TOUCHSTONE FUNDS GROUP TRUST (Form: 485APOS, Received: 07/18/2018 16:04:56)

Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 18, 2018

Securities Act of 1933 File No. 033-70958

Investment Company Act of 1940 File No. 811-08104

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ý

Pre-Effective Amendment No.

Post-Effective Amendment No. 101

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 ý

Amendment No. 103

(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

TOUCHSTONE FUNDS GROUP TRUST

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

303 Broadway, Suite 1100, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) Zip Code

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code (800) 638-8194

Jill T. McGruder, 303 Broadway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Deborah Bielicke Eades, Esq.

Vedder Price P.C.

222 North LaSalle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60601

(312) 609-7661

Renee M. Hardt, Esq.

Vedder Price P.C.

222 North LaSalle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60601

(312) 609-7616

It is proposed that this filing will become effective

(check appropriate box)

o immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

o on January 26, 2018 pursuant to paragraph (b)

o 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)

o on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)

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

o on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485. If appropriate, check the following box:

o This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. SUBJECT TO COMPLETION - DATED JULY 18, 2018.

[ ], 2018

Prospectus

Touchstone Funds Group Trust



	Class Y	Institutional Class
Touchstone Anti-Benchmark® International Core Equity Fund	[XXXX]	[XXXX]
Touchstone Anti-Benchmark® US Core Equity Fund	[XXXX]	[XXXX]

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Table of Contents



	Page
TOUCHSTONE ANTI-BENCHMARK® INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY FUND SUMMARY
TOUCHSTONE ANTI-BENCHMARK® US CORE EQUITY FUND SUMMARY
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
THE FUNDS’ MANAGEMENT
CHOOSING A CLASS OF SHARES
DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING ARRANGEMENTS
INVESTING WITH TOUCHSTONE
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

TOUCHSTONE ANTI-BENCHMARK® INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY FUND SUMMARY

The Fund’s Investment Goal

The Touchstone Anti-Benchmark® International Core Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks capital appreciation.

The Fund’s Fees and Expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. More information is available from your financial professional, in the section titled “Choosing a Class of Shares” in the Fund’s prospectus on page [ ] and Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") on page [ ].



	Class Y		Institutional Class
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Wire Redemption Fee	Up to $15		Up to $15
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fees	0.45	%	0.45	%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees	None		None
Other Expenses ⁽¹⁾	0.62	%	0.52	%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	1.07	%	0.97	%
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement ⁽²⁾	(0.38	)%	(0.38	)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement ⁽²⁾	0.69	%	0.59	%

_________________________________________________

⁽¹⁾ Other Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. The Fund’s commenced operations on [October 1], 2018.

⁽²⁾ Touchstone Advisors, Inc. ("Touchstone Advisors" or the "Advisor") and Touchstone Funds Group Trust (the “Trust”) have entered into a contractual expense limitation agreement whereby Touchstone Advisors will waive a portion of its fees or reimburse certain Fund expenses (excluding dividend and interest expenses relating to short sales; interest; taxes; brokerage commissions and other transaction costs; portfolio transaction and investment related expenses, including expenses associated with the Fund's liquidity provider; other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; the cost of “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses,” if any; and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of business) in order to limit annual Fund operating expenses to 0.69% and 0.59% of average daily net assets for Class Y and Institutional Class shares, respectively. This contractual expense limitation is effective through [September 30], 2019 , but can be terminated by a vote of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) if it deems the termination to be beneficial to the Fund’s shareholders. The terms of the contractual expense limitation agreement provide that Touchstone Advisors is entitled to recoup, subject to approval by the Board, such amounts waived or reimbursed for a period of up to three years from the date on which Touchstone Advisors reduced its compensation or assumed expenses for the Fund. The Fund will make repayments to the Advisor only if such repayment does not cause the annual fund operating expenses (after the repayment is taken into account) to exceed both (1) the expense cap in place when such amounts were waived or reimbursed and (2) the Fund’s current expense limitation.

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, that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same and that all fee waivers or expense limits for the Fund will expire after one year. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:



	Class Y		Institutional Class
1 Year	$	70	$	60
3 Years	$	303	$	271

Portfolio Turnover. The Fund pays transaction costs, such as brokerage 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 annual fund operating expenses or in the example,

affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund commenced operations on [ ], 2018 and therefore does not yet have a portfolio turnover rate.

The Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund invests, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its assets in non-U.S. equity securities. The Fund’s 80% policy is a non-fundamental investment policy that can be changed by the Fund upon 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders. Equity securities include common stock and preferred stock. The Fund may gain exposure to the common stock and preferred stock of foreign issuers through the purchase of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) or through the purchase of shares of foreign stocks that trade on U.S. stock exchanges. The Fund allocates its assets to securities of issuers located in developed markets.

The Fund pursues its objective by seeking to track the net total return, before fees and expenses, of the TOBAM Anti–Benchmark® International Core Equity Index (the "Index"). The Index is a proprietary rules–based index created by the Fund's sub–advisor, TOBAM S.A.S. ("TOBAM"). The Index is comprised of common and preferred stock of non-U.S. companies. The Index composition is determined by proprietary quantitative models of TOBAM, which seek to maximize the diversification of the Index based on the volatility of each Index constituent and its correlation to other Index constituents. The Index typically is reconstituted (i.e., Index constituents are added or deleted and weights are reset) monthly.

The Fund’s Principal Risks

The Fund’s share price will fluctuate. You could lose money on your investment in the Fund and the Fund could also return less than other investments. As with any mutual fund, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment goal. You can find more information about the Fund’s investments and risks under the “Principal Investment Strategies and Risks” section of the Fund’s prospectus. The Fund is subject to the principal risks summarized below.

Equity Securities Risk: The Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by these companies may decline in response to such developments, which could result in a decline in the value of the Fund’s shares.


•	Preferred Stock Risk: In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds take precedence over the claims of those who own preferred and common stock. If interest rates rise, the fixed dividend on preferred stocks may be less attractive, causing the price of preferred stocks to decline.

Foreign Securities Risk: Investing in foreign securities poses additional risks since political and economic events unique in a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers, while such events may not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign securities are generally denominated in foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of the Fund's investments. There are also risks associated with foreign accounting standards, government regulation, market information, and clearance and settlement procedures. Foreign markets may be less liquid and more volatile than U.S. markets and offer less protection to investors.


•	Depositary Receipt Risk: Foreign receipts, which include ADRs, Global Depositary Receipts, and European Depositary Receipts, are securities that evidence ownership interests in a security or a pool of securities issued by a foreign issuer. The risks of depositary receipts include many risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities.

Management Risk: In managing the Fund’s portfolio, the Advisor engages one or more sub-advisors to make investment decisions for a portion of or the entire portfolio. There is a risk that the Advisor may be unable to identify and retain sub-advisors who achieve superior investment returns relative to other similar sub-advisors.

Passive Investment Risk: As the Fund is intended to track the Index, portfolio managers do not attempt to take defensive positions under any market conditions, including during declining markets.

Quantitative Strategy Risk: TOBAM uses proprietary statistical analyses and models to construct the Index, which the Fund seeks to track. A securities portfolio selected using TOBAM’s proprietary models can perform differently than the market as a whole as a result of the correlation factors used in the analysis to construct the models, the weight placed on each factor, and changes in the factors' historical trends. As a result, the Fund may be more or less exposed to a risk factor, such as sector risk, than its individual holdings.

Sector and Industry Exposure Risk: A fund that is directly or indirectly exposed to the securities of a particular market sector or industry is subject to the risk that adverse circumstances will have a greater impact on the fund than a fund that is not exposed to a particular sector or industry.

The Fund’s Performance

The Fund’s performance information is only shown when it has had a full calendar year of operations. Since the Fund commenced operations on [ ], 2018, there is no performance information included in this prospectus.

The Fund’s Management

Investment Advisor

Touchstone Advisors, Inc.



Sub-Advisor	Portfolio Managers	Investment Experience with the Fund	Primary Title with Sub-Advisor
TOBAM S.A.S.	Ayaaz Allymun	Managing the Fund since its inception in 2018	Portfolio Manager
TOBAM S.A.S.	Nicolas Bégorre	Managing the Fund since its inception in 2018	Portfolio Manager
	Amine Kamoun	Managing the Fund since its inception in 2018	Portfolio Manager
	Mara Maccagnan	Managing the Fund since its inception in 2018	Portfolio Manager
	Guillaume Toison	Managing the Fund since its inception in 2018	Portfolio Manager

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

Minimum Investment Requirements



	Class Y
	Initial Investment		Additional Investment
Regular Account	$	2,500	$	50
Retirement Account or Custodial Account under the Uniform Gifts/Transfers to Minors Act	$	1,000	$	50
Investments through the Automatic Investment Plan	$	100	$	50



	Institutional Class
	Initial Investment		Additional Investment
Regular Account	$	500,000	$	50

You may buy and sell shares in the Fund on a day when the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading. Class Y shares are available only through financial intermediaries who have appropriate selling agreements in place with Touchstone Securities. Institutional Class shares are available through Touchstone Securities or your financial intermediary. Shares may be purchased or sold by writing to Touchstone Securities at P.O. Box 9878, Providence, Rhode Island 02940, calling 1.800.543.0407, or visiting the Touchstone Funds’ website: TouchstoneInvestments.com. You may only sell shares over the telephone or via the Internet if the value of the shares sold is less than or equal to $100,000. Shares held in IRAs and qualified retirement plans cannot be sold via the Internet. If your shares are held by a processing organization or financial intermediary you will need to follow its purchase and redemption procedures. For more information about buying and selling shares, see the section “Investing with Touchstone” of the Fund’s prospectus or call 1.800.543.0407.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains except when shares are held through a tax-advantaged account, such as a 401(k) plan or an IRA. Withdrawals from a tax-advantaged account, however, may be taxable.

Financial Intermediary Compensation

If you purchase shares in the Fund 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 a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

TOUCHSTONE ANTI-BENCHMARK® US CORE EQUITY FUND SUMMARY

The Fund’s Investment Goal

The Touchstone Anti-Benchmark® US Core Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks capital appreciation.

The Fund’s Fees and Expenses



	Class Y		Institutional Class
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Wire Redemption Fee	Up to $15		Up to $15
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fees	0.35	%	0.35	%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees	None		None
Other Expenses ⁽¹⁾	0.56	%	0.46	%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.91	%	0.81	%
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement ⁽²⁾	(0.37	)%	(0.37	)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement ⁽²⁾	0.54	%	0.44	%

_________________________________________________

⁽¹⁾ Other Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. The Fund commenced operations on [October 1], 2018.

⁽²⁾ Touchstone Advisors, Inc. ("Touchstone Advisors" or the "Advisor") and Touchstone Funds Group Trust (the “Trust”) have entered into a contractual expense limitation agreement whereby Touchstone Advisors will waive a portion of its fees or reimburse certain Fund expenses (excluding dividend and interest expenses relating to short sales; interest; taxes; brokerage commissions and other transaction costs; portfolio transaction and investment related expenses, including expenses associated with the Fund's liquidity provider; other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; the cost of “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses,” if any; and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of business) in order to limit annual Fund operating expenses to 0.54% and 0.44% of average daily net assets for Class Y and Institutional Class shares, respectively. This contractual expense limitation is effective through [ ] , but can be terminated by a vote of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) if it deems the termination to be beneficial to the Fund’s shareholders. The terms of the contractual expense limitation agreement provide that Touchstone Advisors is entitled to recoup, subject to approval by the Board, such amounts waived or reimbursed for a period of up to three years from the date on which Touchstone Advisors reduced its compensation or assumed expenses for the Fund. The Fund will make repayments to the Advisor only if such repayment does not cause the annual fund operating expenses (after the repayment is taken into account) to exceed both (1) the expense cap in place when such amounts were waived or reimbursed and (2) the Fund’s current expense limitation.



	Class Y		Institutional Class
1 Year	$	55	$	45
3 Years	$	253	$	222

affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund commenced operations on [ ], 2018 and therefore does not yet have a portfolio turnover rate.

The Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund invests, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its assets in U.S. equity securities. The Fund’s 80% policy is a non-fundamental investment policy that can be changed by the Fund upon 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders. Equity securities include common stock and preferred stock. These securities may be listed on an exchange or traded over-the-counter.

The Fund pursues its objective by seeking to track the total return, before fees and expenses, of the TOBAM Anti–Benchmark® US Core Equity Index (the "Index"). The Index is a proprietary rules–based index created by the Fund's sub–advisor, TOBAM S.A.S. ("TOBAM"). The Index is comprised of common and preferred stock of U.S. companies.

The Index composition is determined by proprietary quantitative models of TOBAM, which seek to maximize the diversification of the Index based on the volatility of each Index constituent and its correlation to other Index constituents. The Index typically is reconstituted (i.e., Index constituents are added or deleted and weights are reset) monthly.

The Fund’s Principal Risks


•	Preferred Stock Risk: In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds take precedence over the claims of those who own preferred and common stock. If interest rates rise, the fixed dividend on preferred stocks may be less attractive, causing the price of preferred stocks to decline.

Passive Investment Risk: As the Fund is intended to track the Index, portfolio managers do not attempt to take defensive positions under any market conditions, including during declining markets.

The Fund’s Performance

The Fund’s Management

Investment Advisor

Touchstone Advisors, Inc.



Sub-Advisor	Portfolio Managers	Investment Experience with the Fund	Primary Title with Sub-Advisor
TOBAM S.A.S.	Ayaaz Allymun	Managing the Fund since its inception in 2018	Portfolio Manager
TOBAM S.A.S.	Nicolas Bégorre	Managing the Fund since its inception in 2018	Portfolio Manager
	Amine Kamoun	Managing the Fund since its inception in 2018	Portfolio Manager
	Mara Maccagnan	Managing the Fund since its inception in 2018	Portfolio Manager
	Guillaume Toison	Managing the Fund since its inception in 2018	Portfolio Manager

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

Minimum Investment Requirements



	Class Y
	Initial Investment		Additional Investment
Regular Account	$	2,500	$	50
Retirement Account or Custodial Account under the Uniform Gifts/Transfers to Minors Act	$	1,000	$	50
Investments through the Automatic Investment Plan	$	100	$	50



	Institutional Class
	Initial Investment		Additional Investment
Regular Account	$	500,000	$	50

Tax Information

Financial Intermediary Compensation

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

This prospectus applies to the Touchstone Anti-Benchmark® International Core Equity Fund (the "International Core Equity Fund") and the Touchstone Anti-Benchmark® US Core Equity Fund (the "US Core Equity Fund") (each a “Fund”, and collectively, the “Funds”).

How Do The Funds Implement Their Investment Goal? 

Each Fund's investment goal and strategies are described above in the "Principal Investment Strategies" summary sections. The descriptions below provide further detail concerning how each Fund noted below pursues its investment goal.

International Core Equity Fund. In managing the Fund, TOBAM seeks to track the net total return, before fees and expenses, of the TOBAM Anti–Benchmark® International Core Equity Index (the "Index"). The Index is a proprietary rules–based index created by the Fund's sub–advisor, TOBAM S.A.S. ("TOBAM"). The Index is comprised of common and preferred stock of non-U.S. companies.

US Core Equity Fund. In managing the Fund, TOBAM seeks to track the total return, before fees and expenses, of the TOBAM Anti–Benchmark® US Core Equity Index (the "Index"). The Index is a proprietary rules–based index created by the Fund's sub–advisor, TOBAM. The Index is comprised of common and preferred stock of U.S. companies.

Can a Fund Depart From its Principal Investment Strategies? In addition to the investments and strategies described in this prospectus, each Fund may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices. These permitted investments and strategies are described in detail in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).

Each Fund’s investment goal is non-fundamental, and may be changed by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the "Board") without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be notified at least 60 days before any change takes effect.

Portfolio Composition

80% Investment Policy. Each Fund has adopted a policy to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of its “assets” in certain types of investments suggested by its name (the “80% Policy”). For purposes of this 80% Policy, the term “assets” means net assets plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes. A Fund must comply with its 80% Policy at the time the Fund invests its assets. Accordingly, when a Fund no longer meets the 80% requirement as a result of circumstances beyond its control, such as changes in the value of portfolio holdings, it would not have to sell its holdings but would have to make any new investments in such a way as to comply with the 80% Policy.

Do the Funds Have Other Investment Strategies in Addition to Their Principal Investment Strategies?

General. In addition to the investments and strategies described in this prospectus, each Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices. These permitted investments and strategies are described in detail in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information ("SAI").

Lending of Portfolio Securities. The Funds may lend their portfolio securities to brokers, dealers, and financial institutions under guidelines adopted by the Board, including a requirement that a Fund must receive collateral equal to no less than 100% of the market value of the securities loaned. The risk in lending portfolio securities, as with other extensions of credit, consists of possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. In determining whether to lend securities, the Advisor will

consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the borrower. More information on securities lending is available in the SAI.

Other Investment Companies. A Fund may invest in securities issued by other investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder and applicable Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) staff interpretations thereof, or applicable exemptive relief granted by the SEC.

ReFlow Liquidity Program . The Funds may participate in the ReFlow liquidity program, which is designed to provide an alternative liquidity source for mutual funds experiencing net redemptions of their shares. Pursuant to the program, ReFlow Fund, LLC ( “ ReFlow ” ) provides participating mutual funds with a source of cash to meet net shareholder redemptions by standing ready each business day to purchase fund shares up to the value of the net shares redeemed by other shareholders that are to settle the next business day. Following purchases of Fund shares, ReFlow then generally redeems those shares when the Fund experiences net sales, at the end of a maximum holding period determined by ReFlow, or at other times at ReFlow’s discretion. While ReFlow holds Fund shares, it will have the same rights and privileges with respect to those shares as any other shareholder. In the event the Fund uses the ReFlow service, the Fund will pay a fee to ReFlow each time ReFlow purchases Fund shares, calculated by applying to the purchase amount a fee rate determined through an automated daily auction among participating mutual funds. ReFlow’s purchases of Fund shares through the liquidity program are made on an investment-blind basis without regard to the Fund’s objective, policies or anticipated performance. In accordance with federal securities laws, ReFlow is prohibited from acquiring more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.

What are the Principal Risks of Investing in the Funds?

The following is a list of principal risks that may apply to your investment in a Fund. Further information about investment risks is available in the Funds’ SAI:



Risks	International Core Equity Fund	U.S. Core Equity Fund
Depositary Receipts Risk	x
Equity Securities Risk	x	x
Foreign Securities Risk	x
Management Risk	x	x
Passive Investment Risk	x	x
Preferred Stock Risk	x	x
Quantitative Strategy Risk	x	x
Sector and Industry Exposure Risk	x	x

Depositary Receipts Risk: Foreign receipts, which include American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), Global Depositary Receipts, and European Depositary Receipts, are securities that evidence ownership interests in a security or a pool of securities issued by

a foreign issuer. The risks of depositary receipts include many risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities, such as individual country risk and liquidity risk. Unsponsored ADRs, which are issued by a depositary bank without the participation or consent of the issuer, involve additional risks because U.S. reporting requirements do not apply, and the issuing bank will recover shareholder distribution costs from movement of share prices and payment of dividends.

Equity Securities Risk: A Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by these companies may decline in response to such developments, which could result in a decline in the value of the Funds’ shares. These factors contribute to price volatility. In addition, common stocks represent a share of ownership in a company, and rank after bonds and preferred stock in their claim on the company’s assets in the event of liquidation.

Foreign Securities Risk : Investing in foreign securities poses additional risks since political and economic events unique in a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers, while such events may not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign securities are generally denominated in foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of an underlying fund’s investments. There are also risks associated with foreign accounting standards, government regulation, market information, and clearance and settlement procedures. Foreign markets may be less liquid and more volatile than U.S. markets and offer less protection to investors. Investments in securities of foreign issuers may be subject to foreign withholding and other taxes. In addition, it may be more difficult and costly for a fund to seek recovery from an issuer located outside the United States in the event of a default on a portfolio security or an issuer’s insolvency proceeding.

Management Risk: In managing a Fund’s portfolio, the Advisor may engage one or more sub-advisors to make investment decisions on a portion of or the entire portfolio. There is a risk that the Advisor may be unable to identify and retain sub-advisors who achieve superior investment returns relative to other similar sub-advisors. The value of your investment may decrease if the sub-advisor incorrectly judges the attractiveness, value, or market trends affecting a particular security, issuer, industry, or sector.

Passive Investment Risk: As each Fund is intended to track its respective Index, portfolio managers do not attempt to take defensive positions under any market conditions, including during declining markets. As a result, a Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index. The returns from the types of securities in which the Funds invest may underperform returns from the various general securities markets or different asset classes. This may cause the Funds to underperform other investment vehicles that invest in different asset classes.

Preferred Stock Risk: Preferred stock represents an equity interest in an issuer that pays dividends at a specified rate and that has precedence over common stock in the payment of dividends. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds take precedence over the claims of those who own preferred and common stock. If interest rates rise, the fixed dividend on preferred stocks may be less attractive, causing the price of preferred stocks to decline. Preferred stock may have mandatory sinking fund provisions, as well as provisions allowing the stock to be called or redeemed prior to its maturity, both of which can have a negative impact on the stock’s price when interest rates decline.

Sector and Industry Exposure Risk: A fund that directly or indirectly is exposed to the securities of a particular market sector is subject to the risk that adverse circumstances will have a greater impact on the fund than a fund that is not exposed to a particular sector or industry. It is possible that economic, business or political developments or other changes affecting one security in the sector or industry will affect other securities in that sector or industry in the same manner, thereby increasing the risk of such investments.

Where Can I Find Information About the Funds’ Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policies?

A description of the Funds’ policies and procedures for disclosing portfolio securities to any person is available in the SAI and can also be found on the Funds’ website at TouchstoneInvestments.com.

THE FUNDS’ MANAGEMENT

Investment Advisor

Touchstone Advisors, Inc. ("Touchstone Advisors") 303 Broadway, Suite 1100, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 .

Touchstone Advisors has been a registered investment advisor since 1994. As of June 30, 2018, Touchstone Advisors had approximately $19.0 billion in assets under management. As the Funds’ Advisor, Touchstone Advisors reviews, supervises, and administers the Funds’ investment programs and also ensures compliance with the Funds’ investment policies and guidelines.

Touchstone Advisors is responsible for selecting each Fund’s sub-advisor(s), subject to approval by the Board. Touchstone Advisors selects a sub-advisor that has shown good investment performance in its areas of expertise. Touchstone Advisors considers various factors in evaluating a sub-advisor, including:


•	Level of knowledge and skill;


•	Performance as compared to its peers or benchmark;


•	Consistency of performance over 5 years or more;


•	Level of compliance with investment rules and strategies;


•	Employees’ facilities and financial strength; and


•	Quality of service.

Touchstone Advisors will also continually monitor each sub-advisor’s performance through various analyses and through in-person, telephone, and written consultations with a sub-advisor. Touchstone Advisors discusses its expectations for performance with each sub-advisor and provides evaluations and recommendations to the Board of Trustees, including whether or not a sub-advisor’s contract should be renewed, modified, or terminated.

The SEC has granted an exemptive order that permits Touchstone Funds Group Trust (the "Trust") , of which each Fund described in this prospectus is a series, or Touchstone Advisors, under certain conditions, to select or change unaffiliated sub-advisors, enter into new sub-advisory agreements, or amend existing sub-advisory agreements without first obtaining shareholder approval. The Funds must still obtain shareholder approval of any sub-advisory agreement with a sub-advisor affiliated with the Trust or Touchstone Advisors other than by reason of serving as a sub-advisor to one or more Funds. Shareholders of a Fund will be notified of a change in its sub-advisor.

Two or more sub-advisors may manage a Fund, from time to time, with each managing a portion of the Fund’s assets. If a Fund has more than one sub-advisor, Touchstone Advisors allocates how much of a Fund’s assets are managed by each sub-advisor. Touchstone Advisors may change these allocations from time to time, often based upon the results of its evaluations of the sub-advisors.

Touchstone Advisors is also responsible for running all of the operations of the Funds, except those that are subcontracted to a sub-advisor, custodian, transfer agent, sub-administrative agent or other parties. For its services, Touchstone Advisors is entitled to receive an investment advisory fee from each Fund at an annualized rate, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Funds pay Touchstone Advisors a fee at an annual rate as set forth below. Touchstone Advisors pays sub-advisory fees to the sub-advisor from its advisory fee.



Fund		Annual Fee Rate
International Core Equity Fund		0.45% of average daily net assets on the first $1 billion of assets, and 0.40% of average daily net assets over $1 billion.
U.S. Core Equity Fund		0.35% of average daily net assets on the first $1 billion of assets, and 0.30% of average daily net assets over $1 billion.

Advisory and Sub-Advisory Agreement Approval. A discussion of the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Funds’ advisory and sub-advisory agreements will be found in the Trust's semi-annual report for the period ending March 31, 2019.

Additional Information

The Trustees of the Trust oversee generally the operations of each Fund and the Trust. The Trust enters into contractual arrangements with various parties, including, among others, the Funds' investment advisor, custodian, transfer agent, accountants and distributor, who provide services to each Fund. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended (or “third-party”) beneficiaries of, any of those contractual arrangements, and those contractual arrangements are not intended to create in any such individual shareholder or

group of shareholders any right to enforce the terms of the contractual arrangements against the service providers or to seek any remedy under the contractual arrangements against the service providers, either directly or on behalf of the Trust.

This prospectus provides information concerning the Trust and the Funds that you should consider in determining whether to purchase shares of a Fund. The Funds may make changes to this information from time to time. Neither this prospectus, the SAI or any document filed as an exhibit to the Trust’s registration statement, is intended to, nor does it, give rise to an agreement or contract between the Trust or a Fund its shareholders, or give rise to any contract or other rights in any such individual shareholder or group of shareholders or other person other than any rights conferred explicitly by federal or state securities laws that may not be waived.

Sub-Advisor and Portfolio Managers

Listed below are the Sub-Advisor and the portfolio managers that have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Funds. A brief biographical description of each portfolio manager is also provided. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ investments in the Fund, a description of their compensation structure, and information regarding other accounts that they manage.

TOBAM S.A.S. (“TOBAM”), an SEC-registered investment adviser, located at 49-53 Avenue des Champs Elysées, Paris, France, serves as sub-advisor to the Funds. As sub-advisor, TOBAM makes investment decisions for the Funds and also ensures compliance with each Fund’s investment policies and guidelines. TOBAM is primarily employee-owned, with California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and Amundi Pioneer Asset Management Inc. holding minority interests. As of June 30, 2018, TOBAM had approximately $[10.2] billion in assets under management.

Ayaaz Allymun, Portfolio Manager. Mr. Allymun joined TOBAM in June 2008 as a portfolio manager and researcher. From 2004 he was a portfolio manager at Credit Agricole Asset Management (“CAAM”) in Paris where he managed index funds, enhanced index funds, and multi-strategy funds based on a core/satellite approach. Prior to this, he joined Credit Lyonnais Asset Management (“CLAM”) as a quantitative analyst. Mr. Allymun achieved a DESS (equivalent to MSc) of Applied Mathematics with Honors from Pierre & Marie Curie University (Paris VI).

Nicolas Bégorre, Portfolio Manager. Mr. Bégorre joined TOBAM in May 2010. Prior to that, he was a Sungard consultant for CAAM, specializing in IT projects, including external performance calculation. He holds a Masters (MSc) degree in IT and Management, and an MSc in innovation systems.

Amine Kamoun, Portfolio Manager. Mr. Kamoun joined TOBAM in January 2015. Previously he worked at La Banque Postale Asset Management, on the investment solutions tasks such as pricing of equities structured products, research on Risk Premia Strategies and implementation tools. Mr. Kamoun graduated from Ensimag in Mathematics, Computer Science and Finance and from IAE Grenoble in Quantitative Finance.

Mara Maccagnan, Portfolio Manager. Ms. Maccagnan is a portfolio manager with more than 7 years experience in the investment industry. She started her carrier in 2011 in the structuring department of Banca IMI. She moved in the structured fund team of ANIMA Asset Management Ltd in Dublin in 2012. From 2014 to 2018 she was a portfolio manager of a group of flexible absolute return funds called Smart Volatility and based on a proprietary quantitative risk control model. She joined TOBAM in 2018 as portfolio manager in the equity team. Ms. Maccagnan graduated in Economics from University of Udine and obtained a post MSc diploma in Mathematical Finance from University of Bologna (Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Science).

Guillaume Toison, Portfolio Manager. Mr. Toison joined TOBAM in December 2006 as equity portfolio manager. Prior to joining the team, he was quantitative analyst for CAAM in Paris, and part of the team that pioneered development of the company’s statistical arbitrage strategies. Mr. Toison graduated from ENST Paris in Mathematics, Computer Science and Telecommunications.

CHOOSING A CLASS OF SHARES

Share Class Offerings. The Funds offer Class Y and Institutional Class shares.

Class Y Shares

Class Y shares of the Funds are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge so that the full amount of your purchase payment may be immediately invested in the Funds. Class Y shares are not subject to a Rule 12b-1 fee or CDSC. In addition, Class Y shares may be purchased through certain mutual fund programs sponsored by qualified intermediaries, such as broker-dealers and investment advisors. In each case, the intermediary has entered into an agreement with Touchstone Securities to include the Touchstone Funds in their program where the intermediary provides investors participating in their program with additional services, including advisory, asset allocation, recordkeeping or other services. You should ask your financial institution if it offers and you are eligible to participate in such a mutual fund program and whether participation in the program is consistent with your investment goals. The intermediaries sponsoring or participating in these mutual fund programs may also offer their clients other classes of shares of the funds and investors may receive different levels of services or pay different fees depending upon the class of shares included in the program. Investors should carefully consider any separate transaction fee or other fees charged by these programs in connection with investing in each available share class before selecting a share class.

Institutional Class Shares

Institutional Class shares of the Funds are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge so that the full amount of your purchase payment may be immediately invested in the Funds. Institutional Class shares are not subject to a Rule 12b-1 fee or CDSC.

DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING ARRANGEMENTS

Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries. Touchstone Securities, the Trust’s principal underwriter, at its expense (from a designated percentage of its income) currently provides additional compensation to certain dealers. Touchstone Securities pursues a focused distribution strategy with a limited number of dealers who have sold shares of a Fund or other Touchstone Funds. Touchstone Securities reviews and makes changes to the focused distribution strategy on a periodic basis. These payments are generally based on a pro rata share of a dealer’s sales. Touchstone Securities may also provide compensation in connection with conferences, sales or training programs for employees, seminars for the public, advertising and other dealer-sponsored programs.

Touchstone Advisors, at its own expense, may also provide additional compensation to certain affiliated and unaffiliated dealers, financial intermediaries or service providers for certain services including distribution, administrative, sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency and/or shareholder servicing activities. These additional cash payments to a financial intermediary are payments over and above sales commissions or reallowances, distribution fees or servicing fees (including networking, administration and sub-transfer agency fees), if any. These additional cash payments also may be made as an expense reimbursement in cases where the financial intermediary bears certain costs in connection with providing shareholder services to Fund shareholders. Touchstone Advisors may also reimburse Touchstone Securities for making these payments.

Touchstone Advisors and its affiliates may also pay cash compensation in the form of finders’ fees or referral fees that vary depending on the dollar amount of shares sold. The amount and value of additional cash payments vary for each financial intermediary. The additional cash payment arrangement between a particular financial intermediary and Touchstone Advisors or its affiliates may provide for increased rates of compensation as the dollar value of the Fund’s shares or particular class of shares sold or invested through such financial intermediary increases. The availability of these additional cash payments, the varying fee structure within a particular additional cash payment arrangement and the basis for and manner in which a financial intermediary compensates its sales representatives may create a financial incentive for a particular financial intermediary and its sales representatives to recommend a Fund’s shares over the shares of other mutual funds based, at least in part, on the level of compensation paid. You should consult with your financial advisor and review carefully any disclosure by the financial firm as to compensation received by your financial advisor. Although the Funds may use financial firms that sell the Funds’ shares to effect portfolio transactions for the Funds, the Funds and Touchstone Advisors will not consider the sale of a Fund’s shares as a factor when choosing financial firms to effect those transactions. For more information on payment arrangements, please see the section entitled “Touchstone Securities” in the SAI.

INVESTING WITH TOUCHSTONE

Choosing the Appropriate Investments to Match Your Goals. Investing well requires a plan. We recommend that you meet with your financial advisor to plan a strategy that will best meet your financial goals.

Purchasing Your Shares

Please read this prospectus carefully and then determine how much you want to invest.


•	Class Y shares are available through certain financial intermediaries who have appropriate selling agreements in place with Touchstone Securities.


•	Institutional Class shares may be purchased directly through Touchstone Securities or through your financial intermediary.

Subject to the restrictions on new accounts described in the section of this prospectus titled “Buying and Selling Fund Shares,” you may purchase shares of the Funds directly from Touchstone Securities, Inc. (“Touchstone Securities”) or through your financial intermediary. In order to open an account you must complete an investment application. You can obtain an investment application from Touchstone Securities, your financial advisor or other financial intermediary, or by visiting TouchstoneInvestments.com. You may purchase shares in the Funds on a day when the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is open for trading ("Business Day"). For more information about how to purchase shares, call Touchstone Securities at 1.800.543.0407.

Investor Alert: Each Touchstone Fund reserves the right to restrict or reject any purchase request, including exchanges from other Touchstone Funds, which it regards as disruptive to efficient portfolio management. For example, a purchase request could be rejected because of the timing of the investment or because of a history of excessive trading by the investor. (See “Market Timing Policy” in this prospectus.) Touchstone Securities may change applicable initial and additional investment minimums at any time.

Opening an Account

Important Information About Procedures for Opening an Account. Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. What this means for you: When you open an account, we will ask for your name, residential address, date of birth, government identification number and other information that will allow us to identify you. We may also ask to see your driver’s license or other identifying documents. If we do not receive these required pieces of information, there will be a delay in processing your investment request, which could subject your investment to market risk. If we are unable to immediately verify your identity, the Fund may restrict further investment until your identity is verified. However, if we are unable to completely verify your identity through our verification process, the Fund reserves the right to close your account without notice and return your investment to you at the price determined at the end of business (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time ), on the day that your account is closed. If we close your account because we are unable to completely verify your identity, your investment will be subject to market fluctuation, which could result in a loss of a portion of your principal investment.

Investing in the Funds

By mail or through your financial advisor


•	Please make your check (drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. dollars) payable to the Touchstone Funds. We do not accept third party checks for initial investments.


•	Send your check with the completed investment application by regular mail to Touchstone Investments, P.O. Box 9878, Providence, Rhode Island 02940, or by overnight mail to Touchstone Investments, c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581.


•	Your application will be processed subject to your check clearing. If your check is returned for insufficient funds or uncollected funds, you may be charged a fee and you will be responsible for any resulting loss to the Fund.


•	You may also open an account through your financial advisor.

By wire or Automated Clearing House (“ACH”)


•	You may open an account by purchasing shares by wire or ACH transfer. Call Touchstone Investments at 1.800.543.0407 for wire or ACH instructions.


•	Touchstone Securities will not process wire or ACH purchases until it receives a completed investment application.


•	There is no charge imposed by the Funds to make a wire or ACH purchase. Your bank, financial intermediary or processing organization may charge a fee to send a wire or ACH purchase to Touchstone Securities.

Through your financial intermediary


•	You may invest in certain share classes by establishing an account through financial intermediaries that have appropriate selling agreements with Touchstone Securities.


•	Your financial intermediary will act as the shareholder of record of your shares.


•	Financial intermediaries may set different minimum initial and additional investment requirements, may impose other restrictions or may charge you fees for their services.


•	Financial intermediaries may designate intermediaries to accept purchase and sales orders on the Funds’ behalf.


•	Your financial intermediaries may receive compensation from the Funds, Touchstone Securities, Touchstone Advisors or their affiliates.


•	Before investing in the Funds through your financial intermediary, you should read any materials provided by your financial intermediary together with this prospectus.

By exchange. Touchstone Funds may be exchanged pursuant to the exchange rules outlined below:

•

Class Y shares of a Fund are exchangeable for Class Y shares of any other Touchstone Fund, as long as investment minimums and proper selling agreement requirements are met. Class Y shares may be available through financial intermediaries that have appropriate selling agreements with Touchstone Securities, or through “processing organizations” (e.g., mutual fund supermarkets) that purchase shares for their customers. Touchstone Funds that are closed to new investors may not accept exchanges.


•	Institutional Class shares of the Funds are exchangeable for Institutional Class shares of any other Touchstone Fund as long as investment minimums and proper selling agreement requirements are met, although Touchstone Funds that are closed to new investors may not accept exchanges.


•	Class Y shareholders who are eligible to invest in Institutional Class shares are eligible to exchange their Class Y shares for Institutional Class shares of the same Fund, if offered in their state, such an exchange can be accommodated by their financial intermediary. Please see the SAI for more information under “Choosing a Class of Shares.”

•

Before making an exchange of your Fund shares, you should carefully review the disclosure provided in the prospectus relating to the Fund into which you are exchanging. Touchstone Funds that are closed to new investors may not accept exchanges. You do not have to pay any exchange fee for your exchange, but if you exchange from a fund with a lower load schedule to a fund with a higher load schedule you may be charged the load differential.


•	You may realize a taxable gain if you exchange shares of a Fund for shares of another Fund. See “Distributions and Taxes - Federal Income Tax Information” for more information and the federal income tax consequences of such an exchange.

Through retirement plans. You may invest in certain Funds through various retirement plans. These include individual retirement plans and employer sponsored retirement plans.

Individual Retirement Plans


•	Traditional IRAs


•	SIMPLE IRAs


•	Spousal IRAs


•	Roth IRAs


•	Education IRAs


•	SEP IRAs

Employer Sponsored Retirement Plans


•	Defined benefit plans


•	Defined contribution plans (including 401(k) plans, profit sharing plans and money purchase plans)


•	457 plans

To determine which type of retirement plan is appropriate for you, please contact your tax advisor.

For further information about any of the plans, agreements, applications and annual fees, contact Touchstone at 1.800.543.0407 or contact your financial intermediary.

Through a processing organization. You may also purchase shares of the Funds through a “processing organization,” (e.g., a mutual fund supermarket) which is a broker-dealer, bank or other financial institution that purchases shares for its customers. Some of the Touchstone Funds have authorized certain processing organizations (“Authorized Processing Organizations”) to receive purchase and sales orders on their behalf. Before investing in the Funds through a processing organization, you should read any materials provided by the processing organization together with this prospectus. You should also ask the processing organization if they are authorized by Touchstone Securities to receive purchase and sales orders on their behalf. If the processing organization is not authorized, then your purchase order could be rejected which could subject your investment to market risk. When shares are purchased through an Authorized Processing Organization, there may be various differences compared to investing directly with Touchstone Securities. The Authorized Processing Organization may:


•	Charge a fee for its services


•	Act as the shareholder of record of the shares


•	Set different minimum initial and additional investment requirements


•	Impose other charges and restrictions


•	Designate intermediaries to accept purchase and sales orders on the Funds’ behalf

Touchstone Securities considers a purchase or sales order as received when an Authorized Processing Organization, or its authorized designee, receives the order in proper form.

Shares held through an Authorized Processing Organization may be transferred into your name following procedures established by your Authorized Processing Organization and Touchstone Securities. Certain Authorized Processing Organizations may receive compensation from the Funds, Touchstone Securities, Touchstone Advisors or their affiliates. It is the responsibility of an Authorized Processing Organization to transmit properly completed orders so that they will be received by Touchstone Securities in a timely manner.

Pricing of Purchases

Purchase orders received in proper form by Touchstone Securities, an Authorized Processing Organization, or a financial intermediary, by the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE, generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, are processed at that day’s public offering price (NAV plus any applicable sales charge). Purchase orders received after the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE are processed at the public offering price determined on the following business day. It is the responsibility of the financial intermediary or Authorized Processing Organization to transmit orders that will be received by Touchstone Securities in proper form and in a timely manner.

Adding to Your Account

By check


•	Complete the investment form provided with a recent account statement.


•	Make your check (drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. dollars) payable to Touchstone Funds.


•	Write your account number on the check.


•	Either mail the check with the investment form to (1) Touchstone Securities; or (2) to your financial intermediary at the address printed on your account statement. Your financial advisor or financial intermediary is responsible for forwarding payment promptly to Touchstone Securities.


•	If your check is returned for insufficient funds or uncollected funds, you may be charged a fee and you will be responsible for any resulting loss to the Fund.

Through Touchstone Securities - By telephone or Internet


•	You can exchange your shares over the telephone by calling Touchstone Securities 1.800.543.0407, unless you have specifically declined this option. If you do not wish to have this ability, you must mark the appropriate section of the investment application.


•	You may also exchange your shares online via the Touchstone Funds’ website TouchstoneInvestments.com. You may only sell shares over the telephone or via the Internet if the value of the shares sold is less than or equal to $100,000.

•

In order to protect your investment assets, Touchstone Securities will only follow instructions received by telephone that it reasonably believes to be genuine. However, there is no guarantee that the instructions relied upon will always be genuine and Touchstone Securities will not be liable, in those cases. Touchstone Securities has certain procedures to confirm that telephone instructions are genuine. If it does not follow such procedures in a particular case, it may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Some of these procedures may include:

• Requiring personal identification.

• Making checks payable only to the owner(s) of the account shown on Touchstone Securities’ records.

• Mailing checks only to the account address shown on Touchstone Securities’ records.

• Directing wires only to the bank account shown on Touchstone Securities’ records.

• Providing written confirmation for transactions requested by telephone.

• Digitally recording instructions received by telephone.

By wire or ACH


•	Contact your bank and ask it to wire or ACH funds to Touchstone Securities. Specify your name and account number when remitting the funds.


•	Your bank may charge a fee for handling wire transfers. ACH transactions take 2-3 business days but can be transferred from most banks without a fee.


•	If you hold your shares directly with Touchstone Securities and have ACH instructions on file for your non-retirement individual or joint account you may initiate a purchase transaction through the Touchstone Funds’ website at TouchstoneInvestments.com.


•	Purchases in the Funds will be processed at that day’s NAV (or public offering price, if applicable) if Touchstone Securities receives a properly executed wire or ACH by the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE, generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on a day when the NYSE is open for regular trading.


•	Contact Touchstone Securities or your financial intermediary for further instructions.

By exchange


•	You may add to your account by exchanging shares from another Touchstone Fund.


•	For information about how to exchange shares among the Touchstone Funds, see “Investing in the Funds - By exchange” in this prospectus.


•	Exchange transactions can also be initiated for non-retirement individual or joint accounts via the Touchstone Funds’ website TouchstoneInvestments.com.

Purchases with Securities

Shares may be purchased by tendering payment in-kind in the form of marketable securities, including but not limited to, shares of common stock, provided the acquisition of such securities is consistent with the applicable Fund’s investment goal and is otherwise acceptable to Touchstone Advisors. Transactions of this type are generally a taxable transaction. Shareholders should consult with their particular tax advisor regarding their personal tax situation.

Automatic Investment Options

The various ways that you can automatically invest in the Funds are outlined below. Touchstone Securities does not charge any fees for these services. For further details about these services, call Touchstone Securities at 1.800.543.0407. If you hold your shares through a financial intermediary or Authorized Processing Organization, please contact them for further details on automatic investment options.

Automatic Investment Plan. You can pre-authorize monthly investments in a Fund of $50 or more to be processed electronically from a checking or savings account. You will need to complete the appropriate section in the investment application or special account options to do this. Amounts that are automatically invested in a Fund will not be available for redemption until three business days after the automatic reinvestment.

Reinvestment/Cross Reinvestment. Dividends and capital gains can be automatically reinvested in the Fund that pays them or in another Touchstone Fund within the same class of shares without a fee or sales charge. Dividends and capital gains will be reinvested in the Fund that pays them, unless you indicate otherwise on your investment application. You may also choose to have your dividends or capital gains paid to you in cash if such amounts are greater than $25; lesser amounts will be automatically reinvested in the Fund. Dividends are taxable for federal income tax purposes whether you reinvest such dividends in additional shares of a Fund or choose to receive cash. If you elect to receive dividends and distributions in cash for a non–retirement account and the payment (1) is returned and marked as “undeliverable” or (2) is not cashed for six months, your cash election will be changed automatically and future dividends will be reinvested in the Fund at the per share NAV determined as of the payable date. In addition, any undeliverable checks from non-retirement accounts will be deposited into an account for potential escheatment to your state of residence. Checks from open non-retirement accounts that are not cashed for six months will be cancelled and then reinvested in the Fund at the per share NAV determined as of the date of cancellation. Otherwise, no action will be taken regarding undeliverable or uncashed checks.

Direct Deposit Purchase Plan. You may automatically invest Social Security checks, private payroll checks, pension payouts or any other pre-authorized government or private recurring payments in our Funds.

Dollar Cost Averaging. Our dollar cost averaging program allows you to diversify your investments by investing the same amount on a regular basis. You can set up periodic automatic exchanges of at least $50 from one Touchstone Fund to any other. The applicable sales charge, if any, will be assessed.

Selling Your Shares

If you elect to receive your redemption proceeds from a non–retirement account in cash, the payment is not cashed for six months and the account remains open, the redemption check will be cancelled and then reinvested in the Fund at the per share NAV determined as of the date of cancellation. Otherwise, no action will be taken.

Through Touchstone Securities - By telephone or Internet


•	You can sell your shares over the telephone by calling Touchstone Securities at 1.800.543.0407, unless you have specifically declined this option. If you do not wish to have this ability, you must mark the appropriate section of the investment application.


•	You may also sell your shares online via the Touchstone Funds’ website: TouchstoneInvestments.com.


•	You may sell shares over the telephone or via the Internet only if the value of the shares sold is less than or equal to $100,000.


•	Shares held in qualified retirement plans cannot be sold via Internet.


•	If we receive your sale request by the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE, generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on a day when the NYSE is open for regular trading, the sale of your shares will be processed at the next determined NAV on that Business Day. Otherwise it will occur on the next Business Day.


•	Interruptions in telephone or Internet service could prevent you from selling your shares when you want to. When you have difficulty making telephone or Internet sales, you should mail to Touchstone Securities (or send by overnight delivery) a written request for the sale of your shares.

•

• Requiring personal identification.

• Making checks payable only to the owner(s) of the account shown on Touchstone Securities’ records.

• Mailing checks only to the account address shown on Touchstone Securities’ records.

• Directing wires only to the bank account shown on Touchstone Securities’ records.

• Providing written confirmation for transactions requested by telephone.

• Digitally recording instructions received by telephone.

Through Touchstone Securities - By mail


•	Write to Touchstone Securities, P.O. Box 9878, Providence, Rhode Island 02940.


•	Indicate the number of shares or dollar amount to be sold.


•	Include your name and account number.


•	Sign your request exactly as your name appears on your investment application.


•	You may be required to have your signature guaranteed. (See “Signature Guarantees” in this prospectus for more information).

Through Touchstone Securities - By wire


•	Complete the appropriate information on the investment application.


•	If your proceeds are $1,000 or more, you may request that Touchstone Securities wire them to your bank account.


•	You may be charged a fee of up to $15 by a Fund or a Fund’s Authorized Processing Organization for wiring redemption proceeds. You may also be charged a fee by your bank. Certain institutional shareholders who trade daily are not charged wire redemption fees.


•	Your redemption proceeds may be deposited directly into your bank account through an ACH transaction. There is no fee imposed by the Funds for ACH transactions, however, you may be charged a fee by your bank to receive an ACH transaction. Contact Touchstone Securities for more information.


•	If you hold your shares directly with Touchstone Securities and have ACH or wire instructions on file for your non-retirement account you may transact through the Touchstone Funds’ website at TouchstoneInvestments.com.

Through Touchstone Securities - Through a systematic withdrawal plan


•	You may elect to receive, or send to a third party, withdrawals of $50 or more if your account value is at least $5,000.


•	Systematic withdrawals can be made monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually.


•	There is no fee for this service.


•	There is no minimum account balance required for retirement plans.

Through your financial intermediary or Authorized Processing Organization


•	You may also sell shares by contacting your financial intermediary or Authorized Processing Organization, which may charge you a fee for this service. Shares held in street name must be sold through your financial intermediary or, if applicable, the Authorized Processing Organization.


•	Your intermediary or Authorized Processing Organization is responsible for making sure that sale requests are transmitted to Touchstone Securities in proper form and in a timely manner.


•	Your financial intermediary may charge you a fee for selling your shares.


•	Redemption proceeds will only be wired to your account at the financial intermediary.

Investor Alert: Unless otherwise specified, proceeds will be sent to the record owner at the address shown on Touchstone Securities’ records.

Pricing of Redemptions

Redemption orders received in proper form by Touchstone Securities, an Authorized Processing Organization, or a financial intermediary, by the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE, generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, are processed at that day’s NAV. Redemption orders received after the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE are processed at the NAV determined on the following business day. It is the responsibility of the financial intermediary or Authorized Processing Organization to transmit orders that will be received by Touchstone Securities in proper form and in a timely manner.

Signature Guarantees

Some circumstances require that your request to sell shares be made in writing accompanied by an original Medallion Signature Guarantee. A Medallion Signature Guarantee helps protect you against fraud. You can obtain one from most banks or securities dealers, but not from a notary public. Each Fund reserves the right to require a signature guarantee for any request related to your account including, but not limited to:


•	Proceeds to be paid when information on your account has been changed within the last 30 days (including a change in your name or your address, or the name or address of a payee).


•	Proceeds are being sent to an address other than the address of record.


•	Proceeds or shares are being sent/transferred from unlike registrations such as a joint account to an individual’s account.


•	Sending proceeds via wire or ACH when bank instructions have been added or changed within 30 days of your redemption request.


•	Proceeds or shares are being sent/transferred between accounts with different account registrations.

Market Timing Policy

Market timing or excessive trading in accounts that you own or control may disrupt portfolio investment strategies, may increase brokerage and administrative costs, and may negatively impact investment returns for all shareholders, including long-term shareholders who do not generate these costs. The Funds will take reasonable steps to discourage excessive short-term trading and will not knowingly accommodate frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares by shareholders. The Board of Trustees has adopted the following policies and procedures with respect to market timing of the Funds by shareholders. The Funds will monitor selected trades on a daily basis in an effort to deter excessive short-term trading. If a Fund has reason to believe that a shareholder has engaged in excessive short-term trading, the Fund may ask the shareholder to stop such activities, or restrict or refuse to process purchases or exchanges in the shareholder’s accounts. While a Fund cannot assure the prevention of all excessive trading and market timing, by making these judgments the Fund believes it is acting in a manner that is in the best interests of its shareholders. However, because the Funds cannot prevent all market timing, shareholders may be subject to the risks described above.

Generally, a shareholder may be considered a market timer if he or she has (i) requested an exchange or redemption out of any of the Touchstone Funds within 2 weeks of an earlier purchase or exchange request into any Touchstone Fund, or (ii) made more than 2 “round-trip” exchanges within a rolling 90 day period. A “round-trip” exchange occurs when a shareholder exchanges from one Touchstone Fund to another Touchstone Fund and back to the original Touchstone Fund. If a shareholder exceeds these limits, the Funds may restrict or suspend that shareholder’s exchange privileges and subsequent exchange requests during the suspension

will not be processed. The Funds may also restrict or refuse to process purchases by the shareholder. These exchange limits and excessive trading policies generally do not apply to systematic purchases and redemptions.

Financial intermediaries (such as investment advisors and broker-dealers) often establish omnibus accounts in the Funds for their customers through which transactions are placed. If a Fund identifies excessive trading in such an account, the Fund may instruct the intermediary to restrict the investor responsible for the excessive trading from further trading in the Fund. In accordance with Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act, the Funds have entered into information sharing agreements with certain financial intermediaries. Under these agreements, a financial intermediary is obligated to: (1) enforce during the term of the agreement, the Funds’ market-timing policy; (2) furnish the Funds, upon their request, with information regarding customer trading activities in shares of the Funds; and (3) enforce the Funds’ market-timing policy with respect to customers identified by the Funds as having engaged in market timing. When information regarding transactions in the Funds’ shares is requested by a Fund and such information is in the possession of a person that is itself a financial intermediary to a financial intermediary (an “indirect intermediary”), any financial intermediary with whom the Funds have an information sharing agreement is obligated to obtain transaction information from the indirect intermediary or, if directed by the Funds, to restrict or prohibit the indirect intermediary from purchasing shares of the Funds on behalf of other persons.

The Funds apply these policies and procedures uniformly to all shareholders believed to be engaged in market timing or excessive trading. The Funds have no arrangements to permit any investor to trade frequently in shares of the Funds, nor will they enter into any such arrangements in the future.

Householding Policy (only applicable for shares held directly through Touchstone Securities) .

Each Fund you invest in will send one copy of its prospectuses and shareholder reports to households containing multiple shareholders with the same last name. This process, known as “householding”, reduces costs and provides a convenience to shareholders. If you share the same last name and address with another shareholder and you prefer to receive separate prospectuses and shareholder reports, call Touchstone Investments at 1.800.543.0407 and we will begin separate mailings to you within 30 days of your request. If you or others in your household invest in the Funds through a financial intermediary, you may receive separate prospectuses and shareholder reports, regardless of whether or not you have consented to householding on your investment application.

In addition, eDelivery is available for statements, confirms, prospectuses and shareholder reports for shareholders holding accounts directly with Touchstone Securities, please contact Shareholder Services at 1-800-534-0407 for more information. If you hold your account through a Broker Dealer or Financial Intermediary please contact them directly to inquire about eDelivery opportunities.

Receiving Sale Proceeds

Touchstone Securities will forward the proceeds of your sale to you (or to your financial intermediary) within 7 days (normally within 3 business days) after receipt of a proper request. Under normal conditions, each Fund typically expects to meet redemption requests through the use of the Fund's holdings of cash or cash equivalents, lines of credit, an interfund loan (as discussed in the SAI) or by selling other Fund assets. A redemption-in-kind may be used under unusual circumstances and is discussed below in more detail.

Proceeds Sent to Financial Intermediaries or Authorized Processing Organizations or Financial Institutions. Proceeds that are sent to your Authorized Processing Organization or financial intermediary will not usually be reinvested for you unless you provide specific instructions to do so. Therefore, the financial advisor, Authorized Processing Organization or financial institution may benefit from the use of your money.

Fund Shares Purchased by Check (only applicable for shares held directly through Touchstone Securities). We may delay the processing and payment of redemption proceeds for shares you recently purchased by check until your check clears, which may take up to 15 days. If you believe you may need your money sooner, you should purchase shares by bank wire.

Low Account Balances (only applicable for shares held directly through Touchstone Securities). If your balance falls below the minimum amount required for your account, based on actual amounts you have invested (as opposed to a reduction from market changes), Touchstone Securities may sell your shares and send the proceeds to you. This involuntary sale does not apply to retirement accounts or custodian accounts under the UGTMA. Touchstone Securities will notify you if your shares are about to be sold and you will have 30 days to increase your account balance to the minimum amount.

Delay of Payment. It is possible that the payment of your sale proceeds could be postponed or your right to sell your shares could be suspended during certain circumstances. These circumstances can occur:


•	When the NYSE is closed on days other than customary weekends and holidays;


•	When trading on the NYSE is restricted; or


•	During any other time when the SEC, by order, permits.

Redemption in-Kind. Under unusual circumstances (such as a market emergency), when the Board deems it appropriate, a Fund may make payment for shares redeemed in portfolio securities of the Fund taken at current value in order to meet redemption requests. Shareholders may incur transaction and brokerage costs when they sell these portfolio securities. Until such time as the shareholder sells the securities they receive in-kind, the securities are subject to market risk. Redemptions in-kind are taxable for federal income tax purposes in the same manner as redemptions for cash. The Funds may also use redemption in-kind for certain Fund shares held by ReFlow.

Pricing of Fund Shares

Each Fund’s share price (also called “NAV”) and public offering price (NAV plus a sales charge, if applicable) is determined as of the close of regular trading (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) every day the NYSE is open. Each Fund calculates its NAV per share for each class, generally using market prices, by dividing the total value of its net assets by the number of shares outstanding.

The Funds’ equity investments are valued based on market value or, if no market value is available, based on fair value as determined by the Board (or under its direction). The Funds may use pricing services to determine market value for investments. Some specific pricing strategies follow:


•	All short-term dollar-denominated investments that mature in 60 days or less may be valued on the basis of amortized cost which the Board has determined as fair value.


•	Securities mainly traded on a U.S. exchange are valued at the last sale price on that exchange or, if no sales occurred during the day, at the last quoted bid price.

Any foreign securities held by a Fund will be priced as follows:


•	All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currency values will be converted into U.S. dollar values.

•

Securities mainly traded on a non-U.S. exchange are generally valued according to the preceding closing values on that exchange. However, if an event that may change the value of a security occurs after the time that the closing value on the non-U.S. exchange was determined, but before the close of regular trading on the NYSE, the security may be priced based on fair value. This may cause the value of the security on the books of the Fund to be significantly different from the closing value on the non-U.S. exchange and may affect the calculation of the NAV.


•	Because portfolio securities that are primarily listed on a non-U.S. exchange may trade on weekends or other days when a Fund does not price its shares, a Fund’s NAV may change on days when shareholders will not be able to buy or sell shares.

Securities held by a Fund that do not have readily available market quotations are priced at their fair value using procedures approved by the Board. Any debt securities held by a Fund for which market quotations are not readily available are generally priced at their most recent bid prices as obtained from one or more of the major market makers for such securities. The Funds may use fair value pricing under the following circumstances, among others:


•	If the validity of market quotations is deemed to be not reliable.


•	If the value of a security has been materially affected by events occurring before the Fund’s pricing time but after the close of the primary markets on which the security is traded.


•	If a security is so thinly traded that reliable market quotations are unavailable due to infrequent trading.


•	If the exchange on which a portfolio security is principally traded closes early or if trading in a particular portfolio security was halted during the day and did not resume prior to the Fund’s NAV calculation.

The use of fair value pricing has the effect of valuing a security based upon the price a Fund might reasonably expect to receive if it sold that security but does not guarantee that the security can be sold at the fair value price. The Funds have established fair value policies and procedures that delegate fair value responsibilities to the Advisor. These policies and procedures outline the fair value method for the Advisor. The Advisor’s determination of a security’s fair value price often involves the consideration of a number of subjective factors established by the Board, and is therefore subject to the unavoidable risk that the value that the Fund assigns to a security may be higher or lower than the security’s value would be if a reliable market quotation for the security

was readily available. With respect to any portion of a Fund’s assets that is invested in other mutual funds, that portion of the Fund’s NAV is calculated based on the NAV of that mutual fund. The prospectus for the other mutual fund explains the circumstances and effects of fair value pricing for that mutual fund.

DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

Each Fund intends to distribute to its shareholders substantially all of its net investment income and capital gains. The table below outlines when net investment income dividends are declared and paid by each Fund:



Fund	Dividends Declared	Dividends Paid
International Core Equity Fund	Annual	Annual
US Core Equity Fund	Annual	Annual

Each Fund makes distributions of capital gains, if any, at least annually. If you own shares on a Fund’s distribution record date, you will be entitled to receive the distribution.

You will receive income dividends and distributions of capital gains in the form of additional Fund shares unless you elect to receive payment in cash. Cash payments will only be made for amounts equal to or exceeding $25; for amounts less than $25, the dividends and distributions will be automatically reinvested in the paying Fund and class. To elect cash payments, you must notify the Funds in writing or by phone prior to the date of distribution. Your election will be effective for dividends and distributions paid after we receive your notice. To cancel your election, simply send written notice to Touchstone Investments, P.O. Box 9878, Providence, Rhode Island 02940, or by overnight mail to Touchstone Investments, c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581, or call Touchstone Securities at 1.800.543.0407. If you hold your shares through a financial institution, you must contact the institution to elect cash payment. If you elect to receive dividends and distributions in cash and the payment (1) is returned and marked as “undeliverable” or (2) is not cashed for six months, your cash election will be changed automatically and future dividends will be reinvested in the Fund at the per share NAV determined as of the date of payment.

A Fund’s dividends and other distributions are taxable to shareholders (other than retirement plans and other tax-exempt investors) whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. A dividend or distribution paid by a Fund has the effect of reducing the NAV per share on the ex-dividend date by the amount of the dividend or distribution. A dividend or distribution declared shortly after a purchase of shares by an investor would, therefore, represent, in substance, a return of capital to the shareholder with respect to such shares even though it would be subject to federal income taxes.

For most shareholders, a statement will be sent to you within 75 days after the end of each year detailing the federal income tax status of your distributions. Please see “Federal Income Tax Information” below for more information on the federal income tax consequences of dividends and other distributions made by a Fund.

Federal Income Tax Information

The tax information in this prospectus is provided only for general information purposes for U.S. taxpayers and should not be considered as tax advice or relied on by a shareholder or prospective investor.

General. The Funds intend to qualify annually to be treated as regulated investment companies (“RICs”) under the Code. As such, the Funds will not be subject to federal income taxes on the earnings they distribute to shareholders provided they satisfy certain requirements and restrictions of the Code, one of which is to distribute to a Fund’s shareholders substantially all of the Fund’s net investment income and net short-term capital gains each year. If for any taxable year a Fund fails to qualify as a RIC: (1) it will be subject to tax in the same manner as an ordinary corporation and thus will be subject to federal income tax at the corporate tax rate; and (2) distributions from its earnings and profits (as determined under federal income tax principles) will be taxable as ordinary dividend income eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders and for “qualified dividend income” treatment for non-corporate shareholders.

Distributions. The Funds will make distributions to you that may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains. The dividends and distributions you receive may be subject to federal, foreign, state and local taxation, depending upon your tax situation. Distributions are taxable whether you reinvest such distributions in additional shares of the Fund or choose to receive cash. Taxable Fund distributions are taxable to a shareholder even if the distributions are paid from income or gains earned by a Fund prior to the shareholder’s investment and, thus, were included in the price the shareholder paid for the shares. For example, a shareholder

who purchases shares on or just before the record date of a Fund distribution will pay full price for the shares and may receive a portion of the investment back as a taxable distribution. Distributions declared by a Fund during October, November or December to shareholders of record during such month and paid by January 31 of the following year are treated for federal income tax purposes as if received by shareholders and paid by the Fund on December 31 of the year in which the distribution was declared

Ordinary Income. Net investment income, except for qualified dividend income and income designated as tax-exempt, and short-term capital gains that are distributed to you are taxable as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes regardless of how long you have held your Fund shares. Certain dividends distributed to non-corporate shareholders and designated by a Fund as “qualified dividend income” are eligible for the long-term capital gains rate, provided certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied.

Net Capital Gains. Net capital gains (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) distributed to you, if any, are taxable as long-term capital gains for federal income tax purposes regardless of how long you have held your Fund shares.

Sale or Exchange of Shares . It is a taxable event for you if you sell shares of a Fund or exchange shares of a Fund for shares of another Touchstone Fund. Depending on the purchase price and the sale price of the shares you sell or exchange, you may have a taxable gain or loss on the transaction. Any realized gain or loss, generally, will be a capital gain or loss, assuming you held the shares of the Fund as a capital asset. The capital gain will be long-term or short-term depending on how long you have held your shares in the Fund. Sales of shares of a Fund that you have held for twelve months or less will be a short-term capital gain or loss and if held for more than twelve months will constitute a long-term capital gain or loss. Any loss realized by a shareholder on a disposition of shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any distributions of capital gain dividends received by the shareholder and disallowed to the extent of any distributions of exempt-interest dividends, if any, received by the shareholder with respect to such shares.

Returns of Capital. If a Fund makes a distribution in excess of its current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of a shareholder’s basis in his or her shares, and thereafter as capital gain. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholder’s basis in his or her shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of such shares.

Backup Withholding. A Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax on all distributions and sales proceeds payable to shareholders who fail to provide their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) that they are subject to backup withholding.

Medicare Tax. An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including dividends and distributions received from a Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount.

Foreign Taxes. Income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign withholding and other taxes. If a Fund qualifies (by having more than 50% of the value of its total assets at the close of the taxable year consist of stock or securities in foreign corporations or by being a qualified fund of funds) and elects to pass through foreign taxes paid on its investments during the year, such taxes will be reported to you as income. You may, however, be able to claim an offsetting tax credit or deduction on your federal income tax return, depending on your particular circumstances and provided you meet certain holding period and other requirements. Tax-exempt holders of Fund shares, such as qualified tax-advantaged retirement plans, will not benefit from such a deduction or credit.

Non-U.S. Shareholders. Non-U.S. shareholders may be subject to U.S. tax as a result of an investment in a Fund. This prospectus does not discuss the U.S. or foreign tax consequences of an investment by a non-U.S. shareholder in a Fund. Accordingly, non-U.S. shareholders are urged and advised to consult their own tax advisors as to the U.S. and foreign tax consequences of an investment in a Fund.

Statements and Notices. You will receive an annual statement outlining the tax status of your distributions. You may also receive written notices of certain foreign taxes paid by a Fund during the prior taxable year.

Important Tax Reporting Considerations. The Funds are required to report cost basis and holding period information to both the IRS and shareholders for gross proceeds from the sales of Fund shares purchased on or after January 1, 2012 ("covered shares"). This information is reported on Form 1099-B. The average cost method will be used to determine the cost basis of covered shares unless the shareholder instructs a Fund in writing that the shareholder wants to use another available method for cost basis reporting

(for example, First In, First Out (FIFO), Last In, First Out (LIFO), Specific Lot Identification (SLID) or High Cost, First Out (HIFO)). If the shareholder designates SLID as the shareholder’s tax cost basis method, the shareholder will also need to designate a secondary cost basis method (Secondary Method). If a Secondary Method is not provided, a Fund will designate FIFO as the Secondary Method and will use the Secondary Method with respect to systematic withdrawals. If you hold shares of a Fund through a financial intermediary, the financial intermediary will be responsible for this reporting and the financial intermediary’s default cost basis method may apply. Please consult your tax adviser for additional information regarding cost basis reporting and your situation.

Redemptions by S corporations of covered shares are required to be reported to the IRS on Form 1099-B. If a shareholder is a corporation and has not instructed the Fund that it is a C corporation in its Account Application or by written instruction, the Fund will treat the shareholder as an S corporation and file a Form 1099-B.

This section is only a summary of some important federal income tax considerations that may affect your investment in a Fund. More information regarding these considerations is included in the Funds’ SAI. You are urged and advised to consult your own tax advisor regarding the effects of an investment in a Fund on your tax situation, including the application of foreign, state, local and other tax laws to your particular situation.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The financial highlights for the Funds are not included because each Fund commenced operations on [October 1], 2018.

TOUCHSTONE INVESTMENTS*

DISTRIBUTOR

Touchstone Securities, Inc.*

303 Broadway, Suite 1100

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-4203

1.800.638.8194

TouchstoneInvestments.com

INVESTMENT ADVISOR

Touchstone Advisors, Inc.*

303 Broadway, Suite 1100

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-4203

TRANSFER AGENT

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, Massachusetts 01581

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

1.800.543.0407

*A Member of Western & Southern Financial Group

The following are federal trademark registrations and applications owned by IFS Financial Services, Inc. (a holding company), a member of Western & Southern Financial Group: Touchstone, Touchstone Funds, Touchstone Investments, Touchstone Family of Funds and Touchstone Select.

303 Broadway, Suite 1100

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-4203

Go paperless, sign up today at:

TouchstoneInvestments.com/home

For investors who want more information about the Funds, the following documents are available free upon request:

Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”): The SAI provides more detailed information about the Funds and is incorporated herein by reference and is legally a part of this prospectus.

Annual/Semiannual Reports (“Financial Reports”): The Funds’ Financial Reports, when available, will provide additional information about the Funds’ investments. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected a Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

You can get free copies of the SAI, the Financial Reports, other information and answers to your questions about the Funds by contacting your financial advisor or by contacting Touchstone Investments at 1.800.543.0407. The SAI and Financial Reports are also available on the Touchstone Investments website at: TouchstoneInvestments.com/home/formslit/

Information about the Funds (including the SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You can receive information about the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1.202.551.8090.

Reports and other information about the Funds are available on the EDGAR database of the SEC’s internet site at http://www.sec.gov. For a fee, you can get text-only copies of reports and other information by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520 or by sending an e-mail request to: publicinfo@sec.gov.

Investment Company Act file no. 811-08104

[TS]

The information in this statement of additional information is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This statement of additional information is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. SUBJECT TO COMPLETION - DATED JULY 18, 2018.

TOUCHSTONE FUNDS GROUP TRUST

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

[October ], 2018



	Class Y	Institutional Class
Touchstone Anti-Benchmark® International Core Equity Fund	[XXXX]	[XXXX]
Touchstone Anti-Benchmark® US Core Equity Fund	[XXXX]	[XXXX]

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus and relates only to the above-referenced funds (each a “Fund” and, together, the “Funds”). It is intended to provide additional information regarding the activities and operations of Touchstone Funds Group Trust (the “Trust”) and should be read in conjunction with the Funds’ prospectus dated [ ], 2018, as may be amended. A copy of the Trust's prospectus and the Funds' annual and semi-annual reports (once available) may be obtained without charge by writing to the Trust at P.O. Box 9878, Providence, Rhode Island 02940, by calling 1.800.543.0407, or by downloading a copy at TouchstoneInvestments.com.

TABLE OF CONTENTS



THE TRUST	3

PERMITTED INVESTMENTS AND RISK FACTORS	3

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS	12

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST	14

THE ADVISOR	20

THE SUB-ADVISOR AND PORTFOLIO MANAGERS	22

THE ADMINISTRATOR	23

TOUCHSTONE SECURITIES	24

BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS	25

PROXY VOTING	26

CODE OF ETHICS	26

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER	26

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS	26

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE	27

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES	27

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SECURITY HOLDERS	82

CHOOSING A CLASS OF SHARES	30

OTHER PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION	30

DISTRIBUTIONS	105

FEDERAL INCOME TAXES	32

CUSTODIAN	115

LEGAL COUNSEL	115

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM	115

TRANSFER AND SUB-ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT	115

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	116

APPENDIX A — DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS	A-1

APPENDIX B — PROXY VOTING POLICIES	B-1

THE TRUST

Touchstone Funds Group Trust (the “Trust”), an open-end management investment company, was organized as a Delaware statutory trust under an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated October 25, 1993, (as amended the “Declaration of Trust”). Prior to November 20, 2006, the name of the Trust was Constellation Funds. Effective November 20, 2006, the Trust’s name changed to Touchstone Funds Group Trust. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to offer separate series of units of beneficial interest (the “shares”) and separate classes of shares. Each Fund is a separate mutual fund and each share of each Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in that Fund. This SAI relates to the following separate series of the Trust: Touchstone Anti-Benchmark® International Core Equity Fund (the "International Core Equity Fund") and Touchstone Anti-Benchmark® US Core Equity Fund (the "U.S. Core Equity Fund"). Each of the Funds are diversified.

Touchstone Advisors, Inc. (the “Advisor”) is the investment advisor and administrator for each Fund. The Advisor has selected one or more sub-advisor(s) to manage, on a daily basis, the assets of each Fund. The Advisor has sub-contracted certain of the Trust complex's administrative and accounting services to The Bank of New York Mellon and the Trust complex's Transfer Agent services to BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (collectively referred to herein as “BNY Mellon”). Touchstone Securities, Inc. (“Touchstone Securities” or the “Distributor”) is the principal distributor of the Funds’ shares. The Distributor is an affiliate of the Advisor.

The Funds offer two classes of shares: Class Y and Institutional Class. The shares of a Fund represent an interest in the same assets of that Fund.

The shares have the same rights and are identical in all material respects except that: (i) each class of shares may bear different (or no) distribution fees; (ii) each class of shares may be subject to different (or no) sales charges; (iii) 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 incurred 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 incurred as a result of issues relating to a specific class of shares and accounting fees and expenses relating to a specific class of shares; (iv) each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to its own distribution arrangements; and (v) certain classes offer different features and services to shareholders and may have different investment minimums. The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) may classify and reclassify the shares of a Fund into additional classes of shares at a future date.

History of the Funds

Each Fund is a new series of the Trust. Each Fund commenced operations on [October 1], 2018.

PERMITTED INVESTMENTS AND RISK FACTORS

Each Fund’s principal investment strategies and principal risks are described in the Funds' prospectus. The following supplements the information contained in the prospectus concerning each Fund’s principal investment strategies and principal risks. In addition, although not principal strategies of the Funds, the Funds may invest in other types of securities and engage in other investment practices as described in the prospectus or in this SAI. Unless otherwise indicated, each Fund is permitted to invest in each of the investments listed below, or engage in each of the investment techniques listed below consistent with the Fund’s investment goals, investment limitations, policies and strategies. In addition to the investment limitations set forth under the section of this SAI entitled "Investment Limitations," the investment limitations below are considered to be non-fundamental policies which may be changed at any time by a vote of the Trust’s Board, unless designated as a “fundamental” policy. In addition, any stated percentage limitations are measured at the time of the purchase of a security.

ADRs, ADSs, EDRs, CDRs, and GDRs. American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), American Depositary Shares ("ADSs"), Global Depositary Receipts ("GDRs"), European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs"), and Continental Depositary Receipts ("CDRs") are U.S. dollar-denominated receipts typically issued by domestic banks or trust companies that represent the deposit with those entities of securities of a foreign issuer. They are publicly traded on exchanges or over-the-counter in the United States. EDRs, which are sometimes referred to as CDRs, and GDRs may also be purchased by the Funds. EDRs, CDRs and GDRs are generally issued by foreign banks and evidence ownership of either foreign or domestic securities. Certain institutions issuing ADRs, ADSs, GDRs or EDRs may not be sponsored by the issuer of the underlying foreign securities. A non-sponsored depositary may not provide the same shareholder information that a sponsored depositary is required to provide under its contractual arrangements with the issuer of the underlying foreign securities. Holders of an unsponsored depositary receipt generally bear all the costs of the unsponsored facility. The depositary of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder

communications received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through to the holders of the receipts voting rights with respect to the deposited securities.

Borrowing and Pledging. Each Fund may borrow money from banks (including their custodian bank) or from other lenders to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Investment Company Act of 1940 Act, as amended (the "1940 Act") requires the Funds to maintain asset coverage (total assets, including assets acquired with borrowed funds, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of at least 300% for all such borrowings. If at any time the value of a Fund’s assets should fail to meet this 300% coverage test, the Fund, within 3 days (not including Sundays and holidays), will reduce the amount of its borrowings to the extent necessary to meet this test. A Fund will not make any borrowing or enter into a reverse repurchase agreement or dollar roll transaction that would cause its outstanding borrowings to exceed one-third of the value of its total assets.

Borrowing may exaggerate changes in the net asset value ("NAV") of a Fund’s shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio. Although the principal of any borrowing will be fixed, a Fund’s assets may change in value during the time the borrowing is outstanding. The Funds may be required to liquidate portfolio securities at a time when it would be disadvantageous to do so in order to make payments with respect to any borrowing. The Funds may be required to earmark or segregate liquid assets in an amount sufficient to meet their obligations in connection with such borrowings. In an interest rate arbitrage transaction, a Fund borrows money at one interest rate and lends the proceeds at another, higher interest rate. These transactions involve a number of risks including the risk that the borrower will fail or otherwise become insolvent or that there will be a significant change in prevailing interest rates.

To reduce its borrowings, a Fund might be required to sell securities at a time when it would be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, because interest on money borrowed is a Fund expense that it would not otherwise incur, the Fund may have less net investment income during periods when its borrowings are substantial. The interest paid by a Fund on borrowings may be more or less than the yield on the securities purchased with borrowed funds, depending on prevailing market conditions. Borrowing magnifies the potential for gain or loss on a Fund’s portfolio securities and, therefore, if employed, increases the possibility of fluctuation in its NAV. This is the speculative factor known as leverage. To reduce the risks of borrowing, the Funds will limit their borrowings as described below.

The Funds have adopted fundamental limitations and non-fundamental limitations which restrict circumstances in which and the degree to which the Funds can engage in borrowing. See the section entitled “Investment Limitations,” below.

Common Stocks. Common stocks are securities that represent units of ownership in a company. Common stocks usually carry voting rights and earn dividends. Unlike preferred stocks, which are described below, dividends on common stocks are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the board of directors of the issuing company.

Convertible Securities. Convertible securities are corporate securities that are exchangeable for a set number of another security at a pre-stated price. Convertible securities typically have characteristics of both fixed-income and equity securities. Because of the conversion feature, the market value of a convertible security tends to move with the market value of the underlying stock. The value of a convertible security is also affected by prevailing interest rates, the credit quality of the issuer and any call provisions.

A synthetic convertible security is a combination investment in which a Fund purchases both (i) high-grade cash equivalents or a high grade debt obligation of an issuer or U.S. government securities and (ii) call options or warrants on the common stock of the same or different issuer with some or all of the anticipated interest income from the associated debt obligation that is earned over the holding period of the option or warrant.

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 affords a shareholder the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation attendant upon a market price advance in the convertible security’s underlying common stock. A synthetic convertible position has similar investment characteristics, but may differ with respect to credit quality, time to maturity, trading characteristics and other factors. Because a Fund will create synthetic convertible positions only out of high grade fixed-income securities, the credit rating associated with a Fund’s synthetic convertible investments is generally expected to be higher than that of the average convertible security, many of which are rated below high grade. However, because the options used to create synthetic convertible positions will generally have expirations between one month and three years of the time of purchase, the maturity of these positions will generally be shorter than average for convertible securities. Since the option component of a convertible security or synthetic convertible position is a wasting asset (in the sense of losing “time value” as maturity approaches), a synthetic convertible position may lose such value more rapidly than a convertible security of longer maturity; however, the gain in option value due to appreciation of the underlying stock may exceed such time value loss. The market price of the option component generally reflects these differences in maturities, and the Advisor and applicable sub-advisor take such differences into account when evaluating such positions. When a synthetic convertible position “matures” because

of the expiration of the associated option, a Fund may extend the maturity by investing in a new option with longer maturity on the common stock of the same or different issuer. If a Fund does not so extend the maturity of a position, it may continue to hold the associated fixed-income security.

Cyber Security Risk. The Funds and their service providers may be subject to operational and information security risks resulting from cyber security breaches. Cyber security breaches may result from deliberate cyber attacks, although unintentional events may have effects similar to those caused by cyber attacks. Cyber attacks may include the stealing or corrupting of data maintained online or digitally, denial-of-service attacks on Fund websites, the unauthorized release of confidential information or other operational disruption. Successful cyber attacks against, or security breaches of, a Fund or the Advisor, a Sub-Advisor, the Funds' distributor, custodians, the transfer agent, selling agents and/or other third party service providers may adversely impact the Funds or its shareholders. Similar types of cyber security risks are also present for issuers of securities or other instruments in which the Funds invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause the Funds’ investment therein to lose value.

Equity-Linked Warrants. Equity-linked warrants provide a way for investors to access markets where entry is difficult and time consuming due to regulation. Typically, a broker issues warrants to an investor and then purchases shares in the local market and issues a call warrant hedged on the underlying holding. If the investor exercises his call and closes his position, the shares are sold and the warrant is redeemed with the proceeds.

Each warrant represents one share of the underlying stock. Therefore, the price, performance and liquidity of the warrant are all directly linked to the underlying stock. The warrants can be redeemed for 100% of the value of the underlying stock (less transaction costs). The Funds invest in American style warrants, which can be exercised at any time. The warrants in which the Funds invest are U.S. dollar denominated and priced daily on several international stock exchanges.

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”). An ETF is a fund that holds a portfolio of common stocks and is often designed to track the performance of a particular securities index or sector of an index, such as the S&P 500 ^® Index, or a portfolio of bonds that may be designed to track a bond index. Because they may be traded like stocks on a securities exchange (e.g., the New York Stock Exchange; the NYSE MKT or the NASDAQ Stock Market), ETFs may be purchased and sold throughout the trading day based on their market price. Each share of an ETF represents an undivided ownership interest in the portfolio held by an ETF. ETFs that track indices or sectors of indices hold either:


•	shares of all of the companies (or, for a fixed-income ETF, bonds) that are represented by a particular index in the same proportion that is represented in the index itself; or


•	shares of a sampling of the companies (or, for a fixed-income ETF, bonds) that are represented by a particular index in a proportion meant to track the performance of the entire index.

ETFs are generally registered as investment companies and issue large blocks of shares (typically 50,000) called “creation units” in exchange for a specified portfolio of the ETF’s underlying securities, plus a cash payment generally equal to accumulated dividends of the securities (net of expenses) up to the time of deposit. Creation units are redeemed in kind for a portfolio of the underlying securities (based on the ETF’s NAV), together with a cash payment generally equal to accumulated dividends as of the date of redemption. As investment companies, ETFs incur fees and expenses such as advisory fees, trustee fees, operating expenses, licensing fees, registration fees, and marketing expenses, each of which will be reflected in the NAV of ETFs. Accordingly, ETF shareholders (including a Fund) pay their proportionate share of these expenses.

Foreign Securities. Except as expressly set forth herein and in the prospectus, the Funds may invest in securities of foreign issuers and in sponsored and unsponsored depositary receipts. Foreign companies are companies that meet all of the following criteria: they are organized under the laws of a foreign country; they maintain their principal place of business in a foreign country; the principal trading market for their securities is located in a foreign country; they derive at least 50% of their revenues or profits from operations in foreign countries; and they have at least 50% of their assets located in foreign countries. Investing in securities issued by foreign companies and governments involves considerations and potential risks not typically associated with investing in obligations issued by the U.S. government and domestic corporations. Less information may be available about foreign companies than about domestic companies and foreign companies generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards or to other regulatory practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic companies. The values of foreign investments are affected by changes in currency rates or exchange control regulations, restrictions or prohibitions on the repatriation of foreign currencies, application of foreign tax laws, including withholding taxes, changes in governmental administration or economic or monetary policy (in the United States or abroad) or changed circumstances in dealings between nations. Costs are also incurred in connection with conversions between various currencies. In addition, foreign brokerage commissions and custody fees are generally higher than those charged in the United States, and foreign securities markets may be less liquid, more volatile and less subject to governmental supervision than in the United States. Investments in foreign countries

could be affected by other factors not present in the United States, including expropriation, confiscatory taxation, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations and could be subject to extended clearance and settlement periods.

In addition, there are risks relating to ongoing concerns regarding the economies of certain European countries and their sovereign debt, as well as the potential for one or more countries to leave the European Union. In June 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum resulting in a vote in favor of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union. These circumstances and potential future developments could have a negative effect on the United Kingdom’s and other European countries’ economies and may result in greater volatility in global financial and currency markets. The International Core Equity Fund invests in securities of foreign issuers as part of its principal investment strategy as more fully described in the prospectus.

Foreign Market Risk . A Fund is subject to the risk that, because there are generally fewer investors on foreign exchanges and a smaller number of shares traded each day, it may be difficult for a Fund to buy and sell securities on those exchanges. In addition, prices of foreign securities may fluctuate more than prices of securities traded in the United States. Investments in foreign markets may also be adversely affected by governmental actions such as the imposition of punitive taxes. In addition, the governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investing in their capital markets or in certain industries. Any of these actions could severely affect security prices, impair a Fund’s ability to purchase or sell foreign securities or transfer a Fund’s assets or income back into the United States or otherwise adversely affect a Fund’s operations. Other potential foreign market risks include exchange controls, difficulties in pricing securities, defaults on foreign government securities, difficulties in enforcing favorable legal judgments in foreign courts and political and social conditions, such as diplomatic relations, confiscatory taxation, expropriation, limitation on the removal of funds or assets or imposition of (or change in) exchange control regulations. Legal remedies available to investors in certain foreign countries may be less extensive than those available to investors in the United States or other foreign countries. In addition, changes in government administrations or economic or monetary policies in the United States or abroad could result in appreciation or depreciation of portfolio securities and could favorably or adversely affect a Fund’s operations.

Public Availability of Information . In general, less information is publicly available with respect to foreign issuers than is available with respect to U.S. companies. Most foreign companies are also not subject to the uniform accounting and financial reporting requirements applicable to issuers in the United States. A Fund’s foreign investments may be less liquid and their prices may be more volatile than comparable investments in securities in U.S. companies. In addition, there is generally less government supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, brokers and issuers in foreign countries than in the United States.

Settlement Risk . Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets differ significantly from those in the United States. Foreign settlement procedures and trade regulations also may involve certain risks (such as delays in payment for or delivery of securities) not typically generated by the settlement of U.S. investments. Communications between the United States and certain non-U.S. countries may be unreliable, increasing the risk of delayed settlements or losses of security certificates in markets that still rely on physical settlement. Settlements in certain foreign countries at times have not kept pace with the number of securities transactions; these problems may make it difficult for a Fund to carry out transactions. If a Fund cannot settle or is delayed in settling a purchase of securities, it may miss attractive investment opportunities and certain of its assets may be uninvested with no return earned thereon for some period. If a Fund cannot settle or is delayed in settling a sale of securities, it may lose money if the value of the security then declines or, if it has contracted to sell the security to another party, a Fund could be liable to that party for any losses incurred. Dividends or interest on, or proceeds from the sale of, foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes on income from sources in such countries.

Governmental Supervision and Regulation/Accounting Standards . Many foreign governments supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities less than the United States does. Some countries may not have laws to protect investors comparable to the U.S. securities laws. For example, some foreign countries may have no laws or rules against insider trading. Insider trading occurs when a person buys or sells a company’s securities based on nonpublic information about that company. In addition, the U.S. government has from time to time in the past imposed restrictions, through penalties and otherwise, on foreign investments by U.S. investors such as a Fund. Accounting standards in other countries are not necessarily the same as in the United States. If the accounting standards in another country do not require as much detail as U.S. accounting standards, it may be harder for a Fund to completely and accurately determine a company’s financial condition. Also, brokerage commissions and other costs of buying or selling securities often are higher in foreign countries than they are in the United States. This reduces the amount a Fund can earn on its investments.

Foreign Currency Risk . While a Fund’s net assets are valued in U.S. dollars, the securities of foreign companies are frequently denominated in foreign currencies. Thus, a change in the value of a foreign currency against the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding change in value of securities denominated in that currency. Some of the factors that may impair the investments denominated in a foreign currency are: (1) it may be expensive to convert foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa; (2)

complex political and economic factors may significantly affect the values of various currencies, including U.S. dollars, and their exchange rates; (3) government intervention may increase risks involved in purchasing or selling foreign currency options, forward contracts and futures contracts, since exchange rates may not be free to fluctuate in response to other market forces; (4) there may be no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign currencies or regulatory requirement that quotations available through dealers or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis; (5) available quotation information is generally representative of very large round-lot transactions in the inter-bank market and thus may not reflect exchange rates for smaller odd-lot transactions (less than $1 million) where rates may be less favorable; and (6) the inter-bank market in foreign currencies is a global, around-the-clock market. To the extent that a market is closed while the markets for the underlying currencies remain open, certain markets may not always reflect significant price and rate movements.

Emerging Market Securities . Emerging market countries are generally countries that are included in the Morgan Stanley Capital International ("MSCI") Emerging Markets Index, or otherwise excluded from the MSCI World Index. As of March 31, 2018, the countries in the MSCI World Index included: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The country composition of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index and the MSCI World Index can change over time. Frontier market countries, which are those emerging market countries that have the smallest, least mature economies and least developed capital markets, are generally countries that are included in the MSCI Frontier Markets Index.

Investments in the securities of issuers domiciled in countries with emerging capital markets involve certain additional risks that do not generally apply to investments in securities of issuers in more developed capital markets, such as (i) low or non-existent trading volume, resulting in a lack of liquidity and increased volatility in prices for such securities, as compared to securities of comparable issuers in more developed capital markets; (ii) uncertain national policies and social, political and economic instability, increasing the potential for expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, high rates of inflation or unfavorable diplomatic developments; (iii) possible fluctuations in exchange rates, differing legal systems and the existence or possible imposition of exchange controls, custodial restrictions or other foreign or U.S. governmental laws or restrictions applicable to such investments; (iv) national policies that may limit a Fund’s investment opportunities such as restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests; and (v) the lack or relatively early development of legal structures governing private and foreign investments and private property. In addition to withholding taxes on investment income, some countries with emerging markets may impose capital gains taxes on foreign investors.

Political and economic structures in emerging market countries may be undergoing significant evolution and rapid development, and these countries may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristic of more developed countries. In such a dynamic environment, there can be no assurance that any or all of these capital markets will continue to present viable investment opportunities for a Fund. Some of these countries may have in the past failed to recognize private property rights and have at times nationalized or expropriated the assets of private companies. There is no assurance that such expropriations will not reoccur. In such an event, it is possible that a Fund could lose the entire value of its investments in the affected market. As a result, the risks described above, including the risks of nationalization or expropriation of assets, may be heightened. In addition, unanticipated political or social developments may affect the value of investments in these countries and the availability to a Fund of additional investments. The small size and inexperience of the securities markets in certain of these countries and the limited volume of trading in securities in these countries may make investments in the countries illiquid and more volatile than investments in Japan or most Western European countries.

Also, there may be less publicly available information about issuers in emerging markets than would be available about issuers in more developed capital markets, and such issuers may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements comparable to those to which U.S. companies are subject. In certain countries with emerging capital markets, reporting standards vary widely. As a result, traditional investment measurements used in the United States, such as price/earnings ratios, may not be applicable. Emerging market securities may be substantially less liquid and more volatile than those of mature markets, and company shares may be held by a limited number of persons. This may adversely affect the timing and pricing of a Fund’s acquisition or disposal of securities.

Practices in relation to settlement of securities transactions in emerging markets involve higher risks than those in developed markets, in part because a Fund will need to use brokers and counterparties that are less well capitalized, and custody and registration of assets in some countries may be unreliable. The possibility of fraud, negligence, undue influence being exerted by the issuer or refusal to recognize ownership exists in some emerging markets, and, along with other factors, could result in ownership registration being completely lost. A Fund would absorb any loss resulting from such registration problems and may have no successful claim for compensation.

Some emerging market countries currently prohibit direct foreign investment in the securities of their companies. Certain emerging market countries, however, permit indirect foreign investment in the securities of companies listed and traded on their stock exchanges through investment funds that they have specifically authorized. Investments in these investment funds may be subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act limiting investments in other investment companies. Shareholders of a Fund that invests in such investment funds will bear not only their proportionate share of the expenses of a Fund (including operating expenses and the fees of the adviser), but also will indirectly bear similar expenses of the underlying investment funds. In addition, these investment funds may trade at a discount or premium to the fund’s NAV.

Illiquid Securities. Subject to the limitations in the 1940 Act and the rules and interpretations of the staff of the SEC thereunder, the Funds may invest in illiquid securities. SEC guidance and a recently adopted SEC rule, the applicable part of which takes effect December 1, 2018, provides that an open–end investment company, such as the Funds, must limit its investments in illiquid securities to no more than 15% of net assets. Illiquid securities are securities that cannot be disposed of within seven business days at approximately the price at which they are being carried on a Fund’s books.

Illiquid securities include demand instruments with demand notice periods exceeding seven days, securities for which there is no active secondary market, and repurchase agreements with maturities of over seven days in length. The Funds may invest in securities that are neither listed on a stock exchange nor traded over-the-counter, including privately placed securities. Investing in unlisted securities, including investments in new and early stage companies, may involve a high degree of business and financial risk that can result in substantial losses. As a result of the absence of a public trading market for these securities, they may be less liquid than publicly traded securities. Because these types of securities are thinly traded, if at all, and market prices for these types of securities are generally not readily available, the Fund typically determines the price for these types of securities in good faith in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the Board. Although these securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized from these sales could be less than those originally paid by a Fund, or less than what may be considered the fair value of such securities. Further, companies whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements which might be applicable if their securities were publicly traded. If such securities are required to be registered under the securities laws of one or more jurisdictions before being resold, a Fund may be required to bear the expenses of registration.

In addition, the Funds believe that certain investments in joint ventures, cooperatives, partnerships, private placements, unlisted securities and other similar situations (collectively, ‘‘special situations’’) could enhance the Funds’ capital appreciation potential. To the extent these investments are deemed illiquid, the Funds’ investment in them will be consistent with their applicable restriction on investment in illiquid securities. Investments in special situations and certain other instruments may be liquid, as determined by the Funds’ Advisor or sub-advisors based on criteria approved by the Board.

Interests in Publicly Traded Limited Partnerships. Interests in publicly traded limited partnerships (limited partnership interests or units) represent equity interests in the assets and earnings of the partnership’s trade or business. Unlike common stock in a corporation, limited partnership interests have limited or no voting rights. However, many of the risks of investing in common stocks are still applicable to investments in limited partnership interests. In addition, limited partnership interests are subject to risks not present in common stock. For example, income generated from limited partnerships deemed not to be “publicly traded” may not be considered “qualifying income” for purposes of the regulated investment company requirements under the Code, and may trigger adverse tax consequences (please refer to the “Federal Income Taxes” section of this SAI for a discussion of relevant tax risks). Also, since publicly traded limited partnerships are a less common form of organizational structure than corporations, the limited partnership units may be less liquid than publicly traded common stock. Also, because of the difference in organizational structure, the fair value of limited partnership units in a Fund’s portfolio may be based either upon the current market price of such units, or if there is no current market price, upon the pro rata value of the underlying assets of the partnership. Limited partnership units also have the risk that the limited partnership might, under certain circumstances, be treated as a general partnership giving rise to broader liability exposure to the limited partners for activities of the partnership. Further, the general partners of a limited partnership may be able to significantly change the business or asset structure of a limited partnership without the limited partners having any ability to disapprove any such changes. In certain limited partnerships, limited partners may also be required to return distributions previously made in the event that excess distributions have been made by the partnership, or in the event that the general partners, or their affiliates, are entitled to indemnification.

Interfund Lending. Each Fund’s investment restrictions and an SEC exemptive order permit the Fund to participate in an interfund lending program with other funds in the Touchstone family of funds, including the Funds. This program allows the Touchstone Funds to borrow money from, and lend money to, each other for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to satisfy redemption requests or to cover unanticipated cash shortfalls. A Fund may not borrow through the interfund lending program for leverage purposes. To the extent permitted by its investment objective, strategies, and policies, a Fund may (1) lend uninvested cash to other Touchstone Funds in an amount up to 15% of the lending Fund's net assets at the time of the loan (including lending up to

5% of its net assets to any single Touchstone Fund) and (2) borrow money from other Touchstone Funds provided that total outstanding borrowings from all sources do not exceed 33 ¹ / ₃ % of its total assets. A Fund may borrow through the interfund lending program on an unsecured basis (i.e., without posting collateral) if its aggregate borrowings from all sources immediately after the interfund borrowing represent 10% or less of the Fund’s total assets. However, if a Fund’s aggregate borrowings from all sources immediately after the interfund borrowing would exceed 10% of the Fund’s total assets, the Fund may borrow through the interfund lending program on a secured basis only. Any Fund that has outstanding interfund borrowings may not cause its outstanding borrowings, from all sources, to exceed 10% of its total assets without first securing each interfund loan. If a Fund has any outstanding secured borrowings from other sources, including another fund, at the time it requests an interfund loan, the Fund's interfund borrowing will be secured on at least an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value as any outstanding collateralized loan.

Any loan made through the interfund lending program is required to be more beneficial to a borrowing Fund (i.e., at a lower interest rate) than borrowing from a bank and more beneficial to a lending Fund (i.e., at a higher rate of return) than an alternative short-term investment. The term of an interfund loan is limited to the time required to obtain sufficient cash to repay the loan through either the sale of the Fund's portfolio securities or net sales of Fund shares, but in no event more than seven days. In addition, an interfund loan is callable with one business day’s notice.

The limitations discussed above, other conditions of the SEC exemptive order, and related policies and procedures implemented by Touchstone are designed to minimize the risks associated with interfund lending for both borrowing Funds and lending Funds. However, no borrowing or lending activity is without risk. When a Fund borrows money from another Touchstone Fund, there is a risk that the loan could be called on one business day’s notice or not renewed, in which case the Fund may need to borrow from a bank at higher rates if an interfund loan were not available from another Touchstone Fund. Furthermore, a delay in repayment to a lending Fund could result in a lost investment opportunity or additional lending costs.

Investment Company Shares. Investment companies include open- and closed-end funds, ETFs, and any other pooled investment vehicle that meets the definition of an investment company under the 1940 Act, whether such companies are required to register under the 1940 Act or not. As a shareholder of another investment company, a Fund would be subject to the sames risks as any other investor in that investment company. A Fund’s purchase of such investment company securities results in the layering of expenses, such that shareholders would indirectly bear a proportionate share of the operating expenses of such investment companies, including advisory fees, in addition to paying Fund expenses. Investments in registered investment company shares are subject to limitations prescribed by the 1940 Act and its rules, and applicable SEC staff interpretations or applicable exemptive relief granted by the SEC. The 1940 Act currently provides, in part, that a Fund generally may not purchase shares of a registered investment company if (a) such a purchase would cause a Fund to own in the aggregate more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of the investment company or (b) such a purchase would cause a Fund to have more than 5% of its total assets invested in the investment company or (c) more than 10% of a Fund’s total assets would be invested in the aggregate in all registered investment companies. See also “Investment Limitations” and “Exchange-Traded Funds.”

Leveraging. Leveraging a Fund through borrowing or other means (e.g., certain uses of derivatives) creates an opportunity for increased net income, but, at the same time, creates special risk considerations. For example, leveraging may exaggerate changes in the NAV of a Fund’s shares and in the yield on the Fund’s portfolio. Although the principal amount of such borrowings will be fixed, a Fund’s assets may change in value during the time the borrowing is outstanding. Leveraging creates interest expenses for a Fund which could exceed the income from the assets retained. To the extent the income derived from securities purchased with borrowed funds exceeds the interest that a Fund will have to pay, the Fund’s net income will be greater than if leveraging were not used. Conversely, if the income from the assets retained with borrowed funds is not sufficient to cover the cost of leveraging, the net income of a Fund will be less than if leveraging were not used, and therefore the amount available for distribution to shareholders as dividends will be reduced.

Because the SEC staff believes that, among other transactions, reverse repurchase agreements and dollar roll transactions are collateralized borrowings, the SEC staff believes that they create leverage. The requirement that such transactions be fully collateralized by assets segregated by the Funds’ custodian or otherwise subject to “covering” techniques imposes a practical limit on the leverage these transactions create.

Market Disruption. During periods of extreme market volatility, prices of securities held by the Funds may be negatively impacted due to imbalances between market participants seeking to sell the same or similar securities and market participants willing or able to buy such securities. As a result, the market prices of securities held by the Funds could go down, at times without regard to the financial condition of or specific events impacting the issuer of the security.

Instability in financial markets has in the past led governments to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases a

lack of liquidity. Federal, state, and other governments, their regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Funds themselves are regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the Funds’ ability to achieve their investment goals.

Master Limited Partnerships ("MLPs"). MLPs are limited partnerships in which the ownership units are publicly traded. MLP units are registered with the SEC and are freely traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. MLPs often own several properties or businesses (or own interests) that are related to oil and gas industries, but they also may finance research and development and other projects. Generally, an MLP is operated under the supervision of one or more managing general partners. Limited partners (like the Fund that invests in a MLP) are not involved in the day-to-day management of the partnership. They are allocated income and capital gains associated with the partnership project in accordance with the terms established in the partnership agreement. Generally speaking, MLP investment returns are enhanced during periods of declining/low interest rates and tend to be negatively influenced when interest rates are rising. As an income vehicle, the unit price can be influenced by general interest rate trends independent of specific underlying fundamentals. In addition, most MLPs are leveraged and typically carry a portion of “floating” rate debt. As such, a significant upward swing in interest rates would also drive interest expense higher. Furthermore, most MLPs grow by acquisitions partly financed by debt, and higher interest rates could make it more difficult to transact accretive acquisitions. To the extent that an MLP’s interests are all in a particular industry, the MLP will, accordingly, be negatively impacted by economic events impacting that industry. For instance, a decline in commodity prices may negatively affect the business and market value of an MLP that owns assets related to the oil and gas industries. The risks of investing in an MLP typically more closely resemble those involved in investing in a partnership as opposed to a corporation. For example, state law governing partnerships is often less restrictive than state law governing corporations. Accordingly, there may be fewer protections afforded to investors in an MLP than investors in a corporation. In addition, MLPs may be subject to state taxation in certain jurisdictions which will have the effect of reducing the amount of income paid by the MLP to its investors. An MLP may be taxed as a corporation, contrary to its intention to be taxed as a partnership, resulting in decreased returns to the Fund invested in the MLP. A Fund’s investment in an MLP may generate unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) to tax-exempt shareholders of the Fund. Tax-exempt shareholders are urged and advised to consult their own tax advisors to determine the impact on them of a Fund’s investment in an MLP.

Money Market Instruments. Money market securities are high-quality, dollar-denominated, short-term debt instruments. They include: (i) bankers’ acceptances, certificates of deposits, notes and time deposits of highly-rated U.S. banks and U.S. branches of foreign banks; (ii) U.S. Treasury obligations and obligations issued or guaranteed by the agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government; (iii) high-quality commercial paper issued by U.S. and foreign corporations; (iv) debt obligations with a maturity of one year or less issued by corporations with outstanding high-quality commercial paper ratings; and (v) repurchase agreements involving any of the foregoing obligations entered into with highly-rated banks and broker-dealers.

Ordinary Shares. Ordinary shares are shares of foreign issuers that are traded abroad and on a United States exchange. Ordinary shares may be purchased with and sold for U.S. dollars. Investing in foreign companies may involve risks not typically associated with investing in United States companies. See “Foreign Securities.”

Overseas Private Investment Corporation Certificates. The Funds may invest in Certificates of Participation issued by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (“OPIC”). OPIC is a U.S. government agency that sells political risk insurance and loans to help U.S. businesses invest and compete in over 150 emerging markets and developing nations worldwide. OPIC provides medium to long-term debt financing through loans and guaranties to projects involving significant equity or management participation. OPIC can lend on either a project finance or a corporate finance basis in countries where conventional institutions are often unable or unwilling to lend on such a basis. OPIC issues Certificates of Participation to finance projects undertaken by U.S. companies. These certificates are guaranteed by OPIC and backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

Over-The-Counter Stocks. A Fund may invest in over-the-counter stocks. In contrast to the securities exchanges, the over-the-counter market is not a centralized facility that limits trading activity to securities of companies which initially satisfy certain defined standards. Generally, the volume of trading in an unlisted or over-the-counter common stock is less than the volume of trading in a listed stock. This means that the depth of market liquidity of some stocks in which a Fund invests may not be as great as that of other securities and, if a Fund were to dispose of such a stock, it might have to offer the shares at a discount from recent prices, or sell the shares in small lots over an extended period of time.

Preferred Stock. Preferred stock has a preference over common stock in liquidation (and generally for dividend receipts as well) but is subordinated to the liabilities of the issuer in all respects. As a general rule, the market value of preferred stock with a fixed dividend rate and no conversion element varies inversely with interest rates and perceived credit risk, while the market price of convertible preferred stock generally also reflects some element of conversion value. Because preferred stock is junior to debt securities and other obligations of the issuer, deterioration in the credit quality of the issuer will cause greater changes in the value

of a preferred stock than in a more senior debt security with similar stated yield characteristics. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends generally are payable only if declared by the issuer’s board of directors. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.

Privatization. Privatizations are foreign government programs for selling all or part of the interests in government owned or controlled enterprises. The ability of a U.S. entity to participate in privatizations in certain foreign countries may be limited by local law, or the terms on which a Fund may be permitted to participate may be less advantageous than those applicable for local investors. There can be no assurance that foreign governments will continue to sell their interests in companies currently owned or controlled by them or that privatization programs will be successful.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”). The Funds may invest in REITs, which pool investors’ money for investment in income producing commercial real estate or real estate related loans or interests.

A REIT is not subject to federal income tax on income distributed to its shareholders or unitholders if it complies with regulatory requirements relating to its organization, ownership, assets and income, and with a regulatory requirement that it distribute to its shareholders or unitholders at least 90% of its taxable income for each taxable year. Generally, REITs can be classified as Equity REITs, Mortgage REITs and Hybrid REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive their income primarily from rents and capital gains from appreciation realized through property sales. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive their income primarily from interest payments. Hybrid REITs combine the characteristics of both Equity and Mortgage REITs. A shareholder in a Fund should realize that by investing in REITs indirectly through the Fund, he or she will bear not only his or her proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund, but also indirectly, similar expenses of underlying REITs.

A Fund may be subject to certain risks associated with the direct investments of the REITs. REITs may be affected by changes in their underlying properties and by defaults by borrowers or tenants. Mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of the credit extended. Furthermore, REITs are dependent on specialized management skills. Some REITs may have limited diversification and may be subject to risks inherent in financing a limited number of properties. REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders, and may be subject to defaults by borrowers and to self-liquidations. In addition, the performance of a REIT may be affected by its failure to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code or its failure to maintain exemption from registration under the 1940 Act.

ReFlow Liquidity Program. The Funds may participate in the ReFlow liquidity program, which is designed to provide an alternative liquidity source for mutual funds experiencing redemptions of their shares. In order to pay cash to shareholders who redeem their shares on a given day, a mutual fund typically must hold cash in its portfolio, liquidate portfolio securities, or borrow money, all of which impose certain costs on the fund. ReFlow Fund, LLC ("ReFlow") provides participating mutual funds with another source of cash by standing ready to purchase shares from a fund up to the amount of the fund’s net redemptions on a given day. ReFlow then generally redeems those shares when the fund experiences net sales. In return for this service, a Fund will pay a fee to ReFlow at a rate determined by a daily auction with other participating mutual funds. The costs to a Fund for participating in ReFlow are expected to be influenced by and comparable to the cost of other sources of liquidity, such as a Fund’s short-term lending arrangements or the costs of selling portfolio securities to meet redemptions. In accordance with federal securities laws, ReFlow is prohibited from acquiring more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. There is no assurance that ReFlow will have sufficient funds available to meet a Fund's liquidity needs on a particular day. Investments in the Funds by ReFlow in connection with the ReFlow liquidity program are not subject to the market timing limitations described in the Funds’ prospectus.

Royalty Trusts. Royalty trusts are structured similarly to REITs. A royalty trust generally acquires an interest in natural resource companies or chemical companies and distributes the income it receives to the investors of the royalty trust. A sustained decline in demand for crude oil, natural gas and refined petroleum products could adversely affect income and royalty trust revenues and cash flows. Factors that could lead to a decrease in market demand include a recession or other adverse economic conditions, an increase in the market price of the underlying commodity, higher taxes or other regulatory actions that increase costs, or a shift in consumer demand for such products. A rising interest rate environment could adversely impact the performance of royalty trusts. Rising interest rates could limit the capital appreciation of royalty trusts because of the increased availability of alternative investments at more competitive yields.

Securities Lending. In order to generate additional income, a Fund may lend its securities pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by collateral consisting of: (1) cash in U.S. dollars; (2) securities issued or fully guaranteed by the United States government or issued and unconditionally guaranteed by any agencies thereof; or (3) irrevocable performance letters of credit issued by banks approved by each Fund. All collateral must equal at least 100% of the market value of the loaned securities. A Fund continues to receive interest on the loaned securities while simultaneously earning interest on the investment

of cash collateral. Collateral is marked to market daily. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially or become insolvent. In addition, cash collateral invested by the lending Fund is subject to investment risk and the Fund may experience losses with respect to its collateral investments. The SEC currently requires that the following conditions must be met whenever a Fund’s portfolio securities are loaned: (1) the Fund must receive at least 100% cash collateral from the borrower; (2) the borrower must increase such collateral whenever the market value of the securities rises above the level of such collateral; (3) the Fund must be able to terminate the loan at any time; (4) the Fund must receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities, and any increase in market value; (5) the Fund may pay only reasonable custodian fees approved by the Board in connection with the loan; (6) while voting rights on the loaned securities may pass to the borrower, the Fund must have the ability to terminate the loan and regain the right to vote the securities if a material event adversely affecting the investment occurs, and (7) the Fund may not loan its portfolio securities so that the value of the loaned securities is more than one-third of its total asset value, including collateral received from such loans. As of the date of this SAI, the Funds have not completed a fiscal period. Information regarding the income, fees, and compensation for the Funds' securities lending activities, if any, will be provided after completion of the Funds' fiscal period ended September 30, 2019.

Other Types of Financial Instruments. If other types of financial instruments, including other types of options, futures contracts, or options on futures contracts are traded in the future, the Funds may also use those instruments, provided that such instruments are consistent with the Funds’ investment goals.

Technology Securities. The value of technology securities may fluctuate dramatically and technology securities may be subject to greater than average financial and market risk. Investments in the high technology sector include the risk that certain products may be subject to competitive pressures and aggressive pricing and may become obsolete and the risk that new products will not meet expectations or even reach the market.

Trust Preferred Securities. Trust preferred securities are issued by a special purpose trust subsidiary backed by subordinated debt of the corporate parent. Trust preferred securities currently permit the issuing entity to treat the interest payments as a tax-deductible cost. These securities, which have no voting rights, have a final stated maturity date and a fixed schedule for periodic payments. In addition, these securities have provisions which afford preference over common and preferred stock upon liquidation, although the securities are subordinated to other, more senior debt securities of the same issuer. The issuers of these securities have the right to defer interest payments for a period of up to five years, although interest continues to accrue cumulatively. The deferral of payments may not exceed the stated maturity date of the securities themselves. The non-payment of deferred interest at the end of the permissible period will be treated as an event of default. At the present time, the Internal Revenue Service treats trust preferred securities as debt.

Warrants and Rights. Warrants are instruments giving holders the right, but not the obligation, to buy equity or fixed-income securities of a company at a given price during a specified period. Rights are similar to warrants but normally have a short life span to expiration. The purchase of warrants or rights involves the risk that a Fund could lose the purchase value of a warrant or right if the right to subscribe to additional shares is not exercised prior to the warrants’ or rights’ expiration. Also, the purchase of warrants and/or rights involves the risk that the effective price paid for the warrants and/or rights added to the subscription price of the related security may exceed the value of the subscribed security’s market price such as when there is no movement in the level of the underlying security. Buying a warrant does not make a Fund a shareholder of the underlying stock. The warrant holder has no voting or dividend rights with respect to the underlying stock. A warrant does not carry any right to assets of the issuer, and for this reason investment in warrants may be more speculative than other equity-based investments.

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

Fundamental Investment Limitations. Below are each Fund's fundamental investment limitations (or policies), which it cannot change without the consent of the holders of a majority of that Fund's outstanding shares. The term "majority of the outstanding shares" means the vote of (i) 67% or more of a Fund's shares present at a meeting, if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of that Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of a Fund's outstanding shares, whichever is less.

For the bank borrowing policy, which contains percentage limits, the Fund must meet these percentage limits at all times, regardless of whether a portfolio transaction is occurring or the changes are caused by market conditions or other circumstances beyond the Fund’s control. For all other fundamental policies with a percentage limit (collectively, the “Other Policies”), a Fund must apply each policy to each proposed portfolio transaction. For example, both the initial purchase of a security and each subsequent addition to that position must satisfy the Other Policies. However, if a Fund satisfies the Other Policies at the time of a transaction, then later changes in percentages resulting from market conditions or other circumstances beyond the Fund’s control will not violate those policies; but the Fund would not be able to make subsequent additions to that position and other similar positions until the Other Policies are satisfied.

Several of these fundamental investment limitations include the defined term “1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions.” This term means the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as such statutes, rules and regulations are amended from time to time or are interpreted from time to time by the staff of the SEC and any exemptive order or similar relief applicable to a Fund.

The Funds may not:

1. Diversification . The Funds may not purchase securities of an issuer that would cause the Funds to fail to satisfy the diversification requirement for a diversified management company under the 1940 Act, the rules, or regulations or any exemption, as such statute, rules, or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

2. Borrowing Money . The Funds may not engage in borrowing except as permitted by the 1940 Act, any rule, regulation, or order under the 1940 Act or any SEC staff interpretation of the 1940 Act.

3. Underwriting . The Funds may not underwrite securities issued by other persons, except to the extent that, in connection with the sale or disposition of portfolio securities, a Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter under certain federal securities laws or in connection with investments in other investment companies.

4. Loans . The Funds may not make loans to other persons except that a Fund may (1) engage in repurchase agreements, (2) lend portfolio securities, (3) purchase debt securities, (4) purchase commercial paper, and (5) enter into any other lending arrangement permitted by the 1940 Act, any rule, regulation, or order under the 1940 Act or any SEC staff interpretation of the 1940 Act.

5. Real Estate . The Funds may not purchase or sell real estate except that a Fund may (1) hold and sell real estate acquired as a result of the Fund’s ownership of securities or other instruments (2) purchase or sell securities or other instruments backed by real estate or interests in real estate and (3) purchase or sell securities of entities or investment vehicles, including real estate investment trusts that invest, deal or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or interests in real estate.

6. Commodities . The Funds may not purchase or sell physical commodities except that a Fund may (1) hold and sell physical commodities acquired as a result of the Fund’s ownership of securities or other instruments, (2) purchase or sell securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities, (3) purchase or sell options, and (4) purchase or sell futures contracts.

7. Senior Securities . The Funds may not issue senior securities except as permitted by the 1940 Act, any rule, regulation, or order under the 1940 Act or any SEC staff interpretation of the 1940 Act.

Non-Fundamental Investment Limitations. Each Fund also has adopted certain non-fundamental investment limitations. A non-fundamental investment limitation may be amended by the Board without a vote of shareholders upon 60 days' notice to shareholders. The non-fundamental investment limitations listed below are in addition to other non-fundamental investment limitations disclosed elsewhere in this SAI and in the prospectus.

For the illiquid securities policy, which contains percentage limits, the Fund must meet these percentage limits at all times, regardless of whether a portfolio transaction is occurring or the changes are caused by market conditions or other circumstances beyond the Fund’s control. For all other non-fundamental policies with a percentage limit (collectively, the “Other Policies”), a Fund must apply each policy to each proposed portfolio transaction. For example, both the initial purchase of a security and each subsequent addition to that position must satisfy the Other Policies. However, if a Fund satisfies the Other Policies at the time of a transaction, then later changes in percentages resulting from market conditions or other circumstances beyond the Fund’s control will not violate those policies; but the Fund would not be able to make subsequent additions to that position and other similar positions until the Other Policies are satisfied.

The following non-fundamental investment limitations apply to the Funds. Neither of the Funds may:


1.	Purchase the securities of an issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the United States government, its agencies or its instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 25% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of companies whose principal business activities are in the same industry or group of industries.


2.	Pledge, mortgage, or hypothecate assets except to secure borrowings (not to exceed 33 ¹ / ₃ % of a Fund’s assets) permitted by the Fund’s fundamental limitation on borrowing.

3. Purchase securities on margin or effect short sales, except that each Fund may (i) obtain short-term credits as necessary for the clearance of security transactions; (ii) provide initial and variation margin payments in connection with transactions involving futures contracts and options on such contracts; and (iii) make short sales “against the box” or in compliance with the SEC’s position regarding the asset segregation requirements imposed by Section 18 of the 1940 Act.

4. Purchase or hold illiquid securities, i.e., securities that cannot be disposed of for their approximate carrying value in seven days or less (which term includes repurchase agreements and time deposits maturing in more than seven days) if, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in illiquid securities. Unregistered securities sold in reliance on the exemption from registration in Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act and securities exempt from registration on re-sale pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act may be treated as liquid securities under procedures adopted by the Board.

5. Invest its assets in securities of any investment company, except as permitted by the 1940 Act.

6. Make investments in securities when outstanding borrowings exceed 5% of a Fund’s total assets.

The following descriptions of certain provisions of the 1940 Act may assist investors in understanding the above policies and restrictions.

Diversification . Under the 1940 Act, a diversified investment management company may not, with respect to 75% of its total assets, (i) purchase securities of any issuer (except securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agents or instrumentalities, cash item or, in certain circumstances, securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer; or (ii) acquire more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer.


2.	Borrowing . The 1940 Act allows a fund to borrow from any bank (including pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets) in an amount up to 33 ¹ / ₃ % of its total assets (not including temporary borrowings not in excess of 5% of its total assets).

Underwriting . Under the 1940 Act, underwriting securities involves a fund purchasing securities directly from an issuer for the purpose of selling (distributing) them or participating in any such activity either directly or indirectly. Under the 1940 Act, a diversified fund may not make any commitment as underwriter, if immediately thereafter the amount of its outstanding underwriting commitments, plus the value of its investments in securities of issuers (other than investment companies) of which it owns more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities, exceeds 25% of the value of its total assets.

Lending . Under the 1940 Act, a fund may only make loans if expressly permitted by its investment policies. The Fund’s current investment policy on lending is as follows: the Fund may not make loans if, as a result, more than 33 ¹ / ₃ % of its total assets would be lent to other parties, except that the Fund may: (i) purchase or hold debt instruments in accordance with its investment objective and policies; (ii) enter into repurchase agreements that are collateralized fully; and (iii) engage in securities lending as described in its SAI.

Senior Securities . Senior securities may include any obligation or instrument issued by a fund evidencing indebtedness. The 1940 Act generally prohibits funds from issuing senior securities, although it does not treat certain transactions as senior securities, such as certain borrowings, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements, firm commitment agreements and standby commitments, with appropriate earmarking or segregation of assets to cover such obligation.

A Fund will determine compliance with the fundamental and non-fundamental investment restriction percentages above (with the exception of the restriction relating to borrowing) and other investment restrictions in this SAI immediately after and as a result of its acquisition of such security or other asset. Accordingly, a Fund will not consider changes in values, net assets, or other circumstances when determining whether the investment complies with its investment restrictions.

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST

The following is a list of the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust, the length of time served, principal occupations for the past five years, and, for the Trustees only, number of funds overseen in the Touchstone Fund Complex and other directorships held. All funds managed by the Advisor, the "Touchstone Funds" are part of the “Touchstone Fund Complex.” The Touchstone Fund Complex consists of the Trust, Touchstone Institutional Funds Trust, Touchstone Strategic Trust and Touchstone Variable

Series Trust. The Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, are referred to as “Independent Trustees.”

Interested Trustees ⁽¹⁾ :



Name Address Year of Birth	Position Held with Trust	Term of Office And Length of Time Served	Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years	Number of Funds Overseen in the Touchstone Fund Complex ⁽²⁾	Other Directorships Held During the Past 5 Years ⁽³⁾
Jill T. McGruder Touchstone Advisors, Inc. 303 Broadway Suite 1100 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Year of Birth: 1955	Trustee and President	Until retirement at age 75 or until she resigns or is removed Trustee since 1999	President and CEO of IFS Financial Services, Inc. (a holding company).	[50]	IFS Financial Services, Inc. (a holding company) from 1999 to the present; Integrity and National Integrity Life Insurance Co. from 2005 to the present; Touchstone Securities (the Trust’s distributor) from 1999 to the present; Touchstone Advisors (the Trust’s investment advisor and administrator) from 1999 to the present; W&S Brokerage Services (a brokerage company) from 1999 to the present; W&S Financial Group Distributors (a distribution company) from 1999 to the present; Cincinnati Analysts, Inc. from 2012 to present; Columbus Life Insurance Co. from 2016 to present; and The Lafayette Life Insurance Co. from 2016 to present. Taft Museum of Art from 2007 to the present; YWCA of Greater Cincinnati from 2012 to the present; and LL Global, Inc. from 2016 to the present.

Independent Trustees:



Name Address Year of Birth	Position Held with Trust	Term of Office And Length of Time Served	Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years	Number of Funds Overseen in the Touchstone Fund Complex ⁽²⁾	Other Directorships Held During the Past 5 Years ⁽³⁾
Phillip R. Cox c/o Touchstone Advisors, Inc. 303 Broadway Suite 1100 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Year of Birth: 1947	Trustee	Until retirement at age 75 or until he resigns or is removed Trustee since 1999	President and Chief Executive Officer of Cox Financial Corp. (a financial services company) from 1971 to the present.	[50]	Director of Cincinnati Bell (a communications company) from 1994 to the present; Bethesda Inc. (a hospital) from 2005 to the present; Timken Co. (a manufacturing company) from 2004 to the 2014; TimkenSteel from 2014 to the present; Diebold, Inc. (a technology solutions company) from 2004 to the present; and Ohio Business Alliance for Higher Education and the Economy from 2005 to the present.



William C. Gale c/o Touchstone Advisors, Inc. 303 Broadway Suite 1100 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Year of Birth: 1952	Trustee	Until retirement at age 75 or until he resigns or is removed Trustee since 2013	Retired; formerly Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (from 2003 to January 2015) of Cintas Corporation (a business services company).	[50]	None.

Susan J. Hickenlooper c/o Touchstone Advisors, Inc. 303 Broadway Suite 1100 Cincinnati, Ohio Year of Birth: 1946	Trustee	Until retirement at age 75 or until she resigns or is removed Trustee since 2009	Retired; formerly Financial Analyst for Impact 100 (charitable organization) from November 2012 to 2013.	[50]	Trustee of Diocese of Southern Ohio from 2014 to the present; and Trustee of Cincinnati Parks Foundation from 2000 to 2016.

Kevin A. Robie c/o Touchstone Advisors, Inc. 303 Broadway Suite 1100 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Year of Birth: 1956	Trustee	Until retirement at age 75 or until he resigns or is removed Trustee since 2013	Vice President of Portfolio Management at Soin International LLC (a private multinational holding company) from 2004 to the present.	[50]	SaverSystems, Inc. (a provider of weatherproofing solutions) from 2015 to present; Director of Buckeye EcoCare, Inc. (a lawn care company) from 2013 to the present; Trustee of Dayton Region New Market Fund, LLC (a private fund) from 2010 to the present; Trustee of the Entrepreneurs Center, Inc. (a small business incubator) from 2006 to the present.

Edward J. VonderBrink c/o Touchstone Advisors, Inc. 303 Broadway Suite 1100 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Year of Birth: 1944	Trustee	Until retirement at age 75 or until he resigns or is removed Trustee since 2013	Consultant, VonderBrink Consulting LLC from 2000 to the present.	[50]	Director of Streamline Health Solutions, Inc. (healthcare IT) from 2006 to 2015; Mercy Health from 2013 to the present; Mercy Health Foundation (healthcare nonprofit) from 2008 to the present; Al Neyer Inc. (a construction company) from 2013 to the present; and BASCO Shower Door from 2010 to the present.

⁽¹⁾ Ms. McGruder, as a director of the Advisor and the Distributor and an officer of affiliates of the Advisor and the Distributor, is an “interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

⁽²⁾ As of [October 1, 2018], the Touchstone Fund Complex consists of [15 series of the Trust, 1 series of Touchstone Institutional Funds Trust, [24] series of Touchstone Strategic Trust] and 10 variable annuity series of Touchstone Variable Series Trust.

⁽³⁾ Each Trustee is also a Trustee of Touchstone Institutional Funds Trust, Touchstone Strategic Trust and Touchstone Variable Series Trust.

Principal Officers:



Name Address Year of Birth	Position Held with Trust ⁽¹⁾	Term of Office and Length of Time Served	Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Jill T. McGruder Touchstone Advisors, Inc. 303 Broadway Suite 1100 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Year of Birth: 1955	President and Trustee	Until resignation, removal or disqualification President since 2006	See biography above.

Steven M. Graziano Touchstone Advisors, Inc. 303 Broadway Suite 1100 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Year of Birth: 1954	Vice President	Until resignation, removal or disqualification Vice President since 2009	President of Touchstone Advisors, Inc.

Timothy D. Paulin Touchstone Advisors, Inc. 303 Broadway Suite 1100 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Year of Birth: 1963	Vice President	Until resignation, removal or disqualification Vice President since 2010	Senior Vice President of Investment Research and Product Management of Touchstone Advisors, Inc.



Timothy S. Stearns Touchstone Advisors Inc. 303 Broadway Suite 1100 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Year of Birth: 1963	Chief Compliance Officer	Until resignation, removal or disqualification Chief Compliance Officer since 2013	Chief Compliance Officer of Touchstone Advisors, Inc.; Chief Compliance Officer of Envestnet Asset Management, Inc. (2009 to 2013).
Terrie A. Wiedenheft Touchstone Advisors, Inc. 303 Broadway Suite 1100 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Year of Birth: 1962	Controller and Treasurer	Until resignation, removal or disqualification Controller and Treasurer since 2006	Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operations Officer of IFS Financial Services, Inc. (a holding company).
Ellen Blanchard The Bank of New York Mellon 201 Washington Street, 13 ^th Fl Boston, Massachusetts 02108 Year of Birth: 1973	Secretary	Until resignation, removal or disqualification Secretary since 2015	Director of The Bank of New York Mellon

⁽¹⁾ Each officer also holds the same office with Touchstone Institutional Funds Trust, Touchstone Strategic Trust and Touchstone Variable Series Trust.

Additional Information about the Trustees

The Board believes that each Trustee’s experience, qualifications, attributes, or skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Trustees lead to the conclusion that the Trustees possess the requisite experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills to serve on the Board. The Board believes that the Trustees’ ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss

information provided to them; to interact effectively with the Advisor, sub-advisors, other service providers, counsel and independent auditors; and to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties, support this conclusion. The Board has also considered the contributions that each Trustee can make to the Board and the Funds.

In addition, the following specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills apply as to each Trustee: Ms. McGruder has experience as a chief executive officer of a financial services company and director of various other businesses, as well as executive and leadership roles within the Advisor; Mr. Cox has experience as a chief executive officer of a financial services company and as a director of companies from varied industries; Mr. Gale has experience as a chief financial officer, an internal auditor of various global companies, and has accounting experience as a manager at a major accounting firm; Ms. Hickenlooper has executive and board experience at various businesses, foundations and charitable organizations; Mr. Robie has portfolio management experience at a private multinational holding company; and Mr. VonderBrink has experience as a consultant and director of other corporations. In its periodic self-assessment of its effectiveness, the Board considers the complementary individual skills and experience of the individual Trustees primarily in the broader context of the Board’s overall composition so that the Board, as a body, possesses the appropriate (and appropriately diverse) skills and experience to oversee the business of the Funds. References to the qualifications, attributes and skills of Trustees are pursuant to requirements of the SEC, do not constitute holding out the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility on any Trustee or on the Board by reason thereof.

Board Structure

The Board is composed of five Independent Trustees and one Interested Trustee, Jill T. McGruder, who is Chairperson of the Board. The Independent Trutees appointed Phillip R. Cox to serve as the Lead Independent Trustee. Ms. McGruder oversees the day-to-day business affairs of the Trust and communicates with Mr. Cox regularly on various Trust issues, as appropriate. Mr. Cox, among other things, chairs meetings of the Independent Trustees, serves as a spokesperson for the Independent Trustees and serves as a liaison between the Independent Trustees and the Trust’s management between Board meetings. Except for any duties specified, the designation of Lead Independent Trustee does not impose on such Independent Trustee any duties, obligations or liability that is greater than the duties, obligations or liability imposed on such person as a member of the Board, generally. The Independent Trustees are advised at these meetings, as well as at other times, by separate, independent legal counsel.

The Board holds four regular meetings each year to consider and address matters involving the Trust and its Funds. The Board also may hold special meetings to address matters arising between regular meetings. The Independent Trustees also regularly meet outside the presence of management and are advised by independent legal counsel. These meetings may take place in-person or by telephone.

The Board has established a committee structure that includes an Audit Committee and a Governance Committee (discussed in more detail below). The Board conducts much of its work through these Committees. Each Committee is comprised entirely of Independent Trustees, which ensures that the Funds have effective and independent governance and oversight.

The Board reviews its structure regularly and believes that its leadership structure, including having a super-majority of Independent Trustees, coupled with an Interested Chairperson and a Lead Independent Trustee, is appropriate and in the best interests of the Trust because it allows the Board to exercise informed and independent judgment over matters under its purview, and it allocates areas of responsibility among committees and the full Board in a manner that enhances effective oversight. The Board believes that having an Interested Chairperson is appropriate and in the best interests of the Trust given: (1) the extensive oversight provided by the Trust’s Advisor over the affiliated and unaffiliated sub-advisors that conduct the day-to-day management of the Funds of the Trust, (2) the extent to which the work of the Board is conducted through the standing Committees, (3) the extent to which the Independent Trustees meet regularly, together with independent legal counsel, in the absence of the Interested Chairperson and (4) the Interested Chairperson’s additional roles as a director of the Advisor and the Distributor and senior executive of IFS Financial Services, Inc., the Advisor’s parent company, and of other affiliates of the Advisor, which enhance the Board’s understanding of the operations of the Advisor and the role of the Trust and the Advisor within Western & Southern Financial Group, Inc. The Board also believes that the role of the Lead Independent Trustee within the leadership structure is integral to promoting independent oversight of the Funds’ operations and meaningful representation of the shareholders’ interests. In addition, the Board believes its leadership structure facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Independent Trustees from the Trust’s management.

Board Oversight of Risk

Consistent with its responsibilities for oversight of the Trust and its Funds, the Board, among other things, oversees risk management of each Fund’s investment program and business affairs directly and through the committee structure that it has established. Risks to the Funds include, among others, investment risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, valuation risk and operational risk, as well as the

overall business risk relating to the Funds. The Board has adopted, and periodically reviews, policies and procedures designed to address these risks. Under the overall oversight of the Board, the Advisor, sub-advisors, and other key service providers to the Funds, including the administrator, the distributor, the transfer agent, the custodian, and the independent auditors, have also implemented a variety of processes, procedures and controls to address these risks. Different processes, procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks. These processes include those that are embedded in the conduct of regular business by the Board and in the responsibilities of officers of the Trust and other service providers.

The Board requires senior officers of the Trust, including the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”), to report to the Board on a variety of matters at regular and special meetings of the Board, including matters relating to risk management. The Board and the Audit Committee receive regular reports from the Trust’s independent auditors on internal control and financial reporting matters. On at least a quarterly basis, the Board meets with the Trust’s CCO, including meetings in executive sessions, to discuss issues related to portfolio compliance and, on at least an annual basis, receives a report from the CCO regarding the effectiveness of the Trust’s compliance program. In addition, the Board also receives reports from the Advisor on the investments and securities trading of the Funds, including their investment performance and asset weightings compared to appropriate benchmarks, as well as reports regarding the valuation of those investments. The Board also receives reports from the Trust’s primary service providers on a periodic or regular basis, including the sub-advisors to the Funds.

Standing Committees of the Board

The Board is responsible for overseeing the operations of the Trust in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act and other applicable laws and the Trust’s Declaration of Trust. The Board has established the following Committees to assist in its oversight functions. Each Committee is composed entirely of Independent Trustees.

Audit Committee. All of the Independent Trustees are members of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting policies, practices and internal controls. Mr. Gale is the Chair of the Audit Committee. The Funds are new and have not yet completed a fiscal period. During the 12-month period ended September 30, 2018, the Audit Committee held four meetings.

Governance Committee . All of the Independent Trustees are members of the Governance Committee. The Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing the Trust’s compliance program and compliance issues, procedures for valuing securities and responding to any pricing issues. Ms. Hickenlooper is the Chair of the Governance Committee. The Funds are new and have not yet completed a fiscal period. The Governance Committee held four meetings during the 12-month period ended September 30, 2018.

In addition, the Governance Committee is responsible for recommending candidates to serve on the Board. The Governance Committee will consider shareholder recommendations for nomination to the Board only in the event that there is a vacancy on the Board. Shareholders who wish to submit recommendations for nominations to the Board to fill the vacancy must submit their recommendations in writing to Ms. Susan J. Hickenlooper, Chair of the Governance Committee, c/o Touchstone Funds, 303 Broadway, Suite 1100, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. Shareholders should include appropriate information on the background and qualifications of any person recommended to the Governance Committee (e.g., a resume), as well as the candidate’s contact information and a written consent from the candidate to serve if nominated and elected. Shareholder recommendations for nominations to the Board will be accepted on an ongoing basis and such recommendations will be kept on file for consideration in the event of a future vacancy on the Board.

Trustee Ownership in the Touchstone Fund Complex

The following table reflects the Trustees’ beneficial ownership in the Funds (i.e., dollar range of securities in each Fund) and the Touchstone Fund Complex as of December 31, 2017.

Interested Trustee

Independent Trustees

Funds ⁽¹⁾

Jill T.

McGruder

Phillip R.

Cox

William C.

Gale

Susan J.

Hickenlooper

Kevin A.

Robie

Edward J.

VonderBrink

International Core Equity Fund

None

U.S. Core Equity Fund

None

Aggregate Dollar Range of Securities in the Touchstone Fund Complex ⁽²⁾

Over $100,000

None

Over $100,000

None

Over $100,000


⁽¹⁾	The Funds did not commence operations until [October 1], 2018.


⁽²⁾	As of [October 1], 2018, the Touchstone Fund Complex consisted of [15 series of the Trust, 1 series of Touchstone Institutional Funds Trust, [24] series of Touchstone Strategic Trust] and 10 variable annuity series of Touchstone Variable Series Trust.

Trustee Compensation

The following table shows the compensation paid to the Trustees by the Trust and the aggregate compensation paid by the Touchstone Fund Complex during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.



Name	Compensation from the Trust		Aggregate Compensation from the Touchstone Fund Complex ⁽¹⁾
Interested Trustee
Jill T. McGruder	$	0	$	0
Independent Trustees ⁽²⁾
Phillip R. Cox	$	43,293	$	147,000
William C. Gale	$	39,634	$	135,000
Susan J. Hickenlooper	$	39,634	$	135,000
Kevin A. Robie	$	35,976	$	123,000
Edward J. VonderBrink	$	35,976	$	123,000


⁽¹⁾	As of [October 1], 2018, the Touchstone Fund Complex consisted of [15 series of the Trust, 1 series of Touchstone Institutional Funds Trust, [24] series of Touchstone Strategic Trust] and 10 variable annuity series of Touchstone Variable Series Trust.

⁽²⁾

The Independent Trustees are eligible to participate in the Touchstone Trustee Deferred Compensation Plan, which allows them to defer payment of a specific amount of their Trustee compensation, subject to a minimum quarterly reduction of $1,000. The total amount of deferred compensation accrued by the Independent Trustees from the Touchstone Fund Complex during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 was $116,500.

The following table shows the Trustee quarterly compensation schedule:



	Retainer		Governance Committee Meeting Attendance Fees		Audit Committee Meeting Attendance Fees		Board Meeting Attendance Fees
Compensation Beginning 1/1/18 1/1/16-12/31/17	$18,000 $15,500		$4,500 $4,500		$4,500 $4,500		$5,000 $5,000

Lead Independent Trustee Fees	$	6,000

Committee Chair Fees	$	1,000	$	2,000	$	2,000

Telephonic Meeting Attendance Fee = $1,500

Independent Trustee compensation and Trustee and officer expenses are typically divided equally among the series comprising the Touchstone Fund Complex.

THE ADVISOR

Touchstone Advisors, Inc. (previously defined as the “Advisor” or “Touchstone Advisors”), is the Funds’ investment advisor under the terms of an advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) dated February 17, 2006. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor reviews, supervises, and administers the Funds’ investment program, subject to the oversight of, and policies established by, the Board of the Trust (the “Trustees”). The Advisor determines the appropriate allocation of assets to each Fund’s sub-advisor(s).

The Advisory Agreement provides that the Advisor 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 carrying out its duties, but shall not be protected against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its obligations or duties.

The continuance of the Advisory Agreement as to the Funds after the first two years must be specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of the Board or by a vote of the shareholders of the Fund, and, in either case, (ii) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party thereto, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, and is terminable at any time without penalty by the Board or, with respect to a Fund, by a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund, on not less than 30 days' nor more than 60 days' written notice to the Advisor, or by the Advisor on 90 days' written notice to the Trust.

The Advisor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of IFS Financial Services, Inc., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Western-Southern Life Assurance Company. Western-Southern Life Assurance Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Western and Southern Life Insurance Company, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Western & Southern Financial Group, Inc. Western & Southern Financial Group Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Western & Southern Mutual Holding Company (“Western & Southern”). Western & Southern is located at 400 Broadway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. Ms. Jill T. McGruder may be deemed to be an affiliate of the Advisor because she is a Director of the Advisor and an officer of affiliates of the Advisor. Ms. McGruder, by reason of these affiliations, may directly or indirectly receive benefits from the advisory fees paid to the Advisor.

Manager-of-Managers Structure

The SEC has granted an exemptive order that permits the Trust or the Advisor, under certain circumstances, to select or change unaffiliated sub-advisors, enter into new sub-advisory agreements or amend existing sub-advisory agreements without first obtaining shareholder approval (a “manager-of-managers structure”). The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, seeks to achieve its investment goal by using a “manager-of-managers” structure. Under a manager-of-managers structure, the Advisor acts as investment advisor, subject to direction from and oversight by the Board, to allocate and reallocate the Fund’s assets among sub-advisors, and to recommend that the Trustees hire, terminate or replace unaffiliated sub-advisors without shareholder approval. By reducing the number of shareholder meetings that may have to be held to approve new or additional sub-advisors for the Fund, the Trust anticipates that there will be substantial potential cost savings, as well as the opportunity to achieve certain management efficiencies, with respect to any Fund in which the manager-of-managers approach is chosen. Shareholders of a Fund will be notified of a change in its sub-advisor.

Fees Paid to the Advisor

For its services, the Advisor is entitled to receive an investment advisory fee from each Fund at an annualized rate, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund, as set forth below. Each Fund’s advisory fee is accrued daily and paid monthly, based on the Fund’s average net assets during the current month.



Fund		Investment Advisory Fee
International Core Equity Fund		0.45% on the first $1 billion of assets; and 0.40% on assets over $1 billion
US Core Equity Fund		0.35% on first $1 billion of assets; and 0.30% on assets over $1 billion

Each Fund shall pay the expenses of its operation, including but not limited to (i) charges and expenses of outside pricing services, (ii) the charges and expenses of auditors; (iii) the charges and expenses of its custodian, transfer agent and administrative agent appointed by the Trust with respect to a Fund; (iv) brokers’ commissions, and issue and transfer taxes chargeable to a Fund in connection with securities transactions to which a Fund is a party; (v) insurance premiums, interest charges, dues and fees for membership in trade associations and all taxes and fees payable to federal, state or other governmental agencies; (vi) fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registrations of the Funds with the SEC, state or blue sky securities agencies and foreign countries; (vii) all expenses of meetings of Trustees and of shareholders of the Trust and of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses, notices, proxy statements and all reports to shareholders and to governmental agencies; (viii) charges and expenses of legal counsel to the Trust and the Independent Trustees; (ix) compensation of the Independent Trustees of the Trust; (x) compliance fees and expenses; and (xi) interest on borrowed money, if any. The compensation and expenses of any officer, Trustee or employee of the Trust who is an affiliated person of the Advisor is paid by the Advisor. Each class of shares of a Fund pays its representative pro rata portion of the advisory fee payable by the Fund.

Expense Limitation Agreement. Touchstone Advisors has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to ensure each Fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding dividend and interest expenses relating to short sales, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs; portfolio transaction and investment related expenses, including expenses associated with the Fund's liquidity providers; other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the cost of “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses,” if any, and other extraordinary

expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of business ("Excluded Expenses")) do not exceed the contractual limit set forth in the Fund's Fees and Expenses table in the prospectus. The Fund bears the costs of these Excluded Expenses. Other operating expenses include all operating expenses of the Fund except for investment advisory fees, performance fees, and amounts, if any, payable pursuant to a shareholder servicing plan; and amounts, if any, payable pursuant to a plan adopted in accordance with Rule 12b–1 under the 1940 Act and any Excluded Expenses. The contractual limits set forth in each Fund's Fees and Expenses table have been adjusted to include the effect of Rule 12b-1 fees, shareholder servicing fees and other anticipated class specific expenses, if applicable. Fee waivers or expense reimbursements are calculated and applied monthly, based on the Fund’s average net assets during the month. The terms of Touchstone Advisors’ contractual waiver agreement provide that Touchstone Advisors is entitled to recoup, subject to approval by the Fund’s Board, such amounts waived or reimbursed for a period of up to three years from the date on which Touchstone Advisors reduced its compensation or assumed expenses for the Fund. The Fund will make repayments to the Advisor only if such repayment does not cause the Fund’s contractual limit set (after the repayment is taken into account) to exceed both (1) the expense cap in place when such amounts were waived and (2) the Fund’s current expense limitation.

Advisory Fees and Fee Waivers or Reimbursements. Each Fund will report the paid advisory fees and received waivers or reimbursements after its first fiscal year ending September 30, 2019.

THE SUB-ADVISOR AND PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

The Advisor has selected a sub-advisor (the “Sub-Advisor”) to manage all or a portion of a Fund’s assets, as determined by the Advisor. The Sub-Advisor makes the investment decisions for the Fund assets allocated to them, and continuously review, supervise and administer a separate investment program, subject to the oversight of, and policies established by, the Board.

Each sub-advisory agreement provides that the Sub-Advisor shall not be protected against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard of its obligations or duties thereunder.

For its respective services, the Sub-Advisor receives a fee from the Advisor. As described in the prospectus, the Sub-Advisor receives sub-advisory fees with respect to each Fund that it sub-advises. The Sub-Advisor’s fee with respect to each Fund is accrued daily and paid monthly, based on the Fund’s average net assets allocated to the Sub-Advisor during the current month. The Advisor pays sub–advisory fees to the Sub–Advisor from its advisory fee. The compensation of any officer, director, or employee of the Sub–Advisor who is rendering services to a Fund is paid by the Sub–Advisor.

Sub-Advisor Control. The employees of TOBAM S.A.S. ("TOBAM" or the "Sub-Advisor") own a majority stake in the company. TOBAM is controlled by its employees.

International Core Equity Fund and US Core Equity Fund

Sub-Advisor: TOBAM



Portfolio Manager ⁽¹⁾ / Types of Accounts	Total Number of Other Accounts Managed	Total Other Assets (million)	Number of Other Accounts Managed subject to a Performance Based Advisory Fee	Total Other Assets Managed subject to a Performance Based Advisory Fee (million)
Ayaaz Allymun
Registered Investment Companies	1	$51.4	0	$0
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles	16	$4,955.6	3	$279
Other Accounts	27	$4,777.7	2	$665
Nicolas Bégorre
Registered Investment Companies	1	$51.4	0	$0
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles	16	$4,955.6	3	$279
Other Accounts	27	$4,777.7	2	$665
Amine Kamoun
Registered Investment Companies	1	$51.4	0	$0
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles	16	$4,955.6	3	$279
Other Accounts	27	$4,777.7	2	$665
Mara Maccagnan
Registered Investment Companies	1	$51.4	0	$0
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles	16	$4,955.6	3	$279
Other Accounts	27	$4,777.7	2	$665
Guillaume Toison
Registered Investment Companies	1	$51.4	0	$0
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles	16	$4,955.6	3	$279
Other Accounts	27	$4,777.7	2	$665

⁽¹⁾ These portfolio managers serve as portfolio manager to both Funds.

Fund Ownership . As of the date of this SAI, none of the portfolio managers owned shares of either Fund.

Conflicts of Interest . As an independent asset management company, TOBAM has no broker/dealer affiliates, and is structurally less likely to encounter conflicts of interest in the course of its business. TOBAM’s investment philosophy is based on providing broad, unbiased exposure to the equity market risk premium, without any style, industry or security-specific preferences or aversions whatsoever. Investment universes are determined and agreed upon with the client, for separately managed accounts, and the universe is completely objective for pooled funds, such as the Funds, and the investment methodology applied to these universes is quantitative. As a result, TOBAM portfolio managers are neither allowed nor incentivized to favor a particular security over another. TOBAM’s conflict of interest policy states that employees are expected to devote 100% of working hours to company business, and also avoid any outside employment, position, association or investment that could interfere or appear to interfere with the employee's judgment regarding the company’s and its clients’ best interests.

Compensation . The salary of each employee is determined by his or her background and seniority in the firm. Bonuses are based on the contribution of the employee to the firm’s annual results. Once a year, after an individual performance review, the monthly salary is revised, and bonuses are decided by the executive committee. All employees with at least six months of seniority may have the opportunity to become shareholders of the firm and, as such, are directly concerned with the profits of the firm and the dividends distributed. All primary portfolio managers are shareholders of TOBAM.

THE ADMINISTRATOR

The Advisor entered into an Administration Agreement with the Trust, whereby the Advisor is responsible for: supplying executive and regulatory compliance services; supervising the preparation of tax returns; coordinating the preparation of reports to shareholders and reports to, and filings with, the SEC and state securities authorities, as well as materials for meetings of the Board of Trustees; calculating the daily NAV per share; and maintaining the financial books and records of each Fund.

For its services, the Advisor’s annual administration fee is:

0.145% on the first $20 billion of the aggregate average daily net assets;

0.11% on the next $10 billion of aggregate average daily net assets;

0.09% on the next $10 billion of aggregate average daily net assets; and

0.07% on the aggregate average daily net assets over $40 billion.

The fee is computed and allocated among the Touchstone Fund Complex (excluding Touchstone Institutional Funds Trust) on the basis of relative daily net assets.

The Advisor has engaged BNY Mellon as the sub-administrative and transfer agent to the Trust. BNY Mellon provides administrative, accounting, and transfer agent services to the Trust and is compensated directly by the Advisor, not the Trust. (See “Transfer and Sub-Administrative Agent” in this SAI).

TOUCHSTONE SECURITIES

Touchstone Securities, Inc. (“Touchstone Securities” or the “Distributor”) and the Trust are parties to a distribution agreement (“Distribution Agreement”) with respect to the Funds. The Distributor’s principal place of business is 303 Broadway, Suite 1100, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer, and an affiliate of the Advisor by reason of common ownership. The Distributor is obligated to sell shares on a best efforts basis only against purchase orders for the shares. Shares of each Fund are offered to the public on a continuous basis. The Distributor currently allows concessions to dealers who sell shares of the Funds. The Distributor retains that portion of the sales charge that is not re-allowed to dealers who sell shares of a Fund. The Distributor retains the entire sales charge on all direct initial investments in a Fund and on all investments in accounts with no designated dealer of record.

The Funds will report aggregate underwriting commissions on sales of each Fund, including the amounts Touchstone Securities paid to unaffiliated broker-dealers, the amounts Touchstone Securities earned as a broker-dealer in the selling network, and the amounts of underwriting commissions retained by Touchstone Securities, each as of the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019.

Ms. McGruder may be deemed to be an affiliate of the Distributor because she is a Director of the Distributor and an officer of affiliates of the Distributor. Ms. McGruder, by reason of such affiliation, may directly or indirectly be deemed to receive benefits from the underwriting fees paid to the Distributor.

The Distribution Agreement shall remain in effect for a period of two years after the effective date of the agreement and is renewable annually thereafter. The Distribution Agreement may be terminated as to any Fund at any time by (i) the Trust, (a) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” of the Trust or the Distributor, (b) by vote of the Board of the Trust, or (c) by the “vote of majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Fund, or (ii) by the Distributor, in any case without payment of any penalty on not more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ written notice to the other party. The Distribution Agreement shall also automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.

Touchstone Securities may pay from its own resources cash bonuses or other incentives to selected dealers in connection with the sale of shares of the Funds. On some occasions, such bonuses or incentives may be conditioned upon the sale of a specified minimum dollar amount of the shares of the Funds or other funds in the Touchstone Fund Complex during a specific period of time. Such bonuses or incentives may include financial assistance to dealers in connection with conferences, sales or training programs for their employees, seminars for the public, advertising, sales campaigns and other dealer-sponsored programs or events. The Advisor, at its expense, may also provide additional compensation to certain affiliated and unaffiliated dealers, financial intermediaries or service providers for distribution, administrative or shareholder servicing activities. The Advisor may also reimburse the Distributor for making these payments.

Touchstone Securities, at its expense, may provide additional compensation to financial intermediaries which sell or arrange for the sale of shares of the Touchstone Funds. Other compensation may be offered to the extent not prohibited by federal or state laws or any self-regulatory agency, such as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).

Touchstone Securities makes payments for entertainment events it deems appropriate, subject to it s guidelines and applicable law. These payments may vary depending upon the nature of the event or the relationship. As of March 31, 2018, the Distributor anticipates that the following broker-dealers or their affiliates will receive additional payments as described in the Fund’s prospectus and SAI:

Name of Broker-Dealer

American Enterprise Investment Services Inc.

First Clearing LLC / Wells Fargo Advisors LLC

First Command Financial Planning, Inc.

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

LPL Financial Services

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

Pershing LLC

Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

RBC Capital Markets Corporation

UBS Financial Services, Inc.

Touchstone Securities is motivated to make payments to the broker-dealers described above because they promote the sale of Fund shares and the retention of those investments by clients of financial advisors. To the extent financial advisors sell more shares of the Funds or retain shares of the Funds in their clients’ accounts, the Advisor benefits from the incremental management and other fees paid to the Advisor by the Funds with respect to those assets.

Your financial intermediary may charge you additional fees or commissions other than those disclosed in this SAI. You can ask your financial intermediary about any payments it receives from Touchstone Securities or the Funds, as well as about fees or commissions it charges. You should consult disclosures made by your financial intermediary at the time of purchase.

The Funds may compensate dealers, including the Distributor and its affiliates, based on the average balance of all accounts in the Funds for which the dealer is designated as the party responsible for the account.

BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS

Decisions to buy and sell securities for the Funds and the placing of the Funds’ securities transactions and negotiation of commission rates where applicable are made by the Sub-Advisors and are subject to oversight by the Advisor and the Board. In the purchase and sale of portfolio securities, the sub-advisor’s primary objective will be to obtain the most favorable price and execution for a Fund, taking into account such factors as the overall direct net economic result to a Fund (including commissions, which may not be the lowest available but ordinarily should not be higher than the generally prevailing competitive range), the financial strength and stability of the broker, the efficiency with which the transaction will be effected, the ability to effect the transaction at all where a large block is involved and the availability of the broker or dealer to stand ready to execute possibly difficult transactions in the future.

The Sub-Advisor is specifically authorized, subject to certain limitations, to pay a trading commission to a broker who provides research services that is higher than the amount of trading commission another broker would have charged for the same transaction. This excess commission recognizes the additional research services rendered by the broker, but only if the sub-advisor determines in good faith that the excess commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the research services provided and that a Fund derives or will derive a reasonably significant benefit from such research services.

Research services include securities and economic analyses, reports on issuers’ financial conditions and future business prospects, newsletters and opinions relating to interest trends, general advice on the relative merits of possible investment securities for the Funds and statistical services and information with respect to the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities. Although this information is useful to the Funds and the sub-advisors, it is not possible to place a dollar value on it. Research services furnished by brokers through whom a Fund effects securities transactions may be used by the sub-advisor in servicing all of its accounts and not all such services may be used by the Sub-Advisor in connection with a Fund.

The Funds have no obligation to deal with any broker or dealer in the execution of securities transactions. However, the Funds may execute securities transactions on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market conducted on an agency basis. A Fund will not execute any brokerage transactions in its portfolio securities with an affiliated broker if such transactions would be unfair or unreasonable to its shareholders. Over-the-counter transactions will be placed either directly with principal market makers or with broker-dealers. Although the Funds do not anticipate any ongoing arrangements with other brokerage firms, brokerage business may be transacted with other firms. Affiliated broker-dealers of the Trust will not receive reciprocal brokerage

business as a result of the brokerage business transacted by the Funds with other brokers. The Funds may direct transactions to certain brokers in order to reduce brokerage commissions through commission recapture programs offered by Frank Russell Securities, Inc., Cowen and Company LLC.

In certain instances, there may be securities that are suitable for a Fund as well as for one or more of the respective sub-advisor’s other clients. The sub-advisor makes investment decisions for a Fund and for its other clients to achieve their respective investment objectives. The sub-advisor may buy or sell a particular security for one client even though it is buying, selling, or holding the same security for another client. Some simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several clients receive investment advice from the same investment advisor, particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objectives of more than one client. When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the sub-advisor will allocate the securities among clients in a fair and equitable manner. This system may detrimentally affect the price of a security purchased, sold, or held by the Fund, but this detrimental effect may be offset by a Fund’s ability to participate in volume transactions, which could lead to better executions for the Fund.

PROXY VOTING

Each Fund has adopted the policies and procedures of its Sub-Advisor for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Fund, including procedures used when a vote presents a conflict between the interests of the Fund’s shareholders and those of the Sub-Advisor or its affiliates. A copy or summary of each Sub-Advisor's proxy voting policies is included in Appendix B. Information about how the Funds voted proxies relating to their portfolio securities during the most recent year ending June 30 will be available by August 31 ^st of that year without charge, upon request by calling 1.800.543.0407 and on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Each Fund’s N-PX will also be available on the Touchstone website at TouchstoneInvestments.com.

CODE OF ETHICS

The Trust has adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. In addition, the Advisor, the Sub-Advisor and Distributor have adopted Codes of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1. These Codes of Ethics apply to the personal investing activities of Trustees, officers, and certain employees (“access persons”). Rule 17j-1 and the Codes of Ethics are designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase or sale of securities by access persons. Under each Code of Ethics, access persons are permitted to invest in securities (including securities that may be purchased or held by a Fund), but are required to report their personal securities transactions for monitoring purposes. In addition, certain access persons are required to obtain approval before investing in initial public offerings or private placements. Copies of these Codes of Ethics are on file with the SEC, and are available to the public.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

A Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the Fund during the fiscal year. High portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which will be borne directly by the Fund. High turnover may result in a Fund recognizing greater amounts of income and capital gains, which would increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders and increase the amount of commissions paid by the Fund. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all of a Fund’s portfolio securities were replaced once within a one-year period. The rate of portfolio turnover will depend upon market and other conditions, and will not be a limiting factor when the Sub-Advisor believes that portfolio changes are appropriate. A Fund may engage in active trading to achieve its investment goals and, as a result, may have substantial portfolio turnover.

Each Fund will report its portfolio turnover rate following its fiscal year ending September 30, 2019.

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

The Touchstone Funds have adopted policies and procedures for disclosing the Funds’ portfolio holdings to any person requesting this information. These policies and procedures are monitored by the Board through periodic reporting by the Funds’ CCO. No compensation will be received by a Fund, the Advisor, the Sub-Advisor, or any other party in connection with the disclosure of information about portfolio securities.

The procedures prohibit the disclosure of portfolio holdings except under the following conditions:

1) A request made by a Sub-Advisor for a Fund (or that portion of a Fund) that it manages.

2) A request by executive officers of the Advisor for routine oversight and management purposes.

3) For use in preparing and distributing routine shareholder reports, including disclosure to the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm, typesetter and printer. Routine shareholder reports are filed as of the end of each fiscal quarter with the SEC within 60 days after the quarter end and routine shareholder reports are distributed to shareholders within 60 days after the applicable six-month semi-annual period. The Funds provide their full holdings to their independent registered public accounting firm annually, as of the end of their fiscal year, within one to ten business days after fiscal year end. The Funds provide their full holdings to their typesetter at least 50 days after the end of the calendar quarter. The Funds provide their full holdings to their printer at least 50 days after the applicable six-month semi-annual period.

4) A request by service providers to fulfill their contractual duties relating to the Fund, subject to approval by the CCO.

5) A request by a newly hired sub-advisor or sub-advisor candidate prior to the commencement of its duties to facilitate its transition as a new sub-advisor, subject to the conditions set forth in Item 8.

6) A request by a potential merger candidate for the purpose of conducting due diligence, subject to the conditions set forth in Item 8.

7) A request by a rating or ranking agency, subject to the conditions set forth in Item 8.

Other portfolio holdings disclosure policies of the Funds include:


•	The Funds provide their top ten holdings on their publicly available website and to market data agencies monthly, as of the end of a calendar month, at least seven business days after month end.


•	The Funds provide their full holdings on their publicly available website, and to market data agencies, their typesetter and printer, quarterly, as of the end of a calendar quarter, at least fifteen days after quarter end.

You may access the public website at TouchstoneInvestments.com.

8) The CCO may authorize disclosing non-public portfolio holdings to third parties more frequently or at different periods than as described above prior to when such information is made public, provided that certain conditions are met. The third-party must (i) specifically request in writing the more current non-public portfolio holdings, providing a reasonable basis for the request; (ii) execute an agreement to keep such information confidential, to only use the information for the authorized purpose, and not to use the information for their personal benefit; (iii) agree not to trade on such information, either directly or indirectly; and (iv) unless specifically approved by the CCO in writing, the non-public portfolio holdings are subject to a ten day time delay before dissemination. Any non-public portfolio holdings that are disclosed will not include any material information about a Fund’s trading strategies or pending portfolio transactions.

As of June 30, 3018, one or more Touchstone Funds discloses portfolio holdings information to the following parties based on ongoing arrangements:

CMS Bondedge

Bloomberg LP

Morningstar, Inc.

Employees of the Advisor and the Funds’ Sub-Advisor that are access persons under the Funds’ Code of Ethics have access to Fund holdings on a regular basis, but are subject to confidentiality requirements and trading prohibitions in the Code of Ethics. In addition, custodians of the Funds’ assets and the Funds’ accounting services agent, each of whose agreements contains a confidentiality provision (which includes a duty not to trade on non-public information), have access to the current Fund holdings on a daily basis.

The CCO is authorized to determine whether disclosure of a Fund’s portfolio securities is for a legitimate business purpose and is in the best interests of a Fund and its shareholders. Any conflict between the interests of shareholders and the interests of the Advisor, Touchstone Securities, or any affiliates, will be reported to the Board, which will make a determination that is in the best interests of shareholders.

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

The securities of each Fund are valued under the direction of the Advisor and under the general oversight of the Trustees. The Advisor or its delegates may use independent pricing services to obtain valuations of securities. The pricing services rely primarily on prices of actual market transactions as well as on trade quotations obtained from third parties. Prices are generally determined using readily available market prices. If market prices are unavailable or believed to be unreliable, the Sub-Administrative Agent will initiate a process by which the Trust’s Fair Value Committee will make a good faith determination as to the “fair value” of the security using procedures approved by the Trustees. The pricing services may use a matrix system to determine valuations of fixed-income securities when market prices are not readily available. This system considers such factors as security prices, yields, maturities, call features, ratings and developments relating to specific securities in arriving at valuations. The procedures used by any such pricing service and its valuation results are reviewed by the officers of the Trust under the general oversight of the Trustees. Some Funds may hold portfolio securities that are listed on foreign exchanges. Under certain circumstances these investments may be valued under the Fund’s fair value policies and procedures, such as when U.S. exchanges are open but a foreign exchange is closed.

Securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less may be valued by the amortized cost method, which involves valuing a security at its cost on the date of purchase and thereafter (absent unusual circumstances) assuming a constant amortization of maturity of any discount or premium, provided such amount approximates market value.

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

The Trust’s Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of Funds and shares of each Fund. Each share of a Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in that Fund with each other share. Upon liquidation, shares are entitled to a pro rata share in the net assets of the Fund, after taking into account additional distribution and shareholder servicing expenses attributable to the Class. Shareholders have no preemptive rights. The Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees of the Trust may create additional series of shares or separate classes of funds. All consideration received by the Trust for shares of any portfolio or separate class and all assets in which such consideration is invested would belong to that portfolio or separate class and would be subject to the liabilities related thereto. Share certificates representing shares will not be issued.

The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a Delaware statutory trust. The Trust’s Declaration of Trust states that neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind personally any shareholder, nor, except as specifically provided therein, to call upon any shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the shareholder may at any time personally agree to pay.

The Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee shall be liable only for his or her own willful defaults and, if reasonable care has been exercised in the selection of officers, agents, employees or investment advisors, shall not be liable for any neglect or wrongdoing of any such person. The Declaration of Trust also provides that the Trust will indemnify its Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with actual or threatened litigation in which they may be involved because of their offices with the Trust unless it is determined in the manner provided in the Declaration of Trust that they have not acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that their actions were in the best interests of the Trust. However, nothing in the Declaration of Trust shall protect or indemnify a Trustee against any liability for his or her willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties.

Each whole share shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional share shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. Shares issued by each Fund have no preemptive, conversion, or subscription rights. Voting rights are not cumulative. Each Fund, as a separate series of the Trust, votes separately on matters affecting only that Fund. Shareholders of each Class of each Fund will vote separately on matters pertaining solely to that Fund or that Class. As a Delaware statutory trust, the Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders, but approval will be sought for certain changes in the operation of the Trust and for the election of Trustees under certain circumstances.

In addition, a Trustee may be removed by the remaining Trustees or by shareholders at a special meeting called upon written request of shareholders owning at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the Trust. In the event that such a meeting is requested, the Trust will provide appropriate assistance and information to the shareholders requesting the meeting.

Derivative Claims of Shareholders.

The Trust’s Amended and Restated By-Laws (the “By-Laws”) contain provisions regarding derivative claims of shareholders. Under these provisions, a shareholder must make a pre-suit demand upon the Trustees to bring the subject action unless an effort to cause the Trustees to bring such an action is not likely to succeed. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, a demand on the Trustees shall only be deemed not likely to succeed and therefore excused if a majority of the Board, or a majority of any committee of the Board established to consider the merits of such action, has a personal financial interest in the transaction at issue, and a Trustee shall not be deemed interested in a transaction or otherwise disqualified from ruling on the merits of a shareholder demand by virtue of the fact that such Trustee receives remuneration for his service on the Board or on the boards of one or more Trusts that are under common management with or otherwise affiliated with the Trust.

Unless a demand is not required under the foregoing paragraph, (a) shareholders eligible to bring such derivative action under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act who hold at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the Trust, or 10% of the outstanding shares of the Fund or class to which such action relates, shall join in the request for the Trustees to commence such action; and (b) the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to consider such shareholder request and to investigate the basis of such claim. The Trustees shall be entitled to retain counsel or other advisors in considering the merits of the request and shall require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisors in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.

Forum for Adjudication of Disputes.

The By-Laws provide that, unless the Trust consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Trust, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any Trustee, officer, or other employee of the Trust to the Trust or the Trust’s shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, the Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws, (iv) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws, or (v) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware or the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware does not have jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware (each, a “Covered Action”). The By-Laws further provide that if any Covered Action is filed in a court other than the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or the Superior Court of the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any shareholder, such shareholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware or the Superior Court of the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such courts to enforce the preceding sentence (an “Enforcement Action”) and (ii) having service of process made upon such shareholder in any such Enforcement Action by service upon such shareholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such shareholder.

The By-Laws provide that any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of beneficial interest of the Trust shall be (i) deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of the foregoing paragraph and (ii) deemed to have waived any argument relating to the inconvenience of the forums referenced above in connection with any action or proceeding described in the foregoing paragraph.

This forum selection provision may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with Trustees, officers or other agents of the Trust and its service providers, which may discourage such lawsuits with respect to such claims. If a court were to find the forum selection provision contained in the By-Laws to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, the Trust may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions.

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SECURITY HOLDERS

Persons or organizations beneficially owning more than 25% of the outstanding shares of a Fund are presumed to “control” the Fund. As a result, those persons or organizations could have the ability to influence an action taken by a Fund if such action requires a shareholder vote.

Each Fund commenced operations on [October 1], 2018. As of [September 30, 2018], no entity or person owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of the Funds. As of [September 30, 2018], the Trustees and officers

of the Trust as a group owned of record or beneficially less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Trust and of the Funds (or any class thereof).

CHOOSING A CLASS OF SHARES

Each Fund offers Class Y and Institutional Class shares.

The Funds participate in fund “supermarket” arrangements. In such an arrangement, a program is made available by a broker or other institution (a sponsor) that allows investors to purchase and redeem shares of the Funds through the sponsor of the fund supermarket.

In connection with these supermarket arrangements, each Fund has authorized one or more brokers to accept on its behalf purchase and redemption orders. In turn, the brokers are authorized to designate other intermediaries to accept purchase and redemption orders on the Funds’ behalf. As such, a Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker or, if applicable, a broker’s authorized designee, accepts the order. The customer order will be priced at the Fund’s NAV next computed after acceptance by an authorized broker or the broker’s authorized designee. In addition, a broker may charge transaction fees on the purchase or sale of Fund shares. Also in connection with fund supermarket arrangements, the performance of a participating Fund may be compared in publications to the performance of various indices and investments for which reliable performance data is available and compared in publications to averages, performance rankings, or other information prepared by recognized mutual fund statistical services. The Funds' annual report contains additional performance information and will be made available to investors upon request and without charge.

The Touchstone Funds are intended for sale to residents of the U.S. and, with very limited exceptions, are not registered or otherwise offered for sale in other jurisdictions. The above restrictions are generally not applicable to sales in U.S. territories or to diplomatic staff members or members of the U.S. military with an APO or FPO address outside of the U.S. Investors are responsible for compliance with tax, securities, currency exchange or other regulations applicable to redemption and purchase transactions in any state or jurisdiction to which they may be subject. Investors should consult with their financial intermediary and appropriate tax and legal advisors to obtain information on the rules applicable to these transactions.

The shares of the Funds may not be directly or indirectly offered or distributed in any country outside of the United States. If an investor becomes a resident of another jurisdiction after purchasing shares of the Touchstone Funds, the investor will not be able to purchase any additional shares of the Funds (other than reinvestment of dividends and capital gains) or exchange shares of the Touchstone Funds for other U.S. registered Touchstone Funds.

Share Class Conversions. Class Y shares may be available through financial institutions that have appropriate selling agreements with Touchstone Securities, or through “processing organizations” (e.g., mutual fund supermarkets) that purchase shares for their customers. Class Y shareholders that meet the required minimum for Institutional Class shares may exchange their Class Y shares for Institutional Class shares within the same Fund if offered in their state and if such an exchange can be accommodated by their financial institution.

For federal income tax purposes, exchanges of one share class for a different share class of the same fund (even if processed as a liquidation and a purchase) should not result in the realization by the investor of a capital gain or loss. There can be no assurance of any particular tax treatment and you are urged and advised to consult with your own tax advisor before entering into a share class exchange.

Financial intermediaries may convert shares in a customer or client’s account to a more expensive share class if prior to the conversion the intermediary determines that the higher priced share class is more suitable to the customer’s interests and the intermediary discloses any additional compensation to the customer, including revenue sharing arrangements with the Advisor or Distributor.

If a financial institution, processing organization or intermediary (a “converting entity”) is initiating a share class conversion(s) for Touchstone Funds on a platform, then the converting entity should contact Touchstone Securities at least 60 days in advance and obtain Touchstone Securities’ approval of the share class conversion.

OTHER PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

Waiver of Minimum Investment Requirements. The minimum and subsequent investment requirements for purchases in the Funds may not apply to:


1.	Any director, officer or other employee* (and their immediate family members**, as defined below) of Western & Southern Financial Group, Inc. or any of its affiliates or any portfolio advisor or service provider to the Trust.


2.	Any employee benefit plan that is provided administrative services by a third-party administrator that has entered into a special service arrangement with Touchstone Securities.

In addition, a Fund reserves the right to waive investment minimums in the case of significant extenuating circumstances.

Exemptions must be qualified in advance by the Distributor.

* The term “employee” is deemed to include current and retired employees.

** Immediate family members are defined as the parents, mother-in-law or father-in-law, spouse, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, son-in-law or daughter-in-law, and children, of a registered representative or employee and any other individual to whom the registered representative or employee provides material support.

Purchases in-Kind. In limited circumstances and subject to the prior consent of the Fund, the Fund may accept payment for shares in securities. Shares may be purchased by tendering payment in-kind in the form of marketable securities, including but not limited to shares of common stock, provided the acquisition of such securities is consistent with the applicable Fund’s investment goal and is otherwise acceptable to the Advisor. Transactions of this type are generally a taxable transaction. Before purchasing shares by tendering payment in-kind, investors are urged and advised to consult with their own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of such a transaction.

Redemptions in-Kind. Under unusual circumstances, when the Board deems it in the best interests of a Fund’s shareholders, the Fund may make payment for shares repurchased or redeemed in whole or in part in securities of the Fund taken at current value. Should payment be made in securities, the redeeming shareholder will bear the market risk until the securities are sold and the redeeming shareholder will generally incur brokerage costs and other costs in converting such securities to cash. Portfolio securities that are issued in an in-kind redemption will be readily marketable. The Trust has filed an irrevocable election with the SEC under Rule 18f-1 of the 1940 Act wherein the Funds are committed to pay redemptions in cash, rather than in kind, to any shareholder of record of a Fund who redeems during any ninety day period, the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of a Fund’s NAV at the beginning of such period. Redemptions in kind are taxable for federal income tax purposes in the same manner as redemptions for cash. The Funds may also use redemption in-kind for certain Fund shares held by ReFlow.

Undeliverable Checks. Dividend and distribution checks issued from non-retirement accounts for less than $25 will be automatically reinvested in the Fund that pays them. If you elect to receive your dividends and distributions of $25 or more in cash, and the payment is returned as “undeliverable”, the outstanding payment on your account will be cancelled and the proceeds will be reinvested in the Fund at the per share NAV determined as of the date of cancellation. If your redemption proceeds are returned as “undeliverable”, your account will be considered a lost shareholder account, correspondence will be sent to you requesting that you contact the Fund, and the outstanding payment will be deposited into an account for potential escheatment to your state of residence. Upon contact, the Fund will no longer consider your account to be a lost shareholder account, and your outstanding payment will be reissued to your corrected address.

Uncashed Checks. All uncashed checks on your account will appear with your monthly or quarterly statement for your convenience. If your redemption proceeds, dividend, or distribution check is not cashed within six months (an “outstanding payment”), the outstanding payment on your account will be cancelled and the proceeds will be reinvested in the Fund at the per share NAV determined as of the date of cancellation. In the event the proceeds represent a full liquidation or a distribution from a retirement account, the proceeds will be deposited into a non-retirement account for you and invested in the Touchstone Ultra Short Duration Fixed Income Fund. In addition, if the payment was for dividends or distributions, your cash election will be automatically changed and future dividends and distributions will be reinvested in the Fund at the per share NAV determined as of the date of payment. For redemption checks returned as “undeliverable,” the check will be voided and deposited into a lost shareholder account for the Fund. If the account holder contacts the Fund and provides proper documentation to update the address on the account, a check for the previously voided amount will be re-issued to the shareholder and sent to the new address of record.

Fund Shares Purchased by Check. We may delay the processing and payment of a redemption request for shares you recently purchased by check until your check clears, which may take up to 15 days. If you need your money sooner, you should purchase shares by bank wire.

Low Account Balances. (Only applicable for shares held through Touchstone Securities directly). If your balance falls below the minimum amount required for your account, based on actual amounts you have invested (as opposed to a reduction from market changes), Touchstone Securities may sell your shares and send the proceeds to you. Touchstone Securities will notify you if your shares are about to be sold and you will have 30 days to increase your account balance to the minimum amount.

Facilitated Transfers. In the event an existing Touchstone shareholder wishes to move money between their Touchstone mutual fund account and a money market fund, Touchstone has partnered with The Dreyfus Corporation to help facilitate this type of transaction pursuant to certain limitations. Please contact Touchstone Shareholder Services at 1.800.543.0407 for more information if you are interested in pursuing this type of transaction.

DISTRIBUTIONS

For most shareholders, a statement will be sent to you within 60 days after the end of each year detailing the federal income tax status of your distributions. Please see “ Federal Income Taxes” below for more information on the federal income tax consequences of dividends and other distributions made by the Funds.

FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

The following discussion summarizes certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Funds and their shareholders. This discussion is for general information only and does not purport to consider all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that might be relevant to beneficial owners of shares of the Funds. Therefore, the summary discussion that follows may not be considered to be individual tax advice and may not be relied upon by any shareholder. The summary is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations (the “Regulations”), and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all of which are subject to change, which change could be retroactive, and may affect the conclusions expressed herein. The summary applies only to beneficial owners of a Fund’s shares in whose hands such shares are capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, and may not apply to certain types of beneficial owners of a Fund’s shares, including, but not limited to insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, shareholders holding a Fund’s shares through tax-advantaged accounts (such as an individual retirement account (an “IRA”), a 401(k) plan account, or other qualified retirement account), financial institutions, pass-through entities, broker-dealers, entities that are not organized under the laws of the United States or a political subdivision thereof, persons who are neither a citizen nor resident of the United States, shareholders holding a Fund’s shares as part of a hedge, straddle or conversion transaction, and shareholders who are subject to the alternative minimum tax. Persons who may be subject to tax in more than one country should consult the provisions of any applicable tax treaty to determine the potential tax consequences to them.

No Fund has requested nor will any Fund request an advance ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) as to the federal income tax matters described below. The IRS could adopt positions contrary to those discussed below and such positions could be sustained. In addition, the following discussion applicable to shareholders of a Fund addresses only some of the federal income tax considerations generally affecting investments in such Fund.

Shareholders are urged and advised to consult their own tax advisor with respect to the tax consequences of the ownership, purchase and disposition of an investment in a Fund including, but not limited to, the applicability of state, local, foreign and other tax laws affecting the particular shareholder and to possible effects of changes in federal or other tax laws.

General. For federal income tax purposes, each Fund is treated as a separate corporation. Each Fund has elected, and intends to continue to qualify for, taxation as a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) under the Code. By qualifying as a RIC, a Fund (but not the shareholders) will not be subject to federal income tax on that portion of its investment company taxable income and realized net capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders.

Shareholders should be aware that investments made by a Fund, some of which are described below, may involve complex tax rules some of which may result in income or gain recognition by the Fund without the concurrent receipt of cash. Although each Fund seeks to avoid significant noncash income, such noncash income could be recognized by a Fund, in which case it may distribute cash derived from other sources in order to meet the minimum distribution requirements described below. Cash to make the required minimum distributions may be obtained from sales proceeds of securities held by a Fund (even if such sales are not advantageous) or, if permitted by its governing documents and other regulatory restrictions, through borrowing the amounts required to be distributed.

Qualification As A Regulated Investment Company. Qualification as a RIC under the Code requires, among other things, that each Fund: (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to

securities loans 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 and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, and (ii) net income from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships (together with (i), the “Qualifying Income Requirement”); (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the close of each quarter of the taxable year: (i) at least 50% of the value of its assets is comprised of cash, cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities, with those other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount that does not exceed 5% of the value of its total assets and that does not represent more than 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 (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer or the securities (other than the securities of other RICs) of two or more issuers controlled by it and engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (together with (i) the “Diversification Requirement”); and (c) distribute for each taxable year at least the sum of (i) 90% of its investment company taxable income (which includes dividends, taxable interest, taxable original issue discount income, market discount income, income from securities lending, net short-term capital gain in excess of net long-term capital loss, certain net realized foreign currency exchange gains, and any other taxable income other than “net capital gain” as defined below and is reduced by deductible expenses) determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid; and (ii) 90% of its tax-exempt interest, if any, net of certain expenses allocable thereto (“net tax-exempt interest”).

The U.S. Treasury Department is authorized to promulgate regulations under which gains from foreign currencies (and options, futures, and forward contracts on foreign currency) would constitute qualifying income for purposes of the Qualifying Income Requirement only if such gains are directly related to the principal business of a Fund of investing in stock or securities or options and futures with respect to stock or securities. To date, the U.S. Treasury Department has not issued such regulations.

As a RIC, a Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of its income and capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders in any taxable year for which it distributes, in compliance with the Code’s timing and other requirements at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and at least 90% of its net tax-exempt interest. Each Fund may retain for investment all or a portion of its net capital gain ( i.e ., the excess of its net long-term capital gain over its net short-term capital loss). If a Fund retains any investment company taxable income or net capital gain, it will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained. If a Fund retains any net capital gain, it may designate the retained amount as undistributed net capital gain in a notice to its shareholders, who will be (i) required to include in income for federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount; and (ii) entitled to credit their proportionate shares of tax paid by such Fund against their federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of the shares owned by a shareholder of a Fund will be increased by the amount of undistributed net capital gain included in the shareholder’s gross income and decreased by the federal income tax paid by such Fund on that amount of capital gain.

The Qualifying Income Requirement and Diversification Requirement that must be met under the Code in order for a Fund to qualify as a RIC, as described above, may limit the extent to which it will be able to engage in derivative transactions. Rules governing the federal income tax aspects of derivatives, including swap agreements, are not entirely clear in certain respects, particularly in light of two IRS revenue rulings issued in 2006. Revenue Ruling 2006-1 held that income from a derivative contract with respect to a commodity index is not qualifying income for a RIC. Subsequently, the IRS issued Revenue Ruling 2006-31 in which it stated that the holding in Revenue Ruling 2006-1 “was not intended to preclude a conclusion that the income from certain instruments (such as certain structured notes) that create a commodity exposure for the holder is qualifying income.” Accordingly, the Qualifying Income Requirement may limit each Fund’s ability to invest in commodity related derivative transactions and other derivative transactions. Each Fund will account for any investments in commodity derivative transactions in a manner it deems to be appropriate; the IRS, however, might not accept such treatment. If the IRS did not accept such treatment, the status of such Fund as a RIC might be jeopardized.

In general, for purposes of the Qualifying Income Requirement described above, income derived from a partnership is treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be qualifying income if realized directly by the RIC. However, all of the net income of a RIC derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership (defined as a partnership (x) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, and (y) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in clause (i) of the Qualifying Income Requirement described above) will be treated as qualifying income. In general, such entities will be treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes if they meet the passive income requirement under Section 7704(c)(2) of the Code. In addition, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a RIC with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership.

For purposes of the Diversification Requirement described above, the term “outstanding voting securities of such issuer” will include the equity securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership.

If a Fund fails to satisfy the Qualifying Income Requirement or the Diversification Requirement in any taxable year, such Fund may be eligible for relief provisions if the failures are due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and if a penalty tax is paid with respect to each failure to satisfy the applicable requirements. Additionally, relief is provided for certain de minimis failures to satisfy the Diversification Requirements where the Fund corrects the failure within a specified period of time. If the applicable relief provisions are not available or cannot be met, such Fund will fail to qualify as a RIC and will be subject to federal income tax in the same manner as an ordinary corporation at a tax rate of 21% and all distributions from earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles) to its shareholders will be taxable as ordinary dividend income eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders and for qualified dividend income treatment for non-corporate shareholders.

Excise Tax. If a Fund fails to distribute by December 31 of each calendar year an amount equal to the sum of (1) at least 98% of its taxable ordinary income (excluding capital gains and losses) for such year, (2) at least 98.2% of the excess of its capital gains over its capital losses (as adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the twelve month period ending on October 31 of such year, and (3) all taxable ordinary income and the excess of capital gains over capital losses for the prior year that were not distributed during such year and on which it did not pay federal income tax, such Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax (the “Excise Tax”) on the undistributed amounts. A distribution will be treated as paid on December 31 of the calendar year if it is declared by a Fund in October, November, or December of that year to shareholders of record on a date in such month and paid by it during January of the following year. Such distributions will be taxable to shareholders (other than those not subject to federal income tax) in the calendar year in which the distributions are declared, rather than the calendar year in which the distributions are received. Each Fund generally intends to actually distribute or be deemed to have distributed substantially all of its net income and gain, if any, by the end of each calendar year in compliance with these requirements so that it will generally not be required to pay the Excise Tax. A Fund may in certain circumstances be required to liquidate its investments in order to make sufficient distributions to avoid the Excise Tax liability at a time when its Advisor might not otherwise have chosen to do so. Liquidation of investments in such circumstances may affect the ability of a Fund to satisfy the requirements for qualification as a RIC. However, no assurances can be given that a Fund will not be subject to the Excise Tax and, in fact, in certain instances if warranted, a Fund may choose to pay the Excise Tax as opposed to making an additional distribution.

Capital Loss Carryforwards. The excess of the Fund’s net short–term capital losses over its net long–term capital gain is treated as short–term capital losses arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year and the excess of the Fund’s net long–term capital losses over its net short–term capital gain is treated as long–term capital losses arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year. If carried forward capital losses offset future capital gains, such future capital gains are not subject to Fund–level federal income taxation, regardless of whether they are distributed to shareholders. The Fund cannot carry back or carry forward any net operating losses.

Original Issue Discount And Market Discount. A Fund may acquire debt securities that are treated as having original issue discount (“OID”) (generally a debt obligation with a purchase price less than its principal amount, such as a zero coupon bond). Generally, a Fund will be required to include the OID in income over the term of the debt security, even though it will not receive cash payments for such OID until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. A Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having OID which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income. Inflation-protected bonds generally can be expected to produce OID income as their principal amounts are adjusted upward for inflation. The IRS may treat a portion of the OID includible in income with respect to certain high-yield corporate debt securities as a dividend for federal income tax purposes.

A debt security acquired in the secondary market by a Fund may be treated as having market discount if acquired at a price below redemption value or adjusted issue price if issued with OID. The Fund’s market discount accrues ratably, on a daily basis, over the period from the date of acquisition to the date of maturity even though the Fund will not receive cash. Absent an election by a Fund to include the market discount in income as it accrues, gain on its disposition of such an obligation will be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gain to the extent of the accrued market discount.

In addition, pay-in-kind securities will give rise to income which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though a Fund holding such securities receives no interest payments in cash on such securities during the year.

Each Fund generally will be required to make distributions to shareholders representing the income accruing on the securities, described above, that is currently includable in income, even though cash representing such income may not have been received by such Fund. Cash to pay these distributions may be obtained from sales proceeds of securities held by a Fund (even if such sales are not advantageous) or, if permitted by such Fund’s governing documents, through borrowing the amounts required to be distributed. In the event a Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution, if any, than they would have in the absence of such transactions.

Straddles. Section 1092 deals with the taxation of straddles which also may affect the taxation of options in which a Fund may invest. Offsetting positions held by a Fund involving certain derivative instruments, such as options, futures and forward currency contracts, may be considered, for federal income tax purposes, to constitute “straddles.” Straddles are defined to include offsetting positions in actively traded personal property. In certain circumstances, the rules governing straddles override or modify the provisions of Section 1256, described above. If a Fund is treated as entering into a straddle and at least one (but not all) of its positions in derivative contracts comprising a part of such straddle is governed by Section 1256, then such straddle could be characterized as a “mixed straddle.” A Fund may make one or more elections with respect to mixed straddles. Depending on which election is made, if any, the results with respect to a Fund may differ. Generally, to the extent the straddle rules apply to positions established by a Fund, losses realized by it may be deferred to the extent of unrealized gain in any offsetting positions. Moreover, as a result of the straddle rules, short-term capital loss on straddle positions may be characterized as long-term capital loss, and long-term capital gain may be characterized as short-term capital gain. In addition, the existence of a straddle may affect the holding period of the offsetting positions and cause such sales to be subject to the “wash sale” and “short sale” rules. As a result, the straddle rules could cause distributions that would otherwise constitute “qualified dividend income” to fail to satisfy the applicable holding period requirements, described below, and therefore to be taxed as ordinary income. Further, a Fund may be required to capitalize, rather than deduct currently, any interest expense and carrying charges applicable to a position that is part of a straddle. Because the application of the straddle rules may affect the character and timing of gains and losses from affected straddle positions, the amount which must be distributed to shareholders, and which will be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income or long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased substantially as compared to the situation where a Fund had not engaged in such transactions.

In circumstances where a Fund has invested in certain pass-through entities, the amount of long-term capital gain that it may recognize from certain derivative transactions with respect to interests in such pass-through entities is limited under the Code’s constructive ownership rules. The amount of long-term capital gain is limited to the amount of such gain a Fund would have had if it directly invested in the pass-through entity during the term of the derivative contract. Any gain in excess of this amount is treated as ordinary income. An interest charge is imposed on the amount of gain that is treated as ordinary income.

Constructive Sales. Certain rules may affect the timing and character of gain if a Fund engages in transactions that reduce or eliminate its risk of loss with respect to appreciated financial positions. If a Fund enters into certain transactions (including a short sale, an offsetting notional principal contract, a futures or forward contract, or other transactions identified in U.S. Treasury regulations) in property while holding an appreciated financial position in substantially identical property, it will be treated as if it had sold and immediately repurchased the appreciated financial position and will be taxed on any gain (but not loss) from the constructive sale. The character of gain from a constructive sale will depend upon a Fund’s holding period in the appreciated financial position. Loss from a constructive sale would be recognized when the position was subsequently disposed of, and its character would depend on a Fund’s holding period and the application of various loss deferral provisions of the Code.

In addition, if the appreciated financial position is itself a short sale, acquisition of the underlying property or substantially identical property by a Fund will be deemed a constructive sale. The foregoing will not apply, however, to a Fund’s transaction during any taxable year that otherwise would be treated as a constructive sale if the transaction is closed within 30 days after the end of that year and such Fund holds the appreciated financial position unhedged for 60 days after that closing (i.e., at no time during that 60-day period is such Fund’s risk of loss regarding the position reduced by reason of certain specified transactions with respect to substantially identical or related property, such as having an option to sell, being contractually obligated to sell, making a short sale or granting an option to buy substantially identical stock or securities).

Wash Sales. A Fund may in certain circumstances be impacted by special rules relating to “wash sales.” In general, the wash sale rules prevent the recognition of a loss by a Fund from the disposition of stock or securities at a loss in a case in which identical or substantially identical stock or securities (or an option to acquire such property) is or has been acquired by it within 30 days before or 30 days after the sale.

Short Sales. A Fund may make short sales of securities. Short sales may increase the amount of short-term capital gain realized by a Fund, which is taxed as ordinary income when distributed to its shareholders. Short sales also may be subject to the “Constructive Sales” rules, discussed above.

Tax Credit Bonds. If a Fund holds (directly or indirectly) one or more “tax credit bonds” (defined below) on one or more specified dates during a Fund’s taxable year, and it satisfies the minimum distribution requirement, it may elect for U.S. federal income tax purposes to pass through to shareholders tax credits otherwise allowable to it for that year with respect to such tax credit bonds. A tax credit bond is defined in the Code as a “qualified tax credit bond” (which includes a qualified forestry conservation bond, a new clean renewable energy bond, a qualified energy conservation bond, or a qualified zone academy bond, each of which must meet certain requirements specified in the Code), a “build America bond” (which includes certain qualified bonds issued before January 1, 2011) or certain other bonds specified in the Code. New tax credits bonds may not be issued after December 31, 2017.

If a Fund were to make an election, a shareholder of such Fund would be required to include in gross income an amount equal to such shareholder’s proportionate share of the interest income attributable to such credits and would be entitled to claim as a tax credit an amount equal to a proportionate share of such credits. Certain limitations may apply on the extent to which the credit may be claimed.

Other Regulated Investment Companies. Generally, the character of the income or capital gains that a Fund receives from another investment company will pass through to the Fund’s shareholders as long as the Fund and the other investment company each qualify as RICs under the Code. However, to the extent that another investment company that qualifies as a RIC realizes net losses on its investments for a given taxable year, a Fund will not be able to recognize its share of those losses until it disposes of shares of such investment company. Moreover, even when a Fund does make such a disposition, a portion of its loss may be recognized as a long-term capital loss. As a result of the foregoing rules, and certain other special rules, it is possible that the amounts of net investment income and net capital gains that a Fund will be required to distribute to shareholders will be greater than such amounts would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the investment companies in which it invests, rather than investing in shares of the investment companies. For similar reasons, the character of distributions from a Fund (e.g., long-term capital gain, qualified dividend income, etc.) will not necessarily be the same as it would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the investment companies in which it invests.

Passive Foreign Investment Companies. A Fund may invest in a non-U.S. corporation, which could be treated as a passive foreign investment company (a “PFIC”) or become a PFIC under the Code. A PFIC is generally defined as a foreign corporation that meets either of the following tests: (1) at least 75% of its gross income for its taxable year is income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, certain rents and royalties, or capital gains); or (2) an average of at least 50% of its assets produce, or are held for the production of, such passive income. If a Fund acquires any equity interest in a PFIC, such Fund could be subject to federal income tax and interest charges on “excess distributions” received with respect to such PFIC stock or on any gain from the sale of such PFIC stock (collectively “PFIC income”), even if such Fund distributes the PFIC income as a taxable dividend to its shareholders. The balance of the PFIC income will be included in such Fund’s investment company taxable income and, accordingly, will not be taxable to it to the extent it distributes that income to its shareholders. A Fund’s distributions of PFIC income will be taxable as ordinary income even though, absent the application of the PFIC rules, some portion of the distributions may have been classified as capital gain.

A Fund will not be permitted to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for taxes and interest charges incurred with respect to a PFIC. Payment of this tax would therefore reduce a Fund’s economic return from its investment in PFIC shares. To the extent a Fund invests in a PFIC, it may elect to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (“QEF”), then instead of the tax and interest obligation described above on excess distributions, such Fund would be required to include in income each taxable year its pro rata share of the QEF’s annual ordinary earnings and net capital gain. As a result of a QEF election, a Fund would likely have to distribute to its shareholders an amount equal to the QEF’s annual ordinary earnings and net capital gain to satisfy the Code’s minimum distribution requirement described herein and avoid imposition of the Excise Tax, even if the QEF did not distribute those earnings and gain to such Fund. In most instances it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to make this election because of certain requirements in making the election.

A Fund may elect to “mark-to-market” its stock in any PFIC. “Marking-to-market,” in this context, means including in ordinary income each taxable year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the PFIC stock over such Fund’s adjusted basis therein as of the end of that year. Pursuant to the election, a Fund also may deduct (as an ordinary, not capital, loss) the excess, if any, of its adjusted basis in the PFIC stock over the fair market value thereof as of the taxable year-end, but only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains with respect to that stock it included in income for prior taxable years under the election. A Fund’s adjusted basis in its PFIC stock subject to the election would be adjusted to reflect the amounts of income included and deductions taken thereunder. In either case, a Fund may be required to recognize taxable income or gain without the concurrent receipt of cash.

Foreign Currency Transactions. Foreign currency gains and losses realized by a Fund in connection with certain transactions involving foreign currency-denominated debt instruments, certain options, futures contracts, forward contracts, and similar instruments relating to foreign currency, foreign currencies, and foreign currency-denominated payables and receivables are subject to Section 988 of the Code, which causes such gains and losses to be treated as ordinary income or loss and may affect the amount and timing of recognition of such Fund’s income. In some cases elections may be available that would alter this treatment, but such elections could be detrimental to a Fund by creating current recognition of income without the concurrent recognition of cash. If a foreign currency loss treated as an ordinary loss under Section 988 were to exceed a Fund’s investment company taxable income (computed without regard to such loss) for a taxable year the resulting loss would not be deductible by it or its shareholders in future years. The foreign currency income or loss will also increase or decrease a Fund’s investment company income distributable to its shareholders.

Foreign Taxation. Income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign withholding and other taxes. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of a Fund’s total assets at the close of any taxable year consist of stock or securities of foreign corporations, or if a Fund is a qualified fund of funds (i.e . , a RIC that invests at least 50% of its total assets in other RICs at the close of each quarter of its taxable year) and the Fund meets the distribution requirements described above, such Fund may file an election (the “pass-through election”) with the IRS pursuant to which shareholders of the Fund would be required to (i) include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) their pro rata shares of foreign income taxes paid by the Fund, or in the case of a qualified fund of funds, such taxes paid by an underlying fund that has made the pass-through election, even though not actually received by such shareholders; and (ii) treat such respective pro rata portions as foreign income taxes paid by them. Each Fund will furnish its shareholders with a written statement providing the amount of foreign taxes paid by the Fund that will “pass-through” for the year, if any.

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 a Fund’s income will flow through to shareholders. The limitation on the foreign tax credit is applied separately to foreign source passive income, and to certain other types of income. Shareholders may be unable to claim a credit for the full amount of their proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by a Fund. Various limitations, including a minimum holding period requirement, apply to limit the credit and deduction for foreign taxes for purposes of regular federal income tax and alternative minimum tax.

REITs. A Fund may invest in REITs. Investments in REIT equity securities may require a Fund to accrue and distribute taxable income without the concurrent receipt of cash. To generate sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions, a Fund may be required to sell securities in its portfolio (including when it is not advantageous to do so) that it otherwise would have continued to hold. A Fund’s investments in REIT equity securities may at other times result in its receipt of cash in excess of the REIT’s earnings; if such Fund distributes these amounts, these distributions could constitute a return of capital to its shareholders for federal income tax purposes. Dividends received by a Fund from a REIT will not qualify for the corporate dividends recevied deduction and generally will not constitute qualified dividend income.

A Fund may invest in REITs that hold residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs) or taxable mortgage pools (TMPs), or such REITs may themselves constitute TMPs. Under an IRS notice, and U.S. Treasury regulations that have yet to be issued but may apply retroactively, a portion of a Fund’s income from a REIT that is attributable to the REIT’s residual interest in a REMIC or a TMP (referred to in the Code as an “excess inclusion”) will be subject to federal income tax in all events. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a RIC, such as the Funds, will be allocated to shareholders of the RIC in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related REMIC residual interest or invested in the TMP directly. As a result, the Fund may not be a suitable investment for certain tax exempt-shareholders, including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan and other tax-exempt entities. See “Tax-Exempt Shareholders.”

MLPs. A Fund may invest to a limited degree in MLPs that are treated as qualified publicly traded partnerships for federal income tax purposes. Net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership is included in the sources of income that satisfy the Qualifying Income Requirement. However, under the Diversification Requirement, no more than 25% of the value of a RIC’s total assets at the end of each fiscal quarter may be invested in securities of qualified publicly traded partnerships. If an MLP in which a Fund invests is taxed as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, the Fund will be taxable on its allocable share of the MLP’s income regardless of whether the Fund receives any distribution from the MLP. Thus, the Fund may be required to sell other securities in order to satisfy the distribution requirements to qualify as a RIC and to avoid federal income tax and the Excise Tax. Distributions to a Fund from an MLP that is taxed as a partnership for federal income tax purposes will constitute a return of capital to the extent of the Fund’s basis in its interest in the MLP. If a Fund’s basis is reduced to zero, distributions will generally constitute capital gain for federal income tax purposes.

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, ordinary REIT dividends and “qualified publicly traded partnership income” are treated as “qualified business income” that is eligible for a 20% federal income tax deduction in the case of individuals, trusts and estates. The Code currently does not contain a provision permitting a RIC to pass the special character of this income through to its shareholders. As a result, direct investors in REITs and MLPs that are publicly traded partnerships taxed as partnerships may be entitled to this deduction while investors that invest in a Fund that invests in REITs or MLPs will not.

Distributions. Distributions paid out of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined at the end of the year), whether reinvested in additional shares or paid in cash, are generally taxable and must be reported by each shareholder who is required to file a federal income tax return. Distributions in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits,

as computed for federal income tax purposes, will first be treated as a return of capital up to the amount of a shareholder’s tax basis in his or her Fund shares and then as capital gain.

For federal income tax purposes, distributions of net investment income are generally taxable as ordinary income, and distributions of gains from the sale of investments that a Fund owned (or is treated as owning) for one year or less will be taxable as ordinary income. Distributions designated by a Fund as “capital gain dividends” (distributions from the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital losses) will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain regardless of the length of time they have held their shares of such Fund. Such dividends do not qualify as dividends for purposes of the dividends received deduction or for qualified dividend income purposes as described below.

Distributions of “qualified dividend income” received by non-corporate shareholders of a Fund may be eligible for the long-term capital gain rate. A Fund’s distribution will be treated as qualified dividend income and therefore eligible for the long-term capital gain rate to the extent the Fund receives dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, provided that certain holding period and other requirements are met. A corporate shareholder of a Fund may be eligible for the dividends received deduction on such Fund’s distributions attributable to dividends received by such Fund from domestic corporations, which, if received directly by the corporate shareholder, would qualify for such a deduction. For eligible corporate shareholders, the dividends received deduction may be subject to certain reductions, and a distribution by a Fund attributable to dividends of a domestic corporation will be eligible for the deduction only if certain holding period and other requirements are met.

An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including dividends and capital gain distributions received from a Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of shares of a Fund) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount.

Each Fund will furnish a statement to shareholders providing the federal income tax status of its dividends and distributions including the portion of such dividends, if any, that qualifies as long-term capital gain.

Different tax treatment, including penalties on certain excess contributions and deferrals, certain pre-retirement and post-retirement distributions, and certain prohibited transactions, is accorded to accounts maintained as qualified retirement plans.

Shareholders are urged and advised to consult their own tax advisors for more information.

Purchases of Fund Shares. Prior to purchasing shares in a Fund, the impact of dividends or distributions which are expected to be or have been declared, but not paid, should be carefully considered. Any dividend or distribution declared shortly after a purchase of shares of a Fund prior to the record date will have the effect of reducing the per share NAV by the per share amount of the dividend or distribution, and to the extent the distribution consists of the Fund’s taxable income, the purchasing shareholder will be taxed on the taxable portion of the dividend or distribution received even though some or all of the amount distributed is effectively a return of capital.

Sales, Exchanges or Redemptions. Upon the disposition of shares of a Fund (whether by redemption, sale or exchange), a shareholder may realize a capital gain or loss. Such capital gain or loss will be long-term or short-term depending upon the shareholder’s holding period for the shares. The capital gain will be long-term if the shares were held for more than 12 months and short-term if held for 12 months or less. If a shareholder sells or exchanges Fund shares within 90 days of having acquired such shares and if, before January 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year of the sale or exchange, as a result of having initially acquired those shares, the shareholder subsequently pays a reduced sales charge on a new purchase of shares of the Fund or another Fund, the sales charge previously incurred in acquiring the Fund’s shares generally shall not be taken into account (to the extent the previous sales charges do not exceed the reduction in sales charges on the new purchase) for the purpose of determining the amount of gain or loss on the disposition, but generally will be treated as having been incurred in the new purchase. Any loss realized on a disposition will be disallowed under the “wash sale” rules to the extent that the shares disposed of by the shareholder are replaced by the shareholder (including through dividend reinvestment) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date of disposition. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss realized by a shareholder on a disposition of shares held by the shareholder for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any distributions of capital gain dividends received by the shareholder and disallowed to the extent of any distributions of exempt-interest dividends received by the shareholder with respect to such shares unless the Fund declared exempt-interest dividends on a daily basis in an amount equal to at least 90% of its net tax-exempt interest and distributes such dividends on a monthly or more frequent basis. Capital losses are generally deductible only against capital gains except that individuals may deduct up to $3,000 of capital losses against ordinary income.

The 3.8% Medicare contribution tax (described above) will apply to gains from the sale or exchange of a Fund’s shares.

Backup Withholding. Each Fund generally is required to withhold, and remit to the U.S. Treasury, subject to certain exemptions, an amount equal to 24% of all distributions and redemption proceeds paid or credited to a shareholder of such Fund if (i) the shareholder fails to furnish such Fund with the correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) certified under penalties of perjury, (ii) the shareholder fails to provide a certified statement that the shareholder is not subject to backup withholding, or (iii) the IRS or a broker has notified such Fund that the number furnished by the shareholder is incorrect or that the shareholder is subject to backup withholding as a result of failure to report interest or dividend income. If the backup withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions or proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.

State And Local Taxes. State and local laws often differ from federal income tax laws with respect to the treatment of specific items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit. Shareholders are urged and advised to consult their own tax advisors for more information.

Non-U.S. Shareholders. Distributions made to non-U.S. shareholders attributable to net investment income generally are subject to U.S. federal income tax withholding at a 30% rate (or such lower rate provided under an applicable income tax treaty). However, a Fund will generally not be required to withhold tax on any amounts paid to a non-U.S. investor with respect to dividends attributable to “qualified short-term gain” (i.e., the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) designated as such by the Fund and dividends attributable to certain U.S. source interest income that would not be subject to federal withholding tax if earned directly by a non-U.S. person, provided such amounts are properly designated by the Fund. A Fund may choose not to designate such amounts.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a distribution described above is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by a non-U.S. shareholder within the United States (or, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States), federal income tax withholding and exemptions attributable to foreign persons will not apply and such distribution will be subject to the federal income tax, reporting and withholding requirements generally applicable to U.S. persons described above.

Under U.S. federal tax law, a non-U.S. shareholder is not, in general, subject to federal income tax or withholding tax on capital gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of a Fund or on capital gain dividends, provided that the Fund obtains a properly completed and signed certificate of foreign status, unless (i) such gains or distributions are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by the non-U.S. shareholder within the United States (or, if an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States of the non-U.S. shareholder); (ii) in the case of an individual non-U.S. shareholder, the shareholder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale and certain other conditions are met; or (iii) the shares of the Fund constitute U.S. real property interests (USRPIs), as described below.

Special rules apply to foreign persons who receive distributions from a Fund that are attributable to gain from “United States real property interests” (“USRPIs”). The Code defines USRPIs to include direct holdings of U.S. real property and any interest (other than an interest solely as a creditor) in a “United States real property holding corporation” or former United States real property holding corporation. The Code defines a United States real property holding corporation as any corporation whose USRPIs make up 50% or more of the fair market value of its USRPIs, its interests in real property located outside the United States, plus any other assets it uses in a trade or business. In general, if a Fund is a United States real property holding company (determined without regard to certain exceptions), distributions by the Fund that are attributable to (a) gains realized on the disposition of USRPIs by the Fund and (b) distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier RIC or REIT that the Fund is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands will retain their character as gains realized from USRPIs in the hands of the foreign persons and will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax. In addition, such distributions could result in the foreign shareholder being required to file a U.S. tax return and pay tax on the distributions at regular U.S. federal income tax rates. The consequences to a non-U.S. shareholder, including the rate of such withholding and character of such distributions (e.g., ordinary income or USRPI gain) will vary depending on the extent of the non-U.S. shareholder’s current and past ownership of a Fund.

In addition, if a Fund is a United States real property holding corporation or former United States real property holding corporation, the Fund may be required to withhold U.S. tax upon a redemption of shares by a greater-than-5% shareholder that is a foreign person, and that shareholder would be required to file a U.S. income tax return for the year of the disposition of the USRPI and pay any additional tax due on the gain. However, no such withholding is generally required with respect to amounts paid in redemption of shares of a fund if the fund is a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, or, in certain other limited cases,

if a fund (whether or not domestically controlled) holds substantial investments in RICs that are domestically controlled qualified investment entities.

Subject to the additional rules described herein, federal income tax withholding will apply to distributions attributable to dividends and other investment income distributed by the Funds. The federal income tax withholding rate may be reduced (and, in some cases, eliminated) under an applicable tax treaty between the United States and the non-U.S. shareholder’s country of residence or incorporation. In order to qualify for treaty benefits, a non-U.S. shareholder must comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its foreign status (generally by providing a Fund with a properly completed Form W-8BEN).

Sections 1471-1474 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury and IRS guidance issued thereunder (collectively, the "Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act" or "FATCA") generally require a Fund to obtain information sufficient to identify the status of each of its shareholders. If a shareholder fails to provide this information or otherwise fails to comply with FATCA, a Fund may be required to withhold under FATCA at a rate of 30% with respect to that shareholder on Fund dividends and distributions and on the proceeds of the sale, redemption, or exchange of Fund shares. A Fund may disclose the information that it receives from (or concerning) its shareholders to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA, related intergovernmental agreements or other applicable law or regulation. Each investor is urged to consult its tax advisor regarding the applicability of FATCA and any other reporting requirements with respect to the investor’s own situation, including investments through an intermediary.

Foreign Bank And Financial Accounts And Foreign Financial Assets Reporting Requirements. A shareholder that owns directly or indirectly more than 50% by vote or value of a Fund, is urged and advised to consult its own tax advisor regarding its filing obligations with respect to FinCen Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts.

Tax-Exempt Shareholders. A tax-exempt shareholder could realize unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) by virtue of its investment in a Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Code Section 514(b).

It is possible that a tax-exempt shareholder of a Fund will also recognize UBTI if such Fund recognizes “excess inclusion income” (as described above) derived from direct or indirect investments in REMIC residual interests or TMPs. Furthermore, any investment in a residual interest of a CMO that has elected to be treated as a REMIC can create complex tax consequences, especially if a Fund has state or local governments or other tax-exempt organizations as shareholders.

In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (“CRTs”) that invest in RICs that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or in TMPs.

Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations. Under U.S. Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders are urged and advised to consult their own tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Shareholders are urged and advised to consult their own tax advisor with respect to the tax consequences of an investment in a Fund including, but not limited to, the applicability of state, local, foreign and other tax laws affecting the particular shareholder and to possible effects of changes in federal or other tax laws.

CUSTODIAN

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (“BBH”), 50 Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, is the Trust’s custodian. BBH acts as the Trust’s depository, safe keeps its portfolio securities, collects all income and other payments with respect thereto, disburses money as instructed and maintains records in connection with its duties.

LEGAL COUNSEL

Vedder Price P.C., 222 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601, serves as counsel to the Trust.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The firm of [ ], 312 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, has been selected as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Trust for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019. [ ] will perform an annual audit of the Trust’s financial statements and advise the Trust as to certain accounting matters.

TRANSFER AND SUB-ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

Transfer Agent. The Trust’s transfer agent is BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon IS”), 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581. BNY Mellon IS maintains the records of each shareholder’s account, answers shareholders’ inquiries concerning their accounts, processes purchases and redemptions of the Funds’ shares, acts as dividend and distribution disbursing agent and performs other shareholder servicing functions. For providing transfer agent and shareholder services to the Trust, BNY Mellon IS receives a monthly per account fee from each Fund, plus out-of-pocket expenses.

The Funds may also pay a fee to certain servicing organizations (such as broker-dealers and financial institutions) that provide sub-transfer agency services. These services include maintaining shareholder records, processing shareholder transactions and distributing communications to shareholders.

Sub-Administrative Agent . The Advisor provides administrative services to the Trust under an Administration Agreement and has sub-contracted certain accounting and administrative services to The Bank of New York Mellon ("BNY Mellon"). The sub-administrative services sub-contracted to BNY Mellon include accounting and pricing services, SEC and state security filings, providing executive and administrative services and providing reports for meetings of the Board. The Advisor pays BNY Mellon a sub-administration fee out of its administration fee.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Each Fund commenced operations on [October 1], 2018 and therefore the Funds' first audited financial statements will be for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019.

APPENDIX A

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard &Poor’s Rating Services ^® (“S&P”) and Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”) are private services that provide ratings of the credit quality of debt obligations. A description of the ratings assigned by Moody’s, S&P ® , Fitch are provided below. These ratings represent the opinions of these rating services as to the quality of the securities that they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality. The Advisor or sub-advisor attempts to discern variations in credit rankings of the rating services and to anticipate changes in credit ranking. However, subsequent to purchase by the Fund, an issue of securities may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum rating required for purchase by the Fund. In that event, the Advisor or Sub-Advisor will consider whether it is in the best interest of the Fund to continue to hold the securities.

Moody’s credit ratings are current opinions of the relative future credit risk of entities, credit commitments, or debt or debt-like securities. Moody’s defines credit risk as the risk that an entity may not meet its contractual, financial obligations as they come due and any estimated financial loss in the event of default. Credit ratings do not address any other risk, including but not limited to: liquidity risk, market value risk, or price volatility. Credit ratings are not statements of current or historical fact. Credit ratings do not constitute investment or financial advice, and credit ratings are not recommendations to purchase, sell, or hold particular securities. Credit ratings do not comment on the suitability of an investment for any particular investor. Moody’s issues its credit ratings with the expectation and understanding that each investor will make its own study and evaluation of each security that is under consideration for purchase, holding, or sale.

An S&P issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects S&P’s view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.

Fitch credit ratings provide an opinion on the relative ability of an entity to meet financial commitments, such as interest, preferred dividends, and repayment of principal, insurance claims or counterparty obligations. Fitch credit ratings are used by investors as indications of the likelihood of receiving their money owed to them in accordance with the terms on which they invested. Fitch’s credit-ratings cover the global spectrum of corporate, sovereign (including supranational and sub-national), financial, bank, insurance, municipal and other public finance entities and the securities or other obligations they issue, as well as structured finance securities backed by receivables or other financial assets.

Short-Term Credit Ratings

Moody’s

Moody’s short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs or to individual short-term debt instruments. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.

Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:

“P-1” - Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

“P-2” - Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

“P-3” - Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

“NP” - Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

Note: Canadian issuers rated P-1 or P-2 have their short-term ratings enhanced by the senior-most long-term rating of the issuer, its guarantor or support-provider.

A-1

S&P

S&P’s short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days—including commercial paper. Short-term ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. The result is a dual rating, in which the short-term rating addresses the put feature, in addition to the usual long-term rating.

The following summarizes the rating categories used by S&P for short-term issues:

“A-1” - Obligations are rated in the highest category and indicate that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

“A-2” - Obligations are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

“A-3” - Obligations exhibit adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

“B” - Obligations are regarded as vulnerable and having significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

“C” - Obligations are currently vulnerable to nonpayment and are dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

“D” - Obligations are in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

Local Currency and Foreign Currency Risks - Country risk considerations are a standard part of S&P’s analysis for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a key factor in this analysis. An obligor’s capacity to repay foreign currency obligations may be lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to the sovereign government’s own relatively lower capacity to repay external versus domestic debt. These sovereign risk considerations are incorporated in the debt ratings assigned to specific issues. Foreign currency issuer ratings are also distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to identify those instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same issuer.

Fitch

A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity or security stream, and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short term” based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign and structured obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.

The following summarizes the rating categories used by Fitch for short-term obligations:

“F1” — Highest short-term credit quality. This designation indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

“F2” — Good short-term credit quality. This designation indicates good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

“F3” — Fair short-term credit quality. This designation indicates that the intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

“B” — Speculative short-term credit quality. This designation indicates minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

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“C” — High short-term default risk. This designation indicates that default is a real possibility.

“RD” — Restricted default. This designation indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Or, the default of a specific short-term obligation.

“D” — Default. This designation indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of all short-term obligations.

Specific limitations relevant to the Short-Term Ratings scale include:


•	The ratings do not predict a specific percentage of default likelihood over any given time period.


•	The ratings do not opine on the market value of any issuer’s securities or stock, or the likelihood that this value may change.


•	The ratings do not opine on the liquidity of the issuer’s securities or stock.


•	The ratings do not opine on the possible loss severity on an obligation should an obligation default.


•	The ratings do not opine on any quality related to an issuer or transaction’s profile other than the agency’s opinion on the relative vulnerability to default of the rated issuer or obligation.

Ratings assigned by Fitch Ratings articulate an opinion on discrete and specific areas of risk. The above list is not exhaustive.

Long-Term Credit Ratings

Moody’s

Moody’s long-term ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of financial obligations with an original maturity of one year or more. They address the possibility that a financial obligation will not be honored as promised. Such ratings use Moody’s Global Scale and reflect both the likelihood of default and any financial loss suffered in the event of default.

The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for long-term debt:

“Aaa” - Obligations rated “Aaa” are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk with minimal risk.

“Aa” - Obligations rated “Aa” are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

“A” - Obligations rated “A” are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

“Baa” - Obligations rated “Baa” are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium–grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

“Ba” - Obligations rated “Ba” are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.

“B” - Obligations rated “B” are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

“Caa” - Obligations rated “Caa” are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

“Ca” - Obligations rated “Ca” are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

“C” - Obligations rated “C” are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from “Aa” through “Caa.” The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.

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S&P

Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on S&P’s analysis of the following considerations:


•	Likelihood of payment—capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;


•	Nature of and provisions of the obligation;


•	Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights.

Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

The following summarizes the ratings used by S&P for long-term issues:

“AAA” - An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

“AA” - An obligation rated “AA” differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

“A” - An obligation rated “A” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

“BBB” - An obligation rated “BBB” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

Obligations rated “BB,” “B,” “CCC,” “CC,” and “C” are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. “BB” indicates the least degree of speculation and “C” the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

“BB” - An obligation rated “BB” is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

“B” - An obligation rated “B” is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated “BB,” but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

“CCC” - An obligation rated “CCC” is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

“CC” - An obligation rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

“C” - A “C” rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of the documents, or obligations of an issuer that is the subject of a bankruptcy petition or similar action which have not experienced a payment default. Among others, the “C” rating may be assigned to subordinated debt, preferred stock or other obligations on which cash payments have been suspended in accordance with the instrument’s terms or when preferred stock is the subject of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.

“D” - An obligation rated “D” is in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within five business days, irrespective of any grace

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period. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized. An obligation’s rating is lowered to ‘D’ upon completion of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.

Plus (+) or minus (-) - The ratings from “AA” to “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

“NR” - This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

capacity to repay external versus domestic debt. These sovereign risk considerations are incorporated in the debt ratings assigned to specific issues. Foreign currency issuer ratings are also distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to identify those instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same issuer.

Fitch

Rated entities in a number of sectors, including financial and non-financial corporations, sovereigns and insurance companies, are generally assigned Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs). IDRs opine on an entity’s relative vulnerability to default on financial obligations. The “threshold” default risk addressed by the IDR is generally that of the financial obligations whose non-payment would best reflect the uncured failure of that entity. As such, IDRs also address relative vulnerability to bankruptcy, administrative receivership or similar concepts, although the agency recognizes that issuers may also make pre-emptive and therefore voluntary use of such mechanisms.

In aggregate, IDRs provide an ordinal ranking of issuers based on the agency’s view of their relative vulnerability to default, rather than a prediction of a specific percentage likelihood of default. For historical information on the default experience of Fitch-rated issuers, please consult the transition and default performance studies available from the Fitch Ratings website.

The following summarizes long-term IDR categories used by Fitch:

“AAA” — Highest credit quality. “AAA” ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

“AA” — Very high credit quality. “AA” ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

“A” — High credit quality. “A” ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

“BBB” — Good credit quality. “BBB” ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

“BB” — Speculative. “BB” ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments.

“B” — Highly speculative. “B” ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

“CCC” — Substantial credit risk. “CCC” ratings indicate that default is a real possibility.

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“CC” — Very high levels of credit risk. “CC” ratings indicate default of some kind appears probable.

“C” — Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. “C” ratings indicate default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill. Conditions that are indicative of a ‘C’ category rating for an issuer include:


a.	he issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation;


b.	the issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation; or


c.	Fitch otherwise believes a condition of “RD” or “D” to be imminent or inevitable, including through the formal announcement of a distressed debt exchange.

“RD” - Restricted default. “RD” ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch’s opinion has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased business. This would include:


a.	the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt;


b.	the uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation;


c.	the extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; or


d.	execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations.

“D” — Default. “D” ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business.

Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange.

“Imminent” default typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer, and is all but inevitable. This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment, but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a distressed debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future.

In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency’s opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings, and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer’s financial obligations or local commercial practice.

Note: The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the “AAA” Long-Term IDR category, or to Long-Term IDR categories below “B.”

Specific limitations relevant to the issuer credit rating scale include:


•	The ratings do not predict a specific percentage of default likelihood over any given time period.


•	The ratings do not opine on the market value of any issuer’s securities or stock, or the likelihood that this value may change.


•	The ratings do not opine on the liquidity of the issuer’s securities or stock.


•	The ratings do not opine on the possible loss severity on an obligation should an issuer default.


•	The ratings do not opine on the suitability of an issuer as a counterparty to trade credit.


•	The ratings do not opine on any quality related to an issuer’s business, operational or financial profile other than the agency’s opinion on its relative vulnerability to default.

Ratings assigned by Fitch Ratings articulate an opinion on discrete and specific areas of risk. The above list is not exhaustive.

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Municipal Note Ratings

Moody’s

Moody’s uses three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are considered investment grade. These ratings are designated as Municipal Investment Grade (“MIG”) and are divided into three levels - “MIG 1” through “MIG 3”. In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are designated “SG”, or speculative grade. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation.

The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for these short-term obligations:

“MIG 1” - This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

“MIG 2” - This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

“MIG 3” - This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

“SG” - This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

In the case of variable rate demand obligations (“VRDOs”), a two-component rating is assigned: a long or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moody’s evaluation of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody’s evaluation of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand (“demand feature”). The second element uses a rating from a variation of the MIG scale called the Variable Municipal Investment Grade or “VMIG” scale.

When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated “NR”, e.g., “Aaa/NR” or “NR/VMIG 1”.

VMIG rating expirations are a function of each issue’s specific structural or credit features.

“VMIG 1” - This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

“VMIG 2” - This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

“VMIG 3” - This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

“SG” - This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

S&P

An S&P U.S. municipal note rating reflects S&P’s opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, S&P’s analysis will review the following considerations:


•	Amortization schedule—the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and


•	Source of payment—the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

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Note rating symbols are as follows:

“SP-1” - The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a strong capacity to pay principal and interest. Those issues determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service are given a plus (+) designation.

“SP-2” - The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

“SP-3” - The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

Fitch

Fitch uses the same ratings for municipal securities as described above for other short-term credit ratings.

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APPENDIX B — PROXY VOTING POLICIES

TOBAM S.A.S.

Proxy Voting Policy

Voting procedure



Object:	Voting procedure
Written by:	Nabil Abou-Ghandour, Cécile Chapelle, William Sebban
Validated by:	David Bellaiche, Maylis L’Hotellier
Date:	31/05/2016
Version:	V6
Level of risk:	2
Location:	General\Middle\Procedures - Middle Office\Voting policy

B-1


I.	Principle

The aim of this procedure is to describe the manner TOBAM manages the proxy voting and to address the following non comprehensive list of risks:


–	Risk to not vote (for instance, because of lack of Power of Attorney, or because of late cut-off)


–	Risk instructing a wrong order in case of specific clients’ requests.


1.	Automatic votes

The vote has been outsourced to ISS since 1st January 2012, under the supervision of the Risk management of TOBAM.

ISS will apply its voting policy, in compliance with SRI Rules. The latest ISS’s “SRI International Proxy Voting Guidelines” is located at: General\Middle\Procedures - Middle Office\Voting policy.

Votes’ historical is available on ISS’ website. TOBAM records all voting decisions internally in PILOT and they are also accessible if needed at ISS.

TOBAM reviews and validates ISS policy annually. Meeting’s minutes are archived under: General\Middle\Proxy voting\ISS policy validation.


2.	Manual votes

In certain circumstances, such as French General Meetings in French funds, automatic votes are not technically possible. As a consequence, TOBAM votes manually but ISS policy still applies.

Votes manually instructed are located at: General\Middle\Proxy voting\Manual votes.

Clients may request specific voting instructions; voting requests and instructions are located at: General\Middle\Proxy voting\Manual votes.


II.	Perimeters


1.	Portfolios’ perimeter

TOBAM votes on all funds managed by TOBAM and on express request from the client.

The portfolios’ perimeter where TOBAM is entitled to vote is located at: General\Middle\Proxy voting\ Portfolios’ perimeter.


2.	Votes’ perimeter

All holdings and all countries are involved in the voting process. Restrictions: TOBAM does not vote:


–	On meetings implying to block shares.


–	On loaned shares: TOBAM will not recall lent voting shares, but TOBAM has requested service providers to keep at least one stock (which will not be lent) to be able to vote to the meeting.


III.	Controls

Risk explicitly endeavours to avoid missing a vote. Risk checks every week if something needs to be done concerning proxy voting. To ensure traceability, Risk checks the “done” box on the daily task list located at G:\Middle\Daily task and named “Daily task list”.

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On a monthly basis, Risk analyses proxy voting reports sent by ISS to identify votes that were not instructed or voted and determine the reason why they were not instructed or voted.

The controls are located at: General\Middle\Proxy voting\Proxy voting reports.

Risk sends aggregated reports to Compliance on a quarterly basis.


IV.	N-PX Reports

ISS will complete Form N-PX if applicable. Documents are located under: General\Middle\Proxy voting\Form N-PX.

[TS]

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PART C. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 28. Exhibits



(a)(1)		Registrant’s Certificate of Trust dated October 22, 1993 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (1)(a) of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-193307), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on January 10, 2014.

(a)(2)		Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated October 25, 1993 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 033-70958), filed with the SEC on November 24, 1998.

(a)(3)		Certificate of Amendment of Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Corona Investment Trust dated December 11, 1993 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 033-70958), filed with the SEC on November 24, 1998.

(a)(4)		Certificate of Amendment and Restatement of Certificate of Trust dated January 27, 1994 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (1)(a) of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-193307), filed with the SEC on January 10, 2014.

(a)(5)		Certificate of Amendment of Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Certificate of Trust of the Solon Funds dated June 13, 1994 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 033-70958), filed with the SEC on November 24, 1998.

(a)(6)		Certificate of Amendment of Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated November 10, 1997 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (1)(d) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 033-70958), filed with the SEC on December 17, 1997.

(a)(7)		Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated October 8, 1998 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 033-70958), filed with the SEC on November 24, 1998.

(a)(8)		Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated November 23, 1998 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 033-70958), filed with the SEC on January 27, 1999.

(a)(9)		Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Trust dated March 24, 2004 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 033-70958), filed with the SEC on May 3, 2004.

(a)(10)		Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Trust dated November 17, 2006 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on February 1, 2007.

(a)(11)		Certificate of Correction of a Statutory Trust dated April 17, 2009 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (1)(a) of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-193307), filed with the SEC on January 10, 2014.

(b)		Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Trust as revised November 19, 2015 are herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 28, 2016.



(c)		Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders are herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (c) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on September 19, 2007.

(d)(1)(a)		Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Touchstone Advisors, Inc. dated February 17, 2006 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b)(a) of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-18613), filed with the SEC on July 10, 2012.

(d)(1)(b)		Schedule C-1 dated January 27, 2017 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Touchstone Advisors, Inc. dated February 17, 2006 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 25, 2018.

(d)(2)		Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Sands Capital Management, LLC with respect to the Touchstone Sands Capital Select Growth Fund dated August 18, 2011 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(2)(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 30, 2012.

(d)(3)		Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Miller/Howard Investments, Inc. with respect to the Touchstone Premium Yield Equity Fund dated May 20, 2008 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on September 15, 2008.

(d)(4)		Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc. with respect to the Touchstone Ultra Short Duration Fixed Income Fund dated February 20, 2009 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(9) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on May 4, 2009.

(d)(5)		Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Copper Rock Capital Partners, LLC with respect to the Touchstone Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund dated April 19, 2016 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(15) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on April 19, 2016.

(d)(6)		Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Lee Munder Capital Group, LLC (now known as LMCG Investments, LLC) with respect to the Touchstone Mid Cap Value Fund dated October 1, 2009 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(13) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on September 30, 2009.

(d)(7)		Amendment to Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Lee Munder Capital Group, LLC (now known as LMCG Investments, LLC) with respect to the Touchstone Mid Cap Value Fund dated December 1, 2014 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 75 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 27, 2015.

(d)(8)		Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and The London Company of Virginia with respect to the Touchstone Small Cap Core Fund (now known as Touchstone Small Cap Fund) dated October 1, 2009 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(16) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on September 30, 2009.

(d)(9)		Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and The London Company of Virginia with respect to the Touchstone Mid Cap Fund dated December 8, 2011 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(13) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 30, 2012.




(d)(10)		Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and EARNEST Partners, LLC with respect to the Touchstone Total Return Bond Fund dated May 19, 2011 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(20) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on August 9, 2011.

(d)(11)		Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC with respect to the Touchstone Merger Arbitrage Fund dated August 9, 2011 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(21) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on August 9, 2011.

(d)(12)		Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC with respect to the Touchstone Arbitrage Fund dated September 30, 2013 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(15) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on September 30, 2013.

(d)(13)		Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc. with respect to the Touchstone Active Bond Fund dated January 27, 2017 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(13) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 25, 2018.

(d)(14)		Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc. with respect to the the Touchstone High Yield Fund dated January 27, 2017 is is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(14) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 25, 2018.

(d)(15)		Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and LMCG Investments, LLC with respect to the Touchstone Small Cap Value Fund dated July 1, 2016 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(15) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 25, 2018.

(d)(16)		Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and TOBAM S.A.S. with respect to the Touchstone Anti-Benchmark International Core Equity Fund is filed herewith.

(d)(17)		Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and TOBAM S.A.S. with respect to the Touchstone Anti-Benchmark US Core Equity Fund is filed herewith.

(e)(1)		Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Touchstone Securities, Inc. is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (e)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on September 21, 2006.

(e)(2)		Form of Underwriter’s Dealer Agreement is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (e)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on February 1, 2007.

(f)		Touchstone Trustee Deferred Compensation Plan is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (f) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 51 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 28, 2010.

(g)(1)		Custodian Agreement between the Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. dated February 25, 2008 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 28, 2009.

(g)(2)		Amended Schedule of Global Services & Charges to the Custodian Agreement dated February 1, 2013 between the Trust and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 27, 2017.




(h)(1)		Amended Administration Agreement between the Registrant and Touchstone Advisors, Inc. dated January 1, 2007 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 28, 2013.

(h)(2)		Amended and Restated Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. dated January 1, 2015 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 75 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 27, 2015.

(h)(3)		Amended and Restated Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement between the Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. dated January 1, 2015 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 75 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 27, 2015.

(h)(4)(a)		State Filing Services Agreement between Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. dated December 5, 2011 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 30, 2012.

(h)(4)(b)		Amended Schedule A dated September 30, 2013 to the State Filing Services Agreement between Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (Us) Inc. dated December 5, 2011 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(4)(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 27, 2014.

(h)(5)		Fidelity Bond Allocation Agreement dated April 1, 2011 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (13)(h) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File Nos. 333-177599 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on April 25, 2012.

(h)(6)(a)		Expense Limitation Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and the Registrant effective as of January 25, 2013 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (13)(a)(1) of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-193307), filed with the SEC on January 10, 2014.

(h)(6)(b)		Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and the Registrant dated August 31, 2015 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(6)(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 28, 2016.

(h)(6)(c)		Amended Schedule A to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and the Registrant effective as of January 30, 2018 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(6)(c) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 25, 2018.

(h)(7)(a)		Expense Limitation Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and the Registrant effective as of January 25, 2013 with respect to the Touchstone Sands Capital Select Growth Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (13)(g)(1) of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-193307), filed with the SEC on January 10, 2014.

(h)(7)(b)		Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and the Registrant with respect to the Touchstone Sands Capital Select Growth Fund dated August 31, 2015 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7)(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 28, 2016.



(h)(7)(c)		Schedule A to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and the Registrant with respect to the Touchstone Sands Capital Select Growth Fund, effective as of January 30, 2018, is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7)(c) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 25, 2018.

(h)(8)		Form of Securities Lending Agency Agreement between the Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. dated February 1, 2013 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 27, 2014.

(i)		Opinion of counsel to be filed by amendment.



(j)		Consent of independent public accounting firm to be filed by amendment.

(k)		Not Applicable.

(l)		Not Applicable.

(m)(1)(a)		Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan for Class A shares is herein incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 28, 2013.

(m)(1)(b)		Exhibit A to the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan for Class A is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m)(1)(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 27, 2017.

(m)(2)(a)		Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan for Class C shares is herein incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 28, 2013.

(m)(2)(b)		Exhibit A to the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan for Class C shares is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m)(2)(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 27, 2017.

(m)(3)		Shareholder Services Plan for Class Z shares is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 28, 2009.

(n)(1)		Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (n) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 28, 2013.

(n)(2)		Amended Schedule A to the Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (n)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on October 30, 2017.

(o)		Not Applicable.

(p)(1)		Code of Ethics for Registrant, Touchstone Advisors Inc. and Touchstone Securities, Inc. is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 75 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 27, 2015.

(p)(2)		Code of Ethics for Sands Capital Management, Inc. is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 27, 2017.




(p)(3)		Code of Ethics for Miller/Howard Investments, Inc. is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 28, 2013.

(p)(4)		Code of Ethics for Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc. is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 28, 2016.

(p)(5)		Code of Ethics for Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(9) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on May 4, 2009.

(p)(6)		Code of Ethics for Lee Munder Capital Group, LLC (now known as LMCG Investments, LLC) is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(13) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on September 30, 2009.



(p)(7)		Code of Ethics for EARNEST Partners LLC is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(15) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on September 30, 2009.

(p)(8)		Code of Ethics for The London Company of Virginia is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(13) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 28, 2013.

(p)(9)		Code of Ethics for Copper Rock Capital Partners, LLC is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on January 25, 2018.

(p)(10)		Code of Ethics for TOBAM S.A.S. is filed herewith.

(q)		Power of Attorney is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (q) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-70958 and 811-08104), filed with the SEC on November 10, 2016.

Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund

Not Applicable.

Item 30. Indemnification

Article VII of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust empowers the Trustees of the Trust, to the full extent permitted by law, to purchase with Trust assets insurance for indemnification from liability and to pay for all expenses reasonably incurred or paid or expected to be paid by a Trustee or officer in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he or she becomes involved by virtue of his or her capacity or former capacity with the Trust.

Article VI of the By-Laws of the Trust provides that the Trust shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of the Trust, against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such proceeding if that person acted in good faith and reasonably believed his or her conduct to be in the best interests of the Trust. Indemnification will not be provided in certain circumstances, however, including instances of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, and reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the particular office involved.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to the Trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions 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 Securities Act of 1933 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 Registrant 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 Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser

TOUCHSTONE ADVISORS, INC. (the “Advisor”) is a registered investment advisor that provides investment advisory services to the Touchstone Strategic Trust, Touchstone Variable Series Trust, Touchstone Funds Group Trust and Touchstone Institutional Funds Trust (the “Touchstone Fund Complex”).

The following list sets forth the business and other connections of the directors and executive officers of the Advisor. Unless otherwise noted, the address of the corporations listed below is 303 Broadway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.

*The address is 400 Broadway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.


(1)	Jill T. McGruder - CEO and Director Touchstone Advisors, Inc.


(a)	President and Chief Executive Officer - IFS Financial Services, Inc.


(b)	President and Chief Executive Officer - Integrity Life Insurance Co.


(c)	President and Chief Executive Officer - National Integrity Life Insurance Co.


(d)	Director, President and Chief Executive Officer - Cincinnati Analysts, Inc.


(e)	President - Touchstone Fund Complex


(f)	Chief Executive Officer - Insurance Profillment Solutions, LLC


(g)	Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer - Western & Southern Mutual Holding Company, Western & Southern Financial Group, Inc., The Western & Southern Life Insurance Company, Western-Southern Life Assurance Company


(h)	Senior Vice President - W&S Brokerage Services, Inc*


(i)	Director - Western & Southern Financial Group, Cincinnati Analysts, Inc., IFS Financial Services, Inc., Integrity Life Insurance Co., National Integrity Life Insurance Company, Touchstone Securities, Inc., Western & Southern Financial Group Distributors, Inc., W&S Brokerage Services, Inc.*, LaRosa’s, Inc. (2334 Boudinot Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45238)


(2)	Donald J. Wuebbling - Director - Touchstone Advisors, Inc.

(a)

Director - Touchstone Securities, Inc., Western & Southern Mutual Holding Company*, Western & Southern Financial Group, Inc.*, The Western & Southern Life Insurance Company*, Western-Southern Life Assurance Company.* Eagle Realty Investments, Inc.*, Cincinnati Analysts, Inc., Integrity Life Insurance Company,* National Integrity Life Insurance Company,* Eagle Realty Group, LLC*, Eagle Realty Capital Partners, LLC, IFS Financial Services, Inc.,, Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc., W&S Brokerage Services, Inc.*, Columbus Life Insurance Company*


(3)	James J. Vance - Senior Vice President and Treasurer - Touchstone Advisors, Inc.

(a)

Senior Vice President and Treasurer - Western & Southern Mutual Holding Company*, Western & Southern Financial Group, Inc.*, The Western & Southern Life Insurance Company*, Western-Southern Life Assurance Company.*, Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc., IFS Financial Services, Inc., W&S Financial Group Distributors, Inc.*, Touchstone Securities, Inc., Columbus Life Insurance Company*, Eagle Realty Group, LLC*, Eagle Realty Investments, Inc.*, Integrity Life Insurance Company, National Integrity Life Insurance Company, The Lafayette Life Insurance Company


(b)	Treasurer - Cincinnati Analysts, Inc., W&S Brokerage Services, Inc., Fort Washington Capital Partners, LLC, Insurance Profillment Solutions, Tristate Ventures, LLC*


(4)	Terrie A. Wiedenheft - Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer - Touchstone Advisors, Inc.


(a)	Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer - IFS Financial Services, Inc.


(b)	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer - W&S Brokerage Services, Inc.* and Touchstone Securities, Inc.


(c)	Chief Financial Officer - Cincinnati Analysts, Inc.


(d)	Senior Vice President - Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc.


(e)	Vice President, Commission Accounting and Finance - Integrity Life Insurance Company, National Integrity Life Insurance Company


(f)	Treasurer and Controller - Touchstone Fund Complex


(5)	James N. Clark - Director - Touchstone Advisors, Inc.


(a)	Vice President, Director and Secretary - Western & Southern Mutual Holding Company, Western & Southern Financial Group, Inc., The Western & Southern Life Insurance Company, Western-Southern Life Assurance Company


(b)	Director - Columbus Life Insurance Company, Eagle Realty Group, LLC, Eagle Realty Investments, Inc., Touchstone Securities, Inc., W&S Financial Group Distributors, Inc., Cincinnati Analysts, Inc., IFS Financial Services, Inc., The Lafayette Life Insurance Company*, Eagle Realty Capital Partners, LLC


(6)	Rhonda S. Malone - Secretary - Touchstone Advisors, Inc.


(a)	Secretary - Touchstone Securities, Inc., W&S Brokerage Services, Inc., W&S Financial Group Distributors, Inc., IFS Financial Services, Inc.


(b)	Senior Counsel - Securities - Western & Southern Financial Group, Inc.*


(7)	Steven M. Graziano - President - Touchstone Advisors, Inc.


(a)	Vice President - Touchstone Fund Complex


(b)	President - Touchstone Securities, Inc.


(8)	Timothy S. Stearns - Chief Compliance Officer - Touchstone Advisors, Inc., Touchstone Fund Complex, IFS Financial Services, Inc., W&S Brokerage Services, Inc.


(9)	Timothy D. Paulin - Senior Vice President, Investment Research and Product Management - Touchstone Advisors, Inc.


a.	Vice President - Touchstone Fund Complex

Copper Rock Capital Partners, LLC

Copper Rock Capital Partners, LLC (“Copper Rock”) is a registered investment advisor that provides sub-advisory services to the Touchstone Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund. The address of Copper Rock is 200 Clarendon Street, 51st Floor, Boston, MA 02116.

The directors and officers of Copper Rock are provided on Copper Rock’s most recently filed Schedule A of Form ADV (IARD No. 134176; SEC File No. 801-63900), which is incorporated herein by reference. The only employment of a substantial nature of each of Copper Rock’s directors and officers during the last two fiscal years is with Copper Rock and its affiliated companies.

Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc.

Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc. (“Fort Washington”) is the sub-advisor for the Touchstone Ultra Short Duration Fixed Income Fund, Touchstone Active Bond Fund and Touchstone High Yield Fund. The principal address of Fort Washington is 303 Broadway, Suite 1200, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Fort Washington is an investment advisor registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). Except as stated below, no director, officer or partner of Fort Washington has been engaged in any other business or profession of a substantial nature during the past two fiscal years.

*The address is 400 Broadway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.


(1)	Maribeth S. Rahe, President, Chief Executive Officer & Director

(a)

Board Member, Executive/Foundation Committee of Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber; Leadership Development, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce; Life Trustee, New York Landmarks Conservancy; Life Trustee, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center; Board Member, Consolidated Communications Illinois Holdings Inc.; Chair, Audit Committee, Consolidated Communications Illinois Holdings, Inc.; Member, Nominating/Governance and Compensation Committees, Consolidated Communications Illinois Holdings, Inc.; Vice Chairman, Executive/Finance Committee, Cincinnati Arts Association; Advisory Board, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur; Advisory Board, Williams College of

Business, Xavier University; Advisory Board, CincyTech USA; Member, Partner-In-Action; Investment Committee, United Way of Cincinnati; Board Member, First Financial Bank; Member, Audit/Trust/M&A Committees, First Financial Bank; Executive Committee, Commonwealth Club


(b)	President & CEO of Tristate Ventures, LLC*


(c)	President, Buckeye Venture Partners, LLC


(d)	President, W&S Investment Holdings, LLC


(e)	Manager, President & CEO, Peppertree Partners, LLC


(f)	Director, Chairman of the Board - Cincinnati Analysts, Inc.


(g)	President & CEO of Fort Washington Capital Partners, LLC


(2)	Nicholas P. Sargen, Senior Vice President, Chief Economist, Senior Investment Advisor, and Director


(a)	Senior Vice President, Chief Economist, and Senior Investment Advisor, Western & Southern Life Insurance Company, Western & Southern Life Assurance Company, Columbus Life Insurance Company, Integrity Life Insurance Company, National Integrity Life Insurance Company, Western & Southern Financial Group, Western & Southern Mutual Holding Company, Lafayette Life Insurance Company


(b)	Chief Investment Officer


(a)	Tristate Ventures, LLC*


(b)	Peppertree Partners, LLC


(c)	Buckeye Venture Partners, LLC


(d)	Fort Washington Capital Partners, LLC


(e)	W&S Investment Holdings, LLC


(c)	Board of Trustees & Treasurer, Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation


(d)	Advisory Board, Xavier Department of Economics


(e)	Chairman, Investment Committee - Christ Church Cathedral


(3)	John F. Barrett, Chairman and Director


(a)	Chairman of Board & CEO, Western & Southern Life Insurance Company, Western & Southern Life Assurance Company, Western & Southern Financial Group, Western & Southern Mutual Holding Company


(b)	Director & Chairman, Columbus Life Insurance Company, Integrity Life Insurance Company, National Integrity Life Insurance Company; Lafayette Life Insurance Company


(c)	Director, Eagle Realty Group, Eagle Realty Investments, Eagle Realty Capital Partners, LLC


(d)	Director, Chairman, President & CEO


(e)	President & Trustee, Western & Southern Financial Fund


(f)	Board Member, Convergys Corp, Cintas Corporation

(g)

Director, American Council of Life Insurers; Director, Financial Services Roundtable; Board Member, Americans for the Arts; Member & Executive Committee, Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation; Board of Governors, Cincinnati USA Partnership for Economic Development; Member, Cincinnati Business Committee; Co-Chairman, Greater Cincinnati Scholarship Association; Member, Cincinnati Equity Fund; Honorary Trustee, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Foundation; Chairman, Medical Center Fund, UC; Advisory Board, Barrett Cancer Center; Vice Chairman, UC Foundation Capital Campaign; Honorary Chairman, UC Presidential Bicentennial Commission


(4)	Brendan M. White, Senior Vice President, Co-Chief Investment Officer, Director


(a)	Senior Vice President, Co-Chief Investment Officer, Buckeye Venture Partners, LLC, Columbus Life Insurance Company, Fort Washington Capital Partners, LLC, Integrity Life Insurance Company, National Integrity Life Insurance Company, Peppertree Partners, LLC, The Lafayette Life Insurance Company, Western & Southern Investment Holdings, LLC


(b)	Manager, Peppertree Partners, LLC


(5)	Roger M. Lanham, Senior Vice President, Co-Chief Investment Officer, Director


(a)	Senior Vice President, Co-Chief Investment Officer, Buckeye Venture Partners, LLC, Columbus Life Insurance Company, Fort Washington Capital Partners, LLC, Integrity Life Insurance Company, National Integrity Life Insurance Company, Peppertree Partners, LLC, The Lafayette Life Insurance Company, Western & Southern Investment Holdings, LLC,


(b)	Manager, Peppertree Partners, LLC


(6)	Timothy J. Policinksi, Managing Director & Sr. Portfolio Manager


(7)	Michele Hawkins, Chief Compliance Officer & Managing Director


(a)	Advisory Board Member, Xavier University Cintas Institute for Business Ethics & Social Responsibility


(b)	Chief Compliance Officer, Peppertree Partners, LLC


(8)	James J. Vance, Senior Vice President & Treasurer - See biography above


(9)	Stephen A. Baker, Managing Director & Deputy Head of Private Equity


(a)	Board of Trustees, CH Mack, Inc.


(b)	Vice President, Buckeye Venture Partners, LLC


(c)	Manager, Peppertree Partners, LLC


(10)	Paul D. Cohn, Managing Director


(11)	Thomas L. Finn, Vice President & Sr. Portfolio Manager


(a)	Board Member, Cincinnati Foundation for the Aged, Beechwood Foundation.


(b)	Investment Committee, YMCA


(12)	John J. Goetz, Vice President & Sr. Portfolio Manager


(a)	Investment Company Institute - MMFunds Advisory Committee


(13)	Charles A. Ulbricht, Vice President & Sr. Portfolio Manager

(a) AVP Investments, Lafayette Life Foundation


(14)	Scott D. Weston, Managing Director & Sr. Portfolio Manager


(a)	Financial Advisory Board & Foundation Board Member, Mariemont School District


(15)	Martin W. Flesher, Vice President


(16)	Gerald J. Ulland, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer


(17)	Jonathan D. Niemeyer, Sr. Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer & General Counsel


(a)	Board of Directors, The Pro Foundation Inc., Board of Advisors, David Pollack’s Empower Foundation


(b)	Sr. Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer & General Counsel, Columbus Life Insurance Company, Lafayette Life Insurance Company, Western & Southern Life Insurance Company, Western & Southern Life Assurance Company, Western & Southern Financial Group, Western & Southern Mutual Holding Company


(c)	Director, Insurance Profillment Solutions, LLC


(d)	Board Member, Association of Life Insurance Counsel


(18)	James E. Wilhelm, Managing Director & Head of Public Equity

(a) Board Member, Xavier Student Investment Fund


(19)	Donald J. Wuebbling, Director


(a)	Secretary & Counsel, Western & Southern Life Insurance Company, Western & Southern Life Assurance Company, Western & Southern Financial Group, Western & Southern Mutual Holding Co., Columbus Life Insurance Company, Lafayette Life Insurance Company

(b)

Director, Touchstone Advisors, Inc., Touchstone Securities, Inc., W&S Financial Group Distributors, Inc., IFS Financial Services, Inc., Integrity Life Insurance Company, Western & Southern Brokerage Services, Inc., Eagle Realty Group, Eagle Realty Investments, Eagle Realty Capital Partners, LLC, Integrity Life Insurance Company, National Integrity Life Insurance Company, Western & Southern Brokerage Services, Inc., Western & Southern Agency, Inc.


(20)	William G. Creviston, Vice President & Sr. Portfolio Manager


(21)	Douglas E. Kelsey, Vice President & Sr. Portfolio Manager


(22)	Jeremiah R. Moore, Vice President & Deputy Head of Wealth Management


(23)	Barry D. Pavlo, Vice President


(24)	William T. Sena Jr., Vice President & Sr. Portfolio Manager


(25)	P. Gregory Williams, Vice President


(26)	Eric J. Walzer, Vice President, Investment Operations


(27)	Timothy J. Jossart, Vice President, Portfolio Manager & Senior Credit Analyst


(28)	Daniel J. Carter, Vice President & Sr. Portfolio Manager


(29)	S. Zulfi Ali, Vice President & Sr. Portfolio Manager


(30)	William H. Bunn, Vice President & Senior Portfolio Manager


(31)	Kevin M. Bass,Vice President & Senior Equity Research Manager


(32)	Bernard M. Casey, Assistant Vice President, Senior Credit Analyst & Portfolio Manager


(33)	Joe Don Cole, Vice President, Business Development Officer


(34)	Connie L. Krebs, Assistant Vice President & Senior Relationship Managemer


(35)	Michael R. Maeder, Managing Director & Deputy Head of Private Equity


(36)	Kenneth J. Ryan, Vice President & Institutional Relationship Management


(37)	David W. Walters, Vice President, Portfolio Manager, &Asset & Liability Management


(38)	H. Chris Zehetmaier, Assistant Vice President, Marketing


(39)	Kathleen A. Cornelius, Assistant Treasurer


(40)	Timothy D. Speed, Assistant Treasurer


(41)	Cheryl J. Stotts, Assistant Vice President, Assistant Treasurer


(42)	Stephen R. Mullin, Managing Director, Head of Private Client Group


(43)	Jon Salstrom, Vice President, Consultant Relations


(44)	Lawrence M. Carone, Vice President, Business Development


(45)	Casey A. Basil, Assistant Vice President, Senior Credit Analyst


(46)	Jay Johnson, Assistant Vice President, Assistant Treasurer


(47)	John Musgrove, Assistant Vice President, Assistant Treasurer


(48)	David T. Henderson, Senior Vice President, Chief Risk Officer


(49)	Garrick T. Bauer, Vice President, Portfolio Manager, Senior Credit Analyst


(50)	John A. Wieging, Assistant Vice President, Senior Equity Research Analyst


(51)	Kate C. Brown, Vice President, Senior Wealth Planner


(52)	Sunit Gogia, Assistant Vice President, Portfolio Manager, Senior Equity Research Manager


(53)	Carl Adkins, Vice President, Wealth Advisor


(54)	David McColl, Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager


(55)	Jeffrey L. Stainton, Secretary


(56)	Matthew A. Bell, Assistant Vice President, Portfolio Manager


(57)	Michael Benoit, Assistant Vice President, Senior Equity Research Manager


(58)	Amy W. Eddy, Assistant Vice President, Senior Credit Analyst


(59)	Matthew J. Reidy, Assistant Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager


(60)	Paul A. Tomich, Assistant Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager


(61)	John A. Wieging, Assistant Vice President, Senior Equity Research Manager


(62)	Daniel R. Larsen, Assistant Treasurer


(63)	Andrea M. Newton, Assistant Vice President, Private Equity Finance


(64)	Donald J. Osborne, Assistant Vice President, Senior Credit Analyst

Sands Capital Management, LLC

Sands Capital Management, LLC (“Sands Capital”) is the sub-advisor for the Touchstone Sands Capital Select Growth Fund. The principal business address of Sands Capital is 1000 Wilson Blvd., Suite 3000, Arlington, VA 22209. Sands Capital is an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act. The directors, officers and/or partners of Sands Capital have been engaged in the capacities lsted below with other companies within the last two fiscal years:



Name and Position with Company	Other Company	Position with Other Company
Frank M. Sands Chief Executive Officer	Sands Capital Ventures, LLC 1101 Wilson Boulevard Suite 2300 Arlington, VA 22209	Investment Board Member
Michael Rubin Managing Director	Sands Capital Ventures, LLC 1101 Wilson Boulevard Suite 2300 Arlington, VA 22209	Managing Partner
Jonathan Goodman General Counsel and Officer	Sands Capital Ventures, LLC 1101 Wilson Boulevard Suite 2300 Arlington, VA 22209	General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
Erin Soule Partner	Sands Capital Ventures, LLC 1101 Wilson Boulevard Suite 2300 Arlington, VA 22209	Director of Finance & Operations, Treasurer
Stephen Nimmo Executive Managing Director	Sands Capital Ventures, LLC 1101 Wilson Boulevard Suite 2300 Arlington, VA 22209	Provides client relations service
Andrew Giordano Director, Client Relations	Sands Capital Ventures, LLC 1101 Wilson Boulevard Suite 2300 Arlington, VA 22209	Provides client relations service

Miller/Howard Investments, Inc.

Miller/Howard Investments, Inc. (“Miller/Howard”) is the investment sub-advisor for the Touchstone Premium Yield Equity Fund. The principal address for Miller/Howard is 10 Dixon Avenue., Woodstock, NY 12498. Miller/Howard is a registered investment advisor under the Advisers Act. Except as stated below, no director, officer or partner has been engaged in other any business or profession of a substantial nature during the past two fiscal years.



NAME AND POSITION		POSITION WITH
WITH COMPANY	OTHER COMPANY	OTHER COMPANY
Lowell G. Miller	Miller/Howard Strategic Indexes, LLC	Managing Member
	MHI Funds, LLC	Chief Investment Officer
	Miller/Howard High Income Fund	President and Chairman of the Board
	Miller/Howard Funds Trust	Chairman of the Board
Annemarie Gilly	MHI Funds, LLC	President
	Miller/Howard High Income Fund	Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
	Miller/Howard Funds Trust	President
Gerald W. Wheeler	MHI Funds, LLC	General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
	Miller/Howard High Income Fund	General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
	Miller/Howard Funds Trust	General Counsel and Chief Compliance
Paul Brook	MHI Funds, LLC	Chief Financial Officer
	Miller/Howard High Income Fund	Chief Financial Officer
	Miller/Howard Funds Trust	Chief Financial Officer
John E. Leslie III	Miller/Howard High Income Fund	Vice President
	Miller/Howard Funds Trust	Vice President

Overlook Advisors LLC is affiliated with Miller/Howard Investments and has the same owners.

Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC

Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC (“Longfellow”) is a registered advisor providing sub-advisory services to the Touchstone Arbitrage Fund and Touchstone Merger Arbitrage Fund. The address of Longfellow is 20 Winthrop Square, Boston, MA 02110. Except as stated below, no director, officer or partner of Longfellow has been engaged in any other business or profession of a substantial nature during the past two fiscal years.



NAME AND POSITION		POSITION WITH
WITH COMPANY	OTHER COMPANY	OTHER COMPANY
Barbara J. McKenna, CFA, President	American Beacon Funds	Trustee Member

LMCG Investments, LLC

LMCG Investments, LLC (“LMCG”) is the sub-advisor for the Touchstone Mid Cap Value Fund and Touchstone Small Cap Value Fund. The principal business address of LMCG is 200 Clarendon Street, 28th Floor, Boston, MA, 02116. LMCG is an investment advisor registered under the Advisers Act. Except as stated below, no director, officer or partner has been engaged in any other business or profession of a substantial nature during the past two fiscal years.



NAME AND POSITION		POSITION WITH
WITH COMPANY	OTHER COMPANY	OTHER COMPANY

Lee P. Munder, Board Member	Rednum Family Investments, LP	Managing Partner

William J. Freeman, Board Member	City National Bank	Senior Vice President, Wealth Management

	Convergent Capital Management LLC	Chief Operating Officer , Board Member

	Convergent Wealth Advisors	Board Member

	City National Securities Inc.	Board Member

	City National Rochdale, LLC	Board Member

	Mid Continent Capital	Board Member

Christopher J. Carey, Board Member	City National Bank	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EARNEST Partners, LLC

EARNEST Partners, LLC (“EARNEST Partners”) is the sub-advisor for the Touchstone Total Return Bond Fund. The principal business address of EARNEST Partners is 1180 Peachtree Street, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA, 30309. EARNEST Partners is an investment advisor registered under the Advisers Act. Except as stated below, no director, officer or partner has been engaged in any other business or profession of a substantial nature during the past two fiscal years.



NAME AND POSITION		POSITION WITH
WITH COMPANY	OTHER COMPANY	OTHER COMPANY
Paul E. Viera	Westchester Limited, LLC	Manager
CEO & Manager	GREYBULL Partners LLC	CEO & Manager

John G. Whitmore	GREYBULL Partners LLC	COO
COO

James M. Wilson	GREYBULL Partners LLC	CCO; Secretary
CCO; Secretary

Carsten J. Fiege	GREYBULL Partners LLC	General Counsel
General Counsel	William Blair & Company	Senior Counsel

The London Company of Virginia d/b/a The London Company

London Company of Virginia d/b/a The London Company (“The London Company”) is a registered advisor providing sub-advisory services to the Touchstone Small Cap Fund and the Touchstone Mid Cap Fund. The address of The London Company is 1800 Bayberry Court, Suite 301, Richmond, Virginia, 23226. No director, officer or partner of The London Company has been engaged in any other business or profession of a substantial nature during the past two fiscal years.

Item 32. Principal Underwriters


(a)	Touchstone Securities, Inc. acts as underwriter for the Touchstone Fund Complex.


(b)	The following are the directors and officers of the underwriter. Unless otherwise noted, the address of the persons named below is 303 Broadway, Suite 1100, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.

*The address is 400 Broadway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.



	POSITION WITH	POSITION WITH
NAME	UNDERWRITER	REGISTRANT
Steven M. Graziano	President	Vice President
Jill T. McGruder	Director & CEO	Trustee/President
James N. Clark*	Director	None
Donald J. Wuebbling*	Director	None
James J. Vance*	Senior Vice President and Treasurer	None
Daniel R. Larsen	Vice President	None
Terrie A. Wiedenheft	Chief Financial Officer	Controller/Treasurer
Thomas Shoemake	Chief Compliance Officer	None
Rhonda Malone*	Secretary	None
Sharon L. Karp	Vice President	None
Kathleen A. Cornelius	Assistant Treasurer	None
Jay V. Johnson	Assistant Vice President, Assistant Treasurer	None
John S. Musgrove	Assistant Vice President, Assistant Treasurer	None
Timothy D. Speed	Assistant Treasurer	None
Cheryl J. Stotts	Assistant Treasurer	None


(c)	None.

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

Books or other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the rules promulgated thereunder, are maintained as follows:


(a)	With respect to Rules 31a-1(a); 31a-1(b)(1); (2)(a) and (b); (3);(6); (8); (12); and 31a-1(d), the required books and records will be maintained at the offices of Registrant’s Custodian:

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

40 Water Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02109


(b)	With respect to Rules 31a-1(a); 31a-1(b)(1),(4); (2)(C) and (D);(4); (5); (6); (8); (9); (10); (11); and 31a-1(f), the required books and records are maintained at the offices of the Registrant’s Administrator and Sub-Administrator:

Touchstone Advisors, Inc.

303 Broadway, Suite 1100

Cincinnati, OH 45202

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

201 Washington Street, 34th Floor

Boston, MA 02108


(c)	With respect to Rules 31a-1(b)(5), (6), (9) and (10) and 31a-1(f), the required books and records are maintained at the principal offices of the Registrant’s Advisor and sub-advisors:

Touchstone Advisors, Inc.

303 Broadway, Suite 1100

Cincinnati, OH 45202

Sands Capital Management, LLC

1000 Wilson Blvd, Suite 3000

Arlington, VA 22209

Miller/Howard Investments, Inc.

10 Dixon Avenue

Woodstock, NY, 12498

Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc.

303 Broadway, Suite 1200

Cincinnati, OH 45202

Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC

20 Winthrop Square

Boston, MA 02110

LMCG Investments, LLC

200 Clarendon Street, 28th Floor

Boston, MA 02116

EARNEST Partners, LLC

1180 Peachtree Street, Suite 2300

Atlanta, GA 30309

The London Company

1800 Bayberry Court, Suite 301

Richmond, VA 23226

Copper Rock Capital Partners, LLC

200 Clarendon Street, 51st Floor

Boston, MA 02116

Item 34. Management Services

None.

Item 35. Undertakings

None.

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 Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A under Rule 485(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and certifies that it has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Cincinnati, State of Ohio, on the 18 th day of July, 2018.



	TOUCHSTONE FUNDS GROUP TRUST

	By:	/s/ Jill T. McGruder
		Jill T. McGruder
		President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.



*		Trustee	July 18, 2018
Phillip R. Cox

*		Trustee	July 18, 2018
William C. Gale

*		Trustee	July 18, 2018
Susan J. Hickenlooper

*		Trustee	July 18, 2018
Kevin A. Robie

*		Trustee	July 18, 2018
Edward J. VonderBrink

/s/ Jill T. McGruder		Trustee and President	July 18, 2018
Jill T. McGruder

/s/ Terrie A. Wiedenheft		Controller, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer	July 18, 2018
Terrie A. Wiedenheft

*By:	/s/ Terrie A. Wiedenheft		July 18, 2018
	Terrie A. Wiedenheft
	(Attorney-in-Fact Pursuant to Power of Attorney filed with PEA No. 82)

EXHIBIT INDEX



(d)(16)	Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and TOBAM S.A.S. with respect to the Touchstone Anti-Benchmark International Core Equity Fund

(d)(17)	Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and TOBAM S.A.S. with respect to the Touchstone Anti-Benchmark US Core Equity Fund

(p)(10)	Code of Ethics for TOBAM S.A.S.

FORM-OF SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT

Touchstone Anti-Benchmark® International Core Equity Fund

A series of

Touchstone Funds Group Trust

This Sub-Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of [October 1], 2018, between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. (the “Advisor”), and TOBAM S.A.S. (the “Sub-Advisor”).

WHEREAS, Touchstone Funds Group Trust (the “Trust”) is a Delaware business trust organized pursuant to an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated October 25, 1993, as amended, and registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and

WHEREAS, the Advisor is an investment advisor registered under the U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”) and has been retained by the Trust to provide investment advisory services with respect to certain assets of the Touchstone Anti-Benchmark® International Core Equity Fund (the “Fund”); and

WHEREAS, the Sub-Advisor also is an investment advisor registered under the Advisers Act; and

WHEREAS, the Advisor desires to retain the Sub-Advisor to furnish it with portfolio management services in connection with the Advisor’s investment advisory activities on behalf of the Fund, and the Sub-Advisor has agreed to furnish such services to the Advisor and the Fund;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the terms and conditions set forth below, it is agreed as follows:

1. Appointment of the Sub-Advisor. In accordance with and subject to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Advisor, attached as Exhibit A (the “Advisory Agreement”), the Advisor appoints the Sub-Advisor to manage the investment and reinvestment of that portion of the assets of the Fund allocated to it by the Advisor (the “Fund Assets”), in conformity with the Fund’s currently effective registration statement, including its prospectus and statement of additional information, as amended (collectively, the “Disclosure Documents”), and subject to the control and direction of the Advisor and the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Sub-Advisor accepts such appointment and agrees during such period to render the services and to perform the duties called for by this Agreement for the compensation provided in Section 3 of this Agreement. The Sub-Advisor shall at all times maintain its registration as an investment advisor under the Advisers Act and shall otherwise comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal. For purposes of this Agreement, the Sub-Advisor shall be deemed an independent contractor and shall, except as expressly provided or authorized by written Agreement with the Advisor, Fund, or Trust, have no authority to act for or represent the Trust in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust or the Fund.

2. Duties of the Sub-Advisor. The Sub-Advisor will provide the following services and undertake the following duties:

a. The Sub-Advisor will manage the investment and reinvestment of the Fund Assets, subject to and in accordance with the investment objectives, policies, and restrictions of the Fund, and in conformity with the Fund’s currently effective Disclosure Documents, and, to the extent they do not contradict the Fund’s currently effective Disclosure Documents, any written directions which the Advisor or the Trust’s Board may give pursuant to this Agreement. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Sub-Advisor will make all determinations with respect to the investment of the Fund Assets and the purchase and sale of portfolio securities and shall take such steps as may be necessary or advisable to implement the same. The Sub-Advisor also will determine the manner in which voting rights, rights to consent to corporate action, and any other rights pertaining to the portfolio securities will be exercised.

b. As reasonably requested, the Sub-Advisor will render regular reports to the Trust’s Board and to the Advisor (or such other service providers as the Advisor shall engage to assist it in the evaluation of the performance and activities of the Sub-Advisor). Such reports shall be made in such form and manner and with respect to such matters regarding the Fund and the Sub-Advisor as the Trust or the Advisor shall reasonably request; provided, however, that in the absence of extraordinary circumstances, the individual primarily responsible for management of Fund Assets for the Sub-Advisor will not be required to attend in-person more than one meeting per year with the Trust’s Board.

c. The Sub-Advisor may utilize the services of a third-party service provider to research and vote proxies on its behalf and on behalf of the Fund.

d. The Sub-Advisor shall not have custody of any of the Fund Assets and is not authorized to provide the Fund with legal or tax advice or to engage the Fund in any legal proceedings, including responding to class action claims; provided, however, that the Sub-Advisor shall promptly forward any notices it receives relating to class action claims to the Fund’s custodian or other duly designated Fund agent. The Sub-Advisor shall assist the custodian or other duly designated Fund agent in evaluating such securities class action claims, as reasonably requested in writing (provided that in so doing the Sub-Advisor shall not incur any extraordinary costs), but the Sub-Advisor will not be responsible for filing such claims. The Advisor acknowledges that the Fund’s custodian or other duly designated Fund agent will be responsible for evaluating and making all decisions regarding class action claims involving securities presently or formerly held by the Fund.

e. The Sub-Advisor may, to the extent permitted by applicable law and regulations, aggregate purchase and sale orders of securities placed with respect to the Fund Assets with similar orders being made simultaneously for other accounts managed by the Sub-Advisor or its affiliates, if, in the Sub-Advisor’s reasonable judgment, such aggregation shall result in an overall economic benefit to the Fund. In forming this judgment the Sub-Advisor shall consider the selling or purchase price, brokerage commissions, and other expenses. In the event that a purchase or sale of the Fund Assets occurs as part of any aggregate sale or purchase order, the objective of the Sub-Advisor and any of its affiliates involved in such transaction shall be to allocate the securities so purchased or sold, as well as expenses incurred in the transaction, among the Fund and other accounts in a fair and equitable manner.

f. Whenever the Fund and one or more other investment advisory clients of the Sub-Advisor have available funds for investment, investments suitable and appropriate for each will be allocated in a manner believed by the Sub-Advisor to be fair and equitable to each. Moreover, it is possible that due to differing investment objectives or for other reasons, the Sub-Advisor and

its affiliates may purchase securities of an issuer for one client and at approximately the same time recommend selling or sell the same or similar types of securities for another client, including the Fund.

g. The Sub-Advisor will not arrange purchases or sales of securities between the Fund and other accounts advised by the Sub-Advisor or its affiliates unless (a) such purchases or sales are in accordance with applicable law and regulation (including Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act) and the Fund’s policies and procedures, (b) the Sub-Advisor determines the purchase or sale is in the best interests of the Fund, and (c) the Fund’s Board has approved these types of transactions.

h. The Sub-Advisor shall promptly notify the Advisor if the Sub-Advisor reasonably believes that the value of any security held by the Fund and reflected on the books and records of the Fund may not reflect fair value. The Sub-Advisor agrees to provide any pricing information of which the Sub-Advisor is aware to the Advisor and any Fund pricing agent to assist in the determination of the fair value of any Fund holdings for which market quotations are not readily available or as otherwise required in accordance with the 1940 Act or the Fund’s adopted valuation procedures, which may be amended by the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties recognize that the Sub-Advisor is not an official pricing source and has no responsibility for calculating the Fund’s net asset value.

i. Regulatory Compliance.

(i) The Sub-Advisor will comply in all material respects with federal and state securities laws, including the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”), the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, each as amended, and the rules and regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, or state securities regulator that are applicable to a registered investment advisor providing services to registered open-end investment companies including, without limitation, Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act.

(ii) The Sub-Advisor shall cause the Fund to comply with the diversification and source of income requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), for qualification as a regulated investment company.

(iii) The Sub-Advisor will cooperate fully with the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officers in the execution of his or her responsibilities to monitor service providers to the Trust pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act.

(iv) Subject to the Advisor’s supervision, the Sub-Advisor will prepare and cause to be filed in a timely manner Form 13F and, if required, Schedule 13G, each under the 1934 Act, with respect to securities held for the account of the Fund.

(v) The Sub-Advisor has adopted a written code of ethics that it reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Code of Ethics”). The Sub-Advisor will provide its code of ethics to the Advisor and the Fund. The Sub-Advisor shall ensure that its Access Persons (as defined in the Sub-Advisor’s Code of Ethics) comply in all material respects with the Sub-Advisor’s Code of Ethics, as in effect. Upon request, the Sub-Advisor shall provide the Fund with (i) a copy of the Sub-Advisor’s current Code of Ethics, as in effect, and (ii) a certification that it has adopted procedures reasonably

necessary to prevent Access Persons from engaging in any conduct prohibited by the Sub-Advisor’s Code of Ethics. No less frequently than annually, the Sub-Advisor shall furnish to the Fund and the Advisor a written report, which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, concerning the Sub-Advisor’s Code of Ethics. The Sub-Advisor shall promptly respond to any requests for information from the Advisor as to violations of the Sub-Advisor’s Code of Ethics by Access Persons and the sanctions imposed by the Sub-Advisor. The Sub-Advisor shall promptly notify the Advisor of any material violation of the Sub-Advisor’s Code of Ethics, whether or not such violation relates to a security held by the Fund.

(vi) The Sub-Advisor shall notify the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer and Advisor immediately upon detection of (i) any material failure to manage the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and policies or any applicable law; or (ii) any material breach of any of the Fund’s or the Advisor’s policies, guidelines, or procedures (to the extent such policies, guidelines, or procedures have been provided to the Sub-Advisor). In addition, the Sub-Advisor shall provide a quarterly report regarding its compliance with applicable law, including but not limited to the 1940 Act and the Code, and the Fund’s and the Advisor’s investment objectives policies, guidelines, or procedures as applicable to the Sub-Advisor’s obligations under this Agreement. The Sub-Advisor acknowledges and agrees that the Advisor may, in its sole discretion, provide such quarterly compliance certifications to the Board. The Sub-Advisor agrees to correct any such failure promptly and to take any action that the Board or the Advisor may reasonably request in connection with any such breach. The Sub-Advisor shall also provide the officers of the Trust with supporting certifications in connection with certifications of the Fund’s financial statements and disclosure controls pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended. The Sub-Advisor will promptly notify the Trust in the event (i) the Sub-Advisor is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry, or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board, or body, involving the affairs of the Trust (excluding class action suits in which the Fund is a member of the plaintiff class by reason of the Fund’s ownership of shares in the defendant) or the compliance by the Sub-Advisor with the federal or state securities laws in connection with the services provided to the Fund under this Agreement or (ii) the controlling stockholder of the Sub-Advisor changes or an actual change in control resulting in an “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act) has occurred or is otherwise proposed to occur.

(vii) The Sub-Advisor shall maintain separate books and detailed records of all matters pertaining to the Fund Assets advised by the Sub-Advisor as required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act (other than those records being maintained by the Advisor, custodian, or transfer agent appointed by the Fund), and relating to its responsibilities under this Agreement. The Sub-Advisor shall preserve such records for the periods and in a manner prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act (the “Fund Books and Records”). The Fund Books and Records shall be available to the Advisor and the Board, which shall be delivered upon request to the Trust, at the Advisor’s expense, upon the termination of this Agreement and shall be available for telecopying without delay during any day the Fund is open for business. The Sub-Advisor may retain a copy of the Fund Books and Records for its own recordkeeping purposes.

j. The Sub-Advisor shall provide support to the Advisor with respect to the marketing of the Fund, including but not limited to: (i) permission to use the Sub-Advisor’s name and logo

in accordance with Section 6 of this Agreement; (ii) permission to use the past performance and investment history of the Sub-Advisor with respect to a composite of funds managed by the Sub-Advisor that are comparable, in investment objective and composition, to the Fund; (iii) reasonable access to the individual(s) responsible for day-to-day management of the Fund for marketing conferences, teleconferences, and other activities involving the promotion of the Fund, subject to the reasonable request of the Advisor; (iv) permission to use biographical and historical data of the Sub-Advisor and individual portfolio manager(s); and (v) permission to use photos of individual portfolio manager(s) in connection with the marketing of the Fund.

k. The Sub-Advisor will, in the name of the Fund, place orders for the execution of all portfolio transactions in accordance with the policies set forth in the Fund’s Disclosure Documents. When placing orders with brokers and dealers, the Sub-Advisor’s primary objective shall be to obtain the most favorable price and execution available for the Fund, and in placing such orders the Sub-Advisor may consider a number of factors, including, without limitation, the overall direct net economic result to the Fund (including commissions, which may not be the lowest available but ordinarily should not be higher than the generally prevailing competitive range); the financial strength and stability of the broker; the efficiency with which the transaction will be effected; the ability to effect the transaction at all where a large block is involved; and the availability of the broker or dealer to stand ready to execute possibly difficult transactions in the future. Consistent with the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and subject to seeking most favorable price and execution and compliance with Rule 12b-1(h) under the 1940 Act, the Sub-Advisor may select brokers and dealers to execute portfolio transactions of the Fund that promote or sell shares of the Fund. The Sub-Advisor is specifically authorized, to the extent authorized by law (including, without limitation, Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act), to pay a broker or dealer who provides research services to the Sub-Advisor an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting such transaction. This excess payment (often referred to as “soft dollar” payments) in recognition of such additional research services rendered by the broker or dealer shall only be made if the Sub-Advisor determines in good faith that the excess commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer viewed in terms of the particular transaction or the Sub-Advisor’s overall responsibilities with respect to discretionary accounts that it manages, and that the Fund derives or will derive a reasonable benefit from such research services. The Sub-Advisor will present a written report to the Board, at least quarterly, indicating total brokerage expenses, actual or imputed, as well as the services obtained in consideration for such expenses, broken down by broker-dealer and containing such information as the Board reasonably shall request.

l. The Sub-Advisor shall maintain errors and omissions insurance coverage in an appropriate amount and shall provide prior written notice to the Trust (i) of any material changes in its insurance policies or insurance coverage; or (ii) if any material claims will be made on its insurance policies related to the services provided to the Trust under this Agreement. Furthermore, the Sub-Advisor shall, upon reasonable request, provide the Trust with any information it may reasonably require concerning the amount of or scope of such insurance.

m. In the event of any reorganization or other material change in the Sub-Advisor, the Sub-Advisor shall give the Advisor and the Board written notice of such reorganization or change within a reasonable time (but not later than 30 days) after such reorganization or change.

n. The Sub-Advisor will bear its expenses of providing services to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement except such expenses as are expressly undertaken by the Advisor or the Fund.

o. The Advisor and Sub-Advisor acknowledge and agree that the Sub-Advisor shall be required to provide only the services expressly described in this Agreement, and shall have no responsibility to provide any other services to the Advisor or the Portfolio except as required by law. The Advisor shall remain responsible for the Funds overall compliance with the 1940 Act, the Code, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations.

p. The Advisor agrees to provide the Sub-Advisor with such assistance as may be reasonably requested by the Sub-Advisor in connection with its activities under this Agreement, including, without limitation, information concerning the Fund; its cash available, or to become available, for investment; and generally as to the conditions of the Fund or its affairs.

q. The Advisor will provide the Sub-Advisor with advance notice of, and the opportunity to comment on, any change in the Funds investment objectives, investment policy risks, and restrictions as stated in the Disclosure Documents, or in any procedures and policies adopted by the Board of the Trust or the Advisor that may affect the Sub-Advisor’s management of the Fund. The Sub-Advisor shall, in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, manage the Fund Assets in compliance with such changes following reasonable notice of the effectiveness of such changes from the Advisor. In addition to such notice, the Advisor shall provide to the Sub-Advisor a copy of any amendments or supplements to the Disclosure Documents. The Advisor acknowledges and agrees that the Disclosure Documents will at all times be in compliance with all disclosure requirements under all applicable federal and state laws and regulations relating to the Fund.

r. The Advisor acknowledges and agrees that the Sub-Advisor does not guarantee the future performance or any specific level of performance for the Fund Assets, the success of any investment decision or strategy that the Sub-Advisor may use, or the success of the Sub-Advisor’s overall management of the Fund Assets. The Advisor acknowledges and agrees that investment decisions made with regard to the Fund Assets by the Sub-Advisor are subject to various market, currency, economic, political, and business risks, and that those investment decisions will not always be beneficial to the Fund. Additionally, there may be loss or depreciation of the value of the Fund Assets because of fluctuation of market values. These risks will be disclosed in the Fund’s Disclosure Documents.

3. Compensation of the Sub-Advisor.

a. As compensation for the services to be rendered and duties undertaken under this Agreement by the Sub-Advisor, the Advisor will pay to the Sub-Advisor a monthly fee equal on an annual basis to XX% of the first $1 billion of average daily net assets of the Fund and XX% of the average daily net assets of the Fund in excess of $1 billion without regard to any total expense limitation or other fee waiver applied by the Trust or the Advisor. Such fee shall be computed and accrued daily. If the Sub-Advisor serves in such capacity for less than the whole of any period specified in Section 12a of this Agreement, the compensation to the Sub-Advisor shall be prorated. For purposes of calculating the Sub-Advisor’s fee, the daily value of the Fund Assets shall be computed by the same method as the Trust uses to compute the Fund’s net asset value for purposes of purchases and redemptions of shares.

b. The Sub-Advisor reserves the right to waive all or a part of its fees.

4. Ongoing Reporting of the Sub-Advisor.

a. Financial Reporting. The Sub-Advisor will report to the Board (at regular quarterly meetings and at such other times as the Board reasonably shall request, subject to the limitation on personal attendance at such meetings set forth in Section 2b of this Agreement): (i) the financial condition of the Sub-Advisor, (ii) the nature and amount of transactions that may be reasonably expected to effect the Fund that involve the Sub-Advisor and its affiliates, (iii) information regarding any potential conflicts of interest arising by reason of the Sub-Advisor’s continuing provision of advisory services to the Fund and to its other accounts, and (iv) such other information including but not limited to the performance of the specific strategy used to manage the Fund Assets and the capacity of the Sub-Advisor as it relates to the continuing ability of the Sub-Advisor to accept additional cash flow from the Advisor into the Fund. Upon request by the Advisor or the Board, the Sub-Advisor agrees to discuss with the Board its plans for the allocation of remaining capacity in the strategy used to manage the Fund, with respect to the Fund and to the Sub-Advisor’s other clients.

The Sub-Advisor will annually provide the Advisor with the Sub-Advisor’s financial statements, unless the Fund’s Board requests reports on a more frequent basis. For purposes of this paragraph 4(a), “financial statements” shall include the Sub-Advisor’s balance sheet, income statement, and notes to the financial statements.

b. Key Personnel Reporting. The Sub-Advisor agrees to promptly notify the Advisor upon becoming aware of any incapacity, resignation, termination, or other material change of key personnel. For purposes of this paragraph 4(b), “key personnel” include: (i) any portfolio manager of the Fund; and (ii) any chief executive officer, chief compliance officer, chief operations officer, chief investment officer, chief financial officer, chief administration officer, or any other principal or officer of similar title or position with the Sub-Advisor; and (iii) any member of its investment (or comparable) committee.

5. Representations of the Advisor and the Trust. The Advisor represents that: (a) the Advisor has been duly appointed by the Board to provide investment services to the Fund Assets as contemplated in this Agreement; (b) the Advisor has all necessary power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement on behalf of the Trust, and such execution, delivery, and performance will not violate any applicable law, regulation, organizational document, policy, or agreement binding on the Trust or its property; (c) the Trust has the full power and authority to enter into all transactions contemplated under this Agreement, to perform its obligations under such transactions and to authorize the Advisor to procure the Sub-Advisor to enter into such transactions on the Trust’s and Fund’s behalf; (d) the Advisor’s decision to appoint the Sub-Advisor was made in a manner consistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable law and the governing documents, contracts, or other material agreements or instruments governing the Fund’s investment or trading activities; (e) the Advisor will deliver to the Sub-Advisor a true and complete copy of the Fund’s Disclosure Documents, such other documents or instruments governing the investments of Fund Assets, and such other information as is necessary for the Sub-Advisor to carry out its obligations under this Agreement; and (f) the Trust is a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

6. Use of Names.

a. Neither the Advisor nor the Trust shall use the name of the Sub-Advisor in any prospectus, sales literature, or other material relating to the Advisor or the Trust in any manner not approved in advance by the Sub-Advisor; provided, however, that the Sub-Advisor will approve all uses of its name which merely refer in accurate terms to its appointment or which are required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or a state securities commission; and provided further, that in no event shall such approval be unreasonably withheld.

b. The Sub-Advisor shall not use the name of the Advisor or the Trust in any material relating to the Sub-Advisor in any manner not approved in advance by the Advisor or the Trust, as the case may be; provided, however, that the Advisor and the Trust will each approve all uses of their respective names which merely refer in accurate terms to the appointment of the Sub-Advisor as the Fund’s Sub-Advisor under this Agreement or which are required by the SEC or a state securities commission; and, provided further, that in no event shall such approval be unreasonably withheld.

c. Upon termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 12, the Advisor shall cease using any references to the Sub-Advisor in Fund and Advisor documents unless such reference is required by law. Similarly, the Sub-Advisor shall cease using any references to the Advisor or Fund in any documents unless such reference is required by law. For purposes of this paragraph, documents include but are not limited to, marketing materials, regulatory filings, and performance reporting.

7. Liability of the Sub-Advisor. The Sub-Advisor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trust, the Advisor, and all their affiliated persons (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act) and all controlling persons (as described in Section 15 of the 1933 Act) (collectively, the “Sub-Advisor Indemnitees”) against any and all direct losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (including reasonable legal and other expenses) (collectively, “Losses”) incurred by reason of or arising out of: (a) the Sub-Advisor being in material violation of any applicable federal or state law, rule, or regulation or any investment policy or restriction set forth in the Fund’s Disclosure Documents or any written guidelines or instruction provided in writing by the Board; or (b) the Sub-Advisor’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.

8. Liability of the Advisor. The Advisor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Sub-Advisor and all affiliated persons (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act) and all controlling persons (as described in Section 15 of the 1933 Act) (collectively, the “Advisor Indemnitees”) against any and all direct Losses incurred by reason of or arising out of: (a) the Advisor being in material violation of any applicable federal or state law, rule, or regulation; or (b) the Advisor’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.

9. Limitation of Trust’s Liability. The Sub-Advisor acknowledges that it has received notice of and accepts the limitations upon the Trust’s liability set forth in its Declaration of Trust. The Sub-Advisor agrees that (i) the Trust’s obligations to the Sub-Advisor under this Agreement (or indirectly under the Advisory Agreement) shall be limited in any event to the Fund Assets and (ii) the Sub-Advisor shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders of the Fund, other than the Advisor, nor from any Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Trust.

10. Force Majeure. The Sub-Advisor shall not be liable for delays or errors occurring by reason of circumstances beyond its control, including but not limited to acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies, work stoppages, fire, flood, catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riot, or failure of communication or power supply. In the event of equipment breakdowns beyond its control, the Sub-Advisor shall take all reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions.

11. Confidentiality. Each party expressly undertakes to protect and to preserve the confidentiality of all information and know-how made available under or in connection with this Agreement, or the parties’ activities that are either designated as being confidential or which, by the nature of the circumstances surrounding the disclosure, ought in good faith to be treated as proprietary or confidential (collectively, the “Confidential Information”). Each party shall take reasonable security precautions, at least as great as the precautions it takes to protect its own confidential information but in any event using a commercially reasonable standard of care, to keep confidential the Confidential Information. Neither party shall disclose

Confidential Information except: (a) to its employees, directors, officers, legal advisors, or auditors having a need to know such Confidential Information; (b) in accordance with a judicial or other governmental order or when such disclosure is required by law, provided that prior to such disclosure the receiving party shall provide the disclosing party with written notice and shall comply with any protective order or equivalent; or (c) in accordance with a regulatory audit or inquiry, without prior notice to the disclosing party, provided that the receiving party shall obtain a confidentiality undertaking from the regulatory agency where possible.

Neither party will make use of any Confidential Information except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or as agreed to in writing between the parties. However, the receiving party shall have no obligation to maintain the confidentiality of information that: (a) it received rightfully from another party prior to its receipt from the disclosing party; (b) the disclosing party discloses generally without any obligation of confidentiality; (c) is or subsequently becomes publicly available without the receiving party’s breach of any obligation owed the disclosing party; or (d) is independently developed by the receiving party without reliance upon or use of any Confidential Information. Each party’s obligations under this clause shall survive for a period of three years following the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, each party to this Agreement may disclose any information with respect to the United States federal income tax treatment and tax structure (and any fact that may be relevant to understanding the purported or claimed federal income tax treatment of the transaction) of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement.

12. Renewal, Termination and Amendment.

a. This Agreement shall continue in effect, unless sooner terminated under this Agreement, through [ ], 2020; and it shall thereafter continue for successive annual terms provided that such continuance is specifically approved by the parties and, in addition, at least annually by (i) the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or (ii) by vote of a majority of the Trust’s Board including the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either the Advisor or the Sub-Advisor, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

b. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, (i) by the Advisor upon not more than 60-day nor less than 30-day prior written notice delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to the Sub-Advisor; (ii) by the Sub-Advisor upon not less than 60-day prior written notice delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to the Advisor; or (iii) by the Trust, upon either (y) the majority vote of the Board or (z) the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.

c. This Agreement may be amended at any time by the parties, subject to approval by the Board and, if required by applicable SEC rules and regulations, a vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund affected by such change.

d. The terms “assignment,” “interested persons” and “majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall have the meaning set forth for such terms in the 1940 Act.

13. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall become or shall be found to be invalid by a court decision, statute, rule, or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected.

14. Notice. Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and sent to the address or facsimile number, as applicable, of the party receiving such notice or instruction and (a) delivered personally; (b) sent by electronic mail (“email”) or facsimile transmission, with notice or confirmation of receipt received; (c) delivered by a nationally recognized overnight courier; or (d) sent by prepaid first-class mail. Until further notice to the other party, it is agreed that the addresses of the Trust and the Advisor for this purpose shall be 303 Broadway, Suite 1100, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 and that the address of the Sub-Advisor shall be 49/53 Avenue des Champs Elysees, 75008 Paris, France.

15. Miscellaneous. Each party agrees to perform such further actions and execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes hereof. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Ohio. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience only and in no way define or delimit any of the Agreement provisions or otherwise affect their construction or effect. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

16. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including any attached Schedules, constitutes the sole and entire agreement of the parties with respect to the Agreement’s subject matter.

17. Customer Notification . By executing this Agreement, the Advisor acknowledges that as required by the Advisers Act the Sub-Advisor has supplied to the Advisor and the Trust copies of the Sub-Advisor’s Form ADV with all exhibits and attachments (including the Sub-Advisor’s statement of financial condition) and will promptly supply to the Advisor copies of all amendments or restatements of such document. Otherwise, the Advisor’s rights under federal law allow termination of this contract without penalty within five business days after entering into this contract.

Signatures on next page.

The parties’ duly authorized officers have signed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.

TOUCHSTONE ADVISORS, INC.

BY:_________________________ BY:_______________________

Name: Name:

Title: Title:

TOBAM, S.A.S.

BY:___________________________

Name:

Title:

FORM-OF SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT

Touchstone Anti-Benchmark® US Core Equity Fund

A series of

Touchstone Funds Group Trust

This Sub-Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of [October 1], 2018, between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. (the “Advisor”), and TOBAM S.A.S. (the “Sub-Advisor”).

WHEREAS, the Sub-Advisor also is an investment advisor registered under the Advisers Act; and

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the terms and conditions set forth below, it is agreed as follows:

2. Duties of the Sub-Advisor. The Sub-Advisor will provide the following services and undertake the following duties:

a. The Sub-Advisor will manage the investment and reinvestment of the Fund Assets, subject to and in accordance with the investment objectives, policies, and restrictions of the Fund,

and in conformity with the Fund’s currently effective Disclosure Documents, and, to the extent they do not contradict the Fund’s currently effective Disclosure Documents, any written directions which the Advisor or the Trust’s Board may give pursuant to this Agreement. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Sub-Advisor will make all determinations with respect to the investment of the Fund Assets and the purchase and sale of portfolio securities and shall take such steps as may be necessary or advisable to implement the same. The Sub-Advisor also will determine the manner in which voting rights, rights to consent to corporate action, and any other rights pertaining to the portfolio securities will be exercised.

c. The Sub-Advisor may utilize the services of a third-party service provider to research and vote proxies on its behalf and on behalf of the Fund.

recommend selling or sell the same or similar types of securities for another client, including the Fund.

i. Regulatory Compliance.

Advisor’s Code of Ethics. No less frequently than annually, the Sub-Advisor shall furnish to the Fund and the Advisor a written report, which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, concerning the Sub-Advisor’s Code of Ethics. The Sub-Advisor shall promptly respond to any requests for information from the Advisor as to violations of the Sub-Advisor’s Code of Ethics by Access Persons and the sanctions imposed by the Sub-Advisor. The Sub-Advisor shall promptly notify the Advisor of any material violation of the Sub-Advisor’s Code of Ethics, whether or not such violation relates to a security held by the Fund.

j. The Sub-Advisor shall provide support to the Advisor with respect to the marketing of the Fund, including but not limited to: (i) permission to use the Sub-Advisor’s name and logo in accordance with Section 6 of this Agreement; (ii) permission to use the past performance and

investment history of the Sub-Advisor with respect to a composite of funds managed by the Sub-Advisor that are comparable, in investment objective and composition, to the Fund; (iii) reasonable access to the individual(s) responsible for day-to-day management of the Fund for marketing conferences, teleconferences, and other activities involving the promotion of the Fund, subject to the reasonable request of the Advisor; (iv) permission to use biographical and historical data of the Sub-Advisor and individual portfolio manager(s); and (v) permission to use photos of individual portfolio manager(s) in connection with the marketing of the Fund.

n. The Sub-Advisor will bear its expenses of providing services to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement except such expenses as are expressly undertaken by the Advisor or the Fund.

3. Compensation of the Sub-Advisor.

b. The Sub-Advisor reserves the right to waive all or a part of its fees.

4. Ongoing Reporting of the Sub-Advisor.

6. Use of Names.

12. Renewal, Termination and Amendment.

d. The terms “assignment,” “interested persons” and “majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall have the meaning set forth for such terms in the 1940 Act.

16. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including any attached Schedules, constitutes the sole and entire agreement of the parties with respect to the Agreement’s subject matter.

Signatures on next page.

The parties’ duly authorized officers have signed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.

TOUCHSTONE ADVISORS, INC.

BY:_______________________ BY:______________________

Name: Name:

Title: Title:

TOBAM, S.A.S.

BY:_______________________

Name:

Title:

TOBAM Code of Ethics



Object:	TOBAM Code of ethics
Written by:	Emma Love, Cecile Chapelle
Validated by:	David Bellaiche
Date:	27/07/2017
Version:	V7
Level of risk:	3
Location:	G:\Legal&Compliance\2. COMPLIANCE\2. Procedures\Procedures - Compliance\Code of ethics

Introduction

TOBAM is an SEC registered investment adviser under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Act”). The Act requires all investment advisors registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") to adopt codes of ethics that set forth standards of conduct and require compliance with Federal Securities Laws.

Furthermore, TOBAM is registered and authorized by the “Autorité des Marchés Financiers” (AMF as a management company of UCITS within the meaning of Directive 2009/65 / EC, an investment manager within the meaning of Directive 2011/61/EU (the “AIFMD”) and as a portfolio manager for third parties subject to Directive 2004/39 / EC (the “MiFID”). As such TOBAM is subject to the Market Abuse Regulations (“MAR”) the most recent version of which came into force on July 3rd, 2016 across all EU member states. For OTFs, MAR will become effective when MiFID II comes into force (planned for January 3rd, 2018).

This Code of Ethics (the “Code”) is intended to reflect fiduciary principals that govern the conduct of TOBAM and all of their employees, directors and officers (together, “employees”). The Code consists of policies regarding standards of conduct and compliance with laws, rules and regulations, protection of material non-public information and personal securities trading. The Code is intended to reflect fiduciary principals that govern the conduct of TOBAM and all of its employees, directors and officers (together, “employees”).

All employees are responsible for reviewing and adhering to the Code and all company compliance policies and procedures. TOBAM and its employees must comply with all of the laws, rules and regulations applicable to its business, including among others the "Règlement général de l'AMF" and the Federal Securities Laws of the United States.

TOBAM claims compliance with the CFA Institute Asset Manager Code of Professional Conduct. This claim has not been verified by CFA Institute.

TOBAM has compliance procedures designed specifically to meet applicable laws and regulations. All employees are responsible for reviewing and adhering to the Code and all company’s procedures, policies and guidelines. Although each employee is not expected to know the details of each law governing TOBAM's business, he or she is expected to be familiar with and comply with TOBAM's procedures, policies and guidelines, as they apply to his or her business unit and, when in doubt, to seek advice from the Compliance department.

Upon employment and every year thereafter, employees are required to complete and return the acknowledgement form confirming that he or she has access to and understands the Code and all other applicable procedures. Forms may be found in the Appendix.

The most updated versions of the procedures are available on TOBAM’s internal network: in each operational file, in a log named “Procedures - [Name of service]”. A procedure summary located under “G:\Legal&Compliance\2. COMPLIANCE\2. Procedures” identifies all TOBAM’s procedures and their location.


I.	Protection of material non-public information

Employees are reminded of the prevention of misuse of material non-public information "the market abuse transaction policy: procedure for suspicious transaction reporting" in particular. It is unlawful to trade in any security on the basis of material non-public (or inside) information or to disclose such information to others who may profit from it. This applies to all types of securities, including equities, options, debt, and mutual funds. Generally, material information is any information that an investor would likely consider important in deciding whether to buy, sell or hold securities or that could affect the market price of the securities. Employees are prohibited from disclosing inside

information to anyone except those who have a need to know it in order to fulfil their responsibilities to TOBAM and in accordance with company’s policy. Employees are also required to take steps to protect the confidentiality of inside information. If you have or receive information and are unsure whether it is within the definition of inside information or whether its release might be contrary to a fiduciary or other obligation, contact the Compliance department prior to disclosing any such information.


II.	Unlawful actions:

It is unlawful for any affiliated person of or principal underwriter for a fund, or any affiliated person of an investment adviser of or principal underwriter for a fund, in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, by the person of a security held or to be acquired by the fund:


•	To employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud the fund;


•	To make any untrue statement of a material fact to the fund or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made to the fund, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;


•	To engage in any act, practice or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on the fund; or


•	To engage in any manipulative practice with respect to the fund.


III.	Personal Securities trading and Access Persons


1.	Definitions

“Access Person” refers to employees who are in a position to exploit information about client transactions or holdings. If the firm’s primary business is providing investment advice, then all of its directors, officers and partners are presumed to be Access Persons. TOBAM has taken the decision to define all employees as Access Persons.

“Automatic Investment Plan” means a program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation. An Automatic Investment Plan includes a dividend reinvestment plan.

“Beneficial Ownership” generally means having a direct or indirect financial or economic interest in a Security, including an interest through Related Relevant Persons.

“Security" means any note, stock, treasury stock, Security future, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral- trust certificate, preorganization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a Security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights, any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any Security (including a certificate of deposit) or on any group or index of Securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on an international Securities exchange relating to foreign currency, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a "Security", or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing.

“Federal Securities Laws” means the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, any rules adopted by the Commission under any of these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act as it applies to Funds and investment advisers, and any rules adopted thereunder by the Commission or the Department of the Treasury.

MAR means Regulation No 596/2014 on market abuse (MAR), repealing Directive 2003/6/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Directives 2003/124/EC, 2003/125/EC and 2004/72/EC and Directive 2014/57/EU on criminal sanctions for market abuse (CS MAD), published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 12 June 2014 and applies from 3 July 2016.

“Purchase or Sale of a Security” includes, among other things, the writing of an option to purchase or sell a Security.

“Relevant Person” refers to any Head of Department, any individual working in IT, Risk, Compliance, Portfolio Management, Research, Legal and Ex Co.

“Related Relevant Person” refers to Relevant Person’s household members. It includes Relevant Person’s spouse, domestic partner or dependent children and/or stepchildren, or any other person for whom the Relevant Person provides material financial support, or in which the Relevant Person has a beneficial or controlling interest. The definition is further extended to a relative who has shared the same household as the Relevant Person in the previous year, corporate and/or other partnerships where the Relevant Person owns, directly or by way of control, more than 20% of the voting rights or capital.

“Reportable Security” means all type of Securities, except the following:


•	Transactions and holdings in direct obligations issued by or guaranteed by the US Government, its agencies or by a Member State of the European Union, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland.


•	Money market instruments — bankers' acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and other high quality short-term debt instruments.


•	Shares of money market Funds.


•	Transactions and holdings in shares of other types of mutual Funds (including ETFs), unless the adviser or a control affiliate acts as the investment adviser or principal underwriter for the Fund.


•	Transactions in units of a unit investment trust if the unit investment trust is invested exclusively in unaffiliated mutual Funds.


•	Securities issued by TOBAM’s group.

“Security Held or to be Acquired by a Fund / any of the managed accounts (the Accounts”) “means:

i. Any Covered Security which, within the most recent 7 days: (A) Is or has been held by the Accounts; or (B) is being or has been considered by the Accounts or its investment adviser for purchase or sale by the Accounts; and ii. Any option to purchase or sell, and any Security convertible into or exchangeable for, a Covered Security described in the definitions section of the Code.

“US Initial Public Offering” means an offering of Securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

“US Limited Offering” means an US offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to section 4(2) or section 4(6) or pursuant to Rule 504, Rule 505, or Rule 506 of this chapter.


2.	Annual and quarterly reports

All employees must be familiar with and abide by all employee trading policies and procedures.

Relevant Persons are responsible for notifying Related Relevant Persons of their responsibilities. When joining TOBAM, employees are required to disclose the existence of all Access Persons and Related Relevant Persons accounts. This obligation continues throughout the course of employment with the firm.

The reports are located:


•	On the network under Confidential records: G \ Archives confidentielles \ contrôle interne \ Employees compliance \ Employees compliance files


•	In the lock room for original forms if applicable.

Rule 204A-1 of the Advisers Act requires all "Access Persons" of an investment advisor registered with the SEC to report, and the investment advisor to review, all of their personal Securities transactions and holdings and those in which they have a Beneficial Ownership interest periodically. Moreover, employees must supply on a timely basis copies of periodic statements for all Securities accounts.

All reports will be reviewed and preserved confidentially by the Compliance department.

1) Initial and annual holdings report. A “holdings report” must contain:


•	the title and type of all Securities beneficially owned by the Access Person and Related Relevant

Persons, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or ISIN number, number of Securities, and principal amount of each reportable Security in which they have any direct or indirect “Beneficial Ownership";


•	the name of any broker/dealer, or bank with which the Access Person and Related Relevant Persons maintain an account in which any Funds are held for their direct or indirect benefit; and


•	the date the Access Person submits the report.

The Access Person must submit the holdings report to the Compliance Department:


•	no later than 10 days after the person becomes an Access Person, and the information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the Access Person becomes an employee, and


•	thereafter, at least once each 12-month period no later than 30 days from the end of the first calendar quarter, and the information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days before the report is submitted.


2)	Quarterly transaction reports

Each quarterly transaction report must contain, at a minimum, the following information about each transaction involving a Reportable Security in which the Access Person and Related Relevant Persons had, or as a result of the transaction acquired, any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership during the quarter:


•	the date of each transaction, the title, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or ISIN number, number of Securities and principal amount of each Security involved;


•	the nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition);


•	the price of the Security at which the transaction was effected; the name of the broker, dealer, bank, or mutual Fund company with or through which the transaction was effected;


•	the date that the report is submitted by the Access Person; and


•	the date the account was established (for any new accounts).

Timing of quarterly transaction reports: each Access Person must submit his/her quarterly transaction report no later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter.

3) Exceptions from reporting requirements. An employee does not have to furnish a report if:


•	The Securities are held in accounts over which the Access Person and/or Related Relevant Persons had no direct or indirect influence or control.


•	Transactions in Securities are affected pursuant to an automatic investment plan.


3.	Pre-approval of transactions

Access Persons and Related Relevant Persons are prohibited from effecting transactions on the basis of material, non-public information (“inside information”) or proprietary to the company information, such as knowledge of a pending order. They are also strictly prohibited from trading in any Securities or related instruments of subject companies if they have knowledge of an impending research publication.

Any employee who is unsure whether he or she is in possession of information that would preclude trading in Securities of a particular issuer should contact the Compliance department.

Access Persons and Related Relevant Persons must obtain approval prior to placing an order for a Reportable Security. Pre-approval can be obtained by seeking approval from the Compliance department.

In general, the Compliance department will request that employees allow up to three hours for compliance to authorize orders before they may be placed.

Personal securities transactions that are approved must be effected by the end of the third calendar day from the date of the approval. During the period between approval and execution of the transaction, the Access Person must immediately inform the Compliance Department about any new information that may indicate a conflict of interest or the Access Person’s possible access to confidential information relating to the Covered Security. Further approval must be sought for any transaction not executed in this timeframe


4.	Prohibitions and obligations when trading

The following are prohibited:


•	Directly or indirectly acquiring Beneficial Ownership in any Securities in a US Initial Public Offering or a US Limited Offering with the meaning defined previously;


•	Executing a Securities transaction on a day during which the Accounts have a pending "buy" or "sell" order in that same Security until that order is executed or withdrawn. (black-out period);


•	Purchasing or selling a Security within seven (7) working days after a transaction in that Security by the Accounts (black-out period). The date to take into consideration is the trade date.

If trades occur within the black-out period, they should be unwound. If unwinding is not possible, then all profits from the trading should be disgorged to a charitable organization.

Employees must not use their work tools for personal orders and, in order to increase segregation of working tools and time, should avoid sending any order while employees’ local markets are open.

Access Persons and Related Relevant Persons must hold investments for a minimum of thirty (30) calendar days after purchase. Special situation cases (related to the market, to the Securities or to the employee) may be examined by the Compliance department.


IV.	Consequences for failure to comply and reporting certain conduct

Employees can be subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment if he or she violates the Code and its component parts, which includes the Compliance manual appended to the Code. If you know of, or reasonably believe there is a violation of applicable laws or the Code, you must report that information immediately to the Compliance department. Anyone who in good faith raises an issue regarding a possible violation of law, regulation or company policy or any

suspected illegal or unethical behaviour will be protected from retaliation, and their report will be handled confidentially.


V.	Recordkeeping

In accordance with Rule 204-2 of Adviser Act and Articles under Code Monétaire et Financier TOBAM will keep copies of all relevant material relating to the Code of Ethics, including: (i) copies of the Code as adopted and implemented and as in effect, or at any time within the past ten years was in effect; (ii) a record of any violation of the Code and any actions taken as a result of the violation; (iii) a record of all written acknowledgments of persons who are, or within the past ten years were, supervised persons of TOBAM; (iv) a record of each report required to be made by an Access Person; (v) a record of the names of all persons who are, or within the past ten years were, access persons; and (vi) a record of any decision, and the facts supporting such decision, to approve the acquisition of Securities by Access Persons for at least ten years after the end of the fiscal year in which the approval was granted. TOBAM also will maintain records relating to the Code as required by Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Compliance department will maintain these reports.

APPENDIX

Initial Compliance Acknowledgement Form

I acknowledge that I have ongoing access to the policies, procedures, codes and compliance manual (collectively, the “Procedures”) of TOBAM SAS (“TOBAM”). In addition, I have read and understand the relevant portions of all procedures applicable to my position with TOBAM or TNA. I will take note of any updates provided by Compliance.

If I had any questions concerning the Procedures and my responsibilities under those Procedures, I have raised them with TOBAM’s Compliance department and received satisfactory answers to my questions.

I understand that any violation(s) of the Procedures is grounds for immediate disciplinary action, including termination of employment, and may constitute a violation of applicable laws and regulations.

I will comply with all applicable policies and procedures. Email Signature:

Annual Compliance Acknowledgement Form

I will comply with all applicable policies and procedures.

I state that I have complied with all of the policies and procedures during the past year. Email Signature:

Initial Holdings Report

This form must be completed by each employee, officer or director of the TOBAM Group of Companies

Within 10 days of becoming an Access Person.

The following list, which is current as of the date indicated below, accurately reflects the reportable securities* in which I have any direct or indirect beneficial ownership**.



Name & identifier (isin, ticker…)	Securities’ type (equity, bonds…)	Number of shares	Global amount	Executing bank or broker / dealer

*Reportable Security” means all type of Securities, except the following:


•	Transactions and holdings in direct obligations issued by or guaranteed by the US Government, its agencies or by a Member State of the European Union, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland.


•	Money market instruments — bankers' acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and other high quality short-term debt instruments.


•	Shares of money market Funds.


•	Transactions and holdings in shares of other types of mutual Funds (including ETFs), unless the adviser or a control affiliate acts as the investment adviser or principal underwriter for the Fund.


•	Transactions in units of a unit investment trust if the unit investment trust is invested exclusively in unaffiliated mutual Funds.


•	Securities issued by TOBAM’s group.

** “Beneficial Ownership” generally means having a direct or indirect financial or economic interest in a Security, including an interest through Related Relevant Persons.

The following list account(s) over which I have direct or indirect influence or control and in which securities (including securities which are not considered Reportable Securities) are held for the direct or indirect benefit of a beneficial owner:

I certify that the foregoing information is current as of the date indicated above.

Email Signature:

Annual Holdings Report

This form must be completed by each employee, officer or director of the TOBAM Group of Companies

Within 30 days of each calendar year-end.

The following list, which is current as of the date indicated below, accurately reflects the reportable securities* in which I have any direct or indirect beneficial ownership**.



Name & identifier (isin, ticker…)	Securities’ type (equity, bonds…)	Number of shares	Global amount	Executing bank or broker / dealer

*Reportable Security” means all type of Securities, except the following:


•	Transactions and holdings in direct obligations issued by or guaranteed by the US Government, its agencies or by a Member State of the European Union, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland.


•	Money market instruments — bankers' acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and other high quality short-term debt instruments.


•	Shares of money market Funds.


•	Transactions and holdings in shares of other types of mutual Funds (including ETFs), unless the adviser or a control affiliate acts as the investment adviser or principal underwriter for the Fund.


•	Transactions in units of a unit investment trust if the unit investment trust is invested exclusively in unaffiliated mutual Funds.


•	Securities issued by TOBAM’s group.

** “Beneficial Ownership” generally means having a direct or indirect financial or economic interest in a Security, including an interest through Related Relevant Persons.

I certify that the foregoing information is current as of the date indicated above.

Email Signature:

Quarterly Transactions and Brokerage Account Report

This form must be completed by each employee, officer or director of the TOBAM Group of Companies

Within 30 days of each calendar quarter.

During the quarter referred to above, the following transactions were effected in Reportable Securities* in which I had, or by reason of such transaction acquired, Beneficial Ownership**, and which are required to be reported pursuant to the TOBAM Code of Ethics:



Date	Nature of transaction (buy, sell…)	Name & identifier (isin, ticker…)	Securities’ type (equity, bonds…)	Number of shares	Price	Global amount	Executing bank or broker / dealer

*Reportable Security” means all type of Securities, except the following:


•	Transactions and holdings in direct obligations issued by or guaranteed by the US Government, its agencies or by a Member State of the European Union, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland.


•	Money market instruments — bankers' acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and other high quality short-term debt instruments.


•	Shares of money market Funds.


•	Transactions and holdings in shares of other types of mutual Funds (including ETFs), unless the adviser or a control affiliate acts as the investment adviser or principal underwriter for the Fund.


•	Transactions in units of a unit investment trust if the unit investment trust is invested exclusively in unaffiliated mutual Funds.


•	Securities issued by TOBAM’s group.

** “Beneficial Ownership” generally means having a direct or indirect financial or economic interest in a Security, including an interest through Related Relevant Persons.

The following list account(s) over which I have direct or indirect influence or control and in which securities (including securities which are not considered Reportable Securities) were established during the quarter referenced above for the direct or indirect benefit of a beneficial owner:



Name of Broker, Dealer or Bank	Date of Account's Establishment

I certify that the foregoing information is current as of the date indicated above. Email Signature:

Personal Investment Request

This form must be completed by each employee, officer or director of the TOBAM Group of companies seeking a pre-approval concerning transactions on securities.

The following potential operations require to be reported pursuant to the TOBAM Code of Ethics. As a consequence, I wish to seek a pre-approval before performing transactions implying reportable securities* in which I have, or by reason of such transaction will acquire, beneficial ownership**.



Date	Nature of transaction (buy, sell…)	Name & identifier (isin, ticker…)	Number of shares	Global amount	Executing bank or broker / dealer

*Reportable Security” means all type of Securities, except the following:


•	Transactions and holdings in direct obligations issued by or guaranteed by the US Government, its agencies or by a Member State of the European Union, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland.


•	Money market instruments — bankers' acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and other high quality short-term debt instruments.


•	Shares of money market Funds.


•	Transactions and holdings in shares of other types of mutual Funds (including ETFs), unless the adviser or a control affiliate acts as the investment adviser or principal underwriter for the Fund.


•	Transactions in units of a unit investment trust if the unit investment trust is invested exclusively in unaffiliated mutual Funds.


•	Securities issued by TOBAM’s group.

** “Beneficial Ownership” generally means having a direct or indirect financial or economic interest in a Security, including an interest through Related Relevant Persons.

Email Signature: