As filed May 8, 2015
Securities Act Registration No. 333-187668
Investment Company Act Reg. No. 811-22819
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
___________________________________
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 T
Pre-Effective Amendment No. ____ £
Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 T
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 T
Amendment No. 42 T
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
___________________________________
ETFis Series Trust I
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
6 E. 39th Street, Suite 1003, New York, NY 10016
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(212) 593-4383
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)
ETFis Series Trust I c/o Corporation Service Company 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400 Wilmington, DE 19808 (Name and Add ress of Agent for Service) |
with a copy to:
Jeffrey T. Skinner, Esq.
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
1001 W. Fourth Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Phone: (336) 607-7512
Fax: (336) 734-2608
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
[x] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
[ ] on _______________ pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
[ ] on _______________ pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
[ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
[ ] on _______________ pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
PROSPECTUS | May 8, 2015
NEWFLEET MULTI-SECTOR UNCONSTRAINED BOND ETF
( Ticker: NFLT )
a series of the
ETFis Series Trust I
The Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF (the “ Fund ”) is an exchange-traded fund (“ ETF ”).
Shares of the Fund are listed on the NYSE Arca (the “ Exchange ”) and trade at market prices.
The market price for the Fund’s shares may be different from its net asset value per share.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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Table of Contents
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RISK/RETURN SUMMARY INFORMATION
Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF (Ticker: NFLT) (the “ Fund ”) seeks to provide a high level of current income and, secondarily, capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund (“ Shares ”). Most investors will incur customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling Shares of the Fund, which are not reflected in the table set forth below.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment): | None |
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
(1) | Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. |
(2) | The Fund’s investment adviser, ETFis Capital, LLC (the “ Adviser ”) has entered into an Expense Limitation Agreement to limit the Fund’s total operating expenses (excluding dividend and interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and payments, if any, under a Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan) so that such expenses do not exceed 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets through June 15, 2016. While the Adviser or the Fund may discontinue the expense reimbursement arrangement after the contractual period, the Expense Limitation Agreement may only be terminated during its term with the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Under certain conditions, the Adviser may recapture fees waived and operating expenses reimbursed under these arrangements for a period of three years following the fiscal year in which such reimbursement occurred. |
Example. This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares of the Fund.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain at current levels. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year | 3 Years |
$84 | $278 |
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities or other instruments (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual Fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund is newly organized and, as of the date of the Prospectus, has not had any portfolio turnover.
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In seeking to achieve the Fund’s investment objective, Newfleet Asset Management, LLC (the “ Sub-Adviser ”) applies a [time-tested] approach to credit research to capitalize on opportunities across undervalued areas of the bond markets. The Sub-Adviser seeks to provide diversification by allocating the Fund’s investments among various sectors of the fixed income markets, including, without limitation, corporate investment-grade, corporate high-yield, bank loans, non-agency commercial mortgage-backed securities (“ CMBS ”), agency and non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (“ RMBS ”), non-U.S. dollar securities, emerging market high-yield securities, Yankee investment-grade bonds, asset-backed securities, taxable municipal bonds, tax-exempt municipal bonds and securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest not less than 80% of its total assets in bonds.
The Fund’s fixed income investments may be issued by various types of issuers and may include some or all of the following:
• | Securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities, including, without limitation, collateralized mortgage obligations (“ CMOs ”), real estate mortgage investment conduits (“ REMICs ”) and other pass-through securities; |
• | Debt securities issued by foreign issuers, including foreign governments and their political subdivisions and issuers located in emerging markets countries; |
• | Investment grade securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers, including short-term securities; and |
• | High yield debt instruments of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers (commonly referred to a “junk bonds”), which may include bank loans (generally with floating rates). |
Under normal market conditions, the Sub-Adviser seeks to select securities using a sector rotation approach and seeks to adjust the proportion of Fund investments in various sectors and sub-sectors in an effort to obtain higher relative returns. Sectors and sub-sectors are analyzed by the Sub-Adviser for attractive relative values. The Sub-Adviser then typically identifies securities within these sectors and sub-sectors based on the particular issuer’s business, management, cash, assets, earnings and stability, as well as the economic and financial conditions of markets generally. Securities selected for investment are typically those that the Sub-Adviser believes offer the greatest available potential to achieve relatively high income and total return based on the Sub-Adviser’s risk-reward analysis.
The Fund may invest in securities of U.S. or non-U.S. issuers of any maturity or credit quality rating. With respect to maturity, the Fund has no target duration for its investment portfolio and the Fund’s portfolio managers may target shorter or longer durations in response to their view of the fixed income markets generally or any sector thereof. Duration measures the interest rate sensitivity of a fixed income security by assessing and weighting the present value of the security’s payment pattern. Generally, the longer the maturity, the greater the duration and, therefore, the greater effect interest rate changes have on the price of the security. From time to time, the Sub-Adviser may use Treasury futures, either long or short, to adjust total portfolio duration. With respect to credit quality, the Fund may invest in investment grade or non-investment grade securities, without limitation. The Fund generally considers a security to be “investment grade” if it is rated within the four highest rating categories of a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, it is determined to be of comparable quality by the Sub-Adviser (pursuant to procedures reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees). Securities that are not determined to be investment grade are considered below investment grade. There is no limitation to the Fund’s holdings in below investment grade securities or non-U.S. issuers (as measured by country of risk).
An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risks; therefore, you may lose money by investing in the Fund. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be successful in meeting its investment objective. Generally, the Fund will be subject to the following risks:
Fixed Income Risks: Risks of investments in fixed income securities include, without limitation, credit risk, interest rate risk, maturity risk, yield curve risk, prepayment risk and liquidity risk. These risks could affect the value of investments of the Fund, possibly causing the Fund’s share price and total return to be reduced and fluctuate more than other types of investments.
• | Credit Risk. The value of the Fund’s fixed income investments is dependent on the creditworthiness of their issuers. A deterioration in the financial condition of an issuer or a deterioration in general economic conditions may have an adverse effect on the value of the investment and may cause an issuer to fail to pay principal and interest when due. |
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• | Interest Rate Risk . The value of the Fund’s fixed income investments will generally vary inversely with the direction of prevailing interest rates. Generally, when interest rates rise, the value of the Fund’s fixed income investments is expected to decline. Additionally, changes in market interest rates of fixed income investments may affect the spread between the long-term interest rates and short-term interest rates, which could affect the prices of the fixed income investments held by the Fund differently. |
• | Maturity Risk. The value of the Fund’s fixed income investments is also dependent on their maturity. Generally, the longer the maturity of a fixed income security, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. |
• | Prepayment Risk. This is the risk that the issuers of fixed income investments owned by the Fund will prepay them at a time when interest rates have declined. Because interest rates have declined, the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in fixed income investments with lower interest rates, which can reduce the Fund’s returns. |
• | Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that a fixed income security may be difficult to sell at an advantageous time or price due to limited market demand (resulting from a downgrade, a decline in price, or adverse conditions within the fixed income market). |
Junk Bonds or High Yield Securities Risk: High yield securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality are considered to be speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to make principal and interest payments and are generally subject to greater levels of credit quality risk than investment grade securities. High yield securities are usually issued by companies without long track records of sales and earnings, or by companies with questionable credit strength. These fixed income securities are considered below “investment-grade.” The retail secondary market for these “junk bonds” may be less liquid than that of higher-rated fixed income securities, and adverse conditions could make it difficult at times to sell these securities or could result in lower prices than higher-rated fixed income securities. These risks can reduce the value of the Fund’s shares and the income it earns.
Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Risks. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are subject to the general fixed income risks described above. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities may be less liquid than other bonds, and may be more sensitive than other bonds to the market’s perception of issuers and creditworthiness of payees, particularly in declining general economic conditions when concern regarding mortgagees’ ability to pay (e.g., the ability of homeowners, commercial mortgagees, consumers with student loans, automobile loans or credit card debtholders to make payments on the underlying loan pools) rises. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities issued by participants in housing and commercial real estate finance, as well as asset-backed markets generally, have experienced extraordinary weakness and volatility at various times in recent years, and may decline quickly in the event of a substantial economic or market downturn. In addition, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are subject to risks of the effects of possible legislation in the area of residential mortgages, credit cards and other loans that may collateralize these securities, any of which may create uncertainty or have other negative effects on the value of these investments.
Foreign Securities Risk . Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers are subject to risks not usually associated with owning securities of U.S. issuers. There is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies, particularly those not subject to the disclosure and reporting requirements of U.S. securities laws. Foreign issuers are generally not bound by uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting requirements and standards of practice comparable to those applicable to domestic issuers. Investments in foreign securities also involve the risk of possible adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations or currency exchange rates, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitation on the removal of cash or other assets of the Fund from foreign markets, political or financial instability, or diplomatic and other developments which could affect such investments. Further, economies of particular countries or areas of the world may differ favorably or unfavorably from the economy of the United States. Foreign securities often trade with less frequency and volume than domestic securities and therefore may exhibit greater price volatility. Investments in foreign markets also involve currency risk, which is the risk that the values of the Fund’s investments denominated in foreign currencies will decrease due to adverse changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the value of foreign currencies.
Emerging Markets Risk: Investments in emerging markets, which include Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Central and South America, are subject to the risk of abrupt and severe price declines. The economic and political structures of developing countries, in most cases, do not compare favorably with the U.S. and other developed countries in terms of wealth and stability, and financial markets in developing countries are not as liquid as markets in developed countries. The economies in emerging market countries are less developed and can be overly reliant on particular industries and more vulnerable to the ebb and flow of international trade, trade barriers, and other protectionist measures. Certain countries may have legacies or periodic episodes of hyperinflation and currency devaluations or instability and upheaval that could cause their governments to act in a detrimental or hostile manner toward private enterprise or foreign investment. Significant risks of war and terrorism currently affect some emerging market countries.
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Loan Participation Risk. A loan participation agreement involves the purchase of a share of a loan made by a bank to a company in return for a corresponding share of borrower’s principal and interest payments. The principal credit risk associated with acquiring loan participation interests is the credit risk associated with the underlying corporate borrower. There is also a risk that there may not be a readily available market for loan participation interests and, in some cases, this could result in the Fund disposing of such securities at a substantial discount from face value or holding such securities until maturity.
Municipal Market Volatility Risk. Municipal securities may be significantly affected by political changes as well as uncertainties in the municipal market related to taxation, legislative changes, or the rights of municipal security holders. Because many municipal securities are issued to finance similar projects, especially those relating to education, healthcare, transportation, and utilities, conditions in those sectors can affect the overall municipal market. Budgetary constraints of local, state, and federal governments upon which the issuers may be relying for funding may also impact municipal securities. In addition, changes in the financial condition of an individual municipal issuer can affect the overall municipal market, and market conditions may directly impact the liquidity and valuation of municipal securities.
U.S. Government Securities Risk. Obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies, authorities and instrumentalities and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States only guarantee principal and interest will be timely paid to holders of the securities. The entities do not guarantee that the value of the securities will increase and, in fact, the market values of such obligations may fluctuate. In addition, not all U.S. government securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; some are the obligation solely of the entity through which they are issued. There is no guarantee that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies and instrumentalities if not required to do so by law.
Treasury Futures Contracts Risk . Treasury futures are futures contracts, which are subject to risks that include, without limitation: imperfect correlation between the underlying Treasury securities and the related futures contracts; unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; the Sub-Adviser’s inability to correctly predict the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; and possible inefficiencies in the rolling of contracts and counterparty default. In addition, the Sub-Adviser will have to manage daily margin requirements successfully in order to avoid regulatory violations or cash shortages in the Fund.
Management Style. The net asset value (“ NAV ”) of the Fund’s Shares changes daily based on the performance of the securities in which it invests. Different types of securities tend to shift into and out of favor with fixed income market investors depending on market and economic conditions. There is no guarantee that the Sub-Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness or value of, or potential income from, particular investments will be correct or produce the desired results. If the Sub-Adviser fails to accurately judge potential investments, the Fund’s share price may be adversely affected.
Market Risk . Market risk refers to the risk that the value of securities in the Fund’s portfolio may decline due to daily fluctuations in the securities markets that are generally beyond the Sub-Adviser’s control, including the quality of the Fund’s investments, economic conditions, adverse investor sentiment, poor management decisions, lower demand for a company’s goods and services and general equity market conditions. In a declining market, the values of all securities (including those in the Fund’s portfolio) may decline, regardless of their long-term prospects. Security values tend to move in cycles, with periods when values generally rise and periods when they generally decline.
Sector/Industry Risk. The Fund seeks to employ a sector rotation strategy. To the extent the Fund is concentrated in one or more sectors, this may make the Fund particularly susceptible to adverse economic, political or regulatory occurrences and changes affecting utilities and companies in these sectors. As concentration of the Fund’s investments in a sector increases, so does the potential for fluctuation in the net asset value of the Fund.
Income Risk . The income that shareholders receive from the Fund is based primarily on the interest it earns from the Fund’s investments, which can vary widely over the short and long-term. If prevailing market interest rates drop, distribution rates of the Fund’s bond holdings could drop as well. The Fund’s income also would likely be affected adversely when prevailing short-term interest rates increase.
Tax Risk . The Fund’s investment program and the tax treatment of Fund distributions may be affected by IRS interpretations of the U.S. tax code, future changes in tax laws and regulations, including changes as a result of the “sunset” provisions that currently apply to the favorable tax treatment of tax-advantaged dividends. There can be no assurance that any portion of the Fund’s income distributions will not be fully taxable as ordinary income. The Fund’s ability to pursue its investment objective, the value of the Fund’s investments and the Fund’s net asset value may be adversely affected by changes in tax rates and policies.
Absence of Prior Active Market Risk. Although the Shares in the Fund are approved for listing on the Exchange, there can be no
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assurance that an active trading market will develop and be maintained for the Shares of the Fund. As a new fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, in which case the Fund may ultimately liquidate.
Risks Related to Portfolio Turnover. As a result of its trading strategy, the Fund may sell portfolio securities without regard to the length of time they have been held and will likely have a higher portfolio turnover rate than other registered investment companies. Since portfolio turnover may involve paying brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, higher turnover generally results in additional Fund expenses. High rates of portfolio turnover may lower the performance of the Fund due to these increased costs and may also result in the realization of short-term capital gains. If the Fund realizes capital gains when portfolio investments are sold, the Fund must generally distribute those gains to shareholders, increasing the Fund’s taxable distributions. High rates of portfolio turnover in a given year would likely result in short-term capital gains that are taxed to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates. See “Federal Income Taxes”.
Fluctuation of NAV; Unit Premiums and Discounts . The NAV of the Fund’s Shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s securities holdings. The market prices of Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in the Fund’s NAV and supply and demand of Shares on the Exchange or any other exchange on which Shares are traded. It cannot be predicted whether Shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for Shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the securities of the Fund trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. The market prices of Shares may deviate significantly from the NAV of the Shares during periods of market volatility. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely that Shares normally will trade close to the Fund’s NAV, disruptions to creations and redemptions and/or market volatility may result in trading prices that differ significantly from the Fund’s NAV. If an investor purchases Shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV of the Shares or sells at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV of the Shares, then the investor may sustain losses that are in addition to any losses caused by a decrease in NAV.
Costs of Buying or Selling Shares . Investors buying or selling Shares in the secondary market will pay brokerage commissions or other charges imposed by brokers as determined by those brokers. Brokerage commissions are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell relatively small amounts of Shares. In addition, secondary market investors will also incur the cost of the difference between the price that an investor is willing to pay for Shares (the “bid” price) and the price at which an investor is willing to sell Shares (the “ask” price). This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “spread” or “bid/ask spread”. The bid/ask spread varies over time for Shares based on trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally lower if the Fund’s Shares have more trading volume and market liquidity and higher if the Fund’s Shares have little trading volume and market liquidity. Further, increased market volatility may cause increased bid/ask spreads. Due to the costs of buying or selling Shares, including bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of Shares may significantly reduce investment results and an investment in Shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.
The Fund is new and therefore does not have a performance history for a full calendar year. Performance information for the Fund will be provided once it has annual returns for a full calendar year. Please remember that the Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of its future performance. It may perform better or worse in the future.
Etfis Capital LLC is the Fund’s Adviser. The Adviser has engaged Newfleet Asset Management, LLC as the Fund’s Sub-Adviser to manage the Fund’s investments, subject to the oversight and supervision of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees of ETFis Series Trust I.
The following individuals are the Fund’s portfolio managers, each of whom has served in such position since the inception of the Fund’s operations: David L. Albrycht, CFA, Jonathan R. Stanley, CFA, and Christopher J. Kelleher, CFA, CPA.
PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES
Unlike conventional investment companies, the Fund issues and redeems Shares on a continuous basis, at NAV, only in blocks of 50,000 Shares or whole multiples thereof (“ Creation Units ”). The Fund’s Creation Units may be issued and redeemed, principally in-kind for securities included in the Fund, only by certain large institutions, referred to as “ Authorized Participants ”, that enter into agreements with the Fund’s principal underwriter. Retail investors may acquire Shares on the Exchange through a broker-dealer. Shares of the Fund will trade on the Exchange at market price rather than NAV. As such, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).
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The Fund’s distributions are generally taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an IRA. Such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of monies from those arrangements.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund, the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund Shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, STRATEGY AND RISKS
Additional Information Regarding the Fund’s Objective. The investment objective of the Fund may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ notice to the shareholders.
Additional Information Regarding the Fund’s Investment Strategy. The Fund is an actively-managed ETF and, thus, does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified passive index of securities. Instead, it uses an active investment strategy that seeks to meet its investment objective. The Sub-Adviser, subject to the oversight of the Advisor and the Board, has discretion on a daily basis to manage the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and investment policies.
In seeking to achieve the Fund’s investment objective, the Sub-Adviser employs active sector rotation and disciplined risk management in the construction of the Fund’s investment portfolio. The Fund’s investable assets are typically allocated among various sectors and sub-sectors of the fixed income market using a top-down, relative value approach that looks at factors such as yield and spreads, supply and demand, investment environment, and sector fundamentals. The Sub-Adviser then typically selects particular investments using a bottom-up, fundamental research driven analysis that includes assessment of credit risk, company management, issuer capital structure, technical market conditions, and valuations. The Sub-Adviser selects securities it believes offer the best potential to achieve the Fund’s investment objective of providing a high level of total return, including a competitive level of current income, while preserving capital. The Sub-Adviser seeks to adjust (i) the proportion of Fund investments primarily in the sectors described in the Fund’s “Principal Investment Strategies” section and (ii) the selections within sectors to obtain higher relative returns. The Sub-Adviser regularly reviews the Fund’s portfolio construction, endeavoring to minimize risk exposure by closely monitoring portfolio characteristics such as sector concentration and portfolio duration.
Additional Information Regarding the Fund’s Investments. The Fund may also invest in cash and cash equivalents or money market instruments, such as repurchase agreements and money market funds, and may also invest in exchange-traded options on securities and securities indexes.
Additional Information Regarding the Fund’s Investment Risks. In addition to the Fund’s principal investment risks, an investment in the Fund is also subject to the following risks:
New Adviser Risk . The Adviser has only recently begun serving as an investment adviser to ETFs, which may limit its effectiveness.
Redeeming Risk . Shares in the Fund may be redeemed only in Creation Units. Shares may not be redeemed in fractional Creation Units. Only certain large institutions that enter into agreements with the Distributor are authorized to transact in Creation Units with the Fund. These entities are referred to as “Authorized Participants”. All other persons or entities transacting in Shares must do so in the secondary market.
Early Closing Risk . An unanticipated early closing of the Exchange may result in a shareholder’s inability to buy or sell Shares of the Fund on that day.
Fund Shares Liquidity Risk . Trading in Shares of the Fund may be halted because of market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Shares is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund’s Shares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.
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Temporary Defensive Positions. In certain adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may temporarily depart from its normal investment policies and strategy, provided that the alternative is consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and is in the best interest of the Fund. At such times, the Fund may invest in cash or cash equivalents, such as money market instruments, and to the extent permitted by applicable law and the Fund’s investment restrictions, shares of other investment companies. Under such circumstances, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in these investments and may do so for extended periods of time. To the extent that the Fund invests in money market instruments or other investment companies, shareholders of the Fund would indirectly pay both the Fund’s expenses and the expenses relating to those other investment companies with respect to the Fund’s assets invested in such investment companies. Under normal circumstances, however, the Fund may also hold money market instruments and/or shares of other investment companies for various reasons including to provide for funds awaiting investment, to accumulate cash for anticipated purchases of portfolio securities, to allow for shareholder redemptions and to provide for the Fund’s operating expenses. When the Fund takes a temporary defensive position, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings. The Fund’s portfolio holdings will be disclosed on the Fund’s website (www.newfleet.com) daily after the close of trading on the Exchange and prior to the opening of trading on the Exchange the following day.
The Fund’s Adviser is Etfis Capital LLC, located at 6 E. 39th Street, Suite 1003, New York, NY 10016. The Adviser was organized as a Delaware limited liability company in August 2013 and, since April 2015, has been a majority-owned subsidiary of Virtus Partners, Inc. (“ VPI ”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (Ticker: VRTS) (together with its affiliates, “ Virtus ”). Virtus is a public company that operates a multi-manager asset management business and has substantial experience in the investment management and investment company industries. As of April 2015, on a collective basis, Virtus-affiliated registered investment advisers manage over $56.7 billion in assets (including over $43.9 billion in registered investment company assets).
The Adviser serves as the Fund’s investment adviser pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Trust on behalf of the Fund. The Adviser has engaged the Sub-Adviser to manage the Fund’s investments in accordance with the stated investment objective and policies of the Fund, subject to the oversight and supervision of the Adviser and the Board. The Adviser also assists with: (a) non-advisory operations of the Fund, (b) the preparation and submission of reports to existing shareholders, (c) the periodic updating of prospectuses and statements of additional information, (d) the preparation of reports to be filed with the SEC and other regulatory authorities, and (e) maintaining certain of the Fund’s records.
The Adviser has served as the investment adviser of the Fund since the inception of the Fund’s operations. The Adviser also serves as investment adviser to the other series of the Trust.
Adviser Compensation. The Adviser receives a monthly advisory fee at the annual rate of 0.70% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser has not been paid any advisory fees as of the date of this Prospectus.
Expense Limitation Agreement . The Adviser has entered into an Expense Limitation Agreement to limit the Fund’s total operating expenses (excluding dividend and interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and payments, if any, under a Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan) so that such expenses do not exceed 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets through June 15, 2016. While the Adviser or the Fund may discontinue the expense reimbursement arrangement after the contractual period, the Expense Limitation Agreement may only be terminated during its term with the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Under certain conditions, the Adviser may recapture fees waived or and operating expenses reimbursed under this arrangement for a period of three years following the fiscal year in which such reimbursement occurred.
The Fund’s Sub-Adviser is Newfleet Asset Management, LLC, located at 100 Pearl Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06103. The Sub-Adviser serves in that capacity pursuant to a sub-advisory contract (the “ Sub-Advisory Agreement ”) with the Trust on behalf of the Fund as approved by the Board. The Sub-Adviser makes day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund and selects broker-dealers for executing portfolio transactions, subject to the brokerage policies established by the Board.
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The Sub-Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Virtus and has been providing investment advisory services since 1989. In addition to the Fund, the Sub-Adviser provides investment advisory services to foundations, endowments, trusts, pension and profit sharing plans, corporations, public funds, multi-employer plans, a privately placed comingled trust and private clients, and provides sub-advisory services to registered investment companies and other private and institutional clients. As of December 31, 2014, the Sub-Advisor had approximately $12.7 billion in assets under management.
Sub-Adviser Compensation. As full compensation for its services to the Fund, the Sub-Adviser receives monthly compensation at the annual rate of 50% of the Adviser’s advisory fee. However, the Sub-Adviser has also contractually agreed in the Sub-Advisory Agreement that the Sub-Adviser will waive its advisory fee or reimburse the Adviser in an amount equal to 50% of the Adviser’s waivers and expenditures under the Expense Limitation Agreement. The Sub-Adviser is also entitled to recapture 50% of the fees waived and expenses reimbursed to the Adviser under the Expense Limitation Agreement. The Sub-Adviser has not been paid any advisory fees as of the date of this Prospectus.
The following individuals are the Fund’s portfolio managers, each of whom has served in such position since the inception of the Fund’s operations:
David L. Albrycht, CFA, President and Chief Investment Officer of the Sub-Adviser
Prior to joining the Sub-Adviser in 2011, Mr. Albrycht was executive managing director and senior portfolio manager of Goodwin Capital Advisers, Inc. (“ Goodwin ”), a former investment subsidiary of Virtus Investment Partners. He has been a portfolio manager of the Virtus Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund since 1993, the Virtus Multi-Sector Intermediate Bond Fund since 1994, the Virtus Senior Floating Rate Fund since 2008 and the AdvisorShares Newfleet Multi-Sector Income ETF since 2013. Mr. Albrycht also manages several variable investment options and is co-manager of the Virtus Total Return Fund and the Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund, both closed-end funds.
Jonathan R, Stanley, CFA, Managing Director - Fixed Income Research of the Sub-Adviser
Prior to joining the Sub-Adviser in 2011, Mr. Stanley was on the fixed income team at Goodwin. At Newfleet, he continues in the same role that he held at Goodwin, a sector manager for high yield credit, responsible for restaurants and the retail industry. He is also co-portfolio manager of the Virtus High Yield Fund, the Virtus Strategic Income Fund and the AdvisorShares Newfleet Multi-Sector Income ETF. Mr. Stanley joined Goodwin in 1997 and served in various capacities, including as an analyst on the emerging markets team. Mr. Stanley left the firm in 2001 to pursue other career opportunities. Mr. Stanley rejoined Goodwin in 2006 as a member of the corporate credit research group and assumed responsibilities for the management of the high-yield sector in 2008.
Christopher J. Kelleher, CFA, CPA, Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Sub-Adviser
From 1997 to January 2010, Mr. Kelleher was senior managing director and senior portfolio manager of Goodwin. Following a two-year retirement, Mr. Kelleher joined the Sub-Adviser in 2012. Mr. Kelleher oversees implementing the management of Newfleet’s mandates to institutional clients and consultants. In addition, he serves as co-portfolio manager of the Virtus Bond Fund, Virtus Balanced Fund, Virtus Low Duration Income Fund, and the AdvisorShares Newfleet Multi-Sector Income ETF. Mr. Kelleher has more than 25 years of investment experience in bond market sectors, including both publicly traded and private placement. Mr. Kelleher earned a B.S. in accounting from the University of Connecticut and a M.S. in accounting from the University of Hartford. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a Certified Public Accountant. He began his career in the financial services industry in 1983.
Additional Information. Additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of Shares of the Fund is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“ SAI ”).
Disclosure Regarding Advisory Agreement Approval. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s most recent approval of the investment advisory agreements and investment sub-advisory agreements for the Fund will be available in the Fund’s first semi-annual report. You may obtain a copy of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports, without charge, upon request to the Fund.
The Fund is a series of the Trust, an open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust on September 20, 2012. The Board supervises the operations of the Fund according to applicable state and federal law, and is responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s business affairs.
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ETF Issuer Solutions Inc. (the “ Administrator ”), located at 6 E. 39th Street, Suite 1003, New York, New York 10016, serves as the Fund’s operational administrator. The Administrator supervises the overall administration of the Trust and the Fund including, among other responsibilities, the coordination and day-to-day oversight of the Fund's operations, the service providers' communications with the Fund and each other, and assistance with Trust, Board and contractual matters related to the Fund and other series of the Trust. The Administrator also provides persons satisfactory to the Board to serve as officers of the Trust.
accounting services administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent
The Bank of New York Mellon (“ BNY Mellon ”), located at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286, directly and through its subsidiary companies, provides necessary administrative, accounting, tax and financial reporting for the maintenance and operations of the Trust as the Fund’s accounting services administrator. BNY Mellon also serves as the custodian for the Fund’s assets, and serves as transfer agent and dividend paying agent for the Fund.
ETF Distributors LLC (the “ Distributor ”), located at 6 E. 39th Street, Suite 1003, New York, NY 10016, serves as the distributor of Creation Units for the Fund on an agency basis. The Distributor does not maintain a secondary market in Shares.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
BBD, LLP, located at 1835 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Trust and the Fund.
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, located at 1001 W. Fourth Street, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, serves as counsel to the Trust.
The Fund pays all expenses not assumed by the Adviser. General Trust expenses that are allocated among and charged to the assets of the Fund and other series of the Trust are done so on a basis that the Board deems fair and equitable, which may be on a basis of relative net assets of the Fund and other series of the Trust or the nature of the services performed and relative applicability to the Fund and other series of the Trust.
The Board has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. In accordance with its Rule 12b-1 plan, the Fund is authorized to pay an amount up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets each year to finance activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Creation Units of the Fund or the provision of investor services. No Rule 12b-1 fees are currently paid by the Fund, and there are no current plans to impose these fees. However, in the event Rule 12b-1 fees are charged in the future, they will be paid out of the respective Fund’s assets, and over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than certain other types of sales charges.
The Adviser and its affiliates may, out of their own resources, pay amounts to third parties for distribution or marketing services on behalf of the Fund. The making of these payments could create a conflict of interest for a financial intermediary receiving such payments.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The NAV of the Shares for the Fund is equal to the Fund’s total assets minus the Fund’s total liabilities divided by the total number of Shares outstanding. Interest and investment income on the Trust’s assets accrue daily and are included in the Fund’s total assets. Expenses and fees (including investment advisory, management, administration and distribution fees, if any) accrue daily and are included in the Fund’s total liabilities. The NAV that is published is rounded to the nearest cent; however, for purposes of
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determining the price of Creation Units, the NAV is calculated to five decimal places.
The pricing and valuation of portfolio securities is determined in good faith in accordance with procedures approved by, and under the direction of, the Board. In determining the value of the Fund’s assets, equity securities are generally valued at market using quotations from the primary market in which they are traded. Debt securities (other than short-term investments) are valued on the basis of broker quotes or valuations provided by a pricing service, which in determining value utilizes information regarding recent sales, market transactions in comparable securities, quotations from dealers, and various relationships between securities. Other assets, such as accrued interest, accrued dividends and cash are also included in determining the NAV. The Fund normally uses third party pricing services to obtain portfolio security prices.
Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available or which cannot be accurately valued using the Fund’s normal pricing procedures are valued by the Trust’s Fair Value Pricing Committee at fair value as determined in good faith under policies approved by the Board. Fair value pricing may be used, for example, in situations where (i) portfolio securities, such as securities with small capitalizations, are so thinly traded that there have been no transactions for that security over an extended period of time; (ii) an event occurs after the close of the exchange on which a portfolio security is principally traded that is likely to change the value of the portfolio security prior to the Fund’s NAV calculation; (iii) the exchange on which the portfolio security is principally traded closes early; or (iv) trading of the particular portfolio security is halted during the day and does not resume prior to the Fund’s NAV calculation. Pursuant to policies adopted by the Board, the Adviser consults with BNY Mellon and the Sub-Adviser on a regular basis regarding the need for fair value pricing. The Fund’s policies regarding fair value pricing are intended to result in a calculation of the Fund’s NAV that fairly reflects portfolio security values as of the time of pricing. A portfolio security’s “fair value” price may differ from the price next available for that portfolio security using the Fund’s normal pricing procedures, and the fair value price may differ substantially from the price at which the security may ultimately be traded or sold. If the fair value price differs from the price that would have been determined using the Fund’s normal pricing procedures, you may receive more or less proceeds or Shares from redemptions or purchases of Fund Shares, respectively, than you would have otherwise received if the portfolio security were priced using the Fund’s normal pricing procedures and the prices used to determine the Fund’s Indicative Intra-Day Value (“ IIV ”), which could result in the market prices for Shares deviating from NAV. The performance of the Fund may also be affected if a portfolio security’s fair value price were to differ from the security’s price using the Fund’s normal pricing procedures. The Board monitors and evaluates the Fund’s use of fair value pricing, and periodically reviews the results of any fair valuation under the Trust’s policies.
To the extent the assets of the Fund are invested in other open-end investment companies that are registered under the 1940 Act, the Fund’s NAV is calculated based upon the NAVs reported by such registered open-end investment companies, and the prospectuses for these companies explain the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.
The NAV is determined as of the close of regular trading on the Exchange, normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on each day that the Exchange is open for business. Currently, the Exchange is closed on weekends and in recognition of the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
The approximate value of the Fund’s investments on a per-Share basis, the Indicative Intra-Day Value, or IIV, is disseminated by the Exchange every 15 seconds during hours of trading on the Exchange The IIV should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of NAV because the IIV may not be calculated in the same manner as NAV, which is computed once per day.
The IIV is calculated for the Fund during hours of trading on the Exchange by dividing the “Estimated Fund Value” as of the time of the calculation by the total number of outstanding Shares of that Fund. “ Estimated Fund Value ” is the sum of the estimated amount of cash held in the Fund’s portfolio, the estimated amount of accrued interest owed to the Fund and the estimated value of the securities held in the Fund’s portfolio, minus the estimated amount of the Fund’s liabilities. The IIV will be calculated based on the same portfolio holdings disclosed on the Fund’s website at www.newfleet.com.
Although the Trust provides information used to calculate the IIV, the Trust is not involved in the actual calculation of the IIV and is not responsible for the calculation or dissemination of the IIV. The Trust makes no warranty as to the accuracy of the IIV.
Information regarding the extent and frequency with which market prices of Shares have tracked the Fund’s NAV for the most recently completed calendar year and the most recently completed calendar quarters since that year will be available without charge on the Fund’s website.
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The Board has not adopted policies and procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund Shares by Fund shareholders (“ market timing ”). In determining not to adopt market timing policies and procedures, the Board noted that, unlike traditional mutual funds, the Fund’s Shares can only be purchased and redeemed directly from the Fund in Creation Units by Authorized Participants, and that the vast majority of trading in the Fund’s Shares occurs on the secondary market. Because secondary market trades do not involve the Fund directly, it is unlikely those trades would cause many of the harmful effects of market timing, including dilution, disruption of portfolio management, increases in the Fund’s trading costs and the realization of capital gains. With respect to trades directly with the Fund, to the extent effected in-kind (namely, for securities), those trades do not cause any of the harmful effects that may result from frequent cash trades. To the extent trades are effected in whole or in part in cash, the Board noted that those trades could result in dilution to the Fund and increased transaction costs (and the Fund may impose higher transaction fees to offset these increased costs), which could negatively impact the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. However, the Board noted that direct trading on a short-term basis by Authorized Participants is critical to ensuring that the Fund’s Shares trade at or close to NAV. The Fund also imposes transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of Creation Units that are designed to offset the Fund’s transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units. Given this structure, the Board determined that it is not necessary to adopt market timing policies and procedures. The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order at any time and reserves the right to impose restrictions on disruptive or excessive trading in Creation Units.
The Board has instructed the officers of the Trust to review reports of purchases and redemptions of Creation Units on a regular basis to determine if there is any unusual trading in the Fund’s Shares. The officers of the Trust will report to the Board any such unusual trading in Creation Units that is disruptive to the Fund. In such event, the Board may reconsider its decision not to adopt market timing policies and procedures.
The Fund expects to distribute substantially all of its net investment income to its shareholders monthly and its net realized capital gains at least annually. As a Fund shareholder, you are entitled to your share of the Fund’s distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains on its investments. The Fund pays out substantially all of its net earnings to its shareholders as “distributions”.
The Fund typically earns investment income in the form of dividends from stocks and interest from debt securities. These amounts, net of expenses, are typically passed along to Fund shareholders as dividends from net investment income. The Fund realizes capital gains or losses whenever it sells securities. Net capital gains are distributed to shareholders as “capital gain distributions”.
Net investment income and net capital gains are typically distributed to shareholders at least annually . Dividends may be declared and paid more frequently to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”). In addition, the Fund may determine to distribute at least annually amounts representing the full dividend yield net of expenses on the underlying investment securities, as if the Fund owned the underlying investment securities for the entire dividend period, in which case some portion of each distribution may result in a return of capital. You will be notified regarding the portion of the distribution that represents a return of capital.
Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional Shares of the Fund only if the broker through which you purchased Shares makes such option available.
The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in Shares of the Fund. The summary is based on the laws in effect on the date of this Prospectus and existing judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. In addition, this summary assumes that the Fund shareholder holds Shares as capital assets within the meaning of the Code and does not hold Shares in connection with a trade or business. This summary does not address all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations possibly applicable to an investment in Shares of the Fund, to Fund shareholders holding Shares through a partnership (or other pass-through entity) or to Fund shareholders subject to special tax rules. Prospective Fund shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the specific federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of investing in Fund Shares.
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The Fund has not requested and will not request an advance ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “ IRS ”) as to the federal income tax matters described below. The IRS could adopt positions contrary to those discussed below and such positions could be sustained. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors with regard to the federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of Shares, as well as the tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, foreign country or other taxing jurisdiction.
The Fund, as well as any future series of the Trust, is treated as a separate corporate entity under the Code, and intends to qualify and remain qualified as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to so qualify, the Fund must elect to be a regulated investment company or have made such an election for a previous year and must satisfy certain requirements relating to the amount of distributions and source of its income for a taxable year. At least 90% of the gross income of the Fund must be derived from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks, securities or foreign currencies, and other income derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies. Any income derived by the Fund from a partnership or trust is treated as derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in stock, securities or currencies only to the extent that such income is attributable to items of income that would have been qualifying income if realized by the series in the same manner as by the partnership or trust.
The Fund will not qualify as a regulated investment company for any taxable year unless it satisfies certain requirements with respect to the diversification of its investments at the close of each quarter of the taxable year. In general, at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets must be represented by cash, cash items, government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities which, with respect to any one issuer, do not represent more than 5% of the total assets of the Fund nor more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer. In addition, not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in the securities (other than government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer. The Fund intends to satisfy all requirements on an ongoing basis for continued qualification as a regulated investment company.
There is a remedy for failure of the Subchapter M asset diversification test, if the failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, subject to certain divestiture and procedural requirements and the payment of a tax. There is also a de minimis exception to a potential failure of the Subchapter M asset diversification test, which would require corrective action but no tax. In addition, a remedy of a failure of the source-of-income requirement exists, if the failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, subject to certain procedural requirements and the payment of a tax.
Tax Treatment of Fund Shareholders
The following information is meant as a general summary for U.S. taxpayers. Additional tax information appears in the Fund’s SAI. Shareholders should rely on their own tax advisors for advice about the particular federal, state, and local tax consequences of investing in the Fund.
Dividends from net investment income or capital gains distributions, if any, will be distributed in cash. Although the Fund will not be taxed on amounts it distributes, shareholders will generally be taxed on distributions paid by the Fund.
Distributions attributable to net investment income and short-term capital gains are generally taxed as ordinary income, although certain income dividends may be taxed to non-corporate shareholders at long-term capital gains rates. Distributions of long-term capital gains are generally taxed as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long a shareholder has held Fund Shares. Distributions may be subject to state and local taxes, as well as federal taxes.
Distributions resulting from the sale of foreign currencies and foreign securities by the Fund, to the extent of foreign exchange gains, are generally taxed as ordinary income or loss. If the Fund pays non-refundable taxes to foreign governments during the year, these taxes will reduce the Fund’s net investment income but still may be included in your taxable income. However, you may be able to claim an offsetting tax credit or itemized deduction on your return for your portion of foreign taxes paid by the Fund. Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisors to ensure that distributions with respect to Fund Shares are treated appropriately on their income tax returns.
Regulated investment companies must report cost basis information to the IRS on Form 1099-B for any sale of regulated investment company shares acquired after January 1, 2012 (“ Covered Shares ”). Regulated investment companies must select a default cost basis calculation method and apply that method to the sale of Covered Shares unless an alternate IRS approved method is specifically
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elected in writing by the shareholder. Average Cost, which is the investment company industry standard, has been selected as the Fund’s default cost basis calculation method. If a shareholder determines that an IRS approved cost basis calculation method other than the Fund’s default method of Average Cost is more appropriate, the shareholder must contact the Fund at the time of or in advance of the sale of Covered Shares that are to be subject to that alternate election. IRS regulations do not permit the change of a cost basis election on previously executed trades. All Fund Shares purchased in non-retirement accounts are subject to the new cost basis reporting legislation.
An additional 3.8% Medicare tax will be imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends received from a Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of a Fund’s Shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such persons’ “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.
Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Shares is treated generally as a long-term gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Shares held for one year or less is generally treated as a short-term gain or loss, except that any capital loss on the sale of Shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid with respect to the Shares. Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisors to ensure that sales of Fund Shares are treated appropriately on their income tax returns.
Federal regulations generally require the Fund to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a “backup withholding” tax with respect to dividends and the proceeds of any redemption paid to you if you fail to furnish the Fund or the Fund’s paying agent with a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-9, Form W-8BEN or other applicable form. Furthermore, the IRS may notify the Fund to institute backup withholding if the IRS determines that your taxpayer identification number (“ TIN ”) is incorrect or if you have failed to properly report taxable dividends or interest on a federal tax return. A TIN is either the Social Security number or employer identification number of the record owner of the account. Any tax withheld as a result of backup withholding does not constitute an additional tax imposed on the record owner of the account and may be claimed as a credit on the record owner’s federal income tax return. The backup withholding rate is currently 28%. The ability to deduct capital losses may be limited.
The Fund will be required to withhold U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) on payments of dividends and (effective January 1, 2017) redemption proceeds made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive new reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. You may be requested to provide additional information to enable the Fund to determine whether withholding is required.
Creation Unit ISSUANCES and Redemptions
On an issuance of Shares of the Fund as part of a Creation Unit, an Authorized Participant recognizes capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value (at issue) of the issued Shares (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue) and (ii) the Authorized Participant’s aggregate basis in the exchanged securities (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue). On a redemption of Shares as part of a Creation Unit, an Authorized Participant recognizes capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value (at redemption) of the securities received (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption) and (ii) the Authorized Participant’s basis in the redeemed Shares (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption). However, the IRS might assert, under the “wash sale” rules or on the basis that there has been no significant change in the Authorized Participant’s economic position, that any loss on creation or redemption of Creation Units cannot be deducted currently.
In general, any capital gain or loss recognized upon the issue or redemption of Shares (as components of a Creation Unit) is treated either as long-term capital gain or loss, if the deposited securities (in the case of an issue) or the Shares (in the case of a redemption) have been held for more than one year, or otherwise as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss on a redemption of Shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid with respect to such Shares.
For additional discussion regarding an investment in the Fund, please see the section of the SAI entitled “Taxation”.
The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the possible consequences under current federal tax law of an investment in the Fund. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. You may also be subject to state and local taxation on Fund distributions, and sales of Fund Shares. Consult your personal tax advisor about the potential tax consequences of an investment in Fund Shares under all applicable tax laws.
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FUND WEBSITE AND DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Trust maintains a website for the Fund at www.newfleet.com. The website for the Fund contains the following information, on a per-Share basis, for the Fund: (i) the prior Business Day’s NAV; (ii) the reported midpoint of the bid-ask spread at the time of NAV calculation (the “ Bid-Ask Price ”); (iii) a calculation of the premium or discount of the Bid-Ask Price against such NAV; and (iv) data in chart format displaying the frequency distribution of discounts and premiums of the Bid-Ask Price against the NAV, within appropriate ranges, for each of the four previous calendar quarters (or for the life of the Fund if, shorter). In addition, on each Business Day, before the commencement of trading in Shares on the Exchange, the Trust will disclose on the Fund’s website the identities and quantities of the portfolio securities and other assets held by the Fund that will form the basis for the calculation of NAV at the end of the Business Day.
A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the SAI.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Exchange. The Exchange makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of Shares or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Fund to achieve its objective. The Exchange has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.
For purposes of the 1940 Act, the Fund is a registered investment company, and the acquisition of Shares by other registered investment companies and companies relying on exemption from registration as investment companies under Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act is subject to the restrictions of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, except as permitted by an exemptive order that permits registered investment companies to invest in the Fund beyond those limitations.
The Fund is newly organized and therefore has not yet had any operations as of the date of this Prospectus.
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Who we are | ||
Who is providing this notice? | ETFis Series Trust I | |
What we do | ||
How does ETFis Series Trust I protect my personal information? |
To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information. |
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How does ETFis Series Trust I collect my personal information? |
We collect your personal information, for example, when you: § Open an account § Provide account information § Give us your contact information § Make deposits or withdrawals from your account § Make a wire transfer § Tell us where to send the money § Show your government-issued ID § Show your driver’s license
We also collect your personal information from other companies. |
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Why can’t I limit all sharing? |
Federal law gives you the right to limit only: § Sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness § Affiliates from using your information to market to you § Sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. |
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Definitions | ||
Affiliates |
Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. § Etfis Capital LLC, the Fund’s investment adviser, ETF Distributors, LLC, the Fund’s principal underwriter, and ETF Issuer Solutions, the Fund’s operational administrator, could each be deemed to be an affiliate. |
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Non-affiliates |
Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies § ETFis Series Trust I does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you. |
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Joint marketing |
A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you. § ETFis Series Trust I does not jointly market. |
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If you would like more information about the Trust, the Fund and the Shares, the following documents are available free upon request:
Annual and Semi-Annual Reports
Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. Once available, you will find in the Fund’s annual report a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during the prior fiscal year.
Statement of Additional Information
Additional information about the Fund and its policies is also available in the Fund’s SAI. The SAI is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus (and is legally considered part of this Prospectus).
The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports and the SAI are available free upon request by calling the Adviser at (212) 593-4383. You can also access and download the annual and semi-annual reports and the SAI without charge at the Fund’s website: www.newfleet.com.
To obtain other information and for shareholder inquiries :
By telephone : | (212) 593-4383 |
By mail : | Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF |
ETFis Series Trust I | |
6 E. 39th Street, Suite 1003 | |
New York, NY 10016 | |
On the Internet : | SEC Edgar database: http://www.sec.gov; or www.newfleet.com |
Only one copy of a Prospectus or an annual or semi-annual report will be sent to each household address. This process, known as “householding”, is used for most required shareholder mailings. (It does not apply to confirmations of transactions and account statements, however.) You may, of course, request an additional copy of a Prospectus or an annual or semi-annual report at any time by calling or writing the Fund. You may also request that householding be eliminated from all your required mailings.
You may review and obtain copies of Fund documents (including the SAI) by visiting the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. You may also obtain copies of Fund documents, after paying a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102 or by electronic request to: publicinfo@sec.gov. Information on the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 942-8090. Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov.
No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representations about the Fund or its Shares not contained in this Prospectus, and you should not rely on any other information. Read and keep this Prospectus for future reference.
Dealers effecting transactions in the Fund’s Shares, whether or not participating in this distribution, may be generally required to deliver a Prospectus. This is in addition to any obligation dealers have to deliver a Prospectus when acting as underwriters.
ETFis Series Trust I: Investment Company Act file number 811-22819
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STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
NEWFLEET MULTI-SECTOR UNCONSTRAINED BOND ETF
(symbol: NFLT)
May 8, 2015
a series of the
ETFis Series Trust I
6 E. 39th Street, Suite 1003
New York, NY 10016
Telephone: (212) 593-4383
TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Statement of Additional Information (“ SAI ”) is meant to be read in conjunction with the prospectus (“ Prospectus ”) for the Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF (Ticker: NFLT) (the “ Fund ”) dated the same date as this SAI, which incorporates this SAI by reference in its entirety. Because this SAI is not itself a prospectus, no investment in Shares of the Fund should be made solely upon the information contained herein. Copies of the Prospectus for the Fund may be obtained at no charge by writing or calling the Fund at the address or phone number shown above. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the same meanings as in the Prospectus. No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this SAI and the Prospectus, and, if given or made, such information or representations may not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Trust. The SAI does not constitute an offer to sell securities.
Audited financial statements are not presented for the Fund since the Fund is newly formed and had not yet commenced operations as of the date of this SAI. Once available, you may obtain a copy of the Fund’s annual report at no charge by request to the Fund at the address or phone number noted below.
A copy of the Prospectus for the Fund may be obtained, without charge, by calling (212) 593-4383 or visiting www.newfleet.com, or writing to the Trust, c/o ETF Distributors LLC, 6 E. 39th Street, Suite 1003, New York, NY 10016.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUND
The ETFis Series Trust I (the “ Trust ”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on September 20, 2012 and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “ 1940 Act ”). The Trust currently consists of seven investment portfolios, the Fund, BioShares Biotechnology Products Fund (Ticker: BBP), BioShares Biotechnology Clinical Trials Fund (Ticker: BBC), Tuttle Tactical Management U.S. Core ETF (Ticker: TUTT), Tuttle Tactical Management Multi-Strategy Income ETF (Ticker: TUTI), and InfraCap MLP ETF (Ticker: AMZA) and InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF (Ticker: PFFR). Other portfolios may be added to the Trust in the future. The shares of the Fund are referred to herein as “ Fund Shares ” or “ Shares ”. The offering of Shares is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”).
The Fund’s investment adviser is Etfis Capital LLC (the “ Adviser ”). The Adviser has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC since October 2013. The Fund’s sub-adviser is Newfleet Asset Management, LLC (the “ Sub-Adviser ”).
The Fund offers and issues Shares at net asset value (the “ NAV ”) only in aggregations of a specified number of Shares (each, a “ Creation Unit ”), generally in exchange for a basket of equity securities included in the Fund’s portfolio (the “ Deposit Securities ”), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (the “ Cash Component ”). Shares are redeemable only in Creation Units and, generally, in exchange for Deposit Securities and a Cash Component. Creation Units are aggregations of 50,000 Shares of the Fund and are available only to certain large institutions, referred to as “ Authorized Participants ”, that enter into agreements with the Distributor. In the event of the liquidation of the Fund, the Trust may lower the number of Shares in a Creation Unit.
Fund Shares trade on the NYSE Arca (the “ Exchange ”) at market prices that may be below, at or above NAV. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary for the Fund to maintain the listing of its Shares will continue to be met. The Exchange will consider the suspension of trading and delisting of the Shares of the Fund from listing if (i) following the initial 12-month period beginning upon the commencement of trading of Fund Shares, there are fewer than 50 beneficial owners of Shares of the Fund for 30 or more consecutive trading days, (ii) the intra-day net asset value of the Fund is no longer calculated or available, or (iii) any other event occurs or condition exists that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable. The Exchange will remove the Shares of the Fund from listing and trading upon termination of the Fund.
As in the case of other stocks traded on the Exchange, brokers’ commissions on transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels.
The Trust reserves the right to adjust the price levels of the Shares in the future to maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of the Fund.
The following policies supplement the Fund’s investment objectives and policies as described in the Prospectus for the Fund.
GENERAL INVESTMENT RISKS. All investments in securities and other financial instruments involve a risk of financial loss. No assurance can be given that the Fund’s investment program will be successful. Investors should carefully review the descriptions of the Fund’s investments and its risks in this SAI and the Prospectus.
FIXED INCOME RISKS.
Corporate and Municipal Debt Securities Corporate and municipal debt securities purchased by the Fund may be of any credit quality, maturity or yield. Accordingly, the Fund’s debt securities may include “investment grade” securities (those rated at least Baa by Moody’s, BBB by S&P or Fitch or, if not rated, of equivalent quality in the Adviser’s opinion). In addition, the Fund’s debt securities may include lower-rated debt securities including, without limitation, “junk” bonds whose ratings are below investment grade. Debt securities rated Baa by Moody’s or BBB by S&P or Fitch may be considered speculative and are subject to risks of non-payment of interest and principal. Debt securities rated lower than Baa by Moody’s or lower than BBB by S&P or Fitch are generally considered speculative and subject to significant risks of non-payment of interest and principal and greater market fluctuations than
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higher-rated debt securities. Lower-rated debt securities are usually issued by companies without long track records of sales and earnings, or by companies with questionable credit strength. The retail secondary market for these “junk bonds” may be less liquid than that of higher-rated debt securities, and adverse conditions could make it difficult at times to sell certain securities or could result in lower prices than those used in calculating a Fund’s net asset value. These risks can reduce the value of the Fund’s shares and the income it earns. Descriptions of the quality ratings of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch are included as Appendix A to this SAI. While the Adviser utilizes the ratings of various credit rating services as one factor in establishing creditworthiness, it relies primarily upon its own analysis of factors establishing creditworthiness.
Zero Coupon Securities. The Fund may purchase zero coupon securities. Zero coupon securities do not pay interest or principal until final maturity, unlike debt securities that provide periodic payments of interest (referred to as a coupon payment). Zero coupon securities are bought at a price below the amount payable at maturity. The difference between the purchase price and the amount paid at maturity represents interest on the zero coupon security. One must wait until maturity to receive interest and principal, which increases the market and credit risks of a zero coupon security. A zero coupon step-up security converts to a coupon security before final maturity.
Strips (“ STRIPS ”). STRIPS are created by separating the income and principal components of a debt instrument and selling them separately. U.S. Treasury STRIPS (Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities) are created when the coupon payments and the principal payment are stripped from an outstanding Treasury bond by the Federal Reserve Bank. Zero coupon U.S. government securities such as STRIPS are debt obligations that are issued or purchased at a significant discount from face value. The discount approximates the total amount of interest the security will accrue and compound over the period until maturity or the particular interest payment date at a rate of interest reflecting the market rate of the security at the time of issuance. STRIPS do not require the periodic payment of interest. These investments benefit the issuer by mitigating its need for cash to meet debt service, but generally require a higher rate of return to attract investors who are willing to defer receipt of cash. These investments may experience greater volatility in market value than U.S. government securities that make regular payments of interest. If the Fund invests in STRIPS, the Fund will accrue income on the investment for tax and accounting purposes, which is distributable to shareholders and which, because no cash is received at the time of accrual, may require the liquidation of other portfolio securities to satisfy the Fund's distribution obligations, in which case the Fund would forgo the purchase of additional income producing assets with these funds. The value of these instruments tends to fluctuate more in response to changes in interest rates than the value of ordinary interest-paying debt securities with similar maturities. The risk is greater when the period to maturity is longer.
Debentures. A debenture is a long-term, unsecured, debt instrument backed only by the integrity of the borrower, not by collateral, and documented by an indenture. Governments often issue debentures, in part because they generally cannot guarantee debt with assets (government assets are public property). The primary risk with this type of investment is that the issuer will default or go into bankruptcy. As an unsecured creditor, in the event of default or bankruptcy, the holder of a debenture does not have a claim against any specific asset(s) of the issuing firm, so the investor will only be paid from the issuer’s assets after the secured creditors have been paid. The Fund may invest in all types of debentures, including, without limitation, corporate and government debentures.
Demand Notes. Variable and Floating Rate Demand Notes are notes that bear variable or floating interest rates and carry rights that permit holders to demand payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest from the issuers or certain financial intermediaries. Variable rate demand notes have a stated maturity in excess of one year, but permit a holder to demand payment of principal plus accrued interest upon a specified number of days notice. Frequently, such obligations are secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements provided by banks. The issuer has a corresponding right, after a given period, to prepay in its discretion the outstanding principal of the obligation plus accrued interest upon a specific number of days notice to the holders. The interest rate of a floating rate instrument may be based on a known lending rate, such as a bank's prime rate, and is reset whenever such rate is adjusted. The interest rate on a variable rate demand note is reset at specified intervals at a market rate. These formulas are designed to result in a market value for the Variable Rate Demand Note or Floating Rate Demand Note that approximates its par value. Variable and Floating Rate Demand Notes are subject to interest rate risks.
Inverse Floaters. Inverse floaters are municipal obligations on which the interest rates typically fall as market rates increase and increase as market rates fall. Changes in market interest rates or the floating rate of the security inversely affect the residual interest rate of an inverse floater. As a result, the price of an inverse floater will be considerably more volatile than that of a fixed-rate obligation when interest rates change. Inverse floaters are a form of derivative investment. Certain derivatives can be used to increase or decrease the Fund's exposure to changing security prices, interest rates or other factors that affect the value of securities. However, these techniques could result in losses to the Fund if the Adviser judges market conditions incorrectly or employs a strategy that does not correlate well with the Fund's other investments. These techniques can cause losses if the counterparty does not perform its promises. An additional risk of investing in municipal securities that are derivative investments is that their market value could be expected to vary to a much greater extent than the market value of municipal securities that are not derivative investments but have similar credit quality, redemption provisions and maturities.
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Private Activity Bonds. Private activity bonds are generally revenue bonds payable not from general taxes, but from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source, that do not generally carry the pledge of the credit of the issuing municipality. Interest paid from passive activity bonds is generally taxable as ordinary income and, if the proceeds from private activity bonds are used for the construction, repair or improvement of privately operated industrial or commercial facilities, the interest paid on such bonds may be excluded from gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, although current federal tax laws place substantial limitations on the size of these issues. Sizable investments in these obligations could involve an increased risk to the Fund should any of the related facilities experience financial difficulties. The obligations of issuers may become subject to laws enacted in the future by Congress, state legislatures, or local governments of referenda extending the time for payment of principal or interest, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations or upon the ability of municipalities to levy taxes. Furthermore, as a result of legislation or other conditions, the power or ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its municipal obligations may be materially affected.
Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities may or may not be issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Mortgage-backed securities are interests in pools of residential or commercial mortgage loans, including, without limitation, mortgage loans made by savings and loan institutions, mortgage bankers, commercial banks and others. Pools of mortgage loans are assembled as securities for sale to investors by private entities or various governmental and government-related entities. The value of some mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may invest may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and, like other debt securities investments, the ability of the Fund to successfully utilize these instruments may depend in part upon the ability of the Adviser to forecast interest rates and other economic factors correctly. Prepayment risk is a major risk of mortgage-backed securities.
Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates. Obligations of GNMA, FNMA, and FHLMC include direct pass through certificates representing undivided ownership interests in pools of mortgages. The Fund may invest in such certificates, which are guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest (but not as to price and yield) by the issuer. For securities issued by GNMA, the payment of principal and interest is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Mortgage pass-through certificates issued by FNMA or FHLMC are guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest by the credit of the issuing U.S. government agency. Securities issued by other non-governmental entities (such as commercial banks or mortgage bankers) may offer credit enhancement such as guarantees, insurance, or letters of credit. Mortgage pass-through certificates are subject to more rapid prepayment than their stated maturity date would indicate; their rate of prepayment tends to accelerate during periods of declining interest rates or increased property transfers and, as a result, the proceeds from such prepayments may be reinvested in instruments which have lower yields. The impact of prepayments on the price of a security may be difficult to predict and may increase the volatility of the price.
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”) . CMOs are generally backed by mortgage pass-through securities or whole mortgage loans. CMOs are usually structured into classes of varying maturities and principal payment priorities. The prepayment sensitivity of each class may or may not resemble that of the CMO’s collateral depending on the maturity and structure of that class. CMOs pay interest and principal (including, without limitation, prepayments) monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually. The prices and yields of CMOs are determined, in part, by assumptions about cash flows from the rate of payments of the underlying mortgage. Changes in interest rates may cause the rate of expected prepayments of those mortgages to change. These prepayment risks can make the prices of CMOs very volatile when interest rates change. That volatility will affect the Fund’s share price. Most CMOs are AAA rated, reflecting the credit quality of the underlying collateral; however, some classes carry greater price risk than that of their underlying collateral. The Adviser will invest in classes of CMOs only if their characteristics and interest rate sensitivity fit the investment objective and policies of the Fund.
Other Mortgage Related Securities. In addition to the mortgage pass through securities and the CMOs mentioned above, the Fund may also invest in other mortgage derivative products. In addition to the prepayment risks described above, rapidly rising interest rates could cause prepayments of mortgages to occur at a slower rate than expected, and the expected maturity of short or medium term mortgage-related securities could lengthen as a result. That could cause their values to fluctuate more, and the share price of the Fund to fluctuate more and to fall. Governmental, government-related, and private entities may create other mortgage-related securities offering mortgage pass through and mortgage collateralized instruments in addition to those described herein. As new types of mortgage-related securities are developed and offered to the investment community, the Fund may consider making investments in such new types of mortgage-related securities.
Asset-Backed Securities. The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities backed by loans such as automobile loans, credit card receivables, marine loans, recreational vehicle loans and manufactured housing loans. Typically asset-backed securities represent undivided fractional interests in a trust whose assets consist of a pool of loans and security interests in the collateral securing the loans. Payments of principal and interest on asset-backed securities are passed through monthly to certificate holders and are usually guaranteed
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up to a certain amount and time period by a letter of credit issued by a financial institution. In some cases asset-backed securities are divided into senior and subordinated classes so as to enhance the quality of the senior class. Underlying loans are subject to risks of prepayment, which may reduce the overall return to certificate holders. If the letter of credit is exhausted and the full amounts due on underlying loans are not received because of unanticipated costs, depreciation, damage or loss of the collateral securing the contracts, or other factors, certificate holders may experience delays in payment or losses on asset backed securities. The Fund may invest in other asset backed securities (e.g., equipment trust certificates), including those that may be developed in the future.
Equipment Trust Certificates. The Fund may invest in equipment trust certificates which are a type of asset-backed security that represents undivided fractional interests in a trust whose assets consist of a pool of equipment retail installment contracts or leased equipment. The debt issue is secured by the equipment or physical assets, as the title for the equipment is held in trust for the holders of the issue. Equipment trust certificates are subject to the risk that the lessee or payee defaults on its payments, and risks related to potential declines in the value of the equipment that serves as collateral for the issue.
FOREIGN SECURITIES.
Foreign Securities Generally. The Fund may invest directly or indirectly in foreign securities traded on U.S. exchanges, in over-the-counter markets or in the form of American Depositary Receipts (“ ADRs ”) described below. The Fund may also invest in foreign currency and foreign currency-denominated securities. Investing in securities issued by companies whose principal business activities are outside the United States may involve significant risks not present in domestic investments. The value of securities denominated in or indexed to foreign currencies, and of dividends and interest from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets and prices on some foreign markets can be highly volatile. Many foreign countries lack uniform accounting and disclosure standards comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies, and it may be more difficult to obtain reliable information regarding an issuer’s financial condition and operations. Some foreign countries impose conditions and restrictions on foreigners’ ownership of interests in local issuers, including, without limitation, restring ownership to certain classes of investment in an issuer, which may reduce potential investment returns and impair disposition of those investments. Additional costs associated with an investment in foreign securities may include higher custodial fees than those applicable to domestic custodial arrangements and transaction costs of foreign currency conversions.
Foreign markets may offer less protection to investors than U.S. markets. Foreign issuers, brokers and securities markets may be subject to less government supervision. Foreign securities trading practices, including, without limitation, those involving the release of assets in advance of payment, may involve increased risks in the event of a failed trade or the insolvency of a broker-dealer, and may involve substantial delays. It may also be difficult to enforce legal rights in foreign countries because of inconsistent legal interpretations or less defined legal and regulatory provisions or because of corruption or influence on local courts.
Investing abroad also involves different political and economic risks. Foreign investments may be affected by actions of foreign governments adverse to the interests of U.S. investors, including, without limitation, the possibility of expropriation or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on U.S. investment or on the ability to repatriate assets or convert currency into U.S. dollars or other governmental intervention. There may be a greater possibility of default by foreign governments or foreign government-sponsored enterprises and securities issued or guaranteed by foreign governments, their agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions, may or may not be supported by the full faith and credit and taxing power of the foreign government. Investments in foreign countries also involve a risk of local political, economic or social instability, military action or unrest or adverse diplomatic developments. There is no assurance that the Sub-Adviser will be able to anticipate these potential events or counter their effects.
Foreign Fixed-Income Securities. Investing in foreign fixed-income securities has the same risks as investing in foreign securities generally. In addition, foreign corporate bonds are subject to the risks that foreign companies may not be subject to uniform audit, financial reporting or disclosure standards, practices or requirements comparable to those found in the U.S., which may make it more difficult to evaluate the business and/or financial position of the issuer and the value of the bond. Foreign government bonds are also subject to the risks that governmental issuers of fixed-income securities may be unwilling to pay interest and repay principal when due or may require that conditions for payment be renegotiated.
Depositary Receipts (ADRs). ADRs provide a method whereby the Fund may invest in securities issued by companies whose principal business activities are outside the United States. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying securities, and may be issued as sponsored or unsponsored programs. In sponsored programs, an issuer has made arrangements to have its securities trade in the form of ADRs. In unsponsored programs, the issuer may not be directly involved in the creation of the program. Although regulatory requirements with respect to sponsored and unsponsored
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programs are generally similar, in some cases it may be easier to obtain financial information from an issuer that participates in a sponsored program.
Emerging Market Securities. An “emerging market” is any country that the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation or the United Nations or its authorities has determined to have a low or middle income economy. Investing in emerging markets involves exposure to potentially unstable governments, the risk of nationalization of business, restrictions on foreign ownership, prohibitions on repatriation of assets and a system of laws that may offer less protection of property rights. Emerging market economies may be based on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local and global trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt burdens or inflation rates. The securities markets in emerging markets are substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the major securities markets in the United States and other developed countries. A high proportion of the shares of many issuers may be held by a limited number of persons and financial institutions, which may limit the number of shares available for investment by the Fund. A limited number of issuers in emerging markets may represent a disproportionately large percentage of market capitalization and trading value. The limited liquidity of securities markets in these countries may also affect the Fund’s ability to acquire or dispose of securities at the price and time it wishes to do so. The inability of the Fund to dispose fully and promptly of positions in declining markets would cause the Fund’s net asset value to decline as the values of the unsold positions are marked to lower prices. In addition, these securities markets are susceptible to being influenced by large investors trading significant blocks of securities.
Foreign Currency Transactions. Investments in foreign securities involve currency risk. The Fund may engage in various transactions to hedge currency risk, but is not required to do so. The instruments the Fund may use for this purpose include forward foreign currency contracts, foreign currency futures contracts and options on foreign currencies.
A forward foreign currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specified currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price established at the time of the contract. These contracts are entered into directly between currency traders and their customers. The Fund may use these contracts to purchase or sell a foreign currency for the purpose of locking in the U.S. dollar price of foreign securities the Fund has agreed to purchase or the amount in U.S. dollars that the Fund will receive when it has sold foreign securities.
Currency futures contracts are similar to forward currency contracts, except that they are traded on exchanges (and have margin requirements) and are standardized as to contract size and delivery date. The Fund may purchase or sell foreign currency futures contracts to protect against fluctuations in the U.S. dollar values of foreign securities. For example, the Fund may sell a futures contract on a foreign currency when it holds securities denominated in that currency and it anticipates a decline in the value of that currency relative to the U.S. dollar. If such a decline were to occur, the resulting adverse effect on the value of the foreign-denominated securities may be offset, in whole or in part, by gains on the futures contract.
A currency option is the right - but not the obligation - to buy (in the case of a call) or sell (in the case of a put) a set amount of one currency for another at a predetermined time in the future. The two parties to a currency option contract are the option buyer and the option seller/writer. The option buyer may, for an agreed upon price, purchase from the option writer a commitment that the option writer will sell (or purchase) a specified amount of a foreign currency upon demand. The option extends only until the stated expiration date. The rate at which one currency can be purchased or sold is one of the terms of the option and is called the strike price. The total description of a currency option includes the underlying currencies, the contract size, the expiration date, the strike price and whether the option is an option to purchase the underlying currency (a call) or an option to sell the underlying currency (a put). There are three types of option expirations, American-style, European-style and Bermuda-style. American-style options can be exercised on any business day prior to the expiration date. European-style options can be exercised at expiration only. Bermuda-style options can be exercised at the date of expiration, and on certain specified dates that occur between the purchase date and the date of expiration.
The use of foreign currency transactions involves risks, including, without limitation, the risk of imperfect correlation between movements in futures or options prices and movements in the price of currencies which are the subject of the hedge. The successful use of foreign currency transactions also depends on the ability of the Sub-Adviser to correctly forecast interest rate movements, currency rate movements and general stock market price movements. There can be no assurance that the Sub-Adviser’s judgment will be accurate. The use of foreign currency transactions also exposes the Fund to the general risks of investing in futures and options contracts, including, without limitation: the risk of an illiquid market and the risk of adverse regulatory actions. Any of these factors may cause the Fund to lose money on its foreign currency transactions.
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EQUITY SECURITIES.
Direct and Indirect Common Stock . The Fund may invest in equity securities, both directly and indirectly through the Fund’s investment in shares of ETFs and other investment companies, ADRs and other types of securities and instruments described in this SAI and in the Prospectus. The equity portion of the Fund’s portfolio may include common stocks traded on domestic or foreign securities exchanges or on the over-the-counter market. In addition to common stocks, the equity portion of the Fund’s portfolio may also include preferred stocks, convertible preferred stocks, and convertible bonds. Prices of equity securities in which the Fund invests may fluctuate in response to many factors, including, but not limited to, the activities of the individual companies whose securities the Fund owns, general market and economic conditions, interest rates and specific industry changes. Such price fluctuations subject the Fund to potential losses. In addition, regardless of any one company’s particular prospects, a declining stock market may produce a decline in prices for all equity securities, which could also result in losses for the Fund. Market declines may continue for an indefinite period of time, and investors should understand that during temporary or extended bear markets, the value of equity securities will decline.
Exchange Traded Products (“ETPs”). The Fund may invest in (or sell short) exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”) and other ETPs. The shares of an ETF may be assembled in a block (typically 50,000 shares) known as a creation unit and redeemed in kind for a portfolio of the underlying securities (based on the ETF’s net asset value) together with a cash payment generally equal to accumulated dividends as of the date of redemption. Conversely, a creation unit may be purchased from the ETF by depositing a specified portfolio of the ETF’s underlying securities, as well as a cash payment generally equal to accumulated dividends of the securities (net of expenses) up to the time of deposit. The Fund’s ability to redeem creation units may be limited by the 1940 Act, which provides that the ETFs will not be obligated to redeem shares held by the Fund in an amount exceeding one percent of their total outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days. ETPs other than ETFs are issued in shares or units, and trade on exchanges like ETFs.
There is a risk that the underlying ETPs in which the Fund invests may terminate due to extraordinary events that may cause any of the service providers to the ETPs, such as the trustees or sponsors, to close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the ETPs. Also, because the ETPs in which the Fund invests may be granted licenses by agreement to use various indices as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names, the ETPs may terminate if such license agreements are terminated. In addition, an ETP may terminate if its net assets fall below a certain amount. Although the Fund believes that, in the event of the termination of an underlying ETP, it will be able to invest instead in shares of an alternate ETP with a similar strategy, there is no guarantee that shares of an alternate ETP would be available for investment at that time.
Investments in ETPs involve certain inherent risks generally associated with investments in conventional registered investment companies (e.g., mutual funds) that hold a portfolio of securities including, without limitation: (1) risks that the general level of security prices for the ETP’s investment strategy may decline, thereby adversely affecting the value of each share or unit of the ETP; (2) an index-based ETP may not fully replicate the performance of its benchmark index because of the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or discrepancies between the ETP and the index with respect to the weighting of securities or number of stocks held; and (3) an index ETP may also be adversely affected by the performance of the specific index, market sector or group of industries on which it is based. In addition, ETPs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional funds: (1) the market price of an ETP’s shares may trade at a discount to its net asset value; (2) an active trading market for an ETP’s shares may not develop or be maintained; (3) trading of an ETP’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange deems such action appropriate; and (4) ETP shares may be delisted from the exchange on which they trade, or activation of “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) may halt trading temporarily. ETPs are also subject to the risks of the underlying securities the ETP is designed to track or invest in.
Money Market Mutual Funds . In order to maintain sufficient liquidity, to implement investment strategies or for temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in shares of one or more money market funds. Generally, money market mutual funds are registered investment companies that seek to earn income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity by investing primarily in high quality money market instruments, including, without limitation, U.S. government obligations, bank obligations and high-grade corporate instruments. An investment in a money market mutual fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Company or any other governmental agency, entity or person. While investor losses in money market mutual funds have been rare, they are possible. In addition, the Fund will incur additional indirect expenses due to acquired fund fees and other costs to the extent it invests in shares of money market mutual funds.
Other Investment Companies. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may not acquire shares of another investment company (ETFs or other investment companies) if, immediately after such acquisition, the Fund and its affiliated persons would hold more than 3% of the ETF’s or investment company’s total outstanding stock (“ 3% Limitation ”). Accordingly, the Fund is subject to the 3% Limitation unless (i) the ETF or the Fund has received an order for exemptive relief from the 3% Limitation from the SEC that is applicable to the Fund; and (ii) the ETF and the Fund take appropriate steps to comply with any conditions in such order. The SEC has issued such
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exemptive orders to numerous ETFs and their investment advisers, which permit investment companies to invest in such ETFs (“ Exempted ETFs ”) beyond the 3% Limitation, subject to certain terms and conditions, including, without limitation, that such investment companies enter into an agreement with the Exempted ETF.
To the extent the 3% Limitation applies to certain ETFs, that limitation may prevent the Fund from allocating its investments in the manner that the Sub-Adviser considers optimal, or cause the Sub-Adviser to select a similar basket of stocks (pre-selected groups of securities related by index or sector made available through certain brokers at a discount brokerage rate) (“ Stock Baskets ”) or a similar index-based mutual fund or other investment company as an alternative. The Fund’s investments in other investment companies will be subject to the same 3% Limitation described above.
Under the 1940 Act, to the extent that the Fund relies upon Section 12(d)(1)(F) in purchasing securities issued by another investment company, the Fund must either seek instructions from its shareholders with regard to the voting of all proxies with respect to its investment in such securities (ETFs and other investment companies) and vote such proxies only in accordance with the instructions, or vote the shares held by it in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of the securities. In the event that there is a vote of ETF or other investment company shares held by the Fund, the Fund intend to vote such shares in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such securities.
Preferred Stock. Preferred stocks are securities that represent an ownership interest providing the holder with claims on the issuer’s earnings and assets before common stock owners but after bond owners. Unlike debt securities, the obligations of an issuer of preferred stock, including, without limitation, dividend and other payment obligations, may not typically be accelerated by the holders of such preferred stock on the occurrence of an event of default or other non-compliance by the issuer of the preferred stock. Preferred stocks may include the obligation to pay a stated dividend. The price of preferred stocks could depend more on the size of the dividend than on the company’s performance. If a company fails to pay the dividend, its preferred stock is likely to drop in price. Changes in interest rates can also affect the price of preferred stock.
Real Estate Securities . The Fund will not invest directly in real estate, but may invest in readily marketable securities issued by companies that invest in real estate or interests therein. The Fund may also invest in readily marketable interests issued by real estate investment trusts (“ REITs ”). REITs are generally publicly traded on national stock exchanges and in the over-the-counter market and have varying degrees of liquidity. Investments in real estate securities are subject to risks inherent in the real estate market, including, without limitation, risks related to changes in interest rates, possible declines in the value of and demand for real estate, adverse general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of mortgage funds, overbuilding in a given market and environmental problems.
The Fund may invest in global real estate companies outside the U.S. These companies include, but are not limited to, companies with similar characteristics to a REIT structure, in which revenue consists primarily of rent derived from owned, income producing real estate properties, dividend distributions as a percentage of taxable net income are high (generally greater than 80%), debt levels are generally conservative and income derived from development activities is generally limited.
Warrants and Rights. Warrants are essentially options to purchase equity securities at specific prices and are valid for a specific period of time. Rights are similar to warrants but generally have a short duration and are distributed directly by the issuer to its shareholders. The holders of warrants and rights have no voting rights, and receive no dividends, with respect to the equity interests underlying warrants or rights, and will have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer, until the warrant or right is exercised. Investments in warrants and rights involve certain risks, including, without limitation, the possible lack of a liquid market for resale, potential price fluctuations as a result of speculation or other factors, and failure of the price of the underlying security to reach or have reasonable prospects of reaching a level at which the warrant or right can be prudently exercised (in which event the warrant or right may expire without being exercised, resulting in a loss of the Fund’s entire investment therein).
Short Sales. In a short sale, the Fund would borrow a security from a broker-dealer (which involves payment of a premium and transaction costs) and then sell into the market a security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of that security. The Fund will then cover the short position by buying shares in the market either (i) at its discretion or (ii) when called by the broker-dealer lender. Until the security is replaced, the Fund is required to pay the broker-dealer lender any dividends or interest that accrue during the period of the loan. In addition, the net proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker to the extent necessary to meet regulatory or other requirements, until the short position is closed out.
The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaces the borrowed security. The Fund will realize a gain if the security declines in price between those dates. The amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased by the amount of the premium, dividends, interest or
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expenses the Fund may be required to pay in connection with a short sale. When the Fund makes a short sale, the Fund will segregate liquid assets (such as cash, U.S. government securities, or equity securities) on the Fund’s books and/or in a segregated account at the Fund’s custodian or broker (or an affiliate thereof) in an amount sufficient to cover the current value of the securities to be replaced as well as any dividends, interest and/or transaction costs due to the broker-dealer lender, to the extent such deposit is required by applicable law and/or the parties involved in the transaction. In determining the amount to be segregated, any securities that have been sold short by the Fund will be marked to market daily. To the extent the market price of the security sold short increases and more assets are required to meet the Fund’s short sale obligations, additional assets will be segregated to ensure adequate coverage of the Fund’s short position obligations.
In addition, the Fund may make short sales “against the box,” i.e., when the Fund sells a security short while owning securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short (or securities convertible or exchangeable into such securities) and will hold such securities while the short sale is outstanding. The Fund will incur transaction costs, including, without limitation, interest, in connection with opening, maintaining and closing short sales against the box.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. In addition to common and preferred stocks, the Fund may invest directly or indirectly in securities convertible into common stock if, for example, the Sub-Adviser believes that a company’s convertible securities are undervalued in the market. Convertible securities eligible for purchase by the Fund include convertible bonds, convertible preferred stocks and warrants. A warrant is an instrument issued by a corporation which gives the holder the right to subscribe to a specific amount of the corporation’s capital stock at a set price for a specified period of time. Warrants do not represent ownership of the securities, but only the right to buy the securities. The price of warrants do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of their underlying securities. Warrants may be considered speculative in that they have no voting rights, pay no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of their issuing corporation. Warrant positions will not be used to increase the leverage of the Fund; consequently, warrant positions are generally accompanied by cash positions equivalent to the required exercise amount. The Fund’s ability to invest in warrants is limited by its investment restrictions.
MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS. The Fund may invest directly and indirectly in money market instruments, including, without limitation, U.S. Government obligations or corporate debt obligations (including, without limitation, those subject to repurchase agreements). Money market instruments also may include Banker’s Acceptances and Certificates of Deposit of domestic branches of banks, Commercial Paper, and Master Notes. Banker’s Acceptances are time drafts drawn on and “accepted” by a bank. When a bank “accepts” such a time draft, it assumes liability for its payment. When the Fund acquires a Banker’s Acceptance, the bank that “accepted” the time draft is liable for payment of interest and principal when due. The Banker’s Acceptance carries the full faith and credit of such bank. A Certificate of Deposit is an unsecured, interest bearing debt obligation of a bank. Commercial Paper is an unsecured, short-term debt obligation of a bank, corporation, or other borrower. Commercial Paper maturity generally ranges from two to 270 days and is usually sold on a discounted basis rather than as an interest-bearing instrument. The Fund will invest directly in Commercial Paper only if it is rated in one of the top two rating categories by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch or, if not rated, is of equivalent quality in the Sub-Adviser’s opinion. Commercial Paper may include Master Notes of the same quality. Master Notes are unsecured obligations which are redeemable upon demand of the holder and which permit the investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest. Master Notes may be acquired by the Fund through the Master Note program of the Fund’s custodian bank, acting as administrator thereof. The Sub-Adviser will monitor, on a continuous basis, the earnings power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the issuer of a Master Note held by the Fund.
ILLIQUID INVESTMENTS. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, which are investments that cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the prices at which they are valued. Under the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “ Board ”), the Sub-Adviser determines the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, and through reports from the Sub-Adviser, the Board monitors investments in illiquid instruments. In determining the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, the Sub-Adviser may consider various factors including, without limitation: (i) the frequency of trades and quotations; (ii) the number of dealers and prospective purchasers in the marketplace; (iii) dealer undertakings to make a market; (iv) the nature of the security (including, without limitation, any demand or tender features); and (v) the nature of the marketplace for trades (including, without limitation, the ability to assign or offset the Fund’s rights and obligations relating to the investment). If through a change in values, net assets or other circumstances, the Fund were in a position where more than 15% of its net assets were invested in illiquid securities, it would seek to take appropriate steps to protect liquidity. An investment in illiquid securities poses risks of potential delays in resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and the Fund may be unable to dispose of illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES. Within its limitations on investment in illiquid securities, the Fund may purchase restricted securities that generally can be sold in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the federal securities laws or in a registered public offering. Where registration is required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense,
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and a considerable period may elapse between the time it decides to seek registration and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If during such a period adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to seek registration of the security.
Derivative Instruments. The Fund will comply with and adhere to all limitations on the manner and extent to which it effects transactions in derivative instruments (including, without limitation, futures and options on such futures) imposed by the provisions of the 1940 Act applicable to the issuance of senior securities. Additionally, the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (the “ CEA ”). Therefore, the Fund is not subject to regulation or registration as a commodity pool operator under the CEA.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, enacted in July 2010, provided for new regulation of the derivatives market, including, without limitation, clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements. Because the legislation continues to be implemented, its ultimate impact remains unclear. Regulations could, among other things, restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in derivatives transactions (for example, by making certain types of derivatives transactions no longer available to the Fund) and/or increase the costs of such derivatives transactions (for example, by increasing margin or capital requirements), either of which could adversely affect the Fund’s derivative positions or the Fund’s use of derivatives generally.
FUTURES CONTRACTS. A futures contract is a bilateral agreement to buy or sell a security (or deliver a cash settlement price, in the case of a contract relating to an index or otherwise not calling for physical delivery at the end of trading in the contracts) for a set price in the future. Futures contracts are designated by boards of trade that have been designated “contracts markets” by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (“ CFTC ”). No purchase price is paid or received when the contract is entered into. Instead, the Fund, upon entering into a futures contract (and to maintain the Fund’s open positions in futures contracts), would be required to deposit with its custodian in a segregated account in the name of the futures broker an amount of cash, U.S. government securities, suitable money market instruments or liquid, high-grade fixed income securities, known as “initial margin”. The margin required for a particular futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded, and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margin that may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded. By using futures contracts as a risk management technique, given the greater liquidity in the futures market than in the cash market, it may be possible to accomplish certain results more quickly and with lower transaction costs.
If the price of an open futures contract changes (by increase in the case of a sale or by decrease in the case of a purchase) so that the loss on the futures contract reaches a point at which the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, the broker will require an increase in the margin. However, if the value of a position increases because of favorable price changes in the futures contract so that the margin deposit exceeds the required margin, the broker will pay the excess to the Fund. These subsequent payments, called “variation margin,” to and from the futures broker, are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying assets fluctuate, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking to market”.
The Fund will incur brokerage fees when it purchases and sell futures contracts. Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held until delivery or cash settlement is required, but are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions which may result in a gain or a loss. While futures positions taken by the Fund will usually be liquidated in this manner, the Fund may instead make or take delivery of underlying securities whenever it appears economically advantageous for the Fund to do so. A clearing organization associated with the exchange on which futures are traded assumes responsibility for closing out transactions and guarantees that, as between the clearing members of an exchange, the sale and purchase obligations will be performed with regard to all positions that remain open at the termination of the contract.
Securities Index Futures Contracts . Purchases or sales of securities index futures contracts may be used in an attempt to protect the Fund’s current or intended investments from broad fluctuations in securities prices. A securities index futures contract does not require the physical delivery of securities, but merely provides for profits and losses resulting from changes in the market value of the contract to be credited or debited at the close of each trading day to the respective accounts of the parties to the contract. On the contract’s expiration date, a final cash settlement occurs, and the futures positions are simply closed out. Changes in the market value of a particular index futures contract reflect changes in the specified index of securities on which the future is based.
By establishing an appropriate “short” position in index futures, the Fund may also seek to protect the value of its portfolio against an overall decline in the market for such securities. Alternatively, in anticipation of a generally rising market, the Fund can seek to avoid losing the benefit of apparently low current prices by establishing a “long” position in securities index futures and later liquidating that position as particular securities are in fact acquired. To the extent that these hedging strategies are successful, the Fund will be affected to a lesser degree by adverse overall market price movements than would otherwise be the case.
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Limitations on Purchase and Sale of Futures Contracts . Futures can be volatile instruments and involve certain risks. If the Sub-Adviser applies a hedge in the Fund’s portfolio at an inappropriate time or judges market movements incorrectly, futures strategies may lower the Fund’s return. The Fund could also experience losses if the prices of its futures positions were poorly correlated with its other investments, or if it could not close out its position because of an illiquid market.
In general, the Fund will not purchase or sell futures contracts unless either (i) the futures contracts are purchased for “bona fide hedging” purposes (as defined under the CFTC regulations); or (ii) if purchased for other purposes, (A) the sum of the amounts of initial margin deposits and premiums required to establish such positions on the Fund’s existing futures would not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Fund’s total assets or (B) the aggregate net notional value of commodity futures, commodity options contracts, or swaps positions determined at the time the most recent position was established does not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of the Fund’s total assets, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions it has entered into.
In instances involving the purchase of futures contracts, the Fund will deposit in a segregated account with its custodian an amount of cash, cash equivalents and/or appropriate securities equal to the cost of such futures contracts, to the extent that such deposits are required under the 1940 Act.
FORWARD COMMITMENT AND WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES. The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis or for settlement at a future date if the Fund holds sufficient liquid assets to meet the purchase price. In such purchase transactions, the Fund will not accrue interest on the purchased security until the actual settlement. Similarly, if a security is sold for a forward date, the Fund will accrue the interest until the settlement of the sale. When-issued security purchases and forward commitments have a higher degree of risk of price movement before settlement due to the extended time period between the execution and settlement of the purchase or sale. As a result, the exposure to the counterparty of the purchase or sale is increased. Although the Fund would generally purchase securities on a forward commitment or when-issued basis with the intention of taking delivery, the Fund may sell such a security prior to the settlement date if the Sub-Adviser felt such action was appropriate. In such a case, the Fund could incur a short-term gain or loss.
INVESTMENTS IN COMPANIES WITH BUSINESS RELATED TO COMMODITIES. As explained under “Fundamental Restrictions” below, the Fund does not invest directly in commodities. However, the Fund may from time to time invest in securities of companies whose business is related to commodities, or in registered investment companies or other companies that invest directly or indirectly in commodities. For example, the Fund may invest in companies whose business is related to mining of precious or other metals (e.g., gold, silver, etc.) or registered investment companies or publicly or privately traded companies that invest in securities of mining companies and related instruments (including, without limitation, the underlying commodities). Investments in equity securities of companies involved in mining or related precious metals industries, and the value of the investment companies and other companies that invest in precious metals and other commodities are subject to a number of risks. For example, the prices of precious metals or other commodities can make sharp movement, up or down, in response to cyclical economic conditions, political events or the monetary policies of various countries, any of which may adversely affect the value of companies who business is related to such commodities, or the value of investment companies and other companies investing in such business or commodities. Furthermore, such companies are subject to risks related to fluctuations of prices and perceptions of value in commodities markets generally.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. In order to generate additional income, the Fund may lend portfolio securities in an amount up to 33 1 / 3 % of its total assets to broker-dealers, major banks or other recognized domestic institutional borrowers of securities which the Sub-Adviser has determined are creditworthy under guidelines established by the Board. In determining whether the Fund will lend securities, the Sub-Adviser will consider all relevant facts and circumstances. The Fund may not lend securities to any company affiliated with the Sub-Adviser. Each loan of securities will be collateralized by cash, securities or letters of credit. The Fund might experience a loss if the borrower defaults on the loan.
The borrower at all times during the loan must maintain with the Fund cash or cash equivalent collateral, or provide to the Fund an irrevocable letter of credit equal in value to at least 100% of the value of the securities loaned. While the loan is outstanding, the borrower will pay the Fund any interest paid on the loaned securities, and the Fund may invest the cash collateral to earn additional income. Alternatively, the Fund may receive an agreed-upon amount of interest income from the borrower who has delivered equivalent collateral or a letter of credit. It is anticipated that the Fund may share with the borrower some of the income received on the collateral for the loan or the Fund will be paid a premium for the loan. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the Fund or the borrower at any time. The Fund may pay reasonable administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan, and may pay a negotiated portion of the income earned on the cash to the borrower or placing broker. As with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially.
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITIONS. The Fund may, from time to time, take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its principal investment strategies in an attempt to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. In
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such circumstances, the Fund may also hold up to 100% of its portfolio in cash and cash equivalent positions. When the Fund takes a temporary defensive position, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective.
Borrowing. The Fund may, subject to the restrictions of the 1940 Act, borrow money from banks as a temporary measure. For example, the Fund may borrow money to meet redemption requests or for extraordinary or emergency purposes. In the event the Fund should ever borrow money under these conditions, such borrowing could increase the Fund’s costs and thus reduce the value of the Fund’s assets. The 1940 Act presently allows the Fund to borrow from any bank (including, without limitation, pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets) provided that, immediately after any such borrowing, there is an asset coverage of at least 300% for all such borrowings, and provided further that, in the event that the Fund’s asset coverage at any time falls below 300%, the Fund reduce its existing borrowings (within three days, excluding Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with the foregoing limitation..
The Fund has adopted the following investment limitations, which cannot be changed without approval by holders of a majority of its outstanding voting Shares. A “majority” for this purpose means the lesser of (i) 67% of the Fund’s outstanding Shares represented in person or by proxy at a meeting at which more than 50% of its outstanding Shares are represented; or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding Shares. Unless otherwise indicated, percentage limitations apply at the time of purchase of the applicable securities.
FUNDAMENTAL RESTRICTIONS. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund may not:
(1) | Issue senior securities, except as permitted by the 1940 Act; |
(2) | Borrow money (including, without limitation, borrowing to meet redemptions), except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act; |
(3) | Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets; |
(4) | Act as underwriter except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities, the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter under certain federal securities laws; |
(5) | Make loans, provided that the Fund may lend its portfolio securities in an amount up to 33 1 / 3 % of total Fund assets; |
(6) | Purchase or sell real estate or interests in real estate; provided, however, that the Fund may purchase and sell securities which are secured by real estate and securities of companies which invest or deal in real estate (including, without limitation, investments in REITs and mortgage-backed securities); |
(7) | Invest more than 25% of its total assets in any particular industry; and |
(8) | Invest in commodities. |
NON-FUNDAMENTAL RESTRICTIONS. The following investment limitations are not fundamental and may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval. As a matter of non-fundamental policy, the Fund may not:
(1) | Purchase securities on margin (but the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of transactions); |
(2) | Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management over a portfolio company; |
(3) | Invest in securities of other registered investment companies, except as permitted under the 1940 Act; |
(4) | Invest in interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs, although the Fund may invest in the common stock of companies that invest in or sponsor such programs; |
(5) | Purchase warrants if as a result the Fund would then have more than 5% of its total net assets (taken at the lower of cost or current value) invested in warrants; or |
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(6) | Invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. |
With respect to the fundamental and non-fundamental investment restrictions above, if a percentage limitation is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value or net assets will not result in a violation of such restriction (i.e., percentage limitations are determined at the time of purchase); provided, however, that the treatment of the fundamental restrictions related to borrowing money and issuing senior securities are exceptions to this general rule.
With respect to the above fundamental investment restriction on borrowing money, the entry into options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to indices, and options on futures contracts or indices will not constitute borrowing.
With respect to the above fundamental investment restriction on pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets, any such activity to the extent necessary to secure permitted borrowings and to the extent related to the deposit of assets in escrow in connection with (i) writing covered put or call options, (ii) the purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, or (iii) collateral or initial or variation margin arrangements with respect to options, forward contracts, futures contracts (including, without limitation, those relating to indices), or options on futures contracts or indices will not be considered pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets.
With respect to the above fundamental investment restriction on making loans, investment in U.S. government obligations, short-term commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and repurchase agreements will not be deemed to be the making of a loan.
With respect to the above fundamental investment restriction regarding concentration in a particular industry, (i) securities of the U.S. Government (including its agencies and instrumentalities), securities of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions and investments in other registered investment companies are not considered to be issued by members of any industry, and (ii) if the Fund invests in a revenue bond tied to a particular industry, the Fund will consider such investment to be issued by a member of the industry to which the revenue bond is tied.
With respect to the above fundamental investment restriction on investments in commodities, the purchase or sale by the Fund of options, forward contracts, futures contracts (including, without limitation, those relating to indices), options on futures contracts or indices or interests in equity securities issued by companies (including, without limitation, investment companies) that hold or invest in one or more commodities as their sole or principal business activity will not be considered an investment in commodities.
With respect to the above non-fundamental investment restriction on purchasing securities on margin, short sales of securities and futures trades, forward contracts or similar trades requiring margin deposits or other use of a margin account will not be considered purchasing securities on margin.
The 1940 Act allows the Fund to borrow from any bank (including, without limitation, pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets) in an amount up to 33⅓% of its total assets and the Fund will, to the extent necessary, reduce its existing borrowings (within three days, excluding Sundays and holidays) to comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act.
MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
The Board is responsible for the supervision and oversight of the Fund. The Board approves all significant agreements between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and those companies that furnish services to the Fund; reviews the performance of the Fund; and oversees the business activities of the Fund. This section of the SAI provides information about the persons who serve as trustees (“ Trustees ”) and executive officers to the Trust, as well as the entities that provide services to the Trust.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS. Following are the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust, their ages and addresses, their present positions with the Trust, and their principal occupations during the past five years. Those Trustees who are “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act (“ Interested Trustees ”) and those Trustees who are not “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act (“ Independent Trustees ”), are identified in the table. The address of each Trustee and executive officer of the Trust, unless otherwise indicated, is 6 E. 39th Street, Suite 1003, New York, New York 10016.
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Name and Age | Position(s) held with Trust | Length of Time Served |
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years |
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee |
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past Five Years |
Independent Trustees | |||||
James Simpson (43) | Trustee | Since Inception | President, ETP Resources, LLC (2009-present) (a financial services consulting company); Vice President, Northern Trust Securities, Inc. and Vice President, Northern Trust Global Investments (2008-2009) | Seven | None |
Robert S. Tull (61) | Trustee | Since Inception | Independent Consultant (2013-present); Chief Operating Officer, Factor Advisors, LLC (2010-2013); Chief Operating Officer, GlobalShares (2009-2010) | Seven | None |
Stephen O’Grady (66) | Trustee | Since September 2014 | Lead Market Maker, GFI Group (2011-2012); Partner, Kellogg Capital Markets (2004-2011) | Seven | None |
Interested Trustee* | |||||
William J. Smalley (31) | Trustee, President, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary | Since Inception | President, ETF Issuer Solutions Inc. (2012-present); Managing Principal, ETF Distributors LLC (2012-present); Vice President, Factor Advisors, LLC (2010-2012); Vice President, MacroMarkets, LLC (2006-2010) | Seven | None |
* Mr. Smalley is an Interested Trustee because he is an employee of the Adviser. | |||||
OTHER EXECUTIVE OFFICERS | |||||
Brinton W. Frith (43) | Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | Since Inception | Managing Director, ETF Issuer Solutions Inc. (2013-present); President, Javelin Investment Management, LLC (2008-2013) | N/A | N/A |
Matthew B. Brown (36) | Chief Compliance Officer | Since Inception | CEO, ETF Issuer Solutions Inc. (2012-present); Managing Principal, ETF Distributors LLC (2012-present); Director, Factor Advisors, LLC (2010-2012); Director of U.S. Operations, SPA ETFs (2009-2010) | N/A | N/A |
Board Structure. The Trust’s Board includes three Independent Trustees and one Interested Trustee, Mr. Smalley, who is Chairman of the Board. The Board has not appointed an Independent Trustee to serve as lead Independent Trustee because, among other things, the Board’s current small size and the small number of funds in the Trust permit Trust management to communicate with each Independent Trustee as and when needed, and permit each Independent Trustee to be involved in each committee of the Board (each a “ Committee ”) as well as each Board function. The Board may consider appointing an independent Chairman or a lead Independent Trustee in the future, particularly if the Board’s size or the Trust’s complexity materially increases.
With respect to risk oversight, the Board holds four regular meetings each year to consider and address matters involving the Trust and the Fund. During these meetings, the Board receives reports from the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, Trust management, the Fund’s administrator, transfer agent and distributor, and the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (the “ CCO ”), on regular quarterly items and, where appropriate and as needed, on specific issues. As part of its oversight function, the Board also may hold special meetings or communicate directly with Trust management or the CCO to address matters arising between regular meetings. The Board has established a committee structure that includes an Audit Committee and Nominating Committee (discussed in more detail below). Each Committee is comprised entirely of Independent Trustees.
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Qualification of Trustees. The Board has considered each Trustee’s experience, qualifications, attributes and skills in light of the Board’s function and the Trust’s business and structure, and has determined that each Trustee possesses experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that enable the Trustee to be an effective member of the Board. In this regard, the Board has considered the following specific experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills for each Trustee:
James Simpson | Mr. Simpson has experience as President of ETP Resources, a financial information services company that provides detailed reference data on U.S.-listed exchange-traded products. He also has experience working for financial institutions and securities exchanges and has consulted with respect to the development of exchange-traded products. |
Robert S. Tull | Mr. Tull has experience as a consultant to financial companies and as chief operating officer to financial services companies. Mr. Tull has also assisted with the development of exchange-traded products. |
Stephen O’Grady | Mr. O’Grady has experience in the development and operation of ETF trading systems and futures exchanges and has served as president of an options brokerage firm. |
William J. Smalley | Mr. Smalley has experience in the financial industry, including the development of exchange-traded products, and is a founder of the Adviser and the Distributor. |
The Board has determined that each of the Trustees’ careers and background, combined with their interpersonal skills and general understanding of financial and other matters, enable the Trustees to effectively participate in and contribute to the Board’s functions and oversight of the Trust. References to the qualifications, attributes and skills of Trustees are pursuant to requirements of the SEC, do not constitute holding out the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.
Trustee Standing Committees. The Board has established the following standing committees:
Audit Committee: The Independent Trustees are the current members of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee oversees the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, reviews the results of the annual audits of the Fund’s financial statements and interacts with the Fund’s independent auditors on behalf of the Board. The Audit Committee also serves in the role of the Trust’s qualified legal compliance committee and, as such, receives, investigates and makes recommendations as to appropriate remedial action in connection with any report of evidence of a material violation of securities laws or breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by the Trust, its officers, Trustees or agents. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter and meets periodically as necessary. The Audit Committee met once during the past fiscal year.
Nominating Committee: The Independent Trustees are the current members of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee nominates, selects and appoints Independent Trustees to fill vacancies on the Board and to stand for election at appropriate meetings of the shareholders of the Trust. The Nominating Committee meets only as necessary. The Nominating Committee met once during the past fiscal year. The Nominating Committee generally will not consider nominees recommended by shareholders of the Trust.
Beneficial Ownership of Shares of the Fund. Because the Fund is newly organized, none of the Trustees own Shares of the Fund as of the date of this SAI.
Ownership In Fund Affiliates . As of the date of this SAI, none of the Independent Trustees, nor members of their immediate families, owned, beneficially or of record, securities of the Adviser, the Fund’s principal underwriter or any affiliate of the Adviser or the principal underwriter.
Compensation. Officers of the Trust and the Trustees who are interested persons of the Trust or the Adviser receive no salary from the Trust. Each Independent Trustee receives $2,000 per year plus $2,000 per series of the Trust. The Trust reimburses each Trustee and officer of the Trust for his or her travel and other expenses relating to attendance at Board or committee meetings. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014, the Trustees received the following compensation:
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CODES OF ETHICS. The Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Fund’s principal underwriter have each adopted a code of ethics, as required by Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, that is designed to prevent personnel of the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Fund’s principal underwriter subject to the codes from engaging in deceptive, manipulative or fraudulent activities in connection with securities held or to be acquired by the Fund (which securities may also be held by persons subject to the codes). The codes of ethics permit personnel of the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the principal underwriter subject to the codes to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund, subject to certain restrictions and pre-approval requirements. In addition, the codes of ethics of the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the principal underwriter require that access persons of such entities report their personal securities transactions and holdings, which are reviewed for compliance with the code of ethics.
Anti-Money Laundering Program . The Trust has adopted an anti-money laundering (“ AML ”) program, as required by applicable law, that is designed to prevent the Fund from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. The Trust’s AML Compliance Officer is responsible for implementing and monitoring the operations and internal controls of the program. Compliance officers at certain of the Fund’s service providers are also responsible for monitoring aspects of the AML program. The AML program is subject to the continuing oversight of the Board.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES. The Trust has adopted a proxy voting and disclosure policy that delegates to each Fund’s Proxy Voting Manager the authority to vote proxies for the Fund, subject to oversight of the Board. The Sub-Adviser serves as the proxy Voting Manager for the Fund. Copies of the Trust’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and the Proxy Voting Manager’s Policies and Procedures are included as Appendix B and Appendix C , respectively, to this SAI.
No later than August 31 of each year, the Trust files Form N-PX with the SEC. Form N-PX states how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30. The Fund’s proxy voting records, as set forth in its most recent Form N-PX filing, are available upon request, without charge, by calling the Fund at (866) 383-7636. This information is also available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
As of the date of this SAI, the Fund had no Shares outstanding.
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Management of the Fund”.
Adviser. The Fund’s Adviser is Etfis Capital LLC, located at 6 E. 39th Street, Suite 1003, New York, NY 10016. The Adviser was organized as a Delaware limited liability company in August 2013 and, since April 2015, has been a majority-owned subsidiary of Virtus Partners, Inc. (“ VPI ”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (Ticker: VRTS) (together with its affiliates, “ Virtus ”). Virtus is a public company that operates a multi-manager asset management business and has substantial experience in the investment management and investment company industries. As of April 2015, on a collective basis, Virtus-affiliated registered investment advisers manage over $56.7 billion in assets (including over $43.9 billion in registered investment company assets). The Adviser has served as the investment adviser of the Fund since the inception of the Fund’s operations. The Adviser also serves as investment adviser to the other series of the Trust.
The Adviser serves as the Fund’s investment adviser pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Trust on behalf of the Fund. The Adviser has engaged the Sub-Adviser to manage the Fund’s investments in accordance with the stated investment objective and policies of the Fund, subject to the oversight and supervision of the Adviser and the Board. The Adviser also assists with: (a) non-advisory operations of the Fund, (b) the preparation and submission of reports to existing shareholders, (c) the periodic
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updating of prospectuses and statements of additional information, (d) the preparation of reports to be filed with the SEC and other regulatory authorities, and (e) maintaining certain of the Fund’s records.
The Advisory Agreement is effective for an initial two-year period and will remain in effect thereafter only so long as such renewal and continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board or by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, provided the continuance is also approved by a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty on 60 days’ notice by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Advisory Agreement provides that it will terminate automatically in the event of its “assignment,” as such term is defined in the 1940 Act.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which the Advisory Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services; or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties; or from the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under the Advisory Agreement.
Adviser Compensation. The Adviser receives a monthly advisory fee at the annual rate of 0.70% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser has not been paid any advisory fees as of the date of this SAI.
Expense Limitation Agreement . The Adviser has entered into an Expense Limitation Agreement to limit the Fund’s total operating expenses (excluding dividend and interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and payments, if any, under a Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan) so that such expenses do not exceed 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets through June 15, 2016. While the Adviser or the Fund may discontinue the expense reimbursement arrangement after the contractual period, the Expense Limitation Agreement may only be terminated during its term with the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Under certain conditions, the Adviser may recapture fees waived and/or operating expenses reimbursed under this arrangement for a period of three years following the fiscal year in which such reimbursement occurred.
Sub-Adviser. The Fund’s Sub-Adviser is Newfleet Asset Management, LLC, located at 100 Pearl Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06103. The Sub-Adviser serves in that capacity pursuant to a sub-advisory contract (the “ Sub-Advisory Agreement ”) with the Trust on behalf of the Fund as approved by the Board. The Sub-Adviser makes day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund and selects broker-dealers for executing portfolio transactions, subject to the brokerage policies established by the Board.
The Sub-Adviser is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of a publicly-traded company, Virtus Investment Partners, Inc., and has been providing investment advisory services since 1989. In addition to the Fund, the Sub-Adviser provides investment advisory services to foundations, endowments, trusts, pension and profit sharing plans, corporations, public funds, multi-employer plans, a privately placed comingled trust and private clients, and provides sub-advisory services to registered investment companies and other private and institutional clients. As of September 30, 2014, the Sub-Advisor had approximately $13.0 billion in assets under management.
Sub-Adviser Compensation. As full compensation for its services to the Fund, the Sub-Adviser receives monthly compensation at the annual rate of 50% of the Adviser’s advisory fee. However, the Sub-Adviser has also contractually agreed in the Sub-Advisory Agreement that the Sub-Adviser will waive its advisory fee or reimburse the Adviser in an amount equal to 50% of the Adviser’s waivers and expenditures under the Expense Limitation Agreement. The Sub-Adviser is also entitled to recapture 50% of the fees waived and expenses reimbursed to the Adviser under the Expense Limitation Agreement. The Sub-Adviser has not been paid any advisory fees as of the date of this Prospectus.
Portfolio ManagerS. The following individuals are the Fund’s portfolio managers, each of whom has served in such position since the inception of the Fund’s operations:
David L. Albrycht, CFA, President and Chief Investment Officer of the Sub-Adviser
Prior to joining the Sub-Adviser in 2011, Mr. Albrycht was executive managing director and senior portfolio manager of Goodwin Capital Advisers, Inc. (“ Goodwin ”), a former investment subsidiary of Virtus Investment Partners. He has been a portfolio manager of the Virtus Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund since 1993, the Virtus Multi-Sector Intermediate Bond Fund since 1994, the Virtus Senior Floating Rate Fund since 2008 and the AdvisorShares Newfleet Multi-Sector Income ETF since 2011. Mr. Albrycht also manages several variable investment options and is co-manager of the Virtus Total Return Fund and the Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund, both closed-end funds.
Jonathan R, Stanley, CFA, Managing Director - Fixed Income Research of the Sub-Adviser
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Prior to joining the Sub-Adviser in 2011, Mr. Stanley was on the fixed income team at Goodwin. At Newfleet, he continues in the same role that he held at Goodwin, a sector manager for high yield credit, responsible for restaurants and the retail industry. He is also co-portfolio manager of the Virtus High Yield Fund, the Virtus Strategic Income Fund and the AdvisorShares Newfleet Multi-Sector Income ETF. Mr. Stanley joined Goodwin in 1997 and served in various capacities, including as an analyst on the emerging markets team. Mr. Stanley left the firm in 2001 to pursue other career opportunities. Mr. Stanley rejoined Goodwin in 2006 as a member of the corporate credit research group and assumed responsibilities for the management of the high-yield sector in 2008.
Christopher J. Kelleher, CFA, CPA, Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Sub-Adviser
From 1997 to January 2010, Mr. Kelleher was senior managing director and senior portfolio manager of Goodwin. Following a two-year retirement, Mr. Kelleher joined the Sub-Adviser in 2012. Mr. Kelleher oversees implementing the management of Newfleet’s mandates to institutional clients and consultants. In addition, he serves as co-portfolio manager of the Virtus Bond Fund, Virtus Balanced Fund, Virtus Low Duration Income Fund, and the AdvisorShares Newfleet Multi-Sector Income ETF. Mr. Kelleher has more than 25 years of investment experience in bond market sectors, including both publicly traded and private placement. Mr. Kelleher earned a B.S. in accounting from the University of Connecticut and a M.S. in accounting from the University of Hartford. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a Certified Public Accountant. He began his career in the financial services industry in 1983.
Ownership of Fund Shares . None of t he portfolio managers own any Shares of the Fund as of the date of this SAI because the Fund had not yet commenced operations.
Other Accounts. In addition to the Fund, the portfolio manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts. The table below shows the number of, and total assets in, such other accounts as of March 31, 2015. Except as indicated, none of these accounts has an advisory fee based on the performance of the account.
Registered Investment Companies |
Other Pooled Vehicles |
Other Accounts |
||||
Portfolio Manager | # of Accounts | Total Assets | # of Accounts | Total Assets | # of Accounts | Total Assets |
David L. Albrycht (1) | 18 | $11.4 billion | 1 | $23 million | 0 | $0 |
Jonathan R. Stanley | 4 | $516 million | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
Christopher J. Kelleher (2) | 5 | $765 million | 0 | $0 | 5 | $168 million |
(1) Two RIC accounts ($136 million) have an advisory fee based on the performance of the account.
(2) One RIC account ($56 million) has an advisory fee based on the performance of the account.
Material Conflicts of Interest. Because each of the portfolio managers may at times manage multiple portfolios for multiple clients, the potential for conflicts of interest exists. The portfolio managers may manage portfolios having substantially the same investment style as the Fund. However, the portfolios managed by the portfolio managers may not have portfolio compositions identical to those of the Fund due, for example, to specific investment limitations or guidelines present in some portfolios or accounts, but not others. The portfolio managers may purchase securities for one portfolio and not another portfolio, and the performance of securities purchased for one portfolio may vary from the performance of securities purchased for other portfolios. The portfolio managers may place transactions on behalf of other accounts that are directly or indirectly contrary to investment decisions made on behalf of the Fund, or make investment decisions that are similar to those made for the Fund, both of which have the potential to adversely impact the Fund depending on market conditions. For example, the portfolio managers may purchase a security in one portfolio while appropriately selling that same security in another portfolio. In addition, some of these portfolios may have fee structures that are or have the potential to be higher than the advisory fees paid by the Fund, which can cause potential conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities between the Fund and the other accounts. In addition, current trading practices would not allow the Sub-Adviser to intentionally favor one portfolio over another as trades are executed as trade orders are received.
Compensation . The portfolio managers are compensated by the Sub-Adviser and do not receive any compensation directly from the Fund or the Adviser. Each portfolio manager receives their compensation in the form of base salary that is determined by the advisory fee revenue generated by the firm’s assets under management. Thus, portfolio manager compensation is aligned with the interests of the firm’s clients, including the Fund and its investors. The portfolio managers may also earn a bonus each year based on the profitability of the Sub-Adviser.
ADMINISTRATOR. Under the Administrative Services Agreement, ETF Issuer Solutions Inc. (the “ Administrator ”) serves as the operational administrator of the Trust. The Administrator’s address is 6 E. 39th Street, Suite 1003, New York, New York 10016.
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Under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Administrator supervises the overall administration of the Trust and the Fund including, among other responsibilities, the coordination and day-to-day oversight of the Fund’s operations, the service providers’ communications with the Fund and each other and assistance with Trust, Board and contractual matters related to the Fund and other series of the Trust. The Administrator also provides persons satisfactory to the Board to serve as officers of the Trust. The Administrator will be indemnified in connection with or arising out of performance of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, except for losses resulting from the willful malfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence of Administrator in the performance of such obligations and duties. The Adviser pays the Administrator out of the Adviser’s advisory fee; however, the Fund is newly formed and has not paid any fees for administration services as of the date of this SAI.
ACCOUNTING, Custodian and Transfer Agent. Under the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement (the “ Accounting Services Agreement ”), The Bank of New York Mellon (“ BNY Mellon ” or the “ Accounting Services Administrator ”) serves as accounting administrator for the Fund. BNY Mellon’s principal address is One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286. Under the Administration Agreement, BNY Mellon provides necessary administrative, legal, tax, accounting services and financial reporting for the maintenance and operations of the Trust and the Fund. In addition, BNY Mellon makes available the office space, equipment, personnel and facilities required to provide such services.
BNY Mellon provides accounting and administration services to the Trust, including, among other responsibilities, assisting in the preparation and filing of documents required for compliance by the Fund with applicable laws and regulations and arranging for the maintenance of books and records of the Fund. BNY Mellon provides persons satisfactory to the Board to serve as officers of the Trust.
The Adviser pays the Accounting Services Administrator out of the Adviser’s advisory fee; however, the Fund is newly formed and has not paid any fees for accounting administration services as of the date of this SAI.
BNY Mellon serves as custodian of the Fund’s assets (the “ Custodian ”). The Custodian has agreed to (1) make receipts and disbursements of money on behalf of the Fund; (2) collect and receive all income and other payments and distributions on account of the Fund’s portfolio investments; (3) respond to correspondence from Fund shareholders and others relating to its duties; and (4) make periodic reports to the Fund concerning the Fund’s operations. The Custodian does not exercise any supervisory function over the purchase and sale of securities. The Adviser pays the Custodian out of the Adviser’s advisory fee; however, the Fund is newly formed and has not paid any fees for the Custodian’s services as of the date of this SAI.
BNY Mellon serves as transfer agent and dividend paying agent for the Fund (the “ Transfer Agent ”). The Transfer Agent has agreed to (1) issue and redeem Shares of the Fund; (2) make dividend and other distributions to shareholders of the Fund; (3) respond to correspondence by Fund shareholders and others relating to its duties; (4) maintain shareholder accounts; and (5) make periodic reports to the Fund. The Adviser pays the Transfer Agent out of the Adviser’s advisory fee; however, the Fund is newly formed and has not paid any fees for the Transfer Agent’s services as of the date of this SAI.
BNY Mellon is the principal operating subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.
Distributor. ETF Distributors LLC, the Distributor, is located at 6 E. 39th Street, Suite 1003, New York, New York 10016. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“ FINRA ”).
Shares will be continuously offered for sale by the Trust through the Distributor only in whole Creation Units, as described in the section of this SAI entitled “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units”. The Distributor also acts as an agent for the Trust. The Distributor will deliver a Prospectus to persons purchasing Shares in Creation Units and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor has no role in determining the investment policies of the Fund or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Fund.
The Board of Trustees of the Trust has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. In accordance with its Rule 12b-1 plan, the Fund is authorized to pay an amount up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets each year to finance activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Creation Units of the Fund or the provision of investor services. No Rule 12b-1 fees are currently paid by the Fund, and there are no current plans to impose these fees. However, in the event Rule 12b-1 fees are charged in the future, they will be paid out of the Fund’s assets, and over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than certain other types of sales charges.
Under the Service and Distribution Plan, and as required by Rule 12b-1, the Trustees will receive and review after the end of each
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calendar quarter a written report provided by the Distributor of the amounts expended under the Plan and the purpose for which such expenditures were made.
The Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or their respective affiliates may, out of their own resources, pay amounts to third parties for distribution or marketing services on behalf of the Fund. The making of these payments could create a conflict of interest for a financial intermediary receiving such payments.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Board has selected the firm of BBD, LLP, 1835 Market Street, 26th Floor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund for the current fiscal year and to audit the annual financial statements of the Fund and prepare the Fund’s federal, state and excise tax returns. Such firm will audit the financial statements of the Fund at least once each year. A copy of the most recent annual report containing the audit report will accompany this SAI whenever a shareholder or a prospective investor requests it.
LEGAL COUNSEL. Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, 1001 West Fourth Street, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101, serves as legal counsel to the Trust.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
Subject to the general supervision of the Board and the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for, makes decisions with respect to and places orders for all purchases and sales of portfolio securities for, the Fund. The Sub-Adviser shall manage the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the terms of the Sub-Advisory Agreement by and among the Trust on behalf of the Fund, the Sub-Adviser and the Adviser, which is described in detail under “Management Services – Sub-Adviser”. The Sub-Adviser serves as investment adviser for a number of client accounts, in addition to the Fund.
Brokerage Selection. The Fund has adopted, and the Board has approved, policies and procedures relating to the direction of portfolio securities transactions to brokers. In accordance with these policies and procedures, in selecting brokers to be used in portfolio transactions, the Sub-Adviser’s general guiding principle is to obtain the best overall execution for each trade, which is a combination of price and execution. With respect to execution, the Sub-Adviser considers a number of factors, including, without limitation, the actual handling of the order, the ability of the broker to settle the trade promptly and accurately, the financial standing of the broker, the ability of the broker to position securities to facilitate execution, the Sub-Adviser’s past experience with similar trades and other factors that may be unique to a particular order. Recognizing the value of these judgmental factors, the Sub-Adviser may select brokers that charge a brokerage commission that is higher than the lowest commission that might otherwise be available for any given trade. The Sub-Adviser may not give consideration to sales of Shares of the Fund as a factor in selecting brokers to execute portfolio transactions. The Sub-Adviser may, however, place portfolio transactions with brokers that are affiliated with the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser or that promote or sell the Fund’s Shares, so long as such transactions are done in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Board that are designed to ensure that the selection is consistent with the Sub-Adviser’s obligation to seek best execution and not based upon the broker’s sales efforts.
Under Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Sub-Adviser may, in its discretion, purchase and sell portfolio securities from and to brokers and dealers who provide the Sub-Adviser with brokerage, research, analysis, advice and similar services, and the Sub-Adviser may pay to these brokers and dealers, in return for such services, a higher commission or spread than may be charged by other brokers and dealers, provided that the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in terms either of that particular transaction or of the overall responsibility of the Sub-Adviser to the Fund and its other clients and that the total commission paid by the Fund will be reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund and its other clients over the long-term. The research received by the Sub-Adviser may include, without limitation: information on the United States and other world economies; information on specific industries, sectors, groups of securities, individual companies, and political and other relevant news developments affecting markets and specific securities; technical and quantitative information about markets; analysis of proxy proposals affecting specific companies; accounting and performance systems that allow the Sub-Adviser to determine and track investment results; and trading systems that allow the Sub-Adviser to interface electronically with brokerage firms, custodians and other providers. Research is received in the form of written reports, telephone contacts, personal meetings, research seminars, software programs and access to computer databases. In some instances, research products or services received by the Sub-Adviser may also be used by the Sub-Adviser for functions that are not research related (i.e. not related to the making of investment decisions). Where a research product or service has a mixed use, the Sub-Adviser will make a reasonable allocation according to its use and will pay for the non-research function in cash using its own funds.
The research and investment information services described above make available to the Sub-Adviser for its analysis and consideration the views and information of individuals and research staffs of other securities firms. These services may be useful to
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the Sub-Adviser in connection with advisory clients other than the Fund, and not all such services may be useful to the Sub-Adviser in connection with the Fund. Although such information may be a useful supplement to the Sub-Adviser’s own investment research in rendering services to the Fund, the value of such research and services is not expected to materially reduce the expenses of the Sub-Adviser in the performance of its services under the Sub-Advisory Agreement and will not reduce the management fees payable to the Sub-Adviser by the Fund.
The Fund may invest in securities traded in the over-the-counter market. In these cases, the Fund may initiate trades through brokers on an agency basis and pays a commission in connection with the transaction. The Fund may also effect these transactions by dealing directly with the dealers that make a market in the securities involved, in which case the costs of such transactions would involve dealer spreads rather than brokerage commissions.
Aggregated Trades. While investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those for any other investment companies and accounts advised or managed by the Sub-Adviser, such other advisory clients may invest in the same securities as the Fund. To the extent permitted by law, the Sub-Adviser may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with those to be sold or purchased for other investment companies or accounts advised or managed by the Sub-Adviser in executing transactions. When a purchase or sale of the same security is made as part of an aggregated trade, the transaction will be averaged as to price and available investments allocated as to amount in a manner which the Sub-Adviser believes to be equitable to the Fund and other participating investment companies or accounts. In some instances, this investment procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by the Fund or the size of the position obtained or sold by the Fund.
Portfolio Turnover. The portfolio turnover rate for the Fund is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the reporting period by the monthly average value of the portfolio securities owned during the reporting period. The calculation excludes all securities whose maturities or expiration dates at the time of acquisition are one year or less. Portfolio turnover of the Fund may vary greatly from year to year as well as within a particular year, and may be affected by cash requirements for redemption of Shares and by requirements that enable the Fund to receive favorable tax treatment. Portfolio turnover will not be a limiting factor in making investment decisions, and the Fund may engage in short-term trading to achieve its investment objectives. High rates of portfolio turnover could lower performance of the Fund due to increased transaction costs and may also result in the realization of short-term capital gains taxed at ordinary income tax rates.
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
Portfolio Disclosure Policy. The Trust has adopted a Portfolio Holdings Policy (the “ Policy ”) designed to govern the disclosure of Fund portfolio holdings and the use of material non-public information about Fund holdings. The Policy applies to all officers, employees and agents of the Fund, including the Adviser. The Policy is designed to ensure that the disclosure of information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings is consistent with applicable legal requirements and otherwise in the best interest of the Fund.
As an ETF, information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings is made available on a daily basis in accordance with the provisions of any order of the SEC applicable to the Fund, the regulations of the Exchange and other applicable SEC regulations, orders and no-action relief. Such information typically reflects all or a portion of the Fund’s anticipated portfolio holdings as of the next Business Day (as defined below). This information is used in connection with the creation and redemption process and is disseminated on a daily basis through the facilities of the Exchange, the National Securities Clearing Corporation (the “ NSCC ”) and/or third party service providers.
A “Business Day” with respect to the Fund is any day on which the Exchange is open for business. As of the date of the Prospectus, the Exchange observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
The Trust will disclose on the Fund’s website at the start of each Business Day the identities and quantities of the securities and other assets held by the Fund that will form the basis of the Fund’s calculation of its NAV on that Business Day. The portfolio holdings so disclosed will be based on information as of the close of business on the prior Business Day and/or trades that have been completed prior to the opening of business on that Business Day and that are expected to settle on the Business Day. Online disclosure of such holdings is publicly available at no charge. The website for the Fund is www.newfleet.com.
The Fund may also send a portion or all of this information to shareholders of the Fund and to investment company analysts and rating and trading entities. However, the Fund will not send this information to shareholders of the Fund or to analysts or rating and/or trading entities until such information is at least 30 days old or until one Business Day after the information has been posted to the Fund’s website.
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The officers of the Trust, the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser may share non-public portfolio holdings information with the Fund’s service providers that require such information for legitimate business and Fund oversight purposes, such as the Fund’s operating administrator, fund accounting administrator, transfer agent, distributor, custodian, independent registered public accounting firm, and legal counsel as identified in the Fund’s Prospectus and this SAI and Doremus FP (a financial edgarizing, typesetting and printing firm). The Fund, the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser may also provide non-public portfolio holdings information to appropriate regulatory agencies as required by applicable laws and regulations. The Fund’s service providers receiving such non-public information are subject to confidentiality obligations requiring such service providers to keep non-public portfolio holdings information confidential. Certain of the service providers have codes of ethics that prohibit trading based on, among other things, non-public portfolio holdings information.
The Fund, the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser may, from time to time, provide additional portfolio holdings information in the form of quarterly or monthly management letters; provided, however, that the Fund, the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser will not send such quarterly or monthly management letters to shareholders until such information is either filed with the SEC or publicly disclosed on the Fund’s website. In addition, non-public portfolio holdings information and other information regarding the investment activities of the Fund may also be disclosed to rating and ranking organizations for use in connection with their rating or ranking of the Fund.
The Fund currently does not provide non-public portfolio holdings information to any other third parties. In the future, the Fund may elect to disclose such information to other third parties if the appropriate officers of the Trust determine that the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for doing so and the recipient is subject to a duty of confidentiality. The Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, through their respective officers, are responsible for determining which other third parties have a legitimate business purpose for receiving the Fund’s portfolio holdings information.
The Fund’s policies regarding disclosure of portfolio holdings are subject to the continuing oversight and direction of the Board. The Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Administrator are required to report to the Board any known disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings to unauthorized third parties. The Fund has not entered (and does not currently intend to enter) into any arrangement providing for the receipt of compensation or other consideration in exchange for the disclosure of non-public portfolio holdings information, other than the benefits that result to the Fund and its shareholders from providing such information, which include the publication of Fund ratings and rankings.
The Fund will make available to the public a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings, as reported on a fiscal quarter basis. This information is generally available within 60 days of the Fund’s fiscal quarter end and will remain available until the next fiscal quarter’s portfolio holdings report becomes available. You may obtain a copy of these quarterly portfolio holdings reports by calling the Fund at (212) 593-4383. The Fund will also file these quarterly portfolio holdings reports with the SEC on Form N-CSR or Form N-Q, as applicable. The Fund’s Form N-CSR and Form N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. The first and third quarter portfolio holdings reports will be filed with the SEC on Form N-Q, and the second and fourth fiscal quarter portfolio holdings reports will be included with the semi-annual and annual reports, respectively, which are sent to shareholders and filed with the SEC on Form N-CSR.
No person is authorized to disclose the Fund’s portfolio holdings or other investment positions except in accordance with the Policy.
The approximate value of the Fund’s investments on a per-Share basis, the Indicative Intra-Day Value (“ IIV ”), is disseminated by the Exchange every 15 seconds during hours of trading on the Exchange. The IIV should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of NAV because the IIV will be calculated by an independent third party and may not be calculated in the exact same manner as NAV, which is computed daily.
The IIV for the Fund is calculated during hours of trading on the Exchange by dividing the “Estimated Fund Value” as of the time of the calculation by the total number of outstanding Shares. “Estimated Fund Value” is the sum of the estimated amount of cash held in the Fund’s portfolio, the estimated amount of accrued interest owing to the Fund and the estimated value of the securities held in the Fund’s portfolio, minus the estimated amount of the Fund’s liabilities. The IIV will be calculated based on the same portfolio holdings disclosed on the Fund’s website. In determining the estimated value for each of the component securities, the IIV will use last sale, market prices or other methods that would be considered appropriate for pricing equity securities held by registered investment companies.
Although the Trust provides the information used to calculate the IIV, the Trust is not involved in the actual calculation of the IIV and is not responsible for the calculation or dissemination of the IIV. The Trust makes no warranty as to the accuracy of the IIV.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING SHARES
Organization and Description of Shares of Beneficial Interest. The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust and a registered investment company. The Trust was organized on September 20, 2012, and it has authorized capital of an unlimited number of Shares of beneficial interest of no par value, which may be issued in more than one class or series.
Under Delaware law, the Trust is not required to hold an annual shareholders meeting if the 1940 Act does not require such a meeting. Generally, there will not be annual meetings of Trust shareholders. If requested by shareholders of at least one-third of the outstanding Shares of the Trust or any series thereof, the Trust will call a meeting of the shareholders of the Trust or the series, as applicable. Shareholders holding two-thirds of Shares outstanding may remove Trustees from office by votes cast at a meeting of Trust shareholders or by written consent.
All Shares will be freely transferable; provided, however, that Shares may not be redeemed individually, but only in Creation Units. The Shares will not have preemptive rights or cumulative voting rights, and none of the Shares will have any preference to conversion, exchange, dividends, retirements, liquidation, redemption or any other feature. Shares have equal voting rights, except that, if the Trust creates additional funds, only Shares of that fund may be entitled to vote on a matter affecting that particular fund. Trust shareholders are entitled to require the Trust to redeem Creation Units if such shareholders are Authorized Participants. The Declaration of Trust confers upon the Board the power, by resolution, to alter the number of Shares constituting a Creation Unit or to specify that Shares of the Trust may be individually redeemable. The Trust reserves the right to adjust the prices of Shares to maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any such adjustments would be accomplished through splits or reverse splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of the Fund. If the Fund does not grow to a size to permit it to be economically viable, the Fund may cease operations. In such an event, you may be required to liquidate or transfer your Shares at an inopportune time and you may lose money on your investment.
Book Entry Only System . Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) acts as securities depository for the Fund’s Shares. Shares of the Fund are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC.
DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of its participants (the “ DTC Participants ”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of which (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, LLC and FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (the “ Indirect Participants ”).
Beneficial ownership of Shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in Shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “ Beneficial Owners ”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of Shares.
Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement between the Trust and DTC, DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of the Shares of the Fund held by each DTC Participant. The Trust will inquire of each DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding Shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust will provide each DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by the DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust will pay to each DTC Participants a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
Share distributions will be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all Shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, will credit immediately with respect to the DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts
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proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in Shares of the Fund as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners with respect to the Shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.
The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such Shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests, or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between the DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants.
DTC may decide to discontinue providing its service with respect to Shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust will take action to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost. The DTC Participants’ rules and policies are made publicly available through DTC’s website at: www.dtcc.com.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS
Creation. The Trust issues and sells Shares of the Fund only in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor, at their NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day, for an order received in proper form.
Fund Deposit. The consideration for purchase of a Creation Unit of the Fund generally consists of an in-kind deposit of Deposit Securities for each Creation Unit constituting a substantial replication, or a representation, of the securities included in the Fund’s portfolio and a Cash Component computed as described below. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “ Fund Deposit ”, which represents the minimum initial and subsequent investment amount for a Creation Unit of the Fund. The Cash Component is an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Shares (per Creation Unit) and the market value of the Deposit Securities. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit exceeds the market value of the Deposit Securities), the Cash Component will be such positive amount. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit is less than the market value of the Deposit Securities), the Cash Component will be such negative amount, and the creator will be entitled to receive cash from the Fund in an amount equal to the Cash Component. The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit and the market value of the Deposit Securities.
The Fund, through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“ NSCC ”), makes available on each Business Day, immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time), the list of the names and the required number of Shares of each Deposit Security to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for the Fund. Such Fund Deposit is applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, in order to effect creations of Creation Units of the Fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit Securities is made available.
The identity and number of Shares of the Deposit Securities required for the Fund Deposit for the Fund changes as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time by the Sub-Adviser with a view to the investment objective of the Fund. In addition, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash - i.e., a “cash in lieu” amount - to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security that may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery, that may not be eligible for transfer through the Clearing Process (discussed below) or that may not be eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant or the investor for which it is acting.
In addition to the list of names and numbers of securities constituting the current Deposit Securities of the Fund Deposit, the Fund, through NSCC, also makes available on each Business Day the estimated Cash Component, effective through and including the previous Business Day, per outstanding Creation Unit of the Fund.
Procedures for Creation of Creation Units. To be eligible to place orders to create a Creation Unit of the Fund, an entity must be (i) a “ Participating Party ”, i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of NSCC (the “ Clearing Process ”) or a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC, or (ii) a DTC Participant (see “Book Entry Only System”) and, in each case, must have executed an agreement with the Trust, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Units (“ Participant Agreement ”). A Participating Party and DTC Participant are collectively referred to as an “Authorized Participant”. Investors should contact the Distributor for the names of Authorized Participants that have signed a Participant Agreement with the Fund. All Shares of the Fund, however created, will be entered on the records of DTC in the name of Cede & Co. for the account of a DTC Participant.
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All orders to create Creation Units must be placed for one or more Creation Unit size aggregations of Shares (50,000 in the case of the Fund). All orders to create Creation Units, whether through the Clearing Process (through a Participating Party) or outside the Clearing Process (through a DTC Participant), must be received by the Distributor no later than the earlier of the close of the regular trading session on the Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m.) Eastern Time (“ Closing Time ”), in each case on the date such order is placed in order for the creation of Creation Units to be effected based on the NAV of Shares of the Fund as next determined on such date after receipt of the order in proper form. The date on which an order to create Creation Units (or an order to redeem Creation Units as discussed below) is placed is referred to as the “ Transmittal Date ”. Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement (see “Placement of Creation Orders Using the Clearing Process” and “Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process”). Severe economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure, may impede the ability to reach the Distributor or an Authorized Participant.
Orders to create Creation Units of the Fund will be placed with an Authorized Participant in the form required by such Authorized Participant. In addition, an Authorized Participant may request the investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order, i.e., to provide for payments of cash, when required. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement, and that, therefore, orders to create Creation Units of the Fund will need to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. At any given time there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement. Those placing orders for Creation Units through the Clearing Process should afford sufficient time to permit proper submission of the order to the Distributor prior to the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date.
Orders for creation that are effected outside the Clearing Process are likely to require transmittal by the DTC Participant earlier on the Transmittal Date than orders effected using the Clearing Process. Those persons placing orders outside the Clearing Process should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the operations department of the broker or depository institution effectuating the transfer of Deposit Securities and the Cash Component.
Placement of Creation Orders Using the Clearing Process. The Clearing Process is the process of creating or redeeming Creation Units through the Continuous Net Settlement System of NSCC. Fund Deposits made through the Clearing Process must be delivered through a Participating Party that has executed a Participant Agreement. The Participant Agreement authorizes the Distributor to transmit through the Transfer Agent to NSCC, on behalf of the Participating Party, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the Participating Party’s creation order. Pursuant to such trade instructions to NSCC, the Participating Party agrees to deliver the requisite Deposit Securities and the Cash Component to the Trust, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. An order to create Creation Units through the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed.
Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process. Fund Deposits made outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. A DTC Participant that wishes to place an order creating Creation Units to be effected outside the Clearing Process need not be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the creation of Creation Units will instead be effected through a transfer of securities and cash directly through DTC. A Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the DTC Participant on the Transmittal Date in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Securities through DTC to the account of the Trust by no later than 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, of the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date. All questions as to the number of Deposit Securities to be delivered, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination will be final and binding. Cash equal to the Cash Component must be transferred directly to the Trust through the Federal Reserve wire system in a timely manner so as to be received by the Trust no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the next Business Day immediately following such Transmittal Date. An order to create Creation Units outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date, and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. However, if the Trust does not receive both the requisite Deposit Securities and the Cash Component by 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively, on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date, such order will be cancelled. Upon written notice to the Distributor, such cancelled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using the Fund Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the then current NAV of the Fund. The delivery of Creation Units of the Fund so created will occur no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.
Creation Units may be created in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities as described
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below. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value greater than the NAV of the Shares on the date the order is placed in proper form since, in addition to available Deposit Securities, cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Cash Component plus (ii) 115% of the market value of the undelivered Deposit Securities (the “ Additional Cash Deposit ”). The order will be deemed to be received on the Business Day on which the order is placed, provided that the order is placed in proper form prior to 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on such date and federal funds in the appropriate amount are deposited with the Trust by 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, the following Business Day. If the order is not placed in proper form by 3:00 p.m., or federal funds in the appropriate amount are not received by 11:00 a.m. the next Business Day, then the order may be deemed to be rejected and the investor will be liable to the Trust for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. An additional amount of cash will be required to be deposited with the Trust, pending delivery of the missing Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust in an amount at least equal to 115% of the daily mark-to-market value of the missing Deposit Securities. To the extent that missing Deposit Securities are not received by 1:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor or in the event a mark-to-market payment is not made within one Business Day following notification by the Distributor that such a payment is required, the Trust may use the cash on deposit to purchase the missing Deposit Securities. Authorized Participants will be liable to the Trust for the costs incurred by the Trust in connection with any such purchases. These costs will be deemed to include the amount by which the actual purchase price of the Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such Deposit Securities on the day the purchase order was deemed received by the Distributor plus the brokerage and related transaction costs associated with such purchases. The Trust will return any unused portion of the Additional Cash Deposit once all of the missing Deposit Securities have been properly received by the Trust or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a transaction fee will be charged in all cases. The delivery of Creation Units of the Fund so created will occur no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.
Acceptance of Orders for Creation Units. The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject a creation order transmitted to it by the Distributor in respect of the Fund if (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the investor(s), upon obtaining the Shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding Shares of the Fund; (c) the Deposit Securities delivered are not as disseminated through the facilities of the Exchange for that date by the Trust, as described above; (d) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (e) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (f) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust or the Adviser, have an adverse effect on the Trust or the rights of Beneficial Owners; or (g) as a result of circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Distributor and the Adviser make it for all practical purposes impossible to process creation orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God or public service or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in telephone, facsimile or computer failures; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Trust, the Adviser, the Distributor, DTC, NSCC or any other participant in the creation process; and similar extraordinary events. The Distributor will notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of the creator of a Creation Unit of its rejection of the order of such person. The Trust, the Transfer Agent and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor will any of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.
All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered will be determined by the Trust, and the Trust’s determination will be final and binding.
Creation Transaction Fee. To compensate the Trust for transfer and other transaction costs involved in creation transactions through the Clearing Process, investors will be required to pay a minimum creation transaction fee, assessed per transaction, as follows:
Fund Name | Creation Transaction Fee |
Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF (Ticker: NFLT) | $500 |
The Trust, subject to approval by the Board, may adjust the fee from time to time based upon actual experience. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary in addition to an Authorized Participant to effect a creation of a Creation Unit may be charged a fee for such services.
Redemption. Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by the Distributor and the Fund and only on a Business Day. The Trust will not redeem Shares in amounts less than Creation Units. Beneficial Owners must accumulate enough Shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit in order to have such Shares redeemed by the Trust. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of Shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit.
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With respect to the Fund, the Trust, through NSCC, makes available immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time) on each Business Day, the Deposit Securities that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as defined below) on that day. Deposit Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities that are applicable to creations of Creation Units.
Unless cash redemptions are available or specified for the Fund, the redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit generally consist of Deposit Securities, as announced by the Trust on the Business Day of the request for redemption received in proper form, plus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Shares being redeemed, as next determined after a receipt of a request in proper form, and the value of the Deposit Securities (the “ Cash Redemption Amount ”), less a redemption transaction fee described below in the section entitled “Redemption Transaction Fee”. In the event that the Deposit Securities have a value greater than the NAV of the Shares, a compensating cash payment equal to the differential is required to be made by or through an Authorized Participant by the redeeming shareholder.
Placement of Redemption Orders Using Clearing Process. Orders to redeem Creation Units through the Clearing Process must be delivered through a Participating Party that has executed the Participant Agreement. An order to redeem Creation Units using the Clearing Process is deemed received on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Trust not later than 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on such Transmittal Date; and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed; such order will be effected based on the NAV of the Fund as next determined. An order to redeem Creation Units using the Clearing Process made in proper form but received by the Fund after 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, will be deemed received on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date and will be effected at the NAV next determined on such Business Day. The requisite Deposit Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount will be transferred by the third Business Day following the date on which such request for redemption is deemed received.
Placement of Redemption Orders Outside Clearing Process. Orders to redeem Creation Units outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed the Participant Agreement. A DTC Participant that wishes to place an order for redemption of Creation Units to be effected outside the Clearing Process need not be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that redemption of Creation Units will instead be effected through transfer of Shares directly through DTC. An order to redeem Creation Units outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Trust not later than 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, if transmitted by mail, or by 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, if transmitted by other means, on such Transmittal Date; (ii) such order is accompanied or proceeded by the requisite number of Shares of the Fund and the Cash Redemption Amount specified in such order, which delivery must be made through DTC to the Trust not later than 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively, Eastern Time, on the next Business Day following such Transmittal Date (the “ DTC Cut-Off-Time ”); and (iii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed.
After the Trust has deemed an order for redemption outside the Clearing Process received, the Trust will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Deposit Securities, which are expected to be delivered within three Business Days, and the Cash Redemption Amount to the Authorized Participant on behalf of the redeeming Beneficial Owner by the third Business Day following the Transmittal Date on which such redemption order is deemed received by the Trust. The Trust may also, in its sole discretion, upon request of a shareholder, provide such redeemer a portfolio of securities that differs from the exact composition of the Deposit Securities but does not differ in NAV.
The calculation of the value of the Deposit Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered upon redemption will be made by the Trust according to the procedures set forth under “Determination of Net Asset Value” computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed received by the Trust. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to the Trust by a DTC Participant not later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date, and the requisite number of Shares of the Fund are delivered to the Custodian prior to the DTC Cut-Off-Time, then the value of the Deposit Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered will be determined by the Trust on such Transmittal Date. If, however, a redemption order is submitted to the Trust by a DTC Participant not later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date but either (1) the requisite number of Shares of the Fund are not delivered by the DTC Cut-Off-Time as described above on the next Business Day following the Transmittal Date or (2) the redemption order is not submitted in proper form, then the redemption order will not be deemed received as of the Transmittal Date. In such case, the value of the Deposit Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered will be computed on the Business Day that such order is deemed received by the Trust, i.e., the Business Day on which the Shares of the Fund are delivered through DTC to the Trust by the DTC Cut-Off-Time on such Business Day pursuant to a properly submitted redemption order.
If it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Deposit Securities, the Trust may in its discretion exercise its option to redeem such shares in cash, and the redeeming Beneficial Owner will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash. In addition, an
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investor may request a redemption in cash which the Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit. In either case, the investor will receive a cash payment equal to the NAV of its shares based on the NAV of shares of the Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a redemption transaction fee and additional charge for requested cash redemptions specified above, to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Deposit Securities). The Fund may also, in its sole discretion, upon request of a shareholder, provide such redeemer a portfolio of securities which differs from the exact composition of the Deposit Securities but does not differ in NAV.
Redemptions of Shares for Deposit Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws, and the Trust (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Units for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Deposit Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the offering and sale of the Deposit Securities under such laws. An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting that is subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the Deposit Securities applicable to the redemption of a Creation Unit may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming Beneficial Owner of the Shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment, beneficial ownership of Shares or delivery instructions.
The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with respect to the Fund (1) for any period during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (2) for any period during which trading on the Exchange is suspended or restricted; (3) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares of the Fund or determination of the Shares’ NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such other circumstance as is permitted by the SEC.
Redemption Transaction Fee. To compensate the Trust for transfer and other transaction costs involved in redemption transactions through the Clearing Process, investors will be required to pay a minimum redemption transaction fee, assessed per transaction as follows:
Fund Name | Redemption Transaction Fee |
Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF (Ticker:NFLT) | $500 |
Where Shares are redeemed for cash, the redemption transaction fee will be deducted from such redemption proceeds. The Trust, subject to approval by the Board, may adjust the fee from time to time based upon actual experience. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary in addition to an Authorized Participant to effect a redemption of a Creation Unit may be charged a fee for such services.
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SECURITIES SETTLEMENTS FOR CREATIONS AND REDEMPTIONS
The Trust generally intends to effect deliveries of Creation Units and Deposit Securities on a basis of “T” plus three business days. The Trust may effect deliveries of Creation Units and Deposit Securities on a basis other than T plus three in order to accommodate local holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates, or under certain other circumstances. The ability of the Trust to effect in-kind creations and redemptions within three business days of receipt of an order in good form is subject, among other things, to the condition that, within the time period from the date of the order to the date of delivery of the securities, there are no days that are holidays in the applicable foreign market. For every occurrence of one or more intervening holidays in the applicable foreign market that are not holidays observed in the U.S. equity market, the redemption settlement cycle will be extended by the number of such intervening holidays, but not more than 12 calendar days. In the event that a delay in a redemption settlement cycle will extend to more than 12 calendar days, the Trust will effect a cash-in-lieu redemption to the extent necessary. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a foreign market due to emergencies may also prevent the Trust from delivering securities within the normal settlement period.
The securities delivery cycles currently practicable for transferring portfolio securities to redeeming investors, coupled with local market holiday schedules, may require a delivery process longer than the standard settlement period. In certain circumstances during the calendar year, the settlement period may be greater than seven calendar days. Such periods are listed in the table below, as are instances where more than seven days will be needed to deliver redemption proceeds. Since certain holidays may occur on different dates in subsequent years, the number of days required to deliver redemption proceeds in any given year may exceed the maximum number of days listed in the table below. The proclamation of new holidays, the treatment by market participants of certain days as “informal holidays” (e.g., days on which no or limited securities transactions occur, as a result of substantially shortened trading hours), the elimination of existing holidays, or changes in local securities delivery practices, could affect the information set forth herein at some time in the future and longer (worse) redemption periods are possible.
The dates for the period October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015 in which the regular holidays affecting the relevant securities markets of the below listed countries are as follows (please note these holiday schedules are subject to potential changes in the relevant securities markets):
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October 1, 2014 – September 30, 2015
Australia |
Austria | Belgium | Brazil | Canada | Chile | China | ||||||
October 6 November 4 November 27 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 January 26 March 9 April 3 April 6 April 27 June 8 August 3 |
December 8 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 January 6 April 3 April 6 May 1 May 14 May 25 June 4 |
November 11 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 April 3 April 6 May 1 May 14 May 25 July 21 |
November 20 December 24 December 25 December 31 January 1 February 16 February 17 April 3 April 21 May 1 June 4 July 9 September 7 |
October 13 November 11 December 24 December 25 December 26 January 1 February 16 April 3 May 18 July 1 August 3 September 7 |
October 31 December 8 December 24 December 25 December 30 December 31 January 1 April 2 April 3 May 1 May 21 June 29 July 16 September 17 September 18 |
October 1 October 2 October 3 October 6 October 7 December 25 December 26 February 18 February 19 February 20 February 23 February 24 April 3 April 6 May 1 May 25 July 1 September 28 |
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Colombia |
Czech Republic | Denmark | Egypt | Finland | France | Germany | ||||||
October 13 November 3 November 11 November 17 November 27 December 8 December 25 January 1 January 12 March 23 April 2 April 3 May 1 May 18 June 8 June 15 June 29 July 20 August 7 August 17 |
October 28 November 17 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 April 6 May 1 May 8 July 6 September 28 |
December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 April 2 April 3 April 6 May 1 May 14 May 15 May 25 June 5 |
October 5 October 6 January 7 January 25 April 12 April 13 July 1 July 19 July 23 September 23 September 24 |
December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 January 6 April 3 April 6 May 1 May 14 June 19 |
November 11 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 April 3 April 6 April 13 May 1 May 4 May 8 May 20 May 25 July 14 August 31 |
October 3 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 30 December 31 January 1 February 16 April 3 April 6 May 1 May 14 May 25 June 4 |
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Greece |
Hong Kong | Hungary | India | Indonesia | Ireland | Israel | ||||||
October 28 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 January 6 February 16 February 23 March 25 April 3 April 6 April 10 April 13 May 1 May 25 June 1 August 14 |
October 1 October 2 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 January 30 February 18 February 19 February 20 April 3 April 6 April 7 May 1 May 25 July 1 September 28 |
October 23 October 24 October 31 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 January 2 April 3 April 6 May 1 May 25 August 20 August 21 |
October 2 October 3 October 6 October 23 October 24 November 4 November 6 December 25 January 1 January 3 January 26 February 17 March 5 March 21 April 1 April 3 April 14 May 1 May 4 July 1 July 18 August 15 August 19 September 17 September 24 September 30 |
December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 February 19 March 20 April 3 May 14 June 2 August 17 September 24 |
October 27 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 March 17 April 3 April 6 May 1 May 4 May 25 June 1 July 13 August 3 August 31 |
October 3 October 8 October 9 October 12 October 13 October 14 October 15 October 16 December 16 December 17 March 5 April 3 April 5 April 6 April 7 April 8 April 9 April 10 April 22 April 23 April 24 May 24 July 26 September 13 September 14 September 15 September 22 September 23 September 27 September 28 September 29 September 30 |
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Italy |
Japan | Korea | Malaysia | Mexico | Morocco | The Netherlands | ||||||
December 8 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 January 6 April 3 April 6 May 1 June 2 |
October 13 November 3 November 11 November 24 November 27 December 23 December 25 December 26 December 29 December 30 December 31 January 1 January 2 January 12 February 11 April 29 May 4 May 5 May 6 July 20 September 21 September 22 September 23 |
October 3 October 9 November 13 December 25 December 31 January 1 January 2 February 18 February 19 February 20 May 1 May 5 May 25 September 28 September 29 |
October 6 October 22 October 23 December 25 January 1 February 2 February 19 February 20 May 1 June 1 August 31 September 16 September 24 |
November 17 December 12 December 24 December 25 January 1 February 2 March 16 April 2 April 3 May 1 May 5 September 16 |
October 6 November 6 November 18 January 1 May 1 July 30 August 14 August 21 September 24 September 25 |
December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 April 3 April 6 April 27 April 30 May 1 May 5 May 12 May 14 May 25 |
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New Zealand |
Norway | Peru | The Philippines | Poland | Portugal | Russia | ||||||
October 27 November 27 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 January 2 January 19 January 26 February 6 April 2 April 3 April 6 April 27 June 1 |
December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 April 1 April 2 April 3 April 6 May 1 May 14 May 25 |
October 8 December 8 December 24 December 25 December 31 January 1 April 2 April 3 May 1 June 29 July 28 July 29 |
October 6 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 30 December 31 January 1 February 19 April 2 April 3 April 9 May 1 June 12 August 21 August 26 August 31 September 24 |
November 11 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 January 6 April 3 April 6 May 1 June 4 |
December 1 December 8 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 February 17 April 3 April 6 May 1 June 4 June 10 |
October 13 November 3 November 4 November 11 November 27 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 January 2 January 7 January 19 February 16 February 23 March 9 April 3 April 6 May 1 May 4 May 11 May 25 June 12 July 3 August 31 September 7 |
||||||
Singapore |
South Africa | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland | Taiwan | Thailand | ||||||
October 6 October 22 October 23 December 24 December 25 December 31 January 1 January 30 February 18 February 19 February 20 April 3 May 1 June 1 July 17 August 10 September 24 |
December 16 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 March 27 April 3 April 6 April 27 May 1 June 16 August 10 September 24 |
November 10 December 8 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 January 6 March 19 April 2 April 3 April 6 April 8 April 9 May 1 June 4 |
October 31 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 January 5 January 6 April 2 April 3 April 6 April 30 May 1 May 13 May 14 June 19 |
December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 January 2 April 3 April 6 May 1 May 14 May 25 |
October 10 January 1 February 18 February 19 February 20 May 1 September 28 |
October 23 December 5 December 10 December 31 January 1 March 4 April 6 April 13 April 14 April 15 May 1 May 5 June 1 July 1 July 30 August 12 |
||||||
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Turkey |
United Kingdom | |||||||||||
October 3 October 6 October 7 October 28 October 29 January 1 April 23 May 1 May 19 July 16 July 17 September 22 September 23 September 24 September 25 |
October 13 November 11 November 27 December 6 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1 April 3 April 6 May 1 May 4 May 25 August 31 |
Redemptions
The longest redemption cycle for the Fund is a function of the longest redemption cycle among the countries whose stocks comprise the Funds. Under certain conditions, the Fund may pay redemption proceeds more than seven days after the tender of a Creation Unit for redemption, but generally the Fund will not take more than fourteen calendar days from the date of the tender to pay redemption proceeds.
The method by which Creation Units are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units are issued and sold by the Trust on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act, may occur. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act.
For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Distributor, breaks them down into constituent Shares, and sells such Shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for Shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a categorization as an underwriter.
Broker-dealers who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted to ordinary secondary trading transactions), and thus dealing with Shares that are part of an “unsold allotment” within the meaning of Section 4(a)(3)(C) of the Securities Act, would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus-delivery exemption provided by Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. As a result, broker-dealer firms should note that dealers who are not underwriters but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted with ordinary secondary market transactions) and thus dealing with the Shares that are part of an over-allotment within the meaning of Section 4(a)(3)(A) of the Securities Act would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act. Firms that incur a prospectus delivery obligation with respect to Shares are reminded that, under Rule 153 of the Securities Act, a prospectus delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to an exchange member in connection with a sale on the Exchange is satisfied by the fact that the prospectus is available at the Exchange upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is only available with respect to transactions on a national securities exchange.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Investing in the Fund – Determination of Net Asset Value”.
The NAV per Share for the Fund is computed by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund (i.e., the value of its total assets less
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total liabilities) by the total number of Shares outstanding, rounded to the nearest cent. Expenses and fees, including, without limitation, the management fee and the sub-advisory fee, are accrued daily and taken into account for purposes of determining NAV. The NAV of the Fund is determined as of the close of the regular trading session on the Exchange (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on each day that the Exchange is open. Any assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted into U.S. dollars at the current market rates on the date of valuation as quoted by one or more sources.
The pricing and valuation of portfolio securities is determined in good faith in accordance with procedures approved by, and under the direction of, the Board. In determining the value of the Fund’s assets, equity securities are generally valued at market using quotations from the primary market in which they are traded. Debt securities (other than short-term investments) are valued on the basis of broker quotes or valuations provided by a pricing service, which in determining value utilizes information regarding recent sales, market transactions in comparable securities, quotations from dealers, and various relationships between securities. Other assets, such as accrued interest, accrued dividends and cash are also included in determining the NAV. The Fund normally uses third party pricing services to obtain portfolio security prices.
Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available or which cannot be accurately valued using the Fund’s normal pricing procedures are valued by the Trust’s Fair Value Pricing Committee at fair value as determined in good faith under policies approved by the Board. The Trust may use fair value pricing in a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to, situations when the value of the Fund’s portfolio security has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the market on which such security is principally traded (such as a corporate action or other news that may materially affect the price of such security) or trading in such security has been suspended or halted. In addition, the Trust may fair value foreign equity portfolio securities each day the Trust calculates the Fund’s NAV. Accordingly, the Fund’s NAV may reflect certain portfolio securities’ fair values rather than their market prices. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments, and it is possible that a fair value determination for a portfolio security will be materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of such security. With respect to securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges, the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or sell your Shares.
General Policies . Dividends from net investment income are declared and paid at least quarterly by the Fund. Distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, generally are declared and paid once a year, but the Trust may make distributions on a more frequent basis for the Fund to comply with the distribution requirements of the Code, in all events in a manner consistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act. In addition, the Trust may distribute at least annually amounts representing the full dividend yield on the underlying portfolio securities of the Fund, net of expenses of the Fund, as if the Fund owned such underlying portfolio securities for the entire dividend period in which case some portion of each distribution may result in a return of capital for tax purposes for certain shareholders.
Dividends and other distributions on Shares are distributed, as described below, on a pro rata basis to Beneficial Owners of such Shares. Dividend payments are made through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners then of record with proceeds received from the Trust. The Trust makes additional distributions to the minimum extent necessary (i) to distribute the entire annual taxable income of the Trust, plus any net capital gains and (ii) to avoid imposition of the excise tax imposed by Section 4982 of the Code. Management of the Trust reserves the right to declare special dividends if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to preserve the status of the Fund as a “regulated investment company” (a “ RIC ”) or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed income.
Dividend Reinvestment Service. No reinvestment service is provided by the Trust. Broker-dealers may make available the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by Beneficial Owners of Shares through DTC Participants for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. If this service is used, dividend distributions of both income and realized gains will be automatically reinvested in additional whole Shares of the Fund. Beneficial Owners should contact their broker to determine the availability and costs of the service and the details of participation therein. Brokers may require Beneficial Owners to adhere to specific procedures and timetables.
Set forth below is a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and the purchase, ownership and disposition of Shares. It is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), the regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial authorities, and administrative rulings and practices as in effect as of the date of this SAI, all of which are subject to change, including the following information which also supplements and should be read in conjunction with the sections in the Prospectus entitled “Distributions” and “Federal Income Taxes”.
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The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in Fund Shares. The summary is based on the laws in effect on the date of this SAI and existing judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. In addition, this summary assumes that the Fund shareholder holds Fund Shares as capital assets within the meaning of the Code, and does not hold Fund Shares in connection with a trade or business. This summary does not address all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations possibly applicable to an investment in Fund Shares, to Fund shareholders holding Fund Shares through a partnership (or other pass-through entity) or to Fund shareholders subject to special tax rules. Prospective Fund shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the specific federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of investing in Fund Shares.
The Fund has not requested and will not request an advance ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) as to the federal income tax matters described below. The IRS could adopt positions contrary to those discussed below and such positions could be sustained. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors with regard to the federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of Shares, as well as the tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, foreign country or other taxing jurisdiction.
Tax Treatment of the Fund. The Fund, as well as any future series of the Trust, is treated as a separate corporate entity under the Code, and intends to qualify and remain qualified as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to so qualify, the Fund must elect to be a regulated investment company or have made such an election for a previous year and must satisfy certain requirements relating to the amount of distributions and source of its income for a taxable year. At least 90% of the gross income of the Fund must be derived from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks, securities or foreign currencies, and other income derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies. Any income derived by the Fund from a partnership or trust is treated as derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in stock, securities or currencies only to the extent that such income is attributable to items of income that would have been qualifying income if realized by the series in the same manner as by the partnership or trust.
The Fund will not qualify as a regulated investment company for any taxable year unless it satisfies certain requirements with respect to the diversification of its investments at the close of each quarter of the taxable year. In general, at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets must be represented by cash, cash items, government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities which, with respect to any one issuer, do not represent more than 5% of the total assets of the Fund nor more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer. In addition, not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in the securities (other than government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer. The Fund intends to satisfy all requirements on an ongoing basis for continued qualification as a regulated investment company.
There is a remedy for failure of the Subchapter M asset diversification test, if the failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, subject to certain divestiture and procedural requirements and the payment of a tax. There is also a de minimis exception to a potential failure of the Subchapter M asset diversification test, which would require corrective action but no tax. In addition, a remedy of a failure of the source-of-income requirement exists, if the failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, subject to certain procedural requirements and the payment of a tax.
A 4% nondeductible excise tax is imposed on regulated investment companies that fail to currently distribute an amount equal to specified percentages of their ordinary taxable income and capital gains net income (excess of realized capital gains over realized capital losses). The Fund intends to make sufficient distributions or deemed distributions of its ordinary taxable income and any capital gains net income prior to the end of each calendar year to avoid liability for this excise tax.
The Fund will be required in certain cases to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage (28% for 2013) of taxable dividends or gross proceeds realized upon a sale to shareholders who: (i) have failed to provide a correct tax identification number in the manner required, (ii) are subject to withholding by the Internal Revenue Service for failure to properly include on their return payments of taxable interest or dividends, (iii) have failed to certify to the Fund that they are not subject to backup withholding when required to do so, or (iv) are “exempt recipients”.
Depending upon the extent of the Fund’s activities in states and localities in which its offices are maintained, in which its agents or independent contractors are located, or in which it is otherwise deemed to be conducting business, the Fund may be subject to the tax laws of such states or localities. In addition, in those states and localities that have income tax laws, the treatment of the Fund and its shareholders under such laws may differ from their treatment under federal income tax laws.
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Dividends paid by the Fund to non-U.S. shareholders may be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% unless reduced by treaty (and the shareholder files a valid Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, or other applicable form, with the Fund certifying foreign status and treaty eligibility) or the non-U.S. shareholder files an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI, or other applicable form, with the Fund certifying that the investment to which the distribution relates is effectively connected to a United States trade or business of such non-U.S. shareholder (and, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment maintained by such non-U.S. shareholder). The Fund may elect not to withhold the applicable withholding tax on any distribution representing a capital gains dividend to a non-U.S. shareholder.
The Fund will send shareholders information each year on the tax status of dividends and distributions. A dividend or capital gains distribution paid shortly after shares have been purchased, although in effect a return of investment, is subject to federal income taxation. Dividends from net investment income and distributions of capital gains will be taxable to shareholders, whether received in cash or reinvested in Fund shares and no matter how long the shareholder has held Fund shares, even if they reduce the net asset value of shares below the shareholder’s cost and thus, in effect, result in a return of a part of the shareholder’s investment.
Tax Treatment of Fund Shareholders. The following information is meant as a general summary for U.S. taxpayers. Shareholders should rely on their own tax advisors for advice about the particular federal, state, and local tax consequences of investing in the Fund. Although the Fund will not be taxed on amounts it distributes, shareholders will generally be taxed on distributions paid by the Fund.
Distributions attributable to net investment income and short-term capital gains are generally taxed as ordinary income, although certain income dividends may be taxed to non-corporate shareholders at long-term capital gains rates. Distributions of long-term capital gains are generally taxed as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long a shareholder has held Fund shares. Distributions may be subject to state and local taxes, as well as federal taxes.
Distributions resulting from the sale of foreign currencies and foreign securities by the Fund, to the extent of foreign exchange gains, are generally taxed as ordinary income or loss. If the Fund pays non-refundable taxes to foreign governments during the year, these taxes will reduce the Fund’s net investment income but still may be included in your taxable income. However, you may be able to claim an offsetting tax credit or itemized deduction on your return for your portion of foreign taxes paid by the Fund.
In general, a shareholder who sells or redeems Fund shares will realize a capital gain or loss, which will be long-term or short-term, depending upon the shareholder’s holding period for the Fund shares. An exchange of shares is treated as a sale and any gain may be subject to tax.
Registered investment companies must report cost basis information to the IRS on Form 1099-B for any sale of fund shares acquired after January 1, 2012 (“Covered Shares”). Registered investment companies must select a default cost basis calculation method and apply that method to the sale of Covered Shares unless an alternate IRS approved method is specifically elected in writing by the shareholder. Average Cost, which is the investment company industry standard, has been selected as the Fund’s default cost basis calculation method. If a shareholder determines that an IRS approved cost basis calculation method other than the Fund’s default method of Average Cost is more appropriate, he must contact the Fund at the time of or in advance of the sale of Covered Shares that are to be subject to that alternate election. IRS regulations do not permit the change of a cost basis election on previously executed trades.
All Covered Shares purchased in non-retirement accounts are subject to the new cost basis reporting legislation. Non-covered shares are registered investment company shares that were acquired prior to the effective date of January 1, 2012. Cost basis information will not be reported to the IRS or shareholder upon the sale of any non-covered registered investment company shares. Non-covered shares will be redeemed first.
As with all investment companies, the Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax (presently at the rate of 28%) for all distributions payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification numbers or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax; rather, it is a way in which the IRS ensures it will collect taxes otherwise due. Any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.
Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisors to ensure that distributions and sale of the Fund shares are treated appropriately on their income tax returns.
Certain qualifying corporate dividends are taxable at long-term capital gains tax rates to individuals. For tax years beginning after December 31, 2002, the long-term capital gains rate for individual taxpayers at a rate of 15% for individuals who are subject to the
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25% (or greater) tax bracket on their ordinary income and whose taxable income is less than $400,000 ($450,000 for married filing jointly) and at 20% for most individuals whose taxable income is more than $400,000.
All or a portion of the dividends paid by the Fund may be taxable at the reduced long-term capital gains tax rate for individual shareholders. If the Fund designates a dividend as qualified dividend income, it generally will be taxable to individual shareholders at the long-term capital gains tax rate, provided certain holding period requirements are met.
Taxable dividends paid by the Fund to corporate shareholders will be taxed at corporate income tax rates. Corporate shareholders may be entitled to a dividends received deduction (“ DRD ”) for a portion of the dividends paid and designated by the Fund as qualifying for the DRD.
If the Fund designates a dividend as a capital gains distribution, it generally will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long the shareholders have held their Fund shares or whether the dividend was received in cash or reinvested in additional shares. All taxable dividends paid by the Fund other than those designated as qualified dividend income or capital gains distributions will be taxable as ordinary income to shareholders, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares. To the extent the Fund engages in increased portfolio turnover, short-term capital gains may be realized, and any distribution resulting from such gains will be considered ordinary income for federal tax purposes.
Certain individuals, estates and trusts must pay a 3.8% Medicare surtax on “net investment income” including, among other things, dividends and proceeds of sale in respect of securities like the shares, subject to certain exceptions. Prospective investors should consult with their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this surtax on their ownership and disposition of the shares.
Shareholders who hold Fund shares in a tax-deferred account, such as a retirement plan, generally will not have to pay tax on Fund distributions until they receive distributions from their account.
The Fund will designate: (i) any dividend of qualified dividend income as qualified dividend income; (ii) any tax-exempt dividend as an exempt-interest dividend; (iii) any distribution of long-term capital gains as a capital gains dividend; and (iv) any dividend eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction as such in a written notice provided to shareholders after the close of the Fund’s taxable year. Shareholders should note that, upon the sale or exchange of Fund shares, if the shareholder has not held such shares for at least six months, any loss on the sale or exchange of those shares will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the capital gains dividends received with respect to the shares.
If the Fund declares a dividend in October, November, or December, but pays it in January, it will be taxable to shareholders as if the dividend was received in the year it was declared. Every year, each shareholder will receive a statement detailing the tax status of any Fund distributions for that year.
If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify for the special federal income tax treatment afforded regulated investment companies, all of its taxable income will be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates (without any deduction for distributions to its shareholders). In such event, dividend distributions (whether or not derived from interest on tax-exempt securities) would be taxable as qualified dividends to individual shareholders in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2002, to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, and would be eligible for the DRD for corporations, provided in each case that certain holding period and other requirements are met.
The Fund’s net realized capital gains from securities transactions will be distributed only after reducing such gains by the amount of any available capital loss carryforwards. Capital losses may be utilized indefinitely to offset net realized capital gains, if any, prior to distributing such gains to shareholders.
Under sections 1471 through 1474 to the Code, also known as the “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act of 2009” or “FATCA”, foreign financial institutions (which include hedge funds, private equity funds, registered investment companies, securitization vehicles and any other investment vehicles regardless of their size) and other foreign entities must comply with new information reporting rules with respect to their U.S. account holders and investors or confront a new withholding tax on U.S. source payments made to them. A foreign financial institution or other foreign entity that does not comply with the FATCA reporting requirements will be subject to a new 30% withholding tax with respect to any “withholdable payments” made after December 31, 2012, other than such payments that are made on “obligations” that were outstanding on March 18, 2012. For this purpose, withholdable payments are U.S. source payments otherwise subject to nonresident withholding tax and also include the entire gross proceeds from the sale of any equity or debt instruments of U.S. issuers. The new FATCA withholding tax will apply regardless of whether the payment would otherwise be exempt from U.S. nonresident withholding tax ( e.g ., under the portfolio interest exemption or as capital gain). Treasury
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is authorized to provide rules for implementing the FATCA withholding regime with the existing nonresident withholding tax rules. The FATCA provisions also impose new information reporting requirements and increase related penalties for U.S. persons.
FATCA withholding will not apply to withholdable payments made directly to foreign governments, international organizations, foreign central banks or issue and individuals. Treasury is authorized to provide additional exceptions to the application of the FATCA provisions. Prospective investors should consult with their own tax advisors regarding these new provisions.
The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the possible consequences under current federal tax law of an investment in the Fund. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. You may also be subject to state and local taxation on Fund distributions, and sales of Fund Shares. Consult your personal tax advisor about the potential tax consequences of an investment in Fund Shares under all applicable tax laws.
Shareholder inquiries may be made by writing to the Trust, c/o Etfis Capital LLC, 6 E. 39th Street, Suite 1003, New York, NY 10016.
The Fund is newly organized and therefore has not yet had any operations as of the date of this SAI.
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APPENDIX A – CREDIT QUALITY RATINGS
The Fund may acquire from time to time debt securities as described in the Prospectus and this SAI. The Fund is not restricted with respect to yield, maturity, or credit quality of any debt securities, so that the Fund may purchase debt securities that are of high quality “investment grade” (“Investment-Grade Debt Securities”) or of lower quality with significant risk characteristics (e.g., “junk bonds”). The various ratings used by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (each an “NRSRO”) are described below.
A rating by an NRSRO represents the organization’s opinion as to the credit quality of the security being rated. However, the ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality or guarantees as to the creditworthiness of an issuer. Consequently, the Adviser believes that the quality of Investment-Grade Debt Securities in which the Fund may invest should be continuously reviewed and that individual analysts give different weightings to the various factors involved in credit analysis. A rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold a security, because it does not take into account market value or suitability for a particular investor. When a security has received a rating from more than one NRSRO, each rating is evaluated independently. Ratings are based on current information furnished by the issuer or obtained by the NRSROs from other sources that they consider reliable. Ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in or unavailability of such information, or for other reasons.
Standard & Poor’s® Ratings Services. The following summarizes the highest four ratings used by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”), a division of McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., for bonds which are deemed to be Investment-Grade Debt Securities by the Adviser:
AAA –An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
AA – An obligation rated AA differs from AAA obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.
A – An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
BBB – An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
Bonds rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C are not considered by the Adviser to be Investment-Grade Debt Securities and are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such obligations may likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) designation to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
Short-term obligations rated A-1 by S&P indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus (+) designation. This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong. A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
The rating SP-1 is the highest rating assigned by S&P to short term notes and indicates strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation. The rating SP-2 indicates a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes. The rating SP-3 indicates a speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) long-term ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of financial obligations with an original maturity of one year or more. They address the possibility that a financial
A- 1 |
obligation will not be honored as promised. Such ratings use Moody’s Global Scale and reflect both the likelihood of default and any financial loss suffered in the event of default. The highest four ratings are deemed to be Investment-Grade Securities by the Adviser:
Aaa – Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.
Aa – Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
A – Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa – Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Obligations which are rated Ba, B, Caa, Ca or C by Moody’s are not considered “Investment-Grade Debt Securities” by the Adviser. Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk. Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk. Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.
Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
Short-Term Ratings
Moody’s short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs or to individual short-term debt instruments. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.
Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:
P-1 – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-2 – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-3 – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.
NP – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
Note: Canadian issuers rated P-1 or P-2 have their short-term ratings enhanced by the senior-most long-term rating of the issuer, its guarantor or support-provider.
US Municipal Short-Term Debt And Demand Obligation Ratings
Short-Term Obligation Ratings – There are three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are considered investment grade. These ratings are designated as Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and are divided into three levels — MIG 1 through MIG 3. In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are designated SG, or speculative grade. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation.
MIG 1 – This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
MIG 2 – This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.
MIG 3 – This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
SG – This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.
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Demand Obligation Ratings – In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned; a long or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand ("demand feature"), using a variation of the MIG rating scale, the Variable Municipal Investment Grade or VMIG rating.
When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated NR, e.g., Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG 1.
VMIG rating expirations are a function of each issue’s specific structural or credit features.
VMIG 1 – This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
VMIG 2 – This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
VMIG 3 – This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
SG – This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
Fitch Ratings . The following summarizes the highest four ratings used by Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”):
Long-Term Ratings
AAA – Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA – Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote expectation of low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A – High credit quality. A ratings denote expectation of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB – Good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.
Long-term securities rated below BBB by Fitch are not considered by the Adviser to be investment-grade securities. Securities rated BB and B are regarded as speculative with regard to a possible default risk developing. BB is considered speculative and B is considered highly speculative. Securities rated CCC, CC and C are regarded as a high credit risk. A rating CCC indicates a substantial credit risk, while a rating CC indicates a high level of risk, and a rating C signals exceptionally high levels of credit risk. “RD” ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond or other material financial obligations but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings or other formal winding-up procedure and which has not otherwise ceased operating. “D” ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings or other formal wind-up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business.
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Short-Term Ratings
F1 – Highest credit quality. The rating F1 indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added (+) to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2 – Good credit quality. The rating F2 indicates a good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.
F3 – Fair credit quality. The rating F3 indicates the intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.
B – Speculative. The rating B indicates minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
Short-term rates B, C and D by Fitch are considered by the Adviser to be below investment-grade securities. Short-term securities rated C have a high default risk and securities rated D indicate a broad-based default event for an entity or the default of a short-term obligation.
(+) or (-) suffixes may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to long-term ratings AAA category or to the categories below B. The suffix “NR” indicates that Fitch does not publicly rate the issuer or issue in question.
While the foregoing descriptions of the ratings systems used by the Adviser distinguishes between “Investment-Grade Debt Securities” and more speculative debt securities, as stated above the Fund is not limited with respect to the yield, maturity or credit quality of the debt securities in which they invest. Accordingly, the Fund’s portfolio may be invested in Investment-Grade Debt Securities or debt securities that are not Investment-Grade Debt Securities in any proportion.
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TRUST PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
1. Purpose; Delegation . The purpose of this memorandum is to describe the policies and procedures for voting proxies received from issuers whose securities are held by each series (individually, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) of ETFis Series Trust I (the “Trust”). The board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) believes that while typically each Fund’s Sub-Adviser is in the best position to make individual voting decisions for such Fund, there may also be times when the Board determines that the Adviser or another person or group of persons is in the best position to make such voting decisions (such person or group of persons, the “Proxy Voting Manager”). Therefore, subject to the oversight of the Board, each Fund’s Proxy Voting Manager is hereby delegated the duty to make proxy voting decisions for such Fund, and to implement and undertake such other duties as set forth in, and consistent with, these Policies and Procedures.
2. Definitions
(a) Proxy . A proxy permits a shareholder to vote without being present at annual or special meetings. A proxy is the form whereby a person who is eligible to vote on corporate matters transmits written instructions for voting or transfers the right to vote to another person in place of the eligible voter. Proxies are generally solicited by management, but may be solicited by dissident shareholders opposed to management’s policies or strategies.
(b) Proxy Voting Manager . Proxy Voting Manager, as used herein, refers to the individual, individuals or committee of individuals appointed by the Board as being responsible for supervising and implementing these Policies and Procedures with respect to a particular Fund.
3. Policy for Voting Proxies Related to Exchange Traded Funds and other Investment Companies . Pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(E)(iii) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, all proxies from exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) or other investment companies voted by a Fund, registered in the name of the Fund, will have the following voting instructions typed on the proxy form: “Vote these shares in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such shares. The beneficial owner of these shares is a registered investment company.”
4. Policy for Voting Proxies Related to Other Portfolio Securities .
(a) Fiduciary Considerations . Proxies with respect to securities other than ETFs or other investment companies are voted solely in the interests of the shareholders of the Trust. Any conflict of interest must be resolved in the way that will most benefit the shareholders.
(b) Management Recommendations . Since the quality and depth of management is a primary factor considered when investing in a company, the recommendation of management on any issue should be given substantial weight. The vote with respect to most issues presented in proxy statements should be cast in accordance with the position of the company’s management, unless it is determined that supporting management’s position would adversely affect the investment merits of owning the stock. However, each issue should be considered on its own merits, and the position of the company’s management should not be supported in any situation where it is found not to be in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders.
5. Conflicts of Interest . The Trust recognizes that under certain circumstances a Proxy Voting Manager may have a conflict of interest in voting proxies on behalf of a Fund. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to, situations where a Proxy Voting Manager or one or more of its affiliates, including officers, directors or employees, has or is seeking a client relationship with the issuer of the security that is the subject of the proxy vote. The Proxy Voting Manager shall periodically inform its employees that they are under an obligation to be aware of the potential for conflicts of interest on the part of the Proxy Voting Manager with respect to voting proxies on behalf of a Fund, both as a result of the employee’s personal relationships and due to circumstances that may arise during the conduct of the Proxy Voting Manager’s business, and to bring any conflict of interest of which they become aware to the attention of the proxy manager. With respect to securities other than ETFs or other investment companies, the Proxy Voting Manager shall not vote proxies relating to such issuers on behalf of a Fund until it has determined that the conflict of interest is not material or a method of resolving such conflict of interest has been determined in the manner described below. A conflict of interest will be considered material to the extent that it is determined that such conflict has the potential to influence the Proxy Voting Manager’s decision-making in voting a proxy. Materiality determinations will be based upon an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances. If the proxy manager determines that a conflict of interest is not material, the Proxy Voting Manager may vote proxies notwithstanding the existence of a conflict. If the conflict of interest is determined to be material, either (i) the conflict shall be
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disclosed to the Board and the Proxy Voting Manager shall follow the instructions of the Board or (ii) the Proxy Voting Manager shall vote the issue in question based upon the recommendation of an independent third party under a contractual arrangement approved by the Board. The proxy manager shall keep a record of all materiality decisions and report them to the Board on an annual basis.
6. Routine Proposals . Proxies for routine proposals (such as election of directors, selection of independent public accountants, stock splits and increases in capital stock) with respect to securities other than ETFs or other investment companies should generally be voted in favor of management.
7. Non-Routine Proposals . Votes on non-routine matters and votes against a management’s recommendations with respect to securities other than ETFs or other investment companies are voted as determined by the Proxy Voting Manager to be in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders.
8. Proxy Voting Procedures . Proxy voting will be conducted in compliance with the policies and practices described herein and is subject to the Proxy Voting Manager’s supervision. A reasonable effort should be made to obtain proxy material and to vote in a timely fashion. Each Proxy Voting Manager shall maintain records regarding the voting of proxies under these Policies and Procedures.
9. Form N-PX . A record of each proxy vote will be entered on Form N-PX. A copy of each Form N-PX will be signed by the President of the Trust. The Form is to be filed by August 31 each year. Each reporting period covered by the Form N-PX runs from July 1 to June 30. The Trust will disclose in its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders and in its registration statement (in the SAI) filed with the SEC on or after August 31 that each Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge upon request at (212) 593-4383 (collect) and is also available on the SEC’s Website at www.sec.gov.
10. Proxy Voting Managers’ Voting Procedures . The Trust acknowledges that certain of the Proxy Voting Managers to the various Funds have adopted voting policies and procedures for their clients that have been delivered to the Trust. To the extent that a proxy Voting Manager has not adopted such policies and procedures, it shall adopt the policies and procedures provided herein as its own and shall otherwise vote all proxies in what it believes is the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders. To the extent that a Proxy Voting Manager’s policies and procedures are consistent with these Policies and Procedures, the Proxy Voting Manager may implement them with respect to voting proxies on behalf of each Fund managed by such Proxy Voting Manager. However, the provisions of paragraph 5 of these Policies and Procedures relating to conflicts of interest shall supersede any comparable provisions of any Proxy Voting Manager’s policies and procedures.
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SUB-ADVISER PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
Updated December 1, 2011
General Proxy Voting Policies, Procedures and Guidelines for Newfleet Asset Management, LLC, Hartford Operations (“Newfleet-Hartford”) Portfolio Managers
Newfleet-Hartford primarily manages fixed-income instruments which have very few if any proxy ballots associated with them. However from time to time, Newfleet may own an equity instrument or have another investment instrument with a proxy ballot. Each Portfolio Manager who directly manages assets for Newfleet-Hartford is responsible for ensuring that all proxies are voted in a manner consistent with client guidelines and/or policy. When assets are directly managed by Newfleet-Hartford Associates (Newfleet-Hartford Portfolio Manager(s)), and Newfleet-Hartford has been granted proxy voting discretion, the following policy and procedures apply:
Newfleet-Hartford shall in all cases cast proxy votes in the best interest of the clients. Such vote shall be consistent with applicable client policy/instruction, or in the absence of such, the Proxy Voting Policies Procedures and Guidelines described below.
Proxies of the Funds will be voted subject to any applicable proxy voting guidelines of the Funds and, to the extent applicable, in accordance with any resolutions or other instructions approved by authorized persons of the Funds.
Absent special circumstances of the types described below, it is the policy of Newfleet-Hartford to exercise its proxy voting discretion in accordance with the Proxy Voting Guidelines (the “Guidelines”) contained in the Attachments section to this Manual. Newfleet-Hartford may vote a proxy contrary to the Guidelines if it is determined that such action is in the best interests of clients. The Guidelines are applicable to the voting of domestic and foreign proxies. The Guidelines have been adopted to make every effort to ensure that the manner in which shares are voted is in the best interest of clients and the value of the investment.
The responsibility to review proxy proposals, and make voting recommendations on behalf of Newfleet-Hartford, is delegated to a qualified, non-affiliated, third party vendor, (such as but not limited to “ISS/RiskMetrics”) under the Guidelines.
Newfleet-Hartford may occasionally be subject to conflicts of interest in the voting of proxies due to business or personal relationships it maintains with persons having an interest in the outcome of certain votes. For example, Newfleet-Hartford may provide investment management, brokerage, underwriting, and related services to accounts owned or controlled by companies whose management is soliciting proxies. NewfleetHartford and/or its employees may also occasionally have business or personal relationships with other proponents of proxy proposals, participants in proxy contests, corporate directors or candidates for directorships.
Any individual identifying a conflict of interest shall report such immediately to the Newfleet CCO who will determine a course of action.
In addition to this policy, please refer to related policies included in “Record Keeping, Information Security and Fire Walls”.
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Proxy Voting Policy for ERISA Clients
Each Portfolio Manager who directly manages assets for Newfleet-Hartford is responsible for ensuring that all proxies are voted in a manner consistent with client guidelines and/or policy. Plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), are to be administered consistent with the terms of the governing plan documents and applicable provisions of ERISA. In cases where sole proxy voting discretion rests with Newfleet-Hartford, the foregoing policies and procedures will be followed, subject to the fiduciary responsibility standards of ERISA. These standards generally require fiduciaries to act prudently and to discharge their duties solely in the interests of participants and beneficiaries. The Department of Labor has indicated that the voting decisions of ERISA fiduciaries must generally focus on the course that would most likely increase the value of the stock being voted.
The documents governing ERISA individual account plans may set forth various procedures for voting “employer securities” held by the plan. Where authority over the investment of plan assets is granted to plan participants, many individual account plans provide that proxies for employer securities will be voted in accordance with directions received from plan participants as to shares allocated to their plan accounts. In some cases, the governing plan documents may further provide that unallocated shares and/or allocated shares for which no participant directions are received will be voted in accordance with a proportional voting method in which such shares are voted proportionately in the same manner as are allocated shares for which directions from participants have been received. Consistent with Labor Department positions, it is the policy of Newfleet-Hartford to follow the provisions of a plan’s governing documents in the voting of employer securities, unless it determines that to do so would breach its fiduciary duties under ERISA.
Other Special Proxy Voting Situations
The Newfleet-Hartford may choose not to vote proxies in certain situations or for certain accounts, such as:
1. | When a client has informed Newfleet-Hartford that it wishes to retain the right to vote the proxy (under such situations, Newfleet-Hartford will instruct the custodian to send the proxy material directly to the client); |
2. | When the Newfleet-Hartford deems the cost of voting would exceed any anticipated benefit to the client; |
3. | When a proxy is received for a client account that has been terminated with the Newfleet-Hartford; |
4. | When a proxy is received for a security the Newfleet-Hartford no longer manages (i.e., the Newfleet-Hartford had previously sold the entire position); and/or |
5. | When the exercise of voting rights could restrict the ability of an account’s portfolio manager to freely trade the security in question (as is the case, for example, in certain foreign jurisdictions known as “blocking markets”). |
Various accounts in which the Newfleet-Hartford has proxy voting discretion participate in securities lending programs administered by the custodian or a third party. Because title to loaned securities passes to the borrower, the Newfleet-Hartford will be unable to vote any security that is out on loan to a borrower on a proxy record date. If the Newfleet-Hartford has investment discretion, however, it reserves the right of the portfolio manager to instruct the lending agent to terminate a loan in situations where the matter to be voted upon is deemed to be material to the investment and the benefits of voting the security are deemed to outweigh the costs of terminating the loan.
Records Related to Proxy Voting
Portfolio Managers directly managing assets for Newfleet-Hartford shall maintain records relating to any proxy votes they have made for such period of time as is required to comply with applicable laws and regulations. The firm may rely on one or more third parties to make and retain such records such as ISS/RiskMetrics. All votes shall be in the best interests of the client whose portfolio holds the security being voted.
Newfleet-Hartford will maintain the following records relating to proxy votes cast under these policies and procedures:
1) | A copy of these policies and procedures; |
2) | A copy of each proxy statement the firm receives regarding client’s securities; and |
3) | A record of each vote cast by the firm on behalf of a client. |
A copy of each written client request for information on how the Newfleet-Hartford voted proxies on behalf of the client, and a
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copy of any written response by the firm to any (written or oral) client request for information on how the firm voted proxies on behalf of the requesting client.
Newfleet-Hartford will cause copies of the foregoing records, as they relate to particular clients, to be provided to those clients upon request except as may be required by law. It is generally the Newfleet-Hartford’s policy not to disclose its proxy voting records to third parties or special interest groups.
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PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
ETFis Series Trust I
Item 28. Exhibits
(a) | (1) | Certificate of Trust of ETFis Series Trust I dated September 20, 2012, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed April 2, 2013 |
(2) | Declaration of Trust of ETFis Series Trust I dated September 20, 2012, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed April 2, 2013 | |
(3) | Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Trust dated September 19, 2013, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1, filed December 24, 2013 | |
(b) | Bylaws of ETFis Series Trust I, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed April 2, 2013 | |
(c) | Not Applicable | |
(d) | (1) | Investment Advisory Agreement between ETFis Series Trust I and Etfis Capital LLC, filed herewith |
(2) | Sub-Advisory Agreement among ETFis Series Trust I, Etfis Capital LLC and Tuttle Tactical Management, LLC, on behalf of Tuttle Tactical Management U.S. Core ETF, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, filed October 10, 2014 | |
(3) | Sub-Advisory Agreement among ETFis Series Trust I, Etfis Capital LLC and Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC, on behalf of InfraCap MLP ETF, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 13, filed October 17, 2014 | |
(4) | Sub-Advisory Agreement among ETFis Series Trust I, Etfis Capital LLC and LifeSci Index Partners, LLC, on behalf of BioShares Biotechnology Products Fund, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 18, filed December 19, 2014 | |
(5) | Sub-Advisory Agreement among ETFis Series Trust I, Etfis Capital LLC and LifeSci Index Partners, LLC, on behalf of BioShares Biotechnology Clinical Trials Fund, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 18, filed December 19, 2014 | |
(6) | Sub-Advisory Agreement among ETFis Series Trust I, Etfis Capital LLC and Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC, on behalf of InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 27, filed February 6, 2015 | |
(7) | Sub-Advisory Agreement among ETFis Series Trust I, Etfis Capital LLC and Tuttle Tactical Management, LLC, on behalf of Tuttle Tactical Management Multi-Strategy Income ETF, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 39, filed May 4, 2015 | |
(8) | Sub-Advisory Agreement among ETFis Series Trust I, Etfis Capital LLC and Newfleet Asset Management, LLC, on behalf of Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF, filed herewith | |
(e) | Distribution Agreement between ETFis Series Trust I and ETF Distributors, LLC, filed herewith | |
(f) | Not Applicable | |
(g) | Custody Agreement between ETFis Series Trust I and The Bank of New York Mellon, filed herewith |
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(h) | (1) | Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement between ETFis Series Trust I and The Bank of New York Mellon, filed herewith |
(2) | Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between ETFis Series Trust I and The Bank of New York Mellon, filed herewith | |
(3) | Form of Authorized Participant Agreement between ETF Distributors, LLC, The Bank of New York Mellon and Authorized Participants, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1, filed December 24, 2013 | |
(4) | Administration Services Agreement between ETFis Series Trust I and ETF Issuer Solutions, Inc., filed herewith | |
(5) | Expense Limitation Agreement between ETFis Series Trust I, on behalf of Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF, and Etfis Capital LLC, filed herewith | |
(i) | Legal Opinion of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1, filed December 24, 2013 | |
(j) | Not applicable | |
(k) | Not applicable | |
(l) | Form of Initial Share Purchase Agreement, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1, filed December 24, 2013 | |
(m) | Distribution and Service Plan for ETFis Series Trust I, filed herewith | |
(n) | Not applicable | |
(o) | Reserved | |
(p) | (1) | Code of Ethics of the ETFis Series Trust I and Etfis Capital LLC, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1, filed December 24, 2013 |
(2) | Code of Ethics of ETF Distributors, LLC, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1, filed December 24, 2013 | |
(3) | Code of Ethics of Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 6, filed August 1, 2014 | |
(4) | Code of Ethics of Tuttle Tactical Management, LLC, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, filed October 10, 2014 | |
(5) | Code of Ethics of LifeSci Index Partners, LLC, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 15, filed November 28, 2014 | |
(6) | Code of Ethics of Newfleet Asset Management, LLC, filed herewith | |
(q) | Powers of Attorney, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, filed October 10, 2014 |
Item 29. Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control with Registrant
No person is controlled by or under common control with the Registrant.
Item 30. Indemnification
Under Delaware law, Section 3817 of the Treatment of Delaware Statutory Trusts empowers Delaware business trusts to indemnify and hold harmless any Trustee or beneficial owner or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever, subject to such standards and restrictions as may be set forth in the governing instrument of the business trust.
Reference is made to Article IX of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, which is incorporated by reference
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herein. The general effect of the indemnification available to an officer or Trustee may be to reduce the circumstances under which the officer or Trustee is required to bear the economic burden of liabilities and expenses related to actions taken by the individual in his or her capacity as an officer or Trustee.
The Registrant (sometimes referred to as the “ Trust ”) is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is operated pursuant to a Declaration of Trust that permits the Registrant to indemnify every person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust, including persons who serve at the request of the Trust as directors, Trustees, officers, employees or agents of another organization in which the Trust has an interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (each, a “ Covered Person ”). Each Covered Person is indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him or her in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he or she becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his or her being or having been such a director, Trustee, officer, employee or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him in settlement thereof. This indemnification is subject to the following conditions:
No indemnification is provided to a Covered Person to the extent such indemnification is prohibited by applicable federal law.
The rights of indemnification under the Declaration of Trust may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust; are severable; will not affect any other rights to which any Covered Person is entitled; will continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Covered Person; and will inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. Nothing contained in the Declaration of Trust will affect any rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel other than Covered Persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.
The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such a Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
Subject to applicable federal law, expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding subject to a claim for indemnification shall be advanced by the Trust or the applicable Series prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification.
To the extent that any determination is required to be made as to whether a Covered Person engaged in conduct for which indemnification is not provided as described herein, or as to whether there is reason to believe that a Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification, the Person or Persons making the determination shall afford the Covered Person a rebuttable presumption that the Covered Person has not engaged in such conduct and that there is reason to believe that the Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to Trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant by the Registrant pursuant to the Declaration of Trust or otherwise, the Registrant is aware that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act, and therefore, is unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by Trustees, officers or controlling persons of the Registrant in connection with the successful defense of any act, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such Trustees, officers or controlling persons in connection with the Shares being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issues.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser
The description of the Adviser and Sub-Adviser is found under the captions “Management of the Fund - Investment Adviser” and “Management of the Fund - Investment Sub-Adviser” in the Prospectus and under the captions “Management Services - Adviser” and “Management Services - Sub-Adviser” in the Statement of Additional Information constituting Parts A and B, respectively, of this Registration Statement, which are incorporated by reference herein. The Adviser and Sub-Adviser may provide investment advisory services to other persons or entities other than the Registrant.
The information as to the directors and officers of Etfis Capital LLC set forth in the Etfis Capital LLC’s Form ADV filed with the SEC (Reference No. 801-78585) and amended through the date hereof, is incorporated herein by reference.
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The information as to the directors and officers of Manna ETFs Management, LLC set forth in Manna ETFs Management, LLC’s Form ADV filed with the SEC (Reference No. 801-78966), and amended through the date hereof, is incorporated herein by reference.
The information as to the directors and officers of Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC set forth in Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC’s Form ADV filed with the SEC (Reference No. 801-79940) and amended through the date hereof, is incorporated herein by reference.
The information as to the directors and officers of LifeSci Index Partners, LLC set forth in LifeSci Index Partners, LLC’s Form ADV filed with the SEC (Reference No. 801-80539), and amended through the date hereof, is incorporated herein by reference.
The information as to the directors and officers of Tuttle Tactical Management, LLC set forth in Tuttle Tactical Management, LLC’s Form ADV filed with the SEC (Reference No. 801-76982) and amended through the date hereof, is incorporated herein by reference.
The information as to the directors and officers of Newfleet Asset Management, LLC set forth in Newfleet Asset Management, LLC’s Form ADV filed with the SEC (Reference No. 801-51559), and amended through the date hereof, is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 32. Principal Underwriters
(a) ETF Distributors, LLC (the “ Distributor ”) acts as the distributor for the Registrant and the following investment companies: Recon Capital NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (Ticker: QYLD) and Recon Capital DAX Germany ETF (Ticker: DAX).
(b) The directors and officers of the Distributor are as follows:
Name* | Positions with the Distributor | Positions with Trust | |
William J. Smalley | Managing Principal | President, Chief Executive Officer, Secretary | |
Matthew B. Brown | Chief Compliance Officer | Chief Compliance Officer | |
Edward Samson | Financial Operations Principal | n/a |
* The principal business address for each of the above directors and executive officers is: 6 E. 39th Street, Suite 1003, New York, NY 10016.
(c) During the Registrant’s most recent fiscal year, the Distributor did not receive any net underwriting discounts or commissions, compensation on redemptions and repurchases, brokerage commissions or other compensation.
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records
All accounts, books and other documents required by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules thereunder are maintained at the following locations:
Etfis Capital LLC
6 E. 39th Street, Suite 1003
New York, NY 10016
The Bank of New York Mellon
One Wall Street
New York, NY 10286
ETF Distributors LLC
6 E. 39th Street, Suite 1003
New York, NY 10016
Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC
1325 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019
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LifeSci Index Partners, LLC
250 West 55th Street, Suite 16B
New York, NY 10019
Tuttle Tactical Management, LLC
155 Lockwood Road
Riverside, Connecticut 06878
Newfleet Asset Management, LLC
100 Pearl Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06103
Item 34. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 35. Undertakings
Not applicable.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of New York and State of New York on the 8th day of May, 2015.
ETFIS SERIES TRUST I
(Registrant)
By: /s/William J. Smalley
William J. Smalley, President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following person(s) in the capacities and on the date(s) indicated.
Name | Title | Date |
/s/ William J. Smalley William J. Smalley |
Trustee, President (Principal Executive Officer) |
May 8, 2015 |
/s/ Brinton Frith Brinton Frith |
Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) |
May 8, 2015 |
/s/ Stephen G. O’Grady* Stephen G. O’Grady |
Trustee | May 8, 2015 |
/s/ James Simpson* James Simpson |
Trustee | May 8, 2015 |
/s/ Robert S. Tull* Robert S. Tull |
Trustee | May 8, 2015 |
*By: | /s/ William J. Smalley | May 8, 2015 | |
William J. Smalley, Attorney-in-fact |
6 |
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Exhibit Index
(d) | (1) | Investment Advisory Agreement between ETFis Series Trust I and Etfis Capital LLC |
(8) | Sub-Advisory Agreement among ETFis Series Trust I, Etfis Capital LLC and Newfleet Asset Management, LLC, on behalf of Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF | |
(e) | Distribution Agreement between ETFis Series Trust I and ETF Distributors, LLC | |
(g) | Custody Agreement between ETFis Series Trust I and The Bank of New York Mellon | |
(h) | (1) | Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement between ETFis Series Trust I and The Bank of New York Mellon |
(2) | Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between ETFis Series Trust I and The Bank of New York Mellon | |
(4) | Administration Services Agreement between ETFis Series Trust I and ETF Issuer Solutions, Inc. | |
(5) | Expense Limitation Agreement between ETFis Series Trust I, on behalf of Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF, and Etfis Capital LLC, filed herewith | |
(m) | Distribution and Service Plan for ETFis Series Trust I | |
(p) | Code of Ethics of Newfleet Asset Management, LLC |
7 |
Exhibit (d)(1)
ADVISORY AGREEMENT
ADVISORY AGREEMENT made as of this 27th day of August, 2013, by and between ETFIS SERIES TRUST I (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and Etfis Capital LLC, a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business at 6 E. 39th Street, Suite 1003, New York, NY 10016 (the “Adviser”).
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Trust has entered into certain Sub-Advisory and Business Management Agreements with certain sub-advisers (the “Sub-Advisers”), pursuant to which each Sub-Adviser is obligated to pay the investment advisory fees set forth in Schedule A hereto, to the Adviser; and
WHEREAS, the Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) and is engaged in the business of supplying investment advice as an independent contractor; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust has selected the Adviser to act as investment adviser to the Trust on behalf of the series set forth on Schedule A to this Agreement (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”), as such Schedule may be amended from time to time upon mutual agreement of the parties, and to provide certain related services, as more fully set forth below, and to perform such services under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and benefits set forth herein, the Trust and the Adviser do hereby agree as follows:
1. The Adviser’s Services .
(a) Discretionary Investment Management Services . The Adviser shall act as investment adviser with respect to the Funds. In such capacity, the Adviser shall, subject to the supervision of the Board, regularly provide the Funds with investment research, advice and supervision and shall furnish continuously an investment program for the Funds, consistent with the respective investment objectives and policies of each Fund. The Adviser shall determine, from time to time, what securities shall be purchased for the Funds, what securities shall be held or sold by the Funds and what portion of the Funds’ assets shall be held uninvested in cash, subject always to the provisions of the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, By-Laws and its registration statement on Form N-1A (the “Registration Statement”) under the 1940 Act, and under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), covering Fund shares, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), and to the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Funds, as each of the same shall be from time to time in effect. To carry out such obligations, the Adviser shall exercise full discretion and act for the Funds in the same manner and with the same force and effect as the Funds themselves might or could do with respect to purchases, sales or other transactions, as well as with respect to all other such things necessary or incidental to the furtherance or conduct of such purchases, sales or other transactions. No reference in this Agreement to the Adviser having full discretionary authority over each Fund’s investments shall in any way limit the right of the Board, in its sole discretion, to establish or revise policies in connection with the management of a Fund’s assets or to otherwise exercise its right to control the overall management of a Fund.
(b) Selection of Sub-Adviser(s) . The Adviser shall have the authority hereunder to select and retain sub-advisers, including an affiliated person (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Adviser, for each of the Funds referenced in Schedule A to perform some or all of the services for which the Adviser is responsible pursuant to this Agreement. The Adviser shall supervise the activities of the sub-adviser(s), and
the retention of a sub-adviser by the Adviser shall not relieve the Adviser of its responsibilities under this Agreement. Any such sub-adviser shall be registered and in good standing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and capable of performing its sub-advisory duties pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees and, except as otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act or by rule or regulation, a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Fund. The Adviser will compensate the sub-adviser for its services to the Funds.
(c) Compliance . The Adviser agrees to comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”), the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), the Commodity Exchange Act and the respective rules and regulations thereunder, as applicable, as well as with all other applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and case law that relate to the services and relationships described hereunder and to the conduct of its business as a registered investment adviser. The Adviser also agrees to comply with the objectives, policies and restrictions set forth in the Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented, of the Funds, and with any policies, guidelines, instructions and procedures approved by the Board and provided to the Adviser. In selecting each Fund’s portfolio securities and performing the Adviser’s obligations hereunder, the Adviser shall cause the Fund to comply with the diversification and source of income requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), for qualification as a regulated investment company. The Adviser shall maintain compliance procedures that it reasonably believes are adequate to ensure its compliance with the foregoing. No supervisory activity undertaken by the Board shall limit the Adviser’s full responsibility for any of the foregoing.
(d) Proxy Voting . The Board has the authority to determine how proxies with respect to securities that are held by the Funds shall be voted, and the Board has initially determined to delegate the authority and responsibility to vote proxies for each Fund’s securities to the Adviser. So long as proxy voting authority for a Fund has been delegated to the Adviser, the Adviser shall exercise its proxy voting responsibilities. The Adviser shall carry out such responsibility in accordance with any instructions that the Board shall provide from time to time, and at all times in a manner consistent with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act and its fiduciary responsibilities to the Trust. The Adviser shall provide periodic reports and keep records relating to proxy voting as the Board may reasonably request or as may be necessary for the Funds to comply with the 1940 Act and other applicable law. Any such delegation of proxy voting responsibility to the Adviser may be revoked or modified by the Board at any time.
(e) Recordkeeping . The Adviser shall not be responsible for the provision of administrative, bookkeeping or accounting services to the Funds, except as otherwise provided herein or as may be necessary for the Adviser to supply to the Trust or its Board the information required to be supplied under this Agreement.
The Adviser shall maintain separate books and detailed records of all matters pertaining to Fund assets advised by the Adviser required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act (other than those records being maintained by any administrator, custodian or transfer agent appointed by the Funds) relating to its responsibilities provided hereunder with respect to the Funds, and shall preserve such records for the periods and in a manner prescribed therefore by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act (the “Funds’ Books and Records”). The Funds’ Books and Records shall be available to the Board at any time upon request, shall be delivered to the Trust upon the termination of this Agreement and shall be available without delay during any day the Trust is open for business.
(f) Holdings Information and Pricing . The Adviser shall provide regular reports regarding Fund holdings, and shall, on its own initiative, furnish the Trust and its Board from time to time with whatever information the Adviser believes is appropriate for this purpose. The Adviser agrees to immediately notify the Trust if the Adviser reasonably believes that the value of any security held by a Fund may not reflect its fair value. The Adviser agrees to provide any pricing information of which the Adviser is aware to the Trust, its Board and/or any Fund pricing agent to assist in the determination of the fair value of any Fund holdings for which market quotations are not readily available or as otherwise required in accordance with the 1940 Act or the Trust’s valuation procedures for the purpose of calculating the Fund net asset value in accordance with procedures and methods established by the Board.
(g) Cooperation with Agents of the Trust . The Adviser agrees to cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Trust, any Trust custodian or foreign sub-custodians, any Trust pricing agents and all other agents and representatives of the Trust, such information with respect to the Funds as they may reasonably request from time to time in the performance of their obligations, provide prompt responses to reasonable requests made by such persons and establish appropriate interfaces with each so as to promote the efficient exchange of information and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
2. Code of Ethics . The Adviser has adopted a written code of ethics that it reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, which it will provide to the Trust. The Adviser shall ensure that its Access Persons (as defined in the Adviser’s Code of Ethics) comply in all material respects with the Adviser’s Code of Ethics, as in effect from time to time. Upon request, the Adviser shall provide the Trust with a (i) a copy of the Adviser’s current Code of Ethics, as in effect from time to time, and (ii) certification that it has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from engaging in any conduct prohibited by the Adviser’s Code of Ethics. Annually, the Adviser shall furnish a written report, which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1, concerning the Adviser’s Code of Ethics to the Trust. The Adviser shall respond to requests for information from the Trust as to violations of the Code by Access Persons and the sanctions imposed by the Adviser. The Adviser shall immediately notify the Trust of any material violation of the Code, whether or not such violation relates to a security held by any Fund.
3. Information and Reporting . The Adviser shall provide the Trust and its respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Adviser has assumed under this Agreement as the Trust may from time to time reasonably request.
(a) Notification of Breach / Compliance Reports . The Adviser shall notify the Trust immediately upon detection of (i) any material failure to manage any Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and policies or any applicable law; or (ii) any material breach of any of the Funds’ or the Adviser’s policies, guidelines or procedures. In addition, the Adviser shall provide a quarterly report regarding each Fund’s compliance with its investment objectives and policies, applicable law, including, but not limited to the 1940 Act and Subchapter M of the Code, and the Fund’s policies, guidelines or procedures as applicable to the Adviser’s obligations under this Agreement. The Adviser agrees to correct any such failure promptly and to take any action that the Board may reasonably request in connection with any such breach. Upon request, the Adviser shall also provide the officers of the Trust with supporting certifications in connection with such certifications of Fund financial statements and disclosure controls pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Adviser will promptly notify the Trust in the event (i) the Adviser is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board, or body, involving the affairs of the Trust (excluding class action suits in which a Fund is a member of the plaintiff class by reason of the Fund’s ownership of shares in the defendant) or the compliance by the Adviser with the federal or state securities laws or (ii) an actual change in control of the Adviser resulting in an “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act) has occurred or is otherwise proposed to occur.
(b) Board and Filings Information . The Adviser will also provide the Trust with any information reasonably requested regarding its management of the Funds required for any meeting of the Board, or for any shareholder report, amended registration statement, proxy statement, or prospectus supplement to be filed by the Trust with the Commission. The Adviser will make its officers and employees available to meet with the Board from time to time on due notice to review its investment management services to the Funds in light of current and prospective economic and market conditions and shall furnish to the Board such information as may reasonably be necessary in order for the Board to evaluate this Agreement or any proposed amendments thereto.
(c) Transaction Information . The Adviser shall furnish to the Trust such information concerning portfolio transactions as may be necessary to enable the Trust or its designated agent to perform such compliance testing on the Funds and the Adviser’s services as the Trust may, in its sole discretion, determine to be appropriate. The provision of such information by the Adviser to the Trust or its designated agent in no way relieves the Adviser of its own responsibilities under this Agreement.
4. Brokerage .
(a) Principal Transactions . In connection with purchases or sales of securities for the account of a Fund, neither the Adviser nor any of its directors, officers or employees will act as a principal or agent or receive any commission except as permitted by the 1940 Act.
(b) Placement of Orders . The Adviser shall arrange for the placing of all orders for the purchase and sale of securities for a Fund’s account with brokers or dealers selected by the Adviser. In the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, the Adviser is directed at all times to seek for the Fund the most favorable execution and net price available under the circumstances. It is also understood that it is desirable for the Fund that the Adviser have access to brokerage and research services provided by brokers who may execute brokerage transactions at a higher cost to the Fund than may result when allocating brokerage to other brokers, consistent with section 28(e) of the 1934 Act and any Commission staff interpretations thereof. Therefore, the Adviser is authorized to place orders for the purchase and sale of securities for a Fund with such brokers, subject to review by the Board from time to time with respect to the extent and continuation of this practice. It is understood that the services provided by such brokers may be useful to the Adviser in connection with its or its affiliates’ services to other clients.
(c) Aggregated Transactions . On occasions when the Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of a Fund as well as other clients of the Adviser, the Adviser may, to the extent permitted by applicable law and regulations, aggregate the order for securities to be sold or purchased. In such event, the Adviser will allocate securities or futures contracts so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, in the manner the Adviser reasonably considers to be equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to such other clients under the circumstances.
(d) Affiliated Brokers . The Adviser or any of its affiliates may act as broker in connection with the purchase or sale of securities or other investments for a Fund, subject to: (i) the requirement that the Adviser seek to obtain best execution and price within the policy guidelines determined by the Board and set forth in the Fund’s current prospectus and SAI; (ii) the provisions of the 1940 Act; (iii) the provisions of the Advisers Act; (iv) the provisions of the 1934 Act; and (v) other provisions of applicable law. These brokerage services are not within the scope of the duties of the Adviser under this Agreement. Subject to the requirements of applicable law and any procedures adopted by the Board, the Adviser or its affiliates may receive brokerage commissions, fees or other remuneration from a Fund for these services in addition to the Adviser’s fees for services under this Agreement.
5. Custody . Nothing in this Agreement shall permit the Adviser to take or receive physical possession of cash, securities or other investments of a Fund.
6. Allocation of Charges and Expenses . The Adviser will bear its own costs of providing services hereunder. The Adviser agrees to pay all expenses incurred by the Trust except for interest, taxes, brokerage and other expenses incurred in placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment instruments, extraordinary expenses, and distribution fees and expenses paid by the Trust under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
7. Representations, Warranties and Covenants .
(a) Properly Registered . The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act, and will remain so registered for the duration of this Agreement. The Adviser is not prohibited by the Advisers Act or the 1940 Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement, and to the best knowledge of the Adviser, there is no proceeding or investigation that is reasonably likely to result in the Adviser being prohibited from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement. The Adviser agrees to promptly notify the Trust of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Adviser from serving as an investment adviser to an investment company. The Adviser is in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state law in connection with its investment management operations.
(b) ADV Disclosure . The Adviser has provided the Trust with a copy of its Form ADV as most recently filed with the SEC and will, promptly after filing any amendment to its Form ADV with the SEC, furnish a copy of such amendments to the Trust. The information contained in the Adviser’s Form ADV is accurate and complete in all material respects and does not omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(c) Fund Disclosure Documents . The Adviser has reviewed and will in the future review, the Registration Statement, and any amendments or supplements thereto, the annual or semi-annual reports to shareholders, other reports filed with the Commission and any marketing material of a Fund (collectively the “Disclosure Documents”) and represents and warrants that with respect to disclosure about the Adviser, the manner in which the Adviser manages the Fund or information relating directly or indirectly to the Adviser, such Disclosure Documents contain or will contain, as of the date thereof, no untrue statement of any material fact and does not omit any statement of material fact which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading.
(d) Insurance . The Adviser maintains errors and omissions insurance coverage in an appropriate amount and shall provide prior written notice to the Trust (i) of any material changes in its insurance policies or insurance coverage; or (ii) if any material claims will be made on its insurance policies. Furthermore, the Adviser shall upon reasonable request provide the Trust with any information it may reasonably require concerning the amount of or scope of such insurance.
(e) No Detrimental Agreement . The Adviser represents and warrants that it has no arrangement or understanding with any party, other than the Trust, that would influence the decision of the Adviser with respect to its selection of securities for a Fund, and that all selections shall be done in accordance with what is in the best interest of the Fund.
(f) Conflicts . The Adviser shall act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the Trust including requiring any of its personnel with knowledge of Fund activities to place the interest of the Fund first, ahead of their own interests, in all personal trading scenarios that may involve a conflict of interest with the Funds, consistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable law.
(g) Representations . The representations and warranties in this Section 7 shall be deemed to be made on the date this Agreement is executed and at the time of delivery of the quarterly compliance report required by Section 3(a), whether or not specifically referenced in such report.
8. The Name “ETFis . ” The Adviser grants to the Trust a sublicense to use the name “ETFis” (the “Name”) as part of the name of any Fund. The foregoing authorization by the Adviser to the Trust to use the Name as part of the name of any Fund is not exclusive of the right of the Adviser itself to use, or to authorize others to use, the Name; the Trust acknowledges and agrees that, as between the Trust and the Adviser, the Adviser has the right to use, or authorize others to use, the Name. The Trust shall (1) only use the Name in a manner consistent with uses approved by the Adviser; (2) use its best efforts to maintain the quality of the services offered using the Name; and (3) adhere to such other specific quality control standards as the Adviser may from time to time promulgate. At the request of the Adviser, the Trust will (a) submit to Adviser representative samples of any promotional materials using the Name; and (b) change the name of any Fund within three months of its receipt of the Adviser’s request, or such other shorter time period as may be required under the terms of a settlement agreement or court order, so as to eliminate all reference to the Name and will not thereafter transact any business using the Name in the name of any Fund; provided, however, that the Trust may continue to use beyond such date any supplies of prospectuses, marketing materials and similar documents that the Trust had on the date of such name change in quantities not exceeding those historically produced and used in connection with such Fund.
9. Adviser’s Compensation . The Funds shall pay to the Adviser, as compensation for the Adviser’s services hereunder, a fee, determined as described in Schedule A that is attached hereto and made a part hereof (the
“Adviser’s Fee”). The Adviser’s Fee shall be computed daily and paid not less than monthly in arrears by the Funds. To the extent that the Trust, the Adviser and a Fund’s Sub-Adviser have entered into a sub-advisory agreement that provides for a unified sub-advisory fee arrangement for any Fund, pursuant to which the Sub-Adviser is obligated to pay or reimburse the Fund for the payment of the Adviser’s Fee, then the Sub-Adviser shall, for so long as such unified sub-advisory fee arrangement is in effect, pay the Adviser the Adviser’s Fee and the Trust may, upon the direction of the Adviser, pay the Adviser’s Fee directly to the Adviser on behalf of the Sub-Adviser and set off such amounts against the fee owed to the Sub-Adviser under the unified sub-advisory fee.
The method for determining net assets of a Fund for purposes hereof shall be the same as the method for determining net assets for purposes of establishing the offering and redemption prices of Fund shares as described in the Fund’s prospectus. In the event of termination of this Agreement, the fee provided in this Section shall be computed on the basis of the period ending on the last business day on which this Agreement is in effect subject to a pro rata adjustment based on the number of days elapsed in the current month as a percentage of the total number of days in such month.
10. Independent Contractor . In the performance of its duties hereunder, the Adviser is and shall be an independent contractor and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein or otherwise authorized in writing, shall have no authority to act for or represent the Trust or any Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed to be an agent of the Trust or any Fund. If any occasion should arise in which the Adviser gives any advice to its clients concerning the shares of a Fund, the Adviser will act solely as investment counsel for such clients and not in any way on behalf of the Fund.
11. Assignment. This Agreement shall automatically terminate, without the payment of any penalty, in the event of its assignment (as defined in section 2(a)(4) of the 1940 Act); provided that such termination shall not relieve the Adviser of any liability incurred hereunder.
12. Entire Agreement and Amendments. This Agreement represents the entire agreement among the parties with regard to the investment management matters described herein and may not be added to or changed orally and may not be modified or rescinded except by a writing signed by the parties hereto except as otherwise noted herein.
13. Duration and Termination .
(a) This Agreement shall become effective as of the date executed and shall remain in full force and effect continually thereafter, subject to renewal as provided in subparagraph (d) and unless terminated automatically as set forth in Section 11 hereof or until terminated as follows:
(b) The Trust may cause this Agreement to terminate either (i) by vote of its Board or (ii) with respect to any Fund, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund; or
(c) The Adviser may at any time terminate this Agreement by not more than sixty (60) days’ nor less than thirty (30) days’ written notice delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to the Trust; or
(d) This Agreement shall automatically terminate two years from the date of its execution unless its renewal is specifically approved at least annually thereafter by (i) a majority vote of the Trustees, including a majority vote of such Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or the Adviser, at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval; or (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each Fund; provided, however, that if the continuance of this Agreement is submitted to the shareholders of the Funds for their approval and such shareholders fail to approve such continuance of this Agreement as provided herein, the Adviser may continue to serve hereunder as to the Funds in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; and
Termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section shall be without payment of any penalty.
In the event of termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Adviser shall, immediately upon notice of termination or on such later date as may be specified in such notice, cease all activity on behalf of the Fund and with respect to any of its assets, except as otherwise required by any fiduciary duties of the Adviser under applicable law. In addition, the Adviser shall deliver the Fund Books and Records to the Trust by such means and in accordance with such schedule as the Trust shall direct and shall otherwise cooperate, as reasonably directed by the Trust, in the transition of portfolio asset management to any successor of the Adviser.
14. Certain Definitions . For the purposes of this Agreement:
(a) “Affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund” shall have the meaning as set forth in the 1940 Act, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the Commission under the 1940 Act or any interpretations of the Commission staff.
(b) “Interested persons” and “Assignment” shall have their respective meanings as set forth in the 1940 Act, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the Commission under the 1940 Act or any interpretations of the Commission staff.
15. Liability of the Adviser . The Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and all affiliated persons thereof (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act) and all controlling persons (as described in Section 15 of the 1933 Act) (collectively, the “Adviser Indemnitees”) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses) by reason of or arising out of the Adviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence generally in the performance of its duties hereunder or its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
16. Enforceability . Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms or provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
17. Limitation of Liability . The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree that all litigation arising hereunder, whether direct or indirect, and of any and every nature whatsoever shall be satisfied solely out of the assets of the affected Fund and that no Trustee, officer or holder of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund shall be personally liable for any of the foregoing liabilities. The Trust’s Certificate of Trust, as amended from time to time, is on file in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. Such Certificate of Trust and the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust describe in detail the respective responsibilities and limitations on liability of the Trustees, officers, and holders of shares of beneficial interest.
18. Jurisdiction . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of state of Delaware and the Adviser consents to the jurisdiction of courts, both state or federal, in Delaware, with respect to any dispute under this Agreement.
19. Paragraph Headings . The headings of paragraphs contained in this Agreement are provided for convenience only, form no part of this Agreement and shall not affect its construction.
20. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be signed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.
ETFIS SERIES TRUST I,
on behalf of each Fund listed on Schedule A
/s/William J. Smalley
William J. Smalley, President
ETFIS CAPITAL LLC
/s/Brinton W. Frith
Brinton W. Frith, President
SCHEDULE A
to the
ADVISORY AGREEMENT
between
ETFIS SERIES TRUST I
and
ETFIS CAPITAL LLC
(As of May 8, 2015)
As compensation for the Adviser’s services rendered, the Adviser shall be entitled to a fee, computed daily at an annual rate based on the greater of (1) the minimum fee or (2) the average daily net assets of the respective Fund in accordance with the following fee schedule:
Exhibit (d)(8)
ETFIS Series TRUST I
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
May 8, 2015
Newfleet Asset Management, LLC
100 Pearl Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06103
RE: Sub-Advisory Agreement
Ladies and Gentlemen:
ETFis Series Trust I (the “Trust”) is an open-end investment company of the series type registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”), and is subject to the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The shares of the Trust are offered or may be offered in several Funds, including Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF (sometimes hereafter referred to as the “Fund”).
Etfis Capital LLC (the “Adviser”) evaluates, recommends, selects and retains sub-advisers for the Fund and the other series of the Trust and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
1. | Engagement as a Sub-Adviser . The Adviser, being duly authorized, hereby engages Newfleet Asset Management, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) as the discretionary sub-adviser to invest and reinvest the assets of the Fund on the terms and conditions set forth herein. |
2. | Acceptance of Engagement; Standard of Performance . The Sub-Adviser accepts its engagement as the discretionary sub-adviser for the Fund and agrees to use its best professional judgment to make investment decisions for the Fund in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and as set forth in Schedule A attached hereto and made a part hereof. |
3. | Services of Sub-Adviser . In providing management services to the Fund, the Sub-Adviser will be subject to the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Trust as they apply to the Fund and as set forth in the Fund’s then current prospectus (“Prospectus”), statement of additional information (“Statement of Additional Information”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as part of the Trust’s Registration Statement and Form 19b-4 application filed with the SEC, as the same may be periodically amended and provided to the Sub-Adviser by the Adviser, and to the investment restrictions set forth in the Act and the Rules thereunder, the supervision and control of the Trustees of the Trust (the “Trustees”), and instructions from the Adviser. The Sub-Adviser will not, without the Trust’s prior written approval, effect any transactions that would cause the Fund at the time of the transaction to be out of compliance with any of such restrictions or policies. |
4. | Transaction Procedures . All transactions for the Fund will be consummated by payment to, or delivery by, the Custodian(s) from time to time designated by the Trust (the “Custodian”), or such depositories or agents as may be designated by the Custodian in writing, of all cash and/or securities due to or from the Fund. The Sub-Adviser will not have possession or custody of such cash and/or securities or any responsibility or liability with respect to such custody. The Sub-Adviser will advise the Custodian and confirm in writing to the Trust all investment orders for the Fund placed by it with brokers and dealers at the time and in the manner set forth in the Custody Agreement by and between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Custodian (as amended from time to time). The Trust will issue to the Custodian such instructions as may be appropriate in connection with the settlement of any transaction initiated by the Sub-Adviser. The Trust will be responsible for all custodial arrangements and the payment of all custodial charges and fees and, upon giving proper instructions to the Custodian, the Sub-Adviser will have no responsibility or liability with respect to custodial arrangements or the act, omissions or other conduct of the Custodian. |
5. | Allocation of Brokerage . The Sub-Adviser will have authority and discretion to select brokers and dealers to execute Fund transactions initiated by the Sub-Adviser, and to select the markets on or in which the transactions will be executed. |
A. | In placing orders for the sale and purchase of securities for the Fund, the Sub-Adviser’s primary responsibility will be to seek the best execution of orders at the most favorable prices. However, this responsibility will not obligate the Sub-Adviser to solicit competitive bids for each transaction or to seek the lowest available commission cost to the Fund, so long as the Sub-Adviser reasonably believes that the broker or dealer selected by it can be expected to obtain a “best execution” market price on the particular transaction and determines in good faith that the commission cost is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services (as defined in Section 28(e)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) provided by such broker or dealer to the Sub-Adviser, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or of the Sub-Adviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to its clients, including the Fund, as to which the Sub-Adviser exercises investment discretion, notwithstanding that the Fund may not be the direct or exclusive beneficiary of any such services or that another broker may be willing to charge the Fund a lower commission on the particular transaction. |
B. | The Sub-Adviser may manage other portfolios and expects that the Fund and other portfolios the Sub-Adviser manages will, from time to time, purchase or sell the same securities. The Sub-Adviser may aggregate orders for the purchase or sale of securities on behalf of the Fund with orders on behalf of other portfolios the Sub-Adviser manages. Securities purchased or proceeds of securities sold through aggregated orders, as well as expenses incurred in the transaction, will be allocated to the account of each portfolio managed by the Sub-Adviser that bought or sold such securities in a manner considered by the Sub-Adviser to be equitable and consistent with the Sub-Adviser’s fiduciary obligations in respect of the Fund and to such other accounts. |
C. | The Sub-Adviser will not execute any transactions for the Fund with a broker or dealer that is (i) an “affiliated person” (as defined in the Act) of the Trust, the Sub-Adviser, any sub-adviser to any other series of the Trust, or the Adviser; (ii) a principal underwriter of the Trust’s shares; or (iii) an affiliated person of such an affiliated person or principal underwriter; in each case, unless such transactions are permitted by applicable law or regulation and carried out in compliance with any applicable policies and procedures of the Trust. The Trust will provide the Sub-Adviser with a list of brokers and dealers that are “affiliated persons” of the Trust or the Adviser, and applicable policies and procedures. |
D. | Consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Trust in respect of the Fund and the requirements of best price and execution, the Sub-Adviser may, under certain circumstances, arrange to have purchase and sale transactions effected directly between the Fund and another account managed by the Sub-Adviser (“cross transactions”), provided that such transactions are carried out in accordance with applicable law or regulation and any applicable policies and procedures of the Trust adopted on behalf of the Fund. |
6. | Proxies . |
A. | Unless the Adviser or the Trust gives the Sub-Adviser written instructions to the contrary, the Sub-Adviser, or a third party designee acting under the authority and supervision of the Sub-Adviser, will review all proxy solicitation materials and be responsible for voting and handling all proxies in relation to the assets of the Fund. Unless the Adviser or the Trust gives the Sub-Adviser written instructions to the contrary, the Sub-Adviser will, in compliance with the proxy voting procedures of the Fund then in effect, vote or abstain from voting, all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which assets of the Fund may be invested. The Adviser will cause the Custodian to forward promptly to the Sub-Adviser all proxies upon receipt, so as to afford the Sub-Adviser a reasonable amount of time in which to determine how to vote such proxies. The Sub-Adviser agrees to provide the Adviser in a timely manner with a record of votes cast containing all of the voting information required by Form N-PX in an electronic format to enable the Trust to file Form N-PX as required by Rule 30b1-4 under the Act. |
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B. | The Sub-Adviser is authorized to deal with reorganizations, exchange offers and other voluntary corporate actions with respect to securities held in the Fund in such manner as the Sub-Adviser deems advisable, unless the Trust or the Adviser otherwise specifically directs in writing. With the Adviser’s approval, the Sub-Adviser will also have the authority to: (i) identify, evaluate and pursue legal claims, including commencing or defending suits, affecting the securities held at any time in the Fund, including claims in bankruptcy, class action securities litigation and other litigation; (ii) participate in such litigation or related proceedings with respect to such securities as the Sub-Adviser deems appropriate to preserve or enhance the value of the Fund, including filing proofs of claim and related documents and serving as “lead plaintiff” in class action lawsuits; (iii) exercise generally any of the powers of an owner with respect to the supervision and management of such rights or claims, including the settlement, compromise or submission to arbitration of any claims, the exercise of which the Sub-Adviser deems to be in the best interest of the Fund or required by applicable law, including ERISA, and (iv) employ suitable agents, including legal counsel, and to pay their reasonable fees, expenses and related costs from the Fund. |
7. | Prohibited Conduct . In providing the services described in this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser’s responsibility regarding investment advice hereunder is limited to the Fund, and the Sub-Adviser will not consult with any other investment advisory firm that provides investment advisory services to the Trust or any other investment company sponsored by the Adviser or its affiliates regarding transactions for the Trust in securities or other assets. The Trust will provide the Sub-Adviser with a list of investment companies sponsored by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser will be in breach of the foregoing provision only if the investment company is included in such a list provided to the Sub-Adviser prior to such prohibited action. In addition, the Sub-Adviser will not (i) without the prior written consent of the Trust and the Adviser, delegate any obligation assumed pursuant to this Agreement to any unaffiliated third party, and (ii) will not delegate under any circumstances its obligation hereunder to provide investment advisory services to the Fund. |
8. | Information and Reports . |
A. | The Sub-Adviser will keep the Trust and the Adviser informed of developments relating to its duties as Sub-Adviser of which the Sub-Adviser has, or should have, knowledge that would materially affect the Fund or the Trust. In this regard, the Sub-Adviser will provide the Trust, the Adviser and their respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Sub-Adviser has assumed under this Agreement as the Trust and the Adviser may from time to time reasonably request. In addition, prior to each meeting of the Trustees, the Sub-Adviser will provide the Adviser and the Trustees with reports regarding the Sub-Adviser’s management of the Fund during the most recently completed quarter, which reports: (i) will include Sub-Adviser’s representation that its performance of its investment management duties hereunder is in compliance with the Trust’s investment objectives and practices, the Act and applicable rules and regulations under the Act, and the diversification and minimum “good income” requirements of Subchapter M under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and (ii) otherwise will be in such form as may be mutually agreed upon by the Sub-Adviser and the Adviser. |
B. | Each of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser will provide the other party with a list, to the best of the Adviser’s or the Sub-Adviser’s respective knowledge, of each affiliated person (and any affiliated person of such an affiliated person) of the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, as the case may be, and each of the Adviser and Sub-Adviser agrees promptly to update such list whenever the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser becomes aware of any changes that should be added to or deleted from the list of affiliated persons. |
C. | The Sub-Adviser will also provide the Adviser with any information reasonably requested by the Adviser regarding its management of the Fund required for any shareholder report, amended registration statement, or Prospectus supplement to be filed by the Trust with the SEC. |
9. | Fees for Services . The compensation of the Sub-Adviser for its services under this Agreement will be calculated and paid by the Adviser in accordance with the attached Schedule B . Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Adviser, the Adviser is solely responsible for the payment of fees to the Sub-Adviser. |
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10. | Limitation of Liability . Except as otherwise stated in this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser will not be liable for any action taken, omitted or suffered to be taken by it in its best professional judgment, in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Agreement, or in accordance with specific directions or instructions from the Trust; provided, however, that such acts or omissions will not have constituted a material breach of the investment objectives, policies and restrictions applicable to the Fund as defined in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, or a material breach of any laws, rules, regulations or orders applicable to the Fund, and that such acts or omissions will not have resulted from the Sub-Adviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder. |
11. | Confidentiality . Subject to the duty of the Sub-Adviser and the Trust to comply with applicable law, including any demand of any regulatory or taxing authority having jurisdiction, the parties hereto will treat as confidential all information pertaining to the Fund and the actions of the Sub-Adviser and the Trust in respect thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust and the Adviser agree that the Sub-Adviser may (i) disclose in marketing materials and similar communications that the Sub-Adviser has been engaged to manage assets of the Fund pursuant to this Agreement, and (ii) include performance statistics regarding the Fund in composite performance statistics regarding one or more groups of Sub-Adviser's clients published or included in any of the foregoing communications, provided that the Sub-Adviser does not identify any performance statistics as relating specifically to the Fund. |
12. | Assignment . This Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the Act. The Sub-Adviser will notify the Trust and the Adviser in writing sufficiently in advance of any proposed change of control, as defined in Section 2(a)(9) of the Act, as will enable the Trust to consider whether an assignment as defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the Act will occur, and to take the steps necessary to enter into a new contract with the Sub-Adviser. |
13. | Representations, Warranties and Agreements |
A. | The Sub-Adviser represents, warrants and agrees that: |
1. | It is registered with the SEC as an “investment adviser” under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”). |
2. | It will maintain, keep current and preserve such records on behalf of the Trust, in the manner required or permitted by the Act and the Rules thereunder as are required of an investment adviser of a registered investment company (to the extent applicable), which shall include, without limitation, those records set forth on Schedule C . The Sub-Adviser agrees that such records are the property of the Trust, and will be surrendered to the Trust or to the Adviser as agent of the Trust promptly upon request of either. The Trust acknowledges that Sub-Adviser may retain copies of all records required to meet the record retention requirements imposed by law and regulation. |
3. | It will maintain a written code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) complying with the requirements of Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act and Rule 17j-l under the Act and will provide the Trust and the Adviser with a copy of the Code of Ethics and evidence of its adoption. It will institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons (as defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating its Code of Ethics. The Sub-Adviser acknowledges receipt of the written code of ethics adopted by and on behalf of the Trust. Each calendar quarter while this Agreement is in effect, a duly authorized compliance officer of the Sub-Adviser will certify to the Trust and to the Adviser that the Sub-Adviser has complied with the requirements of Rules 204A-1 and 17j-l during the previous calendar quarter and that there has been no material violation of its Code of Ethics, or of Rule 17j-1(b), or that any persons covered under its Code of Ethics has divulged or acted upon any material, non-public information, as such term is defined under relevant securities laws, and if such a violation has occurred, that appropriate action was taken in response to such violation. Annually, the Sub-Adviser will furnish to the Trust and the Adviser a written report which complies with the requirements of Rule |
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17j-1 concerning the Sub-Adviser’s Code of Ethics. The Sub-Adviser will permit the Trust and the Adviser to examine the reports required to be made by the Sub-Adviser under Rules 204A-1(b) and 17j-l(d)(1) and this subparagraph. |
4. | It has adopted and implemented, and throughout the term of this Agreement will maintain in effect and implement, written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation, by it and its supervised persons, of the Advisers Act and the rules that the SEC has adopted under the Advisers Act. Throughout the term of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser will provide the Adviser with any certifications, information and access to personnel and resources (including those resources that will permit testing of Sub-Adviser’s compliance policies by the Adviser) that the Adviser may reasonably request to enable the Trust to comply with Rule 38a-1 under the Act. The Sub-Adviser has provided the Trust with true and complete copies of its policies and procedures (or summaries thereof) and related information reasonably requested by the Trust and/or the Adviser. The Sub-Adviser agrees to cooperate with periodic reviews by the Trust’s and/or the Adviser’s compliance personnel of the Sub-Adviser’s policies and procedures, their operation and implementation and other compliance matters and to provide to the Trust and/or the Adviser from time to time such additional information and certifications in respect of the Sub-Adviser’s policies and procedures, compliance by the Sub-Adviser with federal securities laws and related matters as the Trust’s and/or the Adviser’s compliance personnel may reasonably request. The Sub-Adviser agrees to promptly notify the Adviser of any compliance violations which affect the Fund. |
5. | The Sub-Adviser will immediately notify the Trust and the Adviser of the occurrence of any event which would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9 of the Act or otherwise. The Sub-Adviser will also immediately notify the Trust and the Adviser if it is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, involving the affairs of the Fund. |
B. | The Trust represents, warrants and agrees that: |
1. | The Trust is a statutory trust established pursuant to the laws of State of Delaware; |
2. | The Trust is duly registered with the SEC as an investment company under the 1940 Act; |
3. | The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement are within the Trust’s powers, have been and remain duly authorized by all necessary action (including without limitation all necessary approvals and other actions required under the 1940 Act) and will not violate or constitute a default under any applicable law or regulation or of any decree, order, judgment, agreement or instrument binding on the Trust; |
4. | No consent of any applicable governmental authority or body is necessary, except for such consents as have been obtained and are in full force and effect, and all conditions of which have been duly complied with; and |
5. | This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation enforceable against the Trust in accordance with its terms. |
C. | The Adviser represents, warrants and agrees that: |
1. | The Adviser is a limited liability company duly established and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where the failure to so qualify would have a material adverse effect on its business; |
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2. | The Adviser is duly registered with the SEC as an “investment adviser” under the Advisers Act; |
3. | The Adviser has been duly appointed by the Trustees and shareholders of the Trust to provide investment services to the Trust as contemplated by the advisory contract; |
4. | The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement are within Adviser’s powers, have been and remain duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and will not violate or constitute a default under any applicable law or regulation or of any decree, order, judgment, agreement or instrument binding on Adviser; |
5. | No consent of any applicable governmental authority or body is necessary, except for such consents as have been obtained and are in full force and effect, and all conditions of which have been duly complied with; and |
6. | This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation enforceable against Adviser. |
14. | No Personal Liability . Reference is hereby made to the Declaration of Trust establishing the Trust, a copy of which has been filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware and elsewhere as required by law, and to any and all amendments thereto so filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware and elsewhere as required by law, and to any and all amendments thereto so filed or hereafter filed. The name “ETFis Series Trust I” refers to the Trustees under said Declaration of Trust as Trustees, and not personally, and no Trustee, shareholder, officer, agent or employee of the Trust will be held to any personal liability in connection with the affairs of the Trust; only the trust estate under said Declaration of Trust is liable. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Sub-Adviser nor any of its officers, directors, partners, shareholders or employees will, under any circumstances, have recourse or cause or willingly permit recourse to be had directly or indirectly to any personal, statutory, or other liability of any shareholder, Trustee, officer, agent or employee of the Trust or of any successor of the Trust, whether such liability now exists or is hereafter incurred for claims against the trust estate. |
15. | Entire Agreement; Amendment . This Agreement, together with the Schedules attached hereto, constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior written or oral agreements pertaining to the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement may be amended at any time, but only by written agreement among the Sub-Adviser, the Adviser and the Trust, which amendment, other than amendments to Schedules A, C and D, is subject to the approval of the Trustees and the shareholders of the Fund as and to the extent required by the Act, subject to any applicable orders of exemption issued by the SEC. |
16. | Effective Date; Term . This Agreement will become effective on the date set forth on the first page of this Agreement (the “Effective Date”), and will continue in effect until the date that is two years from the Effective Date. The Agreement will continue from year to year thereafter only so long as its continuance has been specifically approved at least annually by the Trustees in accordance with Section 15(a) of the Act, and by the majority vote of the disinterested Trustees in accordance with the requirements of Section 15(c) thereof. |
17. | Termination . This Agreement may be terminated at any time without payment of any penalty (i) by the Board, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust (as defined in the Act), upon 30 days’ prior written notice to the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, (ii) by the Sub-Adviser upon 30 days’ prior written notice to the Adviser and the Trust, or (iii) by the Adviser upon 30 days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser. This Agreement may also be terminated, without the payment of any penalty, by the Adviser or the Board immediately upon the material breach by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement or by the Sub-Adviser immediately upon the material breach by the Adviser of this Agreement. This Agreement will terminate automatically and immediately upon termination of the Advisory Agreement. This Agreement will terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its “assignment”, as such term is defined in and interpreted under the terms of the Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. Provisions of this Agreement relating to indemnification will survive any termination of this Agreement. |
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18. | Applicable Law . To the extent that state law is not preempted by the provisions of any law of the United States heretofore or hereafter enacted, as the same may be amended from time to time, this Agreement will be administered, construed and enforced according to the laws of the State of Delaware. |
19. | Severability . If any term or condition of this Agreement will be invalid or unenforceable to any extent or in any application, then the remainder of this Agreement will not be affected thereby, and each and every term and condition of this Agreement will be valid and enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. |
20. | Notices. Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement will be deemed duly given if delivered personally or by overnight delivery service or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, or sent by facsimile addressed to the parties at their respective addresses set forth below, or at such other address as will be designated by any party in a written notice to the other party. |
(a) | To the Trust at: |
ETFis Series Trust I
6 E. 39th Street, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Attention: William J. Smalley
(b) | To the Adviser at: |
Etfis Capital LLC
6 E. 39th Street, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Attention: William J. Smalley
(c) | To the Sub-Adviser at: |
Newfleet Asset Management, LLC
100 Pearl Street, 9 th Floor
Hartford, CT 06103
Attn: Kevin J. Carr
Telephone: (860) 263-4791
Facsimile: (860) 241-1024
E-mail: kevin.carr@virtus.com
21. | Certifications. The Sub-Adviser hereby warrants and represents that it will provide the requisite certifications reasonably requested by the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the Trust necessary for those named officers to fulfill their reporting and certification obligations on Form N-CSR and Form N-Q as required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to the extent that such reporting and certifications relate to the Sub-Adviser’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement. Sub-Adviser will provide a quarterly certification in a form substantially similar to that attached as Schedule D . |
22. | Indemnification . The Sub-Adviser will indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser and the Trust from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) (collectively, “Losses”) arising from the Sub-Adviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser’s obligation under this Paragraph will be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability, or damage experienced by the Adviser or the Trust (as applicable), is caused by or is otherwise directly related to (i) any breach by the Adviser or Trust (as applicable) of its representations or warranties made herein, (ii) any willful misconduct, bad faith, reckless disregard or negligence of the Adviser or Trust (as applicable) in the performance of any of its duties or obligations hereunder, or (iii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus or SAI, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Trust or the Fund or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the |
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Adviser or Trust (as applicable) that was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Sub-Adviser or the Trust, or the omission of such information, by the Adviser or Trust (as applicable) for use therein.
The Trust will indemnify and hold harmless the Sub-Adviser from and against any and all Losses arising from the Trust’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Trust’s obligation under this Paragraph will be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability, or damage experienced by the Sub-Adviser, is caused by or is otherwise directly related to (i) any breach by the Sub-Adviser of its representations or warranties made herein, (ii) any willful misconduct, bad faith, reckless disregard or negligence of the Sub-Adviser in the performance of any of its duties or obligations hereunder, or (iii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus or SAI, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Trust or the Fund or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Sub-Adviser that was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Adviser or the Trust, or the omission of such information, by the Sub-Adviser for use therein.
A party seeking indemnification hereunder (the “Indemnified Party”) will (i) provide prompt notice to the other of any claim (“Claim”) for which it intends to seek indemnification, (ii) grant control of the defense and /or settlement of the Claim to the other party, and (iii) cooperate with the other party in the defense thereof. The Indemnified Party will have the right at its own expense to participate in the defense of any Claim, but will not have the right to control the defense, consent to judgment or agree to the settlement of any Claim without the written consent of the other party. The party providing the indemnification will not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter any settlement which (i) does not include, as an unconditional term, the release by the claimant of all liabilities for Claims against the Indemnified Party or (ii) which otherwise adversely affects the rights of the Indemnified Party.
No party will be liable to another party for consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement.
23. | Relationship of Parties. The Adviser, the Trust and Sub-Adviser are not partners or joint venturers with each other and nothing in this Agreement will be construed so as to make them partners or joint venturers or impose any liability as such on either of them. Sub-Adviser will perform its duties under this Agreement as an independent contractor and not as an agent of the Trust, the Trustees or the Adviser. |
24. | Receipt of Disclosure Document . The Trust and the Adviser acknowledge receipt, at least 48 hours prior to entering into this Agreement, of a copy of Part 2A of the Sub-Adviser’s Form ADV containing certain information concerning the Sub-Adviser and the nature of its business. |
25. | Counterparts; Fax Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including executed counterparts delivered and exchanged by facsimile transmission) with the same effect as if all signing parties had originally signed the same document, and all counterparts will be construed together and will constitute the same instrument. For all purposes, signatures delivered and exchanged by facsimile transmission will be binding and effective to the same extent as original signatures. |
(Signature page follows.)
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ETFis Series Trust I | ||||
By: | /s/William J. Smalley | |||
Name: | William J. Smalley | |||
Title: | President | |||
ETFIS CAPITAL LLC | ||||
By: | /s/ Brint Frith | |||
Name: | Brint Frith | |||
Title: | President |
ACCEPTED:
NEWFLEET ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
By: | /s/ David L. Albrycht | |
Name: David L. Albrycht | ||
Title: President and Chief Investment Officer |
SCHEDULES: | A. | Sub-Adviser Functions |
B. | Sub-Advisory Fee | |
C. | Records to be Maintained by the Sub-Adviser | |
D. | Form of Sub-Certification |
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SCHEDULE A
SUB-ADVISER FUNCTIONS
With respect to managing the investment and reinvestment of the Fund’s assets, the Sub-Adviser will provide, at its own expense:
(a) | An investment program for the Fund consistent with its investment objectives based upon the development, review and adjustment of buy/sell strategies approved from time to time by the Board of Trustees and the Adviser in paragraph 3 of this Sub-Advisory Agreement and implementation of that program; |
(b) | Periodic reports, on at least a quarterly basis, in form and substance acceptable to the Adviser, with respect to: i) compliance with the Code of Ethics and the Trust’s code of ethics; ii) compliance with procedures adopted from time to time by the Trustees of the Trust relative to securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; iii) diversification of Fund assets in accordance with the then prevailing Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information pertaining to the Fund and governing laws, regulations, rules and orders; iv) compliance with governing restrictions relating to the fair valuation of securities for which market quotations are not readily available or considered "illiquid" for the purposes of complying with the Fund’s limitation on acquisition of illiquid securities; v) any and all other reports reasonably requested in accordance with or described in this Agreement; and vi) the implementation of the Fund’s investment program, including, without limitation, analysis of Fund performance; |
(c) | Promptly after filing with the SEC an amendment to its Form ADV, a copy of such amendment to the Adviser and the Trustees; |
(d) | Attendance by appropriate representatives of the Sub-Adviser at meetings requested by the Adviser or Trustees at such time(s) and location(s) as reasonably requested by the Adviser or Trustees; and |
(e) | Notice to the Trustees and the Adviser of the occurrence of any event which would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise. |
(f) | Provide reasonable assistance in the valuation of securities including the participation of appropriate representatives at fair valuation committee meetings. |
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SCHEDULE B
SUB-ADVISORY FEE
For services provided to the Trust, the Adviser will pay to the Sub-Adviser a fee, payable monthly in arrears, equal to 50% of the net advisory fee payable by the Fund to the Adviser for such month.
For this purpose, the “net advisory fee” means the advisory fee paid by the Fund to the Adviser for investment advisory services under the Adviser’s investment advisory agreement with the Fund, after accounting for any applicable fee waiver and/or expense limitation agreement, which will not include reimbursement of the Adviser for any expenses or recapture of prior waivers. In the event that the Adviser waives its entire fee and also assumes expenses of the Trust pursuant to an applicable expense limitation agreement, the Sub-Adviser will similarly waive its entire fee and will share in the expense assumption by promptly paying to the Adviser (or its designee) 50% of the assumed amount. However, because the Sub-Adviser shares the fee waiver and/or expense assumption equally with the Adviser, if during the term of this Agreement the Adviser later recaptures some or all of the fees so waived or expenses so assumed by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser together, then the Adviser will pay to the Sub-Adviser 50% of the amount recaptured (to the extent that the Sub-Adviser has fully complied with its prior obligations to assume such amounts then being recaptured).
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SCHEDULE C
RECORDS TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE SUB-ADVISER
1. | (Rule 31a-1(b)(5) and (6)) A record of each brokerage order, and all other Fund purchases and sales, given by the Sub-Adviser on behalf of the Trust for, or in connection with, the purchase or sale of securities, whether executed or unexecuted. Such records will include: |
A. | The name of the broker; |
B. | The terms and conditions of the order and of any modifications or cancellations thereof; |
C. | The time of entry or cancellation; |
D. | The price at which executed; |
E. | The time of receipt of a report of execution; and |
F. | The name of the person who placed the order on behalf of the Trust. |
2. | (Rule 31a-1(b)(9)) A record for each fiscal quarter, completed within ten (10) days after the end of the quarter, showing specifically the basis or bases upon which the allocation of orders for the purchase and sale of Fund securities to named brokers or dealers was effected, and the division of brokerage commissions or other compensation on such purchase and sale orders. Such record: |
A. | Will include the consideration given to: |
(i) | The sale of shares of the Trust by brokers or dealers. |
(ii) | The supplying of services or benefits by brokers or dealers to: |
(a) | The Trust, |
(b) | The Adviser, |
(c) | The Sub-Adviser, and |
(d) | Any person other than the foregoing. |
(iii) | Any other consideration other than the technical qualifications of the brokers and dealers as such. |
B. | Will show the nature of the services or benefits made available. |
C. | Will describe in detail the application of any general or specific formula or other determinant used in arriving at such allocation of purchase and sale orders and such division of brokerage commissions or other compensation. |
D. | Will show the name of the person responsible for making the determination of such allocation and such division of brokerage commissions or other compensation. |
3. | (Rule 31a-1(b)(10)) A record in the form of an appropriate memorandum identifying the person or persons, committees or groups authorizing the purchase or sale of Fund securities. Where a committee or group makes an authorization, a record will be kept of the names of its members who participate in the authorization. There will be retained as part of this record: any memorandum, recommendation or instruction supporting or authorizing the purchase or sale of Fund securities and such other information as is appropriate to support the authorization. * |
4. | (Rule 31a-1(f)) Such accounts, books and other documents as are required to be maintained by registered investment advisers by rule adopted under Section 204 of the Advisers Act, to the extent such records are necessary or appropriate to record the Sub-Adviser’s transactions for the Trust. |
5. | Records as necessary under Trust policies and procedures, including without limitation those related to valuation determinations. |
* Such information might include: current financial information, annual and quarterly reports, press releases, reports by analysts and from brokerage firms (including their recommendations, i.e., buy, sell, hold) or any internal reports or subadviser review.
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SCHEDULE D
FORM OF SUB-CERTIFICATION
To: |
Re: | Sub-Adviser’s Form N-CSR and Form N-Q Certification for the [Name of Fund]. |
From: | [Name of Sub-Adviser] |
Representations in support of Investment Company Act Rule 30a-2 certifications of Form N-CSR and Form N-Q.
[Name of Fund].
In connection with your certification responsibility under Rule 30a-2 and Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, I have reviewed the following information presented in the schedule of investments for the period ended [Date of Reporting Period] (the “Report”) which forms part of the N-CSR or N-Q, as applicable, for the Trust.
Schedule of Investments
Our organization has designed, implemented and maintained internal controls and procedures, designed for the purpose of ensuring the accuracy and completeness of relevant portfolio trade data transmitted to those responsible for the preparation of the Schedule of Investments. As of the date of this certification there have been no material modifications to these internal controls and procedures.
In addition, our organization has:
a. | Designed such internal controls and procedures to ensure that material information is made known to the appropriate groups responsible for servicing the above-mentioned mutual Trust. |
b. | Evaluated the effectiveness of our internal controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the date of this certification and we have concluded that such controls and procedures are effective. |
c. | In addition, to the best of my knowledge, there has been no fraud, whether or not material, that involves our organization’s management or other employees who have a significant role in our organization’s control and procedures as they relate to our duties as Sub-Adviser to the Fund. |
I have read the draft of the Report which I understand to be current as of [Date of Reporting Period] and based on my knowledge, such draft of the Report does not, with respect to the Fund, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the information contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which such information is presented, not misleading with respect to the period covered by such draft Report.
I have disclosed, based on my most recent evaluation, to the Fund’s Chief Accounting Officer:
a. | All significant changes, deficiencies and material weakness, if any, in the design or operation of the Sub-Adviser’s internal controls and procedures which could adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data with respect to the Fund in a timely fashion; |
b. | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves the Sub-Adviser’s management or other employees who have a significant role in the Sub-Adviser’s internal controls and procedures for financial reporting. |
I certify that to the best of my knowledge:
13 |
a. | The Sub-Adviser’s Portfolio Manager(s) has/have complied with the restrictions and reporting requirements of the Code of Ethics (the “Code”). The term Portfolio Manager is as defined in the Code. |
b. | The Sub-Adviser has complied with the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Fund and the Policies and Procedures of the Fund as adopted by the Fund Board of Trustees. |
c. | I have no knowledge of any compliance violations except as disclosed in writing to the Virtus Compliance Department by me or by the Sub-Adviser’s compliance administrator. |
d. | The Sub-Adviser has complied with the rules and regulations of the 33 Act and 40 Act, and such other regulations as may apply to the extent those rules and regulations pertain to the responsibilities of the Sub-Adviser with respect to the Fund as outlined above. |
e. | Since the submission of our most recent certification there have not been any divestments of securities of issuers that conduct or have direct investments in business operations in Sudan. |
This certification relates solely to the Fund named above and may not be relied upon by any other Trust or entity.
The Sub-Adviser does not maintain the official books and records of the above Fund. The Sub-Adviser’s records are based on its own portfolio management system, a record-keeping system that is not intended to serve as the Fund official accounting system. The Sub-Adviser is not responsible for the preparation of the Report.
_______________________________ | __________________________ | |
[Name of Sub-Adviser] | Date | |
[Name of Authorized Signer] | ||
[Title of Authorized Signer] |
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Exhibit (e)
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
This Distribution Agreement (“ Agreement ”) is made this 6th day of December, 2013, by and between ETFis Series Trust I, a Delaware statutory trust (“ Trust ”) having its principal place of business at 317 Madison Avenue, Suite 920, New York, NY 10017, and ETF Distributors LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Distributor ”) having its principal place of business at 317 Madison Avenue, Suite 920, New York, NY 10017.
WHEREAS , the Trust is a registered open-end management investment company organized as a series trust offering a number of portfolios of securities (each, “ Fund ” and, collectively, “ Funds ”), having filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”) a registration statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“ 1933 Act ”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“ 1940 Act ”);
WHEREAS , the Trust intends to create and redeem shares of beneficial interest, no par value per Share (“ Shares ”) of each Fund on a continuous basis at their net asset value (“ NAV ”) only in aggregations constituting a Creation Unit, as such term is defined in the Registration Statement;
WHEREAS , the Shares of each Fund will be listed on one or more national securities exchanges (together, “ Listing Exchanges ”);
WHEREAS , the Trust desires to retain the Distributor to act as the distributor with respect to the issuance and distribution of Creation Units of each Fund, hold itself available to receive and process orders for such Creation Units in the manner set forth in the Trust’s Prospectus, and to enter into arrangements with broker-dealers who may solicit purchases of Creation Units and with broker-dealers and others to provide for servicing of shareholder accounts and for distribution assistance, including broker-dealer and shareholder support services;
WHEREAS , the Distributor, a registered broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“ 1934 Act ”) and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“ FINRA ”); and
WHEREAS , the Distributor desires to provide the services described herein to the Trust.
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual promises and undertakings herein contained, the parties agree as follows:
1. Appointment .
The Trust hereby appoints the Distributor as the exclusive distributor for Creation Units of each Fund listed in Exhibit A hereto, as may be amended by the Trust from time to time on written notice to the Distributor, on the terms and for the period set forth in this Agreement and subject to the registration requirements of the federal securities laws and of the laws governing
the sale of securities in the various states, and the Distributor hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act in such capacity hereunder.
2. Definitions .
Wherever they are used herein, the following terms have the following respective meanings:
(a) “ Prospectus ” means the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information constituting parts of the Registration Statement of the Trust under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act as such Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information may be amended or supplemented and filed with the SEC from time to time;
(b) “ Registration Statement ” means the registration statement most recently filed from time to time by the Trust with the SEC and effective under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act, as such registration statement is amended by any amendments thereto at the time in effect; and
(c) All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
3. Duties of the Distributor
(a) The Distributor agrees to act as agent of the Trust in connection with the receipt and processing of all orders for purchases and redemptions of Creation Units of each Fund from DTC Participants or participants in the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“ NSCC Participants ”) that have executed a Participant Agreement, as defined in paragraph 3(b) hereof, (“ Authorized Participants ”) with the Distributor and the transfer agent of the Trust (“ Transfer Agent ”) and to transmit such orders to the custodian of the Trust (“ Custodian ”) and Transfer Agent in accordance with the Registration Statement and Prospectus; provided, however, that nothing herein shall affect or limit the right and ability of the Custodian to accept Deposit Instruments and related Cash Amounts through or outside the Clearing Process, and as provided in and in accordance with the Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Trust acknowledges that the Distributor shall not be obligated to accept any certain number of orders for Creation Units and nothing herein contained shall prevent the Distributor from entering into like distribution arrangements with other investment companies.
(b) The Distributor agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to act as agent of the Trust with respect to the continuous distribution of Creation Units of each Fund as set forth in the Registration Statement and in accordance with the provisions thereof. The Distributor further agrees as follows: (i) at the request of the Trust, the Distributor shall enter into selected or soliciting dealer participant agreements (“ Participant Agreements ”) between and among Authorized Participants, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent, for the purchase of Creation Units of the Funds, in accordance with the Registration Statement and Prospectus; (ii) the Distributor shall generate, transmit and maintain copies of confirmations of Creation Unit purchase and redemption order acceptances to the purchaser or redeemer (all such confirmations
will indicate the time such orders were accepted and will be made available to the Trust promptly upon request); (iii) the Distributor shall deliver a copy of current Prospectus when available, to each Authorized Participant of the relevant Fund and, upon request, the Statement of Additional Information; and (iv) the Distributor shall maintain telephonic, facsimile and/or access to direct computer communications links with the Transfer Agent.
(c) The Distributor agrees to use all reasonable efforts, consistent with its other business, to secure purchasers of Creation Units through Authorized Participants in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Prospectus.
(d) All activities by the Distributor and its agents and employees that are primarily intended to result in the sale of Creation Units shall comply with the Registration Statement and Prospectus, the instructions of the investment adviser of the Trust or the investment sub-adviser of the Trust (collectively, “ Adviser ”) and the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, and all applicable laws, rules and regulations including, without limitation, all rules and regulations made or adopted pursuant to the 1940 Act by the SEC or any securities association registered under the 1934 Act, including FINRA and the Listing Exchanges.
(e) Except as otherwise noted in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, the offering price for all Creation Units will be the aggregate NAV of the Shares per Creation Unit of the relevant Fund, as determined in the manner described in the Registration Statement and Prospectus.
(f) If and whenever the determination of NAV is suspended and until such suspension is terminated, no further orders for Creation Units will be processed by the Distributor except such unconditional orders as may have been placed with the Distributor before it had knowledge of the suspension. In addition, the Trust reserves the right to suspend sales and Distributor’s authority to process orders for Creation Units on behalf of the Trust, upon due notice to the Distributor, if, in the judgment of the Trust, it is in the best interests of the Trust to do so. Suspension will continue for such period as may be determined by the Trust.
(g) The Distributor is not authorized by the Trust to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or contained in shareholder reports or other material that may be prepared by or on behalf of the Trust for the Distributor’s use. The Distributor shall be entitled to rely on and shall not be responsible in any way for information provided to it by the Trust and its respective service providers and shall not be liable or responsible for the errors and omissions of such service providers, provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to protect the Distributor against any liability to the Trust or the Trust’s shareholders to which the Distributor would otherwise be subject by reason of its willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
(h) The Distributor shall ensure that all direct requests for Prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information, product descriptions and periodic Fund reports, as applicable, are fulfilled. In addition, the Distributor shall arrange to provide the Listing Exchanges with copies of the Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information and product descriptions to be
provided to purchasers in the secondary market. The Distributor will generally make it known in the brokerage community that Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information and product descriptions are available, including by (i) advising the Listing Exchanges on behalf of its member firms of the same, (ii) making such disclosure in all marketing and advertising materials prepared and/or filed by the Distributor with FINRA, and (iii) as may otherwise be required by the SEC or its staff. The Distributor shall not bear any costs associated with printing the Prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information and all other such materials, but shall bear the costs associated with delivering such documents to persons required by applicable law to receive them.
(i) The Distributor agrees to make available, at the Trust’s request, one or more members of its staff to attend Board of Trustees (“ Board ”) meetings of the Trust in order to provide information with regard to the ongoing distribution process and for such other purposes as may be requested by the Board of the Trust.
(j) The Distributor shall review and approve all sales and marketing materials regarding each Fund for compliance with applicable laws and the conditions of any applicable exemptive order, and shall file such materials with FINRA as required by the 1933 Act and 1940 Act, and the rules promulgated thereunder. All such sales and marketing materials must be approved, in writing, by the Distributor prior to their use.
(k) The Distributor shall not offer any Shares and shall not accept any orders for the purchase or sale of Shares hereunder if and so long as (i) the effectiveness of the Registration Statement then in effect or any necessary amendments thereto shall be suspended under any of the provisions of the 1933 Act or (ii) a current Prospectus, as required by Section 10 of the 1933 Act, is not on file with the SEC; provided, however, that nothing contained in this paragraph shall in any way restrict or have any application to or bearing upon the Trust’s obligation to redeem or repurchase any Shares from any shareholder in accordance with provisions of the Prospectus or Registration Statement.
(l) The Distributor shall maintain and make available a dedicated toll-free line for Authorized Participants to place requests to create and redeem Creation Units. The Distributor will use the Trust’s transfer agent’s order processing system pursuant to which the Authorized Participants may contact the Distributor (or its affiliates) and place requests to create and redeem Creation Units. The order processing system shall, including without limitation, (i) generate and transmit confirmations of purchase and redemption order acceptances to purchasers and redeemers of Creation Units; (ii) provide acknowledgements to Authorized Participants that their orders have been accepted; (iii) reject any orders that were not submitted in proper form or in a timely fashion; (iv) confirm that each Authorized Participant will not place trades that would raise its total holdings to 80% or more of the outstanding Shares of any Fund; (v) maintain along with the Trust and its transfer agent the right to require and rely upon information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination or, in lieu of this, accept a certification from a Listing Exchange member firm or a member of such other exchange that the cost basis of the Deposit Instruments is essentially identical to their market value at the time of deposit.
(m) The Distributor agrees to maintain, and preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act, such records as are required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1(d)
under the 1940 Act and shall permit representatives of the Trust, upon reasonable notice, to have access to such records
(n) The Distributor agrees to maintain compliance policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to (i) prevent violations of the Federal Securities Laws (as defined in Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act) with respect to the Distributor’s services under this Agreement and (ii) comply with FINRA Rule 3130 (together, “Compliance Program”), and to provide any and all information with respect to the Compliance Program, including without limitation, information and certifications with respect to material violations of the Compliance Program and any material deficiencies or changes therein, as may be reasonably requested by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer or Board.
(o) The Distributor has of the date hereof, and shall at all times maintain, net capital of not less than that required by Rule 15c3-1 under the 1934 Act or any successor provisions thereto. In the event that the net capital of the Distributor shall fall below that required by Rule 15c3-1 under the 1934 Act (or any successor provision thereto) the Distributor shall provide notice thereof to the Adviser and the Trust.
4. Duties of the Trust.
(a) The Trust, itself or through its service providers, agrees to issue Creation Units of each Fund and to request DTC to record on its books the ownership of the Shares constituting such Creation Units in accordance with the book-entry system procedures described in the Prospectus in such amounts as the Distributor has requested through the transfer agent in writing or other means of data transmission, as promptly as practicable after receipt by the Trust of the requisite Deposit Instruments and Cash Amount (together with any fees) and acceptance of such order, upon the terms described in the Registration Statement. The Trust may reject any order for Creation Units or stop all receipts of such orders at any time upon reasonable notice to the Distributor, in accordance with the provisions of the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
(b) The Trust agrees that it will annually take all actions necessary to register an indefinite number of Shares of each relevant Fund under the 1933 Act. The Trust will make available to the Distributor such number of copies of its then currently effective Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and product description as the Distributor may reasonably request. The Trust will furnish to the Distributor copies of all semi-annual reports and audited annual reports of the Trust’s books and accounts made by the independent public accountants regularly retained by the Trust and such other publicly available information that the Distributor may reasonably request for use in connection with the distribution of Creation Units. The Trust, itself or its administrator, shall keep the Distributor informed of the jurisdictions in which the Trust has filed notice filings for Shares for sale under the securities laws thereof and shall promptly notify the Distributor of any change in this information. The Distributor shall not be liable for damages resulting from the sale of Shares in authorized jurisdictions where the
Distributor had no information from the Trust or its administrator that such sale or sales were unauthorized at the time of such sale or sales.
5. Fees and Expenses.
(a) The Distributor shall be entitled to such compensation from the Trust for the services provided by the Distributor pursuant to this Agreement as set forth on Schedule I .
(b) The Trust shall bear the cost and expenses of: (i) the registration of the Shares for sale under the 1933 Act; and (ii) the registration or qualification of the Shares for sale under the securities laws of the various States.
(c) The Distributor shall pay (i) all expenses relating to Distributor’s broker-dealer qualification and registration under the 1934 Act; and (ii) the expenses incurred by the Distributor in connection with routine FINRA filings.
(d) Additionally, the Distributor and its affiliates may receive compensation or reimbursement from the Trust and the Adviser with respect to any services not included under this Agreement, as may be agreed upon by the parties from time to time.
6. Standard of Care
(a) The Distributor shall be obligated to act in good faith and to exercise commercially reasonable care and diligence in the performance of its duties under this agreement.
7. Indemnification.
(a) The Trust agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor, its affiliates and each of their respective directors, officers and employees and agents and any person who controls the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (any of the Distributor, its officers, employees, agents and directors or such control persons, for purposes of this paragraph, a “ Distributor Indemnitee ”) against any loss, liability, claim, damages or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damages or expense and reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith, collectively, “ Losses ”) arising out of or based upon (i) any claim that the Registration Statement, Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, product description, shareholder reports, sales literature and advertisements specifically approved by the Trust and Adviser or other information filed or made public by the Trust (as from time to time amended) included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein (and in the case of the Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information and product description, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading under the 1933 Act, or any other statute or the common law; (ii) the breach by the Trust of any obligation, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement; or (iii) the Trust’s failure to comply in any material respect with applicable securities laws.
The Trust does not agree to indemnify the Distributor or hold it harmless to the extent that the statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Trust by or on behalf of the Distributor. The Trust will also not indemnify any Distributor Indemnitee with respect to any untrue statement or omission made in the Registration Statement, Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information or product description that is subsequently corrected in such document (or an amendment thereof or supplement thereto) if a copy of the Prospectus (or such amendment or supplement) was not sent or given to the person asserting any such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense at or before the written confirmation to such person in any case where such delivery is required by the 1933 Act and the Trust had notified the Distributor of the amendment or supplement prior to the sending of the confirmation. In no case is the indemnity of the Trust in favor of any Distributor Indemnitee to be deemed to protect the Distributor Indemnitee against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which the Distributor Indemnitee would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.
Distributor Indemnitee shall notify the Trust in writing of the claim at its principal offices within 15 days after the summons or other first written notification giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon Distributor Indemnitee (or after Distributor Indemnitee shall have received notice of service on any designated agent). Failure to notify the Trust of any claim shall not relieve the Trust from any liability that it may have to any Distributor Indemnitee against whom such action is brought unless such failure or delay to so notify the Trust prejudices the Trust’s ability to defend against such claim or obtain insurance coverage with respect to such claim.
The Trust shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense, or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any claims, but if the Trust elects to assume the defense, the defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and satisfactory to Distributor Indemnitee, defendant or defendants in the suit. In the event the Trust elects to assume the defense of any suit and retain counsel, Distributor Indemnitee, defendant or defendants in the suit, shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them. If the Trust does not elect to assume the defense of any suit, it will reimburse the Distributor Indemnitee, defendant or defendants in the suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them. The Trust agrees to notify the Distributor promptly of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers or Trustees in connection with the issuance or sale of any of the Creation Units or the Shares.
(b) The Distributor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and each of its Trustees and officers and any person who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (for purposes of this paragraph, the Trust and each of its Trustees and officers and its controlling persons are collectively referred to as the “ Trust Affiliates ”) against any loss, liability, claim, damages or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damages or expense and reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) arising out of or based upon (i) the allegation of any negligent, willful or wrongful act of the Distributor or any of its directors, officers, employees or affiliates in connection with its activities as Distributor pursuant to this Agreement; (ii) the breach of any
obligation, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement by the Distributor; (iii) the Distributor’s failure to comply in any material respect with applicable securities laws, including applicable FINRA regulations; or (iv) any allegation that the Registration Statement, Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, product description, shareholder reports, any information or materials relating to the Funds (as described in Section 3(g)) or other information filed or made public by the Trust (as from time to time amended) included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements not misleading, insofar as such statement or omission was (x) made in reliance upon, and in conformity with information furnished to the Trust by or on behalf of the Distributor or (y) otherwise approved by the Distributor in writing in the performance of its duties under this Agreement.
In no case is the indemnity of the Distributor in favor of any Trust Affiliate to be deemed to protect any Trust Affiliate against any liability to the Trust or its security holders to which such Trust Affiliate would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. Trust Affiliate shall notify the Distributor in writing of the claim within 15 days after the summons or other first written notification giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the Trust Affiliate (or after the Trust Affiliate shall have received notice of service on any designated agent). Failure to notify the Distributor of any claim shall not relieve the Distributor from any liability that it may have to the Trust Affiliate against whom such action is brought on account of its indemnity agreement contained in this Section unless failure or delay to so notify the Distributor prejudices the Distributor’s ability to defend against such claim.
The Distributor shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce the claim, but if the Distributor elects to assume the defense, the defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and satisfactory to the Trust, its officers and Board and to any controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit. In the event that Distributor elects to assume the defense of any suit and retain counsel, the Trust or controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them. If the Distributor does not elect to assume the defense of any suit, it will reimburse the Trust, its officers and Trustees or controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them. The Distributor agrees to notify the Trust promptly of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of any of the Creation Units or the Shares.
(c) No indemnified party shall settle any claim against it for which it intends to seek indemnification from the indemnifying party, under the terms of Section 7(a) or 7(b) above, without prior written notice to and consent from the indemnifying party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. No indemnified or indemnifying party shall settle any claim unless the settlement contains a full release of liability with respect to the other party in respect of such action. This Section 7 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
8. Representations.
(a) The Distributor represents and warrants that (i) it is duly organized as a Delaware limited liability company and is and at all times will remain duly authorized and licensed under applicable law to carry out its services as contemplated herein; (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement are within its power and have been duly authorized by all necessary action; (iii) its entering into this Agreement or providing the services contemplated hereby does not conflict with or constitute a default or require a consent under or breach of any provision of any agreement or document to which the Distributor is a party or by which it is bound; (iv) it is registered as a broker-dealer under the 1934 Act and is a member of FINRA; and (v) it has in place a Compliance Program reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Federal Securities Laws as that term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act; (v) shall provide the Trust with a certification to such effect no less than annually or as otherwise reasonably requested by the Trust; and (vi) it shall comply (and to the extent it takes or is required to take action on behalf of the Trust hereunder shall cause the Trust to comply) with all applicable requirements under the 1940 Act and other applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders and code of ethics, as well as investment restrictions, policies and procedures adopted by the Trust.
(b) The Distributor and the Trust each individually represent that its anti-money laundering program (“ AML Program ”), at a minimum, (i) designates a compliance officer to administer and oversee the AML Program, (ii) provides ongoing employee training, (iii) includes an independent audit function to test the effectiveness of the AML Program, (iv) establishes internal policies, procedures, and controls that are tailored to its particular business, (v) provides for the filing of all necessary anti-money laundering reports including, but not limited to, currency transaction reports and suspicious activity reports, and (vi) allows for appropriate regulators to examine its anti-money laundering books and records. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust acknowledges that the Authorized Participants are not “customers” for the purposes of 31 CFR 103.
(c) The Distributor and the Trust each individually represent and warrant that it: (i) has procedures in place reasonably designed to protect the privacy of non-public personal consumer/customer financial information to the extent required by applicable law, rule and regulation; (ii) will comply with all of the applicable terms and provisions of the 1934 Act; and (iii) will provide certifications to the Trust in order to assist the Trust in complying with certain rules under the 1940 Act (by way of example only, Rules 30a-2, 30a-3 and 38a-1) and in connection with the filing of certain Forms (by way of example only, Form N-CSR).
(d) The Trust represents and warrants that (i) it is duly organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is and at all times will remain duly authorized to carry out its obligations as contemplated herein; (ii) it is registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act; (iii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement are within its power and have been duly authorized by all necessary action; (iv) its entering into this Agreement does not conflict with or constitute a default or require a consent under or breach of any provision of any agreement or document to which the Trust is a party or by which it is bound; (v) the Registration Statement and each Fund’s Prospectus have been prepared, and all sales literature and advertisements
approved by the Trust and the Adviser or other materials prepared by or on behalf of the Trust for the Distributor’s use (“ Sales Literature and Advertisements ”) shall be prepared in material with conformity with the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and applicable the rules and regulations of the SEC (“ Rules and Regulations ”); and (vi) all statements of fact contained the Registration Statement and each Fund’s Prospectus or any Sales Literature and Advertisements are or will be true and correct in all material respects at the time indicated or the effective date, as the case may be, and none of the Registration Statement, any Fund’s Prospectus, nor any Sales Literature and Advertisements shall include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the case of each Fund’s Prospectus in light of the circumstances in which made, not misleading. The Trust shall, from time to time, file amendment(s) to the Registration Statement and supplements to each Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information as, in the opinion of the Trust’s counsel, shall be necessary in order to that each Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information shall contain all material facts required or necessary to be stated therein such that the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information are not be misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust shall not be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to any information or statement provided by the Distributor for inclusion in the Registration Statement or any Fund’s Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information.
(e) The Trust represents to the Distributor that the Registration Statement and Prospectus filed by the Trust with the SEC with respect to the Trust have been prepared in material with conformity with the requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations thereunder. The Trust or its administrator will notify the Distributor promptly of any amendment to the Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus filed with the SEC and any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall in any way limit the Trust’s right to file at any time such amendments to any Registration Statement and/or supplements to any Prospectus, of whatever character, as the Trust may deem advisable, such right being in all respects absolute and unconditional. The Trust and the Adviser shall not be responsible in any way for any information, statements or representations given or made by the Distributor or its representatives that are contained in the Trust’s Registration Statement, Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information or financial reports filed on behalf of the Trust or in any Sales Literature and Advertisements.
9. Duration, Termination and Amendment.
(a) This Agreement shall be effective on the date set forth above, and unless terminated as provided herein, shall continue for two (2) years from its effective date, and thereafter from year to year, provided such continuance is approved annually by vote of (i) a majority of the Board members or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and (ii) a majority of those Board members who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, as to each Fund by vote of a majority of those Board members who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party on at least ninety (90) days prior written notice to the Distributor. This Agreement shall automatically terminate without the payment of
any penalty in the event of its assignment. As used in this paragraph, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “assignment,” “affiliated person” and “interested person” shall have the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act.
(b) No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated except by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which an enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.
(c) Upon termination of this Agreement, the Distributor agrees to cooperate in the orderly transfer of distribution duties and shall deliver promptly to the Trust or as otherwise directed by the Trust all records and other documents made or accumulated in the Distributor’s performance of its duties for the Trust hereunder.
(d) In the event that the Distributor gives notice of termination under this Agreement, it will continue to provide the services contemplated hereunder after such termination at the contractual rate for up to 120 days, provided the Trust uses all reasonable commercial efforts to appoint a replacement on a timely basis.
10. Notice.
Any notice or other communication authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to either party shall be in writing and deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by confirmed facsimile, or posted by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the following address (or such other address as a party may specify by written notice to the other):
If to the Distributor :
ETF Distributors LLC
6 E. 39th Street, Suite 1003
New York, NY 10016
Telephone: (212) 593-4383
Facsimile: (212) 593-4384
If to the Trust :
ETFis Series Trust I
ATTN: William J. Smalley
6 E. 39th Street, Suite 1003
New York, NY 10016
Telephone: (347) 903-8347
Facsimile: (212) 593-4384
11. Choice of Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the choice of laws provisions thereof.
12. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
13. Severability.
If any provisions of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid, in whole or in part, then the other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in force. Invalid provisions shall, in accordance with this Agreement’s intent and purpose, be amended, to the extent legally possible, in order to effectuate the intended results of such invalid provisions.
14. Insurance.
The Distributor will maintain at its expense an errors and omissions insurance policy adequate to cover services provided by the Distributor hereunder.
15. Confidentiality.
During the term of this Agreement, the Distributor and the Trust may have access to confidential information relating to such matters as either party’s business, trade secrets, systems, procedures, manuals, products, contracts, personnel, and clients. As used in this Agreement, “ Confidential Information ” means information belonging to one of the parties that is of value to such party and the disclosure of which could result in a competitive or other disadvantage to such party. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, financial information, proposal and presentations, reports, forecasts, inventions, improvements and other intellectual property; trade secrets; know-how; designs, processes or formulae; software; market or sales information or plans; customer lists; and business plans, prospects and opportunities (such as possible acquisitions or dispositions of businesses or facilities). Confidential Information includes information developed by either party in the course of engaging in the activities provided for in this Agreement, unless: (i) the information is or becomes publicly known through lawful means; (ii) the information is disclosed to the other party without a confidential restriction by a third party who rightfully possesses the information and did not obtain it, either directly or indirectly, from one of the parties, as the case may be, or any of their respective principals, employees, affiliated persons, or affiliated entities. The parties understand and agree that all Confidential Information shall be kept confidential by the other both during and after the term of this Agreement. Each party shall maintain commercially reasonable information security policies and procedures for protecting Confidential Information. The parties further agree that they will not, without the prior written approval by the other party, disclose such Confidential Information, or use such Confidential Information in any way, either during the term of this Agreement or at any time thereafter, except as required in the course of this Agreement and as provided by the other party or as required by law. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, or as otherwise requested by the Trust, all Confidential Information held by or on behalf of Trust shall be promptly returned to the Trust, or an authorized officer of the Distributor will certify to the Trust in writing that all such Confidential Information has been
destroyed. This Section 15 shall survive the termination of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a party may disclose the other’s Confidential Information if (i) required by law, regulation or legal process or if requested by the SEC or other governmental regulatory agency with jurisdiction over the parties hereto or (ii) requested to do so by the other party; provided that in the event of (i), the disclosing party shall give the other party reasonable prior notice of such disclosure to the extent reasonably practicable and shall reasonably cooperate with the other party (at such other party’s expense) in any efforts to prevent such disclosure.
16. Limitation of Liability.
This Agreement is executed by or on behalf of the Trust with respect to each of the Funds and the obligations hereunder is not binding upon any of the Board members, officers or shareholders of the Trust individually but are binding only upon the Fund to which such obligations pertain and the assets and property of such Fund. Separate and distinct records are maintained for each Fund and the assets associated with any such Fund are held and accounted for separately from the other assets of the Trust, or any other Fund of the Trust. The debts, liabilities, obligations, and expenses incurred, contracted for, or otherwise existing with respect to a particular Fund of the Trust shall be enforceable against the assets of that Fund only, and not against the assets of the Trust generally or any other Fund, and none of the debts, liabilities, obligations, and expenses incurred, contracted for, or otherwise existing with respect to the Trust generally or any other Fund shall be enforceable against the assets of that Fund. The Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust is on file with the Trust.
17. Use of Names; Publicity.
The Trust shall not use the Distributor’s name in any offering material, shareholder report, Sales Literature and Advertisements, or other material relating to the Trust, other than for the purpose of merely identifying and describing the functions of the Distributor hereunder, in a manner not approved by the Distributor in writing prior to such use, which approval shall not to be unreasonably withheld. The Distributor hereby consents to all uses of its name required by the SEC, any state securities commission, or any federal or state regulatory authority.
The Distributor shall not use the name “Manna” in any offering material, shareholder report, advertisement or other material relating to the Distributor, other than for the purpose of merely identifying and describing the functions of the Trust hereunder, in a manner not approved by the Trust in writing prior to such use; provided, however, that the Trust shall not unreasonably withhold consent to all uses of its name required by the Commission, any state securities commission, or any federal or state regulatory authority.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust hereby consents to the placement of an announcement on Distributor’s website stating that the Trust is a new client of Distributor’s for ETF services.
18. Business Continuity Plan
The Distributor shall maintain in effect a business continuity plan, and enter into any agreements necessary with appropriate parties making reasonable provision for emergency use of electronic data processing equipment customary in the industry. In the event of equipment failures, the Distributor shall, at no additional expense to the Trust, take commercially reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions.
19. Entire Agreement
This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties, except for those included in the Services Agreement, provided, however, that the Distributor may embody in one or more separate documents its agreement, if any, with respect to delegated duties and oral instructions.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their officers designated below as of the date first set forth above.
ETFIS SERIES TRUST I
By: /s/William J. Smalley
Name: William J. Smalley
Title: President
ETF DISTRIBUTORS LLC
By: /s/William J. Smalley
Name: William J. Smalley
Title: Managing Principal
EXHIBIT A
(As of May 8, 2015)
InfraCap MLP ETF
Tuttle Tactical Management U.S. Core ETF
BioShares Biotechnology Products Fund
BioShares Biotechnology Clinical Trials Fund
InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF
Tuttle Tactical Management Multi-Strategy Income ETF
Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF
Schedule I
(As of May 8, 2015)
FEES
InfraCap MLP ETF | The greater of $30,000 or 1 BP on average AUM |
BioShares Biotechnology Products ETF | The greater of $30,000 or 4 BP on average AUM |
BioShares Biotechnology Clinical Trials ETF | The greater of $30,000 or 4 BP on average AUM |
Tuttle Tactical Management U.S. Core ETF | The greater of $30,000 or 4 BP on average AUM |
InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF | The greater of $15,000 or 4 BP on average AUM |
Tuttle Tactical Management Multi-Strategy Income ETF | The greater of $30,000 or 4 BP on average AUM |
Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF | 1 BP on average AUM |
Exhibit (g)
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, dated as of December 6, 2013 between ETFis Series Trust I, a Delaware statutory trust, having its principal office and place of business at 317 Madison Avenue, Suite 920, New York, New York 10017 (the “Trust”) and The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York corporation authorized to do a banking business having its principal office and place of business at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286 (“Custodian”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
that for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth the Trust and Custodian agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words shall have the meanings set forth below:
1. “Authorized Person” shall be any person, whether or not an officer or employee of the Trust, duly authorized by the Trust’s board to execute any Certificate or to give any Oral Instruction with respect to one or more Accounts, such persons to be designated in a Certificate annexed hereto as Schedule I hereto or such other Certificate as may be received by Custodian from time to time.
2. “Custodian Affiliate” shall mean any office, branch or subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.
3. “Book-Entry System” shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-entry system for receiving and delivering securities, its successors and nominees.
4. “Business Day” shall mean any day on which Custodian and relevant Depositories are open for business.
5. “Certificate” shall mean any notice, instruction, or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to Custodian, which is actually received by Custodian by letter or facsimile transmission and signed on behalf of the Trust by an Authorized Person or a person reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Authorized Person.
6. “Composite Currency Unit” shall mean the Euro or any other composite currency unit consisting of the aggregate of specified amounts of specified currencies, as such unit may be constituted from time to time.
7. “Depository” shall include (a) the Book-Entry System, (b) the Depository Trust Company, (c) any other clearing agency or securities depository registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission identified to the Trust from time to time, and (d) the respective successors and nominees of the foregoing.
8. “Foreign Depository” shall mean (a) Euroclear, (b) Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme, (c) each Eligible Securities Depository as defined in Rule 17f-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, identified to the Trust from time to time, and (d) the respective successors and nominees of the foregoing.
9. “Instructions” shall mean communications actually received by Custodian by S.W.I.F.T., tested telex, letter, facsimile transmission, or other method or system specified by Custodian as available for use in connection with the services hereunder.
10. “Oral Instructions” shall mean verbal instructions received by Custodian from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Authorized Person.
11. “Series” shall mean the various portfolios, if any, of the Trust listed on Schedule II hereto, and if none are listed references to Series shall be references to the Trust.
12. “Securities” shall include, without limitation, any common stock and other equity securities, bonds, debentures and other debt securities, notes, mortgages or other obligations, and any instruments representing rights to receive, purchase, or subscribe for the same, or representing any other rights or interests therein (whether represented by a certificate or held in a Depository or by a Subcustodian).
13. “Subcustodian” shall mean a bank (including any branch thereof) or other financial institution (other than a Foreign Depository) located outside the U.S. which is utilized by Custodian in connection with the purchase, sale or custody of Securities hereunder and identified to the Trust from time to time, and their respective successors and nominees.
14. “Transfer Agent” shall mean The Bank of New York, subject to a separate Transfer Agency and Service Agreement entered into between the parties, or any successor transfer agent identified to Custodian in a Certificate.
ARTICLE II
APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN; ACCOUNTS;
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, AND COVENANTS
1. (a) The Trust hereby appoints Custodian as custodian of all Securities and cash at any time delivered to Custodian during the term of this Agreement, and authorizes Custodian to hold Securities in registered form in its name or the name of its nominees. Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to establish and maintain one or more securities accounts and cash accounts for each Series in which Custodian will hold Securities and cash as provided herein. Custodian shall maintain books and records segregating the assets of each Series from the assets of any other Series. Such accounts (each, an “Account”; collectively, the “Accounts”) shall be in the name of the Trust.
(b) Custodian may from time to time establish on its books and records such sub-accounts within each Account as the Trust and Custodian may agree upon (each a “Special
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Account”), and Custodian shall reflect therein such assets as the Trust may specify in a Certificate or Instructions.
(c) Custodian may from time to time establish pursuant to a written agreement with and for the benefit of a broker, dealer, future commission merchant or other third party identified in a Certificate or Instructions such accounts on such terms and conditions as the Trust and Custodian shall agree, and Custodian shall transfer to such account such Securities and money as the Trust may specify in a Certificate or Instructions.
2. The Trust hereby represents and warrants, which representations and warranties shall be continuing and shall be deemed to be reaffirmed upon each delivery of a Certificate or each giving of Oral Instructions or Instructions by the Trust, that:
(b) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement, and to perform its obligations hereunder;
(c) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trust, approved by a resolution of its board, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and there is no statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on it, and no provision of its charter or by-laws, nor of any mortgage, indenture, credit agreement or other contract binding on it or affecting its property, which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement;
(d) It is conducting its business in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and requirements, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as now conducted;
(e) It will not use the services provided by Custodian hereunder in any manner that is, or will result in, a violation of any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Trust;
(f) Its board or its foreign custody manager, as defined in Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “‘40 Act”), has determined that use of each Subcustodian (including any Replacement Custodian) which Custodian is authorized to utilize in accordance with Section 1(a) of Article III hereof satisfies the applicable requirements of the ‘40 Act and Rule 17f-5 thereunder;
(g) The Trust or its investment adviser has determined that the custody arrangements of each Foreign Depository provide reasonable safeguards against the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with such Foreign Depository within the meaning of Rule 17f-7 under the ‘40 Act;
(h) It is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with various methods of transmitting Instructions and Oral Instructions and delivering Certificates to Custodian, shall, and shall cause each Authorized Person, to safeguard and treat with extreme care any user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys, understands that there may be more secure methods of transmitting or delivering the same than the methods
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selected by it, agrees that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection therewith provide a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances, and acknowledges and agrees that Instructions need not be reviewed by Custodian, may conclusively be presumed by Custodian to have been given by person(s) duly authorized, and may be acted upon as given;
(i) It shall manage its borrowings, including, without limitation, any advance or overdraft (including any day-light overdraft) in the Accounts, so that the aggregate of its total borrowings for each Series does not exceed the amount such Series is permitted to borrow under the ‘40 Act;
(j) Its transmission or giving of, and Custodian acting upon and in reliance on, Certificates, Instructions, or Oral Instructions pursuant to this Agreement shall at all times comply with the ‘40 Act;
(k) It shall impose and maintain restrictions on the destinations to which cash may be disbursed by Instructions to ensure that each disbursement is for a proper purpose; and
(l) It has the right to make the pledge and grant the security interest and security entitlement to Custodian contained in Section 1 of Article V hereof, free of any right of redemption or prior claim of any other person or entity, such pledge and such grants shall have a first priority subject to no setoffs, counterclaims, or other liens or grants prior to or on a parity therewith, and it shall take such additional steps as Custodian may require to assure such priority.
3. The Trust hereby covenants that it shall from time to time complete and execute and deliver to Custodian upon Custodian’s request a Form FR U-1 (or successor form) whenever the Trust borrows from Custodian any money to be used for the purchase or carrying of margin stock as defined in Federal Reserve Regulation U.
ARTICLE III
CUSTODY AND RELATED SERVICES
1. (a) Subject to the terms hereof, the Trust hereby authorizes Custodian to hold any Securities received by it from time to time for the Trust’s account. Custodian shall be entitled to utilize, subject to subsection (c) of this Section 1, Depositories, Subcustodians, and, subject to subsection (d) of this Section 1, Foreign Depositories, to the extent possible in connection with its performance hereunder. Securities and cash held in a Depository or Foreign Depository will be held subject to the rules, terms and conditions of such entity. Securities and cash held through Subcustodians shall be held subject to the terms and conditions of Custodian’s agreements with such Subcustodians. Subcustodians may be authorized to hold Securities in Foreign Depositories in which such Subcustodians participate. Unless otherwise required by local law or practice or a particular subcustodian agreement, Securities deposited with a Subcustodian, a Depositary or a Foreign Depository will be held in a commingled account, in the name of Custodian, holding only Securities held by Custodian as custodian for its customers. Custodian shall identify on its books and records the Securities and cash belonging to the Trust, whether held directly or indirectly through Depositories, Foreign Depositories, or Subcustodians. Custodian shall,
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directly or indirectly through Subcustodians, Depositories, or Foreign Depositories, endeavor, to the extent feasible, to hold Securities in the country or other jurisdiction in which the principal trading market for such Securities is located, where such Securities are to be presented for cancellation and/or payment and/or registration, or where such Securities are acquired. Custodian at any time may cease utilizing any Subcustodian and/or may replace a Subcustodian with a different Subcustodian (the “Replacement Subcustodian”). In the event Custodian selects a Replacement Subcustodian, Custodian shall not utilize such Replacement Subcustodian until after the Trust’s board or foreign custody manager has determined that utilization of such Replacement Subcustodian satisfies the requirements of the ‘40 Act and Rule 17f-5 thereunder.
(b) Unless Custodian has received a Certificate or Instructions to the contrary, Custodian shall hold Securities indirectly through a Subcustodian only if (i) the Securities are not subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of such Subcustodian or its creditors or operators, including a receiver or trustee in bankruptcy or similar authority, except for a claim of payment for the safe custody or administration of Securities on behalf of the Trust by such Subcustodian, and (ii) beneficial ownership of the Securities is freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or administration.
(c) With respect to each Depository, Custodian (i) shall exercise due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duties as a securities intermediary to obtain and thereafter maintain Securities or financial assets deposited or held in such Depository, and (ii) will provide, promptly upon request by the Trust, such reports as are available concerning the internal accounting controls and financial strength of Custodian.
(d) With respect to each Foreign Depository, Custodian shall exercise reasonable care, prudence, and diligence (i) to provide the Trust with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Foreign Depository, and (ii) to monitor such custody risks on a continuing basis and promptly notify the Trust of any material change in such risks. The Trust acknowledges and agrees that such analysis and monitoring shall be made on the basis of, and limited by, information gathered from Subcustodians or through publicly available information otherwise obtained by Custodian, and shall not include any evaluation of Country Risks. As used herein the term “Country Risks” shall mean with respect to any Foreign Depository: (a) the financial infrastructure of the country in which it is organized, (b) such country’s prevailing custody and settlement practices, (c) nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions, (d) such country’s regulation of the banking or securities industry, (e) currency controls, restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations, and (f) market conditions which affect the order execution of securities transactions or affect the value of securities.
2. Custodian shall furnish the Trust with an advice of daily transactions (including a confirmation of each transfer of Securities) and a monthly summary of all transfers to or from the Accounts.
3. With respect to all Securities held hereunder, Custodian shall, unless otherwise instructed to the contrary:
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(a) Receive all income and other payments and advise the Trust as promptly as practicable of any such amounts due but not paid;
(b) Present for payment and receive the amount paid upon all Securities which may mature and advise the Trust as promptly as practicable of any such amounts due but not paid;
(c) Forward to the Trust copies of all information or documents that it may actually receive from an issuer of Securities which, in the opinion of Custodian, are intended for the beneficial owner of Securities;
(d) Execute, as custodian, any certificates of ownership, affidavits, declarations or other certificates under any tax laws now or hereafter in effect in connection with the collection of bond and note coupons;
(e) Hold directly or through a Depository, a Foreign Depository, or a Subcustodian all rights and similar Securities issued with respect to any Securities credited to an Account hereunder; and
(f) Endorse for collection checks, drafts or other negotiable instruments.
4. (a) Custodian shall notify the Trust of rights or discretionary actions with respect to Securities held hereunder, and of the date or dates by when such rights must be exercised or such action must be taken, provided that Custodian has actually received, from the issuer or the relevant Depository (with respect to Securities issued in the United States) or from the relevant Subcustodian, Foreign Depository, or a nationally or internationally recognized bond or corporate action service to which Custodian subscribes, timely notice of such rights or discretionary corporate action or of the date or dates such rights must be exercised or such action must be taken. Absent actual receipt of such notice, Custodian shall have no liability for failing to so notify the Trust.
(b) Whenever Securities (including, but not limited to, warrants, options, tenders, options to tender or non-mandatory puts or calls) confer discretionary rights on the Trust or provide for discretionary action or alternative courses of action by the Trust, the Trust shall be responsible for making any decisions relating thereto and for directing Custodian to act. In order for Custodian to act, it must receive the Trust’s Certificate or Instructions at Custodian’s offices, addressed as Custodian may from time to time request, not later than noon (New York time) at least two (2) Business Days prior to the last scheduled date to act with respect to such Securities (or such earlier date or time as Custodian may specify to the Trust). Absent Custodian’s timely receipt of such Certificate or Instructions, Custodian shall not be liable for failure to take any action relating to or to exercise any rights conferred by such Securities.
5. All voting rights with respect to Securities, however registered, shall be exercised by the Trust or its designee. Custodian will make available to the Trust proxy voting services upon the request of, and for the jurisdictions selected by, the Trust in accordance with terms and conditions to be mutually agreed upon by Custodian and the Trust.
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6. Custodian shall promptly advise the Trust upon Custodian’s actual receipt of notification of the partial redemption, partial payment or other action affecting less than all Securities of the relevant class. If Custodian, any Subcustodian, any Depository, or any Foreign Depository holds any Securities in which the Trust has an interest as part of a fungible mass, Custodian, such Subcustodian, Depository, or Foreign Depository may select the Securities to participate in such partial redemption, partial payment or other action in any non-discriminatory manner that it customarily uses to make such selection.
7. Custodian shall not under any circumstances accept bearer interest coupons which have been stripped from United States federal, state or local government or agency securities unless explicitly agreed to by Custodian in writing.
8. The Trust shall be liable for all taxes, assessments, duties and other governmental charges, including any interest or penalty with respect thereto (“Taxes”), with respect to any cash or Securities held on behalf of the Trust or any transaction related thereto. The Trust shall indemnify Custodian and each Subcustodian for the amount of any Tax that Custodian, any such Subcustodian or any other withholding agent is required under applicable laws (whether by assessment or otherwise) to pay on behalf of, or in respect of income earned by or payments or distributions made to or for the account of the Trust (including any payment of Tax required by reason of an earlier failure to withhold). Custodian shall, or shall instruct the applicable Subcustodian or other withholding agent to, withhold the amount of any Tax which is required to be withheld under applicable law upon collection of any dividend, interest or other distribution made with respect to any Security and any proceeds or income from the sale, loan or other transfer of any Security. In the event that Custodian or any Subcustodian is required under applicable law to pay any Tax on behalf of the Trust, Custodian is hereby authorized to withdraw cash from any cash account in the amount required to pay such Tax and to use such cash, or to remit such cash to the appropriate Subcustodian or other withholding agent, for the timely payment of such Tax in the manner required by applicable law. If the aggregate amount of cash in all cash accounts is not sufficient to pay such Tax, Custodian shall promptly notify the Trust of the additional amount of cash (in the appropriate currency) required, and the Trust shall directly deposit such additional amount in the appropriate cash account promptly after receipt of such notice, for use by Custodian as specified herein. In the event that Custodian reasonably believes that Trust is eligible, pursuant to applicable law or to the provisions of any tax treaty, for a reduced rate of, or exemption from, any Tax which is otherwise required to be withheld or paid on behalf of the Trust under any applicable law, Custodian shall, or shall instruct the applicable Subcustodian or withholding agent to, either withhold or pay such Tax at such reduced rate or refrain from withholding or paying such Tax, as appropriate; provided that Custodian shall have received from the Trust all documentary evidence of residence or other qualification for such reduced rate or exemption required to be received under such applicable law or treaty. In the event that Custodian reasonably believes that a reduced rate of, or exemption from, any Tax is obtainable only by means of an application for reTrust, Custodian and the applicable Subcustodian shall have no responsibility for the accuracy or validity of any forms or documentation provided by the Trust to Custodian hereunder. The Trust hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Custodian and each Subcustodian in respect of any liability arising from any underwithholding or underpayment of any Tax which results from the inaccuracy or invalidity of any such forms or other documentation, and such obligation to
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indemnify shall be a continuing obligation of the Trust, its successors and assigns notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.
9. (a) For the purpose of settling Securities and foreign exchange transactions, the Trust shall provide Custodian with sufficient immediately available funds for all transactions by such time and date as conditions in the relevant market dictate. As used herein, “sufficient immediately available funds” shall mean either (i) sufficient cash denominated in U.S. dollars to purchase the necessary foreign currency, or (ii) sufficient applicable foreign currency, to settle the transaction. Custodian shall provide the Trust with immediately available Trusts each day which result from the actual settlement of all sale transactions, based upon advices received by Custodian from Subcustodians, Depositories, and Foreign Depositories. Such funds shall be in U.S. dollars or such other currency as the Trust may specify to Custodian.
(b) Any foreign exchange transaction effected by Custodian in connection with this Agreement may be entered with Custodian or a Custodian Affiliate acting as principal or otherwise through customary banking channels. The Trust may issue a standing Certificate or Instructions with respect to foreign exchange transactions, but Custodian may establish rules or limitations concerning any foreign exchange facility made available to the Trust. The Trust shall bear all risks of investing in Securities or holding cash denominated in a foreign currency.
(c) To the extent that Custodian has agreed to provide pricing or other information services in connection with this Agreement, Custodian is authorized to utilize any vendor (including brokers and dealers of Securities) reasonably believed by Custodian to be reliable to provide such information. The Trust understands that certain pricing information with respect to complex financial instruments ( e.g. , derivatives) may be based on calculated amounts rather than actual market transactions and may not reflect actual market values, and that the variance between such calculated amounts and actual market values may or may not be material. Where vendors do not provide information for particular Securities or other property, an Authorized Person may advise Custodian in a Certificate regarding the fair market value of, or provide other information with respect to, such Securities or property as determined by it in good faith. Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense incurred as a result of errors or omissions with respect to any pricing or other information utilized by Custodian hereunder.
10. Until such time as Custodian receives a certificate to the contrary with respect to a particular Security, Custodian may release the identity of the Trust to an issuer which requests such information pursuant to the Shareholder Communications Act of 1985 for the specific purpose of direct communications between such issuer and shareholder.
ARTICLE IV
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SECURITIES;
CREDITS TO ACCOUNT
1. Promptly after each purchase or sale of Securities by the Trust, the Trust shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions, or with respect to a purchase or sale of a Security generally required to be settled on the same day the purchase or sale is made, Oral Instructions specifying all information Custodian may reasonably request to settle such purchase or sale.
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Custodian shall account for all purchases and sales of Securities on the actual settlement date unless otherwise agreed by Custodian.
2. The Trust understands that when Custodian is instructed to deliver Securities against payment, delivery of such Securities and receipt of payment therefor may not be completed simultaneously. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, settlements, payments and deliveries of Securities may be effected by Custodian or any Subcustodian in accordance with the customary or established securities trading or securities processing practices and procedures in the jurisdiction in which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivery to a purchaser or dealer therefor (or agent) against receipt with the expectation of receiving later payment for such Securities. The Trust assumes full responsibility for all risks, including, without limitation, credit risks, involved in connection with such deliveries of Securities.
3. Custodian may, as a matter of bookkeeping convenience or by separate agreement with the Trust, credit the Account with the proceeds from the sale, redemption or other disposition of Securities or interest, dividends or other distributions payable on Securities prior to its actual receipt of final payment therefor. All such credits shall be conditional until Custodian’s actual receipt of final payment and may be reversed by Custodian to the extent that final payment is not received. Payment with respect to a transaction will not be “final” until Custodian shall have received immediately available funds which under applicable local law, rule and/or practice are irreversible and not subject to any security interest, levy or other encumbrance, and which are specifically applicable to such transaction.
ARTICLE V
OVERDRAFTS OR INDEBTEDNESS
1. If Custodian should in its sole discretion advance funds on behalf of any Series which results in an overdraft (including, without limitation, any day-light overdraft) because the money held by Custodian in an Account for such Series shall be insufficient to pay the total amount payable upon a purchase of Securities specifically allocated to such Series, as set forth in a Certificate, Instructions or Oral Instructions, or if an overdraft arises in the separate account of a Series for some other reason, including, without limitation, because of a reversal of a conditional credit or the purchase of any currency, or if the Trust is for any other reason indebted to Custodian with respect to a Series, including any indebtedness to The Bank of New York under the Trust’s Cash Management and Related Services Agreement (except a borrowing for investment or for temporary or emergency purposes using Securities as collateral pursuant to a separate agreement and subject to the provisions of Section 2 of this Article), such overdraft or indebtedness shall be deemed to be a loan made by Custodian to the Trust for such Series payable on demand and shall bear interest from the date incurred at a rate per annum ordinarily charged by Custodian to its institutional customers, as such rate may be adjusted from time to time. In addition, the Trust hereby agrees that Custodian shall to the maximum extent permitted by law have a continuing lien, security interest, and security entitlement in and to any property, including, without limitation, any investment property or any financial asset, of such Series at any time held by Custodian for the benefit of such Series or in which such Series may have an interest which is then in Custodian’s possession or control or in possession or control of any third
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party acting in Custodian’s behalf. The Trust authorizes Custodian, in its sole discretion, at any time to charge any such overdraft or indebtedness together with interest due thereon against any balance of account standing to such Series’ credit on Custodian’s books.
2. If the Trust borrows money from any bank (including Custodian if the borrowing is pursuant to a separate agreement) for investment or for temporary or emergency purposes using Securities held by Custodian hereunder as collateral for such borrowings, the Trust shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such borrowing: (a) the Series to which such borrowing relates; (b) the name of the bank, (c) the amount of the borrowing, (d) the time and date, if known, on which the loan is to be entered into, (e) the total amount payable to the Trust on the borrowing date, (f) the Securities to be delivered as collateral for such loan, including the name of the issuer, the title and the number of shares or the principal amount of any particular Securities, and (g) a statement specifying whether such loan is for investment purposes or for temporary or emergency purposes and that such loan is in conformance with the ‘40 Act and the Trust’s prospectus. Custodian shall deliver on the borrowing date specified in a Certificate the specified collateral against payment by the lending bank of the total amount of the loan payable, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in the Certificate. Custodian may, at the option of the lending bank, keep such collateral in its possession, but such collateral shall be subject to all rights therein given the lending bank by virtue of any promissory note or loan agreement. Custodian shall deliver such Securities as additional collateral as may be specified in a Certificate to collateralize further any transaction described in this Section. The Trust shall cause all Securities released from collateral status to be returned directly to Custodian, and Custodian shall receive from time to time such return of collateral as may be tendered to it. In the event that the Trust fails to specify in a Certificate the Series, the name of the issuer, the title and number of shares or the principal amount of any particular Securities to be delivered as collateral by Custodian, Custodian shall not be under any obligation to deliver any Securities.
ARTICLE VI
SALE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
1. Whenever the Trust shall sell any shares issued by the Trust (“Shares”) it shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions, or cause the Trust’s Transfer Agent to provide instructions, specifying the amount of money, if any, and the particular Securities and the amount of each Security to be received by Custodian for the sale of such Shares and specifically allocated to an Account for such Series. Upon receipt of such money, if any, and such Securities, Custodian shall credit the same to an Account in the name of the Series for which such money, if any, and such Securities are received.
2. Whenever the Trust desires Custodian to make a payment, if any, and a delivery of Securities out of the money and Securities held by Custodian hereunder in connection with a redemption of any Shares, it shall furnish to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions, or cause the Trust’s Transfer Agent to provide instructions specifying the total amount of money, if any, to be paid, and the particular Securities and amount of each Security to be delivered, for the redemption of such Shares. Custodian shall make any such payment and such delivery of Shares,
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as directed by a Certificate or Instructions or instructions of the Trust’s transfer agent, out of the money and Securities held in an Account of the appropriate Series.
ARTICLE VII
PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS
1. Whenever the Trust shall determine to pay a dividend or distribution on Shares it shall furnish to Custodian Instructions or a Certificate setting forth with respect to the Series specified therein the date of the declaration of such dividend or distribution, the total amount payable, and the payment date.
2. Upon the payment date specified in such Instructions or Certificate, Custodian shall pay out of the money held for the account of such Series the total amount payable to the dividend agent of the Trust specified therein.
ARTICLE VIII
CONCERNING CUSTODIAN
1. (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, Custodian shall not be liable for any costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims, including attorneys’ and accountants’ fees (collectively, “Losses”), incurred by or asserted against the Trust, except those Losses arising out of Custodian’s own negligence or willful misconduct. Custodian shall have no liability whatsoever for the action or inaction of any Depositories or of any Foreign Depositories, except in each case to the extent such action or inaction is a direct result of the Custodian’s failure to fulfill its duties hereunder. With respect to any Losses incurred by the Trust as a result of the acts or any failures to act by any Subcustodian (other than a Custodian Affiliate), Custodian shall take appropriate action to recover such Losses from such Subcustodian; and Custodian’s sole responsibility and liability to the Trust shall be limited to amounts so received from such Subcustodian (exclusive of costs and expenses incurred by Custodian). In no event shall Custodian be liable to the Trust or any third party for special, indirect or consequential damages, or lost profits or loss of business, arising in connection with this Agreement, nor shall Custodian or any Subcustodian be liable: ( i ) for acting in accordance with any Certificate or Oral Instructions actually received by Custodian and reasonably believed by Custodian to be given by an Authorized Person; ( ii ) for acting in accordance with Instructions without reviewing the same; ( iii ) for conclusively presuming that all Instructions are given only by person(s) duly authorized; ( iv ) for conclusively presuming that all disbursements of cash directed by the Trust, whether by a Certificate, an Oral Instruction, or an Instruction, are in accordance with Section 2(i) of Article II hereof; ( v ) for holding property in any particular country, including, but not limited to, Losses resulting from nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions; regulation of the banking or securities industry; exchange or currency controls or restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations; availability of cash or Securities or market conditions which prevent the transfer of property or execution of Securities transactions or affect the value of property; ( vi ) for any Losses due to forces beyond the control of Custodian, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, acts of war or terrorism, insurrection, revolution, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, or interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; (vii) for the insolvency of any Subcustodian (other than a
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Custodian Affiliate), any Depository, or, except to the extent such action or inaction is a direct result of the Custodian’s failure to fulfill its duties hereunder, any Foreign Depository; or ( viii ) for any Losses arising from the applicability of any law or regulation now or hereafter in effect, or from the occurrence of any event, including, without limitation, implementation or adoption of any rules or procedures of a Foreign Depository, which may affect, limit, prevent or impose costs or burdens on, the transferability, convertibility, or availability of any currency or Composite Currency Unit in any country or on the transfer of any Securities, and in no event shall Custodian be obligated to substitute another currency for a currency (including a currency that is a component of a Composite Currency Unit) whose transferability, convertibility or availability has been affected, limited, or prevented by such law, regulation or event, and to the extent that any such law, regulation or event imposes a cost or charge upon Custodian in relation to the transferability, convertibility, or availability of any cash currency or Composite Currency Unit, such cost or charge shall be for the account of the Trust, and Custodian may treat any account denominated in an affected currency as a group of separate accounts denominated in the relevant component currencies.
(b) Custodian may enter into subcontracts, agreements and understandings with any Custodian Affiliate, whenever and on such terms and conditions as it deems necessary or appropriate to perform its services hereunder. No such subcontract, agreement or understanding shall discharge Custodian from its obligations hereunder.
(c) The Trust agrees to indemnify Custodian and hold Custodian harmless from and against any and all Losses sustained or incurred by or asserted against Custodian by reason of or as a result of any action or inaction, or arising out of Custodian’s performance hereunder, including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel incurred by Custodian in a successful defense of claims by the Trust; provided however, that the Trust shall not indemnify Custodian for those Losses arising out of Custodian’s own negligence or willful misconduct. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Trust, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.
2. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Custodian shall be under no obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:
(a) Any Losses incurred by the Trust or any other person as a result of the receipt or acceptance of fraudulent, forged or invalid Securities, or Securities which are otherwise not freely transferable or deliverable without encumbrance in any relevant market;
(b) The validity of the issue of any Securities purchased, sold, or written by or for the Trust, the legality of the purchase, sale or writing thereof, or the propriety of the amount paid or received therefor;
(c) The legality of the sale or redemption of any Shares, or the propriety of the amount to be received or paid therefor;
(d) The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend or distribution by the Trust;
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(e) The legality of any borrowing by the Trust;
(f) The legality of any loan of portfolio Securities, nor shall Custodian be under any duty or obligation to see to it that any cash or collateral delivered to it by a broker, dealer or financial institution or held by it at any time as a result of such loan of portfolio Securities is adequate security for the Trust against any loss it might sustain as a result of such loan, which duty or obligation shall be the sole responsibility of the Trust. In addition, Custodian shall be under no duty or obligation to see that any broker, dealer or financial institution to which portfolio Securities of the Trust are lent makes payment to it of any dividends or interest which are payable to or for the account of the Trust during the period of such loan or at the termination of such loan, provided, however that Custodian shall promptly notify the Trust in the event that such dividends or interest are not paid and received when due;
(g) The sufficiency or value of any amounts of money and/or Securities held in any Special Account in connection with transactions by the Trust; whether any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member makes payment to the Trust of any variation margin payment or similar payment which the Trust may be entitled to receive from such broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member, or whether any payment received by Custodian from any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member is the amount the Trust is entitled to receive, or to notify the Trust of Custodian’s receipt or non-receipt of any such payment; or
(h) Whether any Securities at any time delivered to, or held by it or by any Subcustodian, for the account of the Trust and specifically allocated to a Series are such as properly may be held by the Trust or such Series under the provisions of its then current prospectus and statement of additional information, or to ascertain whether any transactions by the Trust, whether or not involving Custodian, are such transactions as may properly be engaged in by the Trust.
3. Custodian may, with respect to questions of law specifically regarding an Account, obtain the advice of counsel and shall be fully protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in conformity with such advice.
4. Custodian shall be under no obligation to take action to collect any amount payable on Securities in default, or if payment is refused after due demand and presentment.
5. Custodian shall have no duty or responsibility to inquire into, make recommendations, supervise, or determine the suitability of any transactions affecting any Account.
6. The Trust shall pay to Custodian the fees and charges as may be specifically agreed upon from time to time and such other fees and charges at Custodian’s standard rates for such services as may be applicable. The Trust shall reimburse Custodian for all costs associated with the conversion of the Trust’s Securities hereunder and the transfer of Securities and records kept in connection with this Agreement. The Trust shall also reimburse Custodian for out-of-pocket expenses which are a normal incident of the services provided hereunder.
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7. Custodian has the right to debit any cash account for any amount payable by the Trust in connection with any and all obligations of the Trust to Custodian. In addition to the rights of Custodian under applicable law and other agreements, at any time when the Trust shall not have honored any of its obligations to Custodian, Custodian shall have the right without notice to the Trust to retain or set-off, against such obligations of the Trust, any Securities or cash Custodian or a Custodian Affiliate may directly or indirectly hold for the account of the Trust, and any obligations (whether matured or unmatured) that Custodian or a Custodian Affiliate may have to the Trust in any currency or Composite Currency Unit. Any such asset of, or obligation to, the Trust may be transferred to Custodian and any Custodian Affiliate in order to effect the above rights.
8. The Trust agrees to forward to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions confirming Oral Instructions by the close of business of the same day that such Oral Instructions are given to Custodian. The Trust agrees that the fact that such confirming Certificate or Instructions are not received or that a contrary Certificate or contrary Instructions are received by Custodian shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of transactions authorized by such Oral Instructions and effected by Custodian. If the Trust elects to transmit Instructions through an on-line communications system offered by Custodian, the Trust’s use thereof shall be subject to the Terms and Conditions attached as Appendix I hereto. If Custodian receives Instructions which appear on their face to have been transmitted by an Authorized Person via (i) computer facsimile, email, the Internet or other insecure electronic method, or (ii) secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys, the Trust understands and agrees that Custodian cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such Instructions and that Custodian shall conclusively presume that such Written Instructions have been sent by an Authorized Person, and the Trust shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Persons transmit such Instructions to Custodian. If the Trust elects (with Custodian’s prior consent) to transmit Instructions through an on-line communications service owned or operated by a third party, the Trust agrees that Custodian shall not be responsible or liable for the reliability or availability of any such service.
9. The books and records pertaining to the Trust which are in possession of Custodian shall be the property of the Trust. Such books and records shall be prepared and maintained as required by the ‘40 Act and the rules thereunder. The Trust, or its authorized representatives, shall have access to such books and records during Custodian’s normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Trust, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by Custodian to the Trust or its authorized representative. Upon the reasonable request of the Trust, Custodian shall provide in hard copy or on computer disc any records included in any such delivery which are maintained by Custodian on a computer disc, or are similarly maintained.
10. It is understood that Custodian is authorized to supply any information regarding the Accounts which is required by any law, regulation or rule now or hereafter in effect. The Custodian shall provide the Trust with any report obtained by the Custodian on the system of internal accounting control of a Depository, and with such reports on its own system of internal accounting control as the Trust may reasonably request from time to time.
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11. Custodian shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against Custodian in connection with this Agreement.
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION
1. Either of the parties hereto may terminate this Agreement by giving to the other party a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination, which shall be not less than ninety (90) days after the date of giving of such notice. In the event such notice is given by the Trust, it shall be accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the board of the Trust, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, electing to terminate this Agreement and designating a successor custodian or custodians, each of which shall be a bank or trust company having not less than $2,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits. In the event such notice is given by Custodian, the Trust shall, on or before the termination date, deliver to Custodian a copy of a resolution of the board of the Trust, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, designating a successor custodian or custodians. In the absence of such designation by the Trust, Custodian may designate a successor custodian which shall be a bank or trust company having not less than $2,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits. Upon the date set forth in such notice this Agreement shall terminate, and Custodian shall upon receipt of a notice of acceptance by the successor custodian on that date deliver directly to the successor custodian all Securities and money then owned by the Trust and held by it as Custodian, after deducting all fees, expenses and other amounts for the payment or reimbursement of which it shall then be entitled.
2. If a successor custodian is not designated by the Trust or Custodian in accordance with the preceding Section, the Trust shall upon the date specified in the notice of termination of this Agreement and upon the delivery by Custodian of all Securities (other than Securities which cannot be delivered to the Trust) and money then owned by the Trust be deemed to be its own custodian and Custodian shall thereby be relieved of all duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement, other than the duty with respect to Securities which cannot be delivered to the Trust to hold such Securities hereunder in accordance with this Agreement.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
1. The Trust agrees to furnish to Custodian a new Certificate of Authorized Persons in the event of any change in the then present Authorized Persons. Until such new Certificate is received, Custodian shall be fully protected in acting upon Certificates or Oral Instructions of such present Authorized Persons.
2. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to Custodian, shall be sufficiently given if addressed to Custodian and received by it at its offices at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286, or at such other place as Custodian may from time to time designate in writing.
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3. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Trust shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Trust and received by it at its offices at _____________________, or at such other place as the Trust may from time to time designate in writing.
4. Each and every right granted to either party hereunder or under any other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, or allowed it by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time. No failure on the part of either party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise by either party of any right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.
5. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any exclusive jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected thereby. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties, except that any amendment to the Schedule I hereto need be signed only by the Trust and any amendment to Appendix I hereto need be signed only by Custodian. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the written consent of the other.
6. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof. The Trust and Custodian hereby consent to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder. The Trust hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Trust and Custodian each hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
7. The Trust hereby acknowledges that Custodian is subject to federal laws, including the Customer Identification Program (CIP) requirements under the USA PATRIOT Act and its implementing regulations, pursuant to which Custodian must obtain, verify and record information that allows Custodian to identify the Trust. Accordingly, prior to opening an Account hereunder Custodian will ask the Trust to provide certain information including, but not limited to, the Trust’s name, physical address, tax identification number and other information that will help Custodian to identify and verify the Trust’s identity such as organizational documents, certificate of good standing, license to do business, or other pertinent identifying information. The Trust agrees that Custodian cannot open an Account hereunder unless and until Custodian verifies the Trust’s identity in accordance with its CIP.
8. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Trust and Custodian have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers, thereunto duly authorized, as of the day and year first above written.
ETFis Series Trust I
By:
/s/William J. Smalley
____________________
Name: William J. Smalley
Title: Chairman
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By:
/s/Joseph F. Keenan
______________________
Name: Joseph F. Keenan
Title: Managing Director
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SCHEDULE I
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZED PERSONS
(The Trust - Oral and Written Instructions)
[On file with ETFis Series Trust I]
SCHEDULE II
SERIES
(As of May 8, 2015)
Tuttle Tactical Management U.S. Core ETF
BioShares Biotechnology Products Fund
BioShares Biotechnology Clinical Trials Fund
InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF
Tuttle Tactical Management Multi-Strategy Income ETF
Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF
APPENDIX I
ELECTRONIC SERVICES TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. License; Use . (a) This Appendix I shall govern the Trust’s use of electronic communications, information delivery, portfolio management and banking services, that The Bank of New York and its affiliates (“Custodian”) may provide to the Trust, such as The Bank of New York Inform ™ and The Bank of New York CA$H-Register Plus ® , and any computer software, proprietary data and documentation provided by Custodian to the Trust in connection therewith (collectively, the “Electronic Services” ). In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Appendix I and the main body of this Agreement with respect to the Trust’s use of the Electronic Services, the terms of this Appendix I shall control.
(b) Custodian grants to the Trust a personal, nontransferable and nonexclusive license to use the Electronic Services to which the Trust subscribes solely for the purpose of transmitting instructions and information (“Written Instructions”), obtaining reports, analyses and statements and other information and data, making inquiries and otherwise communicating with Custodian in connection with the Trust’s relationship with Custodian. The Trust shall use the Electronic Services solely for its own internal and proper business purposes and not in the operation of a service bureau. Except as set forth herein, no license or right of any kind is granted to with respect to the Electronic Services. The Trust acknowledges that Custodian and its suppliers retain and have title and exclusive proprietary rights to the Electronic Services, including any trade secrets or other ideas, concepts, know-how, methodologies, and information incorporated therein and the exclusive rights to any copyrights, trade dress, look and feel, trademarks and patents (including registrations and applications for registration of either), and other legal protections available in respect thereof. The Trust further acknowledges that all or a part of the Electronic Services may be copyrighted or trademarked (or a registration or claim made therefor) by Custodian or its suppliers. The Trust shall not take any action with respect to the Electronic Services inconsistent with the foregoing acknowledgments, nor shall the Trust attempt to decompile, reverse engineer or modify the Electronic Services. The Trust may not copy, distribute, sell, lease or provide, directly or indirectly, the Electronic Services or any portion thereof to any other person or entity without Custodian’s prior written consent. The Trust may not remove any statutory copyright notice or other notice included in the Electronic Services. The Trust shall reproduce any such notice on any reproduction of any portion of the Electronic Services and shall add any statutory copyright notice or other notice upon Custodian’s request.
(c) Portions of the Electronic Services may contain, deliver or rely on data supplied by third parties (“Third Party Data”), such as pricing data and indicative data, and services supplied by third parties (“Third Party Services”) such as analytic and accounting services. Third Party Data and Third Party Services supplied hereunder are obtained from sources that Custodian believes to be reliable but are provided without any
independent investigation by Custodian. Custodian and its suppliers do not represent or warrant that the Third Party Data or Third Party Services are correct, complete or current. Third Party Data and Third Party Services are proprietary to their suppliers, are provided solely for the Trust’s internal use, and may not be reused, disseminated or redistributed in any form. The Trust shall not use any Third Party Data in any manner that would act as a substitute for obtaining a license for the data directly from the supplier. Third Party Data and Third Party Services should not be used in making any investment decision. CUSTODIAN AND ITS SUPPLIERS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY RESULTS OBTAINED FROM THE USE OF OR RELIANCE UPON THIRD PARTY DATA OR THIRD PARTY SERVICES. Custodian’s suppliers of Third Party Data and Services are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 1(c) and Section 5 below.
(d) The Trust understands and agrees that any links in the Electronic Services to Internet sites may be to sites sponsored and maintained by third parties. Custodian make no guarantees, representations or warranties concerning the information contained in any third party site (including without limitation that such information is correct, current, complete or free of viruses or other contamination), or any products or services sold through third party sites. All such links to third party Internet sites are provided solely as a convenience to the Trust and the Trust accesses and uses such sites at its own risk. A link in the Electronic Services to a third party site does not constitute Custodian’s endorsement, authorisation or sponsorship of such site or any products and services available from such site.
2. Equipment . The Trust shall obtain and maintain at its own cost and expense all equipment and services, including but not limited to communications services, necessary for it to utilize and obtain access to the Electronic Services, and Custodian shall not be responsible for the reliability or availability of any such equipment or services.
3. Proprietary Information . The Electronic Services, and any proprietary data (including Third Party Data), processes, software, information and documentation made available to the Trust (other than which are or become part of the public domain or are legally required to be made available to the public) (collectively, the "Information"), are the exclusive and confidential property of Custodian or its suppliers. However, for the avoidance of doubt, reports generated by the Trust containing information relating to its account(s) (except for Third Party Data contained therein) are not deemed to be within the meaning of the term “Information.” the Trust shall keep the Information confidential by using the same care and discretion that the Trust uses with respect to its own confidential property and trade secrets, but not less than reasonable care. Upon termination of the Agreement or the licenses granted herein for any reason, the Trust shall return to Custodian any and all copies of the Information which are in its possession or under its control (except that the Trust may retain reports containing Third Party Data, provided that such Third Party Data remains subject to the provisions of this Appendix). The provisions of this Section 3 shall not affect the copyright status of any of the
Information which may be copyrighted and shall apply to all information whether or not copyrighted.
4. Modifications . Custodian reserves the right to modify the Electronic Services from time to time. The Trust agrees not to modify or attempt to modify the Electronic Services without Custodian's prior written consent. The Trust acknowledges that any modifications to the Electronic Services, whether by the Trust or Custodian and whether with or without Custodian's consent, shall become the property of Custodian.
5. NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY . CUSTODIAN AND ITS MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS MAKE NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE ELECTRONIC SERVICES OR ANY THIRD PARTY DATA OR THIRD PARTY SERVICES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE TRUST ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE ELECTRONIC SERVICES, THIRD PARTY DATA AND THIRD PARTY SERVICES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS.” TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL CUSTODIAN OR ANY SUPPLIER BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL, WHICH CUSTOMER MAY INCUR IN CONNECTION WITH THE ELECTRONIC SERVICES, THIRD PARTY DATA OR THIRD PARTY SERVICES, EVEN IF CUSTODIAN OR SUCH SUPPLIER KNEW OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT SHALL CUSTODIAN OR ANY SUPPLIER BE LIABLE FOR ACTS OF GOD, MACHINE OR COMPUTER BREAKDOWN OR MALFUNCTION, INTERRUPTION OR MALFUNCTION OF COMMUNICATION FACILITIES, LABOR DIFFICULTIES OR ANY OTHER SIMILAR OR DISSIMILAR CAUSE BEYOND THEIR REASONABLE CONTROL.
6. Security; Reliance; Unauthorized Use; Trusts Transfers . Custodian will establish security procedures to be followed in connection with the use of the Electronic Services, and the Trust agrees to comply with the security procedures. The Trust understands and agrees that the security procedures are intended to determine whether instructions received by Custodian through the Electronic Services are authorized but are not (unless otherwise specified in writing) intended to detect any errors contained in such instructions. The Trust will cause all persons utilizing the Electronic Services to treat any user and authorization codes, passwords, authentication keys and other security devices with the highest degree of care and confidentiality. Upon termination of the Trust’s use of the Electronic Services, the Trust shall return to Custodian any security devices (e.g., token cards) provided by Custodian. Custodian is hereby irrevocably authorized to comply with and rely upon on Written Instructions and other communications, whether or not authorized, received by it through the Electronic Services. The Trust acknowledges that it has sole responsibility for ensuring that only Authorized Persons use the Electronic Services and that to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law Custodian shall not be
responsible nor liable for any unauthorized use thereof or for any losses sustained by the Trust arising from or in connection with the use of the Electronic Services or Custodian’s reliance upon and compliance with Written Instructions and other communications received through the Electronic Services. With respect to instructions for a transfer of Trusts issued through the Electronic Services, when instructed to credit or pay a party by both name and a unique numeric or alpha-numeric identifier (e.g. ABA number or account number), the Custodian, its affiliates, and any other bank participating in the Trusts transfer, may rely solely on the unique identifier, even if it identifies a party different than the party named. Such reliance on a unique identifier shall apply to beneficiaries named in such instructions as well as any financial institution which is designated in such instructions to act as an intermediary in a Trusts transfer. It is understood and agreed that unless otherwise specifically provided herein, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, the parties hereto shall be bound by the rules of any Trusts transfer system utilized to effect a Trusts transfer hereunder.
7. Acknowledgments . Custodian shall acknowledge through the Electronic Services its receipt of each Written Instruction communicated through the Electronic Services, and in the absence of such acknowledgment Custodian shall not be liable for any failure to act in accordance with such Written Instruction and the Trust may not claim that such Written Instruction was received by Custodian. Custodian may in its discretion decline to act upon any instructions or communications that are insufficient or incomplete or are not received by Custodian in sufficient time for Custodian to act upon, or in accordance with such instructions or communications.
8. Viruses . The Trust agrees to use reasonable efforts to prevent the transmission through the Electronic Services of any software or file which contains any viruses, worms, harmful component or corrupted data and agrees not to use any device, software, or routine to interfere or attempt to interfere with the proper working of the Electronic Services.
9. Encryption . The Trust acknowledges and agrees that encryption may not be available for every communication through the Electronic Services, or for all data. The Trust agrees that Custodian may deactivate any encryption features at any time, without notice or liability to the Trust, for the purpose of maintaining, repairing or troubleshooting its systems.
10. On-Line Inquiry and Modification of Records . In connection with the Trust’s use of the Electronic Services, Custodian may, at the Trust’s request, permit the Trust to enter data directly into a Custodian database for the purpose of modifying certain information maintained by Custodian’s systems, including, but not limited to, change of address information. To the extent that the Trust is granted such access, the Trust agrees to indemnify and hold Custodian harmless from all loss, liability, cost, damage and expense (including attorney’s fees and expenses) to which Custodian may be subjected or
which may be incurred in connection with any claim which may arise out of or as a result of changes to Custodian database records initiated by the Trust.
11. Agents. the Trust may, on advance written notice to the Custodian, permit its agents and contractors (“Agents”) to access and use the Electronic Services on the Trust’s behalf, except that the Custodian reserves the right to prohibit the Trust’s use of any particular Agent for any reason. The Trust shall require its Agent(s) to agree in writing to be bound by the terms of the Agreement, and the Trust shall be liable and responsible for any act or omission of such Agent in the same manner, and to the same extent, as though such act or omission were that of the Trust. Each submission of a Written Instruction or other communication by the Agent through the Electronic Services shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Trust that the Agent continues to be duly authorized by the Trust to so act on its behalf and the Custodian may rely on the representations and warranties made herein in complying with such Written Instruction or communication. Any Written Instruction or other communication through the Electronic Services by an Agent shall be deemed that of the Trust, and the Trust shall be bound thereby whether or not authorized. The Trust may, subject to the terms of this Agreement and upon advance written notice to the Bank, provide a copy of the Electronic Service user manuals to its Agent if the Agent requires such copies to use the Electronic Services on the Trust’s behalf. Upon cessation of any such Agent's services, the Trust shall promptly terminate such Agent’s access to the Electronic Services, retrieve from the Agent any copies of the manuals and destroy them, and retrieve from the Agent any token cards or other security devices provided by Custodian and return them to Custodian.
Exhibit (h)(1)
FUND ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of December 6, 2013, by and between each entity listed on Exhibit A hereto (each a “Fund”, collectively the “Funds”), and The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking organization (“BNY”).
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, each Fund is an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS, each Fund desires to retain BNY to provide for the portfolios identified on Exhibit A hereto (each, a “Series”) the services described herein, and BNY is willing to provide such services, all as more fully set forth below;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Appointment.
Each Fund hereby appoints BNY as its agent for the term of this Agreement to perform the services described herein. BNY hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the duties hereinafter set forth.
2. Representations and Warranties.
Each Fund hereby represents and warrants to BNY, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing, that:
(a) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
(b) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms;
(c) It is conducting its business in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter or by-laws, nor of any mortgage, indenture, credit agreement or other contract binding on it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement;
(d) To the extent the performance of any services described in Schedule II attached hereto by BNY in accordance with the then effective Prospectus (as hereinafter defined) for the Fund would violate any applicable laws or regulations, the Fund shall immediately so notify BNY in writing and thereafter shall either furnish BNY with the appropriate values of securities, net asset value or other computation, as the case may be, or, subject to the prior approval of BNY, instruct BNY in writing to value securities and/or compute net asset value or other computations in a manner the Fund specifies in writing, and either the furnishing of such values or the giving of such instructions shall constitute a representation by the Fund that the same is consistent with all applicable laws and regulations and with its Prospectus; and
(e) It has implemented, and is acting in accordance with, procedures reasonably designed to ensure that it will disseminate to all market participants, other than Authorized Participants (as defined in its Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information), each calculation of net asset value provided by BNY hereunder to Authorized Participants at the time BNY provides such calculation to Authorized Participants.
3. Delivery of Documents.
(a) Each Fund will promptly deliver to BNY true and correct copies of each of the following documents as currently in effect and will promptly deliver to it all future amendments and supplements thereto, if any:
(i) The Fund’s articles of incorporation or other organizational document and all amendments thereto (the “Charter”);
(ii) The Fund’s bylaws (the “Bylaws”);
(iii) Resolutions of the Fund’s board of directors or other governing
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body (the “Board”) authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Fund;
(iv) The Fund’s registration statement most recently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) relating to the shares of the Fund (the “Registration Statement”);
(v) The Fund’s Notification of Registration under the 1940 Act on Form N-8A filed with the SEC;
(vi) The Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information pertaining to each Series (collectively, the “Prospectus”); and
(vii) A copy of any and all SEC exemptive orders issued to the Fund.
(b) Each copy of the Charter shall be certified by the Secretary of State (or other appropriate official) of the state of organization, and if the Charter is required by law also to be filed with a county or other officer or official body, a certificate of such filing shall be filed with a certified copy submitted to BNY. Each copy of the Bylaws, Registration Statement and Prospectus, and all amendments thereto, and copies of Board resolutions, shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the appropriate Fund.
(c) It shall be the sole responsibility of each Fund to deliver to BNY its currently effective Prospectus and BNY shall not be deemed to have notice of any information contained in such Prospectus until it is actually received by BNY.
4. Duties and Obligations of BNY.
(a) Subject to the direction and control of each Fund’s Board and the provisions of this Agreement, BNY shall provide to each Fund (i) the administrative services set forth on Schedule I attached hereto and (ii) the valuation and computation services listed on Schedule II attached hereto.
(b) In performing hereunder, BNY shall provide, at its expense, office space, facilities, equipment and personnel.
(c) BNY shall not provide any services relating to the management,
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investment advisory or sub-advisory functions of any Fund, distribution of shares of any Fund, maintenance of any Fund’s financial records or other services normally performed by the Funds’ respective counsel or independent auditors.
(d) Upon receipt of a Fund’s prior written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), BNY may delegate any of its duties and obligations hereunder to any delegee or agent whenever and on such terms and conditions as it deems necessary or appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Fund consent shall be required for any such delegation to any other subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. BNY shall not be liable to any Fund for any loss or damage arising out of, or in connection with, the actions or omissions to act of any delegee or agent utilized hereunder so long as BNY acts in good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such delegee or agent.
(e) Each Fund shall cause its officers, advisors, sponsor, distributor, legal counsel, independent accountants, current administrator (if any), transfer agent, and any other service provider to cooperate with the BNY and to provide the BNY, upon request, with such information, documents and advice relating to such Fund as is within the possession or knowledge of such persons, and which in the opinion of the BNY, is necessary in order to enable it to perform its duties hereunder. The BNY shall not be responsible for, under any duty to inquire into, or be deemed to make any assurances with respect to the accuracy, validity or propriety of any information, documents or advice provided to the BNY by any of the aforementioned persons. The BNY shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense resulting from or arising out of the failure of the Fund to cause any information, documents or advice to be provided to the BNY as provided herein and shall be held harmless by each Fund when acting in reliance upon such information, documents or advice relating to such Fund. All fees or costs charged by such persons shall be borne by the appropriate Fund. In the event that any services performed by the BNY hereunder rely, in whole or in part, upon information obtained from a third party service utilized or subscribed to by the BNY which the BNY in its reasonable judgment deems reliable, the BNY shall not have any responsibility or liability for, under any duty to inquire into, or deemed to make any assurances with respect to, the accuracy or completeness of such information.
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(f) Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict BNY, any affiliate of BNY or any officer or employee thereof from acting for or with any third parties, and providing services similar or identical to same or all of the services provided hereunder.
(g) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, BNY shall compute the net asset value per share of the Fund and shall value the securities held by the Fund at such times and dates and in the manner specified in the then currently effective Prospectus of the Fund, except that notwithstanding any language in the Prospectus, in no event shall BNY be required to determine, or have any obligations with respect to, whether a market price represents any fair or true value, nor to adjust any price to reflect any events or announcements, including, without limitation, those with respect to the issuer thereof, it being agreed that all such determinations and considerations shall be solely the responsibility of the Fund. BNY shall provide a report of such net value to the Fund and Authorized Participants at the respective times set forth in Schedule II, as amended from time to time. To the extent valuation of securities or computation of a net asset value as specified in the Fund’s then currently effective Prospectus is at any time inconsistent with any applicable laws or regulations, the Fund shall immediately so notify BNY in writing and thereafter shall either furnish BNY at all appropriate times with the values of such securities and the Fund’s net asset value, or subject to the prior approval of BNY, instruct BNY in writing to value securities and compute net asset value in a manner which the Fund then represents in writing to be consistent with all applicable laws and regulations. The Fund may also from time to time, subject to the prior approval of BNY, instruct BNY in writing to compute the value of the securities or net asset value in a manner other than as specified in this paragraph. By giving such instruction, the Fund shall be deemed to have represented that such instruction is consistent with all applicable laws and regulations and the then currently effective Prospectus of the Fund. The Fund shall have sole responsibility for determining the method of valuation of securities and the method of computing net asset value.
(h) The Fund shall furnish BNY with any and all instructions, explanations, information, specifications and documentation deemed necessary by BNY in the performance of its duties hereunder, including, without limitation, the amounts or written formula for calculating the amounts and times of accrual of Fund liabilities and expenses. BNY shall not be required to include as Fund liabilities and expenses, nor as a reduction of net asset value, any accrual for
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any federal, state, or foreign income taxes unless the Fund shall have specified to BNY the precise amount of the same to be included in liabilities and expenses or used to reduce net asset value. Each Fund shall also furnish BNY with bid, offer, or market values of Securities if BNY notifies such Fund that same are not available to BNY from a security pricing or similar service utilized, or subscribed to, by BNY which BNY in its judgment deems reliable at the time such information is required for calculations hereunder. At any time and from time to time, the Fund also may furnish BNY with bid, offer, or market values of Securities and instruct BNY to use such information in its calculations hereunder. BNY shall at no time be required or obligated to commence or maintain any utilization of, or subscriptions to, any particular securities pricing or similar service.
(i) BNY may apply to an officer or duly authorized agent of any Fund for written instructions with respect to any matter arising in connection with BNY’s performance hereunder for such Fund, and BNY shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with such instructions. Such application for instructions may, at the option of BNY, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted to be taken by BNY with respect to its duties or obligations under this Agreement and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken, and BNY shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in accordance with a proposal included in any such application on or after the date specified therein unless, prior to taking or omitting to take any such action, BNY has received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.
(j) BNY may consult with counsel to the appropriate Fund or its own counsel, at such Fund’s expense, and shall be fully protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
(k) Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement or Schedule I or II attached hereto, BNY shall have no duty or obligation to with respect to, including, without limitation, any duty or obligation to determine, or advise or notify any Fund of: (i) the taxable nature of any distribution or amount received or deemed received by, or payable to, a Fund, (ii) the taxable nature or effect on a Fund or its shareholders of any corporate actions, class actions, tax reclaims, tax refunds or similar events, (iii) the taxable nature or
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taxable amount of any distribution or dividend paid, payable or deemed paid, by a Fund to its shareholders; or (iv) the effect under any federal, state, or foreign income tax laws of a Fund making or not making any distribution or dividend payment, or any election with respect thereto.
(l) BNY shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement and Schedules I and II attached hereto, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against BNY in connection with this Agreement.
(m) BNY, in performing the services required of it under the terms of this Agreement, shall be entitled to rely fully on the accuracy and validity of any and all instructions, explanations, information, specifications and documentation furnished to it by a Fund and shall have no duty or obligation to review the accuracy, validity or propriety of such instructions, explanations, information, specifications or documentation, including, without limitation, evaluations of securities; the amounts or formula for calculating the amounts and times of accrual of Series’ liabilities and expenses; the amounts receivable and the amounts payable on the sale or purchase of Securities; and amounts receivable or amounts payable for the sale or redemption of Fund shares effected by or on behalf of a Fund. In the event BNY’s computations hereunder rely, in whole or in part, upon information, including, without limitation, bid, offer or market values of securities or other assets, or accruals of interest or earnings thereon, from a pricing or similar service utilized, or subscribed to, by BNY which BNY in its judgment deems reliable, BNY shall not be responsible for, under any duty to inquire into, or deemed to make any assurances with respect to, the accuracy or completeness of such information. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, BNY shall not be required to inquire into any valuation of securities or other assets by a Fund or any third party described in this (m) even though BNY in performing services similar to the services provided pursuant to this Agreement for others may receive different valuations of the same or different securities of the same issuers.
(n) BNY, in performing the services required of it under the terms of this Agreement, shall not be responsible for determining whether any interest accruable to a Fund is or will be actually paid, but will accrue such interest until otherwise instructed by such Fund.
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(o) BNY shall not be responsible for delays or errors which occur by reason of circumstances beyond its control in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, including, without limitation, labor difficulties within or without BNY, mechanical breakdowns, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, failures of transportation, interruptions, loss, or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (hardware or software) services. Nor shall BNY be responsible for delays or failures to supply the information or services specified in this Agreement where such delays or failures are caused by the failure of any person(s) other than BNY to supply any instructions, explanations, information, specifications or documentation deemed necessary by BNY in the performance of its duties under this Agreement.
5. Allocation of Expenses.
Except as otherwise provided herein, all costs and expenses arising or incurred in connection with the performance of this Agreement shall be paid by the appropriate Fund, including but not limited to, organizational costs and costs of maintaining corporate existence, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and commissions, insurance premiums, compensation and expenses of such Fund’s trustees, directors, officers or employees, legal, accounting and audit expenses, management, advisory, sub-advisory, administration and shareholder servicing fees, charges of custodians, transfer and dividend disbursing agents, expenses (including clerical expenses) incident to the issuance, redemption or repurchase of Fund shares, fees and expenses incident to the registration or qualification under federal or state securities laws of the Fund or its shares, costs (including printing and mailing costs) of preparing and distributing Prospectuses, reports, notices and proxy material to such Fund’s shareholders, all expenses incidental to holding meetings of such Fund’s trustees, directors and shareholders, and extraordinary expenses as may arise, including litigation affecting such Fund and legal obligations relating thereto for which the Fund may have to indemnify its trustees, directors and officers.
6. Compliance Services.
(a) If Schedule I contains a requirement for the BNY to provide the Fund with compliance services, such services shall be provided pursuant to the terms of this Section 6 (the “Compliance Services”). The precise compliance review and testing services to be provided shall be as mutually agreed between the BNY and each Fund, and the results of the BNY’s
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Compliance Services shall be detailed in a compliance summary report (the “Compliance Summary Report”) prepared on a periodic basis as mutually agreed. Each Compliance Summary Report shall be subject to review and approval by the Fund. The BNY shall have no responsibility or obligation to provide Compliance Services other that those services specifically listed in Schedule I.
(b) The Fund will examine each Compliance Summary Report delivered to it by the BNY and notify the BNY of any error, omission or discrepancy within ten (10) days of its receipt. The Fund agrees to notify the BNY promptly if it fails to receive any such Compliance Summary Report. The Fund further acknowledges that unless it notifies the BNY of any error, omission or discrepancy within 10 days, such Compliance Summary Report shall be deemed to be correct and conclusive in all respects. In addition, if the Fund learns of any out-of-compliance condition before receiving a Compliance Summary Report reflecting such condition, the Fund will notify the BNY of such condition within one business day after discovery thereof.
(c) While the BNY will endeavor to identify out-of-compliance conditions, the BNY does not and could not for the fees charged, make any guarantees, representations or warranties with respect to its ability to identify all such conditions. In the event of any errors or omissions in the performance of Compliance Services, the Fund’s sole and exclusive remedy and the BNY’s sole liability shall be limited to re-performance by the BNY of the Compliance Services affected and in connection therewith the correction of any error or omission, if practicable and the preparation of a corrected report, at no cost to the Fund.
7. Standard of Care; Indemnification.
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, BNY shall not be liable for any costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims (including attorneys’ and accountants’ fees) incurred by a Fund, except those costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims arising out of BNY’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct. In no event shall BNY be liable to any Fund or any third party for special, indirect or consequential damages, or lost profits or loss of business, arising under or in connection with this Agreement, even if previously informed of the possibility of such damages and regardless of the form of action. BNY shall not be liable for any
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loss, damage or expense, including counsel fees and other costs and expenses of a defense against any claim or liability, resulting from, arising out of, or in connection with its performance hereunder, including its actions or omissions, the incompleteness or inaccuracy of any specifications or other information furnished by the Fund, or for delays caused by circumstances beyond BNY’s control, unless such loss, damage or expense arises out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of BNY.
(b) Each Fund shall indemnify and hold harmless BNY from and against any and all costs, expenses, damages, liabilities and claims (including claims asserted by a Fund), and reasonable attorneys’ and accountants’ fees relating thereto, which are sustained or incurred or which may be asserted against BNY, by reason of or as a result of any action taken or omitted to be taken by BNY in good faith hereunder or in reliance upon (i) any law, act, regulation or interpretation of the same even though the same may thereafter have been altered, changed, amended or repealed, (ii) such Fund’s Registration Statement or Prospectus, (iii) any instructions of an officer of such Fund, or (iv) any opinion of legal counsel for such Fund or BNY, or arising out of transactions or other activities of such Fund which occurred prior to the commencement of this Agreement; provided , that no Fund shall indemnify BNY for costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims for which BNY is liable under preceding 7(a). This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of each Fund, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Fund shall indemnify BNY against and save BNY harmless from any loss, damage or expense, including counsel fees and other costs and expenses of a defense against any claim or liability, arising from any one or more of the following:
(i) Errors in records or instructions, explanations, information, specifications or documentation of any kind, as the case may be, supplied to BNY by any third party described above or by or on behalf of a Fund;
(ii) Action or inaction taken or omitted to be taken by BNY pursuant to written or oral instructions of the Fund or otherwise without gross negligence or willful misconduct;
(iii) Any action taken or omitted to be taken by BNY in good faith in
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accordance with the advice or opinion of counsel for a Fund or its own counsel;
(iv) Any improper use by a Fund or its agents, distributor or investment advisor of any valuations or computations supplied by BNY pursuant to this Agreement;
(v) The method of valuation of the securities and the method of computing each Series’ net asset value; or
(vi) Any valuations of securities or net asset value provided by a Fund.
(c) Actions taken or omitted in reliance on oral or written instructions, or upon any information, order, indenture, stock certificate, power of attorney, assignment, affidavit or other instrument believed by BNY to be genuine or bearing the signature of a person or persons believed to be authorized to sign, countersign or execute the same, or upon the opinion of legal counsel for a Fund or its own counsel, shall be conclusively presumed to have been taken or omitted in good faith.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement, BNY shall have no duty or obligation with respect to, including, without limitation, any duty or obligation to determine, or advise or notify the Fund of: (a) the taxable nature of any distribution or amount received or deemed received by, or payable to, a Fund; (b) the taxable nature or effect on a Fund or its shareholders of any corporate actions, class actions, tax reclaims, tax refunds, or similar events; (c) the taxable nature or taxable amount of any distribution or dividend paid, payable or deemed paid, by a Fund to its shareholders; or (d) the effect under any federal, state, or foreign income tax laws of the Fund making or not making any distribution or dividend payment, or any election with respect thereto.
8. Compensation.
For the services provided hereunder, each Fund agrees to pay BNY such compensation as is mutually agreed from time to time and such out-of-pocket expenses ( e.g. , telecommunication charges, postage and delivery charges, record retention costs, reproduction charges and transportation and lodging costs) as are incurred by BNY in performing its duties hereunder. Except as hereinafter set forth, compensation shall be calculated and accrued daily and paid monthly. Each Fund authorizes BNY to debit such Fund’s custody account for all amounts due
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and payable hereunder. BNY shall deliver to each Fund invoices for services rendered after debiting such Fund’s custody account with an indication that payment has been made. Upon termination of this Agreement before the end of any month, the compensation for such part of a month shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the effective date of termination of this Agreement. For the purpose of determining compensation payable to BNY, each Fund’s net asset value shall be computed at the times and in the manner specified in the Fund’s Prospectus.
9. Term of Agreement.
(a) This Agreement shall continue until terminated by either BNY giving to a Fund, or a Fund giving to BNY, a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination, which date shall be not less than 90 days after the date of the giving of such notice. Upon termination hereof, the affected Fund(s) shall pay to BNY such compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination, and shall reimburse BNY for any disbursements and expenses made or incurred by BNY and payable or reimbursable hereunder.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, BNY may terminate this Agreement upon 30 days prior written notice to a Fund if such Fund shall terminate its custody agreement with The Bank of New York, or fail to perform its obligations hereunder in a material respect.
10. Authorized Persons .
Attached hereto as Exhibit B is a list of persons duly authorized by the board of each Fund to execute this Agreement and give any written or oral instructions, or written or oral specifications, by or on behalf of such Fund. From time to time each Fund may deliver a new Exhibit B to add or delete any person and BNY shall be entitled to rely on the last Exhibit B actually received by BNY .
11. Amendment.
This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by BNY and the Fund to be bound thereby, and authorized or approved by such Fund’s Board.
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12. Assignment.
This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by any Fund without the written consent of BNY, or by BNY without the written consent of the affected Fund accompanied by the authorization or approval of such Fund’s Board.
13. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction.
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof. Each Fund hereby consents to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder, and waives to the fullest extent permitted by law its right to a trial by jury. To the extent that in any jurisdiction any Fund may now or hereafter be entitled to claim, for itself or its assets, immunity from suit, execution, attachment (before or after judgment) or other legal process, such Fund irrevocably agrees not to claim, and it hereby waives, such immunity.
14. Severability.
In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and if any provision is inapplicable to any person or circumstances, it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other persons and circumstances.
15. No Waiver.
Each and every right granted to BNY hereunder or under any other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, or allowed it by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time. No failure on the part of BNY to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise by BNY of any right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.
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16. Notices.
All notices, requests, consents and other communications pursuant to this Agreement in writing shall be sent as follows:
if to a Fund, at
ETF Issuer Solutions Inc.
317 Madison Avenue
9 th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Attention: William J. Smalley
if to BNY, at
The Bank of New York Mellon
One Wall Street
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Christopher H. Rosenthal
Title: Vice President
or at such other place as may from time to time be designated in writing. Notices hereunder shall be effective upon receipt.
17. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original; but such counterparts together shall constitute only one instrument.
18. Several Obligations.
The parties acknowledge that the obligations of the Funds hereunder are several and not joint, that no Fund shall be liable for any amount owing by another Fund and that the Funds have executed one instrument for convenience only.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the foregoing instrument to be executed by their duly authorized officers and their seals to be hereunto affixed, all as of the day and year first above written.
ETFis Series Trust I , on behalf of each Fund identified on Exhibit A attached hereto
By:
/s/William J. Smalley
__________________
Name: William J. Smalley
Title: Chairman
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By:
/s/Joseph F. Keenan
______________________
Name: Joseph F. Keenan
Title: Managing Director
- 15 - |
EXHIBIT A
(As of May 8, 2015)
Tuttle Tactical Management U.S. Core ETF
BioShares Biotechnology Products Fund
BioShares Biotechnology Clinical Trials Fund
InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF
Tuttle Tactical Management Multi-Strategy Income ETF
Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF
EXHIBIT B
I, , of *, a (State) corporation (the “Fund”), do hereby certify that:
The following individuals serve in the following positions with the Fund, and each has been duly elected or appointed to each such position and qualified therefor in conformity with the Fund’s organizational documents and by-laws, and the signatures set forth opposite their respective names are their true and correct signatures. Each such person is authorized to give written or oral instructions or written or oral specifications by or on behalf of the Fund to BNY.
Name | Position | Signature | ||
SCHEDULE I
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
1. Participate in the annual updating of each Fund’s Registration Statement and Prospectus and, subject to approval by such Fund’s Treasurer and legal counsel, coordinate the preparation and filing of Form N-SAR, Form N-CSR, Form N-Q, annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and notices pursuant to Rule 24(f)-2.
2. Prepare workpapers supporting the preparation of federal, state and local income tax returns for each Fund for review and approval by each Fund’s independent auditors; perform ongoing wash sales review ( i.e. , purchases and sales of Fund investments within 30 days of each other); and prepare Form 1099s with respect to each Fund’s directors or trustees and file such forms upon the approval of the Fund’s Treasurer.
3. Attend quarterly Board meetings as requested from time to time.
4. Prepare and, subject to approval of each Fund’s Treasurer, disseminate to such Fund’s Board quarterly unaudited financial statements and schedules of such Fund’s investments and make presentations to the Board, as appropriate.
5. Subject to review and approval by the Fund Treasurer, establish appropriate expense accruals, maintain expense files and coordinate the payment of invoices for each Fund.
SCHEDULE II
VALUATION AND COMPUTATION SERVICES
I. | BNY shall maintain the following records on a daily basis for each Series. | |
1. | Report of priced portfolio securities | |
2. | Statement of net asset value per share | |
Such reports and statements shall be provided to the Fund at 8:00 p.m. New York time by such means as BNY and the Fund may agree upon from time to time. | ||
II. | BNY shall maintain the following records on a monthly basis for each Series: | |
1. | General Ledger | |
2. | General Journal | |
3. | Cash Receipts Journal | |
4. | Cash Disbursements Journal | |
5. | Subscriptions Journal | |
6. | Redemptions Journal | |
7. | Accounts Receivable Reports | |
8. | Accounts Payable Reports | |
9. | Open Subscriptions/Redemption Reports | |
10. | Transaction (Securities) Journal | |
11. | Broker Net Trades Reports |
III. BNY shall prepare a Holdings Ledger on a quarterly basis, and a Buy-Sell Ledger (Broker’s Ledger) on a semiannual basis for each Series. Schedule D shall be produced on an annual basis for each Series.
The above reports may be printed according to any other required frequency to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service, The Securities and Exchange Commission and the Fund’s Auditors.
IV. For internal control purposes, BNY uses the Account Journals produced by The Bank of New York Custody System to record daily settlements of the following for each Series:
1. Securities bought
2. Securities sold
3. Interest received
4. Dividends received
5. Capital stock sold
6. Capital stock redeemed
7. Other income and expenses
All portfolio purchases for the Fund are recorded to reflect expected maturity value and total cost including any prepaid interest.
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Exhibit (h)(2)
TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the 6th day of December, 2013, by and between each Trust (hereinafter the “Trust”) listed on Appendix I hereto and each Series of the Trust listed on Appendix I hereto (as such Appendix be amended from time to time), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, a New York banking company having its principal office and place of business at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286 (the “Bank”).
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Trust will ordinarily issue for purchase and redeem shares of the Trust (the “Shares) only in aggregations of Shares known as “Creation Units” (currently 50,000 shares) (each a “Creation Unit”) principally in kind;
WHEREAS, The Depository Trust Company, a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York (“DTC”), or its nominee (Cede & Co.), will be the registered owner (the “Shareholder”) of all Shares; and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to appoint the Bank as its transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, and agent in connection with certain other activities, and the Bank desires to accept such appointment;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Terms of Appointment; Duties of the Bank
1.1 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Trust hereby employs and appoints the Bank to act as, and the Bank agrees to act as, its transfer agent for the authorized and issued Shares, and as the Trust’s dividend disbursing agent.
1.2 The Bank agrees that it will perform the following services:
(a) In accordance with the terms and conditions of the form of Participant Agreement prepared by the Distributor, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, the Bank shall:
(i) Perform and facilitate the performance of purchases and redemption of Creation Units;
(ii) Prepare and transmit by means of DTC’s book-entry system payments for dividends and distributions on or with respect to the Shares declared by the Trust on behalf of the applicable Trust;
(iii) Maintain the record of the name and address of the Shareholder and the number of Shares issued by the Trust and held by the Shareholder;
(iv) Record the issuance of Shares of the Trust and maintain a record of the total number of Shares of the Trust which are outstanding, and, based upon data provided to it by the Trust, the total number of authorized Shares. The Bank shall have no obligation, when recording the issuance of Shares, to monitor the issuance of such Shares or to take cognizance of any laws relating to the issue or sale of such Shares, which functions shall be the sole responsibility of the Trust.
(v) Prepare and transmit to the Trust and the Trust’s administrator and to any applicable securities exchange (as specified to the Bank by the Trust or its administrator) information with respect to purchases and redemptions of Shares;
(vi) On days that the Trust may accept orders for purchases or redemptions, calculate and transmit to Bank and the Trust’s administrator the number of outstanding Shares;
(vii) On days that the Trust may accept orders for purchases or redemptions (pursuant to the Participant Agreement), transmit to the Bank, the Trust and DTC the amount of Shares purchased on such day;
(viii) Confirm to DTC the number of Shares issued to the Shareholder, as DTC may reasonably request;
(ix) Prepare and deliver other reports, information and documents to DTC as DTC may reasonably request;
(x) Extend the voting rights to the Shareholder for extension by DTC to DTC participants and the beneficial owners of Shares in accordance with policies and procedures of DTC for book-entry only securities;
(xi) Maintain those books and records of the Trust specified by the Trust in Schedule A attached hereto;
(xii) Prepare a monthly report of all purchases and redemptions of Shares during such month on a gross transaction basis, and identify on a daily basis the net number of Shares either redeemed or purchased on such Business Day and with respect to each Authorized Participant purchasing or redeeming Shares, the amount of Shares purchased or redeemed;
(xiii) Receive from the Distributor (as defined in the Participant Agreement) or from its agent purchase orders from Authorized Participants (as defined in the Participant Agreement) for Creation Unit Aggregations of Shares received in good form and accepted by or on behalf of the Trust by the Distributor, transmit appropriate trade instructions to the National Securities Clearance Corporation, if applicable, and pursuant to such orders issue the appropriate number of Shares of the Trust and hold such Shares in the account of the Shareholder for each of the respective Trusts;
(xiv) Receive from the Authorized Participants redemption requests, deliver the appropriate documentation thereof to The Bank of New York as custodian for the Trust, generate and transmit or cause to be generated and transmitted confirmation of receipt of such redemption requests to the Authorized Participants submitting the same; transmit appropriate trade instructions to the National Securities Clearance Corporation, if applicable, and redeem the appropriate number of Creation Unit Aggregations of Shares held in the account of the Shareholder; and
(xv) Confirm the name, U.S taxpayer identification number and principle place of business of each Authorized Participant.
(b) In addition to the services set forth in the above sub-section 1.2(a), the Bank shall: perform the customary services of a transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent including, but not limited to, maintaining the account of the Shareholder, obtaining at the request of the Trust from the Shareholder a list of DTC participants holding interests in the Global Certificate, and those services set forth on Schedule A attached hereto.
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(c) The following shall be delivered to DTC participants as identified by DTC as the Shareholder for book-entry only securities:
(i) Annual and semi-annual reports of the Trust;
(ii) Trust proxies, proxy statements and other proxy soliciting materials;
(iii) Trust prospectus and amendments and supplements thereto, including stickers; and
(iv) Other communications as the Trust may from time to time identify as required by law or as the Trust may reasonably request
(v) The Bank shall provide additional services, if any, as may be agreed upon in writing by the Trust and the Bank.
(d) The Bank shall keep records relating to the services to be performed hereunder, in the form and manner required by applicable laws, rules, and regulations under the 1940 Act and to the extent required by Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder (the “Rules”), all such books and records shall be the property of the Trust, will be preserved, maintained and made available in accordance with such Section and Rules, and will be surrendered promptly to the Trust on and in accordance with its request.
2. Fees and Expenses
2.1 The Bank shall receive from the Trust such compensation for the Transfer Agent’s services provided pursuant to this Agreement as may be agreed to from time to time in a written fee schedule approved by the parties. The fees are accrued daily and billed monthly and shall be due and payable upon receipt of the invoice. Upon the termination of this Agreement before the end of any month, the fee for the part of the month before such termination shall be prorated according to the proportion which such part bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the date of termination of this Agreement.
2.2 In addition to the fee paid under Section 2.1 above, the Trust agrees to reimburse the Bank for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including but not limited to confirmation production, postage, forms, telephone, microfilm, microfiche, tabulating proxies, records storage, or advances incurred by the Bank for the items set out in the fee schedule attached hereto or relating to dividend distributions and reports (whereas all expenses related to creations and redemptions of Trust securities shall be borne by the relevant authorized participant in such creations and redemptions). In addition, any other expenses incurred by the Bank at the request or with the consent of the Trust, will be reimbursed by the Trust.
2.3 The Trust agrees to pay all fees and reimbursable expenses within ten business days following the receipt of the respective billing notice accompanied by supporting documentation, as appropriate. Postage for mailing of dividends, proxies, Trust reports and other mailings to all shareholder accounts shall be advanced to the Bank by the Trust at least seven (7) days prior to the mailing date of such materials.
3. Representations and Warranties of the Bank
The Bank represents and warrants to the Trust that:
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It is a banking company duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of New York.
It is duly qualified to carry on its business in the State of New York.
It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Charter and By-Laws to act as transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent and to enter into, and perform its obligations under, this Agreement.
All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement.
4. Representations and Warranties of the Trust
The Trust represents and warrants to the Bank that:
It is duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware.
It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Declaration of Trust and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.
It is an open-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act.
A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on behalf of each of the Trusts has become effective, will remain effective, and appropriate state securities law filings have been made and will continue to be made, with respect to all Shares of the Trust being offered for sale.
5. Indemnification
5.1 The Bank shall not be responsible for, and the Trust shall indemnify and hold the Bank harmless from and against, any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, including, without limitation, those incurred by the Bank in a successful defense of any claims by the Trust, payments, expenses and liability (“Losses”) which may sustain or incur or which may be asserted against the Bank in connection with or relating to this Agreement or the Bank’s actions or omissions with respect to this Agreement, except for any Losses for which the Bank has accepted liability pursuant to Article 6 of this Agreement.
5.2 This indemnification provision shall apply to actions taken pursuant to this Agreement or the Participant Agreement.
6. Standard of Care and Limitation of Liability
The Bank shall have no responsibility and shall not be liable for any Losses, except that the Bank shall be liable to the Trust for direct money damages caused by its own negligence or willful misconduct or that of its employees, or its breach of any of its representations. In no event shall the Bank be liable for special, indirect or consequential damages, regardless of the form of action and even if the same were foreseeable. For purposes of this Agreement, none of the following shall be or be deemed negligence or willful misconduct:
4 |
(a) The conclusive reliance on or use by the Bank or its agents or subcontractors of information, records, documents or services which (i) are received by the Bank or its agents or subcontractors, and (ii) have been prepared, maintained or performed by the Trust or any other person or firm on behalf of the Trust including but not limited to any previous transfer agent or registrar.
(b) The conclusive reliance on, or the carrying out by the Bank or its agents or subcontractors of, any instructions or requests of the Trust or instructions or requests on behalf of the Trust.
(c) The offer or sale of Shares by or for the Trust in violation of any requirement under the federal securities laws or regulations, or the securities laws or regulations of any state that such Shares be registered in such state, or any violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any federal agency, or by any state with respect to the offer or sale of Shares in such state.
7. Concerning the Bank
7.1
(a) The Bank may employ agents or attorneys-in-fact which are not affiliates of the Bank with the prior written consent of the Trust (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), and shall not be liable for any loss or expense arising out of, or in connection with, the actions or omissions to act of such agents or attorneys-in-fact, provided that the Bank acts in good faith and with reasonable care in the selection and retention of such agents or attorneys-in-fact.
(b) The Bank may, without the prior consent of the Trust, enter into subcontracts, agreements and understandings with any Bank affiliate, whenever and on such terms and conditions as it deems necessary or appropriate to perform its services hereunder. No such subcontract, agreement or understanding shall discharge Bank from its obligations hereunder.
7.2 The Bank shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any written or oral instruction actually received by the Bank and reasonably believed by the Bank to be duly authorized and delivered. The Trust agrees to forward to the Bank written instructions confirming oral instructions by the close of business of the same day that such oral instructions are given to the Bank. The Trust agrees that the fact that such confirming written instructions are not received or that contrary written instructions are received by the Bank shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of transactions authorized by such oral instructions and effected by the Bank. If the Trust elects to transmit written instructions through an on-line communication system offered by the Bank, Trust’s use thereof shall be subject to the terms and conditions attached hereto as Appendix A.
7.3 The Bank shall establish and maintain a disaster recovery plan and back-up system satisfying the requirements of its regulators (the “Disaster Recovery Plan and Back-Up System”). The Bank shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its control which are not a result of its negligence, including without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods; wars; civil or military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruption, loss or malfunctions of transportation, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority; governmental actions; or inability to obtain labor, material, equipment or transportation, provided that the Bank has established and is maintaining the Disaster Recovery Plan and Back-Up System, or if not, that such delay or failure would have occurred even if the Bank had established and was maintaining the Disaster Recovery Plan and Back-Up System. Upon the occurrence
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of any such delay or failure the Bank shall use commercially reasonable best efforts to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
7.4 The Bank shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement and the Participation Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against the Bank in connection with this Agreement, except as set forth in this Agreement and the Participation Agreement.
7.5 At any time the Bank may apply to an officer of the Trust for written instructions with respect to any matter arising in connection with the Bank’s duties and obligations under this Agreement, and the Bank, its agents, and subcontractors shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith in accordance with such instructions. Such application by the Bank for instructions from an officer of the Trust may, at the option of the Bank, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted to be taken by the Bank with respect to its duties or obligations under this Agreement and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken, and the Bank shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in accordance with a proposal included in any such application on or after the date specified therein unless, prior to taking or omitting to take any such action, the Bank has received written or oral instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.
7.6 The Bank, its agents and subcontractors may act upon any paper or document, reasonably believed to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons, or upon any instruction, information, data, records or documents provided to the Bank or its agents or subcontractors by or on behalf of the Trust by machine readable input, telex, CRT data entry or other similar means authorized by the Trust, and shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any person, until receipt of written notice thereof from the Trust.
7.7 Notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, the Bank shall be under no duty or obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:
(a) The legality of the issue, sale or transfer of any Shares, the sufficiency of the amount to be received in connection therewith, or the authority of the Trust to request such issuance, sale or transfer;
(b) The legality of the purchase of any Shares, the sufficiency of the amount to be paid in connection therewith, or the authority of the Trust to request such purchase;
(c) The legality of the declaration of any dividend by the Trust, or the legality of the issue of any Shares in payment of any stock dividend; or
(d) The legality of any recapitalization or readjustment of the Shares.
8. Providing of Documents by the Trust and Transfers of Shares
8.1 The Trust shall promptly furnish to the Bank with a copy of its Declaration of Trust and all amendments thereto.
8.2 In the event that DTC ceases to be the Shareholder, the Bank shall re-register the Shares in the name of the successor to DTC as Shareholder upon receipt by the Bank of such documentation and assurances as it may reasonably require.
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8.3 The Bank shall have no responsibility whatsoever with respect to of any beneficial interest in any of the Shares owned by the Shareholder.
8.4 The Trust shall deliver to the Bank the following documents on or before the effective date of any increase, decrease or other change in the total number of Shares authorized to be issued:
(a) A certified copy of the amendment to the Trust’s Declaration of Trust with respect to such increase, decrease or change; and
(b) An opinion of counsel for the Trust, in a form satisfactory to the Bank, with respect to (i) the validity of the Shares, the obtaining of all necessary governmental consents, whether such Shares are fully paid and non-assessable and the status of such Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other applicable federal law or regulations ( i.e. , if subject to registration, that they have been registered and that the Registration Statement has become effective or, if exempt, the specific grounds therefore), (ii) the status of the Trust with regard to the 1940 Act, and (iii) the due and proper listing of the Shares on all applicable securities exchanges.
8.5 Prior to the issuance of any additional Shares pursuant to stock dividends, stock splits or otherwise, and prior to any reduction in the number of Shares outstanding, the Trust shall deliver to the Bank:
(a) A certified copy of the order or consent of each governmental or regulatory authority required by law as a prerequisite to the issuance or reduction of such Shares, as the case may be, and an opinion of counsel for the Trust that no other order or consent is required; and
(b) An opinion of counsel for the Trust, in a form satisfactory to the Bank, with respect to (i) the validity of the Shares, the obtaining of all necessary governmental consents, whether such Shares are fully paid and non-assessable and the status of such Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other applicable federal law or regulations ( i.e. , if subject to registration, that they have been registered and that the Registration Statement has become effective or, if exempt, the specific grounds therefore), (ii) the status of the Trust with regard to the 1940 Act, and (iii) the due and proper listing of the Shares on all applicable securities exchanges.
8.6 The Bank and the Trust agree that all books, records, confidential, non-public, or proprietary information and data pertaining to the business of the other party which are exchanged or received pursuant to the negotiation or the carrying out of this Agreement shall remain confidential, and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any person other than its auditors, accountants, regulators, employees or counsel, except as may be, or may become required by law, by administrative or judicial order or by rule.
8.7 In case of any requests or demands for the inspection of the Shareholder records of the Trust, the Bank will promptly employ reasonable commercial efforts to notify the Trust and secure instructions from an authorized officer of the Trust as to such inspection. The Bank reserves the right, however, to exhibit the Shareholder records to any person whenever it is advised by its counsel that it may be held liable for the failure to exhibit the Shareholder records to such person.
9. Termination of Agreement
9.1 The term of this Agreement shall be one year commencing upon the date hereof (the "Initial Term") and shall automatically renew for additional one-year terms (each a “Subsequent Term”)unless
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either party provides written notice of termination at least ninety (90) days prior to the end of any one year term or, unless earlier terminated as provided below:
(a) Either party hereto may terminate this Agreement prior to the expiration of the Initial Term in the event the other party breaches any material provision of this Agreement, including, without limitation in the case of the Trust, its obligations under Section 2.1, provided that the non-breaching party gives written notice of such breach to the breaching party and the breaching party does not cure such violation within 90 days of receipt of such notice.
(b) The Trust may terminate this Agreement at any time upon ninety (90) days' prior written notice.
9.2 Should the Trust exercise its right to terminate, all out-of-pocket expenses associated with the movement of records and material will be borne by the Trust.
9.3 The terms of Article 2 (with respect to fees and expenses incurred prior to termination), and of Article 5 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
10. Additional Series
In the event that the Trust establishes one or more additional series of Shares with respect to which it desires to have the Bank render services as transfer agent under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the Bank in writing, and if the Bank agrees in writing to provide such services, such additional issuance shall become Shares hereunder.
11. Assignment
11.1 Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either party without the written consent of the other party.
11.2 This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns.
12. Severability and Beneficiaries
12.1 In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, the legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected thereby provided obligation of the Trust to pay is conditioned upon provision of services.
13.2 This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Bank and the Trust, and none of any Participant (as defined in the Participation Agreement), the Distributor, any Shareholder or beneficial owner of any Shares shall be or be deemed a third party beneficiary of this Agreement.
13. Amendment
This Agreement may be amended or modified by a written agreement executed by both parties.
14. New York Law to Apply
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof. The Trust and the Bank hereby consent to the
8 |
jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder. The Trust hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Trust and the Bank each hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
15. Merger of Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof whether oral or writ
16. Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in any number of counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written.
EACH TRUST LISTED ON APPENDIX I
By: |
/s/William J. Smalley
____________________
Name: William J. Smalley Title: Chairman |
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By: |
/s/Joseph F. Keenan
______________________
Name: Joseph F. Keenan Title: Managing Director |
9 |
SCHEDULE A
BOOKS AND RECORDS TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE BANK
Source Documents requesting Creations and Redemptions
Correspondence/AP Inquiries
Reconciliations, bank statements, copies of canceled checks, cash proofs
Daily/Monthly reconciliation of outstanding Shares between the Trust and DTC
Dividend Records
Year-end Statements and Tax Forms
10 |
Exhibit A
Form of Authorized Participant Agreement
11 |
Appendix I
(As of May 8, 2015)
Tuttle Tactical Management U.S. Core ETF
BioShares Biotechnology Products Fund
BioShares Biotechnology Clinical Trials Fund
InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF
Tuttle Tactical Management Multi-Strategy Income ETF
Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF
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Exhibit (h)(4)
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
This ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of this 6th day of August, 2013 by and between ETFIS SERIES TRUST I , a Delaware statutory trust (“ Trust ”) and ETF ISSUER SOLUTIONS INC. , a Delaware corporation (“Administrator”). ETFIS CAPITAL LLC , a Delaware limited liability company and the investment adviser to the Trust (“ Adviser ”) is a party hereto with respect to Section 5 only.
WHEREAS , the Trust is an open-end management investment company which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“ 1940 Act ”);
WHEREAS , the Trust is authorized to create separate series, each with its own separate investment portfolio (each a “ Fund ”); and
WHEREAS , the Trust desires to retain Administrator to perform various administrative services for the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, on the terms and conditions contained herein.
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and further good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Appointment . The Trust hereby appoints Administrator as an administration agent of the Trust on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and Administrator hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the services and duties set forth in this Agreement in consideration of the compensation provided for herein. The services and duties of Administrator shall be confined to those matters expressly set forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against Administrator hereunder.
2. Services . Subject to the direction and control of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (“ Board ”), Administrator will perform for each Fund of the Trust listed on Exhibit A (as the same may be amended from time to time) all of the administration services set forth on Exhibit B (“ Services ”).
3. Documentation and Information Related to the Services .
A. The Trust will provide Administrator with copies of the Trust’s governing documents and any other documents requested by Administrator, from time to time, that are reasonably necessary or advisable to assist Administrator in performing the Services. In addition, the Trust will notify Administrator promptly of any matter affecting the performance by Administrator of the Services including, without limitation, changes in “ Service Providers ” (as such term is defined in Exhibit B) or issues that arise with respect to any Service Provider that may affect Administrator’s provision of the Services.
B. Administrator will maintain and preserve on behalf of the Trust books and records related to Administrator’ provision of the Services as and to the extent required by the 1940 Act. Administrator acknowledges that the records maintained and preserved by
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Administrator pursuant to this Agreement are the property of the Trust and will be surrendered promptly upon reasonable request. In maintaining books and records under this paragraph, Administrator may use micrographic and electronic storage media as well as independent third party storage facilities, to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act. Administrator may maintain duplicate copies of the Trust’s books and records regarding the Services at its own expense.
4. Expenses and Personnel . Administrator agrees, at its own expense or at the expense of one or more of its affiliates, to render the Services and to provide the office space, furnishings, equipment and personnel as may be reasonably required in the judgment of the Trustees and Officers of the Trust to perform the Services on the terms and for the compensation provided herein.
5. Compensation . The Adviser will pay Administrator fees for its Services (“Fees”) and shall reimburse Administrator for its documented expenses as described on Exhibit C . The Fees may be modified from time to time by mutual written agreement among the parties. The Adviser will pay the Fee to Administrator on a monthly basis within ten (10) days of each calendar month end.
6. Term . This Agreement shall become effective as of the date hereof and will continue in effect for an initial period of two (2) years. Subsequent to the initial two year term, this Agreement will be considered by the Trust’s Board of Trustees for renewal each year thereafter. Following the initial two (2) year term, the Agreement may be terminated by either party on 90 days’ written notice to the other.
7. Non-Exclusive Services . The Services provided to the Trust by Administrator pursuant to this Agreement are not to be deemed to be exclusive, and it is understood that Administrator may render administrative and other services to others, including to other registered investment companies.
8 . Representations and Warranties.
A. The Trust represents and warrants the following:
i. this Agreement has been duly authorized by the Trust and, when executed and delivered, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms; and
ii. it will, in good faith, promptly provide the Administrator all the necessary corporate, performance and other information regarding the Funds as may be reasonably requested by the Administrator in order for the Administrator to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.
B. The Administrator represents and warrants the following:
i. it is and will be in material compliance with all provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“ 1933 Act ”), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“ 1934
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Act”), the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”), and the 1940 Act and any other applicable laws, rules and regulations including those of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”)(collectively, “Relevant Laws”) during the term of this Agreement and it agrees to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement in material compliance with all Relevant Laws; and
ii. it will establish and maintain any and all registrations and licenses required or necessary regarding the Services provided or to be provided by its principals, officers, registered representatives, agents,and employees under this Agreement. In providing the Services under this Agreement, the Administrator specifically represents and warrants that [(a)] it and any of its affiliates, agents, employees, principals, officers, and their registered representatives, if any, will abide by all Relevant Laws [and (b) it and any of its affiliates, agents, employees, principals, officers, and their registered representatives will comply with its specific guidelines and restrictions relating to receipt of cash and non-cash compensation and FINRA mandated “point of sale” disclosures]; and
iii. this Agreement has been duly authorized by the Administrator and, when executed and delivered, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Administrator, enforceable against the Administrator in accordance with its terms subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganizations, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties.
9. Limitation of Liability; Standard of Care; Indemnification .
A. The parties acknowledge and agree that, in providing the Services, Administrator may rely on information provided by the Trust and the Adviser reasonably believed to be accurate and reliable by Administrator.
B. Administrator shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care and diligence in carrying out the provisions of this Agreement. In no event will Administrator be required to take any action, which is in contravention of any applicable law, rule or regulation, Relevant Laws or any order or judgment of any court of competent jurisdiction in providing the Services.
C. Administrator assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the Services called for hereunder. Administrator shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or a Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence on its part in the performance of, or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under, this Agreement.
D. The Trust agrees to indemnify Administrator against and hold it harmless from any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) resulting from any act, omission, error or delay or any claim, demand, action or suit, in connection with or arising out of performance of its obligations and duties under this
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Agreement, not resulting from the willful malfeasance, bad faith or negligence of Administrator in the performance of such obligations and duties.
E. Any person, even though also a director, principal, officer, manager, employee, shareholder, or agent of Administrator, who may be or become a Trustee, Officer, employee, or agent of the Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering services to the Trust or acting on any business of the Trust (other than services or business in connection with your duties hereunder), to be rendering such services to or acting solely for the Trust and not as a director, principal, officer, manager, employee, shareholder, or agent of Administrator, even though paid by Administrator. Nothing herein shall limit in any way any liability protections or limits, or indemnification rights, to which any director, principal, officer, manager, employee, shareholder, or agent of Administrator may be entitled when acting in the capacity of a Trustee, Officer, employee, or agent of the Trust.
10. Reliance on Opinions of Counsel and Opinions of Certified Public Accountants . Administrator may consult with the Trust’s counsel in any case where so doing appears to Administrator to be necessary or desirable. Administrator shall not be considered to have engaged in any misconduct or to have acted negligently and shall be without liability in acting upon the advice of the Trust’s counsel. Administrator may consult with the Trust’s certified public accountant in any case where so doing appears to Administrator to be necessary or desirable. Administrator shall not be considered to have engaged in any misconduct or to have acted negligently and shall be without liability in acting upon the advice of the Trust’s certified public accountant.
11. Authority to Execute and Perform Agreements . Administrator and Trust each represent that it has the full legal right and power and all authority and approval required to enter into, execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its respective obligations hereunder.
12. Amendments . No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.
13. Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the State of New York.
14. Severability . In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.
15. Notices. Notices and other writings delivered or mailed postage prepaid to the Trust addressed to the Trust at 317 Madison Avenue Ste 920, New York NY 10017 or to such other address as the Trust may have designated to Administrator in writing, or to Administrator at 317 Madison Avenue Ste 920, New York NY 10017, or to such other address as Administrator may have designated to the Trust in writing, shall be deemed to have been properly delivered or given hereunder to the respective addressee. Copies of all notices and other writings shall be promptly emailed to Trust counsel at the email address of Trust counsel.
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16. Confidentiality.
A. The Administrator and the Trust (in such capacity, “ Receiving Party ”) acknowledge and agree to maintain the confidentiality of Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined) provided by the Administrator or the Trust to the other party, as applicable (in such capacity, “ Disclosing Party ”) in connection with this Agreement. The Receiving Party shall not disclose or disseminate the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information to any person or entity other than those employees, members, partners, directors, officers, agents and affiliates of the Receiving Party (each of the foregoing, other than the Receiving Party, a “ Representative ”) who have a need to know it in order to assist the Receiving Party in performing its obligations, or to permit the Receiving Party to exercise its rights, under this Agreement. The Receiving Party agrees that the Confidential Information shall otherwise be kept confidential by it and its Representatives and shall not, directly or indirectly, be disclosed to any person or used by the Receiving Party or any of its Representatives, except: (i) after prior written notification to and approval by the Disclosing Party; (ii) where so requested by the Disclosing Party. In the event that the Receiving Party or any of its Representatives is requested or required under applicable law or the applicable rules or regulations of any securities regulator, securities exchange or self-regulatory organization (including by oral questions, interrogatories, requests for information or documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process) to disclose Confidential Information, it is agreed that the Receiving Party and any such Representative shall provide the Disclosing Party with prompt notice of such event. In such circumstance, the Receiving Party or its Representative (i) may furnish that portion (and only that portion) of the Confidential Information which, in the opinion of counsel to the Receiving Party or such Representative, as the case may be, the Receiving Party or such Representative is legally required to disclose and (ii) shall exercise its best efforts to have confidential treatment accorded any Confidential Information so furnished.
B. The term “ Confidential Information ,” as used herein, means any of the Disclosing Party’s proprietary or confidential information including, without limitation, any non-public personal information (as defined in Regulation S-P) of the Disclosing Party, its Representatives, their respective clients or suppliers, or other persons with whom they do business, that may be obtained by the Receiving Party from any source or that may be developed as a result of this Agreement, the terms of (or any exercise of rights granted by) this Agreement, technical data; trade secrets; know-how; business processes; product plans; product designs; service plans; services; customer lists and customers; markets; software; developments; inventions; processes; formulas; technology; designs; drawings; and marketing, distribution or sales methods and systems; sales and profit figures or other financial information that is disclosed, directly or indirectly, to the Receiving Party by or on behalf of the Disclosing Party, whether in writing, orally or by other means and whether or not such information is marked as confidential.
C. The term Confidential Information does not include information that the Receiving Party can demonstrate (i) is generally available to the public, other than as a result of a disclosure by the Receiving Party in breach of this Agreement; (ii) was available to the
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Receiving Party or any of its Representatives, or has become available to the Receiving Party or any of its Representatives, on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Disclosing Party or its Representatives, provided that the source of such information was not bound by a confidentiality agreement with, or owed any confidentiality obligations to, the Disclosing Party with respect to such material, or otherwise prohibited from transmitting the information to the Receiving Party or any of its Representatives by a contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation; or (iii) the Receiving Party or any of its Representatives independently developed without reference to Confidential Information or any derivative thereof.
D. The Receiving Party shall require its Representatives to adhere to the Receiving Party’s obligations under this Section 16, and shall be responsible for ensuring compliance by its Representatives with such obligations. In addition, the Receiving Party shall require all Representatives that are provided access to the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information, other than the Receiving Party’s accountants and legal counsel, to execute confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements containing provisions substantially similar to those set forth in this Section 16. The Receiving Party shall promptly notify the Disclosing Party in writing upon learning of any unauthorized disclosure or use of the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information by such Representatives.
E. Upon the Disclosing Party’s written request following the termination of this Agreement, the Receiving Party promptly shall return to the Disclosing Party, or destroy, all Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party provided under or in connection with this Agreement, including all copies, portions and summaries thereof. If requested by the Disclosing Party, the Receiving Party shall certify in writing its compliance with the provisions of this paragraph.
17. Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Trust and Administrator and their respective successors and assigns, provided that no party hereto may assign this Agreement or any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the written consent of the other party. Each party agrees that only the parties to this Agreement and/or their successors in interest shall have a right to enforce the terms of this Agreement. Accordingly, no shareholder of the Trust or other third party shall have any rights under this Agreement and such rights are explicitly disclaimed by the parties.
18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be deemed to be an original. This Agreement shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed and delivered by each of the parties. A photocopy, e-mail or fax of the Agreement shall be acceptable evidence of the existence of the Agreement and Administrator shall be protected in relying on the photocopy, e-mail or fax until Administrator has received the original of the Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have duly caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.
ETFIS SERIES TRUST I | ETF ISSUER SOLUTIONS INC. | |
By: /s/William J. Smalley | By: /s/William J. Smalley | |
Name: William J. Smalley | Name: William J. Smalley | |
Title: President | Title: President |
ETFIS CAPITAL LLC | |
(with respect to Section 5 only) | |
By: /s/Brinton W. Frith | |
Name: Brinton W. Smith | |
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
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Exhibit A
Series of the Trust
(As of May 8, 2015)
The following Funds are covered under this agreement:
Tuttle Tactical Management U.S. Core ETF
BioShares Biotechnology Products Fund
BioShares Biotechnology Clinical Trials Fund
InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF
Tuttle Tactical Management Multi-Strategy Income ETF
Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF
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Exhibit B
Services
A. | General Trust Administration Services |
1. Assist the Board of Trustees in the evaluation and selection of the Trust’s authorized participants, accounting agent, transfer agent, sub-administrator, distributor, custodian, independent registered public accounting firm, trading desk provider, and other independent contractors or agents (“ Service Providers ”).
2. Supervise and coordinate the day-to-day administrative operations of the Trust, including the provision of services to each Fund by the Service Providers.
3. Negotiate contracts and fees and monitor and coordinate the performance and billings of the Service Providers.
4. Coordinate with the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and facilitate the audit process.
5. Maintain the Trust’s books and records (as required Relevant Laws, the regulations under and exemptive relief from the SEC applicable to the Trust) that are not otherwise maintained by a Service Provider pursuant to the Service Provider’s contractual obligation to the Trust.
6. Compliance
a. Regulatory Compliance
i. Assist the Trust’s counsel in the development of the Trust’s compliance program under Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act (“ Compliance Program ”).
ii. Implement the Trust’s Compliance Program and monitor each Fund’s compliance therewith, including 1940 Act requirements, the policies, investment limitations and restrictions as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus (“ Prospectus ”) and statement of additional information (“ SAI ”), regulatory exemptive relief for each Fund and its status as a regulated investment company (“ RIC ”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
iii. Perform Services in compliance with the Compliance Program and all Relevant Laws and regulations and provide any sub-certifications reasonably requested by the Trust in connection with (x) any certification required of the Trust pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or any rules or regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, and (y) the operation of the Administrator’s compliance program as it relates to the Trust, provided the same shall not be deemed to change the Administrator’s standard of care as set forth herein.
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iv. Monitor the operation of the compliance programs of each of the Service Providers to assure that such compliance programs operate as designed.
v. Monitor applicable regulatory and operational service issues, including exchange listing requirements, and update Board of Trustees periodically.
b. Registration and Reporting
i. Prepare and file Form N-SAR, Form N-CSR, Form N-Q, Form N-PX, Form 40-17G, Rule 24f-2, Schedule 13D/G filings and any other necessary filings under the 1940 Act and the 1934 Act and the regulations thereunder.
ii. Monitor sales of Fund shares and ensure that such shares are properly registered or qualified, as applicable, with the SEC and the appropriate authorities.
7. | Facilitate the preparation and execution of the Trust’s contracts and documents including all registration statements (and updates thereto), agreements, distribution plans, and expense limitation agreements. |
8. | Supervise and/or assist in the preparation of agendas and supporting documents for and minutes of meetings of Board of Trustees and all committees of the Board of Trustees. |
9. | Supervise and/or assist in the preparation of notices, proxy statements and minutes of meetings of shareholders of the Trust and the Funds. |
10. | Subject to approval of the Board of Trustees, administratively assist the Trust in obtaining fidelity bond and E&O/D&O insurance coverage. |
11. | Attend regular and special Board of Trustees meetings and provide information to the Board regarding the Services as requested from time to time. |
12. | Work with the Fund’s accounting agent and/or custodian to establish appropriate expense accruals, maintain expense files and coordinate the payment of invoices for the Trust and each Fund. |
13. | Provide one or more persons to serve (subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees) as: (i) the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; (ii) the Trust’s Principal Financial Officer; and (iii) other officers of the Trust as requested. |
14. | Provide other services as may be mutually agreed to by the Trust and the Administrator from time to time. |
B. | Servicing and Distribution Support Services (To Be Provided by the Administrator and/or its Affiliated Distributor) |
1. | Coordinate with the Trust’s distributor, the Adviser and appropriate service providers to facilitate the setup of Funds on appropriate securities exchanges. |
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2. | Consult with and assist the Trust’s distributor and the Adviser to facilitate and coordinate the negotiation and execution of selling and servicing agreements on behalf of the Funds, to the extent necessary. |
3. | Assist the Trust’s distributor and the Adviser to implement selling and servicing agreements, to the extent necessary. |
4. | Facilitate communications and assist with monitoring between the Adviser and the Trust’s distributor related to selling and servicing arrangements. |
5. | Process share creations with the Trust’s transfer agent. |
6. | Maintain creation/redemption records if not otherwise maintained by another Service Provider for the Trust. |
7. | Prepare, update, execute, and maintain agreements with authorized participants. |
8. | Consult with the Adviser on marketing/sales strategy. |
9. | Assist with the development of FINRA-compliant marketing campaigns. |
10. | Review and file all marketing materials (including internet sites) with FINRA. |
11. | License the Adviser’s staff with FINRA if applicable or necessary. |
12. | Forward any complaints concerning the Trust received by the Administrator or any of its affiliates to the Trust, assist in resolving such complaints, and maintain a log of such complaints as required by applicable law. |
13. | Keep and maintain all books and records relating to the Services provided by the Administrator or any of its affiliates (including the distributor) in accordance with Relevant Laws. |
14. | Provide licensed registered representatives and appropriate management and supervisory support to provide inbound telephone call servicing, e-mail response services and documentation services, and administrative services for financial intermediaries promoting sales of the each Fund’s shares. |
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Exhibit C
Fee Schedule
A. General Trust Administration Services
Annual per Fund fee of $30,000 plus an asset-based fee as follows:
0.03% of each Fund’s average net assets. |
B. Servicing and Distribution Support Services
Recurring Fees | Rate |
Asset-based fee based on the Trust’s aggregate average net assets * | 1 basis point on aggregate average net assets in the Trust, calculated and billed monthly |
* The asset-based fee is subject to a minimum annual fee of $30,000 per Fund ($2,500 per month) (“Minimum Amount”). The Minimum Amount is subject to an annual increase, commencing on the one-year anniversary of the Effective Date, in an amount equal to the percentage increase in consumer prices for services as measured by the United States Consumer Price Index entitled “All Services Less Rent of Shelter” (or a similar index should such index no longer be published) since the Effective Date or the date of the last fee increase, as the case may be.
C. Out-Of-Pocket and Related Expenses
The Adviser shall also reimburse Administrator for reasonable out-of-pocket and related expenses incurred in the provision of services pursuant to this Agreement, including but not limited to the following: communications; postage and delivery services; record storage and retention; reproduction; reasonable travel expenses incurred in connection with the provision of the services pursuant to the Distribution Agreement; and any other expenses incurred in connection with the provision of the services pursuant to this Agreement or the Distribution Agreement.
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Exhibit (h)(5)
EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT
ETFis Series Trust I
This Agreement is into effective as of May 8, 2015 by and between the NEWFLEET MULTI-SECTOR UNCONSTRAINED BOND ETF (the “Fund”), a series of shares of ETFis Series Trust I, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”) and ETFIS CAPITAL LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Adviser”).
WHEREAS, the Trust is a Delaware statutory trust organized under the Certificate of Trust (“Trust Instrument”), dated September 20, 2012, and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management company of the series type; and
WHEREAS, the Fund is a series of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Adviser have entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement dated June 15, 2015 (“Advisory Agreement”), pursuant to which the Adviser provides investment advisory services to the Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Adviser have determined that it is appropriate and in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders to limit the expenses of the Fund, and, therefore, have entered into this Agreement, in order to maintain the Fund’s expense ratios within the Operating Expense Limit, as defined below.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Expense Limitation.
(a) Applicable Expense Limit . To the extent that the aggregate expenses of every character, including but not limited to investment advisory fees of the Adviser and any investment sub-adviser to the Fund (but excluding interest, taxes, brokerage fees and commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, acquired fund fees and expenses, other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, and amounts, if any, payable pursuant to a plan adopted in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act) incurred by the Fund in any fiscal year (“Fund Operating Expenses”), exceed the Operating Expense Limit, as defined in Section 1(b) below, such excess amount (the “Excess Amount”) shall be the liability of the Adviser.
(b) Operating Expense Limit . The Fund’s maximum Operating Expense Limit in any year shall be 0.80% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.
(c) Method of Computation . To determine the Adviser’s liability with respect to the Excess Amount, each month the Fund Operating Expenses for the Fund shall be annualized as of the last day of the month. If the annualized Fund Operating Expenses for any month exceeds the
Operating Expense Limit of the Fund, the Adviser shall first waive or reduce its investment advisory fee for such month by an amount sufficient to reduce the annualized Fund Operating Expenses to an amount no higher than the Operating Expense Limit. If the amount of the waived or reduced investment advisory fee for any such month is insufficient to pay the Excess Amount, the Adviser may also remit to the Fund an amount that, together with the waived or reduced investment advisory fee, is sufficient to pay the Excess Amount.
(d) Year-End Adjustment . If necessary, on or before the last day of the first month of each fiscal year, an adjustment payment shall be made by the appropriate party in order that the amount of the investment advisory fees waived or reduced and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund with respect to the previous fiscal year shall equal the Excess Amount.
(e) Recapture . If the Adviser so requests, an amount equal to any Fund Operating Expenses waived or reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid to the Adviser by the Fund in the first, second and third fiscal year following the fiscal year in which any such reimbursement or waiver occurs, if the total annual Fund Operating Expenses for the applicable following year, after giving effect to the repayment, do not exceed 0.80% of the average daily net assets of the Fund (or any lower expense limitation or limitations to which the parties may otherwise agree).
2. Term and Termination of Agreement.
This Agreement with respect to the Fund shall continue in effect until June 15, 2016, and from year to year thereafter provided each such continuance is specifically approved by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who (i) are not “interested persons” of the Trust or any other party to this Agreement, as defined in the 1940 Act, and (ii) have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Agreement (“Non-Interested Trustees”). Nevertheless, this Agreement may be terminated by either party hereto, without payment of any penalty, upon written notice ninety (90) days prior to the end of the then-current term of the Agreement to the other party at its principal place of business; provided that, in the case of termination by the Trust, such action shall be authorized by resolution of a majority of the Non-Interested Trustees of the Trust or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust. Any termination pursuant to this paragraph 2 shall become effective, unless otherwise specifically agreed upon, on the last day of the then-current term of the Agreement.
3. Miscellaneous.
(a) Captions . The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no other way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
(b) Interpretation . Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the Trust or the Fund to take any action contrary to the Trust’s Declaration of Trust or By-Laws, or any applicable statutory or regulatory requirement to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive the Trust’s Board of Trustees of its responsibility for and control of the conduct of the affairs of the Trust or the Funds.
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(c) Definitions . Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement, including but not limited to the investment advisory fee, the computations of net asset values, and the allocation of expenses, having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from the terms and provisions of the Advisory Agreement or the 1940 Act, shall have the same meaning as and be resolved by reference to such Advisory Agreement or the 1940 Act.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be effective as of the day and year first above written.
ETFIS SERIES TRUST I, on behalf of Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF
By: /s/ William J. Smalley
William J. Smalley, President
ETFIS CAPITAL LLC
By : /s/ Brint W. Frith
Brint W. Frith, President
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Exhibit (m)
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
ETFis Series Trust I
1. The Trust . ETFis Series Trust I (the “ Trust ”) is an open-end investment company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “ 1940 Act ”), and organized as a series trust.
2. The Plan . The Trust desires to adopt a plan of distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the shares of beneficial interest (“ Shares ”) of certain series of the Trust which are identified on Exhibit A hereof (each such series, a “ Fund ” and together, the “ Funds ”), and the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “ Board ”) has determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that adoption of this Plan will benefit each such Fund and its holders of Shares (“ Shareholders ”). Accordingly, the Trust has adopted this Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act on behalf of each Fund to enable such Fund to directly or indirectly bear expenses relating to the distribution of Shares of the Fund.
3. The Distributor . The Trust has entered into a written Distribution Agreement with ETF Distributors, LLC (the “ Distributor ”), pursuant to which the Distributor will act as the exclusive distributor with respect to the creation and distribution of creation unit size aggregations of shares described in the Funds’ registration statement (“ Creation Units ”).
4. Payments . The Trust may pay the Distributor a monthly fee not exceed .25% (twenty-five basis points) of the Fund’s average daily net assets to reimburse the Distributor for actual amounts expended to finance any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of Shares of a Fund or the provision of investor services. The Trust also may pay other service providers for services rendered in connection with the sale and promotion of Shares and the furnishing of services to Shareholders. Such services include, but are not limited to: (i) marketing and promotional services, including advertising; (ii) printing and distributing to persons other than current Shareholders the reports, prospectuses, notices and similar materials that are prepared by the Trust for current Shareholders; (iii) preparing, printing and distributing any sales literature used in connection with the offering of the Shares which is not covered by (ii) above; (iv) the promotion and sale of the Shares, including travel, communications and the compensation of sales personnel; and (v) distribution and Shareholder support assistance. The Distributor may use all or any portion of the amount received pursuant to this Plan to compensate securities dealers or other persons that are Authorized Participants for providing distribution assistance, including broker-dealer and shareholder support and educational and promotional services, pursuant to agreements with the Distributor, or to pay any of the expenses associated with other activities authorized hereunder.
As of the end of a Fund’s fiscal year, the expenses incurred in connection with the sale and promotion of the Shares and the furnishing of services to Shareholders, as described above, may exceed .25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Although the Fund is not permitted to pay any such excess expenses during that same fiscal year, such excess expenses may be reimbursed during any of the Fund’s subsequent three fiscal years, provided and to the extent that the current expenses plus the excess expenses do not exceed the .25% limitation for that subsequent year. Such reimbursement must be approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees (defined below in paragraph 8). All or any portion of such excess expenses may be reimbursed by the Fund during any one or more of the three subsequent fiscal years.
5. Effective Date . This Plan shall not take effect with respect to any Fund until it has been approved (a) by a vote of at least a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Shares of such Fund, if adopted after the public offering of such Shares; and (b) together with any related agreements, by votes of the majority of both (i) the Trustees of the Trust and (ii) the Qualified Trustees (as defined in
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paragraph 8 below), cast in person at a Board of Trustees meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan or such agreement.
6. Term . This Plan shall continue in effect for a period of more than one year after it takes effect, only for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided in paragraph 5 above for the approval of this Plan.
7. Agreements Relating to the Plan . All agreements with any person relating to implementation of this Plan shall be in writing, and any agreement related to this Plan shall provide (a) that such agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Shares of the Funds, on not more than 60 days written notice to any other party to the agreement; and (b) that such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment. This Plan shall not obligate the Trust or any other party to enter into an agreement with any particular person.
8. Independent Trustees . As used in this Plan, (a) the term “ Independent Trustees ” shall mean those Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust, and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it, and (b) the terms “assignment” and “interested person” shall have the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
9. Reports . Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by the Trust pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall provide to the Trustees of the Trust, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. Such report shall include any division or allocation of expenses between or among Funds.
10. Records . The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan, each agreement related hereto and each report referred to in paragraph 9 hereof for a period of at least six years from the date of the Plan, agreement and report, the first two years in an easily accessible place.
11. Severability . If any provision of the Plan shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Plan shall not be affected thereby.
12. Amendments . This Plan may be amended at any time by the Board of Trustees, provided that (a) any amendment to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services provided for in paragraph 4 hereof shall be effective only upon approval by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the applicable Fund(s), and (b) any material amendment of this Plan shall be effective only upon approval by a vote of both a majority of the Board of Trustees and a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such amendment.
13. Termination . This Plan may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the applicable Fund(s). In the event of termination or non-continuance of this Plan, the Trust may reimburse any expense which it incurred prior to such termination or non-continuance, provided that such reimbursement is specifically approved by both a majority of the Board of Trustees and a majority of the Independent Trustees.
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14. Independent Trustees . While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act shall be committed to the discretion of the Independent Trustees.
This Plan was adopted unanimously by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, at a meeting held on February 19, 2015.
/s/William J. Smalley
Secretary
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Exhibit A
Tuttle Tactical Management U.S. Core ETF
BioShares Biotechnology Products Fund
BioShares Biotechnology Clinical Trials Fund
InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF
Tuttle Tactical Management Multi-Strategy Income ETF
Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF
4 |
Exhibit (p)
CODE OF ETHICS
Amended and Restated July 1, 2014
1. Introduction
This Code of Ethics (the “Code”) has been adopted individually by the entities listed in Schedule A, referred to herein (individually) as the “Firm”. This Code is administered by each Firm’s designated Chief Compliance Officer or their delegate as a separate program. Each Firm may attach to this Code an appendix describing any unique provisions the Firm has made to provide additional requirements or modify requirements set forth by this Code.
2. Standard of Business Conduct
A. Statement of Ethical Principles
The Firm holds its Supervised Persons to a high standard of integrity and business practices. In serving their respective shareholders and clients, the Firm strives to avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest related to the personal trading activities of its Supervised Persons and the securities transactions in any managed account.
The Firm acknowledges its confidence in the integrity and good faith of all of its Supervised Persons. The Firm recognizes that the knowledge of present or future portfolio transactions or the power to influence portfolio transactions, if held by such individuals, could place them in a position where their personal interests might conflict with those of the managed account, if they were to trade in securities eligible for investment by the managed account.
In view of the foregoing and of the provisions of Sections 204-2 and 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Advisers Act), as amended, and Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act, as amended, the Firm has adopted this Code to specify and prohibit certain types of transactions deemed to create conflicts of interest or the potential for or appearance of such a conflict, and to establish reporting requirements and enforcement procedures. Because the Firm cannot foresee all possible situations, the Firm ultimately relies upon the integrity and judgment of its personnel, in addition to requirements set forth by this Code. This Code presents a framework against which all Supervised Persons should seek to measure their conduct. When Supervised Persons covered by this Code engage in personal securities transactions, they must adhere to the following general principles and the Code’s specific provisions:
a) At all times, the interests of the Firm and its Clients must be paramount;
b) Personal transactions must be conducted consistent with this Code in a manner that avoids any actual or potential conflict of interest;
c) No inappropriate advantage should be taken of any position of trust and responsibility;
d) Information about the identity of security holdings and financial circumstances of Clients is confidential;
e) Ensure that the investment management and overall business of the Firm complies with the policies of the Firm, Virtus Investment Partners (Virtus) and applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and regulations; and
f) Supervised Persons are required to adhere to the standards of business conduct in the Virtus Code of Conduct.
B. Unlawful Actions
It is unlawful for any Supervised Person, in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, by them of a security held or to be held by any Client account to:
a) Employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud any Client;
b) Make any untrue statement of a material fact to any Client or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made to any Client, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;
c) Engage in any act, practice or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on any Client; or to engage in any manipulative practice with respect to any Client; and
d) Divulge or act upon any material, non-public information, as is defined under relevant securities laws.
3. Definitions
A. "Access Person" means all directors, officers, general partners, partners of the Firm and Advisory Persons of Firm’s Advisers (or other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar functions). In addition, Access Person means all Supervised Persons, who:
a. Are involved in making securities recommendations to Clients; or
b. Have access to nonpublic information regarding the following:
(a) Any Clients’ purchase or sale of securities, or recommendation to purchase or sell such securities; or
(b) Information regarding the portfolio holdings of any fund the Firm or its control affiliates manages.
B. “Advisers Act” means the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
C. "Advisory Person" means (i) any Access Person of the Firm or of any company in a control relationship to the Firm, who, in connection with their regular functions or duties,
makes, participates in or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of a security by the Firm for a Client, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to such purchases or sales; and (ii) any natural person in a control relationship to the Firm who obtains information concerning recommendations made to the Client with regard to the purchase or sale of a security.
D. "Affiliated Officer" means (i) any corporate officer or director of the Firm who is not a resident at the Firm’s business location; and (ii) is subject to the provisions of an affiliate’s code of ethics for personal trading.
E. “Affiliated Open-End Mutual Fund” means any open-end mutual fund to which the Firm or its control affiliate(s) serve as the investment adviser or principal underwriter. Currently, this means all open-end (non-exchange traded) funds managed by Virtus or its affiliates. A chart of such funds is available at Schedule B and on the Virtus Compliance Intranet site. Schedule B may be updated from time to time without being considered an amendment to this Code of Ethics. See also the definition of “Unaffiliated Open-End Mutual Fund” in section W. below.
F. “Being considered for Purchase or Sale” means when a security for which a recommendation to purchase or sell has been made and communicated; and with respect to the Advisory Person making the recommendation, when such person seriously considers making such a recommendation.
G. "Beneficial Ownership" shall be interpreted in the same manner as it would be under Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) in determining whether a person is the beneficial owner of a security for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations there under. It includes ownership by any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in a security. For purposes hereof,
a. “Pecuniary Interest” means the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the security.
b. “Indirect Pecuniary Interest” includes, but is not limited to:
(a) Securities held by Immediate Family Members sharing the same household;
(b) A general partner’s proportionate interest in portfolio securities held by a general or limited partnership;
(c) A person’s right to dividends that is separated or separable from the underlying securities (otherwise, a right to dividends alone will not constitute a pecuniary interest in securities);
(d) A person’s interest in securities held by a trust;
(e) A person’s right to acquire securities through the exercise or conversion of any derivative security, whether or not presently exercisable; and
(f) A performance-related fee, other than an asset based fee, received by any broker, dealer, bank, insurance company, investment company, investment manager, trustee, or person or entity performing a similar function, with certain exceptions (see Rule 16a-1(a)(2)of the Exchange Act).
An Access Person is presumed to have Beneficial Ownership in, and so an obligation to report, the securities held by his or her Immediate Family Members. Access Persons should note that the Firm’s policies and procedures with respect to personal securities transactions also apply to transactions by a spouse, domestic partner, child or other Immediate Family Member residing in the same household. See definition of “Immediate Family Member” in section M. below.
H. “Chief Compliance Officer” or “CCO” refers to the person appointed by the Firm pursuant to the provisions of Section 206(4)-7 of the Advisers Act.
I. "Client" means each and every investment company, or series thereof, or other account managed by the Firm.
J. "Control" shall have the same meaning as that in Section 2(a) (9) of the Investment Company Act.
K. “Covered Associate” is a term used in the Firm’s Pay to Play Policy and Procedures and is incorporated by reference.
L. "Firm" means each of the entities listed in Schedule A who have each adopted this Code and administer it under their respective individual compliance programs managed by their designated Chief Compliance Officer or his/her delegate.
M. “Immediate Family Member” shall have the following meaning: With respect to personal securities reporting requirements, terms such as “Employee”, “Personal Brokerage Account”, “Supervised Person” and “Access Person” are defined to include any Supervised Person’s or Access Person’s spouse or domestic partner who share their household and any relative by blood, adoption or marriage living in the Supervised or Access Person’s household. This definition includes children (including financially dependent children away at school), stepchildren, grandchildren, parents, stepparents, grandparents, siblings and parents-children-or siblings-in-law.
N. "Initial Public Offering" or “IPO” means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
O. “ Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
P. "Managed Fund or Portfolio" shall mean those Clients, individually and collectively, for whom the Portfolio Manager makes buy and sell decisions.
Q. “Personal Brokerage Account” refers to any account (including, without limitation, a custody account, safekeeping account and an account maintained by an entity that may act in a brokerage or a principal capacity) in which securities may be traded or held in custody, and in which an Access Person has any Beneficial Ownership, and any such account of an Immediate Family Member. The meaning of “Personal Brokerage Account” includes accounts in which an Access Person may hold or acquire Reportable Securities, even though the account currently holds only non-Reportable Securities (such as unaffiliated open-end mutual funds). To the extent that the Virtus 401(k) plan and potentially 401(k) plans of an Access Person’s prior employer(s) or 401(k) plans of Immediate Family Members have the capacity to invest in Affiliated Open-end Mutual Funds and/or other Reportable Securities, such accounts are considered “Personal Brokerage Accounts”. Furthermore, Individual Retirement Accounts (i.e.: “IRAs”) that are constructed within a brokerage account capable of transacting in Reportable Securities are also considered “Personal Brokerage Accounts”.
The meaning of “Personal Brokerage Account” does not include the following: open-end mutual funds held directly with the sponsor in an account that is not capable of transacting in Reportable Securities; 401(k) accounts that may only hold non-affiliated open-end mutual funds; other accounts that cannot transact in Reportable Securities as determined by the Compliance Department; and direct purchase accounts such as “DRIP” plans.
R. "Fund Portfolio Manager" or “Portfolio Manager” is an Advisory Person (or one of the Advisory Persons) entrusted with the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio.
S. "Private Placement" or "Limited Offering" means an offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Section 4(2) or Section 4(6) thereof, or pursuant to Rule 504, Rule 505 or Rule 506 there under.
T. "Purchase or sale of a Reportable Security" includes, among other things, the writing of an option to purchase or sell a security, or the purchase or sale of a security, that is exchangeable for or convertible into, a security that is held or to be acquired for a Client.
U. "Reportable Security" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(36) of the Investment Company Act, and Rule 204A-1 of the Advisers Act as amended, and includes common stocks, preferred stocks, stock options (put, call and straddle), debt securities, privilege on any security or on any group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof) and derivative instruments, ETFs, UIT ETFs, closed-end funds, other well-known stock indices vehicles, such as the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Indices (such as but not limited to SPDR S&P 500, SPDR S&P MidCap 400, “iShares”, etc.); affiliated open-end mutual funds and municipal securities.
The meaning of “Reportable Security” shall not include transactions and holdings in direct obligations of the Government of the United States; money market instruments; bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and other high quality short-term debt instruments; shares of money market funds; transactions and holdings in shares of non-affiliated open-end mutual funds; and transactions in units of a unit investment trust if the unit investment trust is invested exclusively in unaffiliated open-end mutual funds. Note: This exception extends only to open end funds registered in the U.S.; therefore, transactions and holdings in offshore funds ARE reportable .
V. "Supervised Person" means any director, officer, and partner of the Firm (or other person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions); an employee of the Firm; and any other person who provides advice on behalf of the Firm and is subject to the Firm’s supervision and control. To affect such policies as required by this Code, the Firm’s CCO shall further classify certain Supervised Persons as an “Access Person”, or “Advisory Person”.
W. “Unaffiliated Open-End Mutual Fund” means any open-end (non-exchange traded) mutual fund not falling within the definition of “Affiliated Open-End Mutual Fund” defined in section E. above, i.e., any open-end mutual fund to which the Firm or its control affiliate(s) do not serve as the investment adviser or principal underwriter for the fund.
4. Disclosure of Personal Brokerage Accounts 1
All Access Persons must disclose their Personal Brokerage Accounts to their respective Compliance Department. Each Access Person’s responsibility is to notify their respective Compliance Department of all Personal Brokerage Accounts and to direct the broker to provide their Compliance Department with brokerage transaction confirmations and account statements (and verify that it has been done). Access Persons cannot assume that the broker-dealer will automatically arrange for this information to be set up and forwarded correctly. Access Persons do not need to disclose the existence of their Virtus-Fidelity 401(k) account, however any other Virtus Fidelity account holding securities, options or restricted stock of Virtus must be disclosed. 401(k) plans of an Access Person’s prior employer(s) or 401(k) plans of Immediate Family Members must be disclosed if such accounts have the capacity to invest in Affiliated Open-end Mutual Funds and/or other Reportable Securities.
5. Prohibited Activities for Access Persons
A. Initial Public Offering (“IPO”) Rule: No Access Person may directly or indirectly acquire beneficial ownership in any securities in an IPO, without the prior written approval of the CCO. This also applies to IPO’s offered through the internet. No FINRA registered person or Portfolio Manager may participate in an IPO pursuant to FINRA Rule 5130.
B. Private Placement / Limited Offering Rule: No Access Person may directly or indirectly acquire beneficial ownership in any securities in a Private Placement or Limited Offering without the prior written approval of the CCO. The approved purchase should be disclosed to the Client if they are considering that issuer’s securities for purchase or sale.
C. Preclearance Rule: No Access Person may directly or indirectly acquire or dispose of beneficial ownership in a Reportable Security unless the transaction has been pre-cleared by the Compliance Department. Preclearance is valid through the next business day at the close of the U.S. market following the approval. An order not executed within that time must be re-submitted for preclearance approval. Access Persons must wait for approval before placing the order with their broker.
Exceptions: The following Reportable Securities transactions do not require preclearance:
1 Certain Supervised Persons are subject to the requirements of Section 4. Please see the Appendix following this Code.
a) Purchases or sales of up to and including 500 shares per month of Reportable Securities in any issuer ranked in the S&P 500 at the time of the transaction. An S&P 500 holding list is updated quarterly and available on the Virtus intranet website. A copy is also available for review in your Firm’s Compliance Department. The Compliance Department monitors de minimis trading for patterns of abuse. If a pattern of abuse is determined to have occurred, the Compliance Department reserves the right to suspend or cancel the ability of an Access Person to conduct de minimis transactions.
b) Transactions in Affiliated Open-End Mutual Funds.
c) Purchase orders of Reportable Securities sent directly to the issuer via mail (other than in connection with a Private Placement or Limited Offering) or sales of such securities that are redeemed directly by the issuer via mail.
d) Purchases or sales of Reportable Securities effected in any account over which the Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control in the reasonable estimation of the Firm’s CCO. This exemption will apply to Personal Brokerage Accounts for which a third party, such as a broker or financial advisor, makes all investment decisions on behalf of the Access Person and the Access Person does not discuss any specific transactions for the account with the third-party manager.
e) Purchases or sales of Reportable Securities (i) not eligible for purchase or sale by the Client; or (ii) specified from time to time by the Firm’s Directors, subject to rules the Firm’s Directors shall specify.
f) Purchases of shares of Reportable Securities necessary to establish an automatic investment or dividend reinvestment plan, as well as any subsequent purchases and sales pursuant to any such automatic investment or dividend reinvestment plan.
g) Purchases of Reportable Securities effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent the rights were acquired from the issuer, and sales of such rights so acquired.
h) Purchases or sales of Reportable Securities issued under an employee stock purchase or incentive program unless otherwise restricted.
i) Non-volitional transactions (such as stock splits, dividends, corporate actions, etc.).
Note: The foregoing are exceptions to the Preclearance Rule only; other provisions of this Code may apply.
The Firm’s CCO or other designated compliance personnel may deny approval of any transaction requiring preclearance under this Pre-clearance Rule, even if nominally permitted under the Code, if believed that denial is necessary for the protection of the Client or the Firm.
D. Open Order Rule: No Access Person may directly or indirectly acquire or dispose of the Beneficial Ownership in any Reportable Security that requires preclearance (i.e., is not exempt from preclearance) when a Client has a pending buy or sell for that security of the same type until the Client's order is executed or withdrawn.
E. Blackout Rule: Portfolio Managers and Advisory Persons may not directly or indirectly acquire or dispose of Beneficial Ownership in a Reportable Security within seven calendar days before and after the portfolio(s) associated with the Portfolio Manager’s and Advisory Person’s assigned duties trades in that security. The seven-day period is exclusive of the execution date. The Blackout Rule applies to transactions in securities that are required to be precleared.
F. Holding Period Rule: Access Persons must hold all Reportable Securities for no less than sixty (60) days, whether or not the purchase was an exempt transaction under any other provision of Section 5. Generally, a first-in first-out (“FIFO”) accounting methodology will be applied for determining compliance with this holding rule.
G. Gifts and Entertainment: Supervised Persons designated by the Firm’s CCO may not give or receive gifts or payments that may be construed to have an influence on business transactions conducted by the Firm. Gifts to or from Consultants or Clients must not exceed $100 per person per year. Gifts include any items of value, including sports paraphernalia or equipment, wine or food baskets, gift certificates for shopping or to a restaurant or spa. Tickets to events are considered gifts if the associate does not attend the event. The $100 limit that applies to gifts does not apply to entertainment. Nonetheless, entertainment must be neither so frequent nor so extensive as to raise any question of impropriety. The CCO or other designated personnel will maintain records of all gifts and payments of $100 or more per person and all entertainment. ALL gifts and entertainment received or given must be reported to the Compliance Department. Supervised Persons designated by the Firm’s CCO are required to submit a log quarterly.
H. Serving on Boards of Directors: No Advisory Person shall serve on the board of directors of a publicly traded company without prior authorization from Virtus Investment Partners Inc. Counsel or the Firm’s CCO. If authorized, the Advisory Person shall have no role in making investment decisions with respect to the publicly traded company.
I. Excessive Trading Rule: No Portfolio Manager shall engage in excessive trading or market timing activities with respect to any mutual fund regardless of whether or not the mutual fund is managed by that Firm/Sub-advisor or any affiliated adviser/sub-advisor. Market timing is defined as a purchase and redemption, regardless of size, in and out of the same mutual fund within any sixty (60) day period. The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to Portfolio Managers investing in mutual funds through asset allocation programs, automatic reinvestment programs, and any other non-volitional investment vehicles.
J. Material, Non-public Information: No Supervised Person shall divulge or act upon any material, non-public information as defined under relevant securities laws. For more information, refer to the Firm’s Insider Trading Policy and Procedures .
K. Pay to Play Rule: The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted Rule 206(4)-5 (“Rule” or “Pay to Play Rule”) as a means to curtail the ability of investment advisers to use political contributions to influence state and municipal officials responsible for the hiring of investment advisers, otherwise known as “pay to play” practices. Under the Rule, political contributions made by advisers or their Covered Associates may result in serious limitations on advisers’ ability to receive compensation for the management of certain public funds. The Rule does not prohibit political contributions but prohibits the adviser from receiving compensation from the government plan. The Rule does not preempt state and local pay to play or other laws restricting political contributions which may be more restrictive.
Virtus Pay to Play Policy prohibits political contributions to state or local government officials or candidates by Covered Associates in excess of the contribution limits established by the Rule. This prohibition includes contributions made by a Covered Associate’s spouse or family members living in the same household. The Policy also applies to certain contributions to Political Action Committees (“PACs”) and state and local political parties or committees. All contributions to state and local government officials and candidates, state and local political parties and committees and PACs must be reported in accordance with the Policy. Please refer to Virtus Pay to Play Policy for further information.
6. Reporting & Compliance Procedures 2
A. Duplicate Trade Confirmations and Personal Brokerage Account Statements: All Access Persons shall direct their brokers to supply, at the same time that they are sent to the Access Person, a copy of the confirmation for each personal Reportable Securities trade in a Personal Brokerage Account and a copy, at least quarterly, of an account statement for each Personal Brokerage Account to their respective Compliance Department (an electronic feed from the broker will satisfy these requirements). Access to duplicate confirmations and account statements will be restricted to those persons assigned to perform review functions, and all materials will be kept confidential except as required by law.
B. Quarterly Transactions Reports: Access Persons shall report to the Firm the information (specified further below) with respect to transactions in any Reportable Security in which the Access Person has, or by reason of that transaction acquires, any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership in the Reportable Security.
Access Persons shall not be required to make a report with respect to transactions effected for any account over which that person lacks any direct or indirect influence or control in the reasonable estimation of the Firm’s CCO.
The Firm’s CCO may grant an extension to the 15-day quarterly reporting deadline for cases of hardship, illness, system unavailability or other extenuating circumstances provided that such extension does not exceed the 30-day limit required by Rule 204A-1 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Such extension will not be considered a waiver of this Code of Ethics. Access Person’s Quarterly Transaction Reports shall contain the following information:
2 Certain Supervised Persons are subject to the requirements of Sections 6A, 6B and 6C. Please see the Appendix following this Code.
(i) All transactions in Reportable Securities effected during the calendar quarter being reported on;
(ii) The date of the transaction in the Reportable Security, the title and number of shares of equity securities; or, the maturity date, principal amount and interest rate of debt securities, of each Reportable Security involved; and as applicable, the exchange ticker symbol or cusip number;
(iii) The type of transaction (i.e., purchase, sale, or any other type of acquisition or disposition);
(iv) The price of the Reportable Security at which the transaction was effected;
(v) The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through whom the transaction was effected; and
(vi) The date the report is submitted.
To the extent that the Access Person certified that the Compliance Department is receiving duplicate statements of Personal Brokerage Accounts, the above disclosures are considered to have been made for transactions in Reportable Securities occurring in those Personal Brokerage Accounts.
C. Initial and Annual Holdings Reports: Each Access Person shall submit an Initial Holdings and Annual Holdings Report listing all personal Reportable Securities holdings to their Firm’s Compliance Department upon the commencement of service and annually thereafter (the Initial Holdings Report and the Annual Holdings Report , respectively). The information on the Initial Holdings Report must be current as of a date not more than 45 days prior to the date the individual becomes an Access Person. An Initial Holdings Report and certification must be submitted to their Firm’s Compliance Departments no later than 10 days after becoming an Access Person. The Annual Holdings Report holdings information shall be as of December 31 of the prior year. Access Persons shall submit the Annual Holdings Report and certification to their Firm’s Compliance Department by January 31 of each year. Access Persons shall include on their Annual Holdings Report any holdings in Affiliated Open-end Mutual Funds including those held in the Access Person’s Virtus-Fidelity 401(k) plan.
Every Initial Holdings Report and Annual Holdings Report required pursuant to this section shall contain the following information for Reportable Securities:
(i) The title, type and number of shares of equity securities; and/or the maturity date, principal amount and interest rate of debt securities; and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares, and principal amount of each Reportable Security in which the Access Person has any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership;
(ii) The name of any broker, dealer or bank with which the Access Person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the Access Person’s direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership;
(iii) The date the Access Person submits the report; and
(iv) For Initial Holdings Reports and Annual Holdings Reports, a certification by the Supervised Person that he or she has read, understood, has complied, and shall continue to comply with the requirements of this Code and the Firm’s Insider Trading Policy and Procedures.
Exceptions to reporting requirements (Quarterly Transactions and Initial and Annual Holdings):
(i) Any report of Reportable Securities held in accounts over which the Access Person had no direct or indirect influence or control;
(ii) A Quarterly Transaction Report of Reportable Securities transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan; and
(iii) A Quarterly Transaction Report if it would duplicate information contained in broker trade confirmations or account statements received no later than 30 days after the end of the applicable calendar quarter.
D. Any report made under this Section 6 may contain a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by the person making such reports that he or she has any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership in the security to which the report relates.
E. The Firm’s CCO shall submit an annual report to the Fund Board of Directors/Trustee for any fund advised or sub-advised by the Firm that summarizes the current Code procedures, identifies any violations requiring significant remedial action, and recommends appropriate changes to the Code, if any.
F. Any Supervised Person must promptly report possible violations of the Code to the Firm’s CCO or other designee (including but not limited to potential conflicts of interest) when they suspect, in good faith, that a violation may have occurred or is reasonably likely to occur. If a matter implicates the Firm’s CCO or other designee, notice of a violation should be reported to the Virtus Investment Partners Inc. CCO. Failure to do so is in itself a violation of this Code. No retaliation or retribution of any kind will be taken against any Supervised Person who, in good faith, reports a suspected violation of this Code. To the extent possible under the circumstances, all information will be kept confidential.
G. The Firm’s Compliance Department will review all reports and other information submitted under Section 6. This review will include comparisons with trading records of Client accounts as are necessary or appropriate in determining whether there have been any violations of the Code.
H. The Firm’s Compliance Personnel will maintain a list of all Supervised Persons, Access Persons, Advisory Persons, and Portfolio Managers who are required to make reports under the Code, and shall inform such individuals of their reporting obligations and if any requirement of this Code has not been complied with.
I. The Firm shall provide a copy of the Code and any amendments to all Supervised Persons and obtain their written acknowledgement of receipt.
7. 401(k) Plans and the Requirements of the Code 3
A. Disclosure of Personal Brokerage Accounts: Access Persons are not required to disclose the existence of their Virtus-Fidelity 401(k) plan, but Access Persons must disclose any other 401(k) account if the account can transact in Affiliated Open-end Mutual Funds and/or other Reportable Securities.
B. Preclearance Rule: Access Persons are not required to preclear transactions in Affiliated Open-end Mutual Funds (e.g., transferring amounts from one fund to another) or contributions in the form of payroll deductions. Access Persons are required to preclear transactions in Reportable Securities that are not exceptions to the Preclearance Rule of Section 5 (e.g., the sale of previous employer’s stock).
C. Duplicate Trade Confirmations and Personal Brokerage Account Statements: If an Access Person has a 401(k) account from a previous employer that can transact in Affiliated Open-end Mutual Funds and/or other Reportable Securities, the Access Person shall direct her broker to supply, at the same time that they are sent to the Access Person, a copy of the confirmation for each personal Reportable Securities trade and a copy, at least quarterly, of an account statement to the Access Person’s Compliance Department for each 401(k) account other than the Virtus-Fidelity 401(k) plan.
D. Quarterly Transactions Reports: If the Compliance Department is not receiving copies of broker trade confirmations or account statements, Access Persons are required to submit a Quarterly Transaction Report for transactions in Reportable Securities (e.g., Affiliated Open-end Mutual Funds or a previous employer’s stock) for 401(k) accounts other than the Virtus-Fidelity 401(k) plan.
E. Initial and Annual Holdings Reports: Access Persons are required to report all holdings in Reportable Securities, including holdings in the Virtus-Fidelity 401(k) plan (e.g., Affiliated Open-end Mutual Funds).
8. Pay to Play Rule Reporting
A. Covered Associates shall refer to Virtus Pay to Play Policy for reporting requirements.
9. Recordkeeping Requirements
A. The Firm will maintain in an easily accessible place, the following records:
3 Certain Supervised Persons are subject to the requirements of Sections 7A and 7C – 7E. Please see the Appendix following this Code.
a) A copy of any Code for the organization that is in effect, or at any time within the past five (5) calendar years was in effect;
b) A record of any Code violation or action taken as a result of the violation that occurred during the current year and the past five (5) calendar years;
c) A record of all written acknowledgments as required by Rule 204A-1 of the Advisers Act for each Supervised Person who is currently, or within the past five (5) calendar years was, a Supervised Person;
d) A copy of each report made by an Access Person during the current year and the past five (5) calendar years as required by Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act and/or Rule 204A-1 of the Advisers Act and Sections 6B and 6C of this Code, including any information provided in lieu of the reports under Section 6B and 6C above;
e) A list of all persons, currently or within the past five (5) calendar years who are or were required to make reports pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act and/or Rule 204A-1 of the Advisers Act and Sections 6B and 6C above, or who were responsible for reviewing those reports, together with an appropriate description of their title or employment;
f) A copy of each report made by the Firm’s CCO pursuant to Section 6E above during the current year and the past five (5) calendar years;
g) A record of any decision made during the current year and the past five (5) calendar years by the Firm’s CCO, and the reasons supporting each decision, to grant prior approval pursuant to Sections 5A and 5B above for acquisition by an Access Person of securities in an IPO or a Private Placement transaction;
h) The Virtus Investment Partners Inc. Corporate Compliance Department (or at its direction, another Firm CCO) is responsible for administration of all aspects of this Code with respect to those individuals designated as Affiliated Officers by providing written affirmation that the provisions of this Code were upheld and that these Affiliated Officers were or were not in compliance with the Code and/or providing any required records to the applicable Firm (or other affiliate) CCO.
i) As required by enhanced recordkeeping requirements under Rule 204-2 of the Adviser Act, records related to political contributions made by the Firm and its Covered Associates are specified in Virtus Pay to Play Policy.
9. Sanctions
Upon discovering a violation of this Code, the Parent of the Firm or if applicable the Funds Board of Directors, besides any remedial action already taken by the respective adviser or related entity, may impose sanctions as it deems appropriate (see under separate cover the currently imposed sanctions), including, among other things, a letter of censure or suspension
or termination of employment, or suspension of personal trading privileges for such period as it may deem appropriate.
Any profits realized by a Portfolio Manager or Advisory Person on a personal trade in violation of Section 5E (Blackout Rule) must be disgorged. In addition, the Firm’s CCO may direct any Supervised Person to disgorge any profit realized (or loss avoided) on a personal trade in violation of this Code.
10. Exceptions
The Firm’s CCO may grant written exceptions (aka “waivers”) to provisions of the Code based on equitable considerations. The exceptions may be granted to individuals or classes of individuals with respect to particular transactions, classes of transactions or all transactions, and may apply to past as well as future transactions.
However, no exception will be granted when it would result in a violation of Section 204-2 of the Advisers Act. Exceptions granted are reported to the Directors of the Firm, as well as the Boards of any managed Fund. Extensions to reporting deadlines that are not exceptions or waivers are reported only to the Virtus Corporate CCO.
Appendix
Additional requirements for Euclid Advisors LLC, Newfleet Asset Management, LLC, Virtus Alternative Investment Advisers, Inc., Virtus Investment Advisers, Inc., VP Distributors, LLC and Zweig Advisers LLC are as follows:
· | All Supervised Persons of the above Firms are subject to the same requirements as Access Persons as indicated in Section 4. “Disclosure of Personal Brokerage Accounts”, Section 6. “Reporting & Compliance Requirements” (Sections: 6A, 6B, and 6C) and Section 7. “401(k) Accounts and the Requirements of the Code” (Sections: 7A and 7C – 7E). Specifically the term “Access Person(s)” as used in those sections is hereby replaced with the term “Access Person(s) and Supervised Person(s)”. |
Additional requirements for Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management, LLC (“KAR”) are as follows:
· | All KAR employees are considered Access Persons. KAR employees are permitted to buy or sell exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) without receiving pre-clearance from Compliance. However, all ETF transactions should be included on the quarterly personal trade certifications. |
· | KAR employees follow the policy on gifts and entertainment discussed below. However, any KAR employee who is registered with VP Distributors, LLC will follow the gift and entertainment policy in Section 5 (g) of this Code of Ethics. |
· | A conflict of interest occurs when the personal interests of employees interfere or could potentially interfere with their responsibilities to the firm and its clients. Supervised Persons should not accept inappropriate gifts, favors, entertainment, special accommodations, or other things of material value that could influence their decision-making or make them feel beholden to a person or firm. Supervised Persons should not offer gifts, favors, entertainment, or other things of value that could be viewed as overly generous or aimed at influencing decision-making or making a client feel beholden to the firm or the supervised person. |
o | Gifts: No Supervised Person may receive any gift, services, or other things of more than a $175.00 value per year from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of KAR, without pre-approval by the Chief Compliance Officer or Chief Operating Officer. No Supervised Person may give or offer any gift of more than a $175.00 value per year to existing clients, prospective clients, or any entity that does business with or on behalf of the adviser without pre-approval by the Chief Compliance Officer or the Chief Operating Officer. Compliance will maintain a Gift Log of all gifts over $175 given or received from by any KAR employees, which are not broker/dealer related. The Gift Log will include: employee name, type of gift, dollar amount of gift, and sender of the gift. In addition, Compliance will maintain a Gift Log of all gifts over $100 given or received by any broker/dealer. The broker/dealer Gift Log will include: employee name, type of gift, dollar amount of gift, and broker who sent the gift. |
o | Cash: No Supervised Person may give or accept cash gifts or cash equivalents to or from a client, prospective client, or any entity that does business with or on behalf of KAR without approval from the Chief Compliance Officer. |
o | Entertainment: No Supervised Person may provide or accept extravagant or excessive entertainment to or from a client, prospective client, or any person or entity that does or seeks to do business with or on behalf of KAR. Supervised Persons may provide or accept a business entertainment event, such as dinner or a sporting event. |
· | Additional requirement for Access Persons of Cliffwater Investments LLC (“Cliffwater”) are as follows: Preclearance and Holding Period Rule: It is understood that Cliffwater does not as a general practice maintain trading operations for its clients; nor does it complete research, consider or recommend transactions on individual securities. Therefore, as long as this is the case, Cliffwater Access Persons shall not be required to preclear transactions as required by Sections 5.C. and 5.D. Rather, Cliffwater Access Persons will be required to preclear any security that is listed on the Cliffwater Restricted List. The Restricted List shall be maintained in Virtus’s Hartford Compliance Department and circulated to Cliffwater Access Persons whenever there are changes made thereto, or no less than quarterly. Cliffwater Access Persons shall be subject to all other requirements of this Code of Ethics. Furthermore, Section 5.F is modified to reflect that Cliffwater’s Access Persons must hold all Reportable Securities for no less than thirty (30) days, whether or not the purchase was an exempt transaction under any other provision of Section 5. Generally, a first-in first-out (“FIFO”) accounting methodology will be applied for determining compliance with this holding rule. |
Schedule A
On October 1, 2012, the following entities adopted this Code of Ethics:
Euclid Advisors LLC
Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co.
Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management, LLC
Newfleet Asset Management, LLC
Rampart Investment Management Company, LLC
Virtus Alternative Investment Advisers, Inc.
Virtus Investment Advisers, Inc.
VP Distributors, LLC
Zweig Advisers LLC
On October 4, 2012, the following entity adopted this Code of Ethics:
Newfound Investments, LLC
On January 22, 2014, the following entity adopted this Code of Ethics:
Cliffwater Investments LLC 21
Schedule B
Listing of Affiliated Open-End Mutual Funds
Section 3.E. of the Code of Ethics adopted by Virtus and its affiliates defines an “Affiliated Open-End Mutual Fund” to mean any open-end mutual fund to which the Firm or its control affiliate(s) serve as the investment adviser or principal underwriter. Currently, this means all open-end (non-exchange traded) funds managed by Virtus and its affiliates. Such funds are listed below:
· | Virtus Mutual Funds (all funds) |
· | Virtus Variable Insurance Trust (all funds) |
· | Dunham Corporate / Government Bond Fund |
· | Dreyfus Select Managers Small Cap Value Fund |
· | UBS Pace Small Medium Co Value Equity Investment |
· | Dunham Floating Rate Bond Fund |
This Schedule will be updated from time to time without being considered an amendment to the Code of Ethics).