Form 485BPOS PUTNAM FUNDS TRUST

December 23, 2021 12:56 PM EST

PUTNAM FUNDS
SUB-MANAGEMENT CONTRACT

This Sub-Management Contract is dated as of February 27, 2014 between PUTNAM INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Manager”) and PUTNAM INVESTMENTS LIMITED, a company organized under the laws of England and Wales (the “Sub-Manager”).

WHEREAS, the Manager is the investment manager of each of the investment companies registered under the United States Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that are identified on Schedule A hereto, as it may from time to time be amended by the Manager (the “Funds”), and a registered investment adviser under the United States Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended;

WHEREAS, the Sub-Manager is licensed as an investment manager by the Financial Conduct Authority of the United Kingdom (the “FCA”); and

WHEREAS, the Manager desires to engage the Sub-Manager from time to time to manage a portion of certain of the Funds:

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

1.SERVICES TO BE RENDERED BY SUB-MANAGER.

(a)               The Sub-Manager, at its expense, will furnish continuously an investment program for that portion of any Fund the management of which is allocated from time to time by the Manager to the Sub-Manager (an “Allocated Sleeve”). The Manager shall, in its sole discretion, determine which Funds will have an Allocated Sleeve and the amount of assets allocated from time to time to each such Allocated Sleeve; provided that, with respect to any Fund, the Trustees of such Fund must have approved the use of the Sub-Manager prior to the creation of an Allocated Sleeve for such Fund. The Sub-Manager will determine what investments shall be purchased, held, sold or exchanged by any Allocated Sleeve and what portion, if any, of the assets of the Allocated Sleeve shall be held uninvested and shall, on behalf of the Fund, make changes in the Fund’s investments held in such Allocated Sleeve.

(b)               The Manager may also, at its discretion, request the Sub-Manager to provide assistance with purchasing and selling securities for any Fund, including the placement of orders with broker-dealers selected in accordance with Section 1(d), even if the Manager has not established an Allocated Sleeve for such Fund.

(c)               The Sub-Manager at its expense will furnish all necessary investment and management facilities, including salaries of personnel, required for it to execute its duties faithfully.

(d)               The Sub-Manager shall place all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio investments for any Allocated Sleeve with brokers or dealers selected by the Sub-Manager. In the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, the Sub-Manager shall use its best efforts to obtain for the related Fund the most favorable price and execution available, except to

 
 

the extent it may be permitted to pay higher brokerage commissions for brokerage and research services as described below. In using its best efforts to obtain for the Fund the most favorable price and execution available, the Sub-Manager, bearing in mind the Fund’s best interests at all times, shall consider all factors it deems relevant, including by way of illustration, price, the size of the transaction, the nature of the market for the security, the amount of the commission, the timing of the transaction taking into account market prices and trends, the reputation, experience and financial stability of the broker or dealer involved and the quality of service rendered by the broker or dealer in other transactions. Subject to such policies as the Trustees of the Funds may determine, the Sub-Manager shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Contract or otherwise solely by reason of its having caused a Fund to pay a broker or dealer that provides brokerage and research services to the Manager or the Sub-Manager an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio investment transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Sub-Manager determines in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or its overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to other clients of the Manager or the Sub-Manager as to which the Manager or the Sub-Manager exercises investment discretion. The Sub-Manager agrees that in connection with purchases or sales of portfolio investments for any Fund, neither the Sub-Manager nor any officer, director, employee or agent of the Sub-Manager shall act as a principal or receive any commission other than as provided in Section 3.

(e)               The Sub-Manager shall not be obligated to pay any expenses of or for the Manager or any Fund not expressly assumed by the Sub-Manager pursuant to this Section 1.

(f)                In the performance of its duties, the Sub-Manager will comply with the provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of each applicable Fund and such Fund’s stated investment objectives, policies and restrictions, and will use its best efforts to safeguard and promote the welfare of such Fund and to comply with other policies which the Manager or the Trustees may from time to time determine and shall exercise the same care and diligence expected of the Manager.

2.OTHER AGREEMENTS, ETC.

It is understood that any of the shareholders, Trustees, officers and employees of a Fund may be a shareholder, director, officer or employee of, or be otherwise interested in, the Sub-Manager, and in any person controlled by or under common control with the Sub-Manager, and that the Sub-Manager and any person controlled by or under common control with the Sub-Manager may have an interest in such Fund. It is also understood that the Sub-Manager and any person controlled by or under common control with the Sub-Manager have and may have advisory, management, service or other contracts with other organizations and persons, and may have other interests and business.

3.COMPENSATION.

Except as provided below, the Manager will pay to the Sub-Manager as compensation for the Sub-Manager’s services rendered, a fee, computed and paid quarterly at the annual rate of

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0.35% per annum of average aggregate net asset value of the assets in equity and asset allocation Allocated Sleeves and 0.40% per annum of average aggregate net asset value of the assets in fixed income Allocated Sleeves, except for fixed income Allocated Sleeves in certain fixed income Funds enumerated as follows (with the per annum fee provided in parentheses): Putnam Money Market Liquidity Fund (0.20%), Putnam Government Money Market Fund (0.20%), Putnam Short Term Investment Fund (0.20%), Putnam Money Market Fund (0.25%), Putnam VT Government Money Market Fund (0.25%), Putnam Short Duration Income Fund (0.25%), Putnam Short-Term Municipal Income Fund (0.25%), Putnam American Government Income Fund (0.25%), Putnam Income Fund (0.25%), Putnam U.S. Government Income Trust (0.25%), Putnam VT American Government Income Fund (0.25%), and Putnam VT Income Fund (0.25%).

Such average net asset value shall be determined by taking an average of all of the determinations of such net asset value during a quarter at the close of business on each business day during such quarter while this Contract is in effect. Such fee shall be payable for each quarter within 30 days after the close of such quarter. The Sub-Manager shall look only to the Manager for payment of its fees. No Fund shall have any responsibility for paying any fees due the Sub-Manager.

With respect to each of Putnam High Income Securities Fund, Putnam Master Intermediate Income Trust and Putnam Premier Income Trust, the Manager will pay to the Sub-Manager as compensation for the Sub-Manager’s services rendered, a fee, computed and paid quarterly at the annual rate of 0.40% of Average Weekly Assets in Allocated Sleeves. “Average Weekly Assets” means the average of the weekly determinations of the difference between the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to leverage for investment purposes) attributable to an Allocated Sleeve and the total liabilities of the Fund (excluding liabilities incurred in connection with leverage for investment purposes) attributable to such Allocated Sleeve, determined at the close of the last business day of each week, for each week which ends during the quarter. Such fee shall be payable for each quarter within 30 days after the close of such quarter. As used in this Section 3, “leverage for investment purposes” means any incurrence of indebtedness the proceeds of which are to be invested in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective. For purposes of calculating Average Weekly Assets, liabilities associated with any instruments or transactions used to leverage the Fund’s portfolio for investment purposes (whether or not such instruments or transactions are “covered” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations thereunder, giving effect to any interpretations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and its staff) are not considered liabilities. For purposes of calculating Average Weekly Assets, the total assets of the Fund will be deemed to include (a) any proceeds from the sale or transfer of an asset (the “Underlying Asset”) of the Fund to a counterparty in a reverse repurchase or dollar roll transaction and (b) the value of such Underlying Asset as of the relevant measuring date.

In the event that the Manager’s management fee from any of Putnam High Income Securities Fund, Putnam Master Intermediate Income Trust or Putnam Premier Income Trust is reduced pursuant to the investment management contract between such Fund and the Manager because during any Measurement Period (as defined below) the amount of interest payments and fees with respect to indebtedness or other obligation of the Fund incurred for investment leverage purposes, plus additional expenses attributable to any such leverage for investment purposes, exceeds the portion of the Fund’s net income and net short-term capital gains (but not long-term

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capital gains) accruing during such Measurement Period as a result of the fact that such indebtedness or other obligation was outstanding during the Measurement Period, the fee payable to the Sub-Manager with respect to such Fund shall be reduced in the same proportion as the fee paid to the Manager with respect to such Fund is so reduced. “Measurement Period” shall be any period for which payments of interest or fees (whether designated as such or implied) are payable in connection with any indebtedness or other obligation of the Fund incurred for investment purposes.

If the Sub-Manager shall serve for less than the whole of a quarter, the foregoing compensation shall be prorated.

4.ASSIGNMENT TERMINATES THIS CONTRACT; AMENDMENTS OF THIS CONTRACT.

This Contract shall automatically terminate without the payment of any penalty, in the event of its assignment; and this Contract shall not be amended with respect to any Allocated Sleeve unless such amendment be approved at a meeting by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of the Trustees of the related Fund who are not interested persons of such Fund or of the Manager.

5.EFFECTIVE PERIOD AND TERMINATION OF THIS CONTRACT.

This Contract shall become effective upon its execution, and shall remain in full force and effect continuously thereafter (unless terminated automatically as set forth in Section 4) until terminated as follows:

(a)               Either party hereto or, with respect to any Allocated Sleeve, the related Fund may at any time terminate this Contract by not more than sixty days’ nor less than thirty days’ written notice delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to the other party, or

(b)               With respect to any Allocated Sleeve, if (i) the Trustees of the related Fund or the shareholders by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of such Fund, and (ii) a majority of the Trustees of such Fund who are not interested persons of such Fund or of the Manager, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, do not specifically approve at least annually the continuance of this Contract, then this Contract shall automatically terminate at the close of business on the anniversary of its execution, or upon the expiration of one year from the effective date of the last such continuance, whichever is later, or

(c)               With respect to any Allocated Sleeve, automatically upon termination of the Manager’s investment management contract with the related Fund.

Action by a Fund under (a) above may be taken either (i) by vote of a majority of its Trustees, or (ii) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of such Fund.

Termination of this Contract pursuant to this Section 5 will be without the payment of any penalty.

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6.CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

For the purposes of this Contract, the “affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of a Fund” means the affirmative vote, at a duly called and held meeting of shareholders of such Fund, (a) of the holders of 67% or more of the shares of such Fund present (in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such Fund entitled to vote at such meeting are present in person or by proxy, or (b) of the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such Fund entitled to vote at such meeting, whichever is less.

For the purposes of this Contract, the terms “affiliated person,” “control,” “interested person” and “assignment” shall have their respective meanings defined in the United States Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules and Regulations thereunder (the “1940 Act”), subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under said Act; the term “specifically approve at least annually” shall be construed in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act, and the Rules and Regulations thereunder; and the term “brokerage and research services” shall have the meaning given in the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Rules and Regulations thereunder.

7.NON-LIABILITY OF SUB-MANAGER.

In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Sub-Manager, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder, the Sub-Manager shall not be subject to any liability to the Manager, any Fund or to any shareholder of any Fund, for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder.

8.ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS.

(a)               The Sub-Manager represents that it is regulated by the FCA in the conduct of its investment business. The Sub-Manager has in operation a written procedure in accordance with FCA rules for the effective consideration and proper handling of complaints from customers. Any complaint by the Manager or any Fund should be sent to the Compliance Officer of the Sub-Manager. The Manager and any Fund is also entitled to make any complaints about the Sub-Manager to the Financial Ombudsman Service established by the FCA. The Manager and any Fund may also request a statement describing its rights to compensation in the event of the Sub-Manager’s inability to meet its liabilities.

(b)               The Manager represents that it and each Fund are “Professional Customers” in the meaning of the FCA’s rules.

(c)               Although each Fund is not a party hereto and shall have no responsibility for the Manager’s or the Sub-Manager’s obligations hereunder, each Fund is named as explicit third party beneficiary of the parties’ agreements hereunder.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, PUTNAM INVESTMENTS LIMITED and PUTNAM INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC have each caused this instrument to be signed in duplicate on its behalf by an officer duly authorized, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

PUTNAM INVESTMENTS LIMITED

 

  By:

/s/ Simon Davis

Simon Davis

 

 

 

PUTNAM INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

  By:

/s/ James P. Pappas

James P. Pappas

Director of Trustee Relations and Authorized Person

     

 

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Schedule A

Effective as of November 8, 2021

Putnam California Tax Exempt Income Fund

Putnam Convertible Securities Fund

Putnam Diversified Income Trust

Putnam Dynamic Asset Allocation Balanced Fund

Putnam Dynamic Asset Allocation Conservative Fund

Putnam Dynamic Asset Allocation Equity Fund

Putnam Dynamic Asset Allocation Growth Fund

Putnam Dynamic Risk Allocation Fund

Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund

Putnam Floating Rate Income Fund

Putnam Focused Equity Fund

Putnam Focused International Equity Fund

George Putnam Balanced Fund

Putnam Global Health Care Fund

Putnam Global Income Trust

Putnam Global Technology Fund

Putnam Government Money Market Fund

Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund

Putnam High Yield Fund

Putnam Income Fund

Putnam Income Strategies Portfolio

Putnam Intermediate-Term Municipal Income Fund

Putnam International Capital Opportunities Fund

Putnam International Equity Fund

Putnam International Value Fund

Putnam International Growth Fund

Putnam Large Cap Value Fund

Putnam Managed Municipal Income Trust

Putnam Massachusetts Tax Exempt Income Fund

Putnam Master Intermediate Income Trust

Putnam Minnesota Tax Exempt Income Fund

Putnam Money Market Fund

Putnam Mortgage Opportunities Fund

Putnam Mortgage Recovery Fund

Putnam Mortgage Securities Fund

Putnam Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund

Putnam Multi-Cap Core Fund

Putnam Municipal Opportunities Trust

Putnam New Jersey Tax Exempt Income Fund

Putnam New York Tax Exempt Income Fund

Putnam Ohio Tax Exempt Income Fund

Putnam Pennsylvania Tax Exempt Income Fund

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Putnam Premier Income Trust

Putnam Research Fund

Putnam RetirementReady Maturity Fund

Putnam RetirementReady 2065 Fund

Putnam RetirementReady 2060 Fund

Putnam RetirementReady 2055 Fund

Putnam RetirementReady 2050 Fund

Putnam RetirementReady 2045 Fund

Putnam RetirementReady 2040 Fund

Putnam RetirementReady 2035 Fund

Putnam RetirementReady 2030 Fund

Putnam RetirementReady 2025 Fund

Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund

Putnam Retirement Advantage 2065 Fund

Putnam Retirement Advantage 2060 Fund

Putnam Retirement Advantage 2055 Fund

Putnam Retirement Advantage 2050 Fund

Putnam Retirement Advantage 2045 Fund

Putnam Retirement Advantage 2040 Fund

Putnam Retirement Advantage 2035 Fund

Putnam Retirement Advantage 2030 Fund

Putnam Retirement Advantage 2025 Fund

Putnam Short Term Investment Fund

Putnam Short-Term Municipal Income Fund

Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund

Putnam Small Cap Value Fund

Putnam Strategic Intermediate Municipal Fund

Putnam Sustainable Future Fund

Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund

Putnam Tax Exempt Income Fund

Putnam Tax-Free High Yield Fund

Putnam Ultra Short Duration Income Fund

Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund

Putnam VT Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Putnam VT Focused International Equity Fund

Putnam VT George Putnam Balanced Fund

Putnam VT Global Asset Allocation Fund

Putnam VT Global Health Care Fund

Putnam VT Government Money Market Fund

Putnam VT Growth Opportunities Fund

Putnam VT High Yield Fund

Putnam VT Income Fund

Putnam VT International Equity Fund

Putnam VT International Value Fund

Putnam VT Large Cap Value Fund

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Putnam VT Mortgage Securities Fund

Putnam VT Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund

Putnam VT Multi-Cap Core Fund

Putnam VT Research Fund

Putnam VT Small Cap Growth Fund

Putnam VT Small Cap Value Fund

Putnam VT Sustainable Leaders Fund

Putnam VT Sustainable Future Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

PUTNAM INVESTMENTS LIMITED

     
    /s/ Vivek Gandhi
     
  By: ________________________________________
     
   

Vivek Gandhi

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

PUTNAM INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

    /s/ Stephen J. Tate
     
  By: ________________________________________
     
    Stephen J. Tate
    Vice President and Chief Legal Officer

 

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PUTNAM FUNDS
SUB-ADVISORY CONTRACT

This Sub-Advisory Contract is dated as of February 27, 2014 between and among PUTNAM INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Manager”), PUTNAM INVESTMENTS LIMITED, a company organized under the laws of England and Wales (“PIL”), and THE PUTNAM ADVISORY COMPANY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sub-Advisor”).

WHEREAS, the Manager is the investment manager of each of the investment companies registered under the United States Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that are identified on Schedule A hereto, as they may from time to time be amended by the Manager (the “Funds”), and a registered investment adviser under the United States Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended;

WHEREAS, PIL is a registered investment adviser under the United States Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, is licensed as an investment manager by the Financial Conduct Authority of the United Kingdom (the “FCA”) and is a sub-manager of each of the Funds pursuant to that certain Sub-Management Contract dated as of July 1, 2013 (the “PIL Sub-Management Contract”), between the Manager and PIL whereby the Manager has contracted with PIL for the management of certain portions of each of the Funds (each, a “PIL-Advised Sleeve”);

WHEREAS, the Sub-Advisor is a registered investment adviser under the United States Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is an investment adviser authorized to provide discretionary investment advice and management in Singapore;

WHEREAS, the Manager and PIL currently engage the Sub-Advisor from time to time to provide discretionary investment management services from the Sub-Advisor’s office in Singapore with respect to a portion of certain of the Funds:

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

1.                  SERVICES TO BE RENDERED BY SUB-ADVISOR.

(a)               The Sub-Advisor, at its expense, will furnish continuously an investment program for that portion of any Fund identified on Schedule A the management of which is allocated from time to time by the Manager or PIL to the Sub-Advisor (an “Allocated Sleeve”). The Manager or PIL, as the case may be, shall, in its sole discretion, determine which Funds will have an Allocated Sleeve and the amount of assets allocated from time to time to each such Allocated Sleeve; provided that, with respect to any Fund, the Trustees of such Fund must have approved the use of the Sub-Advisor prior to the creation of an Allocated Sleeve for such Fund. The Sub-Advisor will determine what investments shall be purchased, held, sold or exchanged by any Allocated Sleeve and what portion, if any, of the assets of the Allocated Sleeve shall be held uninvested and shall, on behalf of the Fund, make changes in the Fund’s investments held in such Allocated Sleeve.

 
 

(b)               The Manager may, and in the case of a PIL-Advised Sleeve, PIL may, each at its discretion, also request the Sub-Advisor to provide assistance with purchasing and selling securities for any Fund, including the placement of orders with broker-dealers selected in accordance with Section 1(c), even if the Manager or PIL, as the case may be, has not established an Allocated Sleeve for such Fund.

(c)               The Sub-Advisor shall place all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio investments for any Allocated Sleeve with brokers or dealers selected by the Sub-Advisor. In the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, the Sub-Advisor shall use its best efforts to obtain for the related Fund the most favorable price and execution available, except to the extent it may be permitted to pay higher brokerage commissions for brokerage and research services as described below. In using its best efforts to obtain for the Fund the most favorable price and execution available, the Sub-Advisor, bearing in mind the Fund’s best interests at all times, shall consider all factors it deems relevant, including by way of illustration, price, the size of the transaction, the nature of the market for the security, the amount of the commission, the timing of the transaction taking into account market prices and trends, the reputation, experience and financial stability of the broker or dealer involved and the quality of service rendered by the broker or dealer in other transactions. Subject to such policies as the Trustees of the Funds may determine, the Sub-Advisor shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Contract or otherwise solely by reason of its having caused a Fund to pay a broker or dealer that provides brokerage and research services to the Manager or, in the case of a PIL-Advised Sleeve, PIL, or the Sub-Advisor an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio investment transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Sub-Advisor determines in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or its overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to other clients of the Manager or PIL, as the case may be, or the Sub-Advisor as to which the Manager or PIL, as the case may be, or the Sub-Advisor exercises investment discretion. The Sub-Advisor agrees that in connection with purchases or sales of portfolio investments for any Fund, neither the Sub-Advisor nor any officer, director, employee or agent of the Sub-Advisor shall act as a principal or receive any commission other than as provided in Section 3.

(d)               The Sub-Advisor at its expense will furnish all necessary investment and management facilities, including salaries of personnel, required for it to execute its duties faithfully.

(e)               The Sub-Advisor shall not be obligated to pay any expenses of or for the Manager, PIL or any Fund not expressly assumed by the Sub-Advisor pursuant to this Section 1.

(f)                In the performance of its duties, the Sub-Advisor will comply with the provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of each applicable Fund and such Fund’s stated investment objectives, policies and restrictions, and will use its best efforts to safeguard and promote the welfare of such Fund and to comply with other policies which the

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Manager, PIL or the Trustees may from time to time determine and shall exercise the same care and diligence expected of the Manager and PIL.

2.                  OTHER AGREEMENTS, ETC.

It is understood that any of the shareholders, Trustees, officers and employees of a Fund may be a shareholder, director, officer or employee of, or be otherwise interested in, the Sub-Advisor, and in any person controlled by or under common control with the Sub-Advisor, and that the Sub-Advisor and any person controlled by or under common control with the Sub-Advisor may have an interest in such Fund. It is also understood that the Sub-Advisor and any person controlled by or under common control with the Sub-Advisor have and may have advisory, management, service or other contracts with other organizations and persons, and may have other interests and business.

3.                  COMPENSATION.

Except as provided below, the Manager or PIL, as the case may be, will pay to the Sub-Advisor as compensation for the Sub-Advisor’s services rendered a fee, computed and paid quarterly at the annual rate of 0.35% per annum of average net asset value of the assets in each Allocated Sleeve of Funds identified on Schedule A.

Such average net asset value shall be determined by taking an average of all of the determinations of such net asset value during a quarter at the close of business on each business day during such quarter while this Contract is in effect. Such fee shall be payable for each quarter within 30 days after the close of such quarter. The Sub-Advisor shall look only to the Manager or PIL, as the case may be, for payment of its fees. No Fund shall have any responsibility for paying any fees due the Sub-Advisor.

If the Sub-Advisor shall serve for less than the whole of a quarter, the foregoing compensation shall be prorated.

4.                  ASSIGNMENT TERMINATES THIS CONTRACT; AMENDMENTS OF THIS CONTRACT.

This Contract shall automatically terminate, without the payment of any penalty, in the event of its assignment; and this Contract shall not be amended with respect to any Allocated Sleeve unless such amendment be approved at a meeting by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of the Trustees of the related Fund who are not interested persons of such Fund or of the Manager.

5.                  EFFECTIVE PERIOD AND TERMINATION OF THIS CONTRACT.

This Contract shall become effective upon its execution, and shall remain in full force and effect continuously thereafter (unless terminated automatically as set forth in Section 4) until terminated as follows:

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(a)               Any party hereto or, with respect to any Allocated Sleeve, the related Fund may at any time terminate this Contract by not more than sixty days’ nor less than thirty days’ written notice delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to the other parties, or

(b)               With respect to any Allocated Sleeve, if (i) the Trustees of the related Fund or the shareholders by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of such Fund, and (ii) a majority of the Trustees of such Fund who are not interested persons of such Fund or of the Manager, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, do not specifically approve at least annually the continuance of this Contract, then this Contract shall automatically terminate at the close of business on the anniversary of its execution, or upon the expiration of one year from the effective date of the last such continuance, whichever is later, or

(c)               With respect to any Allocated Sleeve, automatically upon termination of the Manager’s investment management contract with the related Fund, or with respect to any Allocated Sleeve for which PIL has contracted with the Sub-Advisor to provide services under this Contract, automatically upon termination of the PIL Sub-Management Contract.

Action by a Fund under (a) above may be taken either (i) by vote of a majority of its Trustees, or (ii) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of such Fund.

Termination of this Contract pursuant to this Section 5 will be without the payment of any penalty.

6.                  CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

For the purposes of this Contract, the “affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of a Fund” means the affirmative vote, at a duly called and held meeting of shareholders of such Fund, (a) of the holders of 67% or more of the shares of such Fund present (in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such Fund entitled to vote at such meeting are present in person or by proxy, or (b) of the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such Fund entitled to vote at such meeting, whichever is less.

For the purposes of this Contract, the terms “affiliated person,” “control,” “interested person” and “assignment” shall have their respective meanings defined in the United States Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules and Regulations thereunder (the “1940 Act”), subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under said Act; and the term “specifically approve at least annually” shall be construed in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act, and the Rules and Regulations thereunder.

7.                  NON-LIABILITY OF SUB-ADVISOR.

In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Sub-Advisor, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder, the Sub-Advisor shall

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not be subject to any liability to the Manager, PIL, any Fund or to any shareholder of any Fund, for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder.

8.                  ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS.

(a)               PIL represents that it is regulated by the FCA in the conduct of its investment business. PIL has in operation a written procedure in accordance with FCA rules for the effective consideration and proper handling of complaints from customers. Any complaint by the Manager or any Fund should be sent to the Compliance Officer of PIL. The Manager and any Fund is also entitled to make any complaints about PIL to the Financial Ombudsman Service established by the FCA. The Manager and any Fund may also request a statement describing its rights to compensation in the event of PIL’s inability to meet its liabilities.

(b)               The Manager represents that it and each Fund are “Professional Customers” in the meaning of the FCA’s rules.

(c)               Although each Fund is not a party hereto and shall have no responsibility for the Manager’s, PIL’s or the Sub-Advisor’s obligations hereunder, each Fund is named as explicit third party beneficiary of the parties’ agreements hereunder.

 

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In witness whereof, PUTNAM INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC, PUTNAM INVESTMENTS LIMITED and THE PUTNAM ADVISORY COMPANY, LLC have each caused this instrument to be signed on its behalf by an officer duly authorized, all as of the day and year first above written.

PUTNAM INVESTMENTS LIMITED
  By: /s/ Simon Davis
    Simon Davis

 

PUTNAM INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC
  By: /s/ James P. Pappas
    James P. Pappas
    Director of Trustee Relations and Authorized
    Person

THE PUTNAM ADVISORY COMPANY, LLC
  By: /s/ James F. Clark
    James F. Clark
    Associate General Counsel

 

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Schedule A

Effective November 8, 2021

 

Putnam Dynamic Asset Allocation Balanced Fund

Putnam Dynamic Asset Allocation Conservative Fund

Putnam Dynamic Asset Allocation Equity Fund

Putnam Dynamic Asset Allocation Growth Fund

Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund

Putnam Focused Equity Fund

Putnam Focused International Equity Fund

Putnam Global Health Care Fund

Putnam Global Technology Fund

Putnam International Capital Opportunities Fund

Putnam International Equity Fund

Putnam International Growth Fund

Putnam International Value Fund

Putnam Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund

Putnam Research Fund

Putnam Short Duration Bond Fund

Putnam VT Focused International Equity Fund

Putnam VT Global Asset Allocation Fund

Putnam VT Global Health Care Fund

Putnam VT International Equity Fund

Putnam VT International Growth Fund

Putnam VT International Value Fund

Putnam VT Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund

Putnam VT Research Fund

 

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  PUTNAM INVESTMENTS LIMITED
     
    /s/ Vivek Gandhi
   
  By: ________________________________________
     
   

Vivek Gandhi

Chief Executive Officer

     
  PUTNAM INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC
     
    /s/ Stephen J. Tate
     
  By: ________________________________________
     
    Stephen J. Tate
    Vice President and Chief Legal Officer
     
     
  THE PUTNAM ADVISORY COMPANY, LLC
     
    /s/ James F. Clark
     
  By: ________________________________________
   
    James F. Clark
    Assistant Secretary
     
     

 

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CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Putnam Funds Trust of our report dated October 8, 2021, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund, which appears in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings "Financial highlights" and "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and Financial Statements" in such Registration Statement.

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

December 23, 2021

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Putnam Funds Trust of our report dated October 8, 2021, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of Putnam Focused Equity Fund, which appears in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings "Financial highlights" and "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and Financial Statements" in such Registration Statement.

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

December 23, 2021

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Putnam Funds Trust of our report dated October 8, 2021, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of Putnam Global Technology Fund, which appears in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings "Financial highlights" and "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and Financial Statements" in such Registration Statement.

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

December 23, 2021

AMENDMENT NO. 8 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

AMENDMENT NO. 8 (this “Amendment”), dated as of October 15, 2021, to the Credit Agreement, dated as of September 24, 2015, among each trust listed on Schedule 2 hereto, the Banks and other lending institutions party thereto, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Agent, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified by Joinder Agreement No. 1, dated as of August 29, 2016, Letter Agreement, dated as of August 29, 2016, Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 22, 2016, Notice Letter, dated October 5, 2016, Notice Letter, dated February 22, 2017, Notice Letter, dated April 19, 2017, Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 21, 2017, Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2018, Consent No. 1, dated as of November 30, 2018, Notice Letter, dated May 31, 2019, Consent No. 2, dated as of June 24, 2019, Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2019, Amendment No. 5 to Credit Agreement, dated as of October 18, 2019, and Amendment No. 6 to Credit Agreement and Consent No. 3, dated as of August 27, 2020, Amendment No. 7 to Credit Agreement, dated as of October 16, 2020, and Consent No. 4, dated as of March 30, 2021 (as the same has been or may be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”).

Recitals

I.       Each term that is defined in the Credit Agreement and not herein defined has the meaning ascribed thereto by the Credit Agreement when used herein.

II.       For purposes of this Amendment (i) “Existing Fund” means each Fund which appears on Schedule 2 to the Credit Agreement as in effect immediately prior to the Amendment Effective Date, (ii) “Continuing Fund” means each Existing Fund which appears on Schedule 2 to this Amendment, (iii) “Departing Fund” means each Existing Fund other than a Continuing Fund, (iv) “New Fund” means each Series which does not appear on Schedule 2 to the Credit Agreement as in effect immediately prior to the Amendment Effective Date and which does appear on Schedule 2 to this Amendment, (v) “Existing Borrower” means each Borrower immediately prior to the Amendment Effective Date, (vi) “Continuing Borrower” means an Existing Borrower that will be a Borrower on the Amendment Effective Date, (vii) “Departing Borrower” means an Existing Borrower other than a Continuing Borrower, (viii) “New Borrower” means a Borrower (other than an Existing Borrower) on the Amendment Effective Date, and (ix) “Amendment Borrowers” means each Continuing Borrower and each New Borrower.

III.       The Amendment Borrowers desire to amend the Credit Agreement and the Agent and the Required Banks have agreed thereto, in each case upon the terms and conditions herein contained.

Agreements

Accordingly, in consideration of the Recitals and the covenants, conditions and agreements hereinafter set forth, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 
 

1.                  Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following new defined terms in the appropriate alphabetical order:

  “Corresponding Loan Amount” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.11.

  “Erroneous Payment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.11.

  “Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.11.

  “Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.11.

  “Payment Recipient” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.11.

2.                  The defined term “Termination Date” contained in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by replacing the date “October 15, 2021” with the date “October 14, 2022”.

3.                  Article 7 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting a new Section 7.11 as follows:

SECTION 7.11. Erroneous Payments. (a) If the Agent notifies a Bank, or any Person who has received funds on behalf of a Bank (any such Bank or other recipient, a “Payment Recipient”) that the Agent has determined in its sole discretion that any funds received by such Payment Recipient from the Agent or any of its Affiliates were erroneously or mistakenly transmitted to, or otherwise erroneously or mistakenly received by, such Payment Recipient (whether or not known to such Payment Recipient) (any such funds, whether transmitted or received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise, individually and collectively, an “Erroneous Payment”) and demands the return of such Erroneous Payment (or a portion thereof), such Erroneous Payment shall at all times remain the property of the Agent, and such Payment Recipient shall (and shall cause any other Payment Recipient who received such funds on its behalf to) promptly, but in no event later than one (1) Domestic Business Day thereafter, return to the Agent the amount of any such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made, in same day funds (in the currency so received), together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Payment Recipient to the date such amount is repaid to the Agent in same day funds at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect. A notice of the Agent to any Payment Recipient under this paragraph shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. If a Payment Recipient receives any payment, prepayment or repayment of

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principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise and does not receive a corresponding payment notice or payment advice, such payment, prepayment or repayment shall be presumed to be in error absent written confirmation from the Agent to the contrary.

(b)        Each Bank hereby authorizes the Agent to set off, net and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Bank under any Loan Document, or otherwise payable or distributable by the Agent to such Bank from any source, against any amount due to the Agent under the immediately preceding paragraph or under the indemnification provisions of this Agreement.

(c)        For so long as an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) has not been returned by any Payment Recipient who received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) (such unrecovered amount, an “Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency”) to the Agent after demand therefor in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.11, (i) the Agent may elect, in its sole discretion on written notice to such Bank, that all rights and claims of such Bank with respect to the Loans or other Obligations owed to it up to the amount of the corresponding Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency in respect of such Erroneous Payment (the “Corresponding Loan Amount”) shall immediately vest in the Agent upon such election; after such election, the Agent (x) may reflect its ownership interest in Loans in a principal amount equal to the Corresponding Loan Amount in the Register, and (y) upon five (5) Domestic Business Days’ written notice to such Bank, may sell such Loan (or portion thereof) in respect of the Corresponding Loan Amount, and upon receipt of the proceeds of such sale, the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency owing by such Bank shall be reduced by the net proceeds of the sale of such Loan (or portion thereof), and the Agent shall retain all other rights, remedies and claims against such Bank, and (ii) each party hereto agrees that, except to the extent that the Agent has sold such Loan, and irrespective of whether the Agent may be equitably subrogated, the Agent shall be contractually subrogated to all the rights of such Bank with respect to the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency (such rights, the “Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights”).

(d)        The parties hereto agree that an Erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Obligations owed by any Borrower, except, in each case, to the extent such Erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds received by the Agent from such Borrower for the purpose of making such Erroneous Payment.

(e)        To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Payment Recipient shall assert any right or claim to an Erroneous Payment, and each hereby waives, and is deemed to waive, any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Agent for the return of any Erroneous Payment received, including without limitation any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine.

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(f)        Each party’s obligations, agreements and waivers under this Section 7.11 with respect to the making of any Erroneous Payment shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Agent, any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Bank, the termination of the Commitments and/or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations (or any portion thereof) under any Loan Document.

4.                  Article IX of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to add a new Section 9.16 as follows:

SECTION 9.16 Acknowledgement Regarding any Supported QFCs. To the extent that any Loan Document (i) constitutes a QFC (such Loan Document, a “Loan Document QFC”), or (ii) provides support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for any Loan Document QFC, any Financial Contract or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support”, and each such QFC, a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that such Loan Document and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):

(a)       In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under such Loan Document that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such Loan Document were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Delinquent Bank shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.

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(b)        As used in this Section 9.16, the following terms have the following meanings:

BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.

Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).

5.                  Schedule 2 to the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in the form of Schedule 2 hereto.

6.                  Paragraphs 1 through 5 of this Amendment shall not be effective until the earliest date upon which each of the following conditions shall be satisfied (the “Amendment Effective Date”):

(a)                the Agent shall have received from each Amendment Borrower and Required Banks either (i) a counterpart of this Amendment executed on behalf of the such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Agent (which may include facsimile or electronic mail transmission (in printable format) of a signed signature page of this Amendment) that each such party has executed a counterpart of this Amendment;

(b)               the Agent shall have received from each Amendment Borrower a manually signed certificate from the Clerk, Secretary or Assistant Secretary (or other officer acceptable to the Agent) of such Amendment Borrower, dated the Amendment Effective Date, in all respects satisfactory to the Agent, (i) certifying as to the incumbency of authorized persons of each Amendment Borrower executing this Amendment, (ii) attaching true, complete and correct copies of the resolutions duly adopted by such Amendment Borrower’s Managing Body approving this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby, all of which are in full force and effect on the Amendment Effective Date, and (iii) certifying that such Amendment Borrower’s Charter Documents have not been amended, supplemented or otherwise modified since March 30, 2021 or, if so, attaching true, complete and correct copies of each such amendment, supplement or modification;

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(c)                the Agent shall have received a Federal Reserve Form U-1 with respect to each Amendment Borrower, in all respects satisfactory to the Agent;

(d)               the Agent shall have received an upfront fee in an amount equal to $127,000;

(e)                the Agent shall have received such information as the Agent, at the request of any Bank, shall have requested in order to comply with “know-your-customer” and other anti-terrorism, anti-money laundering and similar rules and regulations and related policies; and

(f)                 the Agent shall have received (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Agent (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Agent) incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of this Amendment on or prior to the Amendment Effective Date.

7.                  Each Amendment Borrower (a) reaffirms and admits the validity and enforceability of each Loan Document to which it is a party and all of its obligations thereunder and agrees and admits that (i) it has no defense to any such obligation, and (ii) it shall not exercise any setoff or offset to any such obligation, and (b)(1) represents and warrants that, as of the Amendment Effective Date, no Default has occurred and is continuing, and (2) the representations and warranties by such Amendment Borrower contained in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is or is becoming a party are true on and as of the Amendment Effective Date with the same force and effect as if made on and as of such date (or, if any such representation or warranty is expressly stated to have been made as of a specific date, as of such specific date).

8.                  In all other respects, the Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect, and no amendment, supplement or other modification in respect of any term or condition of any Loan Document shall be deemed to be an amendment, supplement or other modification in respect of any other term or condition contained in any Loan Document.

9.                  This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. It shall not be necessary in making proof of this Amendment to produce or account for more than one counterpart executed and delivered by the party to be charged. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic

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Transactions Act; provided that nothing herein shall require the Agent or any Bank to accept electronic signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent. For purposes hereof, “Electronic Signature” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.

10.              THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

[the remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party hereto has caused this Amendment No. 8 to be executed on its behalf by its duly authorized representative(s) as of the date first above written.

EACH TRUST LISTED AS A COMPANY ON SCHEDULE 2 HERETO

By: /s/ Stephen J. Tate

Name: Stephen J. Tate

Title: Vice President and Chief Legal Officer

 

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STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, as Agent and as a Bank

By: /s/ Janet Nolin

Name: Janet Nolin

Title: Vice President

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Schedule 2

 

List of Companies, Funds and Fiscal Year End Date

 

Company Fund Fiscal Year End Date
Putnam Asset Allocation Funds Putnam Dynamic Asset Allocation Balanced Fund September 30
Putnam Dynamic Asset Allocation Conservative Fund September 30
Putnam Dynamic Asset Allocation Growth Fund September 30
Putnam Income Strategies Portfolio August 31
Putnam California Tax Exempt Income Fund Putnam California Tax Exempt Income Fund September 30
Putnam Convertible Securities Fund Putnam Convertible Securities Fund October 31
Putnam Diversified Income Trust Putnam Diversified Income Trust September 30
Putnam Large Cap Value Fund (f/k/a Putnam Equity Income Fund) Putnam Large Cap Value Fund (f/k/a Putnam Equity Income Fund) October 31
 
 

 

Company Fund Fiscal Year End Date
Putnam Funds Trust Putnam Short Duration Bond Fund October 31
Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund October 31
Putnam Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund October 31
Putnam Dynamic Asset Allocation Equity Fund May 31
Putnam Dynamic Risk Allocation Fund May 31
Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund August 31
Putnam Floating Rate Income Fund February 28
Putnam Focused Equity Fund August 31
Putnam Global Technology Fund August 31
Putnam Intermediate-Term Municipal Income Fund November 30
Putnam International Value Fund June 30
Putnam Mortgage Opportunities Fund May 31
Putnam Multi-Cap Core Fund April 30
Putnam Ultra Short Duration Income Fund July 31
Putnam Short-Term Municipal Income Fund November 30
Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund June 30
Putnam Focused International Equity Fund (f/k/a Putnam Global Equity Fund) Putnam Focused International Equity Fund (f/k/a Putnam Global Equity Fund) October 31
Putnam Global Health Care Fund Putnam Global Health Care Fund August 31
Putnam Global Income Trust Putnam Global Income Trust October 31
Putnam High Yield Fund Putnam High Yield Fund November 30
Putnam Income Fund Putnam Income Fund October 31
Putnam International Equity Fund Putnam International Equity Fund June 30
 
 

 

Company Fund Fiscal Year End Date
Putnam Investment Funds Putnam Government Money Market Fund September 30
Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund July 31
Putnam International Capital Opportunities Fund August 31
Putnam Sustainable Future Fund April 30
Putnam PanAgora Risk Parity Fund August 31
Putnam Research Fund July 31
Putnam Small Cap Value Fund February 28
Putnam Massachusetts Tax Exempt Income Fund Putnam Massachusetts Tax Exempt Income Fund May 31
Putnam Minnesota Tax Exempt Income Fund Putnam Minnesota Tax Exempt Income Fund May 31
Putnam Money Market Fund Putnam Money Market Fund September 30
Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund June 30
Putnam New Jersey Tax Exempt Income Fund Putnam New Jersey Tax Exempt Income Fund May 31
Putnam New York Tax Exempt Income Fund Putnam New York Tax Exempt Income Fund November 30
Putnam Ohio Tax Exempt Income Fund Putnam Ohio Tax Exempt Income Fund May 31
Putnam Pennsylvania Tax Exempt Income Fund Putnam Pennsylvania Tax Exempt Income Fund May 31
Putnam Tax Exempt Income Fund Putnam Tax Exempt Income Fund September 30
Putnam Tax-Free Income Trust Putnam Strategic Intermediate Municipal Fund; f/k/a Putnam AMT-Free Municipal Fund July 31
Putnam Tax-Free High Yield Fund July 31
 
 

 

Company Fund Fiscal Year End Date
Putnam Mortgage Securities Fund Putnam Mortgage Securities Fund September 30
Putnam Variable Trust Putnam VT Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund December 31
Putnam VT Mortgage Securities Fund December 31
Putnam VT Small Cap Growth Fund December 31
Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund December 31
Putnam VT Large Cap Value Fund (f/k/a Putnam VT Equity Income Fund) December 31
Putnam VT Global Asset Allocation Fund December 31
Putnam VT Focused International Equity Fund (f/k/a Putnam VT Global Equity Fund) December 31
Putnam VT Global Health Care Fund December 31
Putnam VT Growth Opportunities Fund December 31
Putnam VT High Yield Fund December 31
Putnam VT Income Fund December 31
Putnam VT International Equity Fund December 31
Putnam VT Emerging Markets Equity Fund December 31
Putnam VT International Value Fund December 31
Putnam VT Multi-Cap Core Fund December 31
Putnam VT Government Money Market Fund December 31
Putnam VT Sustainable Leaders Fund December 31
Putnam VT Sustainable Future Fund December 31
Putnam VT Research Fund December 31
Putnam VT Small Cap Value Fund December 31
Putnam VT George Putnam Balanced Fund December 31
George Putnam Balanced Fund George Putnam Balanced Fund July 31
Putnam ETF Trust Putnam Focused Large Cap Growth ETF August 31
  Putnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF August 31
  Putnam Sustainable Future ETF August 31
  Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF August 31

 

 
 

[GRAPHIC OMITTED: STATE STREET LOGO]

Letter Amendment

                                                  October 15, 2021

Each of the Borrowers party to the Amended
Loan Agreement (as defined below) (the
Borrowers”)

 

100 Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110

Attention:  Stephen J. Tate,
   Vice President and Chief Legal Officer
    
RE:  Ninth Amendment to the Putnam Family of Funds $235,500,000
Uncommitted Discretionary Demand Line of Credit

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Bank”) has made available a $235,500,000 uncommitted discretionary demand line of credit (the “Credit Line”) to each of the Borrowers, each acting on its own behalf or, as applicable, on behalf of each of its respective Existing Funds (as defined below) as described in a letter agreement dated September 24, 2015, by and among the Borrowers and the Bank (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Loan Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Existing Loan Agreement.

The Borrowers have requested, and the Bank has agreed, (a) to extend the term of the Credit Line and (b) to make certain changes to the Credit Line. Therefore, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, each of the Borrowers and the Bank hereby agree as follows:

1.              Defined Terms. For purposes hereof, the following terms have the following meanings when used herein:

Added Text” means characters indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: double underlined text.

 
 

Marked Loan Agreement” means the copy of the Existing Loan Agreement attached hereto as Annex A.

Stricken Text” means characters indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: stricken text.

2.              Amendments to Loan Documents. The Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended to delete the Stricken Text and to add the Added Text, in each case as set forth in the Marked Loan Agreement (the Existing Loan Agreement, as so amended, the “Amended Loan Agreement”).

3.              Fees. As consideration for the amendments herein contained, each Borrower, on behalf of each of its Funds, hereby agrees to pay to the Bank on the date hereof its applicable share of an upfront fee in the amount of $94,200.

4.              Miscellaneous

(a)                Other than as amended herein, all terms and conditions of the Amended Loan Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents are ratified and affirmed as of the date hereof in order to give effect to the terms hereof and thereof. This Letter Amendment shall constitute a Loan Document for all purposes of the Amended Loan Agreement.

(b)               Each Borrower severally (and not jointly), for itself and severally (and not jointly) on behalf of each of its respective Funds, but not as to any other Borrower or Fund, represents and warrants as of the date hereof to the Bank as follows: (i) no Default or Event of Default with respect to such Borrower or any such Fund has occurred and is continuing on the date hereof under the Existing Loan Agreement after giving effect to the amendments herein contained; (ii) each of the representations and warranties of such Borrower, on behalf of each such Fund, contained in the Loan Documents is true and correct in all respects on and as of the date of this Letter Amendment (or, if any such representation or warranty is expressly stated to have been made as of a specific date, as of such specific date); (iii) the execution, delivery and performance by such Borrower and each such Fund of each of this Letter Amendment and of the other Loan Documents, as amended hereby (collectively, the “Amended Loan Documents”): (1) are, and will be, within such Borrower’s or such Fund’s power and authority, (2) have been authorized by all necessary trust or corporate proceedings, as the case may be, of such Borrower, (3) do not, and will not, require the consent of any shareholders or other equity holders of such Borrower or such Fund or the approval or consent of, or any notice to or filing with, any governmental authority, other than those which have been received or made, (4) will not contravene any provision of, or exceed any limitation contained in, the certificate or articles of incorporation, agreement and declaration of trust, by-laws and/or other organizational documents of such Borrower or such Fund or its Prospectus or any judgment, decree or order or any law, rule or regulation applicable to such Borrower or such Fund, including, without limitation, the Investment Company Act, (5) are, and will be, in compliance with Regulations T, U and X and the Investment Company Act, (6) do not and will not constitute a violation of, or a default under, any other agreement, order or undertaking binding on such Borrower or such Fund, and (7) do not require the consent or approval of any obligee or holder of any instrument relating to any material Indebtedness of such Borrower or such Fund or the consent or approval of any other party other than for those consents and approvals which have been received; and (iv) each of the Amended Loan Documents constitutes the

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legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of such Borrower, on behalf of its respective Funds, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles.

(c)                Upon receipt of a fully executed copy of this Letter Amendment, this Letter Amendment shall be deemed to be an instrument under seal and an amendment to the Loan Documents to be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to conflict of laws principles that would require the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

(d)               This Letter Amendment may be executed in counterparts each of which shall be deemed to be an original document.

(e)                Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Letter Amendment by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Letter Amendment. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Letter Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that nothing herein shall require the Bank to accept electronic signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Borrower hereby (i) agrees that, for all purposes, including without limitation, in connection with any workout, restructuring, enforcement of remedies, bankruptcy proceedings or litigation between the Bank and such Borrower, electronic images of this Letter Amendment or any other Loan Documents (in each case, including with respect to any signature pages thereto) shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as any paper original, and (ii) waives any argument, defense or right to contest the validity or enforceability of the Loan Documents based solely on the lack of paper original copies of any Loan Documents, including with respect to any signature pages thereto.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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If the foregoing is acceptable to you, please have an authorized officer of each Borrower execute this Letter Amendment below where indicated and return the same to the undersigned.

Very truly yours,

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

By: /s/ Janet Nolin_____________________

Name: Janet Nolin

Title: Vice President

Acknowledged and Accepted:

EACH OF THE BORROWERS,
for itself and on behalf of each of its
respective Funds

By: /s/ Stephen J. Tate____________

Name: Stephen J. Tate

Title: Vice President and Chief legal Officer

 

Signature page to Ninth Amendment to the Putnam Funds and Putnam ETFs Uncommitted Line of Credit 
 

 

Annex A

 

[See attached]



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