TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.5
Execution Copy
TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of the 5th day of January, 2017, by and between World Currency Gold Trust (the Trust), a Delaware statutory trust organized in series, having its principal office and place of business at 685 Third Avenue, 27th Floor, New York, New York 10017, on behalf of each of its series (each, a Fund and collectively, the Funds) as listed on Appendix A hereto (as such Appendix be amended from time to time) and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, a New York corporation authorized to do a banking business having its principal office and place of business at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286 (the Bank).
WHEREAS, the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, will ordinarily issue for purchase and redeem shares of each Fund (the Shares) only in aggregations of Shares known as Creation Units (typically 25,000 shares) (each a Creation Unit) principally in kind;
WHEREAS, The Depository Trust Company, a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York (DTC), or its nominee (Cede & Co.), will be the registered owner (the Shareholder) of all Shares; and
WHEREAS, the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, desires to appoint the Bank as its transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, and agent in connection with certain other activities, and the Bank desires to accept such appointment.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Terms of Appointment; Duties of the Bank
1.1 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, hereby employs and appoints the Bank to act as, and the Bank agrees to act as, its transfer agent for the authorized and issued Shares, and as the Trusts dividend disbursing agent.
1.2 Pursuant to such appointment, the Bank agrees that it will perform the following services:
(a) In accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Participant Agreements applicable to each Fund, a form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, the Bank shall:
(i) Perform and facilitate the performance of purchases and redemption of Creation Units for each Fund;
(ii) Prepare and transmit by means of DTCs book-entry system payments for dividends and distributions, if any, declared by each Fund;
(iii) Maintain separate and distinct records for each Fund with respect to the name and address of the Shareholder and the number of Shares issued by each respective Fund and held by the Shareholder in each Fund;
(iv) With respect to each Fund, record, separately and distinctly, the issuance of Shares of each Fund and maintain a record of the total number of Shares of each Fund which are outstanding and authorized based upon data provided to it by the Trust. The Bank shall have no obligation, when recording the issuance of Shares, to monitor the issuance of such Shares or to take cognizance of any laws relating to the issue or sale of such Shares, which functions shall be the sole responsibility of the Trust.
(v) Prepare and transmit to the Trust and the Trusts administrator and to any applicable securities exchange (as specified to the Bank by the Trust or its administrator), with respect to each Fund, information with respect to purchases and redemptions of Shares of each Fund;
(vi) On days that the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, may accept orders for purchases or redemptions, calculate and transmit to the Trusts sponsor (Sponsor) and the Trusts administrator, on behalf of the applicable Fund(s), the number of outstanding Shares;
(vii) On days that the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, may accept orders for purchases or redemptions (pursuant to the Participant Agreement), transmit to the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund(s) and DTC the amount of Shares purchased on such day;
(viii) Confirm to DTC the number of Shares issued to the Shareholder, with respect to each Fund, as DTC may reasonably request;
(ix) Prepare and deliver other reports, information and documents to DTC as DTC may reasonably request;
(x) Extend the voting rights to the Shareholder for extension by DTC to DTC participants and the beneficial owners of Shares in accordance with policies and procedures of DTC for book-entry only securities;
(xi) Distribute or maintain, as directed by the Trust, amounts related to purchases and redemptions of Creation Units and dividends and distributions, if any;
(xii) Maintain separate and distinct books and records for each Fund as specified by the Trust, on behalf of each Fund;
(xiii) Prepare a monthly report of all purchases and redemptions of Shares during such month on a gross transaction basis, and identify on a daily basis the net number of Shares either redeemed or purchased on such Business Day and with respect to each Authorized Participant (as defined in each Participant Agreement) purchasing or redeeming Shares, the amount of Shares purchased or redeemed;
(xiv) Receive purchase orders from Authorized Participants (as defined in the Participant Agreement) for Creation Unit Aggregations of Shares received in good form and accepted by or on behalf of the Trust, transmit appropriate trade instructions to the National Securities Clearance Corporation, if applicable, and pursuant to such orders issue the appropriate number of Shares of the Trust and hold such Shares in the account of the Shareholder for each of the respective Trusts;
(xv) Receive from the Authorized Participants redemption requests, deliver the appropriate documentation thereof to The Bank of New York as custodian for the Trust, generate and transmit or cause to be generated and transmitted confirmation of receipt of such redemption requests to the Authorized Participants submitting the same; transmit appropriate trade instructions to the National Securities Clearance Corporation, if applicable, and redeem the appropriate number of Creation Unit Aggregations of Shares held in the account of the Shareholder; and
2
(xvi) Confirm the name, U.S taxpayer identification number and principle place of business of each Authorized Participant.
(xvii) The Bank may execute transactions directly with Authorized Participants to the extent necessary or appropriate to enable the Bank to carry out any of the duties set forth in items (i) through (xvi) above.
(xviii) Except as otherwise instructed by the Trust, the Bank shall process all transactions for each Fund in accordance with the policies and procedures mutually agreed upon between the Trust and the Bank with respect to the proper net asset value to be applied to purchases received in good order by the Bank or from an Authorized Participant before any cut-offs established by the Trust, and such other matters set forth in items (i) through (xvi) above as these policies and procedures are intended to address.
(b) The Bank may maintain and manage, as agent for the Trust, such accounts as the Bank shall deem necessary for the performance of its duties under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the processing of Creation Unit purchases and redemptions; and the payment of dividends and distributions. The Bank may maintain such accounts at financial institutions deemed appropriate by the Bank in accordance with applicable law.
(c) In addition to and neither in lieu nor in contravention of the services set forth in the above sub-section 1.2(a), the Bank shall: perform the customary services of a transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent including, but not limited to, maintaining the account of the Shareholder with respect to each Fund, obtaining a list of DTC participants holding interests in a Funds global certificate at the request of the Trust, mailing proxy materials, shareholder reports and prospectuses to DTC, at the request of the Trust, maintaining the items set forth on Schedule A attached hereto, and performing such services identified in each Participant Agreement.
(d) The following shall be delivered to DTC participants as identified by DTC as the Shareholder for book-entry only securities:
(i) Periodic reports of the Trust required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
(ii) Proxies, proxy statements and other proxy soliciting materials;
(iii) Prospectus and amendments and supplements thereto, including stickers; and
(iv) Other communications as the Trust may from time to time identify as required by law or as the Trust may reasonably request
(v) The Bank shall provide additional services, if any, as may be agreed upon in writing by the Trust and the Bank.
(e) The Bank shall keep records relating to the services to be performed by the Bank hereunder, in the form and manner to the extent required by Section 31 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules thereunder (the Rules) as if the Trust was subject to such Rules, and all such books and records shall be property of the Trust, will be preserved, maintained and made available to the Trust and will be surrendered promptly to the Trust on and in accordance with its request.
3
2. Fees and Expenses
2.1 The Bank is entitled to receive from the Sponsor fees for its ordinary services under this Agreement and reimbursement for its customary and ordinary out-of-pocket expenses incurred under this Agreement in accordance with a separate written agreement between the Sponsor and the Bank. Each Fund agrees to pay the Bank any compensation due it for extraordinary services as is mutually agreed to in writing by each Fund and the Bank from time to time.
2.2 The Trust hereby represents and warrants to the Bank that (i) the terms of this Agreement, (ii) the fees and expenses associated with this Agreement, and (iii) any benefits accruing to the Bank or to the adviser to, or sponsor of, the Trust in connection with this Agreement, including, but not limited to, any fee waivers, reimbursements, or payments made, or to be made, by the Bank to such adviser or sponsor or to any affiliate of the Trust relating to this Agreement have been fully disclosed to the Trust or the Trusts sponsor and that, if required by applicable law, the Trust or the Trusts sponsor has approved or will approve the terms of this Agreement, and any such fees, expenses, and benefits.
3. Representations and Warranties of the Bank
The Bank represents and warrants to the Trust that:
It is a banking company duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of New York.
It is duly qualified to carry on its business in the State of New York.
It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Charter and By-Laws to act as transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent and to enter into, and perform its obligations under, this Agreement.
All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement.
4. Representations and Warranties of the Trust
The Trust represents and warrants to the Bank that:
It is duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware.
It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Agreement and Declaration of Trust to enter into and perform this Agreement.
A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on behalf of the Trust and each Fund has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and appropriate state securities law filings have been made and will continue to be made, with respect to all Shares of the Funds being offered for sale.
5. Indemnification
5.1 The Bank shall not be responsible for, and the Trust shall indemnify and hold the Bank and its directors, officers and employees, or persons performing similar functions on behalf of the Bank,
4
harmless from and against, any and all damages, costs, expenses, liabilities or claims (including reasonable attorneys and accountants fees) (Losses) which may be sustained or incurred or which may be asserted against the Bank in connection with or relating to this Agreement or the Banks actions or omissions with respect to this Agreement, arising out of or attributable to all actions of the Bank taken pursuant to this Agreement, provided that such actions are taken without;
(a) The Banks own gross negligence, bad faith, willful misfeasance, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder; or
(b) The breach of any representation or warranty of the Bank contained in this Agreement.
5.2 Neither the Trust nor any Fund shall be responsible for, and the Bank shall indemnify and hold the Trust, its and its directors, officers, and employees, or persons performing similar functions on behalf of the Trust or the Fund, and the applicable Fund harmless from and against, any and all Losses caused by;
(a) The Banks own gross negligence, bad faith, willful misfeasance, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder; or
(b) The breach of any representation or warranty of the Bank contained in this Agreement.
5.3 A party seeking indemnification hereunder (the Indemnified Party) shall (i) provide prompt notice to the other party of any claim (Claim) for which it intends to seek indemnification, (ii) grant control of the defense and for settlement of the Claim to the other party, and (iii) cooperate with the other party in the defense thereof. The Indemnified Party shall have the right at its own expense to participate in the defense of any Claim, but shall not have the right to control the defense, consent to judgment or agree to the settlement of any Claim without the written consent of the other party. The party providing the indemnification shall not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter any settlement which (i) does not include, as an unconditional term, the release by the claimant of all liabilities for Claims against the Indemnified Party or (ii) which otherwise adversely affects the rights of the Indemnified Party.
6. Standard of Care and Limitation of Liability
6.1 The Bank shall exercise reasonable care and diligence in carrying out all of its duties and obligations under this Agreement. The Bank shall have no responsibility and shall not be liable for any Losses, except that the Bank shall be liable to the Trust for direct money damages caused by its own gross negligence, bad faith, willful misfeasance, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or that of its employees, or its breach of any representation or warranty of the Bank contained in this Agreement. In no event will the Bank be liable for:
(a) Special, indirect or consequential damages, regardless of the form of action and even if the same were foreseeable.
(b) The conclusive good faith reliance on or use by the Bank or its agents or subcontractors of information, records, documents or services which (i) are received by the Bank or its agents or subcontractors, and (ii) have been prepared, maintained or performed by the Trust or any other person or firm on behalf of the Trust including but not limited to any previous transfer agent or registrar.
5
(c) The conclusive good faith reliance on, or the carrying out by the Bank or its agents or subcontractors of, any instructions or requests of the Trust or instructions or requests on behalf of the Trust.
(d) The offer or sale of Shares by or for the Trust in violation of any requirement under the federal securities laws or regulations, or the securities laws or regulations of any state that such Shares be registered in such state, or any violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any federal agency, or by any state with respect to the offer or sale of Shares in such state.
6.2 In no event will the Trust or any Fund be liable for special, indirect or consequential damages, regardless of the form of action and even if the same were foreseeable.
6.3 The Bank agrees that, pursuant to Section 3804(a) of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, the liabilities of each Fund shall be limited such that (a) the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing and relating to this Agreement with respect to a particular Fund shall be enforceable against the assets of that particular Fund only, and not against the assets of the Trust generally or the assets of any other Fund and (b) none of the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for, other otherwise existing and relating to this Agreement with respect to the Trust generally and any other Fund shall be enforceable against the assets of that particular Fund.
6.4 It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that the obligations of each Fund hereunder shall not be binding upon any shareholder, Sponsor, officer, employee or agent of such Fund, personally. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each Fund and neither such authorization nor such execution and delivery shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally.
7. Concerning the Bank
7.1 Upon receipt of the Trusts prior written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), the Bank may delegate any of its duties and obligations hereunder to any delegee or agent whenever and on such terms and conditions as it deems reasonably necessary or appropriate, provided that such delegee or agent is qualified to perform such delegated duties; provided, however, that no such delegation of its duties and obligations hereunder shall discharge the Bank from any of its obligations or any liability hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Trust consent shall not be required for any such delegation to any other subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, and the Bank shall be liable for the acts or omissions of any such affiliate as if such act or omissions were its own.
7.2 The Bank shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any written or oral instruction actually received by the Bank and reasonably believed by the Bank to be duly authorized and delivered. The Trust agrees to forward to the Bank written instructions confirming oral instructions by the close of business of the same day that such oral instructions are given to the Bank. The Trust agrees that the fact that such confirming written instructions are not received or that contrary written instructions are received by the Bank shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of transactions authorized by such oral instructions and effected by the Bank.
7.3 The Bank shall establish and maintain a disaster recovery plan and back-up system at all times satisfying the requirements of all laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the Bank and which is reasonable under the circumstance (the Disaster Recovery Plan and Back-Up System). The Bank shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its control which are not a result of its gross negligence, including without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods;
6
wars; civil or military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruption, loss or malfunctions of transportation, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority; governmental actions; or inability to obtain labor, material, equipment or transportation, provided that the Bank has established and is maintaining the Disaster Recovery Plan and Back-Up System, or if not, that such delay or failure would have occurred even if the Bank had established and was maintaining the Disaster Recovery Plan and Back-Up System. Upon the occurrence of any such delay or failure the Bank shall use commercially reasonable best efforts to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
7.4 The Bank shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement and the Participation Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against the Bank in connection with this Agreement, except as set forth in this Agreement and the Participation Agreement.
7.5 At any time the Bank may apply to an officer of the Trust for written instructions with respect to any Fund and to the Trust or any matter arising in connection with the Banks duties and obligations under this Agreement, and the Bank, its agents, and subcontractors shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith in accordance with such instructions. Such application by the Bank for instructions from an officer of the Trust may, at the option of the Bank, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted to be taken by the Bank with respect to its duties or obligations under this Agreement and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken, and the Bank shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith in accordance with a proposal included in any such application on or after the date specified therein unless, prior to taking or omitting to take any such action, the Bank has received written or oral instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.
7.6 The Bank, its agents and subcontractors may act upon any paper or document, reasonably believed to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons, or upon any instruction, information, data, records or documents provided to the Bank or its agents or subcontractors by or on behalf of the Trust by machine readable input, telex, CRT data entry or other similar means authorized by the Trust, and shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any person, until receipt of written notice thereof from the Trust.
7.7 The Bank shall retain title to and ownership of any and all data bases, computer programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive design techniques, derivative works, inventions, discoveries, patentable or copyrightable matters, concepts, expertise, patents, copyrights, trade secrets, and other related legal rights utilized by the Bank in connection with the services provided by the Bank hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties hereto acknowledge that the Trust shall retain all ownership rights in Trust data residing on the Banks electronic system.
7.8 Notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, the Bank shall be under no duty or obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:
(a) The legality of the issue, sale or transfer of any Shares of a Fund, the sufficiency of the amount to be received in connection therewith, or the authority of the Trust, on behalf of a Fund, to request such issuance, sale or transfer;
(b) The legality of the purchase of any Shares of a Fund, the sufficiency of the amount to be paid in connection therewith, or the authority of the Trust, on behalf of a Fund, to request such purchase;
7
(c) The legality of the declaration of any dividend by the Trust, on behalf of a Fund, or the legality of the issue of any Shares in payment of any stock dividend; or
(d) The legality of any recapitalization or readjustment of the Shares of any Fund.
8. Providing of Documents by the Trust and Transfers of Shares
8.1 The Trust shall promptly furnish to the Bank with a copy of its Declaration of Trust and all amendments thereto.
8.2 In the event that DTC ceases to be the Shareholder, the Bank shall re-register the Shares in the name of the successor to DTC as Shareholder upon receipt by the Bank of such documentation and assurances as it may reasonably require.
8.3 The Bank shall have no responsibility whatsoever with respect to of any beneficial interest in any of the Shares owned by the Shareholder.
8.4 The Trust shall deliver to the Bank the following documents on or before the effective date of any increase, decrease or other change in the total number of Shares authorized to be issued:
(a) A certified copy of the amendment to the Trusts Declaration of Trust with respect to such increase, decrease or change; and
(b) An opinion of counsel for the Trust, in a form satisfactory to the Bank, with respect to (i) the validity of the Shares, the obtaining of all necessary governmental consents, whether such Shares are fully paid and non-assessable and the status of such Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other applicable federal law or regulations (i.e., if subject to registration, that they have been registered and that the Registration Statement has become effective or, if exempt, the specific grounds therefore), and (ii) the due and proper listing of the Shares on all applicable securities exchanges.
8.5 The Bank agrees that all records prepared or maintained by the Bank relating to the services to be performed by the Bank hereunder are the property of the Trust and will be preserved, maintained and made available upon reasonable request and will be surrendered promptly to the Trust on and in accordance with its reasonable request.
8.6 Prior to the issuance of any additional Shares pursuant to stock dividends, stock splits or otherwise, and prior to any reduction in the number of Shares outstanding, the Trust shall deliver to the Bank:
(a) A certified copy of the order or consent of each governmental or regulatory authority required by law as a prerequisite to the issuance or reduction of such Shares, as the case may be, and an opinion of counsel for the Trust that no other order or consent is required; and
(b) An opinion of counsel for the Trust, in a form satisfactory to the Bank, with respect to (i) the validity of the Shares, the obtaining of all necessary governmental consents, whether such Shares are fully paid and non-assessable and the status of such Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other applicable federal law or regulations (i.e., if subject to registration, that they have been registered and that the Registration Statement has become effective or, if exempt, the specific grounds therefore), and (ii) the due and proper listing of the Shares on all applicable securities exchanges.
8
8.7 The Bank and the Trust agree that all books, records, confidential, non-public, or proprietary information and data pertaining to the business of the other party which are exchanged or received pursuant to the negotiation or the carrying out of this Agreement shall remain confidential, and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any person other than its auditors, accountants, regulators, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or counsel, except as may be, or may become required by law, by administrative or judicial order or by rule. The foregoing confidentiality obligation shall not apply to any information to the extent: (i) it is already known to the receiving party at the time it is obtained; (ii) it is or becomes publicly known or available through no wrongful act of the receiving party: (iii) it is rightfully received from a third party who, to the receiving partys knowledge, is not under a duty of confidentiality; (iv) it is released by the protected party to a third party without restriction; or (v) it has been or is independently developed or obtained by the receiving party without reference to the information provided by the protected party.
8.8 In case of any requests or demands for the inspection of the Shareholder records of the Trust, the Bank will promptly employ reasonable commercial efforts to notify the Trust and secure instructions from an authorized officer of the Trust as to such inspection. The Bank reserves the right, however, to exhibit the Shareholder records to any person whenever it is advised by its counsel that it may be held liable for the failure to exhibit the Shareholder records to such person.
9. Termination of Agreement
9.1 The term of this Agreement shall be one year commencing upon the date hereof and shall automatically renew for additional one-year terms unless either party provides written notice of termination at least ninety (90) days prior to the end of any one year term or, unless earlier terminated as provided below:
(a) Either party hereto may terminate this Agreement in the event the other party breaches any material provision of this Agreement, including, without limitation in the case of the Trust, its or the Sponsors obligations to make payments to the Bank under Section 2.1, provided that the non-breaching party gives written notice of such breach to the breaching party and the breaching party does not cure such violation within 90 days of receipt of such notice.
(b) Either party hereto may terminate this Agreement immediately by sending notice thereof to the other party upon the happening of any of the following: (i) a party commences as debtor any case or proceeding under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, or there is commenced against such party any such case or proceeding; (ii) a party commences as debtor any case or proceeding seeking the appointment of a receiver, conservator, trustee, custodian or similar official for such party or any substantial part of its property or there is commenced against the party any such case or proceeding; (iii) a party makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (iv) a party states in any medium, written, electronic or otherwise, any public communication or in any other public manner its inability to pay debts as they come due. Either party hereto may exercise its termination right under this Section 9.1(b) at any time after the occurrence of any of the foregoing events notwithstanding that such event may cease to be continuing prior to such exercise, and any delay in exercising this right shall not be construed as a waiver or other extinguishment of that right.
(c) The Trust may terminate this Agreement at any time upon ninety (90) days prior written notice in the event that the Trusts sponsor determines to liquidate the Trust and terminate its registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
9.2 Should the Trust exercise its right to terminate, all out-of-pocket expenses associated with the movement of records and material will be borne by the Trust.
9
9.3 The terms of Article 2 (with respect to fees and expenses incurred prior to termination), Article 5 and Article 6 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
10. Additional Series
In the event that the Trust establishes one or more additional series of Shares with respect to which it desires to have the Bank render services as transfer agent under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the Bank in writing, and if the Bank agrees in writing to provide such services, such additional issuance shall become Shares hereunder.
11. Assignment
11.1 Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either party without the written consent of the other party.
11.2 This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns.
12. Severability and Beneficiaries
12.1 In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, the legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected thereby provided obligation of the Trust to pay is conditioned upon provision of services.
12.2 This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Bank and the Trust, and none of any Participant (as defined in the Participation Agreement), the Sponsor, any Shareholder or beneficial owner of any Shares shall be or be deemed a third party beneficiary of this Agreement.
13. Amendment
This Agreement may be amended or modified by a written agreement executed by both parties.
14. Choice of Law
Except with respect to Section 6.3 above, which shall be construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof. The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, and the Bank hereby consent to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder. The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, and the Bank each hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
15. Merger of Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof whether oral or written.
10
16. Notices
All notices and other communications as required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and sent by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows or to such other address or addresses of which the respective party shall have notified the other.
If to the Bank:
The Bank of New York Mellon
2 Hanson Place
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Attention: ETF Operations
with a copy to:
The Bank of New York Mellon
225 Liberty Street
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Legal Dept.Asset Servicing
If to the Trust:
World Currency Gold Trust
c/o WGC USA Asset Management Company, LLC
685 Third Avenue, 27th Floor
New York, New York 10017
17. Information Sharing
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global financial organization that provides services to clients through its affiliates and subsidiaries in multiple jurisdictions (the BNY Mellon Group). The BNY Mellon Group may centralize functions including audit, accounting, risk, legal, compliance, sales, administration, product communication, relationship management, storage, compilation and analysis of customer-related data, and other functions (the Centralized Functions) in one or more affiliates, subsidiaries and third-party service providers. Solely in connection with the Centralized Functions, (i) the Trust consents to the disclosure of and authorizes the Bank to disclose information regarding the Trust (Customer-Related Data) to the BNY Mellon Group and to its third-party service providers who are subject to confidentiality obligations with respect to such information and (ii) the Bank may store the names and business contact information of the Trusts employees and representatives on the systems or in
11
the records of the BNY Mellon Group or its service providers. The BNY Mellon Group may aggregate Customer-Related Data with other data collected and/or calculated by the BNY Mellon Group, and notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary the BNY Mellon Group will own all such aggregated data, provided that the BNY Mellon Group shall not distribute the aggregated data in a format that identifies Customer-Related Data with a particular customer. The Trust confirms that it is authorized to consent to the foregoing.
18. Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in any number of counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
[Signature page follows.]
12
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized officers, as of the latest date set forth below.
WORLD CURRENCY GOLD TRUST, ON
BEHALF OF EACH FUND LISTED ON APPENDIX A
By: /s/ Gregory S. Collett
Name: Gregory S. Collett
Title: Vice President*
Date: 1.3.17
* Authorized to sign on behalf of the Trust in this capacity
since an officer of the Trusts sponsor
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
By: /s/ Stephen Cook
Name: Stephen Cook
Title: Managing Director
Date: 1/5/2017
13
APPENDIX A
Funds
SPDR® Long Dollar Gold Trust
SPDR® Euro Gold Trust
SPDR® Pound Gold Trust
SPDR® Yen Gold Trust
14
SCHEDULE A
Books And Records To Be Maintained
Source Documents requesting Creations and Redemptions (including dates and times of orders)
Correspondence/AP Inquiries
Reconciliations, bank statements, copies of canceled checks, cash proofs
Daily/Monthly reconciliation of outstanding Shares between the Trust and DTC
Dividend Records
Year-end Statements and Tax Forms
15
EXHIBIT A
Form of Authorized Participant Agreement
16