GLOBAL CUSTODIAL SERVICES

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation is the U.S. Government's developing finance institution. DFC partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world today. DFC invests across sectors including but not limited to energy, healthcare, critical infrastructure, and technology. DFC investments adhere to high standards and respect the environment, human rights, and worker rights.

DFC may acquire various securities in conjunction with its investment activities and is seeking a global custodian to hold these securities as it cannot have an account with any financial market infrastructure (FMI) company. 
 
DFC seeks to enter into an agreement with a custodian bank for support in the following:
 
1.  Provide custodial services globally for a wide variety of securities including but not limited to:  debt instruments, equity securities including stocks and warrants; such securities may be exchange traded, OTC, or private placement.
2.  Hold assets and settle securities transactions on behalf of DFC.
3.  Work with brokers and clearinghouses (or comparable intermediaries) to finalize transactions.
4.  Receive, accept, and record all assets delivered to and from DFC’s account.
5.  Transfer funds to the U.S. Treasury.
6.  Provide support for DFC’s own financial reporting and all compliance with applicable tax and regulatory regimes.
7.  Provide system interfaces and support to efficiently enable services.

Please see the attached solicitation for more information. In your response, please note the following:

Offerors must answer:

1.  How is your global custody service structured? Is it through relationships with local custodians, direct presence, or a hybrid of both depending on country?

2.  Where do you not provide services directly? Please note which countries you transact directly vs indirectly, and if needed, please note rationale.

3. Which emerging markets does your financial institution have operations in? Please provide full list of countries, and please note specific operations for countries like India, Mexico, Australia, and Brazil.

4. What types of securities can your financial institution house in a custody account?

5. What services are offered? (custody, accounting, foreign exchange, liquidity services, reporting, trust, treasury, etc.?)

6.  What is the fee structure – fixed or dependent upon assets type and/or size? If dependent upon varying factors, please provide a tiered pricing schedule.

7. Development Banks or Institutions (e.g. IBRD, IFC), Development Finance Institutions (e.g. EDFI members), Public Pension Funds, and/or Sovereign Wealth Funds? Please list with a priority on current active contracts, or within the last 3 years. 

8. How long will it generally take to set up a global account with your financial institution?  Please provide notional or example KYC diligence requirements.

9.   Any other information you would like for us to note.