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Custodian Services Agreement

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CUSTODIAN SERVICES AGREEMENT

This Custodian Services Agreement (the "Agreement") is made as of by and between Client Name: , with principal place of business at , and Custodian Name: , with principal place of business at .

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Client holds certain assets, securities and property described in Schedule A attached hereto or otherwise delivered to Custodian (the "Assets"), and desires to engage Custodian to provide custodial, safekeeping and related services with respect to such Assets; and

WHEREAS, Custodian is duly organized and authorized to act as a custodian and has represented that it has the facilities, personnel and systems necessary to provide the services described in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth their respective rights and obligations with respect to the custody, safekeeping, settlement and administration of the Assets.

NOW, THEREFORE

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS

Unless the context requires otherwise, capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings set forth below. "Business Day" means any day on which banks are open for general commercial business in the jurisdiction specified for notices. "Deliver" and "Delivery" include electronic settlement as permitted by market practice.

2. APPOINTMENT AND SCOPE OF SERVICES

2.1 Appointment. Client hereby appoints Custodian to serve as custodian of the Assets and to perform the services described in this Agreement and any schedules attached hereto. Custodian accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the services subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

2.2 Services. Custodian's services shall include: (a) physical and/or electronic safekeeping of Assets; (b) processing of receipts and deliveries of securities and other instruments; (c) maintaining records of holdings and transactions; (d) preparing periodic custodial statements; and (e) such other services as the parties may agree in writing. The parties may specify additional services in writing, which shall be appended as a schedule and incorporated herein.

3. DUTIES AND STANDARD OF CARE

3.1 Standard of Care. Custodian shall perform its duties hereunder with the degree of care and skill ordinarily exercised by fiduciaries or custodians providing similar services under comparable circumstances. Custodian shall exercise reasonable care in selecting and monitoring any sub-custodian retained to hold Assets.

3.2 No Investment Discretion. Except as otherwise expressly agreed in writing, Custodian shall have no authority to direct investment, trade, or otherwise make decisions with respect to the management of the Assets.

4. CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1 Instructions. Client shall deliver to Custodian all instructions, documentation and authorizations reasonably necessary for Custodian to perform the services. Custodian may rely upon any instruction reasonably believed by Custodian to have been given by an Authorized Person identified in writing by Client.

4.2 Representations. Client represents and warrants that it has full right, power and authority to deliver the Assets and to enter into this Agreement, and that such delivery will not violate any agreement or law binding on Client.

5. FEES, EXPENSES AND PAYMENT

Custodian shall be entitled to receive the fees and reimbursement of expenses set forth in the Fee Schedule. Fees are payable in arrears unless otherwise agreed. Client shall reimburse Custodian for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, sub-custodian charges, taxes and third-party fees incurred in connection with the performance of services under this Agreement.

If fees are based on the value of Assets, such value shall be determined in accordance with Client's customary valuation policies unless otherwise agreed in writing.

6. RECORDS; STATEMENTS; AUDIT

Custodian shall maintain adequate records of all transactions effected on behalf of Client and shall provide periodic statements in the manner and frequency agreed by the parties. Client shall have the right, upon reasonable prior notice and during normal business hours, to inspect Custodian's records relating to Client's Assets or to arrange for an independent audit, provided such inspection or audit is conducted in a manner that does not unreasonably disrupt Custodian's business.

7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each party represents and warrants that: (a) it is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under applicable law; (b) it has the full power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement; and (c) the execution and delivery of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action.

8. INDEMNIFICATION

Client agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Custodian and its officers, directors, employees and agents from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of: (a) Client's breach of this Agreement; (b) Client's negligence, willful misconduct or misrepresentation; or (c) the nature, origin or title of the Assets, except to the extent such claims arise from Custodian's gross negligence or willful misconduct.

9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Except as otherwise provided herein, in no event shall Custodian be liable for any indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages, or lost profits, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. Custodian's aggregate liability to Client for claims arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall not exceed the fees paid to Custodian by Client under this Agreement for the twelve (12) month period preceding the event giving rise to the claim, except for liability resulting from gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud.

10. TERM AND TERMINATION

10.1 Term. This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue until terminated as provided in this Section 10.

10.2 Termination for Convenience. Either party may terminate this Agreement for any reason upon days' prior written notice to the other party.

10.3 Effect of Termination. Upon termination, Custodian shall deliver the Assets to Client or to such successor custodian as Client may reasonably direct, subject to Custodian's right to retain funds to satisfy any unpaid fees or other obligations and to a reasonable period to effect orderly transfer.

11. CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party shall keep confidential and shall not disclose to any third party any non-public information concerning the other party obtained in connection with this Agreement, except (a) to the extent required by law, regulation or professional standards; (b) to its legal or financial advisors on a need-to-know basis; or (c) with the disclosing party's prior written consent. The obligations in this Section shall survive termination of this Agreement.

12. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS

Each party shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including anti-money laundering and sanctions laws. Custodian may take such actions or refuse to comply with instructions if required by applicable law or a governmental or self-regulatory authority.

13. NOTICES

All notices and communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the parties at the addresses set forth below (or to such other address as either party may designate by notice).

14. AMENDMENTS; WAIVER

No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by duly authorized representatives of both parties. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought. A waiver of any breach shall not be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach.

15. GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction specified by the parties below, without regard to conflict of law principles.

16. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SEVERABILITY; COUNTERPARTS

This Agreement, together with any schedules and exhibits attached hereto, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and the invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced with a valid provision that most closely approximates the parties' intent. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

Client:

By:

Date:

Custodian:

By:

Date:

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What a Custodian Services Agreement Covers

A Custodian Services Agreement is a written contract that defines the relationship between a client (beneficial owner) and a custodian responsible for safekeeping, recordkeeping, and administration of specified assets. The agreement sets the scope of custody services, standards of care, fee schedule, reporting and audit rights, insurance and bonding requirements, confidentiality and data protections, liability limits, indemnities, term and termination procedures, and transitions after termination. It also identifies required deliverables and any regulatory or compliance obligations that apply to the assets or custodial activities.

Why a Clear Custodian Services Agreement Matters

A well-drafted Custodian Services Agreement allocates responsibilities, reduces disputes, and documents security and reporting expectations. Clarity on fees, indemnities, and transition procedures limits operational and legal exposure.

Why a Clear Custodian Services Agreement Matters

Who Commonly Uses This Agreement

Typical parties include institutional clients, independent custodians, and intermediaries who transfer possession or control of assets.

  • Financial institutions and trust companies providing custody services for securities, cash, or digital assets
  • Investment managers and private funds engaging third‑party custodians for safekeeping and settlement
  • Healthcare or research organizations when a third party stores sensitive physical or electronic records

The document is used whenever one party will hold assets, records, or funds on behalf of another and formal terms are needed.

Stepwise Process to Prepare and Execute the Agreement

Follow these steps to assemble terms, obtain approvals, and finalize signatures in a controlled sequence.

  • 01
    Gather documents: Collect IDs, entity formation, asset records.
  • 02
    Draft terms: Define scope, fees, reporting, and transition steps.
  • 03
    Legal review: Have counsel check liability and regulatory clauses.
  • 04
    Sign and archive: Execute signatures and preserve the final PDF with audit trail.

Core Provisions to Include in a Professional Agreement

A comprehensive agreement groups operational, legal, and administrative provisions so expectations and remedies are clear for all parties.

Scope of Services

Precisely list custody activities (receiving, storing, reconciling, disbursing), service levels, and excluded tasks to avoid later disputes.

Duties and Standards

State applicable standards of care (e.g., reasonable care, industry customary standards) and any applicable regulatory obligations the custodian must follow.

Fees and Billing

Describe fees, invoicing cadence, late payment remedies, and whether fees are fixed, percentage-based, or transaction-based.

Reporting and Audit Rights

Specify periodic reports, reconciliation intervals, audit access procedures, and confidentiality protections during audits.

Liability and Indemnity

Allocate risk with limits on liability, insurance requirements, and indemnities for breaches, negligence, or third-party claims.

Termination and Transition

Detail notice requirements, timelines for return or transfer of assets, and interim custody arrangements to ensure continuity.

Security and Compliance Considerations

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3; AES-256 at rest
Access Control: Role-based access and MFA
Audit Trail: Timestamps, IP, action history
HIPAA Capability: BAA available where required
Regulatory Certs: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001
21 CFR Support: Compliant workflows available

Common Legal Risks and Consequences

Fiduciary Breach: Liability for loss or misappropriation
Incorrect Asset Listing: Disputes over custody ownership
Missing Signatures: Enforceability challenges
Regulatory Noncompliance: Fines and remediation orders
Data Privacy Failures: Breach notifications and penalties
Tax Reporting Errors: Penalties and withholding exposure

Avoidable Preparation and Drafting Mistakes

  • Vague or open-ended scope clauses that leave custody duties undefined and invite disagreements over responsibilities and fees.
  • Failure to identify the precise assets or account identifiers, which can create uncertainty about what is held and how it is returned.
  • Omitting transition procedures for termination, causing delays or disputes when assets must be transferred to a successor custodian.
  • Not confirming the signer’s authority or corporate approvals, leading to signatures that may not bind the entity.

How Electronic Completion and Delivery Typically Works

Electronic workflows reduce turnaround and provide an auditable record of execution while preserving legal validity under U.S. e-signature laws.

  • Upload Document: Add the final agreement PDF or DOCX to the eSignature platform.
  • Place Fields: Insert signature, date, and variable fields for each party.
  • Add Signers: Enter signer emails and specify signing order if needed.
  • Complete Signing: Platform captures audit trail and issues completed copies.

Typical Digital Workflow Settings for the Agreement

Configure authentication, routing, and retention before sending to ensure compliance and legible records.

Field Configuration
Authentication Level Email link, SMS code, or KBA
Signing Order Sequential or parallel routing
Conditional Fields Show fields based on earlier inputs
Audit Retention Retain audit trail and PDF copy

Platform and Integration Requirements

Choose a signing platform that supports required authentication, audit trails, and the document formats you use.

  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace supported
  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX, and HTML input/output supported
  • Advanced Auth: SSO, SMS codes, KBA, and ID verification

Confirm the provider supports HIPAA/21 CFR 11 if your custody activities involve protected health data or regulated records.

Frequently Asked Questions About Custodian Services Agreements

Answers address enforceability, signatures, notarization, amendments, and common e-signing concerns for U.S. transactions.


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