REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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Pre‑Effective Amendment No.
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Post‑Effective Amendment No.
151
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and
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
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Amendment No.
152
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immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
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on
December 31, 2016
pursuant to paragraph (b)
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60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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on ______________ pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
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on
pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.
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[ ] | this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. |
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8
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13
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18
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24
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25
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29
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30
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1 Year
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3 Years
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5 Years
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10 Years
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$49
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$154
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$269
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$604
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n
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Call Risk
. During periods of falling interest rates, an issuer of a callable bond held by the Fund may “call” or repay the security before its stated maturity, and the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds at lower interest rates, resulting in a decline in the Fund's income.
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n
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Cash Redemption Risk
. The Fund’s investment strategy may require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.
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n
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Credit Risk
. Debt issuers and other counterparties may not honor their obligations or may have their debt downgraded by ratings agencies.
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Extension Risk
. During periods of rising interest rates, certain debt obligations will be paid off substantially more slowly than originally anticipated and the value of those securities may fall sharply, resulting in a decline in the Fund’s income and potentially in the value of the Fund’s investments.
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n
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Government Obligations Risk
.
No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support to U.S. government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities where it is not obligated to do so by law, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”). Securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have historically been supported only by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government. While the U.S. government provides financial support to various U.S. government-sponsored agencies and instrumentalities, such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, no assurance can be given that it will always do so. In September 2008, at the direction of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed into conservatorship under the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”), an independent regulator, and they remain in such status as of the date of this Prospectus. The U.S. government also took steps to provide additional financial support to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
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n
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High-Yield Securities Risk
. High-yield securities (also known as “junk bonds”) carry a greater degree of risk and are considered speculative by the major credit rating agencies. High-yield securities may be issued by companies that are restructuring, are smaller and less creditworthy, or are more highly indebted than other companies. This means that they may have more difficulty making scheduled payments of principal and interest. Changes in the value of high-yield securities are influenced more by changes in the financial and business position of the issuing company than by changes in interest rates when compared to investment grade securities. High-yield securities have greater volatility because there is less certainty that principal and interest payments will be made as scheduled. The Fund's investments in high-yield securities expose it to a substantial degree of credit risk. These investments are considered speculative under traditional investment standards. Prices of high-yield securities will rise and fall primarily in response to actual or perceived changes in the issuer's financial health, although changes in market interest rates also will affect prices. High-yield securities may experience reduced liquidity and sudden and substantial decreases in price.
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n
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Interest Rate Risk
. An increase in interest rates may cause the value of fixed-income securities held by the Fund to decline. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates and the effect of potential government fiscal policy initiatives and resulting market reaction to those initiatives.
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n
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Issuer-Specific Risk
. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.
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n
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Liquidity Risk
. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. This can reduce the Fund's returns because the Fund may be unable to transact at advantageous times or prices.
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n
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Market Risk
.
The trading prices of debt securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.
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n
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M
ortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk
.
The Fund may invest in U.S. government agency-backed mortgage- and asset-backed securities. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to interest rate risk. Modest movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain types of these securities. When interest rates fall, mortgage- and asset-backed securities may be subject to prepayment risk. When interest rates rise, certain types of mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to extension risk. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities can also be subject to the risk of default on the underlying residential or commercial mortgage(s) or other assets.
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n
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Non-Diversification Risk
. Because the Fund is “non-diversified,” it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a small number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund. As a result, a decline in the value of an investment in a single issuer could cause the Fund’s overall value to decline to a greater degree than if the Fund held a more diversified portfolio. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.
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n
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Passive Investment Risk
. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.
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n
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Portfolio Turnover Risk
.
The Fund may trade all or a significant portion of the securities in its portfolio in connection with each rebalance and reconstitution of its Index.
A high portfolio turnover rate increases transaction costs, which may increase the Fund’s expenses.
Frequent trading may also cause adverse tax consequences for investors in the Fund due to an increase in short-term capital gains.
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n
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Prepayment Risk
. This is the risk that a borrower will prepay some or the entire principal owed to the Fund. If that happens, the Fund may have to replace the security by investing the proceeds in a security with a lower yield. This could reduce the share price and income distributions of the Fund.
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Sector Risk
.
To the extent the Fund invests more heavily in particular sectors of the economy, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those sectors.
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n
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Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV
.
As with all exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of the shares of the Fund will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV intra-day (premium) or less than the NAV intra-day (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.
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n
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TBA Securities and Rolls Risk
.
TBA transactions are subject to increased credit risk and increased overall investment exposure. TBA rolls involve the risk that the Fund’s counterparty will be unable to deliver the mortgage-backed securities underlying the TBA roll at the fixed time. If the buyer files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the buyer or its representative may ask for and receive an extension of time to decide whether to enforce the Fund’s repurchase obligation. In addition, the Fund earns interest by investing the transaction proceeds during the roll period. TBA roll transactions may have the effect of creating leverage in the Fund’s portfolio.
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n
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Tracking Error Risk.
As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs operating expenses and portfolio transaction costs not incurred by the Index. In addition, the Fund may not be fully invested in the securities of the Index at all times or may hold securities not included in the Index.
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1 Year
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Since Inception
(10/15/2014 ) |
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Return Before Taxes
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0.38%
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-0.16%
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Return After Taxes on Distributions
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-0.26%
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-0.73%
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Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares
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0.21%
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-0.38%
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Vident Core U.S. Bond Index/Vident Core U.S. Bond Strategy Index
1
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
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1.15%
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1.01%
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Citigroup US Broad Investment-Grade Bond Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
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0.53%
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0.39%
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1 Year
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3 Years
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5 Years
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10 Years
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$56
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$176
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$307
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$689
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·
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A senior executive has been dismissed or faces prosecution for personal misconduct or misrepresentation
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The company has been late in its U.S. Securities and Exchange filings sometime in the past 12 months
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The company has come under investigation, or been subject to fine, settlement, or conviction for issues related to securities fraud, misrepresentation, or deficiencies in investor protection sometime in the past two years
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The company is experiencing difficulties obtaining needed financing or refinancing support
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The company is in breach of existing debt covenants
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The company is under threat of exchange delisting
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n
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Equity Market Risk
.
The equity securities held in the Fund’s portfolio may experience sudden, unpredictable drops in value or long periods of decline in value. This may occur because of factors that affect securities markets generally or factors affecting specific issuers, industries, sectors, or companies in which the Fund invests. Common stocks are generally exposed to greater risk than other types of securities, such as preferred stocks and debt obligations, because common stockholders generally have inferior rights to receive payment from issuers.
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n
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Large-Capitalization Investing
.
The Fund invests primarily in the securities of large cap companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large cap companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large cap companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.
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n
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Market Risk
.
The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.
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n
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Mid-Capitalization Investing
.
The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.
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n
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Small-Capitalization Investing
. The Fund may invest in the securities of small-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund may be more volatile than funds that invest in larger, more established companies. The securities of small-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole. Small-capitalization companies may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, government regulation, borrowing costs and earnings.
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n
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Passive Investment Risk
. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.
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n
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Portfolio Turnover Risk
.
The Fund may trade all or a significant portion of the securities in its portfolio in connection with each rebalance and reconstitution of its Index.
A high portfolio turnover rate increases transaction costs, which may increase the Fund’s expenses.
Frequent trading may also cause adverse tax consequences for investors in the Fund due to an increase in short-term capital gains.
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n
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Sector Risk
.
To the extent the Fund invests more heavily in particular sectors of the economy, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those sectors. The Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in the following sectors and, therefore, the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting each of these sectors.
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o
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Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk
.
The success of consumer product manufacturers and retailers is tied closely to the performance of domestic and international economies, interest rates, exchange rates, competition, consumer confidence, changes in demographics and consumer preferences. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector depend heavily on disposable household income and consumer spending, and may be strongly affected by social trends and marketing campaigns. These companies may be subject to severe competition, which may have an adverse impact on their profitability.
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o
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Financial Sector Risk
. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis. Insurance companies, in particular, may be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, catastrophic events, price and market competition, the imposition of premium rate caps, or other changes in government regulation or tax law and/or rate regulation, which may have an adverse impact on their profitability. This sector has experienced significant losses in the recent past, and the impact of more stringent capital requirements and of recent or future regulation on any individual financial company or on the sector as a whole cannot be predicted. In recent years, cyber attacks and technology malfunctions and failures have become increasingly frequent in this sector and have caused significant losses.
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o
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Health Care Sector Risk.
Companies in the health care sector are subject to extensive government regulation and their profitability can be significantly affected by restrictions on government reimbursement for medical expenses, rising costs of medical products and services, pricing pressure (including price discounting), limited product lines and an increased emphasis on the delivery of healthcare through outpatient services.
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o
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Industrial Sector Risk
. The industrial sector may be affected by changes in the supply of and demand for products and services, product obsolescence, claims for environmental damage or product liability and general economic conditions, among other factors.
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o
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Information Technology Sector Risk
.
Market or economic factors impacting information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technological advances could have a significant effect on the value of the Fund's investments. The value of stocks of information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology is particularly vulnerable to rapid changes in technology product cycles, rapid product obsolescence, government regulation and competition, both domestically and internationally, including competition from foreign competitors with lower production costs. Stocks of information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the overall market. Information technology companies are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights, the loss or impairment of which may adversely affect profitability.
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n
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Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV
.
As with all exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of the shares of the Fund will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV intra-day (premium) or less than the NAV intra-day (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.
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n
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Tracking Error Risk
.
As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs operating expenses and portfolio transaction costs not incurred by the Index. In addition, the Fund may not be fully invested in the securities of the Index at all times or may hold securities not included in the Index.
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1 Year
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Since Inception
(1/21/2014) |
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Return Before Taxes
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-6.06%
|
1.07%
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Return After Taxes on Distributions
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-6.43%
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0.71%
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Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares
|
-3.10%
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0.84%
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Vident Core U.S. Stock Index/Vident Core U.S. Equity Index
1
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
|
-6.18%
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0.74%
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MSCI US IMI Index – Net
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
|
0.03%
|
5.95%
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
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Management Fees
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0.68%
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Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
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None
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Other Expenses
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0.00%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
0.68%
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1 Year
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3 Years
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5 Years
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10 Years
|
$69
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$218
|
$379
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$847
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Component
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Examples
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Weight
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Valuation
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Price-to-book ratio, cash flow to enterprise
value
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50%
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Quality
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Gross profitability, return on invested
capital, margin expansion, leverage, debt
& equity issuance
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30%
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Momentum
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Total return for past six months
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20%
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n
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Capital Controls and Sanctions Risk
. Economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events, military action and other conditions may, without prior warning, lead to foreign government intervention (including intervention by the U.S. government with respect to foreign governments, economic sectors, foreign companies and related securities and interests) and the imposition of capital controls and/or sanctions, which may also include retaliatory actions of one government against another government, such as seizure of assets. Capital controls and/or sanctions include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to transfer currency, securities or other assets. Capital controls and/or sanctions may also impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities or currency, negatively impact the value and/or liquidity of such instruments, adversely affect the trading market and price for shares of the Fund, and cause the Fund to decline in value.
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n
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Currency Exchange Rate Risk
. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.
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n
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Emerging Markets Risk
. The Fund may invest in companies organized in emerging market nations. Investments in securities and instruments traded in developing or emerging markets, or that provide exposure to such securities or markets, can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions not associated with investments in U.S. securities and instruments or investments in more developed international markets. Such conditions may impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities, adversely affect the trading market and price for Fund shares and cause the Fund to decline in value.
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n
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Equity Market Risk
. The equity securities held in the Fund’s portfolio may experience sudden, unpredictable drops in value or long periods of decline in value. This may occur because of factors that affect securities markets generally or factors affecting specific issuers, industries, sectors or companies in which the Fund invests. Common stocks are generally exposed to greater risk than other types of securities, such as preferred stocks and debt obligations, because common stockholders generally have inferior rights to receive payment from issuers.
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n
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Foreign Securities Risk
. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments.
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n
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Geographic Investment Risk
. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region.
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n
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Geopolitical Risk
. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.
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n
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Large-Capitalization Investing
. The Fund may invest in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.
|
n
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Market Risk
. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.
|
n
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Mid-Capitalization Investing
. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.
|
n
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Passive Investment Risk
. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.
|
n
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Sector Risk
.
To the extent the Fund invests more heavily in particular sectors of the economy, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those sectors. The Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in the following sectors and, therefore, the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting each of these sectors.
|
o
|
Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk
.
The success of consumer product manufacturers and retailers is tied closely to the performance of domestic and international economies, interest rates, exchange rates, competition, consumer confidence, changes in demographics and consumer preferences. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector depend heavily on disposable household income and consumer spending, and may be strongly affected by social trends and marketing campaigns. These companies may be subject to severe competition, which may have an adverse impact on their profitability.
|
o
|
Financial Sector Risk
. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis. Insurance companies, in particular, may be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, catastrophic events, price and market competition, the imposition of premium rate caps, or other changes in government regulation or tax law and/or rate regulation, which may have an adverse impact on their profitability. This sector has experienced significant losses in the recent past, and the impact of more stringent capital requirements and of recent or future regulation on any individual financial company or on the sector as a whole cannot be predicted. In recent years, cyber attacks and technology malfunctions and failures have become increasingly frequent in this sector and have caused significant losses.
|
o
|
Industrial Sector Risk
. The industrial sector may be affected by changes in the supply of and demand for products and services, product obsolescence, claims for environmental damage or product liability and general economic conditions, among other factors.
|
n
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Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV
. As with all exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of the shares of the Fund will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV intra-day (premium) or less than the NAV intra-day (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines. Because securities held by the Fund trade on foreign exchanges that are closed when the Fund’s primary listing exchange is open, the Fund is likely to experience premiums and discounts greater than those of domestic ETFs.
|
n
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Small-Capitalization Investing
. The Fund may invest in the securities of small-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund may be more volatile than funds that invest in larger, more established companies. The securities of small-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole. Small-capitalization companies may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, government regulation, borrowing costs and earnings.
|
n
|
Tracking Error Risk
.
As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs operating expenses and portfolio transaction costs not incurred by the Index. In addition, the Fund may not be fully invested in the securities of the Index at all times or may hold securities not included in the Index.
|
Vident International Equity Fund
|
1 Year
|
Since Inception
(10/29/2013) |
Return Before Taxes
|
-10.78%
|
-7.17%
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions
|
-11.01%
|
-7.43%
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares
|
-5.49%
|
-5.16%
|
Vident Core International Equity Index/Vident International Equity Index
1
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
|
-9.71%
|
-5.98%
|
MSCI AC World ex USA Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
|
-5.66%
|
-4.14%
|
o
|
Large-Capitalization Investing
(U.S. Equity Fund and International Equity Fund only)
.
The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion. Large-capitalization companies may also be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes.
|
o
|
Mid-Capitalization Investing
(U.S. Equity Fund and International Equity Fund only)
. The securities of mid-capitalization companies may be more vulnerable to adverse issuer, market, political, or economic developments than securities of large-capitalization companies. The securities of mid-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than large capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole. Some medium capitalization companies have limited product lines, markets, financial resources, and management personnel and tend to concentrate on fewer geographical markets relative to large-capitalization companies.
|
o
|
Small-Capitalization Investing
(
U.S. Equity Fund and International Equity Fund
). The securities of small-capitalization companies may be more vulnerable to adverse issuer, market, political, or economic developments than securities of larger-capitalization companies. The securities of small-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole. Some small capitalization companies have limited product lines, markets, and financial and managerial resources and tend to concentrate on fewer geographical markets relative to larger capitalization companies. There is typically less publicly available information concerning smaller-capitalization companies than for larger, more established companies. Small-capitalization companies also may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, government regulation, borrowing costs and earnings.
|
o
|
Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk
(
International Equity Fund and U.S. Equity Fund only).
The success of consumer product manufacturers and retailers is tied closely to the performance of domestic and international economies, interest rates, exchange rates, competition, consumer confidence, changes in demographics and consumer preferences. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector depend heavily on disposable household income and consumer spending, and may be strongly affected by social trends and marketing campaigns. These companies may be subject to severe competition, which may have an adverse impact on their profitability.
|
o
|
Financial Sector Risk
(
International Equity Fund and U.S. Equity Fund only).
Companies in the financial sector of an economy are often subject to extensive governmental regulation and intervention, which may adversely affect the scope of their activities, the prices they can charge and the amount of capital they must maintain. Governmental regulation may change frequently and may have significant adverse consequences for companies in the financial sector, including effects not intended by such regulation. The impact of recent or future regulation in various countries on any individual financial company or on the sector as a whole cannot be predicted.
|
o
|
Health Care Sector Risk
(
U.S. Equity Fund only)
.
Companies in the health care sector are subject to extensive government regulation and their profitability can be significantly affected by restrictions on government reimbursement for medical expenses, rising costs of medical products and services, pricing pressure (including price discounting), limited product lines and an increased emphasis on the delivery of healthcare through outpatient services. Companies in the health care sector are heavily dependent on obtaining and defending patents, which may be time consuming and costly, and the expiration of patents may also adversely affect the profitability of these companies. Health care companies are also subject to extensive litigation based on product liability and similar claims. In addition, their products can become obsolete due to industry innovation, changes in technologies or other market developments. Many new products in the health care sector require significant research and development and may be subject to regulatory approvals, all of which may be time consuming and costly with no guarantee that any product will come to market.
|
o
|
Industrial Sector Risk
(
International Equity Fund and U.S. Equity Fund only)
. The industrial sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, worldwide economic growth, supply and demand for specific products and services, rapid technological developments, international political and economic developments, environmental issues, and tax and governmental regulatory policies. As the demand for, or prices of, industrials increase, the value of the Fund’s investments generally would be expected to also increase. Conversely, declines in the demand for, or prices of, industrials generally would be expected to contribute to declines in the value of such securities. Such declines may occur quickly and without warning and may negatively impact the value of the Fund and your investment.
|
o
|
Information Technology Sector Risk
(
U.S. Equity Fund only)
. Market or economic factors impacting information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technological advances could have a significant effect on the value of the Fund's investments. The value of stocks of information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology is particularly vulnerable to rapid changes in technology product cycles, rapid product obsolescence, government regulation and competition, both domestically and internationally, including competition from foreign competitors with lower production costs. Stocks of information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the overall market. Information technology companies are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights, the loss or impairment of which may adversely affect profitability.
Additionally, companies in the technology sector may face dramatic and often unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel.
|
Fund
|
Management Fee
|
Vident Core U.S. Bond Strategy ETF
|
0.45%
|
Vident Core U.S. Equity Fund
|
0.55%
|
Vident International Equity Fund
|
0.68%
|
Fund
|
Minimum Annual Fee
|
Asset-Based Fee
|
Vident Core U.S. Equity Fund
|
$50,000
|
0.05%
|
Vident Core U.S. Bond Strategy ETF
|
$75,000
|
7 bps (0.07%) on the first $250 million
6 bps (0.06%) on the next $250 million
5 bps (0.05%) on the next $500 million
4 bps (0.04%) on the balance over $1 billion
|
Vident International Equity Fund
|
$75,000*
|
9 bps (0.09%) on the first $500 million*
8 bps (0.08%) on the next $500 million
6 bps (0.06%) on the balance over $1 billion
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Period Ended
|
|
|||
|
|
August 31, 2016
|
|
|
August 31, 2015
(1)
|
|
||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
|
|
$49.57
|
|
|
$50.00
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME (LOSS) FROM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Investment Income
(2)
|
|
|
0.86
|
|
|
|
0.63
|
|
Net Realized and Unrealized
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain (Loss) on Investments
|
|
|
1.96
|
|
|
|
(0.67
|
)
|
Total from Investment Operations
|
|
|
2.82
|
|
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions from
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Investment Income
|
|
|
(0.74
|
)
|
|
|
(0.39
|
)
|
Total Distributions
|
|
|
(0.74
|
)
|
|
|
(0.39
|
)
|
Net Asset Value, End of Period
|
|
$51.65
|
|
|
$49.57
|
|
||
Total Return
|
|
|
5.76
|
%
|
|
|
-0.08
|
%
(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets at End of Period (000’s)
|
|
$480,334
|
|
|
$426,297
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RATIOS TO AVERAGE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET ASSETS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses to Average Net Assets
|
|
|
0.45
|
%
|
|
|
0.45
|
%
(4)
|
Net Investment Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
to Average Net Assets
|
|
|
1.72
|
%
|
|
|
1.43
|
%
(4)
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate
(5)
|
|
|
440
|
%
|
|
|
409
|
%
(3)
|
(1)
|
Commencement of operations on October 15, 2014.
|
(2)
|
Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
|
(3)
|
Not annualized.
|
(4)
|
Annualized.
|
(5)
|
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions.
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Period
|
|
||||
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|||
|
|
August 31,
|
|
|
August 31,
|
|
|
August 31,
|
|
|||
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2014
(1)
|
|
|||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
|
|
$25.37
|
|
|
$26.77
|
|
$25.00
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME (LOSS) FROM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Investment Income
(2)
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
|
|
0.46
|
|
|
|
0.27
|
|
Net Realized and Unrealized
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain (Loss) on Investments
|
|
|
1.17
|
|
|
|
(1.43
|
)
|
1.63
|
|
||
Total from Investment Operations
|
|
|
1.64
|
|
|
|
(0.97
|
)
|
1.90
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions from
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Investment Income
|
|
|
(0.46
|
)
|
|
|
(0.43
|
)
|
|
|
(0.13
|
)
|
Net Realized Gains
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
(6)
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total Distributions
|
|
|
(0.46
|
)
|
(0.43
|
)
|
|
|
(0.13
|
)
|
||
Net Asset Value, End of Period
|
|
$26.55
|
|
$25.37
|
|
$26.77
|
|
|||||
Total Return
|
|
|
6.61
|
%
|
|
|
-3.70
|
%
|
|
|
7.60
|
%
(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets at End of Period (000’s)
|
|
$467,248
|
|
|
$400,787
|
|
|
$182,014
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RATIOS TO AVERAGE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET ASSETS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses to Average Net Assets
|
|
|
0.55
|
%
|
|
|
0.55
|
%
|
|
|
0.55
|
%
(4)
|
Net Investment Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
to Average Net Assets
|
|
|
1.87
|
%
|
|
|
1.72
|
%
|
|
|
1.62
|
%
(4)
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate
(5)
|
|
|
114
|
%
|
|
|
90
|
%
|
|
|
1
|
%
(3)
|
(1)
|
Commencement of operations on January 21, 2014.
|
(2)
|
Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
|
(3)
|
Not annualized.
|
(4)
|
Annualized.
|
(5)
|
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions.
|
(6)
|
Less than $0.005.
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Period
|
|
||||
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|||
|
|
August 31,
|
|
|
August 31,
|
|
|
August 31,
|
|
|||
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2014
(1)
|
|
|||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
|
|
$20.82
|
|
$25.70
|
|
$25.00
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME (LOSS) FROM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Investment Income
(2)
|
|
|
0.46
|
|
|
|
0.44
|
|
|
|
0.54
|
|
Net Realized and Unrealized
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain (Loss) on Investments
|
|
|
0.70
|
|
|
|
(4.89
|
)
|
|
|
0.55
|
|
Total from Investment Operations
|
|
|
1.16
|
|
|
|
(4.45
|
)
|
|
|
1.09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions from
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Investment Income
|
|
|
(0.38
|
)
|
|
|
(0.43
|
)
|
|
|
(0.39
|
)
|
Total Distributions
|
|
|
(0.38
|
)
|
|
|
(0.43
|
)
|
|
|
(0.39
|
)
|
Net Asset Value, End of Period
|
|
$21.60
|
|
|
$20.82
|
|
|
$25.70
|
|
|||
Total Return
|
|
|
5.68
|
%
|
|
|
-17.60
|
%
|
|
|
4.54
|
%
(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets at End of Period (000’s)
|
|
$583,078
|
|
|
$616,410
|
|
|
$758,098
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RATIOS TO AVERAGE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET ASSETS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses to Average Net Assets
|
|
|
0.68
|
%
|
|
|
0.71
|
%
|
|
|
0.75
|
%
(4)
|
Net Investment Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
to Average Net Assets
|
|
|
2.25
|
%
|
|
|
1.85
|
%
|
|
|
2.59
|
%
(4)
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate
(5)
|
|
|
106
|
%
|
|
|
43
|
%
|
|
|
59
|
%
(3)
|
(1)
|
Commencement of operations on October 29, 2013.
|
(2)
|
Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
|
(3)
|
Not annualized.
|
(4)
|
Annualized.
|
(5)
|
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions.
|
Adviser
|
Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC
10900 Hefner Pointe Drive
Suite 207
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73120
|
Sub-Adviser
|
Vident Investment Advisory, LLC
300 Colonial Center Parkway, Suite 330
Roswell, GA 30076
|
||
Custodian
|
U.S. Bank National Association
1555 N. Rivercenter Dr.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
|
Distributor
|
Quasar Distributors, LLC
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
|
||
Legal Counsel
|
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004-2541
|
Index Provider
|
Vident Financial, LLC
300 Colonial Center Parkway, Suite 150
Roswell, GA 30076
|
||
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
Cohen & Company, Ltd.
1350 Euclid Ave, Suite 800
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
|
Transfer Agent, Fund Accountant and Administrator
|
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
|
Call:
|
1-800-617-0004
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Central time)
|
Write:
|
Vident Funds
c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
|
|
Visit:
|
www.videntfinancialsolutions.com
|
|
|
2
|
|
2
|
|
3
|
|
13
|
|
14
|
|
15
|
|
15
|
|
19
|
|
20
|
|
20
|
|
21
|
|
22
|
|
23
|
|
24
|
|
24
|
|
24
|
|
24
|
|
24
|
|
25
|
|
25
|
|
27
|
|
27
|
|
33
|
|
33
|
|
33
|
|
40
|
|
A-1
|
|
B-1
|
1.
|
Concentrate its investments (
i.e.
, hold more than 25% of its total assets) in any industry or group of related industries, except that the Fund will concentrate to approximately the same extent that the Index concentrates in the securities of such particular industry or group of related industries. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities), repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities and securities of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions are not considered to be issued by members of any industry.
|
2.
|
Borrow money or issue senior securities (as defined under the 1940 Act), except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act.
|
3.
|
Make loans, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act.
|
4.
|
Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act. This shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate, real estate investment trusts or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business.
|
5.
|
Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act. This shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing or selling options and futures contracts or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities.
|
6.
|
Underwrite securities issued by other persons, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act.
|
1.
|
Purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 25% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of companies whose principal business activities are in the same industry, except that the Fund will invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities of the same industry to approximately the same extent that the Fund’s underlying Index concentrates in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries.
|
2.
|
Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act.
|
3.
|
Borrow money, except as permitted under the 1940 Act.
|
4.
|
Lend any security or make any other loan except as permitted under the 1940 Act. This means that no more than 33
1
/
3
% of its total assets would be lent to other parties. This limitation does not apply to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase agreements, or to acquisitions of loans, loan participations or other forms of debt instruments, permissible under the Fund’s investment policies.
|
5.
|
Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate, real estate investment trusts or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business).
|
6.
|
Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing or selling options and futures contracts or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities).
|
7.
|
Act as an underwriter of another issuer’s securities, except to the extent that the Fund may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act in the disposition of portfolio securities.
|
1.
|
The Fund will not hold illiquid assets in excess of 15% of its net assets. An illiquid asset is any asset which may not be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the investment.
|
2.
|
The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending), in the component securities of the Index.
|
1.
|
Each Fund has adopted a non-fundamental investment policy in accordance with Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in the types of securities suggested by the Fund’s name, including investments that are tied economically to the particular country or geographic region suggested by the Fund’s name. If, subsequent to an investment, the 80% requirement is no longer met, the Fund’s future investments will be made in a manner that will bring the Fund into compliance with this policy.
|
2.
|
Each Fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets, computed at the time of investment, in illiquid securities. An illiquid asset is any asset that may not be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the investment.
|
Name and
Year of Birth |
Position
Held with
the Trust
|
Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served
|
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years |
Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustee
|
Other Directorships
Held by Trustee
During Past 5 Years
|
Independent Trustees
|
|||||
Leonard M. Rush, CPA
Born: 1946
|
Lead Independent Trustee and Audit Committee Chairman
|
Indefinite term;
since 2012
|
Retired; formerly Chief Financial Officer, Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated (2000–2011).
|
15
|
Independent Trustee, Managed Portfolio Series (36 portfolios); Director, Anchor Bancorp Wisconsin, Inc. (2011–2013).
|
Ronald T. Beckman, CPA
Born: 1947
|
Trustee and Nominating Committee Chairman
|
Indefinite term;
since 2012
|
Retired; formerly Audit Partner specializing in investment management, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (1972–2004).
|
15
|
None
|
David A. Massart
Born: 1967
|
Trustee
|
Indefinite term;
since 2012
|
Co-Founder and Chief Investment Strategist, Next Generation Wealth Management, Inc. (since 2005).
|
15
|
Independent Trustee, Managed Portfolio Series (36 portfolios).
|
Interested Trustee
|
|||||
Michael A. Castino
Born: 1967
|
Trustee and Chairman
|
Indefinite term; Trustee since 2014; Chairman since 2013
|
Senior Vice President, USBFS (since 2013); Managing Director of Index Services, Zacks Investment Management (2011–2013).
|
15
|
None
|
Name and
Year of Birth |
Position(s) Held with
the Trust
|
Term of Office
and Length of Time
Served
|
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years |
Paul R. Fearday, CPA
Born: 1979
|
President and Assistant
Treasurer
|
Indefinite term; President and Assistant Treasurer since 2014 (other roles since 2013)
|
Senior Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (since 2008); Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (accounting firm) (2002–2008).
|
Michael D. Barolsky, Esq.
Born: 1981
|
Vice President and
Secretary
|
Indefinite term; since 2014 (other roles since 2013)
|
Vice President, USBFS (since 2012); Associate, Thompson Hine LLP (law firm) (2008–2012).
|
James R. Butz
Born: 1982
|
Chief Compliance
Officer
|
Indefinite term; since 2015
|
Senior Vice President, USBFS (since 2015); Vice President, USBFS (2014-2015); Assistant Vice President, USBFS (2011-2014).
|
Kristen M. Weitzel, CPA
Born: 1977
|
Treasurer
|
Indefinite term; since 2014 (other roles since 2013)
|
Vice President, USBFS (since 2015); Assistant Vice President, USBFS (2011-2015); Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (accounting firm) (2005–2011).
|
Stacie L. Lamb, Esq.
Born: 1982
|
Assistant Secretary
|
Indefinite term; since 2015
|
Assistant Vice President, USBFS (since 2013); Compliance Representative, Quasar Distributors, LLC (2011-2013).
|
Name
|
Aggregate Compensation
From Fund
|
Total Compensation From Fund
Complex Paid to Trustees
|
Interested Trustee
|
||
Michael A. Castino
|
$0
|
$0
|
Independent Trustees
|
||
Ronald T. Beckman, CPA
|
$0
|
$39,500
|
David A. Massart
|
$0
|
$39,500
|
Leonard M. Rush, CPA
|
$0
|
$44,500
|
Name and Address
|
Number of Shares
|
% Ownership
|
Type of Ownership
|
National Financial Services, LLC
200 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10281
|
17,173,302
|
97.58%
|
Record
|
Ronald Blue & Company, LLC
300 Colonial Center Parkway
Suite 300
Roswell, GA 30076
(a Georgia Limited Liability Company)
|
17,138,184
|
97.38%
|
Beneficial
|
Name and Address
|
Number of Shares
|
% Ownership
|
Type of Ownership
|
National Financial Services, LLC
200 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10281
|
25,076,691
|
95.71%
|
Record
|
Ronald Blue & Company, LLC
300 Colonial Center Parkway
Suite 300
Roswell, GA 30076
(a Georgia Limited Liability Company)
|
24,926,853
|
95.14%
|
Beneficial
|
Name and Address
|
Number of Shares
|
% Ownership
|
Type of Ownership
|
National Financial Services, LLC
200 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10281
|
9,462,708
|
97.55%
|
Record
|
Ronald Blue & Company, LLC
300 Colonial Center Parkway
Suite 300
Roswell, GA 30076
(a Georgia Limited Liability Company)
|
9,455,893
|
97.48%
|
Beneficial
|
Name of Fund
|
Management Fee
|
Vident Core U.S. Bond Strategy ETF
|
0.45%
|
Vident Core U.S. Equity Fund
|
0.55%
|
Vident International Equity Fund
|
0.68%
|
Name of Fund
|
2016
|
2015
|
2014
|
Vident Core U.S. Bond Strategy ETF
|
$1,900,061
|
$1,430,972
(1)
|
N/A
|
Vident Core U.S. Equity Fund
|
$2,349,122
|
$1,694,140
|
$
322,007
(2)
|
Vident International Equity Fund
|
$3,846,212
|
$5,214,393
|
$
3,782,395
(3)
|
Name of Fund
|
2016
|
2015
|
2014
|
Vident Core U.S. Bond Strategy ETF
|
$276,510
|
$211,587
(1)
|
N/A
|
Vident Core U.S. Equity Fund
|
$210,412
|
$140,150
(2)
|
$16,949
(3)
|
Vident International Equity Fund
|
$509,942
|
$634,101
(4)
|
$442,051
(5)
|
(1) | For the fiscal period October 15, 2014 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2015. For the period October 15, 2014 through April 14, 2015, Mellon Capital earned $105,321, and for the period April 15, 2015 through August 31, 2015, VIA earned $106,266. |
(2) | For the period September 1, 2014 through December 8, 2014, IMS earned $19,658, and for the period December 9, 2015 through August 31, 2015, VIA earned $120,492. |
(3) | For the fiscal period January 21, 2014 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2014, IMS earned $16,949. |
(4) | For the period September 1, 2014 through April 7, 2015, Mellon Capital earned $376,969, and for the period April 8, 2015 through August 31, 2015, VIA earned $257,132. |
(5) | For the fiscal period October 29, 2013 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2014, Mellon Capital earned $442,051. |
Portfolio Manager
|
Registered
Investment Companies
|
Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
|
Other Accounts
|
|||
Number of
Accounts
|
Total Assets in
the Accounts
|
Number of
Accounts
|
Total Assets in
the Accounts
|
Number of
Accounts
|
Total Assets in
the Accounts
|
|
Denise M. Krisko, CFA
|
16
|
$417,630,000
|
1
|
$12,940,000
|
0
|
$0
|
Jim Iredale
|
0
|
$0
|
0
|
$0
|
50
|
$103,588,000
|
Betty S. Tong
|
1
|
$96,900,000
|
0
|
$0
|
0
|
$0
|
Name of Fund
|
2016
|
2015
|
2014
|
Vident Core U.S. Bond Strategy ETF
|
$270,798
|
$223,601
(1)
|
N/A
|
Vident Core U.S. Equity Fund
|
$267,245
|
$223,002
|
$52,564
(2)
|
Vident International Equity Fund
|
$344,800
|
$443,135
|
$281,384
(3)
|
Name of Fund
|
2016
|
2015
|
2014
|
Vident Core U.S. Bond Strategy ETF
|
$0
|
$732
(1)
|
N/A
|
Vident Core U.S. Equity Fund
|
$651,277
|
$507,818
|
$44,193
(2)
|
Vident International Equity Fund
|
$723,300
|
$309,266
|
$92,336
(3)
|
Name of Fund
|
Name of Regular Broker or
Dealer (or Parent)
|
Value of Securities Owned as of
August 31, 2016
|
Vident Core U.S. Bond Strategy ETF
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Vident Core U.S. Equity Fund
|
KCG Holdings, Inc.
|
$1,601,320
|
Vident International Equity Fund
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Name of Fund
|
Fixed Creation Transaction Fee
|
Maximum Variable Transaction Fee
|
Vident Core U.S. Bond Strategy ETF
|
$750
|
3%
|
Vident Core U.S. Equity Fund
|
$750
|
2%
|
Vident International Equity Fund
|
$5,000
|
2%
|
Name of Fund
|
Fixed Redemption Transaction Fee
|
Maximum Variable Transaction Fee
|
Vident Core U.S. Bond Strategy ETF
|
$750
|
3%
|
Vident Core U.S. Equity Fund
|
$750
|
2%
|
Vident International Equity Fund
|
$5,000
|
2%
|
New Year’s Day
|
January 2, 2017
|
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
|
January 16, 2017
|
Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day)
|
February 20, 2017
|
Good Friday
|
April 14, 2017
|
Memorial Day
|
May 29, 2017
|
Independence Day *
|
July 4, 2017
|
Labor Day
|
September 4, 2017
|
Thanksgiving Day *
|
November 23, 2017*
|
Christmas Day
|
December 25, 2017
|
Israel
|
|
|
|
March 24
|
May 12
|
October 11
|
October 23
|
April 25
|
May 13
|
October 12
|
October 24
|
April 26
|
June 12
|
October 16
|
December 25
|
April 27
|
August 14
|
October 17
|
|
April 28
|
October 2
|
October 18
|
|
April 29
|
October 3
|
October 19
|
|
May 11
|
October 4
|
October 20
|
|
The Israeli market is closed every Friday.
|
|||
|
|
|
|
Italy
|
|
|
|
January 1
|
March 28
|
June 9
|
December 8
|
January 6
|
April 25
|
August 15
|
December 26
|
March 25
|
June 2
|
November 1
|
|
|
|
|
|
Japan
|
|
|
|
January 1
|
April 29
|
July 18
|
October 10
|
January 11
|
May 3
|
August 11
|
November 23
|
February 11
|
May 4
|
September 19
|
December 23
|
March 21
|
May 5
|
September 22
|
|
|
|
|
|
Malaysia
|
|||
January 1
|
May 1
|
September 16
|
December 25
|
February 1
|
August 31
|
||
Mexico
|
|||
January 1
|
April 13
|
September 16
|
December 12
|
February 6
|
April 15
|
November 2
|
December 25
|
March 20
|
May 1
|
November 20
|
|
Netherlands
|
|
|
|
January 1
|
March 28
|
May 5
|
May 16
|
March 25
|
April 27
|
May 12
|
December 26
|
|
|
|
|
New Zealand
|
|
|
|
January 1
|
February 1
|
March 28
|
December 26
|
January 4
|
March 24
|
May 5
|
|
January 25
|
March 25
|
October 21
|
|
|
|
||
Norway
|
|
|
|
January 1
|
March 25
|
May 5
|
May 17
|
March 23
|
March 28
|
May 16
|
December 26
|
March 24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peru
|
|||
January 1
|
May 1
|
July 29
|
November 1
|
April 13
|
June 29
|
August 30
|
December 8
|
April 14
|
July 28
|
October 8
|
December 25
|
Philippines
|
|||
January 1
|
April 14
|
August 28
|
December 25
|
April 9
|
May 1
|
November 1
|
December 30
|
April 13
|
June 12
|
November 30
|
December 31
|
Poland
|
|||
January 1
|
May 1
|
November 1
|
December 26
|
January 6
|
May 3
|
November 11
|
|
April 14
|
June 15
|
December 24
|
|
April 17
|
August 15
|
December 25
|
|
Portugal
|
|||
January 1
|
April 25
|
August 15
|
December 8
|
February 9
|
May 26
|
October 5
|
December 26
|
March 25
|
June 10
|
November 1
|
|
March 28
|
June 13
|
December 1
|
|
Russia
|
|||
January 1
|
February 23
|
May 9
|
November 6
|
January 2
|
March 8
|
June 12
|
|
January 7
|
May 1
|
||
Singapore
|
|
|
|
January 1
|
May 2
|
July 7
|
October 29
|
February 8
|
May 21
|
August 9
|
October 31
|
February 9
|
May 23
|
September 12
|
December 26
|
March 25
|
July 6
|
September 13
|
|
|
|
|
|
South Africa
|
|||
January 1
|
April 17
|
August 9
|
December 25
|
January 2
|
April 27
|
September 24
|
December 26
|
March 21
|
May 1
|
September 25
|
|
April 14
|
June 16
|
December 16
|
|
South Korea
|
|
|
|
January 1
|
March 1
|
June 6
|
October 3
|
January 4
|
April 5
|
August 15
|
November 10
|
February 8
|
April 13
|
September 14
|
December 30
|
February 9
|
April 14
|
September 15
|
|
February 10
|
May 5
|
September 16
|
|
Spain
|
|
|
|
January 1
|
April 8
|
July 25
|
November 1
|
January 6
|
April 12
|
August 15
|
November 9
|
March 24
|
May 2
|
August 16
|
December 6
|
March 25
|
May 3
|
September 9
|
December 8
|
March 28
|
May 26
|
October 12
|
December 26
|
|
|
|
|
Sweden
|
|
|
|
January 1
|
March 24
|
May 4
|
June 24
|
January 5
|
March 25
|
May 5
|
November 4
|
January 6
|
March 28
|
June 6
|
December 26
|
|
|
|
|
Switzerland
|
|
|
|
January 1
|
May 5
|
August 1
|
December 8
|
January 6
|
May 16
|
August 15
|
December 26
|
March 25
|
May 26
|
September 8
|
|
March 28
|
June 29
|
November 1
|
|
|
|
|
|
Taiwan
|
|||
January 2
|
January 31
|
April 3
|
June 3
|
January 25
|
February 1
|
April 4
|
September 30
|
January 26
|
February 18
|
May 1
|
October 4
|
January 27
|
February 27
|
May 29
|
October 10
|
January 30
|
February 28
|
May 30
|
|
Thailand
|
|||
January 2
|
April 14
|
May 10
|
October 23
|
February 11
|
April 15
|
July 1
|
December 5
|
April 6
|
May 1
|
July 10
|
December 11
|
April 13
|
May 5
|
August 14
|
|
Turkey
|
|||
January 1
|
May 1
|
August 30
|
October 29
|
April 23
|
May 19
|
||
United Kingdom
|
|
|
|
January 1
|
May 2
|
December 23
|
December 30
|
March 25
|
May 30
|
December 26
|
|
March 28
|
August 29
|
December 27
|
|
|
Beginning of Settlement Period
|
End of Settlement Period
|
Number of Days in Settlement Period
|
Japan
|
04/28/2017
|
05/08/2017
|
9
|
|
5/1/2017
|
5/9/2017
|
8
|
|
5/2/2017
|
5/10/2017
|
8
|
I.
|
Election of Board of Directors
|
·
|
Exchange Traded Concepts will generally vote in support of management’s nominees for the board of directors; however, Exchange Traded Concepts may choose not to support management’s proposed board if circumstances warrant such consideration.
|
II.
|
Appointment of Independent Auditors
|
·
|
Exchange Traded Concepts will support the recommendation of the respective corporation’s board of directors.
|
III.
|
Issues of Corporate Structure and Shareholder Rights
|
·
|
Proposals may originate from either management or shareholders, and among other things, may request revisions to the corporate bylaws that will affect shareholder ownership rights. Exchange Traded Concepts does not generally support obstacles erected by corporations to prevent mergers or takeovers with the view that such actions may depress the corporation’s marketplace value.
|
·
|
Exchange Traded Concepts supports the following types of corporate structure and shareholder rights proposals:
|
o
|
Management proposals for approval of stock repurchase programs, stock splits (including reverse splits)
|
|
o
|
Authorization to increase shares outstanding
|
|
o
|
The ability of shareholders to vote on shareholder rights plans (poison pills)
|
|
o
|
Shareholder rights to eliminate or remove supermajority provisions
|
|
o
|
Shareholder rights to call special meetings and to act by written consent
|
·
|
Exchange Traded Concepts votes against management on the following items which have potentially substantial financial or best interest impact:
|
o
|
Capitalization changes that add “blank check” classes of stock or classes that dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders which are contrary to the best interest of existing shareholders, anti-takeover and related provisions that serve to prevent the majority of shareholders from exercising their rights or effectively deter appropriate tender offers and other offers
|
|
o
|
Amendments to bylaws which would require super-majority shareholder votes to pass or repeal certain provisions
|
|
o
|
Elimination of shareholders’ right to call special meetings
|
|
o
|
Establishment of classified boards of directors
|
|
o
|
Reincorporation in a state which has more stringent anti-takeover and related provisions
|
|
o
|
Shareholder rights plans that allow the board of directors to block appropriate offers to shareholders or which trigger provisions preventing legitimate offers from proceeding
|
|
o
|
Excessive compensation
|
|
o
|
Change-in-control provisions in non-salary compensation plans, employment contracts, and severance agreements which benefit management and would be costly to shareholders if triggered
|
|
o
|
Adjournment of meeting to solicit additional votes
|
|
o
|
“Other business as properly comes before the meeting” proposals which extend “blank check” powers to those acting as proxy
|
|
o
|
Proposals requesting re-election of insiders or affiliated directors who serve on audit, compensation, and nominating committees
|
IV.
|
Mergers and Acquisitions
|
·
|
Against offers with potentially damaging consequences for minority shareholders because of illiquid stock, especially in some non-US markets
|
·
|
For offers that concur with index calculators’ treatment and the ability to meet the clients’ return objectives for passive funds
|
·
|
For proposals to restructure or liquidate closed end investment funds in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value
|
V.
|
Executive and Director Equity-Based Compensation
|
·
|
Exchange Traded Concepts is generally in favor of properly constructed equity-based compensation arrangements. Exchange Traded Concepts will support proposals that provide management with the ability to implement compensation arrangements that are both fair and competitive.
|
VI.
|
Corporate Social and Policy Issues
|
·
|
Proposals usually originate from shareholders and may require a revision of certain business practices and policies.
|
(a)
|
(i)
|
Certificate of Trust dated February 9, 2012 of ETF Series Solutions (the “Trust” or the “Registrant”) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(i) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on February 17, 2012.
|
|
(ii)
|
Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated February 17, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(ii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on February 17, 2012.
|
||
(b)
|
Registrant’s Amended and Restated Bylaws dated August 18, 2014, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on September 8, 2014.
|
||
(c)
|
Not applicable.
|
||
(d)
|
(i)
|
(A)
|
Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC dated December 23, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(i)(A) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on July 6, 2015.
|
(B)
|
Amended Schedule A to Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(i)( B) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on September 18, 2015.
|
||
(C)
|
Amended Schedule A to Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC (for Aerospace & Defense ETF, Drone ETF and Whetstone Energy Infrastructure ETF) – to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
||
(ii) | Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC and Mellon Capital Management Corporation dated December 23, 2014 – to be filed by subsequent amendment. | ||
(iii)
|
Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC and Penserra Capital Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(v) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on December 31, 2014.
|
||
(iv)
|
(A)
|
Sub-Advisory Agreement between Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC and Vident Investment Advisory, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(iv)(A) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on July 6, 2015.
|
|
(B)
|
Amended Schedule A to Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC and Vident Investment Advisory, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(iv)(B) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on September 18, 2015.
|
||
(C)
|
Amended Schedule A to Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC and Vident Investment Advisory, LLC (for Aerospace & Defense ETF and Drone ETF) – to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
||
(v)
|
Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and Validea Capital Management, LLC, dated November 17, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(vii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on December 5, 2014.
|
||
(vi)
|
Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc., dated February 19, 2015 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(vii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on March 17, 2015.
|
||
(vii)
|
(A)
|
Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and U.S. Global Investors, Inc. dated February 19, 2015 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(vii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on April 22, 2015.
|
|
(B)
|
Amended Schedule A to Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and U.S. Global Investors, Inc. – to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
||
(viii)
|
Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and AlphaMark Advisors, LLC dated February 19, 2015 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(viii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on April 20, 2015.
|
||
(ix)
|
(A)
|
Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and AlphaClone, Inc. dated September 28, 2015 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(x) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on October 23, 2015.
|
|
(B)
|
Amended Schedule A to Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and AlphaClone, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(ix)(B) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on July 26, 2016.
|
(x)
|
Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between AlphaClone, Inc. and Vident Investment Advisory, LLC dated September 28, 2015 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(xi) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on October 23, 2015.
|
||
(xi)
|
Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and Aptus Capital Advisors, LLC dated February 18, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(xi) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on June 21, 2016.
|
||
(xii)
|
Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Aptus Capital Advisors, LLC and Penserra Capital Management LLC dated February 18, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(xii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on June 21, 2016.
|
||
(xiii)
|
Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and Premise Capital, LLC dated April 14, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(xiii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on July 22, 2016.
|
||
(xiv)
|
Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and CSat Investment Advisory, L.P., d/b/a ACSI Funds, dated July 14, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(xiv) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on August 5, 2016.
|
||
(xv)
|
Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and SerenityShares Investments LLC – to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
||
(xvi)
|
Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between SerenityShares Investments LLC and Vident Investment Advisory, LLC – to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
||
(e)
|
(i)
|
Distribution Agreement between the Trust and Quasar Distributors, LLC (AlphaClone Alternative Alpha ETF) dated May 16, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(i) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on May 23, 2012.
|
|
(ii)
|
(A)
|
Distribution Agreement between the Trust and Quasar Distributors, LLC (Vident ETFs) dated August 22, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(ii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on September 5, 2013.
|
|
(B)
|
Amended Schedule A to Distribution Agreement between the Trust and Quasar Distributors, LLC (Vident ETFs) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(ii)(B) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on October 14, 2014.
|
||
(iii)
|
Distribution Agreement between the Trust and Quasar Distributors, LLC (Deep Value ETF) dated July 31, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(iii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on September 8, 2014.
|
||
(iv)
|
Distribution Agreement between the Trust and Quasar Distributors, LLC (Validea Market Legends ETF) dated November 17, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(v) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on December 5, 2014.
|
||
(v)
|
Distribution Agreement between the Trust and Quasar Distributors, LLC (Master Income ETF) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(vii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on December 31, 2014.
|
||
(vi)
|
Distribution Agreement between the Trust and Quasar Distributors, LLC (Diamond Hill Valuation-Weighted 500 ETF) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(vii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on March 17, 2015.
|
||
(vii)
|
(A)
|
Distribution Agreement between the Trust and Quasar Distributors, LLC (U.S. Global Jets ETF) dated February 19, 2015 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(vii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on April 22, 2015.
|
|
(B)
|
Amended Schedule A to Distribution Agreement between the Trust and Quasar Distributors, LLC (U.S. Global ETFs) – to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
||
(viii)
|
Distribution Agreement between the Trust and Quasar Distributors, LLC (AlphaMark Actively Managed Small Cap ETF) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(ix) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on April 20, 2015.
|
||
(ix)
|
Distribution Agreement between the Trust and Quasar Distributors, LLC (Loncar Cancer Immunotherapy ETF) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(xi) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on September 18, 2015.
|
||
(x)
|
Distribution Agreement between the Trust and Quasar Distributors, LLC (AlphaClone ETFs) dated August 17, 2015 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(xii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on October 23, 2015.
|
||
(xi)
|
Distribution Agreement between the Trust and Quasar Distributors, LLC (Aerospace & Defense ETF and Drone ETF) – to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
(h)
|
(i)
|
(A)
|
Fund Administration Servicing Agreement between the Trust and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC dated May 16, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(i) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on May 23, 2012.
|
(B)
|
Amended Exhibit B (AlphaClone ETFs) and Exhibit C (Loncar Cancer Immunotherapy ETF to Fund Administration Servicing Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(i)(B) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on September 18, 2015.
|
||
(C)
|
Amended Exhibit D (Vident Funds) to Fund Administration Servicing Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(i)(B) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on October 14, 2014.
|
||
(D)
|
Exhibit E (Deep Value ETF) to Fund Administration Servicing Agreement, dated July 31, 2014 are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(i)(C) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on September 8, 2014.
|
||
(E)
|
Exhibit G (Validea Market Legends ETF) to Fund Administration Servicing Agreement dated November 17, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(i)(D) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on December 5, 2014.
|
||
(F)
|
Exhibit H (Diamond Hill Valuation-Weighted 500 ETF) to Fund Administration Servicing Agreement dated February 19, 2015 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(i)(E) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on March 17, 2015.
|
||
(G)
|
Exhibit I (Master Income ETF) to Fund Administration Servicing Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(i)(F) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on December 31, 2014.
|
||
(H)(1)
|
Exhibit J (U.S. Global ETFs) to Fund Administration Servicing Agreement dated February 19, 2015 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(i)(G) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on April 22, 2015.
|
||
(H)(2)
|
Amended Exhibit J (U.S. Global ETFs) to Fund Administration Servicing Agreement – to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
||
(I)
|
Exhibit K (AlphaMark Actively Managed Small Cap ETF) to Fund Administration Servicing Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(i)(H) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on April 20, 2015.
|
||
(J)
|
Exhibit M (Aptus Behavioral Momentum ETF) to Fund Administration Servicing Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(i)(J) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on June 21, 2016.
|
||
(K)
|
Exhibit O (Premise Capital Frontier Advantage Diversified Tactical ETF) to Fund Administration Servicing Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(i)(K) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on July 22, 2016.
|
||
(L)
|
Exhibit N (American Customer Satisfaction Index ETF) to Fund Administration Servicing Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(i)(L) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on August 5, 2016.
|
||
(M)
|
Exhibit to Fund Administration Servicing Agreement (Aerospace & Defense ETF and Drone ETF) – to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
||
(N)
|
Exhibit to Fund Administration Servicing Agreement (Whetstone Energy Infrastructure ETF) – to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
||
(O)
|
Exhibit to Fund Administration Servicing Agreement (SerenityShares ETFs) – to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
||
(ii)
|
(A)
|
Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement between the Trust and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC dated May 16, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(ii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on May 23, 2012.
|
|
(B)
|
Amended Exhibit A (AlphaClone ETFs) and Amended Exhibit B (Loncar Cancer Immunotherapy ETF) to Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(ii)(B) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on September 18, 2015.
|
||
(C)
|
Amended Exhibit C (Vident Funds) to Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(ii)(B) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on October 14, 2014.
|
||
(D)
|
Exhibit D (Deep Value ETF) to Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement, dated July 31, 2014 are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(ii)(C) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on September 8, 2014.
|
(E)
|
Exhibit F (Validea Market Legends ETF) to Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement dated November 17, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(ii)(D) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on December 5, 2014.
|
||
(F)
|
Exhibit G (Diamond Hill Valuation-Weighted 500 ETF) to Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement dated February 19, 2015 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(ii)(E) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on March 17, 2015.
|
||
(G)
|
Exhibit H (Master Income ETF) to Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(ii)(F) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on December 31, 2014.
|
||
(H)(1)
|
Amended Exhibit I (U.S. Global ETFs) to Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement dated February 19, 2015 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(ii)(G) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on April 22, 2015.
|
||
(H)(2)
|
Amended Exhibit I (U.S. Global ETFs) to Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement – to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
||
(I)
|
Exhibit J (AlphaMark Actively Managed Small Cap ETF) to Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(ii)(H) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on April 20, 2015.
|
||
(J)
|
Exhibit L (Aptus Behavioral Momentum ETF) to Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(ii)(J) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on June 21, 2016.
|
||
(K)
|
Exhibit N (Premise Capital Frontier Advantage Diversified Tactical ETF) to Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(ii)(K) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on July 22, 2016.
|
||
(L)
|
Exhibit M (American Customer Satisfaction Index ETF) to Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(ii)(L) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on August 5, 2016.
|
||
(M)
|
Exhibit to Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement (Aerospace & Defense ETF and Drone ETF) – to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
||
(N)
|
Exhibit to Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement (Whetstone Energy Infrastructure ETF) – to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
||
(O)
|
Exhibit to Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement (SerenityShares ETFs) – to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
||
(iii)
|
(A)
|
Transfer Agent Agreement between the Trust and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC dated May 16, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(ii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on May 23, 2012.
|
|
(B)
|
Amendment dated July 1, 2015 to Transfer Agent Agreement between the Trust and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(iii)(B) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on July 6, 2015.
|
||
(C)
|
Amended Exhibit A (AlphaClone ETFs) and Amended Exhibit B (Loncar Cancer Immunotherapy ETF) to Transfer Agent Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(iii)(C) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on September 18, 2015.
|
||
(D)
|
Amended Exhibit C (Vident Funds) to Transfer Agent Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(iii)(B) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on October 14, 2014.
|
||
(E)
|
Exhibit D (Deep Value ETF) to Transfer Agent Agreement, dated July 31, 2014 are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(iii)(C) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on September 8, 2014.
|
||
(F)
|
Exhibit F (Validea Market Legends ETF) to Transfer Agent Agreement dated November 17, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(iii)(D) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on December 5, 2014.
|
||
(G)
|
Exhibit G (Diamond Hill Valuation-Weighted 500 ETF) to Transfer Agent Agreement dated February 19, 2015 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(iii)(E) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on March 17, 2015.
|
||
(H)
|
Exhibit H (Master Income ETF) to Transfer Agent Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(iii)(F) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on December 31, 2014.
|
(p)
|
(i)
|
Code of Ethics for the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(i) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on May 23, 2012.
|
|
(ii)
|
Code of Ethics for Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC dated December 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(ii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on December 20, 2016.
|
||
(iii)
|
Code of Ethics for Quasar Distributors, LLC dated March 17, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(iv) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on May 23, 2014.
|
||
(iv)
|
Code of Ethics for Mellon Capital Management Corporation dated March 12, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(iv) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on September 5, 2013.
|
||
(v)
|
Code of Ethics for Validea Capital Management, LLC – is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(v) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on March 14, 2016.
|
||
(vi)
|
Code of Ethics for Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(vi) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on March 17, 2015.
|
||
(vii)
|
Code of Ethics for Penserra Capital Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(viii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on December 31, 2014.
|
||
(viii)
|
Code of Ethics for Vident Investment Advisory, LLC dated October 31, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(ix) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on December 30, 2014.
|
||
(ix)
|
Code of Ethics for U.S. Global Investors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(ix) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on April 22, 2015.
|
||
(x)
|
Code of Ethics for AlphaMark Advisors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(x) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed April 20, 2015.
|
||
(xi)
|
Code of Ethics for AlphaClone, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(xii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on October 23, 2015.
|
||
(xii)
|
Code of Ethics for Aptus Capital Advisors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(xii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on March 17, 2016.
|
||
(xiii)
|
Code of Ethics for Premise Capital, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(xiii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on July 22, 2016.
|
||
(xiv)
|
Code of Ethics for CSat Investment Advisory L.P., d/b/a ACSI Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(xiv) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on August 5, 2016.
|
||
(xiv)
|
Code of Ethics for SerenityShares Investments, LLC – to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
(b)
|
To the best of Registrant’s knowledge, the directors and executive officers of Quasar Distributors, LLC are as follows:
|
Records Relating to:
|
Are located at:
|
Registrant’s Fund Administrator, Fund Accountant and Transfer Agent
|
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
615 East Michigan Street, 3
rd
Floor
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
|
Registrant’s Custodian
|
U.S. Bank, National Association
1555 N. Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
|
Registrant’s Principal Underwriter
|
Quasar Distributors, LLC
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
|
Records Relating to:
|
Are located at:
|
Signature
|
Title
|
*
/s/ Ronald T. Beckman
|
Trustee
|
Ronald T. Beckman
|
|
*/s/ David A. Massart
|
Trustee
|
David A. Massart
|
|
*
/s/ Leonard M. Rush
|
Trustee
|
Leonard M. Rush
|
|
*/s/ Michael A. Castino
|
Trustee
|
Michael A. Castino
|
|
*/s/ Paul R. Fearday
|
President
|
Paul R. Fearday
|
|
*/s/ Kristen M. Weitzel
|
Treasurer
|
Kristen M. Weitzel
|
|
*By:
/s/ Michael D. Barolsky
Michael D. Barolsky, Attorney-in-Fact
pursuant to Powers of Attorney
|
Exhibit
Number
|
Description
|
|
(
h)(vii
)
|
Securities Lending
Agreement
|
|
(j)
|
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
1.
|
Definitions
. For purposes hereof:
|
(a)
|
"Borrower" shall be, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, one or more (i) broker-dealers registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act"); (ii) broker-dealers exempt from registration under 15(a)(l) of the 1934 Act as a dealer in exempted Government Securities, or (iii) bank(s), with which the Bank or one of its agents has established a securities lending agreement whereby Borrower may borrow Securities and which the Customer has expressly approved in accordance with the last sentence of this paragraph. Such potential Borrowers are listed in
Exhibit B
attached hereto and made a part hereof. Borrowers may be added to or deleted from
Exhibit B
by (i) the Customer by means of written notice delivered by the Customer to the Bank, or (ii) written notice delivered by the Bank to the Customer which is confirmed by the Customer via letter, fax or e-mail.
|
(b)
|
"Borrower Agreement" shall have the meaning provided such term in Section 3(a) hereof.
|
(c)
|
"Borrower Rebate Fee" shall have the meaning provided such term in Section 3(b) hereof.
|
(d)
|
"Business Day" shall mean, with respect to any Loan hereunder, a day on which regular trading occurs in the principal market for the Loaned Securities subject to such Loan, provided, however, that for purposes of determining the Market Value of any Securities hereunder, such term shall mean a day on which regular trading occurs in the
|
(e)
|
"Cash Collateral" shall mean cash denominated in United States dollars.
|
(f)
|
"Close of Trading" shall mean, with respect to any Security, the end of the primary trading session established by the principal market for such Security on a Business Day.
|
(g)
|
"Collateral" shall be assets which the Bank shall receive from Borrower(s) to secure Loans on behalf of a Customer in the form of (i) Cash Collateral, which may be conve1ied into Collateral Investments upon the direction of Customer, and any Proceeds derived therefrom, (ii) securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government or its agencies, or (iii) irrevocable bank letters of credit issued by a person other than the Borrower or an affiliate thereof, or equivalent obligation denominated in United States dollars.
|
(h)
|
"Collateral Account" shall mean the segregated account with U.S. Bank managed and maintained by U.S. Bank on behalf of the Customers and designated as a collateral account for the benefit of the Customers on the records of U.S. Bank for the purpose of holding uninvested Collateral and Proceeds and Collateral Investments for Customers. Each Customer's specific interest in the Collateral Account shall at all times be separately calculable in the records of U.S. Bank. U.S. Bank may pool the Collateral received on behalf of its separate Customers, but may not commingle the Collateral of the Customers with the assets of any other clients or customers of U.S. Bank.
|
(i)
|
"Collateral Investments" shall mean any investment instrument, as agreed upon in writing by Bank and Customer from time to time, in which Collateral and Proceeds may be invested under this Agreement.
|
(k)
|
"Foreign Securities" shall mean Securities that are principally cleared and settled outside the United States.
|
(l)
|
"Investment Company Act" shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
|
(m)
|
"Government Securities" shall mean government securities as defined in Section 3(a)(42)(A)-(C) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
|
(n)
|
"Loaned Securities" shall be those Securities which are loaned to the Borrower(s) by the Bank, securities identical to such Securities, or securities equivalent to such loaned securities in the event of a reorganization, recapitalization or merger affecting the originally loaned securities.
|
(o)
|
"Loans" shall be the lending of Securities to Borrower(s).
|
(p)
|
"Margin Percentage" shall mean, with respect to any Loan as of any date, a percentage agreed to by the Borrower and the Bank, provided that in no event shall the Margin Percentage be less than (i) 105% of the Market Value of any Loaned Securities that are Foreign Securities and (ii) 102% of the Market Value of any other Loaned Securities.
|
(q)
|
"Mark to Market" shall be the procedure whereby the Bank determines the Market Value of Collateral and Loaned Securities.
|
(r)
|
"Market Value" shall be:
|
(i)
|
If
the principal market for the securities to be valued is a national securities exchange in the United States, their Market Value shall be determined by their last sale price on such exchange at the most recent Close of Trading or, if there was no sale on the Business Day of the most recent Close of Trading, by the last sale price at the Close of Trading on the next preceding Business Day on which there was a sale on such exchange, all as quoted on the Consolidated Tape or, if not quoted on the Consolidated Tape, then as quoted by such exchange, including where applicable, accrued interest to the extent not already included therein, unless market practice with respect to the valuation of such securities in connection with securities loans is to the contrary.
|
(ii)
|
If
the principal market for the securities to be valued is the over- the-counter market, and the securities are quoted on The Nasdaq Stock Market ("Nasdaq"), their Market Value shall be the Nasdaq Official Closing Price or, if the securities are issues for which Official Closing Prices are not quoted on Nasdaq, the last bid price at such Close of Trading.
If
the relevant quotation is not available at such Close of Trading, then the Market Value shall be the relevant quotation on the next preceding Close of Trading at which there was such a quotation, including where applicable, accrued interest to the extent not already included therein, unless market practice with respect to the valuation of such securities in connection with securities loans is to the contrary.
|
(iii)
|
If
the principal market for the securities is not identified in either
|
(i)
|
or (ii) above, their Market Value shall be determined in accordance with market practice for such securities, based on the price for such securities as of the most recent Close of Trading obtained from a generally recognized source agreed to by the Bank and the Borrower(s) or the closing bid quotation at the most recent Close of Trading obtained from such a source. If the relevant quotation is not available at such Close of Trading, then the Market Value shall be the relevant quotation on the next preceding Close of Trading at which there was such a quotation, including where applicable, accrued interest to the extent not already included therein, unless market practice with respect to the valuation of such securities in connection with securities loans is to the contrary.
|
(iv)
|
The Market Value of a letter of credit shall be the outstanding amount thereof.
|
(s)
|
"Net Income" shall mean net income denominated in United States dollars received as proceeds from securities lending transactions (after payment of any applicable Borrower Rebate Fees).
|
(t)
|
"Person" shall be any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, firm, association, trust, unincorporated organization, government or governmental agency or political subdivision or any other entity, whether
acting in an individual, fiduciary or other capacity.
|
(u)
|
"Proceeds" shall mean interest, dividends and other payments and distributions received by Bank in connection with a Customer's Collateral Investments.
|
(v)
|
"Securities" shall be securities, of any type, that are owned or controlled by the Customer and that have been hereby approved for use in securities lending by the Customer.
|
2.
|
Appointment and Acceptance
. The Customer hereby appoints the Bank as its agent for the purpose of lending Securities; and the Bank hereby agrees to accept such appointment and act in such capacity.
|
3.
|
Delivery of Securities; Receipt of Collateral; Return of Collateral
. · Until given
written notice
of
termination pursuant
to
Section 15, the Customer hereby authorizes the Bank, and the Bank agrees, to undertake the following:
|
(a)
|
To enter into securities loan agreements with Borrower(s) which set forth terms consistent with this Agreement. The Customer acknowledges that the standard
form(s) of Borrower Agreement(s) entered or to be entered with Borrowers will be substantially in the form of the most current Master Securities Loan Agreement produced by the Securities Industry and Financial Market Association and the Customer authorizes the Bank to lend
Securities
to Borrowers pursuant to agreements substantially in the form
thereof
(
each such agreement referred to herein as a "Borrower Agreement"). The Customer may from time to time direct the Bank not to enter into loans with a Borrower, as the Customer specifies by written notice to the Bank, in each case notwithstanding the Customer's prior approval of such Borrower in accordance with the terms contained herein.
|
(b)
|
To negotiate fees with Borrowers in connection with securities lending, subject to the following requirements: In the case of a Loan for which the Collateral is Cash Collateral, the Bank shall negotiate a fee denominated in United States dollars ("Borrower Rebate Fee") to be paid by the Bank to the Borrower on behalf of the Customer. In the case of a Loan for which the Collateral is non-cash, the Bank shall negotiate a loan fee denominated in United States dollars to be paid by the Borrower.
|
(c)
|
To deliver to Borrowers, from time to time, such Securities as the Bank may in its discretion select for securities lending in accordance with this Agreement.
|
(d)
|
To use the securities lending services and custodial services of other financial institutions, including, without limitation, U.S. Bancorp Asset Management, Inc. and other financial institutions that are agents or affiliates of the Bank as agents of the Bank, for the benefit of the Customer, as the Bank in its sole discretion shall determine to be necessary or desirable to perform securities lending on behalf of the Customer.
|
(e)
|
In connection with each Loan, to receive from the Borrower, at the time the Securities are loaned, Collateral of a value at least equal to (i) 105% of the then current Market Value of any Loaned Securities that are Foreign Securities, or (ii) 102% of the then current Market Value of any other Loaned Securities. Such Collateral shall be held as security by the Bank on behalf of the Customer for the due and punctual performance by the Borrower of any and all of the Borrower's obligations under the Borrower Agreement. Customer's uninvested Collateral and Proceeds and Collateral Investments shall be held in the Collateral Account.
|
(f)
|
To hold and safekeep the Collateral on behalf of the Customer with other securities lending collateral held by the Bank, provided that the Customer's specific interest in the Customer's Collateral shall at all times be noted in the records of the Bank, provided further, however, that all Collateral shall be held separate from any other securities held by the Bank on behalf of an other person or entity.
|
(g)
|
To invest Cash Collateral for the benefit of the Customer.
|
(h)
|
Upon termination of any Loan, to liquidate Collateral Investments and to return the Collateral to the Borrower in accordance with the Borrower Agreement so long as the Borrower is not in default and the Bank receives the Loaned Securities from the Borrower.
|
(i)
|
To receive from the Borrower Substitute Payments and to forward such Substitute Payments to the Customer.
|
(k)
|
To originate or terminate any Loan at any time as the Bank may in its sole discretion determine pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, without prior notice to the Customer.
|
(1)
|
In connection with the Customer's Loaned Securities, to collect loan fees owed by Borrowers and income earned on Collateral Investments, and to dispose of such monies pursuant to Sections 3(b) and 8 of this Agreement.
|
(m)
|
To disclose to any Borrower, or to any Person pa1iy to an investment entered into pursuant to Section 3(g) above, the name of the Customer and such other information required by such Borrower or such Person to enable such Borrower or such Person to comply with applicable federal or state law, as the Bank may in its sole discretion deem necessary.
|
(n)
|
To group the Customer's securities together with the securities of other securities lending customers for the purposes of facilitating Loans to Borrowers. The Customer acknowledges that whether particular securities are loaned depends on many variables, including, but not limited to, the demand for a particular security by Borrowers, the Bank's automated queuing system for efficient utilization of all available securities for lending transactions, and the quantity of a particular security that is held in the lendable pool, and that the Bank cannot ensure that the Customer's Securities will become the subject of any particular Loan or that the Customer's Securities will be loaned.
|
4.
|
Voting Rights
. Customer shall not retain voting rights of Loaned Securities while loaned to any Borrower.
|
5.
|
Mark to Market.
The Bank shall on a daily basis (a) Mark to Market Loaned Securities and Collateral.
If
the Market Value of the Collateral at the close of trading on a Business Day is less than the Margin Percentage of the Market Value of the Loaned Securities at the close of trading on that day, the Bank shall seek to obtain from the Borrower, by the close of business on the following Business Day, an additional amount of Collateral the Market Value of which, together with the Market Value of all previously delivered collateral, equals at least the Margin Percentage of the Market Value of the Loaned Securities as of such preceding day. In the event that the Market Value of the Collateral exceeds the Margin Percentage of the Market Value of the Loaned Securities, the Bank may return part of the Collateral to the Borrower as long as the Market Value of the remaining Collateral equals at least the Margin Percentage of the Market Value of the Loaned Securities.
|
6.
|
Accountings
.
The Bank shall include in a monthly report to the Customer daily information concerning all securities loans outstanding, including an accounting of all securities lending transactions.
|
7.
|
Loan Termination by Customer.
|
(a)
|
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Customer may, in its sole discretion, elect to terminate a Loan on a termination date established by notice given to the Bank prior to the close of business on a Business Day. The termination date established by a termination notice shall be a date no earlier than the standard settlement date that would apply to a purchase or sale of the Loaned Securities, which date shall be determined in accordance with the terms of the Borrower Agreement. Upon receipt of such notice, the Bank shall notify the appropriate Borrower for return of the Loaned Securities in accordance with the terms of the Borrower Agreement.
|
(b)
|
The Bank shall be deemed to have received appropriate notice as required by this Section 7 upon receipt of written or oral directions (i) signed or given by any person whose name and signature is listed on the most recent ce1tificate delivered by the Customer to the Bank which lists those persons authorized to give directions in the name and on behalf of the Customer or (ii) signed or given by any other person(s), duly authorized by the Customer to give directions to the Bank hereunder or whom the Bank reasonably believes to be so authorized. Appropriate notice as required by this Section 7 shall include notice sent to the Bank by letter, memorandum, telegram, cable, telex, telecopy facsimile, e-mail, video (CRT) terminal or other online system, or similar means of communication, or given over the telephone or in person.
|
8.
|
Fees
.
|
(a)
|
The Customer shall pay fees to the Bank in the amount and at such times set forth on
Exhibit C
attached hereto and made a part hereof as though fully set f01ih herein. The provisions of
Exhibit C
may be renegotiated at any time upon five days written notice by either party hereto and may be amended by a separate writing between the Bank and the Customer. The Bank shall charge such fees against Net Income; provided, however, that if not so charged, the Customer shall pay such fees.
|
(b)
|
Any Borrower Rebate Fee incurred by a Customer arising from the receipt of cash as Collateral for Loaned Securities shall be charged against the gross income received by the Customer as proceeds from securities lending transactions and the Bank shall pay such Borrower Rebate Fee to the appropriate Borrower on behalf of the Customer; provided, however, that if not so charged, the Customer shall pay such Borrower Rebate Fee.
|
9.
|
Customer Representations and Warranties
.
|
(a)
|
The Customer represents and warrants that: (i) the Customer has the legal right, power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and to carry out all of the transactions contemplated hereby; (ii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Customer will not violate any provision of its charter, bylaws or any other governing documents, or any law, or any regulation, interpretation or order or any court or other government agency, or judgment, applicable to the Customer; (iii) the Customer has obtained all necessary authorizations, including those from any persons who may have an interest in the Securities, including the consent or approval of any governmental agency or instrumentality; (iv) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the carrying out of any of the transactions contemplated hereby will not be in conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute a default under any agreement or other instrument to which the Customer is a party or which is otherwise known to the Customer, including but not limited to, liens against and/or pledges of Securities; and (v) all persons executing this Agreement on behalf of the Customer and carrying out the transactions contemplated hereby on behalf of the Customer are duly authorized to do so.
|
(b)
|
The Customer represents and warrants that it is an "investment company" as defined in the Investment Company Act and that it will indicate each "affiliate" as
|
(c)
|
The Customer is aware that it is possible to loan portfolio securities without incurring the loan fees payable pursuant hereto by administering such a program itself, rather than hiring the Bank.
|
(d)
|
The Customer represents and warrants that each Person who owns, controls or possesses securities which may be lent pursuant to this agreement is identified in the Customer Information Sheet attached hereto as
Exhibit D
and made a part hereof, such Customer Information Sheet to be updated from time to time upon written notice to the Bank from the Customer ("Customer Information Sheet") and that the tax identification number of such Person is set f01ih opposite such Person's name on such Customer Information Sheet.
|
(e)
|
The Customer represents and warrants that (i) it has reviewed and understands the offering memorandum or similar materials relating to Customer's initial Collateral Investment; (ii) it will review and develop an understanding of the offering memorandum or similar materials in connection with any future Collateral Investments; and (iii) it will provide a Collateral Investment letter for acceptance by Bank in substantially the form attached hereto as
Exhibit E
and made a part hereof in connection with each Collateral Investment.
|
10.
|
Bank Responsibilities
. The Bank's duties and responsibilities shall only be those expressly set fo1th in this Agreement. The Bank hereby agrees that it shall at all times during the term of this Agreement exercise its reasonable care and efforts in performing its obligations hereunder. The Bank will perform such obligations and responsibilities in accordance with all applicable laws, including, but not limited to, Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations. The Bank intends to rely on the Securities and Exchange Commission no-action letters entitled
Sife Trust Fund
(Feb. 17, 1982),
Norwest Bank Minnesota. N.A.
(May 25, 1995) and
The Chase Manhattan Bank
(July 24, 2001) in performing its responsibilities under this Agreement. Neither the Bank nor its agents shall be responsible for any loss or liability arising from their performance of the Bank's duties under this Agreement, except for direct loss or liability (including reasonable fees a nd expenses of counsel incurred by the Customer but not consequential or punitive damages) arising from the Bank's, or its agent's, willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Bank's duties under this Agreement. In no event shall the Bank be liable 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. The foregoing shall be a continuing obligation of the Bank and the Bank's successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of any Loans hereunder or of this Agreement.
|
11.
|
Customer Responsibilities
.
|
(a)
|
The Customer agrees to (i) promptly notify the Bank of any change that the Customer wishes to make to
Exhibit B,
(ii) promptly notify the Bank if any information contained in the Customer Information Sheet becomes inaccurate or untrue and (iii) indemnify the Bank for any losses resulting from the Customer's failure to adhere to the provisions of Subsection (a) of this Section 11.
|
(b)
|
The Customer agrees that, to the extent any loss arising out of investments of Cash Collateral results in a deficiency in the amount of Collateral available for return to a Borrower, the Customer shall pay to the Bank, on demand, cash in an amount equal to such deficiency.
|
(c)
|
The Customer acknowledges that the Bank is acting as an agent on the Customer's behalf in connection with the lending of the Customer's assets and the investment of cash received as Collateral for such Loans. The Customer understands that it bears the risks of investment loss, including (i) any decline in value of Cash Collateral investments and (ii) subject to Section
12,
loss resulting from any securities lending default by a Borrower.
|
(d)
|
The Customer acknowledges that it is responsible for paying any taxes that are incurred as a result of Loans made on behalf of the Customer, and the Customer agrees that it shall reimburse the Bank for any taxes paid on Customer's behalf by the Bank.
|
(e)
|
The Customer agrees to reimburse the Bank and to hold the Bank harmless from and against any and all direct costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims, including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel incurred by the Bank (but not consequential or punitive damages) which the Bank may sustain or incur or which may be asserted against the Bank by reason of or as a result of any action taken or omitted by the Bank in connection with operating under this Agreement (including, but not limited to, actions or omissions related to the lending of Securities to Borrowers or the holding or investment of Collateral or resulting from the Customer's failure to comply with its obligations under Section 1l(a) hereof, other than those costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims arising out of the Bank's gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct, as adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction. The foregoing shall be a continuing obligation of the Customer and the Customer's successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of any Loans hereunder or of this Agreement. After a claim has been adjudicated, the Bank may charge any amounts to which it is entitled hereunder based on such adjudication against the account in which the Customer's Securities are held.
|
12.
|
Indemnification
.
|
(a)
|
In the event of a Borrower's material default of the terms and conditions of the Borrower Agreement, the Bank shall:
|
(i)
|
take all actions the Bank deems appropriate, in its sole discretion, to liquidate the Collateral,
|
(ii)
|
at its own expense, but subject to the Customer's obligations pursuant to Section 11(c) hereto, replace as soon as reasonably practicable such Loaned Securities with identical securities or the equivalent thereof in the event of a reorganization, recapitalization or merger of the issuer of the Loaned Securities, or
|
(iii)
|
if the Bank is unable to obtain replacement securities, the Bank shall provide the Customer with immediately available funds in an amount equal to the Market Value of such Loaned Securities. The Market Value shall be calculated (1) in the case of a Borrower insolvency, on the date of such insolvency, or (2) in the case of a Borrower's failure to return Loaned Securities, on the date that the Bank deposits funds to the Customer's account.
|
(b)
|
If
the Market Value of the Collateral on the date of such replacement or credit is less than that which is required to purchase replacement securities or to provide equivalent funds to the Customer as a result of a decrease in the Market Value of investments of Cash Collateral, the Bank will not be responsible for such decrease. In such event, the Bank shall purchase and deposit replacement securities, or deposit cash to the Customer's account, in an amount equal to the then current Market Value of Cash Collateral investments. If the Market Value of the Collateral on the date of such replacement or credit is less than that which is required to purchase replacement securities or to credit equivalent funds to Customer's account as a result of any reason other than a decrease in the Market Value of investments of Cash Collateral, Bank shall pay such additional amounts as are necessary to purchase replacement securities in an amount equal to the Market Value of such Loaned Securities or credit equivalent funds to Customer's account as of the date of such replacement. The Bank shall not be liable for any appreciation in the Market Value of the Loaned Securities subsequent to such date.
|
(c)
|
The Customer agrees that the Bank shall be subrogated to the rights of the Customer in the Collateral and against the Borrower to the extent of any amount paid by the Bank to the Customer hereunder.
|
(d)
|
Except as provided for herein, the Bank shall have no additional liability to the Customer relating to any Borrower's failure to return Loaned Securities and no duty or obligation to take action to effect payment by a Borrower of any amounts owed by such Borrower pursuant to the Borrower Agreement.
|
(e)
|
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Bank shall not be required to act inconsistently with (i) any court or government agency order regarding such Collateral or
|
(ii)
|
the Borrower Agreement.
|
(f)
|
With respect to its use in this Section 12, a Borrower's "insolvency" is defined to mean any of the following: (i) the Borrower shall commence any case or proceeding under any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or similar law, or seek the appointment of a receiver, conservator, trustee, custodian or similar official for such party or any substantial part of its property; (ii) any case, proceeding or appointment referred to in the preceding Clause (i) shall be commenced against the Borrower, or any application shall be filed against the Borrower for a protective decree under the provisions of the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970 as amended, any of which (A) is consented to or not timely contested by the Borrower, (B) results in the entry of any order for relief, such an appointment, the issuance of such a protective decree or the entry of any order having a similar effect, or (C) is not dismissed within 15 days; (iii) the Borrower shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (iv) the Borrower shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due.
|
13.
|
Agreement Modification
. This Agreement, together with the Exhibits hereto, contains a complete statement of the parties with respect to its subject matter, supersedes all existing agreements between them concerning the subject and cannot be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by all parties hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Exhibit A
may be amended in a writing executed by all parties hereto to add or remove series of the Customer,
Exhibit B
may be amended in the manner set forth in the definition of "Borrower" contained in Section 1, the fee schedule set forth in
Exhibit C
may be amended and renegotiated in the manner set forth in Section 8(a), and
Exhibit E
may be amended as set forth in Section 9(e).
|
14.
|
Notice
. Any notice required to be given in writing under this Agreement shall be delivered by hand or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to U.S. Bancorp Asset Management, Inc., 800 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402, Attention: Securities Lending, or such other address provided by the Bank, and to the Customer at the most recent address of such party provided to the Bank.
|
15.
|
Termination
. This Agreement may be terminated at any time by the Bank or the Customer upon thirty (30) days' prior written notice to the other party. All outstanding Loans, unless a Customer shall specify otherwise, shall remain outstanding until such Loans terminate pursuant to the securities loan agreement with Borrower, even if such date is past the termination date established by either party pursuant to this Section 15 (but subject to Section 7 and to any other agreement between the Customer and the Bank).
|
16.
|
Assignment.
This Agreement shall not be assignable by the Bank or the Customer without the written consent of the other party, except that the Bank may assign this Agreement to an affiliate of the Bank. Subject to the preceding sentence hereof, this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and assigns.
|
17.
|
Governing Law
. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota without reference to its conflicts or choice of law principles.
|
18.
|
Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
|
The Bank of Nova Scotia
|
_____________________ |
Bank of Montreal
|
_____________________ |
Barclays Capital, Inc.
|
_____________________ |
BMO Capital Markets Corp
|
_____________________ |
BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage, Inc
|
_____________________ |
BNP Paribas Securities Corp
|
_____________________ |
Cantor Fitzgerald
&
Co.
|
_____________________ |
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.
|
_____________________ |
Commerz Markets LLC
|
_____________________ |
Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc.
|
_____________________ |
Credit Suisse Securities (USA), LLC
|
_____________________ |
Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc.
|
_____________________ |
First Clearing, LLC
|
_____________________ |
Goldman Sachs
&
Co.
|
_____________________ |
HSBC Securities (USA), Inc.
|
_____________________ |
ING Financial Markets, LLC
|
_____________________ |
Jefferies
&
Company, Inc.
|
_____________________ |
J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp
|
_____________________ |
J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc.
|
_____________________ |
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner
&
Smith, Inc.
|
_____________________ |
Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc.
|
_____________________ |
Morgan Stanley
&
Co. LLC
|
_____________________ |
National Financial Services LLC
|
_____________________ |
Pershing, LLC
|
_____________________ |
Raymond James
&
Associates, Inc.
|
_____________________ |
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
|
_____________________ |
RBS Securities, Inc.
|
_____________________ |
Scotia Capital (USA), Inc.
|
_____________________ |
SG Americas Securities, LLC
|
_____________________ |
Societe Generale, New York Branch
|
_____________________ |
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.
|
_____________________ |
TD Securities (USA) LLC
|
_____________________ |
UBS Securities, LLC
|
_____________________ |
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
|
_____________________ |
Name
|
Tax ID
|
AlphaClone Alternative Alpha ETF
|
45-4712863
|
Vident Core U.S. Equity Fund
|
46-4068095
|
Signed for and on behalf of the Customer:
|
Acceptance:
|
|
|
ETF Series Solutions
|
U.S. Bank, N.A. hereby confirms acceptance
of the terms set out above.
|
|
|
By:
/s/ Michael D. Barolsky
|
By: /s/
Kenneth L. Delecki
|
|
|
Name: Michael D. Barolsky | Name: Kenneth L. Delecki |
Title: Vice President and Secretary | Title: Head of Securities Lending |
Date: February 29, 2016 | Date: February 29, 2016 |