ESBD_556288_1788453163046_TRSY-27-288 Lead Bank.pdf

THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

Office of Procurement and HUB Program

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

RFP Number: RFP-01-TRSY-27-288

LEAD BANK

PROPOSAL MUST BE RECEIVED BEFORE:

2:00 P.M. Central Time on September 30, 2026

EMAIL PROPOSAL RESPONSES TO:

SOPROCUREMENT@TAMUS.EDU

SUBJECT LINE: TRSY-27-288 Lead Bank

NOTE: Proposal response must be received by The Texas A&M University System Office of Procurement and HUB Program before the date and time specified for receipt of proposal as stated within Section 2.3 of this Request for Proposals. After the due date and time, only the names of respondents will be made public.

REFER INQUIRIES TO:

Jeff Zimmermann, Executive Director Procurement and Business Services | HUB Program

The Texas A&M University System soprocurement@tamus.edu

All proposals shall become the property of The Texas A&M University System and the State of Texas upon receipt. Proposals may be subject to public review after contracts have been executed. Refer to Section 4G for more information regarding public information.

mailto:SOPROCUREMENT@TAMUS.EDU mailto:Soprocurement@tamus.edu

The Texas A&M University System RFP-01-TRSY-27-288 Page 2 of 64

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION ____________________________________________________________ 3

SECTION 2. INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESPONDENTS _____________________________________________ 6

SECTION 3. SCOPE ____________________________________________________________________ 9

SECTION 4. PROPOSAL _______________________________________________________________ 18

SECTION 5. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS ___________________________________________ 45

Exhibit A – Execution of Offer

Exhibit B – Non-Collusion Affidavit

Exhibit C – Insurance

Attachment A - Cost Proposal and Pricing Schedule

The Texas A&M University System RFP-01-TRSY-27-288 Page 3 of 64

SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

The Texas A&M University System (“A&M System”) is requesting proposals from respondents to provide banking services for the A&M System. The services include lead bank services including, but not limited to controlled disbursement accounts, zero balance accounts (ZBAs), wire transfers, automated clearinghouse (ACH), online information inquiry and local depository services.

It is the intent of the A&M System to establish an Agreement (“Agreement”) with one vendor to serve as its primary provider of banking services. The resultant Agreement will be between the selected vendor (“Respondent”) and the A&M System.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the A&M System reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to utilize other financial institutions or third-party service providers for specific banking or payment-related services where it determines such arrangements are in its best interest. Such services may include, but are not limited to, international wire transfers, ACH processing, payroll services, accounts payable disbursements, or other specialized financial services. Nothing in the Agreement shall be construed as granting the Respondent exclusive rights to provide all banking or payment-related services to the A&M System.

Respondents should familiarize themselves with the A&M System’s Investment Policy, which governs, among other things, the A&M System’s relationship with depositories and certain banking requirements. The System Investment Policy 22.011 is available on the A&M System’s Office of General Counsel website under Policy and Regulation Library.

By submitting responses, each Respondent (also referred to herein as “Vendor”) certifies that it understands this Request for Proposal (“RFP”) and has full knowledge of the scope, nature, quality, and quantity of the work to be performed, the detailed requirements of the services to be provided, and the conditions under which the services are to be performed. Each Respondent also certifies that it understands that all costs relating to preparing and responding to this RFP will be the sole responsibility of the Respondent.

Below is a list of services and requirements that are part of the scope of this RFP. Proposals that do not include these services may not be considered for award. Please indicate in your cover letter that you can provide each of these services.

• Collateral – The A&M System requires that total ledger balances be covered at the end of each day. A surety bond in the amount of $50 million has been determined to be the best method to satisfy this requirement as it reduces risk of non-coverage and eliminates the timely process of adjusting pledged securities on a daily basis.

• Fraud Controls – The A&M System utilizes payee positive pay, ACH review (ability to review and decision incoming transactions), and controls to prevent checks from paying on accounts without positive pay services. Positive pay services must include the ability to retrieve images when reviewing items and must have long time windows in which decisions can be made.

• Controlled Disbursement Accounts – The A&M System uses a tiered ZBA structure to manage cash (each university/agency maintains a concentration account that funds two or more Member controlled disbursement accounts, as well as other specific purpose

1 Texas A&M University System, Office of General Counsel, Policy and Regulation Library, 22.01 System Investment. Available at: https://www.tamus.edu/legal/policy/policy-and-regulation-library/.

The Texas A&M University System RFP-01-TRSY-27-288 Page 4 of 64 accounts, and each concentration account zeros to a master concentration account each night). Over the counter same day debits cannot be applied to the Member controlled disbursement accounts – only Fed presentments and electronic transfers initiated by the A&M System.

• Remote Deposit Capture – Remote deposit operations are utilized by all A&M System institutions. The bank must offer a product to submit deposits remotely.

• Online Cash Management Module – The A&M System does not utilize third party software to consolidate cash. The bank should offer a product to consolidate all balances held at the bank that will roll up to the master account. The A&M System will initiate a transfer each day to either fund shortages or invest balances in the master account. The A&M System currently maintains a target balance of $250,000 for the master account to cover any unknown or unplanned transactions.

1.2 Background

The Texas A&M University System

The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest and most impactful higher education systems in the country, with an annual budget of $9.1 billion. Its statewide network includes 12 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, Texas A&M–Fort Worth and the Texas A&M–RELLIS. The Texas A&M System serves approximately 175,000 students and reaches millions more through service, research and outreach programs each year. With nearly $1.6 billion in annual research expenditures, the A&M System fuels innovation, supports communities and drives Texas’ economy forward.

Additional information about the Texas A&M University System and its Member institutions is available on the Texas A&M University System About page 2 and in the 2025 Fact Book.3

1.3 Calendar Of Events

Release of RFP ..................................................................................... September 3, 2026 Deadline for Questions ...................................................................... September 16, 2026 Release of Addendum (if applicable) ................................................ September 22, 2026 Deadline for Receiving Proposals ...................................................... September 30, 2026 Anticipated Award Date .............................................................................................. TBD

The A&M System will make every effort to adhere to the above schedule. The schedule, however, is subject to change. Schedule changes may be necessary for various reasons including but not limited to the need for further clarification of responses or terms of contract that are in the best interest of the A&M System, and/or in the event the A&M System requires more time to assure that the selection of the Respondent is in accordance with its policies, rules and regulations, as well as actual timing needs.

1.4 Priorities/Expectations

Respondents should note the following priorities/expectations regarding the possibility of the

2 Texas A&M University System. About the Texas A&M University System. Available at:

https://www.tamus.edu/system/about/.

3 Texas A&M University System, Marketing & Communications. 2025 Fact Book. Available at:

https://www.tamus.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Facts-2025_Web.pdf.

The Texas A&M University System RFP-01-TRSY-27-288 Page 5 of 64

A&M System establishing a contractual relationship with any Respondent:

(a) Ensuring a Quality Level of Service. This priority encompasses the quality of the level of service that can be provided to the A&M System in a timely, cost-effective manner. The A&M System is seeking a Respondent that will ensure the provision of such quality in its delivery of service through proven techniques and established metrics.

(b) Level of Experience and Expertise. Respondent must demonstrate its capabilities in providing the utmost level of experience and expertise to ensure a successful project as determined by the A&M System.

(c) Financial Stability. Respondent may be requested to demonstrate its financial stability and capabilities in providing the required services through financial statements or other means of substantiation.

1.5 Performance Period

Should the A&M System, in its sole discretion, enter into a master agreement with the successful Respondent as a result of this RFP, the initial term of such Agreement will be for five (5) years, with the option to renew for one (1) additional five (5) year term, providing all parties mutually agree on the extension. Any extensions shall be at the same terms and conditions plus any approved changes to be determined by the A&M System and negotiated in writing with the successful Respondent. The A&M System reserves the right to amend the terms of the Agreement as necessary to meet state or federal requirements.

The Texas A&M University System RFP-01-TRSY-27-288 Page 6 of 64

SECTION 2 - INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESPONDENTS

2.1 General Information

Proposals shall be written and submitted in accordance with the outline and specifications contained herein, remain in effect a minimum of 120 days from the date of submission and may be subject to further extensions as negotiated. A statement to this effect should be contained in the Respondent’s cover letter.

This RFP contains specific requests for information. Respondents are encouraged to examine all sections of this RFP carefully, in that the degree of interrelationship between sections is critical.

In responding to this RFP, Respondents are encouraged to provide any additional information they believe relevant.

Clause headings appearing in this RFP have been inserted for convenience and ready reference.

They do not purport to define, limit or extend the scope or intent of the respective clauses.

Whenever the terms “must”, “shall”, “will”, “is required”, or “are required” are used in the RFP, the subject being referred to is to be a required feature of this RFP and critical to the resulting submittal.

In those cases where mandatory requirements are stated, material failure to meet those requirements could result in disqualification of the Respondent’s response. Any deviation or exception from RFP specifications must be clearly identified by the Respondent in its submittal.

Expenses for developing and presenting proposals shall be the entire responsibility of the Respondent and shall not be chargeable to the A&M System. All supporting documentation submitted with this submittal will become the property of the A&M System.

2.2 Examination of the Request for Proposal

Before submitting, each Respondent will be held to have examined the A&M System requirements outlined in Section 3 and satisfied itself as to the existing conditions under which it will be obligated to perform in accordance with specifications of this RFP.

No claim for additional compensation will be allowed due to unfamiliarity with the specifications and/or existing conditions. It shall be understood that the Respondent has full knowledge of all the existing and/or revised conditions and accepts them “as is.”

2.3 Proposal Submission Instructions

All proposals must be received by the A&M System no later than 2:00:00 p.m. Central Time, September 30, 2026, electronically via email to soprocurement@tamus.edu with the subject line of: “TRSY-27-288 – Lead Bank”.

The sent time indicated within the A&M System email server shall be used for the receipt and acceptance of the response. A file sharing tool may be used to submit the proposal response if large file sizes are an issue. If opting to use a file sharing tool, it is recommended to send a test file prior to the due date.

Late proposals will not be considered under any circumstances. Proposal responses not submitted electronically according to the instructions above will not be accepted or considered for award.

Submittal Format:

mailto:soprocurement@tamus.edu

The Texas A&M University System RFP-01-TRSY-27-288 Page 7 of 64

Submission shall be saved as two (2) separate files in Adobe Portable Document Format (“PDF”) according to the items listed below and named as such; I) “company name – Proposal, and II) “company name – Forms”.

2.4 Proposal Components

The following documents are to be returned as part of your proposal response. Failure to include each of these elements and documents may be the basis for response disqualification.

I. Proposal

Cover Letter Table of Contents Proposal Response (Section 4.4) Cost Proposal and Pricing Schedule (Attachment A)

II. Forms

Signed Execution of Offer (Exhibit A) Non-Collusion Affidavit (Exhibit B) signed and notarized Subcontracting Plan (Section 4.5), if applicable

NOTE: Additional information regarding the Execution of Offer and Non-Collusion Affidavit.

• Execution of Offer: The signature in the Execution of Offer within the electronic copy shall serve as the official signature of record. Signature can be done electronically with DocuSign, Adobe or another similar tool.

• Non-Collusion Affidavit: The Respondent’s signature and notary on this document may be done electronically with an e-signature tool with that capability. An agreement may not be executed with the awarded Respondent until this document is fully signed and notarized.

2.5 Inquiries and Interpretations

All questions concerning this RFP are to be directed, in writing, to Jeff Zimmermann at soprocurement@tamus.edu. Respondent may not contact other individuals at the A&M System or Texas A&M University to discuss any aspect of this RFP, unless expressly authorized by the A&M System Procurement & HUB Program office to do so.

Responses to inquiries which directly affect an interpretation or change to this RFP will be issued in writing by addendum. If you would like to receive addendums or any other notices regarding this RFP, email your interest to soprocurement@tamus.edu. Deadline for submission of questions is September 16, 2026. The A&M System will publish all questions in the form of an addendum with responses according to the schedule in Section 1.3.

All such addenda/amendments issued by the A&M System prior to the time that proposals are received shall be considered part of the RFP, and the Respondent shall consider and acknowledge receipt of such in their proposal. Only those A&M System replied to inquiries which are made by formal written addenda shall be binding. Oral and other interpretations or clarification will be without legal effect.

2.6 Selection Process

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The evaluation of the proposals shall be based on the information provided that the A&M System deems to represent the best value to the A&M System. The RFP provides the information necessary to prepare and submit proposals for consideration by the A&M System. All properly submitted proposals will be reviewed and evaluated by the A&M System. The A&M System will rank the Respondents in the order that they deem provide the overall best value to the A&M System based on an evaluation of the responses to the RFP. The A&M System may interview one or more of the top ranked Respondents as part of the evaluation process.

After proposal tabulation and such investigation of Respondents as the A&M System deems appropriate, an award may be made to the Respondent whose proposed Solution is determined to provide the best value to the A&M System. In determining best value, the A&M System may consider, as applicable, but not limited to: the extent to which the proposed Solution meets the A&M System’s needs, the information provided in response to Sections 3 and 4, experience and qualifications of the Respondent, timeline for implementation of the Solution, the reasonableness of the proposed fees for the Solution; Respondent's past relationship with A&M System; and any other factor that A&M System deems relevant and would consider in selecting a Respondent for award. Final determination for award of the contract will be made on the overall best value to the A&M System.

By submitting its proposal in response to this RFP, Respondent accepts the evaluation process and acknowledges and accepts that determination of the best value Respondent will require subjective judgments by the A&M System.

The selection of the successful Respondent may be made by the A&M System on the basis of the proposals initially submitted, without discussion, clarification, or modification. In the alternative, selection of the successful proposal may be made by the A&M System on the basis of negotiation with any of the Respondents. The A&M System shall not disclose any information derived from the proposals submitted by competing Respondents in conducting such discussions.

All proposals must be complete and convey all of the information requested to be considered responsive. If a proposal fails to conform to the essential requirements of the RFP, the A&M System alone will determine whether the variance is significant enough to consider the proposal susceptible to being made acceptable, and therefore a candidate for further consideration, or not susceptible and therefore not considered for award.

The A&M System may perform reference checks and seek further information, as needed from all Respondents whose proposals the System, at its discretion, considers viable, based on the initial evaluation and scoring. The Respondent’s response to this requirement officially authorizes the A&M System to contact these organizations to discuss the Solution and other considerations which the Respondent has provided to such organizations and authorizes the organizations to provide such information to the A&M System and Respondent shall and hereby does release and hold harmless the A&M System, the state of Texas, and the organization of any and all liability whatsoever, in connection with providing and receiving all such information. Any negative responses received from reference checks may be grounds for disqualification of the proposal.

The A&M System reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and re-solicit for new proposals, or to reject any or all proposals and temporarily or permanently abandon the project. The A&M System makes no representations, written or oral, that it will enter into any form of agreement with any respondent to this RFP for any project and no such representation is intended or should be construed by the issuance of this RFP.

The Texas A&M University System RFP-01-TRSY-27-288 Page 9 of 64

SECTION 3 – SCOPE OF WORK

3.1 General

The Texas A&M University System (A&M System) Cash Concentration Pool (Pool) is comprised of 21 Members. Refer to Section 1.2 for a list of the Members and their locations. The Pool is a two-tier structure in which each Member maintains one concentration account and at least two controlled disbursement accounts. Each controlled disbursement account is funded by the applicable Member-controlled concentration account. Each Member concentration account is funded through any combination of over-the-counter deposits, incoming wire transfers, ACH credits, or zero balance transfers to and from the A&M System master concentration account.

The master concentration account is administered by the A&M System Office of Treasury Services and is funded through transfers from Member concentration accounts or external investment vehicles.

3.2 Service Requirements

3.3.1 Full Collateralization of Deposits

As required by the Texas School Depository Act, the successful Respondent will be required to enter into an Agreement with the A&M System Board of Regents and provide a financial guarantee for all funds on deposit. The financial guarantee must be accomplished by posting a surety bond in a form and amount acceptable to the Board of Regents, issued by a surety company authorized to conduct business in the State of Texas and must remain in full force and effect for the duration of the depository agreement.

3.3.2 Zero Balance Account Structure

The Respondent shall provide a Zero Balance Account (ZBA) structure consisting of subsidiary accounts linked to a central concentration account. All subaccounts shall be automatically swept to a zero balance daily, with funds transferred to the designated A&M System master concentration account.

For the A&M System, the controlled disbursement accounts are funded by the applicable Member concentration account. Member concentration accounts are funded through (1) over-the-counter deposits, (2) incoming wire transfers, (3) ACH credits, and (4) automated zero balance sweeps to and from the A&M System master concentration account. A Member may also utilize additional zero balance accounts for specific transaction types, including credit card settlements and electronic deposits, which shall be fully swept to the applicable Member concentration account.

The proposed structure shall support centralized cash management, online or near real-time reporting, and full transaction transparency. No accounts may be established, modified, or removed without prior written approval from the A&M System Office of Treasury Services.

3.3.3 Controlled Disbursement Accounts

Each Member generally maintains two controlled disbursement accounts – one for payroll disbursements and one for accounts payable. All accounts payable and payroll disbursements will be drawn on the applicable Member controlled disbursement account.

These accounts are used to centralize and optimize daily funding requirements through

The Texas A&M University System RFP-01-TRSY-27-288 Page 10 of 64 early morning presentment reporting, allowing Members to fund only the amount required to cover that day’s clearings. Payroll-related ACH transactions, including direct deposit activity, will be debited to the payroll-controlled disbursement account. ACH credits, including reimbursement or return entries, may be posted to the same account as applicable.

The controlled disbursement accounts will primarily be impacted by Federal Reserve presentments and electronic transactions initiated through the A&M System Members.

Over-the-counter, same-day branch debits are not permitted against controlled disbursement accounts.

The Respondent shall provide same-day presentment reporting to enable Members to fund their accounts in a timely and accurate manner. Reporting should include item-level detail of expected clearings, total funding requirements, and transmission via secure electronic channels.

The Respondent shall describe its controlled disbursement process, including reporting timelines, file delivery methods, cut-off times, and any contingency procedures in the event of delayed presentment files or system disruptions.

The Respondent shall also describe any limitations, eligibility requirements, or minimum balance requirements associated with controlled disbursement services.

3.3.4 Wire Transfer

Both the A&M System and its Members initiate and receive wire transfers for both domestic and, where applicable, international transactions. Wire transfers will be used for a variety of operational and funding purposes, including movement of funds between System accounts. Online wire transfer initiation and approval capabilities are required for authorized users at both the A&M System and Member level. The wire transfer platform must support secure, role-based access controls, dual approval workflows, and audit logging of all wire activity.

A late wire transfer cut-off time no earlier than 4:00 p.m. Central Time is required for same-day processing. Respondent should clearly identify standard and extended cut-off times for both domestic and international wires. The wire transfer system must support real-time or near real-time status reporting, including confirmation of release, receipt, and settlement. The Respondent shall also describe any limits, security controls, fraud prevention tools (such as call-backs, fraud mitigating tools, or dual authentication), and contingency procedures in the event of system outages or delayed processing.

The Respondent should describe its wire transfer initiation channels, approval workflows, file formats, and integration capabilities with the System’s treasury platform.

3.3.5 Information Reporting

The Respondent shall provide comprehensive information reporting capabilities to support the A&M System and its Members in managing account balances, transactions, and cash positions across all accounts.

Information reporting shall be available at both the account level and the relationship level and must include prior-day, current-day, intraday balance and transaction information. Reporting shall support all account types, including controlled disbursement accounts, concentration accounts, zero balance accounts, ACH activity, wire transfers, and other banking services provided under this Agreement.

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The Respondent shall provide secure electronic access to information reporting through an online treasury management platform. The platform shall support role-based access controls to ensure users can view only authorized accounts and data based on permissions established by the A&M System.

At a minimum, the Respondent shall support the following information reporting capabilities:

• Prior-day and current-day balance reporting

• Intraday balance and transaction reporting

• Transaction detail reporting for all account activity types

• Controlled disbursement presentment and funding reports

• ACH transaction reporting, including originations, credits, debits, returns, and exceptions

• Wire transfer reporting, including status, confirmation, and settlement details

• Check and Positive Pay exception reporting

• Consolidated relationship-level reporting across all A&M System accounts

The Respondent shall provide data in industry-standard formats compatible with the A&M System’s treasury and financial system, including but not limited to BAI2, ISO 20022 (camt.052/camt.053/camt.054), CSV, and other commonly supported formats. The Respondent shall also describe any additional proprietary formats, APIs, or real-time data services available.

Information shall be made available in a timely manner consistent with industry standards for treasury operations. The Respondent shall identify reporting refresh frequencies, file availability times, and any limitations associated with real-time or intraday reporting.

The Respondent shall support secure electronic transmission of reporting data via SFTP, managed file transfer (MFT), secure APIs, or other mutually agreed-upon secure connectivity methods. All transmissions shall utilize current industry-standard encryption protocols (e.g., TLS 1.2 or higher).

The Respondent shall describe all available reporting channels, delivery methods, implementation requirements, user configuration options, and any associated software, licensing, or ongoing service costs.

The Respondent should also describe any advanced analytics, dashboards, forecasting tools, or cash positioning capabilities included within the reporting platform.

3.3.6 Account Reconciliation

The Respondent shall provide account reconciliation services for all A&M System Member deposit and disbursement accounts, supporting both automated and manual reconciliation processes as appropriate for account type and transaction volume. The reconciliation solution shall match bank transactions against internal A&M System records, including deposits, ACH activity, wires, and disbursements, and shall support configurable matching rules, exception identification, and exception reporting.

The Respondent shall provide daily electronic bank statement delivery in a format compatible with the A&M System’s treasury management and/or ERP systems (e.g., BAI2 or equivalent standard formats). Statements should be made available no later than the agreed-upon cutoff time each business day.

Reconciliation reporting shall include cleared transactions, outstanding items, and

The Texas A&M University System RFP-01-TRSY-27-288 Page 12 of 64 exception items requiring review. The solution should support drill-down functionality to transaction-level detail and allow export of data for internal reporting and audit purposes.

The Respondent shall describe its reconciliation capabilities, including file formats, delivery methods, automation features, exception workflows, and system integration options.

The Respondent shall support the secure electronic transmission of reconciliation files and related banking data via SFTP, managed file transfer (MFT), secure APIs, or other mutually agreed secure methods, using current encryption standards (e.g., TLS 1.2 or higher). Supported formats may include BAI2, ISO 20022 camt.053, CSV, or other standard formats.

The Respondent shall identify implementation requirements, supported formats, and any associated software, licensing, or ongoing costs.

3.3.7 Check Fraud Controls (Positive Pay)

The Respondent shall provide Positive Pay services, including Payee Positive Pay (payee verification), for all controlled disbursement accounts. Certain Members may also require Positive Pay services for other designated disbursement accounts.

The Positive Pay solution shall support the secure electronic transmission of issue files through industry-standard methods, including SFTP, managed file transfer (MFT), secure APIs, or other mutually agreed-upon secure connectivity solutions. The Respondent shall describe all available file transmission options, supported file formats, implementation requirements, and any associated software, licensing, or ongoing costs.

The Positive Pay system shall identify and report exception items, including check number, amount, payee (where applicable), duplicate items, stale-dated items, and other discrepancies based on the services offered. Authorized A&M System and Member users shall have the ability to review exception items online, access associated check images, and make pay or return decisions within established processing deadlines.

The Respondent shall describe exception notification methods, decision deadlines, default processing options for unresolved exceptions, image retention periods, and reporting capabilities. The Respondent shall also describe any additional fraud prevention services, including reverse positive pay, ACH Positive Pay, ACH debit blocks, ACH filters, payee validation, and other account protection tools that may be available.

3.3.8 ACH Services Overview

The A&M System and its Members utilize Automated Clearing House (ACH) services for a variety of business purposes, including payroll direct deposit, vendor payments, donations, online collections, and other authorized electronic funds transfers. The Respondent shall provide a comprehensive suite of ACH services supporting both ACH origination and receipt/processing across all A&M System and Member accounts.

The ACH solution shall support secure electronic transmission and processing of ACH files and transactions through industry-standard methods, including online banking platforms, SFTP, managed file transfer (MFT), secure APIs, or other mutually agreed-upon secure connectivity solutions. The Respondent shall support integration with the A&M System’s financial systems and authorized third-party payment providers.

The Respondent shall comply with all applicable National Automated Clearing House

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Association (NACHA) Operating Rules and guidelines, including file formatting standards, processing timelines, settlement requirements, return processing, and security protocols.

a. ACH Origination

The Respondent shall support ACH origination for both credit and debit transactions initiated by the A&M System and its Members. This includes, but is not limited to, payroll direct deposit, vendor payments, intercompany transfers, and other authorized disbursement activity.

ACH origination shall be supported through both online transaction entry and file-based submission. The Respondent shall identify supported file formats, approval workflows, processing schedules, cut-off times, settlement timing, funds availability rules, and any associated implementation, licensing, or ongoing service costs.

The Respondent shall provide confirmation of file receipt, processing status updates, and exception or error reporting for all ACH files submitted.

b. ACH Receipts and Third-Party Integration

The Respondent shall support the receipt and processing of ACH credits and debits initiated by external parties, including payments processed through third-party platforms such as TouchNet, Flywire, Transact or comparable systems.

The Respondent shall describe integration capabilities for secure receipt of ACH files from third-party providers, including supported transmission methods, file validation processes, exception handling procedures, reporting functionality, and confirmation of file acceptance and settlement.

c. ACH Fraud Controls

The Respondent shall provide ACH fraud prevention and account protection services to safeguard A&M System and Member accounts from unauthorized ACH activity.

At a minimum, the solution shall support configurable controls including ACH debit blocks, ACH filters, Company ID restrictions, authorized originator lists, transaction limits, dollar thresholds, and exception-based review workflows. Where available, ACH Positive Pay or equivalent functionality shall be included.

The solution shall allow authorized A&M System and Member users to review, approve, or return ACH transactions within applicable NACHA return timeframes. The system shall maintain a full audit trail of all user actions and decisions.

The Respondent shall describe fraud detection and prevention tools, alerting capabilities, decision timelines, default processing rules for unresolved items, reporting functionality, and any additional risk mitigation services.

d. Reporting and File Management

The Respondent shall provide comprehensive ACH reporting and file management capabilities, including transaction status reporting, settlement reporting, return items, reversals, and exception reporting.

The ACH system shall support secure electronic delivery of reports and files compatible with the A&M System’s treasury and financial systems. Supported formats may include NACHA, BAI2, ISO 20022 (where available), CSV, or other industry-standard formats.

The Texas A&M University System RFP-01-TRSY-27-288 Page 14 of 64

The Respondent shall describe reporting delivery methods, timing (including real-time or near real-time capabilities where available), user access controls, integration options, and any additional reporting or analytics tools provided.

3.3.9 Check Block Services

The Respondent shall provide the ability to restrict designated accounts from all check activity. This control will be implemented on accounts intended exclusively for deposits and/or electronic transactions, including ACH and wire transfers.

Any check presented against a designated account shall be automatically returned unpaid unless otherwise authorized by the A&M System or the applicable Member. The Respondent shall describe the available check restriction services, implementation procedures, reporting capabilities, and any exceptions or limitations associated with the service.

3.3.10 Account Analysis Statements

The Respondent shall provide consolidated account analysis statements for the A&M System relationship. Account analysis reporting shall be tiered to support both Member-level and overall relationship reporting.

At a minimum, the account analysis statements shall include:

• An account analysis statement for each individual account.

• An intermediate summary consolidating accounts for each A&M System Member.

• An overall relationship summary consolidating all accounts maintained by the

A&M System and its Members.

Account analysis statements shall include all applicable earnings credits, analyzed service charges, account balances, transaction volumes, fees, and any other information necessary to fully reconcile monthly banking charges and verify all assessed fees.

The Respondent shall provide account analysis statements electronically and describe available reporting formats, online access capabilities, statement delivery schedules, and any tools available for downloading or exporting account analysis data.

3.3.11 Concentration Service

Some Members maintain accounts with local financial institutions where a branch of the Respondent is not readily available. Funds collected in these local accounts are periodically transferred to concentration accounts maintained with the Respondent.

The Respondent shall provide concentration services that support the timely transfer of collected funds from external financial institutions to the applicable Member concentration account. The Respondent shall describe the available methods for initiating these transfers, including ACH, Same Day ACH, wire transfer, automated sweeps, or other available solutions, and identify the advantages, limitations, and expected settlement times associated with each method.

The Respondent shall describe the methods available to the A&M System to initiate or automate concentration transfers, including online initiation, file transmission, secure APIs, or other electronic connectivity options. The Respondent shall also identify any implementation requirements, supported file formats, cut-off times, processing schedules, and associated software, implementation, or ongoing service costs.

The Respondent shall provide a detailed fee schedule for each concentration service

The Texas A&M University System RFP-01-TRSY-27-288 Page 15 of 64 option proposed and identify any minimum balance requirements, transaction limits, or other service restrictions.

3.3.12 Remote Deposit Capture

The Respondent shall provide Remote Deposit Capture (RDC) services to enable the A&M System and its Members to electronically deposit checks from authorized locations.

The Respondent shall describe the Remote Deposit Capture solution, including required hardware, scanner models, software requirements, browser compatibility (if applicable), mobile capabilities (if available), and any installation or maintenance requirements.

The Respondent shall identify deposit processing schedules, cut-off times, funds availability, image quality requirements, duplicate item detection capabilities, and reporting features. The solution should provide confirmation of deposit receipt, deposit status, and exception notifications. Deposits received prior to cut-off shall be credited same business day where feasible.

The Respondent shall also describe implementation services, user training, technical support, equipment replacement procedures, and all associated implementation, equipment, licensing, maintenance, and ongoing service costs.

3.3.13 Online Cash Management

The A&M System utilizes a centralized cash management structure and requires an online treasury management platform capable of providing consolidated reporting and management of all eligible deposit accounts maintained with the Respondent.

The Respondent shall provide an online cash management solution that supports consolidated balance reporting, cash positioning, and the movement of funds between A&M System and Member accounts. The solution should support the movement of funds through both wire transfers and book transfers. It shall also support automated or user-initiated transfers to fund account shortages, concentrate excess balances, and maintain target account balances.

Currently, the A&M System Office of Treasury Services initiates a daily wire transfer to either fund account shortages or invest excess balances in the master account. The A&M System currently maintains a target balance of $250,000 in the master account to cover unexpected or unplanned transactions.

As a general operating practice, the A&M System seeks to complete funding transfers by approximately 3:00 p.m. (Central Time), but no later than the Respondent’s established wire transfer cut-off time for same-day settlement. Respondents shall identify their wire transfer cut-off times, settlement deadlines, and any operational limitations in response to Section 4.4.

The A&M System maintains a master concentration account that serves as the primary funding account for daily cash management activities. The Respondent shall describe available cash concentration, account sweeping, zero balance account (ZBA), target balance, and automated funding capabilities, including configurable transfer rules and scheduling options.

The Respondent shall describe the online cash management platform, including real-time balance reporting, transaction reporting, cash position reporting, user access controls, alert capabilities, integration with the A&M System's treasury management systems, and

The Texas A&M University System RFP-01-TRSY-27-288 Page 16 of 64 any associated implementation or ongoing service costs.

If the Respondent offers additional liquidity management or cash optimization tools, those capabilities should also be described.

3.3.14 Customer Service

The Respondent shall provide dedicated customer service support for the A&M System and its Members to assist with routine banking and treasury management needs. Support shall include, at a minimum, assistance with research requests, ACH-related inquiries, new account setup, signature card maintenance, and other day-to-day service requirements.

The Respondent shall assign a dedicated relationship manager and/or service representative responsible for the A&M System relationship. This individual should serve as the primary point of contact for escalation, issue resolution, and coordination of services across the Respondent’s functional areas.

On-site or locally based support within the College Station, Texas area is preferred. The Respondent shall describe the geographic location of the assigned relationship team, availability for on-site visits, escalation procedures, and backup coverage in the event the primary representative is unavailable.

The Respondent shall describe its customer service model, including service hours, response time expectations, and escalation procedures. The Respondent shall define escalation timeframes by severity level (e.g. routine, urgent, and critical issues), including designated response and resolution targets for each level.

The Respondent shall provide enhanced emergency support for time-sensitive banking activities, including but not limited to wire transfer cutoff issues, same-day payment processing failures, and other transactions with immediate financial impact. For critical issues, the Respondent shall provide 24/7/365 escalation access to qualified support personnel with authority to initiate or correct transactions, with defined response times of immediate acknowledgment and expedited resolution efforts consistent with industry best practices.

3.3.15 Other Miscellaneous Services

a. Overdrafts and Relationship Positioning

The Respondent shall describe its policies and procedures for handling overdrafts at the individual account level, including applicable fees, decisioning processes, notification procedures, and any available overdraft protection services.

The Respondent shall also describe its policies and procedures for evaluating the A&M System’s overall relationship position, including how the Respondent assesses net position across all A&M System and Member accounts and how overdraft situations are managed at the relationship level.

The Respondent shall identify any intra-day or end-of-day monitoring tools, reporting capabilities, or controls available to the A&M System to track overdraft exposure.

b. Research and Inquiry Requests

The Respondent shall provide support for research requests initiated by the A&M System or its Members related to their respective accounts. Standard research requests submitted via telephone or electronic channels shall be completed within

The Texas A&M University System RFP-01-TRSY-27-288 Page 17 of 64 twenty-four (24) hours, or the Respondent shall specify standard response times based on request type and complexity.

c. Non-Pooled Operating Accounts

Certain A&M System Members maintain commercial deposit accounts that are not part of pooled or concentration structures. These accounts are typically used for temporary or operational balances and are not structured as zero balance accounts.

The Respondent shall describe available services, account structures, and cash management options applicable to non-pooled operating accounts, including reporting, transfer capabilities, and any restrictions or limitations associated with these accounts.

The Texas A&M University System RFP-01-TRSY-27-288 Page 18 of 64

SECTION 4 – PROPOSAL

Respondents are instructed to respond using the proposal format included in this RFP in order to expedite analysis and comparison of proposals received. Failure to use the stated format or failure to provide complete responses may, at the A&M System’s option, disqualify the Respondent.

A complete proposal shall consist of the following items:

4.1 Cover Letter

This letter shall summarize interest and ability to provide the scope of this RFP, include a statement to the validity of the proposal, and provide a contact name for this RFP response, including title, address, telephone number, facsimile, and email address. Within the cover letter provide confirmation that you have read and understate System Investment Policy 22.01 as referenced in Section 1.1 of this RFP.

4.2 Company Profile

a. Provide a contact name for this RFP response, including title, address, telephone number and email address.

b. Number of Years in Business: _______

Number of Employees: ______(company wide)

c. State that you will provide a financial rating of your company and any documentation (such as a Dunn and Bradstreet Analysis) which indicates the financial stability of your company, if requested by A&M System.

d. Is your company currently for sale or involved in any transaction to expend or to become acquired by another business entity? If yes, please explain the impact both in organizational and directional terms.

e. Provide any details of all past or pending litigation or claims filed against your company that would negatively impact your company’s performance under an agreement with the Agencies.

f. Is your company currently in default on any loan agreement or financing agreement with any bank, financial institution, or other entity. If yes, specify date(s), details, circumstances, and prospects for resolution.

4.3 Instructions Concerning Proposal Package

Respondents are required to describe their ability or inability to fulfill each of the requirements identified in Section 4 and complete the Cost Proposal and Pricing Form (Attachment A). The Pricing Form must include all applicable pricing components; the A&M System will not be responsible for fees not explicitly included. Responses addressing the Section 4 requirements should be complete and sufficiently detailed for the proposal to be considered responsive.

4.3.1 Other items to be included in proposal

a. All agreements that the A&M System will be expected to sign

b. Bank's most recent annual report or most recent audited financial statements

c. Samples of output (information reporting print-out, presentment report, bank statement, reconciliation statements, account analysis, collateral report)

The Texas A&M University System RFP-01-TRSY-27-288 Page 19 of 64

d. The bank’s most recent Community Reinvestment Act Performance Evaluation

4.3.2 Minimum requirements

a. Respondent must be in good standing with the State of Texas Comptroller in accordance with Section 2252.903 of the Texas Government Code

b. Respondent must be insured either through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)

c. Respondent must be a financial institution authorized to conduct business in Texas (by a state or federal charter – e.g. registered by the Texas Secretary of State) to act as a depository for the A&M System.

4.4 Questionnaire - Bank Services

4.4.1 Bank Background Information

a. Safety and Soundness

• Financial Strength and Capital Adequacy - Provide key indicators of financial strength, including but not limited to:

o Total assets (most recent fiscal quarter) o Tier 1 capital ratio o Common equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio o Total risk-based capital ratio o Leverage ratio

• Identify Respondent’s primary regulator(s) and provide a brief summary of its most recent regulatory examination results, if publicly available.

b. Credit Ratings

• Provide current credit ratings for the bank and/or its holding company from at least two of the following agencies:

o S&P Global Ratings o Moody’s Investors Service o Fitch Ratings

• Include ratings for the following instruments (as applicable):

o Long-term senior unsecured debt o Short-term debt o…