Legal
General Terms & Conditions
In this Agreement, “I”, “me”, “my”, “you” and “your” means the undersigned individual, corporation, partnership or association and such Person’s successors and permitted assigns.
1. Purpose and Scope
1.2 The General Terms & Conditions shall be without prejudice to any other agreements between the Bank and the Client, as well as, for purposes of executing any and all transactions, to the regulations and practices of the relevant stock exchanges, markets and clearinghouses, and to the laws and regulations which apply in the countries where the transactions are carried out.
2. Definitions and Interpretation
2.1.1 Account means any bank account now or hereafter existing (including any subaccount or such bank account or investment account) as may be set out in the Client Investment Account Opening Form and Agreement between the Client and the Bank, into which these Terms are incorporated by reference, as amended from time to time.
2.1.2 Additional Terms means any specific terms and conditions, agreement, contract between the Bank and the Client in respect of particular services, transactions or business the Bank may provide to, carry out for or engage with the Client. The terms and conditions applicable to each account are defined by the document relating to the opening of the account, these Terms and any Additional Terms, as appropriate.
2.1.3 Agreement means, unless otherwise stated, collectively these Terms, including the Account Opening Form and Agreement between the Client and the Bank, the Fee Schedule and all supplements, appendices, other schedules and forms and other written documents or agreements between the Client and Bank or otherwise referred to in any of these documents, as all may be amended from time to time, and as they apply to Client and any instructions given under any of the Agreements.
2.1.4 Assets means the cash, securities or other assets held in the Account from time to time.
2.1.5 Client means each person described as the client in the Agreement, into which these Terms are incorporated by reference, and also includes each person that has applied for, subscribed to, enrolled in or uses the Services.
2.1.6 Discretionary Investment Management Services means the provision by the Bank of the service of managing the investment of the Assets in the Account on a discretionary basis for the account of the Client.
2.1.7 Electronic Channels Services means the provision of E-banking, Client File Exchange and Client Real Time Connectivity Services upon application and approval by the Bank for access and use of the same, each as defined in the Electronic Channels Services Agreement.
2.1.8 Execution Services means the provision by the Bank of the service of executing transactions in respect of the Account in accordance with instructions received by the Bank from the Client from time to time.
2.1.9 General Investment Experience means the general investment experience of the Client stipulated by the Client in the Agreement.
2.1.10 Investment Advisory Services means, the provision by the Bank of investment advisory services to the Client in respect of the Account comprising reviewing the Account periodically, supervising the portfolio of Assets throughout the year, making recommendations and advising the Client generally as to the investment of the Assets in the Account, including, as to the purchase, sale, retention, exchange, conversion of or dealing in investments or other assets, the exercise or non-exercise of rights in respect of investments and on the merits of investment opportunities.
2.1.11 Investment Services means Execution Services, Advisory Services or Discretionary Investment Management Services, as the case may be, requested by the Client and provided by the Bank to the Client in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and these Terms.
2.1.12 Investment Objectives and Restrictions means the investment objectives and restrictions of the Client in respect of the Account specified by the Client in the Agreement.
2.1.13 Risk Tolerance means the risk tolerance of the Client in respect of the Account stipulated by the Client in the Agreement.
2.1.14 Services mean any banking, investment or financial product or other service provided by the Bank to Client from time to time as indicated in the Account Opening Form and Agreement, or as otherwise agreed between the Client and Bank from time to time, including but not limited to Execution Services and Investment Services.
2.1 Headings in these Terms are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of these Terms.
2.2 All references in these Terms to the singular shall be deemed to be to the plural unless the context otherwise indicates.
2.3 Words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter and vice versa.
3 Investment Services
3.2 In providing the Investment Services, the Bank shall have regard to the Investment Objectives and Restrictions, the Risk Tolerance, the General Investment Experience of the Client and any other matters stipulated by the Client in the Investment Information portion of the Agreement.
3.3 Further, in providing Investment Services through the Bank’s Electronic Channels Services to the Client, the Bank shall have regard to the Electronic Channels Services Agreement which is supplementary to these Terms. If any clause contained within the Electronic Channels Services Agreement is found to be contrary to these General Terms and Conditions, these Terms will take precedence.
3.4 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, where Execution Services are provided by the Bank to the Client, it is understood and agreed that (i) the Bank shall not have any discretion to place or execute transactions in respect of the Account, (ii) transactions will only be executed by the Bank in respect of the Account upon receipt of the Client’s instruction, (iii) all investment decisions regarding the Account and the Assets shall be made by the Client and (iv) save as otherwise provided in clause 3.2 or required by the laws of The Bahamas, the Bank shall have no further responsibility in respect of the Account.
3.5 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, where Discretionary Investment Management Services are provided by the Bank to the Client, subject to the provisions of clause 3.2 hereof, the Bank shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by the Client, have complete discretion for the account of the Client (and without prior reference to the Client) to purchase, sell, retain, exchange, convert or otherwise deal in investments or other assets, exercise or determine not to exercise rights in respect thereof, make deposits, subscribe to issues and offers for sale of any investments, advise on, execute and/or effect transactions on any markets, take all day-to-day decisions and otherwise act as the Bank in its sole discretion determines to be appropriate in relation to the management of the Assets in the Account.
3.6 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, where Investment Advisory Services are provided by the Bank to the Client, (i) transactions will only be executed by the Bank in respect of the Account upon receipt of the Client’s instructions and (ii) subject to receipt of such instructions from the Client and the provisions of clause 3.2 hereof, the Bank shall have complete authority for the account of the Client to purchase, sell, retain, exchange, convert or otherwise deal in investments and other assets, exercise rights in respect thereof, make deposits, subscribe to issues and offers for sale of any investments, advise on, execute and/or effect transactions on any markets, take all day-to-day decisions and otherwise effect transactions on the Client’s behalf as and in such manner as the Bank in its sole discretion determines to be appropriate to give effect to the Client’s instructions.
3.7 Subject as provided in clauses 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6 hereof and specified by the Client in the Agreement, there are no restrictions on the types of securities, investment or other assets which may be recommended to the Client or acquired for the Account, the type of transactions which may be recommended to the Client, acquired for the Account or carried out in respect of any security or securities, investment(s) or assets, the amount of any one type of investment or asset which may be acquired for the Account, the proportion of the Assets in the Account which any one or type of investment or Asset may constitute or the markets or exchanges on or through which transactions may be executed or effected.
3.8 If restrictions on the investment of the Assets in the Account are specified by the Client in the Agreement, such restrictions shall be deemed not to be breached by subsequent variations in the value or price of any investment(s) or other Asset(s) in the Account.
3.9 The Bank will be responsible for the performance only of such duties as are set forth in the Agreement and these Terms and shall use the same care with respect to the safekeeping of the Assets in the Account as the Bank uses in respect of its own or similar property PROVIDED THAT the Bank need not maintain any insurance for its benefit. All collections or funds or other property paid in respect of Assets in the Account shall be made at the sole risk of the Client.
3.10 In principle, the Bank shall act only as an agent for all buy and sell orders, irrespective of whether or not they concern assets incorporated in securities. As such, it shall act in its own name but for the Client’s account and risk. In the case of some specific investments, the Bank reserves the right to act in the Client’s name with the Client’s consent. Also, in some cases, the Bank may act as the Client’s direct counterparty provided that its doing so is not detrimental to the Client.
3.11 If the total amount of orders is in excess of available balances or of outstanding loans extended to the Client, the Bank shall, at its discretion, decide which orders shall be executed in whole or in part, irrespective of the dates on which the orders were given to and received by the Bank. The Bank shall also be authorized to offset any debit balances with the amounts available in other currencies or in other accounts of the Client.
3.12 The Bank shall, at its sole discretion, be entitled to cancel revocable or open orders which have not been executed before the end of the third month following the date of their receipt by the Bank.
4 Custody Services
4.2 Any Assets in the Account will be held separate and apart from the Bank’s own property in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Industry Act, 2011 (as amended or replaced from time to time.
4.3 The Client hereby authorizes the Bank (i) to hold any cash in the Account, from time to time, in its capacity as banker and (ii) to utilize such cash in the ordinary course of its business, including without limitation, lending. The Assets received by the Bank from or for the Client will, in the absence of other instructions, be held by the Bank for the Client. The Bank is hereby authorized and directed to act as agent on Client’s behalf.
4.4 Uninvested cash balances in the Account will be automatically swept by the Bank into money market investment funds, interest-bearing deposit accounts or other such sweep arrangements (individually and collectively “Cash Sweep Vehicles”) selected by the Client at the time the Account is established, until these balances are invested by or on behalf of the Client to an available Cash Sweep Vehicle or otherwise needed to satisfy obligations arising in connection with the Account.
4.5 If a Cash Sweep Vehicle was not selected at the time the Account is established, the Bank will automatically transfer any cash balances to an available Cash Sweep Vehicle selected by the Bank. If the Client wishes to specify a different Cash Sweep Vehicle, the Client may do so at any time by contacting the Bank to confirm their selection.
4.6 Unregistered or other non-registered securities and Assets may not always be held by the Bank directly or in its physical possession but may be held by one or more third parties, including without limitation, clearing systems, sub-custodians and overseas agents directly or indirectly and may be for its or their account.
4.7 The Bank may transfer the Assets subject to this Agreement into the name of its nominee or into the name of a nominee appointed by the Bank and all such nominees and the Bank will be indemnified and held harmless by the Client from any liability as a holder of record.
4.8 Securities and other Assets in the Account registered or recorded in the name of a nominee may be pooled with those of one or more of the Bank’s other clients. Accordingly, the client’s individual entitlements may not be identifiable by separate certificates, physical documents or entries on the register or equivalent electronic records. If there is an irreconcilable shortfall following any default or failure by the custodian responsible for pooled Assets, the Client may not receive the Client’s full entitlement and may share in the shortfall pro rata to the Client’s original share of the Assets in the pool.
4.9 The Bank may, in its discretion and without being obliged to give any prior notification to the Client, use one or more sub-custodians to hold Assets and may delegate the provision of any custody service to any such sub-custodian. A sub-custodian may be another company in the group of companies to which the Bank belongs.
4.10 The appointment of a sub-custodian may be on such terms as the Bank may determine.
4.11 If a sub-custodian fails to account to the Bank for any Assets for any reason or otherwise fails to deliver up any Assets for the proceeds or sale thereof, or otherwise to perform its obligation, the Bank shall, in the absence of its own gross negligence or fraud have no liability arising out of the actions, omissions or default of any sub-custodian.
4.12 The Bank will collect any dividends, interest, payments or other entitlements to which the Client may be entitled in respect of securities held in the Account and of which the Bank is notified and will remit to the Client such dividends or interest as soon as possible after deduction of any taxes or duties payable, if any, or credit them to the Account.
4.13 Voting and voluntary rights and entitlements pertaining to the Assets will be dealt with by the Bank in accordance with its powers and authorities under these Terms.
4.14 Where the Client has a right to the return of any securities or other Assets, the Bank shall not be obliged to return the original securities or other Assets delivered to the Bank but merely to redeliver securities or other assets of the same type and nominal value and in the case of securities, of the same issuer.
4.15 In no event will the Bank be liable to Client as an investor of any investor fund for any losses, claims, actions, proceedings, costs, expenses (including but not limited to legal fees), damages, whether direct, indirect, incidental, punitive or consequential which Client as investor of a fund may suffer or incur as a result of the relationship otherwise than as a result of fraud or dishonesty.
5 Safeguarding Assets on Account
6 Voting
6.2 For Execution Services clients, the Bank shall not vote the shares of companies at their annual or special shareholders’ meetings, either directly or through a proxy designated by it, unless the Client has authorized the Bank to do so in the Investment Account Form executed by the Client.
7 Statements of Account and Contract Notes
7.2 If requested by the Client in the Agreement, the Bank shall transmit a copy of its contract note in respect of each sale or purchase of securities effected by the Bank in respect of the Account.
7.3 The reference currency of the Account in which the Account statements shall be reported and calculated is the currency stipulated in the Agreement.
7.4 Statements of account and statements of Client assets held by the Bank are normally dated as of the end of every calendar month. As transactions involving the crediting or debiting of an account are booked, the respective claims of the Client and the Bank are automatically offset. Consequently, the Client may not claim any refunds in excess of the net credit balance of the account booked at a given time.
7.5 All amounts received or transfers executed by the Bank shall be credited, or debited up to the amount of the available balance or of an outstanding loan, in the relevant currency or, failing an account in such currency, in the Client’s reference currency, unless the Bank is instructed otherwise. The same shall apply to securities income and redemptions. Charges shall be debited in the reference currency, unless the Client has instructed otherwise.
7.6 The equivalent value of the Client’s assets in foreign currencies shall be deposited with the Bank’s correspondents, either within or outside the respective currency area, in the Bank’s name but at the Client’s risk. Such assets shall be subject to local taxes, restrictions and other requirements. Such assets may be recovered through sales, transfers or deliveries of checks drawn on the respective countries, or by any other means which may be required by the circumstances.
7.7 If the Client’s account is credited with an amount on the basis of a money order, transfer advice or any other transaction for which the Bank is not required to credit the amount to the Client before having received the amount concerned, the credit advice or statement of account sent to the Client shall, even if not so specified, be considered to have been issued “subject to collection”, i.e. provided that the amount accruing to the Bank has in fact been transferred to it via a credit entry in the Bank’s account with one of its correspondents, or in any other way.
8 Security prices and other information
9 Disclosure of certain risks
9.2 The value of the Assets and the income derived from them can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed.
10 Potential conflicts of interest
10.2 In managing the Client’s assets, and in placing and executing orders for that purpose, the Bank shall be authorized by the Client to receive rebates, commissions or other fees from third parties, and the Client agrees that such compensation shall accrue to the Bank. In addition, the Client authorizes the Bank to pay rebates or other fees to third parties.
10.3 The Bank may, without prior reference to the Client, recommend and/or effect transactions in which, or provide services in circumstances where, the Bank has, directly or indirectly, a material interest or a relationship of any description with another party which may involve a potential conflict with the Bank’s duty to the Client. If the Bank has a material interest in a transaction to be entered for the Client in respect of the Account, or a relationship which gives rise to a conflict of interest in relation to the transaction, the Bank shall not knowingly either advise, or exercise discretion, in relation to that transaction unless the Bank has (i) fairly disclosed that material interest or relationship to the Client and (ii) taken reasonable steps to ensure that neither the material interest nor relationship adversely affect the interests of the Client.
11 Fees, Charges, Commissions and Reversals
11.1 In consideration of the performance of its functions hereunder, the Client agrees to pay all fees and charges relating to the Account, its management and/or the Services received from the Bank in accordance with the Bank’s fee schedule as amended from time to time or as otherwise agreed between the Bank and the Client in writing. The Bank shall be entitled to charge a fee the administration of inactive accounts or unclaimed balances and to receive additional compensation from the Client for any extraordinary services requested or required by the Client.
11.2 The Client authorizes the Bank to debit from the Account: (i) all fees and expenses incurred by the Bank in connection with the operation of the Account and the Services, or which the Bank may incur, or have incurred, and/or any amount corresponding to a loss that the Bank may incur, or have incurred, as a result of activities on the Client’s behalf and (ii) any other sum due the Bank or any other person in respect of commissions, fees, expenses, interest, taxes or otherwise pursuant to the Agreement and these Terms. The Bank is hereby given authority in its capacity as custodian to make payment of all invoices and other requests for payment in respect thereof.
11.3 The Client is responsible for and shall indemnify the Bank against all commissions, transfer and registration fees, expenses, claims, taxes, stamp duties and all other liabilities, including without limitation, legal fees, costs and other expenses payable or incurred by the Bank in connection with any transaction entered into on behalf of the Client or as otherwise provided under these Terms.
11.4 The Bank is authorized to realize on behalf of the Client investments and other Assets comprised in the Account in order to meet any obligation of the kind referred to in clause 11.3 above.
11.5 The Bank is permitted to enter into arrangements relating to the execution of transactions on behalf of the Client whereby it receives goods or services related to the execution of trades or the provision of research.
11.6 In the absence of any legal and/or regulatory provision to the contrary, within the framework of providing certain services, the Bank will receive and shall be entitled to retain any commissions, profits, retrocessions, brokerage discounts, rebates or remuneration (“Remuneration”) made or received by or allowed to be received by the Bank from third parties The Bank shall not be liable to account to the Client and Client hereby waives any claim over Remuneration and/or other payments from third parties which may be received by the Bank.
11.7 The Bank shall be authorized to debit the Account or reverse any sum credited to Client’s Account: (i) the amount Client directs the Bank to pay in any instruction; (ii) any amount of any instruction paid or credited to the Account and for which the Bank does not receive settlement for any reason (including insufficient or uncleared funds, irregular signature, fraud, loss or error) together with all related costs; (iii) the amount of any debt, liability or obligation owed to the Bank and (iv) if an incorrect amount is paid to or from the Account, or if a payment to the Account is recalled by the paying financial institution or is returned by the Bank (for example, due to mistake, fraud or any payment rules). The Bank will provide Client with notice of any adjustment made to the Account in such circumstances.
11.8 If in the Bank’s sole discretion, it is deemed advisable, the Bank may seek the advice or assistance of counsel in respect of any rights, duties, obligations or claims of the Bank and of the Client’s interests, the Account or claims with respect thereto by Client or others, and on such advice may initiate or defend or participate in any action or other legal proceeding at Client’s expense. The Bank may debit the cost for legal advice and assistance as described, whether or not any action or proceeding is initiated, or defend against the Account and shall be entitled to reimbursement therefrom. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Bank shall be under no obligation to take advice or to institute, defend or engage in any action or legal proceeding in connection with the Account. If the Bank considers it is or may become subject to conflicting claims in respect of the Account or the Assets, the Bank may in its absolute discretion take such steps as deemed necessary (including application to the courts in any jurisdiction by way of interpleader or analogous process) to safeguard the Bank’s interest and shall not in any event be liable for complying with any order of any court in The Bahamas or elsewhere. The Bank shall be entitled, without liability to Client, pending determination of any such conflicting claim, to refuse to pay or deliver to Client the Assets, any cash or other assets in the Bank’s possession or control which are the subject of such conflicting claims.
11.9 The provisions of this clause 11 shall survive the termination of the Agreement and these Terms.
12 Charge
12.1.1 (i) all sums standing to the credit of any accounts (the “Deposit”, which expression includes all other sums from time to time standing to the credit of the Client either individually or jointly with any other person on any account with the Bank) in any currency and whether in addition to or by way of renewal of or replacement for any sums previously deposited with the Bank by the Client or otherwise together, in each case, with any interest from time to time in respect thereof to the intent that such charge shall operate as a release in the Bank’s favor of the Bank’s debt to the Client represented by the Deposit; and
12.1.2 (ii) all moneys, assets, shares and other securities, collateral and all benefits, rights and entitlements therefrom as a continuing security for the payment and discharge to the Bank on demand of all moneys and the satisfaction of all liabilities, present or future, actual or contingent (including liabilities as surety or guarantee) for which the Client may be or become liable to the Bank on any account or in any manner whatsoever and whether alone or jointly with any other persons and whether as principal or surety, together with all interest, commissions, fees, charges, costs and expenses incurred by the Bank in relation to the Client of the property hereby charged and which the Bank may incur in enforcing its charge or in obtaining payment from the Client or in attempting to do so.
13 Security
13.1.1 any mandate which but for the charge in favour of the Bank would govern the operation of the Deposit shall be suspended,
13.1.2 notwithstanding the foregoing the Bank may at any time in its discretion be entitled (but not bound) to accept any request from the Client given in conformity with any suspended mandate with regard to the Deposit or any moneys, assets or collateral (including withdrawal of moneys and payment of interest) but in acting upon any such request the Bank shall be deemed not to have released its charge or otherwise waived its rights,
13.1.3 no liability whatsoever shall attach to the Bank in acting or refusing or neglecting to act on any request from the Client,
13.1.4 if the Deposit shall be held at any time on an interest-bearing account, it shall at expiry be redeposited upon such terms as may be agreed with the Client or, failing agreement, upon such terms as the Bank shall determine in its discretion, and
13.1.5 the Client will, upon the Bank’s request, execute and sign all such transfers, powers of attorney or other documents as the Bank may require to effect the registration of the assets and/or collateral in the name of the Bank or its nominee or a purchaser or a transferee.
14 Lien and Right of Set-Off
14.1.1 the Bank shall have a lien,on all monies securities, precious metals, holdings, claims or other assets and valuables which are held, managed or booked by the Bank for the Client’s account, either directly or through correspondents retained by the Bank. If the Bank judges that the value of the assets subject to the said lien is insufficient to secure a claim, it shall be entitled to require the Client to add to the aggregate of the moneys, assets or additional collateral held by the Bank for the Client within a specified period of time. If the Client fails to do so, the Bank’s claim shall become immediately payable and the Bank shall be entitled, without further notice to treat all such moneys, assets and or collateral under the charge mentioned above and to sell all or part of the cash, assets or collateral, up to the amount of its claim plus interest, commissions, expenses and all incidental items, within such period and in such manner and order as it shall see fit, either on an exchange or through private transactions. The Bank may, if appropriate, purchase the pledged assets at their market value as determined by market conditions.
14.1.2 the Bank may set off the Client’s accounts against one another, irrespective of the maturity dates of the assets and/or collateral held in such accounts and whether the accounts are in the same currency or in different currencies.
15 Liability and Indemnity
15.2 The Bank shall not be liable for:
15.2.1 the default of any counterparty, bank, custodian, sub-custodian, nominee or any other entity which holds money, investments or other documents of title on behalf of the Client or with or through whom transactions on behalf of the Client are conducted with respect to the Assets; or
15.2.2 any loss, damage, cost or expense occasioned by delay in the actual receipt of notice by the Bank of any payment, redemption or other transaction regarding Assets in the Account in respect of which the Bank is authorized to take some action;
15.2.3 any failure or delay by any exchange, market or clearing house, or broker or dealer in performing its obligations (including with respect to the delivery or re-delivery of Assets) with respect to any transactions executed for the Account; or
15.2.4 in the event of any errors, omissions or faulty execution on part of a sub-agent, the Bank’s liability shall extend only to the care with which it has selected and instructed them.
15.2.5 any failure to perform its responsibilities under the Agreement or these Terms if such performance would result in a breach of any applicable laws, regulations, guidelines, policies or the Bank’s policies and code of conduct.
15.2.6 any loss, damage, cost or expense occasioned by the inadequacy, inauthenticity, inaccuracy of, or delay in receipt of, instructions sent by the Client and received by the Bank via instant messaging communications or video communications over a digital network including without limitation, Short Messaging Service (“SMS”) i.e. texting, WhatsApp, Telegrams, Signal, Zoom, Microsoft Teams and electronic mail (i.e. e-mail) or by such other medium (“Electronic Communications”) or, including through the Bank’s Electronic Channels Services. The Client shall have sole responsibility with respect to the risks associated with the use of instant messaging or video communications including the abuse of Client’s name, signature or account number by an unauthorized third party or undetected transmission errors, misunderstanding, hacking or fraud and the Bank will not be liable in any way.
15.3 The Bank shall not be liable for any error of judgment or any loss, charge, cost or expense suffered by the Client in connection with the Investment Services provided to the Client in accordance with these Terms and the Agreement (including, without limitation, any loss which may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any investments or other Assets in connection with such Investment Services, any loss to the Assets due to any failure, depreciation or loss of any investment or any loss or decrease in value of any funds in any currency placed with a recognized banking institution whether by way of time deposit or otherwise and whether placed in the name of the Client or in the name of the Bank) unless such loss, charge, cost or expense arises from the gross negligence or fraud of the Bank.
15.4 The Bank shall have no liability for, and may delay or refuse to process or proceed with processing any instruction or payment if: (i) such delay or refusal is a consequence of checks carried out as part of the proper operation of the Bank’s administrative or payment processing systems and (ii) in its reasonable opinion it is prudent to do so in the interests of crime prevention or in compliance with laws including sanctions laws or regulations, court orders or regulatory directives.
15.5 If the Client gives specific instructions to the Bank in respect of the Account or the Assets, the Client shall assume full responsibility for the implications that such instructions may have on the services provided by the Bank in connection with the Assets. The Client shall be solely responsible and the Bank shall not be liable for any damage or other losses which may result from the fact that the Client, any duly authorized attorney of the Client or other third party has become incompetent, unless the Bank has been so informed in writing.
15.6 The Client undertakes to keep the Bank and its agents, delegates, officers, directors, members and employees fully and effectively indemnified against all costs, losses, charges, liabilities, expenses and claims whatsoever incurred by it or them pursuant to or in connection with the Agreement and these Terms unless due to its or their respective gross negligence or fraud.
15.7 The provisions of this clause 15 shall survive the death, incompetence, bankruptcy or insolvency of the Client or its duly authorized representative(s) and the termination of the Agreement and these Terms.
16 Client warranties
16.2 The Client agrees to promptly provide the Bank, with any further information that may be required by any competent authority or that the Bank may require to enable the Bank to fulfill its contractual, legal or regulatory obligations or to comply with the rules and regulations of any relevant jurisdiction, exchange, market or regulatory authority, in each case, applicable from time to time to the Bank, the Client and/or the Assets or to comply with the Bank’s internal policies. Furthermore, the Client hereby authorizes the Bank to obtain independent verification of any information provided by the Client or obtain such further information or make such further enquiries as the Bank may, at its discretion, require.
16.3 The Client acknowledges that the Client is solely responsible for being aware of and observing laws, regulations and rules applicable to the Client’s use of the Investment Services, including those imposed by the Client’s country of residence or domicile.
16.4 The Client undertakes to voluntarily inform the Bank within thirty days of any change in his/her/its situation, in particular a change of tax domicile or nationality. The Client shall be held liable by the Bank for any damages which may result from receiving incorrect information about the Client’s personal or tax status.
16.5 The Client acknowledges and agrees that any breach of the representations and warranties given by the Client under this clause 16 or any breach of the provisions of the Agreement and these Terms may adversely affect the Assets and the Services provided by the Bank under these Terms and the Agreement for which the Bank shall not be liable.
17 Accounts with More than One Accountholder
17.2 Each joint holder is jointly and severally liable to the Bank for the obligations of all and any of the jointholders. 17.3 Unless and until the Bank receives written notice signed by all of the Clients withdrawing or varying the same so as to limit such authority to a specific named individual: (a) each joint holder has full authority on behalf of the joint holders to deal with the Bank as fully and completely as if such joint holder were the sole owner of the account without notice to the other joint holders, (b) any of the joint holders may give the Bank an effective and final discharge in respect of any of their obligations and (c) any notice or communication given to one joint holder shall be deemed to be given to all provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Bank reserves the right in its sole discretion (i) to require joint written instructions from some or all of the joint holders before taking any action hereunder or (ii) if the Bank receives written instructions from a joint holder which in the Bank’s opinion conflict with or are inconsistent with other instructions, advise one or more joint holders of such conflict or inconsistency and/or take no action on any such instructions until the Bank receives further instructions satisfactory to the Bank.
17.4 On the death of any one joint holder, the relationship between the Bank and the surviving joint holder(s) shall not terminate and the terms and conditions hereof shall remain binding on the other joint holder(s) and the Bank may treat such survivor(s) as the only persons party to this agreement with the Bank.
17.5 The liability of a partnership to the Bank shall be the joint and several liabilities of the partners in the partnership and such liability shall not be terminated, prejudiced or affected by the death of any one or more such partners.
18 Use of agents
19 Assignment and third parties
20 Notices, instructions and other communications
20.2 The Client may communicate with the Bank by post, telephone, Electronic Communications or through use of the Bank’s Electronic Channels Services using the appropriate address and other contact details provided by the Bank to the Client from time to time. Communications from the Client to the Bank by post or telephone shall be deemed to have been received upon receipt by the Bank, but where the Client’s communication has been received through Electronic Communications, such communication shall only be deemed to have been received by the Bank when seen and acknowledged by the Bank’s employee to whom such communications were sent.
20.3 The Bank may not be held liable for any delay in reading, or failure to read Electronic Communications, in particular, due to technical protection measures implemented by the Bank and/or verification measures decided upon by the Bank. It will be the Client’s obligation, particularly if the instruction is urgent, for example, by calling the Bank, to confirm that his/their message has been safely received and to check when the requested transaction may be carried out. The Bank does not guarantee that an instruction received by Electronic Communications will be processed immediately, in particular because the recipient of said e-mail may be absent.
20.4 All instructions from the Client to the Bank shall be given either in writing, orally, by telephone, Electronic Communications or by such other medium, including through the Bank’s Electronic Channels, agreed between the Client and the Bank in writing. If the Client wishes the Bank to act on Electronic Communications, telephone or electronic mail instructions, the Client shall complete “Instructions Given by Telephone, Instant Messaging, Video Communications or Electronic Mail” form. If the Client wishes to communicate with the Bank through use of the Bank’s Electronic Channels Services, the Client shall complete “the Electronic Channels Services Agreement”. Where Client gives instructions by Electronic Communications, the Bank shall be entitled to verify the Client’s identity by such means determined by the Bank.
20.5 Where the Client wishes the Bank to act on the instructions of a third party, the Client agrees to execute an “Authorized Signatures and Power of Attorney” form appointing such person.
20.6 Only the powers of attorney and specimen signatures provided to the Bank shall be considered to be valid unless and until it is notified in writing that they have been revoked or changed in any way.
20.7 Any Electronic Communication or other communication that the Bank receives from the Client will be considered duly authorized and binding on Client and the Bank will be authorized to rely and act on any instructions or other communications which purport to have been given (and which are reasonably accepted by the Bank) as being given by the Client or from any person duly authorized to act on behalf of the Client unless the Bank has received written notice to the contrary, whether or not the authority of such authorized representative shall have been terminated. The Client agrees to indemnify and hold the Bank harmless against all payments, claims, losses, demands, proceedings and expenses incurred or suffered by the Bank directly or indirectly by reason of or in connection with the Bank executing and acting upon any instructions from the Client or an authorized representative of the Client prior to receipt by the Bank of notice of the death or incompetency of the Client or its duly authorized representative or of the termination of the authority of the Client’s duly authorized representative (if any).
20.8 Although under no obligation to do so, the Bank reserves the right to require particulars enabling it to verify the identity of the originator of an order or instruction or to require written confirmation of any order or instruction. The Bank may refuse to act on any instruction if the Bank has good reason to believe that the Client or a duly authorized representative of the Client did not give the instruction, the person giving the instruction has not been properly identified, the Account is blocked in accordance with these Terms, there is suspicion of fraud or other unlawful activity, the instruction is not clear or the Bank believes that processing such instruction would be unlawful or cause the Bank to breach any law, regulation or guideline or other duty applicable to the Bank or the Bank’s internal policies. The Bank shall not be liable for refusing to act on any instruction in such circumstances.
20.9 To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Client agrees and consents to the Bank’s monitoring, recording and maintaining records of all telephone conversations and Electronic Communications between its employees and the Client (and Client confirms that Client is authorized to provide consent on behalf of its employees and authorized persons), the Client’s attorneys or any other third parties as the Bank in its absolute discretion determines, utilizing recording devices and/or in writing to comply with legal and regulatory obligations and internal policies and to ensure that oral instructions or other messages received from, or involving the Client or third parties are authentic, accurate and understandable. Client agrees that any such records or recordings of the Bank shall constitute conclusive evidence as against the Client of the fact and content of the communication which shall be admissible as evidence in the event of a dispute.
20.10 If the Client agrees with the Bank to communicate by electronic mail or Electronic Communications, without prejudice to the foregoing, the Client acknowledges that this involves considerable risk and that messages sent by the Internet cannot be secured, that neither the Client’s nor the Bank’s identity as an Internet user, nor the content of any messages, can be kept secret, and also that data flows between the Client and the Bank, whether encrypted or not, may enable third parties to infer the existence of a banking relationship. Consequently, notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, if the Client wishes to use the Internet to communicate with the Bank, such Client shall alone assume all the risks and bear all consequences which that may entail. In no event shall the Bank be liable for any technical problems or risks associated with a power failure, network overload, or technical malfunction (“a malfunction”) or any delay in the Bank receiving a Client’s communication as a result of a malfunction.
20.11 If the Client agrees with the Bank to utilize Electronic Channels Services or Electronic Communications, without prejudice to the foregoing, the Client acknowledges that the Client is solely responsible for all access to and use of the Electronic Channels and the Electronic Channels Services and Electronic Communications. Usage of their Channel User ID and Channel Password to gain access to any of the Electronic Channels Services will be presumed by the Bank to, in fact, be the actual Client or the Client’s authorized representative, and the Bank will continue to act on or carry out any instructions given or transactions requested by the Client or the Client’s authorized representative accordingly. The Client shall, therefore, be fully responsible for any transactions or instructions that have been made without their consent or authorization and such liability of the Client shall only cease upon such time as notification is given to the Bank in writing and via telephone and received by the Bank in accordance with the Electronic Channels Services Agreement.
20.12 If use is made of the mail service, the telephone or any other means of transmission or transportation, the Client shall assume all the risks and bear all the consequences which that may entail, and unless there is gross negligence on its part, the Bank shall assume no liability with respect to whether messages are authentic, confidential understandable, misrouted, delayed, lost or not received in full, or whether there may be identification or transmission errors.
20.13 All authorizations and instructions, unless they otherwise expressly provide, shall continue to be effective until cancelled by the Client or the Client’s duly authorized representative and written notice of such cancellation is received by the Bank or until superseded by subsequent instructions received by the Bank.
20.14 Subject to the provisions of this Clause 20, in the event of any damages resulting from non-execution, or incorrect, incomplete or belated execution of instructions, the Bank’s liability shall be limited only to interest lost, unless its attention had been properly drawn to the risk of more extensive damages in writing in accordance with this Clause.
20.15 Any notification, instruction or communication given to the Bank under the Agreement and these Terms to be effective (i) must comply with the requirements stipulated by the Client in the Agreement and (ii) shall take effect upon actual receipt by the Bank.
20.16 The Client shall be responsible for any damages of any kind resulting from false or failed authentication which may escape notice when t h e Bank’s normal verification is performed, unless there is gross negligence on the part of the Bank.
20.17 All written communications from the Bank to the Client shall be sent to the contact details and other appropriate address provided by the Client to the Bank from time to time.
20.18 If contact with the Client is lost, the Client agrees to bear any and all costs incurred by the Bank when trying to restore such contact. The Client acknowledges that the appropriate legal or regulatory authority shall have to be informed about the Account and the Assets if the Bank is unsuccessful in restoring contact.
20.19 Should an account become dormant Bahamian Law stipulates that the Bank must transfer the amounts held in the account in full to the Central Bank of the Bahamas. A Dormant account is an account that has had no client-initiated activity for over seven (7) years.
21 Credit Cards and Held Mail
22 Amendments
23 Termination
23.2 The Bank may terminate the Agreement upon immediate written notice to the Client.
23.3 The Bank may block or close the Account and/or terminate this Agreement or any other account or services provided to Client, without prior notice in any circumstance in which the Bank considers it reasonable to do so, including without limitation: (i) where the Client does not operate the Account or use the Services in a satisfactory manner; (ii) the Client provides false information or does not provide any documentation required to open, operate or maintain the Account or Services, (iii) there are reasonable grounds to believe or suspect that the Client is engaged in or using the Account or Services (or allows someone use to use the Account or Services) for any unlawful or fraudulent purpose or is otherwise involved in or causes the Bank to breach any laws, regulations or obligations including laws relating to anti-corruption and bribery, money laundering, terrorist financing or sanctions; (iv) where the Bank is or becomes aware of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation or receivership proceedings involving Client, (v) where the Bank is or becomes aware of, or has reasonable grounds to believe there is an ownership dispute in connection with or related to the Account, (vi) if the Services are used or instructions are given for any unlawful or improper purpose or otherwise in violation of applicable laws and regulations, (vii) if Client is deemed by the Bank in its sole discretion to pose any risk to its business, personnel, operations or reputation; (viii) if there are reasonable grounds to believe that Client, for the purposes of opening the Account or using the Services knowingly made a material misrepresentation in the information provided to the Bank and/or (ix) if instructed to do so by any government agency or regulatory body. If upon the termination of this Agreement/Services and/or closure of the Account, the Bank is unable to make payment to you for any reason beyond the Bank’s control, the Bank may nevertheless treat its relationship with you as terminated.
23.4 Termination of the Agreement pursuant to Clauses 23.1 – 23.3 above, shall be (i) without prejudice to the completion of any transaction or transactions already initiated and any transaction or transactions outstanding at the time of termination will be settled and delivery made, (ii) without prejudice to and shall not affect any accrued rights, existing commitments or any contractual provision intended to survive termination and (iii) without penalty or other additional payment save that the Client shall be obligated to pay (a) the fees and charges accrued and due to the Bank pro-rated to the date of termination, (b) any expenses incurred by the Bank under these Terms payable by the Client, (c) any additional expenses incurred by the Bank in terminating this Agreement and (d) any losses realized in settling or concluding outstanding obligations.
23.5 On, following or in connection with termination of this Agreement, the Bank shall be entitled, without prior notice to the Client, to take such actions as may be required to give effect to the provisions of clauses 23.1 or 23.2 above and/or to settle or complete transactions already initiated and to pay or discharge any outstanding liabilities or obligations of the Client.
24 Confidentiality
24.2 The Client hereby authorizes and consents to the disclosure by the Bank of any information relating to the Assets, the Account and the Client (including the beneficial owners and addresses of the Client):
24.2.1 to comply with applicable legal or regulatory requirements, the request of any regulatory agency or authority or any court of competent jurisdiction;
24.2.2 to any investment fund or its authorized representatives in which the Bank invests on behalf of the Client or any service provider to such investment fund;
24.2.3 to ensure compliance by the Bank with anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing laws in any applicable jurisdiction;
24.2.4 to agents, affiliates, third party consultants, investment managers or service providers of the Bank, including without limitation the Bank’s auditors or attorneys; or
24.2.5 to any financial institution or correspondent bank in connection with the provision by the Bank of the Investment Services;
24.2.6 to enable the Bank to outsource any of the Investment Services to third parties or to communicate with third parties, as may be necessary to enable the Bank to provide the Investment Services; or
24.2.7 where otherwise required in connection with the provision by the Bank of the Investment Services.
24.2.8 The Bank may store the Client’s personal data electronically and process them by computer or in any other way, most particularly so that it may fulfill its due diligence obligations, execute any and all transactions, manage and/or administer the Client’s account and use such data in assessing creditworthiness or performing statistical analysis.
24.2.9 The Bank is required by applicable law and regulation to maintain a business continuity plan to ensure that specified operations of the Bank can be maintained or recovered in the event of a disaster or major operational disruption. The Client acknowledges that if such a disaster or operational disruption occurs, the operations of the Bank might be temporarily relocated to a jurisdiction outside of The Bahamas and the Bank will be required to comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements in such jurisdiction.
24.3 If Client is a U.S. person, Client authorizes Bank to provide the relevant account data to U.S. authorities in compliance with the regulations of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States, such as of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. The Client authorizes the Bank to provide relevant account data to the relevant Reportable Jurisdiction as applicable, pursuant to the Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information Act, 2016.
24.4 The provisions of this clause 24 shall survive the termination of the Agreement and these Terms.
25 Standard of Liability
25.1 Without prejudice to any other provision contained herein, the Bank will not be liable to the Client or any other person for any loss, damage or expense whatsoever however arising that the Client or any other person may suffer as a result of, in relation to or arising, directly or indirectly, out of the performance of its duties hereunder unless arising from the gross negligence of the Bank. This Clause shall apply howsoever any loss to the Client or any other person arises, whether out of contract, statute, tort or otherwise. Any other limitation of liability contained in the Additional Terms is in addition to and does not limit this Clause 25.1
25.2 Without prejudice to any other provision contained herein, the Client shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Bank from and against any action, suit, proceeding, investigation, loss, liability, cost or expense whatsoever, (including without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements and amounts paid in settlement), which may be brought against or suffered by the Bank arising directly or indirectly out of or in connection with the Bank’s performance of its duties hereunder unless caused by the gross negligence of the Bank.
25.3 The provisions of this Article 25 shall survive the termination of the Client’s relationship with the Bank.
26 Mail Sent by the Bank
26.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Bank hereby reserves the right to communicate directly with the Client if circumstances arise which the Bank determines warrants such action.
27 Complaints
27.2 The Bank reserves the right to require the Client to sign a document approving the statement of assets in the Client’s account.
28 Force Majeure
29 Consultation of counsel
30 Further assurance
31 Governing Law
32 Days Considered Public Holidays
33 Miscellaneous
33.2 If any provision of these Terms is held to be unenforceable or illegal, in whole or in part, such provision or part shall to that extent be deemed not to form part hereof but the enforceability of the remainder of these Terms shall remain unaffected.
33.3 No failure or delay on the part of the Bank in exercising any right, remedy, power or privilege permitted hereunder shall operate in any way as a waiver thereof by such party, regardless of the frequency of such failure or delay.
33.4 These Terms are in addition to and not in derogation of any other written agreement between the Bank and the Client.
33.5 Nothing in these Terms or the Agreement shall be deemed to create a partnership between the parties.
33.6 Nothing in these Terms or the Agreement shall prevent the Bank from providing other services to the Client or to other clients.
34 Electronic Signature (eSignature)
34.2 The Client acknowledges and accepts that when he or she accesses and/or makes use of the Bank’s Electronic Channels Services portals or platforms with a Channel User ID, pin, password and/or code, that the Bank will, in the absence of a prior written notification sent to the Bank by the Client no less than 24 hours before the subject transaction is due to take place informing the Bank of any suspicion or knowledge that their account may be or about to be compromised in any way, view the action of ‘logging in’ as deemed authorization to transact or carry out any instructions given on behalf of the Client or his or her authorized agent thereafter so long as the request does not contravene any law of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas or provision of these General Terms and Conditions or any other supplementary agreement made between the Bank and Client.