CUSTODIAL AND AGENCY SERVICES AGREEMENT HORIZONS ETF TRUST

EX-99.g.1
ETF GCSA

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
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DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
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1
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2.
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APPOINTMENT AS CUSTODIAN AND AGENT
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2
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3.
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CUSTODY ACCOUNT PROCEDURES
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2
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4.
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CASH ACCOUNT PROCEDURES
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3
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5.
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AGENCY SERVICES: PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
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4
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6.
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AGENCY SERVICES: CREATION UNITS, SALES AND REDEMPTIONS
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4
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7.
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INSTRUCTIONS
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6
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8.
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PERFORMANCE BY CITI
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7
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9.
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CORPORATE ACTIONS
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8
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10.
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COMMUNICATIONS, RECORDS AND ACCESS
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8
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11.
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TAX STATUS/WITHHOLDING TAXES
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9
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12.
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LIEN AND SET OFF
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9
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13.
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USE OF THIRD PARTIES
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9
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14.
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SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILTIY
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9
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15.
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INDEMNITY
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11
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16.
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MUTUAL EXCLUSION OF CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
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12
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17.
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FEES AND EXPENSES
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12
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18.
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CITIGROUP ORGANISATION INVOLVEMENT
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12
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19.
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INFORMATION AND DATA PROTECTION
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12
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20.
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ADVERTISING
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13
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21.
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REPRESENTATIONS
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13
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22.
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REPRESENTATIVE CAPACITY.
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14
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23.
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TERMINATION
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14
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24.
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GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
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15
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25
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MISCELLANEOUS
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15
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SIGNATURES
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17 |
Schedules:
·
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Fee Schedule
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ETF GCSA

THIS CUSTODIAL AND AGENCY SERVICES AGREEMENT is made on February 24, 2014, by and between Horizons ETF Trust, a Statutory Trust organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, (the “Trust”) and Citibank, N.A. acting through its offices located in New York, New York (“Citi”).
WHEREAS, this Agreement shall apply to each Fund set forth on Appendix A hereto;
WHEREAS, Citi is willing to accept such appointment on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
1.
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DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
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“Administrative Support Provider” means those persons utilized by Citi to perform ancillary services of a purely administrative nature such as couriers, messengers or other commercial transport systems.
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“Authorized Participant” means each person authorized to purchase Shares in Creation Units as identified by the Trust.
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“Authorized Person” means the Trust or any person (including any individual or entity) authorized by the Trust to act on its behalf in the performance of any act, discretion or duty under this Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any officer or employee of such person) in a notice reasonably acceptable to Citi.
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“Cash” means all cash in the form of U.S. Dollars or equivalent received and held under the terms of this Agreement, unless Citi agrees in writing to receive and hold any other currency.
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“Cash Values” means the value of Cash purchases and redemptions required for the issuance or redemption, as the case may be, of Shares in Creation Unit aggregations by a Fund.
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“Citigroup Organization” means Citigroup, Inc. and any company or other entity of which Citigroup, Inc. is directly or indirectly a shareholder or owner. For purposes of this Agreement, each branch of Citibank, N.A. will be a separate member of the Citigroup Organization.
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“Clearance System” means any clearing agency, settlement system, payments system, depository (including any entity, including but not limited to The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) and the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”), that acts as a system for the central handling of Securities in the country where it is incorporated or organized or that acts as a transnational system for the central handling of securities) used in connection with transactions relating to Shares or Securities and any nominee of the foregoing.
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“Creation Units” means aggregations of Shares in each Fund as more fully described in the currently effective Prospectus.
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“Fee Schedule” means the schedule referred to in Section 17 as annexed hereto.
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“Instructions" means any and all instructions (including approvals, consents and notices) received by Citi from, or reasonably believed by Citi to be from, any Authorized Person, including any instructions communicated through any manual or electronic medium or system agreed between the Trust and Citi. Instructions shall include information or directions from the Distributor appointed by the Trust, as described in Section 6 hereof. References to the Trust in this Agreement in regard to any Instruction shall include any Authorized Person.
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“Market Infrastructure” means public utilities, external telecommunications facilities and other common carriers of electronic and other messages, and external postal services. Market infrastructures are not delegates or agents of Citi.
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“Portfolio Components” means the Securities Component together with the Cash Value required for the issuance or redemption, as the case may be, of Shares in Creation Unit aggregations of a Fund.
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“Sub custodian” means those persons utilized by Citi for the safe-keeping, clearance and settlement of Securities.
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“Securities” means any financial asset (other than Cash) from time to time held for the Trust under the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by Citi, Securities shall only consist of those U.S. equity securities eligible for transactions within the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation and that are settled by delivery within The Depository Trust Company.
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“Securities Component” means the Securities required delivered by or returned to an Authorized Participant in connection with the issuance or redemption, as the case may be, of Shares in Creation Unit aggregations of a Fund.
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2.
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APPOINTMENT AS CUSTODIAN AND AGENT; ESTABLISHMENT OF ACCOUNTS
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(D)
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Payments and Deliveries. The location of Citi is the sole place of payment of any obligation under this Agreement. Citi is only obligated to make payment in respect of the Cash Account in the currency in which that Cash Account is denominated.
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3.
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CUSTODY ACCOUNT PROCEDURES
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(A)
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Designation of Custody Account. The Custody Account will be in the name of the applicable Fund or such other name as the Trust may reasonably designate.
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(B)
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Credits to the Custody Account. Citi is not obligated to credit Securities to the Custody Account or otherwise as required in connection with services under this Agreement before receipt of such Securities by final settlement as determined in accordance with the regulations of the relevant market. If Citi makes a credit before such receipt, Citi may at any time reverse all or part of the credit and make an appropriate entry to the Custody Account or its other applicable records.
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(C)
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Debits to the Custody Account. If Citi has received Instructions that would result in the delivery of Securities exceeding credits to the Custody Account for that Security, Citi may reject the Instructions or may decide which deliveries it will make as required by market authorities or practices.
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(D)
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Segregation.
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(i)
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Citi will identify on its records that that Shares and Securities do not belong to Citi and are segregated from Citi’s assets.
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(ii)
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Citi will hold Securities with a Sub custodian only in an account that holds exclusively assets held by Citi for its customers. Citi will direct each Sub custodian to identify on its books that Securities are held for the account of Citi as custodian for its customers. Citi will direct each Sub custodian to hold Securities in a Clearance System only in an account of the Sub custodian which holds exclusively assets held by the Sub custodian for its customers.
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(iii)
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Any Securities deposited by Citi with a Sub custodian will be subject only to the instructions of Citi, and any Securities held in a Clearance System for the account of a Sub custodian will be subject only to the instructions of the Sub custodian. Any Securities held directly by Citi in any Clearance System will be held only in an account that holds exclusively assets held by Citi for its customers, to the extent permissible under applicable law and the rules of the Clearance System, and the account will be subject only to the instructions of Citi.
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(iv)
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Citi will require the Sub custodian to agree that Securities will not be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of the Sub custodian.
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(E)
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Denomination of Securities. The Trust will bear the risk and expense associated with investing in Securities denominated in any currency.
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4.
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CASH ACCOUNT PROCEDURES
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5. AGENCY SERVICES: PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
(A)
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Determination of Creation Deposit. Subject to and in accordance with directions and information provided by the Trust’s sponsor (the “Sponsor”) and the Fund’s accountant (the “Fund Accountant”), in each case as identified by the Trust, the Trust’s policies, as adopted from time to time by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”), and procedures set forth in the Prospectus, Citi will determine for each Fund after the end of each trading day on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) the following information required for the issuance or redemption, as the case may be, of Shares in Creation Unit aggregations of a Fund on such date:
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(i)
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The identity and weighting of the Portfolio Components of a Creation Unit of such Fund for purposes of purchases in-kind and redemptions in-kind for standard and custom Creation Units. Identity and weighting of Portfolio Components for non-standard and negotiated Creation Units will be provided by the Sponsor by agreed upon deadlines.
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(ii)
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Determine Cash Values as instructed.
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(B)
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Movements of Portfolio Components. In connection with purchases of Creation Units, Citi will monitor the receipt of the underlying Portfolio Components or the receipt of Cash as collateral in lieu of Securities pursuant to Instructions in accordance with Section 6 below, and will cause the delivery of Shares only upon confirmation that such Securities and/or Cash have settled in the applicable Custody Account or Cash Account. The settlement of Shares shall be aligned with the settlement of the underlying Portfolio Components.
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6. AGENCY SERVICES: CREATION UNITS, SALES AND REDEMPTIONS
(A)
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Sale of Shares. Citi will deposit into the Custody Account or Cash Account of the appropriate Fund, such payments (consisting of Securities and Cash, including Cash collateral) as are received from each Authorized Participant for purchase of Shares in Creation Units thereof issued or sold from time to time by a Fund. The Trust’s distributor (“Distributor”) shall be the Trust’s Authorized Person for advising Citi each day as to the Creation Units purchased by an Authorized Participant. Citi will provide timely notification to the Sponsor
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(B)
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Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares. From Securities and Cash held for a Fund as may be available for the purpose, Citi will deliver Portfolio Components, as required, for payment to Authorized Participants who have delivered to the Distributor proper instructions for the redemption or repurchase of Shares in Creation Unit aggregations, which will have been accepted by the Distributor. The Distributor shall advise Citi each day as to the repurchase of Shares in Creation Units. Citi will transfer the applicable Portfolio Components to the Authorized Participant and instruct the Transfer Agent as to the cancellation of the corresponding Shares in Creation Units of the applicable Fund. Any cash redemption payment (less any applicable redemption transaction fee) due to the Authorized Participant on redemption will be effected through the NSCC, the DTC or through wire transfer (in the case of redemptions effected outside of the NSCC or the DTC).
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(C)
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Acceptance of Collateral in Lieu of Portfolio Components or Shares. Citi shall accept Cash collateral in lieu of (i) any Securities required to be delivered by an Authorized Participant in connection with a sale of Shares pursuant to Section 6(A) of this Agreement or (ii) Shares in Creation Units required to be delivered by an Authorized Participant in connection with a repurchase or redemption of any such Creation Unit pursuant to Section 6(B) of this Agreement. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that if a Fund participates the in Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (“CNS”) then Citi shall have no responsibility for (i) calculating the amount of Cash collateral required to be delivered by any Authorized Participant or (ii) contacting such Authorized Participant to request the posting of any Cash collateral; and to the extent Cash as collateral is required, such collateral shall be delivered by the Authorized Participant to Citi as a CNS money movement.
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(D)
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Calculation of Collateral Amount. If a Fund participates in CNS (a “CNS Fund”), then the amount of Cash collateral, if any, required to be posted by each Authorized Participant with respect to such Fund (the “Required Collateral Amount”) shall be determined solely by NSCC. For each Fund that does not participate in CNS (each a “Non-CNS Fund”), on a daily basis, Citi will (i) calculate the amount of Cash as collateral, if any, required to be delivered by each Authorized Participant and (ii) contact each Authorized Participant, as applicable, and request the Authorized Participant post collateral equal to the Required Collateral Amount (defined below). All fund transfers shall be made by Fed wire. The Required Collateral Amount varies based on the portion of Securities or Shares delivered to an Account by the Authorized Participant in connection with its purchase or redemption of Shares, as applicable, as of the relevant calculation date. The shortfall between the value of Securities delivered to the applicable Account and the value of the Securities Component of a Creation Unit (the “Total Basket Value”) is referred to as the “Deficiency Amount”.
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(E)
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Collateral Calls; Return of Collateral; Buy-Ins.
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7.
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INSTRUCTIONS
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(A)
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Instructions may be transmitted through any electronic medium or system or manually as agreed between the Trust and Citi.
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(B)
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The Trust and Citi will comply with applicable security procedures designed to verify the origination of Instructions (the “Procedures”). Citi’s sole obligation will be to comply with what is contained in the Procedures to establish the identity or authority of any Authorized Person to send any Instruction. Citi is not
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responsible for errors or omissions made by the Trust or resulting from fraud or the duplication of any Instruction by the Trust, and Citi may act on any Instruction by reference to an account number only, even if any account name is provided. Citi may act on an Instruction if it reasonably believes it contains sufficient information.
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(C)
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Citi may decide not to act on an Instruction where it reasonably doubts its contents, authorization, origination or compliance with any Procedures and will promptly notify the Trust of its decision.
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(D)
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If Citi acts on any Instruction requiring manual processing (including facsimile or telephone), and, if Citi complies with the Procedures, then the Trust will be responsible for any loss or damage suffered by the Trust or Citi in connection with that Instruction. The Trust expressly acknowledges that the Trust is aware that the use of manual forms of communication to convey Instructions increases the risk of error, security and privacy issues and fraudulent activities.
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(E)
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Citi may rely on the authority of each Authorized Person until Citi has received notice acceptable to it of any change from the Trust or any other Authorized Person and Citi has had a reasonable time to act (after which time it may rely on the change).
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(F)
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Citi is obligated to act on Instructions only to the extent they are received prior to applicable cut-off times on banking days when Citi and the applicable financial markets are open for business. Instructions are to be given in the English language unless Citi otherwise specifies or English is not appropriate in regard to any agreed electronic method for sending Instructions.
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(G)
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In some securities markets, securities deliveries and payments therefore may not be or are not customarily made simultaneously. Accordingly, notwithstanding the Trust’s Instruction to deliver Securities against payment or to pay for Securities against delivery, Citi may make or accept payment for or delivery of securities at such time and in such form and manner as is in accordance with relevant local law and practice or with the customs prevailing in the relevant market.
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8.
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PERFORMANCE BY CITI
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(A)
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Custodial Duties Requiring Instructions. Citi will carry out the following actions only upon receipt of Instructions:
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(i)
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make payment for and/or receive any Shares or Securities or deliver or dispose of any Shares or Securities, except as otherwise specifically provided for in this Agreement;
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(ii)
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deal with rights, conversions, options, warrants and other similar interests or any other discretionary right in connection with Securities; and
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(B)
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Non-Discretionary Custodial Duties. Absent a contrary Instruction, Citi is authorized to carry out non-discretionary matters in connection with anything provided in this Agreement or any Instruction. Without limiting the authority of Citi with regard to non-discretionary matters, without further Instructions, Citi will:
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(i)
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in the Trust’s name or on its behalf, sign any documents relating to Shares or Securities which may be required (i) pursuant to an Instruction to obtain any Shares, Securities or Cash or (ii) by any tax or regulatory authority;
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(ii)
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receive and/or credit income, payments and distributions in respect of Shares or Securities;
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(iii)
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exchange interim or temporary receipts for definitive certificates, and old or overstamped certificates for new certificates; and
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9.
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CORPORATE ACTIONS.
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10.
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COMMUNICATIONS, RECORDS AND ACCESS
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(E)
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Records. The Trust shall furnish or cause to be furnished accurate and timely information needed by Citi to complete its records and to perform its services under this Agreement when such information is not readily available from its own records or accounts or when such information is not readily available from generally accepted securities industry services or publications. Citi may rely conclusively on the completeness and correctness of such accounts, information and records. Citi shall have no responsibility for any information furnished by the Transfer Agent, the Sponsor, the Distributor or the Trust as required in connection with the performance of Citi’s services as described in Sections 5 and 6 of this Agreement.
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Citi acknowledges that all of the accounts and records maintained by Citi pursuant hereto are the property of the Trust.
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11. TAX STATUS/WITHHOLDING TAXES
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(A)
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Information. The Trust will provide Citi, from time to time and in a timely manner, with information and proof (copies or originals) as Citi reasonably requests, as to the Trust’s and/or the underlying beneficial owner’s tax status or residence. Information and proof may include, as appropriate, executing certificates, making representations and warranties, or providing other information or documents in respect of Securities, as Citi deems necessary or proper to fulfill obligations under applicable law.
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12.
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LIEN AND SET OFF
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13.
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USE OF THIRD PARTIES
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14.
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SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY
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(A)
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Standard of Care. Citi will perform its obligations with reasonable care as determined in accordance with the standards and practices of professional custodians or agency services providers for hire in the market or jurisdiction in which Citi performs services under this Agreement. Citi will cause each Sub custodian and Administrative Support Provider to perform with reasonable care as determined in accordance with the standards and practices of professional custodians or similar services provides, as applicable, in the market or
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(B)
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Responsibility for Losses.
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(C)
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Limitations on Citi’s Responsibility.
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15.
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INDEMNITY
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16.
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MUTUAL EXCLUSION OF CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
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17.
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FEES AND EXPENSES
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18.
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CITIGROUP ORGANIZATION INVOLVEMENT
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19.
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INFORMATION AND DATA PROTECTION
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Citi will treat information related to the Trust as confidential but, unless prohibited by law, the Trust, on behalf of itself and on behalf of its employees, contractors and customers, authorizes the transfer or disclosure of any information relating to the Trust to and between the branches, subsidiaries, representative offices, affiliates and agents of Citi and third parties selected by any of them, wherever situated, for confidential use in connection with the provision of services to the Trust (including for data processing, statistical and risk analysis purposes), and further acknowledges that any such branch, subsidiary, representative office, affiliate, agent or third party may transfer or disclose any such information as required by any law, court, regulator or legal process.
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The Trust will treat the terms of this Agreement, including any Fee Schedule, as confidential to the extent permitted by applicable law.
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Without the written approval of Citi, the Trust will not use the name, trade xxxx or service xxxx of Citi or describe the services contemplated under or the terms or conditions of this Agreement in any communication or document intended for distribution to any customer or investor in connection with the offering or sale by the Trust of Shares, products or services (an “Offering Document”); nor will the Trust amend any such references to Citi or the terms or conditions of this Agreement in any Offering Document that has been previously approved by Citi without Citi’s written approval. Citi will not unreasonably withhold, condition or delay any of the foregoing requested approvals, provided that the Trust include, upon request by Citi, reasonable notices describing those terms of this Agreement relating to Citi and its liability and the limitations thereon. To the extent Citi distributes notices or statements to customers, Citi may, upon advance notice to the Trust, include reasonable notices describing those terms of this Agreement relating to Citi and its liability and the limitations thereon; if customer notices are not sent by Citi but rather by the Trust or some other person, the Trust will reasonably cooperate with any request by Citi to include such notices. The Trust shall not, in any communications with customers, whether oral or written, make any representations to its customers stating or implying that Citi is providing valuations with respect to Shares, Securities, products or services, verifying any valuations, or verifying the existence of any assets in connection with Shares, Securities, products or services.
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20.
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ADVERTISING
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21.
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REPRESENTATIONS
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(A)
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General. The Trust and Citi each represents at the date this Agreement is entered into and any custodial service is used or provided that:
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(i)
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It is duly organized and in good standing in every jurisdiction where it is required so to be;
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(ii)
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It has the power and authority to sign and to perform its obligations under this Agreement;
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(iii)
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This Agreement is duly Authorized and signed and is its legal, valid and binding obligation;
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(iv)
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Any consent, authorization or instruction required in connection with its execution and performance of this Agreement has been provided by any relevant third party;
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(v)
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Any act required by any relevant governmental or other authority to be done in connection with its execution and performance of this Agreement has been or will be done (and will be renewed if necessary); and
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(B)
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Trust. The Trust also represents at the date this Agreement is entered into and any custodial service is used or provided that:
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(i)
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It has authority to deposit the Securities received in the Custody Account and the Cash in the Cash Account and there is no claim or encumbrance that adversely affects any delivery of Securities or payment of Cash made in accordance with this Agreement;
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(ii)
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Where it acts as an agent on behalf of any of its own customers, whether or not expressly identified to Citi from time to time, any such customers will not be customers or indirect customers of Citi; and
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(iii)
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It has not relied on any oral or written representation made by Citi or any person on its behalf.
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(v)
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It is duly authorized to issue the Shares.
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22.
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REPRESENTATIVE CAPACITY
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23.
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TERMINATION
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(C)
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Effect on Property. Citi will deliver Shares, Securities and Cash as Instructed by the Trust. If by the termination date the Trust has not given Instructions to deliver any Shares, Securities or Cash, Citi will
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24.
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GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
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(A)
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(B)
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Jurisdiction. The federal and State courts located in New York Country in the State of New York will have non-exclusive jurisdiction to hear any disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, and the parties irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of such courts.
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25.
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MISCELLANEOUS
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(A)
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Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement consists exclusively of this document together with any schedules. Citi may notify the Trust of terms which are applicable to the provision of services in the location of a particular office and such terms will be contained in a schedule and will supplement this Agreement in relation to that office. In case of inconsistency with the rest of this Agreement, such terms will prevail in relation to that office.
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Except as specified in this Agreement, this Agreement may only be modified by written agreement of the Trust and Citi.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.
CITIBANK, N.A. HORIZON ETF TRUST
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxx
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Name: Xxxxxx Xxxx
Title: Vice President Title: Trustee
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