FROM: Debby Cherney, Chief Executive Officer
Donald Pierce, Chief Investment Officer
Amy McInerny, Chief Financial Officer
SUBJECT: State Street Bank & Trust Company Fee Schedule and updated Service Level Document
RECOMMENDATION:
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Approve an updated Fee Schedule and Service Level Document for custody services and reporting with State Street Bank & Trust Company, subject to documentation approved by Chief Counsel.
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BACKGROUND:
State Street Bank & Trust Company (“State Street”) has served SBCERA as its custody bank since 1982.
The last formal Request for Proposals for custody services was completed in 2016 with assistance from NEPC. Services were evaluated with a framework that included service level governance, service level risk management, client service delivery model, operational risk, ability to handle SBCERA’s complex portfolio, and differentiated set of solutions. At that time, the Board approved a new contract with State Street, after a thorough evaluation of the four proposals it received at the time. The 2016 staff report reflected that State Street was selected based on several factors, including but not limited to: (1) the avoidance of uncertainty and potential transition issues that might hamper any switch to a new provider; (2) none of the other three proposals demonstrated that those firms would deliver services clearly superior to that of the incumbent (State Street); and (3) State Street’s fees were the lowest of the group. The contract is indefinite, and terminable upon written notice.
Overall, staff has been happy with the scope, breadth, and quality of services provided by State Street. Staff does believe that there are a few areas where an updated service level understanding would benefit SBCERA. Accordingly, staff approached State Street to seek an updated fee structure and service level understanding.
State Street provided an updated proposal to SBCERA. The Executive Summary of that proposal is attached as Exhibit A. NEPC’s recommendation is attached as Exhibit B, and a confidential fee schedule and five-year projection is attached as Exhibit C.
State Street has made a meaningful reduction in its custody fees in order to retain SBCERA as a client. State Street has also agreed to provide a dedicated Solovis resource for the multi-asset class reporting platform implemented in June 2021. State Street is willing to lock-in the fee proposal for a period of five years, with a 2% escalator cap each year. Staff believes that this reduced fee schedule, combined with the longstanding relationship and commitment to service levels, and negative risks associated with a forced change to another custody bank, warrants the Board’s approval of the updated fee schedule and service level document. Savings over the five year period, as reflected in Exhibit C, are very significant.
The fee schedule has been provided to the Board on a confidential basis at this time. Staff does not believe that a new formal Request for Proposals is necessary at this time, but should the Board direct staff to do so, staff did not want to put State Street at a competitive disadvantage in such a process.
COMMITTEE REVIEW:
This item was reviewed by the Administrative Committee at its September 18, 2025 meeting, and recommends Board approval with a 4-0 vote. The Committee suggested and staff concurs that at the end of year 4 of the 5-year agreement, Investment staff along with NEPC, engage State Street in a discussion about next steps and terms of a potential future agreement.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Costs for this item are included in the current year administrative and/or non-administrative budget.
STRATEGIC PLANNING GOAL/OBJECTIVE:
Prudent Fiscal Management
STAFF CONTACT:
Debby Cherney
Donald Pierce
Amy McInerny
Michael Law
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit A: Executive Summary - State Street Proposal
Exhibit B: NEPC Recommendation Memo
Exhibit C: Fee Schedule & Five-year Projection (confidential)
Exhibit D: Draft Fee Schedule Amendment (confidential)