any amendment to the bond, together with a copy of each formal filing of claim by
any Insured and notification of the terms of any settlement of a claim prior to the execution of such settlement; |
| 3. | the Company will not be responsible for the proper application of any payment made hereunder to
the first named Insured; and |
| 4. | knowledge possessed or discovery made by any partner, officer or supervisory Employee of
any Insured will for the purposes of Condition B., Condition H. or Condition R. of this bond constitute knowledge or discovery
by all the Insureds. |
This bond applies to loss discovered
by the Insured during the Bond Period. Discovery occurs when an officer or director of the Insured or of an Investment
Adviser first becomes aware of facts that would cause a reasonable person to assume that a loss of a type covered by this bond
has been or will be incurred, regardless of when the act or acts causing or contributing to such loss occurred, even though the
exact amount or details of loss may not then be known.
Discovery also occurs when an officer
or director of the Insured or an Investment Adviser receives notice of an actual or potential claim in which it is alleged
that the Insured is liable to a third party under circumstances that, if true, would constitute a loss under this bond.
IVBB-16001 Ed. 01-16 |
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Bond Period means the
period of one year following the inception date of this bond or any annual anniversary thereof, or if the time between the inception
or annual anniversary date and the expiration date of this bond is less than one year, then such lesser period.
Single Loss means all
covered loss, including court costs and attorney’s fees incurred by the Company under General Agreement E., resulting from:
| 1. | any one act or series of related acts of burglary, robbery, or attempt thereat, in which no Employee
is implicated; |
| 2. | any one act or series of related unintentional or negligent acts or omissions on the part of any
person (whether an Employee or not) resulting in damage to or destruction or misplacement of Property; |
| 3. | all acts or omissions other than those specified in 1. and 2. above, caused by any person (whether
an Employee or not) or in which such person is implicated; or |
| 4. | any one casualty or event not specified in 1., 2., or 3. above. |
| E. | SINGLE LOSS LIMIT OF INSURANCE |
The Company's liability for
each Single Loss will not exceed the applicable Single Loss Limit of Insurance set forth in ITEM 4 of the Declarations.
If a Single Loss is covered under more than one Insuring Agreement or Coverage, the Single Loss Limit of Insurance for each
applicable Insuring Agreement or Coverage will apply separately to that part of the loss covered under such Insuring Agreement
or Coverage, provided that the maximum payable for such Single Loss will not exceed the largest applicable Single Loss Limit
of Insurance.
The Company is liable hereunder
only for the amount by which any Single Loss exceeds the Single Loss Deductible Amount for the Insuring Agreement or Coverage
applicable to such loss, subject to the applicable Single Loss Limit of Insurance.
If a Single Loss is covered
under more than one Coverage within an Insuring Agreement, the Single Loss Deductible Amount set forth in ITEM 4 of the Declarations
for each applicable Coverage will apply separately to the part of such Single Loss covered under such Coverage, however
the sum of such Single Loss Deductible Amounts for such Single Loss will not exceed the highest applicable Single Loss Deductible
Amount for any such Coverage.
The Insured
will, in the time and in the manner prescribed in this bond, give the Company notice of any loss of the kind covered by the terms
of this bond that exceeds 25% of the Single Loss Deductible Amount applicable to such loss, whether or not the Company is liable
therefor, and upon the request of the Company will file with it a brief statement giving the particulars concerning such loss.
| G. | NON-ACCUMULATION OF LIMITS |
The Single
Loss Limit of Insurance of the Company is not cumulative in amount from Bond Period to Bond Period, regardless of
the number of years this bond is in force, the number of times this bond may be renewed or replaced, or the number of premiums
that are payable or paid.
| H. | NOTICE - PROOF OF LOSS - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
| 1. | At the earliest practicable moment not to exceed 90 days after discovery of loss, the Insured or
Investment Adviser must give the Company notice thereof. |
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| 2. | Within six months after such discovery, the Insured or Investment Adviser must furnish to
the Company proof of loss, duly sworn to, with full particulars. |
| 3. | Lost Certificated Securities listed in a proof of loss will be identified by certificate
or bond numbers if such securities were issued therewith. |
| 4. | Legal proceedings for the recovery of any loss hereunder will not be brought prior to the expiration
of 60 days after the original proof of loss is filed with the Company or after the expiration of 24 months from the discovery of
such loss, except that any action or proceeding to recover hereunder on account of any judgment against the Insured in any suit
mentioned in General Agreement E., or to recover attorney’s fees paid in any such suit, will be brought within 24 months
from the date upon which the judgment and such suit will become final. |
| 5. | If any limitation embodied in this bond is prohibited by any law controlling the construction hereof,
such limitation will be deemed to be amended so as to equal the minimum period of limitation provided by such law. |
| 6. | This bond is for the use and benefit only of the Insured, and the Company will not be liable hereunder
for loss sustained by anyone other than the Insured. No suit, action or legal proceedings will be brought hereunder by anyone other
than the Insured. |
Any loss of Money, or loss
payable in Money, will be paid, at the option of the Insured, in the Money of the country in which the loss was sustained
or in the U.S. dollar equivalent thereof determined at the rate of exchange at the time of payment of such loss.
The Company will settle in kind
its liability under this bond on account of a loss of any securities or, at the option of the Insured, will pay to the Insured
the cost of replacing such securities, determined by their highest quoted market value at any time between the business day next
preceding the discovery of the loss and the day that the loss is settled. In case of a loss of subscription, conversion or redemption
privileges through the misplacement or loss of securities, the amount of such loss will be the value of such privileges immediately
preceding the expiration thereof. If such securities cannot be replaced or have no quoted market value, or if such privileges have
no quoted market value, their value will be determined by agreement or, at the option of the Insured, arbitration.
If the applicable
coverage of this bond is subject to a Single Loss Deductible Amount or is not sufficient in amount to indemnify the Insured in
full for the loss of securities for which claim is made hereunder, the liability of the Company under this bond is limited to the
payment for, or the duplication of, so much of such securities as has a value equal to the amount of such applicable coverage.
If, at the
instance of the Company, the Insured or any customer of the Insured becomes principal upon any bonds, or gives any undertakings,
required as a prerequisite to the reissuing or duplicating of any securities for the loss of which the Company is liable under
this bond, the Company will become surety upon such bonds or undertakings without premium charge and will indemnify the Insured
or such customer against any loss that the Insured or such customer may sustain by reason of having become principal upon any such
bonds or having given any such undertakings. The amount of indemnity under this paragraph will not exceed the amount stated in
ITEM 4 of the Declarations for the applicable Insuring Agreement.
| 3. | Books of Account and Other Records |
In case of loss
of, or damage to, any books of account or other records used by the Insured in its business, the Company will be liable under this
bond only if such books or records are actually reproduced and then for not more than the cost of the blank books, blank pages
or other materials plus the cost of labor for the actual transcription
or copying of data that have been furnished by the Insured in order to reproduce such books and other records.
IVBB-16001 Ed. 01-16 |
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| 4. | Property other than Money, Securities, Books of Account or Other Records |
In case of loss of, or damage to,
any Property other than Money, securities, books of account or other records, except damage covered under Insuring
Agreement B.2. or B.3., the Company will not be liable for more than the actual cash value of such Property. The Company
may, at its election, pay the actual cash value of, repair or replace such Property.
With respect to damage of Property
covered under Insuring Agreement B.2., the Company will be liable for the full cost of repair or replacement of such Property,
without deduction for depreciation.
Disagreement between the Company
and the Insured as to the cash value, replacement value or as to the adequacy of repair or replacement will be resolved by agreement
or, at the option of the Insured, arbitration.
In the event of payment under
this bond, the Insured or Investment Adviser will deliver, if so requested by the Company, an assignment of such of the
Insured's rights, title and interest and causes of action as it has against any person or entity to the extent of the loss payment.
In the event of payment under
this bond, the Company will be subrogated to all of the Insured's rights of recovery therefor against any person or entity to the
extent of such payment. If the rules of a Depository provide that the Insured will be assessed for a portion of any judgment
(or agreed settlement) taken by the Company based upon the assignment set forth in Condition J. above and the Insured actually
pays such assessment, the Company will reimburse the Insured for the amount of the assessment. However, such reimbursement will
not exceed the amount of the loss payment by the Company.
| 1. | All recoveries, whether effected by the Company or by the Insured will be applied, after first
deducting the costs and expenses incurred in obtaining such recovery, in the following order of priority: |
| a. | first, to the Insured to reimburse the Insured for loss sustained that would have been paid under
this bond but for the fact that such loss is in excess of the Single Loss Limit of Insurance, provided however, such loss does
not include claim expense payments made by the Insured in excess of the Single Loss Limit of Insurance of Insuring Agreement G
and such payments will not be deemed excess for purposes of establishing order of priority; |
| b. | second, to the Company in satisfaction of amounts paid or to be paid to the Insured in settlement
of the Insured’s claim; |
| c. | third, to the Insured in satisfaction of any Single Loss Deductible Amount; and |
| d. | fourth, to the Insured in satisfaction of any loss not covered under this bond. |
| 2. | Recovery on account of loss of securities as set forth in Condition I.2., or recovery from reinsurance
or indemnity of the Company, will not be deemed a recovery as used herein. |
In determining the amount of any
loss covered under this bond, all Money received by the Insured from any source whatsoever in connection with any matter
from which a loss has arisen, including payments and receipts of principal, interest, dividends, commission, and the like, received
prior to a loss settlement under this bond, will be deducted from the amount actually paid out, advanced, withdrawn, taken or otherwise
lost or stolen. The value of all property received by the Insured from any source whatever and whenever received, in connection with any matter from
which a loss has arisen, will be valued as of the date received and will likewise be deducted from the claimed loss.
IVBB-16001 Ed. 01-16 |
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Upon the Company's request, and
at reasonable times and places designated by the Company, the Insured will:
| 1. | submit to examination by the Company and subscribe to the same under oath; |
| 2. | produce for the Company's examination all pertinent records; and |
| 3. | cooperate with the Company in all matters pertaining to the loss. |
The Insured will execute all papers and render assistance
to secure to the Company the rights and causes of action provided for herein.
The Insured will do nothing after discovery of loss
to prejudice such rights or causes of action and must do everything reasonably necessary to secure those rights and causes of action.
If any Insuring Agreement requires
that an enumerated type of document be altered or Counterfeit, or contain a signature that is a Forgery, or that
it be obtained through trick, artifice, fraud or false pretenses, the alteration, Counterfeit, or signature must be on or
of the enumerated document itself, not on or of some other document submitted with, accompanying, or incorporated by reference
into, the enumerated document.
| O. | LIMIT OF INSURANCE UNDER THIS BOND AND PRIOR INSURANCE |
With respect to any Single
Loss that is recoverable or recovered in whole or in part under any other bonds or policies issued by the Company to the Insured
or to any predecessor in interest of the Insured and canceled or terminated or allowed to expire and in which the period for discovery
has not expired at the time any such loss thereunder is discovered, the total liability of the Company under this bond and under
such other bonds or policies will not exceed, in the aggregate, the amount carried hereunder on such loss or the amount available
to the Insured under such other bonds or policies, as limited by the terms and conditions thereof, for any such loss if the latter
amount be the larger.
If the coverage of this bond supersedes
in whole or in part the coverage of any other bond or policy of insurance issued by an insurer other than the Company and canceled,
terminated or allowed to expire, the Company, with respect to any loss sustained prior to such cancelation, termination or expiration
and discovered within the period permitted under such other bond or policy for the discovery of loss thereunder, will be liable
under this bond only for that part of such loss covered by this bond as is in excess of the amount recoverable or recovered on
account of such loss under such other bond or policy, anything to the contrary in such other bond or policy notwithstanding.
| P. | OTHER INSURANCE OR INDEMNITY |
Coverage afforded hereunder applies
only as excess over any valid and collectible insurance or indemnity obtained by:
| 2. | anyone other than the Insured; |
| 3. | a Transportation Company; |
| 4. | another entity on whose premises the loss occurred or that employed the person causing the loss;
or |
| 5. | the messenger conveying the Property involved. |
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© 2016 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. |
|
This bond applies to loss of
Property:
| 1. | that is owned by the Insured; |
| 2. | that is held by the Insured in any capacity; or |
| 3. | for which the Insured is responsible, |
prior to or at the time of the occurrence of the
loss. This bond is for the sole use and benefit of the Insured.
| R. | CANCELATION, TERMINATION, CHANGE, OR MODIFICATION |
| a. | This bond is canceled in its entirety immediately upon receipt by the Company of a Written notice
from the Insured or an Investment Adviser of its desire to cancel this bond, provided the Insured or Investment Adviser
has provided at least 60 days’ advance Written notice to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Company
will notify all other Insureds of the receipt of such a cancelation request from the Insured or Investment Adviser, however
the cancelation will not be effective until 60 days after receipt of Written notice by all other Insureds. |
| b. | This bond is canceled in its entirety 60 days after the receipt by each Insured and the SEC, of
a Written notice from the Company of its desire to cancel this bond. |
| c. | Coverage is canceled as to any Employee, or as to any partner, officer, or employee of any
Electronic Data Processor 60 days after the receipt by the Insured and the SEC, of a written notice from the Company of
its desire to cancel coverage under this bond as to such person. |
| a. | This bond terminates in its entirety immediately upon the Expiration Date set forth in ITEM 2 of
the Declarations. |
| b. | This bond terminates as to any Insured: |
| (1) | immediately upon the surrender of such Insured’s charter to any governmental authority; or |
| (2) | immediately upon the taking over of such Insured by a receiver or other liquidator or by any State
or Federal official, |
whichever occurs first.
Termination of the bond as to any Insured terminates
liability for any loss sustained by such Insured that is discovered after the effective date of such termination.
| c. | Coverage terminates as to any Employee, or as to any partner, officer, or employee of any
Electronic Data Processor: |
| (1) | as soon as any Director or Officer or Insured not in collusion with such person, learns of any
dishonest or fraudulent employment related act, including Larceny or Embezzlement; or |
| (2) | 60 days after any director or officer of the Insured not in collusion with such person, learns
of any dishonest or fraudulent non-employment related act, including Larceny or Embezzlement, that resulted
in a loss of Property in excess of $25,000, |
IVBB-16001 Ed. 01-16 |
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either
of which were committed by such person at any time, whether in the employment of the Insured or otherwise, whether or not of the
type covered under Insuring Agreement A, against the Insured or any other person or entity, without prejudice to the loss of any
Property then in transit in the custody of such person.
However, termination of coverage
as to any Employee as set forth in c.(1) and c.(2) of the preceding paragraph, will not apply to any such person provided
the Insured has received and retains an original letter signed by a prior insurer reinstating coverage for such individual for
whom the Insured discovered had committed a dishonest or fraudulent act prior to the effective date of this bond.
This bond or any instrument amending
or affecting this bond may not be changed or modified orally. No changes in or modification of this bond will be effective unless
made by Written endorsement issued to form a part of this bond and including the signature of the Company's Authorized Representative.
When a bond covers only one Insured no change or modification that would adversely affect the rights of the Insured will be effective
prior to 60 days after Written notification has been furnished to the SEC by the Insured, Investment Adviser or the
Company. If more than one Insured is named under this bond, the Company will give Written notice to each Insured and to
the SEC not less than 60 days prior to the effective date of any change or modification that would adversely affect the rights
of such Insured.
At any time prior to the cancelation
or termination of this bond in its entirety, whether by the Insured, an Investment Adviser, or the Company, the Insured
or an Investment Adviser may give to the Company written notice that it desires under this bond an additional period of
12 months within which to discover loss sustained by the Insured prior to the effective date of such cancelation or termination
and will pay an additional premium therefor.
Upon receipt of such notice from
the Insured or an Investment Adviser, the Company will give its written consent thereto; provided, that such additional
period of time terminates immediately:
| 1. | on the effective date of any other insurance obtained by the Insured, its successor in business
or any other party, replacing in whole or in part the insurance afforded by this bond, whether or not such other insurance provides
coverage for loss sustained prior to its effective date; or |
| 2. | upon any takeover of the Insured’s business by any state or federal official or agency, or
by any receiver or liquidator acting or appointed for this purpose, |
whichever occurs first, and without
the necessity of the Company giving notice of such termination. In the event that such additional period of time is terminated,
as provided above, the Company will refund on a pro-rata basis, any unearned premium.
The right to purchase such additional
period for the discovery of loss may not be exercised by any state or federal official or agency, or by any receiver or liquidator,
acting or appointed to take over the Insured's business for the operation or for the liquidation thereof or for any other purpose.
The Company's
total liability for any loss discovered during such additional period of time is part of, and not in addition to, the Single Loss
Limit of Insurance of the Bond Period that terminates immediately preceding the effective date of such additional period.
The titles of the various paragraphs
of this bond and its endorsements are inserted solely for convenience or reference and are not to be deemed in any way to limit,
expand or affect the provision to which they relate.
IVBB-16001 Ed. 01-16 |
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© 2016 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. |
|
THIS
ENDORSEMENT CHANGES THE BOND. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. |
AUTOMATIC INCREASE
IN INSURING AGREEMENT A.1. SINGLE LOSS LIMIT OF INSURANCE ENDORSEMENT
This endorsement changes the following:
Investment Company Bond
It is agreed that:
The following is added to section VI. CONDITIONS, E.
SINGLE LOSS LIMIT OF INSURANCE:
Notwithstanding the previous paragraph,
if the Insured, while this bond is in force, requires an increase in the limit of Insuring Agreement A.1. in order to comply with
SEC Regulation 17g-1, as a result of:
| 1. | an increase in assets under management by current Insureds under the bond,
per the terms of section III. GENERAL AGREEMENTS, A. ORGANIC GROWTH; or |
| 2. | an increase in assets under management due to the addition of new investment
companies per the terms of section III. GENERAL AGREEMENTS, B. CONSOLIDATION – MERGER – PURCHASE OR ACQUISTION OF ASSETS, |
the Single Loss Limit of Insurance for Insuring Agreement
A.1. will automatically be increased to comply with Regulation 17g-1 without the payment of additional premium, for the remainder
of the Bond Period.
Nothing herein contained shall
be held to vary, alter, waive, or extend any of the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of the above-mentioned bond,
except as expressly stated herein. This endorsement is part of such bond and incorporated therein.
Issuing Company: Travelers Casualty
and Surety Company of America
Bond Number: 107919063
IVBB-19044 Ed. 05-18 |
Page 1 of 1 |
© 2018 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. |
|
THIS
ENDORSEMENT CHANGES THE POLICY. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. |
REPLACE GENERAL AGREEMENT A. ORGANIC GROWTH ENDORSEMENT
This endorsement changes the following:
Investment Company Bond
It is agreed that:
The following replaces section III. GENERAL AGREEMENTS,
A. ORGANIC GROWTH:
If an Insured or Investment Adviser,
while this bond is in force, adds additional Employees or experiences an increase in assets under management, other than
by consolidation or merger with, or purchase or acquisition of the assets, assets under management or liabilities of, another institution,
such Employees or increased assets under management will automatically be covered hereunder from the date of such addition
without the requirement of notice to the Company or the payment of additional premium for the remainder of the Policy Period as
set forth in ITEM 2 of the Declarations.
Nothing herein contained shall be held
to vary, alter, waive, or extend any of the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of the above-mentioned policy, except
as expressly stated herein. This endorsement is part of such policy and incorporated therein.
Issuing Company: Travelers Casualty
and Surety Company of America
Policy Number: 107919063
IVBB-19045 Ed. 03-19 |
Page 1 of 1 |
© 2019 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. |
|
THIS
ENDORSEMENT CHANGES THE BOND. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. |
GLOBAL COVERAGE COMPLIANCE ENDORSEMENT
This endorsement changes the following:
Investment Company Bond
It is agreed that:
| 1. | The following is added to section IV. DEFINITIONS: |
Financial Interest means the first named
Insured's insurable interest in an Insured that is domiciled in a country or jurisdiction in which the Company is not licensed
to provide this insurance, as a result of the first named Insured's:
| 1. | ownership of the majority of the outstanding securities
or voting rights of the Insured representing the present right to elect, appoint, or exercise a majority control over such Insured's
board of directors, board of trustees, board of managers, natural person general partner, or functional foreign equivalent; |
| 2. | indemnification of, or representation that it has an
obligation to indemnify, the Insured for loss sustained by such Insured; or |
| 3. | election or obligation to obtain insurance for such Insured. |
| 2. | The following is added to section VI. CONDITIONS, M.
COOPERATION: |
In the event the Company indemnifies
the first named Insured on account of its Financial Interest in an Insured, as a condition precedent to exercising rights
under this bond, the first named Insured will cause such Insured to comply with the conditions of this bond.
| 3. | The following are added to section VI. CONDITIONS: |
TERRITORY COVERED
| 1. | This bond does not apply to: |
| a. | loss sustained by an Insured domiciled; or |
| b. | loss of or damage to property located, |
in any country or jurisdiction
in which the Company is not licensed to provide this insurance, to the extent that providing this insurance would violate the laws
or regulations of such country or jurisdiction.
| 2. | In the event an Insured sustains loss referenced in a.
above to which this bond would have applied, the Company will reimburse the first named Insured for its loss, on account of its
Financial Interest in such Insured. |
SANCTIONS
This bond will provide coverage,
or otherwise will provide any benefit, only to the extent that providing such coverage or benefit does not expose the Company or
any of its affiliated or parent companies to any trade or economic sanction under any law or regulation of the United States of
America or any other applicable trade or economic sanction, prohibition or restriction.
Nothing herein contained shall be held to
vary, alter, waive, or extend any of the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of the above-mentioned bond, except as expressly
stated herein. This endorsement is part of such bond and incorporated therein.
Issuing Company: Travelers Casualty
and Surety Company of America
Bond Number: 107919063
IVBB-19038 Ed. 04-22 |
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© 2022 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. |
|
THIS
ENDORSEMENT CHANGES THE POLICY. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. |
MAINE CHANGES ENDORSEMENT
This endorsement changes the following:
Investment Company Bond
It is agreed that:
| 1. | The following replaces section III. GENERAL AGREEMENTS, C. REPRESENTATION OF INSURED: |
The Company may cancel or deny
coverage under this bond in any case of fraud by the Insured as it relates to this bond at any time. The Company may also cancel
or deny coverage under this bond if the Insured, at any time, intentionally conceals or misrepresents a material fact concerning:
| b. | Money, securities, or other property; |
| c. | the Insured's interest in Money, securities, or other property; or |
| d. | a claim under this bond. |
| 2. | The following is added to section V. EXCLUSIONS: |
This bond does not cover:
| a. | loss resulting directly or indirectly from any fraudulent, dishonest or criminal act committed
by any Employee or by any partner, officer, or employee of any Electronic Data Processor, if at the time of the act,
any Corporate Official designated in the Schedule below not in collusion with the Employee or partner, officer, or employee
of any Electronic Data Processor was aware of an earlier dishonest or fraudulent employment-related act committed by such
Employee, or partner, officer, or employee of any Electronic Data Processor, in the Insured's service, during the
term of employment by the Insured or prior to employment by the Insured by such Employee or partner, officer, or
employee of any Electronic Data Processor; |
| b. | loss resulting directly or indirectly from any fraudulent, dishonest or criminal act committed
by any Employee or by any partner, officer, or employee of any Electronic Data Processor, if the act takes place
more than 60 days after any Corporate Official designated in the schedule below not in collusion with the Employee, or partner,
officer, or employee of any Electronic Data Processor first became aware of an earlier dishonest or fraudulent non-employment-related
act committed by such Employee, or by any partner, officer, or employee of any Electronic Data Processor, involving
Money, Securities or Other Property in an amount in excess of $6,250; or |
| (1) | sustained after the expiration of the Bond Period; |
| (2) | sustained after the voluntary liquidation or dissolution of the first named Insured; or |
| (3) | sustained by any subsidiary after the change of control of such subsidiary. |
Issuing Company: |
Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America |
|
Policy Number: |
107919063 |
|
IVBB-17011 Ed. 01-16 |
Page 1 of 2 |
© 2016 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. |
|
Schedule:
Corporate Official:
Director or Officer
Nothing herein contained shall be
held to vary, alter, waive, or extend any of the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of the above-mentioned policy, except
as expressly stated herein. This endorsement is part of such policy and incorporated therein.
IVBB-17011 Ed. 01-16 |
Page 2 of 2 |
© 2016 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. |
|
THIS
ENDORSEMENT CHANGES THE POLICY. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. |
MAINE CANCELATION, TERMINATION, CHANGE, OR MODIFICATION
ENDORSEMENT
This endorsement changes the following:
Investment Company Bond
It is agreed that:
| 1. | The following replaces section VI. CONDITIONS, R. CANCELATION, TERMINATION, CHANGE, OR MODIFICATION, 1.b.: |
| b. | The Company may cancel this bond by mailing or delivering Written notice of cancelation
to each Insured and the SEC. If the Company cancels, cancelation will not be effective prior to 60 days after receipt of the notice
of cancelation by each Insured and the SEC. |
Notice of cancelation will state
the effective date of and reasons for cancelation. The Policy Period will end on that date.
A Post Office certificate of mailing
to the Insureds at their last known mailing addresses and to the SEC will be conclusive proof of receipt of notice on the third
calendar day after mailing.
The Company may cancel this bond
only for one or more of the following reasons:
| (a) | nonpayment of premium; |
| (b) | fraud or material misrepresentation made by or with the consent of the Insured in obtaining the
bond, continuing the bond or in presenting a claim under the bond; |
| (c) | substantial change in the risk which increases the risk of loss after insurance coverage has been
issued or renewed, including, but not limited to, an increase in exposure due to regulation, legislation or court decision; |
| (d) | failure to comply with loss control recommendations; |
| (e) | substantial breach of contractual duties, conditions, or warranties; or |
| (f) | a determination by the Superintendent of Insurance that the continuation of a class or block of
business to which the bond belongs will jeopardize the Company’s solvency or will place the Company in violation of the insurance
laws of Maine or any other state. |
| 2. | The following is added to section VI. CONDITIONS, R. CANCELATION, TERMINATION, CHANGE, OR MODIFICATION: |
Issuing Company: Travelers Casualty and
Surety Company of America
Policy Number: 107919063
IVBB-18016 Ed. 01-16 |
Page 1 of 2 |
© 2016 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. |
|
If the Company
decides not to offer to renew this bond, the Company will mail or deliver Written notice of nonrenewal to each Insured and
the SEC. Nonrenewal will not be effective prior to 60 days after the receipt by each Insured and the SEC of the notice of nonrenewal.
A Post Office certificate of mailing will be conclusive proof of receipt of notice on the third calendar day after mailing.
Nothing herein contained shall be held to
vary, alter, waive, or extend any of the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of the above-mentioned policy, except as
expressly stated herein. This endorsement is part of such policy and incorporated therein.
IVBB-18016 Ed. 01-16 |
Page 2 of 2 |
© 2016 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. |
|
Copy
of the Resolutions Approved at the September 25, 2024 Meeting of the Board of Directors of ASA Gold and Precious Metals Limited
ASA
GOLD AND PRECIOUS METALS LIMITED
APPROVAL
OF FIDELITY BOND
RESOLVED,
that having considered all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the value of the assets of the Company to which an
employee of the Company may have access, the type and terms of the arrangements made for the custody and safekeeping of such assets,
the financial controls and procedures of the Company, and the nature of the portfolio securities of the Company, the Board of
Directors, including a majority of the Directors of the Company who are not interested persons of the Company, has determined
that fidelity bond (“Fidelity Bond”) issued by Traveler’s Bond & Specialty Insurance with respect to the
Company in the coverage amount of $1,000,000 is reasonable in form and amount to protect the Company against larceny and embezzlement
by one or more employees and has determined that the renewal of the Fidelity Bond is in the best interests of the Company; and
FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the renewal of the Fidelity Bond and the payment of the premium for such Fidelity Bond are approved; and
FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Officers of the Company be, and each of them hereby is, authorized to execute and deliver any and all documents
and to do any and all acts, in the name of and on behalf of the Company, as they, or any of them, may determine to be necessary
or appropriate in connection with or in furtherance of the foregoing resolutions, the execution and delivery of such documents
or taking of such actions to be conclusive evidence of the Board’s approval; and
FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Officers of the Company be, and each of them hereby, is authorized and directed to make the filings and give
the notices required by Rule 17g-1(g) and (h) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
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