REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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☒
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Pre‑Effective Amendment No. ___
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☐
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Post‑Effective Amendment No.
7
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and/or
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
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☒
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Amendment No.
8
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☒
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Eric W. Falkeis
Tidal ETF Services LLC
898 North Broadway, Suite 2
Massapequa, New York 11758
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Christopher M. Cahlamer
Godfrey & Kahn S.C.
833 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
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☐ |
immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
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☒ |
on
April 6, 2019
pursuant to paragraph (b)
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☐
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60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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☐
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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☐
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75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
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☐
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485
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☐
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this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
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SFY
|
SoFi Select 500 ETF
|
SFYX
|
SoFi Next 500 ETF
|
SFYF
|
SoFi 50 ETF
|
each listed on NYSE Arca, Inc.
|
|
GIGE
|
SoFi Gig Economy ETF
|
listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC
|
3
|
|
7
|
|
11
|
|
15
|
|
19
|
|
24
|
|
25
|
|
26
|
|
26
|
|
27
|
|
30
|
|
30
|
|
30
|
|
30
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
Management Fees
|
0.19%
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
|
0.00%
|
Other Expenses
1
|
0.00%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
0.19%
|
Less Fee Waiver
|
(0.19)%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
2
|
0.00%
|
1 Year
|
3 Years
|
$0
|
$42
|
|
● |
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, or sectors in which the Fund invests. Common stocks, such as those held by the Fund, are generally exposed to greater risk than other
types of securities, such as preferred stock and debt obligations, because common stockholders generally have inferior rights to receive payment from issuers.
|
|
● |
ETF Risks.
|
|
o |
Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk
.
The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that
are authorized to purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Fund
(known as “
Authorized Participants
”
or
“
APs
”
)
. In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following
events occur, Shares may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these
services; or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.
|
|
o |
Costs of Buying or Selling Shares.
Due to the costs of buying or selling Shares, including brokerage commissions imposed by brokers and bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of Shares may
significantly reduce investment results and an investment in Shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.
|
|
o |
Shares May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV
. As with all ETFs, Shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of Shares
will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price of Shares is more than the NAV intra-day (premium) or less than the NAV intra-day (discount) due to supply and demand of Shares or during periods of market
volatility. This risk is heightened in times of market volatility, periods of steep market declines, and periods when there is limited trading activity for Shares in the secondary market, in which case such premiums or discounts may
be significant.
|
|
o |
Trading
.
Although Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange”) and may be traded on U.S. exchanges
other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange.
In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of Shares may begin to mirror the
liquidity of the Fund
’
s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than Shares.
|
|
● |
High Portfolio Turnover Risk.
The Fund may actively and
frequently trade all or a significant portion of the securities in its portfolio. 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.
|
|
● |
Market Capitalization Risk.
|
|
o |
Large-Capitalization Investing.
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.
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.
|
|
● |
Models and Data Risk
.
The composition of the Index is heavily dependent on proprietary quantitative models as
well as information and data supplied by third parties (“Models and Data”). When Models and Data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon may lead to the inclusion or exclusion of securities from the
Index universe that would have been excluded or included had the Models and Data been correct and complete. If the composition of the Index reflects such errors, the Fund’s portfolio can be expected to reflect the errors, too.
|
|
● |
New Fund Risk
.
The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a
track record or history on which to base their investment decision.
|
|
● |
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.
|
|
● |
REIT Investment Risk.
Investments in REITs involve unique risks. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in limited volume, and may be more volatile than
other securities. The risks of investing in REITs include certain risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate and the real estate industry in general. Securities in the real estate sector are subject to the risk that the
value of their underlying real estate may go down. Many factors may affect real estate values, including the general and local economies, the amount of new construction in a particular area, the laws and regulations (including zoning
and tax laws) affecting real estate, and the costs of owning, maintaining and improving real estate. The availability of mortgages and changes in interest rates may also affect real estate values. REITs are also subject to heavy cash
flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, and self-liquidation.
|
|
● |
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.
|
|
● |
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.
|
Investment Adviser : |
Toroso Investments, LLC (the “Adviser”)
serves as investment adviser to the Fund.
|
Investment Sub-Adviser : |
CSat Investment Advisory, L.P., doing business as Exponential ETFs (the “Sub-Adviser”),
serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.
|
Portfolio Manager: |
Charles A. Ragauss, CFA,
Director of Product Management for the Sub-Adviser,
has been the Fund
’
s portfolio manager since its inception in 2019
.
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
Management Fees
|
0.19%
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
|
0.00%
|
Other Expenses
1
|
0.00%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
0.19%
|
Less Fee Waiver
|
(0.19)%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
2
|
0.00%
|
1 Year
|
3 Years
|
$0
|
$42
|
|
● |
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, or sectors in which the Fund invests. Common stocks, such as those held by the Fund, are generally exposed to greater risk than other
types of securities, such as preferred stock and debt obligations, because common stockholders generally have inferior rights to receive payment from issuers.
|
|
● |
ETF Risks.
|
|
o |
Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk
.
The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that
are authorized to purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Fund
(known as “
Authorized Participants
”
or
“
APs
”
)
. In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following
events occur, Shares may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these
services; or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.
|
|
o |
Costs of Buying or Selling Shares.
Due to the costs of buying or selling Shares, including brokerage commissions imposed by brokers and bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of Shares may
significantly reduce investment results and an investment in Shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.
|
|
o |
Shares May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV
. As with all ETFs, Shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of Shares
will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price of Shares is more than the NAV intra-day (premium) or less than the NAV intra-day (discount) due to supply and demand of Shares or during periods of market
volatility. This risk is heightened in times of market volatility, periods of steep market declines, and periods when there is limited trading activity for Shares in the secondary market, in which case such premiums or discounts may
be significant.
|
|
o |
Trading
.
Although Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange”) and may be traded on U.S. exchanges
other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange.
In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of Shares may begin to mirror the
liquidity of the Fund
’
s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than Shares.
|
|
● |
High Portfolio Turnover Risk.
The Fund may actively and frequently trade all or a significant portion of the securities in its portfolio. 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.
|
|
● |
Market Capitalization Risk.
|
|
o |
Large-Capitalization Investing.
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.
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.
|
|
● |
Models and Data Risk.
The composition of the Index is heavily dependent on proprietary quantitative models as
well as information and data supplied by third parties (“Models and Data”). When Models and Data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon may lead to the inclusion or exclusion of securities from the
Index universe that would have been excluded or included had the Models and Data been correct and complete. If the composition of the Index reflects such errors, the Fund’s portfolio can be expected to reflect the errors, too.
|
|
● |
New Fund Risk.
The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a
track record or history on which to base their investment decision.
|
|
● |
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.
|
|
● |
REIT Investment Risk.
Investments in REITs involve unique risks. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in limited volume, and may be more volatile than
other securities. The risks of investing in REITs include certain risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate and the real estate industry in general. Securities in the real estate sector are subject to the risk that the
value of their underlying real estate may go down. Many factors may affect real estate values, including the general and local economies, the amount of new construction in a particular area, the laws and regulations (including zoning
and tax laws) affecting real estate, and the costs of owning, maintaining and improving real estate. The availability of mortgages and changes in interest rates may also affect real estate values. REITs are also subject to heavy cash
flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, and self-liquidation.
|
|
● |
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.
|
|
● |
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.
|
Investment Adviser : |
Toroso Investments, LLC (the “Adviser”)
serves as investment adviser to the Fund.
|
Investment Sub-Adviser : |
CSat Investment Advisory, L.P., doing business as Exponential ETFs (the “Sub-Adviser”),
serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.
|
Portfolio Manager: |
Charles A. Ragauss, CFA,
Director of Product Management for the Sub-Adviser,
has been the Fund
’
s portfolio manager since its inception in 2019
.
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
Management Fees
|
0.29%
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
|
0.00%
|
Other Expenses
1
|
0.00%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
0.29%
|
1 Year
|
3 Years
|
$30
|
$93
|
|
● |
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, or sectors in which the Fund invests. Common stocks, such as those held by the Fund, are generally exposed to greater risk than other
types of securities, such as preferred stock and debt obligations, because common stockholders generally have inferior rights to receive payment from issuers.
|
|
● |
ETF Risks.
|
|
o |
Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk.
The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that
are authorized to purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Fund
(known as “
Authorized Participants
”
or
“
APs
”
)
. In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following
events occur, Shares may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these
services; or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.
|
|
o |
Costs of Buying or Selling Shares.
Due to the costs of buying or selling Shares, including brokerage commissions imposed by brokers and bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of Shares may
significantly reduce investment results and an investment in Shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.
|
|
o |
Shares May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV.
As with all ETFs, Shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of Shares
will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price of Shares is more than the NAV intra-day (premium) or less than the NAV intra-day (discount) due to supply and demand of Shares or during periods of market
volatility. This risk is heightened in times of market volatility, periods of steep market declines, and periods when there is limited trading activity for Shares in the secondary market, in which case such premiums or discounts may
be significant.
|
|
o |
Trading
.
Although Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange”) and may be traded on U.S. exchanges
other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange.
In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of Shares may begin to mirror the
liquidity of the Fund
’
s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than Shares.
|
|
● |
High Portfolio Turnover Risk.
The Fund may actively and frequently trade all or a significant portion of the securities in its portfolio. 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.
|
|
● |
Market Capitalization Risk.
|
|
o |
Large-Capitalization Investing.
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.
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.
|
|
● |
Models and Data Risk.
The composition of the Index is heavily dependent on proprietary quantitative models as
well as information and data supplied by third parties (“Models and Data”). When Models and Data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon may lead to the inclusion or exclusion of securities from the
Index universe that would have been excluded or included had the Models and Data been correct and complete. If the composition of the Index reflects such errors, the Fund’s portfolio can be expected to reflect the errors, too.
|
|
● |
New Fund Risk.
The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a
track record or history on which to base their investment decision.
|
|
● |
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.
|
|
● |
REIT Investment Risk.
Investments in REITs involve unique risks. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in limited volume, and may be more volatile than
other securities. The risks of investing in REITs include certain risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate and the real estate industry in general. Securities in the real estate sector are subject to the risk that the
value of their underlying real estate may go down. Many factors may affect real estate values, including the general and local economies, the amount of new construction in a particular area, the laws and regulations (including zoning
and tax laws) affecting real estate, and the costs of owning, maintaining and improving real estate. The availability of mortgages and changes in interest rates may also affect real estate values. REITs are also subject to heavy cash
flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, and self-liquidation.
|
|
● |
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.
|
|
● |
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.
|
Investment Adviser : |
Toroso Investments, LLC (the “Adviser”)
serves as investment adviser to the Fund.
|
Investment Sub-Adviser : |
CSat Investment Advisory, L.P., doing business as Exponential ETFs (the “Sub-Adviser”),
serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.
|
Portfolio Manager: |
Charles A. Ragauss, CFA,
Director of Product Management for the Sub-Adviser,
has been the Fund
’
s portfolio manager since its inception in 2019
.
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
Management Fees
|
0.59%
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
|
0.00%
|
Other Expenses
1
|
0.00%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
0.59%
|
1 Year
|
3 Years
|
$60
|
$189
|
|
●
|
Currency Exchange Rate Risk.
The Fund’s assets may include exposure to investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities or other assets 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 investments 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.
|
|
●
|
Emerging Markets Risk.
The Fund may invest in securities issued by companies domiciled or headquartered in emerging market nations. Investments in securities traded in developing or emerging
markets, or that provide exposure to such securities or markets, can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, currency, or regulatory conditions not associated with investments in U.S. securities and 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.
|
|
●
|
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, or sectors in which the Fund invests. Common stocks, such as those held by the Fund, are generally exposed to greater risk than other
types of securities, such as preferred stock and debt obligations, because common stockholders generally have inferior rights to receive payment from issuers.
|
|
●
|
ETF Risks.
|
|
o |
Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk.
The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that
are authorized to purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Fund
(known as “
Authorized Participants
”
or
“
APs
”
)
. In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following
events occur, Shares may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these
services; or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.
|
|
o |
Costs of Buying or Selling Shares.
Due to the costs of buying or selling Shares, including brokerage commissions imposed by brokers and bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of Shares may
significantly reduce investment results and an investment in Shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.
|
|
o |
Shares May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV.
As with all ETFs, Shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of Shares
will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price of Shares is more than the NAV intra-day (premium) or less than the NAV intra-day (discount) due to supply and demand of Shares or during periods of market
volatility. This risk is heightened in times of market volatility, periods of steep market declines, and periods when there is limited trading activity for Shares in the secondary market, in which case such premiums or discounts may
be significant.
|
|
o |
Trading
.
Although Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (the “Exchange”) and may be traded on U.S.
exchanges other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange.
In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of Shares may begin to
mirror the liquidity of the Fund
’
s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than Shares.
|
|
●
|
Foreign Securities Risks.
Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers involve certain risks not involved in domestic investments and may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value
than investments in securities of U.S. companies. Financial markets in foreign countries often are not as developed, efficient or liquid as financial markets in the United States, and therefore, the prices of non-U.S. securities can
be more volatile. In addition, the Fund will be subject to risks associated with adverse political and economic developments in foreign countries, which may include the imposition of economic sanctions. Generally, there is less
readily available and reliable information about non-U.S. issuers due to less rigorous disclosure or accounting standards and regulatory practices.
|
|
●
|
General Market Risk.
Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or
conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in the general financial markets, a
particular financial market, or other asset classes, due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, natural disasters or events,
terrorism, regulatory events, and government controls.
|
|
●
|
Geographic Concentration 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.
|
|
o |
Risks of Investing in China
— Investments in Chinese issuers subject the Fund to risks specific to China. China may be subject to considerable degrees of economic, political and social
instability. China is a developing market and demonstrates significantly higher volatility from time to time in comparison to developed markets. Over the past 25 years, the Chinese government has undertaken reform of economic and
market practices and is expanding the sphere of private ownership of property in China. However, Chinese markets generally continue to experience inefficiency, volatility and pricing anomalies resulting from governmental influence, a
lack of publicly available information and/or political and social instability. Internal social unrest or confrontations with other neighboring countries, including military conflicts in response to such events, may also disrupt
economic development in China and result in a greater risk of currency fluctuations, currency convertibility, interest rate fluctuations and higher rates of inflation. Export growth continues to be a major driver of China’s rapid
economic growth. Reduction in spending on Chinese products and services, institution of tariffs or other trade barriers, or a downturn in any of the economies of China’s key trading partners may have an adverse impact on the Chinese
economy.
|
|
●
|
High Portfolio Turnover Risk.
The Fund may actively and frequently trade all or a significant portion of the securities in its portfolio. 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.
|
|
●
|
Industry and Sector Focus Risk.
At times the Fund may increase the relative emphasis of its investments in a particular industry or sector. The prices of securities of
issuers in a particular industry or sector may be more susceptible to fluctuations due to changes in economic or business conditions, government regulations, availability of basic resources or supplies, or other events that affect
that industry or sector more than securities of issuers in other industries and sectors. To the extent that the Fund increases the relative emphasis of its investments in a particular industry or sector, the Fund’s Share values may
fluctuate in response to events affecting that industry or sector.
|
●
|
Management Risk.
The Fund is
actively-managed and may not meet its investment objective based on the
Adviser
’
s
success or failure to implement investment strategies for the Fund.
|
|
●
|
Market Capitalization Risk.
|
|
o |
Large-Capitalization Investing.
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.
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.
|
|
o |
Small-Capitalization Investing
. The securities of small-capitalization companies may be more vulnerable to adverse issuer, market, political, or economic developments than securities of
large- or mid-capitalization companies. The securities of small-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than large- or mid-capitalization stocks or the
stock market as a whole. There is typically less publicly available information concerning smaller-capitalization companies than for larger, more established companies.
|
|
●
|
New Fund Risk.
The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a
track record or history on which to base their investment decision.
|
|
●
|
Non-Diversification Risk.
Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund is considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of
its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer
or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. 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.
|
|
●
|
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.
|
|
o |
Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk.
The Fund may invest in companies in the consumer discretionary sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events
affecting this sector. 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 |
Information Technology Sector Risk.
The Fund may invest in companies in the information technology sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events
affecting this sector. 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.
|
Investment Adviser
:
|
Toroso Investments, LLC
serves as investment adviser to the Fund.
|
|
|
Investment Sub-Adviser
:
|
CSat Investment Advisory, L.P., doing business as Exponential ETFs (the “Sub-Adviser”),
serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.
|
|
|
Portfolio Managers:
|
|
|
SoFi Select 500
ETF |
SoFi Next
500 ETF |
SoFi 50
ETF |
SoFi Gig
Economy ETF |
Currency Exchange Rate Risk
|
X
|
|||
Emerging Markets Risk
|
X
|
|||
Equity Market Risk
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
ETF Risks
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Foreign Securities Risk
|
X
|
|||
General Market Risk
|
X
|
|||
Geographic Concentration Risk
|
X
|
|||
High Portfolio Turnover Risk
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Industry and Sector Focus Risk
|
X
|
|||
Management Risk
|
X
|
|||
Market Capitalization Risk
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
—Large-Capitalization Investing
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
—Mid-Capitalization Investing
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
—Small-Capitalization Investing
|
X
|
|||
Models and Data Risk
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
New Fund Risk
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Non-Diversification Risk
|
X
|
|||
Passive Investment Risk
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
REIT Investment Risk
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Sector Risk
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
—
Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk
|
X
|
|||
—
Information Technology Sector Risk
|
X
|
|||
Tracking Error Risk
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
o |
Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk.
The
Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may act as APs. In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur,
Shares may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services;
or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.
|
|
o |
Costs of Buying or Selling Shares.
Investors buying or selling Shares in the secondary market will pay brokerage commissions or other charges imposed
by brokers, as determined by that broker. Brokerage commissions are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell relatively small amounts of Shares. In addition, secondary market
investors will also incur the cost of the difference between the price at which an investor is willing to buy Shares (the “bid” price) and the price at which an investor is willing to sell Shares (the “ask” price). This difference in
bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “spread” or “bid/ask spread.” The bid/ask spread varies over time for Shares based on trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally lower if Shares have more trading volume and
market liquidity and higher if Shares have little trading volume and market liquidity. Further, a relatively small investor base in the Fund, asset swings in the Fund and/or increased market volatility may cause increased bid/ask
spreads. Due to the costs of buying or selling Shares, including bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of Shares may significantly reduce investment results and an investment in Shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate
regularly making small investments.
|
|
o |
Shares May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV.
As with all ETFs, Shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of the
Shares will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price of Shares is more than the NAV intra-day (premium) or less than the NAV intra-day (discount) due to supply and demand of the Shares or during periods of
market volatility. This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines. The market price of Shares during the trading day, like the price of any exchange-traded security, includes a “bid/ask”
spread charged by the exchange specialist, market makers or other participants that trade the Shares. In times of severe market disruption, the bid/ask spread can increase significantly. At those times, Shares are most likely to be
traded at a discount to NAV, and the discount is likely to be greatest when the price of Shares is falling fastest, which may be the time that you most want to sell your Shares. The Adviser believes that, under normal market
conditions, large market price discounts or premiums to NAV will not be sustained because of arbitrage opportunities.
|
|
o |
Trading.
Although Shares are listed for trading on the Exchange and may be listed or traded on U.S. and non-U.S. stock exchanges other than the
Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such Shares will develop or be maintained. Trading in Shares may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading
in Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Shares on the Exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to Exchange “circuit breaker” rules, which temporarily halt trading on the Exchange
when a decline in the S&P 500 Index during a single day reaches certain thresholds (e.g., 7%, 13%, and 20%). Additional rules applicable to the Exchange may halt trading in Shares when extraordinary volatility causes sudden,
significant swings in the market price of Shares. There can be no assurance that Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of Shares may begin to mirror the
liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than Shares.
|
|
o |
Risks of Investing in China
— The Chinese economy is subject to a considerable degree of economic, political and social instability:
|
|
◾
|
Political and Social Risk
: The Chinese government is authoritarian and has periodically used force to suppress civil dissent. Disparities of wealth and the pace of economic liberalization may
lead to social turmoil, violence and labor unrest. In addition, China continues to experience disagreements related to integration with Hong Kong and religious and nationalist disputes in Tibet and Xinjiang. There is also a greater
risk in China than in many other countries of currency fluctuations, currency convertibility, interest rate fluctuations and higher rates of inflation as a result of internal social unrest or conflicts with other countries.
Unanticipated political or social developments may result in sudden and significant investment losses. China’s growing income inequality and worsening environmental conditions also are factors that may affect the Chinese economy.
|
|
◾
|
Government Control and Regulations
: The Chinese government has implemented significant economic reforms to liberalize trade policy, promote foreign investment in the economy, reduce
government control of the economy and develop market mechanisms. There can be no assurance these reforms will continue or that they will be effective. Despite recent reform and privatizations, significant regulation of investment and
industry is still pervasive and the Chinese government may restrict foreign ownership of Chinese corporations and/or repatriate assets. Chinese markets generally continue to experience inefficiency, volatility and pricing anomalies
that may be connected to governmental influence, a lack of publicly-available information and/or political and social instability.
|
|
◾
|
Economic Risk
: The Chinese economy has grown rapidly during the past several years and there is no assurance that this growth rate will be maintained. In fact, the Chinese economy may
experience a significant slowdown as a result of, among other things, a deterioration in global demand for Chinese exports, as well as contraction in spending on domestic goods by Chinese consumers. In addition, China may experience
substantial rates of inflation or economic recessions, which would have a negative effect on the economy and securities market. Delays in enterprise restructuring, slow development of well-functioning financial markets and widespread
corruption have also hindered performance of the Chinese economy. China continues to receive substantial pressure from trading partners to liberalize official currency exchange rates.
|
|
◾
|
Expropriation Risk
: The Chinese government maintains a major role in economic policymaking, and investing in China involves risk of loss due to expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of
assets and property, or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested.
|
|
◾
|
Hong Kong Political Risk
: Hong Kong reverted to Chinese sovereignty on July 1, 1997 as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the PRC under the principle of “one country, two systems.”
Although China is obligated to maintain the current capitalist economic and social system of Hong Kong through June 30, 2047, the continuation of economic and social freedoms enjoyed in Hong Kong is dependent on the government of
China. Any attempt by China to tighten its control over Hong Kong’s political, economic, legal or social policies may result in an adverse effect on Hong Kong’s markets. In addition, the Hong Kong dollar trades at a fixed exchange
rate in relation to (or, is “pegged” to) the U.S. dollar, which has contributed to the growth and stability of the Hong Kong economy. However, it is uncertain how long the currency peg will continue or what effect the establishment of
an alternative exchange rate system would have on the Hong Kong economy. Because the Fund’s net asset value is denominated in U.S. dollars, the establishment of an alternative exchange rate system could result in a decline in the
Fund’s net asset value.
|
|
o |
Large-Capitalization Investing.
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
. 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
. 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.
The Fund may invest in companies in the consumer discretionary sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events
affecting this sector. 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 |
Information Technology Sector Risk.
The Fund may invest in companies in the information technology sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events
affecting this sector. 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 information technology sector may face dramatic and often unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel.
|
Name of Fund
|
Management Fee
|
Management Fee
After Waiver
|
SoFi Select 500 ETF
|
0.19%
|
0.00%
|
SoFi Next 500 ETF
|
0.19%
|
0.00%
|
SoFi 50 ETF
|
0.29%
|
0.29%
|
SoFi Gig Economy ETF
|
0.59%
|
0.59%
|
Name of Fund
|
Sub-Advisory Fee
|
SoFi Select 500 ETF
|
0.03%
|
SoFi Next 500 ETF
|
0.03%
|
SoFi 50 ETF
|
0.03%
|
SoFi Gig Economy ETF
|
0.03%
|
Adviser
|
Toroso Investments, LLC
898 N. Broadway, Suite 2
Massapequa, New York 11758
|
Administrator
|
Tidal ETF Services LLC
898 N. Broadway, Suite 2
Massapequa, New York 11758
|
Sub-Adviser
|
CSat Investment Advisory, L.P.,
doing business as Exponential ETFs
625 Avis Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108
|
Distributor
|
Foreside Fund Services, LLC
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100
Portland, Maine 04101
|
Custodian
|
U.S. Bank National Association
1555 N. Rivercenter Dr.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
|
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
Tait, Weller & Baker LLP
Two Liberty Place
50 S. 16
th
Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
|
Sub-Administrator, Fund Accountant, and Transfer Agent
|
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
|
Legal Counsel
|
Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.
833 East Michigan Street, Suite 1800
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
|
|
● |
Free of charge from the SEC’s EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov; or
|
|
● |
Free of charge from the Funds’ Internet website at www.sofi.com/invest/etfs/; or
|
|
● |
For a duplicating fee, by e-mail request to publicinfo@sec.gov.
|
SFY |
SoFi Select 500 ETF
|
SFYX |
SoFi Next 500 ETF
|
SFYF |
SoFi 50 ETF
|
each listed on NYSE Arca, Inc.
|
|
GIGE |
SoFi Gig Economy ETF
|
listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC
|
|
|
|
Each a series of Tidal ETF Trust
|
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
April 6, 2019
This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus for the SoFi Select 500 ETF, SoFi Next 500 ETF, SoFi 50 ETF (collectively, the “Index ETFs”), and SoFi Gig Economy ETF (collectively with the Index ETFs, the “Funds”, and each, a “Fund”), each a series of Tidal ETF Trust (the “Trust”), dated April 6, 2019, as may be supplemented from time to time (the “Prospectus”). Capitalized terms used in this SAI that are not defined have the same meaning as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise noted. A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge, by calling the Funds at (866) 539-9530, visiting www.sofi.com/invest/etfs/, or writing to the Funds, c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, P.O. Box 701, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0701.
The Funds’ audited financial statements for the most recent fiscal year (when available) will be incorporated into this SAI by reference to the Funds’ most recent Annual Report to Shareholders (File No. 811-23377). When available, you may obtain a copy of the Funds’ Annual Report at no charge by contacting the Funds at the address or phone number noted above.
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33
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39
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A-1
|
G eneral Information about the Trust
The Trust is an open-end management investment company consisting of multiple series, including the Funds. This SAI relates to the Funds. The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on June 4, 2018. The Trust is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (together with the rules and regulations adopted thereunder, as amended, the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company and the offering of the Funds’ shares (“Shares”) is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees (the “Board”). Toroso Investments, LLC (the “Adviser”) serves as investment adviser to the Funds, and CSat Investment Advisory, L.P., doing business as Exponential ETFs (the “Sub-Adviser”), serves as investment sub-adviser to the Funds. The investment objective of each Fund is as stated in the Prospectus under “Investment Objective”.
Each Fund offers and issues Shares at their net asset value (“NAV”) only in aggregations of a specified number of Shares (each, a “Creation Unit”). Each Fund generally offers and issues Shares in exchange for a basket of securities included in its portfolio (“Deposit Securities”) together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (“Cash Component”). The Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of a “cash in lieu” amount (“Deposit Cash”) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security. Shares of the Index ETFs are or will be listed on NYSE Arca, Inc. (“Arca”), and Shares of the SoFi Gig Economy ETF are or will be listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (“Nasdaq”) (each of Arca and Nasdaq, an “Exchange”). Shares of each Fund trade on the applicable Exchange at market prices that may differ from the Shares’ NAV. Shares are also redeemable only in Creation Unit aggregations, primarily for a basket of Deposit Securities together with a Cash Component. A Creation Unit of the Fund generally consists of 50,000 Shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of fewer than 25,000 Shares. As a practical matter, only institutions or large investors, known as “Authorized Participants” or “APs,” purchase or redeem Creation Units. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities.
Shares may be issued in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions, including a requirement to maintain on deposit with the Trust cash at least equal to a specified percentage of the value of the missing Deposit Securities, as set forth in the Participant Agreement (as defined below). The Trust may impose a transaction fee for each creation or redemption. In all cases, such fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the SEC applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities. As in the case of other publicly traded securities, brokers’ commissions on transactions in the secondary market will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels.
A dditional Information about Investment Objectives, Policies, and Related Risks
Each Fund’s investment objective and principal investment strategies are described in the Prospectus. The following information supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the Prospectus. For a description of certain permitted investments, see “ Description of Permitted Investments ” in this SAI.
With respect to each Fund’s investments, unless otherwise noted, if a percentage limitation on investment is adhered to at the time of investment or contract, a subsequent increase or decrease as a result of market movement or redemption will not result in a violation of such investment limitation.
Diversification
Each of the SoFi Select 500 ETF, SoFi Next 500 ETF, and SoFi 50 ETF is “diversified” within the meaning of the 1940 Act. Under applicable federal laws, to qualify as a diversified fund, a Fund, with respect to 75% of its total assets, may not invest greater than 5% of its total assets in any one issuer and may not hold greater than 10% of the securities of one issuer, other than investments in cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities, and securities of other investment companies. The remaining 25% of such Fund’s total assets does not need to be “diversified” and may be invested in securities of a single issuer, subject to other applicable laws. The diversification of a Fund’s holdings is measured at the time such Fund purchases a security. However, if a Fund purchases a security and holds it for a period of time, the security may become a larger percentage of such Fund’s total assets due to movements in the financial markets. If the market affects several securities held by a Fund, such Fund may have a greater percentage of its assets invested in securities of fewer issuers.
Non-Diversification
The SoFi Gig Economy ETF is classified as a non-diversified investment company under the 1940 Act. A “non-diversified” classification means that a Fund is not limited by the 1940 Act with regard to the percentage of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. This means that a Fund may invest a greater portion of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a small number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund. The securities of a particular issuer may constitute a greater portion of the Index and, therefore, those securities may constitute a greater portion of a Fund’s portfolio. This may have an adverse effect on a Fund’s performance or subject a Fund’s Shares to greater price volatility than more diversified investment companies. Moreover, in pursuing its objective, a Fund may hold the securities of a single issuer in an amount exceeding 10% of the value of the outstanding securities of the issuer, subject to restrictions imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). In particular, as a Fund’s size grows and its assets increase, it will be more likely to hold more than 10% of the securities of a single issuer if the issuer has a relatively small public float as compared to other components in the Index.
Although the SoFi Gig Economy ETF is non-diversified for purposes of the 1940 Act, the Fund intends to maintain the required level of diversification and otherwise conduct its operations so as to qualify as a RIC for purposes of the Code, and to relieve the Fund of any liability for federal income tax to the extent that its earnings are distributed to shareholders. Compliance with the diversification requirements of the Code may limit the investment flexibility of a Fund and may make it less likely that a Fund will meet its investment objectives. See “Federal Income Taxes” in this SAI for further discussion.
General Risks
The value of a Fund’s portfolio securities may fluctuate with changes in the financial condition of an issuer or counterparty, changes in specific economic or political conditions that affect a particular security or issuer and changes in general economic or political conditions. An investor in the Funds could lose money over short or long periods of time.
There can be no guarantee that a liquid market for the securities held by a Fund will be maintained. The existence of a liquid trading market for certain securities may depend on whether dealers will make a market in such securities. There can be no assurance that a market will be made or maintained or that any such market will be or remain liquid. The price at which securities may be sold and the value of Shares will be adversely affected if trading markets for a Fund’s portfolio securities are limited or absent, or if bid/ask spreads are wide.
Financial markets, both domestic and foreign, have experienced an unusually high degree of volatility as recently as the beginning of 2018. Continuing events and possible continuing market turbulence may have an adverse effect on Fund performance.
Cyber Security Risk. Investment companies, such as the Funds, and their service providers may be subject to operational and information security risks resulting from cyber attacks. Cyber attacks include, among other behaviors, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, denial of service attacks on websites, the unauthorized release of confidential information or various other forms of cyber security breaches. Cyber attacks affecting the Fund or the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, Custodian (defined below), Transfer Agent (defined below), intermediaries and other third-party service providers may adversely impact a Fund. For instance, cyber attacks may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact a Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential company information, impede trading, subject a Fund to regulatory fines or financial losses, and cause reputational damage. A Fund may also incur additional costs for cyber security risk management purposes. Similar types of cyber security risks are also present for issuers of securities in which a Fund invests, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause a Fund’s investment in such portfolio companies to lose value.
De scription of Permitted Investments
The following are descriptions of the permitted investments and investment practices and the associated risk factors. A Fund will only invest in any of the following instruments or engage in any of the following investment practices if such investment or activity is consistent with such Fund’s investment objective and permitted by such Fund’s stated investment policies. Each of the permitted investments described below applies to each Fund unless otherwise noted.
Borrowing
Although the Fund does not intend to borrow money, the Fund may do so to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may borrow up to one-third (1/3) of its total assets. The Fund will borrow money only for short-term or emergency purposes. Such borrowing is not for investment purposes and will be repaid by the Fund promptly. Borrowing will tend to exaggerate the effect on NAV of any increase or decrease in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio. Money borrowed will be subject to interest costs that may or may not be recovered by earnings on the securities purchased. The Fund also may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with a borrowing or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit; either of these requirements would increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate.
Currency Transactions (SoFi Gig Economy ETF only)
The Fund may enter into foreign currency forward and foreign currency futures contracts to facilitate local securities settlements or to protect against currency exposure in connection with distributions to shareholders. The Fund does not expect to engage in currency transactions for the purpose of hedging against declines in the value of the Fund’s total assets that are denominated in one or more foreign currencies.
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts. A forward foreign currency exchange contract (“forward contract”) involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are principally traded in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. Forward contracts are contracts between parties in which one party agrees to make a payment to the other party (the counterparty) based on the market value or level of a specified currency. In return, the counterparty agrees to make payment to the first party based on the return of a different specified currency. A forward contract generally has no margin deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage for trades. These contracts typically are settled by physical delivery of the underlying currency or currencies in the amount of the full contract value.
A non-deliverable forward contract is a forward contract where there is no physical settlement of two currencies at maturity. Non-deliverable forward contracts will usually be done on a net basis, with the Fund receiving or paying only the net amount of the two payments. The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each non-deliverable forward contract is accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash or highly liquid securities having an aggregate value at least equal to the accrued excess is maintained in an account at the Fund’s custodian bank. The risk of loss with respect to non-deliverable forward contracts generally is limited to the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make or receive.
Foreign Currency Futures Contracts. A foreign currency futures contract is a contract involving an obligation to deliver or acquire the specified amount of a specific currency, at a specified price and at a specified future time. Futures contracts may be settled on a net cash payment basis rather than by the sale and delivery of the underlying currency.
Currency exchange transactions involve a significant degree of risk and the markets in which currency exchange transactions are effected are highly volatile, highly specialized and highly technical. Significant changes, including changes in liquidity and prices, can occur in such markets within very short periods of time, often within minutes. Currency exchange trading risks include, but are not limited to, exchange rate risk, maturity gap, interest rate risk, and potential interference by foreign governments through regulation of local exchange markets, foreign investment or particular transactions in foreign currency. If the Fund utilizes foreign currency transactions at an inappropriate time, such transactions may lower the Fund’s return. The Fund could experience losses if the value of any currency forwards and futures positions is poorly correlated with its other investments or if it could not close out its positions because of an illiquid market. Such contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligations. In addition, the Fund will incur transaction costs, including trading commissions, in connection with certain foreign currency transactions.
Depositary Receipts
To the extent a Fund invests in stocks of foreign corporations, a Fund’s investment in securities of foreign companies may be in the form of depositary receipts or other securities convertible into securities of foreign issuers. American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) are dollar-denominated receipts representing interests in the securities of a foreign issuer, which securities may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be converted. ADRs are receipts typically issued by U.S. banks and trust companies which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. Generally, ADRs in registered form are designed for use in domestic securities markets and are traded on exchanges or over-the-counter in the United States.
Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), and International Depositary Receipts (“IDRs”) are similar to ADRs in that they are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign issuer; however, GDRs, EDRs, and IDRs may be issued in bearer form and denominated in other currencies and are generally designed for use in specific or multiple securities markets outside the U.S. EDRs, for example, are designed for use in European securities markets, while GDRs are designed for use throughout the world. Depositary receipts will not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as their underlying securities.
The Funds will not invest in any unlisted Depositary Receipts or any Depositary Receipt that the Sub-Adviser deems to be illiquid or for which pricing information is not readily available. In addition, all Depositary Receipts generally must be sponsored. However, a Fund may invest in unsponsored Depositary Receipts under certain limited circumstances. The issuers of unsponsored Depositary Receipts are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States and, therefore, there may be less information available regarding such issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the value of the Depositary Receipts. The use of a Depositary Receipt may increase tracking error relative to the applicable Index if the Index includes the foreign security instead of the Depositary Receipt.
Equity securities, such as the common stocks of an issuer, are subject to stock market fluctuations and therefore may experience volatile changes in value as market conditions, consumer sentiment or the financial condition of the issuers change. A decrease in value of the equity securities in the Fund’s portfolio may also cause the value of the Fund’s Shares to decline.
An investment in the Fund should be made with an understanding of the risks inherent in an investment in equity securities, including the risk that the financial condition of issuers may become impaired or that the general condition of the stock market may deteriorate (either of which may cause a decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities and therefore a decrease in the value of Shares of the Fund). Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence and perceptions change. These investor perceptions are based on various and unpredictable factors, including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies; inflation and interest rates; economic expansion or contraction; and global or regional political, economic or banking crises.
Holders of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders, as owners of the issuer, generally have inferior rights to receive payments from the issuer in comparison with the rights of creditors or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks. Further, unlike debt securities, which typically have a stated principal amount payable at maturity (whose value, however, is subject to market fluctuations prior thereto), or preferred stocks, which typically have a liquidation preference and which may have stated optional or mandatory redemption provisions, common stocks have neither a fixed principal amount nor a maturity. Common stock values are subject to market fluctuations as long as the common stock remains outstanding.
When-Issued Securities – A when-issued security is one whose terms are available and for which a market exists, but which has not been issued. When the Fund engages in when-issued transactions, it relies on the other party to consummate the sale. If the other party fails to complete the sale, the Fund may miss the opportunity to obtain the security at a favorable price or yield.
When purchasing a security on a when-issued basis, the Fund assumes the rights and risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of price and yield changes. At the time of settlement, the value of the security may be more or less than the purchase price. The yield available in the market when the delivery takes place also may be higher than those obtained in the transaction itself. Because the Fund does not pay for the security until the delivery date, these risks are in addition to the risks associated with its other investments.
Decisions to enter into “when-issued” transactions will be considered on a case-by-case basis when necessary to maintain continuity in a company’s index membership. The Fund will segregate cash or liquid securities equal in value to commitments for the when-issued transactions. The Fund will segregate additional liquid assets daily so that the value of such assets is equal to the amount of the commitments.
Types of Equity Securities:
Common Stocks — Common stocks represent units of ownership in a company. Common stocks usually carry voting rights and earn dividends. Unlike preferred stocks, which are described below, dividends on common stocks are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the company’s board of directors.
Preferred Stocks — Preferred stocks are also units of ownership in a company. Preferred stocks normally have preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of the company. However, in all other respects, preferred stocks are subordinated to the liabilities of the issuer. Unlike common stocks, preferred stocks are generally not entitled to vote on corporate matters. Types of preferred stocks include adjustable-rate preferred stock, fixed dividend preferred stock, perpetual preferred stock, and sinking fund preferred stock.
Generally, the market values of preferred stock with a fixed dividend rate and no conversion element vary inversely with interest rates and perceived credit risk.
Rights and Warrants — A right is a privilege granted to existing shareholders of a corporation to subscribe to shares of a new issue of common stock before it is issued. Rights normally have a short life of usually two to four weeks, are freely transferable and entitle the holder to buy the new common stock at a lower price than the public offering price. Warrants are securities that are usually issued together with a debt security or preferred stock and that give the holder the right to buy proportionate amount of common stock at a specified price. Warrants are freely transferable and are traded on major exchanges. Unlike rights, warrants normally have a life that is measured in years and entitles the holder to buy common stock of a company at a price that is usually higher than the market price at the time the warrant is issued. Corporations often issue warrants to make the accompanying debt security more attractive.
An investment in warrants and rights may entail greater risks than certain other types of investments. Generally, rights and warrants do not carry the right to receive dividends or exercise voting rights with respect to the underlying securities, and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. In addition, their value does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities, and they cease to have value if they are not exercised on or before their expiration date. Investing in rights and warrants increases the potential profit or loss to be realized from the investment as compared with investing the same amount in the underlying securities.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”).
A REIT is a corporation or business trust (that would otherwise be taxed as a corporation) which meets the definitional requirements of the Code. The Code permits a qualifying REIT to deduct from taxable income the dividends paid, thereby effectively eliminating corporate level federal income tax. To meet the definitional requirements of the Code, a REIT must, among other things: invest substantially all of its assets in interests in real estate (including mortgages and other REITs), cash and government securities; derive most of its income from rents from real property or interest on loans secured by mortgages on real property; and, in general, distribute annually 90% or more of its taxable income (other than net capital gains) to shareholders.
In general, qualified REIT dividends that an investor receives directly from a REIT are automatically eligible for the 20% qualified business income deduction. The IRS has issued proposed Treasury Regulations that, if finalized as proposed, would permit a dividend or part of a dividend paid by a regulated investment company and reported as a “section 199A dividend” to be treated by the recipient as a qualified REIT dividend for purposes of the 20% qualified business income deduction. These regulations have not yet been finalized and the tax treatment of REIT dividends received through a regulated investment company may change in the future. However, taxpayers may rely on the Treasury Regulations as proposed, until they are adopted as final.
REITs are sometimes informally characterized as Equity REITs and Mortgage REITs. An Equity REIT invests primarily in the fee ownership or leasehold ownership of land and buildings ( e.g. , commercial equity REITs and residential equity REITs); a Mortgage REIT invests primarily in mortgages on real property, which may secure construction, development or long-term loans.
REITs may be affected by changes in underlying real estate values, which may have an exaggerated effect to the extent that REITs in which a Fund invests may concentrate investments in particular geographic regions or property types. Additionally, rising interest rates may cause investors in REITs to demand a higher annual yield from future distributions, which may in turn decrease market prices for equity securities issued by REITs. Rising interest rates also generally increase the costs of obtaining financing, which could cause the value of a Fund’s investments to decline. During periods of declining interest rates, certain Mortgage REITs may hold mortgages that the mortgagors elect to prepay, which prepayment may diminish the yield on securities issued by such Mortgage REITs. In addition, Mortgage REITs may be affected by the ability of borrowers to repay when due the debt extended by the REIT and Equity REITs may be affected by the ability of tenants to pay rent.
Certain REITs have relatively small market capitalization, which may tend to increase the volatility of the market price of securities issued by such REITs. Furthermore, REITs are dependent upon specialized management skills, have limited diversification and are, therefore, subject to risks inherent in operating and financing a limited number of projects. By investing in REITs indirectly through a Fund, a shareholder will bear not only his or her proportionate share of the expenses of a Fund, but also, indirectly, similar expenses of the REITs. REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders.
In addition to these risks, Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while Mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Further, Equity and Mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally may not be diversified. Equity and Mortgage REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency defaults by borrowers and self-liquidation. In addition, Equity and Mortgage REITs could possibly fail to qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment generally available to REITs under the Code or fail to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. The above factors may also adversely affect a borrower’s or a lessee’s ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In the event of default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments.
Smaller Companies — The securities of small- and mid-capitalization companies may be more vulnerable to adverse issuer, market, political, or economic developments than securities of larger-capitalization companies. The securities of small- and mid-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- or mid-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 small- and mid-capitalization companies than for larger, more established companies. Small- and mid-capitalization companies also may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, government regulation, borrowing costs, and earnings.
Tracking Stocks . The Funds may invest in tracking stocks. A tracking stock is a separate class of common stock whose value is linked to a specific business unit or operating division within a larger company and which is designed to “track” the performance of such business unit or division. The tracking stock may pay dividends to shareholders independent of the parent company. The parent company, rather than the business unit or division, generally is the issuer of tracking stock. However, holders of the tracking stock may not have the same rights as holders of the company’s common stock.
Foreign Securities
The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities. Investing in securities of foreign companies and countries involves certain considerations and risks that are not typically associated with investing in U.S. government securities and securities of domestic companies. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than a domestic one, and foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. There may also be less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies than exists in the United States. Interest and dividends paid by foreign issuers as well as gains or proceeds realized from the sale or other disposition of foreign securities may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes, which may decrease the net return on such investments as compared to dividends and interest paid to the Fund by domestic companies or the U.S. government. There may be the possibility of expropriations, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, the imposition of economic sanctions, confiscatory taxation, political, economic or social instability or diplomatic developments that could affect assets of the Fund held in foreign countries. The establishment of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions could adversely affect the payment of obligations. In addition, investing in foreign securities will generally result in higher commissions than investing in similar domestic securities.
Decreases in the value of currencies of the foreign countries in which the Fund will invest relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding decrease in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund’s assets denominated in those currencies (and possibly a corresponding increase in the amount of securities required to be liquidated to meet distribution requirements). Conversely, increases in the value of currencies of the foreign countries in which the Fund invests relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding increase in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund’s assets (and possibly a corresponding decrease in the amount of securities to be liquidated).
Investing in emerging markets can have more risk than investing in developed foreign markets. The risks of investing in these markets may be exacerbated relative to investments in foreign markets. Governments of developing and emerging market countries may be more unstable as compared to more developed countries. Developing and emerging market countries may have less developed securities markets or exchanges, and legal and accounting systems. It may be more difficult to sell securities at acceptable prices and security prices may be more volatile than in countries with more mature markets. Currency values may fluctuate more in developing or emerging markets. Developing or emerging market countries may be more likely to impose government restrictions, including confiscatory taxation, expropriation or nationalization of a company’s assets, and restrictions on foreign ownership of local companies. In addition, emerging markets may impose restrictions on the Fund’s ability to repatriate investment income or capital and thus, may adversely affect the operations of the Fund. Certain emerging markets may impose constraints on currency exchange and some currencies in emerging markets may have been devalued significantly against the U.S. Dollar. For these and other reasons, the prices of securities in emerging markets can fluctuate more significantly than the prices of securities of companies in developed countries. The less developed the country, the greater effect these risks may have on the Fund.
Set forth below for certain markets in which a Fund may invest are brief descriptions of some of the conditions and risks in each such market.
Investments in Australia. The Australian economy is reliant on the sale of commodities, which can pose risks such as the fluctuation of prices and the variability of demand for exportation of such products. Changes in spending on Australian products by the economies of other countries or changes in any of these economies may cause a significant impact on the Australian economy.
Investments in China. Investing in securities of Chinese companies involves additional risks, including, but not limited to: the economy of China differs, often unfavorably, from the U.S. economy in such respects as structure, general development, government involvement, wealth distribution, rate of inflation, growth rate, allocation of resources and capital reinvestment, among others; the central government has historically exercised substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through administrative regulation and/or state ownership; and actions of the Chinese central and local government authorities continue to have a substantial effect on economic conditions in China. In addition, previously the Chinese government has from time to time taken actions that influence the prices at which certain goods may be sold, encourage companies to invest or concentrate in particular industries, induce mergers between companies in certain industries and induce private companies to publicly offer their securities to increase or continue the rate of economic growth, control the rate of inflation or otherwise regulate economic expansion.
Investments in Hong Kong . Investments directly in or in ADRs with underlying shares organized, listed, or domiciled in Hong Kong are subject to certain risks not associated with other investments. Following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China by the Communist Party in 1949, the Chinese government renounced various debt obligations incurred by China’s predecessor governments, which obligations remain in default, and expropriated assets without compensation. There can be no assurance that the Chinese government will not take similar action in the future. Investments in Hong Kong involve risk of a total loss due to government action or inaction. China has committed by treaty to preserve Hong Kong’s autonomy and its economic, political and social freedoms for 50 years from the July 1, 1997 transfer of sovereignty from Great Britain to China. However, if China would exert its authority so as to alter the economic, political, or legal structures or the existing social policy of Hong Kong, investor and business confidence in Hong Kong could be negatively affected, which in turn could negatively affect markets and business performance. In addition, the Hong Kong dollar trades at a fixed exchange rate in relation to (or, is “pegged” to) the U.S. dollar, which has contributed to the growth and stability of the Hong Kong economy. However, it is uncertain how long the currency peg will continue or what effect the establishment of an alternative exchange rate system would have on the Hong Kong economy. Because each Fund’s NAV is denominated in U.S. dollars, the establishment of an alternative exchange rate system could result in a decline in the Fund’s NAV. These and other factors could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance.
Investments in Emerging Markets . Investments in securities listed and traded in emerging markets are subject to additional risks that may not be present for U.S. investments or investments in more developed non-U.S. markets. Such risks may include: (i) greater market volatility; (ii) lower trading volume; (iii) greater social, political and economic uncertainty; (iv) governmental controls on foreign investments and limitations on repatriation of invested capital; (v) the risk that companies may be held to lower disclosure, corporate governance, auditing and financial reporting standards than companies in more developed markets; and (vi) the risk that there may be less protection of property rights than in other countries. Emerging markets are generally less liquid and less efficient than developed securities markets.
Investments in Europe . Most developed countries in Western Europe are members of the European Union (“EU”), and many are also members of the European Monetary Union (EMU), which requires compliance with restrictions on inflation rates, deficits, and debt levels. Unemployment in certain European nations is historically high and several countries face significant debt problems. These conditions can significantly affect every country in Europe. The euro is the official currency of the EU. Funds that invest in Europe may have significant exposure to the euro and events affecting the euro. Recent market events affecting several of the EU member countries have adversely affected the sovereign debt issued by those countries, and ultimately may lead to a decline in the value of the euro. A significant decline in the value of the euro may produce unpredictable effects on trade and commerce generally and could lead to increased volatility in financial markets worldwide.
In June 2016, the United Kingdom (“UK”) held a referendum resulting in a vote in favor of the exit of the UK from the EU (known as “Brexit”). It is expected that the UK will invoke article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty to withdraw from the EU by the end of March 2019; however, there is a significant degree of uncertainty about how negotiations relating to the UK’s withdrawal will be conducted, as well as the potential consequences and precise timeframe for Brexit. On March 29, 2017, the UK initiated the two-year exit process by notifying the European Council of the UK’s intention to withdraw from the EU. During this period and beyond, the impact on the UK and European economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in negative impacts, such as increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth of markets in the UK, Europe and globally, which may adversely affect the value of a Fund’s investments. Additionally, depreciation of the British pound sterling and/or the euro in relation to the U.S. dollar in anticipation of Brexit would adversely affect Fund investments denominated in British pound sterling and/or the euro, regardless of the performance of the investment. Also as a result of the referendum, on June 27, 2016, Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) downgraded the UK’s credit rating from “AAA” to “AA” with a “negative outlook,” and on June 30, 2016, S&P downgraded the EU’s credit rating from “AA+” to “AA”. Other credit ratings agencies have taken similar actions.
Investments in India . India is an emerging market and exhibits significantly greater market volatility from time to time in comparison to more developed markets. Political and legal uncertainty, greater government control over the economy, currency fluctuations or blockage and the risk of nationalization or expropriation of assets may result in higher potential for losses.
Moreover, governmental actions can have a significant effect on the economic conditions in India, which could adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments. The securities markets in India are comparatively underdeveloped, and stockbrokers and other intermediaries may not perform as well as their counterparts in the United States and other more developed securities markets. The limited liquidity of the Indian securities markets may also affect the Fund’s ability to acquire or dispose of securities at the price and time that it desires.
Global factors and foreign actions may inhibit the flow of foreign capital on which India is dependent to sustain its growth. In addition, the Reserve Bank of India (“RBI”) has imposed limits on foreign ownership of Indian securities, which may decrease the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio and result in extreme volatility in the prices of Indian securities. These factors, coupled with the lack of extensive accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices, as compared to the United States, may increase the Fund’s risk of loss.
Further, certain Indian regulatory approvals, including approvals from the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the RBI, the central government and the tax authorities (to the extent that tax benefits need to be utilized), may be required before the Fund can make investments in the securities of Indian companies.
Investments in Japan. The Japanese economy has recently emerged from a prolonged economic downturn. Since 2000, Japan’s economic growth rate has remained relatively low. Its economy is characterized by government intervention and protectionism, an unstable financial services sector, low domestic consumption, and relatively high unemployment. Japan’s economy is heavily dependent on international trade and has been adversely affected by trade tariffs and competition from emerging economies. As such, economic growth is heavily dependent on continued growth in international trade, government support of the financial services sector, among other troubled sectors, and consistent government policy. Any changes or trends in these economic factors could have a significant impact on Japan’s economy overall and may negatively affect the Fund’s investment. Japan’s economy is also closely tied to its two largest trading partners, the U.S. and China. Economic volatility in either nation may create volatility for Japan’s economy as well. Additionally, as China has increased its role with Japan as a trading partner, political tensions between the countries has become strained. Any increase or decrease in such tension may have consequences for investment in or exposure to Japanese issuers.
In March 2011, a massive earthquake and tsunami struck northeastern Japan causing major damage to the country’s domestic energy supply, including damage to nuclear power plants. In the wake of this natural disaster, Japan’s financial markets fluctuated dramatically and the resulting economic distress affected Japan’s recovery from its recession. The government injected capital into the economy and proposed plans for massive spending on reconstruction efforts in disaster-affected areas to stimulate economic growth. The full extent of the disaster’s impact on Japan’s economy and foreign investment in Japan is difficult to estimate. The risks of natural disasters of varying degrees, such as earthquakes and tsunamis, and the resulting damage, continue to exist. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.
Investments in South Korea . Investments in South Korean issuers involve risks that are specific to South Korea, including legal, regulatory, political, currency, security and economic risks. Substantial political tensions exist between North Korea and South Korea and recently these political tensions have escalated. The outbreak of hostilities between the two nations, or even the threat of an outbreak of hostilities, will likely adversely impact the South Korean economy. In addition, South Korea’s economic growth potential has recently been on a decline, mainly because of a rapidly aging population and structural problems.
Investments in Taiwan . Investments in Taiwanese issuers may subject a Fund to legal, regulatory, political, currency and economic risks that are specific to Taiwan. Specifically, Taiwan’s geographic proximity and history of political contention with China have resulted in ongoing tensions between the two countries. These tensions may materially affect the Taiwanese economy and its securities market. Taiwan’s economy is export-oriented, so it depends on an open world trade regime and remains vulnerable to fluctuations in the world economy. The Taiwanese economy is dependent on the economies of Asia, mainly those of Japan and China, and the United States. Reduction in spending by any of these countries on Taiwanese products and services or negative changes in any of these economies may cause an adverse impact on the Taiwanese economy.
Illiquid Securities
The Fund may invest in illiquid securities ( i.e. , securities that are not readily marketable). Illiquid securities include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities the disposition of which is restricted under the federal securities laws), securities that may only be resold pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), but that are deemed to be illiquid; and repurchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days. However, the Fund will not acquire illiquid securities if, as a result, such securities would comprise more than 15% of the value of the Fund’s net assets. The Board has the ultimate authority to determine, to the extent permissible under the federal securities laws, which securities are liquid or illiquid for purposes of this 15% limitation and has delegated the function of making determinations of liquidity to the Sub-Adviser . The Sub-Adviser determines and monitors the liquidity of the portfolio securities and reports periodically on its decisions to the Board. In making such determinations it takes into account a number of factors in reaching liquidity decisions, including but not limited to: (1) the frequency of trades and quotations for the security; (2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security and the number of other potential buyers; (3) the willingness of dealers to undertake to make a market in the security; and (4) the nature of the marketplace trades, including the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of the transfer. On or about June 1, 2019, in connection with the implementation of the SEC’s new liquidity risk management rule, the term “illiquid security” will be defined as a security that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the security.
An institutional market has developed for certain restricted securities. Accordingly, contractual or legal restrictions on the resale of a security may not be indicative of the liquidity of the security. If such securities are eligible for purchase by institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act or other exemptions, the Sub-Adviser may determine that the securities are liquid.
Restricted securities may be sold only in privately negotiated transactions or in a public offering with respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the Securities Act. Where registration is required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses and a considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than that which prevailed when it decided to sell.
Illiquid securities will be priced at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures adopted by the Board. If, through the appreciation of illiquid securities or the depreciation of liquid securities, the Fund should be in a position where more than 15% of the value of its net assets are invested in illiquid securities, including restricted securities which are not readily marketable, the Fund will take such steps as are deemed advisable, if any, to protect liquidity.
Investment Company Securities
The Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies, including money market funds and ETFs, subject to applicable limitations under Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act. Investing in another pooled vehicle exposes the Fund to all the risks of that pooled vehicle. Pursuant to Section 12(d)(1), the Fund may invest in the securities of another investment company (the “acquired company”) provided that the Fund, immediately after such purchase or acquisition, does not own in the aggregate: (i) more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of the acquired company; (ii) securities issued by the acquired company having an aggregate value in excess of 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund; or (iii) securities issued by the acquired company and all other investment companies (other than treasury stock of the Fund) having an aggregate value in excess of 10% of the value of the total assets of the Fund. To the extent allowed by law or regulation, the Fund may invest its assets in securities of investment companies that are money market funds in excess of the limits discussed above.
If the Fund invests in and, thus, is a shareholder of, another investment company, the Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear the Fund’s proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by such other investment company, including advisory fees, in addition to both the management fees payable directly by the Fund to the Adviser and the other expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with the Fund’s own operations.
Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act restricts investments by registered investment companies in securities of other registered investment companies, including the Fund. The acquisition of Shares by registered investment companies is subject to the restrictions of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, except as may be permitted by exemptive rules under the 1940 Act or as may at some future time be permitted by an exemptive order that permits registered investment companies to invest in the Fund beyond the limits of Section 12(d)(1), subject to certain terms and conditions, including that the registered investment company enter into an agreement with the Fund regarding the terms of the investment.
The Fund may rely on Section 12(d)(1)(F) and Rule 12d1-3 of the 1940 Act, which provide an exemption from Section 12(d)(1) that allows the Fund to invest all of its assets in other registered funds, including ETFs, if, among other conditions: (a) the Fund, together with its affiliates, acquires no more than three percent of the outstanding voting stock of any acquired fund, and (b) the sales load charged on Shares is no greater than the limits set forth in Rule 2830 of the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). Additionally, the Fund may rely on exemptive relief issued by the SEC to other registered funds, including ETFs, to invest in such other funds in excess of the limits of Section 12(d)(1) if the Fund complies with the terms and conditions of such exemptive relief.
Money Market Funds
The Fund may invest in underlying money market funds that either seek to maintain a stable $1 NAV (“stable NAV money market funds”) or that have a share price that fluctuates (“variable NAV market funds”). Although an underlying stable NAV money market fund seeks to maintain a stable $1 NAV, it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in such a money market fund. Because the share price of an underlying variable NAV market fund will fluctuate, when the Fund sells the shares it owns they may be worth more or less than what the Fund originally paid for them. In addition, neither type of money market fund is designed to offer capital appreciation. Certain underlying money market funds may impose a fee upon the sale of shares or may temporarily suspend the ability to sell shares if such fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums.
Other Short-Term Instruments
In addition to repurchase agreements, the Fund may invest in short-term instruments, including money market instruments, on an ongoing basis to provide liquidity or for other reasons. Money market instruments are generally short-term investments that may include but are not limited to: (i) shares of money market funds; (ii) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises); (iii) negotiable certificates of deposit (“CDs”), bankers’ acceptances, fixed time deposits and other obligations of U.S. and foreign banks (including foreign branches) and similar institutions; (iv) commercial paper rated at the date of purchase “Prime-1” by Moody’s or “A-1” by S&P or, if unrated, of comparable quality as determined by the Sub-Adviser; (v) non-convertible corporate debt securities (e.g., bonds and debentures) with remaining maturities at the date of purchase of not more than 397 days and that satisfy the rating requirements set forth in Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act; and (vi) short-term U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks (including U.S. branches) that, in the opinion of the Sub-Adviser, are of comparable quality to obligations of U.S. banks which may be purchased by the Fund. Any of these instruments may be purchased on a current or a forward-settled basis. Money market instruments also include shares of money market funds. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Bankers’ acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks by borrowers, usually in connection with international transactions.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements with commercial banks, brokers or dealers to generate income from its excess cash balances and to invest securities lending cash collateral. A repurchase agreement is an agreement under which the Fund acquires a financial instrument (e.g., a security issued by the U.S. government or an agency thereof, a banker’s acceptance or a certificate of deposit) from a seller, subject to resale to the seller at an agreed upon price and date (normally, the next Business Day). A repurchase agreement may be considered a loan collateralized by securities. The resale price reflects an agreed upon interest rate effective for the period the instrument is held by the Fund and is unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying instrument.
In these repurchase agreement transactions, the securities acquired by the Fund (including accrued interest earned thereon) must have a total value in excess of the value of the repurchase agreement and are held by the Fund’s custodian bank until repurchased. No more than an aggregate of 15% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in illiquid securities, including repurchase agreements having maturities longer than seven days and securities subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, or for which there are no readily available market quotations.
The use of repurchase agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the other party to the agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying security at a time when the value of the security has declined, the Fund may incur a loss upon disposition of the security. If the other party to the agreement becomes insolvent and subject to liquidation or reorganization under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or other laws, a court may determine that the underlying security is collateral for a loan by the Fund not within the control of the Fund and, therefore, the Fund may not be able to substantiate its interest in the underlying security and may be deemed an unsecured creditor of the other party to the agreement.
Securities Lending
The Fund may lend portfolio securities to certain creditworthy borrowers. The borrowers provide collateral that is maintained in an amount at least equal to the current value of the securities loaned. The Fund may terminate a loan at any time and obtain the return of the securities loaned. The lending Fund receives the value of any interest or cash or non-cash distributions paid on the loaned securities. Distributions received on loaned securities in lieu of dividend payments ( i.e., substitute payments) would not be considered qualified dividend income.
With respect to loans that are collateralized by cash, the borrower will be entitled to receive a fee based on the amount of cash collateral. The Fund is compensated by the difference between the amount earned on the reinvestment of cash collateral and the fee paid to the borrower. In the case of collateral other than cash, the Fund is compensated by a fee paid by the borrower equal to a percentage of the value of the loaned securities. Any cash collateral may be reinvested in certain short-term instruments either directly on behalf of the lending Fund or through one or more joint accounts or money market funds, which may include those managed by the Sub-Adviser.
The Fund may pay a portion of the interest or fees earned from securities lending to a borrower as described above, and to one or more securities lending agents approved by the Board who administer the lending program for the Fund in accordance with guidelines approved by the Board. In such capacity, the lending agent causes the delivery of loaned securities from the Fund to borrowers, arranges for the return of loaned securities to the Fund at the termination of a loan, requests deposit of collateral, monitors the daily value of the loaned securities and collateral, requests that borrowers add to the collateral when required by the loan agreements, and provides recordkeeping and accounting services necessary for the operation of the program.
Securities lending involves exposure to certain risks, including operational risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses resulting from problems in the settlement and accounting process), “gap” risk ( i.e. , the risk of a mismatch between the return on cash collateral reinvestments and the fees the Fund has agreed to pay a borrower), and credit, legal, counterparty and market risk. In the event a borrower does not return the Fund’s securities as agreed, the Fund may experience losses if the proceeds received from liquidating the collateral do not at least equal the value of the loaned security at the time the collateral is liquidated plus the transaction costs incurred in purchasing replacement securities.
U.S. Government Securities
The Fund may invest in U.S. government securities. Securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities include U.S. Treasury securities, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury and which differ only in their interest rates, maturities, and times of issuance. U.S. Treasury bills have initial maturities of one-year or less; U.S. Treasury notes have initial maturities of one to ten years; and U.S. Treasury bonds generally have initial maturities of greater than ten years. Certain U.S. government securities are issued or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government including, but not limited to, obligations of U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), the Small Business Administration, the Federal Farm Credit Administration, the Federal Home Loan Banks, Banks for Cooperatives (including the Central Bank for Cooperatives), the Federal Land Banks, the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Federal Financing Bank, the Student Loan Marketing Association, the National Credit Union Administration and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac).
Some obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities, including, for example, GNMA pass-through certificates, are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Other obligations issued by or guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those securities issued by the FNMA, are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the federal agency, while other obligations issued by or guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those of the Federal Home Loan Banks, are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, while the U.S. government provides financial support to such U.S. government-sponsored federal agencies, no assurance can be given that the U.S. government will always do so, since the U.S. government is not so obligated by law. U.S. Treasury notes and bonds typically pay coupon interest semi-annually and repay the principal at maturity.
On September 7, 2008, the U.S. Treasury announced a federal takeover of the FNMA and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), placing the two federal instrumentalities in conservatorship. Under the takeover, the U.S. Treasury agreed to acquire $1 billion of senior preferred stock of each instrumentality and obtained warrants for the purchase of common stock of each instrumentality (the “Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement” or “Agreement”). Under the Agreement, the U.S. Treasury pledged to provide up to $200 billion per instrumentality as needed, including the contribution of cash capital to the instrumentalities in the event their liabilities exceed their assets. This was intended to ensure that the instrumentalities maintain a positive net worth and meet their financial obligations, preventing mandatory triggering of receivership. On December 24, 2009, the U.S. Treasury announced that it was amending the Agreement to allow the $200 billion cap on the U.S. Treasury’s funding commitment to increase as necessary to accommodate any cumulative reduction in net worth over the next three years. As a result of this Agreement, the investments of holders, including the Fund, of mortgage-backed securities and other obligations issued by the FNMA and Freddie Mac are protected.
The total public debt of the United States as a percentage of gross domestic product has grown rapidly since the beginning of the 2008–2009 financial downturn. Although high debt levels do not necessarily indicate or cause economic problems, they may create certain systemic risks if sound debt management practices are not implemented. A high national debt can raise concerns that the U.S. government will not be able to make principal or interest payments when they are due. This increase has also necessitated the need for the U.S. Congress to negotiate adjustments to the statutory debt limit to increase the cap on the amount the U.S. government is permitted to borrow to meet its existing obligations and finance current budget deficits. In August 2011, S&P lowered its long term sovereign credit rating on the U.S. In explaining the downgrade at that time, S&P cited, among other reasons, controversy over raising the statutory debt limit and growth in public spending. On February 9, 2018, following passage by Congress, the President of the United States signed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, which suspends the statutory debt limit through March 1, 2019. Any controversy or ongoing uncertainty regarding the statutory debt ceiling negotiations may impact the U.S. long-term sovereign credit rating and may cause market uncertainty. As a result, market prices and yields of securities supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government may be adversely affected.
Te mporary Strategies of the SoFi Gig Economy ETF
Under normal market conditions, the SoFi Gig Economy ETF will stay fully invested according to its principal investment strategies as noted above. The Fund, however, may temporarily depart from its principal investment strategies by making short-term investments in commercial paper and/or repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities, corporate obligations, municipal debt securities, mortgage-backed securities, or convertible securities for temporary defensive purposes in response to adverse market, economic, or political conditions. This may result in the Fund not achieving its investment objective during that period.
The Trust has adopted the following investment restrictions as fundamental policies with respect to each Fund. These restrictions cannot be changed with respect to a Fund without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. For the purposes of the 1940 Act, a “majority of outstanding shares” means the vote of the lesser of: (1) 67% or more of the voting securities of a Fund present at the meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy; or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund.
Except with the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, each Fund may not:
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1. | Borrow money or issue senior securities (as defined under the 1940 Act), except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act. |
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2. | Make loans, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act. |
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3. | 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. |
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4. | Purchase or sell 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. |
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5. | Underwrite securities issued by other persons, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act. |
Except with the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, the SoFi Gig Economy ETF may not:
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6. | Concentrate its investments ( i.e. , hold more than 25% of its total assets) in any industry or group of related industries. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities), securities of registered investment companies, repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities, and tax-exempt securities of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions are not considered to be issued by members of any industry. |
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7. | With respect to 50% of its total assets, purchase the securities of any one issuer if, immediately after and as a result of such purchase, (a) the value of the Fund’s holdings in the securities of such issuer exceeds 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets, or (b) the Fund owns more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer (with the exception that this restriction does not apply to the Fund’s investments in the securities of the U.S. government, or its agencies or instrumentalities, or other investment companies). |
Except with the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, each of the SoFi Select 500 ETF, SoFi Next 500 ETF and SoFi 50 ETF may not:
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6. | Concentrate its investments ( i.e. , hold more than 25% of its total assets) in any industry or group of related industries, except that each Fund will concentrate to approximately the same extent that the Solactive SoFi US 500 Growth Index, the Solactive SoFi US Next 500 Growth Index, or the Solactive SoFi US 50 Growth Index, as applicable, 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, registered investment companies, and tax-exempt securities of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions are not considered to be issued by members of any industry. |
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7. | With respect to 75% of its total assets, purchase the securities of any one issuer if, immediately after and as a result of such purchase, (a) the value of the Fund’s holdings in the securities of such issuer exceeds 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets, or (b) the Fund owns more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer (with the exception that this restriction does not apply to the Fund’s investments in the securities of the U.S. government, or its agencies or instrumentalities, or other investment companies). |
In determining its compliance with the fundamental investment restriction on concentration, each Fund will look through to the underlying holdings of any affiliated investment company and will consider its entire investment in any investment company with a policy to concentrate, or having otherwise disclosed that it is concentrated, in a particular industry or group of related industries as being invested in such industry or group of related industries. Additionally, in determining its compliance with the fundamental investment restriction on concentration, each Fund will look through to the user or use of private activity municipal bonds to determine their industry.
In addition to the investment restrictions adopted as fundamental policies as set forth above, each Fund observes the following non-fundamental restriction, which may be changed without a shareholder vote:
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1. | The Fund will not hold illiquid investments in excess of 15% of its net assets. An illiquid investment is any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. |
Each Index ETF observes the following non-fundamental restriction, which may be changed without a shareholder vote:
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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 its underlying index. |
If a percentage limitation is adhered to at the time of investment or contract, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value or total or net assets will not result in a violation of such restriction, except that the percentage limitations with respect to the borrowing of money and illiquid securities will be observed continuously.
Shares are listed for trading and trade throughout the day on the applicable Exchange.
There can be no assurance that a Fund will continue to meet the requirements of the applicable Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of Shares. The applicable Exchange will consider the suspension of trading in, and will initiate delisting proceedings of, the Shares of a Fund under any of the following circumstances: (i) if any of the requirements set forth in the applicable Exchange rules are not continuously maintained; (ii) if the applicable Exchange files separate proposals under Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and any of the statements regarding (a) with respect to the Index ETFs, the index composition; (b) the description of the applicable Fund; (c) limitations on such Fund’s portfolio holdings or reference assets; (d) dissemination and availability of the index (with respect to Index ETFs) or intraday indicative values; or (e) the applicability of the applicable Exchange listing rules specified in such proposals are not continuously maintained; (iii) if following the initial 12-month period beginning at the commencement of trading of a Fund, there are fewer than 50 beneficial owners of the Shares of such Fund; (iv) if, with respect to Index ETFs, the value of a Fund’s underlying index is no longer calculated or available or an interruption to the dissemination persists past the trading day in which it occurred or the underlying index is replaced with a new index, unless the new underlying index meets certain Exchange requirements; (v) if the intraday indicative value is no longer disseminated at least every 15 seconds during the applicable Exchange’s regular market session and the interruption to the dissemination persists past the trading day in which it occurred; or (vi) such other event shall occur or condition shall exist that, in the opinion of the applicable Exchange, makes further dealings on the applicable Exchange inadvisable. The applicable Exchange will remove the Shares of a Fund from listing and trading upon termination of such Fund.
The Trust reserves the right to adjust the price levels of Shares in the future to help maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of the applicable Fund.
To provide additional information regarding the indicative value of Shares, the applicable Exchange or a market data vendor disseminates information every 15 seconds through the facilities of the Consolidated Tape Association, or other widely disseminated means, an updated “intraday indicative value” (“IIV”) for each Fund as calculated by an information provider or market data vendor. The Trust is not involved in or responsible for any aspect of the calculation or dissemination of the IIVs and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the IIVs.
Board Responsibilities. The management and affairs of the Trust and its series are overseen by the Board, which elects the officers of the Trust who are responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the Trust and the Fund. The Board has approved contracts, as described below, under which certain companies provide essential services to the Trust.
The day-to-day business of the Trust, including the management of risk, is performed by third-party service providers, such as the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, the Distributor (defined below), and the Administrator (defined below). The Board is responsible for overseeing the Trust’s service providers and, thus, has oversight responsibility with respect to risk management performed by those service providers. Risk management seeks to identify and address risks, i.e. , events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder services, investment performance or reputation of the Fund. The Fund and its service providers employ a variety of processes, procedures, and controls to identify various of those possible events or circumstances, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Each service provider is responsible for one or more discrete aspects of the Trust’s business ( e.g., the Sub-Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day trading and execution of each Fund’s portfolio investments) and, consequently, for managing the risks associated with that business. The Board has emphasized to the Fund’s service providers the importance of maintaining vigorous risk management.
The Board’s role in risk oversight begins before the inception of the Fund, at which time certain of the Fund’s service providers present the Board with information concerning the investment objective, strategies, and risks of the Fund as well as proposed investment limitations for the Fund. Additionally, the Adviser and Sub-Adviser provide the Board with an overview of, among other things, their investment philosophies, brokerage practices, and compliance infrastructures. Thereafter, the Board continues its oversight function as various personnel, including the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer and other service providers such as the Fund’s independent accountants, make periodic reports to the Audit Committee or to the Board with respect to various aspects of risk management. The Board and the Audit Committee oversee efforts by management and service providers to manage risks to which the Fund may be exposed.
The Board is responsible for overseeing the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and Sub-Adviser and receives information about those services at its regular meetings. In addition, on an annual basis (following the initial two-year period), in connection with its consideration of whether to renew the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Sub-Adviser, the Board or its designee may meet with the Adviser or Sub-Adviser to review such services. Among other things, the Board regularly considers the Adviser’s and Sub-Adviser’s adherence to the Fund’s investment restrictions and compliance with various Fund policies and procedures and with applicable securities regulations. The Board also reviews information about the Fund’s performance and the nature of the Fund’s investments.
The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer reports regularly to the Board to review and discuss compliance issues and Fund, Adviser, and Sub-Adviser risk assessments. At least annually, the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer provides the Board with a report reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Trust’s policies and procedures and those of its service providers, including the Adviser and Sub-Adviser. The report addresses the operation of the policies and procedures of the Trust and each service provider since the date of the last report; any material changes to the policies and procedures since the date of the last report; any recommendations for material changes to the policies and procedures; and any material compliance matters since the date of the last report.
The Board receives reports from the Fund’s service providers regarding operational risks and risks related to the valuation and liquidity of portfolio securities. Annually, the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm reviews with the Audit Committee its audit of the Fund’s financial statements, focusing on major areas of risk encountered by the Fund and noting any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the Fund’s internal controls. Additionally, in connection with its oversight function, the Board oversees Fund management’s implementation of disclosure controls and procedures, which are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust in its periodic reports with the SEC are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the required time periods. The Board also oversees the Trust’s internal controls over financial reporting, which comprise policies and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Trust’s financial reporting and the preparation of the Trust’s financial statements.
From their review of these reports and discussions with the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, the Chief Compliance Officer, the independent registered public accounting firm, and other service providers, the Board and the Audit Committee learn in detail about the material risks of the Fund, thereby facilitating a dialogue about how management and service providers identify and mitigate those risks.
The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the Fund can be identified and/or quantified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Fund’s goals, and that the processes, procedures, and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, reports received by the Board as to risk management matters are typically summaries of the relevant information. Most of the Fund’s investment management and business affairs are carried out by or through the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, and other service providers, each of which has an independent interest in risk management but whose policies and the methods by which one or more risk management functions are carried out may differ from the Fund’s and each other’s in the setting of priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Board’s ability to monitor and manage risk, as a practical matter, is subject to limitations.
Members of the Board. There are five members of the Board, three of whom are not interested persons of the Trust, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”). Mr. Eric W. Falkeis serves as Chairman of the Board and is an interested person of the Trust.
The Board is comprised of a majority (60 percent) of Independent Trustees. There is an Audit Committee of the Board that is chaired by an Independent Trustee and comprised solely of Independent Trustees. The Audit Committee chair presides at the Audit Committee meetings, participates in formulating agendas for Audit Committee meetings, and coordinates with management to serve as a liaison between the Independent Trustees and management on matters within the scope of responsibilities of the Audit Committee as set forth in its Board-approved charter. The Trust has determined its leadership structure is appropriate given the specific characteristics and circumstances of the Trust, even though there is no Lead Independent Trustee. The Trust made this determination in consideration of, among other things, the fact that the Independent Trustees of the Trust constitute a super-majority of the Board, the number of Independent Trustees that constitute the Board, the amount of assets under management in the Trust, and the number of funds overseen by the Board. The Board also believes that its leadership structure facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Independent Trustees from Fund management.
Additional information about each Trustee of the Trust is set forth below. The address of each Trustee of the Trust is c/o Tidal ETF Trust, 898 N. Broadway, Suite 2, Massapequa, New York 11758.
Name and Year of Birth |
Position
Held with the
Trust
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Term of
Office and
Length of Time
Served
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Principal Occupation(s)
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Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee
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Other Directorships
Held by Trustee
During Past 5 Years
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Interested Trustees | |||||
Eric W. Falkeis (1) Born: 1973
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President, Principal Executive Officer, Trustee, Chairman, and Secretary | President and Principal Executive Officer since 2019, Indefinite term; Trustee, Chairman, and Secretary since 2018, Indefinite term | Chief Executive Officer, Tidal ETF Services LLC (since 2018); Chief Operating Officer (and other positions), Rafferty Asset Management, LLC (2013–2018) and Direxion Advisors, LLC (2017–2018); Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (and other positions), U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (1997–2013). | 5 |
Trustee, Professionally Managed Portfolios (31 series) (since 2011); Interested Trustee, Direxion Funds, Direxion Shares ETF Trust, and Direxion Insurance Trust (2014–2018)
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Ian C. Carroll, CFA (2) Born: 1970
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Trustee | Indefinite term; since 2018 | Head of Corporate Research, Aware Asset Management, Inc. (since 2018); Principal Corporate Credit Research Analyst, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (insurance company) (since 2017); Credit Research Analyst (2013–2017). | 5 | None |
(1) Mr. Falkeis is considered an “interested person” of the Trust due to his positions as President, Principal Executive Officer, Chairman and Secretary of the Trust and Chief Executive Officer of Tidal ETF Services LLC, an affiliate of the Adviser.
(2) Mr. Carroll is considered an “interested person” of the Trust due to his position as Head of Corporate Research of Aware Asset Management, Inc., a sub-adviser to a series of the Trust.
Individual Trustee Qualifications. The Trust has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve on the Board because of their ability to review and understand information about the Fund provided to them by management, to identify and request other information they may deem relevant to the performance of their duties, to question management and other service providers regarding material factors bearing on the management and administration of the Fund, and to exercise their business judgment in a manner that serves the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders. The Trust has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve as a Trustee based on his or her own experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills as described below.
The Trust has concluded that Mr. Baltimore should serve as a Trustee because of his substantial experience with the distribution of investment company securities and his experience with regulatory matters through his position at Global Sight, LLC, an asset management distribution consulting firm and his past experience with distribution activities at the parent company of the Trust’s Distributor (defined below). The Board believes Mr. Baltimore’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills, on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Trustees, led to the conclusion that he possesses the requisite skills and attributes as a Trustee to carry out oversight responsibilities with respect to the Trust.
The Trust has concluded that Mr. Culafic should serve as a Trustee because of his substantial experience with investment management operations and his experience with financial, accounting, investment, and regulatory matters through his former position as Senior Operational Due Diligence Analyst of Aurora Investment Management, LLC, a fund-of-funds investment company. The Board believes Mr. Culafic’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills, on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Trustees, led to the conclusion that he possesses the requisite skills and attributes as a Trustee to carry out oversight responsibilities with respect to the Trust.
The Trust has concluded that Mr. Mendoza should serve as a Trustee because of his substantial experience with credit markets and finance and his experience with financial, accounting, investment, and regulatory matters through his former positions as Managing Director (and other positions) of BMO Capital Markets, an investment bank. The Board believes Mr. Mendoza’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills, on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Trustees, led to the conclusion that he possesses the requisite skills and attributes as a Trustee to carry out oversight responsibilities with respect to the Trust.
The Trust has concluded that Mr. Falkeis should serve as a Trustee because of his substantial investment company experience and his experience with financial, accounting, investment, and regulatory matters through his former position as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (and other positions) of U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (“Fund Services” or the “Transfer Agent”), a full service provider to ETFs, mutual funds, and alternative investment products. In addition, he has experience consulting with investment advisors regarding the legal structure of mutual funds, distribution channel analysis, and actual distribution of those funds. Mr. Falkeis also has substantial managerial, operational, technological, and risk oversight related experience through his former position as Chief Operating Officer of the advisers to the Direxion mutual fund and ETF complex. The Board believes Mr. Falkeis’ experience, qualifications, attributes or skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Trustees led to the conclusion that he possesses the requisite skills and attributes as a Trustee to carry out oversight responsibilities with respect to the Trust.
The Trust has concluded that Mr. Carroll should serve as a Trustee because of his substantial experience with financial and investment matters through his position at Aware Asset Management, Inc., and his past experience with credit investment at the California Public Employees’ Retirement System. The Board believes Mr. Carroll’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills, on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Trustees, led to the conclusion that he possesses the requisite skills and attributes as a Trustee to carry out oversight responsibilities with respect to the Trust.
In its periodic assessment of the effectiveness of the Board, the Board considers the complementary individual skills and experience of the individual Trustees primarily in the broader context of the Board’s overall composition so that the Board, as a body, possesses the appropriate (and appropriately diverse) skills and experience to oversee the business of the Fund.
Board Committees . The Board has established the following standing committees of the Board:
Audit Committee . The Board has a standing Audit Committee that is composed of each of the Independent Trustees of the Trust. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter approved by the Board. The principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee include: overseeing the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and its internal controls; overseeing the quality, objectivity and integrity of the Trust’s financial statements and the independent audits thereof; monitoring the independent auditor’s qualifications, independence and performance; acting as a liaison between the Trust’s independent auditors and the full Board; pre-approving all auditing services to be performed for the Trust; reviewing the compensation and overseeing the work of the independent auditor (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work; pre-approving all permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the Trust; pre-approving all permitted non-audit services to be performed for any investment adviser or sub-adviser to the Trust by any of the Trust’s independent auditors if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Trust; meeting with the Trust’s independent auditors as necessary to (i) review the arrangement for and scope of the annual audits and any special audits, (ii) discuss any matters of concern relating to the Fund’s financial statements, (iii) consider the independent auditors’ comments with respect to the Trust’s financial policies, procedures and internal accounting controls and Trust management’s responses thereto, and (iv) review the form of opinion the independent auditors propose to render to the Board and the Fund’s shareholders; discussing with management and the independent auditor significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the Fund’s financial statements; and reviewing and discussing reports from the independent auditors on (i) all critical accounting policies and practices to be used, (ii) all alternative treatments within generally accepted accounting principles for policies and practices related to material items that have been discussed with management, (iii) other material written communications between the independent auditor and management, including any management letter, schedule of unadjusted differences, or management representation letter, and (iv) all non-audit services provided to any entity in the Trust that were not pre-approved by the Committee; and reviewing disclosures made to the Committee by the Trust’s principal executive officer and principal accounting officer during their certification process for the Fund’s Form N-CSR. Each Independent Trustee currently serves as a member of the Audit Committee. As of the date of this SAI, the Audit Committee has met once with respect to the Funds.
The Audit Committee also serves as the Qualified Legal Compliance Committee (“QLCC”) for the Trust for the purpose of compliance with Rules 205.2(k) and 205.3(c) of the Code of Federal Regulations, regarding alternative reporting procedures for attorneys retained or employed by an issuer who appear and practice before the SEC on behalf of the issuer (the “issuer attorneys”). An issuer attorney who becomes aware of evidence of a material violation by the Trust, or by any officer, director, employee, or agent of the Trust, may report evidence of such material violation to the QLCC as an alternative to the reporting requirements of Rule 205.3(b) (which requires reporting to the chief legal officer and potentially “up the ladder” to other entities).
Nominating Committee . The Board has a standing Nominating Committee that is composed of each of the Independent Trustees of the Trust. The Nominating Committee operates under a written charter approved by the Board. The principal responsibility of the Nominating Committee is to identify, evaluate, and recommend candidates to fill vacancies on the Trust’s Board, if any. The Nominating Committee generally will not consider nominees recommended by shareholders. The Nominating Committee meets periodically, as necessary, but at least annually. The Nominating Committee met one time prior to the commencement of operations of the Funds.
Valuation Committee . The Board has delegated day-to-day valuation issues to a Valuation Committee that is comprised of Messrs. Falkeis and Carlson. Although the Valuation Committee is not a committee of the Board (i.e., committee members need not be a Trustee), the Valuation Committee’s membership is appointed by the Board and its charter and applicable procedures are approved by the Board. The function of the Valuation Committee is to value securities held by any series of the Trust for which current and reliable market quotations are not readily available. Such securities are valued at their respective fair values as determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee and the actions of the Valuation Committee are subsequently reviewed and ratified by the Board. The Valuation Committee meets as necessary.
Principal Officers of the Trust
The officers of the Trust conduct and supervise its daily business. The address of each officer of the Trust is c/o Tidal ETF Trust, 898 N. Broadway, Suite 2, Massapequa, New York 11758, unless otherwise indicated. Additional information about the Trust’s officers is as follows:
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 |
Eric W. Falkeis Born: 1973
|
President, Principal
Executive Officer,
Interested Trustee,
Chairman, and
Secretary
|
President and
Principal
Executive
Officer
since 2019,
Indefinite term;
Interested
Trustee,
Chairman, and
Secretary
since 2018,
Indefinite term
|
Chief Executive Officer, Tidal ETF Services LLC (since 2018); Chief Operating Officer (and other positions), Rafferty Asset Management, LLC (2013–2018) and Direxion Advisors, LLC (2017–2018); Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (and other positions), U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (1997–2013). |
Daniel H. Carlson Born: 1955
|
Treasurer,
Principal
Financial
Officer and
Principal
Accounting
Officer
|
Indefinite term;
since 2018
|
Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, and Managing Member, Toroso Investments, LLC (since 2012). |
Bridget P. Garcia, Esq. c/o Cipperman Compliance Services, LLC 480 E. Swedesford Road, Suite 220 Wayne, PA 19087 Born: 1985 |
Chief
Compliance
Officer
|
Indefinite term;
since 2018
|
Compliance Manager, Cipperman Compliance Services, LLC (since 2017); Senior Associate, Central Compliance - Risk Management Group (2016-2017), Client Services Associate (2014-2016), Corporate Operations Group - Business Services Admin (2010-2014), Macquarie Group (global financial services firm). |
Trustee Ownership of Shares . The Funds are required to show the dollar amount ranges of each Trustee’s “beneficial ownership” of Shares and each other series of the Trust as of the end of the most recently completed calendar year. Dollar amount ranges disclosed are established by the SEC. “Beneficial ownership” is determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”).
As of the date of this SAI, the Funds had not commenced operations and, therefore, no Trustee or officer of the Trust owned Shares.
Board Compensation. The Independent Trustees each receive $2,500 for each meeting attended, as well as reimbursement for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with serving as a Trustee. The Trust has no pension or retirement plan.
The following table shows the compensation estimated to be earned by each Trustee for the Funds’ current fiscal year ending February 29, 2020. Independent Trustee fees are paid by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser to each series of the Trust and not by the Funds. Trustee compensation shown below does not include reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses in connection with attendance at meetings.
Name
|
Aggregate Compensation
From Fund
|
Total Compensation From Fund Complex
Paid to Trustees
|
Interested Trustee
|
||
Eric W. Falkeis
|
$0 | $0 |
Ian C. Carroll
|
$0 | $0 |
Independent Trustees
|
||
Mark H.W. Baltimore
|
$0 | $12,500 |
Dusko Culafic
|
$0 | $12,500 |
Eduardo Mendoza
|
$0 | $12,500 |
Pr incipal Shareholders, Control Persons, and Management Ownership
A principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding Shares. A control person is a shareholder that owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control. Shareholders owning voting securities in excess of 25% may determine the outcome of any matter affecting and voted on by shareholders of a Fund. As of the date of this SAI, the Funds had not yet commenced operations and no Shares were outstanding.
The Trust, the Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser have each adopted codes of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These codes of ethics are designed to prevent affiliated persons of the Trust, the Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser from engaging in deceptive, manipulative or fraudulent activities in connection with securities held or to be acquired by the Fund (which may also be held by persons subject to the codes of ethics). Each code of ethics permits personnel subject to that code of ethics to invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, subject to certain limitations, including limitations related to securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. The Distributor (as defined below) relies on the principal underwriters exception under Rule 17j-1(c)(3), specifically where the Distributor is not affiliated with the Trust, the Adviser, or the Sub-Adviser, and no officer, director, or general partner of the Distributor serves as an officer, director, or general partner of the Trust, the Adviser, or the Sub-Adviser.
There can be no assurance that the codes of ethics will be effective in preventing such activities. Each code of ethics may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C. or on the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
The Funds have delegated proxy voting responsibilities to the Adviser, subject to the Board’s oversight. In delegating proxy responsibilities, the Board has directed that proxies be voted consistent with each Fund’s and its shareholders’ best interests and in compliance with all applicable proxy voting rules and regulations. The Adviser has further delegated such responsibility to the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser has adopted proxy voting policies and guidelines for this purpose (“Proxy Voting Policies”), which have been adopted by the Trust as the policies and procedures that the Sub-Adviser will use when voting proxies on behalf of each Fund.
In the absence of a conflict of interest, the Sub-Adviser will generally vote “for” routine proposals, such as the election of directors, approval of auditors, and amendments or revisions to corporate documents to eliminate outdated or unnecessary provisions. Unusual or disputed proposals will be reviewed and voted on a case-by-case basis. The Proxy Voting Policies address, among other things, material conflicts of interest that may arise between the interests of the Funds and the interests of the Sub-Adviser. The Proxy Voting Policies will ensure that all issues brought to shareholders are analyzed in light of the Sub-Adviser’s fiduciary responsibilities.
The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer is responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of the Proxy Voting Policies.
When available, information on how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 will be available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling (866) 539-9530 and (2) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Toroso Investments, LLC, 898 N. Broadway, Suite 2, Massapequa, New York 11758, serves as investment adviser to the Funds and has overall responsibility for the general management and administration of the Funds.
Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”), the Adviser provides investment advice to the Funds and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Funds, subject to the direction and control of the Board. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is also responsible for arranging sub-advisory, transfer agency, custody, fund administration and accounting, and other related services necessary for the Funds to operate. With respect to the SoFi Gig Economy ETF, the Adviser is responsible for determining the securities purchased and sold by the Fund. The Adviser administers the Funds’ business affairs, provides office facilities and equipment and certain clerical, bookkeeping, and administrative services. Under the Advisory Agreement, in exchange for a single unitary management fee from each Fund, the Adviser has agreed to pay all expenses incurred by each Fund except for the Excluded Expenses, as defined in the Prospectus. For services provided to the Fund, each Fund pays the Adviser a unified management fee at an annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets as set forth in the table below.
Name of Fund | Management Fee |
Management Fee After Waiver |
SoFi Select 500 ETF | 0.19% | 0.00% |
SoFi Next 500 ETF | 0.19% | 0.00% |
SoFi 50 ETF | 0.29% | 0.29% |
SoFi Gig Economy ETF | 0.59% | 0.59% |
The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its unified management fee for the SoFi Select 500 ETF and SoFi Next 500 ETF until at least June 30, 2020. The fee waiver agreement may be terminated only by, or with the consent of, the Funds’ Board of Trustees.
The Advisory Agreement with respect to each Fund will continue in force for an initial period of two years. Thereafter, the Advisory Agreement will be renewable from year to year with respect to a Fund, so long as its continuance is approved at least annually (1) by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose, of a majority of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Adviser or the Trust; and (2) by the majority vote of either the full Board or the vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares. The Advisory Agreement automatically terminates on assignment and is terminable on a 60-day written notice either by the Trust or the Adviser.
The Adviser shall not be liable to the Trust or any shareholder for anything done or omitted by it, except acts or omissions involving willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard of the duties imposed upon it by its agreement with the Trust or for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding, or sale of any security.
CSat Investment Advisory, L.P., doing business as Exponential ETFs (“Exponential” or “Sub-Adviser”), a Delaware limited partnership located at 625 Avis Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108, serves as the investment sub-adviser to the Funds .
Pursuant to a Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”), the Sub-Adviser is responsible for trading portfolio securities on behalf of the Funds, including selecting broker-dealers to execute purchase and sale transactions as instructed by the Adviser, subject to the supervision of the Adviser and the Board. For its services, the Sub-Adviser is paid a fee by the Adviser, which fee is calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of each Fund’s average daily net assets as follows :
Name of Fund | Sub-Advisory Fee |
SoFi Select 500 ETF | 0.03% |
SoFi Next 500 ETF | 0.03% |
SoFi 50 ETF | 0.03% |
SoFi Gig Economy ETF | 0.03% |
The Sub-Advisory Agreement with respect to the Funds will continue in force for an initial period of two years after the date of its approval. Thereafter, the Sub-Advisory Agreement will be renewable from year to year with respect to the Fund, so long as its continuance is approved at least annually (1) by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose, of a majority of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust; and (2) by the majority vote of either the full Board or the vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares. The Sub-Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, and is terminable at any time, without penalty, by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, or by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser on 60 days’ written notice to the Trust and the other party. The Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that the Sub-Adviser shall not be protected against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its obligations or duties thereunder.
The Funds are new, and the Adviser has not paid fees to the Sub-Adviser as of the date of this SAI.
Each Fund is managed by Charles Ragauss, CFA, Director of Product Management for the Sub-Adviser. Additionally, the SoFi Gig Economy ETF is also managed by Michael Venuto, Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser.
Other Accounts. In addition to the Funds, the portfolio managers managed the following other accounts as of February 28, 2019, none of which were subject to a performance-based management fee:
Charles Ragauss, CFA
Type of Accounts | Total Number of Accounts | Total Assets of Accounts |
Registered Investment Companies | 6 | $259,995,560 |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | 0 | $0 |
Other Accounts | 0 | $0 |
Michael Venuto
Type of Accounts | Total Number of Accounts | Total Assets of Accounts |
Registered Investment Companies | 3 | $175,094,508 |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | 0 | $0 |
Other Accounts | 231 | $199,500,779 |
Portfolio Manager Fund Ownership. Each Fund is required to show the dollar range of each portfolio manager’s “beneficial ownership” of Shares as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year. Dollar amount ranges disclosed are established by the SEC. “Beneficial ownership” is determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the 1934 Act. Because the Funds have not commenced investment operations as of the date of this SAI, the portfolio managers did not beneficially own Shares of any Funds.
Portfolio Manager Compensation. Mr. Venuto is compensated by the Adviser with a base salary and a profit sharing plan. He is not directly compensated for his work with respect to the SoFi Gig Economy ETF. Mr. Venuto is an equity owner of the Adviser and therefore benefits indirectly from the revenue generated from the Funds’ Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser. Mr. Ragauss is compensated by the Sub-Adviser with a fixed salary and discretionary bonus based on the financial performance and profitability of Sub-Adviser and not based on the performance of the Funds. He is also eligible for deferred compensation.
Description of Material Conflicts of Interest. The Adviser’s and Sub-Adviser’s management of “other accounts” may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with its management of each Fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other. The other accounts may have similar investment objectives or strategies as the Funds. A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result, whereby the portfolio manager could favor one account over another. Another potential conflict could include the portfolio manager’s knowledge about the size, timing, and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby the portfolio manager could use this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of a Fund. However, the Adviser and Sub-Adviser have each established policies and procedures to ensure that the purchase and sale of securities among all accounts the firm manages are fairly and equitably allocated.
The Trust and Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Distributor”) are parties to a distribution agreement (“Distribution Agreement”), whereby the Distributor acts as principal underwriter for the Trust and distributes Shares on a best efforts basis. Shares are continuously offered for sale by the Distributor only in Creation Units. The Distributor will not distribute Shares in amounts less than a Creation Unit and does not maintain a secondary market in Shares. The principal business address of the Distributor is Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101.
Under the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor, as agent for the Trust, will review orders for the purchase and redemption of Creation Units, provided that any subscriptions and orders will not be binding on the Trust until accepted by the Trust. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act and a member of FINRA.
The Distributor may also enter into agreements with securities dealers (“Soliciting Dealers”) who will solicit purchases of Creation Units of Shares. Such Soliciting Dealers may also be Authorized Participants (as discussed in “Procedures for Purchase of Creation Units” below) or DTC participants (as defined below).
The Distribution Agreement will continue for two years from its effective date and is renewable annually thereafter. The continuance of the Distribution Agreement must be specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of the Trustees or by a vote of the shareholders of the Fund and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operations of the Distribution Agreement or any related agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Distribution Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Trust on 60 days’ written notice when authorized either by majority vote of its outstanding voting Shares or by a vote of a majority of its Board (including a majority of the Independent Trustees), or by the Distributor on 60 days’ written notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. The Distribution Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Distributor, or reckless disregard by it of its obligations thereunder, the Distributor shall not be liable for any action or failure to act in accordance with its duties thereunder.
Intermediary Compensation . The Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or their affiliates, out of their own resources and not out of Fund assets (i.e., without additional cost to the Fund or its shareholders), may pay certain broker dealers, banks and other financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing and educational training or support. These arrangements are not financed by the Fund and, thus, do not result in increased Fund expenses. They are not reflected in the fees and expenses listed in the fees and expenses sections of the Fund’s Prospectus and they do not change the price paid by investors for the purchase of Shares or the amount received by a shareholder as proceeds from the redemption of Shares.
Such compensation may be paid to Intermediaries that provide services to the Fund, including marketing and education support (such as through conferences, webinars and printed communications). The Adviser and Sub-Adviser will periodically assess the advisability of continuing to make these payments. Payments to an Intermediary may be significant to the Intermediary, and amounts that Intermediaries pay to your adviser, broker or other investment professional, if any, may also be significant to such adviser, broker or investment professional. Because an Intermediary may make decisions about what investment options it will make available or recommend, and what services to provide in connection with various products, based on payments it receives or is eligible to receive, such payments create conflicts of interest between the Intermediary and its clients. For example, these financial incentives may cause the Intermediary to recommend the Fund over other investments. The same conflict of interest exists with respect to your financial adviser, broker or investment professional if he or she receives similar payments from his or her Intermediary firm.
Intermediary information is current only as of the date of this SAI. Please contact your adviser, broker or other investment professional for more information regarding any payments his or her Intermediary firm may receive. Any payments made by the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, or their affiliates to an Intermediary may create the incentive for an Intermediary to encourage customers to buy Shares.
If you have any additional questions, please call (866) 539-9530.
Distribution (Rule 12b-1) Plan. The Trust has adopted a Distribution (Rule 12b-1) Plan (the “Plan”) in accordance with the provisions of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, which regulates circumstances under which an investment company may directly or indirectly bear expenses relating to the distribution of its shares. No payments pursuant to the Plan are expected to be made during the twelve (12) month period from the date of this SAI. Rule 12b-1 fees to be paid by the Fund under the Plan may only be imposed after approval by the Board.
Continuance of the Plan must be approved annually by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust and by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plan or in any agreements related to the Plan (“Disinterested Trustees”). The Plan requires that quarterly written reports of amounts spent under the Plan and the purposes of such expenditures be furnished to and reviewed by the Trustees. The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount that may be spent thereunder without approval by a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. All material amendments of the Plan will require approval by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust and of the Disinterested Trustees.
The Plan provides that the Fund pays the Distributor an annual fee of up to a maximum of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Shares. Under the Plan, the Distributor may make payments pursuant to written agreements to financial institutions and intermediaries such as banks, savings and loan associations and insurance companies including, without limit, investment counselors, broker-dealers and the Distributor’s affiliates and subsidiaries (collectively, “Agents”) as compensation for services and reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with distribution assistance. The Plan is characterized as a compensation plan since the distribution fee will be paid to the Distributor without regard to the distribution expenses incurred by the Distributor or the amount of payments made to other financial institutions and intermediaries. The Trust intends to operate the Plan in accordance with its terms and with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) rules concerning sales charges.
Under the Plan, subject to the limitations of applicable law and regulations, the Fund is authorized to compensate the Distributor up to the maximum amount to finance any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of Creation Units of the Fund or for providing or arranging for others to provide shareholder services and for the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Such activities may include, but are not limited to: (i) delivering copies of the Fund’s then current reports, prospectuses, notices, and similar materials, to prospective purchasers of Creation Units; (ii) marketing and promotional services, including advertising; (iii) paying the costs of and compensating others, including Authorized Participants with whom the Distributor has entered into written Authorized Participant Agreements, for performing shareholder servicing on behalf of the Fund; (iv) compensating certain Authorized Participants for providing assistance in distributing the Creation Units of the Fund, including the travel and communication expenses and salaries and/or commissions of sales personnel in connection with the distribution of the Creation Units of the Fund; (v) payments to financial institutions and intermediaries such as banks, savings and loan associations, insurance companies and investment counselors, broker-dealers, mutual fund supermarkets and the affiliates and subsidiaries of the Trust’s service providers as compensation for services or reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with distribution assistance; (vi) facilitating communications with beneficial owners of Shares, including the cost of providing (or paying others to provide) services to beneficial owners of Shares, including, but not limited to, assistance in answering inquiries related to Shareholder accounts; and (vi) such other services and obligations as are set forth in the Distribution Agreement.
Tidal ETF Services LLC (“Tidal”), an affiliate of the Adviser, serves as the Funds’ administrator. Tidal is located at 898 N. Broadway, Suite 2, Massapequa, New York 11758. Pursuant to a Fund Administration Servicing Agreement between the Trust and Tidal, Tidal provides the Trust with, or arranges for, administrative and management services (other than investment advisory services) to be provided to the Trust and the Board. Pursuant to the Fund Administration Servicing Agreement, officers or employees of Tidal serve as the Trust’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, Tidal coordinates the payment of Fund-related expenses, and Tidal manages the Trust’s relationships with its various service providers. As compensation for the services it provides, Tidal receives a fee based on each Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to a minimum annual fee. Tidal also is entitled to certain out-of-pocket expenses for the services mentioned above.
The Funds are new, and Tidal has not received any fees for administrative services to the Funds as of the date of this SAI.
Su b-Administrator and Transfer Agent
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, located at 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, serves as the Funds’ sub-administrator and transfer agent.
Pursuant to a Fund Sub-Administration Servicing Agreement and a Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement between the Trust and Fund Services, Fund Services provides the Trust with administrative and management services (other than investment advisory services) and accounting services, including portfolio accounting services, tax accounting services and furnishing financial reports. In this capacity, Fund Services does not have any responsibility or authority for the management of the Fund, the determination of investment policy, or for any matter pertaining to the distribution of Shares. As compensation for the administration, accounting and management services, the Adviser pays Fund Services a fee based on the Funds’ average daily net assets, subject to a minimum annual fee. Fund Services also is entitled to certain out-of-pocket expenses for the services mentioned above, including pricing expenses.
The Funds are new, and Fund Services has not received any fees for administrative services to the Funds as of the date of this SAI.
Pursuant to a Custody Agreement, U.S. Bank National Association (“U.S. Bank”), 1555 North Rivercenter Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212, serves as the custodian (the “Custodian”) of the Funds’ assets. U.S. Bank is the parent company of Fund Services. The Custodian holds and administers the assets in the Funds’ portfolios. Pursuant to the Custody Agreement, the Custodian receives an annual fee from the Adviser based on the Trust’s total average daily net assets, subject to a minimum annual fee, and certain settlement charges. The Custodian also is entitled to certain out-of-pocket expenses.
Co mpliance Services Administrator
The Trust has entered into a compliance services arrangement with Cipperman Compliance Services, LLC (“Cipperman”), located at 480 E. Swedesford Road, Suite 300, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087, pursuant to which Bridget P. Garcia, an employee of Cipperman, serves as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer will prepare and update the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures and monitor and test compliance with such policies and procedures.
Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., located at 833 East Michigan Street, Suite 1800, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, serves as legal counsel for the Trust and the Independent Trustees.
I ndependent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Tait, Weller & Baker LLP, located at Two Liberty Place, 50 S. 16th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds.
Po rtfolio Holdings Disclosure Policies and Procedures
The Board has adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of information about each Fund’s security holdings. Each Fund’s entire portfolio holdings are publicly disseminated each day a Fund is open for business and through financial reporting and news services including publicly available internet web sites. In addition, the composition of the Deposit Securities is publicly disseminated daily prior to the opening of the Exchange via the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”).
The Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of funds and shares. Each share represents an equal proportionate interest in the applicable Fund with each other share. Shares are entitled upon liquidation to a pro rata share in the net assets of the applicable Fund. Shareholders have no preemptive rights. The Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees may create additional series or classes of shares. All consideration received by the Trust for shares of any additional funds and all assets in which such consideration is invested would belong to that fund and would be subject to the liabilities related thereto. Share certificates representing Shares will not be issued. Shares, when issued, are fully paid and non-assessable.
Each Share has one vote with respect to matters upon which a shareholder vote is required, consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. Shares of all funds in the Trust vote together as a single class, except that if the matter being voted on affects only a particular fund it will be voted on only by that fund and if a matter affects a particular fund differently from other funds, that fund will vote separately on such matter. As a Delaware statutory trust, the Trust is not required, and does not intend, to hold annual meetings of shareholders. Approval of shareholders will be sought, however, for certain changes in the operation of the Trust and for the election of Trustees under certain circumstances. The Trust will call for a meeting of shareholders to consider the removal of one or more Trustees and other certain matters upon the written request of shareholders holding at least a majority of the outstanding shares of the Trust entitled to vote at such meeting. In the event that such a meeting is requested, the Trust will provide appropriate assistance and information to the shareholders requesting the meeting.
Under the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees have the power to liquidate a Fund without shareholder approval. While the Trustees have no present intention of exercising this power, they may do so if a Fund fails to reach a viable size within a reasonable amount of time or for such other reasons as may be determined by the Board.
Limi tation of Trustees’ Liability
The Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee shall be liable only for his or her own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Declaration of Trust also provides that the Trust shall indemnify each person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, and, upon due approval of the Trustees, any person who is serving or has served at the Trust’s request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, agent or fiduciary of another organization with respect to any alleged acts or omissions while acting within the scope of his or her service in such a position. However, nothing in the Declaration of Trust shall protect or indemnify a Trustee against any liability for his or her willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee. Nothing contained in this section attempts to disclaim a Trustee’s individual liability in any manner inconsistent with the federal securities laws.
The policy of the Trust regarding purchases and sales of securities for a Fund is that primary consideration will be given to obtaining the most favorable prices and efficient executions of transactions. Consistent with this policy, when securities transactions are effected on a stock exchange, the Trust’s policy is to pay commissions which are considered fair and reasonable without necessarily determining that the lowest possible commissions are paid in all circumstances. The Trust believes that a requirement always to seek the lowest possible commission cost could impede effective portfolio management and preclude the Funds and the Sub-Adviser from obtaining a high quality of brokerage and research services. In seeking to determine the reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid in any transaction, the Sub-Adviser will rely upon its experience and knowledge regarding commissions generally charged by various brokers and on its judgment in evaluating the brokerage services received from the broker effecting the transaction. Such determinations are necessarily subjective and imprecise, as in most cases, an exact dollar value for those services is not ascertainable. The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that prohibit the consideration of sales of Shares as a factor in the selection of a broker or dealer to execute its portfolio transactions.
The Sub-Adviser owes a fiduciary duty to its clients to seek to provide best execution on trades effected. In selecting a broker/dealer for each specific transaction, the Sub-Adviser chooses the broker/dealer deemed most capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the most favorable execution. “Best execution” is generally understood to mean the most favorable cost or net proceeds reasonably obtainable under the circumstances. The full range of brokerage services applicable to a particular transaction may be considered when making this judgment, which may include, but is not limited to: liquidity, price, commission, timing, aggregated trades, capable floor brokers or traders, competent block trading coverage, ability to position, capital strength and stability, reliable and accurate communications and settlement processing, use of automation, knowledge of other buyers or sellers, arbitrage skills, administrative ability, underwriting and provision of information on a particular security or market in which the transaction is to occur. The specific criteria will vary depending upon the nature of the transaction, the market in which it is executed, and the extent to which it is possible to select from among multiple broker/dealers. The Sub-Adviser will also use electronic crossing networks (“ECNs”) when appropriate.
Subject to the foregoing policies, brokers or dealers selected to execute a Fund’s portfolio transactions may include such Fund’s Authorized Participants (as discussed in “ Purchase and Redemption of Shares in Creation Units — Procedures for Purchase of Creation Units ” below) or their affiliates. An Authorized Participant or its affiliates may be selected to execute a Fund’s portfolio transactions in conjunction with an all-cash Creation Unit order or an order including “cash-in-lieu” (as described below under “Purchase and Redemption of Shares in Creation Units”), so long as such selection is in keeping with the foregoing policies. As described below under “Purchase and Redemption of Shares in Creation Units—Creation Transaction Fee” and “—Redemption Transaction Fee”, each Fund may determine to not charge a variable fee on certain orders when the Adviser has determined that doing so is in the best interests of Fund shareholders, e.g., for creation orders that facilitate the rebalance of the applicable Fund’s portfolio in a more tax efficient manner than could be achieved without such order, even if the decision to not charge a variable fee could be viewed as benefiting the Authorized Participant or its affiliate selected to execute the Fund’s portfolio transactions in connection with such orders.
The Sub-Adviser may use a Fund’s assets for, or participate in, third-party soft dollar arrangements, in addition to receiving proprietary research from various full-service brokers, the cost of which is bundled with the cost of the broker’s execution services. The Sub-Adviser does not “pay up” for the value of any such proprietary research. Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act permits the Sub-Adviser, under certain circumstances, to cause a Fund to pay a broker or dealer a commission for effecting a transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting the transaction in recognition of the value of brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer. The Sub-Adviser may receive a variety of research services and information on many topics, which it can use in connection with its management responsibilities with respect to the various accounts over which it exercises investment discretion or otherwise provides investment advice. The research services may include qualifying order management systems, portfolio attribution and monitoring services and computer software and access charges which are directly related to investment research. Accordingly, a Fund may pay a broker commission higher than the lowest available in recognition of the broker’s provision of such services to the Sub-Adviser, but only if the Sub-Adviser determines the total commission (including the soft dollar benefit) is comparable to the best commission rate that could be expected to be received from other brokers. The amount of soft dollar benefits received depends on the amount of brokerage transactions effected with the brokers. A conflict of interest exists because there is an incentive to: 1) cause clients to pay a higher commission than the firm might otherwise be able to negotiate; 2) cause clients to engage in more securities transactions than would otherwise be optimal; and 3) only recommend brokers that provide soft dollar benefits.
The Sub-Adviser faces a potential conflict of interest when it uses client trades to obtain brokerage or research services. This conflict exists because the Sub-Adviser can use the brokerage or research services to manage client accounts without paying cash for such services, which reduces the Sub-Adviser’s expenses to the extent that the Sub-Adviser would have purchased such products had they not been provided by brokers. Section 28(e) permits the Sub-Adviser to use brokerage or research services for the benefit of any account it manages. Certain accounts managed by the Sub-Adviser may generate soft dollars used to purchase brokerage or research services that ultimately benefit other accounts managed by the Sub-Adviser, effectively cross subsidizing the other accounts managed by the Sub-Adviser that benefit directly from the product. The Sub-Adviser may not necessarily use all of the brokerage or research services in connection with managing a Fund whose trades generated the soft dollars used to purchase such products.
The Sub-Adviser is responsible, subject to oversight by the Adviser and the Board, for placing orders on behalf of the Funds for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities. If purchases or sales of portfolio securities of the Funds and one or more other investment companies or clients supervised by the Sub-Adviser are considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities are allocated among the several investment companies and clients in a manner deemed equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to all by the Sub-Adviser. In some cases, this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security so far as the Funds are concerned. However, in other cases, it is possible that the ability to participate in volume transactions and to negotiate lower brokerage commissions will be beneficial to the Funds. The primary consideration is prompt execution of orders at the most favorable net price.
A Fund may deal with affiliates in principal transactions to the extent permitted by exemptive order or applicable rule or regulation.
The Funds are new and had not paid any brokerage commissions as of the date of this SAI.
Brokerage with Fund Affiliates . A Fund may execute brokerage or other agency transactions through registered broker-dealer affiliates of the Funds, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or the Distributor for a commission in conformity with the 1940 Act, the 1934 Act and rules promulgated by the SEC. These rules require that commissions paid to the affiliate by the Funds for exchange transactions not exceed “usual and customary” brokerage commissions. The rules define “usual and customary” commissions to include amounts which are “reasonable and fair compared to the commission, fee or other remuneration received or to be received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on a securities exchange during a comparable period of time.” The Trustees, including those who are not “interested persons” of the Funds, have adopted procedures for evaluating the reasonableness of commissions paid to affiliates and review these procedures periodically.
Securities of “Regular Broker-Dealers.” Each Fund is required to identify any securities of its “regular brokers and dealers” (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) that it may hold at the close of its most recent fiscal year. “Regular brokers or dealers” of a Fund are the ten brokers or dealers that, during the most recent fiscal year: (i) received the greatest dollar amounts of brokerage commissions from the Fund’s portfolio transactions; (ii) engaged as principal in the largest dollar amounts of portfolio transactions of the Fund; or (iii) sold the largest dollar amounts of Shares. The Funds did not hold any securities of their “regular broker dealers” as of August 31, 2018.
A portfolio turnover rate is, in summary, the percentage computed by dividing the lesser of a Fund’s purchases or sales of securities (excluding short-term securities and securities transferred in-kind) by the average market value of a Fund. A rate of 100% indicates that the equivalent of all of the Fund’s assets have been sold and reinvested in a year. High portfolio turnover may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions, and, as a result, may increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders. Higher portfolio turnover also results in higher transaction costs. To the extent that net short-term capital gains are realized by a Fund, any distributions resulting from such gains are considered ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. Each Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI. Therefore, there is no portfolio turnover rate for a Fund to report at this time.
The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) acts as securities depositary for Shares. Shares are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC. Except in limited circumstances set forth below, certificates will not be issued for Shares.
DTC is a limited-purpose trust company that was created to hold securities of its participants (the “DTC Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers, and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (the “Indirect Participants”).
Beneficial ownership of Shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants, and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in Shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to in this SAI as “Beneficial Owners”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of Shares. The Trust recognizes DTC or its nominee as the record owner of all Shares for all purposes. Beneficial Owners of Shares are not entitled to have Shares registered in their names, and will not receive or be entitled to physical delivery of Share certificates. Each Beneficial Owner must rely on the procedures of DTC and any DTC Participant and/or Indirect Participant through which such Beneficial Owner holds its interests, to exercise any rights of a holder of Shares.
Conveyance of all notices, statements, and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. DTC will make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee a listing of Shares held by each DTC Participant. The Trust shall obtain from each such DTC Participant the number of Beneficial Owners holding Shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement, or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
Share distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all Shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall credit immediately DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in a Fund as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of Shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.
The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in Shares, or for maintaining, supervising, or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests, or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants.
DTC may determine to discontinue providing its service with respect to a Fund at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Fund and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the applicable Fund shall act either to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost or, if such replacement is unavailable, to issue and deliver printed certificates representing ownership of Shares, unless the Trust makes other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the Exchange.
Pur chase and Redemption of Shares in Creation Units
The Trust issues and redeems Shares only in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Transfer Agent, without a sales load (but subject to transaction fees, if applicable), at their NAV per share next determined after receipt of an order, on any Business Day, in proper form pursuant to the terms of the Authorized Participant Agreement (“Participant Agreement”). The NAV of Shares is calculated each business day as of the scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE, generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The Funds will not issue fractional Creation Units. A “Business Day” is any day on which the NYSE is open for business.
Fund Deposit . The consideration for purchase of a Creation Unit of a Fund generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities (the “Deposit Securities”) per each Creation Unit, constituting a substantial replication, or a portfolio sampling representation, of the securities included in the Fund’s Index and the Cash Component (defined below), computed as described below. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of a “cash in lieu” amount (“Deposit Cash”) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security. When accepting purchases of Creation Units for all or a portion of Deposit Cash, a Fund may incur additional costs associated with the acquisition of Deposit Securities that would otherwise be provided by an in-kind purchaser.
Together, the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which represents the minimum initial and subsequent investment amount for a Creation Unit of a Fund. The “Cash Component” is an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of Shares (per Creation Unit) and the value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable. If the Cash Component is a positive number ( i.e. , the NAV per Creation Unit exceeds the value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable), the Cash Component shall be such positive amount. If the Cash Component is a negative number ( i.e. , the NAV per Creation Unit is less than the value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable), the Cash Component shall be such negative amount and the creator will be entitled to receive cash in an amount equal to the Cash Component. The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit and the value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable. Computation of the Cash Component excludes any stamp duty or other similar fees and expenses payable upon transfer of beneficial ownership of the Deposit Securities, if applicable, which shall be the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant (as defined below).
The Funds, through NSCC, make available on each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the applicable Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time), the list of the names and the required number of Shares of each Deposit Security or the required amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for a Fund. Such Fund Deposit is subject to any applicable adjustments as described below, to effect purchases of Creation Units of a Fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit Securities or the required amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, is made available.
The identity and number of Shares of the Deposit Securities or the amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, required for a Fund Deposit for a Fund changes as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time by the Sub-Adviser with a view to the investment objective of the applicable Fund. The composition of the Deposit Securities may also change in response to adjustments to the weighting or composition of the component securities of a Fund’s Index.
The Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of Deposit Cash to replace any Deposit Security, which shall be added to the Cash Component, including, without limitation, in situations where the Deposit Security: (i) may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery; (ii) may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC for corporate securities and municipal securities; (iii) may not be eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant (as defined below) or the investor for which it is acting; (iv) would be restricted under the securities laws or where the delivery of the Deposit Security to the Authorized Participant would result in the disposition of the Deposit Security by the Authorized Participant becoming restricted under the securities laws; or (v) in certain other situations (collectively, “custom orders”). The Trust also reserves the right to include or remove Deposit Securities from the basket in anticipation of Index rebalancing changes. The adjustments described above will reflect changes, known to the Sub-Adviser on the date of announcement to be in effect by the time of delivery of the Fund Deposit, in the composition of the subject Index being tracked by a Fund or resulting from certain corporate actions.
Procedures for Purchase of Creation Units . To be eligible to place orders with the Transfer Agent to purchase a Creation Unit of a Fund, an entity must be (i) a “Participating Party” ( i.e. , a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (the “Clearing Process”)), a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC; or (ii) a DTC Participant (see “ Book Entry Only System ”). In addition, each Participating Party or DTC Participant (each, an “Authorized Participant”) must execute a Participant Agreement that has been agreed to by the Distributor, and that has been accepted by the Transfer Agent, with respect to purchases and redemptions of Creation Units. Each Authorized Participant will agree, pursuant to the terms of a Participant Agreement, on behalf of itself or any investor on whose behalf it will act, to certain conditions, including that it will pay to the Trust, an amount of cash sufficient to pay the Cash Component together with the creation transaction fee (described below), if applicable, and any other applicable fees and taxes.
All orders to purchase Shares directly from the Funds must be placed for one or more Creation Units and in the manner and by the time set forth in the Participant Agreement and/or applicable order form. The order cut-off time for orders to purchase Creation Units is 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, which time may be modified by each Fund from time-to-time by amendment to the Participant Agreement and/or applicable order form. In the case of custom orders, the order must be received by the Transfer Agent no later than 3:00 p.m. Eastern time for the Funds, or such earlier time as may be designated by the applicable Fund and disclosed to Authorized Participants. The date on which an order to purchase Creation Units (or an order to redeem Creation Units, as set forth below) is received and accepted is referred to as the “Order Placement Date.”
An Authorized Participant may require an investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order ( e.g. , to provide for payments of cash, when required). Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and that, therefore, orders to purchase Shares directly from a Fund in Creation Units must be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. In such cases there may be additional charges to such investor. At any given time, there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement and only a small number of such Authorized Participants may have international capabilities.
On days when the Exchange closes earlier than normal, a Fund may require orders to create Creation Units to be placed earlier in the day. In addition, if a market or markets on which a Fund’s investments are primarily traded is closed, the applicable Fund will also generally not accept orders on such day(s). Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Transfer Agent pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement and in accordance with the applicable order form. On behalf of the Funds, the Transfer Agent will notify the Custodian of such order. The Custodian will then provide such information to the appropriate local sub-custodian(s). Those placing orders through an Authorized Participant should allow sufficient time to permit proper submission of the purchase order to the Transfer Agent by the cut-off time on such Business Day. Economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure may impede the ability to reach the Transfer Agent or an Authorized Participant.
Fund Deposits must be delivered by an Authorized Participant through the Federal Reserve System (for cash) or through DTC (for corporate securities), through a subcustody agent (for foreign securities) and/or through such other arrangements allowed by the Trust or its agents. With respect to foreign Deposit Securities, the Custodian shall cause the subcustodian of the Funds to maintain an account into which the Authorized Participant shall deliver, on behalf of itself or the party on whose behalf it is acting, such Deposit Securities (or Deposit Cash for all or a part of such securities, as permitted or required), with any appropriate adjustments as advised by the Trust. Foreign Deposit Securities must be delivered to an account maintained at the applicable local subcustodian. A Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the Authorized Participant in a timely fashion to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, to the account of the applicable Fund or its agents by no later than 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time (or such other time as specified by the Trust) on the Settlement Date. If a Fund or its agents do not receive all of the Deposit Securities, or the required Deposit Cash in lieu thereof, by such time, then the order may be deemed rejected and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the applicable Fund for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. The “Settlement Date” for a Fund is generally the second Business Day after the Order Placement Date. All questions as to the number of Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash to be delivered, as applicable, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities or cash, as applicable, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding. The amount of cash represented by the Cash Component must be transferred directly to the Custodian through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system in a timely manner to be received by the Custodian no later than the Settlement Date. If the Cash Component and the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, are not received by the Custodian in a timely manner by the Settlement Date, the creation order may be cancelled. Upon written notice to the Transfer Agent, such canceled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using a Fund Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the then current NAV of the applicable Fund.
The order shall be deemed to be received on the Business Day on which the order is placed provided that the order is placed in proper form prior to the applicable cut-off time and the federal funds in the appropriate amount are deposited by 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with the Custodian on the Settlement Date. If the order is not placed in proper form as required, or federal funds in the appropriate amount are not received by 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the Settlement Date, then the order may be deemed to be rejected and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the applicable Fund for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. A creation request is in “proper form” if all procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, order form and this SAI are properly followed.
Issuance of a Creation Unit. Except as provided in this SAI, Creation Units will not be issued until the transfer of good title to the Trust of the Deposit Securities or payment of Deposit Cash, as applicable, and the payment of the Cash Component have been completed. When the subcustodian has confirmed to the Custodian that the required Deposit Securities (or the cash value thereof) have been delivered to the account of the relevant subcustodian or subcustodians, the Transfer Agent and the Adviser shall be notified of such delivery, and the Trust will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Units. The delivery of Creation Units so created generally will occur no later than the second Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Transfer Agent. However, as discussed in Appendix A , the SoFi Gig Economy ETF reserves the right to settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than the second Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Transfer Agent to accommodate foreign market holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates (that is the last day the holder of a security can sell the security and still receive dividends payable on the security), and in certain other circumstances. The Authorized Participant shall be liable to the applicable Fund for losses, if any, resulting from unsettled orders.
Creation Units may be purchased in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities as described below. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value greater than the NAV of the Shares on the date the order is placed in proper form since, in addition to available Deposit Securities, cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Cash Component, plus (ii) an additional amount of cash equal to a percentage of the value as set forth in the Participant Agreement, of the undelivered Deposit Securities (the “Additional Cash Deposit”), which shall be maintained in a separate non-interest bearing collateral account. The Authorized Participant must deposit with the Custodian the Additional Cash Deposit, as applicable, by 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time (or such other time as specified by the Trust) on the Settlement Date. If a Fund or its agents do not receive the Additional Cash Deposit in the appropriate amount, by such time, then the order may be deemed rejected and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the applicable Fund for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. An additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with the Trust, pending delivery of the missing Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust in an amount at least equal to the applicable percentage, as set forth in the Participant Agreement, of the daily market value of the missing Deposit Securities. The Participant Agreement will permit the Trust to buy the missing Deposit Securities at any time. Authorized Participants will be liable to the Trust for the costs incurred by the Trust in connection with any such purchases. These costs will be deemed to include the amount by which the actual purchase price of the Deposit Securities exceeds the value of such Deposit Securities on the day the purchase order was deemed received by the Transfer Agent plus the brokerage and related transaction costs associated with such purchases. The Trust will return any unused portion of the Additional Cash Deposit once all of the missing Deposit Securities have been properly received by the Custodian or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a transaction fee, as described below under “Creation Transaction Fee,” may be charged. The delivery of Creation Units so created generally will occur no later than the Settlement Date.
Acceptance of Orders of Creation Units . The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject an order for Creation Units transmitted to it by the Transfer Agent with respect to a Fund including, without limitation, if (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, delivered by the Participant are not as disseminated through the facilities of the NSCC for that date by the Custodian; (c) the investor(s), upon obtaining Shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding Shares of the applicable Fund; (d) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the applicable Fund; (e) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (f) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust or the Adviser, have an adverse effect on the Trust or the rights of beneficial owners; (g) the acceptance or receipt of the order for a Creation Unit would, in the opinion of counsel to the Trust, be unlawful; or (h) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Custodian, the Transfer Agent and/or the Adviser make it for all practical purposes not feasible to process orders for Creation Units.
Examples of such circumstances include acts of God or public service or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Trust, the Distributor, the Custodian, a sub-custodian, the Transfer Agent, DTC, NSCC, Federal Reserve System, or any other participant in the creation process, and other extraordinary events. The Transfer Agent shall notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of the creator of a Creation Unit of its rejection of the order of such person. The Trust, the Transfer Agent, the Custodian, any sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall either of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification. The Trust, the Transfer Agent, the Custodian and the Distributor shall not be liable for the rejection of any purchase order for Creation Units.
All questions as to the number of Shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.
Creation Transaction Fee . A fixed purchase (i.e., creation) transaction fee, payable to the Funds’ Custodian, may be imposed for the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the purchase of Creation Units (“Creation Order Costs”). The standard fixed creation transaction fee for each Fund, regardless of the number of Creation Units created in the transaction, can be found in the table below. Each Fund may adjust the standard fixed creation transaction fee from time to time. The fixed creation fee may be waived on certain orders if the applicable Fund’s Custodian has determined to waive some or all of the Creation Order Costs associated with the order or another party, such as the Adviser, has agreed to pay such fee.
In addition, a variable fee, payable to the Fund, of up to the maximum percentage listed in the table below of the value of the Creation Units subject to the transaction may be imposed for cash purchases, non-standard orders, or partial cash purchases of Creation Units. The variable charge is primarily designed to cover additional costs (e.g., brokerage, taxes) involved with buying the securities with cash. Each Fund may determine to not charge a variable fee on certain orders when the Adviser has determined that doing so is in the best interests of Fund shareholders, e.g., for creation orders that facilitate the rebalance of the applicable Fund’s portfolio in a more tax efficient manner than could be achieved without such order.
Name of Fund | Fixed Creation Transaction Fee | Maximum Variable Transaction Fee |
SoFi Select 500 ETF | $500 | 2% |
SoFi NEXT 500 ETF | $500 | 2% |
SoFi 50 ETF | $250 | 2% |
SoFi Gig Economy ETF | $250 | 2% |
Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services. Investors are responsible for the fixed costs of transferring the Fund Securities (defined below) from the Trust to their account or on their order.
Risks of Purchasing Creation Units . There are certain legal risks unique to investors purchasing Creation Units directly from a Fund. Because Shares may be issued on an ongoing basis, a “distribution” of Shares could be occurring at any time. Certain activities that a shareholder performs as a dealer could, depending on the circumstances, result in the shareholder being deemed a participant in the distribution in a manner that could render the shareholder a statutory underwriter and subject to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act. For example, a shareholder could be deemed a statutory underwriter if it purchases Creation Units from a Fund, breaks them down into the constituent Shares, and sells those Shares directly to customers, or if a shareholder chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary-market demand for Shares. Whether a person is an underwriter depends upon all of the facts and circumstances pertaining to that person’s activities, and the examples mentioned here should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could cause you to be deemed an underwriter.
Dealers who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as opposed to engaging in ordinary secondary-market transactions), and thus dealing with Shares as part of an “unsold allotment” within the meaning of Section 4(a)(3)(C) of the Securities Act, will be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act.
Redemption . Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by a Fund through the Transfer Agent and only on a Business Day. EXCEPT UPON LIQUIDATION OF A FUND, THE TRUST WILL NOT REDEEM SHARES IN AMOUNTS LESS THAN CREATION UNITS. Investors must accumulate enough Shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit to have such Shares redeemed by the Trust. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of Shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit.
With respect to the Funds, the Custodian, through the NSCC, makes available prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time) on each Business Day, the list of the names and Share quantities of each Fund’s portfolio securities that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as defined below) on that day (“Fund Securities”). Fund Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities.
Redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit are paid either in-kind or in cash, or combination thereof, as determined by the Trust. With respect to in-kind redemptions of a Fund, redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit will consist of Fund Securities—as announced by the Custodian on the Business Day of the request for redemption received in proper form plus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of Shares being redeemed, as next determined after a receipt of a request in proper form, and the value of the Fund Securities (the “Cash Redemption Amount”), less a fixed redemption transaction fee, as applicable, as set forth below. If the Fund Securities have a value greater than the NAV of Shares, a compensating cash payment equal to the differential is required to be made by or through an Authorized Participant by the redeeming shareholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the Trust’s discretion, an Authorized Participant may receive the corresponding cash value of the securities in lieu of the in-kind securities value representing one or more Fund Securities.
Redemption Transaction Fee. A fixed redemption transaction fee, payable to the Fund’s Custodian, may be imposed for the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the redemption of Creation Units (“Redemption Order Costs”). The standard fixed redemption transaction fee for the Fund, regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed in the transaction, can be found in the table below. Each Fund may adjust the redemption transaction fee from time to time. The fixed redemption fee may be waived on certain orders if the applicable Fund’s Custodian has determined to waive some or all of the Redemption Order Costs associated with the order or another party, such as the Adviser, has agreed to pay such fee.
In addition, a variable fee, payable to the Fund, of up to the maximum percentage listed in the table below of the value of the Creation Units subject to the transaction may be imposed for cash redemptions, non-standard orders, or partial cash redemptions (when cash redemptions are available) of Creation Units. The variable charge is primarily designed to cover additional costs (e.g., brokerage, taxes) involved with selling portfolio securities to satisfy a cash redemption. Each Fund may determine to not charge a variable fee on certain orders when the Adviser has determined that doing so is in the best interests of Fund shareholders, e.g., for redemption orders that facilitate the rebalance of the Fund’s portfolio in a more tax efficient manner than could be achieved without such order.
Name of Fund | Fixed Redemption Transaction Fee | Maximum Variable Transaction Fee |
SoFi Select 500 ETF | $500 | 2% |
SoFi NEXT 500 ETF | $500 | 2% |
SoFi 50 ETF | $250 | 2% |
SoFi Gig Economy ETF | $250 | 2% |
Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services. Investors are responsible for the fixed costs of transferring the Fund Securities from the Trust to their account or on their order.
Procedures for Redemption of Creation Units . Orders to redeem Creation Units must be submitted in proper form to the Transfer Agent prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. A redemption request is considered to be in “proper form” if (i) an Authorized Participant has transferred or caused to be transferred to the Trust’s Transfer Agent the Creation Unit(s) being redeemed through the book-entry system of DTC so as to be effective by the time as set forth in the Participant Agreement and (ii) a request in form satisfactory to the Trust is received by the Transfer Agent from the Authorized Participant on behalf of itself or another redeeming investor within the time periods specified in the Participant Agreement. If the Transfer Agent does not receive the investor’s Shares through DTC’s facilities by the times and pursuant to the other terms and conditions set forth in the Participant Agreement, the redemption request shall be rejected.
The Authorized Participant must transmit the request for redemption, in the form required by the Trust, to the Transfer Agent in accordance with procedures set forth in the Authorized Participant Agreement. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed an Authorized Participant Agreement, and that, therefore, requests to redeem Creation Units may have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant who has executed an Authorized Participant Agreement. Investors making a redemption request should be aware that such request must be in the form specified by such Authorized Participant. Investors making a request to redeem Creation Units should allow sufficient time to permit proper submission of the request by an Authorized Participant and transfer of the Shares to the Trust’s Transfer Agent; such investors should allow for the additional time that may be required to effect redemptions through their banks, brokers or other financial intermediaries if such intermediaries are not Authorized Participants.
Additional Redemption Procedures. In connection with taking delivery of Shares of Fund Securities upon redemption of Creation Units, a redeeming shareholder or Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such Shareholder must maintain appropriate custody arrangements with a qualified broker-dealer, bank, or other custody providers in each jurisdiction in which any of the Fund Securities are customarily traded, to which account such Fund Securities will be delivered. Deliveries of redemption proceeds will generally be made within two business days of the trade date.
However, due to the schedule of holidays in certain countries, the different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and dividend ex-dates (that is the last date the holder of a security can sell the security and still receive dividends payable on the security sold), and in certain other circumstances, the delivery of in-kind redemption proceeds with respect to the SoFi Gig Economy ETF may take longer than two Business Days after the day on which the redemption request is received in proper form. Appendix A identifies the instances where more than seven days would be needed to deliver redemption proceeds. Pursuant to an order of the SEC, on behalf of the Funds, the SoFi Gig Economy ETF will make delivery of in-kind redemption proceeds within the number of days stated in Appendix A to be the maximum number of days necessary to deliver redemption proceeds. If neither the redeeming Shareholder nor the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such redeeming Shareholder has appropriate arrangements to take delivery of the Fund Securities in the applicable foreign jurisdiction and it is not possible to make other such arrangements, or if it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Fund Securities in such jurisdiction, the Trust may, in its discretion, exercise its option to redeem such Shares in cash, and the redeeming Shareholders will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash.
The Trust may in its discretion exercise its option to redeem such Shares in cash, and the redeeming investor will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that a Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit. In either case, the investor will receive a cash payment equal to the NAV of its Shares based on the NAV of Shares of the applicable Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a redemption transaction fee, if applicable, and additional charge for requested cash redemptions specified above, to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Fund Securities). A Fund may also, in its sole discretion, upon request of a shareholder, provide such redeemer a portfolio of securities that differs from the exact composition of the Fund Securities but does not differ in NAV.
Redemptions of Shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and the Funds (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserve the right to redeem Creation Units for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws. An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the Fund Securities applicable to the redemption of Creation Units may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming investor of the Shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment. Further, an Authorized Participant that is not a “qualified institutional buyer,” (“QIB”) as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the Securities Act, will not be able to receive Fund Securities that are restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A. An Authorized Participant may be required by the Trust to provide a written confirmation with respect to QIB status to receive Fund Securities.
Because the portfolio securities of the SoFi Gig Economy ETF may trade on other exchanges on days that the Exchange is closed or are otherwise not Business Days for such Fund, shareholders may not be able to redeem their Shares of the Fund, or to purchase or sell Shares of the Fund on the Exchange, on days when the NAV of the applicable Fund could be significantly affecting by events in the relevant foreign markets.
The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with respect to a Fund (1) for any period during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (2) for any period during which trading on the Exchange is suspended or restricted; (3) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares of the applicable Fund or determination of the NAV of the Shares is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such other circumstance as is permitted by the SEC.
NAV per Share for the Fund is computed by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund ( i.e. , the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of Shares outstanding, rounded to the nearest cent. Expenses and fees, including the management fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for purposes of determining NAV. The NAV of the Fund is calculated by Fund Services and determined at the scheduled close of the regular trading session on the NYSE (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on each day that the NYSE is open, provided that fixed-income assets may be valued as of the announced closing time for trading in fixed-income instruments on any day that the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (“SIFMA”) announces an early closing time.
In calculating the Fund’s NAV per Share, the Fund’s investments are generally valued using market valuations. A market valuation generally means a valuation (i) obtained from an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or dealer), (ii) based on a price quotation or other equivalent indication of value supplied by an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or dealer) or (iii) based on amortized cost. In the case of shares of other funds that are not traded on an exchange, a market valuation means such fund’s published NAV per share. The Fund may use various pricing services, or discontinue the use of any pricing service, as approved by the Board from time to time. A price obtained from a pricing service based on such pricing service’s valuation matrix may be considered a market valuation. Any assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted into U.S. dollars at the current market rates on the date of valuation as quoted by one or more sources.
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Dividends, Distributions, and Taxes.”
General Policies . Dividends and interest income, if any, are generally declared and paid annually by the Fund. Distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, generally are declared and paid once a year, but the Fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Code, in all events in a manner consistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act.
Dividends and other distributions on Shares are distributed, as described below, on a pro rata basis to Beneficial Owners of such Shares. Dividend payments are made through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners then of record with proceeds received from the Trust.
The Fund makes additional distributions to the extent necessary (i) to distribute the entire annual taxable income of the Fund, plus any net capital gains and (ii) to avoid imposition of the excise tax imposed by Section 4982 of the Code. Management of the Trust reserves the right to declare special dividends if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to preserve the Fund’s eligibility for treatment as a RIC or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed income.
Dividend Reinvestment Service . The Trust will not make the DTC book-entry dividend reinvestment service available for use by Beneficial Owners for reinvestment of their cash proceeds, but certain individual broker-dealers may make available the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by Beneficial Owners of the Fund through DTC Participants for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. Investors should contact their brokers to ascertain the availability and description of these services. Beneficial Owners should be aware that each broker may require investors to adhere to specific procedures and timetables to participate in the dividend reinvestment service and investors should ascertain from their brokers such necessary details. If this service is available and used, dividend distributions of both income and realized gains will be automatically reinvested in additional whole Shares issued by the Trust of the Fund at NAV per Share. Distributions reinvested in additional Shares will nevertheless be taxable to Beneficial Owners acquiring such additional Shares to the same extent as if such distributions had been received in cash.
The following is only a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations generally affecting the Funds and their shareholders that supplements the discussion in the Prospectus. No attempt is made to present a comprehensive explanation of the federal, state, local or foreign tax treatment of a Fund or its shareholders, and the discussion here and in the Prospectus is not intended to be a substitute for careful tax planning.
The following general discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences is based on provisions of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder as in effect on the date of this SAI. New legislation, as well as administrative changes or court decisions, may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein.
The recently enacted tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) made significant changes to the U.S. federal income tax rules for taxation of individuals and corporations, generally effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. Many of the changes applicable to individuals are temporary and would apply only to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026. There are only minor changes with respect to the specific rules applicable to RICs, such as the Funds. The Tax Act, however, made numerous other changes to the tax rules that may affect shareholders and the Funds. You are urged to consult with your own tax advisor regarding how the Tax Act affects your investment in a Fund.
Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the application of the provisions of tax law described in this SAI in light of the particular tax situations of the shareholders and regarding specific questions as to federal, state, local, or foreign taxes.
Taxation of the Fund . Each Fund will elect and intends to qualify each year to be treated as a RIC under the Code. As such, each Fund should not be subject to federal income taxes on its net investment income and capital gains, if any, to the extent that it timely distributes such income and capital gains to its shareholders. Generally, to be taxed as a RIC, a Fund must distribute in each taxable year at least 90% of its “investment company taxable income” for the taxable year, which includes, among other items, dividends, interest, net short-term capital gain and net foreign currency gain, less expenses, as well as 90% of its net tax-exempt interest income, if any (the “Distribution Requirement”) and also must meet several additional requirements. Among these requirements are the following: (i) at least 90% of a Fund’s gross income each taxable year must be derived from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or foreign currencies and net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships (the “Qualifying Income Requirement”); and (ii) at the end of each quarter of a Fund’s taxable year, the Fund’s assets must be diversified so that (a) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect to any one issuer, to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer, the securities (other than securities of other RICs) of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (the “Diversification Requirement”).
To the extent a Fund makes investments that may generate income that is not qualifying income, including certain derivatives, such Fund will seek to restrict the resulting income from such investments so that the Fund’s non-qualifying income does not exceed 10% of its gross income.
Although each Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and may distribute its capital gains for any taxable year, each Fund will be subject to federal income taxation to the extent any such income or gains are not distributed. Each Fund is treated as a separate corporation for federal income tax purposes. Each Fund therefore is considered to be a separate entity in determining its treatment under the rules for RICs described herein. The requirements (other than certain organizational requirements) for qualifying RIC status are determined at the Fund level rather than at the Trust level.
If a Fund fails to satisfy the Qualifying Income Requirement or the Diversification Requirement in any taxable year, such Fund may be eligible for relief provisions if the failures are due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and if a penalty tax is paid with respect to each failure to satisfy the applicable requirements. Additionally, relief is provided for certain de minimis failures of the Diversification Requirement where a Fund corrects the failure within a specified period of time. To be eligible for the relief provisions with respect to a failure to meet the Diversification Requirement, a Fund may be required to dispose of certain assets. If these relief provisions were not available to a Fund and it were to fail to qualify for treatment as a RIC for a taxable year, all of its taxable income would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and its distributions (including capital gains distributions) generally would be taxable to the shareholders of the Fund as ordinary income dividends, subject to the dividends received deduction for corporate shareholders and the lower tax rates on qualified dividend income received by noncorporate shareholders, subject to certain limitations. To requalify for treatment as a RIC in a subsequent taxable year, a Fund would be required to satisfy the RIC qualification requirements for that year and to distribute any earnings and profits from any year in which the Fund failed to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC. If a Fund failed to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years, it would generally be required to pay a fund-level tax on certain net built in gains recognized with respect to certain of its assets upon disposition of such assets within five years of qualifying as a RIC in a subsequent year. The Board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of a Fund for treatment as a RIC if it determines such course of action to be beneficial to shareholders. If a Fund determines that it will not qualify as a RIC, such Fund will establish procedures to reflect the anticipated tax liability in the Fund’s NAV.
A Fund may elect to treat part or all of any “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in determining the Fund’s taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. The effect of this election is to treat any such “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in characterizing Fund distributions for any calendar year. A “qualified late year loss” generally includes net capital loss, net long-term capital loss, or net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year (commonly referred to as “post-October losses”) and certain other late-year losses.
Capital losses in excess of capital gains (“net capital losses”) are not permitted to be deducted against a RIC’s net investment income. Instead, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, potentially subject to certain limitations, the Fund may carry a net capital loss from any taxable year forward indefinitely to offset its capital gains, if any, in years following the year of the loss. To the extent subsequent capital gains are offset by such losses, they will not result in U.S. federal income tax liability to a Fund and may not be distributed as capital gains to its shareholders. Generally, a Fund may not carry forward any losses other than net capital losses. The carryover of capital losses may be limited under the general loss limitation rules if a Fund experiences an ownership change as defined in the Code.
A Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on certain undistributed income if it does not distribute to its shareholders in each calendar year an amount at least equal to 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year plus 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending on October 31 of that year, subject to an increase for any shortfall in the prior year’s distribution. Each Fund intends to declare and distribute dividends and distributions in the amounts and at the times necessary to avoid the application of the excise tax, but can make no assurances that all such tax liability will be eliminated.
Each Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net capital gain to shareholders for each taxable year. If a Fund meets the Distribution Requirement but retains some or all of its income or gains, it will be subject to federal income tax to the extent any such income or gains are not distributed. A Fund may elect to designate certain amounts retained as undistributed net capital gain as deemed distributions in a notice to its shareholders, who (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their proportionate shares of the undistributed amount so designated, (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the income tax paid by the Fund on that undistributed amount against their federal income tax liabilities and to claim refunds to the extent such credits exceed their tax liabilities, and (iii) will be entitled to increase their tax basis, for federal income tax purposes, in their Shares by an amount equal to the excess of the amount of undistributed net capital gain included in their respective income over their respective income tax credits.
Taxation of Shareholders – Distributions . Each Fund intends to distribute annually to its shareholders substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), its net tax-exempt income, if any, and any net capital gain (net recognized long-term capital gains in excess of net recognized short-term capital losses, taking into account any capital loss carryforwards). The distribution of investment company taxable income (as so computed) and net capital gain will be taxable to Fund shareholders regardless of whether the shareholder receives these distributions in cash or reinvests them in additional Shares.
Each Fund (or your broker) will report to shareholders annually the amounts of dividends paid from ordinary income, the amount of distributions of net capital gain, the portion of dividends which may qualify for the dividends received deduction for corporations, and the portion of dividends which may qualify for treatment as qualified dividend income, which is taxable to non-corporate shareholders at long-term capital gain rates.
Distributions from a Fund’s net capital gain will be taxable to shareholders at long-term capital gains rates, regardless of how long shareholders have held their Shares. Distributions may be subject to state and local taxes.
Qualified dividend income includes, in general, subject to certain holding period and other requirements, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain foreign corporations. Subject to certain limitations, eligible foreign corporations include those incorporated in possessions of the United States, those incorporated in certain countries with comprehensive tax treaties with the United States, and other foreign corporations if the stock with respect to which the dividends are paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Dividends received by a Fund from an ETF or an underlying fund taxable as a RIC or a REIT may be treated as qualified dividend income generally only to the extent so reported by such ETF, underlying fund or REIT. If 95% or more of a Fund’s gross income (calculated without taking into account net capital gain derived from sales or other dispositions of stock or securities) consists of qualified dividend income, the Fund may report all distributions of such income as qualified dividend income.
Fund dividends will not be treated as qualified dividend income if a Fund does not meet certain holding period and other requirements with respect to dividend paying stocks in its portfolio, and the shareholder does not meet certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the Shares on which the dividends were paid. Distributions by a Fund of its net short-term capital gains will be taxable as ordinary income.
In the case of corporate shareholders, certain dividends received by a Fund from U.S. corporations (generally, dividends received by the Fund in respect of any share of stock (1) with a tax holding period of at least 46 days during the 91-day period beginning on the date that is 45 days before the date on which the stock becomes ex-dividend as to that dividend and (2) that is held in an unleveraged position) and distributed and appropriately so reported by the Fund may be eligible for the 50% dividends-received deduction. Certain preferred stock must have a holding period of at least 91 days during the 181-day period beginning on the date that is 90 days before the date on which the stock becomes ex-dividend as to that dividend to be eligible. Capital gain dividends distributed to a Fund from other RICs are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction. To qualify for the deduction, corporate shareholders must meet the minimum holding period requirement stated above with respect to their Shares, taking into account any holding period reductions from certain hedging or other transactions or positions that diminish their risk of loss with respect to their Shares, and, if they borrow to acquire or otherwise incur debt attributable to Shares, they may be denied a portion of the dividends-received deduction with respect to those Shares.
Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid, any dividend declared by the Fund in October, November or December and payable to shareholders of record in such a month that is paid during the following January will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as received by shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which it was declared.
In addition to the federal income tax, certain individuals, trusts and estates may be subject to a net investment income (“NII”) tax of 3.8%. The NII tax is imposed on the lesser of: (i) a taxpayer’s investment income, net of deductions properly allocable to such income; or (ii) the amount by which such taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds certain thresholds ($250,000 for married individuals filing jointly, $200,000 for unmarried individuals and $125,000 for married individuals filing separately). The Fund’s distributions are includable in a shareholder’s investment income for purposes of this NII tax. In addition, any capital gain realized by a shareholder upon a sale, exchange or redemption of Fund shares is includable in such shareholder’s investment income for purposes of this NII tax.
Shareholders who have not held Shares for a full year should be aware that a Fund may report and distribute, as ordinary dividends or capital gain dividends, a percentage of income that is not equal to the percentage of the Fund’s ordinary income or net capital gain, respectively, actually earned during the applicable shareholder’s period of investment in the Fund. A taxable shareholder may wish to avoid investing in a Fund shortly before a dividend or other distribution, because the distribution will generally be taxable even though it may economically represent a return of a portion of the shareholder’s investment.
To the extent that a Fund makes a distribution of income received by a Fund in lieu of dividends (a “substitute payment”) with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction, such income will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporate shareholders
If a Fund’s distributions exceed its earnings and profits, all or a portion of the distributions made for a taxable year may be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce each shareholder’s cost basis in a Fund and result in a higher capital gain or lower capital loss when the Shares on which the distribution was received are sold. After a shareholder’s basis in the Shares has been reduced to zero, distributions in excess of earnings and profits will be treated as gain from the sale of the shareholder’s Shares.
Taxation of Shareholders – Sale of Shares . A sale redemption, or exchange of Shares may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if Shares have been held for more than 12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Shares will generally be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. Any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss, rather than short-term capital loss, to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions to the shareholder of long-term capital gain (including any amounts credited to the shareholder as undistributed capital gains). All or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Shares may be disallowed if substantially identical Shares are acquired (through the reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly acquired Shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
The cost basis of Shares acquired by purchase will generally be based on the amount paid for Shares and then may be subsequently adjusted for other applicable transactions as required by the Code. The difference between the selling price and the cost basis of Shares generally determines the amount of the capital gain or loss realized on the sale or exchange of Shares. Contact the broker through whom you purchased your Shares to obtain information with respect to the available cost basis reporting methods and elections for your account.
An Authorized Participant who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time and the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus the amount of cash paid for such Creation Units. A person who redeems Creation Units will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate market value of any securities received plus the amount of any cash received for such Creation Units. The IRS, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot currently be deducted under the rules governing “wash sales” (for a person who does not mark-to-market its portfolio) or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position.
Any capital gain or loss realized upon the creation of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the securities exchanged for such Creation Units have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon the redemption of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares comprising the Creation Units have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, such capital gains or losses will generally be treated as short-term capital gains or losses. Any loss upon a redemption of Creation Units held for six months or less may be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions to the applicable Authorized Participant of long-term capital gain with respect to the Creation Units (including any amounts credited to the Authorized Participant as undistributed capital gains).
The Trust, on behalf of a Fund, has the right to reject an order for Creation Units if the purchaser (or a group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the Creation Units so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding Shares and if, pursuant to Section 351 of the Code, the Fund would have a basis in the deposit securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Trust also has the right to require the provision of information necessary to determine beneficial Share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination. If a Fund does issue Creation Units to a purchaser (or a group of purchasers) that would, upon obtaining the Creation Units so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding Shares, the purchaser (or a group of purchasers) will not recognize gain or loss upon the exchange of securities for Creation Units.
Persons purchasing or redeeming Creation Units should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax treatment of any creation or redemption transaction and whether the wash sales rule applies and when a loss may be deductible.
Taxation of Fund Investments . Certain of a Fund’s investments may be subject to complex provisions of the Code (including provisions relating to hedging transactions, straddles, integrated transactions, foreign currency contracts, forward foreign currency contracts, and notional principal contracts) that, among other things, may affect a Fund’s ability to qualify as a RIC, affect the character of gains and losses realized by a Fund ( e.g. , may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital), accelerate recognition of income to the Fund and defer losses. These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. These provisions also may require a Fund to mark to market certain types of positions in its portfolio ( i.e ., treat them as if they were closed out) which may cause a Fund to recognize income without the Fund receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts sufficient to enable the Fund to satisfy the RIC distribution requirements for avoiding income and excise taxes. Each Fund intends to monitor its transactions, intends to make appropriate tax elections, and intends to make appropriate entries in its books and records to mitigate the effect of these rules and preserve the Fund’s qualification for treatment as a RIC. To the extent a Fund invests in an underlying fund that is taxable as a RIC, the rules applicable to the tax treatment of complex securities will also apply to the underlying funds that also invest in such complex securities and investments.
Backup Withholding . Each Fund will be required in certain cases to withhold (as “backup withholding”) on amounts payable to any shareholder who (1) fails to provide a correct taxpayer identification number certified under penalty of perjury; (2) is subject to backup withholding by the IRS for failure to properly report all payments of interest or dividends; (3) fails to provide a certified statement that he or she is not subject to “backup withholding;” or (4) fails to provide a certified statement that he or she is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). The backup withholding rate is at a rate set under Section 3406 of the Code. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s ultimate U.S. tax liability. Backup withholding will not be applied to payments that have been subject to the 30% withholding tax on shareholders who are neither citizens nor permanent residents of the United States.
Foreign Shareholders . Any non-U.S. investors in a Fund may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax and are encouraged to consult their tax advisors prior to investing in a Fund. Foreign shareholders ( i.e. , nonresident alien individuals and foreign corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates) are generally subject to a U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or a lower tax treaty rate) on distributions derived from taxable ordinary income. A Fund may, under certain circumstances, report all or a portion of a dividend as an “interest-related dividend” or a “short-term capital gain dividend,” which would generally be exempt from this 30% U.S. withholding tax, provided certain other requirements are met. Short-term capital gain dividends received by a nonresident alien individual who is present in the U.S. for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the taxable year (based on a formula that factors in presence in the U.S. during the two preceding years as well) are not exempt from this 30% withholding tax. Gains realized by foreign shareholders from the sale or other disposition of Shares generally are not subject to U.S. taxation, unless the recipient is an individual who is physically present in the U.S. for 183 days or more per year (based on a formula that factors in presence in the U.S. during the two preceding years as well). Foreign shareholders who fail to provide an applicable IRS form may be subject to backup withholding on certain payments from a Fund. Backup withholding will not be applied to payments that are subject to the 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) withholding tax described in this paragraph. Different tax consequences may result if the foreign shareholder is engaged in a trade or business within the United States. In addition, the tax consequences to a foreign shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of a tax treaty may be different than those described above.
Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), a Fund may be required to withhold a generally nonrefundable 30% tax on (i) distributions of investment company taxable income and (ii) distributions of net capital gain and the gross proceeds of a sale or redemption of Fund shares paid after December 31, 2018 to (A) certain “foreign financial institutions” unless such foreign financial institution agrees to verify, monitor, and report to the IRS the identity of certain of its accountholders, among other items (or unless such entity is otherwise deemed compliant under the terms of an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and the foreign financial institution’s country of residence), and (B) certain “non-financial foreign entities” unless such entity certifies to the Fund that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or provides the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner, among other items. In December 2018, the IRS and Treasury Department released proposed Treasury Regulations that would eliminate FATCA withholding on Fund distributions of net capital gain and the gross proceeds from a sale or redemption of Fund shares. Although taxpayers are entitled to rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations until final Treasury Regulations are issued, these proposed Treasury Regulations have not been finalized, may not be finalized in their proposed form, and are potentially subject to change. This FATCA withholding tax could also affect the Fund’s return on its investments in foreign securities or affect a shareholder’s return if the shareholder holds its Fund shares through a foreign intermediary. You are urged to consult your tax adviser regarding the application of this FATCA withholding tax to your investment in the Fund and the potential certification, compliance, due diligence, reporting, and withholding obligations to which you may become subject in order to avoid this withholding tax.
For foreign shareholders to qualify for an exemption from backup withholding, described above, the foreign shareholder must comply with special certification and filing requirements. Foreign shareholders in a Fund should consult their tax advisors in this regard.
Tax-Exempt Shareholders . Certain tax-exempt shareholders, including qualified pension plans, individual retirement accounts, salary deferral arrangements, 401(k) plans, and other tax-exempt entities, generally are exempt from federal income taxation, except with respect to their unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”). Under the Tax Act, tax-exempt entities are not permitted to offset losses from one unrelated trade or business against the income or gain of another unrelated trade or business. Certain net losses incurred prior to January 1, 2018 are permitted to offset gain and income created by an unrelated trade or business, if otherwise available. Under current law, each Fund generally serves to block UBTI from being realized by its tax-exempt shareholders with respect to their shares of Fund income. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, tax-exempt shareholders could realize UBTI by virtue of their investment in a Fund if, for example, (i) such Fund invests in residual interests of Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits (“REMICs”), (ii) such Fund invests in a REIT that is a taxable mortgage pool (“TMP”) or that has a subsidiary that is a TMP or that invests in the residual interest of a REMIC, or (iii) Shares in such Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholders within the meaning of section 514(b) of the Code. Charitable remainder trusts are subject to special rules and should consult their tax advisers. The IRS has issued guidance with respect to these issues and prospective shareholders, especially charitable remainder trusts, are strongly encouraged to consult with their tax advisers regarding these issues.
Certain Potential Tax Reporting Requirements . Under U.S. Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss on disposition of the Shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder (or certain greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Significant penalties may be imposed for the failure to comply with the reporting requirements. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Other Issues . In those states which have income tax laws, the tax treatment of a Fund and of Fund shareholders with respect to distributions by a Fund may differ from federal tax treatment .
Financial statements and Annual Reports will be available after a Fund has competed a fiscal year of operations. When available, you may request a copy of the Funds’ Annual Report at no charge by calling (866) 539-9530 or through the Funds’ website at www.sofi.com/invest/etfs/.
The SoFi Gig Economy ETF (for this Appendix, the “Fund”) generally intends to effect deliveries of Creation Units and portfolio securities on a basis of “T plus two” business days (“T+2”). The Fund may effect deliveries of Creation Units and portfolio securities on a basis other than T+2 to accommodate local holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates, or under certain other circumstances. The ability of the Fund to effect in-kind creations and redemptions within two business days of receipt of an order in good form is subject, among other things, to the condition that, within the time period from the date of the order to the date of delivery of the securities, there are no days that are holidays in the applicable foreign market. For every occurrence of one or more intervening holidays in the applicable foreign market that are not holidays observed in the U.S. equity market, the redemption settlement cycle will be extended by the number of such intervening holidays. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a foreign market due to emergencies may also prevent the Fund from delivering securities within the normal settlement period. The securities delivery cycles currently practicable for transferring portfolio securities to redeeming investors, coupled with foreign market holiday schedules, will require a delivery process longer than seven calendar days in certain circumstances.
The holidays applicable to the Fund during such periods are listed below, as are instances where more than seven days will be needed to deliver redemption proceeds. Although certain holidays may occur on different dates in subsequent years, the number of days required to deliver redemption proceeds in any given year is not expected to exceed the maximum number of days listed below for the Fund. The proclamation of new holidays, the treatment by market participants of certain days as “informal holidays” ( e.g. , days on which no or limited securities transactions occur, as a result of substantially shortened trading hours), the elimination of existing holidays, or changes in local securities delivery practices, could affect the information set forth herein at some time in the future.
The dates of the Regular Holidays in the United States in calendar year 2019 are:
Holiday | 2019 |
New Year’s Day | Tuesday, January 1 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | Monday, January 21 |
President’s Day | Monday, February 18 |
Good Friday | Friday, April 19 |
Memorial Day | Monday, May 27 |
Independence Day | Thursday, July 4* |
Labor Day | Monday, September 2 |
Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 28** |
Christmas | Wednesday, December 25*** |
* The NYSE, NYSE AMEX and NASDAQ will close early at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, July 3, 2019.
|
** The NYSE, NYSE AMEX and NASDAQ will close early at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, November 29, 2019 (the day after Thanksgiving). |
*** The NYSE, NYSE AMEX and NASDAQ will close early at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, December 24, 2019. |
Listed below are the dates in calendar year 2019 in which the regular holidays in non-U.S. markets may impact Fund settlement. This list is based on information available to the Fund. The list may not be accurate or complete and is subject to change.
2019
AUSTRALIA | |||
January 1 | April 22 | August 5 | December 25 |
January 28 | April 25 | October 7 | November 5 |
April 19 | May 6 | ||
BRAZIL | |||
January 1 | April 19 | September 7 | December 25 |
March 4 | May 1 | October 12 | |
March 5 | June 20 | November 2 | |
March 6 | July 9 | November 15 | |
CHILE | |||
January 1 | May 21 | September 18 | November 1 |
April 19 | July 1 | September 19 | December 8 |
April 20 | July 16 | October 14 | December 25 |
May 1 | August 15 | ||
CHINA | |||
January 1 | February 9 | June 7 | October 2 |
February 4 | February 10 | September 13 | October 3 |
February 5 | April 5 | September 30 | October 4 |
February 6 | May 1 | October 1 | October 7 |
February 7 | |||
COLOMBIA | |||
January 1 | May 1 | August 7 | December 8 |
January 7 | June 3 | August 19 | December 25 |
March 25 | June 24 | October 14 | |
April 18 | July 1 | November 4 | |
April 19 | July 20 | November 11 | |
CZECH REPUBLIC | |||
January 1 | May 8 | September 28 | December 24 |
April 19 | July 5 | October 28 | December 25 |
April 22 | July 6 | November 17 | December 26 |
May 1 | |||
DENMARK | |||
January 1 | April 22 | June 5 | December 25 |
April 18 | May 17 | June 10 | December 26 |
April 19 | May 30 | December 24 | December 31 |
FINLAND | |||
January 1 | April 22 | December 6 | December 25 |
January 6 | May 1 | December 24 | December 26 |
April 19 | May 30 | ||
FRANCE | |||
January 1 | May 8 | July 14 | November 11 |
April 22 | May 30 | August 15 | December 25 |
May 1 | June 10 | November 1 | December 26 |
GERMANY | |||
January 1 | May 1 | June 10 | December 25 |
April 9 | May 30 | October 3 | December 26 |
April 22 | |||
The longest redemption cycle is a function of the longest redemption cycle among the countries whose securities comprise the Fund. In the calendar year 2019, the dates of regular holidays affecting the following securities markets present the worst-case (longest) redemption cycle* as follows:
SETTLEMENT PERIODS
GREATER THAN SEVEN
DAYS FOR YEAR 2019
|
Beginning of
Settlement Period |
End of
Settlement Period |
Number of
Days in Settlement Period |
|||
Australia | 4/18/2019 | 4/26/2019 | 8 | |||
Brazil | 2/27/2019 | 3/7/2019 | 8 | |||
2/28/2019 | 3/8/2019 | 8 | ||||
3/1/2019 | 3/11/2019 | 10 | ||||
China | 1/30/2019 | 2/11/2019 | 12 | |||
1/31/2019 | 2/12/2019 | 12 | ||||
2/1/2019 | 2/11/2019 | 10 | ||||
2/1/2019 | 2/13/2019 | 12 | ||||
Czech Republic | 1/30/2019 | 2/11/2019 | 12 | |||
1/31/2019 | 2/12/2019 | 12 | ||||
2/1/2019 | 2/13/2019 | 12 | ||||
2/4/2019 | 2/13/2019 | 9 | ||||
2/5/2019 | 2/13/2019 | 8 | ||||
9/25/2019 | 10/8/2019 | 13 | ||||
9/26/2019 | 10/8/2019 | 12 | ||||
9/27/2019 | 10/9/2019 | 12 | ||||
Egypt | 8/7/2019 | 8/19/2019 | 12 | |||
8/8/2019 | 8/20/2019 | 12 | ||||
8/9/2019 | 8/20/2019 | 11 | ||||
Finland | 12/23/2019 | 12/31/2019 | 8 | |||
Hong Kong | 1/31/2019 | 2/8/2019 | 8 | |||
2/1/2019 | 2/11/2019 | 10 | ||||
Israel | 10/7/2019 | 10/15/2019 | 8 | |||
Japan | 12/26/2018 | 1/4/2019 | 9 | |||
12/27/2018 | 1/7/2019 | 11 | ||||
12/28/2018 | 1/8/2019 | 11 | ||||
Malaysia | 1/30/2019 | 2/7/2019 | 8 | |||
1/31/2019 | 2/8/2019 | 8 | ||||
Russia | 12/31/2018 | 1/8/2019 | 8 | |||
Taiwan | 1/31/2019 | 2/11/2019 | 11 | |||
2/1/2019 | 2/11/2019 | 10 | ||||
Turkey | 5/31/2019 | 6/10/2019 | 10 | |||
* These worst-case redemption cycles are based on information regarding regular holidays, which may be out of date. Due to changes in holidays, longer (worse) redemption cycles are possible.
Exhibit No.
|
Description of Exhibit
|
||
(a)
|
(i)
|
Certificate of Trust of Tidal ETF Trust (the “Trust” or the “Registrant”) – previously filed with the Trust’s
Registration Statement on Form N-1A on September 12, 2018 and is incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
(ii)
|
Registrant’s Declaration of Trust – previously filed with the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A on September
12, 2018 and is incorporated herein by reference.
|
||
(b)
|
Registrant’s Amended and Restated By-Laws – previously filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Trust’s
Registration Statement on Form N-1A on December 21, 2018 and are incorporated herein by reference.
|
||
(c)
|
Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders – incorporated herein by reference to the relevant portions of
Declaration of Trust and By-Laws.
|
||
(d)
|
(i)
|
Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust (on behalf of the Aware Ultra-Short Duration Enhanced Income ETF) and
Toroso Investments, LLC (“Toroso”) –
filed herewith
.
|
|
(ii)
|
Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust (on behalf of the SoFi Select 500 ETF, SoFi Next 500 ETF, SoFi 50 ETF and
SoFi Gig Economy ETF) and Toroso –
filed herewith
.
|
||
(iii)
|
Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Toroso and Aware Asset Management, Inc.
–
filed herewith.
|
||
(iv)
|
Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Toroso and CSat Investment Advisory, L.P. –
filed herewith.
|
||
(e)
|
(i)
|
ETF Distribution Agreement between the Trust and Foreside Fund Services, LLC –
filed
herewith.
|
|
(1)
|
First Amendment to ETF Distribution Agreement –
filed herewith
.
|
||
(ii)
|
Form of Authorized Participant Agreement – previously filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Trust’s
Registration Statement on Form N-1A on December 21, 2018 and is incorporated herein by reference.
|
||
(iii)
|
Distribution Services Agreement between Toroso and Foreside Fund Services, LLC –
filed
herewith.
|
||
(f)
|
Not applicable.
|
||
(g)
|
(i)
|
Custody Agreement between the Trust and U.S. Bank National Association –
filed herewith.
|
|
(1)
|
First Amendment to Custody Agreement –
filed herewith
.
|
||
(h)
|
(i)
|
Fund Administration Servicing Agreement between the Trust and Tidal ETF Services, LLC –
filed herewith.
|
|
(1)
|
First Amendment to Fund Administration Servicing Agreement –
filed herewith
.
|
||
(ii)
|
Fund Sub-Administration Servicing Agreement between Tidal ETF Services, LLC and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC –
filed herewith.
|
||
(1)
|
First Amendment to Fund Sub-Administration Servicing Agreement –
filed herewith
.
|
||
(iii)
|
Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement between the Trust and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC –
filed herewith.
|
||
(1)
|
First Amendment to Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement –
filed herewith
.
|
||
(iv)
|
Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement between the Trust and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC –
filed herewith.
|
||
(1)
|
First Amendment to Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement –
filed herewith
.
|
||
(v)
|
Compliance Services Agreement between the Trust and Cipperman Compliance Services, LLC – previously filed with
Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A on January 28, 2019 and is incorporated herein by reference.
|
(vi)
|
Powers of Attorney – previously filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form
N-1A on December 21, 2018 and is incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
(vii)
|
Fee Waiver Agreement between the Trust (on behalf of the SoFi Select 500 ETF and SoFi Next 500 ETF) and Toroso –
filed herewith.
|
|
(i)
|
(i)
|
Opinion and Consent of Counsel (for the Aware Ultra-Short Duration Enhanced Income ETF) – previously filed with
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A on December 21, 2018 and is incorporated herein by reference.
|
(ii)
|
Opinion and Consent of Counsel (for the SoFi Select 500 ETF, SoFi Next 500 ETF, SoFi 50 ETF and SoFi Gig Economy ETF) –
filed herewith.
|
|
(j)
|
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm –
filed herewith.
|
|
(k)
|
Not applicable.
|
|
(l)
|
(i)
|
Subscription Agreement – previously filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on
Form N-1A on December 21, 2018 and is incorporated herein by reference.
|
(ii)
|
Letter of Representations between the Trust and Depository Trust Company – previously filed with Pre-Effective Amendment
No. 1 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A on December 21, 2018 and is incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
(m)
|
(i)
|
Amended and Restated Rule 12b-1 Plan –
filed herewith.
|
(n)
|
Not applicable.
|
|
(o)
|
Reserved.
|
|
(p)
|
(i)
|
Code of Ethics for Tidal ETF Trust – previously filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Trust’s Registration
Statement on Form N-1A on December 21, 2018 and is incorporated herein by reference.
|
(ii)
|
Code of Ethics for Toroso Investments, LLC – previously filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Trust’s
Registration Statement on Form N-1A on December 21, 2018 and is incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
(iii)
|
Code of Ethics for CSat Investment Advisory, L.P. –
filed herewith.
|
|
(iv)
|
Code of Ethics for Distributor – not applicable per Rule 17j-1(c)(3).
|
|
(v)
|
Code of Ethics for Aware Asset Management, Inc.
–
filed herewith
.
|
Investment Adviser
|
SEC File No.
|
|
Toroso Investments, LLC
|
801-76857
|
|
CSat Investment Advisory, L.P.
|
801-74619
|
Item 32(a) |
Foreside Fund Services, LLC serves as principal underwriter for the Registrant and the following investment companies registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended:
|
|
1. |
ABS Long/Short Strategies Fund
|
|
2. |
Absolute Shares Trust
|
|
3. |
Active Weighting Funds ETF Trust
|
|
4. |
AdvisorShares Trust
|
|
5. |
American Century ETF Trust
|
|
6. |
ARK ETF Trust
|
|
7. |
Braddock Multi-Strategy Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
|
|
8. |
Bridgeway Funds, Inc.
|
|
9. |
Brinker Capital Destinations Trust
|
|
10. |
Calvert Ultra-Short Duration Income NextShares, Series of Calvert Management Series
|
|
11. |
Center Coast Brookfield MLP & Energy Infrastructure Fund
|
|
12. |
CornerCap Group of Funds
|
|
13. |
Davis Fundamental ETF Trust
|
|
14. |
Direxion Shares ETF Trust
|
|
15. |
Eaton Vance NextShares Trust
|
|
16. |
Eaton Vance NextShares Trust II
|
|
17. |
EIP Investment Trust
|
|
18. |
EntrepreneurShares Series Trust
|
|
19. |
Evanston Alternative Opportunities Fund
|
|
20. |
Exchange Listed Funds Trust (f/k/a Exchange Traded Concepts Trust II)
|
|
21. |
FEG Absolute Access Fund I LLC
|
|
22. |
Fiera Capital Series Trust
|
|
23. |
FlexShares Trust
|
|
24. |
Forum Funds
|
|
25. |
Forum Funds II
|
|
26. |
FQF Trust
|
|
27. |
Friess Small Cap Growth Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
|
|
28. |
GraniteShares ETF Trust
|
|
29. |
Guinness Atkinson Funds
|
|
30. |
Horizons ETF Trust I (f/k/a Recon Capital Series Trust)
|
|
31. |
Infinity Core Alternative Fund
|
|
32. |
Innovator ETFs Trust
|
|
33. |
Innovator ETFs Trust II (f/k/a Elkhorn ETF Trust)
|
|
34. |
Ironwood Institutional Multi-Strategy Fund LLC
|
|
35. |
Ironwood Multi-Strategy Fund LLC
|
|
36. |
John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust
|
|
37. |
Manor Investment Funds
|
|
38. |
Miller/Howard Funds Trust
|
|
39. |
Miller/Howard High Income Equity Fund
|
|
40. |
Moerus Worldwide Value Fund, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV
|
|
41. |
Morningstar Funds Trust
|
|
42. |
MProved Systematic Long-Short Fund, Series Portfolios Trust
|
|
43. |
MProved Systematic Merger Arbitrage Fund, Series Portfolios Trust
|
|
44. |
MProved Systematic Multi-Strategy Fund, Series Portfolios Trust
|
|
45. |
NYSE
®
Pickens Oil Response
™
ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
|
|
46. |
OSI ETF Trust
|
|
47. |
Palmer Square Opportunistic Income Fund
|
|
48. |
Partners Group Private Income Opportunities, LLC
|
|
49. |
PENN Capital Funds Trust
|
|
50. |
Performance Trust Mutual Funds, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
|
|
51. |
Plan Investment Fund, Inc.
|
|
52. |
PMC Funds, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
|
|
53. |
Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
|
|
54. |
Quaker Investment Trust
|
|
55. |
Ranger Funds Investment Trust
|
|
56. |
Renaissance Capital Greenwich Funds
|
|
57. |
RMB Investors Trust (f/k/a Burnham Investors Trust)
|
|
58. |
Robinson Opportunistic Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
|
|
59. |
Robinson Tax Advantaged Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
|
|
60. |
Salient MF Trust
|
|
61. |
SharesPost 100 Fund
|
|
62. |
Six Circles Trust
|
|
63. |
Sound Shore Fund, Inc.
|
|
64. |
Steben Alternative Investment Funds
|
|
65. |
Steben Select Multi-Strategy Fund
|
|
66. |
Strategy Shares
|
|
67. |
The 504 Fund (f/k/a The Pennant 504 Fund)
|
|
68. |
The Chartwell Funds
|
|
69. |
The Community Development Fund
|
|
70. |
The Relative Value Fund
|
|
71. |
Third Avenue Trust
|
|
72. |
Third Avenue Variable Series Trust
|
|
73. |
TIFF Investment Program
|
|
74. |
Transamerica ETF Trust
|
|
75. |
U.S. Global Investors Funds
|
|
76. |
Variant Alternative Income Fund
|
|
77. |
VictoryShares Developed Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
|
|
78. |
VictoryShares Dividend Accelerator ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
|
|
79. |
VictoryShares Emerging Market High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
|
|
80. |
VictoryShares Emerging Market Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
|
|
81. |
VictoryShares International High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
|
|
82. |
VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
|
|
83. |
VictoryShares US 500 Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
|
|
84. |
VictoryShares US 500 Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
|
|
85. |
VictoryShares US Discovery Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
|
|
86. |
VictoryShares US EQ Income Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
|
|
87. |
VictoryShares US Large Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
|
|
88. |
VictoryShares US Multi-Factor Minimum Volatility ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
|
|
89. |
VictoryShares US Small Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
|
|
90. |
VictoryShares US Small Cap Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
|
|
91. |
Vivaldi Opportunities Fund
|
|
92. |
West Loop Realty Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust (f/k/a Chilton Realty Income & Growth Fund)
|
|
93. |
Wintergreen Fund, Inc.
|
|
94. |
WisdomTree Trust
|
|
95. |
WST Investment Trust
|
Item 32(b) |
To the best of Registrant’s knowledge, the directors and executive officers of Foreside Fund Services, LLC are as follows:
|
Name
|
|
Address
|
|
Position with
Underwriter |
|
Position with
Registrant |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Richard J. Berthy
|
|
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100,
Portland, ME 04101 |
|
President, Treasurer and Manager
|
|
None
|
|
Mark A. Fairbanks
|
|
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100,
Portland, ME 04101 |
|
Vice President
|
|
None
|
|
Jennifer K. DiValerio
|
|
899 Cassatt Road,
400 Berwyn Park, Suite 110
Berwyn, PA 19312
|
|
Vice President
|
|
None
|
|
Nanette K.
Chern
|
|
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100,
Portland, ME 04101 |
|
Vice President and
Chief Compliance Officer |
|
None
|
|
Jennifer E. Hoopes
|
|
Three Canal Plaza,Suite 100,
Portland, ME 04101 |
|
Secretary
|
|
None
|
|
|
|||||||
(c)
|
Not applicable
|
Records Relating to:
|
Are located at:
|
Registrant’s Administrator
|
Tidal ETF Services LLC
898 North Broadway, Suite 2
Massapequa, NY 11758
|
Registrant’s Sub-Administrator, Fund Accountant and
Transfer Agent
|
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
|
Registrant’s Custodian
|
U.S. Bank, National Association
1555 N. Rivercenter Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53212
|
Registrant’s Principal Underwriter
|
Foreside Fund Services, LLC
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100
Portland, Maine 04101
|
Registrant’s Investment Adviser
|
Toroso Investments, LLC
898 North Broadway, Suite 2
Massapequa, NY 11758
|
Registrant’s Sub-Adviser
|
CSat Investment Advisory, L.P.
625 Avis Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
|
Tidal ETF Trust
|
By:
/s/ Eric W. Falkeis
|
Eric W. Falkeis
|
President
|
Signature
|
Title
|
|
/s/ Eric W. Falkeis
|
President (principal executive officer), Trustee, Chairman, and Secretary
|
|
Eric W. Falkeis
|
||
*/s/ Dusko Culafic
|
Trustee
|
|
Dusko Culafic
|
||
*
/s/ Mark H. W. Baltimore
|
Trustee
|
|
Mark H. W. Baltimore
|
||
*
/s/ Ian C. Carroll
|
Trustee
|
|
Ian Carroll
|
||
*
/s/ Eduardo Mendoza
|
Trustee
|
|
Eduardo Mendoza
|
||
/s/ Daniel H. Carlson
|
Treasurer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)
|
|
Daniel H. Carlson
|
*By:
/s/ Eric W. Falkeis
Eric W. Falkeis, Attorney-in-Fact
pursuant to Powers of Attorney
|
Exhibit Number
|
Description
|
|
(d) (i)
|
Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust (on behalf of the Aware Ultra-Short Duration Enhanced Income ETF) and Toroso
|
|
(d) (ii)
|
Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust (on behalf of the SoFi Select 500 ETF, SoFi Next 500 ETF, SoFi 50 ETF and SoFi Gig
Economy ETF) and Toroso
|
|
(d) (iii)
|
Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Toroso and Aware Asset Management, Inc.
|
|
(d) (iv)
|
Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Toroso and CSat Investment Advisory, L.P.
|
|
(e) (i)
|
ETF Distribution Agreement between the Trust and Foreside Fund Services, LLC
|
|
(e) (i) (1)
|
First Amendment to ETF Distribution Agreement
|
|
(e) (iii)
|
Distribution Services Agreement between Toroso and Foreside Fund Services, LLC
|
|
(g) (i)
|
Custody Agreement between the Trust and U.S. Bank National Association
|
|
(g) (i) (1)
|
First Amendment to Custody Agreement
|
|
(h) (i)
|
Fund Administration Servicing Agreement between the Trust and Tidal ETF Services, LLC
|
|
(h) (i) (1)
|
First Amendment to Fund Administration Servicing Agreement
|
|
(h) (ii)
|
Fund Sub-Administration Servicing Agreement between Tidal ETF Services, LLC and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
|
|
(h) (ii) (1)
|
First Amendment to Fund Sub-Administration Servicing Agreement
|
|
(h) (iii)
|
Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement between the Trust and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
|
|
(h) (iii) (1)
|
First Amendment to Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement
|
|
(h) (iv)
|
Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement between the Trust and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
|
|
(h) (iv) (1)
|
First Amendment to Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement
|
|
(h) (vii)
|
Fee Waiver Agreement between the Trust (on behalf of the SoFi Select 500 ETF and SoFi Next 500 ETF) and Toroso
|
|
(i) (ii)
|
Opinion and Consent of Counsel (for the SoFi Select 500 ETF, SoFi Next 500 ETF, SoFi 50 ETF and SoFi Gig Economy ETF)
|
|
(j)
|
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
|
(m) (i)
|
Amended and Restated Rule 12b-1 Plan
|
|
(p) (iii)
|
Code of Ethics for CSat Investment Advisory, L.P.
|
|
(p) (v)
|
Code of Ethics for Aware Asset Management, Inc.
|
A.
|
The Trust has been organized and operates as an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended (the “
1940 Act
”) and engages in the business of investing and reinvesting Fund assets in securities and other investments.
Each Fund is a series of the Trust having separate assets and liabilities.
|
B.
|
The Adviser is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “
Advisers Act
”), and engages in the business of providing investment advisory services.
|
C.
|
The Trust has selected the Adviser to serve as the investment adviser for the Funds effective as of the date of this Agreement.
|
3.1.
|
The Adviser shall use its best judgment and efforts in rendering the advice and services to each Fund as contemplated by this
Agreement.
|
3.2.
|
The Adviser maintains errors and omissions insurance coverage in an appropriate amount and shall provide prior written notice to
the Trust (i) of any material changes in its insurance policies or insurance coverage; or (ii) if any material claims will be made on its insurance policies. Furthermore, the Adviser shall upon reasonable request provide the Trust with
any information it may reasonably require concerning the amount of or scope of such insurance.
|
3.3.
|
The Adviser shall implement and maintain a business continuity plan and policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent,
detect and respond to cybersecurity threats and to implement such internal controls and other safeguards with a goal of safeguarding each Fund’s confidential information and the nonpublic personal information of Fund shareholders. The
Adviser shall promptly notify the Trust upon the Adviser’s discovery of any material violations or breaches of such policies and procedures.
|
3.4.
|
None of the Adviser, its affiliates, or any officer, manager, partner or employee of the Adviser or its affiliates is subject to
any event set forth in Section 9 of the 1940 Act that would disqualify the Adviser from acting as an investment adviser to an investment company under the 1940 Act. The Adviser will promptly notify the Trust upon its discovery of the
occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Adviser from serving as an investment adviser to an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise.
|
3.5.
|
The Adviser will not engage in any futures transactions, options on futures transactions or transactions in other commodity
interests on behalf of a Fund prior to the Adviser becoming registered or filing a notice of exemption on behalf of the Fund with the National Futures Association.
|
3.6.
|
The Adviser agrees to provide reasonable assistance with the liquidity classifications required under each Fund’s liquidity risk
management program when implemented in accordance with Rule 22e‑4 under the 1940 Act.
|
6.1.
|
The Adviser
shall arrange for the
placing
and execution Fund orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities with broker-dealers. Subject to seeking the best price and execution reasonably available, the Adviser is authorized to place orders for the
purchase and sale of portfolio securities for a Fund with such broker-dealers as it may select from time to time. Subject to Section 6.2 below, the Adviser is also authorized to place transactions with brokers who provide research or
statistical information or analyses to such Fund, to the Adviser, or to any other client for which the Adviser provides investment advisory services. The Adviser also agrees that it will cooperate with the Trust to allocate brokerage
transactions to brokers or dealers who provide benefits directly to a particular Fund;
provided, however
,
that such allocation comports with applicable law including, without limitation, Rule 12b-1(h) under the 1940 Act.
|
6.2.
|
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.1 above and subject to such policies and procedures as may be adopted by the Board and
officers of the Trust and consistent with Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act, the Adviser is authorized to cause a Fund to pay a member of an exchange, broker or dealer an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction in excess
of the amount of commission another member of an exchange, broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, in such instances where the Adviser has determined in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable
in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such member, broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Adviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to such Fund and to
other funds or clients for which the Adviser exercises investment discretion.
|
6.3.
|
The Adviser is authorized to direct portfolio transactions to a broker that is an affiliated person of the Adviser, any Sub-Adviser
or a Fund in accordance with such standards and procedures as may be approved by the Board in accordance with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act, or other rules or guidance promulgated by the SEC. Any transaction placed with an affiliated
broker must (i) be placed at best execution, and (ii) may not be a principal transaction.
|
6.4.
|
The Adviser is authorized to aggregate or “bunch” purchase or sale orders for a Fund with orders for various other clients when it
believes that such action is in the best interests of such Fund and all other such clients. In such an event, allocation of the securities purchased or sold will be made by the Adviser in accordance with the Adviser’s written policy.
|
7.1.
|
Recordkeeping
. The
Adviser shall not be responsible for the provision of administrative, bookkeeping or accounting services to the Funds, except as otherwise provided herein or as may be necessary for the Adviser to supply to the Trust, including the
Trust’s chief compliance officer (the “
Chief Compliance Officer
”), or the Board the information required to be supplied under this Agreement.
|
7.2.
|
The Adviser shall maintain separate books and detailed records of all matters pertaining to Fund assets advised by
the Adviser required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act (other than those records being maintained by any administrator, sub-administrator, custodian or transfer agent appointed by the Funds) relating to its responsibilities provided
hereunder with respect to the Funds, and shall preserve such records for the periods and in a manner prescribed therefore by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act (the “
Funds’
Books and Records
”). The Funds’ Books and Records shall be available to the Board and the Chief Compliance Officer at any time upon request, shall be delivered to the Trust upon the termination of this Agreement and shall
be available without delay during any day the Trust is open for business.
|
7.3.
|
Holdings Information and Pricing
.
The Adviser shall provide regular reports regarding Fund holdings, and shall, on its own initiative, furnish the Trust and the Board from time to time with whatever information the Adviser believes is appropriate for this purpose. The
Adviser agrees to immediately notify the Trust if the Adviser reasonably believes that the value of any security held by a Fund may not reflect its fair value. The Adviser agrees to provide any pricing information of which the Adviser is
aware to the Trust, the Board and/or any Fund pricing agent to assist in the determination of the fair value of any Fund holdings for which market quotations are not readily available or as otherwise required in accordance with the 1940
Act or the Trust’s valuation procedures for the purpose of calculating each Fund’s net asset value in accordance with procedures and methods established by the Board.
|
7.4.
|
Cooperation with Agents of the
Trust
. The Adviser agrees to cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Trust, the Chief Compliance Officer, any Trust custodian or foreign sub-custodians, any Trust pricing agents and all other agents and
representatives of the Trust, such information with respect to the Funds as they may reasonably request from time to time in the performance of their obligations, provide prompt responses to reasonable requests made by such persons and
establish appropriate interfaces with each so as to promote the efficient exchange of information and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
|
7.5.
|
Information and Reporting
.
The Adviser shall provide the Trust and its respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Adviser has assumed under this Agreement as the Trust may from time to time reasonably request.
|
7.6.
|
Notification of Breach/Compliance
Reports
. The Adviser shall notify the Trust immediately upon detection of (i) any material failure to manage any Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and policies or any applicable law; or (ii) any material
breach of any of the Funds’ or the Adviser’s policies, guidelines or procedures. The Adviser agrees to correct any such failure promptly and to take any action that the Board may reasonably request in connection with any such breach.
Upon request, the Adviser shall also provide the officers of the Trust with supporting certifications in connection with such certifications of Fund financial statements and the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures adopted pursuant
to the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002 (the “
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
”), and the implementing regulations adopted thereunder, and agrees to inform the Trust
of any material development related to a Fund that the Adviser reasonably believes is relevant to the Fund’s certification obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Adviser will promptly notify the Trust in the event (i) the Adviser
is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board, or body, involving the affairs of the Trust (excluding class action suits in
which a Fund is a member of the plaintiff class by reason of the Fund’s ownership of shares in the defendant) or the compliance by the Adviser with the federal or state securities laws or (ii) an actual change in control of the Adviser
resulting in an “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act) has occurred or is otherwise proposed to occur.
|
7.7.
|
Board and Filings Information
.
The Adviser will also provide the Trust with any information reasonably requested regarding its management of the Funds required for any meeting of the Board, or for any shareholder report, amended registration statement, proxy statement,
or prospectus supplement to be filed by the Trust with the SEC. The Adviser will make its officers and employees available to meet with the Board from time to time on reasonable notice to review its investment management services to the
Funds in light of current and prospective economic and market conditions and shall furnish to the Board such information as may reasonably be requested by the Board under Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act in order for the Board to evaluate
this Agreement or any proposed amendments thereto.
|
7.8.
|
Transaction Information
.
The Adviser shall furnish to the Trust such information concerning portfolio transactions as may be necessary to enable the Trust or its designated agent to perform such compliance testing on the Funds and the Adviser’s services as the
Trust may, in its sole discretion, determine to be appropriate. The provision of such information by the Adviser to the Trust or its designated agent in no way relieves the Adviser of its own responsibilities under this Agreement.
|
12.
|
Compensation
.
|
12.1.
|
As compensation for the services to be rendered to the Funds by the Adviser under the provisions of this Agreement, the Trust, on
behalf of each Fund, shall pay to the Adviser from a Fund’s assets an annual advisory fee equal to the amount of the daily average net assets of such Fund shown on Schedule A attached hereto, payable on a monthly basis.
|
12.2.
|
The initial fee under this Agreement shall be payable on the first business day of the first month following the effective date of
this Agreement with respect to a Fund and shall be prorated as set forth below. If this Agreement is terminated with respect to a Fund prior to the end of any calendar month, the advisory fee shall be prorated for the portion of any
month in which this Agreement is in effect according to the proportion which the number of calendar days, during which the Agreement is in effect, bears to the number of calendar days in the month, and shall be payable within 30 days
after the date of termination.
|
12.3.
|
The Adviser shall look exclusively to the assets of each Fund for payment of that Fund’s advisory fee.
|
12.4.
|
The Adviser may voluntarily or contractually waive the Adviser’s own advisory fee.
|
15.1.
|
This Agreement shall become effective with respect to a Fund as of the date of commencement of operations of the Fund if approved
by (i) the Board, including a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of such party (the “
Independent Trustees
”),
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval; and (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund (to the extent required under the 1940 Act). It shall continue in effect with
respect to the Fund for an initial period of two years thereafter, and may be renewed annually thereafter only so long as such renewal and continuance is specifically approved as required by the 1940 Act (currently, at least annually by
the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund and only if the terms and the renewal hereof have been approved by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting on such approval).
|
15.2.
|
No material amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless the terms thereof have been approved as required by the 1940 Act
(currently, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund unless such shareholder approval would not be required under applicable interpretations by the staff of the SEC, and by the vote of a majority of
Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval). The modification of any of the non-material terms of this Agreement may be approved by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for
such purpose, of a majority of the Independent Trustees.
|
15.3.
|
In connection with such renewal or amendment, it shall be the duty of the Board to request and evaluate, and the duty of the
Adviser to furnish, such information as may be reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement and any amendment thereto.
|
15.4.
|
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated by the Trust at any time, without the payment of a penalty, on
sixty days’ written notice to the Adviser of the Trust’s intention to do so, pursuant to action by the Board or pursuant to a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. The Adviser may terminate this Agreement at
any time, without the payment of penalty, on sixty days’ written notice to the Trust of its intention to do so. Upon termination of this Agreement, the obligations of all the parties hereunder shall cease and terminate as of the date of
such termination, except for any obligation to respond for a breach of this Agreement committed prior to such termination, and except for the obligation of the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, to pay to the Adviser the fee provided in
Section 12.
|
15.5.
|
This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment
(as defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the 1940 Act)
unless the parties hereto, by agreement, obtain an exemption from the SEC from the provisions of the 1940 Act pertaining to the subject
matter of this subsection.
|
16.
|
Use of the Adviser’s Name
.
|
16.1.
|
The parties agree that the name of the Adviser, any Sub-Adviser, the names of any affiliates of the Adviser or a
Sub-Adviser and any derivative or logo or trademark or service mark or trade name are the valuable property of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, or their respective affiliates, as applicable. The Trust shall have the right to use such
name(s), derivatives, logos, trademarks or service marks or trade names only with the prior written approval of the Adviser, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed so long as this Agreement is in effect.
|
16.2.
|
Upon termination of this Agreement, the Trust shall forthwith cease to use such name(s), derivatives, logos,
trademarks or service marks or trade names. The Trust agrees that it will review with the Adviser any advertisement, sales literature, or notice prior to its use that makes reference to the Adviser, a Sub-Adviser or their respective
affiliates or any such name(s), derivatives, logos, trademarks, service marks or trade names so that the Adviser may review the context in which it is referred to, it being agreed that the Adviser shall have no responsibility to ensure
the adequacy of the form or content of such materials for purposes of the 1940 Act or other applicable laws and regulations. If the Trust makes any unauthorized use of the Adviser’s or any Sub-Adviser’s names, derivatives, logos,
trademarks or service marks or trade names, the parties acknowledge that the Adviser and/or Sub-Adviser(s) shall suffer irreparable harm for which monetary damages may be inadequate and thus, the Adviser shall be entitled to injunctive
relief, as well as any other remedy available under law.
|
17.
|
Nonpublic Personal Information
.
Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Adviser agrees on behalf of itself and its managers, members, shareholders, officers, and employees (1) to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust (a) all
records and other information relative to each Fund’s prior, present, or potential shareholders (and clients of said shareholders) and (b) any Nonpublic Personal Information, as defined under Section 248.3(t) of Regulation S-P
(“Regulation S-P”), promulgated under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the “G-L-B Act”), and (2) except after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Trust, not to use such records and information for any purpose other than the
performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, or as otherwise permitted by Regulation S-P or the G-L-B Act, and if in compliance therewith, the privacy policies adopted by the Trust and communicated in writing to the Adviser.
Such written approval shall not be unreasonably withheld by the Trust and may not be withheld where the Adviser may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt or other proceedings for failure to comply after being requested to divulge such
information by duly constituted authorities.
|
18.
|
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
. The
Adviser acknowledges that, in compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended, the USA PATRIOT Act, and any implementing regulations thereunder (together, “AML Laws”), the Trust has adopted an Anti-Money Laundering Policy. The Adviser
agrees to comply with the Trust’s Anti-Money Laundering Policy and the AML Laws, to the extent the same may apply to the Adviser, now and in the future. The Adviser further agrees to provide to the Trust, the Trust’s administrator,
sub-administrator and/or the Trust’s anti-money laundering compliance officer such reports, certifications and contractual assurances as may be reasonably requested by the Trust. The Trust may disclose information regarding the Adviser
to governmental and/or regulatory or self‑regulatory authorities to the extent required by applicable law or regulation and may file reports with such authorities as may be required by applicable law or regulation.
|
Fund Name
|
Advisory Fee
|
Effective Date
|
Aware Ultra-Short Duration Enhanced Income ETF
|
0.23%
|
12/21/2018
|
A.
|
The Trust has been organized and operates as an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended (the “
1940 Act
”) and engages in the business of investing and reinvesting Fund assets in securities and other investments.
Each Fund is a series of the Trust having separate assets and liabilities.
|
B.
|
The Adviser is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “
Advisers Act
”), and engages in the business of providing investment advisory services.
|
C.
|
The Trust has selected the Adviser to serve as the investment adviser for the Funds effective as of the date of this Agreement.
|
3.1.
|
The Adviser shall use its best judgment and efforts in rendering the advice and services to each Fund as contemplated by this
Agreement.
|
3.2.
|
The Adviser maintains errors and omissions insurance coverage in an appropriate amount and shall provide prior written notice to
the Trust (i) of any material changes in its insurance policies or insurance coverage; or (ii) if any material claims will be made on its insurance policies. Furthermore, the Adviser shall upon reasonable request provide the Trust with
any information it may reasonably require concerning the amount of or scope of such insurance.
|
3.3.
|
The Adviser shall implement and maintain a business continuity plan and policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent,
detect and respond to cybersecurity threats and to implement such internal controls and other safeguards with a goal of safeguarding each Fund’s confidential information and the nonpublic personal information of Fund shareholders. The
Adviser shall promptly notify the Trust upon the Adviser’s discovery of any material violations or breaches of such policies and procedures.
|
3.4.
|
None of the Adviser, its affiliates, or any officer, manager, partner or employee of the Adviser or its affiliates is subject to
any event set forth in Section 9 of the 1940 Act that would disqualify the Adviser from acting as an investment adviser to an investment company under the 1940 Act. The Adviser will promptly notify the Trust upon its discovery of the
occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Adviser from serving as an investment adviser to an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise.
|
3.5.
|
The Adviser will not engage in any futures transactions, options on futures transactions or transactions in other commodity
interests on behalf of a Fund prior to the Adviser becoming registered or filing a notice of exemption on behalf of the Fund with the National Futures Association.
|
3.6.
|
The Adviser agrees to provide reasonable assistance with the liquidity classifications required under each Fund’s liquidity risk
management program when implemented in accordance with Rule 22e‑4 under the 1940 Act.
|
6.1.
|
The Adviser
shall arrange for the
placing
and execution Fund orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities with broker-dealers. Subject to seeking the best price and execution reasonably available, the Adviser is authorized to place orders for the
purchase and sale of portfolio securities for a Fund with such broker-dealers as it may select from time to time. Subject to Section 6.2 below, the Adviser is also authorized to place transactions with brokers who provide research or
statistical information or analyses to such Fund, to the Adviser, or to any other client for which the Adviser provides investment advisory services. The Adviser also agrees that it will cooperate with the Trust to allocate brokerage
transactions to brokers or dealers who provide benefits directly to a particular Fund;
provided, however
,
that such allocation comports with applicable law including, without limitation, Rule 12b-1(h) under the 1940 Act.
|
6.2.
|
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.1 above and subject to such policies and procedures as may be adopted by the Board and
officers of the Trust and consistent with Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act, the Adviser is authorized to cause a Fund to pay a member of an exchange, broker or dealer an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction in excess
of the amount of commission another member of an exchange, broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, in such instances where the Adviser has determined in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable
in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such member, broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Adviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to such Fund and to
other funds or clients for which the Adviser exercises investment discretion.
|
6.3.
|
The Adviser is authorized to direct portfolio transactions to a broker that is an affiliated person of the Adviser, any Sub-Adviser
or a Fund in accordance with such standards and procedures as may be approved by the Board in accordance with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act, or other rules or guidance promulgated by the SEC. Any transaction placed with an affiliated
broker must (i) be placed at best execution, and (ii) may not be a principal transaction.
|
6.4.
|
The Adviser is authorized to aggregate or “bunch” purchase or sale orders for a Fund with orders for various other clients when it
believes that such action is in the best interests of such Fund and all other such clients. In such an event, allocation of the securities purchased or sold will be made by the Adviser in accordance with the Adviser’s written policy.
|
7.1.
|
Recordkeeping
. The
Adviser shall not be responsible for the provision of administrative, bookkeeping or accounting services to the Funds, except as otherwise provided herein or as may be necessary for the Adviser to supply to the Trust, including the
Trust’s chief compliance officer (the “
Chief Compliance Officer
”), or the Board the information required to be supplied under this Agreement.
|
7.2.
|
The Adviser shall maintain separate books and detailed records of all matters pertaining to Fund assets advised by
the Adviser required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act (other than those records being maintained by any administrator, sub-administrator, custodian or transfer agent appointed by the Funds) relating to its responsibilities provided
hereunder with respect to the Funds, and shall preserve such records for the periods and in a manner prescribed therefore by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act (the “
Funds’
Books and Records
”). The Funds’ Books and Records shall be available to the Board and the Chief Compliance Officer at any time upon request, shall be delivered to the Trust upon the termination of this Agreement and shall
be available without delay during any day the Trust is open for business.
|
7.3.
|
Holdings Information and Pricing
.
The Adviser shall provide regular reports regarding Fund holdings, and shall, on its own initiative, furnish the Trust and the Board from time to time with whatever information the Adviser believes is appropriate for this purpose. The
Adviser agrees to immediately notify the Trust if the Adviser reasonably believes that the value of any security held by a Fund may not reflect its fair value. The Adviser agrees to provide any pricing information of which the Adviser is
aware to the Trust, the Board and/or any Fund pricing agent to assist in the determination of the fair value of any Fund holdings for which market quotations are not readily available or as otherwise required in accordance with the 1940
Act or the Trust’s valuation procedures for the purpose of calculating each Fund’s net asset value in accordance with procedures and methods established by the Board.
|
7.4.
|
Cooperation with Agents of the
Trust
. The Adviser agrees to cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Trust, the Chief Compliance Officer, any Trust custodian or foreign sub-custodians, any Trust pricing agents and all other agents and
representatives of the Trust, such information with respect to the Funds as they may reasonably request from time to time in the performance of their obligations, provide prompt responses to reasonable requests made by such persons and
establish appropriate interfaces with each so as to promote the efficient exchange of information and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
|
7.5.
|
Information and Reporting
.
The Adviser shall provide the Trust and its respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Adviser has assumed under this Agreement as the Trust may from time to time reasonably request.
|
7.6.
|
Notification of Breach/Compliance
Reports
. The Adviser shall notify the Trust immediately upon detection of (i) any material failure to manage any Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and policies or any applicable law; or (ii) any material
breach of any of the Funds’ or the Adviser’s policies, guidelines or procedures. The Adviser agrees to correct any such failure promptly and to take any action that the Board may reasonably request in connection with any such breach.
Upon request, the Adviser shall also provide the officers of the Trust with supporting certifications in connection with such certifications of Fund financial statements and the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures adopted pursuant
to the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002 (the “
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
”), and the implementing regulations adopted thereunder, and agrees to inform the Trust
of any material development related to a Fund that the Adviser reasonably believes is relevant to the Fund’s certification obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Adviser will promptly notify the Trust in the event (i) the Adviser
is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board, or body, involving the affairs of the Trust (excluding class action suits in
which a Fund is a member of the plaintiff class by reason of the Fund’s ownership of shares in the defendant) or the compliance by the Adviser with the federal or state securities laws or (ii) an actual change in control of the Adviser
resulting in an “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act) has occurred or is otherwise proposed to occur.
|
7.7.
|
Board and Filings Information
.
The Adviser will also provide the Trust with any information reasonably requested regarding its management of the Funds required for any meeting of the Board, or for any shareholder report, amended registration statement, proxy statement,
or prospectus supplement to be filed by the Trust with the SEC. The Adviser will make its officers and employees available to meet with the Board from time to time on reasonable notice to review its investment management services to the
Funds in light of current and prospective economic and market conditions and shall furnish to the Board such information as may reasonably be requested by the Board under Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act in order for the Board to evaluate
this Agreement or any proposed amendments thereto.
|
7.8.
|
Transaction Information
.
The Adviser shall furnish to the Trust such information concerning portfolio transactions as may be necessary to enable the Trust or its designated agent to perform such compliance testing on the Funds and the Adviser’s services as the
Trust may, in its sole discretion, determine to be appropriate. The provision of such information by the Adviser to the Trust or its designated agent in no way relieves the Adviser of its own responsibilities under this Agreement.
|
12.
|
Compensation
.
|
12.1.
|
As compensation for the services to be rendered to the Funds by the Adviser under the provisions of this Agreement, the Trust, on
behalf of each Fund, shall pay to the Adviser from a Fund’s assets an annual advisory fee equal to the amount of the daily average net assets of such Fund shown on Schedule A attached hereto, payable on a monthly basis.
|
12.2.
|
The initial fee under this Agreement shall be payable on the first business day of the first month following the effective date of
this Agreement with respect to a Fund and shall be prorated as set forth below. If this Agreement is terminated with respect to a Fund prior to the end of any calendar month, the advisory fee shall be prorated for the portion of any
month in which this Agreement is in effect according to the proportion which the number of calendar days, during which the Agreement is in effect, bears to the number of calendar days in the month, and shall be payable within 30 days
after the date of termination.
|
12.3.
|
The Adviser shall look exclusively to the assets of each Fund for payment of that Fund’s advisory fee.
|
12.4.
|
The Adviser may voluntarily or contractually waive the Adviser’s own advisory fee.
|
15.1.
|
This Agreement shall become effective with respect to a Fund as of the date of commencement of operations of the Fund if approved
by (i) the Board, including a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of such party (the “
Independent Trustees
”),
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval; and (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund (to the extent required under the 1940 Act). It shall continue in effect with
respect to the Fund for an initial period of two years thereafter, and may be renewed annually thereafter only so long as such renewal and continuance is specifically approved as required by the 1940 Act (currently, at least annually by
the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund and only if the terms and the renewal hereof have been approved by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting on such approval).
|
15.2.
|
No material amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless the terms thereof have been approved as required by the 1940 Act
(currently, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund unless such shareholder approval would not be required under applicable interpretations by the staff of the SEC, and by the vote of a majority of
Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval). The modification of any of the non-material terms of this Agreement may be approved by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for
such purpose, of a majority of the Independent Trustees.
|
15.3.
|
In connection with such renewal or amendment, it shall be the duty of the Board to request and evaluate, and the duty of the
Adviser to furnish, such information as may be reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement and any amendment thereto.
|
15.4.
|
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated by the Trust at any time, without the payment of a penalty, on
sixty days’ written notice to the Adviser of the Trust’s intention to do so, pursuant to action by the Board or pursuant to a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. The Adviser may terminate this Agreement at
any time, without the payment of penalty, on sixty days’ written notice to the Trust of its intention to do so. Upon termination of this Agreement, the obligations of all the parties hereunder shall cease and terminate as of the date of
such termination, except for any obligation to respond for a breach of this Agreement committed prior to such termination, and except for the obligation of the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, to pay to the Adviser the fee provided in
Section 12.
|
15.5.
|
This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment
(as defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the 1940 Act)
unless the parties hereto, by agreement, obtain an exemption from the SEC from the provisions of the 1940 Act pertaining to the subject
matter of this subsection.
|
16.
|
Use of the Adviser’s Name
.
|
16.1.
|
The parties agree that the name of the Adviser, any Sub-Adviser, the names of any affiliates of the Adviser or a
Sub-Adviser and any derivative or logo or trademark or service mark or trade name are the valuable property of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, or their respective affiliates, as applicable. The Trust shall have the right to use such
name(s), derivatives, logos, trademarks or service marks or trade names only with the prior written approval of the Adviser, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed so long as this Agreement is in effect.
|
16.2.
|
Upon termination of this Agreement, the Trust shall forthwith cease to use such name(s), derivatives, logos,
trademarks or service marks or trade names. The Trust agrees that it will review with the Adviser any advertisement, sales literature, or notice prior to its use that makes reference to the Adviser, a Sub-Adviser or their respective
affiliates or any such name(s), derivatives, logos, trademarks, service marks or trade names so that the Adviser may review the context in which it is referred to, it being agreed that the Adviser shall have no responsibility to ensure
the adequacy of the form or content of such materials for purposes of the 1940 Act or other applicable laws and regulations. If the Trust makes any unauthorized use of the Adviser’s or any Sub-Adviser’s names, derivatives, logos,
trademarks or service marks or trade names, the parties acknowledge that the Adviser and/or Sub-Adviser(s) shall suffer irreparable harm for which monetary damages may be inadequate and thus, the Adviser shall be entitled to injunctive
relief, as well as any other remedy available under law.
|
17.
|
Nonpublic Personal Information
.
Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Adviser agrees on behalf of itself and its managers, members, shareholders, officers, and employees (1) to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust (a) all
records and other information relative to each Fund’s prior, present, or potential shareholders (and clients of said shareholders) and (b) any Nonpublic Personal Information, as defined under Section 248.3(t) of Regulation S-P
(“Regulation S-P”), promulgated under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the “G-L-B Act”), and (2) except after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Trust, not to use such records and information for any purpose other than the
performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, or as otherwise permitted by Regulation S-P or the G-L-B Act, and if in compliance therewith, the privacy policies adopted by the Trust and communicated in writing to the Adviser.
Such written approval shall not be unreasonably withheld by the Trust and may not be withheld where the Adviser may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt or other proceedings for failure to comply after being requested to divulge such
information by duly constituted authorities.
|
18.
|
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
. The
Adviser acknowledges that, in compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended, the USA PATRIOT Act, and any implementing regulations thereunder (together, “AML Laws”), the Trust has adopted an Anti-Money Laundering Policy. The Adviser
agrees to comply with the Trust’s Anti-Money Laundering Policy and the AML Laws, to the extent the same may apply to the Adviser, now and in the future. The Adviser further agrees to provide to the Trust, the Trust’s administrator,
sub-administrator and/or the Trust’s anti-money laundering compliance officer such reports, certifications and contractual assurances as may be reasonably requested by the Trust. The Trust may disclose information regarding the Adviser
to governmental and/or regulatory or self‑regulatory authorities to the extent required by applicable law or regulation and may file reports with such authorities as may be required by applicable law or regulation.
|
Fund Name
|
Advisory Fee
|
Effective Date
|
SoFi 500 ETF
|
0.19%
|
2/20/2019
|
SoFi Next 500 ETF
|
0.19%
|
2/20/2019
|
SoFi 50 ETF
|
0.29%
|
2/20/2019
|
SoFi Gig Economy ETF
|
0.59%
|
2/20/2019
|
3.1.
|
The Sub-Adviser has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and has
taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.
|
3.2.
|
The Sub-Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and has provided its current Form ADV, including
the firm brochure and applicable brochure supplements to the Adviser.
|
3.3.
|
The Sub-Adviser maintains errors and omissions insurance coverage in an appropriate amount and shall provide prior written
notice to the Adviser and the Trust (i) of any material changes in its insurance policies or insurance coverage or (ii) if any material claims will be made on its insurance policies. Furthermore, the Sub-Adviser shall upon reasonable
request provide the Adviser and the Trust with any information it may reasonably require concerning the amount of or scope of such insurance.
|
3.4.
|
None of the Sub-Adviser, its affiliates, or any officer, director or employee of the Sub‑Adviser or its affiliates is subject
to any event set forth in Section 9 of the 1940 Act that would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from acting as an investment adviser to an investment company under the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser will promptly notify the Adviser and the
Trust upon the Sub-Adviser’s discovery of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise.
|
3.5.
|
The Sub-Adviser has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures, as required by Rule 206(4)‑7 under the Advisers
Act, which are reasonably designed to prevent violations of federal securities laws by the Sub-Adviser, its employees, officers, and agents. Upon reasonable notice to and reasonable request, the Sub-Adviser shall provide the Adviser
and the Trust with access to the records relating to such policies and procedures as they relate to the Funds. The Sub-Adviser will also provide, at the reasonable request of the Adviser or the Trust, periodic certifications, in a
form reasonably acceptable to the Adviser or the Trust, attesting to such written policies and procedures.
|
3.6.
|
The Sub-Adviser shall implement and maintain a business continuity plan and policies and procedures reasonably designed to
prevent, detect and respond to cybersecurity threats and to implement such internal controls and other safeguards as the Sub-Adviser reasonably believes are necessary to protect each Fund’s confidential information and the nonpublic
personal information of Fund shareholders. The Sub-Adviser shall promptly notify the Adviser and the Trust of any material violations or breaches of such policies and procedures.
|
3.7.
|
The Sub-Adviser will not engage in any futures transactions, options on futures transactions or transactions in other commodity
interests on behalf of a Fund prior to the Sub-Adviser becoming registered or filing a notice of exemption on behalf of the Fund with the National Futures Association.
|
3.8.
|
The Sub-Adviser agrees to provide reasonable assistance with the liquidity classifications required under each Fund’s liquidity
risk management program when implemented in accordance with Rule 22e‑4 under the 1940 Act.
|
4.1.
|
The Adviser has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and has taken
all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.
|
4.2.
|
The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. None of the Adviser, its affiliates, or any
officer, manager, partner or employee of the Adviser or its affiliates is subject to any event set forth in Section 9 of the 1940 Act that would disqualify the Adviser from acting as an investment adviser to an investment company
under the 1940 Act. The Adviser will promptly notify the Sub-Adviser upon the Adviser’s discovery of an occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant
to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise. The Adviser agrees to comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Commodity Exchange Act and the
rules and regulations thereunder, as applicable, as well all other applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and case law that relate to the Adviser’s services described hereunder and the to the conduct of its business as
a registered investment adviser and to maintain all licenses and registrations necessary to perform its duties hereunder in good order. The Adviser shall maintain compliance procedures that it reasonably believes are adequate to
ensure its compliance with the foregoing.
|
4.3.
|
The Adviser has the authority under the Investment Advisory Agreement to appoint the Sub-Adviser.
|
4.4.
|
The Adviser further represents and warrants that it has received a copy of the Sub‑Adviser’s current Form ADV.
|
4.5.
|
The Adviser has provided the Sub-Adviser with each Fund’s most current prospectus and statement of additional information
contained in the Trust’s registration statement and the Investment Policies, as in effect from time to time. The Adviser shall promptly furnish to the Sub-Adviser copies of all material amendments or supplements to the foregoing
documents.
|
4.6.
|
The Adviser or its delegate will provide timely information to the Sub-Adviser regarding such matters as inflows to and
outflows from each Fund and the cash requirements of, and cash available for investment in, the Fund.
|
4.7.
|
The Adviser or its delegate will timely provide the Sub-Adviser with copies of monthly accounting statements for each Fund, and
such other information as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate in order for the Sub-Adviser to perform its responsibilities hereunder.
|
7.1.
|
The Sub-Adviser shall arrange for the placing and execution Fund orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities with
broker-dealers. Subject to seeking the best price and execution reasonably available, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to place orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for a Fund with such broker-dealers as it may
select from time to time. Subject to Section 7.2 below, the Sub-Adviser is also authorized to place transactions with brokers who provide research or statistical information or analyses to such Fund, to the Sub-Adviser, or to any
other client for which the Sub-Adviser provides investment advisory services. The Sub-Adviser also agrees that it will cooperate with the Trust and the Adviser to allocate brokerage transactions to brokers or dealers who provide
benefits directly to a particular Fund; provided, however, that such allocation comports with applicable law including, without limitation, Rule 12b-1(h) under the 1940 Act.
|
7.2.
|
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7.1 above and subject to such policies and procedures as may be adopted by the Board
and officers of the Trust or the direction of the Adviser and consistent with Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to cause a Fund to pay a member of an exchange, broker or dealer an amount of commission for
effecting a securities transaction in excess of the amount of commission another member of an exchange, broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, in such instances where the Sub-Adviser has determined in good
faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such member, broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Sub-Adviser’s
overall responsibilities with respect to such Fund and to other funds or clients for which the Sub‑Adviser exercises investment discretion.
|
7.3.
|
The Sub-Adviser is authorized to direct portfolio transactions to a broker that is an affiliated person of the Adviser, the
Sub-Adviser, or a Fund in accordance with such standards and procedures as may be approved by the Board in accordance with Rule 17e‑1 under the 1940 Act, or other rules or guidance promulgated by the SEC. Any transaction placed with
an affiliated broker must (i) be placed at best execution, and (ii) may not be a principal transaction.
|
7.4.
|
The Sub-Adviser is authorized to aggregate or “bunch” purchase or sale orders for a Fund with orders for various other clients
when it believes that such action is in the best interests of such Fund and all other such clients. In such an event, allocation of the securities purchased or sold will be made by the Sub-Adviser in accordance with the Sub-Adviser’s
written policy.
|
8.
|
Records/Reports
.
|
8.1.
|
Recordkeeping
. The Sub-Adviser
shall not be responsible for the provision of administrative, bookkeeping or accounting services to the Funds, except as otherwise provided herein or as may be necessary for the Sub-Adviser to supply to the Adviser, the Board or the
Trust’s chief compliance officer (the “
Chief Compliance Officer
”) the information required to be supplied under this Agreement.
|
8.2.
|
The Sub-Adviser shall maintain separate books and detailed records of all matters pertaining to Fund assets advised by the
Sub-Adviser required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act (other than those records being maintained by any administrator, sub‑administrator, custodian or transfer agent appointed by the Funds) relating to its responsibilities provided
hereunder with respect to the Funds, and shall preserve such records for the periods and in a manner prescribed therefore by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act (the “
Funds’ Books and Records
”). The Funds’ Books and Records shall be available to the Adviser, the Board and the Chief Compliance Officer at any time upon request, shall be delivered to the Adviser upon the
termination of this Agreement and shall be available without delay during any day the Adviser is open for business.
|
8.3.
|
Holdings Information and Pricing
.
The Sub-Adviser shall provide regular reports regarding Fund holdings, and shall, on its own initiative, furnish the Adviser and the Board from time to time with whatever information the Sub-Adviser believes is appropriate for this
purpose. The Sub-Adviser agrees to immediately notify the Adviser if the Sub-Adviser reasonably believes that the value of any security held by a Fund may not reflect its fair value. The Sub-Adviser agrees to provide any pricing
information of which the Sub-Adviser is aware to the Trust, the Board, the Adviser and/or any Fund pricing agent to assist in the determination of the fair value of any Fund holdings for which market quotations are not readily
available or as otherwise required in accordance with the 1940 Act or the Trust’s valuation procedures for the purpose of calculating each Fund’s net asset value in accordance with procedures and methods established by the Board.
|
8.4.
|
Cooperation with Agents of the Trust
.
The Sub-Adviser agrees to cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Adviser, the Trust, the Chief Compliance Officer, any Trust custodian or foreign sub‑custodians, any Trust pricing agents and all other agents and
representatives of the Trust, such information with respect to the Funds as they may reasonably request from time to time in the performance of their obligations, provide prompt responses to reasonable requests made by such persons
and establish appropriate interfaces with each so as to promote the efficient exchange of information and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
|
8.5.
|
Information and Reporting
. The
Sub-Adviser shall provide the Adviser and the Trust, and its respective officers, with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Sub‑Adviser has assumed under this Agreement as the Board or the Adviser may from time to time
reasonably request.
|
8.6.
|
Notification of Breach/Compliance Reports
.
The Sub-Adviser shall notify the Adviser immediately upon detection of (i) any material failure to manage any Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and policies or any applicable law; or (ii) any material breach of any of
the Funds’ or the Sub-Adviser’s policies, guidelines or procedures. The Sub‑Adviser agrees to correct any such failure promptly and to take any action that the Adviser or the Board may reasonably request in connection with any such
breach. Upon request, the Sub-Adviser shall also provide the officers of the Trust with supporting certifications in connection with such certifications of Fund financial statements and the Trust’s disclosure controls
adopted pursuant to the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002 (the “
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
”), and the implementing regulations adopted thereunder, and agrees to inform the Trust of
any material development related to a Fund that the Adviser reasonably believes is relevant to the Fund’s certification obligations under the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act.
The Sub-Adviser will promptly notify the Adviser in the event
(i) the Sub-Adviser is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board, or body, involving the affairs of the Trust or the
Adviser (excluding class action suits in which a Fund is a member of the plaintiff class by reason of the Fund’s ownership of shares in the defendant) or the compliance by the Sub-Adviser with the federal or state securities laws or
(ii) an actual change in control of the Sub-Adviser resulting in an “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act) has occurred or is otherwise proposed to occur.
|
8.7.
|
Board and Filings Information
. The
Sub-Adviser will also provide the Adviser and the Board with any information reasonably requested regarding its management of the Funds required for any meeting of the Board, or for any shareholder report, amended registration
statement, proxy statement, or prospectus supplement to be filed by the Trust with the SEC. The Sub-Adviser will make its officers and employees available to meet with the Board from time to time on reasonable notice to review its
investment management services to the Funds in light of current and prospective economic and market conditions and shall furnish to the Board such information as may reasonably be requested by the Board under Section 15(c) of the 1940
Act in order for the Board to evaluate this Agreement or any proposed amendments thereto.
|
8.8.
|
Transaction Information
. The
Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the Adviser, the Board or a designee such information concerning portfolio transactions as may be necessary to enable the Adviser, the Board or a designated agent to perform such compliance testing on the
Funds and the Sub-Adviser’s services as the Adviser may, in its sole discretion, determine to be appropriate. The provision of such information by the Sub-Adviser to the Adviser, the Board or a designated agent in no way relieves
the Sub-Adviser of its own responsibilities under this Agreement.
|
12.1.
|
Sub-Advisory Fee
. During the
term of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall bear its own costs of providing services under this Agreement. The Adviser agrees to pay to the Sub-Adviser or its designated paying agent, an annual sub-advisory fee equal to the
amount of the daily average net assets of each Fund shown on Schedule A attached hereto, payable on a monthly basis. In turn, the Sub-Adviser agrees to pay all expenses incurred by each Fund, excluding interest charges on any
borrowings, dividends and other expenses on securities sold short, taxes, brokerage commissions and other expenses incurred in placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment instruments, acquired fund
fees and expenses, accrued deferred tax liability, distribution fees and expenses paid by the Fund under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, and litigation expenses and other non-routine or
extraordinary expenses.
|
12.2.
|
The initial fee under this Agreement shall be payable on the first business day of the first month following the effective
date of this Agreement with respect to a Fund and shall be prorated as set forth below. If this Agreement is terminated with respect to a Fund prior to the end of any calendar month, the sub-advisory fee shall be prorated for the
portion of any month in which this Agreement is in effect according to the proportion which the number of calendar days, during which the Agreement is in effect, bears to the number of calendar days in the month, and shall be
payable within 30 days after the date of termination.
|
12.3.
|
The Sub-Adviser shall look exclusively to the Adviser for payment of the sub-advisory fee.
|
14.1.
|
The Sub-Adviser shall exercise due care and diligence and use the same skill and care in providing its services hereunder as it
uses in providing services to other investment companies, accounts and customers, but the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates and their respective agents, control persons, directors, officers, employees, supervised persons and access
persons shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Sub-Adviser in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its duties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, federal
securities laws and certain state laws impose liabilities under certain circumstances on persons who have acted in good faith, and therefore nothing herein shall in any way constitute a waiver or limitation of any right which the
Trust, a Fund or any shareholder of a Fund may have under any federal securities law or state law the applicability of which is not permitted to be contractually waived.
|
14.2.
|
The Sub-Adviser shall indemnify the Trust, each Fund, the Adviser and each of their respective affiliates, agents, control
persons, directors, members of the Board, officers, employees and shareholders (the “Adviser Indemnified Parties”) against, and hold them harmless from, any costs, expense, claim, loss, liability, judgment, fine, settlement or
damage (including reasonable legal and other expenses) (collectively, “Losses”) arising out of any claim, demands, actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative or investigative) asserted or threatened to be
asserted by any third party (collectively, “Proceedings”) in so far as such Loss (or actions with respect thereto) arises out of or is based upon (i) any material misstatement or omission of a material fact in information
regarding the Sub-Adviser furnished in writing to the Adviser by the Sub-Adviser for use in the Registration Statement, proxy materials or reports filed with the SEC; or (ii) the willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence,
or reckless disregard of obligations or duties of the Sub-Adviser in the performance of its duties under this Agreement (collectively, “Sub-Adviser Disabling Conduct”).
|
14.3.
|
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Sub-Adviser, its affiliates and their respective agents,
control persons, directors, partners, officers, employees, supervised persons and access persons shall not be liable to, nor shall they have any indemnity obligation to, the Adviser, its officers, directors, agents, employees,
controlling persons or shareholders or to a Fund, Trust or their shareholders for: (i) any material misstatement or omission of a material fact in a Fund’s Prospectus, registration statement, proxy materials or reports filed with
the SEC, unless and to the extent such material misstatement or omission was made in reliance upon, and is consistent with, the information furnished to the Adviser by the Sub-Adviser specifically for use therein; (ii) any action
taken or failure to act in good faith reliance upon (A) information, instructions or requests, whether oral or written, with respect to a Fund made to the Sub-Adviser by a duly authorized officer of the Adviser or the Trust; (B) the
advice of counsel to the Trust; or (C) any written instruction of the Board; or (iii) acts of the Sub-Adviser which result from or are based upon acts or omissions of the Adviser, including, but not limited to, a failure of the
Adviser to provide accurate and current information with respect to any records maintained by Adviser, which records are not also maintained by the Sub-Adviser; provided, however, that the limitations on the Sub-Adviser’s liability
and indemnification obligations described in (i) through (iii) above shall not apply with respect to, and to the extent, any portion of liability is attributable to Sub-Adviser Disabling Conduct.
|
14.4.
|
The Sub-Adviser shall not be deemed by virtue of this Agreement to have made any representation or warranty that any level of
investment performance or level of investment results, either relative or absolute, will be achieved.
|
14.5.
|
For the avoidance of doubt, neither Fund shareholders nor the members of the Board shall be personally liable under this
Agreement.
|
14.6.
|
The Adviser shall indemnify the Sub-Adviser and each of its respective affiliates, agents, control persons, directors,
officers, employees and shareholders (the “Sub-Adviser Indemnified Parties”) against, and hold them harmless from, any costs, expense, claim, loss, liability, judgment, fine, settlement or damage (including reasonable legal and other
expenses) (collectively, “Losses”) arising out of any claim, demands, actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative or investigative) asserted or threatened to be asserted by any third party (collectively,
“Proceedings”) in so far as such Loss (or actions with respect thereto) arises out of or is based upon (i) any material misstatement or omission of a material fact in information regarding the Adviser furnished by or on behalf of the
Adviser in writing for use in the Registration Statement, proxy materials or reports filed with the SEC; or (ii) the willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of obligations or duties of the Adviser in
the performance of its duties under this Agreement (collectively, “Adviser Disabling Conduct”).
|
14.7.
|
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Adviser, its affiliates and their respective agents, control
persons, directors, partners, officers, employees, supervised persons and access persons shall not be liable to, nor shall they have any indemnity obligation to, any Sub-Adviser Indemnified Parties for: (i) any material misstatement
or omission of a material fact in a Fund’s Prospectus, registration statement, proxy materials or reports filed with the SEC, unless and to the extent such material misstatement or omission was made in reliance upon, and is consistent
with, the information furnished to the Adviser by or on behalf of the Sub-Adviser specifically for use therein; (ii) any action taken or failure to act in good faith reliance upon acts or omissions of the Sub-Adviser which result
from or are based upon acts or omissions of the Sub-Adviser, including, but not limited to, a failure of the Sub-Adviser to provide accurate and current information with respect to any records maintained by Sub-Adviser; provided,
however, that the limitations on the Adviser’s liability and indemnification obligations described in this Section 14.7 shall not apply with respect to, and to the extent, any portion of liability that is attributable to Adviser
Disabling Conduct.
|
14.8.
|
The Sub-Adviser shall not be deemed by virtue of this Agreement to have made any representation or warranty that any level of
investment performance or level of investment results, either relative or absolute, will be achieved.
|
15.
|
Term/Approval/Amendments
.
|
15.1.
|
This Agreement shall become effective with respect to a Fund as of the date of commencement of operations of the Fund if
approved: (i) by a vote of the Board, including a majority of those trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to this Agreement (the “
Independent Trustees
”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding securities (to the
extent required under the 1940 Act). This Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to a Fund for an initial period of two years thereafter, and may be renewed annually thereafter only so long as such renewal and continuance is
specifically approved at least annually by the Board provided that in such event such renewal and continuance shall also be approved by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such approval.
|
15.2.
|
No material amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless the terms thereof have been approved as required by the 1940
Act. The modification of any of the non-material terms of this Agreement may be approved by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose, of a majority of the Independent Trustees.
|
15.3.
|
In connection with such renewal or amendment, the Sub-Adviser shall furnish such information as may be reasonably necessary by
the Adviser or the Board to evaluate the terms of this Agreement and any amendment thereto.
|
15.4.
|
This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board, including a majority of the
Independent Trustees, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund, on sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, or by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser on sixty (60) days’ written notice
to the Trust and the other party. This Agreement will automatically terminate, without the payment of any penalty, in the event the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Trust is assigned (as defined in the 1940
Act) or terminates for any other reason. This Agreement will also terminate upon written notice to the other party that the other party is in material breach of this Agreement, unless the other party in material breach of this
Agreement cures such breach to the reasonable satisfaction of the party alleging the breach within thirty (30) days after written notice. This Agreement will also automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in
the 1940 Act) unless the parties hereto, by agreement, obtain an exemption from the SEC from the provisions of the 1940 Act pertaining to the subject matter of this subsection.
|
16.
|
Use of the Sub-Adviser’s Name
.
|
16.1.
|
The parties agree that the name of the Sub-Adviser, the names of any affiliates of the Sub‑Adviser and any
derivative or logo or trademark or service mark or trade name are the valuable property of the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates. The Adviser and the Trust shall have the right to use such name(s), derivatives, logos, trademarks or
service marks or trade names only with the prior written approval of the Sub-Adviser, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed so long as this Agreement is in effect.
|
16.2.
|
Upon termination of this Agreement, the Adviser and the Trust shall forthwith cease to use such name(s),
derivatives, logos, trademarks or service marks or trade names. The Adviser and the Trust agree that they will review with the Sub-Adviser any advertisement, sales literature, or notice prior to its use that makes reference to the
Sub-Adviser or its affiliates or any such name(s), derivatives, logos, trademarks, service marks or trade names so that the Sub-Adviser may review the context in which it is referred to, it being agreed that the Sub-Adviser shall have
no responsibility to ensure the adequacy of the form or content of such materials for purposes of the 1940 Act or other applicable laws and regulations. If the Adviser or the Trust makes any unauthorized use of the Sub-Adviser’s
names, derivatives, logos, trademarks or service marks or trade names, the parties acknowledge that the Sub-Adviser shall suffer irreparable harm for which monetary damages may be inadequate and thus, the Sub-Adviser shall be entitled
to injunctive relief, as well as any other remedy available under law.
|
17.
|
Nonpublic Personal Information
.
Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Sub-Adviser agrees on behalf of itself and its directors, shareholders, officers, and employees (1) to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Adviser and
the Trust (a) all records and other information relative to each Fund’s prior, present, or potential shareholders (and clients of said shareholders) and (b) any Nonpublic Personal Information, as defined under Section 248.3(t) of
Regulation S-P (“
Regulation S-P
”), promulgated under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the “
G-L-B Act
”), and (2) except after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Adviser or the Trust, not to use such records and information for any purpose other than the performance of
its responsibilities and duties hereunder, or as otherwise permitted by Regulation S-P or the G-L-B Act, and if in compliance therewith, the privacy policies adopted by the Trust and communicated in writing to the Sub-Adviser. Such
written approval shall not be unreasonably withheld by the Adviser or the Trust and may not be withheld where the Sub-Adviser may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt or other proceedings for failure to comply after being
requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities.
|
18.
|
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
.
The Sub-Adviser acknowledges that, in compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended, the USA PATRIOT Act, and any implementing regulations thereunder (together, “
AML Laws
”), the Trust has adopted an Anti-Money Laundering Policy. The Sub-Adviser agrees to comply with the Trust’s Anti-Money Laundering Policy and the AML Laws, as the same may apply to the
Sub-Adviser, now and in the future. The Sub-Adviser further agrees to provide to the Trust, the Trust’s administrator, sub-administrator and/or the Trust’s anti-money laundering compliance officer such reports, certifications and
contractual assurances as may be reasonably requested by the Trust. The Trust may disclose information regarding the Sub-Adviser to governmental and/or regulatory or self-regulatory authorities to the extent required by applicable
law or regulation and may file reports with such authorities as may be required by applicable law or regulation.
|
Fund Name
|
Sub-Advisory Fee
|
Effective Date
|
Aware Ultra-Short Duration Enhanced Income ETF
|
0.21%
|
12/21/2018
|
3.1.
|
The Sub-Adviser has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and has
taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.
|
3.2.
|
The Sub-Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and has provided its current Form ADV,
including the firm brochure and applicable brochure supplements to the Adviser.
|
3.3.
|
The Sub-Adviser maintains errors and omissions insurance coverage in an appropriate amount and shall provide prior written
notice to the Adviser and the Trust (i) of any material changes in its insurance policies or insurance coverage or (ii) if any material claims will be made on its insurance policies. Furthermore, the Sub-Adviser shall upon
reasonable request provide the Adviser and the Trust with any information it may reasonably require concerning the amount of or scope of such insurance.
|
3.4.
|
None of the Sub-Adviser, its affiliates, or any officer, director or employee of the Sub‑Adviser or its affiliates is subject
to any event set forth in Section 9 of the 1940 Act that would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from acting as an investment adviser to an investment company under the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser will promptly notify the Adviser and the
Trust upon the Sub-Adviser’s discovery of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise.
|
3.5.
|
The Sub-Adviser has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures, as required by Rule 206(4)‑7 under the Advisers
Act, which are reasonably designed to prevent violations of federal securities laws by the Sub-Adviser, its employees, officers, and agents. Upon reasonable notice to and reasonable request, the Sub-Adviser shall provide the
Adviser and the Trust with access to the records relating to such policies and procedures as they relate to the Funds. The Sub-Adviser will also provide, at the reasonable request of the Adviser or the Trust, periodic
certifications, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Adviser or the Trust, attesting to such written policies and procedures.
|
3.6.
|
The Sub-Adviser shall implement and maintain a business continuity plan and policies and procedures reasonably designed to
prevent, detect and respond to cybersecurity threats and to implement such internal controls and other safeguards as the Sub-Adviser reasonably believes are necessary to protect each Fund’s confidential information and the nonpublic
personal information of Fund shareholders. The Sub-Adviser shall promptly notify the Adviser and the Trust of any material violations or breaches of such policies and procedures.
|
3.7.
|
The Sub-Adviser will not engage in any futures transactions, options on futures transactions or transactions in other
commodity interests on behalf of a Fund prior to the Sub-Adviser becoming registered or filing a notice of exemption on behalf of the Fund with the National Futures Association.
|
3.8.
|
The Sub-Adviser agrees to provide reasonable assistance with the liquidity classifications required under each Fund’s
liquidity risk management program when implemented in accordance with Rule 22e‑4 under the 1940 Act.
|
4.1.
|
The Adviser has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and has
taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.
|
4.2.
|
The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. None of the Adviser, its affiliates, or any
officer, manager, partner or employee of the Adviser or its affiliates is subject to any event set forth in Section 9 of the 1940 Act that would disqualify the Adviser from acting as an investment adviser to an investment company
under the 1940 Act. The Adviser will promptly notify the Sub-Adviser upon the Adviser’s discovery of an occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company
pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise. The Adviser agrees to comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Commodity Exchange Act
and the rules and regulations thereunder, as applicable, as well all other applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and case law that relate to the Adviser’s services described hereunder and the to the conduct of its
business as a registered investment adviser and to maintain all licenses and registrations necessary to perform its duties hereunder in good order. The Adviser shall maintain compliance procedures that it reasonably believes are
adequate to ensure its compliance with the foregoing.
|
4.3.
|
The Adviser has the authority under the Investment Advisory Agreement to appoint the Sub-Adviser.
|
4.4.
|
The Adviser further represents and warrants that it has received a copy of the Sub‑Adviser’s current Form ADV.
|
4.5.
|
The Adviser has provided the Sub-Adviser with each Fund’s most current prospectus and statement of additional information
contained in the Trust’s registration statement and the Investment Policies, as in effect from time to time. The Adviser shall promptly furnish to the Sub-Adviser copies of all material amendments or supplements to the foregoing
documents.
|
4.6.
|
The Adviser or its delegate will provide timely information to the Sub-Adviser regarding such matters as inflows to and
outflows from each Fund and the cash requirements of, and cash available for investment in, the Fund.
|
4.7.
|
The Adviser or its delegate will timely provide the Sub-Adviser with copies of monthly accounting statements for each Fund,
and such other information as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate in order for the Sub-Adviser to perform its responsibilities hereunder.
|
7.1.
|
The Sub-Adviser shall arrange for the placing and execution Fund orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities
with broker-dealers. Subject to seeking the best price and execution reasonably available, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to place orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for a Fund with such broker-dealers as it
may select from time to time. Subject to Section 7.2 below, the Sub-Adviser is also authorized to place transactions with brokers who provide research or statistical information or analyses to such Fund, to the Sub-Adviser, or to
any other client for which the Sub-Adviser provides investment advisory services. The Sub-Adviser also agrees that it will cooperate with the Trust and the Adviser to allocate brokerage transactions to brokers or dealers who
provide benefits directly to a particular Fund; provided, however, that such allocation comports with applicable law including, without limitation, Rule 12b-1(h) under the 1940 Act.
|
7.2.
|
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7.1 above and subject to such policies and procedures as may be adopted by the
Board and officers of the Trust or the direction of the Adviser and consistent with Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to cause a Fund to pay a member of an exchange, broker or dealer an amount of
commission for effecting a securities transaction in excess of the amount of commission another member of an exchange, broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, in such instances where the Sub-Adviser has
determined in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such member, broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction
or the Sub-Adviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to such Fund and to other funds or clients for which the Sub‑Adviser exercises investment discretion.
|
7.3.
|
The Sub-Adviser is authorized to direct portfolio transactions to a broker that is an affiliated person of the Adviser, the
Sub-Adviser, or a Fund in accordance with such standards and procedures as may be approved by the Board in accordance with Rule 17e‑1 under the 1940 Act, or other rules or guidance promulgated by the SEC. Any transaction placed
with an affiliated broker must (i) be placed at best execution, and (ii) may not be a principal transaction.
|
7.4.
|
The Sub-Adviser is authorized to aggregate or “bunch” purchase or sale orders for a Fund with orders for various other
clients when it believes that such action is in the best interests of such Fund and all other such clients. In such an event, allocation of the securities purchased or sold will be made by the Sub-Adviser in accordance with the
Sub-Adviser’s written policy.
|
8.
|
Records/Reports
.
|
8.1.
|
Recordkeeping
. The Sub-Adviser
shall not be responsible for the provision of administrative, bookkeeping or accounting services to the Funds, except as otherwise provided herein or as may be necessary for the Sub-Adviser to supply to the Adviser, the Board or the
Trust’s chief compliance officer (the “
Chief Compliance Officer
”) the information required to be supplied under this Agreement.
|
8.2.
|
The Sub-Adviser shall maintain separate books and detailed records of all matters pertaining to Fund assets advised by the
Sub-Adviser required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act (other than those records being maintained by any administrator, sub‑administrator, custodian or transfer agent appointed by the Funds) relating to its responsibilities provided
hereunder with respect to the Funds, and shall preserve such records for the periods and in a manner prescribed therefore by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act (the “
Funds’ Books and Records
”). The Funds’ Books and Records shall be available to the Adviser, the Board and the Chief Compliance Officer at any time upon request, shall be delivered to the Adviser upon the
termination of this Agreement and shall be available without delay during any day the Adviser is open for business.
|
8.3.
|
Holdings Information and Pricing
.
The Sub-Adviser shall provide regular reports regarding Fund holdings, and shall, on its own initiative, furnish the Adviser and the Board from time to time with whatever information the Sub-Adviser believes is appropriate for this
purpose. The Sub-Adviser agrees to immediately notify the Adviser if the Sub-Adviser reasonably believes that the value of any security held by a Fund may not reflect its fair value. The Sub-Adviser agrees to provide any pricing
information of which the Sub-Adviser is aware to the Trust, the Board, the Adviser and/or any Fund pricing agent to assist in the determination of the fair value of any Fund holdings for which market quotations are not readily
available or as otherwise required in accordance with the 1940 Act or the Trust’s valuation procedures for the purpose of calculating each Fund’s net asset value in accordance with procedures and methods established by the Board.
|
8.4.
|
Cooperation with Agents of the Trust
.
The Sub-Adviser agrees to cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Adviser, the Trust, the Chief Compliance Officer, any Trust custodian or foreign sub‑custodians, any Trust pricing agents and all other agents and
representatives of the Trust, such information with respect to the Funds as they may reasonably request from time to time in the performance of their obligations, provide prompt responses to reasonable requests made by such persons
and establish appropriate interfaces with each so as to promote the efficient exchange of information and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
|
8.5.
|
Information and Reporting
. The
Sub-Adviser shall provide the Adviser and the Trust, and its respective officers, with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Sub‑Adviser has assumed under this Agreement as the Board or the Adviser may from time to
time reasonably request.
|
8.6.
|
Notification of Breach/Compliance Reports
.
The Sub-Adviser shall notify the Adviser immediately upon detection of (i) any material failure to manage any Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and policies or any applicable law; or (ii) any material breach of any
of the Funds’ or the Sub-Adviser’s policies, guidelines or procedures. The Sub‑Adviser agrees to correct any such failure promptly and to take any action that the Adviser or the Board may reasonably request in connection with any
such breach. Upon request, the Sub-Adviser shall also provide the officers of the Trust with supporting certifications in connection with such certifications of Fund financial statements and the Trust’s disclosure controls
adopted pursuant to the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002 (the “
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
”), and the implementing regulations adopted thereunder, and agrees to inform the Trust
of any material development related to a Fund that the Adviser reasonably believes is relevant to the Fund’s certification obligations under the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act.
The Sub-Adviser will promptly notify the Adviser in the
event (i) the Sub-Adviser is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board, or body, involving the affairs of the Trust or
the Adviser (excluding class action suits in which a Fund is a member of the plaintiff class by reason of the Fund’s ownership of shares in the defendant) or the compliance by the Sub-Adviser with the federal or state securities
laws or (ii) an actual change in control of the Sub-Adviser resulting in an “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act) has occurred or is otherwise proposed to occur.
|
8.7.
|
Board and Filings Information
.
The Sub-Adviser will also provide the Adviser and the Board with any information reasonably requested regarding its management of the Funds required for any meeting of the Board, or for any shareholder report, amended registration
statement, proxy statement, or prospectus supplement to be filed by the Trust with the SEC. The Sub-Adviser will make its officers and employees available to meet with the Board from time to time on reasonable notice to review its
investment management services to the Funds in light of current and prospective economic and market conditions and shall furnish to the Board such information as may reasonably be requested by the Board under Section 15(c) of the
1940 Act in order for the Board to evaluate this Agreement or any proposed amendments thereto.
|
8.8.
|
Transaction Information
. The
Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the Adviser, the Board or a designee such information concerning portfolio transactions as may be necessary to enable the Adviser, the Board or a designated agent to perform such compliance testing on
the Funds and the Sub-Adviser’s services as the Adviser may, in its sole discretion, determine to be appropriate. The provision of such information by the Sub-Adviser to the Adviser, the Board or a designated agent in no way
relieves the Sub-Adviser of its own responsibilities under this Agreement.
|
12.1.
|
Sub-Advisory Fee
. During the term
of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall bear its own costs of providing services under this Agreement. The Adviser agrees to pay to the Sub-Adviser or its designated paying agent, an annual sub-advisory fee equal to the amount of
the daily average net assets of each Fund shown on Schedule A attached hereto, payable on a monthly basis.
|
12.2.
|
The initial fee under this Agreement shall be payable on the first business day of the first month following the effective
date of this Agreement with respect to a Fund and shall be prorated as set forth below. If this Agreement is terminated with respect to a Fund prior to the end of any calendar month, the sub-advisory fee shall be prorated for the
portion of any month in which this Agreement is in effect according to the proportion which the number of calendar days, during which the Agreement is in effect, bears to the number of calendar days in the month, and shall be
payable within 30 days after the date of termination.
|
12.3.
|
The Sub-Adviser shall look exclusively to the Adviser for payment of the sub-advisory fee.
|
14.1.
|
The Sub-Adviser shall exercise due care and diligence and use the same skill and care in providing its services hereunder as
it uses in providing services to other investment companies, accounts and customers, but the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates and their respective agents, control persons, directors, officers, employees, supervised persons and access
persons shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Sub-Adviser in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its duties. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
federal securities laws and certain state laws impose liabilities under certain circumstances on persons who have acted in good faith, and therefore nothing herein shall in any way constitute a waiver or limitation of any right
which the Trust, a Fund or any shareholder of a Fund may have under any federal securities law or state law the applicability of which is not permitted to be contractually waived.
|
14.2.
|
The Sub-Adviser shall indemnify the Trust, each Fund, the Adviser and each of their respective affiliates, agents, control
persons, directors, members of the Board, officers, employees and shareholders (the “Adviser Indemnified Parties”) against, and hold them harmless from, any costs, expense, claim, loss, liability, judgment, fine, settlement or
damage (including reasonable legal and other expenses) (collectively, “Losses”) arising out of any claim, demands, actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative or investigative) asserted or threatened to be
asserted by any third party (collectively, “Proceedings”) in so far as such Loss (or actions with respect thereto) arises out of or is based upon (i) any material misstatement or omission of a material fact in information regarding
the Sub-Adviser furnished in writing to the Adviser by the Sub-Adviser for use in the Registration Statement, proxy materials or reports filed with the SEC; or (ii) the willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless
disregard of obligations or duties of the Sub-Adviser in the performance of its duties under this Agreement (collectively, “Sub-Adviser Disabling Conduct”).
|
14.3.
|
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Sub-Adviser, its affiliates and their respective agents,
control persons, directors, partners, officers, employees, supervised persons and access persons shall not be liable to, nor shall they have any indemnity obligation to, the Adviser, its officers, directors, agents, employees,
controlling persons or shareholders or to a Fund, Trust or their shareholders for: (i) any material misstatement or omission of a material fact in a Fund’s Prospectus, registration statement, proxy materials or reports filed with
the SEC, unless and to the extent such material misstatement or omission was made in reliance upon, and is consistent with, the information furnished to the Adviser by the Sub-Adviser specifically for use therein; (ii) any action
taken or failure to act in good faith reliance upon (A) information, instructions or requests, whether oral or written, with respect to a Fund made to the Sub-Adviser by a duly authorized officer of the Adviser or the Trust; (B) the
advice of counsel to the Trust; or (C) any written instruction of the Board; or (iii) acts of the Sub-Adviser which result from or are based upon acts or omissions of the Adviser, including, but not limited to, a failure of the
Adviser to provide accurate and current information with respect to any records maintained by Adviser, which records are not also maintained by the Sub-Adviser; provided, however, that the limitations on the Sub-Adviser’s liability
and indemnification obligations described in (i) through (iii) above shall not apply with respect to, and to the extent, any portion of liability is attributable to Sub-Adviser Disabling Conduct.
|
14.4.
|
The Sub-Adviser shall not be deemed by virtue of this Agreement to have made any representation or warranty that any level of
investment performance or level of investment results, either relative or absolute, will be achieved.
|
14.5.
|
For the avoidance of doubt, neither Fund shareholders nor the members of the Board shall be personally liable under this
Agreement.
|
14.6.
|
The Adviser shall indemnify the Sub-Adviser and each of its respective affiliates, agents, control persons, directors,
officers, employees and shareholders (the “Sub-Adviser Indemnified Parties”) against, and hold them harmless from, any costs, expense, claim, loss, liability, judgment, fine, settlement or damage (including reasonable legal and
other expenses) (collectively, “Losses”) arising out of any claim, demands, actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative or investigative) asserted or threatened to be asserted by any third party (collectively,
“Proceedings”) in so far as such Loss (or actions with respect thereto) arises out of or is based upon (i) any material misstatement or omission of a material fact in information regarding the Adviser furnished by or on behalf of
the Adviser in writing for use in the Registration Statement, proxy materials or reports filed with the SEC; or (ii) the willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of obligations or duties of the Adviser
in the performance of its duties under this Agreement (collectively, “Adviser Disabling Conduct”).
|
14.7.
|
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Adviser, its affiliates and their respective agents, control
persons, directors, partners, officers, employees, supervised persons and access persons shall not be liable to, nor shall they have any indemnity obligation to, any Sub-Adviser Indemnified Parties for: (i) any material
misstatement or omission of a material fact in a Fund’s Prospectus, registration statement, proxy materials or reports filed with the SEC, unless and to the extent such material misstatement or omission was made in reliance upon,
and is consistent with, the information furnished to the Adviser by or on behalf of the Sub-Adviser specifically for use therein; (ii) any action taken or failure to act in good faith reliance upon acts or omissions of the
Sub-Adviser which result from or are based upon acts or omissions of the Sub-Adviser, including, but not limited to, a failure of the Sub-Adviser to provide accurate and current information with respect to any records maintained by
Sub-Adviser; provided, however, that the limitations on the Adviser’s liability and indemnification obligations described in this Section 14.7 shall not apply with respect to, and to the extent, any portion of liability that is
attributable to Adviser Disabling Conduct.
|
14.8.
|
The Sub-Adviser shall not be deemed by virtue of this Agreement to have made any representation or warranty that any level of
investment performance or level of investment results, either relative or absolute, will be achieved.
|
15.
|
Term/Approval/Amendments
.
|
15.1.
|
This Agreement shall become effective with respect to a Fund as of the date of commencement of operations of the Fund if
approved: (i) by a vote of the Board, including a majority of those trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to this Agreement (the “
Independent Trustees
”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding securities (to the
extent required under the 1940 Act). This Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to a Fund for an initial period of two years thereafter, and may be renewed annually thereafter only so long as such renewal and continuance
is specifically approved at least annually by the Board provided that in such event such renewal and continuance shall also be approved by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such approval.
|
15.2.
|
No material amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless the terms thereof have been approved as required by the
1940 Act. The modification of any of the non-material terms of this Agreement may be approved by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose, of a majority of the Independent Trustees.
|
15.3.
|
In connection with such renewal or amendment, the Sub-Adviser shall furnish such information as may be reasonably necessary
by the Adviser or the Board to evaluate the terms of this Agreement and any amendment thereto.
|
15.4.
|
This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board, including a majority of the
Independent Trustees, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund, on sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, or by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser on sixty (60) days’ written
notice to the Trust and the other party. This Agreement will automatically terminate, without the payment of any penalty, in the event the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Trust is assigned (as defined in
the 1940 Act) or terminates for any other reason. This Agreement will also terminate upon written notice to the other party that the other party is in material breach of this Agreement, unless the other party in material breach of
this Agreement cures such breach to the reasonable satisfaction of the party alleging the breach within thirty (30) days after written notice. This Agreement will also automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as
defined in the 1940 Act) unless the parties hereto, by agreement, obtain an exemption from the SEC from the provisions of the 1940 Act pertaining to the subject matter of this subsection.
|
16.
|
Use of the Sub-Adviser’s Name
.
|
16.1.
|
The parties agree that the name of the Sub-Adviser, the names of any affiliates of the Sub‑Adviser and any
derivative or logo or trademark or service mark or trade name are the valuable property of the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates. The Adviser and the Trust shall have the right to use such name(s), derivatives, logos, trademarks or
service marks or trade names only with the prior written approval of the Sub-Adviser, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed so long as this Agreement is in effect.
|
16.2.
|
Upon termination of this Agreement, the Adviser and the Trust shall forthwith cease to use such name(s),
derivatives, logos, trademarks or service marks or trade names. The Adviser and the Trust agree that they will review with the Sub-Adviser any advertisement, sales literature, or notice prior to its use that makes reference to the
Sub-Adviser or its affiliates or any such name(s), derivatives, logos, trademarks, service marks or trade names so that the Sub-Adviser may review the context in which it is referred to, it being agreed that the Sub-Adviser shall
have no responsibility to ensure the adequacy of the form or content of such materials for purposes of the 1940 Act or other applicable laws and regulations. If the Adviser or the Trust makes any unauthorized use of the
Sub-Adviser’s names, derivatives, logos, trademarks or service marks or trade names, the parties acknowledge that the Sub-Adviser shall suffer irreparable harm for which monetary damages may be inadequate and thus, the Sub-Adviser
shall be entitled to injunctive relief, as well as any other remedy available under law.
|
17.
|
Nonpublic Personal Information
.
Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Sub-Adviser agrees on behalf of itself and its directors, shareholders, officers, and employees (1) to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Adviser and
the Trust (a) all records and other information relative to each Fund’s prior, present, or potential shareholders (and clients of said shareholders) and (b) any Nonpublic Personal Information, as defined under Section 248.3(t) of
Regulation S-P (“
Regulation S-P
”), promulgated under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the “
G-L-B Act
”), and (2) except after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Adviser or the Trust, not to use such records and information for any purpose other than the performance
of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, or as otherwise permitted by Regulation S-P or the G-L-B Act, and if in compliance therewith, the privacy policies adopted by the Trust and communicated in writing to the Sub-Adviser.
Such written approval shall not be unreasonably withheld by the Adviser or the Trust and may not be withheld where the Sub-Adviser may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt or other proceedings for failure to comply after being
requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities.
|
18.
|
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
.
The Sub-Adviser acknowledges that, in compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended, the USA PATRIOT Act, and any implementing regulations thereunder (together, “
AML Laws
”), the Trust has adopted an Anti-Money Laundering Policy. The Sub-Adviser agrees to comply with the Trust’s Anti-Money Laundering Policy and the AML Laws, as the same may apply to the
Sub-Adviser, now and in the future. The Sub-Adviser further agrees to provide to the Trust, the Trust’s administrator, sub-administrator and/or the Trust’s anti-money laundering compliance officer such reports, certifications and
contractual assurances as may be reasonably requested by the Trust. The Trust may disclose information regarding the Sub-Adviser to governmental and/or regulatory or self-regulatory authorities to the extent required by applicable
law or regulation and may file reports with such authorities as may be required by applicable law or regulation.
|
1.
|
(i) it is duly organized as a Delaware limited liability company and is and at all times will remain duly
authorized and licensed under applicable law to carry out its services as contemplated herein; (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement are within its power and have been duly authorized by all necessary action;
(iii) its entering into this Agreement or providing the services contemplated hereby does not conflict with or constitute a default or require a consent under or breach of any provision of any agreement or document to which the
Distributor is a party or by which it is bound; (iv) it is registered as a broker-dealer under the 1934 Act and is a member of FINRA; and (v) it has in place compliance policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violations of
the Federal Securities Laws as that term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act.
|
2.
|
All activities by the Distributor and its agents and employees in connection with the services provided in this
Agreement shall comply with the Registration Statement and Prospectus, the instructions of the Trust, and all applicable laws, rules and regulations including, without limitation, all rules and regulations made or adopted pursuant to the
1940 Act by the SEC or any securities association registered under the 1934 Act, including FINRA and the Listing Exchanges.
|
3.
|
The Distributor agrees to maintain, and preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act, such
records as are required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1(d) under the 1940 Act. The Distributor agrees that all records which it maintains pursuant to the 1940 Act for the Trust shall at all times remain the property of the Trust, shall be
readily accessible during normal business hours and shall be promptly surrendered upon the termination of the Agreement or otherwise on written request; provided, however, that Distributor may retain all such records required to be
maintained by Distributor pursuant to applicable FINRA or SEC rules and regulations. The Distributor shall assist the Trust and its designated agents or, upon approval of the Trust, any regulatory or self-regulatory body, in any
requested review of the records maintained by the Distributor pursuant to Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act.
|
4.
|
The Distributor agrees to maintain compliance policies and procedures (a “Compliance Program”) that are reasonably
designed to prevent violations of the Federal Securities Laws (as defined in Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act) with respect to the Distributor’s services under this Agreement, and to provide any and all information with respect to the
Compliance Program, including without limitation, information and certifications with respect to material violations of the Compliance Program and any material deficiencies or changes therein, as may be reasonably requested by the Trust’s
Chief Compliance Officer or Board of Trustees. The Distributor agrees to issue certifications to the Trust CCO and provide the Trust with additional information with respect to the testing of the Compliance Program, as may be reasonably
requested by the Trust.
|
1.
|
(i) it is duly organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is and at all times will remain duly authorized to carry
out its obligations as contemplated herein; (ii) it is registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act; (iii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement are within its power and have been duly authorized by all
necessary action; (iv) to the best of its knowledge, its entering into this Agreement does not conflict with or constitute a default or require a consent under or breach of any provision of any agreement or document to which the Trust is
a party or by which it is bound; (v) the Registration Statement and each Fund’s Prospectus have been prepared, and all Marketing Materials shall be prepared, in all materials respects, in conformity with the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the
rules and regulations of the SEC (the “Rules and Regulations”); and (vi) the Registration Statement and each Fund’s Prospectus contain, and all Marketing Materials shall contain, all statements required to be stated therein in accordance
with the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations; (vii) to the best of its knowledge, all statements of fact contained therein, or to be contained in all Marketing Materials, are or will be true and correct in all material
respects at the time indicated or the effective date, as the case may be, and none of the Registration Statement, any Fund’s Prospectus, nor any Marketing Materials shall include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the case of each Fund’s Prospectus in light of the circumstances in which made, not misleading; and (viii) except as otherwise noted in the
Registration Statement and relevant Prospectus, the offering price for all Creation Units will be the aggregate net asset value of the Shares per Creation Unit of the relevant Fund, as determined in the manner described in the
Registration Statement and Prospectus;
|
2.
|
it shall file such amendment or amendments to the Registration Statement and each Fund’s Prospectus as, in the
light of future developments, shall, in the opinion of the Trust’s counsel, be necessary in order to have the Registration Statement and each Fund’s Prospectus at all times contain all material facts required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which made, not misleading. The Trust shall not file any amendment to the Registration Statement or each Fund’s Prospectus without giving the Distributor
reasonable notice thereof in advance, provided that nothing in this Agreement shall in any way limit the Trust’s right to file at any time such amendments to the Registration Statement or any Fund’s Prospectus as the Trust may deem
advisable. The Trust will also notify the Distributor in the event of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust shall not be deemed to make any representation or
warranty as to any information or statement provided by the Distributor for inclusion in the Registration Statement or any Fund’s Prospectus; and
|
3.
|
upon delivery of Deposit or Fund Securities to an Authorized Participant in connection with a purchase or
redemption of Creation Units, the Authorized Participant will acquire good and unencumbered title to such securities, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances, and not subject to any adverse claims and that such
Fund and Deposit Securities will not be “restricted securities” as such term is used in Rule 144(a)(3)(i) under the 1933 Act.
|
(i)
To Foreside:
|
(ii)
If to the Trust:
|
Foreside Fund Services, LLC
Attn: Legal Department
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100
Portland, ME 04101
Telephone: (207) 553-7110
Facsimile: (207) 553-7151
Email: legal@foreside.com
With a copy to:
Etp-services@foreside.com
|
Tidal ETF Trust
Attn: President
898 North Broadway, Suite 2
Massapequa, NY 11758
Phone: 610-517-6901
Email:
dcarlson@torosoinv.com
|
Foreside Fund Services, LLC
|
Tidal ETF Trust
|
By:
/s/ Mark Fairbanks
Mark Fairbanks, Vice President
|
By:
/s/ Eric W. Falkeis
Name:
Eric W. Falkeis
Title:
CEO
|
1.
|
Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement.
|
2.
|
Exhibit A to the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced by Exhibit A attached hereto to reflect the addition
of SoFi 50 ETF, SoFi 500 ETF, SoFi Gig Economy ETF, and SoFi Next 500 ETF.
|
3.
|
Except as expressly amended hereby, all of the provisions of the Agreement are restated and in full force and effect to the
same extent as if fully set forth herein.
|
4.
|
This Amendment shall be governed by and the provisions of this Amendment shall be construed and interpreted under and in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.
|
TIDAL ETF TRUST
|
FORESIDE FUND SERVICES, LLC
|
By:
/s/ Eric W. Falkeis
|
By:
/s/ Mark Fairbanks
|
Name:
Eric W. Falkeis
|
Mark Fairbanks
|
Title:
CEO
|
Vice President |
(a)
|
The Adviser represents and warrants the following:
|
(b)
|
The Distributor represents and warrants the following:
|
Toroso Investments, LLC
|
Foreside Fund Services, LLC
|
By: /s/ Dan Carlson Name: Dan Carlson Title: Chief Financial Officer |
By: /s Mark Fairbanks Name: Mark Fairbanks Title: Vice President |
Organizational Fee
|
One-Time
|
Start-up advising including industry, products, APs, electronic connectivity and other
launch requirements
|
·
-
|
Recurring Legal Underwriting Fees
|
Annual
|
Asset fee, based on total assets in the Funds, calculated and billed monthly. Asset fee
is subject to an annual minimum fee based on the total number of Funds:
·
Funds 1-5:
-
/Fund
·
Funds 6-10:
-
/Fund
·
Funds 11+:
-
/Fund
|
·
-
·
-
·
-
|
Advertising Compliance Review
|
Per Communication Piece
|
·
Provide a FINRA compliance professional to review fund marketing material
|
·
-
·
-
|
Ø
|
Fees will be calculated and payable monthly.
|
(a)
|
A copy of the Trust’s declaration of trust, certified by the Secretary;
|
(b)
|
A copy of the Trust’s bylaws, certified by the Secretary;
|
(c)
|
A copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust appointing the Custodian, certified by the Secretary;
|
(d)
|
A copy of the current prospectus of each Fund (the “Prospectus”);
|
(e)
|
A certification of the Chairman or the President and the Secretary of the Trust setting forth the names and signatures of the
current Officers of the Trust and other Authorized Persons; and
|
(f)
|
An executed authorization required by the Shareholder Communications Act of 1985, attached hereto as
Exhibit D
.
|
(a)
|
In its discretion, the Custodian may appoint one or more Sub-Custodians to establish and maintain arrangements with (i) Eligible
Securities Depositories or (ii) Eligible Foreign Custodians that are members of the Sub-Custodian’s network to hold Securities and cash of the Trust, on behalf of a Fund, and to carry out such other provisions of this Agreement as it
may determine; provided, however, that the appointment of any such agents and maintenance of any Securities and cash of the Fund shall be at the Custodian’s expense and shall not relieve the Custodian of any of its obligations or
liabilities under this Agreement. The Custodian shall be liable for the actions of any Sub-Custodians (regardless of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a Sub-Custodian, a member of its network or an Eligible Securities
Depository) appointed by it as if such actions had been done by the Custodian.
|
(b)
|
If, after the initial appointment of Sub-Custodians by the Board of Trustees in connection with this Agreement, the Custodian
wishes to appoint other Sub‑Custodians to hold property of the Trust, on behalf of a Fund, it will so notify the Trust and make the necessary determinations as to any such new Sub-Custodian’s eligibility under Rule 17f-5 under the
1940 Act.
|
(c)
|
In performing its delegated responsibilities as foreign custody manager to place or maintain a Fund’s assets with a Sub-Custodian,
the Custodian will determine that the Fund’s assets will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the country in which the Fund’s assets will be held by that Sub-Custodian, after considering
all factors relevant to safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation the factors specified in Rule 17f-5(c)(1).
|
(d)
|
The agreement between the Custodian and each Sub-Custodian acting hereunder shall contain the required provisions set forth in
Rule 17f-5(c)(2) under the 1940 Act.
|
(e)
|
At the end of each calendar quarter after the date of this Agreement, the Custodian shall provide written reports notifying the
Board of Trustees of the withdrawal or placement of the Securities and cash of the Trust, on behalf of a Fund, with a Sub-Custodian and of any material changes in the Fund’s arrangements. Such reports shall include an analysis of the
custody risks associated with maintaining assets with any Eligible Securities Depositories. The Custodian shall promptly take such steps as may be required to withdraw assets of a Fund from any Sub-Custodian arrangement that has
ceased to meet the requirements of Rule 17f-5 or Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act, as applicable, and shall notify the Board of Trustees as promptly as practicable under the circumstances of such action.
|
(f)
|
With respect to its responsibilities under this Agreement, including without limitation, Section 3.03, the Custodian hereby
warrants to the Trust that it agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a professional person having responsibility for the safekeeping of property of each Fund. The Custodian further warrants that a Fund’s
assets will be subject to reasonable care if maintained with a Sub-Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation: (i) the Sub-Custodian’s practices, procedures, and
internal controls for certificated securities (if applicable), its method of keeping custodial records, and its security and data protection practices; (ii) whether the Sub-Custodian has the requisite financial strength to provide
reasonable care for Fund assets; (iii) the Sub-Custodian’s general reputation and standing and, in the case of a Securities Depository, the Securities Depository’s operating history and number of participants; (iv) ensuring Fund
assets held by a Sub-Custodian shall not be sold, rehypothecated, pledged, assigned, invested or otherwise disposed by the Sub-Custodian and beneficial ownership of the Securities held by such Sub-Custodian shall be freely
transferable without payment of money or value other than for safe custody and administration; and (v) whether the Fund will have jurisdiction over and be able to enforce judgments against the Sub-Custodian, such as by virtue of the
existence of any offices of the Sub-Custodian in the United States or the Sub-Custodian’s consent to service of process in the United States.
|
(g)
|
The Custodian shall establish a system or ensure that its Sub-Custodian has established a system to monitor on a continuing basis
(i) the appropriateness of maintaining a Fund’s assets with a Sub-Custodian or Eligible Foreign Custodians who are members of a Sub-Custodian’s network; (ii) the performance of the contract governing a Fund’s arrangements with such
Sub‑Custodian or Eligible Foreign Custodian’s members of a Sub-Custodian’s network; and (iii) the custody risks of maintaining assets with an Eligible Securities Depository. The Custodian must promptly notify the Trust, on behalf of
a Fund, or an Adviser of any material change in these risks.
|
(h)
|
The Custodian shall use commercially reasonable efforts to collect all income and other payments with respect to Foreign
Securities to which a Fund shall be entitled and shall credit such income, as collected, to the Fund. In the event that extraordinary measures are required to collect such income, the Trust, on behalf of a Fund, and the Custodian
shall consult as to the measures and as to the compensation and expenses of the Custodian relating to such measures.
|
(a)
|
The Custodian, on an on-going basis, shall deposit in a Securities Depository or Book-Entry System all Securities eligible for
deposit therein and shall make use of such Securities Depository or Book-Entry System to the extent possible and practical in connection with its performance hereunder, including, without limitation, in connection with settlements of
purchases and sales of Securities, loans of Securities, and deliveries and returns of collateral consisting of Securities.
|
(b)
|
Securities of a Fund kept in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository shall be kept in an account (“Depository Account”) of
the Custodian in such Book-Entry System or Securities Depository which includes only assets held by the Custodian as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers.
|
(c)
|
The records of the Custodian with respect to Securities of a Fund maintained in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository
shall, by book-entry, identify such Securities as belonging to the Fund.
|
(d)
|
If Securities purchased by a Fund are to be held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, the Custodian shall pay for such
Securities upon: (i) receipt of advice from the Book-Entry System or Securities Depository that such Securities have been transferred to the Depository Account; and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to
reflect such payment and transfer for the account of the Fund. If Securities sold by a Fund are held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, the Custodian shall transfer such Securities upon (i) receipt of advice from the
Book-Entry System or Securities Depository that payment for such Securities has been transferred to the Depository Account; and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for the
account of the Fund.
|
(e)
|
The Custodian shall provide a Fund with copies of any report (obtained by the Custodian from a Book-Entry System or Securities
Depository in which Securities of the Fund are kept) on the internal accounting controls and procedures for safeguarding Securities deposited in such Book-Entry System or Securities Depository.
|
(f)
|
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Custodian shall be liable to a Fund for any loss or damage to the
Fund resulting from: (i) the use of a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository by reason of any negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Custodian or any Sub‑Custodian; or (ii) failure of the Custodian or any
Sub-Custodian to enforce effectively such rights as it may have against a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository. At its election, a Fund shall be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claim against a
Book-Entry System or Securities Depository or any other person from any loss or damage to the Fund arising from the use of such Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, if and to the extent that the Fund has not been made whole for
any such loss or damage.
|
(g)
|
With respect to its responsibilities under this Section 3.05 and pursuant to Rule 17f‑4 under the 1940 Act, the Custodian hereby
warrants to the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, that it agrees to (i) exercise due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duty as a securities intermediary to obtain and thereafter maintain such
assets, (ii) provide, promptly upon request by the Fund, such reports as are available concerning the Custodian’s internal accounting controls and financial strength, and (iii) require any Sub-Custodian to exercise due care in
accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duty as a securities intermediary to obtain and thereafter maintain assets corresponding to the security entitlements of its entitlement holders.
|
(a)
|
For the purchase of Securities for a Fund but only in accordance with Section 4.01 of this Agreement and only (i) in the case of
Securities (other than options on Securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts), against the delivery to the Custodian (or any Sub-Custodian) of such Securities registered as provided in Section 3.09 below or in
proper form for transfer, or if the purchase of such Securities is effected through a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 3.05 above; (ii) in the case of options on
Securities, against delivery to the Custodian (or any Sub-Custodian) of such receipts as are required by the customs prevailing among dealers in such options; (iii) in the case of futures contracts and options on futures contracts,
against delivery to the Custodian (or any Sub-Custodian) of evidence of title thereto in favor of the Fund or any nominee referred to in Section 3.09 below; and (iv) in the case of repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements entered
into between the Fund and a bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System or between the Fund and a primary dealer in U.S. Government securities, against delivery of the purchased Securities either in certificate form or through
an entry crediting the Custodian’s account at a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository with such Securities;
|
(b)
|
In connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender, as set forth in Section 3.07(f) below, of Securities owned by a Fund;
|
(c)
|
For the payment of any dividends or capital gain distributions declared by a Fund;
|
(e)
|
For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by a Fund, including, but not limited to, the following payments for the
account of the Fund: interest; taxes; administration, investment advisory, accounting, auditing, transfer agent, custodian, trustee and legal fees; and other operating expenses of the Fund; in all cases, whether or not such expenses
are to be in whole or in part capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;
|
(f)
|
For transfer in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among a Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under
the 1934 Act and a member of FINRA, relating to compliance with rules of the Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or of any similar organization or organizations) regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;
|
(g)
|
For transfer in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among a Fund, the Custodian and a futures commission merchant
registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any contract market (or any similar organization or organizations) regarding account deposits in
connection with transactions by the Fund;
|
(h)
|
For the funding of any uncertificated time deposit or other interest-bearing account with any banking institution (including the
Custodian), which deposit or account has a term of one year or less; and
|
(i)
|
For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt, in addition to Proper Instructions, specifying the amount and purpose of such
payment, declaring such purpose to be a proper trust purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.
|
(a)
|
Upon the sale of Securities for the account of a Fund but only against receipt of payment therefor in cash, by certified or
cashier’s check or bank credit;
|
(b)
|
In the case of a sale effected through a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, in accordance with the provisions of
Section 3.05 above;
|
(c)
|
To an offeror’s depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for Securities of a Fund; provided that, in any
such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;
|
(d)
|
To the issuer thereof or its agent (i) for transfer into the name of a Fund, the Custodian or any Sub-Custodian, or any nominee or
nominees of any of the foregoing, or (ii) for exchange for a different number of certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units; provided that, in any such case, the new Securities are to
be delivered to the Custodian;
|
(e)
|
To the broker selling the Securities, for examination in accordance with the “street delivery” custom;
|
(f)
|
For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the
issuer of such Securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained in such Securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement, including surrender or receipt of underlying Securities in connection with the issuance or
cancellation of depository receipts; provided that, in any such case, the new Securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;
|
(g)
|
Upon receipt of payment therefor pursuant to any repurchase or reverse repurchase agreement entered into by a Fund;
|
(h)
|
In the case of warrants, rights or similar Securities, upon the exercise thereof, provided that, in any such case, the new
Securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;
|
(i)
|
For delivery in connection with any loans of Securities of a Fund, but only against receipt of such collateral as the Fund shall
have specified to the Custodian in Proper Instructions;
|
(j)
|
For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by a Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, but only against
receipt by the Custodian of the amounts borrowed;
|
(k)
|
Pursuant to any authorized plan of liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of a Fund;
|
(l)
|
For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among a Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under
the 1934 Act and a member of FINRA, relating to compliance with the rules of the Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or of any similar organization or organizations) regarding escrow or
other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;
|
(m)
|
For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among a Fund, the Custodian and a futures commission merchant
registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any contract market (or any similar organization or organizations) regarding account deposits in
connection with transactions by the Fund;
|
(n)
|
For any other proper trust purpose, but only upon receipt, in addition to Proper Instructions, specifying the Securities to be
delivered, setting forth the purpose for which such delivery is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper trust purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom delivery of such Securities shall be made; or
|
(o)
|
To brokers, clearing banks or other clearing agents for examination or trade execution in accordance with market custom; provided
that in any such case the Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment for such securities except as may arise from the Custodian’s own
negligence, fraud or willful misconduct.
|
(a)
|
Subject to Section 9.04 below, collect on a timely basis all income and other payments to which the Fund is entitled either by law
or pursuant to custom in the securities business;
|
(b)
|
Present for payment and, subject to Section 9.04 below, collect on a timely basis the amount payable upon all Securities that may
mature or be called, redeemed, or retired, or otherwise become payable;
|
(c)
|
Endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts and other negotiable instruments;
|
(d)
|
Surrender interim receipts or Securities in temporary form for Securities in definitive form;
|
(e)
|
Execute, as custodian, any necessary declarations or certificates of ownership under the federal income tax laws or the laws or
regulations of any other taxing authority now or hereafter in effect, and prepare and submit reports to the IRS and the Fund at such time, in such manner and containing such information as is prescribed by the IRS;
|
(f)
|
Hold for the Fund, either directly or, with respect to Securities held therein, through a Book-Entry System or Securities
Depository, all rights and similar Securities issued with respect to Securities of the Fund; and
|
(g)
|
In general, and except as otherwise directed in Proper Instructions, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection with
the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with Securities and other assets of the Fund.
|
(a)
|
The Custodian shall maintain complete and accurate records with respect to Securities, cash or other property held for a Fund,
including (i) journals or other records of original entry containing an itemized daily record in detail of all receipts and deliveries of Securities and all receipts and disbursements of cash; (ii) ledgers (or other records)
reflecting (A) Securities in transfer, (B) Securities in physical possession, (C) monies and Securities borrowed and monies and Securities loaned (together with a record of the collateral therefor and substitutions of such
collateral), (D) dividends and interest received, and (E) dividends receivable and interest receivable; (iii) canceled checks and bank records related thereto; and (iv) all records relating to its activities and obligations under this
Agreement. The Custodian shall keep such other books and records of the Trust, on behalf of a Fund, as the Trust shall reasonably request, or as may be required by the 1940 Act, including, but not limited to, Section 31 of the 1940
Act and Rule 31a-2 promulgated thereunder.
|
(b)
|
All such books and records maintained by the Custodian shall (i) be maintained in a form acceptable to the Trust and in compliance
with the rules and regulations of the SEC, (ii) be the property of the Trust and at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be made available upon request for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or
agents of the Trust and employees or agents of the SEC, and (iii) if required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, be preserved for the periods prescribed in Rules 31a‑1 and 31a-2 under the 1940 Act.
|
(a)
|
in accordance with the provisions of
any agreement
among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act and a member of FINRA (or any futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance
with the rules of the Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any registered contract market), or of any similar organization or organizations,
regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;
|
(b)
|
for purposes of segregating cash or Securities in connection with securities options purchased or written by the Fund or in
connection with financial futures contracts (or options thereon) purchased or sold by the Fund;
|
(c)
|
which constitute collateral for loans of Securities made by the Fund;
|
(d)
|
for purposes of compliance by the Fund with requirements under the 1940 Act for the maintenance of segregated accounts by
registered investment companies in connection with reverse repurchase agreements and when-issued, delayed delivery and firm commitment transactions; and
|
(e)
|
for other proper trust purposes, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, setting forth the purpose or purposes of such
segregated account and declaring such purposes to be proper trust purposes.
|
(a)
|
It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business
as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
|
(b)
|
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trust in accordance with all requisite action and
constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and
remedies of creditors and secured parties; and
|
(c)
|
It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and
federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract
binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
|
(a)
|
It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business
as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
|
(b)
|
It is a “U.S. Bank” as defined in Section (a)(7) of Rule 17f-5.
|
(c)
|
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Custodian in accordance with all requisite action and
constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Custodian, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights
and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and
|
(d)
|
It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and
federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract
binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
|
|
(a) |
If the Custodian advances cash or Securities to a Fund for any purpose, either at the Fund’s request or as otherwise contemplated in this Agreement the
Custodian shall have a continuing interest and right of set-off against such Securities and the proceeds thereof until such time as the Custodian is repaid the amount of such advance.
|
|
(b) |
In the event that a Fund is, except as provided in Section 10.03(a) above, otherwise indebted to the Custodian or its nominee in connection with its
performance under this Agreement, any claim, demand, loss, expense or liability (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) (except such indebtedness as may arise from its or its nominee’s bad faith, negligence, fraud or willful
misconduct), then, in any such event, the Custodian shall have the right to retain or set-off against any property at any time held for the account of the Fund, provided that (i) the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a detailed
invoice which reasonably describes the indebtedness at least two Business Days prior to the date on which the Custodian intends to exercise such set-off rights and (ii) the Fund has failed to promptly to repay the Custodian prior to
the date on which the Custodian indicated it intended to exercise its set-off rights, then the Custodian shall be entitled to exercise its set-off rights hereunder and utilize available cash of such Fund and to dispose of other
assets of such Fund to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement for such indebtedness.
|
(a)
|
Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party for consequential, special or punitive damages under any
provision of this Agreement.
|
(b)
|
The indemnity provisions of this Article shall indefinitely survive the termination and/or assignment of this Agreement.
|
(c)
|
In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this Article shall apply, it is understood that if in any case the
indemnitor may be asked to indemnify or hold the indemnitee harmless, the indemnitor shall be fully and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and it is further understood that the indemnitee
will use all reasonable care to notify the indemnitor promptly concerning any situation that presents or appears likely to present the probability of a claim for indemnification. The indemnitor shall have the option to defend the
indemnitee against any claim that may be the subject of this indemnification. In the event that the indemnitor so elects, it will so notify the indemnitee and thereupon the indemnitor shall take over complete defense of the claim,
and the indemnitee shall in such situation initiate no further legal or other expenses for which it shall seek indemnification under this Article X. The indemnitee shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case
in which the indemnitor will be asked to indemnify the indemnitee except with the indemnitor’s prior written consent.
|
(d)
|
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any amounts owed or liabilities incurred by a Fund, shall be
satisfied solely from the assets of the Fund and not any other entity or person. In no event shall Custodian, any Sub-Custodian or any of either of their affiliates have recourse, whether by set-off or otherwise, with respect to any
such amounts owed or liabilities incurred, to or against (i) any other series of the Trust other than the applicable Fund to which such obligations relate, (ii) any assets of any person or entity under the management of the Adviser of
the Fund or (iii) any assets of the Adviser of the Fund or any affiliate of such Adviser. Neither the Trust and nor any of its series, other than the Fund, are obligated to make contributions, loans or otherwise provide funding to
the Fund.
|
|
(a) |
All monthly fees through the life of the Agreement including the repayment of any negotiated discounts;
|
|
(b) |
All miscellaneous fees associated with converting services to successor service provider;
|
|
(c) |
All fees associated with any record retention and/or tax reporting obligations that may not be eliminated due to the conversion to a successor service
provider, as agreed upon by both parties;
|
|
(d) |
All reasonable and documented costs associated with (a) thru (c) above.
|
Name
|
Telephone/Fax Number
|
Signature
|
Dan Carlson
|
610-517-6901
|
/s/ Dan Carlson
|
Eric W. Falkeis
|
414-374-3026
|
/s/ Eric W. Falkeis
|
§
|
$ -– Book entry DTC transaction, Federal Reserve transaction, principal paydown
|
§
|
$ -– Repurchase agreement, reverse repurchase agreement, time deposit/CD or other non-depository transaction
|
§
|
$ -– Option/SWAPS/future contract written, exercised or expired
|
§
|
$ -– Mutual fund trade, Margin Variation Wire and outbound Fed wire
|
§
|
$ -– Physical security transaction
|
§
|
$ -– – Check disbursement (waived if U.S. Bancorp is Administrator)
|
§
|
Coordinated by USBFS per Board of Trustee approval – Negotiable
|
§
|
Additional fees apply for global servicing. Fund of Fund expenses quoted separately.
|
§
|
$-– per custody sub – account per year (e.g., per sub –adviser, segregated account, etc.)
|
§
|
Class Action Services – $-– filing fee per class action per account, plus -–% of gross proceeds, up to a maximum
per recovery not to exceed $-–.
|
§
|
No charge for the initial conversion free receipt.
|
§
|
Overdrafts – charged to the account at prime interest rate plus -–%, unless a line of credit is in place
|
§
|
1 – 25 foreign securities – $-–
|
§
|
26 – 50 foreign securities – $-–
|
§
|
Over 50 foreign securities – $-–
|
§
|
Euroclear – Eurobonds only. Eurobonds are held in Euroclear at a standard rate, but other types of securities
(including but not limited to equities, domestic market debt and mutual funds) will be subject to a surcharge. In addition, certain transactions that are delivered within Euroclear or from a Euroclear account to a third party
depository or settlement system, will be subject to a surcharge.
|
§
|
For all other markets specified above, surcharges may apply if a security is held outside of the local market.
|
§
|
A transaction is defined as any purchase/sale, free receipt / free delivery, maturity, tender or exchange of a
security.
|
§
|
Tax reclaims that have been outstanding for more than 6 (six) months with the client will be charged $-– per
claim.
|
§
|
Charges incurred by U.S. Bank, N.A. directly or through sub-custodians for account opening fees, local taxes,
stamp duties or other local duties and assessments, stock exchange fees, foreign exchange transactions, postage and insurance for shipping, facsimile reporting, extraordinary telecommunications fees, proxy services and other
shareholder communications, recurring administration fees, negative interest charges, overdraft charges or other expenses which are unique to a country in which the client or its clients is investing will be passed along as incurred.
|
§
|
A surcharge may be added to certain miscellaneous expenses listed herein to cover handling, servicing and other
administrative costs associated with the activities giving rise to such expenses. Also, certain expenses are charged at a predetermined flat rate.
|
§
|
SWIFT reporting and message fees.
|
Country
|
Instrument
|
Safekeeping
(BPS)
|
Transaction
Fee
|
Country
|
Instrument
|
Safekeeping
(BPS)
|
Transaction
Fee
|
|
Argentina
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Mali
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Australia
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Malta
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Austria
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Mauritius
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Bahrain
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Mexico
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Bangladesh
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Morocco
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Belgium
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Namibia
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Benin
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Netherlands
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Bermuda
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
New Zealand
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Botswana
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Niger
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Brazil
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Nigeria
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Bulgaria
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Norway
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Burkina Faso
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Oman
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Canada
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Pakistan
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Cayman Islands*
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Peru
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Channel Islands*
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Philippines
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Chile
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Poland
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
China
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Portugal
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Columbia
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Qatar
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Costa Rica
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Romania
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Croatia
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Russia
|
Equities
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Cyprus
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Senegal
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Czech Republic
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Singapore
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Denmark
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Slovak Republic
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Ecuador
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Slovenia
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Egypt
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
South Africa
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Estonia
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
South Korea
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Euromarkets**
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Spain
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Finland
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Sri Lanka
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
France
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Swaziland
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Germany
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Sweden
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Ghana
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Switzerland
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Greece
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Taiwan
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Guinea Bissau
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Thailand
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Hong Kong
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Togo
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Hungary
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Tunisia
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Iceland
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Turkey
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
India
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
UAE
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Indonesia
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
United Kingdom
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Ireland
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Ukraine
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Israel
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Uruguay
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Italy
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Venezuela
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Ivory Coast
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Zambia
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Japan
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
Zimbabwe
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|
Jordan
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|||||
Kazakhstan
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|||||
Kenya
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|||||
Latvia
|
Equities
|
____
|
$____
|
|||||
Lebanon
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|||||
Lithuania
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|||||
Luxembourg
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
|||||
Malaysia
|
All
|
____
|
$____
|
_______ YES
|
U.S. Bank is authorized to provide the Fund’s name, address and security position to requesting companies whose stock is owned by
the Company.
|
|
_______ NO
|
U.S. Bank is NOT authorized to provide the Fund’s name, address and security position to requesting companies whose stock is owned
by the Company.
|
TIDAL ETF TRUST
|
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
|
By:
/s/ Eric W. Falkeis
|
By:
/s/ Anita M. Zagrodnik
|
Name:
Eric W. Falkeis
|
Name:
Anita M. Zagrodnik
|
Title:
CEO
|
Title:
Senior VP
|
Date:
2/21/19
|
Date:
2/22/19
|
1.
|
Appointment of Tidal as Administrator
|
2.
|
Services and Duties of Tidal
|
A.
|
General Fund Management
:
|
(1)
|
Act as liaison among Trust service providers, including but not exclusive to Funds’ investment adviser(s), investment
sub-adviser(s), authorized participants, external legal counsel, independent audit firms and external compliance consultants.
|
(2)
|
Supply:
|
a.
|
Office facilities (which may be in Tidal’s, Sub-Administrator’s, or one of their affiliate’s, own offices).
|
b.
|
Non-investment-related statistical and research data as requested.
|
(3)
|
Coordinate the Trust’s board of trustees (the “
Board
of Trustees
” or the “
Trustees
”) communications, such as:
|
a.
|
Prepare meeting agendas and resolutions, with the assistance of Trust counsel and Fund investment adviser counsel.
|
b.
|
Prepare reports for the Board of Trustees based on financial and administrative data.
|
c.
|
Assist with the selection of the independent auditor.
|
d.
|
Secure and monitor fidelity bond and director and officer liability coverage, and make the necessary Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “
SEC
”) filings relating thereto.
|
e.
|
Prepare minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees and Fund shareholders.
|
f.
|
Recommend dividend declarations to the Board of Trustees and prepare and distribute to appropriate parties notices announcing
declaration of dividends and other distributions to shareholders.
|
g.
|
Attend Board of Trustees meetings and present materials for the Trustees’ review at such meetings.
|
(4)
|
Audits
:
|
a.
|
For each annual Fund audit, prepare appropriate schedules and materials. Provide requested information to the independent auditor,
and facilitate the audit process.
|
b.
|
For SEC, FINRA or other regulatory audits, provide requested information to the SEC or other regulatory agencies and facilitate the
audit process.
|
c.
|
For all audits, provide office facilities, as needed.
|
(5)
|
Assist with overall operations of the Trust.
|
(6)
|
Pay Trust and Fund expenses upon written authorization from the Trust.
|
(7)
|
Keep the Trust’s governing documents, including its charter, bylaws and minute books, but only to the extent such documents are
provided to Tidal by the Trust or its representatives for safe keeping.
|
B.
|
Compliance
:
|
(1)
|
Regulatory Compliance
:
|
a.
|
Monitor compliance with the 1940 Act requirements, including:
|
|
(i) |
Asset and diversification tests.
|
|
(ii) |
Total return and SEC yield calculations.
|
|
(iii) |
Maintenance of books and records under Rule 31a-3.
|
|
(iv) |
Code of ethics requirements under Rule 17j-1 for the disinterested Trustees.
|
b.
|
Monitor each Fund's compliance with the policies and investment limitations as set forth in its prospectus (the “
Prospectus
”) and statement of additional information (the “
SAI
”)
(or similar disclosure documents) included in its registration statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC (“
Registration Statement
”).
|
c.
|
Perform its duties hereunder in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and provide any sub-certifications reasonably
requested by the Trust in connection with (i) any certification required of the Trust pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “
SOX Act
”)
or any rules or regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, and (ii) the operation of Tidal’s compliance program as it relates to the Trust, provided the same shall not be deemed to change Tidal’s standard of care as set forth
herein.
|
d.
|
In order to assist the Trust in satisfying the requirements of Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act (the “
Rule
”), Tidal will provide the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer with reasonable access to Tidal’s fund records relating to the services provided by it under this Agreement,
and will provide quarterly compliance reports and related certifications regarding any Material Compliance Matter (as defined in the Rule) involving Tidal that affect or could affect the Trust.
|
e.
|
Monitor applicable regulatory and operational service issues, including exchange listing requirements, and update the Trust
periodically.
|
f.
|
Monitor compliance with regulatory exemptive relief (as applicable) for the Funds.
|
(2)
|
SEC Registration and Reporting
:
|
a.
|
Coordinate, with assistance from Trust counsel in annual update of the Registration Statement for each Fund.
|
b.
|
Prepare and file annual and semiannual shareholder reports, Form N-SAR (or Form N-CEN as applicable), Form N-CSR, Form N-Q (or Form
N-PORT as applicable) filings and Rule 24f-2 notices. As requested by the Trust, prepare and file Form N-PX filings.
|
c.
|
Coordinate the printing, filing and mailing of Prospectuses and shareholder reports, and amendments and supplements thereto.
|
d.
|
File fidelity bond under Rule 17g-1.
|
e.
|
Monitor sales of Fund shares and ensure that such shares are properly registered or qualified, as applicable, with the SEC and the
appropriate state authorities.
|
f.
|
Coordinate, with assistance from Trust counsel preparation of proxy statements and information statements, as requested by the Trust
on behalf of a Fund or Funds.
|
g.
|
Coordinate, with assistance from Trust counsel, applications for exemptive relief, when applicable.
|
(3)
|
IRS Compliance
:
|
a.
|
Monitor each Fund’s status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the “
Code
”), including without limitation, review of the following:
|
|
(i) |
Diversification requirements.
|
|
(ii) |
Qualifying income requirements.
|
|
(iii) |
Distribution requirements.
|
b.
|
Calculate required annual excise distribution amounts for the review and approval of Fund management (“
Management
”) and/or the Trust’s independent auditor.
|
C.
|
Financial Reporting
:
|
(1)
|
Provide financial data required by the Registration Statement for each Fund.
|
(2)
|
Prepare financial reports for officers, shareholders, tax authorities, performance reporting companies, the Board of Trustees, the
SEC, and the independent auditor.
|
(3)
|
Supervise the Trust’s custodian and fund accountants in the maintenance of each Fund’s general ledger and in the preparation of each
Fund’s financial statements, including oversight of expense accruals and payments, the determination of net asset value, and the declaration and payment of dividends and other distributions to shareholders.
|
(4)
|
Compute the yield, total return, expense ratio and portfolio turnover rate of each Fund.
|
(5)
|
Monitor expense accruals and make adjustments as necessary; notify Management of adjustments expected to materially affect a Fund’s
expense ratio.
|
(6)
|
Prepare financial statements for each Fund, which include, without limitation, the following items:
|
a.
|
Schedule of Investments.
|
b.
|
Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
|
c.
|
Statement of Operations.
|
d.
|
Statement of Changes in Net Assets.
|
e.
|
Statement of Cash Flows (if applicable).
|
f.
|
Financial Highlights.
|
(7)
|
Pursuant to Rule 31a-1(b)(9) of the 1940 Act, prepare quarterly broker security transaction summaries.
|
D.
|
Tax Reporting
:
|
(1)
|
Prepare for the review of the independent auditor and/or Management the federal and state tax returns including
without limitation, Form 1120 RIC and applicable state returns including any necessary schedules. Tidal will prepare annual federal and state
income tax return filings for each Fund as authorized by and based on the instructions received by Management and/or its independent auditor. File
on a timely basis appropriate federal and state tax returns including, without
limitation, Forms 1120/8613, with any necessary schedules.
|
(2)
|
Provide Management and the Trust’s independent auditor with tax reporting information pertaining to each Fund and
available to Tidal as required in a timely manner.
|
(3)
|
Prepare Fund financial statement tax
footnote disclosures for the review and approval of Management and/or the Trust’s independent auditor.
|
(4)
|
Prepare and file on behalf of Management Form 1099
MISC for payments to disinterested trustees and other qualifying service providers.
|
(5)
|
Monitor wash sale losses.
|
(6)
|
Calculate Qualified Dividend Income (“
QDI
”)
for qualifying Fund shareholders.
|
(7)
|
Calculate Dividends Received Deduction (“DRD”) for qualifying corporate Fund shareholders.
|
3.
|
License of Data; Warranty; Termination of Rights
|
|
A . |
Tidal hereby informs the Trust that the Sub-Administrator has entered into agreements with MSCI index data services (“
MSCI
”), Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC (“
S&P
”), and FactSet
Research Systems Inc. (“
FACTSET
”); and the related index data services being provided to the Trust by Tidal or the Sub-Administrator
(collectively, the “
Data
”) are being sublicensed, not sold, to the Trust. The Trust hereby acknowledges and agrees with the provisions set
forth on
Exhibit B
hereto. The provisions in
Exhibit B
shall not have any effect upon the standard of care and liability Tidal has set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement.
|
|
B. |
The Trust shall indemnify and hold harmless Tidal, the Sub-Administrator, its information providers, and any other third party involved in or related to the
making or compiling of the Data, their affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents from and against any claims, losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses, including reasonable
attorneys’ fees and costs, as incurred, arising in and any manner out of the Trust’s or a Fund’s use of, or inability to use, the Data or any breach by the Trust of any provision contained in this Agreement regarding the Data. The
immediately preceding sentence shall not have any effect upon the standard of care and liability of Tidal as set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement.
|
|
C . |
Tidal hereby informs the Trust that the Sub-Administrator has entered into agreements with Bloomberg Finance L.P. (“
Bloomberg
”) to provide data (the “
N-PORT Data
”) for use in or in connection with
the reporting requirements under the Rule, including preparation and filing of Form N-PORT. In connection with the provision of the N-PORT Data, Bloomberg requires certain provisions to be included herein.
|
4.
|
Compensation
|
5.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
A.
|
The Trust hereby represents and warrants to Tidal, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout
the term of this Agreement, that:
|
|
(1) |
It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to
enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
|
|
(2) |
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trust, in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally
binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured
parties; and
|
|
(3) |
It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all
regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its
property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
|
B.
|
Tidal hereby represents and warrants to the Trust, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout
the term of this Agreement, that:
|
|
(1) |
It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to
enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
|
|
(2) |
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Tidal in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding
obligation of Tidal, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and
|
|
(3) |
It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all
regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its
property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
|
6.
|
Standard of Care; Indemnification; Limitation of Liability
|
A.
|
Tidal shall use commercially reasonable efforts and exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement.
Tidal shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust or a Fund in connection with its duties under this Agreement, except a loss arising out of or relating to Tidal’s refusal or
failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or from its bad faith, fraud, negligence, or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement or material breach of this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, if Tidal has used commercially reasonable efforts and exercised reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, each Fund shall indemnify and hold harmless Tidal from and against any
and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that Tidal may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against Tidal by any person arising out of any action
taken or omitted to be taken by it in performing the services hereunder (i) in accordance with the foregoing standards, or (ii) in reasonable reliance upon any written or oral instruction provided to Tidal by any duly authorized officer
of the Trust or a Fund, except for any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities arising out of or relating to Tidal’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or material breach of this Agreement
or from its bad faith, fraud, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Tidal shall endeavor to provide the Trust such reasonable estimates, including reasonable estimates related to
amounts incurred for services provided hereunder, in connection with claims for which Tidal seeks indemnity from the Trust, provided that the Trust’s (or a Fund’s) continuing obligations to indemnify Tidal after the termination of this
Agreement shall relate to solely those claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) sustained in connection with Tidal’s provision of services pursuant to this
Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Trust (and the Funds), its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement; provided that the Trust’s (or a Fund’s) continuing obligations to
indemnify Tidal after the termination of this Agreement shall relate to solely those claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) sustained in connection with Tidal’s
provision of services pursuant to this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the term “Tidal” shall include Tidal’s members, officers and employees.
|
B.
|
In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this section shall apply, it is understood that if in any case the
indemnitor may be asked to indemnify or hold the indemnitee harmless, the indemnitor shall be fully and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and it is further understood that the indemnitee will
use all reasonable care to notify the indemnitor promptly concerning any situation that presents or appears likely to present the probability of a claim for indemnification. The indemnitor shall have the option to defend the indemnitee
against any claim that may be the subject of this indemnification. In the event that the indemnitor so elects, it will so notify the indemnitee and thereupon the indemnitor shall take over complete defense of the claim, and the
indemnitee shall in such situation initiate no further legal or other expenses for which it shall seek indemnification under this section. The indemnitee shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which
the indemnitor will be asked to indemnify the indemnitee except with the indemnitor’s prior written consent.
|
C.
|
The indemnity and defense provisions set forth in this Section 6 shall indefinitely survive the termination and/or assignment of
this Agreement.
|
D.
|
If Tidal is acting in another capacity for the Trust pursuant to a separate agreement, nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve
Tidal of any of its obligations in such other capacity.
|
E.
|
In conjunction with the tax services provided to the Trust by Tidal hereunder, Tidal shall not be
deemed to act as an income tax return preparer for any purpose including as such term is defined under Section 7701(a)(36) of the IRC, or any successor thereof. Any
information provided by Tidal to a Fund for income tax reporting purposes with respect to any item of income, gain, loss, or credit will be performed solely in Tidal’s administrative capacity. Tidal shall not be required to determine,
and shall not take any position with respect to whether, the reasonable belief standard described in Section 6694 of the IRC has been satisfied with respect to any income tax item. The Trust, and any appointees thereof, shall have
the right to inspect the transaction summaries produced and aggregated by Tidal, and any supporting documents thereto, in connection with the tax reporting services provided with respect to each Fund by Tidal. Tidal shall not be
liable for the provision or omission of any tax advice with respect to any information provided by Tidal to the Trust or a Fund. The tax information provided by Tidal shall be pertinent to the data and information made available to
Tidal, and is neither derived from nor construed as tax advice.
|
7.
|
Data Necessary to Perform Services
|
8.
|
Proprietary and Confidential Information
|
9.
|
Records
|
10.
|
Compliance with Laws
|
11.
|
Terms of Agreement; Amendment
|
12.
|
Early Termination
|
a.
|
all monthly fees through the life of the Agreement, including the repayment of any negotiated discounts;
|
b.
|
all fees associated with converting services to successor service provider;
|
c.
|
all fees associated with any record retention and/or tax reporting obligations that may not be eliminated due to the conversion to a
successor service provider;
|
d.
|
all reasonable and documented miscellaneous costs associated with a.-c. above
|
13.
|
Duties in the Event of Termination
|
14.
|
Assignment
|
15.
|
Governing Law
|
16.
|
No Agency Relationship
|
17.
|
Services Not Exclusive
|
18.
|
Invalidity
|
19.
|
Legal-Related Services
|
20.
|
Notices
|
21.
|
Construction
|
22.
|
Multiple Originals
|
23.
|
Limited Recourse
|
TIDAL ETF TRUST
|
TIDAL ETF SERVICES LLC
|
By:
/s/ Eric W. Falkeis
|
By:
/s/ Eric W. Falkeis
|
Name: Eric W. Falkeis
|
Name: Eric W. Falkeis
|
Title: Secretary
|
Title: CEO
|
Date: 1/21/19
|
Date: 1/21/19
|
·
|
The Trust represents that it will use the Data solely for internal purposes and use in the normal conduct of its business and
will not redistribute the Data in any form or manner to any third party, except its advisers, agents and consultants.
|
·
|
The Trust represents that it will not use or permit anyone else to use the Data in connection with creating, managing, advising,
writing, trading, marketing or promoting any securities or financial instruments or products, including, but not limited to, funds, synthetic or derivative securities (e.g., options, warrants, swaps, and futures), whether listed on an
exchange or traded over the counter or on a private-placement basis or otherwise or to create any indices (custom or otherwise).
|
·
|
The Trust represents that it will treat the Data as proprietary to MSCI, S&P and FACTSET. Further, the Trust shall
acknowledge that MSCI, S&P and FACTSET are the sole and exclusive owners of the Data and all trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property rights in or to the Data.
|
·
|
Except as expressly permitted hereby, the Trust represents that it will not (i) copy any component of the Data, (ii) alter,
modify or adapt any component of the Data, including, but not limited to, translating, decompiling, disassembling, reverse engineering or creating derivative works, or (iii) make any component of the Data available to any other person
or organization (including, without limitation, the Trust’s present and future parents, subsidiaries or affiliates) directly or indirectly, for any of the foregoing or for any other use, including, without limitation, by loan, rental,
service bureau, external time sharing or similar arrangement.
|
·
|
The Trust is obligated to reproduce on all permitted copies of the Data all copyright, proprietary rights and restrictive legends
appearing on the Data.
|
·
|
The Trust acknowledges that it assumes the entire risk of using the Data and shall agree to hold MSCI or S&P or FACTSET
harmless from any claims that may arise in connection with any use of the Data by the Trust.
|
·
|
The Trust acknowledges that MSCI or S&P or FACTSET may, in its sole and absolute discretion and at any time, terminate
Tidal’s right to receive and/or use the Data.
|
·
|
The Trust acknowledges that MSCI, S&P and FACTSET are third party beneficiaries of the Customer Agreement between S&P,
MSCI, FACTSET and Sub-Administrator, entitled to enforce all provisions of such agreement relating to the Data.
|
TIDAL ETF TRUST
On behalf of each series listed on Exhibit
A attached hereto
|
TIDAL ETF SERVICES, LLC
|
By:
/s/ Eric W. Falkeis
|
By:
/s/ Eric W. Falkeis
|
Name:
Eric W. Falkeis
|
Name:
Eric W. Falkeis
|
Title
:
CEO
|
Title:
CEO
|
Date:
3/5/19
|
Date:
3/5/19
|
1.
|
Appointment of Fund Services as Sub-Administrator
|
2.
|
Services and Duties of Fund Services
|
A.
|
General Fund Management:
|
(1)
|
Act as liaison among Trust service providers, including but not exclusive to Funds’ investment adviser(s), investment
sub-adviser(s), authorized participants, external legal counsel, independent audit firms and external compliance consultants.
|
a.
|
Office facilities (which may be in Fund Services’ or an affiliate’s own offices).
|
b.
|
Non-investment-related statistical and research data as requested.
|
(3)
|
Coordinate the Trust’s board of trustees (the “Board of Trustees” or the “Trustees”) communications, such as:
|
a.
|
Prepare meeting agendas and resolutions, with the assistance of Fund counsel and Company counsel.
|
b.
|
Prepare reports for the Board of Trustees and the Company based on financial and administrative data.
|
c.
|
Assist with the selection of the independent auditor.
|
d.
|
Secure and monitor fidelity bond and director and officer liability coverage, and make the necessary Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “SEC”) filings relating thereto.
|
e.
|
Prepare minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees and Fund shareholders.
|
f.
|
Recommend dividend declarations to the Company and prepare and distribute to appropriate parties notices announcing declaration of
dividends and other distributions to shareholders.
|
g.
|
Attend Board of Trustees meetings and present materials for the Trustees’ review at such meetings.
|
(4)
|
Audits:
|
a.
|
For each annual Fund audit, prepare appropriate schedules and materials. Provide requested information to the independent
auditor, and facilitate the audit process.
|
b.
|
For SEC, FINRA or other regulatory audits, provide requested information to the SEC, FINRA or other regulatory agencies and
facilitate the audit process.
|
c.
|
For all audits, provide office facilities, as needed.
|
(5)
|
Assist with overall operations of the Trust.
|
(6)
|
Pay Trust and Fund expenses upon written authorization from an approved authorized representative of the Trust or the Fund.
|
(7)
|
Keep the Trust’s governing documents, including its charter, bylaws and minute books, but only to the extent such documents are
provided to Fund Services by the Trust or its representatives for safe keeping.
|
B.
|
Compliance:
|
(1)
|
Regulatory Compliance:
|
a.
|
Monitor compliance with the 1940 Act requirements, including:
|
|
(i) |
Asset and diversification tests.
|
|
(ii) |
Total return and SEC yield calculations.
|
|
(iii) |
Maintenance of books and records under Rule 31a-3.
|
|
(iv) |
Code of ethics requirements under Rule 17j-1 for the disinterested Trustees.
|
b.
|
Monitor each Fund’s compliance with the policies and investment limitations as set forth in its prospectus (the “Prospectus”) and
statement of additional information (the “SAI”) (or similar disclosure documents) included in its registration statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC (“Registration Statement”).
|
c.
|
Perform its duties hereunder in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and provide any sub-certifications reasonably
requested by the Trust in connection with (i) any certification required of the Trust pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “SOX Act”) or any rules or regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, and (ii) the operation of
Fund Services’ compliance program as it relates to the Trust, provided the same shall not be deemed to change Fund Services’ standard of care as set forth herein.
|
d.
|
In order to assist the Company in satisfying the requirements of Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Rule”) with respect to the
Trust, Fund Services will provide the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer with reasonable access to Fund Services’ fund records relating to the services provided by it under this Agreement, and will provide quarterly compliance reports
and related certifications regarding any Material Compliance Matter (as defined in the Rule) involving Fund Services that affect or could affect the Trust.
|
e.
|
Monitor applicable regulatory and operational service issues, including exchange listing requirements, and update the Company
periodically.
|
(2)
|
SEC Registration and Reporting:
|
a.
|
Coordinate, with assistance from Fund counsel, annual update of the Registration Statement for each Fund.
|
b.
|
Prepare and file annual and semiannual shareholder reports, Form N‑CEN, Form N-CSR, Form N-Q (or Form N-PORT as applicable)
filings and Rule 24f-2 notices. As requested by the Fund, prepare and file Form N-PX filings.
|
c.
|
Coordinate the printing, filing and mailing of Prospectuses and shareholder reports, and amendments and supplements thereto.
|
d.
|
File fidelity bond under Rule 17g-1.
|
e.
|
Monitor sales of Fund shares and ensure that such shares are properly registered or qualified, as applicable, with the SEC and the
appropriate state authorities.
|
f.
|
Coordinate, with assistance from Fund counsel, preparation of proxy statements and information statements, as requested by the
Trust on behalf of a Fund or Funds.
|
g.
|
Coordinate, with assistance from Fund counsel, applications for exemptive relief, when applicable.
|
(3)
|
IRS Compliance:
|
a.
|
Monitor each Fund’s status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the “Code”), including without limitation, review of the following:
|
|
(i) |
Diversification requirements.
|
|
(ii) |
Qualifying income requirements.
|
|
(iii) |
Distribution requirements.
|
b.
|
Calculate required annual excise distribution amounts for the review and approval of Fund management (“Management”) and/or the
Trust’s independent auditor.
|
C.
|
Financial Reporting:
|
(1)
|
Provide financial data required by the Registration Statement for each Fund.
|
(2)
|
Prepare financial reports for officers, shareholders, tax authorities, performance reporting companies, the Board of Trustees, the
SEC, and the independent auditor.
|
(3)
|
Supervise the
Trust
’s
custodian and fund accountants in the maintenance of each Fund’s general ledger and in the preparation of each Fund’s financial statements, including oversight of expense accruals and payments, the determination of net asset value and
the declaration and payment of dividends and other distributions to shareholders.
|
(4)
|
Compute the yield, total return, expense ratio and portfolio turnover rate of each Fund.
|
(5)
|
Monitor expense accruals and make adjustments as necessary; notify Management of adjustments expected to materially affect a
Fund’s expense ratio.
|
(6)
|
Prepare financial statements for each Fund, which include, without limitation, the following items:
|
a.
|
Schedule of Investments.
|
b.
|
Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
|
c.
|
Statement of Operations.
|
d.
|
Statement of Changes in Net Assets.
|
e.
|
Statement of Cash Flows (if applicable).
|
f.
|
Financial Highlights.
|
(7)
|
Pursuant to Rule 31a-1(b)(9) of the 1940 Act, prepare quarterly broker security transaction summaries.
|
D.
|
Tax Reporting:
|
(1)
|
Prepare for the review of the independent auditor and/or Management the federal and state tax returns including
without limitation, Form 1120 RIC and applicable state returns including any necessary schedules. Fund Services will prepare annual federal and
state income tax return filings for each Fund as authorized by and based on the instructions received by Management and/or the Trust’s independent auditor. File
on a timely basis appropriate federal and state tax returns
including, without limitation, Forms 1120/8613, with any necessary schedules.
|
(2)
|
Provide Management and the Trust’s independent auditor with tax reporting information pertaining to each Fund and
available to Fund Services as required in a timely manner.
|
(3)
|
Prepare Fund financial statement tax footnote disclosures for the review and approval of Management and/or the
Trust’s independent auditor.
|
(4)
|
Prepare and file on behalf of Management Form 1099
MISC for payments to disinterested trustees and other qualifying service providers.
|
(5)
|
Monitor wash sale losses.
|
(6)
|
Calculate Qualified Dividend Income (“QDI”) for qualifying Fund shareholders.
|
(7)
|
Calculate Dividends Received Deduction (“DRD”) for qualifying corporate Fund shareholders.
|
3.
|
License of Data; Warranty; Termination of Rights
|
|
A. |
Fund Services hereby informs Company that Fund Services has entered into agreements with MSCI index data services (“MSCI”), Standard & Poor Financial
Services LLC (“S&P”), and FactSet Research Systems Inc. (“FACTSET”) which obligates Fund Services to include a list of required provisions in this Agreement attached hereto as
Exhibit B
. The index data services being provided to the Company and the Trust by Fund Services pursuant hereto (collectively, the “Data”) are being licensed, not sold, to the Company
(with a right to sublicense the same to the Trust) for internal purposes and use in the normal conduct of its business and the Trust’s business and will not redistribute the Data in any form or manner to any third party, except to
the Trust, and the advisers, agents and consultants of the Trust and the Company. The provisions in
Exhibit B
shall not have any effect
upon the standard of care and liability Fund Services has set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement.
|
|
B. |
The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Fund Services, its information providers, and any other third party involved in or related to the making
or compiling of the Data, their affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents from and against any claims, losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses, including reasonable
attorneys’ fees and costs, as incurred, arising in and any manner out of the Company’s or any third party’s use of, or inability to use, the Data or any breach by the Company of any provision contained in this Agreement regarding
the Data. The immediately preceding sentence shall not have any effect upon the standard of care and liability of Fund Services as set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement.
|
|
C. |
Fund Services hereby informs the Company that Fund Services has entered into agreements with Bloomberg Finance L.P. (“Bloomberg”) to provide data (the
“N-PORT Data”) for use in or in connection with the reporting requirements under the Rule, including preparation and filing of Form N-PORT. In connection with the provision of the N-PORT Data, Bloomberg requires certain provisions
to be included in the Agreement.
|
4.
|
Compensation
|
5.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
A.
|
The Company hereby represents and warrants to Fund Services, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing
throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
|
|
(1) |
It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to
enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
|
|
(2) |
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and
legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors
and secured parties; and
|
|
(3) |
It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all laws and regulations, both state and federal, applicable to it and has
obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or
affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
|
B.
|
Fund Services hereby represents and warrants to the Company, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing
throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
|
|
(1) |
It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to
enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
|
|
(2) |
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Fund Services in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and
legally binding obligation of Fund Services, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of
creditors and secured parties; and
|
|
(3) |
It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained
all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its
property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
|
6.
|
Standard of Care; Indemnification; Limitation of Liability
|
A.
|
Fund Services shall use best efforts and exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Fund
Services shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Company, the Trust or a Fund in connection with its duties under this Agreement, except a loss arising out of or relating to Fund
Services’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or from its bad faith, fraud, negligence, or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement or breach of this Agreement.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if Fund Services has used best efforts and exercised reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Fund
Services from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that Fund Services may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against Fund
Services by any person arising out of any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in performing the services hereunder (i) in accordance with the foregoing standards, or (ii) in reasonable reliance upon any written or oral
instruction provided to Fund Services by any duly authorized officer of the Company or the Trust, except for any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities arising out of or relating to Fund Services’ refusal or
failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, breach of this Agreement, or from its bad faith, fraud, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, or breach of this Agreement. Fund
Services shall endeavor to provide the Company such reasonable estimates, including reasonable estimates related to amounts incurred for services provided hereunder, in connection with claims for which Fund Services seeks indemnity
from the Company, provided that the Company’s continuing obligations to indemnify Fund Services after the termination of this Agreement shall relate to solely those claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every
nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) sustained in connection with Fund Services provision of services pursuant to this Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Company, its successors and assigns,
notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement; provided that the Company’s continuing obligations to indemnify Fund Services after the termination of this Agreement shall relate to solely those claims, demands, losses, expenses,
and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) sustained in connection with Fund Services’ provision of services pursuant to this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the term “Fund Services” shall
include Fund Services’ directors, officers and employees.
|
B.
|
In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this section shall apply, it is understood that if in any case the
indemnitor may be asked to indemnify or hold the indemnitee harmless, the indemnitor shall be fully and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and it is further understood that the indemnitee
will use all reasonable care to notify the indemnitor promptly concerning any situation that presents or appears likely to present the probability of a claim for indemnification. The indemnitor shall have the option to defend the
indemnitee against any claim that may be the subject of this indemnification. In the event that the indemnitor so elects, it will so notify the indemnitee and thereupon the indemnitor shall take over complete defense of the claim,
and the indemnitee shall in such situation initiate no further legal or other expenses for which it shall seek indemnification under this section. The indemnitee shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case
in which the indemnitor will be asked to indemnify the indemnitee except with the indemnitor’s prior written consent.
|
C.
|
The indemnity and defense provisions set forth in this Section 6 shall indefinitely survive the termination and/or assignment of
this Agreement.
|
D.
|
If Fund Services is acting in another capacity for the Company pursuant to a separate agreement, nothing herein shall be deemed to
relieve Fund Services of any of its obligations in such other capacity.
|
E.
|
In conjunction with the tax services provided to the Trust, on behalf of a Fund, by Fund Services hereunder, Fund Services shall
not be
deemed to act as an income tax return preparer for any purpose including as such term is defined under Section 7701(a)(36) of the
IRC, or any successor thereof. Any information provided by Fund Services to a Fund for income tax reporting purposes with respect to any item of income, gain, loss, or credit will be performed solely in Fund Services’
administrative capacity. Fund Services shall not be required to determine, and shall not take any position with respect to whether, the reasonable belief standard described in Section 6694 of the IRC has been satisfied with respect
to any income tax item. The Trust, on behalf of a Fund, and any appointees thereof, shall have the right to inspect the transaction summaries produced and aggregated by Fund Services, and any supporting documents thereto, in
connection with the tax reporting services provided to each Fund by Fund Services. Fund Services shall not be liable for the provision or omission of any tax advice with respect to any information provided by Fund Services to a
Fund. The tax information provided by Fund Services shall be pertinent to the data and information made available to Fund Services, and is neither derived from nor construed as tax advice.
|
7.
|
Data Necessary to Perform Services
|
8.
|
Proprietary and Confidential Information
|
9.
|
Records
|
10.
|
Compliance with Laws
|
11.
|
Terms of Agreement; Amendment
|
12.
|
Early Termination
|
a.
|
all monthly fees through the life of the Agreement, including the repayment of any negotiated discounts;
|
b.
|
all fees associated with converting services to successor service provider;
|
c.
|
all fees associated with any record retention and/or tax reporting obligations that may not be eliminated due to the conversion to
a successor service provider;
|
d.
|
all reasonable and documented miscellaneous expenses associated with a.-c. above.
|
13.
|
Duties in the Event of Termination
|
14.
|
Assignment
|
15.
|
Governing Law
|
16.
|
No Agency Relationship
|
17.
|
Services Not Exclusive
|
18.
|
Invalidity
|
19.
|
Legal-Related Services
|
20.
|
Insurance
|
21.
|
Entire Agreement
|
22.
|
Notices
|
23.
|
Construction
|
24.
|
Multiple Originals
|
TIDAL ETF SERVICES LLC
|
U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC
|
||
By:
|
/s/ Eric W. Falkeis
|
By:
|
/s Jeanine M. Bajczyk
|
Name:
|
Eric W. Falkeis
|
Name:
|
Jeanine M. Bajczyk
|
Title:
|
Secretary
|
Title:
|
Sr. Vice President
|
Date:
|
1/21/2019
|
Date:
|
2/5/2019
|
TOROSO INVESTMENTS, LLC
|
|||
(with respect to Section 4 only)
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Dan Carlson
|
||
Name:
|
Dan Carlson
|
||
Title:
|
CFO
|
||
Date:
|
1/18/2019
|
·
|
The Trust shall represent that it will use the Data solely for internal purposes and use in the normal conduct of its business
and will not redistribute the Data in any form or manner to any third party, except its advisers, agents and consultants.
|
·
|
The Trust shall represent that it will not use or permit anyone else to use the Data in connection with creating, managing,
advising, writing, trading, marketing or promoting any securities or financial instruments or products, including, but not limited to, funds, synthetic or derivative securities (e.g., options, warrants, swaps, and futures), whether
listed on an exchange or traded over the counter or on a private-placement basis or otherwise or to create any indices (custom or otherwise).
|
·
|
The Trust shall represent that it will treat the Data as proprietary to MSCI, S&P and FACTSET. Further, the Trust shall
acknowledge that MSCI, S&P and FACTSET are the sole and exclusive owners of the Data and all trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property rights in or to the Data.
|
·
|
The Trust shall represent that, except as expressly permitted by the Agreement, it will not (i) copy any component of the Data,
(ii) alter, modify or adapt any component of the Data, including, but not limited to, translating, decompiling, disassembling, reverse engineering or creating derivative works, or (iii) make any component of the Data available to any
other person or organization (including, without limitation, the Trust’s present and future parents, subsidiaries or affiliates) directly or indirectly, for any of the foregoing or for any other use, including, without limitation, by
loan, rental, service bureau, external time sharing or similar arrangement.
|
·
|
The Trust shall be obligated to reproduce on all permitted copies of the Data all copyright, proprietary rights and restrictive
legends appearing on the Data.
|
·
|
The Trust shall acknowledge that it assumes the entire risk of using the Data and shall agree to hold MSCI or S&P or
FACTSET harmless from any claims that may arise in connection with any use of the Data by the Trust.
|
·
|
The Trust shall acknowledge that MSCI or S&P or FACTSET may, in its sole and absolute discretion and at any time, terminate
Fund Services’ right to receive and/or use the Data.
|
·
|
The Trust shall acknowledge that MSCI, S&P and FACTSET are third party beneficiaries of the Customer Agreement between
S&P, MSCI, FACTSET and Fund Services, entitled to enforce all provisions of such agreement relating to the Data.
|
§
|
$-
–
Domestic Equities,
Options, ADRs, Foreign Equities, Futures, Forwards, Currency Rates, Mutual Funds, ETFs
|
§
|
$-
–
Domestic Corporates,
Domestic Convertibles, Domestic Governments, Domestic Agencies, Mortgage Backed, Municipal Bonds
|
§
|
$-
–
CMOs, Money Market
Instruments, Foreign Corporates, Foreign Convertibles, Foreign Governments, Foreign Agencies, Asset Backed, High Yield
|
§
|
$-
–
Interest Rate Swaps,
Foreign Currency Swaps, Total Return Swaps, Total Return Bullet Swaps
|
§
|
$-
–
Bank Loans
|
§
|
$-
–
Swaptions
|
§
|
$-
–
Intraday money market
funds pricing, up to 3 times per day
|
§
|
$-
–
Credit Default Swaps
|
§
|
$- per Month Manual Security Pricing (>25per day)
|
§
|
$
-
per Foreign Equity Security per Month
|
§
|
$
-
per Domestic Equity Security per Month
|
§
|
$
-
per CMOs, Asset Backed, Mortgage Backed Security per Month
|
§
|
$
-
per security per month for fund administrative
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
§
|
CCO Support annual fee per Adviser in the trust; $- per USBFS service selected (administration, accounting, transfer agent,
custodian)
|
§
|
Annual fee per non-Adviser (i.e. sub adviser); $- for access to the CCO Portal, Quarterly CCO “Focus Calls”, and CCO Forums
|
§
|
Access to the CCO Portal Including business line Critical Procedures, Compliance Controls, Testing of Controls, Annual U.S. Bank
Global Fund Services CCO Review, SOC/SSAE audits of business lines
|
§
|
Quarterly 38a-1 certifications to the CCO regarding any changes to critical policies, procedures and controls and compliance
events as required under Rule 38a-1 of the Investment Company Act
|
§
|
Quarterly CCO teleconferences and other periodic events and webinars
|
§
|
CCO Forums held periodically throughout the year in major cities
|
§
|
Annual client conference which includes CCO roundtable discussions
|
§
|
Form N-PORT
–
$- per year,
per Fund
|
§
|
Form N-CEN
–
$- per year, per
Fund
|
§
|
Base fee – $
-
per fund per year
|
§
|
Setup – $
-
per fund group
|
§
|
$
-
set up fee per fund complex
|
§
|
$
-
per fund per month
|
§
|
USBFS Fee Schedule plus $
-
|
§
|
1940 Act C-Corp – USBFS Fee Schedule
plus $
-
|
§
|
1933 Act C-Corp – USBFS Fee Schedule
plus $
-
|
§
|
$
-
first fund
|
§
|
$
-
each additional fund up to 5 funds
|
§
|
Fees will be negotiated for fund 6+
|
§ |
$
-
per fund per standard reporting package*
|
§ |
Additional 15c reporting is subject to additional charges
|
|
- |
Expense reporting package: 2 peer comparison reports (adviser fee) and (net expense ratio w classes on one report) OR Full 15(c) report
|
-
|
Performance reporting package: Peer Comparison Report
|
§ |
Standard data source – Morningstar; additional charges will apply for other data services
|
§
|
Subsequent new fund launch – $
-
per fund or as negotiated
|
§
|
Passive $
-
|
§
|
Active $
-
|
§
|
Postage, if necessary
|
§
|
Federal and state regulatory filing fees
|
§
|
Expenses from Board of Trustee meetings
|
§
|
Third party auditing
|
§
|
EDGAR/XBRL filing
|
§
|
All other Miscellaneous expenses
|
TIDAL ETF TRUST
|
U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC
|
By:
/s/ Eric W. Falkeis
|
By:
/s/ Anita M. Zagrodnik
|
Name:
Eric W. Falkeis
|
Name:
Anita M. Zagrodnik
|
Title:
CEO
|
Title:
Senior VP
|
Date:
2/21/19
|
Date:
2/22/19
|
1.
|
Appointment of Fund Services as Fund Accountant
|
2.
|
Services and Duties of Fund Services
|
A.
|
Portfolio Accounting Services:
|
(1)
|
Maintain portfolio records on a trade date+1 basis using security trade information communicated from the relevant Fund’s
investment adviser.
|
(2)
|
For each valuation date, obtain prices from pricing sources approved by the board of trustees of the Trust (the “Board of
Trustees”) and apply those prices to the portfolio positions. For those securities where market quotations are not readily available, the Board of Trustees shall approve, in good faith, procedures for determining the fair value for
such securities.
|
(3)
|
Identify interest and dividend accrual balances as of each valuation date and calculate gross earnings on investments for each
accounting period.
|
(4)
|
Determine gain/loss on security sales and identify them as short-term or long-term; account for periodic distributions of gains or
losses to shareholders and maintain undistributed gain or loss balances as of each valuation date.
|
(5)
|
On a daily basis, reconcile cash of a Fund with the Trust’s custodian.
|
(6)
|
Transmit a copy of the portfolio valuation to the relevant Fund’s investment adviser daily.
|
(7)
|
Review the impact of current day’s activity on a per share basis, and review changes in market value.
|
B.
|
Expense Accrual and Payment Services:
|
(1)
|
For each valuation date, calculate the expense accrual amounts as directed by the Trust, on behalf of a Fund, as to methodology,
rate or dollar amount.
|
(2)
|
Process and record payments for Fund expenses upon receipt of written authorization from the Trust, on behalf of a Fund.
|
(3)
|
Account for Fund expenditures and maintain expense accrual balances at the level of accounting detail, as agreed upon by Fund
Services and the Trust, on behalf of a Fund.
|
(4)
|
Provide expense accrual and payment reporting.
|
C.
|
Fund Valuation and Financial Reporting Services:
|
(1)
|
Account for, on a Fund-by-Fund basis, Fund share purchases, sales, exchanges, transfers, dividend reinvestments, and other Fund
share activity as reported by the Trust’s transfer agent on a timely basis.
|
(2)
|
Determine net investment income (earnings) for each Fund as of each valuation date. Account for periodic distributions of
earnings to shareholders and maintain undistributed net investment income balances as of each valuation date.
|
(3)
|
Maintain a general ledger and other accounts, books, and financial records for each Fund.
|
(4)
|
Determine the net asset value of each Fund according to the accounting policies and procedures set forth in the Fund’s current
prospectus.
|
(5)
|
Calculate per share net asset value, per share net earnings, and other per share amounts reflective of Fund operations at such
time as required by the nature and characteristics of each Fund.
|
(6)
|
Communicate to the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, at an agreed upon time, the per share net asset value for each valuation date.
|
(7)
|
Prepare monthly reports that document the adequacy of accounting detail to support month-end ledger balances.
|
(8)
|
Prepare monthly security transactions listings.
|
D.
|
Tax Accounting Services:
|
(1)
|
Maintain accounting records for the investment portfolio of each Fund to support the tax reporting required for “regulated
investment companies” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
|
(2)
|
Maintain tax lot detail for each Fund’s investment portfolio.
|
(3)
|
Calculate taxable gain/loss on security sales using the tax lot relief method designated by the Trust, on behalf of each Fund.
|
(4)
|
Provide the necessary financial information to calculate the taxable components of income and capital gains distributions to
support tax reporting to the shareholders.
|
E.
|
Compliance Control Services:
|
(1)
|
Support reporting to regulatory bodies and support financial statement preparation by making each Fund’s accounting records
available to the Trust, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and the independent accountants.
|
(2)
|
Maintain accounting records for the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, as required by the 1940 Act and regulations provided
thereunder.
|
(3)
|
Perform its duties hereunder in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and provide any sub-certifications reasonably
requested by the Trust in connection with any certification required of the Trust pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “SOX Act”) or any rules or regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, provided the same shall not be
deemed to change Fund Services’ standard of care as set forth herein.
|
(4)
|
In order to assist the Trust in satisfying the requirements of Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Rule”), Fund Services will
provide the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer with reasonable access to Fund Services’s personnel and fund records relating the services provided by it under this Agreement, and will provide quarterly compliance reports and related
certifications regarding any Material Compliance Matter (as defined in the Rule) involving Fund Services that affect or could affect the Trust.
|
(5)
|
Cooperate with the Trust’s independent accountants and take all reasonable action in the performance of its obligations under this
Agreement to ensure that the necessary information is made available to such accountants for the expression of their opinion on each Fund’s financial statements without any qualification as to the scope of their examination.
|
3.
|
License of Data; Warranty; Termination of Rights
|
A.
|
The valuation information and evaluations being provided to the Trust by Fund Services pursuant hereto (collectively, the “Data”)
are being licensed, not sold, to the Trust for internal purposes and use in the normal conduct of its business and will not redistribute the Data in any form or manner to any third party, except for its advisers, agents and
consultants. The Trust has a limited license to use the Data only for purposes necessary to valuing a Fund’s assets and reporting to regulatory bodies (the “License”). The Trust does not have any license nor right to use the Data
for purposes beyond the intentions of this Agreement including, but not limited to, resale to other users or use to create any type of historical database. The License is non-transferable and not sub-licensable.
|
B.
|
THE TRUST HEREBY ACCEPTS THE DATA AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR
ANY PURPOSE OR ANY OTHER MATTER.
|
C.
|
Fund Services may stop supplying some or all Data to the Trust if Fund Services’ suppliers terminate any agreement to provide Data
to Fund Services. Also, Fund Services may stop supplying some or all Data to the Trust if Fund Services reasonably believes that the Trust is using the Data in violation of the License, or breaching its duties of confidentiality
provided for hereunder, or if any of Fund Services’ suppliers demand that the Data be withheld from the Trust. Fund Services will provide notice to the Trust of any termination of provision of Data as soon as reasonably possible.
|
4.
|
Pricing of Securities
|
A.
|
For each valuation date, Fund Services shall obtain prices from a pricing source recommended by Fund Services and approved by the
Board of Trustees and apply those prices to the portfolio positions of each Fund. For those securities where market quotations are not readily available, the Board of Trustees shall approve, in good faith, procedures for determining
the fair value for such securities.
|
B.
|
In the event that the Trust, on behalf of a Fund, at any time receives Data containing evaluations, rather than market quotations,
for certain securities or certain other data related to such securities, the following provisions will apply: (i) evaluated securities are typically complicated financial instruments. There are many methodologies (including
computer-based analytical modeling and individual security evaluations) available to generate approximations of the market value of such securities, and there is significant professional disagreement about which method is best. No
evaluation method, including those used by Fund Services and its suppliers, may consistently generate approximations that correspond to actual “traded” prices of the securities; (ii) methodologies used to provide the pricing portion
of certain Data may rely on evaluations; however, the Trust acknowledges that there may be errors or defects in the software, databases, or methodologies generating the evaluations that may cause resultant evaluations to be
inappropriate for use in certain applications; and (iii) the Trust assumes all responsibility for edit checking, external verification of evaluations, and ultimately the appropriateness of using Data containing evaluations, regardless
of any efforts made by Fund Services and its suppliers in this respect.
|
5.
|
Changes in Accounting Procedures
|
6.
|
Changes in Equipment, Systems, Etc.
|
7.
|
Compensation
|
8.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
A.
|
The Trust hereby represents and warrants to Fund Services, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing
throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
|
|
(1) |
It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to
enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
|
|
(2) |
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trust in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally
binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and
secured parties; and
|
|
(3) |
It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all laws and regulations, both state and federal, applicable to it and has
obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or
affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
|
B.
|
Fund Services hereby represents and warrants to the Trust, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing
throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
|
|
(1) |
It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to
enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
|
|
(2) |
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Fund Services in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and
legally binding obligation of Fund Services, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of
creditors and secured parties; and
|
|
(3) |
It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained
all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its
property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
|
9.
|
Standard of Care; Indemnification; Limitation of Liability
|
A.
|
Fund Services shall use best efforts and exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Neither
Fund Services nor its suppliers shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust or any third party in connection with its duties under this Agreement, except a loss arising out of or
relating to Fund Services’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or from its bad faith, fraud, negligence, or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement or breach of this
Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if Fund Services has used best efforts and exercised reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the applicable Fund, severally and not
jointly, shall indemnify and hold harmless Fund Services and its suppliers from and against any and all actual claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that Fund
Services or its suppliers may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against Fund Services or its suppliers by any person arising out of or related to (X) any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in performing the services
hereunder (i) in accordance with the foregoing standards, or (ii) in reasonable reliance upon any written or oral instruction provided to Fund Services by any duly authorized officer of the Trust, or (Y) the Data, or any information,
service, report, analysis or publication derived therefrom, provided that Fund Services shall be liable any errors or omissions in its own calculations contained in such information, service, report or analysis, except for any and all
claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities arising out of or relating to Fund Services’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, breach of this Agreement, or from its bad faith, fraud, negligence or
willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Fund Services shall endeavor to provide the Trust, on behalf of the relevant Fund(s), such reasonable estimates, including reasonable estimates related to
amounts incurred for services provided hereunder, in connection with claims for which Fund Services seeks indemnity from a Fund. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of each Fund, its successors and assigns,
notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement; provided that a Fund’s continuing obligations to indemnify Fund Services after the termination of this Agreement shall relate to solely those claims, demands, losses, expenses, and
liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) sustained in connection with Fund Services provision of services pursuant to this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the term “Fund Services” shall include
Fund Services’ directors, officers and employees.
|
A.
|
In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this section shall apply, it is understood that if in any case the
indemnitor may be asked to indemnify or hold the indemnitee harmless, the indemnitor shall be fully and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and it is further understood that the indemnitee
will use all reasonable care to notify the indemnitor promptly concerning any situation that presents or appears likely to present the probability of a claim for indemnification. The indemnitor shall have the option to defend the
indemnitee against any claim that may be the subject of this indemnification. In the event that the indemnitor so elects, it will so notify the indemnitee and thereupon the indemnitor shall take over complete defense of the claim,
and the indemnitee shall in such situation initiate no further legal or other expenses for which it shall seek indemnification under this section. The indemnitee shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case
in which the indemnitor will be asked to indemnify the indemnitee except with the indemnitor’s prior written consent.
|
B.
|
The indemnity and defense provisions set forth in this Section 9 shall indefinitely survive the termination and/or assignment of
this Agreement.
|
C.
|
If Fund Services is acting in another capacity for the Trust pursuant to a separate agreement, nothing herein shall be deemed to
relieve Fund Services of any of its obligations in such other capacity.
|
10.
|
Notification of Error
|
11.
|
Data Necessary to Perform Services
|
12.
|
Proprietary and Confidential Information
|
A.
|
Fund Services agrees on behalf of itself and its directors, officers, and employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary
information of the Trust, all records and other information relative to the Trust and prior, present, or potential shareholders of the Trust (and clients of said shareholders), and not to use such records and information for any
purpose other than the performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except (i) after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld
where Fund Services may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, (ii) when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, provided that Fund Services shall promptly notify the
Trust of such request or permitted by applicable law or (iii) when so requested by the Trust. Records and other information which have become known to the public through no wrongful act of Fund Services or any of its employees,
agents or representatives, and information that was already in the possession of Fund Services prior to receipt thereof from the Trust or its agents or service providers, shall not be subject to this paragraph.
|
B.
|
The Trust, on behalf of itself and its trustees, officers, and employees, will maintain the confidential and proprietary nature of
the Data and agrees to protect it using the same efforts, but in no case less than reasonable efforts, that it uses to protect its own proprietary and confidential information.
|
13.
|
Records
|
14.
|
Compliance with Laws
|
15.
|
Term of Agreement; Amendment
|
16.
|
Early Termination
|
a.
|
all monthly fees through the life of the Agreement, including the repayment of any negotiated discounts;
|
b.
|
all fees associated with converting services to successor service provider;
|
c.
|
all fees associated with any record retention and/or tax reporting obligations that may not be eliminated due to the conversion to
a successor service provider;
|
d.
|
all reasonable and documented costs associated with a. to c. above.
|
18.
|
Assignment
|
19.
|
Governing Law
|
20.
|
No Agency Relationship
|
21.
|
Services Not Exclusive
|
22.
|
Invalidity
|
23.
|
Notices
|
24.
|
Multiple Originals
|
25.
|
Fidelity Bond
|
26.
|
Entire Agreement
|
27.
|
Limited Recourse
|
28.
|
Construction
|
§
|
$-
–
Domestic Equities,
Options, ADRs, Foreign Equities, Futures, Forwards, Currency Rates, Mutual Funds, ETFs
|
§
|
$-
–
Domestic Corporates,
Domestic Convertibles, Domestic Governments, Domestic Agencies, Mortgage Backed, Municipal Bonds
|
§
|
$-
–
CMOs, Money Market
Instruments, Foreign Corporates, Foreign Convertibles, Foreign Governments, Foreign Agencies, Asset Backed, High Yield
|
§
|
$-
–
Interest Rate Swaps,
Foreign Currency Swaps, Total Return Swaps, Total Return Bullet Swaps
|
§
|
$-
–
Bank Loans
|
§
|
$-
–
Swaptions
|
§
|
$-
–
Intraday money market
funds pricing, up to 3 times per day
|
§
|
$-
–
Credit Default Swaps
|
§
|
$- per Month Manual Security Pricing (>25per day)
|
§
|
$___ per Foreign Equity Security per Month
|
§
|
$
___
per Domestic Equity Security per Month
|
§
|
$
___
per CMOs, Asset Backed, Mortgage Backed Security per Month
|
§
|
$
-
per security per month for fund administrative
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
§
|
CCO Support annual fee per Adviser in the trust; $- per USBFS service selected (administration, accounting, transfer agent,
custodian)
|
§
|
Annual fee per non-Adviser (i.e. sub adviser); $- for access to the CCO Portal, Quarterly CCO “Focus Calls”, and CCO Forums
|
§
|
Access to the CCO Portal Including business line Critical Procedures, Compliance Controls, Testing of Controls, Annual U.S. Bank
Global Fund Services CCO Review, SOC/SSAE audits of business lines
|
§
|
Quarterly 38a-1 certifications to the CCO regarding any changes to critical policies, procedures and controls and compliance
events as required under Rule 38a-1 of the Investment Company Act
|
§
|
Quarterly CCO teleconferences and other periodic events and webinars
|
§
|
CCO Forums held periodically throughout the year in major cities
|
§
|
Annual client conference which includes CCO roundtable discussions
|
§
|
Form N-PORT
–
$-per year, per
Fund
|
§
|
Form N-CEN
–
$- per year, per
Fund
|
§
|
Base fee – $
-
per fund per year
|
§
|
Setup – $
-
per fund group
|
§
|
$
-
set up fee per fund complex
|
§
|
$
-
per fund per month
|
§
|
USBFS Fee Schedule plus $
-
|
§
|
1940 Act C-Corp – USBFS Fee Schedule
plus $
-
|
§
|
1933 Act C-Corp – USBFS Fee Schedule
plus $
-
|
§
|
$
-
first fund
|
§
|
$
-
each additional fund up to 5 funds
|
§
|
Fees will be negotiated for fund 6+
|
§ |
$
-
per fund per standard reporting package*
|
§ |
Additional 15c reporting is subject to additional charges
|
|
- |
Expense reporting package: 2 peer comparison reports (adviser fee) and (net expense ratio w classes on one report) OR Full 15(c) report
|
-
|
Performance reporting package: Peer Comparison Report
|
§ |
Standard data source – Morningstar; additional charges will apply for other data services
|
TIDAL ETF TRUST
|
U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC
|
By:
/s/ Eric W. Falkeis
|
By:
/s/ Anita M. Zagrodnik
|
Name:
Eric W. Falkeis
|
Name:
Anita M. Zagrodnik
|
Title:
CEO
|
Title:
Senior VP
|
Date:
2/21/19
|
Date:
2/22/19
|
|
A. |
Perform and facilitate the performance of purchases and redemption of Creation Units;
|
|
B. |
Prepare and transmit by means of DTC’s book-entry system payments for dividends and distributions on or with respect to the Shares declared by the
Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund;
|
|
C. |
Maintain the record of the name and address of the Shareholder and the number of Shares issued by the Trust and held by the Shareholder;
|
|
D. |
Record the issuance of Shares of the Trust and maintain a record of the total number of Shares of the Trust which are outstanding, and, based upon
data provided to it by the Trust, the total number of authorized Shares. Fund Services shall have no obligation, when recording the issuance of Shares, to monitor the issuance of such Shares
|
|
E. |
Prepare and transmit to the Trust and the Trust’s administrator and/or sub-administrator and to any applicable securities exchange (as specified to
Fund Services by the Trust) information with respect to purchases and redemptions of Shares;
|
|
F. |
On days that the Trust may accept orders for purchases or redemptions, calculate and transmit to Fund Services and the Trust the number of outstanding
Shares;
|
|
G. |
On days that the Trust may accept orders for purchases or redemptions (pursuant to the Authorized Participant Agreement), transmit to Fund Services,
the Trust and DTC the amount of Shares purchased on such day;
|
|
H. |
Confirm to DTC the number of Shares issued to the Shareholder, as DTC may reasonably request;
|
|
I. |
Prepare and deliver other reports, information and documents to DTC as DTC may reasonably request;
|
|
J. |
Extend the voting rights to the Shareholder for extension by DTC to DTC participants and the beneficial owners of Shares in accordance with policies
and procedures of DTC for book-entry only securities;
|
|
K. |
Maintain those books and records of the Trust specified by the Trust and agreed upon by Fund Services;
|
|
L. |
Prepare a monthly report of all purchases and redemptions of Shares during such month on a gross transaction basis, and identify on a daily basis the
net number of Shares either redeemed or purchased on such business day and with respect to each Authorized Participant purchasing or redeeming Shares, the amount of Shares purchased or redeemed;
|
|
M. |
Receive from the Distributor or from its agent purchase orders from Authorized Participants (as defined in the Authorized Participant Agreement) for
Creation Unit Aggregations of Shares received in good form and accepted by or on behalf of the Trust by the Distributor, transmit appropriate trade instructions to the NSCC, if applicable, and pursuant to such orders issue the
appropriate number of Shares of the Trust and hold such Shares in the account of the Shareholder for each of the respective Funds;
|
|
N. |
Receive from the Authorized Participants redemption requests, deliver the appropriate documentation thereof to the Trust’s custodian, generate and
transmit or cause to be generated and transmitted confirmation of receipt of such redemption requests to the Authorized Participants submitting the same; transmit appropriate trade instructions to the NSCC, if applicable, and
redeem the appropriate number of Creation Unit Aggregations of Shares held in the account of the Shareholder for each of the respective Funds; and
|
|
O. |
Confirm the name, U.S. taxpayer identification number and principle place of business of each Authorized Participant.
|
(a)
|
Prompt written notification of any transaction or combination of transactions that Fund Services believes,
based on the Procedures, evidence money laundering or identity theft activities in connection with the Trust or any Fund shareholder;
|
(b)
|
Prompt written notification of any customer(s) that Fund Services reasonably believes, based upon the
Procedures, to be engaged in money laundering or identity theft activities, provided that the Trust agrees not to communicate this information to the customer;
|
(c)
|
Any reports received by Fund Services from any government agency or applicable industry self-regulatory
organization pertaining to Fund Services’ Anti-Money Laundering Program or the Red Flag Identity Theft Prevention Program on behalf of the Trust;
|
(d)
|
Prompt written notification of any action taken in response to anti-money laundering violations or identity
theft activity as described in (a), (b) or (c) immediately above; and
|
(e)
|
Certified annual and quarterly reports of its monitoring and customer identification activities pursuant to
the Procedures on behalf of the Trust.
|
A.
|
The Trust hereby represents and warrants to Fund Services, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be
continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
|
|
(1) |
It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted,
to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
|
|
(2) |
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trust in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and
legally binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of
creditors and secured parties;
|
|
(3) |
It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all laws and regulations, both state and federal, applicable to it and has
obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or
affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement; and
|
|
(4) |
A registration statement under the 1940 Act and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, will be made effective prior to the effective date of this
Agreement and will remain effective during the term of this Agreement, and appropriate state securities law filings will be made prior to the effective date of this Agreement and will continue to be made during the term of this
Agreement as necessary to enable the Trust to make a continuous public offering of its shares.
|
B.
|
Fund Services hereby represents and warrants to the Trust, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be
continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
|
|
(1) |
It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted,
to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
|
|
(2) |
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Fund Services in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and
legally binding obligation of Fund Services, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of
creditors and secured parties;
|
|
(3) |
It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has
obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or
affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement; and
|
|
(4) |
It is a registered transfer agent under the Exchange Act.
|
A.
|
Fund Services shall use its best efforts and exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties under
this Agreement. Fund Services shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with its duties under this Agreement, except a loss arising out of or relating to
Fund Services’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or from its bad faith, fraud, negligence, or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement or breach of this Agreement.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if Fund Services has used its best efforts and exercised reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the applicable Fund, severally and not jointly,
shall indemnify and hold harmless Fund Services from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that Fund Services may sustain or incur
or that may be asserted against Fund Services by any person arising out of any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in performing the services hereunder (i) in accordance with the foregoing standards, or (ii) in reasonable
reliance upon any written or oral instruction provided to Fund Services by any duly authorized officer of the Trust, as approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”), except for any and all claims, demands, losses,
expenses, and liabilities arising out of or relating to Fund Services’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, breach of this Agreement, or from its bad faith, fraud, negligence or willful misconduct in the
performance of its duties under this Agreement. Fund Services shall endeavor to provide the Trust, on behalf of the relevant Fund(s), such reasonable estimates, including reasonable estimates related to amounts incurred for
services provided hereunder, in connection with claims for which Fund Services seeks indemnity from the Fund. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Trust, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the
termination of this Agreement, provided that the Fund’s continuing obligation to indemnify Fund Services after the termination of this Agreement shall relate solely to those claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of
any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) sustained in connection with Fund Services provision of services pursuant to this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the term “Fund Services” shall include Fund
Services’ directors, officers and employees.
|
B.
|
In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this section shall apply, it is understood that if
in any case the indemnitor may be asked to indemnify or hold the indemnitee harmless, the indemnitor shall be fully and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and it is further understood
that the indemnitee will use all reasonable care to notify the indemnitor promptly concerning any situation that presents or appears likely to present the probability of a claim for indemnification. The indemnitor shall have the
option to defend the indemnitee against any claim that may be the subject of this indemnification. In the event that the indemnitor so elects, it will so notify the indemnitee and thereupon the indemnitor shall take over complete
defense of the claim, and the indemnitee shall in such situation initiate no further legal or other expenses for which it shall seek indemnification under this section. The indemnitee shall in no case confess any claim or make
any compromise in any case in which the indemnitor will be asked to indemnify the indemnitee except with the indemnitor’s prior written consent.
|
C.
|
The indemnity and defense provisions set forth in this Section 7 shall indefinitely survive the termination
and/or assignment of this Agreement.
|
D.
|
If Fund Services is acting in another capacity for the Trust pursuant to a separate agreement, nothing herein
shall be deemed to relieve Fund Services of any of its obligations in such other capacity.
|
a.
|
all monthly fees through the life of the Agreement, including the repayment of any negotiated discounts;
|
c.
|
all fees associated with any record retention and/or tax reporting obligations that may not be eliminated due to the
conversion to a successor service provider;
|
d.
|
all reasonable and documented miscellaneous costs associated with a-c above.
|
TIDAL ETF SERVICES LLC
|
U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC
|
||
By:
|
/s/ Eric W. Falkeis
|
By:
|
/s Jeanine M. Bajczyk
|
Name:
|
Eric W. Falkeis
|
Name:
|
Jeanine M. Bajczyk
|
Title:
|
Secretary
|
Title:
|
Sr. Vice President
|
Date:
|
1/21/2019
|
Date:
|
2/5/2019
|
TOROSO INVESTMENTS, LLC
|
|||
(with respect to Section 4 only)
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Dan Carlson
|
||
Name:
|
Dan Carlson
|
||
Title:
|
CFO
|
||
Date:
|
1/18/2019
|
§
|
$
-–
Domestic Equities,
Options, ADRs, Foreign Equities, Futures, Forwards, Currency Rates, Mutual Funds, ETFs
|
§
|
$
-–
Domestic Corporates,
Domestic Convertibles, Domestic Governments, Domestic Agencies, Mortgage Backed, Municipal Bonds
|
§
|
$
-–
CMOs, Money Market
Instruments, Foreign Corporates, Foreign Convertibles, Foreign Governments, Foreign Agencies, Asset Backed, High Yield
|
§
|
$
-–
Interest Rate Swaps,
Foreign Currency Swaps, Total Return Swaps, Total Return Bullet Swaps
|
§
|
$
-–
Bank Loans
|
§
|
$
-–
Swaptions
|
§
|
$
-–
Intraday money market
funds pricing, up to 3 times per day
|
§
|
$
-–
Credit Default Swaps
|
§
|
$
-
per Month Manual
Security Pricing (>25per day)
|
§
|
$-per Foreign Equity Security per Month
|
§
|
$-per Domestic Equity Security per Month
|
§
|
$-per CMOs, Asset Backed, Mortgage Backed Security per Month
|
§
|
$- per security per month for fund administrative
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
§
|
Form N-PORT – $-per year, per Fund
|
§
|
Form N-CEN – $- per year, per Fund
|
§
|
Base fee – $-per fund per year
|
§
|
Setup – $-per fund group
|
§
|
$-set up fee per fund complex
|
§
|
$- per fund per month
|
§
|
USBFS Fee Schedule plus $-
|
§
|
1940 Act C-Corp – USBFS Fee Schedule plus $--
|
§
|
1933 Act C-Corp – USBFS Fee Schedule plus $-
|
§
|
$-first fund
|
§
|
$-each additional fund up to 5 funds
|
§
|
Fees will be negotiated for fund 6+
|
§
|
$-per fund per standard reporting package*
|
§
|
Additional 15c reporting is subject to additional charges
|
|
- |
Expense reporting package: 2 peer comparison reports (adviser fee) and (net expense ratio w classes on one report) OR Full 15(c)
report
|
-
|
Performance reporting package: Peer Comparison Report
|
§
|
Standard data source – Morningstar; additional charges will apply for other data services
|
§
|
CCO Support annual fee per Adviser in the trust; $- per USBFS service selected (administration, accounting, transfer agent,
custodian)
|
§
|
Annual fee per non-Adviser (i.e. sub adviser); $- for access to the CCO Portal, Quarterly CCO “Focus Calls”, and CCO Forums
|
§
|
Access to the CCO Portal Including business line Critical Procedures, Compliance Controls, Testing of Controls, Annual U.S.
Bank Global Fund Services CCO Review, SOC/SSAE audits of business lines
|
§
|
Quarterly 38a-1 certifications to the CCO regarding any changes to critical policies, procedures and controls and compliance
events as required under Rule 38a-1 of the Investment Company Act
|
§
|
Quarterly CCO teleconferences and other periodic events and webinars
|
§
|
CCO Forums held periodically throughout the year in major cities
|
§
|
Annual client conference which includes CCO roundtable discussions
|
TIDAL ETF TRUST
|
U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC
|
By:
/s/ Eric W. Falkeis
|
By:
/s/ Anita M. Zagrodnik
|
Name:
Eric W. Falkeis
|
Name:
Anita M. Zagrodnik
|
Title
CEO
|
Title:
Senior VP
|
D
2/21/19
|
Date:
2/22/19
|
|
1. |
FEE WAIVER.
The Adviser agrees to a reduction in
each SoFi Fund’s unitary management fee (the “Reduced Fee”) which is calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of each SoFi Fund’s average daily net assets, effective upon the commencement of each SoFi Fund’s operations
as listed on Appendix A. Any management fees waived with respect to a SoFi Fund under this Agreement are not subject to reimbursement to the Adviser by the SoFi Fund.
|
|
2. |
TERM.
This Agreement shall become effective with
respect to a SoFi Fund at the time the SoFi Fund commences operations and shall continue
through June 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated by the
Trust as provided in Paragraph 3 of this Agreement. This Agreement shall continue in effect thereafter for additional periods of one year, or such other period as may be agreed upon by the Trust, on behalf of each SoFi Fund, and the
Adviser, so long as such continuation is approved for each SoFi Fund at least annually by the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
|
|
3. |
AMENDMENT; TERMINATION.
This Agreement may be
terminated at any time, and without payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Adviser. This Agreement may only be modified or terminated prior
to the end of the current term by, or with the consent of the Board of Trustees of the Trust. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Investment Advisory Agreement is terminated, with such termination effective upon the
effective date of the Investment Advisory Agreement’s termination. Amendment or termination of this agreement does not require approval of a SoFi Fund’s shareholders.
|
|
4. |
ASSIGNMENT.
This Agreement and all rights and
obligations hereunder may not be assigned without the written consent of the other party.
|
|
5. |
SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Agreement
shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute or rule, or shall be otherwise rendered invalid, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
|
|
6. |
GOVERNING LAW.
This Agreement shall be governed by,
and construed in accordance with, the
|
TIDAL ETF TRUST
on behalf of the
series listed on Appendix A
|
|
TOROSO INVESTMENTS, LLC
|
|
|
|
By:
/s/ Eric W. Falkeis
|
|
By:
/s/ Dan Carlson
|
Name: Eric Falkeis
Title: Chief Executive Officer
|
|
Name: Dan Carlson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
|
Fund
|
Reduced Fee
|
|
SoFi 500 ETF
|
|
0.00%
|
SoFi Next 500 ETF
|
0.00%
|
TIDAL ETF TRUST
on behalf of the SoFi Funds
|
|
TOROSO INVESTMENTS, LLC
|
|
|
|
By:
/s/ Eric W. Falkeis
|
|
By:
/s/ Dan Carlson
|
Name: Eric Falkeis
Title: Chief Executive Officer
|
|
Name: Dan Carlson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
Tidal ETF Trust
898 N. Broadway, Suite 2
Massapequa, NY 11758
|
|
Re: |
Tidal ETF Trust – SoFi ETFs
|
Very truly yours,
/s/ Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.
GODFREY & KAHN, S.C.
|
2.
|
RULE 12b-1 AGREEMENTS
|
Adopted: December 21, 2018
Amended and Restated: February 20, 2019
|
Series of Tidal ETF Trust
|
Rule 12b-1 Fee
|
Aware Ultra-Short Duration Enhanced Income ETF
SoFi 500 ETF
SoFi Next 500 ETF
SoFi 50 ETF
SoFi Gig Economy ETF
|
Up to 0.25% of average daily net assets
Up to 0.25% of average daily net assets
Up to 0.25% of average daily net assets
Up to 0.25% of average daily net assets
Up to 0.25% of average daily net assets
|
Series of Tidal ETF Trust
|
Rule 12b-1 Fee
|
Aware Ultra-Short Duration Enhanced Income ETF
SoFi 500 ETF
SoFi Next 500 ETF
SoFi 50 ETF
SoFi Gig Economy ETF
|
Up to 0.25% of average daily net assets
Up to 0.25% of average daily net assets
Up to 0.25% of average daily net assets
Up to 0.25% of average daily net assets
Up to 0.25% of average daily net assets
|
APPENDIX G
|
CODE
OF ETHICS
|
I.
INTRODUCTION
|
|
High ethical standards are essential for the success of Exponential and to maintain the
confidence of Advisory Clients and Investors. Exponential is of the view that its long-term business interests are best served by adherence to the principle that Advisory Clients’ and Investors’ interests come first. Exponential has a
fiduciary duty to Advisory Clients and Investors which requires individuals associated with Exponential to act solely for the benefit of Advisory Clients and Investors. Potential conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the
personal trading activities of individuals associated with Exponential. In addition, potential conflicts of interest could arise due to Exponential’s Employees serving as directors of issuers in which the Advisory Clients invest. In
recognition of Exponential’s fiduciary obligations to its Advisory Clients and Investors and Exponential’s desire to maintain its high ethical standards, and in connection with the requirements of the Advisers Act, Exponential has
adopted this Code of Ethics containing provisions designed to: (i) prevent improper personal trading by Access Persons; (ii) prevent improper use of material, non-public information about securities recommendations made by Exponential
or securities holdings of Advisory Clients; (iii) identify conflicts of interest; and (iv) provide a means to resolve any actual or potential conflict in favor of the Advisory Clients.
|
All Access Persons are required to comply with applicable federal and state securities
laws. Failure to adhere to federal and state securities laws could expose an Access Person to sanctions imposed by Exponential, the SEC or law enforcement officials. These sanctions may include, among others, disgorgement of profits,
suspension or termination of employment by Exponential, or criminal or civil penalties. If there is any doubt as to whether a federal or state securities law applies, Access Persons should consult the Chief Compliance Officer.
|
Adherence to the Code of Ethics and the related restrictions on personal investing is considered a basic condition of employment for Access Persons of Exponential.
If there is any doubt as to the propriety of any
activity, Access Persons should consult with the Chief Compliance Officer, who is charged with the administration of this Code of Ethics (including distribution of the Code of Ethics and any amendments to Access Persons), has general
compliance responsibility for Exponential and may offer guidance on securities laws and acceptable practices, as the same may change from time to time. The Chief Compliance Officer may rely upon the advice of outside legal counsel
and/or compliance consultants.
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II.
APPLICABILITY OF CODE OF ETHICS
|
|
A.
Personal Accounts of Access Persons
. This Code of Ethics applies to all Personal Accounts of all Access Persons. In
addition to accounts held in the name of, or for the benefit of, the Access Person, a Personal Account also includes an account maintained by or for:
|
G-1
|
1.
Access Person’s spouse
(other than a legally separated or divorced spouse of the Access Person) and minor children;
|
2.
Any individuals who live
in the Access Person’s household and over whose purchases, sales, or other trading activities the Access Person exercises control or investment discretion;
|
3.
Any persons to whom the
Access Person provides primary financial support, and either (i) whose financial affairs the Access Person controls or (ii) for whom the Access Person provides discretionary advisory services;
|
4.
Any trust or other
arrangement which names the Access Person as a beneficiary; and
|
5.
Any partnership,
corporation, or other entity of which the Access Person is a director, officer or general partner or in which the Access Person has a 25% or greater beneficial interest, or in which the Access Person owns a controlling interest or
exercises effective control.
|
Upon receipt of this Compliance Manual, each Access Person must provide a comprehensive list of all
Personal Accounts to Exponential’s Chief Compliance
Officer.
A sample Personal Accounts disclosure form is attached hereto as
Appendix G-6
.
|
|
B.
Access Person as Trustee
.
A Personal Account does not include any account for which an Access Person serves as trustee of a trust for the benefit of (i) a person to whom the
Access Person does not provide primary financial support or (ii) an independent third party.
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1.
Personal Accounts of Other Access Persons
. A Personal Account of an Access Person that is managed by another Access Person is considered
to be a Personal Account only of the Access Person who has a Beneficial Ownership in the Personal Account. The account is considered to be a client account with respect to the Access Person managing the Personal Account.
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2.
Solicitors/Consultants
. Non-employee Solicitors or consultants are not subject to this Code of Ethics unless the Solicitor/consultant,
as part of his duties on behalf of Exponential (i) makes or participates in the making of investment recommendations for Exponential’s clients or (ii) obtains information on recommended investments for Exponential’s Advisory Clients.
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III.
RESTRICTIONS ON PERSONAL INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
A.
It is the responsibility of each Access Person to ensure that a particular securities transaction being considered for his or her Personal Account is not subject to a
restriction contained in this Code of Ethics or otherwise prohibited by any applicable laws. When anything under this Code of Ethics prohibits the purchase or sale of a security, it also prohibits the short sale of such security as well
as the purchase or sale of any related securities such as puts, calls, other options or rights in such securities. Personal securities transactions for Access Persons may be effected only in accordance with the provisions of the Code of
Ethics.
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G-2
|
B.
Pre-clearance of transactions in Personal Account
. An Access Person must obtain the prior approval of the Chief
Compliance Officer before engaging in any transaction in any security position (with the exception of certain securities expressly identified below), including, for the avoidance of doubt, any transaction in a:
|
|
1.
direct or indirect purchase or sale of beneficial ownership in a security in an initial public offering;
2.
direct or indirect purchase or sale of beneficial ownership in a security in a limited offering, which includes but is not limited to, U.S. and offshore hedge funds,
private equity funds and venture capital funds (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any funds managed by Exponential); and
3.
direct or indirect purchase or sale of beneficial ownership in any publicly traded security.
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[ (i), (ii), (iii), together defined as a “Covered Security.”]
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An Access person may not buy or sell a Covered Security within five (5) business days before or after the Fund or
any client trades in the security.
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Pre-clearance requests generally should be done through the Chief Compliance Officer.
The Chief Compliance Officer shall submit pre-clearance requests to the Chief Executive Officer. A sample Pre-Clearance Form is attached hereto as
Appendix G-2
.
|
Any approval given under this section with respect to transactions in publicly- traded
securities will remain in effect for
2 business days
, and any approval given under this paragraph with respect to transactions in
privately-offered securities will remain in effect for
14 business days
.
|
Pre-clearance is not required with respect to transactions in fixed
income securities, mutual funds, or ETFs. Note that ETFs are considered Reportable Securities (Section IV) and thus must still be disclosed in regular reporting.
|
In addition, pre-clearance is not required to be submitted with respect to any
transactions effected pursuant to any Personal Account over which the Access Person has (or had) no direct or indirect influence or control.
|
Access Persons are subject to a minimum holding period of 30-days in connection with all
securities transactions that are required to be pre-cleared (the “Minimum Holding Period”). However, the Minimum Holding Period shall not prohibit an Access Person from closing out a position that is down more than 15% from purchase
price (pre-clearance is also not required to close out such position; however, the Access Person must nonetheless notify the Chief Compliance Officer of such transaction).
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G-3
|
Even if pre-approval is obtained, Access Persons must not buy or sell, or recommend that
others buy or sell, securities of a company if the Access Person has material non-public information about the company in question.
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IV.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
|
A.
All Access Persons are required to submit to the Chief Compliance Officer (or his Designated Person) (subject to the applicable provisions of Section V. below) the following reports.
|
1.
Initial Holdings Report
– Access Persons are required to provide the Chief Compliance Officer with an Initial Holdings Report within 10
days of the date that such person became an Access Person that meets the following requirements:
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a.
Must disclose all of the
Access Person’s current securities holdings with the following content for each Reportable Security (as defined in IV.B. below) in which the Access Person has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership:
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title and type of Reportable Security;
ticker symbol or CUSIP number (as applicable); number of shares;
principal amount of each Reportable Security.
|
b.
Must disclose the name of
any broker, dealer or bank with which the Access Person maintains a Personal Account.
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c.
Information contained in
Initial Holding Reports must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date of submission.
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d.
The date upon which the
report was submitted.
e.
The Initial Holdings Report
generally must be filed with the Chief Compliance Officer and the Access Person must attest to the accuracy of the reported holdings. A sample Initial Holdings Report is attached hereto as
Appendix G-3
.
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f.
Brokerage statements may be
included with the Initial Holdings Report in lieu of supplying a separate account of the data.
|
2.
Annual Holdings Reports
– Subject to the applicable provisions of
Section V.
below, Access Persons must also provide Annual Holdings Reports of all current Reportable Securities holdings at least once during each 12 month period (the
“Annual Holding Certification Date”). For purposes of this Code of Ethics, the Annual Holdings Certification Date is
December 31
and
Annual Holdings Reports must be submitted within 45 days of such date (beginning in 2013). From a content perspective, such Annual Holdings Reports must comply
with the requirements of
Section IV.A. (1)(a), (b) and (c)
above.
The Annual
Holdings Report generally must be filed with the Chief Compliance Officer and the Access Person must attest
to the accuracy of the reported holdings. A sample Annual Holdings Report is attached hereto as
Appendix G-4
.
|
G-4
|
Brokerage statements may be included with the Annual Holdings Report in lieu of supplying a
separate account of the data.
|
|
3.
Quarterly
Transaction
Reports
– Subject to the applicable provisions of
Section V.
below, Access Persons must also provide quarterly
securities transaction reports for each transaction in a Reportable Security (as defined in
Section IV.B.
below) in which the
Access Person has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership. Such quarterly transaction reports must meet the following requirements:
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|
a.
Content Requirements –
Quarterly transaction report must include:
|
date of transaction;
title of Reportable Security;
ticker symbol or CUSIP number of Reportable Security (as applicable);
interest rate or maturity rate (if applicable); number of shares;
principal amount of Reportable Security; nature of transaction (i.e., purchase or
sale);
price of Reportable Security at which the transaction was effected;
the name of broker, dealer or bank through which the transaction was effected;
the date upon which the Access Person submitted the report.
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|
b.
Timing
Requirements – Subject to
Section V.C.
, Access Persons must submit a quarterly transaction report no later than 30 days after the
end of each quarter.
|
c.
Access Persons generally
must meet the Quarterly Transaction Report requirement by reporting to the Chief Compliance Officer and attesting to the accuracy of the reported transactions. A sample Quarterly Transaction Report is attached hereto as
Appendix G-5
.
|
d.
Brokerage statements may be
included with the Quarterly Transaction Report in lieu of supplying a separate account of the data.
|
B.
Definition of Reportable Security
– for purposes of the reporting requirements, a Reportable
Security is any financial instrument that is known as a security and as defined in detail in section 202(a)(18) of the advisers act, except that it does not include:
|
1.
Direct obligations of the Government of the United States;
2.
Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements;
3.
Shares issued by money market funds;
|
G-5
|
4.
Shares issued by registered open-end funds; provided that such funds are NOT advised by Exponential or an affiliate and such fund’s adviser or principal underwriter
is not controlled or under common control with Exponential;
5.
Shares issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more registered open-end funds; provided that such funds are NOT advised by
Exponential or an affiliate and such fund’s adviser or principal underwriter is not controlled or under common control with Exponential.
|
For the avoidance of doubt, Access Persons should note that ETFs do not require
pre-clearance approval but are still Reportable Securities.
|
V.
EXCEPTIONS FROM REPORTING REQUIREMENTS/ ALTERNATIVE TO QUARTERLY TRANSACTION REPORTS
|
|
This Section sets forth exceptions from the reporting requirements of
Section IV
of this Code of Ethics. All other requirements will continue to apply to any holding or transaction exempted from reporting
pursuant to this Section. Accordingly, the following transactions will be exempt only from the reporting requirements of
Section IV
:
A.
No Initial Holdings Report, Annual Holdings Report or Quarterly Transaction Report is required to be filed by an Access Person with respect to
securities held in any Personal Account over which the Access Person has (or had) no direct or indirect influence or control; and
B.
Quarterly Transaction Reports are not required to be submitted with respect to any transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan
(although holdings need to be included on Initial and Annual Holdings Reports).
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VI.
PROTECTION
OF
MATERIAL
NON-PUBLIC
INFORMATION
ABOUT SECURITIES/INVESTMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
|
A.
General
|
|
Access Persons should note that Exponential has a duty to safeguard material, non-
public information about securities/investment recommendations provided to (or made on behalf of) Advisory Clients. As such, Access Persons generally should not share such information outside of Exponential and should limit such
information internally to such Access Persons who have a pressing “need to know.”
|
Access Persons and Exponential may provide such information to persons or entities
providing services to Exponential or Advisory Clients where such information is required to effectively provide the services in question.
|
Examples of such are:
|
•
brokers;
•
accountants or accounting
support service firms;
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|
G-6
|
•
custodians;
•
transfer agents;
•
bankers;
•
lawyers; and
•
compliance consultants
|
|
If there are any questions about the sharing of material, non-public information about
securities/investment recommendations made by Exponential please see the Chief Compliance Officer.
|
It is essential that information about the investment activities of Advisory Clients be
maintained in confidence.
|
The policies set forth below are designed to comply with the requirements of applicable
law or agreements to which Exponential is a party and to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.
|
|
1.
Access
Persons of Exponential should conduct their business and social activities so as to avoid the risk of inadvertent disclosure of confidential information about Advisory Client investment activities. Thus, investments should not be
discussed in public places, including, without limitation, trains, airplanes, hired vehicles and restaurants.
|
2.
Investment activities should
not be discussed within hearing range of visitors to Exponential’s offices.
|
|
3.
Investment activities
should not be discussed with friends or relatives, including those living in the same household as an Access Person.
|
|
4.
When practicable, visitors
to the offices of Exponential should be restricted to conference rooms. Access Persons of Exponential should take care to keep confidential information out of sight when visitors are present in their individual offices.
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VII.
OVERSIGHT OF CODE OF ETHICS
|
|
A.
Reporting
. Any situation that may involve a conflict of interest or other
possible violation of this Code of Ethics must be promptly reported to the Chief Compliance Officer.
|
Exponential is committed to maintaining compliance with applicable laws, regulations,
and internal policies. There are times when it may be appropriate for an Access Person to question, in good faith, whether a policy, practice, or other activity might be a violation of law or policy. There also may be occasions in which
a concerned Access Person might feel it necessary, in good faith, to go beyond mere questioning and file a protest or complaint about an activity. Access Persons are
encouraged to bring perceived violations of law or internal policies to the attention of the Chief Compliance Officer. Concerns may be brought to the attention of the
Chief Compliance Officer on a confidential or anonymous basis.
However,
Exponential may be unable to fully evaluate a vague or general concern that is made
on a confidential or
anonymous basis. It should be noted that Exponential may be obligated by law or otherwise to disclose the substance of a concern to regulators and/or investors. In such situations, Exponential will endeavor to protect the
confidentiality of the source of the information, though this may not always be possible.
|
G-7
|
Any Access Person reporting a concern to the Chief Compliance Officer under this policy
must act in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the matter raised constitutes a possible violation of law or internal policy. Exponential has a non-retaliation policy to protect those Access Persons who report such
matters in good faith. More specifically, Exponential will not discharge, demote, suspend, threaten, harass or in any manner discriminate against any Access Person based upon the lawful and good faith actions of such Access Person in
raising a concern with the Chief Compliance Officer. It is, however, noted that the act of making allegations that prove to be unsubstantiated or made maliciously, recklessly, with gross negligence or knowledge that such allegations are
false will be viewed as a serious offense and may result in discipline (including without limitation termination of employment and civil or criminal liability).
|
B.
Review of Transactions
. Each Access Person’s transactions in his/her Personal Accounts may be reviewed on
a regular basis. Any transactions that are believed to be a violation of this Code of Ethics should be reported promptly to the Chief Compliance Officer.
|
|
C.
Sanctions
. The executive management of Exponential, with advice of outside legal counsel, at its
discretion, shall consider reports made to management and/or the Chief Compliance Officer and upon determining that a violation of this Code of Ethics has occurred, may impose such sanctions or remedial action management deems
appropriate or to the extent required by law (as may be advised by outside legal counsel or other advisors). These sanctions may include, among other things, disgorgement of profits, or suspension or termination of employment with
Exponential. In addition, violations of the Code of Ethics may subject Access Persons to civil and criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
|
|
VIII.
COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS
|
All Access Persons are required to comply with applicable Federal Securities Laws.
Failure to adhere to Federal Securities Laws could expose an Access Person to sanctions imposed by Exponential, the SEC or law enforcement officials. These sanctions may include, among others, disgorgement of profits, suspension or
termination of employment by Exponential, or criminal or civil penalties. If there is any doubt as to whether a Federal Securities Law applies, Access Persons should consult the Chief Compliance Officer.
|
G-8
|
IX.
CONFIDENTIALITY OF REPORTING
|
All reports of securities transactions and any other information filed pursuant to this Code
of Ethics shall be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.
|
G-9
|
APPENDIX
G-1
|
CODE
OF ETHICS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
|
I, the undersigned Access Person, hereby acknowledge receipt of Exponential’s Code of
Ethics and hereby certify that I have read and understand it, have had an opportunity to ask questions about it, and agree to abide by it.
|
I hereby represent that all my personal securities transactions will be effected in
compliance with the Code of Ethics. I also confirm that I have reported all of my Personal Accounts to the Chief Compliance Officer, as required by the Code of Ethics.
|
|
|
Signature of Access Person
|
Compliance Review Signature
|
|
|
Name of Access Person
|
Compliance Review Name / Title
|
|
|
Date | Date |
G-10
|
APPENDIX
G-2
|
PRE-CLEARANCE FORM FOR TRANSACTIONS IN
PERSONAL ACCOUNTS OF ACCESS PERSONS
Please read and confirm your understanding of the following representations by initialing each:
|
Pre-Approval Required
. I understand that I must receive pre-approval in order to engage in certain transactions in Reportable Securities in my Personal Accounts.
Approval Period
. I understand that approvals given pursuant to this form are valid for only 2 business days from the date pre-clearance is granted (with respect to transactions in publicly-traded securities) and 14
business days from the date pre- clearance is granted (with respect to transactions in privately-offered securities).
Insider
Information
. I understand that I am strictly prohibited from trading on, recommending others to trade on, or otherwise using for my benefit, material non- public information.
Prohibited
Transactions
. The proposed trades are not prohibited by Exponential’s Code of Ethics or any applicable law.
Conflicts
of Interest
. I am aware of no actual or apparent conflicts of interest that would result from these proposed trades.
|
Proposed Trades
|
Name of
Security
|
Type of
Instrument
|
Symbol
or CUSIP
Number
|
Number of Shares,
Bonds, Options,
etc. to be Traded
|
Current
Price of
instrument
(in $USD)
|
Broker/
Dealer Used
for Trade
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*Add additional lines as necessary*
|
|
Approved
Denied
|
|
|
Signature of Access Person
|
Compliance Review Signature
|
|
|
Name of Access Person
|
Compliance Review Name / Title
|
|
|
Date
|
Date
|
G-11
|
APPENDIX G-3
INITIAL
HOLDINGS REPORT FOR ACCESS PERSONS
|
Name of Access Person:
|
Date of Submission of Report:
|
In connection with my status as an Access Person at Exponential Investment Advisory,
L.P., I have submitted brokerage statements or provided below all of my holdings in Reportable Securities that are held in my Personal Accounts (as defined in Exponential’s Code of Ethics).
|
Title and
Type of
Security
|
Ticker Symbol or
CUSIP Number
(As Applicable)
|
Number of
Shares Held
|
Principal
Amounts
of Shares
|
Broker/Dealer
or Bank Where
Securities
Are Held
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*Add additional lines as necessary*
|
OR
|
No holdings in Reportable Securities
|
The undersigned Access Person certifies that all information contained in this report is
true and correct as of
, 201_ (which must be a date within 45 days that this report is submitted to the Chief Compliance
Officer).
|
|
|
Signature of Access Person
|
Compliance Review Signature
|
|
|
Name of Access Person
|
Compliance Review Name / Title
|
|
|
Date | Date |
G-12
|
APPENDIX G-4
ANNUAL
HOLDINGS REPORT FOR ACCESS PERSONS
|
Name of Access Person:
|
Date of Submission Report:
|
I have submitted brokerage statements or provided below all of my holdings in Reportable Securities (as defined in
Exponential’s Code of Ethics) that are held in my Personal Accounts (as defined in Exponential’s Code of Ethics) as of December 31, 20 (the “Annual Holdings Certification Date”).
|
Title and
Type of
Security
|
Exchange Ticker
Symbol or
CUSIP Number
(As Applicable)
|
Number of
Shares (for
Equity Securities)
|
Broker/Dealer
or Bank Where
Securities
Are Held
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*Add additional lines as necessary*
|
OR
|
No holdings in Reportable Securities (as defined in Exponential’s Code of Ethics) as of the
Annual Holdings Certification Date.
|
|
The undersigned Access Person certifies that all information contained in this report is
true and correct as of
, 201_ (which must be a date within 45 days of the Annual Holdings Certification Date (December 31,
20__).
|
|
|
Signature of Access Person
|
Compliance Review Signature
|
|
|
Name of Access Person
|
Compliance Review Name / Title
|
|
|
Date | Date |
G-13
|
APPENDIX
G-5
|
QUARTERLY
TRANSACTION REPORT FOR ACCESS PERSONS
|
Name of Access Person:
Date of Submission of Report:
|
I have submitted brokerage statements or provided below
all of the transaction in
Reportable Securities (as defined in Exponential’s Code of Ethics) made in my Personal
Accounts (as defined in Exponential’s Code of Ethics) for the quarter beginning on [ ending on [ ].
|
Date of
Transaction
|
Title
and
Type of
Security
|
Price of
Security at
which
Transaction
was
Effected
|
Exchange
Ticker
Symbol or
CUSIP
Number
(As
Applicable)
|
Number
of Shares
(for
Equity
Securities)
|
Principal
Amount,
Interest
Rate and
Maturity
Date (for
Debt
Securities,
e.g.,
Bonds)
|
Broker/Dealer
or Bank
Through
Which
Transaction
was Effected
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*Add additional lines as necessary*
OR
|
|
No transactions in Reportable
Securities (as defined in Exponential’s Code of
Ethics)
|
The undersigned Access Person certifies that all information contained herein is true and correct as of [ ].
|
|
|
Signature of Access Person
|
Compliance Review Signature
|
|
|
Name of Access Person
|
Compliance Review Name / Title
|
|
|
Date | Date |
G-14
|
APPENDIX
G-6
|
LIST
OF PERSONAL ACCOUNTS OF ACCESS PERSONS
|
Name of Access Person:
|
Date of Submission Report:
|
The following sets forth all of my Personal Accounts (as defined in Exponential’s Code of Ethics):
|
Name of Account (including
brokerage accounts and
bank accounts which are
used substantially as
brokerage accounts)
|
Account Number
|
Firms through which
Transactions are
Effected
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*Add additional lines as necessary*
OR
|
I do not have any Personal Accounts
|
In addition, I certify that I will update Exponential Investment Advisory, L.P. if and when
there are changes to the information identified above.
|
|
|
Signature of Access Person
|
Compliance Review Signature
|
|
|
Name of Access Person
|
Compliance Review Name / Title
|
|
|
Date | Date |
G-15
|
|
· |
Political Contributions (Pay-to-Play)
|
|
· |
Privacy
|
|
· |
Gifts, Business Entertainment
|
|
· |
Non-Cash Compensation
|
|
· |
Outside Business Activities
|
|
· |
Insider Trading and Material Non-Public Information
|
|
• |
Defrauds a Client in any manner;
|
|
• |
Misleads a Client or regulator, including any statement that omits material facts;
|
|
• |
Operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on a Client;
|
|
• |
Functions as a manipulative practice with respect to a Client or regulator; or
|
|
• |
Functions as a manipulative practice with respect to securities.
|
|
2. |
Maintaining Accounts & Trading Rules
|
|
· |
U.S. government bonds;
|
|
· |
Bankers’ acceptances;
|
|
· |
Bank certificates of deposit;
|
|
· |
Commercial paper;
|
|
· |
High-quality short-term debt instruments (such as money market mutual funds);
|
|
· |
Money market funds;
|
|
· |
Shares issued by open-end funds (mutual funds) and;
|
|
· |
Shares issued by unit investment trusts invested exclusively in one or more open-ended funds.
|
|
(a) |
Limited Offerings (Private Placements)
- An
Access Person may participate in Limited Offerings, subject to advance review and approval by the CCO of AAM who has been provided with full details of the proposed transaction. Limited Offerings, also known as private placements,
refers to an offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to section 4(a)(2) or section 4(a)(5) or pursuant to Regulation D Rule 504 or Rule 506. Common examples include securities purchased by
angel investors and private real estate investment trusts (REITs). Requests to participate in Limited Offerings, as well as reporting on pre-existing positions at time of employment, must be submitted for pre-approval along with
copies of the offering documents and subscription agreements. This rule applies to initial investments as well as subsequent investments. Approvals granted by the CCO of AAM will be based in part on the Access Person’s ability to
demonstrate that no current or potential conflict of interest will arise from engaging in the transaction. Access Persons who own securities purchased through Limited Offerings, whether held at the start of employment or acquired
during their employment, may at any time be required to halt any and all transactions involving those securities or even divest the securities if potential conflicts of interest should arise.
|
|
(b) |
Prohibited Transactions in Initial Public Offerings
(“IPOs”)
-
An Access Person may purchase securities in an initial public offering, subject to advance review and
approval by the CCO of AAM who has been provided with full details of the proposed transaction. In the event that an Access Person holds securities in a company that has announced that it will engage in an IPO, the Access Person
must bring the information about the impending IPO to the attention of the CCO of AAM at least three business days prior to the public offering.
|
|
(c) |
Restricted Securities
- AAM may from time to
time, for a variety of reasons, identify issuers whose securities Access Persons are restricted from trading. If an issuer is on the Restricted List, no trading will be permitted.
|
|
· |
Annually.
Access Persons will provide a list of
their Covered Accounts and Covered Investments dated within 45 days after the end of the calendar quarter that triggers annual holdings reporting. Access Persons will certify that the accounts and holdings disclosed are current,
accurate, and complete. (See Exhibit C:
Initial/Annual Holdings Report and Exhibit E: Covered Account Report)
|
|
· |
Quarterly.
Access Persons are required to report
all transactions in Covered Accounts within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter. Quarterly transaction information related to any existing Covered Account or information concerning any new Covered Account for which AAM is
not receiving statements or information directly from the broker-dealer or other intermediary must be reported to the CCO of AAM. (See Exhibit D:
Quarterly
Transactions Report)
|
|
· |
Your Manager
.
|
|
· |
Jayson Alexander
, Chief Compliance Officer of Aware
Asset Management, (651) 662-3925, jayson.alexander@awareassetmgmt.com
|
|
· |
Jane McMahon
, vice president, ethics, compliance
and privacy officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, (651) 662-6570, jane.mcmahon@bluecrossmn.com
|
|
· |
Anonymous Options
|
|
o |
Compliance Hotline at 1-866-311-4229
|
|
o |
Web Submission –
submit a concern via the web by
entering www.alertline.com, typing “Blue Cross” into the box and then selecting “Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota” from the drop-down.
|
|
· |
Describes any issues arising under the AAM Code since the last report, including but not limited to, information about material violations of the AAM Code
or procedures and sanctions imposed in response to the material violation;
|
|
· |
Summarizes existing procedures concerning personal investment activities and any changes in the procedures made during the previous year; and
|
|
· |
Identifies any recommended changes to the AAM Code or procedures related to its administration.
|
|
· |
All initial and annual holdings reports
|
|
· |
All quarterly transaction reports and account statements
|
|
· |
A copy of the AAM Code of Ethics currently in effect and any that have been in effect within the past five years
|
|
· |
A record of any violation of the AAM Code of Ethics and of any action taken as a result of the violation
|
|
· |
All written Acknowledgements of the AAM Code of Ethics for each person who is currently, or within the past five years was, an employee of AAM or
otherwise is or was considered a Access Person
|
|
· |
A list of persons who are currently, or within the past five years were considered Access Persons
|
|
· |
All records pertaining to training of the AAM Code, including new employee training and training related to the AAM Code amendments, including who
attended, when it was provided and what was covered
|
|
· |
All records related to the granting of exemptions to the AMM Code of Ethics
|
|
· |
All records documenting the annual review of the AAM Code of Ethics and written reports prepared for the AAM Board of Directors
|
|
· |
All records of approved personal investments in private placements and initial public offerings
|
(c) |
The Code of Conduct was last approved on
:
December 18, 2018
|
|
· |
Immediate Family Members sharing the same residence,
|
|
· |
Investment Clubs, Partnerships, Trusts and Estates, and
|
|
· |
Other types of accounts in which any of them has an interest or beneficial ownership.
|
INVESTMENT ACCOUNT TYPE
|
REPORTABLE
COVERED ACCOUNT?
|
Brokerage or Investment Accounts that are eligible to hold individual securities such as
equities, options, corporate debt, etc.
|
Yes
|
529 Plans
|
No
|
Bank Savings Accounts
|
No
|
Bank Certificates of Deposit
|
No
|
Blue Cross Blue Shield or other 401k Accounts without Directed Brokerage
|
No
|
Blue Cross Blue Shield or other 401k Accounts with Directed Brokerage
|
Yes
|
Life Insurance Policies, Fixed and Variable Annuities
|
No
|
Further or other Health Savings Accounts with Directed Brokerage
|
Yes
|
Further or other Health Savings Accounts without Directed Brokerage
|
No
|
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Accounts
|
No
|
Employer Directed Pension Accounts
|
No
|
Third-Party Managed Accounts
|
Yes
|
Automatic Investment Plans
|
No
|
|
||||
Access Person Name
|
||||
Dated:
, ____
|
|
|||
Access Person Signature |
Access Person:
|
|
(Name)
|
|
The information provided is as of the following date:
|
|
(Date)
|
|
|
|
(Date)
|
(Access Person’s Signature)
|
Check if applicable: | (a) | ☐ | This is my initial holdings report |
|
(b) | ☐ | This is my annual holdings report |
|
(c) | ☐ | I had no reportable holdings for this reporting period (Complete Exhibit E, Covered Account Report, even if the accounts do not contain Covered Securities) |
|
(d) | ☐ | All holdings required to be reported have been provided to Aware Asset Management, Inc. through duplicate account statements that contain all of the required information. |
|
(e) | ☐ | All holdings required to be reported have been provided to Aware Asset Management, Inc. through the information set forth below and on additional sheets if necessary. |
Title and Type of Security |
Ticker/ CUSIP |
Quantity or Par Value |
Principal Amount Securities
|
Location of Securities |
||||
Access Person:
|
|
(Name)
|
|
The information provided is for the quarter ended:
|
|
(Date)
|
(Date)
|
(Access Person’s Signature)
|
Check if applicable: | (a) | ☐ | I had no reportable transactions during this reporting period (Complete Exhibit E if you have not previously reported Covered Accounts, even if they do not contain Covered Securities). |
|
(b) | ☐ | All transactions required to be reported have been provided to Aware Asset Management, Inc. through duplicate confirmations/account statements that contain all of the required information. |
|
(c) | ☐ | All transactions required to be reported have been provided to Aware Asset Management, Inc. on the attached statements and/or through the information set forth below and on additional sheets if necessary. |
Trade Date with
Buy/Sell Indication
|
Ticker/ CUSIP |
Quantity or Par Value |
Resulting Principal Amt Held
|
Location of Securities |
||||
Access Person:
|
|
(Name)
|
|
The information provided is for the quarter ended:
|
|
(Date)
|
(Date)
|
(Access Person’s Signature)
|
Broker / Financial Institution |
Ownership (e.g. Harry’s IRA, Harry and Wanda Joint Account) |
Account Number |
Date Account Opened
(If prior to current reporting period, date is not required)
|
|||