Securities Act File No. 333-174926

ICA No.  811-22549


As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 19, 2012


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549


FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933   x

                

                                                                

                

      

Pre-Effective Amendment No.
Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 x

                                                               


and/or


REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940   x

Amendment No. 70  

                                                                               

 

 


(Check Appropriate Box or Boxes)


Northern Lights Fund Trust II

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


4020 South 147 th Street

Omaha, NE 68137

Attention:  Brian Nielsen

 (Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)


(402) 895-1600

 (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)


The Corporation Trust Company

Corporate Trust Center

1209 Orange Street

Wilmington, DE 19801

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)


With a copy to:

 

 

David J. Baum, Esq.

Alston & Bird, LLP

950 F Street NW

Washington, DC 20004

(202) 239-3346

Emile R. Molineaux,

General Counsel

Gemini Fund Services, LLC

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, New York 11788

(631) 470-2616


 Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:


It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

(X)  

immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b).

(   )

on    pursuant to paragraph (b).

(   )

60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1).

(   )  

on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1).

(   )  

75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2).

(   )  

on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.


If appropriate, check the following box:

(  ) this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.


Pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, Registrant hereby elects to register an indefinite number of shares of Registrant and any series thereof hereinafter created.








  EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to the Registration Statement contains a Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information describing the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund , a series of the Registrant. This Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement is organized as follows: (a) Prospectus relating to the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund; (b) Statement of Additional Information relating to the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund , and (c) Part C Information relating to all series of the Registrant. The Prospectus and Statements of Additional Information for the other series of the Registrant are not affected hereby.


 




[PROS002.GIF]


Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund



Class A Shares (Symbol: WAVEX)

Class C Shares (Symbol: [            ])

Class I Shares (Symbol: WAVIX)

Class N Shares (Symbol: [            ])






Prospectus


June 19, 2012







The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has not approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.






Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund

a series of the Northern Lights Fund Trust II (the “Trust”)




TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SUMMARY SECTION

1

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, RELATED RISKS AND DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

7

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

7

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

7

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND

9

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

14

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

14

THE ADVISOR

14

ADVISOR PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

14

THE SUB-ADVISER

15

SUB-ADVISER PORTFOLIO MANAGER

15

INVESTMENT SUBSIDIARY

16

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

16

CHOOSING A SHARE CLASS

16

MORE ABOUT CLASS A SHARES

17

MORE ABOUT CLASS C SHARES

19

MORE ABOUT CLASS I SHARES

19

MORE ABOUT CLASS N SHARES

19

SHARE PRICE

19

HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES

20

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

21

REDEMPTION FEE

23

TOOLS TO COMBAT FREQUENT TRANSACTIONS

24

DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES

25

DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

26

TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

26

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

26

PRIVACY POLICY

27






Summary Section


Investment Objective.   The primary investment objective of the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund (the “Fund”) is to seek positive absolute returns.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund.   This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.  You may qualify for sales charge discounts on Class A shares if you invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in the Fund.  More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and under “Shareholder Information – More About Class A Shares” beginning on page 17 of this Prospectus.


Shareholder Fees

(fees paid directly from your investment)

Class A

Class C

Class I

Class N

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

5.75%

None

None

None

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

1.00% (1)

None

None

None

Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed within 30 days of purchase)

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

 

Management (Unitary) Fees

2.99%

2.99%

2.99%

2.99%

Distribution and Service (Rule 12b-1) Fees

0.25%

1.00%

0.00%

0.25%

Other Expenses (2)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

3.24%

3.99%

2.99%

3.24%

(1) Class A shares do not have a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) except that a charge of 1.00% applies to certain redemptions made within twelve months, following purchases of $1 million or more without an initial sales charge.

(2) These expenses are based on estimated amounts for the Fund’s current fiscal year.  



Example.   This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods.  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:


 

One Year

Three Years

Class A

$883

$1516

Class C

$401

$1215

Class I

$302

$924

Class N

$327

$998


Portfolio Turnover.   The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account.  These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance.  


Principal Investment Strategies.  


·

Futures Strategy .  The Fund pursues its investment objective by employing a trend following strategy (identifying opportunities as prices trend up and down) similar in general concept to the managed futures industry at large.  The strategy is systematic and rules based.  The Advisor will consider a variety of exchange traded futures contracts and forward contracts. The Subsidiary’s holdings will generally be diversified across the equities, energies, interest rates, grains, meats, soft commodities (such as sugar, coffee, and cocoa), currencies, and metals sectors; and will also be diversified across North America, Asia, Europe, Australia, and potentially Africa and South America.  

Through its investment in futures contracts and forward contracts, the Advisor seeks to capture long term trends in the global financial markets.  Futures and forward contracts are contractual agreements to buy or sell a particular currency, commodity or financial instrument at a pre-determined price in the future.  


·

The Fund currently intends to invest up to 25% of its total assets in a wholly-owned subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”). These assets will be invested in commodity-related derivatives pursuant to the Futures Strategy. The Fund may also invest directly in certain financial-related derivatives with a portion of its assets pursuant to the Futures Strategy. The Fund anticipates that it will generally invest between 10-30% of its assets (whether directly or through the Subsidiary) pursuant to the Futures Strategy. The Fund anticipates that it will generally invest between 70-90% of its assets pursuant to the Fixed Income Strategy, although it reserves the right to invest up to 100% of its assets pursuant to the Fixed Income Strategy.


The Advisor acts as the advisor to both the Fund and the Subsidiary, but has delegated management of the Fund’s Fixed Income strategy portfolio to the Sub-Adviser, as described below.


The Subsidiary is a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary of the Fund, organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company. Generally, the Subsidiary will invest primarily in commodity futures and swaps on commodity futures but it may also invest in financial futures, option and swap contracts, fixed income securities, pooled investment vehicles, including those that are not registered pursuant to the 1940 Act, and other investments intended to serve as margin or collateral for the Subsidiary’s derivative positions.


·

Fixed Income Strategy . The Fixed Income strategy is designed to generate absolute returns from interest income with less volatility than equity markets by investing primarily in U.S. Dollar-denominated fixed income securities including: (1) obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, (2) bonds, notes, or similar debt obligations issued by U.S. or foreign corporations, (3) U.S. asset-backed securities (“ABS”) and (4) U.S. structured notes.   The Fund restricts fixed income securities to those having a short-term rating of prime (highest short-term debt category) and/or a long-term rating of investment grade (BBB- or higher).  The fixed income portion of the Fund’s portfolio will be invested without restriction as to individual security maturity, but the average duration (a measure of interest rate risk similar to maturity) of the fixed income portfolio will not exceed 5 years.  The Fund’s Advisor delegates management of the Fund’s Fixed Income strategy portfolio to the Sub-Adviser.


Principal Risks . Remember that in addition to possibly not achieving your investment goals, you could lose money by investing in the Fund.  The principal risks of investing in the Fund are:


·

Commodities Risk:   Investing in the commodities markets (directly or indirectly) may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities.  Commodity prices may be influenced by unfavorable weather, animal and plant disease, geologic and environmental factors as well as changes in government regulation such as tariffs, embargoes or burdensome production rules and restrictions.


·

Forward and Futures Contract Risk:   The successful use of forward and futures contracts draws upon the Advisor’s skill and experience with respect to such instruments and are subject to special risk considerations. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the forward or futures contract; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a forward or futures contract and the resulting inability to close a forward or futures contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (d) the Advisor’s inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; (e) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations; and (f) if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements, and the Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.


·

Options Risk:  Options are subject to sudden price movements and are highly leveraged, in that payment of a relatively small purchase price, called a premium, gives the buyer the right to acquire an underlying futures contract, forward contract or commodity that has a face value substantially greater than the premium paid.  The buyer of an option risks losing the entire purchase price of the option.  The writer, or seller, of an option risks losing the difference between the purchase price received for the option and the price of the futures contract, forward contract or commodity underlying the option that the writer must purchase or deliver upon exercise of the option.  There is no limit on the potential loss.  


·

Credit Risk:   There is a risk that issuers and counterparties will not make payments on securities and other investments held by the Fund, resulting in losses to the Fund.  In addition, the credit quality of securities held by the Fund may be lowered if an issuer’s financial condition changes.

Derivatives Risk: The Fund may use derivatives (including commodity futures, options on futures and swap agreements) to enhance returns or hedge against market declines.  The Fund’s indirect use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities including leverage risk, counterparty default risk and tracking risk.  The value of a commodity-linked derivative investment typically is based upon the price movements of a physical commodity (such as heating oil, livestock, or agricultural products), a commodity futures contract or commodity index, or some other readily measurable economic variable dependent upon changes in the value of commodities or the commodities markets. The value of these securities will rise or fall in response to changes in the underlying commodity or related benchmark or investment. These securities expose the Fund economically to movements in commodity prices.


·

Fixed Income Securities Risks:   Fixed income securities are subject to the risk that securities could lose value because of interest rate changes. Generally, as interest rates increase, prices decrease. Fixed income securities with longer maturities are subject to greater price shifts as a result of interest rate changes than fixed income securities with shorter maturities.  Fixed income securities are also subject to prepayment and credit risks.


·

Structured Notes Risk:  Structured notes involve leverage risk, tracking risk and issuer default risk.


·

Asset-Backed Securities (“ ABS ”) Risk:   ABS are subject to credit risk because underlying loan borrowers or obligors may default.   Additionally, these securities are subject to prepayment risk because the underlying loans or assets held by the issuers may be paid off prior to maturity.   The value of these securities may go down as a result of changes in prepayment rates on the underlying loans or assets.   During periods of declining interest rates, prepayment rates usually increases and the Fund may have to reinvest prepayment proceeds at a lower interest rate.


·

Foreign Investment Risk.   Foreign investments involve certain risks not generally associated with investments in the securities of U.S. companies, including changes in currency exchange rates, unstable political, social and economic conditions, a lack of adequate or accurate company information, differences in the way securities markets operate, less secure international banks or securities depositories than those in the U.S. and foreign controls on investment.  In addition, individual international country economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rates of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources, self-sufficiency and balance of payments position.  These risks may be greater in emerging markets and in less developed countries.


·

General Market Risk :  The risk that the value of the Fund’s shares will fluctuate based on the performance of the Fund’s investments and other factors affecting the commodities and/or securities markets generally.


·

Issuer-Specific Risk:   The value of a specific security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole.  The value of securities of smaller issuers can be more volatile than those of larger issuers.  The value of certain types of securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments.


·

Leverage Risk:   Using derivatives like commodity futures and options to increase the Fund’s combined long and short exposure creates leverage, which can magnify the Fund’s potential for gain or loss and, therefore, amplify the effects of market volatility on the Fund’s share price.

·

Limited History of Operations:   The Fund is a new mutual fund and has a limited history of operation.  In addition, the Advisor has not previously managed a mutual fund.

·

Liquidity Risk :  Liquidity risk exists when particular investments of the Fund would be difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the Fund from selling such illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price, or possibly requiring the Fund to dispose of other investments at unfavorable times or prices in order to satisfy its obligations.

·

Management Risk:   The risk that investment strategies employed by the Advisor in selecting investments and asset allocations for the Fund may not result in an increase in the value of your investment or in overall performance equal to other similar investment vehicles having similar investment strategies.

·

Market Risk:   Overall securities and derivatives market risks may affect the value of individual instruments in which the Fund invests.  Factors such as domestic and foreign economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels, and political events affect the securities and derivatives markets.  When the value of the Fund’s investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.  

·

Non-Diversified Portfolio Risk. The Fund is “non-diversified,” and thus may invest its assets in a smaller number of companies or instruments than many other funds. As a result, an investment in the Fund has the risk that changes in the value of a single security may have a significant effect on the Fund’s value.


·

Short Position Risk:   The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short position if the price of the short position instrument increases in value between the date of the short position sale and the date on which an offsetting position is purchased.  Short positions may be considered speculative transactions and involve special risks, including greater reliance on the Advisor’s ability to anticipate accurately the future value of a security or instrument.  The Fund’s losses are potentially unlimited in a short position transaction.

·

Strategy Risk :  The risk that investment strategies employed by the Advisor in selecting investments and asset allocations for the Fund may not result in an increase in the value of your investment or in overall performance equal to other investments.

·

Regulatory Change Risk :  The Advisor has filed with the National Futures Association a notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” or “CPO” under Section 4.5 of regulations of the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, with respect to the Fund’s operation.  Recently, the CFTC has amended Section 4.5 in such a way that the Advisor will no longer be allowed to claim this exclusion. Subject to the availability of another exemption, both the Fund and the Subsidiary will be required to comply with certain CFTC regulations regarding disclosure, reporting and recordkeeping in the future, although the CFTC has not yet finalized the rule explaining the exact nature of the additional requirements applicable to registered investment companies like the Fund.  Compliance with such requirements will likely increase the costs associated with an investment in the Fund.

·

Tax Risk:   Certain of the Fund’s investment strategies, including transactions in options, futures contracts, forward contracts, swap contracts and hedging transactions, may be subject to the special tax rules (e.g., mark-to-market, constructive sale, wash sale and short sale rules), the effect of which may have adverse tax consequences for the Fund.  Also, while investing in commodities indirectly through the Subsidiary, will permit the Fund to obtain exposure to the commodities markets, because the Subsidiary is a controlled foreign corporation for federal income tax purposes, any income received from its investments will be passed through to the Fund as ordinary income, which may be taxed at less favorable rates than capital gains.  Additionally, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has issued a number of private letter rulings to other mutual funds (unrelated to the Fund), which indicate that certain income from a fund’s investment in a wholly-owned foreign subsidiary will constitute “qualifying income” for purposes of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).  However, the IRS has suspended issuance of any further letters pending a review of its position.  If the IRS were to change its position with respect to the conclusions reached in these private letter rulings (which change in position might be applied to the Fund retroactively), the income from the Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary might not be qualifying income, and the Fund might not qualify as a regulated investment company for one or more years.

·

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary Risk:   The Subsidiary will not be registered under the 1940 Act and, unless otherwise noted in this Prospectus, will not be subject to all of the investor protections of the 1940 Act.  The Advisor has filed with the National Futures Association a notice claiming an exemption from registration as a CPO pursuant to Section 4.13(a)(4) of regulations of the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, with respect to the Subsidiary’s operation.  Recently, the CFTC has rescinded the exemption available under Section 4.13(a)(4), effective as of April 24, 2012. CPOs, such as the Advisor, that have claimed relief under Regulation 4.13(a)(4) prior to that date will have until December 31, 2012 to comply with the rescission. It is anticipated that after December 31, 2012, the CPO will be eligible for relief relating to CFTC disclosure and reporting requirements pursuant to certain exemptions that are currently available to commodity pools, such as the Subsidiary, that are operated by a CPO that is the same as, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the CPO of an offered pool (such as the Fund).  Changes in the laws or regulations of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands, under which the Fund and the Subsidiary, respectively, are organized, could result in the inability of the Fund and/or Subsidiary to operate as described in this Prospectus and could negatively affect the Fund and its shareholders.  Your cost of investing in the Fund will be higher because you indirectly bear the expenses of the Subsidiary.


Although only 25% of the Fund’s assets may be invested in the Subsidiary, that portion of the Fund’s assets may be highly leveraged, which can magnify the Fund’s potential for gain or loss and, therefore, amplify the effects of market volatility on the Fund’s share price.


·

Volatility Risk:  The Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time.  This may cause the Fund’s net asset value per share to experience significant appreciations or decreases in value over short periods of time.

·

High Portfolio Turnover Risk:  In accordance with industry practice, derivative instruments and instruments with a maturity of one year or less at the time of acquisition are excluded from the calculation of the portfolio turnover rate, resulting in an expected portfolio turnover rate of 0% for the Fund.  However, if these instruments were included in the calculation, the Fund’s strategy would result in frequent portfolio trading and a high portfolio turnover rate (typically greater than 300%).  By investing on a shorter-term basis, the Subsidiary may trade more frequently and incur higher levels of brokerage fees and commissions, and cause higher levels of current tax liabilities to shareholders in the Fund.

·

Interest Rate Risk:   Certain tax requirements dictate that only 25% of the Fund’s assets can be invested in the Subsidiary in order to gain exposure to commodities.  As a result, a significant portion of the Fund’s assets will be invested in short-term interest rate instruments or securities to increase returns.  If interest rates increase, the Fund may earn interest at rates below prevailing market rates.

Performance.   Because the Fund has less than a full calendar year of investment operations, no performance information is presented for the Fund at this time. In the future, performance information will be presented in this section of this Prospectus. Also, shareholder reports containing financial and performance information will be mailed to shareholders semi-annually.  Updated performance information will be available at no cost by calling the Fund toll-free at 855-294-7540.


Investment Advisor.   Longboard Asset Management, LLC serves as the Fund’s investment advisor (the “Advisor”).  


Sub-Adviser. Horizon Cash Management LLC serves as the Fund’s Sub-Adviser.


Investment Advisor Portfolio Managers.   The following serve as the Fund’s portfolio managers:


Portfolio Manager

Primary Title

Manager Since

Cole Wilcox

Chief Executive Officer

June 2012

Eric Crittenden

Director of Research

June 2012

Jason Klatt

Director of Trading Operations

June 2012


Sub-Adviser Portfolio Managers.   Jill King, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Sub-Adviser, has served as Portfolio Co-Manager since the Fund commenced operations in June 2012.


Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares.   You may conduct transactions by mail (Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund, c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 4020 South 147 th Street, Suite 2, Omaha NE 68137), or by telephone at 855-294-7540.  Investors who wish to purchase or redeem Fund shares through a financial intermediary should contact the financial intermediary directly.  The minimum initial investment in each share class of the Fund is $2,500, $1,000, $500,000 and $2,500, for Class A, Class C, Class I and Class N, respectively, with a minimum subsequent investment of $250, $100, $10,000 and $100 for Class A, Class C, Class I and Class N, respectively, although the Fund reserves the right to waive minimum initial investment or minimum subsequent investment requirements in its sole discretion.


Tax Information.   The Fund’s distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. Distributions on investments made through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts, may be taxed later upon withdrawal of assets from such plans or accounts.


Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries.   If you purchase Fund shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services.  These payments may create conflicts of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment.  Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.


Investment Strategies, Related Risks and Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings


Investment Objective

Investment Objective.   The primary investment objective of the Fund is to seek positive absolute returns.  The Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed without the approval of shareholders. Shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any such change.

Principal Investment Strategies

Futures Strategy. The Fund pursues its investment objective by employing a trend following strategy (identifying opportunities as prices trend up and down) similar in general concept to the managed futures industry at large.  The strategy is systematic and rules based.  The Advisor will consider a variety of exchange traded futures contracts and forward contracts. The Subsidiary’s holdings will generally be diversified across the equities, energies, interest rates, grains, meats, soft commodities (such as sugar, coffee, and cocoa), currencies, and metals sectors; and will also be diversified across North America, Asia, Europe, Australia, and potentially Africa and South America.  

 

The Fund is actively managed and the Advisor will vary the Fund’s exposures to various instruments based on the Advisor’s application of its systematic trading strategy. 


Through its investment in futures contracts and forward contracts, the Advisor seeks to capture long term trends in the global financial markets.  Futures and forward contracts are contractual agreements to buy or sell a particular currency, commodity or financial instrument at a pre-determined price in the future.  The Fund’s use of futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps and certain other financial instruments (whether direct or through a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”)) will have the economic effect of financial leverage.  Financial leverage magnifies exposure to the swings in prices of a commodity or financial instrument underlying such a contract and results in increased volatility, which means the Fund will have the potential for greater gains, as well as the potential for greater losses, than if the Fund does not use such instruments that have a leveraging effect.   Leveraging tends to magnify, sometimes significantly, the effect of any increase or decrease in the Fund’s exposure to a commodity and may cause the Fund’s net asset value to be volatile.  For example, if the Advisor seeks to gain enhanced exposure to a specific commodity through an instrument providing leveraged exposure to the commodity and that instrument increases in value, the gain to the Fund will be magnified; however, if that investment decreases in value, the loss to the Fund will be magnified.  A decline in the Fund’s assets due to losses magnified by the instruments providing leveraged exposure may require the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions to satisfy its obligations, to meet redemption requests or to meet asset segregation requirements when it may not be advantageous to do so.  There is no assurance that the Fund’s use of instruments providing enhanced exposure will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective.


As a result of the Fund’s strategy, the Fund may have highly leveraged exposure to one or more commodities or asset classes at times.  The 1940 Act and the rules and interpretations thereunder impose certain limitations on the Fund’s ability to use leverage; however, the Fund is not subject to any additional limitations on its net long and short exposures.   The Fund could hold instruments that seek to provide a multiple (e.g., five times ) the net return or loss of a broad or narrow-based securities index over a particular period of time. Performance of such instruments over longer periods of time, however, can differ significantly from the performance (or inverse of the performance) of the underlying index during the same period of time. The use of leverage may also increase the risks associated with an investment in the Fund.

The Fund currently intends to invest up to 25% of its total assets in the Subsidiary. These assets will be invested in commodity-related derivatives pursuant to the Futures Strategy. The Fund may also invest directly in certain financial-related derivatives with a portion of its assets pursuant to the Futures Strategy. The Fund anticipates that it will generally invest between 10-30% of its assets (whether directly or through the Subsidiary) pursuant to the Futures Strategy. The Fund anticipates that it will generally invest between 70-90% of its assets pursuant to the Fixed Income Strategy, although it reserves the right to invest up to 100% of its assets pursuant to the Fixed Income Strategy.


The Advisor acts as the advisor to both the Fund and the Subsidiary, but has delegated management of the Fund’s Fixed Income strategy portfolio to the Sub-Adviser, as described below.


The Subsidiary is a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary of the Fund, organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company. Generally, the Subsidiary will invest primarily in commodity futures and swaps on commodity futures but it may also invest in financial futures, option and swap contracts, fixed income securities, pooled investment vehicles, including those that are not registered pursuant to the 1940 Act, and other investments intended to serve as margin or collateral for the Subsidiary’s derivative positions. The Fund will invest in the Subsidiary in order to gain exposure to the commodities markets within the limitations of the federal tax laws, rules and regulations that apply to registered investment companies. Unlike the Fund, the Subsidiary may invest without limitation in commodity-linked derivatives, however, the Subsidiary will comply with the same 1940 Act asset coverage requirements with respect to its investments in commodity-linked derivatives that are applicable to the Fund’s transactions in derivatives. In addition, to the extent applicable to the investment activities of the Subsidiary, the Subsidiary will be subject to the same fundamental investment restrictions and will follow the same compliance policies and procedures as the Fund. The Fund is the sole shareholder of the Subsidiary and does not expect shares of the Subsidiary to be offered or sold to other investors.


Fixed Income Strategy . The Fixed Income strategy is designed to generate absolute returns from interest income with less volatility than equity markets by investing primarily in U.S. Dollar-denominated fixed income securities including: (1) obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, (2) bonds, notes, or similar debt obligations issued by U.S. or foreign corporations, (3) U.S. asset-backed securities (“ABS”) and (4) U.S. structured notes.   Structured notes are debt securities, the interest rate or principal of which is determined by an unrelated indicator. Indexed securities include structured notes as well as securities other than debt securities, the interest rate or principal of which is determined by an unrelated indicator. Indexed securities may include a multiplier that multiplies the indexed element by a specified factor and, therefore, the value of such securities may be very volatile.


The Fund restricts fixed income securities to those having a short-term rating of prime (highest short-term debt category) by at least two of the three following NRSROs (Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations, Moody’s Investors Service, Standard and Poor's or Fitch) and/or a long-term rating of investment grade (BBB- or higher) by two NRSROs and cannot be rated lower than prime/investment grade by any NRSRO, or if unrated, determined to be of similar quality.   The fixed income portion of the Fund’s portfolio will be invested without restriction as to individual security maturity, but the average duration (a measure of interest rate risk similar to maturity) of the fixed income portfolio will not exceed 5 years.  The Fund’s Advisor delegates management of the Fund’s Fixed Income strategy portfolio to the Sub-Adviser.


Sub-Adviser’s Investment Process .  The Sub-Adviser focuses on meeting the Fund’s absolute return objective by structuring a customized portfolio that meets the Fund’s investment and liquidity needs.  The Sub-Adviser will structure a customized portfolio by applying fundamental yield curve and interest rate analysis to the Fund’s unique cash flow needs, investment parameters and risk/return objectives. The Sub-Adviser will select fixed income securities using a combination of (1) sector rotation, (2) yield curve analysis and duration management and (3) security structure strategies that it believes will enhance the Fund’s returns, while operating within the agreed upon investment parameters specified by the Fund.


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Sector rotation focuses on identifying relative value between different sectors in the fixed income universe.   

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Yield curve analysis and duration management focus on selecting securities that maintain the liquidity portion required by the Fund while meeting the needs for longer-term returns.

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Security structure focuses on identifying specific securities that offer the highest yield while analyzing interest rate volatility.


The Sub-Adviser seeks to provide ample liquidity and optimum yield.  The Sub-Adviser will use its best endeavors in the management of the assets of the Fund but provides no guarantee that any profit or interest will accrue to the Fund as a result of such management.


Principal Risks


Before investing in the Fund, you should carefully consider your own investment goals, the amount of time you are willing to leave your money invested and the amount of risk you are willing to take.   Remember that in addition to possibly not achieving your investment goals, you could lose money by investing in the Fund.  The value of your investment in the Fund will go up and down with the prices of the securities in which the Fund invests.  The principal risks of investing in the Fund are:

Commodity Risk:   The Fund’s exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities.  The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments, commodity-based exchange traded trusts and commodity-based exchange traded funds and notes may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or sectors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs, and international economic, political and regulatory developments.  Commodity interest contracts are typically traded on margin.  This means that a small amount of capital can be used to invest in contracts of much greater total value.  The resulting leverage means that a relatively small change in the market price of a contract can produce a substantial loss.  Like other leveraged investments, any purchase or sale of a contract may result in losses in excess of the amount invested in that contract.  The Subsidiary may lose more than its initial margin deposits on a trade.


Forward and Futures Contract Risk: The successful use of forward and futures contracts draws upon the Advisor’s skill and experience with respect to such instruments and are subject to special risk considerations. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the forward or futures contract; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a forward or futures contract and the resulting inability to close a forward or futures contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (d) the Advisor’s inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; (e) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations; and (f) if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements, and the Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.


Options Risk:  The Fund may indirectly invest in options on futures contracts, forward contracts or commodities to generate premium income or speculative gains.  Options involve risks similar to futures, because options are subject to sudden price movements and are highly leveraged, in that payment of a relatively small purchase price, called a premium, gives the buyer the right to acquire an underlying futures contract, forward contract or commodity that has a face value substantially greater than the premium paid.  The buyer of an option risks losing the entire purchase price of the option.  The writer, or seller, of an option risks losing the difference between the purchase price received for the option and the price of the futures contract, forward contract or commodity underlying the option that the writer must purchase or deliver upon exercise of the option.  There is no limit on the potential loss.  Specific market movements of the futures contracts, forward contracts or commodities underlying an option cannot accurately be predicted.


Credit Risk:   There is a risk that issuers and counterparties will not make payments on securities and other investments held by the Fund, resulting in losses to the Fund.  In addition, the credit quality of securities held by the Fund may be lowered if an issuer’s financial condition changes.  Lower credit quality may lead to greater volatility in the price of a security and in shares of the Fund.  Lower credit quality also may affect liquidity and make it difficult for the Fund to sell the security.  Default, or the market’s perception that an issuer is likely to default, could reduce the value and liquidity of securities held by the Fund, thereby reducing the value of your investment in Fund shares.  In addition, default may cause the Fund to incur expenses in seeking recovery of principal or interest on its portfolio holdings.  Credit risk also exists whenever the Fund enters into a foreign exchange or derivative contract, because the counterparty may not be able or may choose not to perform under the contract.  When the Fund invests in foreign currency contracts, or other over-the-counter derivative instruments (including options), it is assuming a credit risk with regard to the party with which it trades and also bears the risk of settlement default.  These risks may differ materially from risks associated with transactions effected on an exchange, which generally are backed by clearing organization guarantees, daily mark-to-market and settlement, segregation and minimum capital requirements applicable to intermediaries.  Transactions entered into directly between two counterparties generally do not benefit from such protections.  Relying on a counterparty exposes the Fund to the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with its terms and conditions because of a dispute over the terms of the contract (whether or not bona fide) or because of a credit or liquidity problem, thus causing the Fund to suffer a loss.  If a counterparty defaults on its payment obligations to the Fund, this default will cause the value of an investment in the Fund to decrease.  In addition, to the extent the Fund deals with a limited number of counterparties, it will be more susceptible to the credit risks associated with those counterparties.  The Fund is neither restricted from dealing with any particular counterparty nor from concentrating any or all of its transactions with one counterparty.  The ability of the Fund to transact business with any one or number of counterparties and the absence of a regulated market to facilitate settlement may increase the potential for losses by the Fund.

Derivatives Risk:   The Fund may use derivatives (including commodity futures , options on futures , swap agreements and structured notes ) to gain exposure to commodities, enhance returns or hedge against market declines.  The Fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments.  These risks include (i) the risk that the counterparty to a derivative transaction may not fulfill its contractual obligations; (ii) risk of mispricing or improper valuation; and (iii) the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index.  Derivative prices are highly volatile and may fluctuate substantially during a short period of time.  Such prices are influenced by numerous factors that affect the markets, including, but not limited to: changing supply and demand relationships; government programs and policies; national and international political and economic events, changes in interest rates, inflation and deflation and changes in supply and demand relationships.  Trading derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities.  Derivative contracts ordinarily have leverage inherent in their terms.  The low margin deposits normally required in trading derivatives, including futures contracts, permit a high degree of leverage.  Accordingly, a relatively small price movement may result in an immediate and substantial loss to the Fund.  Because option premiums paid or received by the Fund are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying and selling put and call options can be more speculative than investing directly in securities.  The value of a commodity-linked derivative investment typically is based upon the price movements of a physical commodity (such as heating oil, livestock, or agricultural products), a commodity futures contract or commodity index, or some other readily measurable economic variable dependent upon changes in the value of commodities or the commodities markets. The value of these securities will rise or fall in response to changes in the underlying commodity or related benchmark or investment. These securities expose the Fund economically to movements in commodity prices.

Fixed Income Risk:   When the Fund invests in fixed income securities or derivatives, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates.  Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities or derivatives owned by the Fund.  In general, the market price of debt securities with longer maturities will increase or decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities.  Other risk factors include credit risk (the debtor may default) and prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments).  These risks could affect the value of a particular investment by the Fund possibly causing the Fund’s share price and total return to be reduced and fluctuate more than other types of investments.

Structured Notes Risk:  Structured notes involve risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with traditional investments. These risks include (i) the risk that the issuer may default; (ii) risk of mispricing or improper valuation; and (iii) the risk that changes in the value of the note may not correlate perfectly with the underlying assets, rate or index. Structured note prices may be highly volatile and may fluctuate substantially during a short period of time.  Such prices are influenced by numerous factors that affect the markets, including, but not limited to: changing supply and demand relationships; government programs and policies; national and international political and economic events, changes in interest rates, inflation and deflation and changes in supply and demand relationships.  Trading structured notes involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing traditional securities including:

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Leverage and Volatility Risk:  Structured notes ordinarily have leverage inherent in their terms.  Accordingly, a relatively small movement in an index to which structured note is linked may result in an immediate and substantial loss.  

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Liquidity Risk:  Although it is anticipated that the structured notes will be actively traded, it is possible that particular investments might be difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the Fund from executing positions at an advantageous time or price, or possibly requiring them to dispose of other investments at unfavorable times or prices in order to satisfy their obligations.  

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Tracking Risk:  Structured notes may not be perfect substitutes for the securities, commodities or currencies they are intended to track.  Factors such as differences in supply and demand for certain structured note-related derivatives and indices may cause structured note returns to deviate from the adviser's expectations.  Consequently, structured note returns may not be highly correlated to the securities commodities or currencies they are intended to track.

 

ABS Risk:  ABS are subject to credit risk because underlying loan borrowers or obligors may default.  Because ABS are typically backed by consumer loans, their default rates tend to be sensitive to the unemployment rate and overall economic conditions.  Certain individual securities may be more sensitive to default rates because payments may be subordinated to other securities of the same issuer.  Additionally, ABS are subject to prepayment risk because the underlying loans held by the issuers may be paid off prior to maturity.  The value of these securities may go down as a result of changes in prepayment rates on the underlying mortgages or loans.  During periods of declining interest rates, prepayment rates usually increases and the Fund may have to reinvest prepayment proceeds at a lower interest rate.

Foreign Investment Risk.   To the extent that the Fund makes foreign investments, your investment is subject to certain risks that may not apply to U.S. investments.  These include risks relating to political, social and economic developments abroad and differences between U.S. and foreign regulatory requirements and market practices.  Securities that are denominated in foreign currencies are subject to the further risk that the value of the foreign currency will fall in relation to the U.S. dollar and/or will be affected by volatile currency markets or actions of U.S. and foreign governments or central banks.  In addition to developed markets, the Fund’s foreign investments may include investments in securities of companies in emerging markets, which are markets of countries in the initial stages of industrialization and that generally have low per capita income.  In addition to the risks of foreign investments in general, countries in emerging markets are generally more volatile and can have relatively unstable governments, social and legal systems that do not protect shareholders, economies based on only a few industries and securities markets that trade a small number of issues.

Foreign Exchanges Risk:   A portion of the derivatives trades made by the Fund may take place on foreign markets.  Neither existing CFTC regulations nor regulations of any other U.S. governmental agency apply to transactions on foreign markets.  Some of these foreign markets, in contrast to U.S. exchanges, are so-called principals’ markets in which performance is the responsibility only of the individual counterparty with whom the trader has entered into a commodity interest transaction and not of the exchange or clearing corporation. In these kinds of markets, there is risk of bankruptcy or other failure or refusal to perform by the counterparty.

Issuer-Specific Risk:   The value of a specific security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole.  The value of securities of smaller issuers can be more volatile than those of larger issuers.  The value of certain types of securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments.  The value of the Fund’s investment will be dependent on the success of the managed futures strategies used by the Advisor.

Leverage Risk:   Using derivatives like commodity futures and options to increase the Fund’s combined long and short position exposure creates leverage, which can amplify the effects of market volatility on the Fund’s share price and make the Fund’s returns more volatile.  The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it would not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its obligations.  The use of leverage may also cause the Fund to have higher expenses than those of mutual funds that do not use such techniques.

Limited History of Operations:   The Fund is a new mutual fund and has a limited history of operation.  In addition, the Advisor has not previously managed a mutual fund.  Mutual funds and their advisors are subject to restrictions and limitations imposed by the 1940 Act and the Code that do not apply to an advisor’s management of individual and institutional accounts.  As a result, investors cannot judge the Advisor by a mutual fund-specific track record and it may not achieve its intended result in managing the Fund.

Liquidity Risk :  The Fund is subject to liquidity risk.  Liquidity risk exists when particular investments of the Fund would be difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the Fund from selling such illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price, or possibly requiring the Fund to dispose of other investments at unfavorable times or prices in order to satisfy its obligations.  Funds with principal investment strategies that involve securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations, non-U.S. securities, Rule 144A securities, derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk.

Management Risk:   The net asset value of the Fund changes daily based on the performance of the securities and derivatives (including commodity futures and options) in which it invests.  The Advisor’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular securities and derivatives in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results.  The Fund’s profitability will also depend upon the ability of the Advisor to allocate successfully the assets of the Fund’s wholly owned Subsidiary among securities that employ managed futures strategies profitably and the Advisor’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation the fixed income securities in which the Fund will invest.  There can be no assurance that any of the securities or derivatives selected by the Advisor will produce positive returns.

Market Risk:   The net asset value of the Fund will fluctuate based on changes in the value of the securities and derivatives in which the Fund invests.  The Fund invests in securities and derivatives, which may be more volatile and carry more risk than some other forms of investment.  The price of securities and derivatives may rise or fall because of economic or political changes.  Security and derivative prices in general may decline over short or even extended periods of time.  Market prices of securities and derivatives in broad market segments may be adversely affected by price trends in commodities, interest rates, exchange rates or other factors wholly unrelated to the value or condition of an issuer.

Non-Diversified Portfolio Risk . The Fund is “non-diversified,” meaning that may invest its assets in a smaller number of companies or instruments than many other funds. As a result, your investment in the Fund has the risk that changes in the value of a single investment may have a significant effect on the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”). Lack of broad diversification also may cause the Fund to be more susceptible to specific economic, political or regulatory events than a diversified fund. Although the Fund intends to satisfy the diversification requirements of a regulated investment company under section 851 of the Internal Revenue Code, those requirements are not as stringent as those required of a diversified fund under the 1940 Act.

Short Position Risk :  The Fund’s long positions could decline in value at the same time that the value of the short positions increase, thereby increasing the Fund’s overall potential for loss.  The Fund’s short positions may result in a loss if the price of the short position instruments rise and it costs more to replace the short positions.  In contrast to the Fund’s long positions, for which the risk of loss is typically limited to the amount invested, the potential loss on the Fund’s short positions is unlimited; however, the Fund will be in compliance with Section 18(f) of the 1940 Act, to ensure that a Fund shareholder will not lose more than the amount invested in the Fund.  Market factors may prevent the Fund from closing out a short position at the most desirable time or at a favorable price.

Regulatory Change Risk:   The Advisor has filed with the National Futures Association a notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” or “CPO” under Section 4.5 of regulations of the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, with respect to the Fund’s operation.  Recently, the CFTC amended Section 4.5 in such a way that the Advisor will no longer be allowed to claim this exclusion. Subject to the availability of another exemption, both the Fund and the Subsidiary will be required to comply with certain CFTC regulations regarding disclosure, reporting and recordkeeping in the future, although the CFTC has not yet finalized the rule explaining the exact nature of the additional requirements applicable to registered investment companies like the Fund.  Compliance with such requirements will likely increase the costs associated with an investment in the Fund.  Compliance with the CFTC amendments with respect to the Adviser’s registration as a CPO is required by the later of December 31, 2012 or 60 days after the effective date of the CFTC’s final rulemaking further defining the term “swap.”  Compliance with the additional recordkeeping, reporting and disclosure obligations will be required within 60 days following the effective date of a final rule explaining such requirements.

Tax Risk:  The Fund’s short sales and transactions in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward contracts and swap contracts will be subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, wash sale and short sale rules) the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund’s securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains or convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses.  These rules could, therefore, affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to the Fund’s shareholders.  The Fund’s use of such transactions may result in the Fund realizing more short-term capital gains (subject to tax at ordinary income tax rates) and ordinary income subject to tax at ordinary income tax rates than it would if it did not engage in such transactions.  Additionally, while investing in commodities indirectly through the Subsidiary will permit the Fund to obtain exposure to the commodities markets, because the Subsidiary is a controlled foreign corporation for federal income tax purposes, any income received from its investments will be passed through to the Fund as ordinary income, which may be taxed at less favorable rates than capital gains..  The Subsidiary is expected to provide the Fund with exposure to the commodities markets within the current limitations of the federal tax requirements of Subchapter M of the Code.  Sub-chapter M requires, among other things, that at least 90% of the Fund’s income be derived from securities or derived with respect to its business of investing in securities (typically referred to as “qualifying income”).  The Fund will make investments in certain commodity-linked derivatives through the Subsidiary because income from these derivatives is not treated as “qualifying income” for purposes of the 90% income requirement if the Fund invests in the derivative directly.  The IRS has issued a number of private letter rulings to other mutual funds (unrelated to the Fund), which indicate that certain income from a fund’s investment in a wholly-owned foreign subsidiary will constitute “qualifying income” for purposes of Subchapter M.  Because a private letter ruling applies only to the taxpayer to whom it is issued, the Fund is not entitled to rely upon the private letter rulings issued to other mutual funds.  However, the Fund believes that these rulings evidence the current view of the IRS with respect to the current state of the law, consistently applied to a number of similarly situated mutual funds.  Accordingly, the Fund intends to treat the income derived from its investment in the Subsidiary as “qualifying income” for purposes of Subchapter M.  The Fund does not intend to request a private letter ruling from the IRS, and the IRS has suspended issuance of any further private letter rulings of this type pending a review of its position.  If, as a result of this review the IRS were to change its position with respect to the conclusions reached in these private letter rulings (which change in position might be applied to the Fund retroactively), the income from the Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary might not be qualifying income, and the Fund might not qualify as a regulated investment company for one or more years.  In such event, the Fund’s Board of Trustees would consider what action to take in the best interests of shareholders.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary Risk:   The Subsidiary will not be registered under the 1940 Act and, unless otherwise noted in this Prospectus, will not be subject to all of the investor protections of the 1940 Act.  The Advisor has filed with the National Futures Association a notice claiming an exemption from registration as a CPO pursuant to Section 4.13(a)(4) of regulations of the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, with respect to the Subsidiary’s operation.  Recently, the CFTC has rescinded the exemption available under Section 4.13(a)(4), effective as of April 24, 2012. CPOs, such as the Advisor, that have claimed relief under Regulation 4.13(a)(4) prior to that date will have until December 31, 2012 to comply with the rescission. It is anticipated that after December 31, 2012, the CPO will be eligible for relief relating to CFTC disclosure and reporting requirements pursuant to certain exemptions that are currently available to commodity pools, such as the Subsidiary, that are operated by a CPO that is the same as, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the CPO of an offered pool (such as the Fund).


The Fund, by investing in the Subsidiary, will not have all of the protections offered to investors in registered investment companies.  However, the Fund wholly owns and controls the Subsidiary.  The investments of the Fund and Subsidiary are both managed by the Advisor, making it unlikely that the Subsidiary will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund or its shareholders.  The Board of Trustees has oversight responsibility for the investment activities of the Fund, including its investment in the Subsidiary, and the Fund’s role as the sole shareholder of the Subsidiary.  Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands, under which the Fund and Subsidiary, respectively, are organized, could result in the inability of the Fund and/or Subsidiary to operate as described in this Prospectus and could negatively affect the Fund and its shareholders.  For example, the Cayman Islands does not currently impose any income, corporate or capital gains tax, estate duty, inheritance tax, gift tax or withholding tax on the Subsidiary.  If Cayman Islands law changes such that the Subsidiary must pay Cayman Islands taxes, Fund shareholders would likely suffer decreased investment returns.


Volatility Risk:  The Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time.  This may cause the Fund’s net asset value per share to experience significant appreciations or decreases in value over short periods of time.

High Portfolio Turnover Risk:  In accordance with industry practice, derivative instruments and instruments with a maturity of one year or less at the time of acquisition are excluded from the calculation of the portfolio turnover rate, resulting in an expected portfolio turnover rate of 0% for the Fund.  However, if these instruments were included in the calculation, the Fund’s strategy would result in frequent portfolio trading and a high portfolio turnover rate (typically greater than 300%).  By investing on a shorter-term basis, the Subsidiary may trade more frequently and incur higher levels of brokerage fees and commissions, and cause higher levels of current tax liabilities to shareholders in the Fund.

Interest Rate Risk:  The 1940 Act dictates that only 25% of the Fund’s assets can be invested in the Subsidiary in order to gain exposure to commodities.  As a result, a significant portion of the Fund’s assets will be invested in short-term interest rate instruments or securities to increase returns.  If interest rates increase, the Fund may earn interest at rates below prevailing market rates.

Portfolio Holdings Information

A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings is available in the Fund’s SAI.  


Management of the Fund


The Advisor

The Fund has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement (“Advisory Agreement”) with Longboard Asset Management, LLC, located at 4725 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 110, Scottsdale, Arizona 85251, under which the Advisor manages the Fund’s investments subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees.  


Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor a unitary management fee for the services and facilities it provides at the annual rate of 2.99% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The unitary management fee is paid on a monthly basis. The initial term of the Advisory Agreement is two years. The Board of Trustees, shareholders of the Fund or the Advisor may terminate the Advisory Agreement upon sixty (60) days notice.


Out of the unitary management fee, the Advisor pays substantially all expenses of the Fund, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services, except for interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business. The Advisor’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all the Fund’s expenses and to compensate the Advisor for providing services for the Fund.  Acquired fund fees, expenses related to investments in short positions, interest expenses, and dividends, if any, will be borne by the Fund and will not be included in the unitary management fee.


A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Advisory Agreement will be available in the Fund’s first annual or semi-annual report to shareholders.


Advisor Portfolio Managers


Cole Wilcox – Partner, Chief Executive Officer


Cole Wilcox is a Founding Partner at Longboard Asset Management, where he is responsible for all trading and strategy allocation. Prior to Longboard, Mr. Wilcox was Founder and Managing Partner at Blackstar Funds, LLC for eight years. There Mr. Wilcox was responsible for the firm’s portfolio allocation strategy to external global macro and managed futures hedge funds. Prior to Blackstar, Mr. Wilcox was a discretionary Portfolio Manager at Lindzon & Associates, a multi-strategy hedge fund sponsor, where he ran a discretionary trading book and developed the firm’s external hedge fund allocation strategy.

 

Along with Mr. Crittenden, Mr. Wilcox is co-author of several published and recognized research papers, including “The Capitalism Distribution” and “Does Trend Following Work on Stocks?” Wilcox and Crittenden’s research has been featured in several bestselling books and they are profiled alongside other leading quantitative global macro hedge funds in the “The Little Book of Trading” published by Wiley.


Eric Crittenden – Partner, Director of Research

 

Eric Crittenden is a Founding Partner responsible for managing all research, risk quantification and trading operations at Longboard Asset Management.  Mr. Crittenden has 12 years of quantitative research and trading experience. Prior to Longboard, Mr. Crittenden was a Principal in Blackstar Funds, LLC and Director of Research. There he developed a proprietary database encompassing the entire historical investible universe of U.S. listed equities as well as global stock index, commodity, currency and interest rate futures. 

 
Mr. Crittenden managed the software development of the firm’s proprietary research and trading platform— the first of its kind to translate techniques used in the managed futures sector to individual equities. It has successfully operated since 2005.  He also created capital allocation systems and risk management models that integrate straight through processing of signal generation with optimal risk allocation.


Jason Klatt – Director of Trading Operations

 

Jason Klatt assists in the testing and development of the firm’s trading strategies. Mr. Klatt has 10 years of data modeling experience and is proficient in multiple programming languages and software platforms including MATLAB and the firm’s proprietary research platform. Prior to joining Longboard, he worked as an electrical power quality consultant for industrial and commercial energy users. He designed and implemented innovative solutions to help businesses lower their electrical costs and protect their electronic equipment assets.  


The Sub-Adviser

Horizon Cash Management LLC, with its principal place of business located at 325 W. Huron, Suite 808, Chicago, IL 60654, serves as Sub-Adviser to the Fund. Subject to the authority of the Board of Trustees and oversight by the Advisor, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for management of the Fund’s fixed income investment portfolio according to the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions. Pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement between the Advisor and Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser is entitled to receive, on a monthly basis, an annual sub-advisory fee on the fixed income portion of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed daily, equal to 0.15% on the first $100 million, 0.12% on the second $150 million, and 0.10% on any amount greater than $250 million. The Sub-Adviser is paid by the Advisor, not the Fund. The Sub-Adviser was established in 1991 for the purpose of advising institutional investors. As of December 31, 2011 it had over $2.5 billion in assets under management.


Sub-Adviser Portfolio Manager


Jill King – Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager


Ms. King joined the Sub-Adviser in 2005 and directs the Sub-Adviser’s investment management operation, overseeing several portfolio managers and the firm's portfolio analyst. With more than 18 years trading and marketing fixed income securities, Ms. King is experienced in all sectors of the fixed income universe, including U.S. Treasury and Agencies issues, high grade corporate bonds, high yield and emerging market debt.  Before joining the Sub-Adviser in 2005, Ms. King served as managing director at Melvin Securities, where she managed the firm's investment banking effort and directed the fixed income sales, trading and syndicate department. Prior to that, she served 13 years at First Union Securities, where she established and managed the Emerging Market desk and was a key member of the high yield trading team.


The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers’ compensation structure, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, and the Portfolio Managers’ ownership of shares of the Fund.

 

Investment Subsidiary

The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary will invest the majority of its assets in futures and options on futures.  The Subsidiary is organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and is overseen by its own board of directors. The Fund is the sole shareholder of the Subsidiary. It is not currently expected that shares of the Subsidiary will be sold or offered to other investors.


As with the Fund, the Advisor is responsible for the Subsidiary’s day-to-day business pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Subsidiary. Under this agreement, the Advisor provides the Subsidiary with the same type of management services, under the same terms, as are provided to the Fund. The Subsidiary has also entered into separate contracts for the provision of custody, transfer agency, and audit services with the same service providers that provide those services to the Fund.


The Subsidiary will be managed pursuant to compliance policies and procedures that are the same, in all material respects, as the policies and procedures adopted by the Fund.  As a result, the Advisor is subject to the same investment policies and restrictions that apply to the management of the Fund, and, in particular, to the requirements relating to portfolio leverage, liquidity, brokerage, and the timing and method of the valuation of the Subsidiary’s portfolio investments.  These policies and restrictions are described in detail in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).  The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer oversees implementation of the Subsidiary’s policies and procedures and makes periodic reports to the Fund’s Board regarding the Subsidiary’s compliance with its policies and procedures.

The financial statements of the Subsidiary will be consolidated in the Fund’s financial statements which are included in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports. The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports are distributed to shareholders, and copies of the reports are provided without charge upon request as indicated on the back cover of this Prospectus. Please refer to the SAI for additional information about the organization and management of the Subsidiary.


Shareholder Information


Choosing a Share Class

Description of Classes.   The Trust has adopted a multiple class plan that allows the Fund to offer one or more classes of shares.  The Fund has registered four classes of shares – Class A shares, Class C shares, Class I shares and Class N shares.  The different classes of shares represent investments in the same portfolio of securities, but the classes are subject to different expenses and may have different share prices as outlined below:


·

Class A shares are charged a front-end sales load.  The Class A shares are also charged a 0.25% Rule 12b-1 distribution and servicing fee.  Class A shares do not have a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) except that a charge of 1.00% applies to certain redemptions made within twelve months, following purchases of $1 million or more without an initial sales charge.


·

Class C shares are sold without an initial sales charge, but are subject to a 1.00% Rule 12b-1 distribution and servicing fee.


·

Class I shares are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge.  This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund.


·

Class N shares are sold without an initial sales charge, but are subject to a 0.25% Rule 12b-1 distribution and servicing fee.


Each class of shares is subject to a redemption fee equal to 1.00%.


More About Class A Shares

Class A shares are offered at their public offering price, which is NAV plus the applicable sales charge and is subject to 12b-1 distribution fees of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class A shares.  The minimum initial investment in Class A shares of the Fund is $2,500.  The minimum subsequent investment in Class A shares of the Fund is $250 for all other accounts. The sales charge varies, depending on how much you invest.  There are no sales charges on reinvested distributions.  The Fund reserves the right to waive sales charges at its discretion.  The following sales charges apply to your purchases of Class A shares of the Fund:


Amount of Transaction

Sales Charge as % of Public Offering Price (1)

Sales Charge as % of Net Amount Invested

Dealer Reallowance as a Percentage of Public Offering Price

Less than $25,000

5.75%

6.10%

5.00%

$25,000 but less than $50,000

4.75%

4.99%

4.24%

$50,000 but less than $100,000

4.50%

4.71%

4.00%

$100,000 but less than $250,000

3.50%

3.63%

3.25%

$250,000 but less than $500,000

2.25%

2.30%

2.00%

$500,000 but less than $1,000,000

1.75%

1.78%

1.50%

$1,000,000 or more (2)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

(1)

Offering price includes the front-end sales load.  The sales charge you pay may differ slightly from the amount set forth above because of rounding that occurs in the calculation used to determine your sales charge.

(2)

Class A shares do not have a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) except that a charge of 1.00% applies to certain redemptions made within twelve months, following purchases of $1 million or more without an initial sales charge.


Reducing Your Sales Charge

You may be eligible to purchase Class A shares at a reduced sales charge. To qualify for these reductions, you must notify the Fund’s distributor, Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the “distributor”), in writing and supply your account number at the time of purchase.  You may combine your purchase with those of your “immediate family” (your spouse and your children under the age of 21) for purposes of determining eligibility.  If applicable, you will need to provide the account numbers of your spouse and your minor children as well as the ages of your minor children .


Letter of Intent. Under a Letter of Intent (“LOI”), you commit to purchase a specified dollar amount of Class A shares of the Fund, with a minimum of $50,000, during a 13-month period. At your written request, Class A shares purchases made during the previous 90 days may be included.  The amount you agree to purchase determines the initial sales charge you pay.  If the full-face amount of the LOI is not invested by the end of the 13-month period, your account will be adjusted to the higher initial sales charge level for the amount actually invested.  You are not legally bound by the terms of your LOI to purchase the amount of your shares stated in the LOI.  The LOI does, however, authorize the Fund to hold in escrow 5% of the total amount you intend to purchase.  If you do not complete the total intended purchase at the end of the 13 month period, the Fund’s transfer agent will redeem the necessary portion of the escrowed shares to make up the difference between the reduced rate sales charge (based on the amount you intended to purchase) and the sales charge that would normally apply (based on the actual amount you purchased).


Rights of Accumulation. To qualify for the lower sales charge rates that apply to larger purchases of Class A shares, you may combine your new purchases of Class A shares with Class A shares of the Fund that you already own. The applicable initial sales charge for the new purchase is based on the total of your current purchase and the current value of all other Class A shares that you own. The reduced sales charge will apply only to current purchases and must be requested in writing when you buy your shares.

Shares of the Fund held as follows cannot be combined with your current purchase for purposes of reduced sales charges:

·

Shares held indirectly through financial intermediaries other than your current purchase broker-dealer (for example, a different broker-dealer, a bank, a separate insurance company account or an investment advisor);

·

Shares held through an administrator or trustee/custodian of an Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (for example, a 401(k) plan) other than employer-sponsored IRAs;

·

Shares held directly in the Fund account on which the broker-dealer (financial advisor) of record is different than your current purchase broker-dealer.


Waiving Your Class A Sales Charge

The sales charge on purchases of Class A shares is waived for certain types of investors, including:

·

Current and retired directors and officers of the Fund sponsored by the Advisor or any of its subsidiaries, their families ( e.g. , spouse, children, mother or father) and any purchases referred through the Advisor.

·

Employees of the Advisor and their families, or any full-time employee or registered representative of the distributor or of broker-dealers having dealer agreements with the distributor (a “Selling Broker”) and their immediate families (or any trust, pension, profit sharing or other benefit plan for the benefit of such persons).

·

Any full-time employee of a bank, savings and loan, credit union or other financial institution that utilizes a Selling Broker to clear purchases of the fund’s shares and their immediate families.

·

Participants in certain “wrap-fee” or asset allocation programs or other fee-based arrangements sponsored by broker-dealers and other financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the distributor.

·

Clients of financial intermediaries that have entered into arrangements with the distributor providing for the shares to be used in particular investment products made available to such clients and for which such registered investment advisors may charge a separate fee.

·

Institutional investors (which may include bank trust departments and registered investment advisors).

·

Any accounts established on behalf of registered investment advisors or their clients by broker-dealers that charge a transaction fee and that have entered into agreements with the distributor.

·

Separate accounts used to fund certain unregistered variable annuity contracts or Section 403(b) or 401(a) or (k) accounts.

·

Employer-sponsored retirement or benefit plans with total plan assets in excess of $5 million where the plan’s investments in the Fund are part of an omnibus account. A minimum initial investment of $1 million in the Fund is required. The distributor in its sole discretion may waive these minimum dollar requirements.


The Fund does not waive sales charges for the reinvestment of proceeds from the sale of shares of a different fund where those shares were subject to a front-end sales charge (sometimes called an “NAV transfer”).


The Fund also reserves the right to enter into agreements that reduce or eliminate sales charges for groups or classes of shareholders, or for Fund shares included in other investment plans such as “wrap accounts.”  If you own Fund shares as part of another account or package, such as an IRA or a sweep account, you should read the terms and conditions that apply for that account.  Those terms and conditions may supersede the terms and conditions discussed here.  Contact your selling agent for further information.


Further information regarding the Fund’s sales charges, breakpoints and waivers is available free of charge upon request.


More About Class C Shares

Class C shares of the Fund are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge.  This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund.  Class C shares pay up to 1.00% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets as reimbursement or compensation for service and distribution-related activities with respect to the Fund and/or shareholder services.  Over time, fees paid under this distribution and service plan will increase the cost of a Class C shareholder’s investment and may cost more than other types of sales charges. The minimum initial investment in Class C shares of the Fund is $1,000.  The minimum subsequent investment in Class C shares of the Fund is $100.


More About Class I Shares

Class I shares may be purchased without the imposition of any sales charges.  The Fund offers Class I shares primarily for direct investment by investors such as pension and profit-sharing plans, employee benefit trusts, endowments, foundations, corporations and high net worth individuals.  Class I shares may also be offered through certain financial intermediaries (including broker-dealers) and their agents in fee based and other programs.  In these programs financial intermediaries have made arrangements with the Fund and are authorized to buy and sell shares of the Fund that charge their customers transaction or other distribution or service fees with respect to their customers’ investments in the Fund.  Class I shares are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge, and are not subject to 12b-1 distribution fees.  The minimum initial investment in Class I shares of the Fund is $500,000.  The minimum subsequent investment in Class I shares of the Fund is $10,000.


More About Class N Shares

Class N shares of the Fund are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge.  This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund.  Class N shares pay up to 0.25% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets as reimbursement or compensation for service and distribution-related activities with respect to the Fund and/or shareholder services.  Over time, fees paid under this distribution and service plan will increase the cost of a Class N shareholder’s investment and may cost more than other types of sales charges.  The minimum initial investment in Class N shares of the Fund is $2,500.  The minimum subsequent investment in Class N shares of the Fund is $100.


Share Price

The net asset value (“NAV”) and offering price (NAV plus any applicable sales charges) of each class of shares is determined at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for business.  NAV is computed by determining, on a per class basis, the aggregate market value of all assets of the Fund, less its liabilities, divided by the total number of shares outstanding ((assets-liabilities)/number of shares = NAV).  The NYSE is closed on weekends and New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The NAV takes into account, on a per class basis, the expenses and fees of the Fund, including management, administration, and distribution fees, which are accrued daily. The determination of NAV for a share class for a particular day is applicable to all applications for the purchase of shares, as well as all requests for the redemption of shares, received by the Fund (or an authorized broker or agent, or its authorized designee) before the close of trading on the NYSE on that day.


Generally, the Fund’s securities are valued each day at the last quoted sales price on each security’s primary exchange. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges (whether domestic or foreign) for which market quotations are readily available and not subject to restrictions against resale shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, in the absence of a sale on the primary exchange, at the last bid on the primary exchange. Securities primarily traded in the National Association of Securities Dealers’ Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price.  If market quotations are not readily available, securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined in good faith by the Advisor in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and evaluated by the Board as to the reliability of the fair value method used.  In these cases, the Fund’s NAV will reflect certain portfolio securities’ fair value rather than their market price.  Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security is materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security. The fair value prices can differ from market prices when they become available or when a price becomes available.


The Fund may use independent pricing services to assist in calculating the value of the Fund’s securities.  In addition, market prices for foreign securities are not determined at the same time of day as the NAV for the Fund. Because the Fund may invest in securities primarily listed on foreign exchanges, and these exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when the Fund does not price its shares, the value of some of the Fund’s portfolio securities may change on days when you may not be able to buy or sell Fund shares.  In computing the NAV, the Fund values foreign securities held by the Fund at the latest closing price on the exchange in which they are traded immediately prior to closing of the NYSE.  Prices of foreign securities quoted in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at current rates.  If events materially affecting the value of a security in the Fund’s portfolio, particularly foreign securities, occur after the close of trading on a foreign market but before the Fund prices its shares, the security will be valued at fair value.  For example, if trading in a portfolio security is halted and does not resume before the Fund calculates its NAV, the Advisor may need to price the security using the Fund’s fair value pricing guidelines. Without a fair value price, short-term traders could take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity and dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Fair valuation of the Fund’s portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that fair value pricing policies will prevent dilution of the Fund’s NAV by short term traders.  The determination of fair value involves subjective judgments.  As a result, using fair value to price a security may result in a price materially different from the prices used by other mutual funds to determine net asset value, or from the price that may be realized upon the actual sale of the security.


With respect to any portion of the Fund’s assets that are invested in one or more open-end management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, the Fund’s net asset value is calculated based upon the net asset values of those open-end management investment companies, and the prospectuses for these companies explain the circumstances under which those companies will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.


How to Purchase Shares

The Fund offers four classes of shares so that you can choose the class that best suits your investment needs: Class A, Class C, Class I and Class N shares.  The main differences between each class are sales charges and ongoing fees. In choosing which class of shares to purchase, you should consider which will be most beneficial to you given your investment goals, the amount of your purchase and the length of time you expect to hold the shares. Each class of shares in the Fund represents an interest in the same portfolio of investments in the Fund.   Not all share classes may be available for purchase in all states.


Purchase by Mail.   To purchase the Fund’s shares by mail, simply complete and sign the Account Application and mail it, along with a check made payable to “Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund” to:


Regular or Overnight Mail

Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

4020 South 147 th Street, Suite 2

Omaha, NE 68137


Purchase through Brokers. You may invest in the Fund through brokers or agents who have entered into selling agreements with the Fund’s distributor. The brokers and agents are authorized to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Fund. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker or its designee receives the order. The broker or agent may set their own initial and subsequent investment minimums. You may be charged a fee if you use a broker or agent to buy or redeem shares of the Fund. Finally, various servicing agents use procedures and impose restrictions that may be in addition to, or different from those applicable to investors purchasing shares directly from the Fund. You should carefully read the program materials provided to you by your servicing agent.


Purchase by Wire.   If you wish to wire money to make an investment in the Fund, please call the Fund at 855-294-7540 for wiring instructions and to notify the Fund that a wire transfer is coming.  Any commercial bank can transfer same-day funds via wire. The Fund will normally accept wired funds for investment on the day received if they are received by the Fund’s designated bank before the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Your bank may charge you a fee for wiring same-day funds.


Automatic Investment Plan.  You may participate in the Fund’s Automatic Investment Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money from your bank account and invests it in the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers or automatic bank drafts.  You may elect to make subsequent investments by transfers of a minimum of $100 on specified days of each month into your established Fund account.  Please contact the Fund at 855-294-7540 for more information about the Fund’s Automatic Investment Plan.  Minimum initial investment requirements may be waived for Automatic Investment Plan investors, at the Fund’s discretion.  


The Fund, however, reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any application to purchase shares.  Applications will not be accepted unless they are accompanied by a check drawn on a U.S. bank, thrift institutions, or credit union in U.S. funds for the full amount of the shares to be purchased.  After you open an account, you may purchase additional shares by sending a check together with written instructions stating the name(s) on the account and the account number, to the above address.  Make all checks payable to “Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund.”  The Fund will accept payment in cash, including cashier’s checks or money orders.  Also, to prevent check fraud, the Fund will not accept third party checks, U.S. Treasury checks, credit card checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares.


Note:   Gemini Fund Services, LLC, the Fund’s transfer agent, will charge a $25 fee against a shareholder’s account, in addition to any loss sustained by the Fund, for any check returned to the transfer agent for insufficient funds.


Anti-Money Laundering Program.   The USA PATRIOT Act requires financial institutions, including the Fund, to adopt certain policies and programs to prevent money-laundering activities, including procedures to verify the identity of customers opening new accounts.  As requested on the application, you should supply your full name, date of birth, social security number and permanent street address.  Mailing addresses containing a P.O. Box will not be accepted.  This information will assist the Fund in verifying your identity.  Until such verification is made, the Fund may temporarily limit additional share purchases.  In addition, the Fund may limit additional share purchases or close an account if it is unable to verify a shareholder’s identity.  As required by law, the Fund may employ various procedures, such as comparing the information to fraud databases or requesting additional information or documentation from you, to ensure that the information supplied by you is correct.


In order to ensure compliance with these laws, the Account Application asks for, among other things, the following information for all “customers” seeking to open an “account” (as those terms are defined in rules adopted pursuant to the USA PATRIOT Act):


·

full name;

·

date of birth (individuals only);

·

Social Security or taxpayer identification number; and

·

permanent street address (P.O. Box only is not acceptable).


Accounts opened by entities, such as corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships or trusts, will require additional documentation.


Please note that if any information listed above is missing, your Account Application will be returned and your account will not be opened.  In compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act and other applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations, the Transfer Agent will verify the information on your application as part of the Program.  The Fund reserves the right to request additional clarifying information and may close your account if such clarifying information is not received by the Fund within a reasonable time of the request or if the Fund cannot form a reasonable belief as to the true identity of a customer.  If you require additional assistance when completing your Account Application, please contact the Transfer Agent at 855-294-7540.


How to Redeem Shares

You may redeem all or any portion of the shares credited to your account by submitting a written request for redemption to:  


Regular or Overnight Mail

Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

4020 South 147 th Street, Suite 2

Omaha, NE 68137


Redemptions by Telephone :   The telephone redemption privilege is automatically available to all new accounts except retirement accounts.  If you do not want the telephone redemption privilege, you must indicate this in the appropriate area on your account application or you must write to the Fund and instruct it to remove this privilege from your account.  


The proceeds will be sent by mail to the address designated on your account or wired directly to your existing account in a bank or brokerage firm in the United States as designated on your application.  To redeem by telephone, call 855-294-7540. The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or by wire within three business days after receipt of your telephone instructions.  IRA accounts are not redeemable by telephone.


The Fund reserves the right to suspend the telephone redemption privileges with respect to your account if the name(s) or the address on the account has been changed within the previous 30 days.  Neither the Fund, the transfer agent, nor their respective affiliates will be liable for complying with telephone instructions they reasonably believe to be genuine or for any loss, damage, cost or expenses in acting on such telephone instructions and you will be required to bear the risk of any such loss.  The Fund or the transfer agent, or both, will employ reasonable procedures to determine that telephone instructions are genuine.  If the Fund and/or the transfer agent do not employ these procedures, they may be liable to you for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions.  These procedures may include, among others, requiring forms of personal identification prior to acting upon telephone instructions, providing written confirmation of the transactions and/or tape recording telephone instructions.


Redemptions through Broker:   If shares of the Fund are held by a broker-dealer, financial institution or other servicing agent, you must contact that servicing agent to redeem shares of the Fund.  The servicing agent may charge a fee for this service.


Redemptions by Wire :   You may request that your redemption proceeds be wired directly to your bank account. The Fund’s transfer agent imposes a $15 fee for each wire redemption and deducts the fee directly from your account. Your bank may also impose a fee for the incoming wire.


Automatic Withdrawal Plan:  If your individual accounts, IRA or other qualified plan account have a current account value of at least $10,000, you may participate in the Fund’s Automatic Withdrawal Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money to your bank account from the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers.  You may elect to make subsequent withdrawals by transfers of a minimum of $100 on specified days of each month into your established bank account.  Please contact the Fund at 855-294-7540 for more information about the Fund’s Automatic Withdrawal Plan.


Redemptions in Kind:   The Fund reserves the right to honor requests for redemption or repurchase orders made by a shareholder during any 90-day period by making payment in whole or in part in portfolio securities (“redemption in kind”) if the amount of such a request is large enough to affect operations (if the request is greater than the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s net assets at the beginning of the 90-day period).  The securities will be chosen by the Fund and valued using the same procedures as used in calculating the Fund’s NAV. A shareholder may incur transaction expenses in converting these securities to cash.


When Redemptions are Sent:   Once the Fund receives your redemption request in “good order” as described below, it will issue a check based on the next determined NAV following your redemption request.  The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or by wire within three business days after receipt of a request in “good order.”  If you purchase shares using a check and soon after request a redemption, your redemption proceeds will not be sent until the check used for your purchase has cleared your bank (usually within 10 days of the purchase date).


Good Order:   Your redemption request will be processed if it is in “good order.”  To be in good order, the following conditions must be satisfied:  

·

The request should be in writing, unless redeeming by telephone, indicating the number of shares or dollar amount to be redeemed;

·

The request must identify your account number;

·

The request should be signed by you and any other person listed on the account, exactly as the shares are registered; and

·

If you request that the redemption proceeds be sent to a person, bank or an address other than that of record or paid to someone other than the record owner(s), or if the address was changed within the last 30 days, or if the proceeds of a requested redemption exceed $50,000, the signature(s) on the request must be medallion signature guaranteed by an eligible signature guarantor.


When You Need Medallion Signature Guarantees:   If you wish to change the bank or brokerage account that you have designated on your account, you may do so at any time by writing to the Fund with your signature guaranteed.  A medallion signature guarantee assures that a signature is genuine and protects you from unauthorized account transfers.  You will need your signature guaranteed if:

 

·

you request a redemption to be made payable to a person not on record with the Fund;

·

you request that a redemption be mailed to an address other than that on record with the Fund;

·

the proceeds of a requested redemption exceed $50,000;

·

any redemption is transmitted by federal wire transfer to a bank other than the bank of record; or

·

your address was changed within 30 days of your redemption request.


Signatures may be guaranteed by any eligible guarantor institution (including banks, brokers and dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies and savings associations).  Further documentation will be required to change the designated account if shares are held by a corporation, fiduciary or other organization.  A notary public cannot guarantee signatures.


Retirement Plans:   If you own an IRA or other retirement plan, you must indicate on your redemption request whether the Fund should withhold federal income tax.  Unless you elect in your redemption request that you do not want to have federal tax withheld, the redemption will be subject to withholding.


Low Balances:   If at any time your account balance falls below the minimum investment amount for the class of shares you hold ( e.g. , $2,500 for a Class A account, etc.), the Fund may notify you that, unless the account is brought up to the applicable minimum within 60 days of the notice; your account could be closed.  After the notice period, the Fund may redeem all of your shares and close your account by sending you a check to the address of record.  Your account will not be closed if the account balance drops below required minimum due to a decline in NAV.


Redemption Fee

Redemption Fee: The Fund will deduct a 1% redemption fee on the redemption amount if you sell your shares less than 30 days after purchase or shares held less than 30 days are redeemed for failure to maintain the Fund’s balance minimum. See Low Balances for further information on account closure policy. Shares held longest will be treated as being redeemed first and shares held shortest as being redeemed last. Shares held for 30 days or more are not subject to the 1% fee.


Redemption fees are paid to the Fund directly and are designed to offset costs associated with fluctuations in Fund asset levels and cash flow caused by short-term shareholder trading.


Waivers of Redemption Fees: The Fund has elected not to impose the redemption fee for:

 

·

Redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions;

·

Certain types of redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares owned through participant-directed retirement plans;

·

Redemptions or exchanges in discretionary asset allocation, fee based or wrap programs (“wrap programs”) that are initiated by the sponsor/financial advisor as part of a periodic rebalancing;

·

Redemptions or exchanges in a fee based or wrap program that are made as a result of a full withdrawal from the wrap program or as part of a systematic withdrawal plan;

·

Involuntary redemptions, such as those resulting from a shareholder’s failure to maintain a minimum investment in the Fund, or to pay shareholder fees; or

·

Other types of redemptions as the Advisor or the Fund may determine in special situations and approved by the Fund’s or the Advisor’s Chief Compliance Officer.


The Fund reserves the right to modify or eliminate the redemption fees or waivers at any time and will give shareholders 30 days’ prior written notice of any material changes, unless otherwise provided by law.  The redemption fee policy may be modified or amended in the future to reflect, among other factors, regulatory requirements mandated by the SEC.

 

Tools to Combat Frequent Transactions

The Fund discourages and does not accommodate market timing. Frequent trading into and out of the Fund can harm all Fund shareholders by disrupting the Fund’s investment strategies, increasing Fund expenses, decreasing tax efficiency and diluting the value of shares held by long-term shareholders. The Fund is designed for long-term investors and is not intended for market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Accordingly, the Fund’s Board has approved policies that seek to curb these disruptive activities while recognizing that shareholders may have a legitimate need to adjust their Fund investments as their financial needs or circumstances change. The Fund currently uses several methods to reduce the risk of market timing. These methods include:

·

Committing staff to review, on a continuing basis, recent trading activity in order to identify trading activity that may be contrary to the Fund’s “Market Timing Trading Policy;”

·

Rejecting or limiting specific purchase requests,

·

Charging a 1% redemption charge if shares are held less than 30 days, and

·

Rejecting purchases requests from certain investors.

Though these methods involve judgments that are inherently subjective and involve some selectivity in their application, the Fund seeks to make judgments and applications that are consistent with the interests of the Fund’s shareholders.


The redemption fee, which is uniformly imposed, is intended to discourage short-term trading and is paid to the Fund to help offset any cost associated with such short-term trading. The Fund will monitor the assessment of redemption fees against your account. Based on the frequency of redemption fees assessed against your account, the Advisor or Transfer Agent may in its sole discretion determine that your trading activity is detrimental to the Fund as described in the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy and elect to (i) reject or limit the amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future purchases into the Fund and/or (ii) reject or limit the amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future exchanges or redemptions out of the Fund.


The Fund reserves the right to reject or restrict purchase for any reason, particularly when the shareholder’s trading activity suggests that the shareholder may be engaged in market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Neither the Fund nor the Advisor will be liable for any losses resulting from rejected purchase or exchange orders. The Advisor may also bar an investor who has violated these policies (and the investor’s financial adviser) from opening new accounts with the Fund.


Although the Fund attempts to limit disruptive trading activities, some investors use a variety of strategies to hide their identities and their trading practices. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will be able to identify or limit these activities. Omnibus account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of the Fund.  While the Fund will encourage financial intermediaries to apply the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy to their customers who invest indirectly in the Fund, the Fund is limited in its ability to monitor the trading activity or enforce the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy with respect to customers of financial intermediaries. For example, should it occur, the Fund may not be able to detect market timing that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries or made difficult to identify in the omnibus accounts used by those intermediaries for aggregated purchases, exchanges and redemptions on behalf of all their customers. More specifically, unless the financial intermediaries have the ability to apply the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy to their customers through such methods as implementing short-term trading limitations or restrictions, assessing the Fund’s redemption fee and monitoring trading activity for what might be market timing, the Fund may not be able to determine whether trading by customers of financial intermediaries is contrary to the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy. Brokers maintaining omnibus accounts with the Fund have agreed to provide shareholder transaction information to the extent known to the broker to the Fund upon request. If the Fund or its transfer agent or shareholder servicing agent suspects there is market timing activity in the account, the Fund will seek full cooperation from the service provider maintaining the account to identify the underlying participant. At the request of the Advisor, the service providers may take immediate action to stop any further short-term trading by such participants.


Householding.   To reduce expenses, the Fund mails only one copy of the Prospectus and each annual and semi-annual report to those addresses shared by two or more accounts.  If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call the Fund at 855-294-7540 on days the Fund is open for business or contact your financial institution.  The Fund will begin sending you individual copies thirty days after receiving your request.


Shares of one of the Class of the Fund will not be exchangeable for shares of other Classes.


Distribution of Fund Shares


The Distributor

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) is located at 4020 South 147 th Street, Omaha, NE 68137, and serves as distributor and principal underwriter to the Fund.  The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).  Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis.


Distribution (12b-1) Plan

The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (the “12b-1 Plan”) under the 1940 Act.  Under the 12b-1 Plan, the Fund is authorized to pay the Fund’s distributor, or such other entities as approved by the Board of Trustees, a fee for the promotion and distribution of the Fund and the provision of personal services to shareholders.  The maximum amount of the fee authorized is 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets annually for the Class A and Class N shares, and 1.00% of the Fund’s daily net assets annually for Class C shares.  The distributor may pay any or all amounts received under the 12b-1 Plan to other persons, including the Advisor, for any distribution or service activity.  Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment in the Fund and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.


In addition to the fees paid under the 12b-1 Plan, the Fund may pay service fees to intermediaries such as banks, broker-dealers, financial advisors or other financial institutions, including the Advisor and affiliates of the Advisor, for sub-administration, sub-transfer agency and other shareholder services associated with shareholders whose shares are held of record in omnibus, other group accounts or accounts traded through registered securities clearing agents.


Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries

The distributor, its affiliates and the Advisor, out of its own resources, and without additional cost to the Fund or its shareholders, may provide additional cash payments or non-cash compensation to intermediaries who sell shares of the Fund.  Such payments and compensation are in addition to service fees paid by the Fund, if any.  These additional cash payments are generally made to intermediaries that provide shareholder servicing, marketing support and/or access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the intermediary.  Cash compensation may also be paid to intermediaries for inclusion of the Fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list, in other sales programs or as an expense reimbursement in cases where the intermediary provides shareholder services to the Fund’s shareholders.  The Advisor may also pay cash compensation in the form of finder’s fees that vary depending on the dollar amount of the shares sold.


Distributions and Taxes


Tax Status, Dividends and Distributions

Any sale or exchange of a Fund’s shares may generate tax liability (unless you are a tax-exempt investor or your investment is in a qualified retirement account).  When you redeem your shares you may realize a taxable gain or loss.  This is measured by the difference between the proceeds of the sale and the tax basis for the shares you sold.  (To aid in computing your tax basis, you generally should retain your account statements for the period that you hold shares in the Fund.)


The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net capital gains annually in December.  Both distributions will be reinvested in shares of the Fund unless you elect to receive cash.  Dividends from net investment income (including any excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) are taxable to investors as ordinary income, while distributions of net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) are generally taxable as long-term capital gain, regardless of your holding period for the shares.  Any dividends or capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund will normally be taxable to you when made, regardless of whether you reinvest dividends or capital gain distributions or receive them in cash.  Certain dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December will be taxed to shareholders as if received in December if they are paid during the following January.  Each year the Fund will inform you of the amount and type of your distributions.  IRAs and other qualified retirement plans are exempt from federal income taxation until retirement proceeds are paid out to the participant from such accounts or plans.


Your redemptions, including exchanges, may result in a capital gain or loss for federal income tax purposes.  A capital gain or loss on your investment is the difference between the cost of your shares, including any sales charges, and the amount you receive when you sell them.


On the account application, you will be asked to certify that your social security number or taxpayer identification number is correct and that you are not subject to backup withholding for failing to report income to the IRS.  If you are subject to backup withholding or you did not certify your taxpayer identification number, the IRS requires the Fund to withhold a percentage of any dividend, redemption or exchange proceeds.  The Fund reserves the right to reject any application that does not include a certified social security or taxpayer identification number.  If you do not have a social security number, you should indicate on the purchase form that your application to obtain a number is pending.  The Fund is required to withhold taxes if a number is not delivered to the Fund within seven days.


This summary is not intended to be and should not be construed to be legal or tax advice.  This summary is general in nature and should not be regarded as an exhaustive presentation of all possible tax ramifications. The tax considerations relevant to a specific shareholder depend upon its specific circumstances, and this summary does not attempt to discuss all potential tax considerations that could be relevant to a prospective shareholder with respect to the Fund or its investments. This general summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Federal Income Tax Regulations promulgated thereunder, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change (potentially on a retroactive basis). You should consult your own independent tax advisors to determine the tax consequences of owning the Fund’s shares.


Financial Highlights

The Fund has not yet commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus and therefore does not have a financial history.



Privacy Policy

                                                                   Revised October 2011

FACTS

WHAT DOES NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II (“NLFT II”) DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

Why?

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

What?

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

·

Social Security number

·

Employment information

·

Account balances

·

Account transactions

·

Income

·

Investment experience

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How?

All financial companies need to share a customer’s personal information to run their everyday business - to process transactions, maintain customer accounts, and report to credit bureaus. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customer’s personal information; the reasons NLFT II chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

Reasons we can share your personal information

Does NLFT II share?

Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes --
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

Yes

No

For our marketing purposes --
to offer our products and services to you

Yes

No

For joint marketing with other financial companies

Yes

No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes --
information about your transactions and experiences

Yes

No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes --
information about your creditworthiness

No

We don’t share

For nonaffiliates to market to you

No

We don’t share

Questions?

Call 1-402-493-4603




Page 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

Northern Lights Fund Trust II

What we do

How does NLFT II protect my personal information?

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.

How does NLFT II collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

·

open an account

·

give us your income information

·

provide employment information

·

provide account information

·

give us your contact information

We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

·

sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes—information about your creditworthiness

·

affiliates from using your information to market to you

·

sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions

Affiliates

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

The following companies may be considered affiliates of NLFT II :

·

CLS Investments, LLC

·

NorthStar Financial Services Group, LLC

·

Gemcom, LLC

·

Gemini Fund Services, LLC

·

Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC

·

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC

·

Orion Advisor Services, LLC

·

Constellation Trust Company

Nonaffiliates

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

·

NLFT II does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

Joint marketing

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products and services to you.

·

Our joint marketing partners include other financial service companies.




Investment Advisor

Longboard Asset Management, LLC

4725 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 110,

Scottsdale, Arizona 85251


Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

McGladrey & Pullen, LLP

555 17 th Street, Suite 1000

Denver, CO 80202


Legal Counsel

Alston & Bird, LLP

950 F Street NW

Washington, D.C. 20004


Custodian

Union Bank, National Association

350 California Street, 6th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94104


Transfer Agent, Fund Accountant and Fund Administrator

Gemini Fund Services, LLC

4020 South 147 th Street, Suite 2

Omaha, NE 68137


Distributor

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC

4020 South 147 th Street Omaha, NE 68137





 Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund

a series of the Northern Lights Fund Trust II



FOR MORE INFORMATION


You can find more information about the Fund in the following documents:


Statement of Additional Information

The SAI provides additional details about the investments and techniques of the Fund and certain other additional information.  A current SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference.  This means that the SAI is legally considered a part of this Prospectus even though it is not physically within this Prospectus.


Annual and Semi-Annual Reports

Additional information about the Fund’s investments will also be available in the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders. In the Fund’s Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.


To obtain a free copy of the SAI and, when issued, the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders, or make general inquiries about the Fund by calling the Fund (toll-free) at 855-294-7540 or visit

www. longboardmutualfunds.com. You may also write to:


Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

4020 South 147 th Street, Suite 2

Omaha, NE 68137



You can review and copy information, including the Fund’s reports and SAI, at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C.  You can obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling (202) 551-8090.  Reports and other information about the Fund are also available:


·

free of charge from the SEC’s EDGAR database on the SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov;

·

for a fee, by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-1520; or

·

for a fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.



                                                                                

(The Trust’s SEC Investment Company Act file number is 811-22549)








[SAI002.GIF]



Statement of Additional Information

Dated :  June 19 , 2012


Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund


Class A Shares (Symbol: WAVEX)

Class C Shares (Symbol: [             ])

Class I Shares (Symbol: WAVIX)

Class N Shares (Symbol: [             ])





This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) provides general information about the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund (the “Fund”), a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust II (the “Trust”).  This SAI is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s current prospectus for Class A, Class C, Class I and Class N shares dated June 19, 2012 (the “Prospectus”), as supplemented and amended from time to time, which is incorporated herein by reference.  To obtain a copy of the Prospectus free of charge, please write or call the Fund at the address or telephone number below:


Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

4020 South 147 th Street, Suite 2

Omaha, NE 68137

855-294-7540








---------------------------------

TABLE OF CONTENTS

---------------------------------

THE TRUST

3

INVESTMENT POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND ASSOCIATED RISKS

3

FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

23

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

24

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

24

BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

24

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

26

BOARD COMMITTEES

28

TRUSTEE COMPENSATION

28

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

29

INVESTMENT ADVISOR

29

SUB-ADVISER

31

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

31

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

33

DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES

35

12B-1 DISTRIBUTION PLAN

35

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

36

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

38

CODE OF ETHICS

38

PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES

38

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE PROGRAM

38

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

39

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

40

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

48




The Trust

The Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund (the “Fund”) is a non-diversified series of Northern Lights Fund Trust II, (the “Trust”) a Delaware statutory trust, organized on August 26, 2010.


The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company.  The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees (the “Board” or “Trustees”).  The Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest.  All shares of the Fund have equal rights and privileges.  Each share of the Fund is entitled to one vote on all matters as to which shares are entitled to vote.  In addition, each share of the Fund is entitled to participate equally with other shares (i) in dividends and distributions declared by the Fund and (ii) on liquidation to its proportionate share of the assets remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities.  Shares of the Fund are fully paid, non-assessable and fully transferable when issued and have no pre-emptive, conversion or exchange rights.  Fractional shares have proportionately the same rights, including voting rights, as are provided for a full share.

 

The Fund is a non-diversified series of the Trust.  The Fund’s investment objective, restrictions and policies are more fully described here and in the Prospectus.  The Board may add classes to and reclassify the shares of the Fund, start other series and offer shares of a new fund under the Trust at any time.


The Fund offers four classes of shares: Class A shares, Class C shares, Class I shares and Class N shares. Each share class represents an interest in the same assets of the Fund, has the same rights and is identical in all material respects except that (i) each class of shares may be subject to different (or no) sales loads, (ii) each class of shares may bear different (or no) distribution fees; (iii) each class of shares may have different shareholder features, such as minimum investment amounts; (iv) certain other class-specific expenses will be borne solely by the class to which such expenses are attributable, including transfer agent fees attributable to a specific class of shares, printing and postage expenses related to preparing and distributing materials to current shareholders of a specific class, registration fees paid by a specific class of shares, the expenses of administrative personnel and services required to support the shareholders of a specific class, litigation or other legal expenses relating to a class of shares, Trustees’ fees or expenses paid as a result of issues relating to a specific class of shares and accounting fees and expenses relating to a specific class of shares and (v) each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to its own distribution arrangements.  Each share of the Fund is entitled to one vote on all matters as to which shares are entitled to vote.  In addition, each share of the Fund is entitled to participate equally with other shares on a class-specific basis (i) in dividends and distributions declared by the Fund and (ii) on liquidation to its proportionate share of the assets remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities.  Shares of the Funds are fully paid, non-assessable and fully transferable when issued and have no pre-emptive, conversion or exchange rights.  Fractional shares have proportionately the same rights, including voting rights, as are provided for a full share.


Under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, each Trustee will continue in office until the termination of the Trust or his/her earlier death, incapacity, resignation or removal.  Shareholders can remove a Trustee to the extent provided by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.  Vacancies may be filled by a majority of the remaining Trustees, except insofar as the 1940 Act may require the election by shareholders.  As a result, normally no annual or regular meetings of shareholders will be held unless matters arise requiring a vote of shareholders under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or the 1940 Act.


Longboard Asset Management, LLC (the “Advisor”) serves as the investment advisor to the Fund.


Investment Policies, Strategies and Associated Risks

The primary investment objective of the Fund is positive absolute returns.  The investment objective of the Fund and the descriptions of the Fund’s principal investment strategies are set forth under “Investment Strategies, Related Risks and Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings” in the Prospectus.  The Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed without the approval of shareholders.  Shareholders will be given 60 days’ prior notice of any such changes.

The following pages contain more detailed information about the types of instruments in which the Fund may invest, strategies the Advisor may employ in pursuit of the Fund’s investment objective and a summary of related risks.


Equity Securities

An equity security (such as a stock, partnership interest or other beneficial interest in an issuer) represents a proportionate share of the ownership of a company.  Its value is based on the success of the company’s business, any income paid to stockholders, the value of its assets and general market conditions.  Common stocks and preferred stocks are examples of equity securities.  Preferred stocks are equity securities that often pay dividends at a specific rate and have a preference over common stocks in dividend payments and liquidation of assets.  Some preferred stocks may be convertible into common stock.  Convertible securities are securities (such as debt securities or preferred stock) that may be converted into or exchanged for a specified amount of common stock of the same or different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula.

The risks of investing in companies in general include business failure and reliance on erroneous reports.  To the extent the Fund is invested in the equity securities of small- or medium-size companies, it will be exposed to the risks of smaller sized companies.  Small- and medium-size companies, directly or indirectly, often have narrower markets for their goods and/or services and more limited managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies.  Furthermore, those companies often have limited product lines or services, markets or financial resources, or are dependent on a small management group.  In addition, because these securities are not well-known to the investing public, do not have significant institutional ownership and are followed by relatively few security analysts, there will normally be less publicly available information concerning these securities compared to what is available for the securities of larger companies.  Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, can decrease the value and liquidity of securities held by the Fund.  As a result, their performance can be more volatile and they face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio.

Preferred Stock

A preferred stock is a blend of the characteristics of a bond and common stock.  It can offer the higher yield of a bond and has priority over common stock in equity ownership, but does not have the seniority of a bond and, unlike common stock, its participation in the issuer’s growth may be limited.  Preferred stock has preference over common stock in the receipt of dividends and in any residual assets after payment to creditors should the issuer be dissolved.  Although the dividend is set at a fixed annual rate, in some circumstances it can be changed or omitted by the issuer.

Short Sales

The Fund may seek to hedge investments or realize additional gains through short sales.  Short sales are transactions in which the Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the value of that security relative to the long positions held by the Fund.  To complete such a transaction, the Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer.  The Fund then is obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing it at the market price at or prior to the time of replacement.  The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund.  Until the security is replaced, the Fund is required to repay the lender any dividends or interest that accrues during the period of the loan.  To borrow the security, the Fund also may be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security sold.  The net proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker (or by the Fund’s custodian, Union Bank, N.A. (the “Custodian”)) in a special custody account, to the extent necessary to meet margin requirements, until the short position is closed out.  The Fund also will incur transaction costs in effecting short sales.

The Fund will incur a loss as a result of the short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaces the borrowed security.  Short sales may, however, protect the Fund against the risk of losses in the value of its portfolio securities because any unrealized losses with respect to such portfolio securities should be wholly or partially offset by a corresponding gain in the short position.  However, any potential gains in such portfolio securities should be wholly or partially offset by a corresponding loss in the short position.  The extent to which such gains or losses are offset will depend upon the amount of securities sold short relative to the amount the Fund owns, either directly or indirectly, and, in the case where the Fund owns convertible securities, changes in the conversion premium.  There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to close out a short position at any particular time or at an acceptable price.

The Fund also must segregate liquid assets equal to the difference between (a) the market value of the securities sold short at the time they were sold short and (b) the value of the collateral deposited with the broker in connection with the short sale (not including the proceeds from the short sale).  While the short position is open, the Fund must maintain segregated assets at such a level that the amount segregated plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral equal the current market value of the securities sold short.

Other Investment Companies

The Fund may invest in exchange-traded funds, mutual funds and closed-end funds.  These investments involve certain additional expenses and certain tax results, which would not be present in a direct investment in the underlying fund.  Due to legal limitations, the Fund will be prevented from: 1) purchasing more than 3% of an investment company’s (including ETFs) outstanding shares; 2) investing more than 5% of the Fund’s assets in any single such investment company, and 3) investing more than 10% of the Fund’s assets in investment companies overall; unless: (i) the underlying investment company and/or the Fund has received an order for exemptive relief from such limitations from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”); and (ii) the underlying investment company and the Fund take appropriate steps to comply with any conditions in such order.  In the alternative, the Fund may rely on Rule 12d1-3, which allows unaffiliated mutual funds to exceed the 5% limitation and the 10% limitation, provided the aggregate sales loads any investor pays ( i.e. , the combined distribution expenses of both the acquiring fund and the acquired fund) does not exceed the limits on sales loads established by FINRA for funds of funds.  In addition to ETFs, the Fund may invest in other investment companies such as open-end mutual funds or exchange-traded closed-end funds, within the limitations described above.

Exchange-Traded Funds

An ETF generally is an open-end investment company, unit investment trust or a portfolio of securities deposited with a depository in exchange for depository receipts.  The portfolios of ETFs generally consist of common stocks that closely track the performance and dividend yield of specific securities indices, either broad market, sector or international.  ETFs provide investors the opportunity to buy or sell throughout the day an entire portfolio of stocks in a single security.  Although index mutual funds are similar, they are generally sold and redeemed only once per day at market close.  Broad securities market index ETFs include Standard & Poor’s Depository Receipts (“SPDRs”), which are interests in a unit investment trust representing an undivided interest in a portfolio of all of the common stocks of the S&P 500 Index.  The ETFs in which the Fund invests are subject to liquidity risk.  Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the sale of the security at an advantageous time or price.  To the extent that the ETFs in which the Fund invests hold securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations or securities with substantial market risk, they will have a greater exposure to liquidity risk.

Exchange-Traded Notes

The Fund may invest in shares of exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”).  ETNs are a type of unsecured, unsubordinated debt security that combines certain aspects of bonds and ETFs.  Similar to ETFs, ETNs are traded on a major exchange ( e.g., NYSE) during normal trading hours.  However, ETNs are not investment companies and investors can also hold the ETN until maturity.  At maturity, the issuer pays to the investor a cash amount equal to principal amount, subject to the day’s index factor.  ETN returns are based upon the performance of a market index minus applicable fees.  ETNs do not make periodic coupon payments and provide no principal protection.  The value of an ETN may be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying commodities markets, changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer’s credit rating and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the referenced commodity.  The value of the ETN may drop due to a downgrade in the issuer’s credit rating, despite the underlying index remaining unchanged.  In recent years, the Internal Revenue Service has issued several private letter rulings in which ETNs that track commodity indices were treated as generating qualifying income for purposes of the annual gross income test applicable to regulated investment companies under Section 851(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  Private letter rulings do not constitute legal precedent and cannot be relied upon by taxpayers other than those who receive the ruling.  The commodity-linked ETNs that were determined to generate qualifying income in these private letter rulings each satisfied the requirements under the Commodities Exchange Act for treatment of a hybrid instrument as predominantly a security.

Foreign Investments and Currencies

The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers that are not publicly traded in the United States.  The Fund may also invest in American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), foreign securities traded on a national securities market and may purchase and sell foreign currency on a spot basis and enter into forward currency contracts (see “Forward Currency Contracts,” below).

Depositary Receipts .  The Fund may invest its assets in securities of foreign issuers in the form of depositary receipts, including ADRs, EDRs and GDRs, which are securities representing securities of foreign issuers.  A purchaser of unsponsored depositary receipts may not have unlimited voting rights and may not receive as much information about the issuer of the underlying securities as with a sponsored depositary receipt.  Generally, ADRs, in registered form, are denominated in U.S. dollars and are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets.  ADRs are receipts typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying securities.  For purposes of the Fund’s investment policies, ADRs are deemed to have the same classification as the underlying securities they represent.  Thus, an ADR representing ownership of common stock will be treated as common stock.

Risks of Investing in Foreign Securities .  Investments in foreign securities involve certain inherent risks, including the following:

Political and Economic Factors .  Individual foreign economies of certain countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, diversification and balance of payments position.  The internal politics of certain foreign countries may not be as stable as those of the United States.  Governments in certain foreign countries also continue to participate to a significant degree, through ownership interest or regulation, in their respective economies.  Action by these governments could include restrictions on foreign investment, nationalization, expropriation of goods or imposition of taxes, and could have a significant effect on market prices of securities and payment of interest.  The economies of many foreign countries are heavily dependent upon international trade and are accordingly affected by the trade policies and economic conditions of their trading partners.  Enactment by these trading partners of protectionist trade legislation could have a significant adverse effect upon the securities markets of such countries.

Currency Fluctuations .  The Fund may invest in securities denominated in foreign currencies.  Accordingly, a change in the value of any such currency against the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding change in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund’s assets denominated in that currency.  Such changes will also affect the Fund’s income.  The value of the Fund’s assets may also be affected significantly by currency restrictions and exchange control regulations enacted from time to time.

Market Characteristics .  Many foreign securities in which the Fund may invest could be purchased in over-the-counter markets or on exchanges located in the countries in which the principal offices of the issuers of the various securities are located, if that is the best available market.  Foreign exchanges and markets may be more volatile than those in the United States.  While growing in volume, they usually have substantially less volume than U.S. markets, and the Fund’s foreign securities may be less liquid and more volatile than U.S. securities.  Moreover, settlement practices for transactions in foreign markets may differ from those in U.S. markets, and may include delays beyond periods customary in the United States.  Foreign security trading practices, including those involving securities settlement where Fund assets may be released prior to receipt of payment or securities, may expose the Fund to increased risk in the event of a failed trade or the insolvency of a foreign broker-dealer.

Legal and Regulatory Matters .  Certain foreign countries may have less supervision of securities markets, brokers and issuers of securities, and less financial information available from issuers, than is available in the United States.

Taxes .  The interest and dividends payable on certain of the Fund’s foreign portfolio securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, thus reducing the net amount of income available for distribution to Fund shareholders.

Costs .  To the extent that the Fund invests in foreign securities, its expense ratio is likely to be higher than those of investment companies investing only in domestic securities, because the cost of maintaining the custody of foreign securities is higher.

Emerging Markets .  The Fund’s investments in foreign securities may include securities of companies located in developing or emerging markets, which entail additional risks, including: less social, political and economic stability; smaller securities markets and lower trading volume, which may result in less liquidity and greater price volatility; national policies that may restrict the Fund’s investment opportunities, including restrictions on investments in issuers or industries, or expropriation or confiscation of assets or property; and less developed legal structures governing private or foreign investment.

Forward Currency Contracts .  The Fund may enter into forward currency contracts in anticipation of changes in currency exchange rates.  A forward currency contract is 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.  For example, the Fund might purchase a particular currency or enter into a forward currency contract to preserve the U.S. dollar price of securities it intends to or has contracted to purchase.  Alternatively, it might sell a particular currency on either a spot or forward basis to hedge against an anticipated decline in the dollar value of securities it intends to or has contracted to sell.  Although this strategy could minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, it could also limit any potential gain from an increase in the value of the currency.

The Advisor will determine whether to invest in the securities of a foreign company by employing its investment strategy.  The extent to which the Fund will be invested in foreign companies and countries and depositary receipts will fluctuate from time to time within the limitations described in the Prospectus.

Swap Agreements

The Fund may enter into swap agreements for purposes of attempting to gain exposure to equity or debt securities without actually purchasing those securities, or to hedge a position.  Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a day to more than one year.  In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments.  The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e. , the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index.

Most swap agreements entered into by the Fund calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.”  Consequently, the Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”).  Payments may be made at the conclusion of a swap agreement or periodically during its term.

Swap agreements do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets.  Accordingly, if a swap is entered into on a net basis, if the other party to a swap agreement defaults, the Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any.

The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to a swap agreement entered into on a net basis will be accrued daily and an amount of cash or liquid asset having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained in an account with the Custodian.  The Fund will also establish and maintain such accounts with respect to its total obligations under any swaps that are not entered into on a net basis.  Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be “senior securities” for purposes of the Fund’s investment restriction concerning senior securities.

Because they are two-party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid for the Fund’s illiquid investment limitations.  The Fund will not enter into any swap agreement unless the Advisor believes that the other party to the transaction is creditworthy.  The Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counter-party.

The Fund may enter into a swap agreement in circumstances where the Advisor believes that it may be more cost effective or practical than buying the securities represented by such index or a futures contract or an option on such index.  The counter-party to any swap agreement will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer.  The counter-party will generally agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the swap agreement would have increased in value had it been invested in the particular stocks represented in the index, plus the dividends that would have been received on those stocks.  The Fund will agree to pay to the counter-party a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the swap agreement plus the amount, if any, by which the notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stocks.  Therefore, the return to the Fund on any swap agreement should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount.

The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation.  As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid in comparison with the markets for other similar instruments that are traded in the OTC market.

Fixed-Income Securities

The Fund may invest in a wide range of fixed-income securities, which may include obligations of any rating or maturity.

The Fund may invest in investment grade corporate debt securities and lower-rated corporate debt securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”).  Lower-rated or high yield debt securities include corporate high yield debt securities, zero-coupon securities, payment-in kind securities and strips.  Investment grade corporate bonds are those rated BBB or better by Standard & Poor’s Rating Service (“S&P”) or Baa or better by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”).  Securities rated BBB by S&P are considered investment grade, but Moody’s considers securities rated Baa to have speculative characteristics.  The Fund may also invest in unrated securities.

Corporate Debt Securities .  Corporate debt securities are fixed-income securities issued by businesses to finance their operations, although corporate debt instruments may also include bank loans to companies. Notes, bonds, debentures and commercial paper are the most common types of corporate debt securities, with the primary difference being their maturities and secured or unsecured status.  Commercial paper has the shortest term and is usually unsecured.

The broad category of corporate debt securities includes debt issued by domestic or foreign companies of all kinds, including those with small-, mid- and large-capitalizations.  Corporate debt may be rated investment-grade or below investment-grade and may carry variable or floating rates of interest.

Because of the wide range of types and maturities of corporate debt securities, as well as the range of creditworthiness of its issuers, corporate debt securities have widely varying potentials for return and risk profiles.  For example, commercial paper issued by a large established domestic corporation that is rated investment-grade may have a modest return on principal, but carries relatively limited risk.  On the other hand, a long-term corporate note issued by a small foreign corporation from an emerging market country that has not been rated may have the potential for relatively large returns on principal, but carries a relatively high degree of risk.

Corporate debt securities carry both credit risk and interest rate risk.  Credit risk is the risk that the Fund could lose money if the issuer of a corporate debt security is unable to pay interest or repay principal when it is due.  Some corporate debt securities that are rated below investment-grade are generally considered speculative because they present a greater risk of loss, including default, than higher quality debt securities.  The credit risk of a particular issuer’s debt security may vary based on its priority for repayment.  For example, higher ranking (senior) debt securities have a higher priority than lower ranking (subordinated) securities.  This means that the issuer might not make payments on subordinated securities while continuing to make payments on senior securities.  In addition, in the event of bankruptcy, holders of higher-ranking senior securities may receive amounts otherwise payable to the holders of more junior securities.  Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of certain corporate debt securities will tend to fall when interest rates rise.  In general, corporate debt securities with longer terms tend to fall more in value when interest rates rise than corporate debt securities with shorter terms.

Zero-Coupon Securities .  Zero-coupon securities make no periodic interest payments, but are sold at a deep discount from their face value.  The buyer recognizes a rate of return determined by the gradual appreciation of the security, which is redeemed at face value on a specified maturity date.  The discount varies depending on the time remaining until maturity, as well as market interest rates, liquidity of the security and the issuer’s perceived credit quality.  If the issuer defaults, the holder may not receive any return on its investment.  Because zero-coupon securities bear no interest and compound semiannually at the rate fixed at the time of issuance, their value generally is more volatile than the value of other fixed-income securities.  Since zero-coupon bondholders do not receive interest payments, when interest rates rise, zero-coupon securities fall more dramatically in value than bonds paying interest on a current basis.  When interest rates fall, zero-coupon securities rise more rapidly in value because the bonds reflect a fixed rate of return.  An investment in zero-coupon and delayed interest securities may cause the Fund to recognize income and make distributions to shareholders before it receives any cash payments on its investment.

Unrated Debt Securities .  Unrated debt, while not necessarily lower in quality than rated securities, may not have as broad a market.  Because of the size and perceived demand for the issue, among other factors, certain issuers may decide not to pay the cost of getting a rating for their bonds.  The creditworthiness of the issuer, as well as any financial institution or other party responsible for payments on the security, will be analyzed to determine whether to purchase unrated bonds.

Convertible Securities

The Fund may invest in convertible securities.  A convertible security is a fixed-income security (a debt instrument or a preferred stock) which may be converted at a stated price within a specified period of time into a certain quantity of the common stock of the same or a different issuer.  Convertible securities are senior to common stocks in an issuer’s capital structure, but are usually subordinated to similar non-convertible securities.  While providing a fixed-income stream (generally higher in yield than the income derivable from common stock but lower than that afforded by a similar non-convertible security), a convertible security also gives an investor the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the issuing company depending upon a market price advance in the convertible security’s underlying common stock.

Warrants

The Fund may invest in warrants.  A warrant gives the holder a right to purchase at any time during a specified period a predetermined number of shares of common stock at a fixed price.  Unlike convertible debt securities or preferred stock, warrants do not pay a fixed coupon or dividend.  Investments in warrants involve certain risks, including the possible lack of a liquid market for resale of the warrants, potential price fluctuations as a result of speculation or other factors and failure of the price of the underlying security to reach or have reasonable prospects of reaching a level at which the warrant can be prudently exercised (in which event the warrant may expire without being exercised, resulting in a loss of the Fund’s entire investment therein).

Borrowing

The Fund may borrow money for investment purposes, which is a form of leveraging.  Leveraging investments, by purchasing securities with borrowed money, is a speculative technique that increases investment risk while increasing investment opportunity.  Leverage will magnify changes in the Fund’s net asset value and on the Fund’s investments.  Although the principal of such borrowings will be fixed, the Fund’s assets may change in value during the time the borrowing is outstanding.  Leverage also creates interest expenses for the Fund.  To the extent the income derived from securities purchased with borrowed funds exceeds the interest the Fund will have to pay, the Fund’s net income will be greater than it would be if leverage were not used.  Conversely, if the income from the assets obtained with borrowed funds is not sufficient to cover the cost of leveraging, the net income of the Fund will be less than it would be if leverage were not used, and therefore the amount available for distribution to shareholders as dividends will be reduced.  The use of derivatives in connection with leverage creates the potential for significant loss.

The Fund may also borrow funds to meet redemptions or for other emergency purposes.  Such borrowings may be on a secured or unsecured basis at fixed or variable rates of interest.  The 1940 Act requires the Fund to maintain continuous asset coverage of not less than 300% with respect to all borrowings.  If such asset coverage should decline to less than 300% due to market fluctuations or other reasons, the Fund may be required to dispose of some of its portfolio holdings within three days in order to reduce the Fund’s debt and restore the 300% asset coverage, even though it may be disadvantageous from an investment standpoint to dispose of assets at that time.

The Fund also may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with such 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.

Borrowing by the Fund creates an opportunity for increased net income, but at the same time, creates special risk considerations.  For example, leveraging may exaggerate the effect on net asset value of any increase or decrease in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio.

Securities Lending

The Fund may lend securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and financial institutions (but not individuals) in order to increase the return on its portfolio.  The value of the loaned securities may not exceed one-third of the Fund’s total net assets and loans of portfolio securities are fully collateralized based on values that are marked-to-market daily.  The Fund will not enter into any portfolio security lending arrangement having a duration of longer than one year.  The principal risk of portfolio lending is potential default or insolvency of the borrower.  In either of these cases, the Fund could experience delays in recovering securities or collateral or could lose all or part of the value of the loaned securities.  The Fund may pay reasonable administrative and custodial fees in connection with loans of portfolio securities and may pay a portion of the interest or fee earned thereon to the borrower or a placing broker.

In determining whether or not to lend a security to a particular broker, dealer or financial institution, the Advisor considers all relevant facts and circumstances, including the size, creditworthiness and reputation of the broker, dealer or financial institution.  Any loans of portfolio securities are fully collateralized based on values that are marked-to-market daily.  Any securities that the Fund may receive as collateral will not become part of the Fund’s investment portfolio at the time of the loan and, in the event of a default by the borrower, the Fund will, if permitted by law, dispose of such collateral except for such part thereof that is a security in which the Fund is permitted to invest.  During the time securities are on loan, the borrower will pay the Fund any accrued income on those securities, however, such payments of accrued income will not constitute “qualified dividend” income and will be taxable as ordinary income.  For loaned securities, the Fund may invest the cash collateral and earn income or receive an agreed-upon fee from a borrower that has delivered cash-equivalent collateral.  The Fund will be responsible for the risks associated with the investment of the cash collateral, including the risk that the Fund may lose money on the investment or may fail to earn sufficient income to meet its obligations to the borrower.

Options, Futures and Other Strategies

General .   As described herein, the Fund may purchase and sell in the U.S. or abroad futures contracts, put and call options, forward contracts, swaps and options on securities, futures, broadly-based stock indices and currencies (collectively, “Financial Instruments”) as a substitute for a comparable market position in the underlying security, to attempt to hedge or limit the exposure of the Fund’s position, to create a synthetic money market position, for certain tax-related purposes and to effect closing transactions.

The use of Financial Instruments is subject to applicable regulations of the SEC, the several exchanges upon which they are traded and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”).  In addition, the Fund’s ability to use Financial Instruments will be limited by tax considerations.  Pursuant to a claim for exemption filed with the National Futures Association on behalf of the Fund, the Fund is not deemed to be a commodity pool operator or a commodity pool under the Commodity Exchange Act and is not subject to registration or regulation as such under the Commodity Exchange Act.  In addition to the instruments, strategies and risks described below and in the Prospectus, the Fund’s Advisor may discover additional opportunities in connection with Financial Instruments and other similar or related techniques.  These new opportunities may become available as the Advisor develop new techniques, as regulatory authorities broaden the range of permitted transactions and as new Financial Instruments or other techniques are developed.  The Advisor may utilize these opportunities to the extent that they are consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and permitted by the Fund’s investment limitations and applicable regulatory authorities.  The Prospectus or this SAI will be supplemented to the extent that new products or techniques involve materially different risks than those described below or in the Prospectus.

Special Risks .  The use of Financial Instruments involves special considerations and risks, certain of which are described below.  Risks pertaining to particular Financial Instruments are described in the sections that follow.

(1)

Successful use of most Financial Instruments depends upon the Advisor’s ability to predict movements of the overall securities markets, which requires different skills than predicting changes in the prices of individual securities.  The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and futures markets, due to the differences in the natures of those markets, are subject to distortion.  Due to the possibility of distortion, a correct forecast of stock market trends by the Advisor may still not result in a successful transaction.  The Advisor may be incorrect in their expectations as to the extent of market movements or the time span within which the movements take place, which, thus, may result in the strategy being unsuccessful.

(2)

Options and futures prices can diverge from the prices of their underlying instruments.  Options and futures prices are affected by such factors as current and anticipated short-term interest rates, changes in volatility of the underlying instrument and the time remaining until expiration of the contract, which may not affect security prices the same way.  Imperfect or no correlation also may result from differing levels of demand in the options and futures markets and the securities markets, from structural differences in how options and futures and securities are traded and from imposition of daily price fluctuation limits or trading halts.

(3)

As described below, the Fund might be required to maintain assets as “cover,” maintain segregated accounts or make margin payments when it takes positions in Financial Instruments involving obligations to third parties ( e.g. , Financial Instruments other than purchased options).  If the Fund were unable to close out its positions in such Financial Instruments, it might be required to continue to maintain such assets or accounts or make such payments until the position expired or matured.  These requirements might impair the Fund’s ability to sell a portfolio security or make an investment when it would otherwise be favorable to do so or require that the Fund sell a portfolio security at a disadvantageous time.  The Fund’s ability to close out a position in a Financial Instrument prior to expiration or maturity depends on the existence of a liquid secondary market or, in the absence of such a market, the ability and willingness of the other party to the transaction (the “counter-party”) to enter into a transaction closing out the position.  Therefore, there is no assurance that any position can be closed out at a time and price that is favorable to the Fund.

(4)

Losses may arise due to unanticipated market price movements, lack of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument at a particular time or due to losses from premiums paid by the Fund on options transactions.

Cover .  Transactions using Financial Instruments, other than purchased options, expose the Fund to an obligation to another party.  The Fund will not enter into any such transactions unless it owns either (1) an offsetting (“covered”) position in securities or other options or futures contracts or (2) cash and liquid assets with a value, marked-to-market daily, sufficient to cover its potential obligations to the extent not covered as provided in (1) above.  The Fund will comply with SEC guidelines regarding cover for these instruments and will, if the guidelines so require, set aside cash or liquid assets in an account with its Custodian, or another approved custodian, in the prescribed amount as determined daily.

Assets used as cover or held in an account cannot be sold while the position in the corresponding Financial Instrument is open, unless they are replaced with other appropriate assets.  As a result, the commitment of a large portion of the Fund’s assets to cover accounts could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

Options .  The value of an option position will reflect, among other things, the current market value of the underlying investment, the time remaining until expiration, the relationship of the exercise price to the market price of the underlying investment and general market conditions.  Options that expire unexercised have no value.  Options currently are traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the NYSE Amex Options Exchange, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and other exchanges, as well as the OTC markets.

By buying a call option on a security, the Fund has the right, in return for the premium paid, to buy the security underlying the option at the exercise price.  By writing (selling) a call option and receiving a premium, the Fund becomes obligated during the term of the option to deliver securities underlying the option at the exercise price if the option is exercised.  By buying a put option, the Fund has the right, in return for the premium, to sell the security underlying the option at the exercise price.  By writing a put option, the Fund becomes obligated during the term of the option to purchase the securities underlying the option at the exercise price.

Because options premiums paid or received by the Fund are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying and selling put and call options can be more speculative than investing directly in securities.

The Fund may effectively terminate its right or obligation under an option by entering into a closing transaction.  For example, the Fund may terminate its obligation under a call or put option that it had written, by purchasing an identical call or put option.  This is known as a closing purchase transaction.  Conversely, the Fund may terminate a position in a put or call option it had purchased by writing an identical put or call option.  This is known as a closing sale transaction.  Closing transactions permit the Fund to realize profits or limit losses on an option position prior to its exercise or expiration.

Risks of Options on Securities .  Exchange-traded options in the United States are issued by a clearing organization affiliated with the exchange on which the option is listed that, in effect, guarantees completion of every exchange-traded option transaction.  In contrast, OTC options are contracts between the Fund and its counter-party (usually a securities dealer or a bank) with no clearing organization guarantee.  Thus, when the Fund purchases an OTC option, it relies on the counter-party from whom it purchased the option to make or take delivery of the underlying investment upon exercise of the option.  Failure by the counter-party to do so would result in the loss of any premium paid by the Fund as well as the loss of any expected benefit of the transaction.

The Fund’s ability to establish and close out positions in exchange-traded options depends on the existence of a liquid market.  However, there can be no assurance that such a market will exist at any particular time.  Closing transactions can be made for OTC options only by negotiating directly with the counter-party or by a transaction in the secondary market if any such market exists.  There can be no assurance that the Fund will in fact be able to close out an OTC option position at a favorable price prior to expiration.  In the event of insolvency of the counter-party, the Fund might be unable to close out an OTC option position at any time prior to its expiration.

If the Fund were unable to effect a closing transaction for an option it had purchased, it would have to exercise the option to realize any profit.  The inability to enter into a closing purchase transaction for a covered call option written by the Fund could cause material losses because the Fund would be unable to sell the investment used as cover for the written option until the option expires or is exercised.

Options on Indices .  An index fluctuates with changes in the market values of the securities included in the index.  Options on indices give the holder the right to receive an amount of cash upon exercise of the option.  Receipt of this cash amount will depend upon the closing level of the index upon which the option is based being greater than (in the case of a call) or less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option.  Some stock index options are based on a broad market index such as the S&P 500 Index, the NYSE Composite Index or the NYSE Arca Major Market Index or on a narrower index such as the Philadelphia Stock Exchange Over-the-Counter Index.

Each of the exchanges has established limitations governing the maximum number of call or put options on the same index that may be bought or written by a single investor, whether acting alone or in concert with others (regardless of whether such options are written on the same or different exchanges or are held or written on one or more accounts or through one or more brokers).  Under these limitations, option positions of all investment companies advised by the Advisor are combined for purposes of these limits.  Pursuant to these limitations, an exchange may order the liquidation of positions and may impose other sanctions or restrictions.  These positions limits may restrict the number of listed options that the Fund may buy or sell.

Puts and calls on indices are similar to puts and calls on securities or futures contracts except that all settlements are in cash and gain or loss depends on changes in the index in question rather than on price movements in individual securities or futures contracts.  When the Fund writes a call on an index, it receives a premium and agrees that, prior to the expiration date, the purchaser of the call, upon exercise of the call, will receive from the Fund an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the call is based is greater than the exercise price of the call.  The amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the call times a specified multiple (“multiplier”), which determines the total value for each point of such difference.  When the Fund buys a call on an index, it pays a premium and has the same rights to such call as are indicated above.  When the Fund buys a put on an index, it pays a premium and has the right, prior to the expiration date, to require the seller of the put, upon the Fund’s exercise of the put, to deliver to the Fund an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the put is based is less than the exercise price of the put, which amount of cash is determined by the multiplier, as described above for calls.  When the Fund writes a put on an index, it receives a premium and the purchaser of the put has the right, prior to the expiration date, to require the Fund to deliver to it an amount of cash equal to the difference between the closing level of the index and the exercise price times the multiplier if the closing level is less than the exercise price.

Risks of Options on Indices .  If the Fund has purchased an index option and exercises it before the closing index value for that day is available, it runs the risk that the level of the underlying index may subsequently change.  If such a change causes the exercised option to fall out-of-the-money, the Fund will be required to pay the difference between the closing index value and the exercise price of the option (times the applicable multiplier) to the assigned writer.

OTC Options .  Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized with respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size and strike price, the terms of OTC options (options not traded on exchanges) generally are established through negotiation with the other party to the option contract.  While this type of arrangement allows the Fund great flexibility to tailor the option to its needs, OTC options generally involve greater risk than exchange-traded options, which are guaranteed by the clearing organization of the exchanges where they are traded.

Futures Contracts, Options on Futures Contracts and Forward Contracts .  Futures and forward contracts are contractual agreements to buy or sell a particular currency, commodity or financial instrument at a pre-determined price in the future.  A futures contract obligates the seller to deliver (and the purchaser to take delivery of) the specified security on the expiration date of the contract.  An index futures contract obligates the seller to deliver (and the purchaser to take) an amount of cash equal to a specific dollar amount times the difference between the value of a specific index at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the agreement is made.  No physical delivery of the underlying securities in the index is made.

When the Fund writes an option on a futures contract, it becomes obligated, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in the futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option.  If the Fund writes a call, it assumes a short futures position.  If it writes a put, it assumes a long futures position.  When the Fund purchases an option on a futures contract, it acquires the right in return for the premium it pays to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put).

Whether the Fund realizes a gain or loss from futures activities depends upon movements in the underlying security or index.  The extent of the Fund’s loss from an unhedged short position in futures contracts or from writing unhedged call options on futures contracts is potentially unlimited.  The Fund only purchases and sells futures contracts and options on futures contracts that are traded on a U.S. exchange or board of trade.

No price is paid upon entering into a futures contract other than exchange and clearing fees.  Instead, at the inception of a futures contract the Fund is required to deposit “initial margin” in an amount generally equal to 10% or less of the contract value.  Margin also must be deposited when writing a call or put option on a futures contract, in accordance with applicable exchange rules.  Unlike margin in securities transactions, initial margin does not represent a borrowing, but rather is in the nature of a performance bond or good-faith deposit that is returned to the Fund at the termination of the transaction if all contractual obligations have been satisfied.  Under certain circumstances, such as periods of high volatility, the Fund may be required by an exchange to increase the level of its initial margin payment, and initial margin requirements might be increased generally in the future by regulatory action.

Subsequent “variation margin” payments are made to and from the futures commission merchant daily as the value of the futures position varies, a process known as “marking-to-market.”  Variation margin does not involve borrowing, but rather represents a daily settlement of the Fund’s obligations to or from a futures commission merchant.  When the Fund purchases an option on a futures contract, the premium paid plus transaction costs is all that is at risk.  In contrast, when the Fund purchases or sells a futures contract or writes a call or put option thereon, it is subject to daily variation margin calls that could be substantial in the event of adverse price movements.  If the Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily variation margin requirements, it might need to sell securities at a time when such sales are disadvantageous.

Purchasers and sellers of futures contracts and options on futures can enter into offsetting closing transactions, similar to closing transactions in options, by selling or purchasing, respectively, an instrument identical to the instrument purchased or sold.  Positions in futures and options on futures contracts may be closed only on an exchange or board of trade that provides a secondary market.  However, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for a particular contract at a particular time.  In such event, it may not be possible to close a futures contract or options position.

Under certain circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of a futures contract or an option on a futures contract can vary from the previous day’s settlement price. Once that limit is reached, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond the limit.  Daily price limits do not limit potential losses because prices could move to the daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading, thereby preventing liquidation of unfavorable positions.

If the Fund were unable to liquidate a futures contract or an option on a futures position due to the absence of a liquid secondary market or the imposition of price limits, it could incur substantial losses.  The Fund would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the position.  In addition, except in the case of purchased options, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily variation margin payments and might be required to maintain cash or liquid assets in an account.


Forward Contracts . A forward contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific security, currency or other instrument for an agreed price at a future date that is individually negotiated and privately traded by traders and their customers.


Risks of Futures Contracts and Options Thereon .  The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and futures markets (including the options on futures markets), due to differences in the natures of those markets, are subject to the following factors, which may create distortions.  First, all participants in the futures market are subject to margin deposit and maintenance requirements.  Rather than meeting additional margin deposit requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions, which could distort the normal relationships between the cash and futures markets.  Second, the liquidity of the futures market depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery.  To the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced, thus producing distortion.  Third, from the point of view of speculators, the deposit requirements in the futures market are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market.  Therefore, increased participation by speculators in the futures market may cause temporary price distortions.


Combined Positions .  The Fund may purchase and write options in combination with each other.  For example, the Fund may purchase a put option and write a call option on the same underlying instrument, in order to construct a combined position whose risk and return characteristics are similar to selling a futures contract.  Another possible combined position would involve writing a call option at one strike price and buying a call option at a lower price, in order to reduce the risk of the written call option in the event of a substantial price increase.  Because combined options positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher transaction costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.

Temporary and Cash Investments

Under normal market conditions, the Fund will stay fully invested according to its principal investment strategies as described in the prospectus.  The Fund, however, may temporarily depart from its principal investment strategies by making short-term investments in cash, cash equivalents, and high-quality, short-term debt securities and money market instruments for temporary defensive purposes in response to adverse market, economic or political conditions.  This may result in the Fund not achieving its investment objectives during that period.

For longer periods of time, the Fund may hold a substantial cash position.  If the market advances during periods when the Fund is holding a large cash position, the Fund may not participate to the extent it would have if the Fund had been more fully invested.  To the extent that the Fund uses a money market fund for its cash position, there will be some duplication of expenses because the Fund would bear its pro rata portion of such money market fund’s advisory fees and operational expenses.

The Fund may invest in any of the following securities and instruments:

Money Market Mutual Funds .  The Fund may invest in money market mutual funds in connection with its management of daily cash positions or as a temporary defensive measure.  Generally, money market mutual funds seek to earn income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.  They primarily invest in high quality money market obligations, including securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies and instrumentalities, bank obligations and high-grade corporate instruments.  These investments generally mature within 397 days from the date of purchase.  An investment in a money market mutual fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any government agency.  The Fund’s investments in money market mutual funds may be used for cash management purposes and to maintain liquidity in order to satisfy redemption requests or pay unanticipated expenses.

Your cost of investing in the Fund will generally be higher than the cost of investing directly in the underlying money market mutual fund shares.  You will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by the underlying money market mutual funds in addition to the Fund’s direct fees and expenses.  Furthermore, the use of this strategy could affect the timing, amount and character of distributions to you and therefore may increase the amount of taxes payable by you.

Bank Certificates of Deposit, Bankers’ Acceptances and Time Deposits .  The Fund may acquire certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits.  Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against monies deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a specified return.  Bankers’ acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise, which are “accepted” by a bank, meaning in effect that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity.  Certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances acquired by the Fund will be dollar-denominated obligations of domestic or foreign banks or financial institutions which at the time of purchase have capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $100 million (including assets of both domestic and foreign branches), based on latest published reports, or less than $100 million if the principal amount of such bank obligations are fully insured by the U.S. Government.

Domestic banks and foreign banks are subject to different governmental regulations with respect to the amount and types of loans that may be made and interest rates that may be charged.  In addition, the profitability of the banking industry depends largely upon the availability and cost of funds for the purpose of financing lending operations under prevailing money market conditions.  General economic conditions as well as exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers play an important part in the operations of the banking industry.

As a result of federal and state laws and regulations, domestic banks are, among other things, required to maintain specified levels of reserves, limited in the amount which they can loan to a single borrower and subject to other regulations designed to promote financial soundness.  However, such laws and regulations do not necessarily apply to foreign bank obligations that the Fund may acquire.

In addition to purchasing certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances, to the extent permitted under the investment objective and policies stated above and in the Prospectus, the Fund may make interest-bearing time or other interest-bearing deposits in commercial or savings banks.  Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained at a banking institution for a specified period of time at a specified interest rate.

Savings Association Obligations .  The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit (interest-bearing time deposits) issued by savings banks or savings and loan associations that have capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $100 million, based on latest published reports, or less than $100 million if the principal amount of such obligations is fully insured by the U.S. Government.

Commercial Paper, Short-Term Notes and Other Corporate Obligations .   The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in commercial paper and short-term notes.  Commercial paper consists of unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations.  Issues of commercial paper and short-term notes will normally have maturities of less than nine months and fixed rates of return, although such instruments may have maturities of up to one year.

Commercial paper and short-term notes will consist of issues rated at the time of purchase “A-2” or higher by S&P, “Prime-1” or “Prime-2” by Moody’s, or similarly rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, will be determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality.

Corporate obligations include bonds and notes issued by corporations to finance longer-term credit needs than supported by commercial paper.  While such obligations generally have maturities of ten years or more, the Fund may purchase corporate obligations which have remaining maturities of one year or less from the date of purchase and which are rated “A” or higher by S&P or “A” or higher by Moody’s.

Asset-Backed Securities

The Fund may invest in certain types of asset-backed securities.  Asset-backed securities are securities issued by trusts and special purpose entities that are backed by pools of assets, such as automobile and credit-card receivables and home equity loans, which pass through the payments on the underlying obligations to the security holders (less servicing fees paid to the originator or fees for any credit enhancement).  Typically, the originator of the loan or accounts receivable paper transfers it to a specially created trust, which repackages it as securities with a minimum denomination and a specific term.  The securities are then privately placed or publicly offered.  Examples include certificates for automobile receivables and so-called plastic bonds, backed by credit card receivables.

The value of an asset-backed security is affected by, among other things, changes in the market’s perception of the asset backing the security, the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the loan pool, the originator of the loans and the financial institution providing any credit enhancement.  Payments of principal and interest passed through to holders of asset-backed securities are frequently supported by some form of credit enhancement, such as a letter of credit, surety bond, limited guarantee by another entity or by having a priority to certain of the borrower’s other assets.  The degree of credit enhancement varies, and generally applies to only a portion of the asset-backed security’s par value.  Value is also affected if any credit enhancement has been exhausted.

U.S. Government Obligations

The Fund may invest in various types of U.S. Government obligations.  U.S. Government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, such as the U.S. Treasury.  Payment of principal and interest on U.S. Government obligations may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself.  In the latter case, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, which agency or instrumentality may be privately owned.  There can be no assurance that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises) where it is not obligated to do so.  See also “Mortgage-Backed Securities,” below.

Mortgage-Backed Securities

The Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities.  A mortgage-backed security is a type of pass-through security, which is a security representing pooled debt obligations repackaged as interests that pass income through an intermediary to investors.  In the case of mortgage-backed securities, the ownership interest is in a pool of mortgage loans.

Mortgage-backed securities are most commonly issued or guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Federal Home Loan Banks (“FHLB”) or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), but may also be issued or guaranteed by other private issuers.  GNMA is a government-owned corporation that is an agency of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  It guarantees, with the full faith and credit of the United States, full and timely payment of all monthly principal and interest on its mortgage-backed securities.  FNMA is a publicly owned, government-sponsored corporation that mostly packages mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration, but also sells some non-governmentally backed mortgages.  Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest only by FNMA.  The FHLMC is a publicly chartered agency that buys qualifying residential mortgages from lenders, re-packages them and provides certain guarantees.  Pass-through securities issued by the FHLMC are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest only by the FHLMC.

Some of these obligations are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury.  Others are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury.  Others are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations.  Still others are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality.  No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government would provide, or continue to provide, financial support to U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities if it is not obligated to do so by law.  As a result, there is a risk that these entities will default on a financial obligation.

In September of 2008, due to the value of FNMA’s and FHLMC’s securities falling sharply and concerns that the firms did not have sufficient capital to offset losses resulting from the mortgage crisis, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) placed FNMA and FHLMC into conservatorship.  The effect of this conservatorship will have on the companies’ securities is unclear.  In addition, to placing the companies in conservatorship, the U.S. Treasury announced three additional steps that it intended to take with respect to FNMA and FHLMC.  First, the U.S. Treasury has agreed to provide up to $200 billion of capital as needed to ensure that FNMA and FHLMC each maintains a positive net worth and is able to fulfill their financial obligations.  Second, the U.S. Treasury established a secured lending facility available to FNMA and FHLMC.  Third, the U.S. Treasury initiated a temporary program to purchase FNMA and FHLMC mortgage-backed securities.  The secured lending facility and the temporary purchase program terminated on December 31, 2009.  However, the U.S. Treasury announced in December 2009 that it would permit its funding commitment to increase as necessary to prevent any cumulative reduction in net worth of FNMA and FHLMC over the next three years.  No assurance can be given that the U.S. Treasury initiatives will be successful.

Mortgage-backed securities issued by private issuers, whether or not such obligations are subject to guarantees by the private issuer, may entail greater risk than obligations directly or indirectly guaranteed by the U.S. Government.  The average life of a mortgage-backed security is likely to be substantially less than the original maturity of the mortgage pools underlying the securities.  Prepayments of principal by mortgagors and mortgage foreclosures will usually result in the return of the greater part of principal invested far in advance of the maturity of the mortgages in the pool.

Collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) are debt obligations collateralized by mortgage loans or mortgage pass-through securities (collateral collectively hereinafter referred to as “Mortgage Assets”).  Multi-class pass-through securities are interests in a trust composed of Mortgage Assets and all references in this section to CMOs include multi-class pass-through securities.  Principal prepayments on the Mortgage Assets may cause the CMOs to be retired substantially earlier than their stated maturities or final distribution dates, resulting in a loss of all or part of the premium if any has been paid.  Interest is paid or accrues on all classes of the CMOs on a monthly, quarterly or semiannual basis.  The principal and interest payments on the Mortgage Assets may be allocated among the various classes of CMOs in several ways.  Typically, payments of principal, including any prepayments, on the underlying mortgages are applied to the classes in the order of their respective stated maturities or final distribution dates, so that no payment of principal is made on CMOs of a class until all CMOs of other classes having earlier stated maturities or final distribution dates have been paid in full.

Stripped mortgage-backed securities (“SMBS”) are derivative multi-class mortgage securities.  The Fund will only invest in SMBS whose mortgage assets are U.S. Government obligations and are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.  SMBS are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions from a pool of mortgage assets.  A common type of SMBS will be structured so that one class receives some of the interest and most of the principal from the mortgage assets, while the other class receives most of the interest and the remainder of the principal.  If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities.  The market value of any class which consists primarily or entirely of principal payments is generally unusually volatile in response to changes in interest rates.

Investment in mortgage-backed securities poses several risks, including among others, prepayment, market and credit risk.  Prepayment risk reflects the risk that borrowers may prepay their mortgages faster than expected, thereby affecting the investment’s average life and perhaps its yield.  Whether a mortgage loan is prepaid is almost entirely controlled by the borrower.  Borrowers are most likely to exercise prepayment options at the time when it is least advantageous to investors, generally prepaying mortgages as interest rates fall, and slowing payments as interest rates rise.  Besides the effect of prevailing interest rates, the rate of prepayment and refinancing of mortgages may also be affected by home value appreciation, ease of the refinancing process and local economic conditions.  Market risk reflects the risk that the price of a security may fluctuate over time.  The price of mortgage-backed securities may be particularly sensitive to prevailing interest rates, the length of time the security is expected to be outstanding and the liquidity of the issue.  In a period of unstable interest rates, there may be decreased demand for certain types of mortgage-backed securities, and the Fund, to the extent that it is invested in such securities and desires to sell them, may find it difficult to find a buyer, which may in turn decrease the price at which they may be sold.  Credit risk reflects the risk that the Fund may not receive all or part of its principal because the issuer or credit enhancer has defaulted on its obligations.  Obligations issued by U.S. Government-related entities are guaranteed as to the payment of principal and interest, but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.  However, as described above, the U.S. Government has recently taken steps with respect to FNMA and FHLMC to ensure that they are able to fulfill their financial obligations.  The performance of private label mortgage-backed securities, issued by private institutions, is based on the financial health of those institutions.  With respect to GNMA certificates, although GNMA guarantees timely payment even if homeowners delay or default, tracking the “pass-through” payments may, at times, be difficult.

Restricted Securities

The Fund may invest in securities that are subject to restrictions on resale because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).  These securities are sometimes referred to as private placements.  Although securities that may be resold only to “qualified institutional buyers” in accordance with the provisions of Rule 144A under the Securities Act are technically considered “restricted securities,” the Fund may purchase Rule 144A securities without regard to the limitation on investments in illiquid securities described below in the “Illiquid Securities” section, provided that a determination is made that such securities have a readily available trading market.  The Fund may also purchase certain commercial paper issued in reliance on the exemption from registration in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act (“4(2) Paper”).  The Advisor will determine the liquidity of Rule 144A securities and 4(2) Paper under the supervision of the Board of Trustees.  The liquidity of Rule 144A securities and 4(2) Paper will be monitored by the Advisor, and if as a result of changed conditions it is determined that a Rule 144A security or 4(2) Paper is no longer liquid, the Fund’s holdings of illiquid securities will be reviewed to determine what, if any, action is required to assure that the Fund does not exceed its applicable percentage limitation for investments in illiquid securities.

Limitations on the resale of restricted securities may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and the Fund might be unable to dispose of restricted securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemption requirements.  The Fund might also have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional expense and delay.  Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.

When-Issued Securities

The Fund may from time to time purchase securities on a “when-issued” basis.  The price of such securities, which may be expressed in yield terms, is fixed at the time the commitment to purchase is made, but delivery and payment for the when-issued securities take place at a later date.  Normally, the settlement date occurs within one month of the purchase.  During the period between purchase and settlement, the Fund makes no payment to the issuer and no interest accrues to the Fund.  To the extent that assets of the Fund are held in cash pending the settlement of a purchase of securities, the Fund would earn no income.  While when-issued securities may be sold prior to the settlement date, the Fund intends to purchase such securities with the purpose of actually acquiring them unless a sale appears desirable for investment reasons.  At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase a security on a when-issued basis, it will record the transaction and reflect the value of the security in determining its net asset value.  The market value of the when-issued securities may be more or less than the purchase price.  The Fund does not believe that its net asset value or income will be adversely affected by the purchase of securities on a when-issued basis.  The Fund will segregate liquid assets equal in value to commitments for when-issued securities, which may reduce but does not eliminate leverage.

Illiquid Securities

As a non-principal strategy, the Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities that are illiquid at the time of purchase, which means that there may be legal or contractual restrictions on their disposition, or that there are no readily available market quotations for such a security.  Illiquid securities present the risks that the Fund may have difficulty valuing these holdings and/or may be unable to sell these holdings at the time or price desired.  There are generally no restrictions on the Fund’s ability to invest in restricted securities (that is, securities that are not registered pursuant to the Securities Act), except to the extent such securities may be considered illiquid.  Securities issued pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act will be considered liquid if determined to be so under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees.  The Advisor is responsible for making the determination as to the liquidity of restricted securities (pursuant to the procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees).  The Fund will determine a security to be illiquid if it cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at the value at which the Fund has valued the security.  Factors considered in determining whether a security is illiquid may include, but are not limited to: the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; the number of dealers willing to purchase and sell the security and the number of potential purchasers; the number of dealers who undertake to make a market in the security; the nature of the security, including whether it is registered or unregistered, and the market place; whether the security has been rated by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”); the period of time remaining until the maturity of a debt instrument or until the principal amount of a demand instrument can be recovered through demand; the nature of any restrictions on resale; and with respect to municipal lease obligations and certificates of participation, there is reasonable assurance that the obligation will remain liquid throughout the time the obligation is held and, if unrated, an analysis similar to that which would be performed by an NRSRO is performed.  If a restricted security is determined to be liquid, it will not be included within the category of illiquid securities, which may not exceed 15% of the Fund’s net assets.  Investing in Rule 144A securities could have the effect of increasing the level of the Fund’s illiquidity to the extent that the Fund, at a particular point in time may be unable to find qualified institutional buyers interested in purchasing the securities.  The Fund is permitted to sell restricted securities to qualified institutional buyers.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary

The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in a wholly-owned and controlled Cayman Islands subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”), which is expected to invest primarily in commodity and financial futures and option contracts.  As a result, the Fund may be considered to be investing indirectly in these investments through the Subsidiary.  For that reason, and for the sake of convenience, references in this Statement of Additional Information to the Fund may also include the Subsidiary.

The Subsidiary will not be registered under the 1940 Act but, will be subject to certain of the investor protections of that Act, as noted in this Statement of Additional Information.  The Fund, as the sole shareholder of the Subsidiary, will not have all of the protections offered to investors in registered investment companies.  However, since the Fund wholly owns and controls the Subsidiary, and the Fund and Subsidiary are both managed by the Advisor, it is unlikely that the Subsidiary will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund or its shareholders.  The Fund’s Board has oversight responsibility for the investment activities of the Fund, including its investment in the Subsidiary, and the Fund’s role as the sole shareholder of the Subsidiary.  Also, in managing the Subsidiary’s portfolio, the Advisor will be subject to the same investment restrictions and operational guidelines that apply to the management of the Fund, including any collateral or segregation requirements in connection with various investment strategies.

Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands, under which the Fund and the Subsidiary, respectively, are organized, could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in this Statement of Additional Information and could negatively affect the Fund and its shareholders.  For example, the Cayman Islands does not currently impose any income, corporate or capital gains tax, estate duty, inheritance tax, gift tax or withholding tax on the Subsidiary.  If Cayman Islands law changes such that the Subsidiary must pay Cayman Islands taxes, Fund shareholders would likely suffer decreased investment returns.

Additional Risks

Risk of Potential Government Regulation of Derivatives

It is possible that government regulation of various types of derivative instruments, including futures and swap agreements, may limit or prevent the Fund from using such instruments as part of its investment strategy, and could ultimately prevent the Fund from being able to achieve its investment goals.  For example, some legislative and regulatory proposals, such as those in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) (which was passed into law in July 2010), would upon implementation impose limits on the maximum position that could be held by a single trader in certain contracts and would subject some derivatives transactions to new forms of regulation that could create barriers to some types of investment activity.  Other provisions would require many swaps to be cleared and traded on an exchange, expand entity registration requirements, impose business conduct requirements on dealers that enter into swaps with a pension plan, endowment, retirement plan or government entity, and require banks to move some derivatives trading units to a non-guaranteed affiliate separate from the deposit-taking bank or divest them altogether.  While many provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act must be implemented through future rulemaking, and any regulatory or legislative activity may not necessarily have a direct, immediate effect upon the Fund, it is possible that, upon implementation of these measures or any future measures, they could potentially limit or completely restrict the ability of the Fund to use these instruments as a part of its investment strategy, increase the costs of using these instruments or make them less effective.

Commodity Pool Operator Regulation Risk

The Advisor has filed with the National Futures Association, a notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” or “CPO” under Section 4.5 of regulations of the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, with respect to the Fund’s operation.  Recently, the CFTC has amended Section 4.5, and, subject to the availability of another exemption, both the Fund and the Subsidiary will be required to comply with certain CFTC regulations regarding disclosure, reporting and recordkeeping in the future, although the CFTC has not yet finalized the rule explaining the exact nature of the additional requirements applicable to registered investment companies like the Fund.  Compliance with such requirements will likely increase the costs associated with an investment in the Fund.


Fundamental Investment Limitations

The Trust (on behalf of the Fund) has adopted the following restrictions as fundamental policies, which may not be changed without the favorable vote of the holders of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund,” as defined in the 1940 Act.  Under the 1940 Act, the “vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” means the vote of the holders of the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of its outstanding shares are represented or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.


The Fund may not:


1.

Issue senior securities.  This limitation is not applicable to activities that may be deemed to involve the issuance or sale of a senior security by the Fund, provided that the Fund’s engagement in such activities is consistent with or permitted by the 1940 Act, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or interpretations of the SEC or its staff;

2.

Borrow money, except (a) from a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings of the Fund; or (b) from a bank or other persons for temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are in an amount not exceeding 5% of the Fund’s total assets at the time when the borrowing is made.  This limitation does not preclude the Fund from entering into reverse repurchase transactions, provided that the Fund has an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings and repurchase commitments of the Fund pursuant to reverse repurchase transactions;

3.

Purchase securities on margin, participate on a joint or joint and several basis in any securities trading account, or underwrite securities. (Does not preclude the Fund from obtaining such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of its portfolio securities, and except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, by virtue of disposing of portfolio securities);

4.

Purchase or sell real estate or interests in real estate. This limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities that are secured by or represent interests in real estate or real estate acquired as a result of such investments. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from investing in mortgage-related securities or investing in companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion of their assets in real estate (including real estate investment trusts);

5.

Invest 25% or more of the market value of its assets in the securities of companies engaged in any one industry. (Does not apply to investment in the securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.);

6.

Purchase or sell commodities (unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments), except that the Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts and options to the full extent permitted under the 1940 Act, sell foreign currency contracts in accordance with any rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, invest in securities or other instruments backed by commodities, and invest in companies that are engaged in a commodities business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities; or

7.

Make loans to others, except (a) through the purchase of debt securities in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, (b) to the extent the entry into a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan, and (c) by loaning portfolio securities.


The following lists the non-fundamental investment restrictions applicable to the Fund.  These restrictions can be changed by the Board of Trustees, but the change will only be effective after notice is given to shareholders of the Fund.


The Fund may not:


1.

Invest in securities of other investment companies except as permitted under the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder; or

2.

Invest 15% or more of the value of its net assets, computed at the time of investment, in illiquid securities.  Illiquid securities are those securities without readily available market quotations, including repurchase agreements having a maturity of more than seven days.  Illiquid securities may include restricted securities not determined by the Board of Trustees to be liquid, non-negotiable time deposits, over-the-counter options and repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice.


Except with respect to borrowing and illiquid securities, if a percentage or rating restriction on investment or use of assets set forth herein or in the Prospectus is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in percentage resulting from any cause other than actions by the Fund will not be considered a violation.


Management of the Fund


Board of Trustees

The management and affairs of the Fund are supervised by the Board of Trustees.  The Board of Trustees consists of five individuals, four (4) of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Trust and the Advisor (“Independent Trustees”).  The Trustees are fiduciaries for the Fund’s shareholders and are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware in this regard.  The Board of Trustees establishes policies for the operation of the Fund and appoints the officers who conduct the daily business of the Fund.


Board Leadership Structure

The Trust is led by Mr. Brian Nielsen, who has served as the Chairman of the Board since 2011.  Mr. Nielsen is an interested person by virtue of his affiliation with Gemini Fund Services, LLC, (the Trust’s Administrator, Fund Accountant, and Transfer Agent) and Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the Fund’s Distributor).  The Board of Trustees is comprised of Mr. Nielsen and four (4) Independent Trustees.   Under certain 1940 Act governance guidelines that apply to the Trust, the Independent Trustees will meet in executive session, at least quarterly. Under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, the Chairman of the Board is responsible for (a) presiding at board meetings, (b) calling special meetings on an as-needed basis, (c) execution and administration of Trust policies including (i) setting the agendas for board meetings and (ii) providing information to board members in advance of each board meeting and between board meetings.  Generally, the Trust believes it best to have a non-executive Chairman of the Board, who together with the President (principal executive officer), are seen by our shareholders, business partners and other stakeholders as providing strong leadership.  The Trust believes that (i) its Chairman, Brian Nielsen, (ii) the independent chair of the Audit Committee, Keith Rhodes and (iii), as an entity, the full Board of Trustees, provide effective leadership that is in the best interests of the Trust, its funds and each shareholder. The Board has not appointed a Lead Independent Trustee at this time.


Board Risk Oversight

The Board of Trustees is comprised of Mr. Nielsen and four (4) Independent Trustees with a standing independent Audit Committee with a separate chair. The Board is responsible for overseeing risk management, and the full Board regularly engages in discussions of risk management and receives compliance reports that inform its oversight of risk management from its Chief Compliance Officer at quarterly meetings and on an ad hoc basis, when and if necessary.  The Audit Committee considers financial and reporting risk within its area of responsibilities.  Generally, the Board believes that its oversight of material risks is adequately maintained through the compliance-reporting chain where the Chief Compliance Officer is the primary recipient and communicator of such risk-related information.


Trustee Qualifications.

Generally, the Trust believes that each Trustee is competent to serve because of their individual overall merits including: (i) experience, (ii) qualifications, (iii) attributes and (iv) skills.  Mr. Nielsen has over 10 years of business experience in the investment management and brokerage business and possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate.  From 1994 through 2010, Thomas Sarkany held various roles at Value Line, Inc. (a publicly held company providing financial research, publications and money management services to retail and institutional investors), including Director of Marketing and Asset Management, Director of Index Licensing, and member of the Board of Directors.  Anthony Lewis has been Chairman and CEO of The Lewis Group USA, an executive consulting firm, for the past ten years, and also serves as a Director, the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, and a Member of the Audit Committee of Torotel Inc.  Keith Rhoades served as the Director then Senior Director of General Ledger/Financial Research for Union Pacific Railroad, and Randy Skalla has served as the President of L5 Enterprises, Inc. since 2001 and is a member of the Orizon Investment Counsel Board.  The Trust does not believe any one factor is determinative in assessing a Trustee’s qualifications, but that the collective experience of each Trustee makes them each highly qualified.


The Board of Trustees has established four standing committees – the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Nominating Committee and the Valuation Committee.  All Independent Trustees are members of the Audit Committee and the Nominating Committee.  Inclusion of all Independent Trustees as members of the Audit Committee and the Nominating Committee allows all such Trustees to participate in the full range of the Board of Trustees’ oversight duties, including oversight of risk management processes.


In accordance with the fund governance standards prescribed by the SEC under the 1940 Act, the Independent Trustees on the Nominating Committee select and nominate all candidates for Independent Trustee positions.  Each Trustee was appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees because of his experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills as set forth above.  The Board of Trustees reviews its leadership structure regularly.  The Board of Trustees believes that the structure described above facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Trustees from the officers of the Trust, the advisers of the funds that comprise the Trust and other service providers, and facilitates the effective evaluation of the risks and other issues, including conflicts of interest, that may impact the Trust as a whole as well as the funds individually.  The Board of Trustees believes that the orderly and efficient flow of information and the ability of the Board of Trustees to bring each Trustee’s experience and skills to bear in overseeing the Trust’s operations is important given the characteristics and circumstances of the Trust, including: the unaffiliated nature of each investment adviser and the fund(s) managed by such adviser; the number of funds that comprise the Trust; the variety of asset classes that those funds reflect; the net assets of the Trust; the committee structure of the Trust; and the independent distribution arrangements of each of the Trust’s underlying funds.  For these reasons, the Board of Trustees believes that its leadership structure is appropriate.


The Board of Trustees’ role is one of oversight rather than day-to-day management of any of the Trust’s underlying funds.  The Trust’s Audit Committee assists with this oversight function.  The Board of Trustees’ oversight extends to the Trust’s risk management processes.  Those processes are overseen by Trust officers, including the President, the Treasurer, the Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”), who regularly report to the Board of Trustees on a variety of matters at Board meetings.


Investment advisers managing the Trust’s underlying funds report to the Board of Trustees, on a regular and as-needed basis, on actual and possible risks affecting the Trust’s underlying funds.  These investment advisers report to the Board of Trustees on various elements of risk, including investment, credit, liquidity, valuation, operational and compliance risks, as well as any overall business risks that could impact the Trust’s underlying funds.


The Board of Trustees has appointed the CCO, who reports directly to the Board of Trustees and who participates in its regular meetings.  In addition, the CCO presents an annual report to the Board of Trustees in accordance with the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures.  The CCO, together with the Trust’s Treasurer and Secretary, regularly discusses risk issues affecting the Trust and its underlying funds during Board of Trustee meetings.  The CCO also provides updates to the Board of Trustees on the operation of the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures and on how these procedures are designed to mitigate risk.  Finally, the CCO and/or other officers of the Trust report to the Board of Trustees in the event that any material risk issues arise in between Board meetings.


Trustees and Officers

The Trustees and the officers of the Trust are listed below with their addresses, present positions with the Trust and principal occupations over at least the last five years.  Unless otherwise noted, the address of each Trustee and Officer is 4020 South 147 th Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68137.


Independent Trustees

Name, Address and Year of Birth

Position/Term of Office*

Principal Occupation

During the Past Five Years

Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee

Other Directorships held by Trustee

During the Past Five Years

 Thomas T. Sarkany

Year of Birth: 1946

Trustee since October 2011

President, TTS Consultants, LLC since 2010 (financial services); Director of Marketing and of Asset Management; Director of Index Licensing, Value Line (from 1994 to 2010 )

23

Director, Value Line Funds; Director, Value Line, Inc.; Director, Aquila Distributors , Northern Lights ETF Trust

Anthony H. Lewis

Year of Birth: 1946

Trustee Since May 2011

Chairman and CEO of The Lewis Group USA (executive consulting firm).

23

Director, Chairman of the Compensation Committee, and Member of the Audit Committee of Torotel Inc. (Magnetics, Aerospace and Defense)

Keith Rhoades

Year of Birth:

1948

Trustee Since May 2011

Director and then Senior Director, General Ledger/Financial Research, Union Pacific Railroad (from 1988 to 2008). Retired since 2008.

23

NONE

Randal D. Skalla

Year of Birth: 1962

Trustee since May 2011

President, L5 Enterprises, Inc. since 2001 (financial services company).

23

Orizon Investment Counsel (financial services company) Board Member



Interested Trustees and Officers


Name, Address and Year of Birth

Position/Term of Office*

Principal Occupation

During the Past Five Years

Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex

Overseen by Trustee

Other Directorships held by Trustee

During the Past Five Years

Brian Nielsen**

Year of Birth: 1972

Trustee

Since May 2011

Assistant Secretary to Northern Lights Fund Trust since 2011; Director, Secretary and General Counsel of Constellation Trust Company since 2004; Secretary and General Counsel of Gemcom, LLC (financial printer) since 2004; Secretary, Manager and General Counsel of Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC since 2004; Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of AdvisorOne Funds since 2003; Assistant Secretary of Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2004); General Counsel, Manager, President and Secretary of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (mutual fund distributor) since 2003; General Counsel and Secretary of NorthStar Financial Services Group, LLC since 2003; General Counsel and Secretary of CLS Investments, LLC (investment advisor) since 2001; General Counsel and Secretary of Orion Advisor Services, LLC ( back-office servicing company) since 2001.

23

NONE

Andrew Rogers

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Year of Birth: 1969

President

Since May 2011

Chief Executive Officer, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2012); President and Manager, Gemini Fund Services, LLC ( 2006 - 2012); Formerly Manager, Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC ( 2006 – 2008 ); and President and Manager , GemCom LLC (2004 - 2011).

N/A

N/A

James P. Ash

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Year of Birth: 1976

Secretary

Since May 2011

Senior Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC ( since 2012); Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC ( 2011 - 2012); Director of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC ( 2009 - 2011); Assistant Vice President of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2008 - 2011).

N/A

N/A

Kevin E. Wolf

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Year of Birth: 1969

Treasurer

Since May 2011

President , Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2012); Director of Fund Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC ( 2006 - 2012); and Vice-President, GemCom, LLC ( since 2004 )

N/A

N/A

Emile Molineaux

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Year of Birth: 1962

Chief Compliance Officer

Since May 2011

General Counsel, CCO and Senior Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC; Secretary and CCO, Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC since 2003.

N/A

N/A

*  The term of office for each Trustee and Officer listed above will continue indefinitely.

** Brian Nielsen is an “interested person” of the Trust as that term is defined under the 1940 Act, because of his affiliation with Gemini Fund Services, LLC, (the Trust’s Administrator, Fund Accountant, and Transfer Agent) and Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the Fund’s Distributor).


Board Committees


Audit Committee .  The Trust has an Audit Committee, which is comprised of the independent members of the Board of Trustees.  The Audit Committee reviews financial statements and other audit-related matters for the Fund.  The Audit Committee also holds discussions with management and with the Fund’s independent auditor concerning the scope of the audit and the auditor’s independence and will meet at least four times annually.  


Nominating Committee .  The Trust has a Nominating Committee, which is comprised of the independent members of the Board of Trustees. The Nominating Committee is responsible for seeking and reviewing candidates for consideration as nominees for the position of trustee and meets only as necessary.  The Nominating Committee generally will not consider shareholder nominees.   


Valuation Committee .  The Trust has a Valuation Committee.  The Valuation Committee is responsible for the following: (1) monitoring the valuation of Fund securities and other investments; and (2) as required, when the Board of Trustees is not in session, determining the fair value of illiquid securities and other holdings after consideration of all relevant factors, which determinations are reported to the Board.  The Valuation Committee is currently comprised of Kevin Wolf, Emile Molineaux and Andrew Rogers.  The Valuation Committee meets as necessary when a price for a portfolio security is not readily available.  


Trustee Compensation

Each Trustee who is not an interested person of the Trust or Advis or will receive a quarterly fee of $2,000, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred attending the meetings to be paid at the end of each calendar quarter. The “interested persons” who serve as Trustees of the Trust receive no compensation for their services as Trustees. None of the executive officers receive compensation from the Trust. The Trust does not have a bonus, profit sharing, pension or retirement plan.  The aggregate amount of compensation that will be paid to each Board member by the Trust for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2013 for all funds comprising the Trust is estimated to be as follows:

  

Name

Aggregate Compensation From Trust ** (estimate)

Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Fund Expenses

Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement

Total Compensation

 From Trust Paid to

Trustees (estimate)

Thomas T. Sarkany

$8,000

None

None

$8,000

Anthony Lewis

$8,000

None

None

$8,000

Keith Rhoades

$8,000

None

None

$8,000

Randy Skalla

$8,000

None

None

$8,000

Brian Nielsen*

$0

None

None

$0

_______________

*This Trustee is deemed to be an ‘interested person’ as defined in the 1940 Act as a result of his affiliation with Gemini Fund Services, LLC (the Trust’s Administrator, Transfer Agent and Fund Accountant), Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the Fund’s Distributor) and Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (the Trust’s compliance service provider). 

**This amount is estimated based upon the arrangements entered into between the Trust and each of the Trustees that is not an “interested person.” There are currently multiple series comprising the Trust.  Trustees’ fees will be allocated equally to each Fund in the Trust.


Trustee Ownership

Because there were no shares outstanding as of the date of this SAI, the Trustees and officers, as a group, owned 0% of the Fund’s outstanding shares.

Control Persons and Principal Shareholders

A principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund.  A control person is one who owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund or acknowledges the existence of control.  A controlling person possesses the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted for shareholder vote by the Fund.  As of the date of this SAI, there were no principal or control shareholders as there were no shares of the Fund outstanding:


Investment Advisor

As stated in the Prospectus, investment advisory services are provided to the Fund by Longboard Asset Management, LLC, 4725 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 110, Scottsdale, Arizona 85251, pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”).  Subject to such policies as the Board of Trustees may determine, the Advisor is ultimately responsible for investment decisions for the Fund.  Pursuant to the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor provides the Fund with such investment advice and supervision as it deems necessary for the proper supervision of the Fund’s investments.


After an initial period of two years, the Advisory Agreement will continue in effect from year to year only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities and by a majority of the trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any such party, at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Advisory Agreement.  The Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Trust on behalf of the Fund upon 60 days’ prior written notice when authorized either by a majority vote of the applicable Fund’s shareholders or by a vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees, or by the Advisor upon 60 days’ prior written notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act).  The Advisory Agreement provides that the Advisor, under such agreement, shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the execution of portfolio transactions for the Fund, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder.


Under the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor, under the supervision of the Board, agrees (directly or through a subadviser) to invest the assets of the Fund in accordance with applicable law and the investment objective, policies and restrictions set forth in the Fund’s current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and subject to such further limitations as the Trust may from time to time impose by written notice to the Advisor.  The Advisor shall act as the investment advisor to the Fund and, as such shall (directly or through a subadviser) (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, business, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities here under, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with its investment objective, policies and restrictions, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold or retained by the Fund, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases or sales are to be effected; provided, that the Advisor (directly or through a subadviser) will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the issuer or with a broker or dealer, and if with a broker or dealer, (a) will attempt to obtain the best price and execution of its orders, and (b) may nevertheless in its discretion purchase and sell portfolio securities from and to brokers who provide the Advisor with research, analysis, advice and similar services and pay such brokers in return a higher commission or spread than may be charged by other brokers.  The Advisor also provides the Fund with all necessary office facilities and personnel for servicing the Fund’s investments, compensates all officers, Trustees and employees of the Trust who are officers, directors or employees of the Advisor, and all personnel of the Fund or the Advisor performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities.  The Advisory Agreement was approved by the Board of the Trust, including by a majority of the Independent Trustees, at a meeting held on May 3, 2012.

In addition, the Advisor, directly subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, provides the management and administrative services necessary for the operation of the Fund.  These services include providing facilities for maintaining the Trust’s organization; supervising relations with custodians, transfer and pricing agents, accountants, underwriters and other persons dealing with the Fund; preparing all general shareholder communications and conducting shareholder relations; maintaining the Fund’s records and the registration of the Fund’s shares under federal securities laws and making necessary filings under state securities laws; developing management and shareholder services for the Fund; and


Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser a unitary fee for the services and facilities it provides payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 2.99% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.  Out of the unitary management fee, the Adviser pays substantially all expenses of the Fund, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services, except for interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business.  The Investment Adviser’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all the Fund’s expenses and to compensate the Investment Adviser for providing services for the Fund.


The fee is computed daily and payable monthly.   The Advisor has only recently been engaged to manage the Fund and has not been paid any advisory fees as of the date of this SAI.


Sub-Adviser

As discussed in the prospectus, Horizon Cash Management LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) is the sub-adviser to the Fund.  It is the Advisor’s responsibility to select sub-advisors for the Fund that have distinguished themselves in their areas of expertise in asset management and to review the Sub-Adviser’s performance.


Horizon Cash Management LLC, with its principal place of business located at 325 W. Huron, Suite 808, Chicago, IL 60654, serves as Sub-Adviser to the Fund. Subject to the authority of the Board of Trustees and oversight by the Advisor, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for management of the Fund’s fixed income investment portfolio according to the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions. Pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement between the Advisor and Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser is entitled to receive, on a monthly basis, an annual sub-advisory fee on the fixed income portion of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed daily, equal to 0.15% on the first $100 million, 0.12% on the second $150 million, and 0.10% on any amount greater than $250 million. The Sub-Adviser is paid by the Advisor, not the Fund. The Sub-Adviser was established in 1991 for the purpose of advising institutional investors. As of December 31, 2011 it had over $2.5 billion in assets under management.


Portfolio Managers

The following section provides information regarding the Portfolio Managers, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, compensation, material conflicts of interests, and any ownership of securities in the Fund.  


The Advisor.

Cole Wilcox – Partner, Chief Executive Officer


Cole Wilcox is a Founding Partner at Longboard Asset Management, where he is responsible for all trading and strategy allocation. Prior to Longboard, Mr. Wilcox was Founder and Managing Partner at Blackstar Funds, LLC for eight years. There Mr. Wilcox was responsible for the firm’s portfolio allocation strategy to external global macro and managed futures hedge funds. Prior to Blackstar, Mr. Wilcox was a discretionary Portfolio Manager at Lindzon & Associates, a multi-strategy hedge fund sponsor, where he ran a discretionary trading book and developed the firm’s external hedge fund allocation strategy.

 

Along with Mr. Crittenden, Mr. Wilcox is co-author of several published and recognized research papers, including “The Capitalism Distribution” and “Does Trend Following Work on Stocks?” Wilcox and Crittenden’s research has been featured in several bestselling books and they are profiled alongside other leading quantitative global macro hedge funds in the “The Little Book of Trading” published by Wiley.


Eric Crittenden – Partner, Director of Research

 

Eric Crittenden is a Founding Partner responsible for managing all research, risk quantification and trading operations at Longboard Asset Management.  Mr. Crittenden has 12 years of quantitative research and trading experience. Prior to Longboard, Mr. Crittenden was a Principal in Blackstar Funds, LLC and Director of Research. There he developed a proprietary database encompassing the entire historical investible universe of U.S. listed equities as well as global stock index, commodity, currency and interest rate futures. 

 
Mr. Crittenden managed the software development of the firm’s proprietary research and trading platform— the first of its kind to translate techniques used in the managed futures sector to individual equities. It has successfully operated since 2005.  He also created capital allocation systems and risk management models that integrate straight through processing of signal generation with optimal risk allocation.


Jason Klatt – Director of Trading Operations

 

Jason Klatt assists in the testing and development of the firm’s trading strategies. Mr. Klatt has 10 years of data modeling experience and is proficient in multiple programming languages and software platforms including MATLAB and the firm’s proprietary research platform. Prior to joining Longboard, he worked as an electrical power quality consultant for industrial and commercial energy users. He designed and implemented innovative solutions to help businesses lower their electrical costs and protect their electronic equipment assets.  


The Sub-Adviser.

Jill King – Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager

Ms. King joined the Sub-Adviser in 2005 and directs the Sub-Adviser’s investment management operation, overseeing several portfolio managers and the firm's portfolio analyst. With more than 18 years trading and marketing fixed income securities, Ms. King is experienced in all sectors of the fixed income universe, including U.S. Treasury and Agencies issues, high grade corporate bonds, high yield and emerging market debt.  Before joining the Sub-Adviser in 2005, Ms. King served as managing director at Melvin Securities, where she managed the firm's investment banking effort and directed the fixed income sales, trading and syndicate department. Prior to that, she served 13 years at First Union Securities, where she established and managed the Emerging Market desk and was a key member of the high yield trading team.

Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers

The table below identifies, for each Portfolio Manager of the Fund, the number of accounts managed (excluding the Fund) and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts.  To the extent that the advisory fees for any of these accounts are based on account performance, this information is reflected in separate tables below.  Asset amounts are approximate as of the date of this SAI, and have been rounded.  


Portfolio Manager

Registered

Investment Companies (excluding the Fund)

Other Pooled

Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

Number of Accounts

Total Assets in the Accounts

Number of Accounts

Total Assets in the Accounts

Number of Accounts

Total Assets in the Accounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cole Wilcox (Advisor)

0

0

1

$6 million

1

$5 million

Eric Crittenden (Advisor)

0

0

1

$6 million

1

$5 million

Jason Klatt (Advisor)

0

0

0

0

1

$5 million

Jill King (Sub-Adviser)

1

$110 million

65

$1.7 billion

4

$55 million


Material Conflicts of Interest

Actual or apparent material conflicts of interest may arise when a Portfolio Manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one investment account or in other circumstances.  Portfolio Managers who manage other investment accounts in addition to the Fund may be presented with the potential conflicts described below.


Longboard Asset Management, LLC

Individual investment professionals at the Advisor manage other accounts for other clients. These accounts may include separate accounts.  The Fund’s managers listed in the prospectus who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund (“Portfolio Managers”) generally manage accounts in several different investment styles. These accounts may have investment objectives, strategies, time horizons, tax considerations and risk profiles that differ from those of the Fund. The Portfolio Managers make investment decisions for each account, including the Fund, based on the investment objectives, policies, practices, benchmarks, cash flows, tax and other relevant investment considerations applicable to that account. Consequently, the Portfolio Managers may purchase or sell securities, including IPOs, for one account and not another account, and the performance of securities purchased for one account may vary from the performance of securities purchased for other accounts. Alternatively, these accounts may be managed in a similar fashion to the Fund and thus the accounts may have similar, and in some cases nearly identical, objectives, strategies and/or holdings to that of the Fund.


Horizon Cash Management LLC

Horizon Cash Management LLC provides active short-term, fixed income management and treasury services to managed futures funds, hedge funds and institutional investors worldwide.


Portfolio Managers’ Compensation


Longboard Asset Management, LLC. The Portfolio Managers’ compensation is a fixed salary that is set by reference to industry standards.  Bonuses paid to the Portfolio Managers are based on the profitability of the Advisor.


Horizon Cash Management LLC. Horizon employees are paid salary and an annual bonus.  Bonuses are calculated based on the profits of Horizon Cash Management.  Employees’ compensation is not based on the performance of client accounts.  Ms. King is a Partner with Horizon and receives a share of the firms profits.


Portfolio Managers’ Ownership of the Fund

Because there were no shares outstanding as of the date of this SAI, the Portfolio Managers as a group owned 0% of the Fund’s outstanding shares.


Other Service Providers


Administrator

Pursuant to a Fund Services Agreement (the “Administration Service Agreement”), Gemini Fund Services, LLC (“GFS”), 450 Wireless Blvd, Hauppauge, New York 11788 (the “Administrator”), acts as administrator for the Fund, subject to the supervision of the Board.  GFS is primarily in the business of providing administrative, fund accounting and transfer agent services to retail and institutional mutual funds.  GFS is an affiliate of the Distributor.  GFS may provide persons to serve as officers of the Fund. Such officers may be directors, officers or employees of GFS or its affiliates.


The Administration Service Agreement was initially approved by the Board at a meeting held on May 3, 2012.  The Agreement shall remain in effect for 2 years from the date of the Fund’s commencement of operations, and subject to annual approval of the Board for one-year periods thereafter.  The Administration Service Agreement is terminable by the Board or GFS on 60 days’ prior written notice and may be assigned provided the non-assigning party provides prior written consent.  This Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of GFS or reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder, GFS shall not be liable for any action or failure to act in accordance with its duties thereunder.


Under the Administration Service Agreement, GFS provides facilitating administrative services, including: (i) providing services of persons competent to perform such administrative and clerical functions as are necessary to provide effective administration of the Fund; (ii) facilitating the performance of administrative and professional services to the Fund by others, including the Fund’s Custodian; (iii) preparing, but not paying for, the periodic updating of the Fund’s Registration Statement, Prospectuses and Statement of Additional Information in conjunction with Fund counsel, including the printing of such documents for the purpose of filings with the SEC and state securities administrators, and preparing reports to the Fund’s shareholders and the SEC; (iv) preparing in conjunction with Fund counsel, but not paying for, all filings under the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of such states or countries as are designated by the Distributor, which may be required to register or qualify, or continue the registration or qualification, of the Fund and/or its shares under such laws; (v) preparing notices and agendas for meetings of the Board and minutes of such meetings in all matters required by the 1940 Act to be acted upon by the Board; and (vi) monitoring daily and periodic compliance with respect to all requirements and restrictions of the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code and the Prospectus.


For services rendered as administrator, GFS receives a fund administration fee equal to the greater of $40,000 minimum or 0.10% on net assets up to $100 million, 0.80% on net assets of $100 million to $250 million, and 0.06% on net assets of over $250 million. The Fund also pays the Administrator for any out-of-pocket expenses.

Fund Accounting

GFS, pursuant to the Fund Accounting Service Agreement, provides the Fund with accounting services, including: (i) daily computation of net asset value; (ii) maintenance of security ledgers and books and records as required by the 1940 Act; (iii) production of the Fund’s listing of portfolio securities and general ledger reports; (iv) reconciliation of accounting records; (v) calculation of yield and total return for the Fund; (vi) maintaining certain books and records described in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and reconciling account information and balances among the Fund’s custodian or Advisor; and (vii) monitoring and evaluating daily income and expense accruals, and sales and redemptions of shares of the Fund.


Transfer Agent

GFS, 4020 South 147th Street, Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68137, acts as transfer, dividend disbursing, and shareholder servicing agent for the Fund pursuant to a written agreement with the Fund.  Under the agreement, GFS is responsible for administering and performing transfer agent functions, dividend distribution, shareholder administration, and maintaining necessary records in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.  


Custodian   

Union Bank serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a Custody Agreement by and between the Custodian and the Trust on behalf of the Fund.  The Custodian’s responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the Fund’s cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the Fund’s investments.  Pursuant to the Custody Agreement, the Custodian also maintains original entry documents and books of record and general ledgers; posts cash receipts and disbursements; and records purchases and sales based upon communications from the Advisor.  The Fund may employ foreign sub-custodians that are approved by the Board to hold foreign assets.


Compliance Services

Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (“NLCS”), 4020 South 147 th Street, Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68137, an affiliate of GFS and the Distributor, provides a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust as well as related compliance services pursuant to a consulting agreement between NLCS and the Trust.  The Fund pays a compliance service fee to NLCS.


Legal Counsel

Alston & Bird, LLP, 950 F. Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20004 serves as counsel to the Fund.


Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, 555 17th Street, Suite 1000, Denver, CO 80202 serves as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund.


Distribution of Fund Shares

The Trust has entered into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”), 4020 South 147 th Street , Omaha, NE 68137, pursuant to which the Distributor acts as the Fund’s principal underwriter, provides certain administration services and promotes and arranges for the sale of the Fund’s shares.  The offering of the Fund’s shares is continuous.  The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA.


The Underwriting Agreement has an initial term of 2 years and will continue in effect only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities and, in either case, by a majority of the trustees who are not parties to the Underwriting Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party.  The Underwriting Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Trust on behalf of the Fund on 60 days’ notice when authorized either by a majority vote of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities  or by vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust, or by the Distributor on 60 days’ notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act).  


12b-1 Distribution Plan

As noted in the Prospectus, the Trust has adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for the Fund’s Class A, Class C, and Class N shares (the “Plan”) pursuant to which the three classes of shares of the Fund are authorized to pay fees to the Distributor for providing distribution and/or shareholder services to the Fund.  Under the Plan, Class A and Class N shares of the Fund may pay a combined account maintenance and/or distribution fee at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average net assets of such share class as compensation for the Distributor providing account maintenance and/or distribution services to shareholders.  Class C shares of the Fund may pay an account maintenance fee for account maintenance services at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average net assets of Class C shares and a distribution fee for distribution services at an annual rate of up to 0.75% of the average net assets of Class C shares as compensation for the Distributor providing such services.  Such fees are to be paid by the Fund monthly, or at such other intervals, as the Board shall determine.  Such fees shall be based upon each share class’s average daily net assets during the preceding month, and shall be calculated and accrued daily.  The Fund may pay fees to the Distributor at a lesser rate, as agreed upon by the Board of the Trust and the Distributor.  The Plan authorizes payments to the Distributor as compensation for providing account maintenance services to Fund shareholders, including arranging for certain securities dealers or brokers, administrators and others (“Recipients”) to provide these services and paying compensation for these services.


The services to be provided by Recipients may include, but are not limited to, the following: assistance in the offering and sale of Fund shares and in other aspects of the marketing of the shares to clients or prospective clients of the respective recipients; answering routine inquiries concerning the Fund; assisting in the establishment and maintenance of accounts or sub-accounts in the Fund and in processing purchase and redemption transactions; making the Fund’s investment plan and shareholder services available; and providing such other information and services to investors in shares of the Fund as the Distributor or the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, may reasonably request.  The distribution services shall also include any advertising and marketing services provided by or arranged by the Distributor with respect to the Fund.  The Advisor may be compensated by the Distributor for its distribution and marketing efforts.


The Distributor is required to provide a written report, at least quarterly to the Board of the Trust, specifying in reasonable detail the amounts expended pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.  Further, the Distributor will inform the Board of any Rule 12b-1 fees to be paid by the Distributor to Recipients.


The initial term of the Rule 12b-1 Plan is one year and will continue in effect from year to year thereafter, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board of the Trust and a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust and do not have a direct or indirect financial interest in the Rule 12b-1 Plan (“Rule 12b-1 Trustees”) by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Rule 12b-1 Plan.  The Rule 12b-1 Plan may be terminated at any time by the Trust or the Fund by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the Fund.


The Rule 12b-1 Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of the Distributor’s compensation to be paid by the Fund, unless such amendment is approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the affected class of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act).  All material amendments must be approved by a majority of the Board of the Trust and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on a Rule 12b-1 Plan.  During the term of a Rule 12b-1 Plan, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees of the Trust will be committed to the discretion of current non-interested Trustees.  The Distributor will preserve copies of the Rule 12b-1 Plan, any related agreements, and all reports, for a period of not less than six years from the date of such document and for at least the first two years in an easily accessible place.


Any agreement related to a Rule 12b-1 Plan will be in writing and provide that: (a) it may be terminated by the Trust or the applicable Fund at any time upon sixty days’ written notice, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the respective Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or Fund; (b) it will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act); and (c) it will continue in effect for a period of more than one year from the date of its execution or adoption only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such agreement.

To the extent these asset-based fees and other payments made under the Distribution Plan to these financial intermediaries for the distribution services they provide to the Fund’s shareholders exceed the Distribution Fees available, these payments are made by the Advisor from its own resources, which may include its profits from the advisory fee it receives from the Fund.  In addition, the Fund may participate in various “fund supermarkets” in which a mutual fund supermarket sponsor (usually a broker-dealer) offers many mutual funds to the sponsor’s customers without charging the customers a sales charge.  In connection with its participation in such platforms, the Advisor may use all or a portion of the Distribution Fee to pay one or more supermarket sponsors a negotiated fee for distributing the Fund’s shares.  In addition, in its discretion, the Advisor may pay additional fees to such intermediaries from its own assets.


Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor determines which securities are to be purchased and sold by the Fund and which broker-dealers are eligible to execute the Fund’s portfolio transactions.  Purchases and sales of securities in the OTC market will generally be executed directly with a “market-maker” unless, in the opinion of the Advisor, a better price and execution can otherwise be obtained by using a broker for the transaction.


Purchases of portfolio securities for the Fund will be effected through broker-dealers (including banks) that specialize in the types of securities that the Fund will be holding, unless better executions are available elsewhere.  Dealers usually act as principal for their own accounts.  Purchases from dealers will include a spread between the bid and the asked price.  If the execution and price offered by more than one dealer are comparable, the order may be allocated to a dealer that has provided research or other services as discussed below.


In placing portfolio transactions, the Advisor will use reasonable efforts to choose broker-dealers capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the most favorable price and execution available.  The full range and quality of services available will be considered in making these determinations, such as the size of the order, the difficulty of execution, the operational facilities of the firm involved, the firm’s risk in positioning a block of securities and other factors.  In those instances where it is reasonably determined that more than one broker-dealer can offer the services needed to obtain the most favorable price and execution available, consideration may be given to those broker-dealers that furnish or supply research and statistical information to the Advisor that they may lawfully and appropriately use in their investment advisory capacities, as well as provide other brokerage services in addition to execution services.  The Advisor considers such information, which is in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by it under its Advisory Agreement with the Fund, to be useful in varying degrees, but of indeterminable value.


While it is the Fund’s general policy to first seek to obtain the most favorable price and execution available in selecting a broker-dealer to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund, weight is also given to the ability of a broker-dealer to furnish brokerage and research services to the Fund or to the Advisor, even if the specific services are not directly useful to the Fund and may be useful to the Advisor in advising other clients.  In negotiating commissions with a broker or evaluating the spread to be paid to a dealer, the Fund may therefore pay a higher commission or spread than would be the case if no weight were given to the furnishing of these supplemental services, provided that the amount of such commission or spread has been determined in good faith by the Advisor to be reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such broker-dealer.  The standard of reasonableness is to be measured in light of the Advisor’s overall responsibilities to the Fund.


Investment decisions for the Fund may or may not be made independently from those of other client accounts of the Advisor.  In certain instances, investment decisions will be made similar to other accounts managed.  In the case where the Fund uses similar strategies, applicable procedures will be taken to ensure trading allocations will be handled fairly and abide by all appropriate rules and regulations.  Nevertheless, it is possible that at times identical securities will be acceptable for both the Fund and one or more of such client accounts.  In such event, the position of the Fund and such client account(s) in the same issuer may vary and the length of time that each may choose to hold its investment in the same issuer may likewise vary.  However, to the extent any of these client accounts seek to acquire the same security as the Fund at the same time, the Fund may not be able to acquire as large a portion of such security as it desires, or it may have to pay a higher price or obtain a lower yield for such security.  Similarly, the Fund may not be able to obtain as high a price for, or as large an execution of, an order to sell any particular security at the same time.  If one or more of such client accounts simultaneously purchases or sells the same security that the Fund is purchasing or selling, each day’s transactions in such security will be allocated between the Fund and all such client accounts in a manner deemed equitable by the Advisor, taking into account the respective sizes of the accounts and the amount being purchased or sold.  It is recognized that in some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or value of the security insofar as the Fund is concerned.  In other cases, however, it is believed that the ability of the Fund to participate in volume transactions may produce better executions for the Fund.  Notwithstanding the above, the Advisor may execute buy and sell orders for accounts and take action in performance of their duties with respect to any of their accounts that may differ from actions taken with respect to another account, so long as the Advisor shall, to the extent practical, allocate investment opportunities to accounts, including the Fund, over a period of time on a fair and equitable basis and in accordance with applicable law.


The Fund is required to identify any securities of its “regular brokers or dealers” that the Fund has acquired during its most recent fiscal year.   The Fund is also required to identify any brokerage transactions during its most recent fiscal year that were directed to a broker because of research services provided, along with the amount of any such transactions and any related commissions paid by the Fund.  


Portfolio Turnover

Although the Fund generally will not invest for short-term trading purposes, portfolio securities may be sold without regard to the length of time they have been held when, in the opinion of the Advisor, investment considerations warrant such action.  Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing (i) the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by (ii) the monthly average of the value of portfolio securities owned during the fiscal year.  A 100% turnover rate would occur if all the securities in the Fund’s portfolio, with the exception of securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one year or less, were sold and either repurchased or replaced within one year.  A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) generally leads to above-average transaction costs, could generate capital gains that must be distributed to shareholders as short-term capital gains taxed at ordinary income tax rates (currently as high as 35%) and could increase brokerage commission costs.  To the extent that the Fund experiences an increase in brokerage commissions due to a higher portfolio turnover rate, the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by the increased expenses incurred by the Fund and may result in a greater number of taxable transactions.  


Code of Ethics

The Fund, the Advisor, and the Distributor have each adopted Codes of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act.  These Codes permit, subject to certain conditions, personnel of the Advisor, and Distributor to invest in securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund.


Proxy Voting Procedures

The Board has adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (“Policies”) on behalf of the Trust, which delegate the responsibility for voting proxies of securities held by the Fund to the Adviser and responsibility for voting proxies of securities held by the Fund to the Adviser, subject to the Board’s continuing oversight.  The Policies require that the Adviser vote proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.  The Policies also require the Adviser to present to the Board, at least annually, the Adviser’s Proxy Policies and a record of each proxy voted by the Adviser on behalf of the Fund, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by the Adviser as involving a conflict of interest.  Notwithstanding this delegation of responsibilities, however, the Fund retains the right to vote proxies relating to its portfolio securities.  A copy of the Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policies is attached hereto as Appendix A.  


More Information .  The actual voting records relating to portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 will be available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free, 1-800-SEC-0330 or by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.


Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program

The Trust has established an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program (the “Program”) as required by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”).  To ensure compliance with this law, the Trust’s Program provides for the development of internal practices, procedures and controls, designation of anti-money laundering compliance officers, an ongoing training program and an independent audit function to determine the effectiveness of the Program.  The Trust’s secretary serves as its Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer.


Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to, determining that the Fund’s Distributor and Transfer Agent have established proper anti-money laundering procedures, reporting suspicious and/or fraudulent activity and a providing a complete and thorough review of all new opening account applications.  The Trust will not transact business with any person or entity whose identity cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.


As a result of the Program, the Trust may be required to “freeze” the account of a shareholder if the shareholder appears to be involved in suspicious activity or if certain account information matches information on government lists of known terrorists or other suspicious persons, or the Trust may be required to transfer the account or proceeds of the account to a governmental agency.


Portfolio Holdings Information

The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that govern the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings.  These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that such disclosure is in the best interests of Fund shareholders.


It is the Trust’s policy to: (1) ensure that any disclosure of portfolio holdings information is in the best interest of Trust shareholders; (2) protect the confidentiality of portfolio holdings information; (3) have procedures in place to guard against personal trading based on the information; and (4) ensure that the disclosure of portfolio holdings information does not create conflicts between the interests of the Trust’s shareholders and those of the Trust’s affiliates.


The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings by mailing the annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders approximately two months after the end of the fiscal year and semi-annual period.  In addition, the Fund discloses its portfolio holdings reports on Forms N-CSR and Form N-Q two months after the end of each quarter/semi-annual period.


The Fund may choose to make portfolio holdings information available to rating agencies such as Lipper, Morningstar or Bloomberg more frequently on a confidential basis.


Under limited circumstances, as described below, the Fund’s portfolio holdings may be disclosed to, or known by, certain third parties in advance of their filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-CSR or Form N-Q.  In each case, a determination has been made that such advance disclosure is supported by a legitimate business purpose and that the recipient is subject to a duty to keep the information confidential.  


The Advisor and Sub-Adviser .  Personnel of the Advisor and Sub-Adviser, including personnel responsible for managing the Fund’s portfolio, may have full daily access to Fund portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for the Advisor and Sub-Adviser to provide their management, administrative, and investment services to the Fund.  As required for purposes of analyzing the impact of existing and future market changes on the prices, availability, demand and liquidity of such securities, as well as for the assistance of portfolio managers in the trading of such securities, Advisor and Sub-Adviser personnel may also release and discuss certain portfolio holdings with various broker-dealers.


Gemini Fund Services, LLC.  Gemini Fund Services, LLC is the transfer agent, fund accountant, administrator and custody administrator for the Funds; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.


Union Bank , N.A .  Union Bank is custodian for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.


McGladrey & Pullen, LLP.  McGladrey & Pullen, LLP is the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with auditing of the Fund’s annual financial statements and providing assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings.  


Alston & Bird, LLP.  Alston & Bird, LLP is counsel to the Fund; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with review of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and SEC filings.


Additions to List of Approved Recipients


The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer is the person responsible, and whose prior approval is required, for any disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities at any time or to any persons other than those described above.  In such cases, the recipient must have a legitimate business need for the information and must be subject to a duty to keep the information confidential.  There are no ongoing arrangements in place with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings.  In no event shall the Fund, the Advisor, or any other party receive any direct or indirect compensation in connection with the disclosure of information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings.


Compliance With Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Procedures


The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer will report periodically to the Board with respect to compliance with the Fund’s portfolio holdings disclosure procedures, and from time to time will provide the Board any updates to the portfolio holdings disclosure policies and procedures.


There is no assurance that the Trust’s policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings will protect the Fund from the potential misuse of holdings information by individuals or firms in possession of that information.


Determination of Net Asset Value

As indicated in the Prospectus under the heading “Net Asset Value,” the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund’s shares, by class, is determined by dividing the total value of the Fund’s portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding of the Fund, by class.  


For purposes of calculating the NAV, portfolio securities and other assets for which market quotes are available are stated at market value.  Market value is generally determined on the basis of last reported sales prices, or if no sales are reported, based on quotes obtained from a quotation reporting system, established market makers, or pricing services.  Securities primarily traded in the NASDAQ National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”).  If the NOCP is not available, such securities shall be valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation, or if there has been no sale on such day, at the last bid on the primary exchange.  Certain securities or investments for which daily market quotes are not readily available may be valued, pursuant to guidelines established by the Board, with reference to other securities or indices.  Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less are generally valued at amortized cost.  Exchange traded options; futures and options on futures are valued at the settlement price determined by the exchange.  Other securities for which market quotes are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or persons acting at their direction.


Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from pricing services.  As a result, the NAV of the Fund’s shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar.  The value of securities traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the New York Stock Exchange is closed and an investor is not able to purchase, redeem or exchange shares.


Fund shares are valued at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (the “NYSE Close”) on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open.  For purposes of calculating the NAV, the Fund normally use pricing data for domestic equity securities received shortly after the NYSE Close and does not normally take into account trading, clearances or settlements that take place after the NYSE Close.  Domestic fixed income and foreign securities are normally priced using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal markets for those securities.  Information that becomes known to the Fund or its agents after the NAV has been calculated on a particular day will not generally be used to retroactively adjust the price of the security or the NAV determined earlier that day.


In unusual circumstances, instead of valuing securities in the usual manner, the Fund may value securities at fair value or estimate their value as determined in good faith by the Board or its designees, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board.  Fair valuation may also be used by the Board if extraordinary events occur after the close of the relevant market but prior to the NYSE Close.


The Trust expects that the holidays upon which the Exchange will be closed are as follows: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.


Purchase of Shares

Orders for shares received by the Fund in good order prior to the close of business on the NYSE on each day during such periods that the NYSE is open for trading are priced at NAV per share computed as of the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE.  Orders received in good order after the close of the NYSE, or on a day it is not open for trading, are priced at the close of such NYSE on the next day on which it is open for trading at the next determined NAV or offering price per share.


Redemption of Shares

The Fund will redeem all or any portion of a shareholder’s shares in the Fund when requested in accordance with the procedures set forth in the “Redemptions” section of the Prospectus.  Under the 1940 Act, a shareholder’s right to redeem shares and to receive payment therefore may be suspended at times:  

(a) when the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings;

(b) when trading on that exchange is restricted for any reason;

(c) when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to fairly determine the value of its net assets, provided that applicable rules and regulations of the SEC (or any succeeding governmental authority) will govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c) exist; or

(d) when the SEC by order permits a suspension of the right to redemption or a postponement of the date of payment on redemption.

 

In case of suspension of the right of redemption, payment of a redemption request will be made based on the NAV next determined after the termination of the suspension.


The Fund may purchase shares of certain underlying funds which charge a redemption fee to shareholders (such as the Fund) that redeem shares of the underlying fund within a certain period of time (such as one year). The fee is payable to the underlying fund. Accordingly, if the Fund were to invest in an underlying fund and incur a redemption fee as a result of redeeming shares in such underlying fund, the Fund would bear such redemption fee. The Fund will not, however, invest in shares of an underlying fund that is sold with a contingent deferred sales load.


Supporting documents in addition to those listed under “Redemptions” in the Prospectus will be required from executors, administrators, Trustees, or if redemption is requested by someone other than the shareholder of record. Such documents include, but are not restricted to, stock powers, Trust instruments, certificates of death, appointments as executor, certificates of corporate authority and waiver of tax required in some states when settling estates.


Tax Status

The following discussion is general in nature and should not be regarded as an exhaustive presentation of all possible tax ramifications. The tax considerations relevant to a specific shareholder depend upon its specific circumstances, and the following general summary does not attempt to discuss all potential tax considerations that could be relevant to a prospective shareholder with respect to the Fund or its investments. This general summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Federal Income Tax Regulations promulgated thereunder, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change (potentially on a retroactive basis).


The following discussion of tax consequences is for the general information of shareholders that are subject to tax.  Shareholders that are IRAs or other qualified retirement plans are exempt from income taxation under the Code. All shareholders should consult a qualified tax advisor regarding their investment in the Fund.


The Fund has qualified and intends to continue to qualify and has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, which requires compliance with certain requirements concerning the sources of its income, diversification of its assets, and the amount and timing of its distributions to shareholders. Such qualification does not involve supervision of management or investment practices or policies by any government agency or bureau. By so qualifying, the Fund should not be subject to federal income or excise tax on its net investment income or net capital gain, which are distributed to shareholders in accordance with the applicable timing requirements. Net investment income and net capital gain of the Fund will be computed in accordance with Section 852 of the Code.  Additionally, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has issued a number of private letter rulings to other mutual funds (unrelated to the Fund), which indicate that certain income from a fund’s investment in a wholly-owned foreign subsidiary will constitute “qualifying income” for purposes of Subchapter M.  However, the IRS has suspended issuance of any further letters pending a review of its position.  If the IRS were to change its position with respect to the conclusions reached in these private letter rulings (which change in position might be applied to the Fund retroactively), the income from the Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary might not be qualifying income, and the Fund might not qualify as a regulated investment company for one or more years.


Net investment income is made up of dividends and interest less expenses. Net capital gain for a fiscal year is computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the Fund. Under the Regulated Investment Company Act of 2010, the Fund will be permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. However, losses incurred during those future years will be required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment tax years.  Thus, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused.  Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under previous law.


The Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment income, any excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, and any excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Code and therefore should not be required to pay any federal income or excise taxes.  Distributions of net investment income and net capital gain will be made after the end of each fiscal year, and no later than December 31 of each year.  Both types of distributions will be in shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects to receive cash.


To be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, the Fund must also (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, net income from certain publicly traded partnerships and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to the business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, and (b) diversify its holding so that, at the end of each fiscal quarter, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s assets is represented by cash, U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities (for purposes of this calculation, generally limited in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the market value of the Fund’s assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer) and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities of (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) any one issuer, two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or the securities of certain publicly traded partnerships. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, if the Fund fails to satisfy these qualifying income and assets tests, and such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, it may be permitted to “cure” such failures under certain circumstances (and thereby not jeopardize its tax status as a regulated investment company.)


If the Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M in any fiscal year (and such failure is not subject to cure as discussed above), it will be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. As such the Fund would be required to pay income taxes on its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, at the rates generally applicable to corporations. Shareholders of the Fund generally would not be liable for income tax on the Fund’s net investment income or net realized capital gains in their individual capacities. Distributions to shareholders, whether from the Fund’s net investment income or net realized capital gains, would be treated as taxable dividends to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Fund.


The Fund is subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income and capital gain under a prescribed formula contained in Section 4982 of the Code. The formula requires payment to shareholders during a calendar year of distributions representing at least 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income for the calendar year and at least 98.2% of its capital gain net income ( i.e ., the excess of its capital gains over capital losses) realized during the one-year period ending October 31 during such year plus 100% of any income that was neither distributed nor taxed to the Fund during the preceding calendar year. Under ordinary circumstances, the Fund expects to time its distributions so as to avoid liability for this excise tax.


Distributions of taxable net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.  In most cases the Fund will hold shares in Underlying Funds for less than 12 months, such that its sales of such shares from time to time will not qualify as long-term capital gains for those investors who hold shares of the Fund in taxable accounts.


Distributions of net capital gain (“capital gain dividends”) generally are taxable to shareholders as short-term capital gain; regardless of the length of time the shares of the Trust have been held by such shareholders.


A redemption of Fund shares by a shareholder will result in the recognition of taxable gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the shareholder’s tax basis in his or her Fund shares.  Such gain or loss is treated as a capital gain or loss if the shares are held as capital assets. However, any loss realized upon the redemption of shares within six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as capital gain dividends during such six-month period.  All or a portion of any loss realized upon the redemption of shares may be disallowed to the extent shares are purchased (including shares acquired by means of reinvested dividends) within 30 days before or after such redemption.  


Distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain will be taxable as described above, whether received in additional cash or shares.  Shareholders electing to reinvest distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the net asset value of a share on the reinvestment date.


All distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain, whether received in shares or in cash, must be reported by each taxable shareholder on his or her federal income tax return.  Dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December as of a record date in such a month, if any, will be deemed to have been received by shareholders on December 31, if paid during January of the following year.  Redemptions of shares may result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder and are also subject to these reporting requirements.


Under the Code, the Fund will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt shareholders.  Under the backup withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the Code, distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain and proceeds from the redemption or exchange of the shares of a regulated investment company may be subject to withholding of federal income tax in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the investment company with their taxpayer identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their status under the federal income tax law, or if the Fund is notified by the IRS or a broker that withholding is required due to an incorrect TIN or a previous failure to report taxable interest or dividends.  If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld.


Options, Futures, Forward Contracts and Swap Agreements


To the extent such investments are permissible for the Fund, the Fund’s transactions in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward contracts, straddles and foreign currencies will be subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the  Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund’s securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses.  These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.


To the extent such investments are permissible, certain of the Fund’s hedging activities (including its transactions, if any, in foreign currencies or foreign currency-denominated instruments) are likely to produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income.  If the Fund’s book income exceeds its taxable income, the distribution (if any) of such excess book income will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund’s remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient’s basis in the shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset.  If the Fund’s book income is less than taxable income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment.


Passive Foreign Investment Companies


Investment by the Fund in certain “passive foreign investment companies” (“PFICs”) could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the company or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the company, which tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders.  However, the Fund may elect to treat a PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (“QEF”), in which case the Fund will be required to include its share of the company’s income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the company.


The Fund also may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings “to the market” as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year.  Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss.  The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed for the Fund to avoid taxation.  Making either of these elections therefore may require the Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund’s total return.


Foreign Currency Transactions


The Fund’s transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt securities and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned.


Foreign Taxation


Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries.  Tax treaties and conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes.  If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may be able to elect to “pass through” to its shareholders the amount of eligible foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund.  If this election is made, a shareholder generally subject to tax will be required to include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund, and may be entitled either to deduct (as an itemized deduction) his or her pro rata share of foreign taxes in computing his or her taxable income or to use it as a foreign tax credit against his or her U.S. federal income tax liability, subject to certain limitations.  In particular, a shareholder must hold his or her shares (without protection from risk of loss) on the ex-dividend date and for at least 15 more days during the 30-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to a gain dividend.  No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions.  Each shareholder will be notified within 60 days after the close of the Fund’s taxable year whether the foreign taxes paid by the Fund will “pass through” for that year.


Generally, a credit for foreign taxes is subject to the limitation that it may not exceed the shareholder’s U.S. tax attributable to his or her total foreign source taxable income.  For this purpose, if the pass-through election is made, the source of the Fund’s income will flow through to shareholders of the Fund.  With respect to the Fund, gains from the sale of securities will be treated as derived from U.S. sources and certain currency fluctuation gains, including fluctuation gains from foreign currency-denominated debt securities, receivables and payables will be treated as ordinary income derived from U.S. sources.  The limitation on the foreign tax credit is applied separately to foreign source passive income, and to certain other types of income.  A shareholder may be unable to claim a credit for the full amount of his or her proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund.  The foreign tax credit can be used to offset only 90% of the revised alternative minimum tax imposed on corporations and individuals and foreign taxes generally are not deductible in computing alternative minimum taxable income.


Original Issue Discount and Pay-In-Kind Securities


Current federal tax law requires the holder of a U.S. Treasury or other fixed income zero coupon security to accrue as income each year a portion of the discount at which the security was purchased, even though the holder receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.  In addition, pay-in-kind securities will give rise to income, which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though the Fund holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.


Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as debt securities that are issued originally at a discount.  Generally, the amount of the original issue discount (“OID”) is treated as interest income and is included in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures.  A portion of the OID includable in income with respect to certain high-yield corporate debt securities (including certain pay-in-kind securities) may be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes.


Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having market discount.  Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the “accrued market discount” on such debt security.  Market discount generally accrues in equal daily installments.  The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having market discount, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.


Some debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by a Fund may be treated as having acquisition discount, or OID in the case of certain types of debt securities.  Generally, the Fund will be required to include the acquisition discount, or OID, in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures.  The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having acquisition discount, or OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.


If the Fund holds the foregoing kinds of securities, it may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount that is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received.  Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary (including when it is not advantageous to do so).  The Fund may realize gains or losses from such liquidations.  In the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution, if any, than they would in the absence of such transactions.


Shareholders of the Fund may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions received from the Fund and on redemptions of the Fund’s shares.


A brief explanation of the form and character of the distribution accompanies each distribution. In January of each year the Fund issues to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions.


Shareholders should consult their tax advisors about the application of federal, state and local and foreign tax law in light of their particular situation.


Wholly Owned Subsidiary


The Fund intends to invest a portion of its assets in the Subsidiary, which will be classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  A foreign corporation, such as the Subsidiary, will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation unless it is deemed to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business. It is expected that the Subsidiary will conduct its activities in a manner so as to meet the requirements of a safe harbor under Section 864(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Safe Harbor”) pursuant to which the Subsidiary, provided it is not a dealer in stocks, securities or commodities, may engage in the following activities without being deemed to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business: (1) trading in stocks or securities (including contracts or options to buy or sell securities) for its own account; and (2) trading, for its own account, in commodities that are “of a kind customarily dealt in on an organized commodity exchange” if the transaction is of a kind customarily consummated at such place.  Thus, the Subsidiary’s securities and commodities trading activities should not constitute a U.S. trade or business.  However, if certain of the Subsidiary’s activities were determined not to be of the type described in the Safe Harbor or if the Subsidiary’s gains are attributable to investments in securities that constitute U.S. real property interests (which is not expected), then the activities of the Subsidiary may constitute a U.S. trade or business, or be taxed as such.


In general, a foreign corporation that does not conduct a U.S. trade or business is nonetheless subject to tax at a flat rate of 30 percent (or lower tax treaty rate), generally payable through withholding, on the gross amount of certain U.S.-source income that is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business.  There is presently no tax treaty in force between the U.S. and the Cayman Islands that would reduce this rate of withholding tax.  Income subject to such a flat tax includes dividends and certain interest income.  The 30 percent tax does not apply to U.S.-source capital gains (whether long-term or short-term) or to interest paid to a foreign corporation on its deposits with U.S. banks.  The 30 percent tax also does not apply to interest which qualifies as “portfolio interest.”  The term “portfolio interest” generally includes interest (including original issue discount) on an obligation in registered form which has been issued after July 18, 1984 and with respect to which the person, who would otherwise be required to deduct and withhold the 30 percent tax, received the required statement that the beneficial owner of the obligation is not a U.S. person within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code.  Under certain circumstances, interest on bearer obligations may also be considered portfolio interest.


The Subsidiary will be wholly-owned by the Fund.  A U.S. person who owns (directly, indirectly or constructively) 10 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of a foreign corporation is a “U.S. Shareholder” for purposes of the controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”) provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.  A foreign corporation is a CFC if, on any day of its taxable year, more than 50 percent of the voting power or value of its stock is owned (directly, indirectly or constructively) by “U.S. Shareholders.”  Because the Fund is a U.S. person that will own all of the stock of the Subsidiary, the Fund will be a “U.S. Shareholder” and the Subsidiary will be a CFC.  As a “U.S. Shareholder,” the Fund will be required to include in gross income for United States federal income tax purposes all of the Subsidiary’s “subpart F income” (defined, in part, below), whether or not such income is distributed by the Subsidiary.  It is expected that all of the Subsidiary’s income will be “subpart F income.”  “Subpart F income” generally includes interest, original issue discount, dividends, net gains from the disposition of stocks or securities, receipts with respect to securities loans and net payments received with respect to equity swaps and similar derivatives.  “Subpart F income” also includes the excess of gains over losses from transactions (including futures, forward and similar transactions) in any commodities.  The Fund’s recognition of the Subsidiary’s “subpart F income” will increase the Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary. Distributions by the Subsidiary to the Fund will be tax-free, to the extent of its previously undistributed “subpart F income,” and will correspondingly reduce the Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary. “Subpart F income” is generally treated as ordinary income, regardless of the character of the Subsidiary’s underlying income.


In general, each “U.S. Shareholder” is required to file IRS Form 5471 with its U.S. federal income tax (or information) returns providing information about its ownership of the CFC and the CFC.  In addition, a “U.S. Shareholder” may in certain circumstances be required to report a disposition of shares in the Subsidiary by attaching IRS Form 5471 to its U.S. federal income tax (or information) return that it would normally file for the taxable year in which the disposition occurs.  In general, these filing requirements will apply to investors of the Fund if the investor is a U.S. person who owns directly, indirectly or constructively (within the meaning of Sections 958(a) and (b) of the Internal Revenue Code) 10 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of voting stock of a foreign corporation that is a CFC for an uninterrupted period of 30 days or more during any tax year of the foreign corporation, and who owned that stock on the last day of that year.



Financial Statements

The Fund has not yet commenced operations as of the date of this SAI and therefore does not have a financial history.



APPENDIX A


Longboard Asset Management, LLC

Proxy Voting Policy



Pursuant to Rule 206(4)-6 and Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act, it is a fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative act, practice, or course of business, within the meaning of Section 206(4) of the Advisers Act, for an adviser to exercise voting authority with respect to client securities, unless:  (i) the adviser has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the adviser votes proxies in the best interests of its clients; (ii) the adviser describes its proxy voting procedures to its clients and provides copies on request; and (iii) the adviser discloses to clients how they may obtain information on how the adviser voted their proxies.


The Adviser will vote proxies vote proxies on behalf of its individual clients.  In order to fulfill its responsibilities under the Advisers Act, the Adviser has adopted the following policies and procedures for proxy voting with regard to companies in the investment portfolio of the Fund(s).  The Adviser’s primary purpose and fiduciary responsibility is to maximize shareholder value, which is defined as share price and dividend appreciation.  Adviser will vote proxies in the best interests of the Funds, Portfolios, and clients, and will generally vote for, against, consider on a case-by-case basis, or abstain from voting as indicated below.  Because of the extenuating circumstances associated with specific proxy issues, Adviser’s votes may differ from time to time from the indications noted.  In addition, the list may not include all proxies on which Adviser votes.  Adviser will also act, in its best judgment, on behalf of the Funds, Portfolios, and clients on certain corporate actions that impact shareholder value, such as tender offers and bankruptcy proceedings.


1.

Voting Proxies


a.

All proxies sent to clients that are actually received by the Adviser (to vote on behalf of the client) will be provided to the Operations Unit.


b.

The Operations Unit will generally adhere to the following procedures (subject to limited exception):


(1)

A written record of each proxy received by the Adviser (on behalf of its clients) will be kept in the Adviser's files;


(2)

The Operations Unit will determine which of the Adviser holds the security to which the proxy relates;


(3)

Prior to voting any proxies, the Operations Unit will determine if there are any conflicts of interest related to the proxy in question in accordance with the general guidelines set forth below.  If a conflict is identified, the Operations Unit will then make a determination (which may be in consultation with outside legal counsel) as to whether the conflict is material.


(4)

If no material conflict is identified pursuant to these procedures, the Operations Unit will vote the proxy in accordance with the guidelines set forth below.  The Operations Unit will deliver the proxy in accordance with instructions related to such proxy in a timely and appropriate manner.


2 .

Conflicts of Interest


a.

As stated above, in evaluating how to vote a proxy, the Operations Unit will first determine whether there is a conflict of interest related to the proxy in question between Adviser and its Advisory Clients.  This examination will include (but will not be limited to) an evaluation of whether the Adviser (or any affiliate of the Adviser) has any relationship with the company (or an affiliate of the company) to which the proxy relates outside of an investment in such company by a client of the Adviser.


b.

If a conflict is identified and deemed “material” by the Operations Unit, the Adviser will determine whether voting in accordance with the proxy voting guidelines outlined below is in the best interests of the client (which may include utilizing an independent third party to vote such proxies).


c.

With respect to material conflicts, the Adviser will determine whether it is appropriate to disclose the conflict to affected clients give such clients the opportunity to vote the proxies in question themselves.  However, with respect to ERISA clients whose advisory contract reserves the right to vote proxies when the Adviser has determined that a material conflict exists that affects its best judgment as a fiduciary to the ERISA client, the Adviser will:


(1)

Give the ERISA client the opportunity to vote the proxies in question themselves; or


(2)

Follow designated special proxy voting procedures related to voting proxies pursuant to the terms of the investment management agreement with such ERISA clients (if any).


3 .

Disclosure of Procedures.  A summary of above these proxy voting procedures will be included in the Adviser's Form ADV Part 2 and will be updated whenever these policies and procedures are updated.  Clients will be provided with contact information as to how they can obtain information about:  (i) the Adviser's proxy voting procedures; and (ii) how the Adviser voted proxies that are relevant to the affected client.


4 .

Record-keeping Requirements.  The Operations Unit will be responsible for maintaining files relating to the Adviser's proxy voting procedures.  Records will be maintained and preserved for five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on a record, with records for the first two years kept in the offices of the Adviser.  Records of the following will be included in the files:


a.

Copies of these proxy voting policies and procedures, and any amendments thereto;


b.

A copy of each proxy statement that the Adviser actually received; provided, however, that the Adviser may rely on obtaining a copy of proxy statements from the SEC’s EDGAR system for those proxy statements that are so available;


c.

A record of each vote that the Adviser casts;


d.

A copy of any document that the Adviser created that was material to making a decision how to vote the proxies, or memorializes that decision (if any); and


e.

A copy of each written request for information on how the Adviser voted such client’s proxies and a copy of any written response to any request for information on how the Adviser voted proxies on behalf of clients.





Northern Lights Fund Trust II

PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 28.

EXHIBITS.


(a)(1)

Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated August 26, 2010. 3

(a)(2)

Certificate of Trust as filed with the State of Delaware on August 26, 2010. 3

(b)

By-Laws, effective as of August 26, 2010. 3

(c)

Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders. See Article III, “Shares” and Article V “Shareholders’ Voting Powers and Meetings” of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust. See also, Article II, “Meetings of Shareholders” of the Registrant’s By-Laws.

(d)(1)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Ascentia Capital Partners LLC , with respect to the Alternative Strategies Mutual Fund. 4

(d)(2)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Two Oaks Investment Management, LLC, with respect to Two Oaks Diversified Growth and Income Fund. 4

(d)(3)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Advisors Preferred, LLC, with respect to Hundredfold Select Alternative Fund, Hundredfold Select Global Fund and Hundredfold Select Equity Fund. 6

(d)(4)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and North Star Investment Management Corp., with respect to North Star Opportunity Fund. 9

(d)(5)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and RJO Investment Management, LLC, with respect to Mariner Hyman Beck Global Fund. 11

(d)(6)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Water Oak Advisors, LLC on behalf of WOA All Asset I. 16

(d)(7)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Solutions Funds Group, Inc. on behalf of the SFG Futures Strategy Fund. 14

(d)(8)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Al Frank Asset Management, Inc., Inc. on behalf of the Innealta Capital Sector Rotation Fund and Innealta Capital Country Rotation Fund. 14

(d)(9)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Kottke Managed Commodities LLC on behalf of the Kottke Commodity Strategies Fund. 19

(d)(10)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and IASG Capital Management on behalf of the IASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund. 19

(d)(11)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Linde Hansen & Co., LLC on behalf of the Linde Hansen Contrarian Value Fund. 22

(d)(12)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Princeton Advisory Group, Inc. on behalf of the Princeton Credit income Fund. 29

(d)(13)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and AIS Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the AIS Tactical Asset Allocation Portfolio. 26

(d)(14)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Crow Point Partners, LLC on behalf of the Crow Point Hedged Global Equity Income Fund. 1

(d)(15)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and North Peak Asset Management, LLC on behalf of the Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund. 1

(d)(16)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Braver Wealth Management, LLC on behalf of the Braver Tactical Opportunity Fund . 33

(d)(17)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Longboard Asset Management, LLC on behalf of the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund . 1

(d)(18)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC on behalf of the Sustainable Opportunities Fund. 31

(d)(19)

Sub-advisory Agreement between Armored Wolf, LLC and Ascentia Capital Partners, LLC on behalf of Alternative Strategies Mutual Fund. 4

(d)(20)

Sub-advisory Agreement between DuPont Capital Management Corporation and Ascentia Capital Partners, LLC on behalf of Alternative Strategies Mutual Fund. 4

(d)(21)

Sub-advisory Agreement between Dunham Associates Investment Counsel, Inc. and Ascentia Capital Partners, LLC on behalf of Alternative Strategies Mutual Fund. 4

(d)(22)

Sub-advisory Agreement between Sage Capital Management and Ascentia Capital partners LLC on behalf of Alternative Strategies Mutual Fund. 4

(d)(23)

Sub-advisory Agreement between Advisors Preferred, LLC and Hundredfold Advisors LLC with respect to the Hundredfold Select Alternative Fund, Hundredfold Select Global Fund and Hundredfold Select Equity Fund. 9

(d)(24)

Sub-advisory Agreement between North Peak Asset Management, LLC and Wellington Management Company with respect to the Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund. 2

(d)(25)

Sub-advisory Agreement between North Peak Asset Management, LLC and Parametric Portfolio Associates, LLC with respect to the Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund. 2

(d)(26)

Sub-advisory Agreement between North Peak Asset Management, LLC and City of London Investment Group with respect to the Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund. 2

(d)(27)

Sub-advisory Agreement between North Peak Asset Management, LLC and The Boston Company Asset Management, LLC with respect to the Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund. 2

(d)(28)

Sub-advisory Agreement between North Peak Asset Management, LLC and Mellon Capital Management Corporation with respect to the Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund. 2

(d)(29)

Sub-advisory Agreement between North Peak Asset Management, LLC and Commodity Strategy AG with respect to the Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund. 2

(d)(30)

Sub-advisory Agreement between Longboard Asset Management, LLC and Horizon Cash Management LLC with respect to the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund. 2

(d)(31)

Sub-advisory Agreement between Palladiem, LLC and Ascentia Capital Partners, LLC on behalf of Alternative Strategies Mutual Fund. 2

(d)(32)

Licensing Agreement between Research Affiliates, LLC and Ascentia Capital Partners, LLC. 6

(d)(33)

Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and among Trust for Professional Managers (“TPM”), with respect to the Alternative Strategies Fund, a separate series of TPM, the Registrant, on behalf of the Alternative Strategies Fund, a separate series of the Registrant, and Ascentia Capital Partners LLC dated May 17, 2011. 4                                      

(e)(1)

Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and Northern Lights Distributors LLC. 6

(e)(2)

Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and Ceros Financial Services, Inc. 10

(f)

Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts -   Not Applicable

(g)(1)

Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. 4

(g)(2)

Custody Agreement between the Registrant and US Bank, N.A., on behalf of the Alternative Strategies Mutual Fund. 4

(g)(3)

Custody Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bank, N.A., on behalf of Hundredfold Select Alternative Fund, Hundredfold Select Global Fund, and Hundredfold Select Equity Fund. 5

(g)(4)

Custody Agreement between the Registrant and Union Bank, N.A. 15

(h)(1)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Alternative Strategies Mutual Fund. 4

(h)(2)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Two Oaks Diversified Growth and Income Fund. 4

(h)(3)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of Hundredfold Select Alternative Fund, Hundredfold Select Global Fund and Hundredfold Select Equity Fund. 5

(h)(4)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of North Star Opportunity Fund. 11

(h)(5)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of Mariner Hyman Beck Fund. 11

(h)(6)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of WOA All Asset I. 16

(h)(7)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the SFG Futures Strategy Fund. 14

(h)(8)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of Innealta Capital Sector Rotation Fund and Innealta Capital Country Rotation Fund. 14

(h)(9)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Kottke Commodity Strategies Fund. 19

(h)(10)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the IASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund. 19

(h)(11)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Linde Hansen Contrarian Value Fund. 22

(h)(12)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Princeton Credit Income Fund. 29

(h)(13)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the AIS Tactical Asset Allocation Portfolio. 26

(h)(14)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Crow Point Hedged Global Equity Income Fund. 1

(h)(15)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund. 1

(h)(16)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund. 1

(h)(17)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Sustainable Opportunities Fund. 31

(h)(18)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Braver Tactical Equity Opportunity Fund. 33

(h)(19)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Alternative Strategies Mutual Fund. 4

(h)(20)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to Two Oaks Diversified Growth and Income Fund. 4

(h)(21)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to North Star Opportunity Fund. 9

(h)(22)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to Mariner Hyman Beck Fund. 11

(h)(23)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to WOA All Asset I. 16

(h)(24)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the SFG Futures Strategy Fund. 14

(h)(25)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Innealta Capital Sector Rotation Fund and Innealta Capital Country Rotation Fund. 14

(h)(26)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Kottke Commodity Strategies Fund. 19

(h)(27)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the IASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund. 19

(h)(28)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Linde Hansen Contrarian Value Fund. 22

(h)(29)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Princeton Credit Income Fund. 29

(h)(30)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the AIS Tactical Asset Allocation Portfolio. 26

(h)(31)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Crow Point Hedged Global Equity Income Fund. 1

(h)(32)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the  Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund. 1

(h)(33)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Sustainable Opportunities Fund. 31

(h)(34)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Braver Tactical equity Opportunity Fund. 33

(h)(35)

Consulting Agreement between the Registrant and Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC. 4  

(i)(1)

Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Alternative Strategies Mutual Fund and Two Oaks Diversified Growth and Income Fund. 4

(i)(2)

Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Hundredfold Select Alternative Fund, Hundredfold Select Global Fund and Hundredfold Select Equity Fund. 28

(i)(3)

Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the North Star Opportunity Fund. 14

(i)(4)

Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Mariner Hyman Beck Fund. 15

(i)(5)

Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Innealta Capital Sector Rotation Fund and Innealta Capital Country Rotation Fund. 17

(i)(6)

Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the SFG Futures Strategy Fund. 18

(i)(7)

Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Kottke Commodity Strategies Fund. 20

(i)(8)

Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the IASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund. 21

(i)(9)

Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Linde Hansen Contrarian Value Fund. 22

(i)(10)

Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the WOA All Asset I. 24

(i)(11)

Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Princeton Credit Income Fund. 27

(i)(12)

Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Sustainable Opportunities Fund. 30

(i)(13)

Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund. 1

(i)(14)

Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Crow Point Hedged Global Equity Income Fund. 31

(i)(15)

Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the AIS Tactical Asset Allocation Portfolio. 32

(i)(16)

Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund. 33

(i)(17)

Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Braver Tactical Opportunity Fund. 34

(i)(18)

Consent of Alston & Bird LLP. 1

(j)(1)

Consent of Cohen Fund Audit Services Ltd. on behalf of Two Oaks Diversified Growth and Income Fund. 4

(j)(2)

Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP on behalf of Alternative Strategies Mutual Fund. 4

(j)(3)

Consent of Cohen Fund Audit Services on behalf of Hundredfold Select Alternative Fund, Hundredfold Select Global Fund and Hundredfold Select Equity Fund. 28

(j)(4)

Consent of Tait, Weller & Baker LLP on behalf of North Star Opportunity Fund. 14

(j)(5)

Consent of Tait, Weller & Baker, LLP on behalf of Mariner Hyman Beck Fund. 15

(j)(6)

Consent of Tait, Weller & Baker, LLP on behalf of WOA All Asset I. 24

(j)(7)

Consent of Tait, Weller & Baker, LLP on behalf of the SFG Futures Strategy Fund. 18

(j)(8)

Consent of BBD, LLP on behalf of the Innealta Capital Sector Rotation Fund and Innealta Capital Country Rotation Fund. 29

(j)(9)

Consent of  BBD, LLP on behalf of the Kottke Commodity Strategies Fund. 20

(j)(10)

Consent of  Tait, Weller & Baker LLP on behalf of the IASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund. 21

(j)(11)

Consent of BBD, LLP on behalf of the Linde Hansen Contrarian Value Fund. 22

(j)(12)

Consent of BBD, LLP on behalf of the Princeton Credit Income Fund. 27

(j)(13)

Consent of Tait, Weller & Baker LLP on behalf of the AIS Tactical Asset Allocation Portfolio. 32

(j)(14)

Consent of Tait, Weller & Baker LLP on behalf of the Crow Point Hedged Global Equity Income Fund. 31

(j)(15)

Consent of Tait, Weller & Baker LLP on behalf of the Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund. 33

(j)(16)

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP on behalf of Hundredfold Select Alternative Fund, Hundredfold Select Global Fund and Hundredfold Select Equity Fund. 28

(j)(17)

Consent of BBD LLP on behalf of the Sustainable Opportunities Fund. 30

(j)(18)

Consent of McGladrey & Pullen LLP on behalf of the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund. 2

(j)(19)

Consent of BBD LLP on behalf of the Braver Tactical Opportunity Fund. 34

(j)(20)

Powers of Attorney. 6, 13

(k)

Omitted Financial Statements - Not Applicable.

(l)

Initial Capital Agreements - Not Applicable.

(m)(1)

Rule 12b-1 Plan on behalf of Alternative Strategies Mutual Fund. 6  

(m)(2)

Rule 12b-1 Plan on behalf of Two Oaks Diversified Growth and Income Fund. 6

(m)(3)

Rule 12b-1 Plan on behalf of Hundredfold Select Alternative Fund, Hundredfold Select Global Fund and Hundredfold Select Equity Fund. 11

(m)(4)

Rule 12b-1 Plan on behalf of the North Star Opportunity Fund. 11

(m)(5)

Rule 12b-1 Plan on behalf of the Mariner Hyman Beck Fund. 11

(m)(6)

Rule 12b-1 Plan on behalf of the WOA All Asset I. 16

(m)(7)

Rule 12b-1 Plan on behalf of the SFG Futures Strategy Fund. 14

(m)(8)

Rule 12b-1 Plan on behalf of the Innealta Capital Sector Rotation Fund and Innealta Capital Country Rotation Fund. 14

(m)(9)

Rule 12b-1 Plan on behalf of the Kottke Commodity Strategies Fund. 19

(m)(10)

Rule 12b-1 Plan on behalf of the IASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund. 19

(m)(11)

Rule 12b-1 Plan on behalf of the Linde Hansen Contrarian Value Fund. 22

(m)(12)

Rule 12b-1 Plan on behalf of the Princeton Credit Income Fund. 29

(m)(13)

Rule 12b-1 Plan on behalf of the AIS Tactical Asset Allocation Portfolio. 27

(m)(14)

Rule 12b-1 Plan on behalf of the Crow Point Hedged Global Equity Income Fund. 1

(m)(15)

Rule 12b-1 Plan on behalf of the Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund. 1

(m)(16)

Rule 12b-1 Plan on behalf of the Braver Tactical Equity Opportunity Fund. 33

(m)(17)

Rule 12b-1 Plan on behalf of the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund. 1

  (n)

Rule 18f-3 Plan, as amended May 3, 2012. 33

(p)(1)

Code of Ethics of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC. 4

(p)(2)

Code of Ethics of Ascentia Capital Partners, LLC. 4

(p)(3)

Code of Ethics of Two Oaks Investment Management, LLC. 4

(p)(4)

Code of Ethics of Advisors Preferred LLC. 4

(p)(5)

Code of Ethics of Armored Wolf LLC. 4

(p)(6)

Code of Ethics of DuPont Capital Management Corporation. 4

(p)(7)

Code of Ethics of Dunham Associates Investment Counsel. 4

(p)(8)

Code of Ethics of Sage Capital Management. 4

(p)(9)

Code of Ethics for Hundredfold Advisors, LLC. 5

(p)(10)

Code of Ethics for North Star Investment Management Corp. 7

(p)(11)

Code of Ethics for RJO Investment Management LLC. 8

(p)(12)

Code of Ethics for Water Oak Advisors LLC. 9

(p)(13)

Code of Ethics for Capital Wealth Planning, LLC. 9

(p)(14)

Code of Ethics for Solutions Funds Group, Inc. 17

(p)(15)

Code of Ethics for Al Frank Asset Management, Inc. 14

(p)(16)

Code of Ethics for Kottke Managed Commodities, LLC 11

(p)(17)

Code of Ethics for IASG Capital Management. 12

(p)(18)

Code of Ethics for Linde Hansen & Co., LLC. 16

(p)(19)

Code of Ethics for Princeton Advisory Group, Inc. 26

(p)(20)

Code of Ethics for AIS Capital Management, LLC. 23

(p)(21)

Code of Ethics for Crow Point Partners, LLC. 1

(p)(22)

Code of Ethics for North Peak Asset Management, LLC. 33

(p)(23)

Code of Ethics for  Wellington Management Company. 33

(p)(24)

Code of Ethics for Parametric Portfolio Associates, LLC. 33

(p)(25)

Code of Ethics for City of London Investment Group. 33

(p)(26)

Code of Ethics for The Boston Company Asset Management, LLC. 1

(p)(27)

Code of Ethics for Mellon Capital Management Corporation. 1

(p)(28)

Code of Ethics for Commodity Strategy AG. 2

(p)(29)

Code of Ethics for Braver Wealth Management. 26

(p)(30)

Code of Ethics for Longboard Asset Management, LLC. 31

(p)(31)

Code of Ethics for Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC. 31

(p)(32)

Code of Ethics for Palladiem, LLC. 33

(p)(33)

Code of Ethics for Horizon Cash Management, LLC. 1

1  Is filed herewith.

2 To be filed by subsequent amendment.

3 Previously filed on June 16, 2011 in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, and hereby incorporated by reference.

4 Previously filed on June 28, 2011 in the Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2, and hereby incorporated by reference.

5 Previously filed on August 3, 2011 in the Registrant's Proxy/Registration Statement on Form N-14, and hereby incorporated by reference.

6 Previously filed on August 3, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 2, and hereby incorporated by reference.

7 Previously filed on August 19, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 3, and hereby incorporated by reference.

8 Previously filed on August 26, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4, and hereby incorporated by reference.

9 Previously filed on September 20, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 5, and hereby incorporated by reference.

10 Previously filed on October 3, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 9, and hereby incorporated by reference.

11 Previously filed on October 27, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 12, and hereby incorporated by reference.

12 Previously filed on October 27, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 13, and hereby incorporated by reference.

13 Previously filed on November 2, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 14, and hereby incorporated by reference.

14 Previously filed on November 17, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 and hereby incorporated by reference

15 Previously filed on November 22, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 and hereby incorporated by reference

16 Previously filed on December 14, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 and hereby incorporated by reference

17 Previously filed on December 19, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 and hereby incorporated by reference

18 Previously filed on December 20, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 and hereby incorporated by reference

19 Previously filed on January 4, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 and hereby incorporated by   reference

20 Previously filed on January 10, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 and hereby incorporated by reference

21 Previously filed on January 10, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 and hereby incorporated by reference

22 Previously filed on January 27, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 and hereby incorporated by reference

23 Previously filed on February 2, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 and hereby incorporated by reference

24 Previously filed on February 7, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 and hereby incorporated by reference

25 Previously filed on February 10, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 and hereby incorporated by reference.

26 Previously filed on March 8, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 and hereby incorporated by reference.

27 Previously filed on March 9, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 and hereby incorporated by reference.

28 Previously filed on March 13, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 and hereby incorporated by reference.

29 Previously filed on March 23, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 51 and hereby incorporated by reference.

30 Previously filed on March 27, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 and hereby incorporated by reference.

31 Previously filed on April 12, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 and hereby incorporated by reference.

32 Previously filed on April 17, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 and hereby incorporated by reference.

33 Previously filed on May 15, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 and hereby incorporated by reference.

34 Previously filed on May 25, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 and hereby incorporated by reference.



ITEM 29.

PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH THE REGISTRANT.


None.



ITEM 30.

INDEMNIFICATION.


Article VIII, Section 2(a) of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that to the fullest extent that limitations on the liability of Trustees and officers are permitted by the Delaware Statutory Trust Act of 2002, the officers and Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any act or omission of:  any agent or employee of the Trust; any investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Trust; or with respect to each Trustee and officer, the act or omission of any other Trustee or officer, respectively.  The Trust, out of the Trust Property, is required to indemnify and hold harmless each and every officer and Trustee from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever arising out of or related to such officer’s or Trustee’s performance of his or her duties as an officer or Trustee of the Trust.  This limitation on liability applies to events occurring at the time a person serves as a Trustee or officer of the Trust whether or not such person is a Trustee or officer at the time of any proceeding in which liability is asserted.  Nothing contained in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust indemnifies, holds harmless or protects any officer or Trustee from or against any liability to the Trust or any shareholder to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.


Article VIII, Section 2(b) provides that every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking and every other act or document whatsoever issued, executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust, the officers or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued, executed or done only in such Person’s capacity as Trustee and/or as officer, and such Trustee or officer, as applicable, shall not be personally liable therefore, except as described in the last sentence of the first paragraph of Section 2 of Article VIII.


Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions of Delaware law and the Agreement and Declaration of the Registrant or the By-Laws of the Registrant, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Trust in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.



ITEM 31.

BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISER.

  

Certain information pertaining to the business and other connections of each Advisor of each series of the Trust is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the section of the respective Prospectus captioned “Investment Advisor” and to the section of the respective Statement of Additional Information captioned “Investment Advisory and Other Services.”  The information required by this Item 31 with respect to each director, officer or partner of each Advisor is incorporated by reference to the Advisor’s Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Each Advisor’s Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov, and may be requested by File No. as follows:

Ascentia Capital Partners, LLC, the Adviser to Alternative Strategies Mutual Fund -- File No. 801-65018

Two Oaks Investment Management, LLC, the Adviser to the Two Oaks Diversified Growth and Income Fund -- File No. 801-72390

Advisors Preferred, LLC, the Adviser to Hundredfold Select Alternative Fund, Hundredfold Select Global Fund, and Hundredfold Select Equity Fund – File No. 801-72430  


North Star Investment Management Corp., the Adviser to North Star Opportunity Fund – File No. 801-62013.


RJO Investment Management LLC, the Adviser to the Mariner Hyman Beck Global Fund – File No. 801-71417.  


Water Oak Advisors, LLC, the Adviser to the WOA All Asset I – File No. 801-66872.


IASG Capital Management, LLC adviser to the IASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund – File No. 801-72816  


Princeton Advisory Group, Inc. adviser to the Princeton Credit Income Fund – File No. 801-62702


Kottke Managed Commodities, LLC adviser to the Kottke Commodity Strategies Fund – File No. 801-72837  


Al Frank Asset Management Inc. adviser to the Innealta Capital Country Rotation Fund and Innealta Capital Sector Rotation Fund – File No. 801-30528


Solutions Funds Group, Inc. adviser to the SFG Futures Strategy Fund – File No. 801-72794  


AIS Capital Management, LLC adviser to the AIS Tactical Asset Allocation Portfolio – File no. 801-343295


Crow Point Partners, LLC adviser to the Crow Point Hedged Global Equity Income Fund – File No. 801-67184


North Peak Asset Management, LLC adviser to the Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund – File No. 801-72894.


Braver Wealth Management, LLC adviser to the Braver Tactical Equity Opportunity Fund – File No. 801-26501.


Longboard Asset Management, LLC adviser to the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy – File No. 801-72623.


Absolute Investment Management, LLC adviser to the Aftershock Mutual Fund – File No. 801-71500


ITEM 32.

PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER.


(a)  

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (“NLD”), is the principal underwriter for all series of Northern Lights Fund Trust II except Hundredfold Select Alternative Fund, Hundredfold Select Global Fund and Hundredfold Select Equity Fund.  NLD also acts as principal underwriter for the following:  


AdvisorOne Funds, Arrow Investments Trust, Copeland Trust, Dominion Funds, Epiphany Funds, Equinox Funds Trust, Ladenburg Thalmann Alternative Strategies Fund, Miller Investment Trust, Nile Capital Investment Trust, North Country Funds, Northern Lights ETF Trust, Northern Lights Variable Trust, and Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust III, OCM Mutual Fund, Roge Partners Funds and The Saratoga Advantage Trust, The Multi-Strategy Growth & Income Fund, Tributary Funds, Inc. and Vertical Capital Income Fund.

(b)

NLD is registered with Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.  The principal business address of NLD is 4020 South 147th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68137.  NLD is an affiliate of Gemini Fund Services, LLC.  To the best of Registrant’s knowledge, the following are the members and officers of NLD:

  


Name

Positions and Offices

with Underwriter

Positions and Offices

with the Fund

W. Patrick Clarke

Manager

None

Brian Nielsen

Manager, President, Secretary

Trustee

Daniel Applegarth

Treasurer

None

Mike Nielsen

Chief Compliance Officer and AML Compliance Officer

None


(c) Not Applicable.


ITEM 33.

LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS.


The following entities prepare, maintain and preserve the records required by Section 31 (a) of the 1940 Act for the Registrant.  These services are provided to the Registrant for such periods prescribed by the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1940 Act and such records are the property of the entity required to maintain and preserve such records and will be surrendered promptly on request.


Bank of New York Mellon (“BNYM”), located at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286, provides custodian services to the Two Oaks Diversified Growth and Income Fund pursuant to a Custody Agreement between BNYM and the Trust.  


US Bank, National Association, 1555 North River Center Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212, provides custodian services to the Alternative Strategies Mutual Fund and Hundredfold Select Alternative Fund, Hundredfold Select Global Fund and Hundredfold Select Equity Fund pursuant to a Custody Agreement between US Bank and the Trust.


Union Bank, National Association, 350 California Street, 6 th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104, provides custodian services to the North Star Opportunity Fund, Cobalt Tactical Income Fund, WOA All Asset I, IASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund, SFG Futures Strategy Fund, Linde Hansen Contrarian Value Fund, Innealta Capital Country Rotation Fund, Innealta Capital Sector Rotation Fund, Kottke Commodity Strategies Fund, Sustainable Opportunities Fund, AIS Tactical Asset Allocation Portfolio, Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Crow Point Hedged Global Equity Income Fund, Braver Tactical Equity Opportunity Fund and Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund pursuant to a Custody Agreement between Union Bank and the Trust.

  

Gemini Fund Services, LLC (“GFS”), located at 4020 South 147th Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68137, provides transfer agent and dividend disbursing services pursuant to a Transfer Agency and Service Agreements between GFS and the Trust.  In such capacities, GFS provides pricing for each Fund’s portfolio securities, keeps records regarding securities and other assets in custody and in transfer, bank statements, canceled checks, financial books and records, and keeps records of each shareholder’s account and all disbursement made to shareholders.  GFS also maintains all records required pursuant to Administrative Service Agreements with the Trust.  


NLD, located at 4020 South 147th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68137, serves as principal underwriter for all series of Northern Lights Fund Trust II, except Hundredfold Select Alternative Fund, Hundredfold Select Global Fund and Hundredfold Select Equity Fund. NLD maintains all records required to be maintained pursuant to each Fund’s Distribution Plan and Agreement adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.  

Ascentia Capital Partners, LLC, located at 5485 Kietzke Lane, Reno, NV 89511, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to Alternative Strategies Mutual Fund.


Two Oaks Investment Management, LLC, located at 7110 North Fresno Street, Suite 450, Fresno CA, 93720 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Two Oaks Diversified Growth and Income Fund.


Advisors Preferred, LLC located at 1445 Research Blvd, Suite 530, Rockville, MD 20850 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Hundredfold Select Alternative Fund, Hundredfold Select Global Fund and Hundredfold Select Equity Fund.


North Star Investment Management Corp. located at 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1416, Chicago, IL 60606 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the North Star Opportunity Fund.  


RJO Investment Management, LLC located at 227 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60606 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Mariner Hyman Beck Global Fund.  


Water Oak Advisors LLC located at 450 S. Orange Avenue, 4 th Floor, Orlando, FL 32801 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the WOA All Asset I.  


Solutions Funds Group, Inc. located at 300 Village Green Drive, Suite 210, Lincolnshire, IL 60069, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the SFG Futures Strategy Fund.


Al Frank Asset Management, Inc. located at 85 Argonaut, Suite 220, Alisa Viejo, CA 92656 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Innealta Capital Sector Rotation Fund and Innealta Capital Country Rotation Fund.


Kottke Managed Commodities, LLC located at 141 W. Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Kottke Commodity Strategies Fund.


IASG Capital Management, located at 26526 West Countryside Lane, Plainfield, IL 60585 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the IASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund.


Linde Hansen & Co., LLC located at 25B Vreeland Road, Suite 102, Florham Park, New Jersey, 07932 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Linde Hansen Contrarian Value Fund.


Princeton Advisory Group, Inc. located at 700 Alexander Park, Suite 201, Princeton, New Jersey 08540

pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Princeton Credit Income Fund.


Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC located at 71 S. Wacker Drive, 31 st Floor, Chicago, IL 60606 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Sustainable Opportunities Fund.


AIS Capital Management, LLC located at 187 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the AIS Tactical Asset Allocation Portfolio”.


Crow Point Partners, LLC located at 10 New Driftway, Suite 203, Scituate, MA 02066 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Crow Point Hedged Global Equity Income Fund.


North Peak Asset Management, LLC located at 457 Washington Street, Duxbury, MA 02332 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund.


Braver Wealth Management, LLC located at 117 Kendrick Street, Needham, MA 02494 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Braver Tactical Equity Opportunity Fund.


Longboard Asset Management, LLC located at 4725 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 110, Scottsdale, Arizona 85251 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund.


Absolute Investment Management, LLC located at 7315 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 750 West Tower, Bethesda, MD 20814 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Aftershock Mutual Fund.


ITEM 34.

MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

Not applicable.  


ITEM 35.

UNDERTAKINGS.

Not applicable.

 

 


  Signatures


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. No. 68 to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto authorized, in the City of Hauppauge, State of New York, on the 19th day of June, 2012.

 


NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II


By: __________________________

      Andrew Rogers*

     President and Principal Executive Officer



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.



Signature

Title

Date

Brian Nielsen*

_________________________

Trustee & Chairman

June 19, 2012

Thomas Sarkany*

_________________________

Trustee

June 19, 2012

Anthony Lewis*

_________________________

Trustee

June 19, 2012

Keith Rhoades*

_________________________

Trustee

June 19, 2012

Randy Skalla*

_________________________

Trustee

June 19, 2012

Andrew Rogers*

_________________________

President and Principal Executive Officer

June 19, 2012

Kevin Wolf*

_________________________

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

June 19, 2012



*By:    /s/James Ash _______________

James Ash

Attorney-in-Fact –  pursuant to powers of attorney incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.2 (filed August 3, 2011) and Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 (filed November 2, 2011) each to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A.




EXHIBIT INDEX

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Crow Point Partners, LLC on behalf of the Crow Point Hedged Global Equity Income Fund.

99.28(d)(14)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and North Peak Asset Management, LLC on behalf of the Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund.

99.28(d)(15)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Longboard Asset Management, LLC on behalf of the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund.

99.28(d)(17)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Crow Point Hedged Global Equity Income Fund.

99.28(h)(14)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund.

99.28(h)(15)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of  the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund.

99.28(h)(16)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Crow Point Hedged Global Equity Income Fund.

99.28(h)(31)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund.

99.28(h)(32)

Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund.

99.28(i)(13)

Consent of Alston & Bird, LLP.

99.28(i)(18)

Rule 12b-1 Plan on behalf of the Crow Point Hedged Global Equity Income Fund.

99.28(m)(14)

Rule 12b-1 Plan on behalf of the Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund.

99.28(m)(15)

Rule 12b-1 Plan on behalf of the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund.

99.28(m)(17)

Code of Ethics for Crow Point Partners, LLC.

99.28(p)(21)

Code of Ethics for The Boston Company Asset Management, LLC,

99.28(p)(26)

Code of Ethics for Mellon Capital Management Corporation.

99.28(p)(27)

Code of Ethics for Horizon Cash Management, LLC.

99.28(p)(33)











INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

Between

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND  TRUST II

 and

CROW POINT PARTNERS, LLC


      AGREEMENT, made as of March 6, 2012 between NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust"), and CROW POINT PARTNERS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "Adviser"), located at 10 New Driftway, Suite 203, Scituate, MA 02066.

   

RECITALS:


     WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act");


     WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest in separate series, each having its own investment objective or objectives, policies and limitations;


     WHEREAS, the Trust offers shares in the series named on Appendix A hereto (such series, together with all other series subsequently established by the Trust and made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 1.3, being herein referred to as a "Fund," and collectively as the "Funds");


      WHEREAS, the Adviser is or soon will be registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; and


     WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Adviser to render investment advisory services to the Trust with respect to each Fund in the manner and on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;


     NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows::


1. Services of the Adviser.


      1.1 Investment Advisory Services. The Adviser shall act as the investment adviser to each Fund and, as such, shall (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, business, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities hereunder, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of each Fund in a manner consistent with its investment objective(s), policies and restrictions, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained or lent by each Fund, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the  issuer or with a broker or dealer, and if with a broker or dealer, (a) will attempt to obtain the best price and execution of its orders, and (b) may nevertheless in its discretion purchase and sell portfolio securities from and  to brokers who provide the Adviser with research, analysis, advice and similar services and pay such brokers in return a higher commission than may be charged by other brokers.


      The Trust hereby authorizes any entity or person associated with the Adviser or any sub-adviser retained by the Adviser pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement, which is a member of a national securities exchange, to effect any transaction on the exchange for the account of the Trust which is permitted by Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, and the Trust hereby consents to the retention of compensation for such transactions in accordance with Rule 11a2-2(T)(a)(2)(iv).


      The Adviser shall carry out its duties with respect to each Fund's investments in accordance with applicable law and the investment objectives, policies and restrictions set forth in each Fund's then-current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and subject to such further limitations as the Trust may from time to time impose by written notice to the Adviser..


      1.2 Administrative Services.   The Trust has engaged the services of an administrator.   The Adviser shall provide such additional administrative services as reasonably requested by the Board of Trustees or officers of the Trust; provided, that the Adviser shall not have any obligation to provide under this Agreement any direct or indirect services to Trust shareholders, any services related to the distribution of Trust shares, or any other services which are the subject of a separate agreement or arrangement between the Trust and the Adviser. Subject to the foregoing, in providing administrative services hereunder, the Adviser shall:


      1.2.1 Office Space, Equipment and Facilities.  Provide such office space, office equipment and office facilities as are adequate to fulfill the Adviser’s obligations hereunder.


      1.2.2 Personnel. Provide, without remuneration from or other cost to the Trust, the services of individuals competent to perform the administrative functions which are not performed by employees or other agents engaged by the Trust or by the Adviser acting in some other capacity pursuant to a separate agreement or arrangement with the Trust.


      1.2.3 Agents. Assist the Trust in selecting and coordinating the activities of the other agents engaged by the Trust, including the Trust's shareholder servicing agent, custodian, administrator, independent auditors and legal counsel.


      1.2.4 Trustees and Officers. Authorize and permit the Adviser's directors, officers and employees who may be elected or appointed as Trustees or officers of the Trust to serve in such capacities, without remuneration from or other cost to the Trust.


      1.2.5 Books and Records. Assure that all financial, accounting and other records required to be maintained and preserved by the Adviser on behalf of the Trust are maintained and preserved by it in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.


      1.2.6 Reports and Filings. Assist in the preparation of (but not pay for) all periodic reports by the Fund to its shareholders and all reports and filings required to maintain the registration and qualification of the Funds and Fund shares, or to meet other regulatory or tax requirements applicable to the Fund , under federal and state securities and tax laws.


      1.3 Additional Series. In the event that the Trust establishes one or more series after the effectiveness of this Agreement ("Additional Series"), Appendix A to this Agreement may be amended to make such Additional Series subject to this Agreement upon the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and the shareholder(s) of the Additional Series, in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The Trust or the Adviser may elect not to make any such series subject to this Agreement.


      1.4 Change in Management or Control. The Adviser shall provide at least sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the Trust of any change in the ownership or management of the Adviser, or any  event or action that may constitute a change in “control,” as that term is defined in Section 2 of the Act .  The Adviser shall provide prompt notice of any change in the portfolio manager(s) responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds.


2. Expenses of the Funds .


      2.1 Expenses to be Paid by Adviser. The Adviser shall pay all salaries, expenses and fees of the officers, Trustees and employees of the Trust who are officers, directors , members or employees of the Adviser.


      In the event that the Adviser pays or assumes any expenses of the Trust not required to be paid or assumed by the Adviser under this Agreement, the Adviser shall not be obligated hereby to pay or assume the same or any similar expense in the future; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to relieve the Adviser of any obligation to the Funds under any separate agreement or arrangement between the parties.


      2.2 Expenses to be Paid by the Fund.  Each Fund shall bear all expenses of its operation, except those specifically allocated to the Adviser under this Agreement or under any separate agreement between the Trust and the Adviser. Subject to any separate agreement or arrangement between the Trust and the Adviser, the expenses hereby allocated to the Fund , and not to the Adviser, include but are not limited to:


      2.2.1 Custody. All charges of depositories, custodians, and other agents for the transfer, receipt, safekeeping, and servicing of the Fund' s cash, securities, and other property.


      2.2.2 Shareholder Servicing. All expenses of maintaining and servicing shareholder accounts, including but not limited to the charges of any shareholder servicing agent, dividend disbursing agent, transfer agent or other agent engaged by the Trust to service shareholder accounts..


      2.2.3 Shareholder Reports. All expenses of preparing, setting in type, printing and distributing reports and other communications to shareholders.


      2.2.4 Prospectuses. All expenses of preparing, converting to EDGAR format, filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other appropriate regulatory body, setting in type, printing and mailing annual or more frequent revisions of the Fund 's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and any supplements thereto and of supplying them to shareholders.


      2.2.5 Pricing and Portfolio Valuation. All expenses of computing the Funds’ nnet asset value per share, including any equipment or services obtained for the purpose of pricing shares or valuing the Fund 's investment portfolio.


      2.2.6 Communications. All charges for equipment or services used for communications between the Adviser or the Trust and any custodian, shareholder servicing agent, portfolio accounting services agent, or other agent engaged by the Trust.


      2.2.7 Legal and Accounting Fees. All charges for services and expenses of the Trust's legal counsel and independent accountants.


      2.2.8 Trustees' Fees and Expenses. All compensation of all Trustees other than those affiliated with the Adviser and all expenses incurred in connection with each of the Trustees' services as Trustees, and all other expenses of meetings of the Trustees and committees of the Trustees.


      2.2.9 Shareholder Meetings. All expenses incidental to holding meetings of shareholders, including the printing of notices and proxy materials, and proxy solicitations therefor.


      2.2.10 Federal Registration Fees. All fees and expenses of registering and maintaining the registration of the Fund under the Act and the registration of the Fund 's shares under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act"), including all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, converting to EDGAR format, setting in type, printing, and filing of any Registration Statement, Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information under the 1933 Act or the Act, and any amendments or supplements that may be made from time to time.


      2.2.11 State Registration Fees. All fees and expenses of taking required action to permit the offer and sale of the Fund 's shares under securities laws of various states or jurisdictions, and of registration and qualification of the Fund under all other laws applicable to the Trust or its business activities (including registering the Trust as a broker-dealer, or any officer of the Trust or any person as agent or salesperson of the Trust in any state).  


      2.2.12 Confirmations. All expenses incurred in connection with the issue and transfer of Fund shares, including the expenses of confirming all share transactions.


      2.2.13 Bonding and Insurance. All expenses of bond, liability, and other insurance coverage required by law or regulation or deemed advisable by the Trustees of the Trust, including, without limitation, such bond, liability and other insurance expenses that may from time to time be allocated to the Fund in a manner approved by its Trustees.


      2.2.14 Brokerage Commissions. All brokers' commissions and other charges incident to the purchase, sale or lending of the Fund 's portfolio securities.


      2.2.15 Taxes. All taxes or governmental fees payable by or with respect to each Fund to federal, state or other governmental agencies, domestic or foreign, including stamp or other transfer taxes.


      2.2.16 Trade Association Fees. All fees, dues and other expenses incurred in connection with the Trust's membership in any trade association or other investment organization.


      2.2.18 Compliance Fees. All charges for services and expenses of the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer.


      2.2.19 Nonrecurring and Extraordinary Expenses. Such nonrecurring and extraordinary expenses as may arise including the costs of actions, suits, or proceedings to which the Trust is a party and the expenses the Trust may incur as a result of its legal obligation to provide indemnification to its officers, Trustees and agents.


3. Advisory Fee.


       As compensation for all services rendered, facilities provided and expenses paid or assumed by the Adviser under this Agreement, each Fund shall pay the Adviser on the last day of each month, or as promptly as possible thereafter, a fee calculated by applying a monthly rate, based on an annual percentage rate set forth in Appendix A of the Fund's average daily net assets for the month. The annual percentage rate applicable to each Fund is set forth in Appendix A to this Agreement. If this Agreement shall be effective for only a portion of a month with respect to each Fund, the aforesaid fee shall be prorated for the portion of such month during which this Agreement is in effect for each Fund.


4. Proxy Voting.


      The Adviser will vote, or make arrangements to have voted, all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which assets of each Fund may be invested from time to time.  Such proxies will be voted in a manner that Adviser deem, in good faith, to be in the best interest of each Fund and in accordance with its proxy voting policy.  The Adviser agrees to provide a copy of its proxy voting policy to the Trust prior to the execution of this Agreement, and any amendments thereto promptly.


5. Records.


      5.1 Tax Treatment. Both the Adviser and the Trust shall maintain, or arrange for others to maintain, the books and records of the Trust in such a manner that treats each Fund as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes.


      5.2 Ownership. All records required to be maintained and preserved by the Trust pursuant to the provisions or rules or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 31(a) of the Act and maintained and preserved by the Adviser on behalf of the Trust are the property of the Trust and shall be surrendered by the Adviser promptly on request by the Trust; provided, that the Adviser may at its own expense make and retain copies of any such records.


6. Reports to Adviser.


      The Trust shall furnish or otherwise make available to the Adviser such copies of each Fund 's Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, financial statements, proxy statements, reports and other information relating to its business and affairs as the Adviser may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably require in order to discharge its obligations under this Agreement.


7. Reports to the Trust.


      The Adviser shall prepare and furnish to the Trust such reports, statistical data and other information in such form and at such intervals as the Trust may reasonably request.


8. Code of Ethics.


      The Adviser has adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the Act and will provide the Trust with a copy of the code and evidence of its adoption.  Within 45 days of the last calendar quarter of each year while this Agreement is in effect, the Adviser will provide to the Board of Trustees of the Trust a written report that describes any issues arising under the code of ethics since the last report to the Board of Trustees, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the code and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and which certifies that the Adviser has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent "access persons" (as that term is defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating the code.


9. Retention of Sub-Adviser.


      Subject to the Trust's obtaining the initial and periodic approvals required under Section 15 of the Act, the Adviser may retain one or more sub-advisers, at the Adviser's own cost and expense, for the purpose of managing the investments of the assets of one or more Funds of the Trust. Retention of one or more sub-advisers shall in no way reduce the responsibilities or obligations of the Adviser under this Agreement and the Adviser shall, subject to Section 11 of this Agreement, be responsible to the Trust for all acts or omissions of any sub-adviser in connection with the performance of the Adviser's duties hereunder.


10. Services to Other Clients.


      Nothing herein contained shall limit the freedom of the Adviser or any affiliated person of the Adviser to render investment management and administrative services to other investment companies, to act as investment adviser or investment counselor to other persons, firms or corporations, or to engage in other business activities.


11. Limitation of Liability of Adviser and its Personnel.


      Neither the Adviser nor any director, manager, officer or employee of the Adviser performing services for the Trust at the direction or request of the Adviser in connection with the Adviser's discharge of its obligations hereunder shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with any matter to which this Agreement relates, and the Adviser shall not be responsible for any action of the Trustees of the Trust in following or declining to follow any advice or recommendation of the Adviser or any sub-adviser retained by the Adviser pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement;  PROVIDED, that nothing herein contained shall be construed (i) to protect the Adviser against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which the Adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser's duties, or by reason of the Adviser's reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) to protect any director, manager, officer or employee of the Adviser who is or was a Trustee or officer of the Trust against any liability of the Trust or its shareholders to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person's office with the Trust.


12. Effect of Agreement.


      Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require to the Trust to take any action contrary to its Declaration of Trust or its By-Laws or any applicable law, regulation or order to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive the Trustees of the Trust of their responsibility for and control of the conduct of the business and affairs of the Trust.


13. Term of Agreement.


      The term of this Agreement shall begin as of the date and year upon which the Fund listed on Appendix A commences investment operations, and unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect for a period of two years. Thereafter, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to each Fund from year to year, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms and conditions hereof; PROVIDED, such continuance with respect to a Fund is approved at least annually by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or by the Trustees of the Trust; PROVIDED, that in either event such continuance is also approved annually by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto. The Adviser shall furnish to the Trust, promptly upon its request, such information as may reasonably be necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof.


14. Amendment or Assignment of Agreement.


      Any amendment to this Agreement shall be in writing signed by the parties hereto; PROVIDED, that no such amendment shall be effective unless authorized (i) by resolution of the Trustees of the Trust, including the vote or written consent of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto, and (ii) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund affected by such amendment as required by applicable law. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment.


15. Termination of Agreement.


      This Agreement may be terminated as to any Fund at any time by either party hereto, without the payment of any penalty, upon sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the other party; PROVIDED, that in the case of termination by any Fund, such action shall have been authorized (i) by resolution of the Trust's Board of Trustees, including the vote or written consent of Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto, or (ii) by vote of majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.


16. Use of Name.


      The Trust is named the Northern Lights Fund Trust II and each Fund may be identified, in part, by the name "Northern Lights."


17. Declaration of Trust.


      The Adviser is hereby expressly put on notice of the limitation of  shareholder liability as set forth in the Trust's Declaration of Trust and agrees that the obligations assumed by the Trust or a Fund, as the case may be, pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in all cases to the Trust or a Fund, as the case may be, and its assets, and the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders or any shareholder of the Trust. In addition, the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligations from the Trustees or any individual Trustee. The Adviser understands that the rights and obligations of any Fund under the Declaration of Trust are separate and distinct from those of any and all other Funds. The Adviser further understands and agrees that no Fund of the Trust shall be liable for any claims against any other Fund of the Trust and that the Adviser must look solely to the assets of the pertinent Fund of the Trust for the enforcement or satisfaction of any claims against the Trust with respect to that Fund.


18. Confidentiality.


      The Adviser agrees to treat all records and other information relating to the Trust and the securities holdings of the Funds as confidential and shall not disclose any such records or information to any other person unless (i) the Board of Trustees of the Trust has approved the disclosure or (ii) such disclosure is compelled by law.  In addition, the Adviser and the Adviser's officers, directors and employees are prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of the Fund, as a result of disclosing the Fund's portfolio holdings.  The Adviser agrees that, consistent with the Adviser's Code of Ethics, neither the Adviser nor the Adviser's officers, directors, members or employees may engage in personal securities transactions based on nonpublic information about a Fund's portfolio holdings.


19. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.


20. Interpretation and Definition of Terms.


         Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts, or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission validly issued pursuant to the Act. Specifically, the terms "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities," "interested persons," "assignment" and "affiliated person," as used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the Act. In addition, when the effect of a requirement of the Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is modified, interpreted or relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, whether of special or of general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.


21. Captions.


         The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.


22. Execution in Counterparts.


         This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.



[ Signature Page Follows ]







         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date and year first above written.




                               NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II




                                By: /s/ Andrew Rogers

                 Name: Andrew Rogers

                               Title: President




                              CROW POINT PARTNERS, LLC


                               By: /s/ Peter DeCaprio

                               Name: Peter DeCaprio

                               Title: CEO













NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND  TRUST II


INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT


APPENDIX A



NAME OF FUND


ANNUAL ADVISORY FEE AS A % OF

AVERAGE NET ASSETS OF THE FUND


Crow Point Hedged Global Equity Income Fund


0.88%

         



INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

Between

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND  TRUST II

 and

NORTH PEAK ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC


       AGREEMENT, made as of March 6, 2012 between NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust"), and NORTH PEAK ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC a Delaware limited lianility company (the "Adviser"), located at 457 Washington Street, Duxbury, MA 02332.

   

RECITALS:


      WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act");


      WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest in separate series, each having its own investment objective or objectives, policies and limitations;


      WHEREAS, the Trust offers shares in the series named on Appendix A hereto (such series, together with all other series subsequently established by the Trust and made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 1.3, being herein referred to as a "Fund," and collectively as the "Funds");


      WHEREAS, the Adviser is or soon will be registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; and


     WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Adviser to render investment advisory services to the Trust with respect to each Fund in the manner and on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;


     NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:


1. Services of the Adviser.


      1.1 Investment Advisory Services. The Adviser shall act as the investment adviser to each Fund and, as such, shall (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, business, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities hereunder, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of each Fund in a manner consistent with its investment objective(s), policies and restrictions, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained or lent by each Fund, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the  issuer or with a broker or dealer, and if with a broker or dealer, (a) will attempt to obtain the best price and execution of its orders, and (b) may nevertheless in its discretion purchase and sell portfolio securities from and  to brokers who provide the Adviser with research, analysis, advice and similar services and pay such brokers in return a higher commission than may be charged by other brokers.


      The Trust hereby authorizes any entity or person associated with the Adviser or any sub-adviser retained by the Adviser pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement, which is a member of a national securities exchange, to effect any transaction on the exchange for the account of the Trust which is permitted by Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, and the Trust hereby consents to the retention of compensation for such transactions in accordance with Rule 11a2-2(T)(a)(2)(iv).


      The Adviser shall carry out its duties with respect to each Fund's investments in accordance with applicable law and the investment objectives, policies and restrictions set forth in each Fund's then-current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and subject to such further limitations as the Trust may from time to time impose by written notice to the Adviser.


      1.2 Administrative Services.   The Trust has engaged the services of an administrator.   The Adviser shall provide such additional administrative services as reasonably requested by the Board of Trustees or officers of the Trust; provided, that the Adviser shall not have any obligation to provide under this Agreement any direct or indirect services to Trust shareholders, any services related to the distribution of Trust shares, or any other services which are the subject of a separate agreement or arrangement between the Trust and the Adviser. Subject to the foregoing, in providing administrative services hereunder, the Adviser shall:


      1.2.1 Office Space, Equipment and Facilities.  Provide such office space, office equipment and office facilities as are adequate to fulfill the Adviser’s obligations hereunder.


      1.2.2 Personnel. Provide, without remuneration from or other cost to the Trust, the services of individuals competent to perform the administrative functions which are not performed by employees or other agents engaged by the Trust or by the Adviser acting in some other capacity pursuant to a separate agreement or arrangement with the Trust.


      1.2.3 Agents. Assist the Trust in selecting and coordinating the activities of the other agents engaged by the Trust, including the Trust's shareholder servicing agent, custodian, administrator, independent auditors and legal counsel.


      1.2.4 Trustees and Officers. Authorize and permit the Adviser's directors, officers and employees who may be elected or appointed as Trustees or officers of the Trust to serve in such capacities, without remuneration from or other cost to the Trust.


      1.2.5 Books and Records. Assure that all financial, accounting and other records required to be maintained and preserved by the Adviser on behalf of the Trust are maintained and preserved by it in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.


      1.2.6 Reports and Filings. Assist in the preparation of (but not pay for) all periodic reports by the Fund to its shareholders and all reports and filings required to maintain the registration and qualification of the Funds and Fund shares, or to meet other regulatory or tax requirements applicable to the Fund , under federal and state securities and tax laws.


      1.3 Additional Series. In the event that the Trust establishes one or more series after the effectiveness of this Agreement ("Additional Series"), Appendix A to this Agreement may be amended to make such Additional Series subject to this Agreement upon the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and the shareholder(s) of the Additional Series, in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The Trust or the Adviser may elect not to make any such series subject to this Agreement.


      1.4 Change in Management or Control. The Adviser shall provide at least sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the Trust of any change in the ownership or management of the Adviser, or any  event or action that may constitute a change in “control,” as that term is defined in Section 2 of the Act .  The Adviser shall provide prompt notice of any change in the portfolio manager(s) responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds.


2. Expenses of the Funds .


      2.1 Expenses to be Paid by Adviser. The Adviser shall pay all salaries, expenses and fees of the officers, Trustees and employees of the Trust who are officers, directors , members or employees of the Adviser.


      In the event that the Adviser pays or assumes any expenses of the Trust not required to be paid or assumed by the Adviser under this Agreement, the Adviser shall not be obligated hereby to pay or assume the same or any similar expense in the future; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to relieve the Adviser of any obligation to the Funds under any separate agreement or arrangement between the parties.


      2.2 Expenses to be Paid by the Fund.  Each Fund shall bear all expenses of its operation, except those specifically allocated to the Adviser under this Agreement or under any separate agreement between the Trust and the Adviser. Subject to any separate agreement or arrangement between the Trust and the Adviser, the expenses hereby allocated to the Fund , and not to the Adviser, include but are not limited to:


      2.2.1 Custody. All charges of depositories, custodians, and other agents for the transfer, receipt, safekeeping, and servicing of the Fund' s cash, securities, and other property.


      2.2.2 Shareholder Servicing. All expenses of maintaining and servicing shareholder accounts, including but not limited to the charges of any shareholder servicing agent, dividend disbursing agent, transfer agent or other agent engaged by the Trust to service shareholder accounts.


      2.2.3 Shareholder Reports. All expenses of preparing, setting in type, printing and distributing reports and other communications to shareholders.


      2.2.4 Prospectuses. All expenses of preparing, converting to EDGAR format, filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other appropriate regulatory body, setting in type, printing and mailing annual or more frequent revisions of the Fund 's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and any supplements thereto and of supplying them to shareholders.


      2.2.5 Pricing and Portfolio Valuation. All expenses of computing the Fund s’ net asset value per share, including any equipment or services obtained for the purpose of pricing shares or valuing the Fund 's investment portfolio.


      2.2.6 Communications. All charges for equipment or services used for communications between the Adviser or the Trust and any custodian, shareholder servicing agent, portfolio accounting services agent, or other agent engaged by the Trust.


      2.2.7 Legal and Accounting Fees. All charges for services and expenses of the Trust's legal counsel and independent accountants.


      2.2.8 Trustees' Fees and Expenses. All compensation of all Trustees other than those affiliated with the Adviser and all expenses incurred in connection with each of the Trustees' services as Trustees, and all other expenses of meetings of the Trustees and committees of the Trustees.


      2.2.9 Shareholder Meetings. All expenses incidental to holding meetings of shareholders, including the printing of notices and proxy materials, and proxy solicitations therefor.


      2.2.10 Federal Registration Fees. All fees and expenses of registering and maintaining the registration of the Fund under the Act and the registration of the Fund 's shares under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act"), including all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, converting to EDGAR format, setting in type, printing, and filing of any Registration Statement, Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information under the 1933 Act or the Act, and any amendments or supplements that may be made from time to time.


      2.2.11 State Registration Fees. All fees and expenses of taking required action to permit the offer and sale of the Fund 's shares under securities laws of various states or jurisdictions, and of registration and qualification of the Fund under all other laws applicable to the Trust or its business activities (including registering the Trust as a broker-dealer, or any officer of the Trust or any person as agent or salesperson of the Trust in any state).  


      2.2.12 Confirmations. All expenses incurred in connection with the issue and transfer of Fund shares, including the expenses of confirming all share transactions.


      2.2.13 Bonding and Insurance. All expenses of bond, liability, and other insurance coverage required by law or regulation or deemed advisable by the Trustees of the Trust, including, without limitation, such bond, liability and other insurance expenses that may from time to time be allocated to the Fund in a manner approved by its Trustees.


      2.2.14 Brokerage Commissions. All brokers' commissions and other charges incident to the purchase, sale or lending of the Fund 's portfolio securities.


      2.2.15 Taxes. All taxes or governmental fees payable by or with respect to each Fund to federal, state or other governmental agencies, domestic or foreign, including stamp or other transfer taxes.


      2.2.16 Trade Association Fees. All fees, dues and other expenses incurred in connection with the Trust's membership in any trade association or other investment organization.


      2.2.18 Compliance Fees. All charges for services and expenses of the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer.


      2.2.19 Nonrecurring and Extraordinary Expenses. Such nonrecurring and extraordinary expenses as may arise including the costs of actions, suits, or proceedings to which the Trust is a party and the expenses the Trust may incur as a result of its legal obligation to provide indemnification to its officers, Trustees and agents.


3. Advisory Fee.


       As compensation for all services rendered, facilities provided and expenses paid or assumed by the Adviser under this Agreement, each Fund shall pay the Adviser on the last day of each month, or as promptly as possible thereafter, a fee calculated by applying a monthly rate, based on an annual percentage rate set forth in Appendix A of the Fund's average daily net assets for the month. The annual percentage rate applicable to each Fund is set forth in Appendix A to this Agreement.  If this Agreement shall be effective for only a portion of a month with respect to each Fund, the aforesaid fee shall be prorated for the portion of such month during which this Agreement is in effect for each Fund.


4. Proxy Voting.


      The Adviser will vote, or make arrangements to have voted, all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which assets of each Fund may be invested from time to time.  Such proxies will be voted in a manner that Adviser deem, in good faith, to be in the best interest of each Fund and in accordance with its proxy voting policy.  The Adviser agrees to provide a copy of its proxy voting policy to the Trust prior to the execution of this Agreement, and any amendments thereto promptly.


5. Records.


      5.1 Tax Treatment. Both the Adviser and the Trust shall maintain, or arrange for others to maintain, the books and records of the Trust in such a manner that treats each Fund as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes.


      5.2 Ownership. All records required to be maintained and preserved by the Trust pursuant to the provisions or rules or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 31(a) of the Act and maintained and preserved by the Adviser on behalf of the Trust are the property of the Trust and shall be surrendered by the Adviser promptly on request by the Trust; provided, that the Adviser may at its own expense make and retain copies of any such records.


6. Reports to Adviser.


      The Trust shall furnish or otherwise make available to the Adviser such copies of each Fund 's Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, financial statements, proxy statements, reports and other information relating to its business and affairs as the Adviser may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably require in order to discharge its obligations under this Agreement.


7. Reports to the Trust.


      The Adviser shall prepare and furnish to the Trust such reports, statistical data and other information in such form and at such intervals as the Trust may reasonably request.


8. Code of Ethics.


      The Adviser has adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the Act and will provide the Trust with a copy of the code and evidence of its adoption.  Within 45 days of the last calendar quarter of each year while this Agreement is in effect, the Adviser will provide to the Board of Trustees of the Trust a written report that describes any issues arising under the code of ethics since the last report to the Board of Trustees, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the code and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and which certifies that the Adviser has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent "access persons" (as that term is defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating the code.




9. Retention of Sub-Adviser.


      Subject to the Trust's obtaining the initial and periodic approvals required under Section 15 of the Act, the Adviser may retain one or more sub-advisers, at the Adviser's own cost and expense, for the purpose of managing the investments of the assets of one or more Funds of the Trust. Retention of one or more sub-advisers shall in no way reduce the responsibilities or obligations of the Adviser under this Agreement and the Adviser shall, subject to Section 11 of this Agreement, be responsible to the Trust for all acts or omissions of any sub-adviser in connection with the performance of the Adviser's duties hereunder.


10. Services to Other Clients.


      Nothing herein contained shall limit the freedom of the Adviser or any affiliated person of the Adviser to render investment management and administrative services to other investment companies, to act as investment adviser or investment counselor to other persons, firms or corporations, or to engage in other business activities.


11. Limitation of Liability of Adviser and its Personnel.


      Neither the Adviser nor any director, manager, officer or employee of the Adviser performing services for the Trust at the direction or request of the Adviser in connection with the Adviser's discharge of its obligations hereunder shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with any matter to which this Agreement relates, and the Adviser shall not be responsible for any action of the Trustees of the Trust in following or declining to follow any advice or recommendation of the Adviser or any sub-adviser retained by the Adviser pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement;  PROVIDED, that nothing herein contained shall be construed (i) to protect the Adviser against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which the Adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser's duties, or by reason of the Adviser's reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) to protect any director, manager, officer or employee of the Adviser who is or was a Trustee or officer of the Trust against any liability of the Trust or its shareholders to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person's office with the Trust.


12. Effect of Agreement.


      Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require to the Trust to take any action contrary to its Declaration of Trust or its By-Laws or any applicable law, regulation or order to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive the Trustees of the Trust of their responsibility for and control of the conduct of the business and affairs of the Trust.


13. Term of Agreement.


      The term of this Agreement shall begin as of the date and year upon which the Fund listed on Appendix A commences investment operations, and unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect for a period of two years. Thereafter, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to each Fund from year to year, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms and conditions hereof; PROVIDED, such continuance with respect to a Fund is approved at least annually by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or by the Trustees of the Trust; PROVIDED, that in either event such continuance is also approved annually by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto. The Adviser shall furnish to the Trust, promptly upon its request, such information as may reasonably be necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof.


14. Amendment or Assignment of Agreement.


      Any amendment to this Agreement shall be in writing signed by the parties hereto; PROVIDED, that no such amendment shall be effective unless authorized (i) by resolution of the Trustees of the Trust, including the vote or written consent of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto, and (ii) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund affected by such amendment as required by applicable law. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment.


15. Termination of Agreement.


      This Agreement may be terminated as to any Fund at any time by either party hereto, without the payment of any penalty, upon sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the other party; PROVIDED, that in the case of termination by any Fund, such action shall have been authorized (i) by resolution of the Trust's Board of Trustees, including the vote or written consent of Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto, or (ii) by vote of majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.


16. Use of Name.


      The Trust is named the Northern Lights Fund Trust II and each Fund may be identified, in part, by the name "Northern Lights."


17. Declaration of Trust.


      The Adviser is hereby expressly put on notice of the limitation of  shareholder liability as set forth in the Trust's Declaration of Trust and agrees that the obligations assumed by the Trust or a Fund, as the case may be, pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in all cases to the Trust or a Fund, as the case may be, and its assets, and the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders or any shareholder of the Trust. In addition, the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligations from the Trustees or any individual Trustee. The Adviser understands that the rights and obligations of any Fund under the Declaration of Trust are separate and distinct from those of any and all other Funds. The Adviser further understands and agrees that no Fund of the Trust shall be liable for any claims against any other Fund of the Trust and that the Adviser must look solely to the assets of the pertinent Fund of the Trust for the enforcement or satisfaction of any claims against the Trust with respect to that Fund.


18. Confidentiality.


      The Adviser agrees to treat all records and other information relating to the Trust and the securities holdings of the Funds as confidential and shall not disclose any such records or information to any other person unless (i) the Board of Trustees of the Trust has approved the disclosure or (ii) such disclosure is compelled by law.  In addition, the Adviser and the Adviser's officers, directors and employees are prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of the Fund, as a result of disclosing the Fund's portfolio holdings.  The Adviser agrees that, consistent with the Adviser's Code of Ethics, neither the Adviser nor the Adviser's officers, directors, members or employees may engage in personal securities transactions based on nonpublic information about a Fund's portfolio holdings.


19. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.


20. Interpretation and Definition of Terms.


         Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts, or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission validly issued pursuant to the Act. Specifically, the terms "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities," "interested persons," "assignment" and "affiliated person," as used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the Act. In addition, when the effect of a requirement of the Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is modified, interpreted or relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, whether of special or of general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.


21. Captions.


         The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.


22. Execution in Counterparts.


         This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.



[ Signature Page Follows ]







         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date and year first above written.




                               NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II




                                By: /s/ Andrew Rogers

                 Name: Andrew Rogers

                               Title: President




                              NORTH PEAK ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC


                               By: /s/ Mike Hanus

                               Name: Mike Hanus

                               Title: President













NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND  TRUST II


INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT


APPENDIX A



NAME OF FUND


ANNUAL ADVISORY FEE AS A % OF

AVERAGE NET ASSETS OF THE FUND


Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund


1.60%

         





INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

Between

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND  TRUST II

 and

LONGBOARD ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC


AGREEMENT, made as of May 3, 2012 between NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust"), and LONGBOARD ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "Adviser"), located at 4725 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251.

   

RECITALS:


      WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act");


      WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest in separate series, each having its own investment objective or objectives, policies and limitations;


      WHEREAS, the Trust offers shares in the series named on Appendix A hereto (such series, together with all other series subsequently established by the Trust and made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 1.3, being herein referred to as a "Fund," and collectively as the "Funds");


      WHEREAS, the Adviser is or soon will be registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; and


     WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Adviser to render investment advisory services to the Trust with respect to each Fund in the manner and on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;


     NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:


1. Services of the Adviser.


      1.1 Investment Advisory Services. The Adviser shall act as the investment adviser to each Fund and, as such, shall (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, business, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities hereunder, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of each Fund in a manner consistent with its investment objective(s), policies and restrictions, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained or lent by each Fund, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the  issuer or with a broker or dealer, and if with a broker or dealer, (a) will attempt to obtain the best price and execution of its orders, and (b) may nevertheless in its discretion purchase and sell portfolio securities from and  to brokers who provide the Adviser with research, analysis, advice and similar services and pay such brokers in return a higher commission than may be charged by other brokers.


      The Trust hereby authorizes any entity or person associated with the Adviser or any sub-adviser retained by the Adviser pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement, which is a member of a national securities exchange, to effect any transaction on the exchange for the account of the Trust which is permitted by Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, and the Trust hereby consents to the retention of compensation for such transactions in accordance with Rule 11a2-2(T)(a)(2)(iv).


      The Adviser shall carry out its duties with respect to each Fund's investments in accordance with applicable law and the investment objectives, policies and restrictions set forth in each Fund's then-current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and subject to such further limitations as the Trust may from time to time impose by written notice to the Adviser.


      1.2 Administrative Services.   The Trust has engaged the services of an administrator.   The Adviser shall provide such additional administrative services as reasonably requested by the Board of Trustees or officers of the Trust; provided, that the Adviser shall not have any obligation to provide under this Agreement any direct or indirect services to Trust shareholders, any services related to the distribution of Trust shares, or any other services which are the subject of a separate agreement or arrangement between the Trust and the Adviser. Subject to the foregoing, in providing administrative services hereunder, the Adviser shall:


      1.2.1 Office Space, Equipment and Facilities.  Provide such office space, office equipment and office facilities as are adequate to fulfill the Adviser’s obligations hereunder.


      1.2.2 Personnel. Provide, without remuneration from or other cost to the Trust, the services of individuals competent to perform the administrative functions which are not performed by employees or other agents engaged by the Trust or by the Adviser acting in some other capacity pursuant to a separate agreement or arrangement with the Trust.


      1.2.3 Agents. Assist the Trust in selecting and coordinating the activities of the other agents engaged by the Trust, including the Trust's shareholder servicing agent, custodian, administrator, independent auditors and legal counsel.


      1.2.4 Trustees and Officers. Authorize and permit the Adviser's directors, officers and employees who may be elected or appointed as Trustees or officers of the Trust to serve in such capacities, without remuneration from or other cost to the Trust.


      1.2.5 Books and Records. Assure that all financial, accounting and other records required to be maintained and preserved by the Adviser on behalf of the Trust are maintained and preserved by it in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.


      1.2.6 Reports and Filings. Assist in the preparation of (but not pay for) all periodic reports by the Fund to its shareholders and all reports and filings required to maintain the registration and qualification of the Funds and Fund shares, or to meet other regulatory or tax requirements applicable to the Fund , under federal and state securities and tax laws.


      1.3 Additional Series. In the event that the Trust establishes one or more series after the effectiveness of this Agreement ("Additional Series"), Appendix A to this Agreement may be amended to make such Additional Series subject to this Agreement upon the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and the shareholder(s) of the Additional Series, in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The Trust or the Adviser may elect not to make any such series subject to this Agreement.


      1.4 Change in Management or Control. The Adviser shall provide at least sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the Trust of any change in the ownership or management of the Adviser, or any  event or action that may constitute a change in “control,” as that term is defined in Section 2 of the Act .  The Adviser shall provide prompt notice of any change in the portfolio manager(s) responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds.


2. Expenses of the Funds .


      2.1 Expenses to be Paid by Adviser. The Adviser shall pay all salaries, expenses and fees of the officers, Trustees and employees of the Trust who are officers, directors , members or employees of the Adviser.


      In the event that the Adviser pays or assumes any expenses of the Trust not required to be paid or assumed by the Adviser under this Agreement, the Adviser shall not be obligated hereby to pay or assume the same or any similar expense in the future; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to relieve the Adviser of any obligation to the Funds under any separate agreement or arrangement between the parties.


      2.2 Expenses to be Paid by the Fund.  Each Fund shall bear all expenses of its operation, except those specifically allocated to the Adviser under this Agreement or under any separate agreement between the Trust and the Adviser. Subject to any separate agreement or arrangement between the Trust and the Adviser, the expenses hereby allocated to the Fund , and not to the Adviser, include but are not limited to:


      2.2.1 Custody. All charges of depositories, custodians, and other agents for the transfer, receipt, safekeeping, and servicing of the Fund' s cash, securities, and other property.


      2.2.2 Shareholder Servicing. All expenses of maintaining and servicing shareholder accounts, including but not limited to the charges of any shareholder servicing agent, dividend disbursing agent, transfer agent or other agent engaged by the Trust to service shareholder accounts.


      2.2.3 Shareholder Reports. All expenses of preparing, setting in type, printing and distributing reports and other communications to shareholders.


      2.2.4 Prospectuses. All expenses of preparing, converting to EDGAR format, filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other appropriate regulatory body, setting in type, printing and mailing annual or more frequent revisions of the Fund 's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and any supplements thereto and of supplying them to shareholders.


      2.2.5 Pricing and Portfolio Valuation. All expenses of computing the Funds’ net asset value per share, including any equipment or services obtained for the purpose of pricing shares or valuing the Fund 's investment portfolio.


      2.2.6 Communications. All charges for equipment or services used for communications between the Adviser or the Trust and any custodian, shareholder servicing agent, portfolio accounting services agent, or other agent engaged by the Trust.


      2.2.7 Legal and Accounting Fees. All charges for services and expenses of the Trust's legal counsel and independent accountants.


      2.2.8 Trustees' Fees and Expenses. All compensation of all Trustees other than those affiliated with the Adviser and all expenses incurred in connection with each of the Trustees' services as Trustees, and all other expenses of meetings of all the Trustees and committees of all the Trustees.


      2.2.9 Shareholder Meetings. All expenses incidental to holding meetings of shareholders, including the printing of notices and proxy materials, and proxy solicitations therefor.


      2.2.10 Federal Registration Fees. All fees and expenses of registering and maintaining the registration of the Fund under the Act and the registration of the Fund 's shares under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act"), including all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, converting to EDGAR format, setting in type, printing, and filing of any Registration Statement, Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information under the 1933 Act or the Act, and any amendments or supplements that may be made from time to time.


      2.2.11 State Registration Fees. All fees and expenses of taking required action to permit the offer and sale of the Fund 's shares under securities laws of various states or jurisdictions, and of registration and qualification of the Fund under all other laws applicable to the Trust or its business activities (including registering the Trust as a broker-dealer, or any officer of the Trust or any person as agent or salesperson of the Trust in any state).  


      2.2.12 Confirmations. All expenses incurred in connection with the issue and transfer of Fund shares, including the expenses of confirming all share transactions.


      2.2.13 Bonding and Insurance. All expenses of bond, liability, and other insurance coverage required by law or regulation or deemed advisable by the Trustees of the Trust, including, without limitation, such bond, liability and other insurance expenses that may from time to time be allocated to the Fund in a manner approved by its Trustees.


      2.2.14 Brokerage Commissions. All brokers' commissions and other charges incident to the purchase, sale or lending of the Fund 's portfolio securities.


      2.2.15 Taxes. All taxes or governmental fees payable by or with respect to each Fund to federal, state or other governmental agencies, domestic or foreign, including stamp or other transfer taxes.


      2.2.16 Trade Association Fees. All fees, dues and other expenses incurred in connection with the Trust's membership in any trade association or other investment organization.


      2.2.18 Compliance Fees. All charges for services and expenses of the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer.


      2.2.19 Nonrecurring and Extraordinary Expenses. Such nonrecurring and extraordinary expenses as may arise including the costs of actions, suits, or proceedings to which the Trust is a party and the expenses the Trust may incur as a result of its legal obligation to provide indemnification to its officers, Trustees and agents.


3. Advisory Fee.


       As compensation for all services rendered, facilities provided and expenses paid or assumed by the Adviser under this Agreement, each Fund shall pay the Adviser on the last day of each month, or as promptly as possible thereafter, a fee calculated by applying a monthly rate, based on an annual percentage rate set for the in Appendix A of the Fund's average daily net assets for the month. The annual percentage rate applicable to each Fund is set forth in Appendix A to this Agreement.  If this Agreement shall be effective for only a portion of a month with respect to each Fund, the aforesaid fee shall be prorated for the portion of such month during which this Agreement is in effect for each Fund.


4. Proxy Voting.


      The Adviser will vote, or make arrangements to have voted, all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which assets of each Fund may be invested from time to time.  Such proxies will be voted in a manner that Adviser deem, in good faith, to be in the best interest of each Fund and in accordance with its proxy voting policy.  The Adviser agrees to provide a copy of its proxy voting policy to the Trust prior to the execution of this Agreement, and any amendments thereto promptly.


5. Records.


      5.1 Tax Treatment. Both the Adviser and the Trust shall maintain, or arrange for others to maintain, the books and records of the Trust in such a manner that treats each Fund as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes.


      5.2 Ownership. All records required to be maintained and preserved by the Trust pursuant to the provisions or rules or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 31(a) of the Act and maintained and preserved by the Adviser on behalf of the Trust are the property of the Trust and shall be surrendered by the Adviser promptly on request by the Trust; provided, that the Adviser may at its own expense make and retain copies of any such records.


6. Reports to Adviser.


      The Trust shall furnish or otherwise make available to the Adviser such copies of each Fund 's Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, financial statements, proxy statements, reports and other information relating to its business and affairs as the Adviser may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably require in order to discharge its obligations under this Agreement.


7. Reports to the Trust.


      The Adviser shall prepare and furnish to the Trust such reports, statistical data and other information in such form and at such intervals as the Trust may reasonably request.


8. Code of Ethics.


      The Adviser has adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the Act and will provide the Trust with a copy of the code and evidence of its adoption.  Within 45 days of the last calendar quarter of each year while this Agreement is in effect, the Adviser will provide to the Board of Trustees of the Trust a written report that describes any issues arising under the code of ethics since the last report to the Board of Trustees, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the code and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and which certifies that the Adviser has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent "access persons" (as that term is defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating the code.


9. Retention of Sub-Adviser.


      Subject to the Trust's obtaining the initial and periodic approvals required under Section 15 of the Act, the Adviser may retain one or more sub-advisers, at the Adviser's own cost and expense, for the purpose of managing the investments of the assets of one or more Funds of the Trust. Retention of one or more sub-advisers shall in no way reduce the responsibilities or obligations of the Adviser under this Agreement and the Adviser shall, subject to Section 11 of this Agreement, be responsible to the Trust for all acts or omissions of any sub-adviser in connection with the performance of the Adviser's duties hereunder.


10. Services to Other Clients.


      Nothing herein contained shall limit the freedom of the Adviser or any affiliated person of the Adviser to render investment management and administrative services to other investment companies, to act as investment adviser or investment counselor to other persons, firms or corporations, or to engage in other business activities.


11. Limitation of Liability of Adviser and its Personnel.


      Neither the Adviser nor any director, manager, officer or employee of the Adviser performing services for the Trust at the direction or request of the Adviser in connection with the Adviser's discharge of its obligations hereunder shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with any matter to which this Agreement relates, and the Adviser shall not be responsible for any action of the Trustees of the Trust in following or declining to follow any advice or recommendation of the Adviser or any sub-adviser retained by the Adviser pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement;  PROVIDED, that nothing herein contained shall be construed (i) to protect the Adviser against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which the Adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser's duties, or by reason of the Adviser's reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) to protect any director, manager, officer or employee of the Adviser who is or was a Trustee or officer of the Trust against any liability of the Trust or its shareholders to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person's office with the Trust.


12. Effect of Agreement.


      Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require to the Trust to take any action contrary to its Declaration of Trust or its By-Laws or any applicable law, regulation or order to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive the Trustees of the Trust of their responsibility for and control of the conduct of the business and affairs of the Trust.


13. Term of Agreement.


      The term of this Agreement shall begin as of the date and year upon which the Fund listed on Appendix A commences investment operations, and unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect for a period of two years. Thereafter, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to each Fund from year to year, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms and conditions hereof; PROVIDED, such continuance with respect to a Fund is approved at least annually by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or by the Trustees of the Trust; PROVIDED, that in either event such continuance is also approved annually by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto. The Adviser shall furnish to the Trust, promptly upon its request, such information as may reasonably be necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof.


14. Amendment or Assignment of Agreement.


      Any amendment to this Agreement shall be in writing signed by the parties hereto; PROVIDED, that no such amendment shall be effective unless authorized (i) by resolution of the Trustees of the Trust, including the vote or written consent of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto, and (ii) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund affected by such amendment as required by applicable law. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment.


15. Termination of Agreement.


      This Agreement may be terminated as to any Fund at any time by either party hereto, without the payment of any penalty, upon sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the other party; PROVIDED, that in the case of termination by any Fund, such action shall have been authorized (i) by resolution of the Trust's Board of Trustees, including the vote or written consent of Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto, or (ii) by vote of majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.


16. Use of Name.


      The Trust is named the Northern Lights Fund Trust II and each Fund may be identified, in part, by the name "Northern Lights."


17. Declaration of Trust.


      The Adviser is hereby expressly put on notice of the limitation of  shareholder liability as set forth in the Trust's Declaration of Trust and agrees that the obligations assumed by the Trust or a Fund, as the case may be, pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in all cases to the Trust or a Fund, as the case may be, and its assets, and the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders or any shareholder of the Trust. In addition, the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligations from the Trustees or any individual Trustee. The Adviser understands that the rights and obligations of any Fund under the Declaration of Trust are separate and distinct from those of any and all other Funds. The Adviser further understands and agrees that no Fund of the Trust shall be liable for any claims against any other Fund of the Trust and that the Adviser must look solely to the assets of the pertinent Fund of the Trust for the enforcement or satisfaction of any claims against the Trust with respect to that Fund.


18. Confidentiality.


      The Adviser agrees to treat all records and other information relating to the Trust and the securities holdings of the Funds as confidential and shall not disclose any such records or information to any other person unless (i) the Board of Trustees of the Trust has approved the disclosure or (ii) such disclosure is compelled by law.  In addition, the Adviser and the Adviser's officers, directors and employees are prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of the Fund, as a result of disclosing the Fund's portfolio holdings.  The Adviser agrees that, consistent with the Adviser's Code of Ethics, neither the Adviser nor the Adviser's officers, directors, members or employees may engage in personal securities transactions based on nonpublic information about a Fund's portfolio holdings.


19. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.


20. Interpretation and Definition of Terms.


         Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts, or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission validly issued pursuant to the Act. Specifically, the terms "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities," "interested persons," "assignment" and "affiliated person," as used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the Act. In addition, when the effect of a requirement of the Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is modified, interpreted or relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, whether of special or of general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.


21. Captions.


         The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.


22. Execution in Counterparts.


         This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.



[ Signature Page Follows ]







         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date and year first above written.




                               NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II




                                By: /s/ Andrew Rogers

                 Name: Andrew Rogers

                               Title: President




                              LONGBOARD ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC


                               By: /s/ Cole Wilcox

                               Name: Cole Wilcox

                               Title: Managing Partner













NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND  TRUST II


INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT


APPENDIX A



NAME OF FUND


ANNUAL ADVISORY FEE AS A % OF

AVERAGE NET ASSETS OF THE FUND


Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund


2.99% on assets up to $250 million

2.75% on assets greater than $250 million

         



APPENDIX IV-18

LIST OF FUNDS

SERVICES & FEES


This Appendix IV-18 is part of the Fund Services Agreement between Northern Lights Fund Trust II and Gemini Fund Services, LLC.  Set forth below are the Services elected by the Fund(s) identified on this Appendix IV-18 along with the associated Fees.  


EFFECTIVE DATE


The Effective Date for the Fund(s) set forth on this Appendix IV-18 shall be upon commencement of operations.


COVERED FUNDS


The Fund(s) to be covered under this Agreement include:


Fund Name

Board Approval Date

Crow Point Hedged Global Equity Income Fund

March 6, 2012


SELECTED SERVICES and FEES


The Fund(s) shall pay to GFS the following fees:  (all basis point fees will be calculated based upon the average net assets of the Fund for the previous month)  


Fund Accounting

 Base annual fee (per Fund):

$24,000 minimum


     -PLUS-


2 basis points or (0.02%) on assets $25 million to $100 million

1 basis point or (0.01%) on assets greater than $100 million


*Funds with multiple share classes will be assessed an additional $6,000.00 annual fee for each share class above one. Bond funds will be assessed an additional $6,000.00 annual fee.  Fund Accounting Fees for global funds, defined as funds processing more than 25% in non-domestic assets, will be charged at 150% of the above rates (base fee as well as basis point fee).  


Price Quotes.  The charge for equity and bond price quotes per security, per day will be as follows:

 

$.15 Domestic and Canadian Equities

$.15 Options

$.50 Corp/Gov/Agency Bonds

$.50 International Equities and Bonds

$.80 Municipal Bonds

$1.00 CMO’s

$62.50 per CDX or Equivalent (monthly fee)

$62.50 per Single Name Credit Default Swap (monthly fee)


2.

Additional Charges.  

a.

Out-of-pocket expenses .  The Fund(s) shall reimburse GFS for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by GFS to provide the Services to the Fund(s).

b.

Manual processing fee .  The Fund(s) shall pay an additional charge of $500.00 per month for portfolios that transmit daily trades via facsimile as opposed to utilizing an electronic format.

c.

SASE 16 expense .  Each Fund shall pay its allocated portion of the GFS annual SASE 16 review.

d.

Fund Accounting Data De-Conversion fee .  Each Fund shall pay a Fund Accounting record data de-conversion fee in the amount of $2,500.00 upon a cancellation or termination of this Agreement for any reason other than liquidation of the Fund.  

                    

3.

Additional Charges.

a.

Out-of-pocket expenses .  The Fund(s) shall reimburse GFS for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by GFS to provide the Services to the Fund(s).

b.

FIN 48 Compliance fee .  Each Fund shall pay GFS $250.00 per calendar quarter for FIN 48 Compliance.  



Fund Administration Fees

1.

Base annual fee (per Fund):  

the greater of $32,000


OR

  

10 basis points (0.10%) on assets up to $100 million

8 basis points (0.08%) on assets $100 million to $250 million  

6 basis points (0.06%) on assets $250 million to $500 million

4 basis points (0.04%) on assets $500 million to $1 billion

3 basis points (0.03%) on assets greater than $1 billion



2.

State Registration (Blue Sky) Fees:


Each Fund shall pay its allocated federal and state regulatory filing fees.  In addition, each Fund shall pay GFS the following fees per state registration:


Initial registration

 $  295.00

Registration renewal

 $  150.00

Sales reports (if required)

 $    25.00

                       




3.

Additional Charges.

a.

Out-of-pocket expenses .  The Fund(s) shall reimburse GFS for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by GFS to provide the Services to the Fund(s).

b.

FIN 48 Compliance fee .  Each Fund shall pay GFS $250.00 per calendar quarter for FIN 48 Compliance.

c.

Fund Administration Data De-Conversion fee .  Each Fund shall pay a Fund Administration record data de-conversion fee in the amount of $2,500.00 upon a cancellation or termination of this Agreement for any reason other than liquidation of the Fund.  



Transfer Agency Fees   

1.

Base annual fee:  

$14.00 annual fee per open account

($2.00 annual fee per closed account)


The base annual fee is subject to a $15,000.00 minimum annual fee per Fund Class.


2.

General Activity Charges:


Customer Service Calls

$2.50 per call

Manual Transactions

$1.00 per transaction

New Account Opening (manual)

$2.50 per account

New Account Opening (electronic)

$0.40 per account

Incoming IRA Transfer from prior custodian

 $         25.00

IRA Transfer to successor custodian

 $         25.00


Check this box to elect 24 Hour Automated Voice Response


24 Hour Automated Voice Response Charges:

 

     Initial set-up (one-time) charge

$1,500.00 per fund family

     Monthly charge

$50.00 per Fund


3.

Web Package Fees:


Check this box for Shareholder Desktop Web Package (described below)

$4,000.00 initial installation charge

$2,000.00 annual maintenance (invoiced annually in advance)


Check this box for Shareholder Desktop Online New Accounts (described below)

$2,500.00 initial installation charge

$2.50 per new account fee


Check this box for Fund Data Web Package (described below)

$3,000.00 initial installation charge

$1,500.00 annual maintenance (invoiced annually in advance)



4.

Additional Charges:

a.

Transfer Agency De-Conversion fee .  Each Fund shall pay a Transfer Agency record data de-conversion fee in the amount of $15,000.00 upon a cancellation or termination of this Agreement for any reason other than liquidation of the Fund.  

b.

Rule 22c-2 compliance fee .  The Funds shall pay a $100.00 monthly administration fee for Rule 22c-2 compliance per fund family, plus an additional monthly fee of $25.00 per Fund.  



Special Reports/Programming Fees

All special reports analyses and/or programming requested by a Fund or the Trust under this Agreement shall be subject to an additional programming charge, agreed upon in advance, based upon the following rates:


GFS Senior & MIS Staff

$200.00 per hour

GFS Junior Staff

$100.00 per hour


Out -of-pocket Expenses


The Trust shall reimburse GFS for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by GFS when performing Services under this Agreement, including but not limited to the following:


o    Anti-ID Theft Monitoring

o    Pro rata portion of annual SASE 16 review

o    Bank Account and other Bank Fees

o    Proxy Services

o    Customer Identification/AML Program Costs

o    Record Storage

o    Fund Stationery and Supplies

o    Regulatory fees and assessments

o    Locating Lost Shareholders/Escheatment Costs

o    State and Federal filing fees and assessments

o    NSCC Charges

o    Tax Reporting

o    Postage

o    Telephone and Toll Free Lines

o    Pre and Post Sale Fulfillment

o    Travel Requested by the Trust

o    Printing Fund Documents

 




(signatures on following page)




The parties hereto agree to the Services and associated fees for the Fund(s), effective as set forth in this Appendix IV-18 to the Fund Services Agreement.    


NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II

  GEMINI FUND SERVICES, LLC
     
     

By:  

/s/ Andrew B. Rogers

        

 

 

By:   /s/ Kevin Wolf

 

Andrew B. Rogers    Kevin Wolf
President   President
     
Attest:    
     

By:  

/s/ James  Ash     

   
 James Ash      
Secretary    



The undersigned investment adviser hereby acknowledges and agrees to the terms of this Fund Services Agreement.


Crow Point Partners, LLC

10 New Driftway, Suite 203

Scituate, MA 02066




By: /s/ Peter DeCaprio

    

Name:  Peter DeCaprio

Title:     CEO





SHAREHOLDER DESKTOP WEB PACKAGE

Proprietary Secure Web-Based Direct Interface With Transfer Agent Data


Supports Five Levels of Access

·

Fund Administrator

·

Broker/Dealer

·

Broker/Dealer Branch

·

Registered Representative

·

Shareholder


Customizable Look And Feel (Logo And Color Scheme)


Account Inquiry

·

Portfolio Summary

·

Account Position

·

Transaction History

·

General Account Information


Online Transactions (Must have this reflected in the prospectus to offer this functionality)

·

Exchanges

·

Purchases

·

Redemptions

·

Prospectus and SAI Access


Account Maintenance

·

Change of Shareholder Information

o

Address

o

Phone Number

o

Email Address

Online Statement Access

·

Quarterly Statements and Confirms

·

Electronic Delivery (Should have this reflected in the prospectus and application t o offer this functionality)

o

Statements

o

Confirms

o

Regulatory Mailings



SHAREHOLDER DESKTOP ONLINE NEW ACCOUNTS


·

Allows clients the ability to set up a new account online if they provide valid ACH information and agree to all disclaimers and agreements on site.

·

E-Signature capability



FUND DATA WEB PACKAGE

Performance Web Page

·

Comprehensive performance report hosted by GFS

o

Fund performance updated nightly

o

Up to 20 indexes available

o

Data provided in simple format to be encapsulated into Fund’s own website to provide a custom look and feel

o

Growth of $10,000 graph available


Holdings web page

·

Fund holding updated periodically to meet fund disclosure rules hosted by GFS

o

Fund holding updated periodically to meet fund disclosure rules

o

Top ten report available

o

Data provided in simple format to be encapsulated into Fund’s own website to provide a custom look and feel


Historical NAV web page

·

Provides historical NAV information for a specified period of time and for a specified fund

o

Data provided in simple format to be encapsulated into Fund’s own website to provide a custom look and feel


Fulfillment web page

·

Provides an online request form for shareholders who wish to request a hard copy of the fulfillment material mailed to them

o

Request is automatically routed online to the Shareholder Services Team at GFS for processing

o

Reporting of Fulfillment requests made online or via phone available via GFS Reporting Services Tool.


GFS reporting utilizes the next generation secure web-based report delivery vehicle which allows for direct request or subscription based delivery reports available in multiple formats (PDF, Excel, XML, CSV)

 



APPENDIX IV-19

LIST OF FUNDS

SERVICES & FEES


This Appendix IV-19 is part of the Fund Services Agreement between Northern Lights Fund Trust II and Gemini Fund Services, LLC.  Set forth below are the Services elected by the Fund(s) identified on this Appendix IV-19 along with the associated Fees.  


EFFECTIVE DATE


The Effective Date for the Fund(s) set forth on this Appendix IV-19 shall be upon commencement of operations.


COVERED FUNDS


The Fund(s) to be covered under this Agreement include:


Fund Name

Board Approval Date

Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund

May 3, 2012


SELECTED SERVICES and FEES


The Fund(s) shall pay to GFS the following fees:  (all basis point fees will be calculated based upon the average net assets of the Fund for the previous month)  


Fund Accounting

 Base annual fee (per Fund):

$27,000


     -PLUS-


2 basis points or (0.02%) on assets $25 million to $100 million

1 basis point or (0.01) on assets greater than $100 million


*Funds with multiple share classes will be assessed an additional $6,000.00 annual fee for each share class above one. Bond funds will be assessed an additional $6,000.00 annual fee.  Fund Accounting Fees for global funds, defined as funds processing more than 25% in non-domestic assets, will be charged at 150% of the above rates (base fee as well as basis point fee).  


Price Quotes.  The charge for equity and bond price quotes per security, per day will be as follows:

$.15 Domestic and Canadian Equities

$.15 Options

$.50 Corp/Gov/Agency Bonds

$.50 International Equities and Bonds

$.80 Municipal Bonds

$1.00 CMO’s

$62.50 per CDX or Equivalent (monthly fee)

$62.50 per Single Name Credit Default Swap (monthly fee)


2.

Additional Charges.  

a.

Out-of-pocket expenses .  The Fund(s) shall reimburse GFS for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by GFS to provide the Services to the Fund(s).

b.

Manual processing fee .  The Fund(s) shall pay an additional charge of $500.00 per month for portfolios that transmit daily trades via facsimile as opposed to utilizing an electronic format.

c.

SSAE 16 expense .  Each Fund shall pay its allocated portion of the GFS annual SSAE 16 review.

d.

Fund Accounting Data De-Conversion fee .  Each Fund shall pay a Fund Accounting record data de-conversion fee in the amount of $2,500.00 upon a cancellation or termination of this Agreement for any reason other than liquidation of the Fund.  



3.

Additional Charges.

a.

Out-of-pocket expenses .  The Fund(s) shall reimburse GFS for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by GFS to provide the Services to the Fund(s).

b.

FIN 48 Compliance fee .  Each Fund shall pay GFS $250.00 per calendar quarter for FIN 48 Compliance.  



Fund Administration Fees

1.

Base annual fee (per Fund):  

the greater of $40,000


OR

  

10 basis points (0.10%) on assets up to $100 million

8 basis points (0.08%) on assets $100 million to $250 million  

6 basis points (0.06%) on assets greater than $250 million



2.

State Registration (Blue Sky) Fees:


Each Fund shall pay its allocated federal and state regulatory filing fees.  In addition, each Fund shall pay GFS the following fees per state registration:


Initial registration

 $  295.00

Registration renewal

 $  150.00

Sales reports (if required)

 $    25.00

                       

3.

Additional Charges.

a.

Out-of-pocket expenses .  The Fund(s) shall reimburse GFS for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by GFS to provide the Services to the Fund(s).

b.

FIN 48 Compliance fee .  Each Fund shall pay GFS $250.00 per calendar quarter for FIN 48 Compliance.

c.

Fund Administration Data De-Conversion fee .  Each Fund shall pay a Fund Administration record data de-conversion fee in the amount of $2,500.00 upon a cancellation or termination of this Agreement for any reason other than liquidation of the Fund.  



Transfer Agency Fees   

1.

Base annual fee:  

$16.00 annual fee per open account

($2.00 annual fee per closed account)


The base annual fee is subject to an $18,000.00 minimum annual fee per Fund Class.


2.

General Activity Charges:


Customer Service Calls

$2.50 per call

Manual Transactions

$1.00 per transaction

New Account Opening (manual)

$2.50 per account

New Account Opening (electronic)

$0.40 per account

Incoming IRA Transfer from prior custodian

 $         25.00

IRA Transfer to successor custodian

 $         25.00


Check this box to elect 24 Hour Automated Voice Response


24 Hour Automated Voice Response Charges:

 

     Initial set-up (one-time) charge

$1,500.00 per fund family

     Monthly charge

$50.00 per Fund


3.

Web Package Fees:


Check this box for Shareholder Desktop Web Package (described below)

$4,000.00 initial installation charge

$2,000.00 annual maintenance (invoiced annually in advance)


Check this box for Shareholder Desktop Online New Accounts (described below)

$2,500.00 initial installation charge

$2.50 per new account fee


Check this box for Fund Data Web Package (described below)

$3,000.00 initial installation charge

$1,500.00 annual maintenance (invoiced annually in advance)


4.

Additional Charges:

a.

Transfer Agency De-Conversion fee .  Each Fund shall pay a Transfer Agency record data de-conversion fee in the amount of $15,000.00 upon a cancellation or termination of this Agreement for any reason other than liquidation of the Fund.  

b.

Rule 22c-2 compliance fee .  The Funds shall pay a $100.00 monthly administration fee for Rule 22c-2 compliance per fund family, plus an additional monthly fee of $25.00 per Fund.  



Special Reports/Programming Fees

All special reports analyses and/or programming requested by a Fund or the Trust under this Agreement shall be subject to an additional programming charge, agreed upon in advance, based upon the following rates:


GFS Senior & MIS Staff

$200.00 per hour

GFS Junior Staff

$100.00 per hour


Out -of-pocket Expenses


The Trust shall reimburse GFS for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by GFS when performing Services under this Agreement, including but not limited to the following:


o    Anti-ID Theft Monitoring

o    Pro rata portion of annual SSAE 16 review

o    Bank Account and other Bank Fees

o    Proxy Services

o    Customer Identification/AML Program Costs

o    Record Storage

o    Fund Stationery and Supplies

o    Regulatory fees and assessments

o    Locating Lost Shareholders/Escheatment Costs

o    State and Federal filing fees and assessments

o    NSCC Charges

o    Tax Reporting

o    Postage

o    Telephone and Toll Free Lines

o    Pre and Post Sale Fulfillment

o    Travel Requested by the Trust

o    Printing Fund Documents

 




(signatures on following page)




The parties hereto agree to the Services and associated fees for the Fund(s), effective as set forth in this Appendix IV-19 to the Fund Services Agreement.    


NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II

  GEMINI FUND SERVICES, LLC
     
     

By:  

/s/ Andrew B. Rogers

        

 

 

By:   /s/ Kevin Wolf

 

Andrew B. Rogers    Kevin Wolf
President   President
     
Attest:    
     

By:  

/s/ James  Ash     

   
 James Ash      
Secretary    



The undersigned investment adviser hereby acknowledges and agrees to the terms of this Fund Services Agreement.


Longboard Asset Management, LLC

4725 N. Scottsdale Road

Scottsdale, AZ 85251




By:  /s/ Cole Wilcox

    

Name: Cole Wilcox

Title:     Managing Partner





SHAREHOLDER DESKTOP WEB PACKAGE

Proprietary Secure Web-Based Direct Interface With Transfer Agent Data


Supports Five Levels of Access

·

Fund Administrator

·

Broker/Dealer

·

Broker/Dealer Branch

·

Registered Representative

·

Shareholder


Customizable Look And Feel (Logo And Color Scheme)


Account Inquiry

·

Portfolio Summary

·

Account Position

·

Transaction History

·

General Account Information


Online Transactions (Must have this reflected in the prospectus to offer this functionality)

·

Exchanges

·

Purchases

·

Redemptions

·

Prospectus and SAI Access


Account Maintenance

·

Change of Shareholder Information

o

Address

o

Phone Number

o

Email Address

Online Statement Access

·

Quarterly Statements and Confirms

·

Electronic Delivery (Should have this reflected in the prospectus and application t o offer this functionality)

o

Statements

o

Confirms

o

Regulatory Mailings



SHAREHOLDER DESKTOP ONLINE NEW ACCOUNTS


·

Allows clients the ability to set up a new account online if they provide valid ACH information and agree to all disclaimers and agreements on site.

·

E-Signature capability



FUND DATA WEB PACKAGE

Performance Web Page

·

Comprehensive performance report hosted by GFS

o

Fund performance updated nightly

o

Up to 20 indexes available

o

Data provided in simple format to be encapsulated into Fund’s own website to provide a custom look and feel

o

Growth of $10,000 graph available


Holdings web page

·

Fund holding updated periodically to meet fund disclosure rules hosted by GFS

o

Fund holding updated periodically to meet fund disclosure rules

o

Top ten report available

o

Data provided in simple format to be encapsulated into Fund’s own website to provide a custom look and feel


Historical NAV web page

·

Provides historical NAV information for a specified period of time and for a specified fund

o

Data provided in simple format to be encapsulated into Fund’s own website to provide a custom look and feel


Fulfillment web page

·

Provides an online request form for shareholders who wish to request a hard copy of the fulfillment material mailed to them

o

Request is automatically routed online to the Shareholder Services Team at GFS for processing

o

Reporting of Fulfillment requests made online or via phone available via GFS Reporting Services Tool.


GFS reporting utilizes the next generation secure web-based report delivery vehicle which allows for direct request or subscription based delivery reports available in multiple formats (PDF, Excel, XML, CSV)

 


APPENDIX IV -20

LIST OF FUNDS

SERVICES & FEES


This Appendix IV-20 is part of the Fund Services Agreement between Northern Lights Fund Trust II and Gemini Fund Services, LLC.  Set forth below are the Services elected by the Fund(s) identified on this Appendix IV-20 along with the associated Fees.  


EFFECTIVE DATE


The Effective Date for the Fund(s) set forth on this Appendix IV-20 shall be upon commencement of operations.


COVERED FUNDS


The Fund(s) to be covered under this Agreement include:


Fund Name

Board Approval Date

 Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund

         March 6, 2012


SELECTED SERVICES and FEES


The Fund(s) shall pay to GFS the following fees:  (all basis point fees will be calculated based upon the average net assets of the Fund for the previous month)  


Fund Accounting

 Base annual fee (per Fund):

$24,000*


     -PLUS-


1 basis point or (0.01) on assets greater than $25 million


Funds with multiple share classes will be assessed an additional $6,000.00 annual fee for each share class above two.  Bond funds will be assessed an additional $6,000.00 annual fee.  Fund Accounting Fees for global funds, defined as funds processing more than 25% in non-domestic assets, will be charged at 150% of the above rates (base fee as well as basis point fee).  


*The base annual fee is subject to a $21,600.00 minimum annual fee per Fund for the initial 12 months following the Effective Date, and $24,000 thereafter.


Price Quotes.  The charge for equity and bond price quotes per security, per day will be as follows:

 

$.15 Domestic and Canadian Equities

$.15 Options

$.50 Corp/Gov/Agency Bonds

$.50 International Equities and Bonds

$.80 Municipal Bonds

$1.00 CMO’s

$62.50 per CDX or Equivalent (monthly fee)

$62.50 per Single Name Credit Default Swap (monthly fee)


2.

Additional Charges.  

a.

Out-of-pocket expenses .  The Fund(s) shall reimburse GFS for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by GFS to provide the Services to the Fund(s).

b.

Manual processing fee .  The Fund(s) shall pay an additional charge of $500.00 per month for portfolios that transmit daily trades via facsimile as opposed to utilizing an electronic format.

c.

SSAE-16 expense .  Each Fund shall pay its allocated portion of the GFS annual SSAE-16 review.

d.

Fund Accounting Data De-Conversion fee .  Each Fund shall pay a Fund Accounting record data de-conversion fee in the amount of $2,500.00 upon a cancellation or termination of this Agreement for any reason other than liquidation of the Fund.  

                      

3.

Additional Charges.

a.

Out-of-pocket expenses .  The Fund(s) shall reimburse GFS for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by GFS to provide the Services to the Fund(s).

b.

FIN 48 Compliance fee .  Each Fund shall pay GFS $250.00 per calendar quarter for FIN 48 Compliance.  



Fund Administration Fees

1.

Base annual fee (per Fund):  

the greater of $35,000 *


OR

  

8 basis points (0.08%) on assets up to $250 million  

6 basis points (0.06%) on assets $250 million to $500 million

4 basis points (0.04%) on assets $500 million to $1 billion

3 basis points (0.03%) on assets greater than $1 billion


*The base annual fee is subject to a $31,500.00 minimum annual fee per Fund share class for the initial 12 months following the Effective Date, and $35,000 thereafter.


2.

State Registration (Blue Sky) Fees:


Each Fund shall pay its allocated federal and state regulatory filing fees.  In addition, each Fund shall pay GFS the following fees per state registration:


Initial registration

 $  295.00

Registration renewal

 $  150.00

Sales reports (if required)

 $    25.00

                       




3.

Additional Charges.

a.

Out-of-pocket expenses .  The Fund(s) shall reimburse GFS for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by GFS to provide the Services to the Fund(s).

b.

FIN 48 Compliance fee .  Each Fund shall pay GFS $250.00 per calendar quarter for FIN 48 Compliance.

c.

Fund Administration Data De-Conversion fee .  Each Fund shall pay a Fund Administration record data de-conversion fee in the amount of $2,500.00 upon a cancellation or termination of this Agreement for any reason other than liquidation of the Fund.  



Transfer Agency Fees   

1.

Base annual fee:  

$14.00 annual fee per open account *

($2.00 annual fee per closed account)


*The base annual fee is subject to a $13,500.00 minimum annual fee per the Fund’s initial two share classes and a $13,500 minimum annual fee per Fund share class thereafter for the initial 12 months following the Effective Date, and $15,000 minimum annual fee per the Fund’s initial two share classes and a $15,000 minimum annual fee per Fund share class thereafter.


2.

General Activity Charges:


Customer Service Calls

$2.50 per call

Manual Transactions

$1.00 per transaction

New Account Opening (manual)

$2.50 per account

New Account Opening (electronic)

$0.40 per account

Incoming IRA Transfer from prior custodian

 $         25.00

IRA Transfer to successor custodian

 $         25.00


Check this box to elect 24 Hour Automated Voice Response


24 Hour Automated Voice Response Charges:

 

     Initial set-up (one-time) charge

$1,500.00 per fund family

     Monthly charge

$50.00 per Fund


3.

Web Package Fees:


Check this box for Shareholder Desktop Web Package (described below)

$4,000.00 initial installation charge

$2,000.00 annual maintenance (invoiced annually in advance)


Check this box for Shareholder Desktop Online New Accounts (described below)

$2,500.00 initial installation charge

$2.50 per new account fee


Check this box for Fund Data Web Package (described below)

$3,000.00 initial installation charge

$1,500.00 annual maintenance (invoiced annually in advance)



4.

Additional Charges:

a.

Transfer Agency De-Conversion fee .  Each Fund shall pay a Transfer Agency record data de-conversion fee in the amount of $15,000.00 upon a cancellation or termination of this Agreement for any reason other than liquidation of the Fund.  

b.

Rule 22c-2 compliance fee .  The Funds shall pay a $100.00 monthly administration fee for Rule 22c-2 compliance per fund family, plus an additional monthly fee of $25.00 per Fund.  



Special Reports/Programming Fees

All special reports analyses and/or programming requested by a Fund or the Trust under this Agreement shall be subject to an additional programming charge, agreed upon in advance, based upon the following rates:


GFS Senior & MIS Staff

$200.00 per hour

GFS Junior Staff

$100.00 per hour


Out -of-pocket Expenses


The Trust shall reimburse GFS for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by GFS when performing Services under this Agreement, including but not limited to the following:


o    Anti-ID Theft Monitoring

o    Pro rata portion of annual SSAE-16 review

o    Bank Account and other Bank Fees

o    Proxy Services

o    Customer Identification/AML Program Costs

o    Record Storage

o    Fund Stationery and Supplies

o    Regulatory fees and assessments

o    Locating Lost Shareholders/Escheatment Costs

o    State and Federal filing fees and assessments

o    NSCC Charges

o    Tax Reporting

o    Postage

o    Telephone and Toll Free Lines

o    Pre and Post Sale Fulfillment

o    Travel Requested by the Trust

o    Printing Fund Documents

 




(signatures on following page)




The parties hereto agree to the Services and associated fees for the Fund(s), effective as set forth in this Appendix IV-20 to the Fund Services Agreement.    


NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II

  GEMINI FUND SERVICES, LLC
     
     

By:  

/s/ Andrew B. Rogers

        

 

 

By:   /s/ Kevin Wolf

 

Andrew B. Rogers    Kevin Wolf
President   President
     
Attest:    
     

By:  

/s/ James  Ash     

   
 James Ash      
Secretary    


The undersigned investment adviser hereby acknowledges and agrees to the terms of this Fund Services Agreement.


North Peak Asset Management, LLC

457 Washington Street

Duxbury, MA 02332


By: _ /s/ Mike Hanus _

   

Name:  Mike Hanus

Title:     President





SHAREHOLDER DESKTOP WEB PACKAGE

Proprietary Secure Web-Based Direct Interface With Transfer Agent Data


Supports Five Levels of Access

·

Fund Administrator

·

Broker/Dealer

·

Broker/Dealer Branch

·

Registered Representative

·

Shareholder


Customizable Look And Feel (Logo And Color Scheme)


Account Inquiry

·

Portfolio Summary

·

Account Position

·

Transaction History

·

General Account Information


Online Transactions (Must have this reflected in the prospectus to offer this functionality)

·

Exchanges

·

Purchases

·

Redemptions

·

Prospectus and SAI Access


Account Maintenance

·

Change of Shareholder Information

o

Address

o

Phone Number

o

Email Address

Online Statement Access

·

Quarterly Statements and Confirms

·

Electronic Delivery (Should have this reflected in the prospectus and application t o offer this functionality)

o

Statements

o

Confirms

o

Regulatory Mailings



SHAREHOLDER DESKTOP ONLINE NEW ACCOUNTS


·

Allows clients the ability to set up a new account online if they provide valid ACH information and agree to all disclaimers and agreements on site.

·

E-Signature capability



FUND DATA WEB PACKAGE

Performance Web Page

·

Comprehensive performance report hosted by GFS

o

Fund performance updated nightly

o

Up to 20 indexes available

o

Data provided in simple format to be encapsulated into Fund’s own website to provide a custom look and feel

o

Growth of $10,000 graph available


Holdings web page

·

Fund holding updated periodically to meet fund disclosure rules hosted by GFS

o

Fund holding updated periodically to meet fund disclosure rules

o

Top ten report available

o

Data provided in simple format to be encapsulated into Fund’s own website to provide a custom look and feel


Historical NAV web page

·

Provides historical NAV information for a specified period of time and for a specified fund

o

Data provided in simple format to be encapsulated into Fund’s own website to provide a custom look and feel


Fulfillment web page

·

Provides an online request form for shareholders who wish to request a hard copy of the fulfillment material mailed to them

o

Request is automatically routed online to the Shareholder Services Team at GFS for processing

o

Reporting of Fulfillment requests made online or via phone available via GFS Reporting Services Tool.


GFS reporting utilizes the next generation secure web-based report delivery vehicle which allows for direct request or subscription based delivery reports available in multiple formats (PDF, Excel, XML, CSV)

 


 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II


OPERATING EXPENSES LIMITATION

AND SECURITY AGREEMENT


CROW POINT HEDGED GLOBAL EQUITY INCOME FUND



THIS OPERATING EXPENSES LIMITATION AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is effective as of the 6th day of March 2012, by and between NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II, a Delaware business trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of CROW POINT HEDGED GLOBAL EQUITY INCOME FUND, (the “Fund”) a series of the Trust, and the advisor of such Fund, Crow Point Partners, LLC (the “Advisor”).


RECITALS:


WHEREAS , the Advisor renders advice and services to the Fund pursuant to the terms and provisions of an Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Advisor dated as of 6 th day of March, 2012 (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”); and


WHEREAS , the Fund is responsible for, and has assumed the obligation for, payment of certain expenses pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement that have not been assumed by the Advisor; and


WHEREAS , the Advisor desires to limit the Fund’s Operating Expenses (as that term is defined in Paragraph 2 of this Agreement) pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, and the Trust (on behalf of the Fund) desires to allow the Advisor to implement those limits; and


WHEREAS , as a condition to the continuation of its contractual relationship with the Advisor, the Trust has required that Advisor grant to the Trust a continuing security interest in and to a designated account established with Gemini Fund Services, LLC, Transfer Agent to the Fund, or its successor and assigns (the “Securities Intermediary”);


NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the covenants and the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, mutually agree as follows:


1. Limit on Operating Expenses . The Advisor hereby agrees to limit the Fund’s current Operating Expenses to an annual rate, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average annual net assets, to the amounts listed in Appendix A (the “Annual Limit”). In the event that the current Operating Expenses of the Fund, as accrued each month, exceed its Annual Limit, the Advisor will pay to the Fund, on a monthly basis, the excess expense within the first ten days of the month following the month in which such Operating Expenses were incurred (each payment, a “Fund Reimbursement Payment”).


2. Definition . For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Operating Expenses” with respect to the Fund is defined to include all expenses necessary or appropriate for the operation of the Fund and including the Advisor’s investment advisory or management fee detailed in the Investment Advisory Agreement, any Rule 12b-l fees and other expenses described in the Investment Advisory Agreement, but does not include any front-end or contingent deferred loads, brokerage fees and commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short), taxes and extraordinary expenses such as litigation.


3. Reimbursement of Fees and Expenses . The Advisor retains its right to receive reimbursement of any excess expense payments paid by it pursuant to this Agreement in future years on a rolling three year basis, if such reimbursement can be achieved within the Operating Expense Limitations listed in Appendix A .


4. Security Interest .  The Advisor, for value received, hereby pledges, assigns, sets over and grants to the Trust a continuing security interest in and to an account to be established by the Advisor with the Securities Intermediary and designated as a collateral account (the “Collateral Account”), including any replacement account established with any successor, together with all dividends, interest, stock-splits, distributions, profits and all cash and non-cash proceeds thereof and any and all other rights as may now or hereafter derive or accrue therefrom (collectively, the “Collateral”) to secure the payment of any required Fund Reimbursement Payment or Liquidation Expenses (as defined in Paragraph 5 of this Agreement).  For so long as this Agreement is in effect, any redemptions of Collateral shall require the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”).  


5. Collateral Event .  In the event that either (a) the Advisor does not make the Fund Reimbursement Payment due in connection with a particular calendar month by the tenth day of the following calendar month or (b) the Board enacts a resolution calling for the liquidation of the Fund (either (a) or (b), a “Collateral Event”), then, in either event, the Board shall have absolute discretion to redeem any shares or other Collateral held in the Collateral Account and utilize the proceeds from such redemptions or such other Collateral to make any required Fund Reimbursement Payment, or to cover any costs or expenses which the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, estimates will be required in connection with the liquidation of the Fund (the “Liquidation Expenses”).  Pursuant to the terms of Paragraph 6 of this Agreement, upon authorization from the Board, no further instructions shall be required from the Advisor for the Securities Intermediary to transfer any Collateral from the Collateral Account to the Fund.  The Advisor acknowledges that in the event the Collateral available in the Collateral Account is insufficient to cover the full cost of any Fund Reimbursement Payment or Liquidation Expenses, the Fund shall retain the right to receive from the Advisor any costs in excess of the value of the Collateral.   


6. Control Agreement; Appointment of Attorney-in-Fact .  The Advisor agrees to execute and deliver to the Board, in form and substance satisfactory to the Board, a Control Agreement by, between and among the Trust, the Advisor and the Securities Intermediary pursuant to and consistent with Section 8-106(c) of the New York Uniform Commercial Code.  Without limiting the foregoing, the Advisor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Trust, through any officer thereof, with full power of substitution, as Advisor's true and lawful Attorney-in-Fact, with full irrevocable power and authority in place and stead of the Advisor and in the name of the Advisor or in the Trust's own name, from time to time, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement, to take any and all appropriate actions and to execute and deliver any and all documents and instruments which the Board deems necessary to accomplish the purpose of this Agreement, which power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Trust shall have the right and power following any Collateral Event to receive, endorse and collect all checks and other orders for the payment of money made payable to the Advisor representing any interest payment, dividend, or other distribution payable in respect of/to the Collateral, or any part thereof, and to give full discharge for the same.  Upon such Collateral Event, the Board, in its discretion, may direct the Advisor or Advisor's agent to transfer the Collateral in certificated or uncertificated form into the name and account of the Trust or its designee.


7. Covenants .  So long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, the Advisor represents and covenants as follows:


 

(a)

No later than 120 days after the Fund becomes operational, the Advisor shall invest at least $30,000 in the Collateral Account, unless Fund assets have reached $15 million (in which case no Collateral Account is required).  


(b)

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Advisor agrees not to challenge any action taken by the Board or the Trust in executing the terms of this Agreement.   


8. Term . This Agreement shall become effective on the date first above written and shall remain in effect until at least September 30, 2013, unless sooner terminated as provided in Paragraph 9 of this Agreement, and shall continue in effect for successive twelve-month periods provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust.


9. Termination . This Agreement may be terminated at any time, and without payment of any penalty, by the Board, on behalf of the Fund, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Advisor. This Agreement may not be terminated by the Advisor without the consent of the Board.  This Agreement will automatically terminate, with respect to the Fund listed in Appendix A if the Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund is terminated and the Fund continues to operate under the management of a new investment adviser, with such termination effective upon the effective date of the Investment Advisory Agreement’s termination for the Fund.


10. Assignment . This Agreement and all rights and obligations hereunder may not be assigned without the written consent of the other party.


11. 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.


12. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to preempt, or to be inconsistent with, any federal law, regulation or rule, including the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.



[ Signature Page Follows ]

 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and attested by their duly authorized officers, all on the day and year first above written.


NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II,

CROW POINT PARTNERS, LLC

on behalf of  Crow Point Hedged Global Equity Income Fund


 

 

 


By: /s/ Andrew Rogers

By:   /s/ Peter DeCaprio

Name: Andrew Rogers

Name: Peter DeCaprio

Title: President

Title: CEO





Appendix A


Fund

Operating Expense Limit

 

 


Crow Point Hedged Global Equity Income Fund

Class A

Class I

Class R


1.25%

1.00%

1.50%



NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II


OPERATING EXPENSES LIMITATION

AND SECURITY AGREEMENT


INFLATION HEDGES STRATEGY FUND



THIS OPERATING EXPENSES LIMITATION AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is effective as of the 3rd day of May, 2012, by and between NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II, a Delaware business trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of the INFLATION HEDGES STRATEGY FUND, (the “Fund”) a series of the Trust, and the advisor of such Fund, North Peak Asset Management, LLC (the “Advisor”).


RECITALS:


WHEREAS , the Advisor renders advice and services to the Fund pursuant to the terms and provisions of an Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Advisor dated as of 3rd day of May, 2012 (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”); and


WHEREAS , the Fund is responsible for, and has assumed the obligation for, payment of certain expenses pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement that have not been assumed by the Advisor; and


WHEREAS , the Advisor desires to limit the Fund’s Operating Expenses (as that term is defined in Paragraph 2 of this Agreement) pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, and the Trust (on behalf of the Fund) desires to allow the Advisor to implement those limits; and


WHEREAS , as a condition to the continuation of its contractual relationship with the Advisor, the Trust has required that Advisor grant to the Trust a continuing security interest in and to a designated account established with Gemini Fund Services, LLC, Transfer Agent to the Fund, or its successor and assigns (the “Securities Intermediary”);


NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the covenants and the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, mutually agree as follows:


1. Limit on Operating Expenses . The Advisor hereby agrees to limit the Fund’s current Operating Expenses to an annual rate, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average annual net assets, to the amounts listed in Appendix A (the “Annual Limit”). In the event that the current Operating Expenses of the Fund, as accrued each month, exceed its Annual Limit, the Advisor will pay to the Fund, on a monthly basis, the excess expense within the first ten days of the month following the month in which such Operating Expenses were incurred (each payment, a “Fund Reimbursement Payment”).


2. Definition . For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Operating Expenses” with respect to the Fund is defined to include all expenses necessary or appropriate for the operation of the Fund and including the Advisor’s investment advisory or management fee detailed in the Investment Advisory Agreement, any Rule 12b-l fees and other expenses described in the Investment Advisory Agreement, but does not include any front-end or contingent deferred loads, brokerage fees and commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short), taxes and extraordinary expenses such as litigation.


3. Reimbursement of Fees and Expenses . The Advisor retains its right to receive reimbursement of any excess expense payments paid by it pursuant to this Agreement in future years on a rolling three year basis, if such reimbursement can be achieved within the Operating Expense Limitations listed in Appendix A .


4. Security Interest .  The Advisor, for value received, hereby pledges, assigns, sets over and grants to the Trust a continuing security interest in and to an account to be established by the Advisor with the Securities Intermediary and designated as a collateral account (the “Collateral Account”), including any replacement account established with any successor, together with all dividends, interest, stock-splits, distributions, profits and all cash and non-cash proceeds thereof and any and all other rights as may now or hereafter derive or accrue therefrom (collectively, the “Collateral”) to secure the payment of any required Fund Reimbursement Payment or Liquidation Expenses (as defined in Paragraph 5 of this Agreement).  For so long as this Agreement is in effect, any redemptions of Collateral shall require the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”).  


5. Collateral Event .  In the event that either (a) the Advisor does not make the Fund Reimbursement Payment due in connection with a particular calendar month by the tenth day of the following calendar month or (b) the Board enacts a resolution calling for the liquidation of the Fund (either (a) or (b), a “Collateral Event”), then, in either event, the Board shall have absolute discretion to redeem any shares or other Collateral held in the Collateral Account and utilize the proceeds from such redemptions or such other Collateral to make any required Fund Reimbursement Payment, or to cover any costs or expenses which the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, estimates will be required in connection with the liquidation of the Fund (the “Liquidation Expenses”).  Pursuant to the terms of Paragraph 6 of this Agreement, upon authorization from the Board, no further instructions shall be required from the Advisor for the Securities Intermediary to transfer any Collateral from the Collateral Account to the Fund.  The Advisor acknowledges that in the event the Collateral available in the Collateral Account is insufficient to cover the full cost of any Fund Reimbursement Payment or Liquidation Expenses, the Fund shall retain the right to receive from the Advisor any costs in excess of the value of the Collateral.   


6. Control Agreement; Appointment of Attorney-in-Fact .  The Advisor agrees to execute and deliver to the Board, in form and substance satisfactory to the Board, a Control Agreement by, between and among the Trust, the Advisor and the Securities Intermediary pursuant to and consistent with Section 8-106(c) of the New York Uniform Commercial Code.  Without limiting the foregoing, the Advisor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Trust, through any officer thereof, with full power of substitution, as Advisor's true and lawful Attorney-in-Fact, with full irrevocable power and authority in place and stead of the Advisor and in the name of the Advisor or in the Trust's own name, from time to time, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement, to take any and all appropriate actions and to execute and deliver any and all documents and instruments which the Board deems necessary to accomplish the purpose of this Agreement, which power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Trust shall have the right and power following any Collateral Event to receive, endorse and collect all checks and other orders for the payment of money made payable to the Advisor representing any interest payment, dividend, or other distribution payable in respect of/to the Collateral, or any part thereof, and to give full discharge for the same.  Upon such Collateral Event, the Board, in its discretion, may direct the Advisor or Advisor's agent to transfer the Collateral in certificated or uncertificated form into the name and account of the Trust or its designee.


7. Covenants .  So long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, the Advisor represents and covenants as follows:


 

(a)

No later than 120 days after the Fund becomes operational, the Advisor shall invest at least $30,000 in the Collateral Account, unless Fund assets have reached $15 million (in which case no Collateral Account is required).  


(b)

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Advisor agrees not to challenge any action taken by the Board or the Trust in executing the terms of this Agreement.   


8. Term . This Agreement shall become effective on the date first above written and shall remain in effect until at least September 30, 2013, unless sooner terminated as provided in Paragraph 9 of this Agreement, and shall continue in effect for successive twelve-month periods provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust.


9. Termination . This Agreement may be terminated at any time, and without payment of any penalty, by the Board, on behalf of the Fund, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Advisor. This Agreement may not be terminated by the Advisor without the consent of the Board.  This Agreement will automatically terminate, with respect to the Fund listed in Appendix A if the Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund is terminated and the Fund continues to operate under the management of a new investment adviser, with such termination effective upon the effective date of the Investment Advisory Agreement’s termination for the Fund.


10. Assignment . This Agreement and all rights and obligations hereunder may not be assigned without the written consent of the other party.


11. 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.


12. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to preempt, or to be inconsistent with, any federal law, regulation or rule, including the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.



[ Signature Page Follows ]

 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and attested by their duly authorized officers, all on the day and year first above written.


NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II,

NORTH PEAK ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC

on behalf of  the Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund

 

 

 


By: _/s/ Andrew Rogers

By: /s/ Mike Hanus

Name: Andrew Rogers

Name: Mike Hanus

Title: President

Title: President




Appendix A


Fund

Operating Expense Limit

 

 

INFLATION HEDGES STRATEGY FUND


CLASS R

CLASS I


1.95%

1.70%


ALSTON & BIRD LLP

The Atlantic Building

950 F Street, NW

Washington, DC 20004-1404


202-756-3300

Fax:202-756-3333

www.alston.com



David J. Baum

Direct Dial: 202-239-3346

E-mail: david.baum@alston.com



June 19, 2012


Northern Lights Fund Trust II

4020 South 147 th Street

Omaha, NE 68137


Re:

Opinion of Counsel regarding Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to Northern Lights Fund Trust II’s Registration Statement Filed on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933 (File No. 333-174926)


We have acted as counsel to Northern Lights Fund Trust II, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), in connection with the filing of Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to the Trust’s Registration Statement (“Post-Effective Amendment No. 68”) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), registering an indefinite number of units of beneficial interest (“Shares”), of Class A, Class C, Class I and Class N shares of the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund, a series of the Trust (the “Fund”).


You have requested our opinion as to the matters set forth below in connection with the filing of the Post-Effective Amendment No. 68.  In connection with rendering that opinion, we have examined the Post-Effective Amendment No. 68, the Declaration of Trust and any amendments thereto, the Certificate of Trust of the Trust, the Trust’s Bylaws, the actions of the Trustees of the Trust that authorize the approval of the foregoing documents, securities matters and the issuance of the Shares, and such other documents as we, in our professional opinion, have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion set forth below. In examining the documents referred to above, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of documents purporting to be originals and the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. As to questions of fact material to our opinion, we have relied (without investigation or independent confirmation) upon the representations contained in the above-described documents.


Our opinion, as set forth herein, is based on the facts in existence and the laws in effect on the date hereof and is limited to the federal laws of the United States of America and the Delaware Statutory Trust Act.  We express no opinion with respect to any other laws.


Based upon and subject to the foregoing and the qualifications set forth below, we are of the opinion that:


1.

The Shares of the Fund to be issued pursuant to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 have been duly authorized for issuance by the Trust.

2.

When issued and paid for upon the terms provided in the Post-Effective Amendment No. 68, subject to compliance with the 1933 Act, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and all other laws relating to the sale of securities, the Shares of the Fund to be issued pursuant to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.


This opinion is rendered solely for your use in connection with the filing of the Post-Effective Amendment No. 68.  We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the SEC in connection with Post-Effective Amendment No. 68.


Sincerely,


ALSTON & BIRD LLP




By:_ /s/David J. Baum ____

A Partner



Atlanta • Brussels • Charlotte • Dallas • Los Angeles • New York • Research Triangle • Silicon Valley • Ventura County • Washington, D.C.





CONSENT OF ALSTON & BIRD, LLP, COUNSEL FOR THE REGISTRANT



We hereby consent to the use of our name and the references to our firm under the caption “Legal Counsel” included in or made a part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to the Registration Statement of Northern Light Fund Trust II on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Alston & Bird LLP


By: /s/ David J. Baum  

A Partner



Washington, DC

June 19, 2012





LEGAL02/33080739v1


 

DISTRIBUTION PLAN

PURSUANT TO RULE 12B-1

UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940



NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II

On behalf of its series

Crow Point Hedged Global Equity Income Fund


DISTRIBUTION PLAN made as of March 6, 2012 by and between Northern Lights Fund Trust II (the "Trust") on behalf of its separate series, CROW POINT HEDGED GLOBAL EQUITY INCOME FUND, (the “Fund”) and the distributor for the Fund, Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the “DISTRIBUTOR”).


WHEREAS, the Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company which offers for public sale separate series of shares of beneficial interest, each corresponding to the distinct series/Funds which may be further divided into separate classes of shares (the "Shares"); and


WHEREAS, the Trust has entered into an Underwriting Agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") with DISTRIBUTOR pursuant to which DISTRIBUTOR has agreed to serve as the distributor of the Shares of the Funds; and


WHEREAS, the Trust desires to adopt this Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the "Plan") on behalf of the Funds by the Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board") pursuant to which the Trust, with respect to the Funds, will pay a distribution fee to DISTRIBUTOR in connection with the distribution of Fund Shares; and


WHEREAS, DISTRIBUTOR desires to serve as distributor of the Shares and to provide, or arrange for the provision of distribution services pursuant to the Plan;


NOW THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:


1.  A. The Fund is authorized to pay to DISTRIBUTOR, a combined account maintenance and distribution fee at the rate of 0.25% on an annualized basis of the average net assets attributable to Class A Shares of the Fund.  The Fund is authorized to pay to DISTRIBUTOR, a combined account maintenance and distribution fee at the rate of 0.50% on an annualized basis of the average net assets attributable to Class R Shares of the Fund.  Such fees are to be paid by the Fund monthly, or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine. Such fees shall be based upon the Fund’s average daily net assets during the preceding month, and shall be calculated and accrued daily. Such fees are to be paid by the Fund monthly, or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine. Such fees shall be based upon the Fund’s average daily net assets during the preceding month, and shall be calculated and accrued daily. DISTRIBUTOR shall use such fee, among other things, to make the payments contemplated by Paragraph 2(B) below and to pay interest and principal where such payments have been financed.  


B. The Fund may pay fees to DISTRIBUTOR at a lesser rate than the fees specified in Section 1.A. of this Plan as agreed upon by the Board and DISTRIBUTOR and as approved in the manner specified in subsections (a) and (b) of Paragraph 3 of this Plan.


2.  A. The Trust hereby authorizes DISTRIBUTOR to enter into Sub-Agreements with certain securities dealers or brokers, administrators and others ("Recipients") to provide compensation to such Recipients based on the net asset value of shares of the Funds held by clients or customers of that Recipient, for activities and services of the type referred to in Paragraph (B) of this Paragraph 2.  DISTRIBUTOR may also make payments to the investment adviser of the Funds for reimbursement of marketing related expenses and/or compensation for administrative assistance.


B. DISTRIBUTOR shall provide, or arrange for Recipients with which DISTRIBUTOR has entered into Sub-Agreements to provide, distribution services. The distribution services shall include assistance in the offering and sale of shares of the Funds and in other aspects of the marketing of the shares to clients or prospective clients of the respective Recipients including any advertising or marketing services provided by or arranged by DISTRIBUTOR with respect to the Funds.


3.  This Plan shall not take effect with respect to the Fund unless it has been approved, together with any related agreements, by a majority vote, cast in person at a meeting (or meetings) called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of: (a) the Board; and (b) those Trustees of the Trust who are not "interested person" of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related thereto (the "Independent Trustees").


4.  This Plan may continue in full force and effect with respect to the Fund for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided for approval of this Plan in subsections (a) and (b) of paragraph 3.   

5.  DISTRIBUTOR shall provide to the Board and the Board shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended with respect to the Fund by DISTRIBUTOR under this Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.


6.  The Trust or the Funds may terminate this Plan at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of the Board, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. DISTRIBUTOR may terminate this Plan with respect to the Trust or the Fund, without payment of penalty, upon sixty (60) days written notice to the Trust or the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Plan shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.


7.  This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of fees to be paid by the Fund unless such amendment is approved by a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Funds, and no material amendment to the other provisions of this Plan shall be made unless approved in the manner provided for approval and annual renewal in subsections (a) and (b) of Paragraph 3 hereof.


8.  The amount of distribution fees payable by the Fund to DISTRIBUTOR under this Plan and the amounts received by DISTRIBUTOR under the Underwriting Agreement may be greater or lesser than the expenses actually incurred by DISTRIBUTOR on behalf of the Fund in serving as Distributor of the Shares. The distribution and account maintenance fees with respect to the Fund will be payable by the Funds to DISTRIBUTOR until either this Plan or the Underwriting Agreement is terminated or not renewed with respect to the Shares of the Fund.


9.  While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Independent Trustees shall be made solely at the discretion of the Independent Trustees.


10. As used in this Plan, the terms "majority of the outstanding voting securities," "assignment" and "interested person" shall have the same meanings as those terms have in the 1940 Act.


11. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan (including any amendments thereto) and any related agreements and all reports made pursuant to Paragraph 5 hereof for a period of not less than six years from the date thereof, the first two years in an easily accessible place.


12. The Trustees of the Trust and the shareholders of the Funds shall not be liable for any obligations of the Trust or the Funds under this Plan, and DISTRIBUTOR or any other person, in asserting any rights or claims under this Plan, shall look only to the assets and property of the Trust or the Fund in settlement of any such right or claim, and not to such Trustees or shareholders.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust and DISTRIBUTOR have executed this Plan as of the date first set forth above.


NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II

On behalf of its separate series

Crow Point Hedged Global Equity Income Fund




Attest: /s/ James P. Ash

By: /s/ Andrew Rogers

James P. Ash

                 Andrew Rogers

            Secretary

  President


NORTHERN LIGHTS DISTRIBUTORS, LLC

As Distributor


Attest:  /s/ Mike Nielsen

By:   /s/ Brian Nielsen

Mike Nielsen

      

      

      Brian Nielsen

            Chief Compliance Officer

  President



 

DISTRIBUTION PLAN

PURSUANT TO RULE 12B-1

UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940


NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II

On behalf of its series

Inflation Hedges Strategy Fund


DISTRIBUTION PLAN made as of March 6, 2012 by and between Northern Lights Fund Trust II (the "Trust") on behalf of its separate series, INFLATION HEDGES STRATEGY FUND, (the “Fund”) and the distributor for the Funds, Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the “DISTRIBUTOR”).


WHEREAS, the Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company which offers for public sale separate series of shares of beneficial interest, each corresponding to the distinct series/Funds which may be further divided into separate classes of shares (the "Shares"); and


WHEREAS, the Trust has entered into an Underwriting Agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") with DISTRIBUTOR pursuant to which DISTRIBUTOR has agreed to serve as the distributor of the Shares of the Fund; and


WHEREAS, the Trust desires to adopt this Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the "Plan") on behalf of the Fund by the Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board") pursuant to which the Trust, with respect to the Fund, will pay a distribution fee to DISTRIBUTOR in connection with the distribution of Fund Shares; and


WHEREAS, DISTRIBUTOR desires to serve as distributor of the Shares and to provide, or arrange for the provision of distribution services pursuant to the Plan;


NOW THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:


1.  A. The Fund is authorized to pay to DISTRIBUTOR, a combined account maintenance and distribution fee at the rate of 0.25% on an annualized basis of the average net assets attributable to Class R Shares of the Fund.  Such fees are to be paid by the Funds monthly, or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine. Such fees shall be based upon the Funds’ average daily net assets during the preceding month, and shall be calculated and accrued daily. DISTRIBUTOR shall use such fee, among other things, to make the payments contemplated by Paragraph 2(B) below and to pay interest and principal where such payments have been financed.  


B. The Fund may pay fees to DISTRIBUTOR at a lesser rate than the fees specified in Section 1.A. of this Plan as agreed upon by the Board and DISTRIBUTOR and as approved in the manner specified in subsections (a) and (b) of Paragraph 3 of this Plan.


2.  A. The Trust hereby authorizes DISTRIBUTOR to enter into Sub-Agreements with certain securities dealers or brokers, administrators and others ("Recipients") to provide compensation to such Recipients based on the net asset value of shares of the Fund held by clients or customers of that Recipient, for activities and services of the type referred to in Paragraph (B) of this Paragraph 2.  DISTRIBUTOR may also make payments to the investment adviser of the Fund for reimbursement of marketing related expenses and/or compensation for administrative assistance.


B. DISTRIBUTOR shall provide, or arrange for Recipients with which DISTRIBUTOR has entered into Sub-Agreements to provide, distribution services. The distribution services shall include assistance in the offering and sale of shares of the Fund and in other aspects of the marketing of the shares to clients or prospective clients of the respective Recipients including any advertising or marketing services provided by or arranged by DISTRIBUTOR with respect to the Fund.


3.  This Plan shall not take effect with respect to the Fund unless it has been approved, together with any related agreements, by a majority vote, cast in person at a meeting (or meetings) called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of: (a) the Board; and (b) those Trustees of the Trust who are not "interested person" of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related thereto (the "Independent Trustees").


4.  This Plan may continue in full force and effect with respect to the Fund for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided for approval of this Plan in subsections (a) and (b) of paragraph 3.   

5.  DISTRIBUTOR shall provide to the Board and the Board shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended with respect to the Fund by DISTRIBUTOR under this Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.


6.  The Trust or the Funds may terminate this Plan at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of the Board, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. DISTRIBUTOR may terminate this Plan with respect to the Trust or the Fund, without payment of penalty, upon sixty (60) days written notice to the Trust or the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Plan shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.


7.  This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of fees to be paid by the Funds unless such amendment is approved by a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Funds, and no material amendment to the other provisions of this Plan shall be made unless approved in the manner provided for approval and annual renewal in subsections (a) and (b) of Paragraph 3 hereof.


8.  The amount of distribution fees payable by the Funds to DISTRIBUTOR under this Plan and the amounts received by DISTRIBUTOR under the Underwriting Agreement may be greater or lesser than the expenses actually incurred by DISTRIBUTOR on behalf of the Fund in serving as Distributor of the Shares. The distribution and account maintenance fees with respect to the Fund will be payable by the Fund to DISTRIBUTOR until either this Plan or the Underwriting Agreement is terminated or not renewed with respect to the Shares of the Fund.


9.  While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Independent Trustees shall be made solely at the discretion of the Independent Trustees.


10. As used in this Plan, the terms "majority of the outstanding voting securities," "assignment" and "interested person" shall have the same meanings as those terms have in the 1940 Act.


11. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan (including any amendments thereto) and any related agreements and all reports made pursuant to Paragraph 5 hereof for a period of not less than six years from the date thereof, the first two years in an easily accessible place.


12. The Trustees of the Trust and the shareholders of the Fund shall not be liable for any obligations of the Trust or the Fund under this Plan, and DISTRIBUTOR or any other person, in asserting any rights or claims under this Plan, shall look only to the assets and property of the Trust or the Fund in settlement of any such right or claim, and not to such Trustees or shareholders.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust and DISTRIBUTOR have executed this Plan as of the date first set forth above.


NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II

On behalf of its separate series

INFLATION HEDGES STRATEGY FUND



Attest: /s/ James P. Ash

By: /s/ Andrew Rogers

James P. Ash

                 Andrew Rogers

            Secretary

  President


NORTHERN LIGHTS DISTRIBUTORS, LLC

As Distributor




Attest: /s/ Mike Nielsen

By: /s/ Brian Nielsen

Mike Nielsen

      

      

      Brian Nielsen

            Chief Compliance Officer

  President



DISTRIBUTION PLAN

PURSUANT TO RULE 12B-1

UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940



NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II

On behalf of its series

Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund


DISTRIBUTION PLAN made as of May 3, 2012 by and between Northern Lights Fund Trust II (the "Trust") on behalf of its separate series, LONGBOARD MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND (the “Fund”) and the distributor for the Fund, Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the “DISTRIBUTOR”).


WHEREAS, the Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company which offers for public sale separate series of shares of beneficial interest, each corresponding to the distinct series/Fund which may be further divided into separate classes of shares (the "Shares"); and


WHEREAS, the Trust has entered into an Underwriting Agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") with DISTRIBUTOR pursuant to which DISTRIBUTOR has agreed to serve as the distributor of the Shares of the Fund; and


WHEREAS, the Trust desires to adopt this Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the "Plan") on behalf of the Fund by the Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board") pursuant to which the Trust, with respect to the Fund, will pay a distribution fee to DISTRIBUTOR in connection with the distribution of Fund Shares; and


WHEREAS, DISTRIBUTOR desires to serve as distributor of the Shares and to provide, or arrange for the provision of distribution services pursuant to the Plan;


NOW THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:


1.  A.  The Fund is authorized to pay to DISTRIBUTOR, as compensation for DISTRIBUTOR's account maintenance services under this Plan, an account maintenance fee at the rate of 0.25%, and, as compensation for DISTRIBUTOR's sales and promotional activities and services under this Plan, a distribution fee at the rate of 0.75%, on an annualized basis of the average net assets attributable to Class C Shares of the Fund.  The Fund is authorized to pay to DISTRIBUTOR, a combined account maintenance and distribution fee at the rate of 0.25% on an annualized basis of the average net assets attributable to Class A Shares and Class N shares of the Fund.  Such fees are to be paid by the Fund monthly, or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine. Such fees shall be based upon the Fund’s average daily net assets during the preceding month, and shall be calculated and accrued daily. DISTRIBUTOR shall use such fee, among other things, to make the payments contemplated by Paragraph 2(B) below and to pay interest and principal where such payments have been financed.  


B. The Fund may pay fees to DISTRIBUTOR at a lesser rate than the fees specified in Section 1.A. of this Plan as agreed upon by the Board and DISTRIBUTOR and as approved in the manner specified in subsections (a) and (b) of Paragraph 3 of this Plan.


2.  A. The Trust hereby authorizes DISTRIBUTOR to enter into Sub-Agreements with certain securities dealers or brokers, administrators and others ("Recipients") to provide compensation to such Recipients based on the net asset value of shares of the Fund held by clients or customers of that Recipient, for activities and services of the type referred to in Paragraph (B) of this Paragraph 2.  DISTRIBUTOR may also make payments to the investment adviser of the Fund for reimbursement of marketing related expenses and/or compensation for administrative assistance.


B. DISTRIBUTOR shall provide, or arrange for Recipients with which DISTRIBUTOR has entered into Sub-Agreements to provide, distribution services. The distribution services shall include assistance in the offering and sale of shares of the Fund and in other aspects of the marketing of the shares to clients or prospective clients of the respective Recipients including any advertising or marketing services provided by or arranged by DISTRIBUTOR with respect to the Fund.


3.  This Plan shall not take effect with respect to the Fund unless it has been approved, together with any related agreements, by a majority vote, cast in person at a meeting (or meetings) called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of: (a) the Board; and (b) those Trustees of the Trust who are not "interested person" of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related thereto (the "Independent Trustees").


4.  This Plan may continue in full force and effect with respect to the Fund for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided for approval of this Plan in subsections (a) and (b) of paragraph 3.   

5.  DISTRIBUTOR shall provide to the Board and the Board shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended with respect to the Fund by DISTRIBUTOR under this Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.


6.  The Trust or the Fund may terminate this Plan at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of the Board, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. DISTRIBUTOR may terminate this Plan with respect to the Trust or the Fund, without payment of penalty, upon sixty (60) days written notice to the Trust or the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Plan shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.


7.  This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of fees to be paid by the Fund unless such amendment is approved by a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund, and no material amendment to the other provisions of this Plan shall be made unless approved in the manner provided for approval and annual renewal in subsections (a) and (b) of Paragraph 3 hereof.


8.  The amount of distribution fees payable by the Fund to DISTRIBUTOR under this Plan and the amounts received by DISTRIBUTOR under the Underwriting Agreement may be greater or lesser than the expenses actually incurred by DISTRIBUTOR on behalf of the Fund in serving as Distributor of the Shares. The distribution and account maintenance fees with respect to the Fund will be payable by the Fund to DISTRIBUTOR until either this Plan or the Underwriting Agreement is terminated or not renewed with respect to the Shares of the Fund.


9.  While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Independent Trustees shall be made solely at the discretion of the Independent Trustees.


10. As used in this Plan, the terms "majority of the outstanding voting securities," "assignment" and "interested person" shall have the same meanings as those terms have in the 1940 Act.


11. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan (including any amendments thereto) and any related agreements and all reports made pursuant to Paragraph 5 hereof for a period of not less than six years from the date thereof, the first two years in an easily accessible place.


12. The Trustees of the Trust and the shareholders of the Fund shall not be liable for any obligations of the Trust or the Fund under this Plan, and DISTRIBUTOR or any other person, in asserting any rights or claims under this Plan, shall look only to the assets and property of the Trust or the Fund in settlement of any such right or claim, and not to such Trustees or shareholders.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust and DISTRIBUTOR have executed this Plan as of the date first set forth above.


NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II

On behalf of its separate series

Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund


Attest:  /s/ James P. Ash

By: /s/ Andrew Rogers

James P. Ash

                 Andrew Rogers

            Secretary

  President


NORTHERN LIGHTS DISTRIBUTORS, LLC

As Distributor


Attest: /s/ Mike Nielsen

By: /s/ Brian Nielsen

Mike Nielsen

      

      

      Brian Nielsen

            Chief Compliance Officer

  President



CROWPOINT PARTNERS, LLC

CODE OF ETHICS


Implementation Date:  January 2008

Most Recent Amendment Date:  October 2009

______________________________________________________________________________


A.

General


The Code of Ethics is predicated on the principle that Crow Point Partners (the “Firm”) owes a fiduciary duty to its separately managed accounts and private investment funds (including investors in such funds) (collectively, “Clients”).  Accordingly, all officers, directors and employees of the Firm (the “Employees”) must avoid activities, interests and relationships that run contrary (or appear to run contrary) to the best interests of Clients.   At all times, the Firm will be mindful to:


·

Place client interests ahead of the Firm – As a fiduciary, the Firm will serve in its Clients’ best interests.  In other words, neither the Firm nor Employees may not benefit at the expense of Clients.

·

Engage in personal investing that is in full compliance with the Firm’s Code of Ethics – Employees must review and abide by the Firm’s Personal Securities Transaction and Insider Trading Policies contained herein.

·

Avoid taking advantage of your position – Employees must not accept investment opportunities, gifts or other gratuities from individuals seeking to conduct business with the Firm, or on behalf of an advisory client, unless in compliance with the Gift Policy contained herein.

·

Maintain full compliance with the Federal Securities Laws – Employees must abide by the standards set forth in Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”).


Any questions with respect to the Firm’s Code of Ethics should be directed to the Chief Compliance Officer or the General Counsel.   As discussed in greater detail below, Employees must promptly report any violations of the Code of Ethics to the Chief Compliance Officer or the General Counsel.   All reported Code of Ethics violations will be treated as being made on an anonymous basis.


B.

Guiding Principles & Standards of Conduct


All Employees of the Firm will act with competence, dignity and integrity, in an ethical manner, when dealing with Clients, the public, prospects, third-party service providers and fellow Employees.   The following set of principles frame the professional and ethical conduct that the Firm expects from its Employees:

·

Act with integrity, competence, diligence, respect, and in an ethical manner with the public, Clients, prospective clients and Employees;

·

Place the integrity of the investment profession, the interests of Clients, and the interests of the Firm above one’s own personal interests;

·

Adhere to the fundamental standard that you should not take inappropriate advantage of your position;

·

Avoid any actual or potential material conflict of interest;

·

Conduct all personal securities transactions in a manner consistent with this policy;

·

Use reasonable care and exercise independent professional judgment when conducting investment analysis, making investment recommendations, taking investment actions, and engaging in other professional activities;

·

Practice and encourage others to practice in a professional and ethical manner that will reflect favorably on you and the profession;

·

Promote the integrity of, and uphold the rules governing, capital markets;

·

Maintain and improve your professional competence and strive to maintain and improve the competence of other investment professionals.

·

Comply with applicable provisions of the U.S.  securities laws.


THE FIRM HAS ZERO TOLERANCE FOR RETALIATORY ACTIONS AND THEREFORE MAY SUBJECT OFFENDERS TO MORE SEVERE ACTION THAN SET FORTH IN THIS CODE OF ETHICS.   IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE THE POTENTIAL FOR SUCH BEHAVIOR, ALL REPORTS OF CODE OF ETHICS VIOLATIONS WILL BE TREATED AS BEING MADE ON AN ANONYMOUS BASIS.



C.

Personal Security Transaction Policy


Employees may not purchase or sell any security in which the Employee has a Beneficial Interest unless the Employee has complied with the Personal Security Transaction Policy set forth below.


Pre-Clearance Procedures


Employees shall complete the Firm’s Private Placement Offering and IPO Request and Reporting Form (See Attachment A) when requesting a trade in a Private Placement Offering or IPO.   All pre-clearance requests must be submitted to the Chief Compliance Officer and/or General Counsel.   Once pre-clearance is granted to an Employee, such Employee may only transact in that Security for the remainder of the day or such other period of time as approved by the Chief Compliance Officer and/or General Counsel.   If the Employee wishes to transact in that security during any other day or period, he/she must again obtain pre-clearance for the transaction.   


With regard to an Employee investment in an investment fund managed by the Firm (each, a “Fund”), the Employee shall not be required to obtain pre-approval from the Chief Compliance Officer for an “initial” investment or subscription to the Fund.   Rather, the execution of the Fund’s subscription document shall serve as evidence of the Firm’s pre-clearance of the Employee’s investment in the Fund.   All subsequent investments in the Fund that do not require the execution of additional subscription agreements, do however require pre-approval of the Chief Compliance Officer via the aforementioned Private Placement and IPO Request and Reporting Form included as Attachment A.


Restricted List


The Firm maintains a “Restricted List” of companies about which a determination has been made that it is prudent to resist trading activity.    The Firm shall periodically circulate to all its employees a list of “Restricted Securities.”  This list shall consist of all securities as to which: (a) there is currently a 13D or


13G filing on file with the SEC (b) any person is an officer or director of the issuer and (c) any person or entity of the Firm has executed a confidentiality agreement to receive material nonpublic information or has obtained material non-public information.  


As a general rule, trades will not be allowed for Clients, or for the personal accounts of Employees, in the securities of a company appearing on the Restricted List, except with approval of the General Counsel, or, in his absence, the Chief Compliance Officer.   Similarly, any determination to remove a company from the Restricted List must be approved by the General Counsel.   Restrictions with regard to securities on the restricted List are also considered to extend to options, rights or warrants relating to those securities and any securities convertible into those securities.


Permission, if given for trades in a Restricted List Security will be effective for 24 hours, unless otherwise specified.   Additional trades of the same Restricted List security would have to be approved again.   No trades will be permitted if such trades will disadvantage the clients’ interests, or where it is determined that the Firm has material, non-public information.   Where an exception is granted, employees receiving such permission are prohibited from further sale or purchase transactions unless permission is again obtained.   Permission/exceptions will generally be conveyed using e-mail.


Reportable Securities


The Firm requires Employees to provide periodic reports (See the Reporting section) regarding transactions and holdings in any security (including, without limitation, partnership interests and limited liability company interests in private investment funds), except that Employees are not required to report the following exempted securities:


·

Direct obligations of the United States government;

·

Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements;

·

Shares issued by money market funds;

·

Shares issued by open-end funds other than Reportable Funds; 1 and

·

Shares issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end funds, none of which are Reportable Funds.


PLEASE NOTE: SUCH EXEMPTION DOES NOT APPLY TO SHARES OF OPEN-END MUTUAL FUNDS THAT ARE ADVISED BY THE FIRM (OR AN AFFILIATE) OR ARE OTHERWISE AFFILIATED WITH THE FIRM (OR AN AFFILIATE).   EMPLOYEES MUST REPORT ANY PERSONAL TRANSACTION IN A REPORTABLE FUND.




Reporting


In order to maintain compliance with Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, the Firm must collect three reports from Employees that include transaction and holding information regarding the personal trading activities of the Employees.   The reports, as described in further detail below, are: (i) Quarterly Transaction Reports; (ii) Initial Holdings Reports; and (iii) Annual Holdings Reports.  


Quarterly Transaction Reports  


Employees shall be required to report all securities transactions that they have made in securities Accounts during the quarter, as well as any new securities Accounts that they have opened during the quarter.   In order to fulfill this reporting requirement, Employees have the option to instruct their broker-dealers to send to the Chief Compliance Officer duplicate trade confirmations and/or brokerage account statements not later than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter (refer to Attachment B).   If an Employee’s trades do not occur through a broker-dealer (e.g., purchase of a private investment fund), such transactions shall be reported separately on the Quarterly Reporting Form (Securities) provided in Attachment C.   



EMPLOYEES ARE REMINDED THAT TRANSACTIONS IN PRIVATE INVESTMENT FUNDS (INCLUDING THOSE MANAGED BY THE FIRM) SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE QUARTERLY REPORTING FORMS.



Alternatively, Employees may utilize the Quarterly Reporting Form (Securities) and Quarterly Reporting Form (New Accounts), provided in Attachment C, to fulfill their quarterly transaction and new account reporting requirement in the event that they elect, or are unable to, provide duplicate trade confirmations and/or brokerage account statements to the Chief Compliance Officer.   



EMPLOYEES ARE REMINDED THAT THEY MUST ALSO REPORT TRANSACTIONS AND ACCOUNTS OF MEMBERS OF THE EMPLOYEE’S IMMEDIATE FAMILY INCLUDING SPOUSE, CHILDREN AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HOUSEHOLD IN ACCOUNTS OVER WHICH THE EMPLOYEE HAS DIRECT OR INDIRECT INFLUENCE OR CONTROL.



Initial and Annual Holdings Reports


New Employees are required to report all of their securities and securities accounts not later than 10 days after an individual becomes an Employee.   The two (2) Initial Reporting Forms (refer to Attachment D) must contain information that is current as of a date not more than 45 days prior to the date the person becomes an Employee.   


Employees are required to provide the Chief Compliance Officer with a complete list of securities and securities accounts on an annual basis, or on or before February 14 th of each year.   The report shall be current as of December 31 st .   (Refer to Attachment E for a copy of the Annual Reporting Forms).   


Employees may elect to forgo the use of the Initial Reporting Forms and Annual Reporting Forms and instead submit their brokerage/custodial statements to the Chief Compliance Officer in order to fulfill the initial and annual holding requirements.   However, Employees must be certain that their brokerage/custodial statements include at a minimum:


(a)

the title and type of security;

(b)

as applicable, depending on the type of security, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares, and principal amount of each security;

(c)

the name of any broker, dealer or bank with which the Employee maintains an account in which any security is held for the Employee’s direct or indirect benefit; and

(d)

the date in which the Employee submits the report.   


EMPLOYEES MUST REPORT THEIR BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN ANY SECURITIES ACCOUNTS, REGARDLESS OF THE TYPES OF SECURITIES THAT ARE HELD IN THE SECURITIES ACCOUNT.   THE CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER MUST BE MADE AWARE OF ALL SECURITIES ACCOUNTS OWNED BY EMPLOYEES.  



Exceptions from Reporting Requirements


There are limited exceptions from certain of the three reporting requirements noted above.   Specifically, an Employee is not required to submit:


1)

The Quarterly Reporting Form (Securities) for any transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan.


2)

Any of the three reports (i.e., Quarterly Reporting Form, Initial Reporting Forms and Annual Reporting Forms) with respect to securities held in securities accounts over which the Employee had no direct or indirect influence or control.   Note, however, that the Chief Compliance Officer may request that an Employee provide documentation to substantiate that the Employee had no direct or indirect influence or control over the securities account (e.g., investment advisory agreement, etc.).    


The Chief Compliance Officer and/or General Counsel will determine on a case-by-case basis whether an account qualifies for either of the aforementioned exceptions.


Trading and Review


The Firm’s Personal Security Transaction Policy is designed to not only ensure its technical compliance with Rule 204A-1, but also to mitigate any potential material conflicts of interest associated with Employees’ personal trading activities.   Accordingly, the Firm will closely monitor Employees’ investment patterns to detect the following abuses, among others:


·

Trading in companies included on the Restricted List;


·

Front-running client accounts, which is a practice generally understood to be Employees personally trading ahead of Clients.   


Employees are strictly prohibited from engaging in short-term trades of mutual fund shares, as to avoid even the appearance of market timing activities.   


The General Counsel or their designee will monitor the Chief Compliance Officer’s personal securities transactions for compliance with the Personal Security Transaction Policy.


The Firm conducts periodic reviews of Employee reports.    At a minimum, such reviews are required to include a comparison of Employee reports to: 1) the Restricted List and 2) Clients’ trading activity.   Documentary evidence is required to be kept to evidence the periodic reviews conducted.   Should the Firm discover that an Employee is personally trading contrary to the policies set forth above, the Employee shall meet with the Chief Compliance Officer and/or General Counsel to review the facts surrounding the transactions.   

 

Reporting Violations and Remedial Actions


The Firm takes the potential for conflicts of interest caused by personal investing very seriously.   As such, the Firm requires its Employees to promptly report any violations of the Code of Ethics to the Chief Compliance Officer or General Counsel.   The Firm’s Senior Management is aware of the potential matters that may arise as a result of this requirement and shall take action against any Employee that seeks retaliation against another for reporting violations of the Code of Ethics.


If any violation of the Firm’s Personal Security Transaction Policy is determined to have occurred,  the  Chief Compliance Officer and/or General Counsel may impose sanctions and take such other actions, including, without limitation, requiring that the trades in question be reversed, requiring the disgorgement of profits or gifts, issuing a letter of caution or warning, issuing a suspension of personal trading  rights or  suspension  of  employment  (with or  without compensation), imposing a fine, making a civil referral to the Securities Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), making a criminal referral, and/or terminating employment for cause or any combination of the foregoing.   All sanctions and other actions taken shall be in accordance with applicable employment laws and regulations.   Any profits or gifts forfeited shall be paid to the applicable Client(s), if any, or given to a charity, as the Chief Compliance Officer and/or General Counsel shall determine is appropriate.


No Employee shall participate in a determination of whether he or she has committed a violation of the Code of Ethics or in the imposition of any sanction against himself or herself.


D.

Insider Trading Policy


Section 204A of the Advisers Act requires every investment adviser to establish, maintain and enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed, taking into consideration the nature of such investment adviser's business, to prevent the misuse of material non-public information by such investment adviser or any person associated with such investment adviser.  In accordance with Section 204A, the Firm has instituted procedures to prevent the misuse of material non-public information.


The Firm forbids any officer, director, employee, and all affiliates (“Covered Persons”) from trading, either personally or on behalf of others, while aware of material non-public information or communicating material non-public information to others in violation of Rule 10b-5
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Insider Trading and Securities Fraud Enforcement Act of 1988.   This conduct is frequently referred to as "insider trading."


The term "insider trading" is not clearly defined in federal or state securities laws, but generally is used to refer to the use of material non-public information to trade in securities (whether or not one is an "insider") or to communications of material non-public information to others for trading.   While the law concerning insider trading is not static, it is generally understood that the law prohibits:


·

Trading by an insider who is aware of material non-public information at the time of the trade;


·

Trading by a non-insider who is aware of material non-public information, where the information either was disclosed to the non-insider in violation of an insider's duty to keep it confidential or was misappropriated; or,


·

Communicating material non-public information to others.


The elements of insider trading and penalties for such unlawful conduct are discussed below.   If, after reviewing this Policy or its application to a particular transaction, you have any questions you should consult the General Counsel, the Chief Compliance Officer and/or their designee(s).


Who is an Insider?


The term "insider" is broadly defined and generally refers to anyone who is in possession of material, non-public information.   It includes officers, directors and employees of a company and may include friends, family members and other persons who may have acquired the information directly or indirectly from an insider.   In addition, a person can be a "temporary insider" if he or she enters into a special confidential relationship in the conduct of a company's affairs and, as a result, is given access to information solely for the company's purposes.   A temporary insider can include, among others, a company's attorneys, accountants, consultants, bank lending officers, and the employees of such organizations.   

 

What is Material Information?


Trading on non-public information is not a basis for liability unless the information is material.   While there is no absolute standard for “materiality,” “material information” generally includes information that a reasonable investor would consider relevant in making investment decisions and information that is reasonably certain to have a substantial effect on the price of a company's securities, regardless of whether the information is related directly to the company's business.   The test for materiality does not require proof of a substantial likelihood that disclosure of the omitted fact would have caused the reasonable investor to act on such information, but rather it need only be demonstrated that the disclosure of such a fact "would have been viewed by the reasonable investor as having significantly altered the ‘total mix’ of information made available."  Information can be material even if it was not the reason that the investor decided to buy, sell or hold securities.


Information that officers, directors, employees, and other associated persons should consider material includes, but is not limited to: dividend changes, earnings estimates, changes in previously released earnings estimates, significant merger or acquisition proposals or agreements, major litigation, liquidity problems, and extraordinary management developments concerning public issuers.   This list is not exhaustive and, depending upon the circumstances, other information can be "material." Information concerning the Firm’s holdings or transactions on behalf of clients may also be material non-public information.   You should always treat information as "material" if you have any reason to believe that it may be important.  When in doubt call the General Counsel, the Chief Compliance Officer or the designee for advice.  

 

What is Non-Public Information?

Information is non-public until it has been effectively communicated to the investment community in general by the issuer of the securities through recognized channels.   For example, information found in a report filed with the SEC, or appearing in Dow Jones, Reuters Economic Services, The Wall Street Journal or other publications of general circulation would be considered public information.   


Confidentiality

Information regarding advice furnished by the Firm to its Clients, nonpublic data furnished to the Firm by any Client, work product of the Firm's investment and trading staffs and other proprietary data and information concerning the Firm (including, but not limited to, its investment positions, assets under management, buy and sell programs, performance record and former, existing and potential clients), is the exclusive property of the Firm.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Firm and its Employees owe certain fiduciary duties to its Clients.   From time to time, and in accordance with such fiduciary duties, Employees may deem it to be in the best interest of Clients to disclose proprietary information relating to the Firm and/or the Funds to other market professionals including: senior executives of both publicly traded and private companies, other hedge fund managers, investment bankers, research analysts, sales traders, paid consultants and other unaffiliated third parties (collectively, “other market professionals”).


The aforementioned policies with regard to the restriction and prohibition on the disclosure of the Firm’s proprietary information are not in any way intended to prevent the following types of activities, among others, that may be undertaken by the Firm’s employees from time to time (and that the Chief Compliance Officer has determined are appropriate) in order to fulfill the Firm’s fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the Funds:


·

Discussion of general market events and the merits of investing in specific securities with other market professionals;

·

Attendance at idea dinners with other market professionals

·

Speaking with current and/or former employees of public companies that Clients are invested in and/or where the Firm is contemplating an investment;

·

Attendance at industry events (e.g.  broker-dealer sponsored conferences) to gain access to the management of companies that Clients are invested in and/or where the Firm is contemplating investments for Clients; and

·

Retention of other market professionals (e.g., paid consultants) to provide general and specific market advice with regard to investing in securities and other investments.


Employees in possession of the Firm’s proprietary information may not use it for the benefit of any person other than the Firm and its Clients.   However, employees are reminded that any use of the Firm’s proprietary information must be carried out in accordance with the Firm’s Code of Ethics.

Penalties for Insider Trading

The U.S. securities laws impose potentially onerous civil and criminal penalties on persons who improperly obtain or use material, non-public information in connection with a purchase or sale of securities, including disclosing such information to others to enable those persons to trade in stock of the applicable company.   A person can be subject to some or all of the penalties described below even if he or she does not personally benefit from the activities surrounding the violation.   Possible penalties include: civil injunctions; treble damages; disgorgement of profits; jail sentences and fines of up to three times the profit gained or loss avoided, whether or not the person actually benefited financially.


In addition to the penalties imposed directly upon the person making the illegal trade, civil and criminal penalties for illegal use of inside information can also be imposed upon the officers and directors of a company for failing to prevent corporate employees from engaging in such securities law violations.   The U.S.  securities laws provide that any "controlling person," which includes employers, directors, executive officers and principal stockholders, may be liable for civil penalties if the controlling person both (i) knew or recklessly disregarded the fact that the employee was likely to engage in a violation and (ii) failed to take appropriate steps to prevent that violation before it occurred.   Civil penalties for persons who control violators can equal the greater of $1,000,000 or three times the profit gained or losses avoided.   Employers may also be subject to criminal penalties of up to $2,500,000 for insider trading violations committed by its employees.   Separate penalties may be imposed on the Firm or its senior officers for failure to supervise employees who engage in insider trading.   


A violation of the Firm’s Insider Trading Policy can also be expected to result in serious sanctions by the Firm, including dismissal of the persons involved.


Insider Trading Policy Procedures

The following procedures have been established to aid the Covered Persons of the Firm in avoiding insider trading.   Failure to follow these procedures may result in dismissal, regulatory sanctions and criminal penalties.  


A.   Identify Inside Information

Before trading or making investment recommendations for yourself or others, including funds or private accounts managed by the Firm, in the securities of a company about which you may have potential insider information, ask yourself the following questions:

1.

 Is the information you have material?  Is this information that a reasonable investor would consider relevant in making an investment decision?  Is this information that would substantially affect the market price of the securities if generally disclosed?  Would this information have been viewed by a reasonable investor as having significantly altered the total mix of available information?


2.

 Is the information non-public?  To whom has this information been provided?  Has the information been effectively communicated to the market place by being published in publications of general circulation?  Has the information been provided pursuant to an expectation of confidentiality?  Is the source of the information under a duty to maintain its confidentiality?


B.   Dealing with Inside Information

If, after consideration of the above, you believe the information is material and non-public, or if further questions arise as to whether you believe the information is material and non-public, the following procedures shall be followed:

 

1.   

Report the matter immediately to the General Counsel, the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee.

 

2.   

Do not discuss the information in public places where it can be overheard such as elevators, restaurants and airports.

 

3.   

Do not read confidential documents in public places or discard them where they can be retrieved by others.

 

4.   

Do not purchase, sell or recommend securities on behalf of yourself or others, including accounts managed by the Firm.

 

5.   

Do not communicate the information inside or outside of the Firm (including to family members and friends) other than to the Legal/Compliance Department of the Firm.

 

6.   

Refrain from responding if any inquiry is addressed to you concerning your potential knowledge of inside information until after consulting the Legal/Compliance Department.

 

7.   

After the Legal/Compliance Department has reviewed the issue, you will be instructed as to the proper course of action to take.


Paid Consultant Policies and Procedures


As part of the research and investment process, Employees may conduct calls or meetings with paid consultants referred by third parties (e.g., Gerson Lehrman Group, Vista Research, etc.).   These consultants may range from independent research analysts, retired personnel, or employees working in the relevant industry.


While it is permissible to utilize consultants as part of the research process, we must be particularly sensitive about the information that these consultants provide.   Accordingly, the Firm has adopted the following procedures which must be adhered to by all employees with regard to their contact and interaction with paid consultants:


Procedures


1.

Prior to the commencement of a phone call or meeting with a paid consultant where it is anticipated that substantive information will be discussed, the Employee must inform such consultant that:


(i) the Firm actively invests in the public securities markets, (ii) the purpose of speaking with such consultant is to obtain his/her independent insight as it relates to a particular industry, sector or company and (iii) such consultant should not share any material non-public information or confidential information that he/she may have a duty to keep confidential or that you otherwise should not disclose.   The Employee should also confirm with such consultant that he/she will not be violating any agreement, duty or obligation such consultant may have with any employer or other institution.

  

2.

If the Employee believes that there is a high or increased risk that material non-public or confidential information could be discussed during a call or meeting with a paid consultant (e.g., call with the senior executive of a public company), then the Employee will ask the Chief Compliance Officer, General Counsel or their designee to participate in the call or meeting.


3.

Employees are prohibited from discussing information about the company that employs the paid consultant.   


4.

Employees are required to keep notes (electronic or hard copy) of their discussions with paid consultants.   Notes should, at a minimum, include the following information:


a.

Date of discussion

b.

Name of Employee

c.

Name of Paid Consultant

d.

Referred by (e.g.  GLG, Vista, etc)

e.

Summary of the discussion(s)


5.

In the event that the Firm or its employees learn or have reason to suspect that they have been provided with a) confidential or material non-public information and/or b) information that a consultant furnishes to the Firm or its employees in violation of a duty of trust or confidence to any person, then the Chief Compliance Officer or General Counsel shall immediately notify the research group that provided access to such respective consultant.   In addition, depending upon the facts and circumstances of each situation, the Chief Compliance Officer or General Counsel may solicit the advice of outside counsel as it relates to a particular issue and/or decide to restrict both the firm and its employees from trading in the securities of a particular issuer(s).


On a periodic and as needed basis, but no less frequently than annually, the General Counsel and/or Chief Compliance Officer shall seek to obtain information from its research groups (i.e. notes) in order to assist with the monitoring of communications and control of interactions between Employees and the paid consultants.   The notes will be periodically reviewed by the Chief Compliance Officer, General Counsel, or their designee(s).


E.

Serving as Officers, Trustees and/or Directors of Outside Organizations


Employees may, under certain circumstances, be granted permission to serve as directors, trustees or officers of outside organizations by completing Attachment F (Conflicts of Interest Questionnaire). 2 These organizations can include public or private corporations, partnerships, charitable foundations and other not-for-profit institutions.   Employees may also receive compensation for such activities.


At certain times, the Firm may determine that it is in its Clients’ best interests for an Employee(s) to serve as an officer or on the board of directors of an outside organization.  For example, a company held in Clients’ portfolios may be undergoing a reorganization that may affect the value of the company’s outstanding securities and the future direction of the company.   Service with organizations outside of the Firm can, however, raise serious regulatory issues and concerns, including conflicts of interest and access to material non-public information.   As an outside board member or officer, an Employee may come into possession of material non-public information about the outside company or other public companies.  


Similarly, the Firm may have a business relationship with the outside organization or may seek a relationship in the future.  In those circumstances, the Employee must not be involved in the decision to retain or hire the outside organization.


Employees are prohibited from engaging in outside activities without the prior written approval of the Chief Compliance Officer.   Approval will be granted on a case-by-case basis, subject to proper resolution of potential conflicts of interest.  Outside activities will be approved only if any conflict of interest issues can be satisfactorily resolved and all of the necessary disclosures are made on Part II of Form ADV.  


F.           Diversion of Firm Business or Investment Opportunity


No Employee may acquire, or receive personal gain or profit from, any business opportunity that comes to his or her attention as a result of his or her association with the Firm and in which he or she knows the Firm might be expected to participate or have an interest, without disclosing in writing all necessary facts to the Chief Compliance Officer, offering the particular opportunity to the Firm, and obtaining written authorization to participate from the Chief Compliance Officer.


Any personal or family interest of an Employee in any Firm business activity or transaction of the Firm must be immediately disclosed to the Chief Compliance Officer.   For example, if an Employee becomes aware that a transaction being considered or undertaken by the Firm may benefit, either directly or indirectly, an Employee or a family member thereof, the Employee must immediately disclose this possibility to the Chief Compliance Officer.


Employees may use Attachment G to inform the Chief Compliance Officer of any of the issues noted in this discussion.


G.

 Loans


No Employee may borrow from or become indebted to, any person, business or company having business dealings or a relationship with the Firm, except with respect to customary personal loans (e.g., home mortgage loans, automobile loans, lines of credit, etc.), unless the arrangement is disclosed in writing and receives prior approval from the Chief Compliance Officer and/or General Counsel.   No Employee may use the Firm’s name, position in a particular market or goodwill to receive any benefit on loan transactions without the prior express written consent of the Chief Compliance Officer and/or General Counsel.


H.  

Dealings with Government and Industry Regulators


The Firm forbids payments of any kind by it, its Employees or any agent or other intermediary to any government official, self-regulatory official, corporation or other similar person or entity, within the United States or abroad, for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business, or for the purpose of influencing favorable consideration of any application for a business activity or other matter.   This policy covers all types of payments, even to minor government officials and industry regulators, regardless of whether the payment would be considered legal under the circumstances.   This policy encourages Employees to avoid even the appearance of impropriety in their dealings with industry and government regulators and officials.


It is expected and required that all Employees fulfill their personal obligations to governmental and regulatory bodies.   Those obligations include the filing of appropriate federal, state and local tax returns, as well as the filing of any applicable forms or reports required by regulatory bodies.


All Employees are required to cooperate fully with management in connection with any internal or independent investigation and any claims, actions, arbitrations, litigations, investigations or inquiries brought by or against the Firm.   Employees are expected, if requested, to provide the Firm with reasonable assistance, including, but not limited to, meeting or consulting with the Firm and its representatives, reviewing documents, analyzing facts and appearing or testifying as witnesses or interviewees or otherwise.


I.

Political Contributions and Public Office


The following outlines the Firm’s policies with respect to political contributions and public office:


·

Employees may not make political contributions to any elected official, any candidate for office, or any political party in any state in the United States or any political subdivision thereof.  In addition, Employees may not solicit or coordinate campaign contributions from others for any elected official, any candidate for office, or any political party in any state in the United States, or any political subdivision thereof.  Employees may not pay a third party, such as a solicitor or placement agent, to solicit a government client on behalf of the Firm.  This prohibition does not apply to federal elections or volunteer activity.

·

Neither the Firm nor Employees are permitted to make any soft dollar contributions; and

·

Neither the Firm nor Employees can hold a public office if it in any way conflicts with the Firm’s business.


J.            Improper Use of Firm Property


No Employee may utilize property of the Firm or utilize the services of the Firm or Employees, for his or her personal benefit or the benefit of another person or entity, without approval of the Chief compliance Officer and General Counsel.   For this purpose, “property” means both tangible and intangible property, including the Firm and Employee funds, premises, equipment, supplies, information, business plans, business opportunities, confidential research, intellectual property or proprietary processes, and ideas for new research or services.


K.

Protection of the Firm’s Name


Employees should at all times be aware that the Firm’s name, reputation and credibility are valuable assets and must be safeguarded from any potential misuse.   Care should be exercised to avoid the unauthorized use of the Firm’s name in any manner that could be misinterpreted to indicate a relationship between the Firm and any other entity or activity.


L.        Employee Involvement in Litigation or Proceedings


Employees must advise the Chief Compliance Officer immediately if they become involved in or threatened with litigation or an administrative investigation or proceeding of any kind, are subject to any judgment, order or arrest, or are contacted by any regulatory authority.     


M.

Gifts and Entertainment


Employees’ Receipt of Business Meals, Tickets to Sporting Events and Other Entertainment - Employees may attend business meals, sporting events and other entertainment events at the expense of a giver, provided that the expense is reasonable, not lavish or extravagant in nature.   Employees are responsible for using their best judgment in determining “lavish” or “extravagant.” Employees should report their attendance at such lavish and extravagant events to the Chief Compliance Officer on Attachment H.   


Employees’ Receipt of Gifts - Employees must report their intent to accept gifts over $500 (either one single gift, or in aggregate on an annual basis) to the Chief Compliance Officer by completing Attachment H.   Reasonable gifts received on behalf of the Company shall not require reporting.   Examples of reasonable gifts include holiday gift baskets and lunches brought to the Firm’s offices by service providers.


The Firm’s Gift Giving Policy – The Firm and its Employees are prohibited from giving gifts that may be deemed as excessive, and must obtain approval to give all gifts in excess of $500 to any Client, prospective client or any individual or entity that the Firm is seeking to do business with.  


Gifts Given to Taft-Hartley Funds - Employees are reminded that notwithstanding this policy, since the Firm manages Taft-Hartley Clients, any gratuity provided by the Firm to labor unions or union representatives that have an “interest” in the Taft-Hartley Clients in excess of $250 per fiscal year are required to be reported on Attachment H and Department Labor Form LM-10 within 90 days following the end of the Firm’s fiscal year.   Accordingly, the Firm will monitor all gratuities as discussed and make the appropriate filings on DOL Form LM-10.   


The Chief Compliance Officer shall track all reportable entertainment and gifts via Attachment I.   


N.

Travel Expenses


Employees may charge to the Firm normal and reasonable travel and travel-related expenses incurred for the Firm’s business purpose.    Such expenses may include meals and incidentals, travel costs (air, train, etc.), lodging expenses, business phone calls and other miscellaneous travel-related expenses.   When incurring such expenses, Employees must use reasonable judgment and generally be aware of escalating travel costs.   While the Firm has not prescribed limits on such expenses, the Firm may reiterate its policy with Employees as necessary.


The Firm will pay for all travel and travel-related expenses to support an Employee’s attendance at conferences, company visits, etc.   In the event that any such expenses are included as part of the event (i.e.  a broker charters a jet for numerous investment firms, including the Firm, to visit a company, etc.), the Firm shall determine the approximate value of the expense and forward the third-party a reimbursement check.   The Firm has adopted this policy in order to avoid any perceived conflict of interest associated with our relationships with outside service providers.


O.

Disclosure


The Firm shall describe its Code of Ethics in Part II of Form ADV and, upon request, furnish Clients with a copy of the Code of Ethics.   All Client requests for the Firm’s Code of Ethics shall be directed to the Chief Compliance Officer.


P.

Recordkeeping


The Firm shall maintain records in the manner and to the extent set forth below, which records shall be available for appropriate examination by representatives of regulatory authorities or the Firm’s management.


·

A copy of this Code of Ethics and any other code which is, or at any time within the past five years has been, in effect shall be preserved in an easily accessible place;

·

A record of any violation of this Code of Ethics and of any action taken as a result of such  violation shall be preserved in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than five years following the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurs;

·

A record of all written acknowledgements (annual certifications) as required by the Manual for each person who is currently, or with the past five years was, an Employee of the Firm.

·

A copy of each report made pursuant to this Code of Ethics by an Employee, including any information provided in lieu of reports, shall be preserved by the Firm for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which the report is made or the information is provided, the first two years in an easily accessible place;

·

A list of all persons who are, or within the past five years have been, required to make reports pursuant to this Code of Ethics, or who are or were responsible for  reviewing  these reports, shall be maintained in an easily accessible place;

·

The Firm shall preserve a record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, to approve the acquisition of any Private Placement or IPO by Employees for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which the approval is granted, the first two years in an easily accessible place.


Q.

Responsibilities


The Chief Compliance Officer and/or his designee(s) will be responsible for administering the Code of Ethics, subject to oversight by the Company’s General Counsel.   All questions regarding the policy should be directed to the Chief Compliance Officer or General Counsel.   All Employees must acknowledge their receipt and understanding of the Code of Ethics upon commencement of their employment.


AGREEMENT TO ABIDE BY CODE OF ETHICS



By affixing my signature below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand Crow Point Partners’ Code of Ethics (the “Code”), most recently dated October 2009.

I further acknowledge that I am in compliance with the provisions of the Code and agree to remain in compliance with such provisions.

I understand that if I fail to comply with the provisions of the Code, I will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, including dismissal.



__________________________

PRINT NAME



___________________________

SIGNATURE



___________________________

DATE
















  Attachment A - Private Placement Offering & IPO Request and Reporting Form


Name of Issuer:

___________________________________


Type of Security:

___________________________________


Public Offering Date:

___________________________________

(for proposed IPO investments only)


By signing below, I certify and acknowledge the following:


1.

I am not investing in this Private Placement or IPO to profit improperly from my position as a Crow Point Partners Employee;


2.

The investment opportunity did not arise by virtue of my activities on behalf of a Crow Point Partners client; and


3.

To the best of my knowledge, no Crow Point Partners Clients have any foreseeable interest in purchasing this security.


4.

If I am seeking to invest in an unregistered investment fund, the investment strategy pursued by the fund is dissimilar from the investment strategy generally pursued by Crow Point Partners.

.   

Furthermore, by signing below, I certify that I have read the Crow Point Partners Code of Ethics and believe that the proposed trade fully complies with the requirements of this policy.   I understand Crow Point Partners reserves the right to direct me to rescind a trade even if approval is granted.   I also understand that a violation of this policy will be grounds for disciplinary action or dismissal and may also be a violation of federal and/or state securities laws.   I have provided all offering materials related to this proposed investment to the Chief Compliance Officer and/or General Counsel at their request.


Date:

_____________

Signature:

___________________________________


Print Name:

___________________________________








Compliance Manual – Crow Point Partners, LLC

Page



Attachment B - Sample Brokerage Letter



<DATE>


<NAME OF CUSTODIAN>

<ADDRESS>

<CITY, STATE ZIP>


Re:

Account No.

_______________________________


Account Name

_______________________________



Dear <NAME>,


As of <DATE>, please send to the undersigned a duplicate confirmation of each transaction in the above named account and monthly brokerage account statements for the above named account.


Please mail the confirmations and account statements to:


Crow Point Partners, LLC

Attn: James B.  Craver, Chief Compliance Officer

10 New Driftway, Suite 203

Scituate, MA 02066-4546

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to give me a call at (xxx) xxx-xxxx.   Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.


Sincerely,




<Name>


cc:

<Name>


Compliance Manual – Crow Point Partners, LLC

Page



Attachment C - Quarterly Reporting Form

QUARTERLY REPORTING FORM (TRANSACTIONS)

REPORTING EMPLOYEE_________________________________________


FOR QUARTER ENDED: _________________________________________

In accordance with Crow Point Partners’ Code of Ethics, please provide a list of all reportable securities transactions that have occurred during the previous calendar quarter in any account in which you maintain a pecuniary interest.   Reportable securities include interests in private investment funds (including those managed by Crow Point Partners).




Number of Shares

Security Name

Type (e.g., equity;

fixed income)

Ticker or

CUSIP

Principal Amount

Buy (acquire)/ Sell (dispose)

Interest rate/ maturity

Price

Date

Broker, Dealer or Bank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DELIVER TO THE CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE END OF EACH CALENDAR QUARTER.

USE ADDITIONAL SHEETS IF NECESSARY.


____________________________________________

Print Name



Signature

Date



           

QUARTERLY REPORTING FORM (NEW ACCOUNTS)


REPORTING EMPLOYEE___________________________________


FOR QUARTER ENDED _________________________________________


In accordance with the Firm’s Code of Ethics, please provide a list of all accounts that have opened during the previous calendar quarter in which you maintain a beneficial interest.   Reportable securities include interests in private investment funds.


Name of Broker, Dealer or Bank

Account Title

Account Number

Date of Account Establishment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


I certify that this form fully discloses all of the newly opened accounts in which I have a beneficial interest.   


____________________________________________

Print Name



Signature

Date







Attachment D - Initial Reporting Form (Securities Accounts)



Employee

_______________________________________________ (Print Name)


Information submitted current as of ______________________________ (Date)


In accordance with the Firm’s Code of Ethics, please provide a list of all securities accounts in which you have a beneficial interest.   Note that this includes accounts of immediate family members living in your household.


Name of Broker, Dealer or Bank

Account Title

Account Number

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


I certify that this form fully discloses all of the securities accounts in which I have a beneficial interest.   




Signature

Date
















Attachment D - Initial Reporting Form (Securities)


In accordance with the Firm’s Code of Ethics, please provide a list of all reportable securities in which you have a beneficial interest.   This includes securities held by broker/dealers and other custodians, at your home, in safe deposit boxes, and by an issuer.   Securities held in accounts over which the access person had no direct or indirect influence or control do not need to be reported.


Number of Shares (if applicable)

Security Name

Type

(e.g., equity;

Fixed income)

Ticker or

CUSIP

(if applicable)

Principal Amount (if applicable)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use additional sheets as necessary.


I certify that this form fully discloses all of the reportable securities in which I have a beneficial interest.   Nothing in this report should be construed as an admission that the person making the report has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the securities contained in this report.



Signature

Date













Attachment E - Annual Reporting Forms (Securities Accounts)


Employee

_______________________________________________ (Print Name)


Information submitted current as of __________________________ (Date)


In accordance with the Firm’s Code of Ethics, please provide a list of all securities accounts in which you have a beneficial interest.   Note that this includes accounts of immediate family members living in your household.


Name of Broker, Dealer or Bank

Account Title

Account Number

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


I certify that this form fully discloses all of the securities accounts in which I have a beneficial interest.



Signature

Date
















In accordance with the Firm’s Code of Ethics, please provide a list of all securities in which you have a beneficial interest.   This includes reportable securities held by broker/dealers and other custodians, at your home, in safe deposit boxes, and by an issuer.   Securities held in accounts over which the access person had no direct or indirect influence or control do not need to be reported.


Number of Shares

(if applicable)

Security Name

Type

(e.g., equity;

Fixed income)

Ticker or

CUSIP

(if applicable)

Principal Amount

(if applicable)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use additional sheets as necessary.


I certify that this form fully discloses all of the securities in which I have a beneficial interest.   Nothing in this report should be construed as an admission that the person making the report has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the securities contained in this report.



Signature

Date











Attachment F - Conflicts Questionnaire Supplement


The Firm is required to monitor Employee circumstances, which may pose a potential conflict with our management of Accounts and Funds (including Fund investors).   Please complete this questionnaire and disclose the required information.   In addition, we will ask for a recertification of the information contained in the questionnaire annually.    You also must provide any changes to the information promptly to the Chief Compliance Officer.

A.

Please disclose the requested information for any entity (including any commercial business or not-for-profit organization) other than the Firm in which, or from which, you (1) receive compensation; (2) take an active role in making management decisions; (3) serve as an officer, director, member or general partner; or (4) provide any advice about investments.

 

Name of Entity :

Nature of Affiliation or Title :

Public Company

1.


___________________________


___________________________


Yes/No

2.


___________________________


___________________________


Yes/No

3.


___________________________


___________________________


Yes/No

4.


___________________________


___________________________


Yes/No

5.


___________________________


___________________________


Yes/No


None __________

 

 


B.

Please disclose whether your spouse or any immediate family member currently conducts business or works for an entity that conducts business with the Firm.

Describe:

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

None __________

C.

Please disclose whether your spouse or any immediate family member currently works for a public company.

Describe:

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

None __________



D.

The following individuals are my family members that work at broker/dealers and/or companies in which The Firm conducts or seeks to conduct business:


____________

Not Applicable (I am not aware of any family members that work at broker/dealers and/or companies in which The Firm conducts or seeks to conduct business)


Broker-Dealer/Company

Family Member

Role


______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________


Please note that these questions are intended to be broad in scope.   If you have any questions as to whether any particular arrangement or relationship should be disclosed on this form, please consult the Chief Compliance Officer.



Signature:   _________________________

Print Name:  ________________________

Date:   _____________________________


                                                             








Attachment G  - Miscellaneous Reporting Under The Code Of Ethics


Employees may utilize this attachment to report any disclosures/seek any approvals as specified by various provisions of the Code of Ethics.


____________________________________________________________________________________



____________________________________________________________________________________



____________________________________________________________________________________



____________________________________________________________________________________



Print Name:  

__________________________________________________________



Signature:

__________________________________________________________



Date:

__________________________________________________________









Attachment H - Gift And Entertainment Report


Employee(s) Receiving/Giving the Gift/Entertainment:


____________________________________________________________________________________


Describe the Gift/Entertainment:  


____________________________________________________________________________________



Approximate Total Dollar Amount of Gift/Entertainment:  $____________________________________


Receiver/Giver of the Gift/Entertainment:   


____________________________________________________________________________________


Is the Receiver of the Gift/Entertainment an Individual or Entity that is associated with a Taft-Hartley Fund?


Yes _________

         No __________

 

Has Employee Received/Given Additional Gifts/Entertainment from Receiver/Giver within the Past 12 Months?  If Yes, list the Gifts/Entertainment received/given and the approximate Value of the Gifts/Entertainment:


____________________________________________________________________________________


Relationship of Receiver/Giver to The Firm and/or Employee(s):  


____________________________________________________________________________________


Reason (if known) the Gift/Entertainment will be given by/given to The Firm and/or Employee(s):  


____________________________________________________________________________________



Signature: ______________________________________________      

Date: ____________________

















Attachment I - Employee Gift/Entertainment Log


Date

Employee Giving/Receiving Gift/Entertainment

Description of Gift/Entertainment




Approximate Dollar Amount of Gift/Entertainment

Receiver/Giver of Gift/Entertainment

Relationship of Receiver/Giver to The Firm and/or Employee

Reason Gift/Entertainment was given by/given to The Firm and/or Employee

Compliance Approval (Yes/No)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  YES         NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  YES         NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  YES         NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  YES         NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  YES         NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  YES         NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  YES         NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  YES         NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  YES         NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  YES         NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  YES         NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  YES         NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  YES         NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  YES         NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  YES         NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  YES         NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  YES         NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  YES         NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  YES         NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  YES         NO









APPENDIX B - COMPLIANCE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM



I acknowledge that I have received the Firm’s compliance manual, including the attached appendices (the “ Manual ”), dated October 2009.  In addition, I have read and understand the relevant portions of this Manual and all appendices applicable to my position with the Firm, including specifically the Firm’s:


____________ Code of Ethics ( Appendix A to this Manual)

(Please initial)


In addition, I have completed, signed and dated the “Conflicts Questionnaire Supplement”, as well as the annual (or initial) holdings report attached to the Code of Ethics.


If I had any questions concerning the policies and procedures described in this Manual and my responsibilities under those policies and procedures, I have raised them with the Chief Compliance Officer and received satisfactory answers to my questions.  I understand that any violations(s) of the policies and procedures set forth in the Manual are grounds for immediate disciplinary action, including termination of employment, and may constitute a violation of applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.  I certify that I have complied with, and affirm that I will continue to comply with, all applicable policies and procedures in this Manual.





Signature: _________________________


Print Name: ________________________


Date: _____________________________






Chief Compliance Offer to check this box if this form is completed as an initial acknowledgement.








APPENDIX C - EMPLOYEE CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT


_________________, 200__



To: Crow Point Partners, LLC


Ladies and Gentlemen:


You have informed me in connection with my employment with Crow Point Partners, LLC (the “Company") that the business of the Company and all information related thereto, including the Company’s clients and prospects and all information relating thereto, systems, procedures, administrative practices and investment activities and methodology (the "Information"), are highly confidential and sensitive in nature, and may be proprietary and in some respects unique, and that any disclosure of the Information could cause severe competitive injury and harm to the Company.  Additionally, in the course of my employment I may develop or be involved in developing certain business-related ideas, products and materials, licenses, trademarks, copyrights, and the like ("Developmental Property"), including Developmental Property based on existing products or services of the Company, and I hereby acknowledge and agree that all Developmental Property shall be and shall remain solely the property of the Company.


Additionally, I have received, read and agree to be bound by the Company’s Corporate Policy Guideline with respect to the acceptable use of the Company’s email/Internet system (the “Internet System”), and recognize and understand that the Company’s Internet System is to be used solely for conducting business for and on behalf of the Company.  I further understand that the use of the Internet System for private purposes or any other purposes which are deemed unacceptable by the Company is strictly prohibited, and expressly consent to the monitoring by the Company of my use of the Internet System.


In consideration of your employment of me, the benefits of which I readily acknowledge, I agree to keep secret and confidential all Information I receive during or in connection with my employment with the Company.  I will not use or disclose any Information or Developmental Property to any outside person or entity, except at the Company’s direct instructions and in the Company’s best interests, and I will not at any time remove from the Company’s premises any files, books, records, correspondence or other papers or documents containing Information or Developmental Property, nor make any copies of the foregoing, except as required to perform my service as an employee of the Company.


It is also agreed and understood that any intentional breach of this Agreement will result in my immediate dismissal as an employee of the Company.  In addition, in consideration of my employment and access to Information and Developmental Property, I agree and acknowledge that the Company will be entitled as liquidated damages to any fees or other income received by me (or anyone I may become associated with in the future) for the period ending three years after termination of my employment, as a result of my use or misappropriation of Information or Developmental Property in breach of this Agreement, and that the Company may seek injunctive relief against my continued violation of this Agreement in any court having jurisdiction or pursue other remedies available to them.


Very truly yours,


_______________________________

(Signature)


_______________________________

(Print Full Name)


_______________________________

(Date)

-












APPENDIX D - PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES


It is the policy of Crow Point Partners, LLC to vote proxies in the interest of maximizing value for our clients.  Proxies are an asset of a client, which should be treated by us with the same care, diligence, and loyalty as any asset belonging to a client.  To that end, we will vote in a way that it believes, consistent with our fiduciary duty, will cause the value of the security to increase the most or decline the least.  Consideration will be given to both the short and long term implications of the proposal to be voted on when considering the optimal vote.


GENERAL POLICIES WITH RESPECT TO SPECIFIC PROPOSALS


As a general matter, and consistent with our fiduciary responsibilities to act solely in the interest of plan participants and beneficiaries, we will generally vote FOR the following proposals if we believe they are in the best interests of our Clients.  Additional considerations effecting the decision to vote for are listed below:


a.  

Election of management slate of directors – consider board independence as well as long term performance of the directors and the company.

In voting on entire Board:

(i) 2/3 of the Directors should be independent (have only one connection to the corporation which is the directorship or if the person is a rank and file employee).  A director is defined as independent if he or she has only one nontrivial connection to the corporation, that of his or her directorship or is a rank and file employee.  A director generally will not be considered independent if currently or previously employed by the Company or an affiliate in an executive capacity; if employed by a present or former auditor of the Company in the past five years; if employed by a firm that is one of the Company’s paid advisors or consultants; if employed by a customer or supplier with a nontrivial business relationship; if employed by a foundation or university that receives grants or endowments from the Company; if the person has any personal services contract with the Company; if related to an executive or director of the Company; or if an officer of a firm on which the Company’s chairman or chief executive officer also is a board member.

(ii) Consider company’s long-term value growth as judged by performance indicators.

(iii) Consider actions taken by the Board that may not be in the Company’s long term best interest i.e.  awarding themselves excessive compensation.

(iv) Consider the Board’s responsiveness to shareholder concerns – proposals.

In voting on individual Directors:

(i) Committees – Audit, Nominating and Compensation may be required to be 100% composed of independent directors.  This should be considered and vote against non-independent director nominee serving on these committees.  Also consider performance of committees i.e.  approving excessive compensation, failing to address auditor conflicts).

(ii) Attendance at 75% of meetings or withhold vote.

(iii) If the Director is employed full time – service on no more than 3 public company Boards.  If retired, no more than five public

company Boards.

Contested Elections: consider Board independence, background of proxy contest, evaluate the competing strategic corporate plans,

impact on constituents and equity ownership of individual directors.

b.

Appointment of auditors – vote for unless any of the following factors, then vote against ratification:

(i) We determine that there is a change in auditors from prior years and the cause is a disagreement between the terminated auditor

and the company on a matter of accounting principles and practices.

(ii) Auditor provides advice on tax avoidance strategies (see tax services in proxy) where we believe this may put auditor in role of

advocate for the Company.

(iii) Fees for non-audit services are more than 20% of all fees, we should be concerned.

(iv) The Company has had the same auditor for more than seven years.

c.  

Cumulative voting.

d.  

Profit sharing/remuneration plans.

e.  

Pension/retirement plans.

f.  

Authorization of new securities if there is no intent to unduly dilute shareholder's proportionate interest, reverse stock splits.

(i) Common stock - support if reasonable and management provides persuasive justification.  Vote against increase of existing

authorization by more than 50%.

(ii) Preferred stock – approve unless Board has unlimited rights to set the terms and conditions of the shares.

(iii) Support reverse stock split if management provides reasonable justification.

(iv) Vote against issuance of new classes of stock with unequal voting rights (dual class voting).

g.  

Acquisition of property

h.

 Asset restructuring

i.  

Option/incentive plans and revisions thereof.

(i) Support if performance-based (includes premium price –strike price of 100 % + of fair market value on date of grant or linked to

market or industry stock price index).

(ii) Support expensing of stock options.

(iii) Plan should not exceed an annual stock option grant rate of 1% of shares outstanding to senior executives.

(iv)Vote against a plan that does not prohibit repricing of underwater stock options with new unless Company has a policy against

repricing.

(v) Vote against proposal if total dilution of outstanding voting power or shareholders’ equity is

greater than 10%

(vi) Vote against reloading (to replace options which have been exercised).

(vii) Oppose plans where more than 10% of option shares were issued to the top five executives in the last year.

(viii) Vote for plans where the executive is required to hold a substantial portion of the award while at the Company i.e.  75% of their

equity compensation awards, including shares from option exercises.

(ix) Support performance-vesting restricted stock (as opposed to time-lapsing) provided amount of stock granted is reasonable in

proportion to the executive’s total compensation.  Executive should be required to hold while at the Company.

j.  

Compensation plans and revisions thereof

(i) Base compensation should be reasonable - minimum necessary for retention and recruitment.

(ii) Variable compensation - support plans that use explicit operating performance benchmarks i.e.  improving EPS.

(iii) Executive perks and benefits.  – support greater disclosure and oversight; vote against benefits to executives that exceed that which

is offered to other employees.

(iv) Golden parachutes – support shareholder approval of them.  Vote to eliminate severance package for any senior executive which

provides for benefits not generally offered to other Company employees.  Severance plan or stock option “change in control” vesting   feature should be contingent upon completion of merger rather than lesser standard of shareholder approval.

(v) Outside Director Compensation – significant proportion should be stock and subject to reasonable holding requirements.

(vi) Oppose management proposal to issue tracking stock to reflect performance of a particular business segment.

k.

 Increasing indebtedness within prudent limits.

l.  

Anti-greenmail amendments

m.  

Preemptive rights

n.  

Employee related proposals – employee stock purchase plan and high-performance workplace practices (if we conclude in shareholders’

best interests and do not unduly interfere with the Company’s operation).  Employees should have pension choice defined benefit vs.    cash-balance plans.

o.

 Fair-Price Provisions

p.  

Shareholder proposals.

(i) Adoption of codes or policies based on the United Nations’ International Labor Organization’s

Fundamental Conventions (ILO) (freedom of association, equality, abolition of forced (convict) and child

labor and standard supplier resolutions not to do business with suppliers that use forced, child labor etc).

-

(ii) Reports on human rights.

(iii) Environmental issues – adoption of CERES principles (that encourage Company to protect the environment and health and safety of

its employees)

(iv) EEO – proposals for reports on diversity in the workplace if there are no arbitrary or

unreasonable goals or require the Company to hire people who are unqualified for their position.  Support

sexual orientation anti-bias position.  Diversity – women and minority group Board members.

(v) Proposals for reports on financial institutions fair-lending compliance practices.

(vi) Proposals seeking review of business strategies that may present a significant risk to long term corporate value (if the review does

not impose undue costs on the Company).

(vii) Analyst independence from investment banking business (IPO allocation) and sell-side research.

(viii) Proposals that provide access to proxy statement to advance non-management candidates unless the access right could be used to

promote hostile takeovers.

(ix) Proposal to separate Chairman and CEO – to require an independent Director (who has not been an executive) to be Chairman of the

Board if there is no separation, support proposal to establish a lead independent Director.

(x) Proposals for greater Board and Auditor independence (i.e.  audit firm rotation, limit or prohibit non-audit services).

(xi) Proposals asking for additional disclosure of the role of the Board in developing business.

(xii) Proposals that seek greater confidential voting (this does not apply to proxy vote disclosure after the meeting).



As a general matter, and consistent with our fiduciary responsibilities to act solely in the interest of

plan participants and beneficiaries, we will generally vote AGAINST the following proposals if we

believe they are not in the best interests of our Clients:




a.  

Easing standards of indemnification for directors or corporate officers.
b.

 Staggered terms for directors; term limits.

c.  

Authorizations of new securities if intent appears to be to unduly dilute stockholder's proportionate interest.

d.  

Poison pill/anti-takeover measures that do not require submission to the Board every three years.

e.  

Re-incorporation in the State of Delaware if intent is to protect management and directors.

f.  

Elimination of waivers of preemptive rights.

g.

 Alteration of voting provisions; proportionate ratio of number of shares per vote if not in the best interest of shareholders.

h.

 Fair price provisions/amendments.

i.  

Granting of stock options to non-employee directors.

j.  

Proposals to change the state of incorporation where the effect could be to reduce shareholder's rights to participate in the decision-

making process or present other risks that outweigh benefits.  This is also applicable to reincorporation in other countries, particularly   offshore tax havens.  Vote against unless:

(i) Criteria for supporting - Company makes compelling case and the proposal will not harm or weaken shareholder rights or lessen

management accountability; will contribute quantifiable benefits to Company’s long term value and not adversely impact Company’s   employees and communities where they live.

(ii) Vote against reincorporation in offshore tax haven or to limit Director liability or as takeover defense.

k.

 Supermajority voting requirements.

l.  

Board size – to be less than five or more than 15.

m

Limit or eliminating the Shareholders’ right to call Special Meetings and act by Written Consent without a meeting if provided for in the

By-Laws.

n.

 Approving other business.



As a general matter, and consistent with our fiduciary responsibilities to act solely in the interest of our Clients, we will vote on issues such as mergers and reorganizations on a case by case basis taking into account the following factors:


a.

 Impact of the merger on long-term corporate value, including the prospects of the combined  companies.

b.  

Anticipated financial and operating benefits.

c.  

Offer price (cost vs.  premium).

d.  

How the deal was negotiated.

e.  

Changes in corporate governance and their impact on shareholder rights.

f.  

Impact on key constituents at both companies, including employees and communities..


Conflicts of Interest


Crow Point Partners, LLC realizes that due to the difficulty of predicting and identifying all material conflicts, it must rely on its Employees to notify the Chief Compliance Officer or General Counsel of any material conflict that may impair our ability to vote proxies in an objective manner.  In addition, the General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, or their designee(s) will reasonably try to assess any material conflicts between our interests and those of our clients with respect to proxy voting.  The following is a non-exhaustive list of potential conflicts of interest that could influence the proxy voting process:

Conflict: Crow Point Partners retains an institutional client, or is in the process of retaining an institutional client that is affiliated with an issuer that is held in the Firm’s client portfolios.  For example, the Firm may be retained to manage Company A’s pension fund.  Company A is a public company and the Firm client accounts hold shares of Company A.  This type of relationship may influence the Firm to vote with management on proxies to gain favor with management.  Such favor may influence Company A’s decision to continue its advisory relationship with the Firm.


Conflict: Crow Point Partners retains a client, or is in the process of retaining a client that is an officer or director of an issuer that is held in the Firm’s client portfolios.  The similar conflicts of interest exist in this relationship as discussed above.


Conflict: Crow Point Partners’ Employees maintain a personal and/or business relationship(not an advisory relationship) with issuers or individuals that serve as officers or directors of issuers.  For example, the spouse of an Employee may be a high-level executive of an issuer that is held in Crow Point Partners’ client portfolios.  The spouse could attempt to influence Crow Point Partners to vote in favor of management.


Conflict: Crow Point Partners or an Employee(s) personally owns a significant number of an issuer’s securities that are also held in Crow Point Partners’ client portfolios.  For any number of reasons, an Employee(s) may seek to vote proxies in a different direction for his/her personal holdings than would otherwise be warranted by the proxy voting policy.  The Employee(s) could oppose voting the proxies according to the policy and successfully influence Crow Point Partners to vote proxies in contradiction to the policy.


Resolution: Upon the detection of a material conflict of interest, General Counsel has final decisionmaking authority regarding Crow Point Partners’ course of action for the proxy.  General Counsel’s determination will be based on maximizing value for Crow Point Partners’ clients.  In these instances, General Counsel will decide to either: 1) abstain from voting the proxy, or; 2) engage the services of an outside proxy voting service or consultant who will provide an independent recommendation on the direction in which Crow Point Partners should vote on the proposal.  If retained, the proxy voting service’s or consultant’s determination will be binding on Crow Point Partners.


Any attempts by others within Crow Point Partners to influence the voting of client proxies in a manner that is inconsistent with the proxy voting policy shall be reported to the Chief Compliance Officer.  Further, any attempts by persons or entitles outside Crow Point Partners to influence the voting of client proxies shall be reported to the Chief Compliance Officer.  The Chief Compliance Officer may then elect to report the attempt to legal counsel.

-

Procedures for Crow Point Partners’ Receipt of Class Actions


Crow Point Partners recognizes that as a fiduciary it has a duty to act with the highest obligation of good faith, loyalty, fair dealing and due care.  When a recovery is achieved in a class action, investors who owned shares in the company subject to the action have the option to either: (1) opt out of the class action and pursue their own remedy; or (2) participate in the recovery achieved via the class action.  Collecting the recovery involves the completion of a Proof of Claim form which is submitted to the Claims Administrator.  After the Claims Administrator receives all Proof of Claims, it dispenses the money from the settlement fund to those persons and entities with valid claims.

If “Class Action” documents are received by Crow Point Partners on behalf of its Funds, Crow Point

Partners will ensure that the Funds either participate in, or opt out of, any class action settlements received.  Crow Point Partners will determine if it is in the best interest of the Funds to recover monies from a class action.  The Portfolio Manager/Analyst covering the company will determine the action to be taken when receiving class action notices.  In the event Crow Point Partners opts out of a class action settlement, Crow Point Partners will maintain documentation of any cost/benefit analysis to support its decision.  


If “Class Action” documents are received by Crow Point Partners for a private client, i.e.  separate managed account, Crow Point Partners will gather any requisite information it has and forward to the client, to enable the client to file the “Class Action” at the client’s discretion.  The decision of whether to participate in the recovery or opt-out may be a legal one that Crow Point Partners is not qualified to make for the client.  Therefore, Crow Point Partners will not file “Class Actions” on behalf of any client.































APPENDIX E - PRIVACY STATEMENT


We recognize and appreciate the importance of respecting the privacy of our clients.  We are committed to safeguarding client information against unnecessary or unauthorized disclosure or access.  This Privacy Statement sets forth our current policies and practices with respect to non-public personal information of our clients and former clients.  Please be aware that we may change this policy periodically.  If we do, we will notify you.


We limit the collection, retention and use of individual client information to the minimum amount required to properly serve you and to meet regulatory requirements.  We may collect directly and from subscription documents, questionnaires or other forms non-public personal information about clients such as name, address, social security number, financial information and transactions with us and investment funds managed by us.


The law permits us to share and we will share your information described above with unaffiliated third parties that provide processing and support services on your behalf.  Otherwise, unless we have your consent, we will not share your personal information, except as provided by law.  For example, your information may be disclosed for audit purposes, to attorneys or other professionals, or to law enforcement or regulatory agencies.


We emphasize to our employees the confidential nature of client information and the high level of importance we place on maintaining confidentiality.  We restrict access to non-public personal information about you to those employees who need to know that information to provide products or services to you.  To the extent we outsource processing functions and support services to unaffiliated third parties, we limit the information available to them to information necessary or appropriate to offer such processing and support services.  We require that these third parties hold the information we provide in confidence subject to our security standards and only for approved purposes.


In addition to protecting your privacy, we are committed to keeping your non-public personal information secure.  To protect the non-public personal information of our clients, we maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal regulations.  Our service providers also maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal regulations to guard your non-public personal information.


We strive to maintain complete and accurate information about you.  If you ever believe our records contain inaccurate or incomplete information, please let us know immediately.  We will correct any inaccuracies as quickly as possible.


This notice complies with a federal law and SEC regulations regarding privacy.  You may have additional rights under other applicable domestic or foreign laws.









APPENDIX F - SOFT DOLLAR PROCEDURES


A.  Soft Dollars Generally


Section 28(e) provides a safe harbor to investment advisers who use commission dollars of their clients to obtain research and brokerage services.  The safe harbor provides that a person who exercises investment discretion with respect to an account shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached a fiduciary duty under state or federal law solely by reason of having caused an account to pay more to a broker/dealer than the lowest available commission if that person determines in good faith that the amount of the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the broker-dealer.  The standard for determining if brokerage and research services fall within the safe harbor is whether the product or service “provides lawful and appropriate assistance to the money manager in the performance of his/her investment decision-making responsibilities.” This determination pivots on whether the product or service aids the investment decision-making process instead of the general operation of the Firm.


In order to come within the safe harbor of Section 28(e) and other applicable regulatory requirements, several conditions must be met.  First, the services must be provided to a person who exercises investment discretion over the accounts paying the soft dollars.  Accordingly, brokerage transactions that are directed by an outside party ( e.g. , the client or plan fiduciary) would not come within the safe harbor.  Second, the services must be “brokerage and research” services which are defined by Section 28(e) to include any service which:

·

furnishes advice, either directly or indirectly or through publications or writings, as to the value of a security, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling a security, and the availability of the security or purchasers/sellers of the security;

·

furnishes analysis and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of accounts; or

·

effects securities transactions and performs functions incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement, custody) or required in connection with the rules of the SEC or a self-regulatory organization.

-

B.  The Firm’s Three-Step Approach


The Firm follows a three-step process to determine whether a product or service should be classified as “research” under Section 28(e):

·

Define the Product or Service.  The Firm will define the product or service to be purchased with client brokerage.  In most instances, the product or service is clearly defined ( e.g. , an industry report).  However, many products and services consist of difference components that are related only to the ability of the product or service to assist the Firm in its decision-making process ( e.g. , a computer work station that runs research software).  For those multicomponent products or services, the Firm must narrowly construe the component parts that are necessary for the products or services to directly assist the Firm in the investment decision-making process.  For example, a computer workstation may be considered a closely related component of the product or service that constitutes the “research.” The electricity needed to run the computer, however, is not closely related and, if paid with client brokerage, would be outside of the Section 28(e) safe harbor.


·

Determine Usage.  The second step is for the Firm to determine that the primary use of the product or service, as defined in Step 1, will directly assist the Firm’s decision-making process.  For example, Bloomberg software used by a portfolio manager as opposed to Bloomberg software used by the Firm’s back-office personnel.


·

Mixed Use Analysis.  The third step occurs only after the Firm determines that the product or service is “research” by completing Step 1 and 2 above.  The Firm must then determine what portion of the research is used by the Firm to directly assist it in the investment decision-making process.  If less than 100 percent of a product is used for assistance in its investment decision-making process, the Firm will consider the product as a “mixed-use” product.  With mixed-use products, the Firm will use client brokerage to pay for only that portion of the product used by the Firm in the investment decision-making process and not in the administrative management of the Firm.

C.  Example of Permissible “Research”

·

Computer analysis of securities portfolios

·

Stock quotation services

·

Tuition or admission costs (but not travel expenses) for research seminars

·

Subscriptions to industry periodicals (does not include mass marketed periodicals) or academic journals involving economic, political, or other issues directly related to industry, research, or a specific security

·

Assistance in arranging company visits (but not travel expenses)

·

Translations or foreign economic and political material

·

Computerized historical financial databases and equipment to retrieve such data

·

Newswire services

·

Brokerage analysts earnings estimates

·

Links to current market data, such as Quotron machines

·

Publications concerning performance of various investment portfolios such as Lipper reports, and other performance reports

·

Charts or statistical analysis of individual portfolios securities versus other securities in the same industry, including stock history, volatility, and performance

·

Political analyses

·

Portfolio modeling

·

Economic analyses

The “plain English” standard that should ultimately be applied is whether the Firm should feel comfortable disclosing and explaining the decision as to whether something is “research” in a face-to-face meeting with a prospective investor.  In addition, the Firm must make a good faith determination that the value of the brokerage and research services obtained is reasonable in relation to the amount of the commissions paid.

E.  Limitations to Transactions on an Agency Basis


Except for certain “riskless principal” transactions in FINRA listed equity securities, Section 28(e) applies only to transactions that are paid for with “commissions”, i.e., transactions effected on an agency basis.  Therefore, Section 28(e) does not generally cover principal transactions ( e.g. , fixed-income trades executed on a “net” basis).


Given that the Section 28(e) safe harbor traditionally is seen as not covering principal transactions, any pattern of trades engaging in agency transactions in certain instruments that traditionally trade on a principal basis ( e.g. , fixed-income securities) to generate commissions covered by the safe harbor should be reviewed generally by the Chief Compliance Officer or the General Counsel.  Depending upon the research and brokerage services received, such transaction (often referred to as “interpositioning”) would be considered a breach of fiduciary duty if the Firm could have gone directly to a dealer and received a better execution with the intermediation of the broker.


F.  Directed Brokerage for Client Referrals


Subject to the Firm’s obligation to seek best execution with respect to all Client transactions, the Firm may direct brokerage transactions to certain broker-dealers in return for referrals of Fund investors or managed accounts clients.


G.  Approval


All proposed soft dollar arrangements, whether formal or informal, must be approved by the Chief Compliance Officer or the General Counsel.


H.  Documentation and Reviews


The Firm will periodically conduct a review of its soft dollar activities to determine its compliance with applicable regulations, these procedures, and disclosures made to clients and investors.  Such reviews may be performed in conjunction with the periodic review of brokerage activities/relationships.


APPENDIX G - ORDER AGGREGATION AND ALLOCATION PROCEDURES


Crow Point Partners, LLC (the “Firm”) will generally execute client (i.e., managed accounts and investment funds) transactions on an aggregated basis when the Firm believes that to do so will allow it to obtain best execution and to negotiate more favorable commission rates or other transaction costs that might have otherwise been paid had such orders been placed independently.  When aggregating orders and allocating investment opportunities, the Firm endeavors that all clients will be treated in a fair and equitable manner.  In carrying this out, the Firm should be cognizant of compliance risks associated with the “side by side” management of traditional advisory clients, pooled investment vehicles, and related persons’ accounts.  The following procedures apply to order aggregations and investment allocations of the Firm, unless noted otherwise in “desktop” procedures:


1.  Disclosure in Form ADV.   The Firm’s procedures for the aggregation of orders and allocation of investment opportunities shall be disclosed in the relevant Adviser’s Form ADV and, if applicable, the offering memoranda for the investment funds.  When necessary, disclosures will address known conflicts of interest in the Firm’s trading practices.


2.   Obtain Best Execution.   The Firm will not aggregate orders unless aggregation is consistent with our duty to obtain best execution and the terms of the investment guidelines and restrictions of each client for which trades are being aggregated.


3.   Fair Treatment.   The Firm endeavors that no client will be favored over any other client; each client that participates in an aggregated order will participate at the average price for all of the Firm’s transactions in that security with respect to each buy/sell program on a given business day, with transaction costs shared pro rata based on each client’s participation in the transaction.


It is the Firm’s policy that investment opportunities be allocated fairly and equitably among clients’ accounts.  The Firm’s general policy is make investment allocations pro rata across client accounts.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, because of the diversity of objectives, risk tolerances, fund or account investor-imposed limitations, tax situations, differences in the timing of capital contributions and withdrawals between various clients, and other factors considered relevant by the Firm, there may often be differences among the clients in the weighting and cost basis of particular positions and in the particular securities and other-instruments held.  The Firm, at times, utilizes order management systems for assistance in determining a client/account that should (not) participate in an aggregated trade or determining how to allocate an investment opportunity.  


Examples of permissible reasons why pari passu allocations or average price may not occur in every situation may include, but are not limited to, the following:


(a) Differences in clients’ or investment fund investors’ tax situations;


(b) Differences in available capital


(c) Different risk parameters, investment guidelines or specific instructions from a particular client;


(d) Differences in investment programs’ emphasis on particular types of investments;


(e) Commission costs of allocating limited purchases or sales among several clients;


(f) The limited size of an available position;


(g) The varying ability to margin, and any applicable margin limitations, for particular clients;


(h) Liquidity requirements of a particular client;


(i) The domicile of a particular client, and the ability to participate in particular positions and securities based on such domicile; and


(j) Issuer based restrictions with respect to a particular client.

Instances in which client orders will not be aggregated include, but are not limited to, the following:


·

Clients directing the Firm to use certain broker/dealers, in which case such orders shall be separately effected;


·

Traders and/or Portfolio Managers determining that the aggregation is not appropriate because of market conditions; and


·

Portfolio Managers must effect the transactions at different prices, making aggregation unfeasible.


4.   No Additional Compensation.   The Firm will receive no additional compensation of any kind as a result of an aggregated order.


5.   Provide Individual Advice.   Individual investment advice and treatment will be accorded to each client.


APPENDIX H - TRADE ERROR PROCEDURES


The Securities and Exchange Commission has stated that:


“.  .  .  an investment manager has an obligation to place orders

correctly for its advised and non-advised accounts.   Accordingly,

if an investment manager makes an error while placing a trade

for an account, then the investment manager, in order to comply

with its obligation to its customer, must bear any costs of correcting

such trade.” 3


Accordingly, it is the policy of Crow Point Partners (the “Firm”) that the utmost care is to be taken in making and implementing investment decisions on behalf of client accounts.  To the extent that trade errors occur, they are to be corrected promptly and reported to the Chief Compliance Officer and the Head of Operations as set forth in the paragraph 6 below.  The Chief Compliance Officer and the Head of Operations will consult with the General Counsel and the Chief Operating Officer to the extent necessary or appropriate.


Errors may occur either in the investment decision-making process (e.g., a decision may be made to purchase a security or an amount of a security that violates the client's investment restrictions) or in the trading process (e.g., a buy order may be executed as a sell (or vice versa).  For purposes of this policy, errors in both investment decision-making and trading are referred to as trade errors.


Clerical mistakes that have an impact only on recordkeeping will not be treated as trade errors.  Clerical mistakes include, but are not limited to, transposition errors, incorrect name of broker and wrong settlement date.


Procedures for Correction of Errors


The following guidelines have been adopted for handling trade errors:


1.

Trade errors must be corrected as soon after discovery as reasonably practical, consistent with the orderly disposition (and/or acquisition, as applicable) of the securities in question.  If a trade error remains uncorrected (and/or any loss to the client remains unreimbursed) for longer than 30 days for any reason (including lack of prompt detection of the error), interest at LIBOR on the amount of the loss will be payable to the account promptly, from the date the error was committed through the date of correction (which in the case accounts subject to ERISA shall be calculated at a rate equal to the applicable rate of return on the account, during the same period (which rate shall in no event be less than 0 percent).

2.

In the case of a potential trade error that is discovered after execution of the trade, but prior to the transmittal of settlement instructions to the Operations Department, the portfolio manager may avert the error by reallocating the trade to other clients, provided that the trade represents a legitimate investment decision for such clients.  Any such reallocation must be effected in accordance with the Firm's “Order Aggregation and Allocation Procedures,” but shall not be treated as a trade error under this policy.


3.

A trade error that is discovered after settlement instructions have been transmitted, but prior to settlement, may be corrected in the following ways:

a.  The portfolio manager/trader may seek cancellation of the trade by the broker if it is documented that the price at which the trade was originally placed is not outside the spread quoted for the security at the time of cancellation.


b.  Alternatively, the portfolio manager/trader may correct the error by reallocating the trade to other clients, provided that the trade represents a legitimate investment decision for such clients.  Any such error shall be reported as a trade error in       accordance with Paragraph 6 of this policy, notwithstanding cancellation or reallocation of the trade.  A copy of this trade ticket will be retained in the trade error file.


c.  Any trade ticket that is altered for the purpose of correcting a non-clerical trade error by changing the trade date or time, the amount purchased or sold, the name of the security or the client account must be signed by the Head of Operations at the end of the trading day.  All modifications or cancellations to an order after a trade ticket has been prepared must be noted on the ticket (or an attachment), together with the reason therefore.


4.  A trade error that is discovered after settlement may be corrected in the following ways:


a.  Generally, the transaction or transactions necessary to correct the error should be effected in the market.  Any losses suffered by the client as a result of a trade error caused by the Firm are to be reimbursed by the Firm.  Any gains realized by an account as a result of a trade error caused by the Firm are to remain in the client's account.   Netting of gains and losses between clients or in the case of multiple trade errors resulting from more than one investment decision for the same client is not            permissible.  Netting of gains and losses is permitted only in the circumstance in which  more than one transaction must be effected to correct one or more trade errors made as a result of a single investment decision.  The Chief Compliance Officer or the General    Counsel must approve any netting of gains and losses.

b.  Alternatively, the transaction or transactions may be effected with another account (either a proprietary account or another client account) if the following conditions are met: (i) the trade would represent a legitimate investment decision fort that account, (ii) the trade can be done without loss to the transferee account, (iii) the trade is permissible under the Firm's “Policy and Procedures on Inter-Account Trading”, and (iv) the trade is approved by the Chief Compliance Officer.


 Not all post-settlement adjustments involve purchases and sales that would be subject to regulatory restrictions.  An adjustment might be made, for example, to correct a clearly documented clerical error.  If there is any question as to whether a post-   settlement adjustment may be effected, the Chief Compliance Officer or General Counsel should be consulted.


5.  Trade errors involving a material breach of a client's investment policies or restrictions, or restrictions on investment and trading imposed by the law governing the account (including regulations promulgated under such law and, in the case of ERISA client, their plan documents) should be reported to the client.  The disclosure required under this paragraph may be included as part of the next routine periodic report sent to the client, unless the client, the Chief Compliance Officer or the General Counsel specifically directs otherwise.  Trade errors other than those involving investment policies or restrictions may be reportable to the client, on a case-by-case basis, at the discretion of the Chief Compliance Officer or the General Counsel.


6.  The Head of Operations must be informed of all trade errors without regard to the dollar amount (including errors discovered and corrected pursuant to Paragraph 4 above, and errors that may be rectified pre-settlement through a reallocation pursuant to Paragraph 3 above), and will maintain a record of all trade errors and the action taken to correct them.  Such record should include the name of the client, the   name of the person responsible for the error, the amount involved, the name of the security involved, the action taken to correct the error and such other information as may be appropriate under the circumstances.  Such record will be forwarded on to the Chief Operating Officer.   Said record will be sent immediately in the case of a trade error that breaks client guidelines and/or where the correction results in a loss/gain to the client account.

-

Relationships With Brokers


The SEC has taken the position that it is inappropriate to compensate brokers with soft dollars (i.e., directed brokerage business) for absorbing trade errors.  To the extent that a broker-dealer absorbs losses due to an error caused by the investment manager, in the SEC's view, the broker-dealer is providing a benefit to the investment manager, and not to the client for whose account the error was made or to any other clients.  Under the Advisers Act (which covers relationships with all clients), the receipt by the adviser of such a benefit not protected by Section 28(e) could be deemed a violation of the antifraud provisions of Section 206, as well as the adviser's fiduciary duty.  The Department of Labor has also taken the position that the receipt by an investment manager of such consideration from a party (i.e., the broker) dealing with an employee benefit plan client is a violation of Section 406(b)(3) of ERISA. 4


Even without the quid pro quo of soft dollars, the SEC has stated, the absorption of trade error losses by a broker-dealer is not appropriate, in that it relieves the adviser of the responsibility it would otherwise have to bear the cost of the error.  Accordingly, it is the policy of the Firm that trade errors are not to be resolved through soft dollar or other reciprocal arrangement with broker-dealers.


In addition to errors caused by the Firm, brokers may make errors in committing to fulfill orders placed by the Firm on behalf of client accounts.  It is permissible to grant a broker's request to cancel or modify a trade under the following circumstances:


1.  The portfolio manager/trader must believe that the broker acted in good faith and made an honest mistake.  The initials of the portfolio manager/trader on any trade ticket  evidencing cancellation or modification of the trade will be evidence of this belief.  Any such cancellation or modification must be effected no later than the close of business on the next business day after the trade date.


2.  There must be no actual loss or expense charged to the client.  If the broker is unable to deliver the security at the quoted price, the trade may be cancelled if there has been no adverse market movement that deprived the client of other investment opportunities in the security.  If the Firm forewent other investment opportunities in the same security, and if the market has moved adversely since the order was placed that the broker is seeking to reverse, the portfolio manager/trader should request the broker to effect the trade at the next best price that could have been obtained for the client by the Firm (as evidenced by records of other contemporaneous bids or offers, as applicable) at the time the initial order was placed.


3.  There must be no reciprocal arrangement with the broker with respect to the trade in question or other trades.


4.   Adequate records of the trade and its cancellation or modification, indicating "broker error" as the reason for such cancellation or modification, must be made by the portfolio manager/trader and kept by the Chief Compliance Officer (or his or her delegate in writing) to permit review of the decisions taken and the reason therefor.

5.   In the case of a dispute between the portfolio manager/trader and the broker, in which the portfolio manager/trader believes in good faith that he or she was not responsible for the error and which can be adequately documented to demonstrate that a dispute in fact exists, the portfolio manager/trader may acquiesce in the broker's absorbing part or all of the error.  Any disputed error that is resolved in this manner shall be documented in a memorandum from the portfolio manager/trader to the business unit head.  


Questions concerning this policy should be addressed to the Chief Compliance Officer.


APPENDIX I - BOOKS AND RECORDS CHARTS


 

Required Documents

Period of Retention

Legal Basis

Location

Responsible Person(s)

A.

Corporate and Financial Records of the Firm

 

1.

Formation documents (including the Firm’s partnership articles, articles of incorporation or charters, or certificates of formation, and any amendments thereto)

3 years after termination of the enterprise

Rule 204-2(e)(2)

Legal

James Craver

 

2.

Minute books

3 years after termination of the enterprise

Rule 204-2(e)(2)

Legal

James Craver

 

3.

Stock certificate books

3 years after termination of the enterprise

Rule 204-2(e)(2)

Legal

James Craver

 

4.

Journals, including cash receipts and disbursements, records, and any other records of original entry forming the basis of entries in any ledger

5 years

Rule 204-2(e)(1)

CFO

Peter DeCaprio

 

5.

General and auxiliary ledgers reflecting assets, liabilities, reserve, capital, income and expense accounts

5 years

Rule 204-2(e)(2)

Accounting

Peter DeCaprio

Nick Tootle

 

6.

Check books, bank statements, canceled checks, and cash reconciliations of the Firm

5 years

Rule 204-2(e)(4)

Accounting

Peter DeCaprio

 

7.

Bills and statements (or copies thereof), paid or unpaid, relating to the business of the Firm

5 years

Rule 204-2(e)(2)

Accounting

Peter DeCaprio

 

8.

Trial balances, financial statements, and internal audit working papers relating to the Firm

5 years

Rule 204-2(e)(2)

Accounting

Nick Tootle

 

9.

All business contracts related to the operation of the Firm, including for example (a) employment contract; (b) property leases; and (c) contracts with pricing services and other service providers

5 years

Rule 204-2(e)(2)

Legal

James Craver

B.

Regulatory Filings

 

1.

Form ADV, including all amendments

5 years

Rules 204-1(c) and 204-2(a)(14) for Part II of Form ADV

Legal

James Craver

 

2.

Schedule or chart of all affiliated entities

Permanently on a current basis

Form ADV Disclosure; Internal Controls

Corporate Accounting or Legal

Peter DeCaprio or James Craver

 

3.

List of all prior, present, or potential litigation in which the Firm or its officers, directors, or employees that may have a material effect on the Firm or otherwise trigger disclosure obligations

Permanently

Form ADV Disclosures; Internal Controls

Legal

James Craver

 

4.

Documents evidencing registration status of the Firm with the SEC

Permanently

Internal Controls

Legal

James Craver

 

5.

Reports required to be filed under the Securities Act of 1933, including, if applicable, Form D for private placements sponsored by the Firm

Permanently

Internal Controls

Legal

James Craver

 

6.

reports required to be filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, if applicable:


·

Schedules 13D, 13F and 13G;

·

Forms 13F; or

·

Forms 3, 4, and 5 pursuant to Section 16

5 years

Internal Controls

Legal






Operations

(Form 13Fs)

James Craver




Shane Wells

 

1.

Copies of all notice filings sent to states where the Firm has a place of business

Permanently

Internal Controls

Legal

James Craver

 

2.

List of all of the Firm’s “investment adviser representatives,” if any, and the states in which these persons have a “place of business,” as defined in Rule 203A-3(b)

Permanently

Internal Controls

Legal

James Craver

 

3.

Copies of all state filings made on behalf of investment advisory representative, if any, as well as copies of all state licenses obtained by investment advisor representatives, if any

Permanently

Internal Controls

Legal

James Craver

 

4.

Copies of any filings required to be made with any offshore regulatory authorities

Permanently

Internal Controls

Legal

James Craver

 

5.

The Firm’s organizational chart, personnel directory, and a description of functions and duties of each department and employee

Permanently on a current basis

Form ADV Disclosures; Internal Controls

Operations

Shane Wells

Peter DeCaprio

C.

Marketing Records

 

1.

Copies of all notices, circulars, advertisements, newspaper articles, investment letters, bulletins, or other communications that the Firm circulates or distributes, directly or indirectly, to 10 or more persons (other than persons connected with the Firm)

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(11)

Marketing

Peter DeCaprio

 

2.

Separate memoranda indicating the reasons for a recommendation if a notice, circular, advertisement, newspaper article, investment letter bulletin or other communication recommends the purchase or sale of a specific security but does not state the reasons for such recommendation

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(11)

Marketing

Peter DeCaprio

 

3.

Performance Information

·

All accounts, books, internal working papers, and any other records or documents that are necessary to form the basis for or demonstrate the calculation of the performance or rate of return of any or all managed accounts or securities recommendations in any notice, circular, advertisement, newspaper article, investment letter bulletin or other communication that the Firm circulates or distributes to 10 or more persons (other than persons connection with the Firm).

·

With respect to the performance of the Clients, the Firm may limit its retention to (1) all account statements, as long as they reflect all debits, credits, and other transactions in a Client’s account for the period of the statement, and (2) all worksheets necessary to demonstrate the calculation of the performance or rate of return of all managed accounts.   The Firm also should consider retaining any custodial or brokerage statements that confirm the accuracy of both account statements and other internally generated documents, as well as any reports prepared by an independent auditor that verify performance.

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(16)

Operations

(Separate Accounts)
















Accounting

(Investment Funds)

Shane Wells












Peter DeCaprio

Shane Wells

 

1.

Solicitation Records (to be retained if the Firm pays cash to any employee, principal or third party in return for investor referrals):

 

 

See below

See below

 

·

agreements with solicitors establishing the solicitation arrangement

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(10)

Legal

James Craver

 

·

Copies of separate written disclosure statements prepared by third-party solicitors and delivered to investors

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(15)

Legal

James Craver

 

·

Copies of each sign and dated investor acknowledgement of receipt of the Firm’s written disclosure statement (i.e., the Firm’s Brochure) and the solicitor’s written disclosure statement if referred by a third-party solicitor

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(15)

Accounting

Peter DeCaprio

 

·

Copies of any due-diligence questionnaires completed by third-party solicitors relating to past conduct that might disqualify the person from acting as a solicitor

5 years

Rule 206(4)-3(a)(1)(ii) generally

Legal

James Craver

 

·

List of investors obtained through a solicitor, with a cross reference identifying the solicitor

5 years

Internal Controls

Accounting

Peter DeCaprio

 

·

Any due diligence records relating to the Firm’s efforts to ascertain whether third-party solicitors have complied with the written solicitation agreements

5 years

Rule 206(4)-3(a)(2)(iii)(C) generally

Legal

James Craver

D.

Investor Relationship Records

 

1.

Investment advisory agreements

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(10)

Legal

James Craver

 

2.

Fee schedules (if not included in the investment advisory agreements)

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(10)

Administration

Peter DeCaprio

 

3.

Client investment objectives (if not included in the investment advisory agreements)

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(10)

Administration

Peter DeCaprio

 

4.

Each version of any offering memoranda used for any of the Clients

5 years

Internal Controls; Rule204-2(a)(10)

Client Services

Peter DeCaprio

 

5.

All fund subscription agreements with investors

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(10)

Client Services

Peter DeCaprio

 

6.

List or other record of all accounts in which the Firm is vested any discretionary power with respect to the Clients, securities, or transactions of any Client

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(8)

Administration

Peter DeCaprio

 

7.

Powers of Attorney and other evidences of the granting of any discretionary authority to the Firm

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(9)

Legal

James Craver

 

8.

Any other written agreements with investors, including any side letters

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(10)

Legal

James Craver

 

9.

Written Communications

·

Originals of all written communications received and sent by the Firm – whether in hardcopy or electronic version (including e-mails) – relating to (i) any recommendation made or proposed to be made and any advice given or proposed to be given, (ii) any receipt, disbursement or delivery of Clients or securities, or (iii) the placing or execution of any order to purchase or sell any security

·

These documents include, among other (i) account statements sent to investors; (ii) trade confirmations; (iii) fee statements; (iv) notices to custodians; (v) principal and agency transaction

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(7)

Client Services

Marketing








Client Services

Peter DeCaprio

 

1.

Investor complaint file (including any investor complaints and responses thereto)

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(7)

Legal

James Craver

 

2.

A copy of each Part II of Form ADV (or Brochure), and each amendment or revision to the document, given or sent to any investor or prospective investor of the Firm in accordance with Rule 204-3, along with a record of the date that each Part II of Form ADV, and each amendment and revision thereof, was given to any investor or prospective investor who subsequently became an investor

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(14)

Legal

James Craver

 

3.

Custody record

 

 

 

 

 

·

Journals or other records showing all purchases, sales, receipts and deliveries of securities (including certificate numbers) for Client accounts and all other debits and credits to such accounts

5 years

Rule 204-2(b)(1)

Administration

Shane Wells

 

·

Separate ledger accounts for each Client showing all purchases, sales, receipts and deliveries of securities, the date and price of each purchase and sale, and all debits and credits

5 years

Rule 204-2(b)(2)

Administration

(Separate Accounts)


Accounting

(Investment Funds)

Shane Wells

 

·

Records for each security in which any Client has a position, which must show the name of the Client having any interest in such security, the amount or interest of such Client, and the location of each such security.

5 years

Rule 204-2(b)(4)

Administration

(Separate Accounts)


Accounting

(Investment Funds)

Shane Wells

 

·

List of all qualified custodians used for each Client’s assets

Current

Best practice (but see Rule 204-2(b))

Operations

Shane Wells

 

1.

Proxy voting records

 

 

 

 

 

·

Copies of written policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the Firm votes Client securities in the best interest of the clients

·

Copies of each proxy statement that the Firm receives regarding Client securities 5

·

A record of each vote cast by the Firm on behalf of a Client 6

·

Copies of any document created by the Firm that was material to making a decision on how to vote proxies on behalf of a Client or that memorializes the basis for the decision

·

Copies of each written investor request for information on how the Firm voted proxies on behalf of the investor’s Client, and a copy of any written response by the Firm to any (written or oral) investor request for information on how the Firm voted proxies on behalf of the investor’s Client

5 years

Rule 204-2(c)(2)

Legal



Legal


Legal



Legal






Legal

James Craver



James Craver


James Craver



James Craver






James Craver

E.

Client Portfolio Management Records

 

1.

Trade orders

·

Memoranda of (1) each trade order given by the Firm for the purchase and sale of any security; (2) any instruction received by the Firm concerning the purchase, sale, receipt, or delivery of a particular security; and (3) any modification or cancellation of any such order instruction

·

Each memorandum must (1) show the terms and conditions of the order, instruction, modification, or cancellation; (2) identify the person connection with the firm who recommended the transaction to the Client and the person who placed such order; (3) show the Client account for which the transaction was entered, the date of entry, and the bank, broker or dealer by or through whom the transaction was executed where appropriate; and (4) designate whether any such orders were entered pursuant discretionary authority

·

Any other written communications-  whether in hardcopy or electronic version (including e-mails) – relating to trade orders, to the extent not covered in Section D.9 of this chart

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(3)     Rule 204-2(a)(7)


Investment Teams









Investment Teams

















Investment Teams


Head of each applicable investment team








Head of each applicable investment team

















Head of each applicable investment team


 

1.

Research reports and other materials received from any source (including the Firm) if used in the process of making recommendations (excluding unsolicited market letters and other similar communications of the general public distribution not prepared by or for the Firm)

5 years

Rule 203-2(a)(7)

Portfolio Managers

Various

 

2.

For “best execution,” documents sufficient to demonstrate the periodic and systematic evaluation of the quality and cost of services received from broker-dealers who execute the Firm’s trades, such as minutes of any best execution committees, information received and evaluation, conclusions reached and decisions made, and determinations that practices are consistent with disclosures in the Firm’s Form ADV

5 years

Internal Controls

Legal

Peter DeCaprio

 

3.

Records relating to soft dollar arrangements

·

Copies of written agreements with broker-dealers relating to soft dollar arrangements

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(10)

Legal

James Craver

 

·

Records of the basis for allocations of mixed-use products and services between hard and soft-dollar components

5 years

Advisers Act

Release No.  23170 (April 23, 1986)

Accounting

James Craver

Peter DeCaprio

 

·

List of all products and services received from broker-dealers

5 years

Internal Controls

Accounting

Peter DeCaprio

 

1.

“Allocation Statements” for each aggregated order, particularly when the Firm or any of the Firm’s principals or employees participates in the aggregated order (and a written statement explaining any deviations therefrom.)  The allocation statement should specify the clients participating in the aggregated order and indicate how the Firm intends to allocate securities among the Clients.   Once completed, the allocation statement should be attached to the corresponding trade ticket.

5 years

Internal Controls;

  SMC Capital Inc. ,

 SEC no-action letter (Sept.  5, 1995)

Administration

Shane Wells

 

2.

Records obtained or generated that support the value assigned to any security held by a Client, particularly for illiquid securities that are not reported or quoted on an exchange.

5 years

Internal Controls

Administration

Shane Wells

 

3.

Because each Client receives “investment supervisory or management services”:

·

A record for each Client showing the securities purchased and sold, and the date, amount and price of each such purchase and sale

·

A record for each security in which a Client has a current position setting forth the name of each Client and the current amount or interest of such client

5 years








Current

Rule 204-2(c)(1)

Administration

Shane Wells

F.

Supervision and Compliance Oversight Records

 

1.

A copy of the Firm’s code of ethics

Each version maintained for 5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(12)

Legal

James Craver

 

2.

A record of every violation of the code of ethics and any action taken as a result of the violation

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(12)

Legal

James Craver

 

3.

A record of all written acknowledgements of each Employee’s receipt of the code of ethics and any amendment thereto

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(12)

Legal

James Craver

 

4.

A record of each “access person’s” initial and annual securities holdings.

·

Each record must contain (i) the title and type of security, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol of CUSIP number, number of shares, and principal amount of each reportable security in which an access person has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership; (ii) the name of the broker, dealer or bank with which the access person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the access person’s direct or indirect benefit; and (iii) the date of the access person submits the report.

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(12)

Legal

James Craver

 

1.

A quarterly securities transaction report from each “access person” disclosing each transaction in a reportable security.

·

Reports must contain (i) the date of the transaction, the title, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, interest rate and maturity date, number of shares, and principal amount of each reportable security involved; (ii) the nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition); (iii) the price of the security at which the transaction was effected; (iv) the name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected; and (v) the date the access persons submitted the report.

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(12)

Legal

James Craver

 

1.

A record of the names of persons who are currently, or within the past five years were, “access persons” of the Firm.

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(12)

Legal

James Craver

 

2.

A record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, to approve the acquisition of IPOs or private placement by “access persons”

5 years

Rule 204-2(a)(12)

Legal

James Craver

 

3.

Copies of the Firm’s insider trading policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of material nonpublic information by the Firm or any person associated with the Firm in violation of the Advisers Act or Exchange Act, or the rules or regulations thereunder

Permanently

Section 204A;

Internal Controls

Legal

James Craver

 

4.

Copies of the Firm’s Manual, which contains the Firm’s compliance policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violations by the Firm and its supervised persons of the Advisers Act and the rules thereunder

Each version maintained for 5 years

Rule 204-2(17)(i)

Legal

James Craver

 

5.

Any records documenting the Firm’s annual review of its compliance policies and procedures

5 years

Rule 204-2(17)(ii)

Legal

James Craver

 

6.

Annual compliance certifications by employees attesting to the fact that they have read and are in compliance with the Firm’s policies and procedures contained in the Manual

5 years

Internal Controls

Legal

James Craver

 

7.

Employment Records (including the dates of employment, the addresses, social security number and disciplinary history for each employee, officer and director)

Permanently, on a current basis

Internal Controls;

Form ADV disclosures; Section 203(d) prohibition on hiring persons subject to statutory disqualifications

Human Resources

Peter DeCaprio

 

8.

Copies of all correspondence with the SEC, including no-action letters, exemptive orders or past deficiency letters

Permanently

Internal Controls

Legal

James Craver

 

9.

Copies of all state correspondence

Permanently

Internal Controls

Legal

James Craver

 

10.

Copies of all correspondence with self regulatory organizations

Permanently

Internal Controls

Legal

James Craver

 

11.

Copies of all correspondence with any offshore regulatory authority

Permanently

Internal Controls

Legal

James Craver








APPENDIX J - ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERNET USE POLICY


January 2008, as revised October 2009


Background


The Firm has adopted this Electronic Communications and Internet Use Policy (the “EPolicy”) to comply with federal and state securities laws, including Rule 204-2 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”).  The E-Policy was designed to ensure that the Firm implements reasonable procedures to monitor Employees’ use of the Internet and electronic communications, including e-mail.


All software, files, e-mail messages, and voice mail messages on the Firm’s computers, network, and communications systems are the property of the Firm.  These resources are made available by the Firm to facilitate your ability to do your job efficiently and productively.  To that end, the Firm’s members, officers, directors and employees (the “Employees”) are to use computers, software, phone systems and Internet access for the benefit of the Firm and its clients.  In addition, all the Firm-related software, files, e-mail messages (including e-mail correspondence to and from clients) on personal computers, PDAs and similar sources must be maintained in accordance with the Advisers Act and this E-Policy.


The rapid expansion and use of the Internet and various means of electronic communication presents new challenges for investment advisers regarding the retention of documents that are required to be maintained under the Advisers Act.  In addition, the U.S.  Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and other regulatory agencies have concerns surrounding the implementation of appropriate physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect the privacy of client and/or investor information.  Also, the increased use of the Internet and e-mail exposes an adviser’s systems to infiltration by computer viruses, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated and dangerous, and which, by their nature, attack randomly.


Policy


This E-Policy applies to all electronic communications, including e-mail.  Employees are reminded that the Firm requires Employees to act with integrity, competence, dignity, and in an ethical manner when dealing with the public, clients, prospects, their employer, and their fellow Employees.  An Employee’s use of the Firm’s e-mail, computer, Internet and PDA is held to the same standard as all other business communications, including compliance with our anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies.  The Firm expects its Employees to use good judgment in their use of these systems.


As noted above, electronic communications systems, particularly the Internet and internal and
external e-mail, are resources of growing importance for both regulators and our Clients.  Given the vast accessibility of these technologies, it is quite easy to overlook the significant risks associated with their use.  Thus, all Employees must take great care in using the Internet and in communicating with business associates just as one would when using print or any other media.  The Internet is a public forum as opposed to a private or secure network.  One should always assume that nothing written in an e-mail communication is private.


The Firm’s e-mail/Internet system is intended to be used for business purposes only, subject to the limited exception described below under “B.  Electronic Mail”.  The Firm encourages the use of e-mail and the Internet because they make communications more efficient and effective.  However, e-mail and Internet service are the property of the Firm, and their purpose is to facilitate the Firm’s business.  Every staff member has a responsibility to maintain and enhance the Firm’s public image and to use e-mail and access to the Internet in a productive manner.  To ensure that all employees are responsible, the following guidelines have been established for using e-mail and the Internet.  Any use of e-mail or the Internet in violation of these guidelines is not acceptable and may be cause for corrective action, including termination.


Procedures


A.   Correspondence .  Any written electronic communications sent by an Employee to

clients, customers, service providers, another Employee, or any other party, including e-  mail and fax should be treated in the same manner and with the same care as letters or   other official communications on Firm’s letterhead.  In addition, such communications   may be subject to the recordkeeping requirements under the Advisers Act, which   generally mandates that such documentation be maintained by an adviser for a period   of five years from the end of the fiscal year in which the communication was created –   the first two years in the office of the adviser.  Investor or client complaints that are   received by an Employee via e-mail must immediately be forwarded to the Chief   Compliance Officer or General Counsel.


B.   Electronic Mail .  Employees must take great care in preparing and sending both

internal and external e-mails.  Certain e-mails that are sent to more than one person   (including clients, prospective clients, etc.) may be considered by the SEC to be   advertisements that are subject to the marketing and advertising rules under the   Advisers Act.  Thus, the same care should be taken in creating an e-mail as that which is   taken when creating a new marketing or promotional piece.


In order to comply with the requirement that all Employee e-mails be maintained in

accordance with the recordkeeping rules under the Advisers Act, the Firm will archive   and retain all of the e-mails that are sent and received by all Employees.  


Employees are generally prohibited from using public e-mail services from their Firm

computer (desktop or laptop) for business use.  Employees are permitted to make   reasonable personal use of their Firm e-mail account to send or receive personal e-  mails.    

However, such use should not interfere with the Firm’s business activities or involve a

meaningful amount of Employee’s time or the Firm’s resources.  As always, all e-mail,   whether business or personal, must be appropriate in both tone and content.    Employees acknowledge that the Firm and its authorized agents have the right to access   and obtain all e-mails, including personal e-mails that Employees send or receive   through the Firm’s computers.  Employees acknowledge that all of their e-mails may be   subject to, at any time and without notice to Employee, monitoring and review by the   Firm and/or its authorized agents as permitted or required by law.  Employees expressly   consent to such monitoring and review by the Firm and/or its authorized agents of all   emails.


C.   PDAs .  Employees utilizing PDAs (Blackberry, etc.) for business use are prohibited

from sending messages directly to the PIN number(s) of other PDA users.  Conversely,   Employees are prohibited from furnishing PIN number(s) to other PDA users with the   expectation of receiving messages that are sent directly to the Employee’s PIN number.    When sending/receiving messages in the manner described above, the messages do not   get copied to the Firm’s email server, and thus certain messages may not be maintained   in accordance with the Firm’s EPolicy.


D.   Privileged Emails .  When corresponding via e-mail with its legal counsel, the Firm will   consider that such e-mails may be subject to SEC review.  As such, the Firm will consider   the maintenance of a “Vaughn index” to log e-mails in which it will seek the attorney-  client privilege. 7 E-mails in which the Firm seeks to exert the attorney-client privilege   may be marked by including the phrase, “Privileged and Confidential” in the subject line   of the e-mail.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, legal privilege is not applicable on a   wholesale basis or simply because the Firm wants it to be.  Including the words   “Privileged and Confidential” does not automatically confer privileged status.  Recent   legal decisions have tended to confine the ambit of privilege considerably more   narrowly than was previously generally understood.


E.   Instant Messaging and Chat Rooms .  Instant messaging is an increasingly popular

form   of electronic communication that allows one user to communicate with another   one in   real time.  A “chat room” differs from instant messaging as several users have   the ability to communicate with one another in real time.  Employees are prohibited   from using an   instant message platform that has not been approved by the Firm.  In   addition, Employees are strictly prohibited from utilizing instant messaging for business   purposes without the written consent of the Chief Compliance Officer or the General   Counsel.  As a matter of practice, the Firm’s Director of IT has instituted controls to   block instant messaging sites.


F.   Prohibited Communications .  The Firm’s e-mail and Internet access may not be used

for transmitting, retrieving or storing any communications of a discriminatory or   harassing nature, or materials that are obscene or sexually explicit.  Harassment of any   kind is prohibited.  No messages with derogatory or inflammatory remarks about an   individual’s race, age, disability, religion, national origin, physical attributes or sexual   preference, or any messages containing abusive, profane or offensive language shall be   transmitted, retrieved or stored through the Firm’s e-mail or Internet system.  Electronic     media may also not be used for any other purpose which is illegal or against the Firm’s   policies or contrary to the Firm’s best interest.  The Firm generally prohibits Employees   from using its electronic facilities to do any of the following:


·

Download or transmit harassing, discriminatory, pornographic, obscene, violent, defamatory, offensive, derogatory or otherwise unlawful, inappropriate or unprofessional images or materials;

·

Transmit externally any documents marked “For Internal Distribution Only” or forward any e-mail automatically to an outside e-mail account;

·

“Hack” or attempt to gain unauthorized access to computers or databases, tamper or interfere with electronic security mechanisms, misrepresent a user’s identity (e.g., spoofing”) or disseminate intentionally any viruses or other destructive programs;

·

Transmit chain letters, unapproved mass solicitations or any other form of unsolicited e-mail/SPAM for non-Firm approved purposes;

·

Solicitation of non-company business or any use of the Firm’s e-mail or Internet for personal gain; or

·

To prevent computer viruses from being transmitted through the Firm’s e-mail/Internet system, there will be no downloading, installing, or executing of any unauthorized software.  All software downloaded must be pre-approved and properly registered to the Firm.  Employees should contact the Director of IT if they have any questions.


G.  

Electronic Delivery of Regulatory Documents .  The expansion of the Internet and

electronic communications now allows advisers to deliver investment adviser regulatory   documents electronically.  The delivery of such communications, including, among other   things, an adviser’s Form ADV and privacy policy, must be made in accordance with the   three elements of Notice, Access, and Evidence of Delivery as discussed more fully   below.


Notice - Information provided electronically (i.e., on the Firm’s website or in an e-mail

sent by an Employee to a client) provides notice to the Firm’s clients that they have   received something important.


Access - Those who are provided with electronic documents should have access

comparable to that of a paper document.  The use of a particular medium (i.e., Internet   website or e-mail) should not be so burdensome that intended recipients cannot   effectively access the information provided.  Persons to whom information is sent   electronically must have an opportunity to retain the information through the selected   medium (i.e., recipient should be able to either download or print information delivered

electronically such that they can maintain a permanent record).


Evidence of Delivery - When providing documents electronically, one must have

reasonable assurance that such documents have been actually delivered.  In order to   evidence satisfaction of delivery obligations advisers may: 1) obtain the client or   investor’s informed consent, 2) obtain evidence the client or investor has actually   received the document (i.e., return receipt), or 3) deliver the information via fax.


In order to satisfy the requirements with respect to the electronic delivery of regulatory

documents, the Companies may: 1) include a provision in the client or investor’s   contract (or ensure that it is in the client's custodial agreement) where the client could   sign-off on their approval to receive documents (e.g., custodian statements) in   electronic format and 2) send such documents with “return-receipt” and “read”   function so that you know he/she has received and opened the email.  Employees   should   refer to SEC Interpretive Release IA-1562 which discusses this issue in more   detail - http://www.sec.gov/rules/concept/33-7288.txt.


H.   Security .  The Internet is not a secure environment.  Files and e-mail can be

intercepted and read by technically savvy Internet users, including the Firm’s   competitors.  All Employees should attempt to limit the amount of confidential,   classified, or proprietary information that is transmitted electronically to only that which   is absolutely necessary and required to conduct one’s job.


I.   Reporting Problems .  If sensitive Firm information is lost, disclosed to unauthorized

parties or suspected of being lost or disclosed, Employees shall immediately notify the   General Counsel.  In addition, the General Counsel should be notified if any   unauthorized use of the Firm’s information systems has taken place, or is suspected of   taking place.    Similarly, when passwords or other system access control mechanisms   are lost, stolen, or disclosed, or suspected of being lost, stolen, or disclosed, the   General Counsel should be notified immediately.  All unusual system behavior, such as   missing files, frequent systems crashes, misrouted messages and the like should be   reported immediately to the Director of IT as one of these issues may indicate a   computer virus infection or similar Security problem.


J.   Monitoring and Surveillance Program .  In order to ensure compliance with this E-

Policy, the Firm reserves the right, subject to applicable law, to monitor (which includes,   without limitation, the right to access, disclose, record or review) for any purpose, all   communications delivered via the Firm’s electronic communications resources and all   communications, information or materials created or stored on the Firm’s network   computer systems or on an Employee’s personal computer.  Thus, Employees should be   mindful that their e-mails may be reviewed on a random basis by the Firm or its   authorized agents.  At any time, the Firm may require an Employee to provide it with   any of their electronic access codes or passwords.  The Firm will also conduct periodic   tests to determine their electronic retention capabilities.  The Firm intends to keep   documentary evidence of such testing.


The Firm may monitor the electronic communications of Employees for any purposes,

including without limitation: regulatory requirements, investigating possible Employee   theft or espionage, monitoring work flow, retrieving missing business data in an   Employee’s absence, reviewing and evaluating Employee performance, ensuring that   the Firm’s systems are used for legitimate purposes and not for the transmittal of   discriminatory or offensive messages, finding illegal software installed on an Employee’s   computer, ensuring that Employees are either not using the Firm’s equipment and   resources for personal purposes, or complying with any state, federal or international   laws or legal process, including without limitation, responding to subpoenas, court   orders   for surveillance or similar requests.


K.   Bloomberg.   The Firm intends to be able to capture required electronic

communications through Global Relay, its outside archiving provider.


Employee Consent and Non-Compliance with the E-Policy


Your consent and compliance with this E-Policy is a term and condition of your employment.  Failure to abide by this E-Policy or to consent to any interception, monitoring, copying, reviewing or downloading of any communications or files is grounds for discipline, up to and including suspension or dismissal, at the discretion of management.  In any situation where you are unsure about the application of this EPolicy, please discuss the situation confidentially with the General Counsel.


Confidentiality


All reports and any other information filed with the Firm pursuant to this E-Policy shall be treated as confidential, except that the same may be disclosed to the Firm’s management, any regulatory or self-regulatory authority or agency upon its request, or as required by law or court or administrative order.


Responsibilities


The General Counsel and designees are responsible for overseeing and implementing this policy.  Employees should contact the General Counsel and/or the Director of IT if they have any questions.




COMMUNICATIONS


Employees are responsible for the content of all text, audio or image that they place or send over the Firm’s e-mail/Internet system.  All external communications sent by employees via the Firm’s e-mail/Internet system must not disclose any confidential or proprietary information about the Firm.  Any messages or information sent by an employee to another individual outside of the Firm’s office via an electronic network (e.g., bulletin board, on-line service or Internet) reflect on the image of the Firm.  While some users include personal “disclaimers” in electronic messages, the messages may still be tied to the Firm.  In that regard, no e-mail or other electronic communications may be sent which hides the identity of the sender or represents the sender as someone else or someone from another company.  All messages communicated on the Firm’s email/Internet system must contain the Employee’s full name and title (if applicable).


COPYRIGHT ISSUES


Employees using the Firm’s e-mail/Internet system may not transmit copyrighted materials belonging to any outside entities.  All employees obtaining access to another company’s or individual’s materials must respect all copyrights and may not copy, retrieve, modify or forward copyrighted materials, except with permission of the owner, with the exception of a single copy being accessed for reference only.  Failure to observe copyright or license agreements may cause the Firm to incur liability.  Employees should contact the General Counsel if they have any questions.









APPENDIX K - SAFEGUARD  PROCEDURES FOR RECORDS AND NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION


Crow Point Partners, LLC (the “Firm”) shall strive to: (a) ensure the security and confidentiality of consumer, customer and former customer records and information; (b) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of consumer, customer and former customer records and information; and (c) protect against unauthorized access to or use of consumer or customer records or information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer.  Accordingly, the following procedures will be followed:


A.  

Confidentiality.  The Firm’s members, officers, directors and employees (the

“Employees”) shall maintain the confidentiality of information acquired in connection with their employment with the Firm, with particular care taken regarding non-public personal information.  Employees shall not disclose non-public personal information, except to persons who have a bona-fide business need to know the information in order to serve the business purposes of the Firm and/or Clients and Fund investors.  The Firm does not disclose, and no Employee may disclose, any non-public personal information about a Client/Fund investor or former Client/Fund investor other than in accordance with these procedures.


B.

Information Systems.  The Firm has established and maintains its information systems, including hardware, software and network components and design, in order to protect and preserve non-public personal information.


Passwords and Access .   Employees use passwords for computer access, as well as for access to specific files.   Non-public personal information shall be maintained, to the extent possible, in computer files that are protected by means of a password system secured against unauthorized access.


Access to specific Firm databases and files shall be given only to Employees who have a bona-fide business need to access such information.  Passwords shall be kept confidential and shall not be shared except as necessary to achieve such business purpose.  User identifications and passwords shall not be: stored on computers without access controls, written down, or stored in locations where unauthorized persons may discover them.  The Director of IT shall endeavor to maintain control documentation that assist in monitoring Employees’ access to systems.  Passwords shall be changed if there is reason to believe the password has been compromised and, in any event, changed periodically (i.e., at least once every 90 days) to maximize the security of non-public personal information.  All access and permissions for terminated Employees shall be removed from the network system promptly upon notification of the termination.


To avoid unauthorized access, Employees shall close-out programs and shut-down or lock their computers when they leave the office for an extended period of time and overnight.  Terminals
shall be shut-down or locked when not in use during the day and laptops shall be secured when leaving Firm premises.  Employees should never disclose computer or voicemail passwords or website access codes to anyone else at the Firm or outside the Firm.


System Failures .   The Firm will maintain appropriate programs and controls (which may include anti-virus protection and firewalls) to detect, prevent and respond to attacks, intrusions or other systems failures.


Electronic Mail .   As a rule, Employees shall treat e-mail in the same manner as other written communications.  However, Employees shall assume that e-mail sent from Firm computers is not secure and shall avoid sending e-mails that include non-public personal information to the extent practicable.  E-mails that contain non-public personal information (whether sent within or outside the Firm) shall have the smallest possible distribution in light of the nature of the request made.


Disposal .   Electronic media, on which non-public personal information is stored, shall be formatted and restored to initial settings prior to any sale, donation, or transfer of such equipment.


C.

Documents.  Employees shall avoid placing documents containing non-public personal information in office areas where they could be read by unauthorized persons, such as in photocopying areas or conference rooms.  Documents that are being printed, copied or faxed shall be attended to by appropriate Employees.  Documents containing non-public personal information which are sent by mail, courier, messenger or fax, shall be handled with appropriate care.  Employees may only remove documents containing non-public personal information from the premises for bona-fide work purposes.  Any non-public personal information that is removed from the premises must be kept in the possession of the Employee or in a secure place, handled with appropriate care, and returned promptly to the Firm’s premises.


D.

Discussions.  Employees shall avoid discussing non-public personal information with, or in the presence of, persons who have no need to know the information.  Employees shall avoid discussing non-public personal information in public locations, such as elevators, hallways, public transportation or restaurants.


E.

Access to Offices and Files.  Access to offices, files or other areas where nonpublic personal information may be discussed or maintained is limited, and Employees shall enter such locations for valid business purposes only.  Meetings with Clients and/or Fund investors shall take place in conference rooms or other locations where non-public personal information will not be generally available or audible to others.  Visitors shall generally not be allowed in the office unattended.

F.

Old Information.  Non-public personal information that is no longer required to be maintained shall be destroyed and disposed of in an appropriate manner.  Refer to the Document Destruction procedures contained in the Maintenance of Books and Records policy for additional information.


G.

Identity Theft.  An identity thief can obtain a victim’s personal information through a variety of methods.  Therefore, Employees shall take the following actions to prevent identity theft:


a)

When providing copies of information to others, Employees shall make sure that

    non-essential information is removed and that non-public personal information       which is not relevant to the transaction is either removed or redacted.


b)

The practice of dumpster diving provides access for a would-be thief to a victim’s     personal information.  Therefore, when disposing of paper documents,         paperwork containing non-public personal information shall be shredded or       otherwise destroyed.


c)

To avoid a fraudulent address change, requests must be verified before they are

    implemented.


d)

Employees may be deceived by pretext calling , whereby an “information broker”

  or “identity thief” posing as a Client, provides portions of a Client or Fund         investor’s non-public personal information (i.e., Social Security Number) in an       attempt to convince an Employee to provide additional information over the       phone, which can be used for fraudulent purposes.  Employees shall make every       reasonable precaution to confirm the identity of the Client or Fund investor on       the phone before divulging non-public personal information.


e)

The Firm prohibits the display of Social Security Numbers on any documents that     are generally available or widely disseminated (i.e., mailing lists, quarterly       reports, etc.).


Employees could be responsible for identity theft through more direct means.  Insider access to information could permit a dishonest Employee to sell non-public personal information or to use it for fraudulent purposes.  Such action is cause for disciplinary action at the Firm’s discretion, up to and including termination of employment as well as referral to the appropriate civil and/or criminal legal authorities.












APPENDIX L - BROKERAGE REVIEW AGENDA


Crow Point Partners, LLC (the “Firm”) shall review the following areas relating to its brokerage capabilities and matters relating to execution quality.  Select members of the Firm, which may include the Chief Compliance Officer, General Counsel, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Portfolio Manager/Trader (each, a “Brokerage Review Group”) shall meet no less frequently than semi-annually.  All materials used to form the basis of the Committee’s conclusions shall be maintained and the meetings shall be documented via notes or minutes.


·

The existence of new brokers or relationships; approval of new brokers.


·

The establishment of new soft dollar relationships.

·

Any errors in pricing by particular broker(s).


·

Any trading errors by particular broker(s).


·

The existence of conflicts of interest (referrals, soft dollars, registered rep investors, broker-dealer proprietary accounts, etc.) and their effects on the Firm’s selection of brokers.


·

The existence of whether the Firm places trades through registered representatives that may be related to the Firm’s Employees and/or are Clients/Fund investors of the Firm, and the potential for conflicts associated with these relationships.  Please use the Conflicts Questionnaire, list of corporate insiders, and list of registered representative/proprietary account investors in carrying out this review.


·

The existence of any gifts received from brokers and any potential affects that the acceptance of the gifts may have had on the brokerage selection process.


·

The fairness of the rotation in which trades are executed including the order in which advisory client accounts are executed and the order in which brokers are called.


·

The fairness of the Firm’s order aggregation and allocation process (i.e.  have Clients been fairly allocated securities in accordance with the Firm’s policy/procedures/disclosures), including a discussion of the fairness of the Firm’s “side-by-side” management of traditional advisory clients, pooled investment vehicles, and related persons’ accounts.


·

The fairness of the Firm’s IPO allocation processes (Investors and Associates equities group only ).


·

The amount of soft dollar credits outstanding, including any overabundance of credits.


·

Review soft dollar arrangements when applied to a mixed-use product.  Ensure that the hard:soft ratio remains appropriate and in line with other soft dollar brokers.


·

The benefits and costs associated with the use of “step-out” trades.


·

Impact of the use of brokers on “charity days” (including the use of step-out trades) (if any).


·

Analyze commission rates paid by Clients and note the outliers and reasons for being “outside the norm” (including commission per share and percentage of total commissions allocated to specific brokers).  The analysis should include a review of the reasonableness of commissions paid to soft dollar brokers.


·

Analyze commission rates paid to brokers and note the outliers and reasons for being “outside the norm” (Including commission per share and percentage of total commissions allocated).  The analysis should note any trades that were executed at greater than 5 cents ($0.05) per share.


·

Evaluate alternative brokerage arrangements and note the Firm’s brokerage costs relative to industry norms.


·

Establish commission targets for each of its brokerage relationships.


·

Analyze the “audit log” regarding the practice of overriding client restrictions and/or guidelines (applies to Investors, Associates).











APPENDIX M – PRICING EXCEPTION REPORT


The following pricing exception has been noted and is being reported in compliance with the Crow Point Partners’ Valuation Policy and Procedures.


Date : ________________________


Name of Security : ____________________ CUSIP : ________________


Independent Pricing Vendor(s) or Broker-Dealer(s)

Contacted and Prices Obtained:


Pricing Vendor/Price(s): _______________________________________


Broker-Dealer/Price(s): _______________________________________


Please provide a brief explanation as to how you have determined the “fair value” of the security in question:


______________________________________________________________________________


______________________________________________________________________________


I have read the Crow Point Partners’ Valuation Policy and believe that the above noted

pricing exception fully complies with the requirements and procedures of the Policy.


Date: _____________ Signature: ___________________________


 Print Name: ___________________________


_______________________________________________________________________


Exception Approval


Price Approved __________ Price Not Approved __________


By: _____________________________ Date: ________________


By: _____________________________ Date: ________________










APPENDIX N - SIDE-BY-SIDE TRADING POLICY


December 2009 (revised and amended from January 2009)



I.   Background


Crow Point Partners, LLC (“Crow Point”) serves as the investment adviser to Crow Point Utility and Telecommunications Master Fund, Ltd., Crow Point Utility and Telecommunications Fund, L.P., and Crow Point Utility and Telecommunications Fund, Ltd.  (collectively, the “Crow Point Funds”).   The Crow Point Funds are managed by Tim O’Brien and Peter DeCaprio as principals of Crow Point.


On December 15, 2006, Crow Point entered into sub-advisory agreements with Evergreen Investments (“Evergreen”) to sub-advise Evergreen Utility and Telecommunications Fund and the Evergreen Utilities and High Income Fund, mutual funds to which Evergreen serves as the investment adviser.   Thereafter, on March 15, 2007 Crow Point entered into a sub-advisory agreement with Evergreen to serve as the sub-advisor to the Evergreen Global Dividend Opportunity Fund (the three funds collectively referred to as the “Evergreen Funds”).


As Crow Point will receive performance fees, Crow Point will arguably have an incentive to favor the Crow Point Funds over the Evergreen Funds in making investment, trading and allocation decisions.


To address these potential conflicts, Crow Point has adopted the following policies and procedures to ensure that the Evergreen Funds are not disadvantaged relative to the Crow Point Funds.   


II.    Investment, Trading and Allocations Policies and Procedures


Similarity of long positions


In order to ensure that favored securities are not improperly directed exclusively to the Crow Point Funds, Crow Point has adopted a policy generally requiring that the Evergreen Funds hold the same long positions as are held in the Crow Point Funds.   Any exceptions will be set forth on the exception report (as more fully described below).   Exceptions could be based on:  differing investment objectives, investment policies, investment restrictions, or risk profiles or differing benchmarks and/or security selection universes.   As outlined below, there may be instances where trades will be subject to a “natural exception” from reporting because it has been determined that such trades or positions do not inherently constitute a conflict between the Crow Point Funds and the Evergreen Funds.


Although the percentage weightings (as determined by the ratio of the market value of the long positions in each security to the total of the long positions in all securities) in the same security can be different for the Crow Point Funds and the Evergreen Funds, the weightings should generally be consistent (i.e.  a relatively large position in the Crow Point Funds should also be a relatively large position in the Evergreen Funds).    


IPO Allocation Policy


The Crow Point Funds will be ineligible to participate in equity IPOs unless the Evergreen Funds also participate in the offering.   Any participation will be on a pro-rata basis based on target weights and assets.   Exceptions will be based on the inability of the Crow Point Funds to participate in IPOs or differing investment objectives, investment policies, investment restrictions or risk profiles.


Short Sale Policy


The Crow Point Funds cannot sell short a security that is held long in the Evergreen Funds unless such shorting is for hedging purposes.   Hedging purposes shall include, capital structure arbitrage, pair trades and other hedging techniques.   Any such short sales shall be reflected on the exceptions report.   For the avoidance of doubt, a net-short position in a given issuer created through the use of both buying and selling option positions in such issuer thereby creating a “synthetic short” shall be given a natural exception for purposes of this policy.


Other Options Strategies


In addition to the option strategies above, the following option strategies shall each be considered to have a natural exception:


§

Forward Conversion: a long equity order, a long put order and a short call order of an issuer

§

Bull Put Spread:  purchasing a put option of an issuer while simultaneously selling another put option with a higher strike price

§

Bull Call Spread:  purchasing call options of an issuer at a specific strike price while at the same time selling the same number of call options with the same expiration but with a higher strike price


Trading Procedures


When a security is intended to be purchased or sold for both the Evergreen Funds and the Crow Point Funds, a trade allocation statement will be prepared by Crow Point setting forth the name and amount of such security for each of the Evergreen Funds and the Crow Point Funds.   Unless otherwise indicated in the exceptions report, Crow Point shall allocate the trades across the Crow Point Funds and the Evergreen Funds pro rata (assuming both are participating in such trade), provided, however, that a “fill” may be allocated among the Crow Point Funds and the Evergreen Funds in “round lots,” i.e., a “fill” does not have to be broken into “odd lots” in order to achieve parity of allocation.   The allocation statements will be maintained by Crow Point.   To the extent possible, all trade tickets and/or notes of trades shall be time stamped.  


Exception Report


An exception report in the form of Exhibit A hereto will be completed and maintained by Crow Point.   The exception report will set forth the trades for each security that is purchased or sold only for the Evergreen Funds or the Crow Point Funds (that is not otherwise in compliance with this policy) and the rationale for the determination not to purchase or sell such security for both the Evergreen Funds and the Crow Point Funds or if the trade allocation is not on a pro rata basis.  Each completed exception report will be provided on a same-day basis to Crow Point’s Chief Compliance Officer.  


III.   Monitoring


Crow Point will monitor the exception reports and position holdings of the Evergreen Funds and the Crow Point Funds to ensure compliance with the above mentioned investment policies and to ensure that the Crow Point Funds and the Evergreen Funds are being managed prudently and that one group of investors is not being disadvantaged relative to the other.   In addition, for so long as the Evergreen Funds are sub-advised by Crow Point, Evergreen shall be entitled to review on a monthly basis the position holdings of the Crow Point Funds which holdings shall be set forth on a report provided by Crow Point (provided that Evergreen agrees to keep such reports and information confidential and only to provide access to those compliance persons that are required to receive such reports for purposes of ensuring compliance).


EXHIBIT A - SIDE BY SIDE EXCEPTION APPROVAL FORM


This form shall be completed prior to execution for any trade that is an exception to the polices set forth in the Side-by-Side Conflicts Policy of Crow Point Partners, LLC.   A completed form must be provided to the Chief Compliance Officer by the end of the day of any trade requiring the completion of this report.   


Date:


Name of security or asset:


Description of security or asset:

 


Identifier (CUSIP/SEDOL):


Transaction:  __Buy   ___Sell   ___Short


Dollar amount:


Shares (if applicable):



Exceptions


___Similarity of Longs:


___Differing investment objectives/constraints

___Differing investment policies

___Differences in security selection universes/benchmarks

___Contribution to risk inappropriate for long-only investors

___Private placements

___Other (specify below)


Explanation/Investment Reasoning:


___IPO Allocation:


___Inability to Participate

___Differing investment objectives/constraints

___Differing investment policies

___Differences in security selection universes/benchmarks

___Contribution to risk inappropriate for long-only investors

___Other (specify below)


Explanation/Investment Reasoning:


___Long and short same security


Exceptions:

___Shorting against the box

___Capital Structure Arbitrage

___Pair Trade (identify pair below)

___Other (specify below)


Explanation/Investment Reasoning:


Reviewed by:___


Comments/Required Action (if any):




Footnotes

1

Rule 204A-1(e)(9) of the Advisers Act defines a Reportable Fund as the following: (i) Any fund for which you serve as an adviser as defined in section 2(a)(20) of the Investment Company Act of 1940  ( i.e. , in most cases you must be approved by the fund’s board of directors before you can serve); or (ii) Any fund whose investment adviser or principal underwriter controls you, is controlled by you, or is under common control with you.  For purposes of this section, control has the same meaning as it does in section 2(a)(9) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.


2

The Firm intends to use the responses received in the “Conflicts of Interest Questionnaire” to identify, monitor and manage (potential) conflicts of interest to the Firm.   The Firm may review or test, as appropriate, to determine potential compliance issues associated with the “Conflicts of Interest Questionnaire.”

3 Charles M.  Lerner, publicly available November 25, 1988.

4 Letter from Charles M.  Lerner, Director of Enforcement, Pension and Welfare Benefits

Administration, to Thomas B.  Kelley, Chief Executive Officer, Associated Capital Investors,

dated August 17, 1989.

5 The Firm can satisfy the requirement to maintain proxy statements by (i) relying on third party to make and retain, on the Firm’s behalf, a copy of a proxy statement (provided that the Firm has obtained un undertaking form the third party to provide a copy promptly upon request) or (ii) relying on obtaining a copy of a proxy statement from the SEC’s EDGAR system.


6 The Firm may satisfy the requirement to maintain records of votes by relying on a third party to make and retain, on the Firm’s behalf, a record of proxy votes (provided that the Firm has obtained an undertaking from the third party to provide a copy promptly upon request).

7 The term “Vaughn index” is derived from Vaughn v.  Rosen, 484 F.2d 820 (D.C.  Cir.  1973).  A Vaughn index is an itemization of the documents claimed to be privileged together with an assertion of the privilege or privileges claimed for each document.  The “privilege log” should include, at a minimum: the date of the e-mail, the author, the recipient, and the basis or assertion

for the claim of privilege.

Endnotes

Compliance Use Only


Reviewed by:  __________________________


Date of Review: ________________________


Exception(s) Noted:       ____No

      _____Yes


If Yes, Describe: ________________________


Compliance Use Only


Reviewed by:  __________________________


Date of Review: ________________________


Exception(s) Noted:       ____No

      _____Yes


If Yes, Describe: ________________________


Compliance Use Only


Reviewed by:  __________________________


Date of Review: ________________________


Exception(s) Noted:       ____No

      _____Yes


If Yes, Describe: ________________________


Compliance Use Only


Reviewed by:  __________________________


Date of Review: ________________________


Exception(s) Noted:       ____No

      _____Yes


If Yes, Describe: ________________________


Compliance Use Only


Reviewed by:  __________________________


Date of Review: ________________________


Exception(s) Noted:       ____No

      _____Yes


If Yes, Describe: ________________________


Compliance Use Only


Reviewed by:  __________________________


Date of Review: ________________________


Exception(s) Noted:       ____No

      _____Yes


If Yes, Describe: ________________________


Compliance Use Only


Reviewed by:  __________________________


Date of Review: ________________________


Exception(s) Noted:       ____No

      _____Yes


If Yes, Describe: ________________________


Compliance Use Only

Reviewed by:  ________________________________________


Date of Review:_______________________________________


Follow-up Required:       ________No

      ________Yes


If Yes, Describe: ______________________________________







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[MELLONCOE002.GIF]


Code of Conduct




POLICY:



Mellon Capital has adopted Bank of New York Mellon Corporation’s

Code of Conduct (the “Code”).


The Bank of New York Mellon Ethics Office is responsible for administering the policies set forth in the Code.



PROCEDURES :



Mellon Capital Compliance Department will be responsible for enforcing compliance with the Code of Conduct. This can include:


Annual Certification that employees have read and are familiar with the Code; and

Periodic reminders from Compliance and/or Senior Management as deemed necessary.



QUESTIONS:



If you have any questions about the Code, ask your supervisor or consult with the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee and/or Legal Department. If you suspect a violation of the Code of Conduct, you may contact the Ethics Office, General Counsel or Manager of Corporate Compliance. All communications will be handled in a confidential manner.



REFERENCE

 

 

 

The Code can be accessed on the Bank of New York Mellon intranet under Corporate Policy I-A-010 Code of Conduct.



















            MCM Policy: Code of Conduct

Last Updated 9/29/2011



 

HORIZON CASH MANAGEMENT, LLC

CODE OF ETHICS


I.

Code of Ethics and Personal Trading Policy


Horizon expects all employees to uphold their fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of our clients. To facilitate compliance with this expectation, Horizon has established this policy which sets forth standards of conduct and personal trading guidelines for which every employee (including all officers and directors of Horizon) is expected to follow.


On an annual basis, employees are required to acknowledge they have received, read and complied with Horizon’s Compliance Policy Manual, which incorporates this policy.  Furthermore, any new Horizon employee will also be required to acknowledge s/he has read and understands this policy.

 

A.

Standards of Conduct


The Advisers Act imposes a fiduciary duty on all investment advisers, including Horizon.  As a fiduciary, Horizon has a duty of utmost good faith to act solely in the best interest of each of its clients.  Clients entrust the firm with their funds, which in turn places a high standard on the conduct and integrity of Horizon employees.  This fiduciary duty compels all employees and supervised persons to act with the utmost integrity in all dealings.  This fiduciary duty is the core principle underlying this policy, and represents the expected basis of all dealings with Horizon clients.  

In connection with these expectations, Horizon has established the following core principles of conduct.  While the following standards are not all-encompassing, they are consistent with Horizon’s core belief that ethical conduct is premised on the fundamental principals of openness, competence, integrity, honesty and trust.


(1)

General Core Principles


a)

The interests of clients will be placed ahead of the firm’s or any employee’s own investment interests.

b)

Employees are expected to conduct their personal securities transactions in accordance with this policy and will strive to avoid any actual or appearance of a conflict of interest.

c)

Non-public inside information shall not be used in connection with trading in personal accounts or on behalf of Horizon’s clients, including trading on non-public information related to pooled investment funds of Horizon clients.

d)

An employee will not be assigned analytical responsibility for a security when the employee has a conflict of interest (e.g., employee has an ownership interest in the security).

e)

Employees will not take inappropriate advantage of their position with the firm.

f)

Diligence and care shall be taken in maintaining and protecting nonpublic information concerning Horizon’s clients (see Horizon’s Privacy Policy and Privacy Notice ).

g)

All employees are expected to comply with Horizon’s Ethics Statement and the spirit of the CFA Institute’s (f/k/a AIMR) Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct and Asset Manager Code of Professional Conduct.  Copies of these documents may be found within Horizon’s Employee Handbook.   http://companyweb/Shared Documents/Administrative

h)

Horizon will strive to foster an environment which encourages a healthy culture of compliance.


A.

Personal Conduct


Acceptance of Gifts.  Employees are prohibited from receiving any gift, gratuity, hospitality, or other offering of more than de minimus value (not to exceed $100 per gift or event and not to exceed $300 annually) from any person or entity

doing business with Horizon or on behalf of Horizon or any of its clients.  All gifts are required to be reported (including events where employees have reason to believe there is a legitimate business purpose) to the President  using the “Gift

Reporting Form” located on the network at http://companyweb/Shared  Documents/Administrative/Employee Forms


(1)

Service on Company Boards.  Any employee wishing to serve as director for an outside company (public or private) must first seek the approval from the President.  In reviewing the request, the President shall consider whether the board service is consistent with the interests of the firm and its clients.


(2)

Outside Business Activities.  Any employee wishing to engage in business activities outside of Horizon’s business must seek approval from the President and if requested, provide periodic reports to the President summarizing those outside business activities.


(3)

Compliance with Federal Securities Laws.  Employees are expected to comply with federal securities laws.  Strict adherence to all Horizon’s Polices and Procedures will assist such persons in complying with this important requirement.



A.

Personal Trading Policy


(1)

Personal Trading Restrictions


a)

Employees may not acquire any securities in an initial public offering or private placement without express prior written approval from the President (the President’s pre-clearance request(s) shall be reviewed and approved by the Vice President, Director of Finance).  Requests for approval should be submitted in writing using the IPO/Private Placement Advance Approval Form located on the network at   http://companyweb/Shared Documents/Compliance/Current Forms

b)

Employees are prohibited from investing in clients’ investment funds.

c)

Employees are required to purchase or sell a security for their personal accounts only after trading of that same security has been completed in client accounts.  Employees are to consult with the Trading Desk when unsure of the firm’s actual or intended trading activity.



(1)

Reporting Requirements


a)

Quarterly Reports.   Each employee is required to submit to the President a quarterly report of personal securities transactions in which the employee has a direct or indirect beneficial ownership interest.  This includes personal securities transactions of any family member living in the same household where the employee has a direct or indirect beneficial ownership interest. This report is due 30 calendar days following each calendar quarter-end, and the report must be submitted in electronic format readable by Excel.  Employees should use the Excel worksheet located at http://companyweb/Shared Documents/Compliance/Current Forms  to report security transactions.  If an employee leaves before the end of the quarter they will be asked to complete an interim quarterly transaction report.  At the end of the quarter, the President will send a letter to the Employee requesting a final quarterly transaction report.


The following securities do not require reporting :


·

Shares of registered open-end investment companies (mutual funds – excluding Exchange-Traded Funds “ETF’s”);

·

Securities purchased pursuant to an automatic investment plan so long as the investment was determined in advance of the actual trade;

·

Securities issued by the United States government; and

·

Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and other short-term money market-type instruments.


Initial and Annual Reports . New employees are required to provide a report of all personal securities holdings to the President within 10 days upon becoming an employee of Horizon. The report should be current as of a date not more than 45 days prior to the individual becoming an employee.  Employees should use the Excel worksheet located at


In addition, all employees are required to annually provide a report of all personal securities holding to the President by the 30 th calendar day following year-end.  The report must reflect holdings information as of a date not more than 45 days prior to the date the annual report is submitted.  Employees should use the Excel worksheet located at


The following securities do not require reporting:


·

Shares of registered open-end investment companies (mutual funds – excluding Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETF’s”);

·

Securities issued by the United States government; and

·

Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and other short-term money market-type instruments.


a)

Firm Review of Personal Transaction Reports.  The President will generally consider the following factors when reviewing reportable security reports:


·

Whether the amount or nature of the transaction affected the price or market for the security;

·

Whether the employee benefited from purchases or sales being made for any of its clients;

·

Whether the transaction harmed any client; and

·

Whether the transaction has the appearance of impropriety.


The Vice President, Director of Finance will review the President’s transaction and holdings report.  In no case should an employee review his/her own report.  


A.

Violations


All employees are required to report promptly any violation of this policy (including the discovery of any violation committed by another employee) to the President.  Examples of items that should be reported include but are not limited to: noncompliance with federal securities laws, conduct that is harmful to clients and purchasing securities contrary to the personal trading policy.  The President will determine whether such violations are material and, therefore, should be reported to the Committee.


All employees are encouraged to report any violation or perceived violation, and such reports made in good faith will not be viewed negatively by Horizon management, even if the reportable event, upon investigation, is determined to not be a violation of the code.


B.

Record Retention Requirements


Horizon will keep the following records regarding this Code of Ethics and Personal Trading Policy:


·

Current and historic copies of this Code of Ethics and Personal Trading Policy;

·

Employee’s written acknowledgements of receipt of the Compliance Policy Manual, which incorporates this Code of Ethics and Personal Trading Policy;

·

Historic listings of all employees subject to this Code of Ethics and Personal Trading Policy;

·

Violations of the Code of the Ethics and Personal Trading Policy, and records of action taken as a result of the violations;

·

All personal transaction reports made by employees and/or copies of brokerage confirmations and statements; and

·

Written personal security trading approvals of IPOs and private placements, including documentation of the reasons for the approval.



IV.

Insider Trading Policy  


No employee may purchase or sell a security, either personally or on behalf of others (including private accounts managed by Horizon), while in possession of material, nonpublic information.  Horizon also forbids communicating material, nonpublic information to others in violation of the law.  This conduct is frequently referred to as “insider trading.”  This policy applies to every employee and extends to activities within and outside their duties at Horizon.  


If an employee believes information may be material and non-public, the employee should immediately consult Appendix C for assistance in determining whether the information represents “inside information” and for direction regarding appropriate actions to take.  


V.

Trading and Brokerage Policy


Consistent with our fiduciary obligations, Horizon seeks best execution in all transactions.  Horizon defines best execution as placing trades in such a manner that the client’s total proceeds or cost for each transaction is most favorable under the circumstances.  Horizon believes obtaining the best price offered in the market and exercising the patience to look for value added securities in combination with a fluid communication process among the portfolio management team are strong contributing factors to the firm's best execution strategy.


This Trading and Brokerage Policy is designed to assist the firm in meeting its goal of seeking best execution in all transactions.  However, as a single written policy describing the firm’s trading and brokerage practices cannot alone ensure best execution, Horizon employees are expected to be mindful of our responsibility to achieve best execution for our clients as part of their daily business activities and in connection with their role in managing client portfolios.  Employees are also encouraged to offer recommendations of ways in which we may improve upon our best execution process.  To obtain best execution, the portfolio management staff monitors dealer inventory and pricing on a daily basis as part of their daily portfolio management functions.     


A.

Approved Broker-Dealers


The Trading Desk is responsible for identifying broker-dealers to use in executing trades for client accounts.  The firm’s Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager is responsible for any additions or deletions to/from the firm’s relationship lists. The list is accessible through the network at the following location:    http://companyweb/Shared Documents/Portfolio Management


We consider various factors in selecting a broker-dealer, including:  


·

Knowledge of and dominance in specific markets, products and securities;

·

Best price and quality execution on securities;

·

Availability of smaller, odd lot securities;

·

Type of security;

·

Quality and availability of securities and/or economic, market and credit research;

·

Secondary market-making;

·

Acceptable record keeping; and

·

Reputation and integrity.


In addition, repurchase agreements are executed, when possible, through primary dealers willing to collateralize the repurchase agreement at 102% using agency and treasury securities as collateral.  Horizon continually assesses the counterparty risk associated with a broker-dealer when executing repurchase agreements.


B.

Trade Aggregation and Allocation


Horizon strives to treat all clients in a fair manner.  Each client’s portfolio is customized to meet specific investment objectives and requirements.   The core principals of Horizon’s investment strategy and process are (1) the safety of client assets and preservation of capital and (2) the assurance of ample liquidity of client cash reserves.  These are the basic principals underlying this aggregation and allocation policy.


The Trading Desk utilizes a trade ticket to record information related to each particular trade in the firm’s portfolio management system, Funds Management.  


Before trading for a particular client account, the needs of each client are assessed at the client account level.  Based on this assessment, an estimate of the required dollar amount of securities to be purchased for clients is calculated. Security selection is made depending on client investment parameters, dealer available inventory and the results of Horizon's investment research process.


When practical, client trades in the same security will be aggregated in a single order (a “block”) in an effort to obtain execution at the best security price available.  When employing a block trade, client allocations will be determined before or at the time the trade is executed by the broker-dealer unless Horizon purchases a security with a future settlement date.  If Horizon purchases a security with a future settlement date, a client or group of clients is selected at the time of the trade.  The client or group of clients is determined by the client’s portfolio parameters (i.e., eligible securities, investment criteria) and maturity restrictions.  However, actual par amounts are not determined and allocated until the trade settles based on cash availability and liquidity considerations at settlement for each client.   


It is expected that this trade aggregation and allocation policy will be applied consistently.  However, if application of this policy results in unfair or unreasonable treatment to some or all of Horizon’s clients, we may deviate from this policy.  The President will approve of and document any deviation from this policy.


C.

Trading Restrictions


The Trading Desk adheres to the following restrictions when trading for client accounts.  


i.

The Trading Desk maintains a Restricted List http://companyweb/Shared Documents/Approved Investments which may at times include securities the firm is prohibited from trading for client accounts.


ii.

When purchasing a security, the maturity must be 90 days or less and no allocation to a specific client account may exceed 5% of the account’s value prior to the purchase.  The 5% concentration restriction does not apply to overnight trades.  Either of these restrictions may be exceeded if two Portfolio Managers agree.  The President and Vice President, Director of Finance must be notified via e-mail by the Trading Desk on the same day the trade is effected when either or both of these restrictions is exceeded.  


iii.

No Portfolio Manager shall initiate a reverse inquiry trade, defined as going to the dealer with stated instructions regarding a structured repo or structured product, without obtaining written approval from the President or Vice President, Director of Finance.


iv.

When selling a security, prior approval must be obtained from the President or Vice President, Director of Finance.



D.

Trade Reconciliations


Daily trade reconciliations are performed by Portfolio Operations and by the firm’s accounting department.  Horizon utilizes a trade ticket, brokerage confirmations, the firm’s Funds Management system and custodial records when performing reconciliations.  Exceptions identified by these reconciliation processes are researched and resolved on a timely basis.   If an exception cannot be reconciled within 24 hours, it must be reported to the Director, Portfolio Operations and Vice President, Director of Finance.



E.

Account Reviews


The Trading Desk is responsible to review client accounts on a regular basis.  On a monthly basis, each client’s individual account performance is calculated by Funds Management, compared to the applicable industry benchmarks and reviewed by the members of the firm’s portfolio management staff, President and Vice President, Director of Finance.  Because each client account is managed to specific client objectives and restrictions, performance is not expected to be consistent across all client accounts.  However, performance is expected to be reasonable in comparison to the benchmarks and other client accounts.  Any notable differences are researched and discussed.  


F.

Trade Error Correction


It is our policy to ensure clients are made whole following a trade error.  Specifically, when we cause a trade error to occur in a client account that results in a loss, we will reimburse our client.  If the trade error results in a gain, our client will receive the benefit of that gain.  See Appendix D for further information on trade errors.


G.

Security Cross Transactions


Under certain circumstances Horizon may effect a transaction between two advisory clients (i.e., “agency cross” trade).  Horizon anticipates, in specified situations, effecting agency cross transactions – only in instances where a client withdraws funds from its account and where the liquidity portion of the client’s account is insufficient to pay the proceeds of the withdrawal amount.  The President and Vice President, Director of Finance must be notified by the Trading Desk via e-mail the same day a cross trade is effected.


In effecting an agency cross trade between client accounts, Horizon will:


·

Ensure that its current Form ADV Part II includes appropriate disclosure that informs clients of Horizon’s ability to effect cross transactions.

·

Strive to ensure each agency cross transaction achieves best execution for all clients and no client is disadvantaged by the transaction.

·

Receive no compensation, other than its advisory fees, in connection with the cross transaction.  Clients may, however, be charged reasonable transaction costs (i.e., a set flat fee) by the broker-dealer to effect the transaction if a broker-dealer is used to facilitate settlement.

·

Effect the transaction either through an inter-positioned broker-dealer or, when appropriate, through Northern Trust as the clients’ custodian.

·

Effect the transaction at the prevailing market price for the security.  For purposes of this cross transaction policy, the prevailing market price is defined as the current bid price for a security, either as reported by Bloomberg or as quoted by a dealer in the security.

·

Document the rationale for effecting the cross transaction as well as the basis for pricing the security.