As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 14, 2010
1933 Act Registration No. 33-17619
1940 Act Registration No. 811-05349
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
þ
Pre-Effective Amendment No. ___
o
Post-Effective Amendment No. 245
þ
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
þ
Amendment No. 246
þ
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrants Telephone Number, including Area Code: (312) 655-4400
PETER V. BONANNO, ESQ.
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
STEPHEN H. BIER, ESQ.
Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of
the registration statement
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
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þ
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immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
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o
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on (date), pursuant to paragraph (b)
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60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485.
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If appropriate, check the following box:
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this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
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Title of Securities Being Registered:
Cash Management Shares, Premier Shares and Resource Shares of Goldman Sachs Financial Square
Federal Fund, Goldman Sachs Financial Square Money Market Fund, Goldman Sachs Financial Square
Prime Obligations Fund, Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund, Goldman Sachs Financial
Square Tax-Free Money Market Fund, Goldman Sachs Financial Square Treasury Instruments Fund and
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Treasury Obligations Fund; and
Class B Shares and Class C Shares of the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Prime Obligations
Fund.
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Prospectus
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FST Cash
Management Shares
May 14, 2010
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GOLDMAN
SACHS FINANCIAL SQUARE
FUNDS
SM
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THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR
DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IS NOT INSURED
BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER
GOVERNMENT AGENCY. ALTHOUGH A FUND SEEKS TO PRESERVE THE VALUE
OF YOUR INVESTMENT AT $1.00 PER SHARE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO LOSE
MONEY BY INVESTING IN A FUND.
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n
Prime Obligations Fund
GFOXX
n
Money Market Fund
GSCXX
n
Treasury Obligations Fund
GTOXX
n
Treasury Instruments Fund
GICXX
n
Government Fund
GVCXX
n
Federal Fund
GFCXX
n
Tax-Free Money Market Fund
GXCXX
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Table of
Contents
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1
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Prime
Obligations Fund Summary
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5
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Money
Market Fund Summary
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9
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Treasury
Obligations Fund Summary
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13
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Treasury
Instruments Fund Summary
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17
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Government
Fund Summary
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21
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Federal
Fund Summary
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25
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Tax-Free
Money Market Fund Summary
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29
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Financial
Square Funds Additional Summary
Information
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30
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Investment
Management Approach
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43
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Risks
of the Funds
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47
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Service
Providers
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52
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Dividends
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53
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Shareholder
Guide
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53
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How to Buy Shares
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59
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How to Sell Shares
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66
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Taxation
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68
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Appendix A
Additional Information on the Funds
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79
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Appendix B
Financial Highlights
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NOT FDIC-INSURED
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May Lose Value
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No Bank Guarantee
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Prime
Obligations FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Prime Obligations Fund (the Fund) seeks to
maximize current income to the extent consistent with the
preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity by
investing exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
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Prime
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Obligations
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Fund
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Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
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None
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Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
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None
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
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None
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Redemption Fees
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None
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Exchange Fees
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None
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Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1
(expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
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Management Fees
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0.21%
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Distribution
(12b-1)
Fees
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0.30%
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Service and Administration Fees
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0.50%
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Other Expenses
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0.02%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
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1.03%
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Fee
Waiver
2
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(0.05)%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
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0.98%
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1
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The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
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2
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The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.045% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the
approval of the Board of Trustees.
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1
Expense
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 $10,000 in FST Cash
Management Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and
then redeem all of your FST Cash Management Shares at the end of
those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has
a 5% return each year and that the Funds operating
expenses remain the same (except that the Example incorporates
the management fee waiver arrangement for only the first year).
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
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1 Year
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3 Years
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5 Years
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10
Years
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FST Cash Management Shares
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$
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100
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$
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323
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$
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564
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$
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1,255
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Principal
Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in
obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government
agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises (U.S. Government Securities),
obligations of U.S. banks, commercial paper and other
short-term obligations of U.S. companies, states,
municipalities and other entities and repurchase agreements.
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment
program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
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n
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Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security, or a bank or other financial
institution that has entered into a repurchase agreement, may
default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
Additionally, the credit quality of the Funds portfolio
securities may deteriorate rapidly, which may impair the
Funds liquidity and have the potential to cause
significant NAV deterioration.
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2
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Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also be adversely affected. A low interest rate
environment poses additional risks to the Fund, because low
yields on the Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse
impact on the Funds ability to provide a positive yield to
its shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
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n
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Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of individual companies, particular
industry sectors or governments and/or general economic
conditions.
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U.S. Government Securities
Risk
The
U.S. government may not provide financial support to
U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law.
U.S. Government Securities issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and Federal Home
Loan Banks chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. It is
possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet
their payment obligations in the future.
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n
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Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
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Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects fee waivers and expense
limitations in effect. Updated performance information is
available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by
calling 1-800-621-2550.
3
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TOTAL
RETURN
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CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
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Best Quarter
Q3 00 1.53%
Worst Quarter
Q3 09 0.00%
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AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
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For the period
ended December 31, 2009
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1 Year
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5 Years
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10
Years
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Since Inception
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FST Service Shares
(Inception 1/8/92)*
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0.07%
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2.79%
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2.60%
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3.38%
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*
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Because FST Cash Management
Shares have not commenced operations as of the date of this
Prospectus, the figures shown above provide performance for FST
Service Shares of the Fund (which are not offered in this
Prospectus); FST Cash Management Shares would have similar
returns (because these share classes represent interests in the
same portfolio of securities) that would differ only to the
extent that they have higher expenses.
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Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund
shares, please see Buying and Selling Fund Shares on
page 29 of this Prospectus.
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as
ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing
through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an
individual retirement account.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary
compensation, please see Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries on page 29 of this
Prospectus.
4
Money
Market FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Money Market Fund (the Fund) seeks to maximize
current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of
capital and the maintenance of liquidity by investing
exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
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Money
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Market
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Fund
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Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
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None
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Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
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None
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
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None
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Redemption Fees
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None
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Exchange Fees
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None
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Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1
(expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
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Management Fees
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0.21%
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Distribution
(12b-1)
Fees
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0.30%
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Service and Administration Fees
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0.50%
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Other Expenses
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0.02%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
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1.03%
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Fee
Waiver
1
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(0.05)%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
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0.98%
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1
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The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
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2
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The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.045% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the
approval of the Board of Trustees.
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Expense
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.
5
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in FST Cash
Management Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and
then redeem all of your FST Cash Management Shares at the end of
those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has
a 5% return each year and that the Funds operating
expenses remain the same (except that the Example incorporates
the management fee waiver arrangement for only the first year).
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
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1 Year
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3 Years
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5 Years
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10
Years
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FST Cash Management Shares
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$
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100
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$
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323
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$
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564
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$
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1,255
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Principal Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in
obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government
agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises (U.S. Government Securities),
obligations of U.S. banks, commercial paper and other
short-term obligations of U.S. companies, states,
municipalities and other entities and repurchase agreements. The
Fund may also invest in U.S. dollar-denominated obligations
of foreign banks, foreign companies and foreign governments. The
Fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in the
securities of any one foreign government.
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment
program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
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n
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Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security, or a bank or other financial
institution that has entered into a repurchase agreement, may
default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
Additionally, the credit quality of the Funds portfolio
securities may deteriorate rapidly, which may impair the
Funds liquidity and have the potential to cause
significant NAV deterioration.
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n
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Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also
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6
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be adversely affected. A low interest rate environment poses
additional risks to the Fund, because low yields on the
Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse impact on the
Funds ability to provide a positive yield to its
shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
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n
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Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of individual companies, particular
industry sectors or governments
and/or
general economic conditions.
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n
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U.S. Government
Securities
Risk
The
U.S. government may not provide financial support to
U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law.
U.S. Government Securities issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and Federal Home
Loan Banks chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. It is
possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet
their payment obligations in the future.
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n
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Banking Industry
Risk
An adverse
development in the banking industry may affect the value of the
Funds investments more than if they were not invested to
such a degree in the banking industry. Banks may be particularly
susceptible to certain economic factors such as interest rate
changes, adverse developments in the real estate market, fiscal
and monetary policy and general economic cycles.
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n
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Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
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n
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Foreign
Risk
Foreign
securities may be subject to risk of loss because of political,
financial and economic events in foreign countries, less public
information, less stringent foreign securities regulations and
accounting and disclosure standards, problems in security
registration or settlement and custody or other factors.
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Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects fee waivers and expense
limitations in effect. Updated performance information is
available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by
calling 1-800-621-2550.
7
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TOTAL
RETURN
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CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
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Best Quarter
Q3 00 1.53%
Worst Quarter
Q3 09 0.00%
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AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
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For the period
ended December 31, 2009
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1 Year
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5 Years
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10
Years
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Since Inception
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FST Service Shares
(Inception 7/14/95)*
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0.11%
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2.81%
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2.61%
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3.33%
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*
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Because FST Cash Management
Shares have not commenced operations as of the date of this
Prospectus, the figures shown above provide performance for FST
Service Shares of the Fund (which are not offered in this
Prospectus); FST Cash Management Shares would have similar
returns (because these share classes represent interests in the
same portfolio of securities) that would differ only to the
extent that they have higher expenses.
|
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund
shares, please see Buying and Selling
Fund Shares on page 29 of this Prospectus.
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as
ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing
through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an
individual retirement account.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary
compensation, please see Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries on page 29 of
this Prospectus.
8
Treasury
Obligations FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Treasury Obligations Fund (the Fund) seeks to
maximize current income to the extent consistent with the
preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity by
investing exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury
|
|
|
|
Obligations
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
|
|
|
None
|
|
Redemption Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
Exchange Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1
(expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
0.21%
|
|
Distribution
(12b-1)
Fees
|
|
|
0.30%
|
|
Service and Administration Fees
|
|
|
0.50%
|
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.02%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
1.03%
|
|
Fee
Waiver
2
|
|
|
(0.03)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
|
|
|
1.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.025% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the
approval of the Board of Trustees.
|
Expense
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.
9
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in FST Cash
Management Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and
then redeem all of your FST Cash Management Shares at the end of
those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has
a 5% return each year and that the Funds operating
expenses remain the same (except that the Example incorporates
the management fee waiver arrangement for only the first year).
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
FST Cash Management Shares
|
|
$
|
102
|
|
|
$
|
325
|
|
|
$
|
566
|
|
|
$
|
1,257
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing only in
U.S. Treasury Obligations, which include securities issued
or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury where the payment of
principal and interest is backed by the full faith and credit of
the U.S. government (U.S. Treasury
Obligations). The Fund may also invest in repurchase
agreements collateralized by U.S. Treasury Obligations.
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment
program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security, or a bank or other financial
institution that has entered into a repurchase agreement, may
default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
Additionally, the credit quality of the Funds portfolio
securities may deteriorate rapidly, which may impair the
Funds liquidity and have the potential to cause
significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also be adversely affected. A low interest rate
environment poses additional risks to the Fund, because low
yields on the Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse
|
10
|
|
|
impact on the Funds ability to provide a positive yield to
its shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
|
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of individual companies, particular
industry sectors or governments
and/or
general economic conditions.
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects fee waivers and expense
limitations in effect. Updated performance information is
available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by
calling 1-800-621-2550.
|
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN
|
|
CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
|
Best Quarter
Q4 00 1.48%
Worst Quarter
Q2 09 0.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the period
ended December 31, 2009
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
|
Since Inception
|
|
FST Service Shares
(Inception 10/15/91)*
|
|
|
0.02%
|
|
|
|
2.45%
|
|
|
|
2.34%
|
|
|
|
3.20%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Because FST Cash Management
Shares have not commenced operations as of the date of this
Prospectus, the figures shown above provide performance for FST
Service Shares of the Fund (which are not offered in this
Prospectus); FST Cash Management Shares would have similar
returns
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
(because these share classes
represent interests in the same portfolio of securities) that
would differ only to the extent that they have higher
expenses.
|
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund
shares, please see Buying and Selling
Fund Shares on page 29 of this Prospectus.
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as
ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing
through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an
individual retirement account.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary
compensation, please see Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries on page 29 of
this Prospectus.
12
Treasury
Instruments FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Treasury Instruments Fund (the Fund) seeks to
maximize current income to the extent consistent with the
preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity by
investing exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury
|
|
|
|
Instruments
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
|
|
|
None
|
|
Redemption Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
Exchange Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1
(expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
0.21%
|
|
Distribution
(12b-1)
Fees
|
|
|
0.30%
|
|
Service and Administration Fees
|
|
|
0.50%
|
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.02%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
1.03%
|
|
Fee
Waiver
2
|
|
|
(0.03)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
|
|
|
1.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.025% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the
approval of the Board of Trustees.
|
Expense
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.
13
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in FST Cash
Management Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and
then redeem all of your FST Cash Management Shares at the end of
those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has
a 5% return each year and that the Funds operating
expenses remain the same (except that the Example incorporates
the management fee waiver arrangement for only the first year).
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
FST Cash Management Shares
|
|
$
|
102
|
|
|
$
|
325
|
|
|
$
|
566
|
|
|
$
|
1,257
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing only in
U.S. Treasury Obligations, which include securities issued
or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury where the payment of
principal and interest is backed by the full faith and credit of
the U.S. government (U.S. Treasury
Obligations), the interest from which is generally exempt
from state income taxation.
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment
program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security may default on its obligation to pay
interest and repay principal. Additionally, the credit quality
of the Funds portfolio securities may deteriorate rapidly,
which may impair the Funds liquidity and have the
potential to cause significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also be adversely affected. A low interest rate
environment poses additional risks to the Fund, because low
yields on the Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse
impact on the Funds ability to provide a positive yield to
its shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
14
|
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of governments
and/or
general economic conditions.
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects fee waivers and expense
limitations in effect. Updated performance information is
available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by
calling 1-800-621-2550.
|
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN
|
|
CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
|
Best Quarter
Q4 00 1.42%
Worst Quarter
Q2 09 0.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the period
ended December 31, 2009
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
|
Since Inception
|
|
FST Service Shares
(Inception 3/5/97)*
|
|
|
0.01%
|
|
|
|
2.29%
|
|
|
|
2.20%
|
|
|
|
2.69%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Because FST Cash Management
Shares have not commenced operations as of the date of this
Prospectus, the figures shown above provide performance for FST
Service Shares of the Fund (which are not offered in this
Prospectus); FST Cash Management Shares would have similar
returns (because these share classes represent interests in the
same portfolio of securities) that would differ only to the
extent that they have higher expenses.
|
15
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund
shares, please see Buying and Selling
Fund Shares on page 29 of this Prospectus.
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as
ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing
through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an
individual retirement account.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary
compensation, please see Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries on page 29 of
this Prospectus.
16
Government
FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Government Fund (the Fund) seeks to maximize
current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of
capital and the maintenance of liquidity by investing
exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
|
|
|
None
|
|
Redemption Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
Exchange Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1
(expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
0.21%
|
|
Distribution
(12b-1)
Fees
|
|
|
0.30%
|
|
Service and Administration Fees
|
|
|
0.50%
|
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.02%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
1.03%
|
|
Fee
Waiver
2
|
|
|
(0.05)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
|
|
|
0.98%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.045% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the
approval of the Board of Trustees.
|
Expense
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.
17
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in FST Cash
Management Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and
then redeem all of your FST Cash Management Shares at the end of
those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has
a 5% return each year and that the Funds operating
expenses remain the same (except that the Example incorporates
the management fee waiver arrangement for only the first year).
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
FST Cash Management Shares
|
|
$
|
100
|
|
|
$
|
323
|
|
|
$
|
564
|
|
|
$
|
1,255
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing, directly
or indirectly, only in obligations issued or guaranteed by
U.S. government agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or
sponsored enterprises (U.S. Government
Securities) and repurchase agreements collateralized by
such securities.
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment
program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security, or a bank or other financial
institution that has entered into a repurchase agreement, may
default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
Additionally, the credit quality of the Funds portfolio
securities may deteriorate rapidly, which may impair the
Funds liquidity and have the potential to cause
significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also be adversely affected. A low interest rate
environment poses additional risks to the Fund, because low
yields on the Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse
impact on the Funds ability to provide a positive yield to
its shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
18
|
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of individual companies, particular
industry sectors or governments
and/or
general economic conditions.
|
|
n
|
U.S. Government
Securities
Risk
The
U.S. government may not provide financial support to
U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law.
U.S. Government Securities issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and Federal Home
Loan Banks chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. It is
possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet
their payment obligations in the future.
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects fee waivers and expense
limitations in effect. Updated performance information is
available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by
calling 1-800-621-2550.
|
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN
|
|
CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
|
Best Quarter
Q4 00 1.50%
Worst Quarter
Q4 09 0.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
19
AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the period
ended December 31, 2009
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
|
Since Inception
|
|
FST Service Shares
(Inception 5/16/95)*
|
|
|
0.05%
|
|
|
|
2.72%
|
|
|
|
2.53%
|
|
|
|
3.28%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Because FST Cash Management
Shares have not commenced operations as of the date of this
Prospectus, the figures shown above provide performance for FST
Service Shares of the Fund (which are not offered in this
Prospectus); FST Cash Management Shares would have similar
returns (because these share classes represent interests in the
same portfolio of securities) that would differ only to the
extent that they have higher expenses.
|
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund
shares, please see Buying and Selling
Fund Shares on page 29 of this Prospectus.
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as
ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing
through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an
individual retirement account.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary
compensation, please see Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries on page 29 of
this Prospectus.
20
Federal
FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Federal Fund (the Fund) seeks to maximize
current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of
capital and the maintenance of liquidity by investing
exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
|
|
|
None
|
|
Redemption Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
Exchange Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1
(expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
0.21%
|
|
Distribution
(12b-1)
Fees
|
|
|
0.30%
|
|
Service and Administration Fees
|
|
|
0.50%
|
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.02%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
1.03%
|
|
Fee
Waiver
2
|
|
|
(0.03)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
|
|
|
1.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.025% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the
approval of the Board of Trustees.
|
Expense
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.
21
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in FST Cash
Management Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and
then redeem all of your FST Cash Management Shares at the end of
those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has
a 5% return each year and that the Funds operating
expenses remain the same (except that the Example incorporates
the management fee waiver arrangement for only the first year).
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
FST Cash Management Shares
|
|
$
|
102
|
|
|
$
|
325
|
|
|
$
|
566
|
|
|
$
|
1,257
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by limiting its
investments only to obligations issued or guaranteed by
U.S. government agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or
sponsored enterprises (U.S. Government
Securities), the interest from which is generally exempt
from state income taxation.
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment
program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security may default on its obligation to pay
interest and repay principal. Additionally, the credit quality
of the Funds portfolio securities may deteriorate rapidly,
which may impair the Funds liquidity and have the
potential to cause significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also be adversely affected. A low interest rate
environment poses additional risks to the Fund, because low
yields on the Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse
impact on the Funds ability to provide a positive yield to
its shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
22
|
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of individual companies, particular
industry sectors or governments
and/or
general economic conditions.
|
|
n
|
U.S. Government
Securities
Risk
The
U.S. government may not provide financial support to
U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law.
U.S. Government Securities issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and Federal Home
Loan Banks chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. It is
possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet
their payment obligations in the future.
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects fee waivers and expense
limitations in effect. Updated performance information is
available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by
calling 1-800-621-2550.
|
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN
|
|
CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
|
Best Quarter
Q4 00 1.48%
Worst Quarter
Q3 09 0.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
23
AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the period
ended December 31, 2009
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
|
Since Inception
|
|
FST Service Shares
(Inception 3/25/97)*
|
|
|
0.02%
|
|
|
|
2.67%
|
|
|
|
2.48%
|
|
|
|
2.98%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Because FST Cash Management
Shares have not commenced operations as of the date of this
Prospectus, the figures shown above provide performance for FST
Service Shares of the Fund (which are not offered in this
Prospectus); FST Cash Management Shares would have similar
returns (because these share classes represent interests in the
same portfolio of securities) that would differ only to the
extent that they have higher expenses.
|
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund
shares, please see Buying and Selling
Fund Shares on page 29 of this Prospectus.
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as
ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing
through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an
individual retirement account.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary
compensation, please see Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries on page 29 of
this Prospectus.
24
Tax-Free
Money Market FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Tax-Free Money Market Fund (the Fund) seeks to
maximize current income to the extent consistent with the
preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity by
investing exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax-Free
|
|
|
|
Money
|
|
|
|
Market
Fund
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
|
|
|
None
|
|
Redemption Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
Exchange Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1
(expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
0.21%
|
|
Distribution
(12b-1)
Fees
|
|
|
0.30%
|
|
Service and Administration Fees
|
|
|
0.50%
|
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.02%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
1.03%
|
|
Fee
Waiver
2
|
|
|
(0.05)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
|
|
|
0.98%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.045% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the
approval of the Board of Trustees.
|
Expense
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.
25
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in FST Cash
Management Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and
then redeem all of your FST Cash Management Shares at the end of
those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has
a 5% return each year and that the Funds operating
expenses remain the same (except that the Example incorporates
the management fee waiver arrangement for only the first year).
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
FST Cash Management Shares
|
|
$
|
100
|
|
|
$
|
323
|
|
|
$
|
564
|
|
|
$
|
1,255
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing at least
80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment
purposes (measured at the time of investment) in securities
issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of
the U.S. and their political subdivisions, agencies,
authorities and instrumentalities, and the District of Columbia,
the interest from which, if any, is in the opinion of bond
counsel excluded from gross income for federal income tax
purposes, and generally not an item of tax preference under the
federal alternative minimum tax (AMT).
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment
program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security may default on its obligation to pay
interest and repay principal. This also includes the risk of
default on foreign letters of credit, guarantees or insurance
policies that back municipal securities. Additionally, the
credit quality of the Funds portfolio securities may
deteriorate rapidly, which may impair the Funds liquidity
and have the potential to cause significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also
|
26
|
|
|
be adversely affected. A low interest rate environment poses
additional risks to the Fund, because low yields on the
Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse impact on the
Funds ability to provide a positive yield to its
shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
|
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of individual companies, particular
industry sectors or governments
and/or
general economic conditions.
|
|
n
|
Concentration
Risk
If the
Fund invests more than 25% of its total assets in certain
issuers within the same state, industry or economic sector, an
adverse economic, business or political development may affect
the value of the Funds investments more than if its
investments were not so concentrated.
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects fee waivers and expense
limitations in effect. Updated performance information is
available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by
calling
1-800-621-2550.
|
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN
|
|
CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
|
Best Quarter
Q4 00 0.91%
Worst Quarter
Q2 09 0.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
27
AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the period
ended December 31, 2009
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
|
Since Inception
|
|
FST Service Shares
(Inception 9/23/94)*
|
|
|
0.03%
|
|
|
|
1.82%
|
|
|
|
1.63%
|
|
|
|
2.09%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Because FST Cash Management
Shares have not commenced operations as of the date of this
Prospectus, the figures shown above provide performance for FST
Service Shares of the Fund (which are not offered in this
Prospectus); FST Cash Management Shares would have similar
returns (because these share classes represent interests in the
same portfolio of securities) that would differ only to the
extent that they have higher expenses.
|
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund
shares, please see Buying and Selling
Fund Shares on page 29 of this Prospectus.
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions that are designated as
exempt interest dividends are generally not subject
to federal income tax. To the extent that Fund distributions are
attributable to interest on certain federal obligations or
interest on obligations of your state of residence or its
municipalities or authorities, they will in most cases be exempt
from state and local income taxes. The Fund intends to avoid
investments which pay interest that is a preference item in
determining AMT liability.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary
compensation, please see Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries on page 29 of
this Prospectus.
28
Financial Square Funds Additional
Summary Information
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
Generally, FST Cash Management Shares may be purchased only
through institutions that have agreed to provide administration
and personal and account maintenance services to their customers
who are the beneficial owners of FST Cash Management Shares
(Service Organizations). The minimum initial
investment requirement imposed upon Service Organizations for
the purchase of FST Cash Management Shares is generally
$10 million, and there is no minimum imposed upon
additional investments. Service Organizations may, however,
impose a minimum amount for initial and additional investments
in FST Cash Management Shares, and may establish other
requirements such as a minimum account balance.
You may purchase and redeem (sell) shares of the Fund on any
business day through a Service Organization.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase a Fund through a Service Organization, the Fund
and/or
its
related companies may pay the Service Organization for the sale
of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a
conflict of interest by influencing the Service Organization and
your salesperson to recommend a Fund over another investment.
Ask your salesperson or visit your Service Organization website
for more information.
29
Investment Management Approach
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE
The Funds seek to maximize current income to the extent
consistent with the preservation of capital and the maintenance
of liquidity by investing exclusively in high quality money
market instruments.
PRINCIPAL
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Prime
Obligations Fund
The Prime Obligations Fund pursues its investment objective by
investing in U.S. Government Securities, obligations of
U.S. banks, commercial paper and other short-term
obligations of U.S. companies, states, municipalities and
other entities and repurchase agreements.
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the
Prime Obligations Fund may be subject to additional investment
restrictions.
Money
Market Fund
The Money Market Fund pursues its investment objective by
investing in U.S. Government Securities, obligations of
U.S. banks, commercial paper and other short-term
obligations of U.S. companies, states, municipalities and
other entities and repurchase agreements. The Fund may also
invest in U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign
banks, foreign companies and foreign governments. The Fund may
not invest more than 25% of its total assets in the securities
of any one foreign government.
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the
Money Market Fund may be subject to additional investment
restrictions.
Treasury
Obligations Fund
The Treasury Obligations Fund pursues its investment objective
by investing only in U.S. Treasury Obligations. The Fund
may also invest in repurchase agreements collateralized by
U.S. Treasury Obligations.
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the
Treasury Obligations Fund may be subject to additional
investment restrictions.
30
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
Treasury
Instruments Fund
The Treasury Instruments Fund pursues its investment objective
by investing only in U.S. Treasury Obligations, the
interest from which is generally exempt from state income
taxation. To the extent required by Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) regulations, shareholders will be
provided with sixty days notice in the manner prescribed by the
SEC before any change in the Funds policy to invest at
least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment
purposes (measured at the time of investment) in the particular
type of investment suggested by its name.
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the
Treasury Instruments Fund may be subject to additional
investment restrictions.
Government
Fund
The Government Fund pursues its investment objective by
investing, directly or indirectly, only in U.S. Government
Securities and repurchase agreements collateralized by such
securities. To the extent required by SEC regulations,
shareholders will be provided with sixty days notice in the
manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in the
Funds policy to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus
any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of
investment) in the particular type of investment suggested by
its name.
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the
Government Fund may be subject to additional investment
restrictions.
Federal
Fund
The Federal Fund pursues its investment objective by limiting
its investments only to U.S. Government Securities, the
interest from which is generally exempt from state income
taxation. To the extent required by SEC regulations,
shareholders will be provided with sixty days notice in the
manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in the
Funds policy to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus
any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of
investment) in the particular type of investment suggested by
its name.
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the
Federal Fund may be subject to additional investment
restrictions.
Tax-Free
Money Market Fund
The Tax-Free Money Market Fund pursues its investment objective
by investing in securities issued by or on behalf of states,
territories, and possessions of the United States and their
political subdivisions, agencies, authorities and
instrumentalities, and the District of Columbia, the interest
from which, if any, is in the opinion of
31
bond counsel excluded from gross income for federal income tax
purposes, and generally not an item of tax preference under the
AMT.
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the
Tax-Free Money Market Fund may be subject to additional
investment restrictions.
All
Funds
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P.
(GSAM
®
)
serves as investment adviser to the Financial Square Funds (each
a Fund, and collectively the Funds).
GSAM is referred to in this Prospectus as the Investment
Adviser.
Goldman
Sachs Money Market Investment Philosophy:
The Funds are managed to seek preservation of capital, daily
liquidity and maximum current income. With each Fund, the
Investment Adviser follows a conservative, risk-managed
investment process that seeks to:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Manage credit risk
|
|
n
|
Manage interest rate risk
|
|
n
|
Manage liquidity
|
Since 1981, the Investment Adviser
has actively managed the Goldman Sachs Money Market Funds to
provide investors with the greatest possible preservation of
principal and income potential.
INVESTMENT
PROCESS
1. Managing Credit Risk
The Investment Advisers process for managing credit risk
emphasizes:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Intensive
research
The
Credit Department, a separate operating entity of Goldman, Sachs
& Co. (Goldman Sachs, or
GS&Co.), approves all money market fund
eligible securities for the Funds. Sources for the Credit
Departments analysis include third-party inputs, such as
financial statements and media sources, ratings releases and
company meetings, as well as the Investment Research, Legal and
Compliance departments of Goldman Sachs.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Timely
updates
A
Credit Department-approved list of securities is continuously
communicated on a real-time basis to the portfolio
management team via computer link.
|
The Result: An approved list of
high-quality credits
The Investment Advisers
portfolio management team uses this approved list to construct
portfolios which offer the best available risk-return trade-off
within the approved credit universe. If
32
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
a security is removed from the approved list, the
Investment Adviser may not purchase that security for the Funds,
although it is not required to sell that security.
2. Managing Interest Rate Risk
Three main steps are followed in seeking to manage interest rate
risk:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Establish weighted average
maturity (WAM) and weighted average life
(WAL)
targets
WAM
(the weighted average time until the yield of a portfolio
reflects any changes in the current interest rate environment)
and WAL (designed to more accurately measure spread
risk) are constantly revisited and adjusted as market
conditions change. An overall strategy is developed by the
Investment Adviser based on insights gained from weekly meetings
with both Goldman Sachs economists and economists from outside
the firm.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Implement optimum portfolio
structure
Proprietary
models that seek the optimum balance of risk and return, in
conjunction with the Investment Advisers analysis of
factors such as market events, short-term interest rates and
each Funds asset volatility, are used to identify the most
effective portfolio structure.
|
|
n
|
Conduct rigorous analysis of
new
securities
The
Investment Advisers five-step process includes legal,
credit, historical index and liquidity analysis, as well as
price stress testing to determine the suitability of potential
investments for the Funds.
|
3. Managing Liquidity
Factors that the Investment Advisers portfolio managers
continuously monitor and that affect liquidity of a money market
portfolio include:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Each Funds investors and
other factors that influence the asset volatility of the Funds;
|
|
n
|
Technical events that influence the
trading range of federal funds and other short-term fixed-income
markets; and
|
|
n
|
Bid-ask spreads associated with
securities in the portfolios.
|
Benchmarks for the Funds are the
iMoneyNet, Inc. Indices.
Each Fund uses the iMoneyNet
Index which best corresponds to the Funds eligible
investments.
References in this Prospectus to a Funds benchmark are for
informational purposes only, and unless otherwise noted are not
an indication of how a particular Fund is managed.
Additional
Fund Characteristics and Restrictions
|
|
|
|
n
|
The Funds:
Each Funds
securities are valued using the amortized cost method as
permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act. Under
Rule 2a-7,
|
33
|
|
|
|
|
each Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated securities
that are determined to present minimal credit risk and meet
certain other criteria including conditions relating to
maturity, diversification and credit quality. These operating
policies may be more restrictive than the fundamental policies
set forth in the Statement of Additional Information
(the SAI).
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Taxable
Funds:
Prime
Obligations, Money Market, Treasury Obligations and Government
Funds.
|
|
n
|
Tax-Advantaged
Funds:
Treasury
Instruments and Federal Funds.
|
|
n
|
Tax-Exempt
Fund:
Tax-Free
Money Market Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
The
Investors:
The
Funds are designed for investors seeking a high rate of return,
a stable NAV and convenient liquidation privileges. The Funds
are particularly suitable for banks, corporations and other
financial institutions that seek investment of short-term funds
for their own accounts or for the accounts of their customers.
Shares of the Government Fund are intended to qualify as
eligible investments for federally chartered credit unions
pursuant to Sections 107(7), 107(8) and 107(15) of the
Federal Credit Union Act, Part 703 of the National Credit Union
Administration (NCUA) Rules and Regulations and NCUA
Letter Number 155. The Government Fund intends to review changes
in the applicable laws, rules and regulations governing eligible
investments for federally chartered credit unions, and to take
such action as may be necessary so that the investments of the
Government Fund qualify as eligible investments under the
Federal Credit Union Act and the regulations thereunder. Shares
of the Government Fund, however, may or may not qualify as
eligible investments for particular state-chartered credit
unions. A state-chartered credit union should consult qualified
legal counsel to determine whether the Government Fund is a
permissible investment under the laws applicable to it.
|
|
n
|
NAV:
Each
Fund seeks to maintain a stable NAV of $1.00 per share. There
can be no assurance that a Fund will be able at all times to
maintain a NAV of $1.00 per share.
|
|
n
|
Maximum Remaining Maturity of
Portfolio
Investments:
13 months (as determined pursuant to
Rule 2a-7)
at the time of purchase.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Dollar-Weighted Average
Portfolio Maturity:
Not more than
60 days (as required by
Rule 2a-7).
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Dollar-Weighted Average
Portfolio Life:
Not
more than 120 days (as required by
Rule 2a-7).
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Investment
Restrictions:
Each
Fund is subject to certain investment restrictions that are
described in detail under Investment Restrictions in
the SAI. Fundamental investment restrictions and the investment
objective of each Fund cannot be changed without approval of a
majority of the outstanding shares of that Fund. The Treasury
Obligations Funds policy of limiting its investments to
U.S. Treasury Obligations and related repurchase agreements is
also a fundamental
|
34
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
investment restriction. All investment objectives and policies
not specifically designated as fundamental are non-fundamental
and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder
approval.
|
|
|
|
n
|
Diversification:
Diversification
can help a Fund reduce the risks of investing. In accordance
with current regulations of the SEC, each Fund may not invest
more than 5% of the value of its total assets at the time of
purchase in the securities of any single issuer. However, a Fund
may invest up to 25% of the value of its total assets in the
securities of a single issuer for up to three business days.
These limitations do not apply to cash, certain repurchase
agreements, U.S. Government Securities or securities of other
investment companies. In addition, securities subject to certain
unconditional guarantees are subject to different
diversification requirements as described in the SAI.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Portfolio
Liquidity:
The
Funds are required to maintain a sufficient degree of liquidity
necessary to meet reasonably foreseeable redemption requests. In
addition, each Fund (except for the Tax-Free Money Market Fund)
must hold at least 10% of its total assets in daily liquid
assets and 30% of its total assets in weekly liquid
assets (each as defined by
Rule 2a-7).
The Tax-Free Money Market Fund must hold at least 30% of its
total assets in weekly liquid assets (as defined by
Rule 2a-7).
No Fund may acquire an illiquid security if, after the purchase,
more than 5% of a Funds total assets would consist of
illiquid assets.
|
ADDITIONAL
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Note that the Best Quarter and Worst
Quarter figures shown in the Performance
section of each Funds Summary section are applicable only
to the time period covered by the bar chart.
INVESTMENT
PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
The table below identifies some of the investment techniques
that may (but are not required to) be used by the Funds in
seeking to achieve their investment objectives. The table also
highlights the differences and similarities among the Funds in
their use of these techniques and other investment practices and
investment securities. Numbers in the table show allowable usage
only; for actual usage, consult the Funds
annual/semi-annual reports. For more information about these and
other investment practices and securities, see Appendix A.
The Funds publish on their website
(http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com) their complete portfolio
holdings as of the end of each month subject to a fifteen
calendar day lag between the date of the information and the
date on which the information is disclosed. Each Fund also
publishes its holdings on a weekly basis, with no lag required
between the date of the information and the date on which the
information is disclosed. This information
35
will be available on the website until the next publish date or
the date on which a Fund files its next quarterly portfolio
holdings report on
Form N-CSR
or
Form N-Q
with the SEC. In addition, certain portfolio statistics (other
than portfolio holdings information) are available on a daily
basis by calling
1-800-621-2550.
A description of the Funds policies and procedures with
respect to the disclosure of the Funds portfolio holdings
is available in the Funds SAI.
36
[This page intentionally left
blank]
Investment
Policies Matrix
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury
|
|
U.S.
Government
|
|
Bank
|
|
Commercial
|
Fund
|
|
Obligations
1
|
|
Securities
|
|
Obligations
|
|
Paper
|
Prime Obligations
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
n
U.S. banks
only
2
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money Market
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
n
Over 25% of total assets
must be invested in U.S.
and foreign (US$)
banks
3
|
|
n
U.S. and foreign
(US$) commercial
paper
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Obligations
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Instruments
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax-Free Money Market
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
Tax-exempt only
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note: See Appendix A for a description of, and
certain criteria applicable to, each of these categories of
investments.
See page 42 for all footnotes.
38
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-Term
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign
|
Obligations of
|
|
|
|
Asset-Backed
and
|
|
Government
|
Corporations
and
|
|
Repurchase
|
|
Receivables-Backed
|
|
Obligations
|
Other
Entities
|
|
Agreements
|
|
Securities
|
|
(US$)
|
n
U.S. entities only
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
U.S. and foreign
(US$) entities
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
n
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
(Does not intend to invest)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39
Investment
Policies Matrix continued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Custodial
|
|
Unrated
|
|
Investment
|
Fund
|
|
Municipals
|
|
Receipts
|
|
Securities
7
|
|
Companies
8
|
Prime Obligations
|
|
n
5
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Up to 10% of total
assets in other
investment companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money Market
|
|
n
5
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Up to 10% of total
assets in other
investment companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Obligations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Instruments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Up to 10% of total
assets in other
investment companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax-Free Money Market
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
|
At least 80% of net assets in
tax-exempt municipal
obligations (except in
extraordinary
circumstances)
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
Up to 10% of total
assets in other
investment companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note: See Appendix A for a description of, and
certain criteria applicable to, each of these categories of
investments.
See page 42 for all footnotes.
40
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Private
|
|
|
|
Summary of
|
|
|
|
|
Activity
|
|
Credit
|
|
Taxation for
|
|
|
|
|
Bonds
|
|
Quality
7
|
|
Distributions
12
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
|
n
|
|
First
Tier
11
|
|
Taxable federal and
state
13
|
|
Reverse repurchase agreements not permitted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
|
First
Tier
11
|
|
Taxable federal and
state
13
|
|
May invest in obligations of the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development. Reverse repurchase agreements
not permitted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First
Tier
11
|
|
Taxable federal and
state
13
|
|
Reverse repurchase agreements not permitted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First
Tier
11
|
|
Taxable federal and
generally exempt from state
taxation
|
|
Under extraordinary circumstances, may hold U.S. Government
Securities subject to state taxation. Reverse repurchase
agreements not permitted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First
Tier
11
|
|
Taxable federal and
state
13
|
|
Reverse repurchase agreements not permitted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First
Tier
11
|
|
Taxable federal and
generally exempt from state
taxation
|
|
Under extraordinary circumstances, may hold U.S. Government
Securities subject to state taxation. Reverse repurchase
agreements not permitted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Does not
intend to
invest if
subject to
AMT
9,10
|
|
First
Tier
11
|
|
Tax-exempt federal and
taxable
state
14
|
|
May (but does not currently intend to) invest up to 20% of net
assets in securities subject to AMT and may temporarily invest
in the taxable money market instruments described herein.
Reverse repurchase agreements not permitted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
1
|
|
Issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Treasury.
|
|
2
|
|
Including foreign branches of
U.S. banks.
|
|
3
|
|
If adverse economic conditions
prevail in the banking industry (such as substantial losses on
loans, increases in non-performing assets and charge-offs and
declines in total deposits), the Fund may, for temporary
defensive purposes, invest less than 25% of its total assets in
bank obligations.
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
The Money Market Fund may invest
in U.S. dollar-denominated obligations (limited to commercial
paper and other notes) issued or guaranteed by a foreign
government. The Fund may also invest in U.S. dollar-denominated
obligations issued or guaranteed by any entity located or
organized in a foreign country that maintains a short-term
foreign currency rating in the highest short-term ratings
category by the requisite number of nationally recognized
statistical rating organizations (NRSROs). The Fund
may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in the
securities of any one foreign government.
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
Will only make such investments
when yields on such securities are attractive compared to other
taxable investments.
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
The Investment Adviser
ordinarily expects that 100% of the Funds assets will be
invested in municipal obligations, but the Investment Adviser
may cause the Fund, for temporary defensive purposes, to invest
in short-term taxable securities.
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
To the extent permitted by
Rule 2a-7,
securities without short-term ratings may be purchased if they
are deemed to be of comparable quality by the Investment Adviser
to First Tier Securities. In addition, a Fund may rely on the
credit quality of the guarantee or demand feature in determining
the credit quality of a security supported by a guarantee or
demand feature.
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
This percentage limitation does
not apply to a Funds investments in investment companies
(including exchange-traded funds) where a higher percentage
limitation is permitted under the terms of an SEC exemptive
order or SEC exemptive rule.
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
If such policy should change,
private activity bonds subject to AMT would not exceed 20% of
the Tax-Free Money Market Funds net assets under normal
market conditions.
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
No more than 25% of the value of
the Funds total assets may be invested in industrial
development bonds or similar obligations where the
non-governmental entities supplying the revenues from which such
bonds or obligations are to be paid are in the same
industry.
|
|
|
|
11
|
|
First Tier Securities are
(a) rated in the highest short-term rating category by at
least two NRSROs, or if only one NRSRO has assigned a rating, by
that NRSRO; or (b) issued or guaranteed by, or otherwise
allow a Fund under certain conditions to demand payment from, an
entity with such ratings. U.S. Government Securities are
considered First Tier Securities.
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
See Taxation for an
explanation of the tax consequences summarized in the table
above.
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
Taxable in many states except
for interest income distributions from U.S. Treasury Obligations
and certain U.S. Government Securities.
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
Taxable except for distributions
from interest on obligations of an investors state of
residence in certain states.
|
42
Risks of the Funds
An investment in a Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured
or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or
any other governmental agency. Although the Funds seek to
preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is
possible to lose money by investing in the Funds. The principal
risks of each Fund are disclosed in the Summary sections of this
Prospectus. The following gives additional information on the
risks that apply to the Funds and may result in a loss of your
investment. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a
complete investment program. There can be no assurance that a
Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Risk
Category
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax-Free
|
|
|
Prime
|
|
Money
|
|
Treasury
|
|
Treasury
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money
|
Applicable
|
|
Obligations
|
|
Market
|
|
Obligations
|
|
Instruments
|
|
Government
|
|
Federal
|
|
Market
|
Not
applicable
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
Stable NAV
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest Rate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit/Default
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Management
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquidity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Banking Industry
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Concentration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Risks
that apply to all Funds:
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The risk
that a Fund will not be able to maintain a NAV per share of
$1.00 at all times. Shareholders of a Fund should not rely on or
expect the Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase
distressed assets from a Fund, make capital infusions into a
Fund, enter into capital support agreements with a Fund or take
other actions to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share
price.
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
The risk
that during periods of rising interest rates, a Funds
yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates; in periods of falling
interest rates, a Funds yield will tend to be higher. A
low interest rate environment poses additional risks to a Fund.
Low yields
|
43
|
|
|
on a Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse impact
on the Funds ability to provide a positive yield to its
shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
The risk
that an issuer or guarantor of a security, or a bank or other
financial institution that has entered into a repurchase
agreement, may default on its obligation to pay interest and
repay principal. In addition, with respect to the Tax-Free Money
Market Fund, this risk includes the risk of default on foreign
letters of credit, guarantees or insurance policies that back
municipal securities.
|
The credit quality of a Funds portfolio securities may
meet the Funds credit quality requirements at the time of
purchase but then deteriorate thereafter, and such deterioration
can occur rapidly. In certain instances, the downgrading or
default of a single holding or guarantor of a Funds
holding may impair the Funds liquidity and have the
potential to cause significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
n
|
Management
Risk
The risk
that a strategy used by the Investment Adviser may fail to
produce the intended results.
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The risk
that the value of the securities in which the Fund invests may
go up or down in response to the prospects of individual
companies, particular industry sectors or governments and/or
general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or
last for extended periods. The Funds investments may be
overweighted from time to time in one or more industry sectors,
which will increase the Funds exposure to risk of loss
from adverse developments affecting those sectors.
|
n
|
Liquidity
Risk
The risk
that a Fund may make investments that may become less liquid in
response to market developments or adverse investor perception.
While each Fund endeavors to maintain a high level of liquidity
in its portfolio, the liquidity of portfolio securities can
deteriorate rapidly due to credit events affecting issuers or
guarantors or due to general market conditions and a lack of
willing buyers. When there is no willing buyer and investments
cannot be readily sold at the desired time or price, a Fund may
have to accept a lower price or may not be able to sell the
instrument at all. An inability to sell one or more portfolio
positions can adversely affect a Funds ability to maintain
a $1.00 share price or prevent the Fund from being able to take
advantage of other investment opportunities.
|
Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that a Fund will not
be able to pay redemption proceeds within the time period stated
in the Prospectus because of unusual market conditions, an
unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons.
Although a Fund reserves the right to meet redemption requests
through in-kind distributions, to date no Fund has paid
redemptions in-kind. While a Fund may pay redemptions in-kind in
the future, the Fund may instead choose to raise cash to meet
redemption requests through sales of portfolio securities or
permissible borrowings. If a Fund is forced to sell securities
at an unfavorable time
44
RISKS
OF THE FUNDS
and/or
under
unfavorable conditions, such sales may adversely affect the
Funds ability to maintain a $1.00 share price.
Certain shareholders, including clients or affiliates of the
Investment Adviser
and/or
other
funds managed by the Investment Adviser, may from time to time
own or control a significant percentage of a Funds shares.
These shareholders may include, for example, institutional
investors, funds of funds, discretionary advisory clients, and
other shareholders whose buy-sell decisions are controlled by a
single decision maker. Redemptions by these shareholders of
their shares of a Fund may further increase a Funds
liquidity risk and may impact a Funds NAV.
Risk
that applies to the Prime Obligations, Money Market, Government
and Federal Funds:
|
|
n
|
U.S. Government Securities
Risk
The risk
that the U.S. government will not provide financial support to
U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law. Although
many types of U.S. Government Securities may be purchased
by the Funds, such as those issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and Federal Home
Loan Banks chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress, their
securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United
States Treasury and, therefore, are not backed by the full faith
and credit of the United States. The maximum potential liability
of the issuers of some U.S. Government Securities held by a
Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, including their
legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible
that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment
obligations in the future. In September 2008, the
U.S. Treasury and the Federal Housing Finance
Administration (FHFA) announced that Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac would be placed into a conservatorship under FHFA.
The effect that this conservatorship will have on the
entities debt and securities guaranteed by the entities is
unclear.
|
Risk
that applies to the Prime Obligations and Money Market
Funds:
|
|
n
|
Banking Industry
Risk
The risk
that an adverse development in the banking industry may affect
the value of the Money Market and Prime Obligations Funds
investments more than if the Funds investments were not
invested to such a degree in the banking industry. Normally, the
Money Market Fund intends to invest more than 25% of its total
assets in bank obligations. Banks may be particularly
susceptible to certain economic factors such as interest rate
changes, adverse developments in the real estate market, fiscal
and monetary policy and general economic cycles.
|
Risk
that applies to the Money Market Fund:
|
|
n
|
Foreign
Risk
The risk
that the Money Market Funds investments in foreign
securities could lose value as a result of political, financial
and economic events in
|
45
|
|
|
foreign countries, less publicly available financial and other
information, less stringent foreign securities regulations and
accounting and disclosure standards, problems in security
registration or settlement and custody or other factors. The
Money Market Fund may not invest more than 25% of its total
assets in the securities of any one foreign government.
|
Risks
that apply to the Tax-Free Money Market Fund:
|
|
n
|
Concentration
Risk
The risk
that if the Tax-Free Money Market Fund invests more than 25% of
its total assets in certain issuers within the same state,
industry or economic sector, an adverse economic, business or
political development may affect the value of the Tax-Free Money
Market Funds investments more than if its investments were
not so concentrated.
|
n
|
Tax
Risk
The risk
that future legislative or administrative changes or court
decisions may materially affect the value of the Tax-Free Money
Market Funds portfolio and/or the ability of the Tax-Free
Money Market Fund to pay federal tax-exempt dividends. This
Tax-Free Money Market Fund would not be a suitable investment
for IRAs, other tax-exempt or tax-deferred accounts or for other
investors who are not sensitive to the federal, state or local
tax consequences of their investments.
|
More information about the Funds portfolio securities and
investment techniques, and their associated risks, is provided
in Appendix A. You should consider the investment risks
discussed in this section and in Appendix A. Both are
important to your investment choice.
46
Service Providers
INVESTMENT
ADVISERS
|
|
|
Investment
Adviser
|
|
Fund
|
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (GSAM)
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282
|
|
Prime Obligations
Money Market
Treasury Obligations
Treasury Instruments
Government
Federal
Tax-Free Money Market
|
|
|
|
GSAM has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC
since 1990 and is an affiliate of Goldman Sachs. As of
December 31, 2009, GSAM, including its investment advisory
affiliates, had assets under management of $753.4 billion.
The Investment Adviser provides day-to-day advice regarding the
Funds portfolio transactions. The Investment Adviser makes
the investment decisions for the Funds and places purchase and
sale orders for the Funds portfolio transactions in U.S.
and foreign markets. As permitted by applicable law and
exemptive relief obtained by the Investment Adviser, Goldman
Sachs and the Funds, these orders may be directed to any
broker-dealers, including Goldman Sachs and its affiliates.
While the Investment Adviser is ultimately responsible for the
management of the Funds, it is able to draw upon the research
and expertise of its asset management affiliates for portfolio
decisions and management with respect to certain portfolio
securities. In addition, the Investment Adviser has access to
the research and certain proprietary technical models developed
by Goldman Sachs and will apply quantitative and qualitative
analysis in determining the appropriate allocations among
categories of issuers and types of securities.
The Investment Adviser also performs the following additional
services for the Funds:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Supervises all non-advisory
operations of the Funds
|
|
n
|
Provides personnel to perform
necessary executive, administrative and clerical services to the
Funds
|
|
n
|
Arranges for the preparation of all
required tax returns, reports to shareholders, prospectuses and
statements of additional information and other reports filed
with the SEC and other regulatory authorities
|
|
n
|
Maintains the records of each Fund
|
|
n
|
Provides office space and all
necessary office equipment and services
|
47
Pursuant to SEC exemptive orders, certain Funds may enter into
principal transactions in certain money market instruments,
including repurchase agreements, with Goldman Sachs.
MANAGEMENT
FEES
As compensation for its services and its assumption of certain
expenses, the Investment Adviser is entitled to the following
fees, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rates
listed below (as a percentage of each respective Funds
average daily net assets):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual Rate
|
|
|
|
|
For the Fiscal
|
|
|
|
|
Period Ended
|
Fund
|
|
Contractual
Rate
|
|
August 31,
2009*
|
Prime Obligations
|
|
|
0
|
.205%
|
|
|
|
0
|
.16%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money Market
|
|
|
0
|
.205%
|
|
|
|
0
|
.16%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Obligations
|
|
|
0
|
.205%
|
|
|
|
0
|
.18%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Instruments
|
|
|
0
|
.205%
|
|
|
|
0
|
.18%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government
|
|
|
0
|
.205%
|
|
|
|
0
|
.16%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
0
|
.205%
|
|
|
|
0
|
.18%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax-Free Money Market
|
|
|
0
|
.205%
|
|
|
|
0
|
.16%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
The Funds fiscal year end
changed from December 31 to August 31 effective
January 1, 2009. The Investment Adviser has agreed to waive
a portion of its Management Fee equal annually to 0.025% of the
Treasury Obligations, Treasury Instruments and Federal
Funds average daily net assets and equal annually to
0.045% of the Prime Obligations, Money Market, Government and
Tax-Free Money Market Funds average daily net assets.
These waivers will remain in effect through at least
May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the Investment Adviser
may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the
Board of Trustees. These management fee waivers may be modified
or terminated at any time at the option of the Investment
Adviser and without shareholder approval after such date,
although the Investment Adviser does not presently intend to do
so.
|
The Investment Adviser may waive a portion of its management fee
from time to time, and may discontinue or modify any such
waivers in the future, consistent with the terms of any fee
waiver arrangements in place. Due to the current low yield
environment, the Investment Adviser may voluntarily waive a
portion of its management fees. These temporary waivers may be
modified or terminated at any time at the option of the
Investment Adviser, without shareholder approval.
The Investment Adviser has agreed to reduce or limit each
Funds Other Expenses (excluding management
fees, distribution fees, service fees, administration fees,
transfer agency fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage
fees and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meetings and
other extraordinary expenses, exclusive
48
SERVICE
PROVIDERS
of any custody and transfer agent fee credit deductions) equal
on an annualized basis to 0.014% of each Funds average
daily net assets. Each arrangement will remain in place through
at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangements without
the approval of the Board of Trustees. These expense limitations
may be modified or terminated at any time at the option of the
Investment Adviser and without shareholder approval after such
date, although the Investment Adviser does not presently intend
to do so.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees
approval of the Management Agreement for the Funds in 2009 is
available in the Funds Annual Report dated August 31,
2009.
DISTRIBUTOR
AND TRANSFER AGENT
Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, serves
as the exclusive distributor (the Distributor) of
each Funds shares. Goldman Sachs,
71 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, also
serves as each Funds transfer agent (the Transfer
Agent) and, as such, performs various shareholder
servicing functions.
For its transfer agency services, Goldman Sachs is entitled to
receive a transfer agency fee equal, on an annualized basis, to
0.01% of average daily net assets of each Fund. Due to the
current low yield environment, Goldman Sachs may voluntarily
agree to waive a portion of the Funds transfer agency
fees. These temporary waivers may be modified or terminated at
any time at the option of Goldman Sachs, without shareholder
approval.
From time to time, Goldman Sachs or any of its affiliates may
purchase and hold shares of the Funds. Goldman Sachs reserves
the right to redeem at any time some or all of the shares
acquired for its own account.
|
|
ACTIVITIES
OF GOLDMAN SACHS AND ITS AFFILIATES AND OTHER
ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY GOLDMAN
SACHS
|
|
The involvement of the Investment Adviser, Goldman Sachs and
their affiliates in the management of, or their interest in,
other accounts and other activities of Goldman Sachs may present
conflicts of interest with respect to a Fund or limit a
Funds investment activities. Goldman Sachs is a full
service investment banking, broker dealer, asset management and
financial services organization and a major participant in
global financial markets. As such, it acts as an investor,
investment banker, research provider, investment manager,
financier, advisor, market maker, trader, prime broker, lender,
agent and principal, and has other direct and indirect
49
interests, in the global fixed income, currency, commodity,
equity and other markets in which the Funds directly and
indirectly invest. Thus, it is likely that the Funds will have
multiple business relationships with and will invest in, engage
in transactions with, make voting decisions with respect to, or
obtain services from entities for which Goldman Sachs performs
or seeks to perform investment banking or other services. The
Investment Adviser and/or certain of its affiliates are the
managers of the Goldman Sachs Funds. Goldman Sachs and its
affiliates engage in proprietary trading and advise accounts and
funds which have investment objectives similar to those of the
Funds and/or which engage in and compete for transactions in the
same types of securities, currencies and instruments as the
Funds. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates will not have any
obligation to make available any information regarding their
proprietary activities or strategies, or the activities or
strategies used for other accounts managed by them, for the
benefit of the management of the Funds. Goldman Sachs may
restrict transactions for itself, but not for the Funds (or vice
versa). The results of a Funds investment activities,
therefore, may differ from those of Goldman Sachs, its
affiliates, and other accounts managed by Goldman Sachs and it
is possible that a Fund could sustain losses during periods in
which Goldman Sachs and its affiliates and other accounts
achieve significant profits on their trading for proprietary or
other accounts. In addition, the Funds may enter into
transactions in which Goldman Sachs or its other clients have an
adverse interest. For example, a Fund may take a long position
in a security at the same time that Goldman Sachs or other
accounts managed by the Investment Adviser take a short position
in the same security (or vice versa). These and other
transactions undertaken by Goldman Sachs, its affiliates or
Goldman Sachs-advised clients may adversely impact the Funds.
Transactions by one or more Goldman Sachs-advised clients or the
Investment Adviser may have the effect of diluting or otherwise
disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of
the Funds. A Funds activities may be limited because of
regulatory restrictions applicable to Goldman Sachs and its
affiliates, and/or their internal policies designed to comply
with such restrictions. As a global financial services firm,
Goldman Sachs also provides a wide range of investment banking
and financial services to issuers of securities and investors in
securities. Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and others associated
with it may create markets or specialize in, have positions in
and affect transactions in, securities of issuers held by the
Funds, and may also perform or seek to perform investment
banking and financial services for those issuers. Goldman Sachs
and its affiliates may have business relationships with and
purchase or distribute or sell services or products from or to
distributors, consultants or others who recommend the Funds or
who engage in transactions with or for the Funds. For more
information about conflicts of interest, see the SAI.
50
SERVICE
PROVIDERS
LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
On April 16, 2010, the SEC brought an action under the
U.S. federal securities laws in the U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York against GS&Co.
and one of its employees alleging that they made materially
misleading statements and omissions in connection with a 2007
private placement of securities relating to a synthetic
collateralized debt obligation sold to two institutional
investors. GS&Co. and/or other affiliates of The Goldman
Sachs Group, Inc. have received or may in the future receive
notices and requests for information from various regulators,
and have become or may in the future become involved in legal
proceedings, based on allegations similar to those made by the
SEC or other matters.
Neither GSAM nor any GSAM-managed funds have been named in the
complaint. Moreover, the SEC complaint does not seek any
penalties against them or against any employee who is or has
been part of GSAM.
In the view of GS&Co. and GSAM, neither the matters alleged
in this or any such similar proceedings nor their eventual
resolution are likely to have a material effect on the ability
of GS&Co., GSAM or their affiliates to provide services to
GSAM-managed funds. Due to a provision in the law governing the
operation of mutual funds, the resolution of the SEC action
could, under certain circumstances, result in a situation in
which GS&Co., GSAM and their affiliates would be ineligible
to serve as an investment adviser or principal underwriter for
U.S.-registered mutual funds absent an exemption from the SEC.
While there is no assurance that such an exemption would be
granted, the SEC has granted this type of relief in the past.
51
Dividends
Dividends will be distributed monthly. You may choose to have
dividends paid in:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Cash
|
|
n
|
Additional shares of the same Fund
|
|
n
|
Shares of a similar or an
equivalent class of another Goldman Sachs Fund.
|
Special restrictions may apply. See the SAI.
You may indicate your election on your Account Application. Any
changes may be submitted in writing to the Transfer Agent
(either directly or for accounts opened through a Service
Organization, through your Service Organization) at any time. If
you do not indicate any choice, dividends and distributions will
be reinvested automatically in the applicable Fund.
All or substantially all of each Funds net investment
income will be declared as a dividend daily. Dividends will
normally, but not always, be declared as of the following times:
|
|
|
|
|
Dividend
Declaration Time
|
Fund
|
|
(New York
Time)
|
Prime Obligations
|
|
5:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Money Market
|
|
5:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Treasury Obligations
|
|
5:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Treasury Instruments
|
|
4:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Government
|
|
5:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
4:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Tax-Free Money Market
|
|
4:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Dividends will be reinvested as of the last calendar day of each
month. Cash distributions normally will be paid on or about the
first business day of each month. Net short-term capital gains,
if any, will be distributed in accordance with federal income
tax requirements and may be reflected in a Funds daily
distributions. Net short-term capital gains may at times
represent a significant component of the Funds daily
distributions (e.g., during periods of extremely low interest
rates).
Each Fund may distribute at least annually other realized
capital gains, if any, after reduction by available capital
losses. In order to avoid excessive fluctuations in the amount
of monthly capital gains distributions, a portion of any net
capital gains realized on the disposition of securities during
the months of November and December may be distributed during
the subsequent calendar year. The realized gains and losses are
not expected to be of an amount which would affect a Funds
NAV of $1.00 per share.
52
Shareholder Guide
The following section will provide you with answers to some of
the most frequently asked questions regarding buying and selling
the Funds FST Cash Management Shares.
HOW
TO BUY SHARES
How
Can I Purchase FST Cash Management Shares Of The
Funds?
Generally, FST Cash Management Shares may be purchased only
through institutions that have agreed to provide administration
and personal and account maintenance services to their customers
who are the beneficial owners of FST Cash Management Shares
(Service Organizations). No shareholder may buy FST
Cash Management Shares directly from the Funds. Customers of a
Service Organization will normally give their purchase
instructions to the Service Organization, and the Service
Organization will, in turn, place purchase orders with Goldman
Sachs. Service Organizations will set times by which purchase
orders and payments must be received by them from their
customers. Generally, FST Cash Management Shares may be
purchased from the Funds on any business day at their NAV next
determined after receipt of an order by Goldman Sachs from a
Service Organization. No sales load is charged.
Service Organizations are responsible for transmitting purchase
orders and payments to Goldman Sachs in a timely fashion.
Service Organizations should either:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Place an order through certain
electronic trading platforms;
|
|
n
|
Place an order with Goldman Sachs
at
1-800-621-2550
and wire federal funds; or
|
|
n
|
Send a check payable to Goldman
Sachs Funds (Name of Fund and Class of Shares), P.O.
Box 06050, Chicago, IL 60606-6306. The Funds will not accept
checks drawn on foreign banks, third party checks, temporary
checks, cash or cash equivalents, e.g., cashiers
checks, official bank checks, money orders, travelers cheques or
credit card checks. In limited situations involving the transfer
of retirement assets, the Funds may accept cashiers checks
or official bank checks.
|
It is strongly recommended that payment be effected by wiring
federal funds.
It is expected that checks will be converted to federal funds
within two business days after receipt.
53
What
Do I Need To Know About Service Organizations?
Service Organizations may provide the following services in
connection with their customers investments in FST Cash
Management Shares:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Personal and account maintenance
services
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Facilities to answer inquiries and
respond to correspondence
|
|
n
|
Acts as liaison between the Service
Organizations customers and the Goldman Sachs Trust (the
Trust)
|
|
n
|
Assists customers in completing
application forms, selecting dividend and other options, and
similar services
|
|
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|
|
n
|
Administration services
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Acts, directly or through an agent,
as the sole shareholder of record
|
|
n
|
Maintains account records for
customers
|
|
n
|
Processes orders to purchase,
redeem and exchange shares for customers
|
|
n
|
Processes payments for customers
|
Some (but not all) Service Organizations are authorized to
accept, on behalf of the Trust, purchase, redemption and
exchange orders placed by or on behalf of their customers, and
may designate other financial intermediaries to accept such
orders, if approved by the Trust. In these cases:
|
|
|
|
n
|
A Fund will be deemed to have
received an order in proper form when the order is accepted by
the authorized Service Organization or financial intermediary on
a business day, and the order will be priced at the Funds
NAV per share next determined after such acceptance.
|
|
n
|
Service Organizations and financial
intermediaries will be responsible for transmitting accepted
orders and payments to the Trust within the time period agreed
upon by them.
|
You should contact your Service Organization directly to learn
whether it is authorized to accept orders for the Trust.
Pursuant to a service plan adopted by the Trusts Board of
Trustees, Service Organizations are entitled to receive payment
for their services from the Trust of up to 0.50% (on an
annualized basis) of the average daily net assets of the FST
Cash Management Shares of the Funds, which are attributable to
or held in the name of the Service Organization for its
customers. Due to the current low yield environment, Goldman
Sachs may voluntarily agree to waive a portion of the
Funds service and administration fees. These temporary
waivers may be modified or terminated at any time at the option
of Goldman Sachs, without shareholder approval.
The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may
make additional payments or provide services to Service
Organizations and other financial intermediaries
(Intermediaries) to promote the sale, distribution
and/or servicing of shares
54
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
of the Funds and other Goldman Sachs Funds. These payments are
in addition to the distribution, service and administration fees
described in this Prospectus. These payments are made out of the
Investment Advisers, Distributors and/or their
affiliates own assets, and are not an additional charge to
the Funds. Such payments are intended to compensate
Intermediaries for, among other things: marketing shares of the
Funds and other Goldman Sachs Funds, which may consist of
payments relating to the Funds inclusion on preferred or
recommended fund lists or in certain sales programs sponsored by
the Intermediaries; access to the Intermediaries
registered representatives or salespersons, including at
conferences and other meetings; assistance in training and
education of personnel; marketing support; and/or other
specified services intended to assist in the distribution and
marketing of the Funds and other Goldman Sachs Funds. The
payments may also, to the extent permitted by applicable
regulations, contribute to various non-cash and cash incentive
arrangements to promote the sale of FST Cash Management Shares,
as well as sponsor various educational programs, sales contests
and/or promotions. The payments by the Investment Adviser,
Distributor and/or their affiliates which are in addition to the
fees paid for these services by the Funds, may also compensate
Intermediaries for subaccounting, sub-transfer agency,
administrative and/or shareholder processing services. These
additional payments may exceed amounts earned on these assets by
the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates for
the performance of these or similar services. The amount of
these additional payments is normally not expected to exceed
0.50% (annualized) of the amount sold or invested through the
Intermediaries. In addition, certain Intermediaries may have
access to certain services from the Investment Adviser,
Distributor and/or their affiliates, including research reports
and economic analysis, and portfolio analysis tools. In certain
cases, the Intermediary may not pay for these services. Please
refer to the Payments to Intermediaries section of
the SAI for more information about these payments and services.
The payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or
their affiliates and the services received by an Intermediary
may differ for different Intermediaries. The presence of these
payments, receipt of these services and the basis on which an
Intermediary compensates its registered representatives or
salespersons may create an incentive for a particular
Intermediary, registered representative or salesperson to
highlight, feature or recommend Funds based, at least in part,
on the level of compensation paid. You should contact your
Service Organization or other Intermediary for more information
about the payments it receives and any potential conflicts of
interest.
In addition to FST Cash Management Shares, each Fund also offers
other classes of shares to investors. These other share classes
are subject to different fees and expenses (which affect
performance), have different minimum investment
55
requirements and are entitled to different services than FST
Cash Management Shares. Information regarding other share
classes may be obtained from your Service Organization or from
Goldman Sachs by calling the number on the back cover of this
Prospectus.
What
Is My Minimum Investment In The Funds?
The minimum initial investment requirement imposed upon Service
Organizations for the purchase of FST Cash Management Shares is
generally $10 million, alone or in combination with other
assets under the management of GSAM and its affiliates. There is
no minimum imposed upon additional investments. A Service
Organization may, however, impose a different minimum amount for
initial and additional investments in FST Cash Management
Shares, and may establish other requirements such as a minimum
account balance. A Service Organization may redeem FST Cash
Management Shares held by non-complying accounts, and may impose
a charge for any special services. Please see Shares of
the Trust in the SAI for additional information about
minimum investments.
What
Else Should I Know About Share Purchases?
The Trust reserves the right to:
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Refuse to open an account if you
fail to (i) provide a Social Security Number or other
taxpayer identification number; or (ii) certify that such
number is correct (if required to do so under applicable law).
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Reject or restrict any purchase or
exchange order by a particular purchaser (or group of related
purchasers) for any reason in its discretion.
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Close a Fund to new investors from
time to time and reopen any such Fund whenever it is deemed
appropriate by a Funds Investment Adviser.
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Modify or waive the minimum
investment requirements.
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Modify the manner in which shares
are offered.
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The Board of Trustees of the Trust has not adopted policies and
procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of
Fund shares in light of the nature and high quality of the
Funds investments.
Generally, non-U.S. citizens and certain U.S. citizens residing
outside the United States may not open an account with the Funds.
The Funds may allow Service Organizations to purchase shares
with securities instead of cash if consistent with a Funds
investment policies and operations and if approved by the
Funds Investment Adviser.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the Trust and Goldman Sachs
reserve the right to reject or restrict purchase or exchange
requests from any investor. The Trust and Goldman Sachs will not
be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase or
exchange orders.
56
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
Customer Identification
Program.
Federal law requires the Funds to
obtain, verify and record identifying information, which will be
reviewed solely for customer identification purposes, which may
include the name, residential or business street address, date
of birth (for an individual), Social Security Number or taxpayer
identification number or other information, for each investor
who opens an account directly with the Funds. Applications
without the required information may not be accepted by the
Funds. After accepting an application, to the extent permitted
by applicable law or their customer identification program, the
Funds reserve the right to: (i) place limits on
transactions in any account until the identity of the investor
is verified; (ii) refuse an investment in the Funds; or
(iii) involuntarily redeem an investors shares and
close an account in the event that the Funds are unable to
verify an investors identity. The Funds and their agents
will not be responsible for any loss in an investors
account resulting from the investors delay in providing
all required information or from closing an account and
redeeming an investors shares pursuant to the customer
identification program.
How
Are Shares Priced?
The price you pay when you buy FST Cash Management Shares is a
Funds next determined NAV for a share class
after
the Fund receives your order in proper form. The price you
receive when you sell FST Cash Management Shares is a
Funds next determined NAV for a share class with the
redemption proceeds reduced by any applicable charges
after
the Fund receives your order in proper form. The
Funds calculate NAV as follows:
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NAV =
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(Value of Assets of the Class)
(Liabilities of the Class)
Number
of Outstanding Shares of the Class
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Please note the following with respect to the price at which
your transactions are processed:
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NAV per share of each share class
of the Treasury Instruments, Federal and Tax-Free Money Market
Funds is generally calculated by the accounting agent on each
business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York
Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. New York time) or such other
times as the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ market may
officially close. NAV per share of each share class of the Prime
Obligations, Money Market, Treasury Obligations and Government
Funds is generally calculated by the accounting agent on each
business day as of 5:00 p.m. New York time. Shares may also
be priced periodically throughout the day by the accounting
agent. Fund shares will be priced on any day the New York
Stock Exchange is open, except for days on which the Federal
Reserve Bank is closed for local holidays. Fund shares will
generally not be priced on any day the New York Stock Exchange
is closed,
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although Fund shares may be priced on days when the New York
Stock Exchange is closed if the Securities Industry and
Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) recommends
that the bond markets remain open for all or part of the day.
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On any business day when the SIFMA
recommends that the bond markets close early, each Fund reserves
the right to close at or prior to the SIFMA recommended closing
time. If a Fund does so, it will cease granting same business
day credit for purchase and redemption orders received after the
Funds closing time and credit will be given on the next
business day.
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The Trust reserves the right to
advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be
received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by
the SEC.
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Although most money market securities settle on the same day as
they are traded, investment transactions not settling on the
same day are recorded and factored into a Funds NAV on the
business day following trade date (T+1), consistent with
industry practice. The use of T+1 accounting generally does not,
but may, result in a NAV that differs materially from the NAV
that would result if all transactions were reflected on their
trade dates.
Note: The time at which transactions and shares are priced
and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in
case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock
Exchange and/or the bond markets is stopped at a time other than
their regularly scheduled closing times. In the event the New
York Stock Exchange and/or the bond markets do not open for
business, the Trust may, but is not required to, open one or
more Funds for purchase, redemption and exchange transactions if
the Federal Reserve wire payment system is open. To learn
whether a Fund is open for business during this situation,
please
call 1-800-621-2550.
To help each Fund maintain its $1.00 share price, portfolio
securities are valued at amortized cost in accordance with SEC
regulations. Amortized cost will normally approximate market
value. There can be no assurance that a Fund will be able at all
times to maintain a NAV of $1.00 per share.
In addition, if an event that affects the value of a security
occurs after the publication of market quotations used by a Fund
to price its securities but before the close of trading on the
New York Stock Exchange, the Trust in its discretion and
consistent with applicable regulatory guidance may determine
whether to make an adjustment in light of the nature and
significance of the event.
When
Do Shares Begin Earning Dividends?
If a wire purchase order is received on a business day by the
deadline specified below and payment in federal funds is
received by the Fund by the close of the
58
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
Federal Reserve wire transfer system (normally, 6:00 p.m.
New York time), then dividends will begin to accrue on the same
business day that the wire purchase order is received:
Tax-Free Money
Market Fund:
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By 2:00 p.m. New
York time
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Treasury
Instruments and Federal Funds:
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By 3:00 p.m. New
York time
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Prime
Obligations, Money Market, Treasury Obligations and Government
Funds:
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By 5:00 p.m. New
York time
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If a wire purchase order is received on a business day after the
deadline specified above, you will not earn dividends on the day
the purchase order is received. Also, in the event a wire
purchase order is placed by the deadline specified above but an
anticipated wire payment is
not
received by the Fund by
the close of the Federal wire transfer system that same day,
your purchase will be cancelled and you may be liable for any
resulting losses or fees incurred by the Fund, Goldman Sachs, or
the Funds custodian. For purchase orders accompanied by
check, dividends will normally begin to accrue within two
business days of receipt.
HOW
TO SELL SHARES
How
Can I Sell FST Cash Management Shares Of The Funds?
Generally, FST Cash Management Shares may be sold
(redeemed) only through Service Organizations. Customers of
a Service Organization will normally give their redemption
instructions to the Service Organization, and the Service
Organization will, in turn, place redemption orders with the
Funds.
Generally, each Fund will redeem its FST Cash
Management Shares upon request on any business day the Fund is
open at the NAV next determined after receipt of such request in
proper form.
Redemption proceeds may be sent to
recordholders by check or by wire (if the wire instructions are
designated on the current record of the Transfer Agent).
A Service Organization may request redemptions by electronic
trading platform, in writing or by telephone (unless the Service
Organization opts out of the telephone redemption privilege on
the Account Application).
Generally, any redemption request that requires money to go to
an account or address other than that designated in the current
records of the Transfer Agent must be in writing and signed by
an authorized person (a Medallion signature guarantee
59
may be required). The written request may be confirmed by
telephone with both the requesting party and the designated bank
to verify instructions.
Certain Service Organizations are authorized to accept
redemption requests on behalf of the Funds as described under
What Do I Need To Know About Service Organizations?
When
Do I Need A Medallion Signature Guarantee To Redeem
Shares?
A Medallion signature guarantee may be required if:
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You would like the redemption
proceeds sent to an address that is not your address of record;
or
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You would like the redemption
proceeds sent to a bank account that is not designated in the
current records of the Transfer Agent.
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A Medallion signature guarantee must be obtained from a bank,
brokerage firm or other financial intermediary that is a member
of an approved Medallion Guarantee Program or that is otherwise
approved by the Trust. A notary public cannot provide a
Medallion signature guarantee. Additional documentation may be
required.
What
Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?
The Trust, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent will not be
liable for any loss you may incur in the event that the Trust
accepts unauthorized telephone redemption requests that the
Trust reasonably believes to be genuine. In an effort to prevent
unauthorized or fraudulent redemption and exchange requests by
telephone, Goldman Sachs employs reasonable procedures specified
by the Trust to confirm that such instructions are genuine. If
reasonable procedures are not employed, the Trust may be liable
for any loss due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. The
following general policies are currently in effect:
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Telephone requests are recorded.
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Proceeds of telephone redemption
requests will be sent to your address of record or authorized
account designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent
(unless you provide written instructions and a Medallion
signature guarantee, indicating another address or account).
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For the
30-day
period following a change of address, telephone redemptions will
only be filled by a wire transfer to the bank account designated
in the current records of the Transfer Agent (see immediately
preceding bullet point). In order to receive the redemption by
check during this time period, a redemption request must be in
the form of a written letter (a Medallion signature guarantee
may be required).
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The telephone redemption option may
be modified or terminated at any time without prior notice.
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60
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
Note: It may be difficult to make telephone redemptions in
times of unusual economic or market conditions.
When
Will Redemption Proceeds Be Wired?
Redemption proceeds will normally be wired to the domestic bank
account designated on a Service Organizations account
application as follows:
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Redemption
Request Received
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Redemption
Proceeds
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Dividends
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Tax-Free Money Market Fund:
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By
1:00 p.m. New York time
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Wired same business day
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Not earned on day request is received
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Checks sent next business day
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Earned on day request is received
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Treasury Instruments and Federal Funds:
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By
3:00 p.m. New York time
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Wired same business day
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Not earned on day request is received
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Checks sent next business day
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Earned on day request is received
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Prime Obligations, Money Market, Treasury Obligations and
Government Funds:
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By
5:00 p.m. New York time
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Wired same business day
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Not earned on day request is received
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Checks sent next business day
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Earned on day request is received
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Although redemption proceeds will
normally be wired as described above, under certain
circumstances, redemption proceeds may be paid the next business
day following receipt of a properly executed wire transfer
redemption request (or up to three business days later with
respect to the Tax-Free Money Market Fund). Redemption requests
or payments may be postponed or suspended as permitted under
Section 22(e) of the Investment Company Act and the
regulations thereunder. Generally, under that section,
redemption requests or payments may be postponed or suspended if
(i) the New York Stock Exchange is closed for trading or
trading is restricted; (ii) an emergency exists which makes
the disposal of securities owned by a Fund or the fair
determination of the value of a Funds net assets not
reasonably practicable; or (iii) the SEC, by order, permits
the suspension of the right of redemption.
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61
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If you are selling shares you
recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay you when your
check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.
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If the Federal Reserve Bank is
closed on the day the redemption proceeds would ordinarily be
wired, wiring the redemption proceeds may be delayed until the
Federal Reserve Bank reopens.
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To change the bank designated in
the current records of the Transfer Agent, you must send written
instructions signed by an authorized person designated in the
current records of the Transfer Agent.
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Neither the Trust nor Goldman Sachs
assumes any responsibility for the performance of financial
intermediaries or your Service Organization in the transfer
process. If a problem with such performance arises, you should
deal directly with such financial intermediaries or your Service
Organization.
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What
Else Do I Need To Know About Redemptions?
The following generally applies to redemption requests:
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Additional documentation may be
required when deemed appropriate by the Transfer Agent. A
redemption request will not be in proper form until such
additional documentation has been received.
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Service Organizations and other
institutions (including banks, trust companies, brokers and
investment advisers) (Institutions) are responsible
for the timely transmittal of redemption requests by their
customers to the Transfer Agent. In order to facilitate the
timely transmittal of redemption requests, Service Organizations
and Institutions may set times by which they must receive
redemption requests. Service Organizations and Institutions may
also require additional documentation from you.
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The Trust reserves the right to:
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Redeem your shares in the event a
Service Organizations relationship with Goldman Sachs is
terminated and you do not transfer your account to another
Service Organization with a relationship with Goldman Sachs.
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Subject to applicable law, redeem
your shares in other circumstances determined by the Board of
Trustees to be in the best interest of the Trust.
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Pay redemptions by a distribution
in-kind of securities (instead of cash). If you receive
redemption proceeds in-kind, you should expect to incur
transaction costs upon the disposition of those securities.
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Reinvest any amounts (e.g.,
dividends, distributions or redemption proceeds) which you have
elected to receive by check should your check be returned to a
Fund as undeliverable or remain uncashed for six months. This
provision may not apply to certain retirement or qualified
accounts or to a closed account. No interest will accrue on
amounts represented by uncashed checks.
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Charge an additional fee in the
event a redemption is made via wire transfer.
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62
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
None of the Trust, Investment Adviser, nor Goldman Sachs will be
responsible for any loss in an investors account or tax
liability resulting from a redemption.
Can
I Exchange My Investment From One Goldman Sachs Fund To Another
Goldman Sachs Fund?
A Service Organization may exchange FST Cash Management Shares
of a Fund at NAV for certain shares of another Goldman Sachs
Fund. Redemptions of shares (including by exchange) of certain
Goldman Sachs Funds offered in other prospectuses may, however,
be subject to a redemption fee if shares are held for 30 days or
less (60 days or less with respect to certain other Goldman
Sachs Funds). The exchange privilege may be materially modified
or withdrawn at any time upon 60 days written notice.
You should keep in mind the following factors when making or
considering an exchange:
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You should obtain and carefully
read the prospectus of the Goldman Sachs Fund you are acquiring
before making an exchange.
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Currently the Funds do not impose
any charge for exchanges, although the Funds may impose a charge
in the future.
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All exchanges which represent an
initial investment requirement in a Goldman Sachs Fund must
satisfy the minimal initial investment requirement of that Fund.
This requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Trust.
Exchanges into a Fund need not meet the traditional minimum
investment requirements for that Fund if the entire balance of
the original Goldman Sachs Fund account is exchanged.
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Exchanges are available only in
states where exchanges may be legally made.
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It may be difficult to make
telephone exchanges in times of unusual economic or market
conditions.
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Goldman Sachs may use reasonable
procedures described under What Do I Need to Know About
Telephone Redemption Requests? in an effort to prevent
unauthorized or fraudulent telephone exchange requests.
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Normally, a telephone exchange will
be made only to an identically registered account.
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A Medallion signature guarantee may
be required.
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Exchanges into Goldman Sachs Funds
that are closed to new investors may be restricted.
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Exchanges into a Fund from another
Goldman Sachs Fund may be subject to any redemption fee imposed
by the other Goldman Sachs Fund.
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For federal income tax purposes, an exchange from one Goldman
Sachs Fund to another is treated as a redemption of the shares
surrendered in the exchange, on which you may be subject to tax,
followed by a purchase of shares received in the
63
exchange. You should consult your tax adviser concerning the tax
consequences of an exchange.
What
Are The Distribution Fees Paid By FST Cash Management
Shares?
The Trust has adopted a distribution plan (the Plan)
under which FST Cash Management Shares bear distribution fees
for the sale and distribution of its shares. Because these fees
are paid out of the Funds assets on an ongoing basis, over
time, these fees will increase the cost of your investment and
may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. If
the fees received by Goldman Sachs pursuant to the Plan exceed
its expenses, Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from this
arrangement.
Under the Plan, Goldman Sachs is entitled to a monthly fee from
each Fund for distribution services equal, on an annual basis,
to 0.30% of a Funds average daily net assets attributed to
FST Cash Management Shares. Due to the current low yield
environment, Goldman Sachs may voluntarily agree to waive a
portion of the Funds distribution fees. These temporary
waivers may be modified or terminated at any time at the option
of Goldman Sachs, without shareholder approval.
The distribution fees are subject to the requirements of
Rule 12b-1
under the Investment Company Act, and may be used (among other
things) for:
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Compensation paid to and expenses
incurred by Service Organizations, Goldman Sachs and their
respective officers, employees and sales representatives;
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Commissions paid to Service
Organizations;
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Allocable overhead;
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Telephone and travel expenses;
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Interest and other costs associated
with the financing of such compensation and expenses;
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Printing of prospectuses for
prospective shareholders;
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Preparation and distribution of
sales literature or advertising of any type; and
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All other expenses incurred in
connection with activities primarily intended to result in the
sale of FST Cash Management Shares.
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What
Types Of Reports Will Be Sent Regarding Investments In FST Cash
Management Shares?
Service Organizations will receive from the Funds annual
shareholder reports containing audited financial statements and
semi-annual shareholder reports. Service Organizations will also
be provided with a monthly account statement. Service
Organizations are responsible for providing these or other
reports to their customers who are the beneficial owners of FST
Cash Management Shares in accordance with the rules that apply
to their accounts with the Service Organizations. In addition,
Service Organizations and other financial intermediaries will be
responsible for providing any communication from a Fund to
shareholders, including but not
64
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
limited to prospectuses, prospectus supplements, proxy materials
and notices regarding the sources of dividend payments under
Section 19 of the Investment Company Act.
65
Taxation
As with any investment, you should consider how your investment
in the Funds will be taxed. The tax information below is
provided as general information. More tax information is
available in the SAI. You should consult your tax adviser about
the federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences of your
investment in the Funds. Except as otherwise noted, the tax
information provided assumes that you are a U.S. citizen or
resident.
Unless your investment is through an IRA or other tax-advantaged
account, you should consider the possible tax consequences of
Fund distributions.
Taxes on Distributions:
Each Fund
contemplates declaring as dividends each year all or
substantially all of its net investment income. Fund
distributions of investment income are generally taxable as
ordinary income for federal tax purposes, and may also be
subject to state or local taxes. This is true whether you
reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive
them in cash. Distributions of short-term capital gains are
taxable to you as ordinary income. Any long-term capital gain
distributions are taxable as long-term capital gains, no matter
how long you have owned your Fund shares.
It is anticipated that substantially all of the distributions by
the Funds, other than the Tax-Free Money Market Fund, will be
taxable as ordinary income. You should note that these
distributions will not qualify for the reduced tax rate
currently applicable to certain qualified dividends because the
Funds investment income will consist generally of interest
income rather than corporate dividends.
Although distributions are generally treated as taxable to you
in the year they are paid, distributions declared in December
but paid in January will be taxable as if they were paid in
December. The Funds will inform shareholders of the character
and tax status of all distributions promptly after the close of
each calendar year.
Distributions from the Tax-Free Money Market Fund that are
designated as exempt interest dividends are
generally not subject to federal income tax. However, you should
note that, while the Fund intends to avoid such investments, a
portion of the exempt-interest dividends paid by the Tax-Free
Money Market Fund may be attributable to investments in
securities, the interest on which will be a preference item when
determining your federal AMT liability. Exempt-interest
dividends are also taken into account in determining the taxable
portion of social security or railroad retirement benefits. Any
interest on indebtedness incurred by you to purchase or carry
shares in the Tax-Free Money Market Fund generally will not be
deductible for federal income tax purposes.
66
TAXATION
To the extent that Fund distributions are attributable to
interest on certain federal obligations or interest on
obligations of your state of residence or its municipalities or
authorities, they will in most cases be exempt from state and
local income taxes.
Other Information:
When you open your
account, you should provide your social security or tax
identification number on your Account Application. By law, each
Fund must withhold 28% (currently scheduled to increase to 31%
after 2010) of your taxable distributions and any redemption
proceeds if you do not provide your correct taxpayer
identification number, or certify that it is correct, or if the
Internal Revenue Service instructs the Fund to do so.
Non-U.S.
investors are generally subject to U.S. withholding tax and may
be subject to U.S. estate tax. But, withholding is generally not
required on properly designated distributions to
non-U.S. investors of long-term capital gains.
Distributions before September 1, 2010, of qualified
interest income and short-term capital gains by the Treasury
Obligations Fund, Treasury Instruments Fund, Government Fund,
Federal Fund and the Tax-Free Money Market Fund paid to
non-U.S.
investors are not expected to be subject to withholding.
Distributions of interest and short-term capital gains by the
Prime Obligations Fund and the Money Market Fund paid to
non-U.S.
investors will be generally subject to withholding. More
information about U.S. taxation and
non-U.S.
investors is included in the SAI.
67
Appendix A
Additional Information on the
Funds
This section provides further information on certain types of
securities and investment techniques that may be used by the
Funds, including their associated risks. Additional information
is provided in the SAI, which is available upon request. Among
other things, the SAI describes certain fundamental policies and
investment restrictions that cannot be changed without
shareholder approval. You should note, however, that all
investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental
are non-fundamental and may be changed without shareholder
approval. If there is a change in a Funds investment
objective, you should consider whether that Fund remains an
appropriate investment in light of your then current financial
position and needs. A Fund may purchase other types of
securities or instruments similar to those described in this
section if otherwise consistent with the Funds investment
objective and policies.
U.S. Treasury Obligations and U.S. Government
Securities.
Certain Funds may invest in U.S.
Treasury Obligations, which include, among other things, the
separately traded principal and interest components of
securities guaranteed or issued by the U.S. Treasury if
such components are traded independently under the Separate
Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities
program (STRIPS). U.S. Treasury Obligations may
also include Treasury inflation-protected securities whose
principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate
of inflation.
Certain Funds may invest in U.S. Government Securities. Unlike
U.S. Treasury Obligations, U.S. Government Securities
can be supported by either (i) the full faith and credit of
the U.S. Treasury (such as the Government National Mortgage
Association (Ginnie Mae)); (ii) the right of
the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (iii) the
discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase
certain obligations of the issuer; or (iv) only the credit
of the issuer.
U.S. Government Securities are deemed to include
(a) securities for which the payment of principal and
interest is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by
the U.S. government, its agencies, authorities or
instrumentalities; and (b) participations in loans made to
foreign governments or their agencies that are so guaranteed.
Certain of these participations may be regarded as illiquid.
U.S. Government Securities also include zero coupon bonds.
68
APPENDIX A
Some Funds invest in U.S. Treasury Obligations and certain U.S.
Government Securities the interest from which is generally
exempt from state income taxation. Securities generally eligible
for this exemption include those issued by the U.S. Treasury and
certain agencies, authorities or instrumentalities of the U.S.
government, including the Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Farm
Credit Banks and Tennessee Valley Authority.
U.S. Government Securities have historically involved little
risk of loss of principal if held to maturity. However, no
assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide
financial support to U.S. government agencies, authorities,
instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not
obligated to do so by law.
Bank Obligations.
Certain Funds may invest in
bank obligations, which include certificates of deposit,
commercial paper, unsecured bank promissory notes, bankers
acceptances, time deposits and other debt obligations. Certain
Funds may invest in obligations issued or backed by U.S. banks
when a bank has more than $1 billion in total assets at the
time of purchase or is a branch or subsidiary of such a bank. In
addition, the Money Market Fund may invest in U.S.
dollar-denominated obligations issued or guaranteed by foreign
banks that have more than $1 billion in total assets at the
time of purchase, U.S. branches of such foreign banks (Yankee
obligations), foreign branches of such foreign banks and foreign
branches of U.S. banks having more than $1 billion in total
assets at the time of purchase. Bank obligations may be general
obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing
branch by the terms of the specific obligation or by government
regulation.
If a Fund invests more than 25% of its total assets in bank
obligations (whether foreign or domestic), it may be especially
affected by favorable and adverse developments in or related to
the banking industry. The activities of U.S. and most foreign
banks are subject to comprehensive regulations which, in the
case of U.S. regulations, have undergone substantial changes in
the past decade. The enactment of new legislation or
regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and
enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operations
and profitability of domestic and foreign banks. Significant
developments in the U.S. banking industry have included
increased competition from other types of financial
institutions, increased acquisition activity and geographic
expansion. Banks may be particularly susceptible to certain
economic factors, such as interest rate changes and adverse
developments in the real estate markets. Fiscal and monetary
policy and general economic cycles can affect the availability
and cost of funds, loan demand and asset quality and thereby
impact the earnings and financial conditions of banks.
Commercial Paper.
Certain Funds may invest in
commercial paper, including variable amount master demand notes
and asset-backed commercial paper. Commercial paper normally
represents short-term unsecured promissory notes issued in
69
bearer form by banks or bank holding companies, corporations,
finance companies and other issuers. The commercial paper that
may be purchased by a Fund consists of direct U.S.
dollar-denominated
obligations of domestic or, in the case of the Money Market
Fund, foreign issuers. Asset-backed commercial paper is issued
by a special purpose entity that is organized to issue the
commercial paper and to purchase trade receivables or other
financial assets. The credit quality of asset-backed commercial
paper depends primarily on the quality of these assets and the
level of any additional credit support.
Short-Term Obligations of Corporations or Other
Entities.
Certain Funds may invest in other
short-term obligations, including master demand notes and
short-term funding agreements payable in U.S. dollars and issued
or guaranteed by U.S. corporations, foreign corporations or
other entities. A master demand note permits the investment of
varying amounts by a Fund under an agreement between the Fund
and an issuer. The principal amount of a master demand note may
be increased from time to time by the parties (subject to
specified maximums) or decreased by the Fund or the issuer. A
funding agreement is a contract between an issuer and a
purchaser that obligates the issuer to pay a guaranteed rate of
interest on a principal sum deposited by the purchaser. Funding
agreements will also guarantee a stream of payments over time. A
funding agreement has a fixed maturity date and may have either
a fixed rate or variable interest rate that is based on an index
and guaranteed for a set time period. Because there is normally
no secondary market for these investments, funding agreements
purchased by a Fund may be regarded as illiquid.
Repurchase Agreements.
Certain Funds may
enter into repurchase agreements with securities dealers and
banks. Repurchase agreements are similar to collateralized
loans, but are structured as a purchase of securities by a Fund,
subject to the sellers agreement to repurchase the
securities at a mutually agreed upon date and price. The
difference between the original purchase price and the
repurchase price is normally based on prevailing short-term
interest rates. Under a repurchase agreement, the seller is
required to furnish collateral at least equal in value or market
price to the amount of the sellers repurchase obligation.
If the seller under a repurchase agreement defaults, a Fund
could suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the
sale of the underlying securities and other collateral held by
the Fund are less than the repurchase price and the Funds
cost associated with delay and enforcement of the repurchase
agreement. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency
proceedings concerning the seller, a Fund could suffer
additional losses if the collateral held by the Fund is subject
to a court stay that prevents the Fund from promptly
selling the collateral. If this occurs, the Fund will bear the
risk that the value of the collateral will decline below the
70
APPENDIX A
repurchase price. Furthermore, a Fund could experience a loss if
a court determines that the Funds interest in the
collateral is not enforceable.
In evaluating whether to enter into a repurchase agreement, the
Investment Adviser will carefully consider the creditworthiness
of the seller. Distributions of the income from repurchase
agreements will be taxable to a Funds shareholders. In
addition, certain Funds, together with other registered
investment companies having advisory agreements with the
Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates, may transfer
uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily
aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more
repurchase agreements.
Asset-Backed and Receivables-Backed
Securities.
Certain Funds may invest in
asset-backed and receivables-backed securities whose principal
and interest payments are collateralized by pools of assets such
as auto loans, credit card receivables, leases, mortgages,
installment contracts and personal property. Asset-backed
securities may also include home equity line of credit loans and
other second-lien mortgages. Asset-backed and receivables-backed
securities are often subject to more rapid repayment than their
stated maturity date would indicate as a result of the
pass-through of prepayments of principal on the underlying
loans. During periods of declining interest rates, prepayment of
loans underlying asset-backed and receivables-backed securities
can be expected to accelerate. Accordingly, a Funds
ability to maintain positions in such securities will be
affected by reductions in the principal amount of such
securities resulting from prepayments, and its ability to
reinvest the returns of principal at comparable yields is
subject to generally prevailing interest rates at that time. In
addition, securities that are backed by credit card, automobile
and similar types of receivables generally do not have the
benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable
in quality to mortgage assets. Some asset-backed securities have
only a subordinated claim or security interest in collateral. If
the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its payment
obligation, there is the possibility that, in some cases, a Fund
will be unable to possess and sell the underlying collateral and
that a Funds recoveries on repossessed collateral may not
be available to support payments on the securities. In the event
of a default, a Fund may suffer a loss if it cannot sell
collateral quickly and receive the amount it is owed. There is
no guarantee that private guarantors, or insurers of an
asset-backed security, if any, will meet their obligations. The
value of some asset-backed securities may be particularly
sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates. Asset-backed
securities may also be subject to increased volatility and may
become illiquid and more difficult to value even when there is
no default or threat of default due to market conditions
impacting asset-backed securities more generally. Certain
mortgage-backed securities (especially those backed by sub-prime
and second-lien loans) have declined in value in light of recent
market and economic developments, and such developments have led
to reduced demand and
71
limited liquidity for certain mortgage-related securities.
Unexpected increases in default rates with regard to the
underlying mortgages and increased price volatility, in addition
to liquidity constraints, may make these securities more
difficult to value or dispose of than may have been the case
previously. These events may have an adverse effect on the Funds
to the extent they invest in mortgage-backed or other fixed
income securities or instruments affected by the volatility in
the fixed income markets.
Foreign Government Obligations and Related Foreign
Risks.
The Money Market Fund may invest in foreign
government obligations. Foreign government obligations that the
Fund invests in are U.S. dollar-denominated obligations (limited
to commercial paper and other notes) issued or guaranteed by a
foreign government or other entity located or organized in a
foreign country that maintains a short-term foreign currency
rating in the highest short-term ratings category by the
requisite number of NRSROs.
Investments by the Fund in foreign securities, whether issued by
a foreign government, bank, corporation or other issuer, may
present a greater degree of risk than investments in securities
of domestic issuers because of less publicly-available financial
and other information, less securities regulation, potential
imposition of foreign withholding and other taxes, war,
expropriation or other adverse governmental actions. Foreign
banks and their foreign branches are not regulated by U.S.
banking authorities, and generally are not bound by the
accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards
applicable to U.S. banks. The legal remedies for investors may
be more limited than the remedies available in the United
States. In addition, changes in the exchange rate of a foreign
currency relative to the U.S. dollar (e.g., weakening of the
currency against the U.S. dollar) may adversely affect the
ability of a foreign issuer to pay interest and repay principal
on an obligation.
Municipal Obligations.
Certain Funds may
invest in municipal obligations. Municipal obligations are
issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of
the United States and their political subdivisions, agencies,
authorities and instrumentalities, and the District of Columbia.
Municipal obligations in which a Fund may invest include fixed
rate notes and similar debt instruments; variable and floating
rate demand instruments; tax-exempt commercial paper; municipal
bonds; and unrated notes, paper, bonds or other instruments.
Municipal Notes and Bonds.
Municipal notes
include tax anticipation notes (TANs), revenue
anticipation notes (RANs), bond anticipation notes
(BANs), tax and revenue anticipation notes
(TRANs) and construction loan notes. Municipal bonds
include general obligation bonds and revenue bonds. General
obligation bonds are backed by the taxing power of the issuing
municipality and are considered the safest type of municipal
obligation. Revenue bonds are backed by the revenues
72
APPENDIX A
of a project or facility such as the tolls from a
government-owned toll bridge. Revenue bonds also include lease
rental revenue bonds which are issued by a state or local
authority for capital projects and are secured by annual lease
payments from the state or locality sufficient to cover debt
service on the authoritys obligations. Industrial
development bonds (private activity bonds) are a
specific type of revenue bond backed by the credit and security
of a private user and, therefore, have more potential risk.
Municipal bonds may be issued in a variety of forms, including
commercial paper, tender option bonds and variable and floating
rate securities.
Tender Option Bonds.
A tender option bond is
a municipal obligation (generally held pursuant to a custodial
arrangement) having a relatively long maturity and bearing
interest at a fixed rate higher than prevailing short-term,
tax-exempt rates. The bond is typically issued in conjunction
with the agreement of a third party, such as a bank,
broker-dealer or other financial institution, pursuant to which
the institution grants the security holder the option, at
periodic intervals, to tender its securities to the institution.
As consideration for providing the option, the financial
institution receives periodic fees equal to the difference
between the bonds fixed coupon rate and the rate, as
determined by a remarketing or similar agent, that would cause
the securities, coupled with the tender option, to trade at par
on the date of such determination. Thus, after payment of this
fee, the security holder effectively holds a demand obligation
that bears interest at the prevailing short-term, tax-exempt
rate. An institution will normally not be obligated to accept
tendered bonds in the event of certain defaults or a significant
downgrading in the credit rating assigned to the issuer of the
bond. The tender option will be taken into account in
determining the maturity of the tender option bonds and a
Funds average portfolio maturity and average portfolio
life. There is a risk that a Fund will not be considered the
owner of a tender option bond for federal income tax purposes,
and thus will not be entitled to treat such interest as exempt
from federal income tax. Certain tender option bonds may be
illiquid or may become illiquid as a result of a credit rating
downgrade, a payment default or a disqualification from
tax-exempt status.
Revenue Anticipation Warrants.
Revenue
Anticipation Warrants (RAWs) are issued in
anticipation of the issuers receipt of revenues and
present the risk that such revenues will be insufficient to
satisfy the issuers payment obligations. The entire amount
of principal and interest on RAWs is due at maturity. RAWs,
including those with a maturity of more than 397 days, may
also be repackaged as instruments which include a demand feature
that permits the holder to sell the RAWs to a bank or other
financial institution at a purchase price equal to par plus
accrued interest on each interest rate reset date.
73
Industrial Development Bonds.
Certain Funds
may invest in industrial development bonds (private activity
bonds). Industrial development bonds are a specific type of
revenue bond backed by the credit and security of a private
user, the interest from which would be an item of tax preference
when distributed by a Fund as exempt-interest
dividends to shareholders under the AMT.
Other Municipal Obligation Policies.
Certain
Funds may invest 25% or more of the value of their respective
total assets in municipal obligations which are related in such
a way that an economic, business or political development or
change affecting one municipal obligation would also affect the
other municipal obligation. For example, a Fund may invest all
of its assets in (a) municipal obligations the interest of
which is paid solely from revenues from similar projects such as
hospitals, electric utility systems, multi-family housing,
nursing homes, commercial facilities (including hotels), steel
companies or life care facilities; (b) municipal obligations
whose issuers are in the same state; or (c) industrial
development obligations (except where the non-governmental
entities supplying the revenues from which such bonds or
obligations are to be paid are in the same industry). A
Funds investments in these municipal obligations will
subject the Fund, to a greater extent, to the risks of adverse
economic, business or political developments affecting the
particular state, industry or other area of investment.
Municipal obligations may also include municipal leases,
certificates of participation and moral obligation
bonds. A municipal lease is an obligation issued by a state or
local government to acquire equipment or facilities.
Certificates of participation represent interests in municipal
leases or other instruments, such as installment contracts.
Moral obligation bonds are supported by the moral commitment but
not the legal obligation of a state or municipality. Municipal
leases, certificates of participation and moral obligation bonds
present the risk that the state or municipality involved will
not appropriate the monies to meet scheduled payments under
these instruments.
Municipal obligations may be backed by letters of credit or
other forms of credit enhancement issued by domestic banks or
foreign banks which have a branch, agency or subsidiary in the
United States or by other financial institutions such as
insurance companies which may issue insurance policies with
respect to municipal obligations. The credit quality of these
banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions
could, therefore, cause a loss to a Fund that invests in
municipal obligations. The insurance companies exposure to
securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause insurer
rating downgrade or insolvency, which may affect the prices and
liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurance
company. Letters of credit and other obligations of foreign
banks and financial institutions may involve risks in addition
to those of domestic obligations because
74
APPENDIX A
of less publicly available financial and other information, less
securities regulation, potential imposition of foreign
withholding and other taxes, war, expropriation or other adverse
governmental actions. Foreign banks and their foreign branches
are not regulated by U.S. banking authorities and generally are
not bound by the accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards applicable to U.S. banks.
In order to enhance the liquidity, stability or quality of a
municipal obligation, a Fund may acquire the right to sell the
obligation to another party at a guaranteed price and date.
In purchasing municipal obligations, a Fund intends to rely on
opinions of bond counsel or counsel to the issuers for each
issue as to the excludability of interest on such obligations
from gross income for federal income tax purposes. A Fund will
not undertake independent investigations concerning the
tax-exempt status of such obligations, nor does it guarantee or
represent that bond counsels opinions are correct. Bond
counsels opinions will generally be based in part upon
covenants by the issuers and related parties regarding
continuing compliance with federal tax requirements. Tax laws
contain numerous and complex requirements that must be satisfied
on a continuing basis in order for bonds to be and remain
tax-exempt. If the issuer of a bond or a user of a bond-financed
facility fails to comply with such requirements at any time,
interest on the bond could become taxable, retroactive to the
date the obligation was issued. In that event, a portion of a
Funds distributions attributable to interest the Fund
received on such bond for the current year and for prior years
could be characterized or recharacterized as taxable income.
Custodial Receipts.
Certain Funds may invest
in custodial receipts (including tender option bonds, see above
for more information) representing interests in U.S. Government
Securities, municipal obligations or other debt instruments held
by a custodian or trustee. Custodial receipts evidence ownership
of future interest payments, principal payments or both on notes
or bonds issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the
U.S. government, its agencies, instrumentalities, political
subdivisions or authorities, or by a state or local governmental
body or authority, or by other types of issuers. For certain
securities law purposes, custodial receipts are not considered
obligations of the underlying issuers. In addition, if for tax
purposes a Fund is not considered to be the owner of the
underlying securities held in the custodial account, the Fund
may suffer adverse tax consequences. As a holder of custodial
receipts, a Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees
and expenses charged to the custodial account.
Other Investment Companies.
Certain Funds may
invest in securities of other investment companies, subject to
statutory limitations prescribed by the Investment Company Act.
These limitations include in certain circumstances a prohibition
on the Fund acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any
other investment
75
company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of a
Funds total assets in securities of any one investment
company or more than 10% of its total assets in securities of
all investment companies.
Pursuant to an exemptive order obtained from the SEC or under an
exemptive rule adopted by the SEC, a Fund may invest in other
investment companies and money market funds beyond the statutory
limits described above. Some of those investment companies and
money market funds may be funds for which the Investment Adviser
or any of its affiliates serves as investment adviser,
administrator or distributor.
A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any
management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment
companies, in addition to the fees and expenses regularly borne
by the Fund. Although the Funds do not expect to do so in the
foreseeable future, each Fund is authorized to invest
substantially all of its assets in a single open-end investment
company or series thereof that has substantially the same
investment objective, policies and fundamental restrictions as
the Fund.
Floating and Variable Rate Obligations.
The
Funds may purchase various floating and variable rate
obligations, including tender option bonds. The value of these
obligations is generally more stable than that of a fixed rate
obligation in response to changes in interest rate levels.
Subject to the conditions for using amortized cost valuation
under the Investment Company Act, a Fund may consider the
maturity of a variable or floating rate obligation to be shorter
than its ultimate stated maturity if the obligation is a U.S.
Treasury Obligation or U.S. Government Security, if the
obligation has a remaining maturity of 397 calendar days or
less, or if the obligation has a demand feature that permits the
Fund to receive payment at any time or at specified intervals
not exceeding 397 calendar days. The issuers or financial
intermediaries providing demand features may support their
ability to purchase the obligations by obtaining credit with
liquidity supports. These may include lines of credit, which are
conditional commitments to lend, and letters of credit, which
will ordinarily be irrevocable, both of which may be issued by
domestic banks or foreign banks. A Fund may purchase variable or
floating rate obligations from the issuers or may purchase
certificates of participation, a type of floating or variable
rate obligation, which are interests in a pool of debt
obligations held by a bank or other financial institution.
When-Issued Securities and Forward
Commitments.
Each Fund may purchase when-issued
securities and make contracts to purchase or sell securities for
a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time.
When-issued securities are securities that have been authorized,
but not yet issued. When-issued securities are purchased in
order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price
or yield to a Fund at the time of entering into the transaction.
A forward commitment
76
APPENDIX A
involves entering into a contract to purchase or sell securities
for a fixed price at a future date beyond the customary
settlement period.
The purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward
commitment basis involves a risk of loss if the value of the
security to be purchased declines before the settlement date.
Conversely, the sale of securities on a forward commitment basis
involves the risk that the value of the securities sold may
increase before the settlement date. Although a Fund will
generally purchase securities on a when-issued or forward
commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities
for its portfolio, a Fund may dispose of when-issued securities
or forward commitments prior to settlement if the Investment
Adviser deems it appropriate. When purchasing a security on a
when-issued basis or entering into a forward commitment, a Fund
must set-aside liquid assets, or engage in other
appropriate measures to cover its obligations.
Illiquid Securities.
Each Fund may invest up
to 5% of its total assets (measured at the time of purchase) in
illiquid securities (i.e., securities that cannot be sold or
disposed of in seven days in the ordinary course of business at
approximately the value ascribed to them by the Fund). Illiquid
securities include:
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Both domestic and foreign
securities that are not readily marketable
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Certain municipal leases and
participation interests
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Certain stripped mortgage-backed
securities
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n
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Repurchase agreements and time
deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days
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Certain restricted securities,
unless it is determined, based upon a review of the trading
markets for a specific restricted security, that such restricted
security is liquid because it is so-called 4(2) commercial
paper or is otherwise eligible for resale pursuant to
Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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Investing in restricted securities may decrease the liquidity of
a Funds portfolio. Securities purchased by a Fund that are
liquid at the time of purchase may subsequently become illiquid
due to events relating to the issuer of the securities, market
events, economic conditions or investor perception.
Borrowings.
Each Fund may borrow up to
33
1
/
3
%
of its total assets from banks for temporary or emergency
purposes. A Fund may not make additional investments if
borrowings exceed 5% of its net assets. For more information,
see the SAI.
Downgraded Securities.
After its purchase, a
portfolio security may be assigned a lower rating or cease to be
rated. If this occurs, a Fund may continue to hold the security
if the Investment Adviser believes it is in the best interest of
the Fund and its shareholders.
77
Risks of Large Shareholder
Redemptions.
Certain funds, accounts, individuals
or Goldman Sachs affiliates may from time to time own
(beneficially or of record) or control a significant percentage
of a Funds shares. Redemptions by these funds, accounts or
individuals of their holdings in a Fund may impact the
Funds liquidity and NAV. These redemptions may also force
a Fund to sell securities, which may negatively impact the
Funds brokerage and tax costs.
78
Appendix B
Financial Highlights
Because FST Cash Management Shares have not commenced operations
as of the date of this Prospectus, financial highlights are not
available.
79
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Financial
Square Funds
Prospectus
(FST Cash Management Shares)
FOR
MORE INFORMATION
Annual/Semi-annual
Report
Additional information about the Funds investments is
available in the Funds annual and semi-annual reports to
shareholders. In the Funds annual reports, you will find a
discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies
that significantly affected the Funds performance during
the last fiscal year.
Statement
of Additional Information
Additional information about the Funds and their policies is
also available in the Funds SAI. The SAI is incorporated
by reference into this Prospectus (is legally considered part of
this Prospectus).
The Funds annual and semi-annual reports, and the SAI, are
available free upon request by calling Goldman Sachs at
1-800-621-2550.
You can also access and download the annual and semi-annual
reports and the SAI at the Funds website:
http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com.
From time to time, certain announcements and other information
regarding the Funds may be found at
http://www.gs.com/gsam/redirect/announcements/individuals
for individual investors,
http://www.gs.com/gsam/redirect/announcements/institutions
for institutional investors or
http://www.gs.com/gsam/redirect/announcements/advisors
for advisors.
To obtain other information and for shareholder inquiries:
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By
telephone:
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1-800-621-2550
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By
mail:
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Goldman Sachs Funds
P.O. Box 06050
Chicago, IL 60606-6306
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n
On
the Internet:
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SEC EDGAR database http://www.sec.gov
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You may review and obtain copies of Fund documents (including
the SAI) by visiting the SECs public reference room in
Washington, D.C. You may also obtain copies of Fund documents,
after paying a duplicating fee, by writing to the SECs
Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C.
20549-1520
or by electronic request to: publicinfo@sec.gov. Information on
the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by
calling the SEC at
(202) 551-8090.
The Funds investment company
registration number is 811-05349.
Goldman Sachs Financial Square
Funds
sm
is a service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
GSAM
®
is a registered service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
FSPROCM
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Prospectus
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FST Service,
FST Class B
and FST Class C
Shares
May 14, 2010
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GOLDMAN
SACHS FINANCIAL SQUARE
FUNDS
SM
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THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR
DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IS NOT
INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY
OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. ALTHOUGH THE FUND SEEKS TO PRESERVE THE
VALUE OF YOUR INVESTMENT AT $1.00 PER SHARE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO
LOSE MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE FUND.
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Prime Obligations Fund
n
FST Service Shares: FBSXX
n
FST Class B Shares: GOBXX
n
FST Class C Shares: GPCXX
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Table of
Contents
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1
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Prime
Obligations FundSummary
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6
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Investment
Management Approach
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13
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Risks
of the Fund
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17
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Service
Providers
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22
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Dividends
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23
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Shareholder
Guide
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23
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How to Buy Shares
|
|
|
35
|
|
How to Sell Shares
|
|
|
|
46
|
|
Taxation
|
|
|
|
48
|
|
Appendix A
Additional Information on the Fund
|
|
|
|
57
|
|
Appendix B
Financial Highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOT FDIC-INSURED
|
|
|
May Lose Value
|
|
|
No Bank Guarantee
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prime
Obligations FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Prime Obligations Fund (the Fund) seeks to
maximize current income to the extent consistent with the
preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity by
investing exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prime
|
|
|
|
Obligations
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
|
Service
|
|
|
Class B
|
|
|
Class C
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum
Deferred Sales Charge
(Load)
1
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
5.0%
|
|
|
|
1.0%
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
Redemption Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
Exchange Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
2
(expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
0.21%
|
|
|
|
0.21%
|
|
|
|
0.21%
|
|
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
1.00%
|
|
|
|
1.00%
|
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.52%
|
|
|
|
0.02%
|
|
|
|
0.02%
|
|
Service Fees
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
No
|
ne
|
|
|
No
|
ne
|
Shareholder Administration Fees
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
No
|
ne
|
|
|
No
|
ne
|
All Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.02
|
%
|
|
|
0.02
|
%
|
|
|
0.02
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
0.73%
|
|
|
|
1.23%
|
|
|
|
1.23%
|
|
Fee
Waiver
3
|
|
|
(0.05)%
|
|
|
|
(0.05)%
|
|
|
|
(0.05)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
|
|
|
0.68%
|
|
|
|
1.18%
|
|
|
|
1.18%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
A contingent deferred sales
charge (CDSC) is imposed on FST Class B Shares
redeemed within six years of purchase, declining from a rate of
5% in the first year to 1% in the sixth year, and eliminated
thereafter. A CDSC of 1% is imposed on FST Class C Shares
redeemed within 12 months of purchase.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.045% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the
approval of the Board of Trustees.
|
1
Expense
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 FST Service
Shares, FST Class B Shares
and/or
FST
Class C Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated
and then redeem all of your FST Service, FST Class B or FST
Class C Shares at the end of those periods. The Example
also assumes that FST Class B Shares convert to FST Service
Shares eight years after purchase, your investment has a 5%
return each year and that the Funds operating expenses
remain the same (except that the Example incorporates the
management fee waiver arrangement for only the first year).
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
|
|
FST Service Shares
|
|
$
|
69
|
|
|
$
|
228
|
|
|
$
|
401
|
|
|
$
|
902
|
|
FST Class B Shares*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assuming complete redemption at end of period
|
|
$
|
620
|
|
|
$
|
685
|
|
|
$
|
871
|
|
|
$
|
1,346
|
|
Assuming no redemption
|
|
$
|
120
|
|
|
$
|
385
|
|
|
$
|
671
|
|
|
$
|
1,346
|
|
FST Class C Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assuming complete redemption at end of period
|
|
$
|
220
|
|
|
$
|
385
|
|
|
$
|
671
|
|
|
$
|
1,485
|
|
Assuming no redemption
|
|
$
|
120
|
|
|
$
|
385
|
|
|
$
|
671
|
|
|
$
|
1,485
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
Class B Shares convert to Service Shares eight years
after purchase; therefore, Class B expenses in the
hypothetical example above assume this conversion.
|
Principal Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in
obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government
agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises (U.S. Government Securities),
obligations of U.S. banks, commercial paper and other
short-term obligations of U.S. companies, states,
municipalities and other entities and repurchase agreements.
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon
2
as a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that
the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security, or a bank or other financial
institution that has entered into a repurchase agreement, may
default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
Additionally, the credit quality of the Funds portfolio
securities may deteriorate rapidly, which may impair the
Funds liquidity and have the potential to cause
significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also be adversely affected. A low interest rate
environment poses additional risks to the Fund, because low
yields on the Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse
impact on the Funds ability to provide a positive yield to
its shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of individual companies, particular
industry sectors or governments
and/or
general economic conditions.
|
|
n
|
U.S. Government
Securities
Risk
The
U.S. government may not provide financial support to
U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law.
U.S. Government Securities issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and Federal Home
Loan Banks chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. It is
possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet
their payment obligations in the future.
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects fee waivers and expense
limitations in effect. Updated performance information is
available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by
calling
1-800-526-7384.
3
|
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN
|
|
CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
|
Best Quarter
Q3 00 1.53%
Worst Quarter
Q3 09 0.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the period
ended December 31, 2009
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
|
Since
Inception
|
|
FST Service Shares (Inception 1/8/92)*
|
|
|
0.07%
|
|
|
|
2.79%
|
|
|
|
2.60%
|
|
|
|
3.38%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Because FST Class B and FST
Class C Shares have not commenced operations as of the date
of this Prospectus, the figures shown above provide performance
for FST Service Shares of the Fund; FST Class B and FST
Class C Shares would have similar returns (because these
share classes represent interests in the same portfolio of
securities) that would differ only to the extent that they have
higher expenses and may impose CDSCs.
|
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
Investors wishing to purchase shares of the Fund are generally
required to purchase FST Service Shares. FST Class B and
FST Class C Shares will typically be acquired in an
exchange for Class B or Class C Shares, respectively,
of another Goldman Sachs Fund. The minimum initial investment
for FST Service Shares is generally $10 million, which is
imposed upon institutions that have agreed to provide
administration and personal account maintenance services to
their customers who are the beneficial owners of FST Service
Shares, except in the following situations involving the
following types of current and prospective shareholders: (a) a
minimum initial investment of $1,000 is imposed upon those
individual investors that wish to acquire FST Service
Shares of the Fund through broker-dealers and certain other
intermediaries in exchange for shares of other Goldman Sachs
Funds; and (b) there is no minimum initial investment for
those individual investors that are offered FST Service Shares
of the Fund through an employer sponsored benefit plan. The
minimum initial investment for FST Class C Shares is,
generally, $1,000, except that no minimum initial investment is
imposed on
4
investors that are offered FST Class C Shares of the Fund
as an option through an employer sponsored benefit plan. FST
Service Shares and FST Class C Shares generally have no
minimum subsequent investment amount, except for certain
retirement accounts, automatic investment plan accounts and
Uniform Gift/Transfer to Minors Accounts, for which the minimum
is $50.
FST Class B Shares are generally no longer available for
purchase by current or prospective investors. However,
shareholders invested in Class B Shares of other Goldman
Sachs Funds may exchange these Shares for FST Class B
Shares of the Fund. No minimum initial investment requirement
will be imposed on ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio Class B
shareholders wishing to exchange their ILA Prime Obligations
Portfolio Class B Shares for FST Class B Shares of the
Fund.
You may purchase and redeem (sell) shares of the Fund on any
business day through certain brokers, registered investment
advisers and other financial institutions (Authorized
Institutions).
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as
ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing
through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an
individual retirement account.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Fund through an Authorized Institution, the
Fund
and/or
its related companies may pay the Authorized Institution for the
sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may
create a conflict of interest by influencing the Authorized
Institution and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over
another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your
Authorized Institution website for more information.
5
Investment Management Approach
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE
The Fund seeks to maximize current income to the extent
consistent with the preservation of capital and the maintenance
of liquidity by investing exclusively in high quality money
market instruments.
PRINCIPAL
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in
U.S. Government Securities, obligations of U.S. banks,
commercial paper and other short-term obligations of
U.S. companies, states, municipalities and other entities
and repurchase agreements.
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the Fund
may be subject to additional investment restrictions.
6
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P.
(GSAM
®
)
serves as investment adviser to the Fund. GSAM is referred to in
this Prospectus as the Investment Adviser.
Goldman
Sachs Money Market Investment Philosophy:
The Fund is managed to seek preservation of capital, daily
liquidity and maximum current income. With respect to the Fund,
the Investment Adviser follows a conservative, risk-managed
investment process that seeks to:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Manage credit risk
|
|
n
|
Manage interest rate risk
|
|
n
|
Manage liquidity
|
Since 1981, the Investment Adviser
has actively managed the Goldman Sachs Money Market Funds to
provide investors with the greatest possible preservation of
principal and income potential.
INVESTMENT
PROCESS
1. Managing Credit Risk
The Investment Advisers process for managing credit risk
emphasizes:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Intensive
research
The
Credit Department, a separate operating entity of Goldman,
Sachs & Co. (Goldman Sachs, or
GS&Co.), approves all money market fund
eligible securities for the Fund. Sources for the Credit
Departments analysis include third-party inputs, such as
financial statements and media sources, ratings releases and
company meetings, as well as the Investment Research, Legal and
Compliance departments of Goldman Sachs.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Timely
updates
A
Credit Department-approved list of securities is continuously
communicated on a real-time basis to the portfolio
management team via computer link.
|
The Result: An approved list of
high-quality credits
The Investment Advisers
portfolio management team uses this approved list to construct
portfolios which offer the best available risk-return trade-off
within the approved credit universe. If a security
is removed from the approved list, the Investment
Adviser may not purchase that security for the Fund, although it
is not required to sell the security.
7
2. Managing Interest Rate Risk
Three main steps are followed in seeking to manage interest rate
risk:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Establish weighted average
maturity (WAM) and weighted average life
(WAL)
targets
WAM
(the weighted average time until the yield of a portfolio
reflects any changes in the current interest rate environment)
and WAL (designed to more accurately measure spread
risk) are constantly revisited and adjusted as market
conditions change. An overall strategy is developed by the
portfolio management team based on insights gained from weekly
meetings with both Goldman Sachs economists and economists from
outside the firm.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Implement optimum portfolio
structure
Proprietary
models that seek the optimum balance of risk and return, in
conjunction with the Investment Advisers analysis of
factors such as market events, short-term interest rates and the
Funds asset volatility, are used to identify the most
effective portfolio structure.
|
|
n
|
Conduct rigorous analysis of
new
securities
The
Investment Advisers five-step process includes legal,
credit, historical index and liquidity analysis, as well as
price stress testing to determine the suitability of potential
investments for the Fund.
|
3. Managing Liquidity
Factors that the Investment Advisers portfolio managers
continuously monitor and that affect liquidity of a money market
portfolio include:
|
|
|
|
n
|
The Funds investors and other
factors that influence the asset volatility of the Fund;
|
|
n
|
Technical events that influence the
trading range of federal funds and other short-term fixed-income
markets; and
|
|
n
|
Bid-ask spreads associated with
securities in the portfolios.
|
The Benchmark for the Fund is an
iMoneyNet, Inc. Index. The Fund uses the iMoneyNet Index
which best corresponds to the Funds eligible
investments.
References in this Prospectus to a benchmark are for
informational purposes only, and unless otherwise noted are not
an indication of how the Fund is managed.
8
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
Additional
Fund Characteristics and Restrictions
|
|
|
|
n
|
The Funds securities are
valued using the amortized cost method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act. Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated securities
that are determined to present minimal credit risk and meet
certain other criteria including conditions relating to
maturity, diversification and credit quality. These operating
policies may be more restrictive than the fundamental policies
set forth in the Statement of Additional Information (the
SAI).
|
|
n
|
The
Investors:
The
Fund is designed for investors seeking a high rate of return, a
stable NAV and convenient liquidation privileges.
|
|
n
|
NAV:
The
Fund seeks to maintain a stable NAV of $1.00 per share. There
can be no assurance that the Fund will be able at all times to
maintain a NAV of $1.00 per share.
|
|
n
|
Maximum Remaining Maturity of
Portfolio
Investments:
13 months
(as determined pursuant to
Rule 2a-7)
at the time of purchase.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Dollar-Weighted Average
Portfolio
Maturity:
Not
more than 60 days (as required by
Rule 2a-7).
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Dollar-Weighted Average
Portfolio
Life:
Not more
than 120 days (as required by Rule 2a-7).
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Investment
Restrictions:
The
Fund is subject to certain investment restrictions that are
described in detail under Investment Restrictions in
the SAI. Fundamental investment restrictions and the investment
objective of the Fund cannot be changed without approval of a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. All investment
objectives and policies not specifically designated as
fundamental are non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board
of Trustees without shareholder approval.
|
|
n
|
Diversification:
Diversification
can help the Fund reduce the risks of investing. In accordance
with current regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the SEC), the Fund may not invest more
than 5% of the value of its total assets at the time of purchase
in the securities of any single issuer, except that the Fund may
invest up to 25% of its total assets in the securities of a
single issuer for up to three business days. These limitations
do not apply to cash, certain repurchase agreements, U.S.
Government Securities or securities of other investment
companies. In addition, securities subject to certain
unconditional guarantees are subject to different
diversification requirements as described in the SAI.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Portfolio
Liquidity:
The
Fund is required to maintain a sufficient degree of liquidity
necessary to meet reasonably foreseeable redemption requests. In
addition, the Fund must hold at least 10% of its total assets in
daily liquid assets and 30% of its total assets in
weekly liquid assets (each as defined by
Rule 2a-7), and the Fund may not acquire an illiquid
security if, after the
|
9
purchase, more than 5% of the Funds total assets would
consist of illiquid assets.
ADDITIONAL
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Note that the Best Quarter and Worst
Quarter figures shown in the Performance
section of the Funds Summary are applicable only to the
time period covered by the bar chart.
INVESTMENT
PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
The table below identifies some of the investment techniques
that may (but are not required to) be used by the Fund in
seeking to achieve its investment objective. Numbers in the
table show allowable usage only; for actual usage, consult the
Funds annual/semi-annual report. For more information
about these and other investment practices and securities, see
Appendix A. The Fund publishes on its website
(http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com) its complete portfolio
holdings as of the end of each month subject to a fifteen
calendar day lag between the date of the information and the
date on which the information is disclosed. The Fund also
publishes its holdings on a weekly basis, with no lag required
between the date of the information and the date on which the
information is disclosed. This information will be available on
the website until the next publish date or the date on which the
Fund files its next quarterly portfolio holdings report on
Form N-CSR
or
Form N-Q
with the SEC. In addition, certain portfolio statistics (other
than portfolio holdings information) are available on a daily
basis by calling
1-800-621-2550.
A description of the Funds policies and procedures with
respect to the disclosure of the Funds portfolio holdings
is available in the Funds SAI.
10
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
Investment
Policies Matrix
|
|
|
|
|
Prime
|
|
|
Obligations
|
|
|
Fund
|
U.S. Treasury Obligations
|
|
n
1
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government Securities
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
Bank Obligations
|
|
n
U.S. banks
only
2
|
|
|
|
Commercial Paper
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
Short-Term Obligations of Corporations and Other Entities
|
|
n
U.S. entities only
|
|
|
|
Repurchase Agreements
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
Asset-Backed and Receivables-Backed Securities
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
Municipals
|
|
n
3
|
|
|
|
Custodial Receipts
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
Unrated
Securities
4
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
Investment Companies
|
|
n
|
|
|
Up to 10% of total assets in other investment
companies
5
|
|
|
|
Private Activity Bonds
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
Credit
Quality
4
|
|
First
Tier
6
|
|
|
|
Summary of
Taxation for
Distributions
7
|
|
Taxable federal and
state
8
|
|
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
Reverse repurchase agreements not permitted.
|
|
|
|
Note: See Appendix A for a description of, and
certain criteria applicable to, each of these categories of
investments.
See page 12 for all footnotes.
11
|
|
|
1
|
|
Issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Treasury.
|
|
2
|
|
Including foreign branches of
U.S. banks.
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
Will only make such investments
when yields on such securities are attractive compared to other
taxable investments.
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
To the extent permitted by
Rule 2a-7,
securities without short-term ratings may be purchased if they
are deemed to be of comparable quality to First Tier Securities.
In addition, the Fund may rely on the credit quality of the
guarantee or demand feature in determining the credit quality of
a security supported by a guarantee or demand feature.
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
This percentage limitation does
not apply to the Funds investments in investment companies
(including exchange-traded funds) where a higher percentage
limitation is permitted under the terms of an SEC exemptive
order or SEC exemptive rule.
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
First Tier Securities are
(a) rated in the highest short-term rating category by at
least two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations
(NRSROs), or if only one NRSRO has assigned a
rating, by that NRSRO; or (b) issued or guaranteed by, or
otherwise allow the Fund under certain conditions to demand
payment from, an entity with such ratings. U.S. Government
Securities are considered First Tier Securities.
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
See Taxation for an
explanation of the tax consequences summarized in the table
above.
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
Taxable in many states except
for interest income distributions from U.S. Treasury Obligations
and certain U.S. Government Securities.
|
12
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The principal risks of the Fund are discussed in the Summary
section of this Prospectus. The following gives additional
information on the risks that apply to the Fund and may result
in a loss of your investment. The Fund should not be relied upon
as a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that
the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
|
|
|
|
|
Prime
|
Risk Category
|
|
Obligations
|
Applicable
|
|
Portfolio
|
Stable NAV
|
|
|
Interest Rate
|
|
|
Credit/Default
|
|
|
Management
|
|
|
Market
|
|
|
Liquidity
|
|
|
U.S. Government Securities
|
|
|
Banking Industry
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The risk
that the Fund will not be able to maintain a NAV per share of
$1.00 at all times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on
or expect the Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase
distressed assets from the Fund, make capital infusions into the
Fund, enter into capital support agreements with the Fund or
take other actions to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00
share price.
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
The risk
that during periods of rising interest rates, the Funds
yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates; in periods of falling
interest rates, the Funds yield will tend to be higher. A
low interest rate environment poses additional risks to the
Fund. Low yields on the Funds portfolio holdings may have
an adverse impact on the Funds ability to provide a
positive yield to its shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund
assets, or, at times, maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
The risk
that an issuer or guarantor of a security, or a bank or other
financial institution that has entered into a repurchase
agreement, may default on its obligation to pay interest and
repay principal.
|
The credit quality of the Funds portfolio securities may
meet the Funds credit quality requirements at the time of
purchase but then deteriorate thereafter, and such deterioration
can occur rapidly. In certain instances, the downgrading or
default of a single holding or guarantor of the Funds
holding may impair the Funds liquidity and have the
potential to cause significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
n
|
Management
Risk
The risk
that a strategy used by the Investment Adviser may fail to
produce the intended results.
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The risk
that the value of the securities in which the Fund invests may
go up or down in response to the prospects of individual
companies, particular industry sectors or governments and/or
general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or
last for extended periods. The Funds investments may be
overweighted from time to time in one or more industry sectors,
which will increase the Funds exposure to risk of loss
from adverse developments affecting those sectors.
|
n
|
Liquidity
Risk
The risk
that the Fund may make investments that may become less liquid
in response to market developments or adverse investor
perception. While the Fund endeavors to maintain a high level of
liquidity in its portfolio, the liquidity of portfolio
securities can deteriorate rapidly due to credit events
affecting issuers or guarantors or due to general market
conditions and a lack of willing buyers. When there is no
willing buyer and investments cannot be readily sold at the
desired time or price, the Fund may have to accept a lower price
or may not be able to sell the instrument at all. An inability
to sell one or more portfolio positions can adversely affect the
Funds ability to maintain a $1.00 share price or prevent
the Fund from being able to take advantage of other investment
opportunities.
|
14
RISKS
OF THE FUND
Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that the Fund will not
be able to pay redemption proceeds within a short period of time
because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume
of redemption requests or other reasons. Although the Fund
reserves the right to meet redemption requests through in-kind
distributions, to date the Fund has not paid redemptions
in-kind. While the Fund may pay redemptions in-kind in the
future, the Fund may instead choose to raise cash to meet
redemption requests through sales of portfolio securities or
permissible borrowings. If the Fund is forced to sell securities
at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions, such
sales may adversely affect the Funds ability to maintain a
$1.00 share price.
Certain shareholders, including clients or affiliates of the
Investment Adviser and/or other funds managed by the Investment
Adviser, may from time to time own or control a significant
percentage of the Funds shares. These shareholders may
include, for example, institutional investors, funds of funds,
discretionary advisory clients, and other shareholders whose
buy-sell decisions are controlled by a single decision maker.
Redemptions by these shareholders of their shares of the Fund
may further increase the Funds liquidity risk and may
impact the Funds NAV.
|
|
n
|
U.S. Government Securities
Risk
The risk
that the U.S. government will not provide financial support to
U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law. Although
many types of U.S. Government Securities may be purchased
by the Fund, such as those issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and Federal Home
Loan Banks chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress, their
securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United
States Treasury and, therefore, are not backed by the full faith
and credit of the United States. The maximum potential liability
of the issuers of some U.S. Government Securities held by
the Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, including
their legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is
possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet
their payment obligations in the future. In September 2008, the
U.S. Treasury and the Federal Housing Finance
Administration (FHFA) announced that Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac would be placed into a conservatorship under FHFA.
The effect that this conservatorship will have on the
entities debt and securities guaranteed by the entities is
unclear.
|
n
|
Banking Industry
Risk
The risk
that an adverse development in the banking industry may affect
the value of the Funds investments more than if the
Funds investments were not invested to such a degree in
the banking industry. Banks may be particularly susceptible to
certain economic factors such as interest rate changes, adverse
developments in the real estate market, fiscal and monetary
policy and general economic cycles.
|
15
More information about the Funds portfolio securities and
investment techniques, and their associated risks, is provided
in Appendix A. You should consider the investment risks
discussed in this section and in Appendix A. Both are
important to your investment choice.
16
Service Providers
INVESTMENT
ADVISER
|
|
|
Investment
Adviser
|
|
Fund
|
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (GSAM)
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282
|
|
Prime Obligations
|
|
|
|
GSAM has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC
since 1990 and is an affiliate of Goldman Sachs. As of
December 31, 2009, GSAM, including its investment advisory
affiliates, had assets under management of $753.4 billion.
The Investment Adviser provides day-to-day advice regarding the
Funds portfolio transactions. The Investment Adviser makes
the investment decisions for the Fund and places purchase and
sale orders for the Funds portfolio transactions in U.S.
and foreign markets. As permitted by applicable law, and
exemptive relief obtained by the Investment Adviser, Goldman
Sachs and the Fund, these orders may be directed to any
broker-dealers, including Goldman Sachs and its affiliates.
While the Investment Adviser is ultimately responsible for the
management of the Fund, it is able to draw upon the research and
expertise of its asset management affiliates for portfolio
decisions and management with respect to certain portfolio
securities. In addition, the Investment Adviser has access to
the research and certain proprietary technical models developed
by Goldman Sachs and will apply quantitative and qualitative
analysis in determining the appropriate allocations among
categories of issuers and types of securities.
The Investment Adviser also performs the following additional
services for the Fund:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Supervises all non-advisory
operations of the Fund
|
|
n
|
Provides personnel to perform
necessary executive, administrative and clerical services to the
Fund
|
|
n
|
Arranges for the preparation of all
required tax returns, reports to shareholders, prospectuses and
statements of additional information and other reports filed
with the SEC and other regulatory authorities
|
|
n
|
Maintains the records of the Fund
|
|
n
|
Provides office space and all
necessary office equipment and services
|
Pursuant to SEC exemptive orders, the Fund may enter into
principal transactions in certain money market instruments,
including repurchase agreements, with Goldman Sachs.
17
MANAGEMENT
FEES
As compensation for its services and its assumption of certain
expenses, the Investment Adviser is entitled to the following
fees, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rates
listed below (as a percentage of the Funds average daily
net assets):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual Rate
|
|
|
|
|
For the Fiscal
|
|
|
|
|
Period Ended
|
Fund
|
|
Contractual
Rate
|
|
August 31,
2009*
|
Prime Obligations
|
|
|
0.205%
|
|
|
|
0.16%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
The Funds fiscal year end changed from December 31
to August 31 effective January 1, 2009. The Investment
Adviser has agreed to waive a portion of its Management Fee
equal annually to 0.045% of the Funds average daily net
assets. This waiver will remain in effect through at least
May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the Investment Adviser
may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the
Board of Trustees. This management fee waiver may be modified or
terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser
and without shareholder approval after such date, although the
Investment Adviser does not presently intend to do so.
|
The Investment Adviser may waive a portion of its management fee
from time to time, and may discontinue or modify any such
waivers in the future, consistent with the terms of any fee
waiver arrangements in place. Due to the current low yield
environment, the Investment Adviser may voluntarily waive a
portion of its management fees. This temporary waiver may be
modified or terminated at any time at the option of the
Investment Adviser, without shareholder approval.
The Investment Adviser has agreed to reduce or limit the
Funds Other Expenses (excluding management
fees, distribution fees, service fees, administration fees,
transfer agency fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage
fees and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meetings and
other extraordinary expenses, exclusive of any custody and
transfer agent fee credit deductions) equal on an annualized
basis to 0.014% of the Funds average daily net assets.
This arrangement will remain in place through at least
May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the Investment Adviser
may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the
Board of Trustees. This expense limitation may be modified or
terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser
and without shareholder approval after such date, although the
Investment Adviser does not presently intend to do so.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees
approval of the Management Agreement for the Fund in 2009 is
available in the Funds annual report dated August 31,
2009.
18
SERVICE
PROVIDERS
DISTRIBUTOR
AND TRANSFER AGENT
Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282,
serves as the exclusive distributor (the
Distributor) of the Funds shares. Goldman
Sachs, 71 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606,
also serves as the Funds transfer agent (the
Transfer Agent) and, as such, performs various
shareholder servicing functions.
For its transfer agency services, Goldman Sachs is entitled to
receive a transfer agency fee equal, on an annualized basis, to
0.01% of average daily net assets of the Fund. Due to the
current low yield environment, Goldman Sachs may voluntarily
agree to waive a portion of the Funds transfer agency
fees. These temporary waivers may be modified or terminated at
any time at the option of Goldman Sachs, without shareholder
approval.
From time to time, Goldman Sachs or any of its affiliates may
purchase and hold shares of the Fund. Goldman Sachs reserves the
right to redeem at any time some or all of the shares acquired
for its own account.
|
|
ACTIVITIES
OF GOLDMAN SACHS AND ITS AFFILIATES AND OTHER
ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY GOLDMAN
SACHS
|
|
The involvement of the Investment Adviser, Goldman Sachs and
their affiliates in the management of, or their interest in,
other accounts and other activities of Goldman Sachs may present
conflicts of interest with respect to the Fund or limit the
Funds investment activities. Goldman Sachs is a full
service investment banking, broker dealer, asset management and
financial services organization and a major participant in
global financial markets. As such, it acts as an investor,
investment banker, research provider, investment manager,
financier, advisor, market maker, trader, prime broker, lender,
agent and principal, and has other direct and indirect
interests, in the global fixed income, currency, commodity,
equity and other markets in which the Fund directly and
indirectly invests. Thus, it is likely that the Fund will have
multiple business relationships with and will invest in, engage
in transactions with, make voting decisions with respect to, or
obtain services from entities for which Goldman Sachs performs
or seeks to perform investment banking or other services. The
Investment Adviser and/or certain of its affiliates are the
managers of the Goldman Sachs Funds. Goldman Sachs and its
affiliates engage in proprietary trading and advise accounts and
funds which have investment objectives similar to those of the
Fund and/or which engage in and compete for transactions in the
same types of securities, currencies and instruments as the
Fund. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates will not have any
obligation to make available any information regarding their
proprietary activities or strategies, or the activities or
19
strategies used for other accounts managed by them, for the
benefit of the management of the Fund. Goldman Sachs may
restrict transactions for itself, but not for the Fund (or vice
versa). The results of the Funds investment activities,
therefore, may differ from those of Goldman Sachs, its
affiliates, and other accounts managed by Goldman Sachs and it
is possible that the Fund could sustain losses during periods in
which Goldman Sachs and its affiliates and other accounts
achieve significant profits on their trading for proprietary or
other accounts. In addition, the Fund may enter into
transactions in which Goldman Sachs or its other clients have an
adverse interest. For example, the Fund may take a long position
in a security at the same time that Goldman Sachs or other
accounts managed by the Investment Adviser take a short position
in the same security (or vice versa). These and other
transactions undertaken by Goldman Sachs, its affiliates or
Goldman Sachs-advised clients may adversely impact the Fund.
Transactions by one or more Goldman Sachs-advised clients or the
Investment Adviser may have the effect of diluting or otherwise
disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of
the Fund. The Funds activities may be limited because of
regulatory restrictions applicable to Goldman Sachs and its
affiliates, and/or their internal policies designed to comply
with such restrictions. As a global financial services firm,
Goldman Sachs also provides a wide range of investment banking
and financial services to issuers of securities and investors in
securities. Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and others associated
with it may create markets or specialize in, have positions in
and affect transactions in, securities of issuers held by the
Fund, and may also perform or seek to perform investment banking
and financial services for those issuers. Goldman Sachs and its
affiliates may have business relationships with and purchase or
distribute or sell services or products from or to distributors,
consultants or others who recommend the Fund or who engage in
transactions with or for the Fund. For more information about
conflicts of interest, see the SAI.
LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
On April 16, 2010, the SEC brought an action under the
U.S. federal securities laws in the U.S. District Court for
the Southern District of New York against GS&Co. and one of
its employees alleging that they made materially misleading
statements and omissions in connection with a 2007 private
placement of securities relating to a synthetic collateralized
debt obligation sold to two institutional investors. GS&Co.
and/or other affiliates of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. have
received or may in the future receive notices and requests for
information from various regulators, and have become or may in
the future become involved in legal proceedings, based on
allegations similar to those made by the SEC or other matters.
20
SERVICE
PROVIDERS
Neither GSAM nor any GSAM-managed funds have been named in the
complaint. Moreover, the SEC complaint does not seek any
penalties against them or against any employee who is or has
been part of GSAM.
In the view of GS&Co. and GSAM, neither the matters alleged
in this or any such similar proceedings nor their eventual
resolution are likely to have a material effect on the ability
of GS&Co., GSAM or their affiliates to provide services to
GSAM-managed funds. Due to a provision in the law governing the
operation of mutual funds, the resolution of the SEC action
could, under certain circumstances, result in a situation in
which GS&Co., GSAM and their affiliates would be ineligible
to serve as an investment adviser or principal underwriter for
U.S.-registered mutual funds absent an exemption from the SEC.
While there is no assurance that such an exemption would be
granted, the SEC has granted this type of relief in the past.
21
Dividends
All or substantially all of the Funds net investment
income will be declared as a dividend daily. Dividends will
normally, but not always, be declared as of 5:00 p.m. New
York time as a dividend and distributed monthly. You may choose
to have dividends paid in:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Cash
|
|
n
|
Additional shares of the same class
of the Fund
|
|
n
|
Shares of a similar or an
equivalent class of another Goldman Sachs Fund.
|
Special restrictions may apply. See the SAI.
You may indicate your election on your Account Application. Any
changes may be submitted in writing to the Transfer Agent
(either directly or for accounts opened through an Authorized
Institution, through your Authorized Institution) at any time.
If you do not indicate any choice, dividends and distributions
will be reinvested automatically in the Fund.
Dividends will be reinvested as of the last calendar day of each
month. Cash distributions normally will be paid on or about the
first business day of each month. Net short-term capital gains,
if any, will be distributed in accordance with federal income
tax requirements and may be reflected in the Funds daily
distributions. Net short-term capital gains may at times
represent a significant component of the Funds daily
distributions (e.g., during periods of extremely low interest
rates).
The Fund may distribute at least annually other realized capital
gains, if any, after reduction by available capital losses. In
order to avoid excessive fluctuations in the amount of monthly
capital gains distributions, a portion of any net capital gains
realized on the disposition of securities during the months of
November and December may be distributed during the subsequent
calendar year. The realized gains and losses are not expected to
be of an amount which would affect the Funds NAV of $1.00
per share.
22
Shareholder Guide
The following section will provide you with answers to some of
the most frequently asked questions regarding buying and selling
the Funds shares.
HOW
TO BUY SHARES
How
Can I Purchase FST Service, FST Class B and FST
Class C Shares Of The Fund?
You may purchase shares of the Fund through certain brokers,
registered investment advisers and other financial institutions
(Authorized Institutions). Investors wishing to
purchase shares of the Fund are generally required to purchase
FST Service Shares. FST Class B and FST Class C Shares
of the Fund will typically be acquired in an exchange for
Class B and Class C Shares, respectively, of another
Goldman Sachs Fund. If you do not specify in your instructions
to your Authorized Institution which class of shares you wish to
purchase, your Authorized Institution will assume that the
instructions apply to FST Service Shares since, unlike FST
Class B and FST Class C Shares, they are normally not
subject to a CDSC and have lower fees.
In order to make an initial investment in the Fund, you must
furnish to your Authorized Institution the information in the
Account Application. An order will be processed upon receipt of
payment.
To
Open an Account:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Complete the Account Application
|
|
n
|
Mail your payment and Account
Application to your Authorized Institution:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Your Authorized Institution is responsible for forwarding
payment promptly to the Fund
|
The Fund will not accept checks drawn on foreign banks, third
party checks, temporary checks, cash or cash equivalents, e.g.,
cashiers checks, official bank checks, money orders,
travelers cheques or credit card checks. In limited situations
involving the transfer of retirement assets, the Fund may accept
cashiers checks or official bank checks.
What
Is My Minimum Investment In The Fund?
The minimum initial investment for FST Service Shares is
$10 million, which is imposed upon institutions that have
agreed to provide administration and personal account
maintenance services to their customers who are the beneficial
owners of FST Service Shares (Service
Organizations), except with respect to:
(i) individual investors that wish to acquire FST Service
Shares of the Fund through broker-dealers and certain other
intermediaries in exchange for shares of other Goldman
23
Sachs Funds; and (ii) employer sponsored benefit plans
offering FST Service Shares of the Fund (Retail FST
Service Shareholders).
The investment minimums for Retail FST Service Shareholders are
described below. Unless otherwise noted, when referencing FST
Service Shares this Prospectus is directed specifically to
current and prospective Retail FST Service Shareholders.
For each account holding FST Class B Shares, FST Class C Shares,
or which is established by a Retail FST Service Shareholder for
the purpose of holding FST Service Shares, the following
minimums must be met:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Initial
|
|
Additional*
|
Regular Accounts
|
|
$1,000
|
|
No minimum
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Share Exchanges
|
|
$1,000 or
full account
share balance,
whichever
is less
|
|
No minimum
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employer Sponsored Benefit Plans
|
|
No minimum
|
|
No minimum
|
|
|
|
|
|
Uniform Gift/Transfer to Minors Accounts (UGMA/UTMA)
|
|
$250
|
|
$50
|
|
|
|
|
|
Individual Retirement Accounts and Coverdell ESAs
|
|
$250
|
|
$50
|
|
|
|
|
|
Automatic Investment Plan Accounts
|
|
$250
|
|
$50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No minimum investment
requirements will be imposed with respect to ILA Prime
Obligations Portfolio Class B and ILA Prime Obligations
Portfolio Class C shareholders wishing to exchange their
Shares for the Funds FST Class B and FST Class C
Shares, respectively.
|
|
*
|
|
No minimum additional investment
requirements are imposed with respect to investors trading
through intermediaries who aggregate shares in omnibus or
similar accounts (e.g., retirement plan accounts, wrap program
accounts or traditional brokerage house accounts).
|
The minimum investment requirement may be waived for current and
former officers, partners, directors or employees of Goldman
Sachs or any of its affiliates and any Trustee or officer of the
Trust. The minimum investment requirement may also be waived for
certain mutual fund wrap programs at the discretion
of the officers of the Goldman Sachs Trust (the
Trust). No minimum amount is required for additional
investments by such accounts.
24
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
What
Alternative Sales Arrangements Are Available?
The Fund offers FST Service, FST Class B (subject to the
limitations described herein) and FST Class C Shares
through this Prospectus:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FST Service
Shares
|
|
FST Class B
Shares*
|
|
FST Class C
Shares
|
Maximum Amount You Can Buy in the Aggregate Across All
Goldman Sachs Funds
|
|
No limit
|
|
$100,000
|
|
$1,000,000**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Initial Sales Charge
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CDSC
|
|
None unless acquired in an exchange for shares subject to a CDSC
|
|
6 year declining
CDSC with a maximum of 5%
|
|
1% if shares are redeemed within 12 months of purchase
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conversion Feature
|
|
None
|
|
FST Class B Shares automatically convert to FST Service Shares
on or about the fifteenth day of the last month of the quarter
that is 8 years after the purchase date
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
FST Class B Shares of the
Fund are generally no longer available for purchase by new or
existing shareholders, although shareholders invested in
Class B Shares of other Goldman Sachs Funds may exchange
these shares for FST Class B Shares of the Fund. See
Common Questions Applicable To FST Class B
Shares below.
|
|
|
|
These limits do not apply to ILA
Prime Obligations Portfolio Class B (subject the
limitations described elsewhere in this Prospectus) and ILA
Prime Obligations Portfolio Class C Shareholders wishing to
exchange their Shares for the Funds FST Class B and
FST Class C Shares, respectively.
|
|
**
|
|
No additional FST Class C
Shares may be purchased by an investor either in an initial
purchase or in additional purchases if the current market value
of all its Goldman Sachs Fund shares owned and/or purchased
exceeds $1,000,000.
|
What
Should I Know When I Purchase Shares Through An Authorized
Institution?
Authorized Institutions and other financial intermediaries may
provide varying arrangements for their clients to purchase and
redeem Fund shares. In addition, Authorized Institutions and
other financial intermediaries are responsible for providing to
you any communication from the Fund to its shareholders,
including but not limited to, prospectuses, prospectus
supplements, proxy materials and notices regarding the source of
dividend payments under Section 19 of the
25
Investment Company Act. They may charge additional fees not
described in this Prospectus to their customers for such
services.
If shares of the Fund are held in a street name
account with an Authorized Institution, all recordkeeping,
transaction processing and payments of distributions relating to
your account will be performed by the Authorized Institution,
and not by the Fund and its Transfer Agent. Since the Fund will
have no record of your transactions, you should contact your
Authorized Institution to purchase, redeem or exchange shares,
to make changes in or give instructions concerning the account
or to obtain information about your account. The transfer of
shares in a street name account to an account with
another dealer or to an account directly with the Fund involves
special procedures and may require you to obtain historical
purchase information about the shares in the account from your
Authorized Institution. If your Authorized Institutions
relationship with Goldman Sachs is terminated, and you do not
transfer your account to another Authorized Institution, the
Trust reserves the right to redeem your shares. The Trust will
not be responsible for any loss in an investors account
resulting from a redemption.
Authorized Institutions and other financial intermediaries may
be authorized to accept, on behalf of the Trust, purchase,
redemption and exchange orders placed by or on behalf of their
customers, and if approved by the Trust, to designate other
financial intermediaries to accept such orders. In these cases:
|
|
|
|
n
|
The Fund will be deemed to have
received an order that is in proper form when the order is
accepted by an Authorized Institution or financial intermediary
on a business day, and the order will be priced at the
Funds NAV per share (adjusted for any applicable sales
charge) next determined after such acceptance.
|
|
n
|
Authorized Institutions and other
financial intermediaries are responsible for transmitting
accepted orders to the Fund within the time period agreed upon
by them.
|
You should contact your Authorized Institution or financial
intermediary to learn whether it is authorized to accept orders
for the Trust.
The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may
make payments or provide services to Authorized Institutions and
other financial intermediaries (Intermediaries) from
time to time to promote the sale, distribution and/or servicing
of shares of the Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds. These
payments are made out of the Investment Advisers,
Distributors and/or their affiliates own assets, and
are not an additional charge to the Fund. The payments are in
addition to the distribution and service fees, sales charges and
service fees and shareholder administration fees described in
this Prospectus. Such payments are intended to compensate
Intermediaries for, among other things: marketing shares of the
Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds, which may consist of
payments relating to the
26
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
Funds inclusion on preferred or recommended fund lists or
in certain sales programs from time to time sponsored by the
Intermediaries; access to the Intermediaries registered
representatives or salespersons, including at conferences and
other meetings; assistance in training and education of
personnel; marketing support; and/or other specified services
intended to assist in the distribution and marketing of the Fund
and other Goldman Sachs Funds. The payments may also, to the
extent permitted by applicable regulations, contribute to
various non-cash and cash incentive arrangements to promote the
sale of shares, as well as sponsor various educational programs,
sales contests and/or promotions. The payments by the Investment
Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates, which are in
addition to the fees paid for these services by the Fund, may
also compensate Intermediaries for subaccounting, sub-transfer
agency, administrative and/or shareholder processing services.
These additional payments may exceed amounts earned on these
assets by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their
affiliates for the performance of these or similar services. The
amount of these additional payments is normally not expected to
exceed 0.50% (annualized) of the amount sold or invested through
Intermediaries. In addition, certain Intermediaries may have
access to certain services from the Investment Adviser,
Distributor and/or their affiliates, including research reports
and economic analysis, and portfolio analysis tools. In certain
cases, the Intermediary may not pay for these services. Please
refer to the Payments to Intermediaries section of
the SAI for more information about these payments and services.
The payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or
their affiliates and the services received by an Intermediary
may differ for different Intermediaries. The presence of these
payments, receipt of these services and the basis on which an
Intermediary compensates its registered representatives or
salespersons may create an incentive for a particular
Intermediary, registered representative or salesperson to
highlight, feature or recommend funds based, at least in part,
on the level of compensation paid. You should contact your
Authorized Institution or Intermediary for more information
about the payments it receives and any potential conflicts of
interest.
What
Else Should I Know About Share Purchases?
The Trust reserves the right to:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Refuse to open an account if you
fail to (i) provide a Social Security Number or other
taxpayer identification number; or (ii) certify that such
number is correct (if required to do so under applicable law).
|
|
|
n
|
Reject or restrict any purchase or
exchange order by a particular purchaser (or group of related
purchasers) for any reason in its discretion.
|
27
|
|
|
|
n
|
Close the Fund to new investors
from time to time and reopen the Fund whenever it is deemed
appropriate by the Funds Investment Adviser.
|
|
|
n
|
Modify or waive the minimum
investment requirements.
|
|
|
n
|
Modify the manner in which shares
are offered.
|
The Board of Trustees of the Trust has not adopted policies and
procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of
Fund shares in light of the nature and high quality of the
Funds investments.
Generally, non-U.S. citizens and certain U.S. citizens residing
outside the United States may not open an account with the Fund.
The Fund may allow you to purchase shares with securities
instead of cash if consistent with the Funds investment
policies and operations and if approved by the Funds
Investment Adviser.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the Trust and Goldman Sachs
reserve the right to reject or restrict purchase or exchange
requests from any investor. The Trust and Goldman Sachs will not
be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase or
exchange orders.
Customer Identification
Program.
Federal law requires the Fund to
obtain, verify and record identifying information, which will be
reviewed solely for customer identification purposes, which may
include the name, residential or business street address, date
of birth (for an individual), Social Security Number or taxpayer
identification number or other information, for each investor
who opens an account directly with the Fund. Applications
without the required information may not be accepted by the
Fund. After accepting an application, to the extent permitted by
applicable law or their customer identification program, the
Fund reserves the right to: (i) place limits on
transactions in any account until the identity of the investor
is verified; (ii) refuse an investment in the Fund; or
(iii) involuntarily redeem an investors shares and
close an account in the event that the Fund is unable to verify
an investors identity. The Fund and its agents will not be
responsible for any loss in an investors account resulting
from the investors delay in providing all required
information or from closing an account and redeeming an
investors shares pursuant to the customer identification
program.
How
Are Shares Priced?
The price you pay when you buy shares is the Funds next
determined NAV for a share class
after
the Fund receives
your order in proper form. The price you receive when you sell
shares is the Funds next determined NAV for a share class
with the
28
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
redemption proceeds reduced by any applicable charges (e.g.,
CDSCs)
after
the Fund receives your order in proper form.
The Fund calculates its NAV as follows:
|
|
|
NAV =
|
|
(Value of Assets of the Class)
(Liabilities of the Class)
Number
of Outstanding Shares of the Class
|
Please note the following with respect to the price at which
your transactions are processed:
|
|
|
|
n
|
NAV per share of each share class
is generally calculated by the accounting agent on each business
day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock
Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. New York time) or such other
times as the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ market may
officially close. This occurs after the determination, if any,
of the income to be declared as a dividend. Fund shares will
generally not be priced on any day the New York Stock Exchange
is closed although Fund shares may be priced on such days if the
Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association
(SIFMA) recommends that the bond markets remain open
for all or part of the day.
|
|
n
|
On any business day when the SIFMA
recommends that the bond markets close early, the Fund reserves
the right to close at or prior to the SIFMA recommended closing
time. If the Fund does so, it will cease granting same business
day credit for purchase and redemption orders received after the
Funds closing time and credit will be given to the next
business day.
|
|
n
|
The Trust reserves the right to
advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be
received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by
the SEC.
|
Although most money market securities settle on the same day as
they are traded, investment transactions not settling on the
same day are recorded and factored into the Funds NAV on
the business day following trade date (T+1), consistent with
industry practice. The use of T+1 accounting generally does not,
but may, result in a NAV that differs materially from the NAV
that would result if all transactions were reflected on their
trade dates.
Note: The time at which transactions and shares are priced
and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in
case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock
Exchange and/or the bond markets is stopped at a time other than
their regularly scheduled closing times. In the event the New
York Stock Exchange and/or the bond markets do not open for
business, the Trust may, but is not required to, open the Fund
for purchase, redemption and exchange transactions if the
Federal Reserve wire payment system is open. To learn whether
the Fund is open for business during this situation, please call
1-800-526-7384.
29
To help the Fund maintain its $1.00 share price, portfolio
securities are valued at amortized cost in accordance with SEC
regulations. Amortized cost will normally approximate market
value. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able at
all times to maintain a NAV of $1.00 per share.
In addition, if an event that affects the value of a security
occurs after the publication of market quotations used by the
Fund to price its securities but before the close of trading on
the New York Stock Exchange, the Trust in its discretion and
consistent with applicable regulatory guidance may determine
whether to make an adjustment in light of the nature and
significance of the event.
When
Do Shares Begin Earning Dividends?
If a wire purchase order is received on a business day by the
deadline specified below and payment in federal funds is
received by the Fund by the close of the Federal Reserve wire
transfer system (normally, 6:00 p.m. New York time), then
dividends will begin to accrue on the same business day that the
wire purchase order is received.
Prime Obligations
Fund:
|
|
n
|
By 5:00 p.m. New
York time
|
If a wire purchase order is received on a business day after the
deadline specified above, you will not earn dividends on the day
the purchase order is received. Also, in the event a wire
purchase order is placed by the deadline specified above but an
anticipated wire payment is
not
received by the Fund by
the close of the Federal wire transfer system that same day,
your purchase will be cancelled and you may be liable for any
resulting losses or fees incurred by the Fund, Goldman Sachs, or
the Funds custodian. For purchase orders accompanied by
check, dividends will normally begin to accrue within two
business days of receipt.
|
|
COMMON
QUESTIONS APPLICABLE TO THE PURCHASE OF FST
SERVICE SHARES
|
|
What
Is The Offering Price Of FST Service Shares?
You may purchase FST Service Shares of the Fund at the next
determined NAV without an initial sales charge. FST Service
Shares are not subject to any CDSC (unless acquired in an
exchange transaction involving shares of a Goldman Sachs Fund
that were subject to a CDSC).
30
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
|
|
COMMON
QUESTIONS APPLICABLE TO FST CLASS B SHARES
|
|
What
Should I Know About FST Class B Shares?
FST Class B Shares of the Fund may no longer be
purchased by new shareholders, except as discussed below.
However, shareholders invested in Class B Shares of other
Goldman Sachs Funds may exchange these Shares for FST
Class B Shares of the Fund. Thereafter, shareholders
invested in FST Class B Shares of the Fund may continue to
hold their FST Class B Shares until they convert
automatically to FST Service Shares, as described in this
Prospectus. Shareholders of FST Class B Shares may continue
to reinvest dividends and capital gains into their accounts.
Shareholders of FST Class B Shares may also exchange their
FST Class B Shares for shares of certain other Goldman
Sachs Funds. Otherwise, additional purchase requests for the
Funds FST Class B Shares received by the Fund will be
rejected. FST Class B Shares redeemed within six years of
purchase will be subject to a CDSC at the rates shown in the
table below based on how long you held your shares.
The CDSC schedule is as follows:
|
|
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|
CDSC as a
|
|
|
Percentage of
|
|
|
Dollar Amount
|
Year Since
Purchase
|
|
Subject to
CDSC
|
First
|
|
5%
|
Second
|
|
4%
|
Third
|
|
3%
|
Fourth
|
|
3%
|
Fifth
|
|
2%
|
Sixth
|
|
1%
|
Seventh and thereafter
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No CDSC is imposed upon exchanges of FST Class B Shares
between the Fund and another Goldman Sachs Fund. However, shares
acquired in an exchange will be subject to the CDSC to the same
extent as if there had been no exchange.
Proceeds from the CDSC are payable to the Distributor and may be
used in whole or in part to defray the Distributors
expenses related to providing distribution-related services to
the Fund in connection with the sale of FST Class B Shares,
including the payment of compensation to Authorized Institutions.
What
Should I Know About The Automatic Conversion Of FST Class B
Shares?
FST Class B Shares of the Fund will automatically convert
into FST Service Shares of the Fund on or about the fifteenth
day of the last month of the quarter that is eight years after
the purchase date.
31
If you acquire FST Class B Shares of the Fund by exchange
from Class B Shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund, your FST
Class B Shares will convert into FST Service Shares of the
Fund based on the date of the initial purchase and the CDSC
schedule of that purchase.
If you acquire FST Class B Shares through reinvestment of
distributions, your FST Class B Shares will convert into
FST Service Shares based on the date of the initial purchase of
the shares on which the distribution was paid.
The conversion of FST Class B Shares to FST Service Shares
will not occur at any time the Fund is advised that such
conversions may constitute taxable events for federal tax
purposes, which the Fund believes is unlikely. If conversions do
not occur as a result of possible taxability, FST Class B
Shares would continue to be subject to higher expenses than FST
Service Shares for an indeterminate period.
|
|
COMMON
QUESTIONS APPLICABLE TO THE PURCHASE OF
FST CLASS C SHARES
|
|
What
Is The Offering Price Of FST Class C Shares?
You may purchase FST Class C Shares of the Fund at the
next determined NAV without paying an initial sales charge.
However, if you redeem FST Class C Shares within
12 months of purchase, a CDSC of 1% will normally be
deducted from the redemption proceeds. In connection with
purchases by Employee Benefit Plans, where FST Class C
Shares are redeemed within 12 months of purchase, a CDSC of
1% may be imposed upon the plan sponsor or third party
administrator. FST Class C Shares acquired in exchange for
shares subject to a CDSC will be subject to the CDSC, if any, of
the shares originally held. With respect to such shares held by
employer sponsored benefit plans, the CDSC may be imposed on the
plan sponsor or third party administrator.
Proceeds from the CDSC are payable to the Distributor and may be
used in whole or in part to defray the Distributors
expenses related to providing distribution-related services to
the Fund in connection with the sale of FST Class C Shares,
including the payment of compensation to Authorized
Institutions. An amount equal to 1% of the amount invested is
normally paid by the Distributor to Authorized Institutions.
32
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
|
|
COMMON
QUESTIONS APPLICABLE TO THE PURCHASE OF SERVICE,
FST CLASS B AND FST
CLASS C SHARES
|
|
What
Else Do I Need To Know About The CDSC On FST Class B or FST
Class C Shares?
|
|
|
|
n
|
No CDSC is charged on shares
acquired from reinvested dividends or capital gains
distributions.
|
|
n
|
When counting the number of months
since a purchase of FST Class B or FST Class C Shares
was made, all payments made during a month will be combined and
considered to have been made on the first day of that month.
|
|
n
|
To keep your CDSC as low as
possible, each time you place a request to sell shares, the Fund
will first sell any shares in your account that do not carry a
CDSC and then the shares in your account that have been held the
longest.
|
In
What Situations May The CDSC On FST Service, FST Class B Or
FST Class C Shares Be Waived Or Reduced?
The CDSC on FST Service (
i.e.
, because the Shares were
acquired in an exchange transaction for shares of a Goldman
Sachs Fund that were subject to a CDSC) or FST Class B or
FST Class C Shares that are subject to a CDSC may be waived
or reduced if the redemption relates to:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Mandatory retirement distributions
or loans to participants or beneficiaries from Employee Benefit
Plans;
|
|
n
|
Hardship withdrawals by a
participant or beneficiary in an Employee Benefit Plan;
|
|
n
|
The separation from service by a
participant or beneficiary in an Employee Benefit Plan;
|
|
n
|
Excess contributions distributed
from an Employee Benefit Plan;
|
|
n
|
Distributions from a qualified
Employee Benefit Plan invested in the Goldman Sachs Funds which
are being rolled over to an IRA in the same share class of a
Goldman Sachs Fund;
|
|
n
|
The death or disability (as defined
in Section 72(m)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the Code)) of a shareholder, participant
or beneficiary in an Employee Benefit Plan;
|
|
n
|
Satisfying the minimum distribution
requirements of the Code;
|
|
n
|
Establishing substantially
equal periodic payments as described under
Section 72(t)(2) of the Code;
|
|
n
|
Redemption proceeds which are to be
reinvested in accounts or non-registered products over which
GSAM or its advisory affiliates have investment discretion;
|
|
n
|
A systematic withdrawal plan. The
Fund reserves the right to limit such redemptions, on an annual
basis, to 12% each of the value of your FST Class B and FST
Class C Shares and 10% of your FST Service Shares;
|
33
|
|
|
|
n
|
Redemptions or exchanges of Fund
shares held through an employee benefit plan using the Fund as
part of a qualified default investment alternative or
QDIA; or
|
|
n
|
Other redemptions, at the
discretion of the Trusts officers, relating to shares
purchased through certain Section 401(k), profit sharing,
money purchase pension, tax-sheltered annuity, defined benefit
pension, or other employee benefit plans (including health
savings accounts) that are sponsored by one or more employers
(including governmental or church employees) or employee
organizations investing in the Fund.
|
How
Do I Decide Whether To Buy FST Service or FST Class C
Shares?
The decision as to which Class to purchase depends on the
amount you invest, the intended length of the investment and
your personal situation. You should contact your Authorized
Institution to discuss which share class is right for you.
|
|
|
|
n
|
FST Service Shares.
FST Service Shares
are normally not subject to any initial sales charge or CDSC.
However, FST Service Shares are subject to service and
shareholder administration fees at the aggregate annual rate of
0.50% of the Funds average daily net assets attributable
to FST Service Shares.
|
|
n
|
FST Class C
Shares.
By not
paying a front-end sales charge, your entire investment in FST
Class C Shares is available to work for you from the time
you make your initial investment. However, the distribution and
service fees paid by FST Class C Shares will cause your FST
Class C Shares to have a higher expense ratio, and thus
lower performance and lower dividend payments (to the extent
dividends are paid) than FST Service Shares (or FST Class B
Shares after conversion to FST Service Shares).
|
Although FST Class C Shares are subject to a CDSC for only
12 months, FST Class C Shares do not have the
automatic eight-year conversion feature applicable to FST
Class B Shares and your investment may therefore pay higher
distribution fees indefinitely.
A maximum purchase limitation of $1,000,000 in the aggregate
normally applies to purchases of Class C Shares across all
Goldman Sachs Funds.
Note: Authorized Institutions may receive different
compensation for selling FST Service or FST Class C
Shares.
In addition to FST Service, FST Class B and FST
Class C Shares, the Fund also offers other classes of
shares to investors. These other share classes are subject to
different fees and expenses (which affect performance), may have
different minimum investment requirements and are entitled to
different services. Information
34
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
regarding these other share classes may be obtained from your
sales representative or from Goldman Sachs by calling the number
on the back cover of this Prospectus.
HOW
TO SELL SHARES
How
Can I Sell FST Service, FST Class B and FST Class C
Shares Of The Fund?
You may arrange to take money out of your account by selling
(redeeming) some or all of your shares through your
Authorized Institution.
Generally, the Fund will redeem its
shares upon request on any business day the Fund is open at the
NAV next determined after receipt of such request in proper
form, subject to any applicable CDSC.
You should contact
your Authorized Institution to discuss redemptions and
redemption proceeds. The Fund may transfer redemption proceeds
to an account with your Authorized Institution. In the
alternative, your Authorized Institution may request that
redemption proceeds be sent to you by check or wire (if the wire
instructions are designated on the current record of the
Transfer Agent). Redemptions may be requested by your Authorized
Institution in writing, by telephone or through an electronic
trading platform.
Generally, any redemption request that requires money to go to
an account or address other than that designated in the current
records of the Transfer Agent must be in writing and signed by
an authorized person with a Medallion signature guarantee. The
written request may be confirmed by telephone with both the
requesting party and the designated bank to verify instructions.
Other restrictions may apply in these situations.
When
Do I Need A Medallion Signature Guarantee To Redeem
Shares?
A Medallion signature guarantee is required if:
|
|
|
|
n
|
A request is made in writing to
redeem shares in an amount over $50,000;
|
|
n
|
You would like the redemption
proceeds sent to an address that is not your address of record;
or
|
|
n
|
You would like the redemption
proceeds sent to a bank account that is not your bank account
designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent.
|
A Medallion signature guarantee must be obtained from a bank,
brokerage firm or other financial intermediary that is a member
of an approved Medallion Guarantee Program or that is otherwise
approved by the Trust. A notary public cannot provide a
Medallion signature guarantee. Additional documentation may be
required.
What
Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?
The Trust, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent will not be
liable for any loss you may incur in the event that the Trust
accepts unauthorized telephone redemption requests that the
Trust reasonably believes to be genuine. The Trust may accept
35
telephone redemption instructions from any person identifying
himself or herself as the owner of an account or the
owners registered representative where the owner has not
declined in writing to use this service. Thus, you risk possible
losses if a telephone redemption is not authorized by you.
In an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent redemption
and exchange requests by telephone, Goldman Sachs and Boston
Financial Data Services, Inc. (BFDS) each employ
reasonable procedures specified by the Trust to confirm that
such instructions are genuine. If reasonable procedures are not
employed, the Trust may be liable for any loss due to
unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. The following general
policies are currently in effect:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Telephone requests are recorded.
|
|
n
|
Proceeds of telephone redemption
requests will be sent to your address of record or authorized
account designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent
(unless you provide written instructions and a Medallion
signature guarantee, indicating another address or account).
|
|
n
|
For the
30-day
period following a change of address, telephone redemptions will
only be filled by a wire transfer to the authorized account
designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent (see
immediately preceding bullet point). In order to receive the
redemption by check during this time period, the redemption
request must be in the form of a written, Medallion signature
guaranteed letter.
|
|
n
|
The telephone redemption option
does not apply to shares held in a street name
account. Street name accounts are accounts
maintained and serviced by your Authorized Institution. If your
account is held in street name, you should contact
your registered representative of record, who may make telephone
redemptions on your behalf.
|
|
n
|
The telephone redemption option may
be modified or terminated at any time without prior notice.
|
Note: It may be difficult to make telephone redemptions in
times of unusual economic or market conditions.
How
Are Redemption Proceeds Paid?
By Wire:
You may arrange for your redemption
proceeds to be wired as federal funds to an account with your
Authorized Institution or to a domestic bank account, as
designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent. In
addition, redemption proceeds may be transmitted through an
electronic trading platform to an account with your Authorized
Institution. The following general policies govern wiring
redemption proceeds:
36
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
|
|
|
|
n
|
Redemption proceeds will normally
be paid to the shareholder as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Redemption
Request Received
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
by the
Fund
|
|
Redemption
Proceeds
|
|
Dividends
|
|
|
n
By 5:00 p.m. New York time
|
|
Wired same business day
|
|
Not earned on day request is received
|
|
|
|
|
Checks sent next business day
|
|
Earned on day request is received
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Although redemption proceeds will
normally be paid as described above, under certain
circumstances, redemption requests or payments may be postponed
or suspended as permitted under Section 22(e) of the
Investment Company Act and the regulations thereunder.
Generally, under that section, redemption requests or payments
may be postponed or suspended if (i) the New York Stock
Exchange is closed for trading or trading is restricted;
(ii) an emergency exists which makes the disposal of
securities owned by the Fund or the fair determination of the
value of the Funds net assets not reasonably practicable;
or (iii) the SEC by order permits the suspension of the
right of redemption.
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n
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If you are selling shares you
recently paid for by check, or purchased by Automated Clearing
House (ACH) the Fund will pay you when your check or
ACH has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.
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n
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If the Federal Reserve Bank is
closed on the day that the redemption proceeds would ordinarily
be wired, wiring the redemption proceeds may be delayed until
the Federal Reserve Bank reopens.
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n
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To change the bank designated in
the current records of the Transfer Agent, you must send written
instructions signed by an authorized person designated in the
current records of the Transfer Agent. A Medallion signature
guarantee may be required if you are requesting a redemption in
conjunction with the change.
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n
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Neither the Trust nor Goldman Sachs
assumes any responsibility for the performance of your bank or
any other financial intermediaries in the transfer process. If a
problem with such performance arises, you should deal directly
with your bank or any such intermediaries.
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By Check:
You may elect to receive your redemption
proceeds by check. Redemption proceeds paid by check will
normally be mailed to the address of record within three
business days of receipt of a properly executed redemption
request. If you are selling shares you recently paid for by
check or ACH, the Fund will pay you when your check or ACH has
cleared, which may take up to 15 days.
37
What
Else Do I Need To Know About Redemptions?
The following generally applies to redemption requests:
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n
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Additional documentation may be
required when deemed appropriate by the Transfer Agent. A
redemption request will not be in proper form until such
additional documentation has been received.
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n
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Institutions (including banks,
trust companies, brokers and investment advisers) are
responsible for the timely transmittal of redemption requests by
their customers to the Transfer Agent. In order to facilitate
the timely transmittal of redemption requests, these
institutions may set times by which they must receive redemption
requests. These institutions may also require additional
documentation from you.
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The Trust reserves the right to:
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n
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Redeem your shares in the event an
Authorized Institutions relationship with Goldman Sachs is
terminated, and you do not transfer your Account to another
Authorized Institution. The Trust will not be responsible for
any loss in an investors account or tax liability
resulting from the redemption.
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n
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Redeem your shares if your account
balance is below the required Fund minimum. The Fund will give
60 days prior written notice to allow you to purchase
sufficient additional shares of the Fund in order to avoid such
redemption. Different rules may apply to investors who have
established brokerage accounts with Goldman Sachs in accordance
with the terms and conditions of their account agreements.
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n
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Subject to applicable law, redeem
your shares in other circumstances determined by the Board of
Trustees to be in the best interest of the Trust.
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n
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Pay redemptions by a distribution
in-kind of securities (instead of cash). If you receive
redemption proceeds in-kind, you should expect to incur
transaction costs upon the disposition of those securities.
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n
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Reinvest any amounts (e.g.,
dividends, distributions or redemption proceeds) which you have
elected to receive by check should your check be returned to the
Fund as undeliverable or remain uncashed for six months. This
provision may not apply to certain retirement or qualified
accounts or to a closed account. Your participation in a
systematic withdrawal program may be terminated if your checks
remain uncashed. No interest will accrue on amounts represented
by uncashed checks.
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n
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Charge an additional fee in the
event a redemption is made via wire transfer.
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n
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None of the Trust, Investment
Adviser, nor Goldman Sachs will be responsible for any loss in
an investors account or tax liability resulting from a
redemption.
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38
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
Do
I Have Any Reinvestment Privileges With Respect to FST
Class B or FST Class C Shares?
You may redeem FST Class B or FST Class C Shares of
the Fund and reinvest a portion or all of the redemption
proceeds (plus any additional amounts needed to round off
purchases to the nearest full share) at NAV. To be eligible for
this privilege, you must have held the shares you want to redeem
for at least 30 days (60 days with respect to certain
Goldman Sachs Funds offered in other prospectuses) and you must
reinvest the share proceeds within 90 days after you
redeem. You may reinvest as follows:
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n
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If you redeem FST Class B
Shares, you may reinvest any or all of the redemption proceeds
(plus that amount necessary to acquire a fractional share to
round off the purchase to the nearest full share) in FST Service
Shares of the Fund or Class A Shares of another Goldman
Sachs Fund at NAV. The amount of the CDSC paid upon redemption
will not be credited to your account.
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n
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If you redeem FST Class C
Shares of the Fund, you may reinvest any or all of the
redemption proceeds (plus that amount necessary to acquire a
fractional share to round off the purchase to the nearest full
share) in FST Class C Shares of the Fund or Class C
Shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund.
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n
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You should obtain and read the
applicable prospectuses before investing in any other Goldman
Sachs Funds.
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n
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If you redeem FST Class C
Shares, pay a CDSC upon redemption and then reinvest in FST
Class C Shares subject to the conditions set forth above,
your account will be credited with the amount of the CDSC
previously charged, and the reinvested shares will continue to
be subject to a CDSC. In this case, the holding period of the
FST Class C Shares acquired through reinvestment for
purposes of computing the CDSC payable upon a subsequent
redemption will include the holding period of the redeemed
shares.
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n
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The reinvestment privilege may be
exercised at any time in connection with transactions in which
the proceeds are reinvested at NAV in a tax-sheltered retirement
plan. In other cases, the reinvestment privilege may be
exercised once per year upon receipt of a written request.
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n
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You may be subject to tax as a
result of a redemption. You should consult your tax adviser
concerning the tax consequences of a redemption and reinvestment.
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Can
I Exchange My Investment From One Goldman Sachs Fund To Another
Goldman Sachs Fund?
You may exchange FST Service, FST Class B and FST
Class C Shares at NAV for certain shares of another Goldman
Sachs Fund. Redemptions of shares (including by exchange) of
certain Goldman Sachs Funds offered in other prospectuses may,
however, be subject to a redemption fee if shares are held for
30 days or less (60 days or less with respect to certain
other Goldman Sachs Funds). The exchange
39
privilege may be materially modified or withdrawn at any time
upon 60 days written notice. You should contact your
Authorized Institution to arrange for exchanges of shares of the
Fund for shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund.
You should keep in mind the following factors when making or
considering an exchange:
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n
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You should obtain and carefully
read the prospectus of the Goldman Sachs Fund you are acquiring
before making an exchange.
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n
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Currently, the Fund does not impose
any charge for exchanges, although the Fund may impose a charge
in the future.
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n
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Exchanges of FST Class B and
FST Class C Shares will be made at NAV and CDSC aging from
original shares will continue with new shares subject to the
CDSC of the original shares held. For purposes of determining
the amount of the applicable CDSC, the length of time you have
owned the shares will be measured from the date you acquired the
original shares subject to a CDSC and will not be affected by
subsequent exchange.
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n
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Exchanges of FST Service Shares
from the Fund will be made into the relevant Goldman Sachs Fund
at the public offering price, which may include a sales charge,
unless a sales charge has previously been paid on the investment
represented by the exchanged shares (
i.e.
, the shares to
be exchanged were originally issued in exchange for shares on
which a sales charge was paid), in which case the exchange will
be made at NAV. FST Service Shares acquired in an exchange
transaction for shares of a Goldman Sachs Fund will be subject
to the CDSC, if any, of the shares originally held.
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n
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Eligible investors may exchange
certain classes of shares for another class of shares of the
same Fund. For further information, contact your Authorized
Institution.
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n
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All exchanges which represent an
initial investment requirement in a Goldman Sachs Fund must
satisfy the minimal initial investment requirement of that Fund.
This requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Trust.
Exchanges into the Fund need not meet the traditional minimum
investment requirements for the Fund if the entire balance of
the original Goldman Sachs Fund account is exchanged.
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n
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Exchanges are available only in
states where exchanges may be legally made.
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n
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It may be difficult to make
telephone exchanges in times of unusual economic or market
conditions.
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n
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Goldman Sachs and BFDS may use
reasonable procedures described under What Do I Need To
Know About Telephone Redemption Requests? in an effort to
prevent unauthorized or fraudulent telephone exchange requests.
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n
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Normally, a telephone exchange will
be made only to an identically registered account.
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n
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A Medallion signature guarantee may
be required.
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40
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
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n
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Exchanges into Goldman Sachs Funds
that are closed to new investors may be restricted.
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n
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Exchanges into the Fund from
another Goldman Sachs Fund may be subject to any redemption fee
imposed by the other Goldman Sachs Funds.
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n
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Exchanges into the Fund from
another Goldman Sachs Fund received by the close of regular
trading on the New York Stock Exchange will normally begin
to accrue dividends on the next business day.
|
For federal income tax purposes, an exchange from one Goldman
Sachs Fund to another is treated as a redemption of the shares
surrendered in the exchange, on which you may be subject to tax,
followed by a purchase of shares received in the exchange. You
should consult your tax adviser concerning the tax consequences
of an exchange.
SHAREHOLDER
SERVICES
Can
I Arrange To Have Automatic Investments in FST Service and FST
Class C Shares Made On A Regular Basis?
You may be able to make automatic investments in FST Service and
FST Class C Shares through your bank via ACH transfer or
via bank draft each month. The minimum dollar amount for this
service is $250 for the initial investment and $50 per month for
additional investments. Forms for this option are available from
Goldman Sachs and your Authorized Institution, or you may check
the appropriate box on the Account Application.
Can
My Dividends And Distributions Be Invested In Other Goldman
Sachs Funds?
You may elect to cross-reinvest dividends and capital gains
distributions paid by the Fund in shares of the same class of
other Goldman Sachs Funds.
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n
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Shares will be purchased at NAV.
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n
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You may elect cross-reinvestment
into an identically registered account or a similarly registered
account provided that at least one name on the account is
registered identically.
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n
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You cannot make cross-reinvestments
into a Goldman Sachs Fund unless that Funds minimum
initial investment requirement is met.
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n
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You should obtain and read the
prospectus of the Goldman Sachs Fund into which dividends are
invested.
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41
Can
I Arrange To Have Automatic Exchanges Made On A Regular
Basis?
You may elect to exchange automatically a specified dollar
amount of shares of the Fund for shares of the same class or an
equivalent class of other Goldman Sachs Funds.
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n
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Shares will be purchased at NAV if
a sales charge had been imposed on the initial purchase.
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n
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Shares subject to a CDSC acquired
under this program may be subject to a CDSC at the time of
redemption from the Goldman Sachs Fund into which the exchange
is made depending upon the date and value of your original
purchase.
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n
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Automatic exchanges are made
monthly on the 15th day of each month or the first business day
thereafter.
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n
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Minimum dollar amount: $50 per
month.
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n
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You cannot make automatic exchanges
into a Goldman Sachs Fund unless that Funds minimum
initial investment requirement is met.
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n
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You should obtain and read the
prospectus of the Goldman Sachs Fund into which automatic
exchanges are made.
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Can
I Have Systematic Withdrawals Made On A Regular Basis?
You may redeem from your account systematically via check or ACH
transfer in any amount of $50 or more.
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n
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It is normally undesirable to
maintain a systematic withdrawal plan at the same time that you
are purchasing additional FST Class C Shares because of the
CDSCs that are imposed on certain redemptions of FST
Class C Shares.
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n
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Checks are normally mailed within
two business days after your selected systematic withdrawal date
of either the 15th or 25th of the month.
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n
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ACH payments may take up to three
business days to post to your account after your selected
systematic withdrawal date between, and including the 3rd and
26th of the month.
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n
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Each systematic withdrawal is a
redemption and therefore may be a taxable transaction.
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n
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The CDSC applicable to shares
redeemed under the systematic withdrawal plan may be waived. The
Fund reserves the right to limit such redemptions, on an annual
basis, to 12% each of the value of your FST Class B and FST
Class C Shares and 10% of your FST Service Shares.
|
What
Types Of Reports Will I Be Sent Regarding Investments In FST
Service, FST Class B And FST Class C Shares?
You will be provided with a quarterly account statement. If your
account is held in street name (i.e., through your
Authorized Institution) you will receive this information from
your Authorized Institution.
42
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
You will also receive an annual shareholder report containing
audited financial statements and a semi-annual shareholder
report. If you have consented to the delivery of a single copy
of shareholder reports, prospectuses and other information to
all shareholders who share the same mailing address with your
account, you may revoke your consent at any time by contacting
Goldman Sachs Funds by phone at
1-800-526-7384
or by mail at Goldman Sachs Funds, P.O. Box 219711, Kansas
City, MO 64121. The Fund will begin sending individual
copies to you within 30 days after receipt of your
revocation. If your account is held through an Authorized
Institution, please contact the Authorized Institution to revoke
your consent. The Fund does not generally provide sub-accounting
services.
DISTRIBUTION
AND SERVICE FEES AND SERVICES
What
Are The Different Distribution And Service Fees Paid By FST
Service, FST Class B and FST Class C Shares?
The Trust has adopted plans (each a Plan) under
which FST Service, FST Class B and FST Class C Shares
bear service fees and, in the case of FST Class B and FST
Class C Shares, distribution fees paid to Goldman Sachs and
Authorized Institutions. If the fees received by Goldman Sachs
pursuant to the Plans exceed its expenses, Goldman Sachs may
realize a profit from these arrangements. Goldman Sachs
generally receives and pays the distribution and service fees on
a quarterly basis.
Under the Plan for FST Service Shares, Service Organizations
agree to provide the following services in connection with their
customers investments in FST Service Shares:
Personal and account maintenance services
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Facilities to answer inquiries and
responding to correspondence with the Service
Organizations customers
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Acts as liaison between the Service
Organizations customers and the Trust
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n
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Assists customers in completing
application forms, selecting dividend and other options, and
similar services
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Shareholder administration services
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n
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Acts, directly or through an agent,
as the sole shareholder of record
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n
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Maintains account records for
customers
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n
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Processes orders to purchase,
redeem and exchange shares for customers
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n
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Processes confirmation statements
and payments for customers
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n
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Facilitates the inclusion of the
Funds in customer accounts, products and services
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Pursuant to a service plan and a separate shareholder
administration plan adopted by the Trusts Board of
Trustees, Service Organizations are entitled to receive
43
payments for their services from the Trust with respect to its
FST Service Shares. These payments are equal to 0.25%
(annualized) for personal and account maintenance services
plus an additional 0.25% (annualized) for shareholder
administration services of the average daily net assets of the
FST Service Shares of the Fund that are attributable to or held
in the name of a Service Organization for its customers. The
compensation paid by GSAM does not represent an additional
expense to the Fund or its shareholders, since it will be paid
from the assets of GSAM. Due to the current low yield
environment, Goldman Sachs may voluntarily agree to waive a
portion of the Funds service fees and shareholder
administration fees. These temporary waivers may be modified or
terminated at any time at the option of Goldman Sachs, without
shareholder approval.
Under the Plans for FST Class B and FST Class C
Shares, Goldman Sachs is entitled to a monthly fee for
distribution services equal, on an annual basis, to 0.75% of the
Funds average daily net assets attributable to FST
Class B and FST Class C Shares. Because these fees are
paid out of the Funds assets on an ongoing basis, over
time, these fees will increase the cost of your investment and
may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. Due
to the current low yield environment, Goldman Sachs may
voluntarily agree to waive a portion of the Funds
distribution fees. This temporary waiver may be modified or
terminated at any time at the option of Goldman Sachs, without
shareholder approval.
The distribution fees are subject to the requirements of
Rule 12b-1
under the Investment Company Act, and may be used (among other
things) for:
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n
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Compensation paid to and expenses
incurred by Authorized Institutions, Goldman Sachs and their
respective officers, employees and sales representatives;
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n
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Commissions paid to Authorized
Institutions;
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n
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Allocable overhead;
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n
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Telephone and travel expenses;
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n
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Interest and other costs associated
with the financing of such compensation and expenses;
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n
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Printing of prospectuses for
prospective shareholders;
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n
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Preparation and distribution of
sales literature or advertising of any type; and
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n
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All other expenses incurred in
connection with activities primarily intended to result in the
sale of FST Class B and FST Class C Shares.
|
In connection with the sale of FST Class C Shares, Goldman
Sachs normally begins paying the 0.75% distribution fee as an
ongoing commission to Authorized Institutions after the shares
have been held for one year.
44
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
|
|
PERSONAL ACCOUNT MAINTENANCE SERVICES AND FEES
FOR
FST CLASS B AND FST
CLASS C SHARES
|
|
Under the Plans for FST Class B and FST Class C
Shares, Goldman Sachs is also entitled to receive a separate fee
equal on an annual basis to 0.25% of the Funds average
daily net assets attributed to FST Class B or FST
Class C Shares. This fee is for personal and account
maintenance services, and may be used to make payments to
Goldman Sachs, Authorized Institutions and their officers, sales
representatives and employees for responding to inquiries of,
and furnishing assistance to, shareholders regarding ownership
of their shares or their accounts or similar services not
otherwise provided on behalf of the Fund. If the fees received
by Goldman Sachs pursuant to the Plans exceed its expenses,
Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from this arrangement.
In connection with the sale of FST Class C Shares, Goldman
Sachs normally begins paying the 0.25% ongoing service fee to
Authorized Institutions after the shares have been held for one
year.
45
Taxation
As with any investment, you should consider how your investment
in the Fund will be taxed. The tax information below is provided
as general information. More tax information is available in the
SAI. You should consult your tax adviser about the federal,
state, local or foreign tax consequences of your investment in
the Fund. Except as otherwise noted, the tax information
provided assumes that you are a U.S. citizen or resident.
Unless your investment is through an IRA or other tax-advantaged
account, you should consider the possible tax consequences of
Fund distributions.
Taxes on Distributions:
The Fund contemplates
declaring as dividends each year all or substantially all of its
net investment income. Fund distributions of investment income
are generally taxable as ordinary income for federal tax
purposes, and may also be subject to state or local taxes. This
is true whether you reinvest your distributions in additional
Fund shares or receive them in cash. Distributions of short-term
capital gains are taxable to you as ordinary income. Any
long-term capital gain distributions are taxable as long-term
capital gains, no matter how long you have owned your Fund
shares.
It is anticipated that substantially all of the distributions by
the Fund will be taxable as ordinary income. You should note
that these distributions will not qualify for the reduced tax
rate currently applicable to certain qualified dividends because
the Funds investment income will consist generally of
interest income rather than corporate dividends.
Although distributions are generally treated as taxable to you
in the year they are paid, distributions declared in December
but paid in January will be taxable as if they were paid in
December. The Fund will inform shareholders of the character and
tax status of all distributions promptly after the close of each
calendar year.
To the extent that Fund distributions are attributable to
interest on certain federal obligations or interest on
obligations of your state of residence or its municipalities or
authorities, they will in most cases be exempt from state and
local income taxes.
Other Information:
When you open your account, you
should provide your social security or tax identification number
on your Account Application. By law, the Fund must withhold 28%
(currently scheduled to increase to 31% after 2010) of your
taxable distributions and any redemption proceeds if you do not
provide your correct taxpayer identification number, or certify
that it is correct, or if the Internal Revenue Service instructs
the Fund to do so.
Non-U.S. investors are generally subject to U.S. withholding tax
and may be subject to U.S. estate tax. However, withholding is
generally not required on properly
46
TAXATION
designated distributions to non-U.S. investors of long-term
capital gains. Distributions of interest and short-term capital
gains by the Fund paid to non-U.S. investors will be generally
subject to withholding. More information about U.S. taxation and
non-U.S. investors is included in the SAI.
47
Appendix A
Additional Information on the Fund
This section provides further information on certain types of
securities and investment techniques that may be used by the
Fund, including their associated risks. Additional information
is provided in the SAI, which is available upon request. Among
other things, the SAI describes certain fundamental policies and
investment restrictions that cannot be changed without
shareholder approval. You should note, however, that all
investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental
are non-fundamental and may be changed without shareholder
approval. If there is a change in the Funds investment
objective, you should consider whether the Fund remains an
appropriate investment in light of your then current financial
position and needs. The Fund may purchase other types of
securities or instruments similar to those described in this
section if otherwise consistent with the Funds investment
objective and policies.
U.S. Treasury Obligations and U.S. Government
Securities.
The Fund may invest in
U.S. Treasury Obligations. Payment of principal and
interest on these obligations is backed by the full faith and
credit of the U.S. government. U.S. Treasury
Obligations include, among other things, the separately traded
principal and interest components of securities guaranteed or
issued by the U.S. Treasury if such components are traded
independently under the Separate Trading of Registered Interest
and Principal of Securities program (STRIPS).
U.S. Treasury Obligations may also include Treasury
inflation-protected securities whose principal value is
periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation.
The Fund may also invest in U.S. Government Securities.
Unlike U.S. Treasury Obligations, U.S. Government
Securities can be supported by either (i) the full faith
and credit of the U.S. Treasury (such as the Government
National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae));
(ii) the right of the issuer to borrow from the
U.S. Treasury; (iii) the discretionary authority of
the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the
issuer; or (iv) only the credit of the issuer.
U.S. Government Securities are deemed to include
(a) securities for which the payment of principal and
interest is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by
the U.S. government, its agencies, authorities or
instrumentalities; and (b) participations in loans made to
foreign governments or their agencies that are so guaranteed.
Certain of these participations may be regarded as illiquid.
U.S. Government Securities also include zero coupon bonds.
The Fund invests in U.S. Treasury Obligations and certain U.S.
Government Securities, the interest from which is generally
exempt from state income taxation.
48
APPENDIX
A
Securities, generally eligible for this exemption include those
issued by the U.S. Treasury and certain agencies, authorities or
instrumentalities of the U.S. government, including the Federal
Home Loan Banks, Federal Farm Credit Banks and Tennessee Valley
Authority.
U.S. Government Securities have historically involved little
risk of loss of principal if held to maturity. However, no
assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide
financial support to U.S. government agencies, authorities,
instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not
obligated to do so by law.
Bank Obligations.
The Fund may invest in bank
obligations, which include certificates of deposit, commercial
paper, unsecured bank promissory notes, bankers
acceptances, time deposits and other debt obligations. The Fund
may invest in obligations issued or backed by U.S. banks when a
bank has more than $1 billion in total assets at the time
of purchase or is a branch or subsidiary of such a bank. Bank
obligations may be general obligations of the parent bank or may
be limited to the issuing branch by the terms of the specific
obligation or by government regulation.
Commercial Paper.
The Fund may invest in
commercial paper, including variable amount master demand notes
and asset-backed commercial paper. Commercial paper normally
represents short-term unsecured promissory notes issued in
bearer form by banks or bank holding companies, corporations,
finance companies and other issuers. The commercial paper that
may be purchased by the Fund consists of direct U.S.
dollar-denominated obligations of domestic issuers. Asset-backed
commercial paper is issued by a special purpose entity that is
organized to issue the commercial paper and to purchase trade
receivables or other financial assets. The credit quality of
asset-backed commercial paper depends primarily on the quality
of these assets and the level of any additional credit support.
Short-Term Obligations of Corporations or Other
Entities.
The Fund may invest in other short-term
obligations, including master demand notes and short-term
funding agreements payable in U.S. dollars and issued or
guaranteed by U.S. corporations or other entities. A master
demand note typically permits the investment of varying amounts
by the Fund under an agreement between the Fund and an issuer.
The principal amount of a master demand note may be increased
from time to time by the parties (subject to specified maximums)
or decreased by the Fund or the issuer. A funding agreement is a
contract between an issuer and a purchaser that obligates the
issuer to pay a guaranteed rate of interest on a principal sum
deposited by the purchaser. Funding agreements will also
guarantee a stream of payments over time. A funding agreement
has a fixed maturity date and may have either a fixed rate or
variable interest rate that is based on an index and guaranteed
for a set time period.
49
Because there is normally no secondary market for these
investments, funding agreements purchased by the Fund may be
regarded as illiquid.
Repurchase Agreements.
The Fund may enter
into repurchase agreements with securities dealers and banks.
Repurchase agreements are similar to collateralized loans, but
are structured as a purchase of securities by the Fund, subject
to the sellers agreement to repurchase the securities at a
mutually agreed upon date and price. The difference between the
original purchase price and the repurchase price is normally
based on prevailing short-term interest rates. Under a
repurchase agreement, the seller is required to furnish
collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount
of the sellers repurchase obligation.
If the seller under a repurchase agreement defaults, the Fund
could suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the
sale of the underlying securities and other collateral held by
the Fund are less than the repurchase price and the Funds
cost associated with delay and enforcement of the repurchase
agreement. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency
proceedings concerning the seller, the Fund could suffer
additional losses if the collateral held by the Fund is subject
to a court stay that prevents the Fund from promptly
selling the collateral. If this occurs, the Fund will bear the
risk that the value of the collateral will decline below the
repurchase price. Furthermore, the Fund could experience a loss
if a court determines that the Funds interest in the
collateral is not enforceable.
In evaluating whether to enter into a repurchase agreement, the
Investment Adviser will carefully consider the creditworthiness
of the seller. Distributions of the income from repurchase
agreements will be taxable to the Funds shareholders. In
addition, the Fund, together with other registered investment
companies having advisory agreements with the Investment Adviser
or any of its affiliates, may transfer uninvested cash balances
into a single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of
which will be invested in one or more repurchase agreements.
Asset-Backed and Receivables-Backed
Securities.
The Fund may invest in asset-backed and
receivables-backed securities whose principal and interest
payments are collateralized by pools of assets such as auto
loans, credit card receivables, leases, mortgages, installment
contracts and personal property. Asset-backed securities may
also include home equity line of credit loans and other
second-lien mortgages. Asset-backed and receivables-backed
securities are often subject to more rapid repayment than their
stated maturity date would indicate as a result of the
pass-through of prepayments of principal on the underlying
loans. During periods of declining interest rates, prepayment of
loans underlying asset-backed and receivables-backed securities
can be expected to accelerate. Accordingly, the Funds
ability to maintain positions in such securities will be
affected by reductions in the principal amount of such
securities resulting from prepayments, and its ability to
50
APPENDIX
A
reinvest the returns of principal at comparable yields is
subject to generally prevailing interest rates at that time. In
addition, securities that are backed by credit card, automobile
and similar types of receivables generally do not have the
benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable
in quality to mortgage assets. Some asset-backed securities have
only a subordinated claim or security interest in collateral. If
the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its payment
obligation, there is the possibility that, in some cases, the
Fund will be unable to possess and sell the underlying
collateral and that the Funds recoveries on repossessed
collateral may not be available to support payments on the
securities. In the event of a default, the Fund may suffer a
loss if it cannot sell collateral quickly and receive the amount
it is owed. There is no guarantee that private guarantors, or
insurers of an asset-backed security, if any, will meet their
obligations. The value of some asset-backed securities may be
particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates.
Asset-backed securities may also be subject to increased
volatility and may become illiquid and more difficult to value
even when there is no default or threat of default due to market
conditions impacting asset-backed securities more generally.
Certain mortgage-backed securities (especially those backed by
sub-prime and second-lien loans) have declined in value in light
of recent market and economic developments, and such
developments have led to reduced demand and limited liquidity
for certain mortgage-related securities. Unexpected increases in
default rates with regard to the underlying mortgages and
increased price volatility, in addition to liquidity
constraints, may make these securities more difficult to value
or dispose of than may have been the case previously. These
events may have an adverse effect on the Fund to the extent they
invest in mortgage-backed or other fixed income securities or
instruments affected by the volatility in the fixed income
markets.
Municipal Obligations.
The Fund may invest in
municipal obligations. Municipal obligations are issued by or on
behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United
States and their political subdivisions, agencies, authorities
and instrumentalities, and the District of Columbia. Municipal
obligations in which the Fund may invest include fixed rate
notes and similar debt instruments; variable and floating rate
demand instruments; tax-exempt commercial paper; municipal
bonds; and unrated notes, paper, bonds or other instruments.
Municipal Notes and Bonds.
Municipal notes
include tax anticipation notes (TANs), revenue
anticipation notes (RANs), bond anticipation notes
(BANs), tax and revenue anticipation notes
(TRANs) and construction loan notes. Municipal bonds
include general obligation bonds and revenue bonds. General
obligation bonds are backed by the taxing power of the issuing
municipality and are considered the safest type of municipal
obligation. Revenue bonds are backed by the revenues of a
project or facility such as the tolls from a government-owned
toll bridge.
51
Revenue bonds also include lease rental revenue bonds which are
issued by a state or local authority for capital projects and
are secured by annual lease payments from the state or locality
sufficient to cover debt service on the authoritys
obligations. Industrial development bonds (private
activity bonds) are a specific type of revenue bond backed
by the credit and security of a private user and, therefore,
have more potential risk. Municipal bonds may be issued in a
variety of forms, including commercial paper, tender option
bonds and variable and floating rate securities.
Tender Option Bonds.
A tender option bond is
a municipal obligation (generally held pursuant to a custodial
arrangement) having a relatively long maturity and bearing
interest at a fixed rate higher than prevailing short-term,
tax-exempt rates. The bond is typically issued in conjunction
with the agreement of a third party, such as a bank,
broker-dealer or other financial institution, pursuant to which
the institution grants the security holder the option, at
periodic intervals, to tender its securities to the institution.
As consideration for providing the option, the financial
institution receives periodic fees equal to the difference
between the bonds fixed coupon rate and the rate, as
determined by a remarketing or similar agent, that would cause
the securities, coupled with the tender option, to trade at par
on the date of such determination. Thus, after payment of this
fee, the security holder effectively holds a demand obligation
that bears interest at the prevailing short-term, tax-exempt
rate. An institution will normally not be obligated to accept
tendered bonds in the event of certain defaults or a significant
downgrading in the credit rating assigned to the issuer of the
bond. The tender option will be taken into account in
determining the maturity of the tender option bonds and the
Funds average portfolio maturity and average portfolio
life. There is a risk that the Fund will not be considered the
owner of a tender option bond for federal income tax purposes,
and thus will not be entitled to treat such interest as exempt
from federal income tax. Certain tender option bonds may be
illiquid or may become illiquid as a result of a credit rating
downgrade, a payment default or a disqualification from
tax-exempt status.
Revenue Anticipation Warrants.
Revenue
Anticipation Warrants (RAWs) are issued in
anticipation of the issuers receipt of revenues and
present the risk that such revenues will be insufficient to
satisfy the issuers payment obligations. The entire amount
of principal and interest on RAWs is due at maturity. RAWs,
including those with a maturity of more than 397 days, may
also be repackaged as instruments which include a demand feature
that permits the holder to sell the RAWs to a bank or other
financial institution at a purchase price equal to par plus
accrued interest on each interest rate reset date.
52
APPENDIX
A
Industrial Development Bonds.
The Fund may
invest in industrial development bonds (private activity bonds).
Industrial development bonds are a specific type of revenue bond
backed by the credit and security of a private user, the
interest from which would be an item of tax preference when
distributed by the Fund as exempt-interest dividends
to shareholders under the AMT.
Other Municipal Obligation
Policies.
Municipal obligations may also include
municipal leases, certificates of participation and moral
obligation bonds. A municipal lease is an obligation
issued by a state or local government to acquire equipment or
facilities. Certificates of participation represent interests in
municipal leases or other instruments, such as installment
contracts. Moral obligation bonds are supported by the moral
commitment but not the legal obligation of a state or
municipality. Municipal leases, certificates of participation
and moral obligation bonds present the risk that the state or
municipality involved will not appropriate the monies to meet
scheduled payments under these instruments.
Municipal obligations may be backed by letters of credit or
other forms of credit enhancement issued by domestic banks or
foreign banks which have a branch, agency or subsidiary in the
United States or by other financial institutions such as
insurance companies which may issue insurance policies with
respect to municipal obligations. The credit quality of these
banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions
could, therefore, cause a loss to the Fund when it invests in
municipal obligations. The insurance companies exposure to
securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause insurer
rating downgrade or insolvency, which may affect the prices and
liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurance
company. Letters of credit and other obligations of foreign
banks and financial institutions may involve risks in addition
to those of domestic obligations because of less publicly
available financial and other information, less securities
regulation, potential imposition of foreign withholding and
other taxes, war, expropriation or other adverse governmental
actions. Foreign banks and their foreign branches are not
regulated by U.S. banking authorities and generally are not
bound by the accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards applicable to U.S. banks.
In order to enhance the liquidity, stability or quality of a
municipal obligation, the Fund may acquire the right to sell the
obligation to another party at a guaranteed price and date.
In purchasing municipal obligations, the Fund intends to rely on
opinions of bond counsel or counsel to the issuers for each
issue as to the excludability of interest on such obligations
from gross income for federal income tax purposes. The Fund will
not undertake independent investigations concerning the
tax-exempt status of such obligations, nor does it guarantee or
represent that bond counsels opinions are correct. Bond
counsels opinions will generally be based in part upon
covenants by
53
the issuers and related parties regarding continuing compliance
with federal tax requirements. Tax laws contain numerous and
complex requirements that must be satisfied on a continuing
basis in order for bonds to be and remain tax-exempt. If the
issuer of a bond or a user of a bond-financed facility fails to
comply with such requirements at any time, interest on the bond
could become taxable, retroactive to the date the obligation was
issued. In that event, a portion of the Funds
distributions attributable to interest the Fund received on such
bond for the current year and for prior years could be
characterized or recharacterized as taxable income.
Custodial Receipts.
The Fund may invest in
custodial receipts (including tender option bonds, see above for
more information) representing interests in U.S. Government
Securities, municipal obligations or other debt instruments held
by a custodian or trustee. Custodial receipts evidence ownership
of future interest payments, principal payments or both on notes
or bonds issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the
U.S. government, its agencies, instrumentalities, political
subdivisions or authorities, or by a state or local governmental
body or authority, or by other types of issuers. For certain
securities law purposes, custodial receipts are not considered
obligations of the underlying issuers. In addition, if for tax
purposes the Fund is not considered to be the owner of the
underlying securities held in the custodial account, the Fund
may suffer adverse tax consequences. As a holder of custodial
receipts, the Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees
and expenses charged to the custodial account.
Other Investment Companies.
The Fund may
invest in securities of other investment companies subject to
statutory limitations prescribed by the Investment Company Act.
These limitations include in certain circumstances a prohibition
on the Fund acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any
other investment company, and a prohibition on investing more
than 5% of the Funds total assets in securities of any one
investment company or more than 10% of its total assets in
securities of all investment companies.
Pursuant to an exemptive order obtained from the SEC or under an
exemptive rule adopted by the SEC, the Fund may invest in other
investment companies and money market funds beyond the statutory
limits described above. Some of those investment companies and
money market funds may be funds for which the Investment Adviser
or any of its affiliates serves as investment adviser,
administrator or distributor.
The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any
management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment
companies, in addition to the fees and expenses regularly borne
by the Fund. Although the Fund does not expect to do so in the
foreseeable future, the Fund is authorized to invest
substantially all of its assets in a single open-end investment
company or series thereof that has
54
APPENDIX
A
substantially the same investment objective, policies and
fundamental restrictions as the Fund.
Floating and Variable Rate Obligations.
The
Fund may purchase various floating and variable rate
obligations, including tender option bonds. The value of these
obligations is generally more stable than that of a fixed rate
obligation in response to changes in interest rate levels.
Subject to the conditions for using amortized cost valuation
under the Investment Company Act, the Fund may consider the
maturity of a variable or floating rate obligation to be shorter
than its ultimate stated maturity if the obligation is a U.S.
Treasury Obligation or U.S. Government Security, if the
obligation has a remaining maturity of 397 calendar days or
less, or if the obligation has a demand feature that permits the
Fund to receive payment at any time or at specified intervals
not exceeding 397 calendar days. The issuers or financial
intermediaries providing demand features may support their
ability to purchase the obligations by obtaining credit with
liquidity supports. These may include lines of credit, which are
conditional commitments to lend, and letters of credit, which
will ordinarily be irrevocable, both of which may be issued by
domestic banks or foreign banks. The Fund may purchase variable
or floating rate obligations from the issuers or may purchase
certificates of participation, a type of floating or variable
rate obligation, which are interests in a pool of debt
obligations held by a bank or other financial institution.
When-Issued Securities and Forward
Commitments.
The Fund may purchase when-issued
securities and make contracts to purchase or sell securities for
a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time.
When-issued securities are securities that have been authorized,
but not yet issued. When-issued securities are purchased in
order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price
or yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the
transaction. A forward commitment involves entering into a
contract to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a
future date beyond the customary settlement period.
The purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward
commitment basis involves a risk of loss if the value of the
security to be purchased declines before the settlement date.
Conversely, the sale of securities on a forward commitment basis
involves the risk that the value of the securities sold may
increase before the settlement date. Although the Fund will
generally purchase securities on a when-issued or forward
commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities
for its portfolio, the Fund may dispose of when-issued
securities or forward commitments prior to settlement if the
Investment Adviser deems it appropriate. When purchasing a
security on a when-issued basis or entering into a forward
commitment, the Fund must set aside liquid assets,
or engage in other appropriate measures to cover its
obligations.
55
Illiquid Securities.
The Fund may invest up
to 5% of its total assets (measured at the time of purchase) in
illiquid securities (i.e., securities that cannot be sold or
disposed of in seven days in the ordinary course of business at
approximately the value ascribed to them by the Fund). Illiquid
securities include:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Securities that are not readily
marketable
|
|
n
|
Certain municipal leases and
participation interests
|
|
n
|
Certain stripped mortgage-backed
securities
|
|
n
|
Repurchase agreements and time
deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days
|
|
n
|
Certain restricted securities,
unless it is determined, based upon a review of the trading
markets for a specific restricted security, that such restricted
security is liquid because it is so-called 4(2) commercial
paper or is otherwise eligible for resale pursuant to
Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
|
Investing in restricted securities may decrease the liquidity of
the Funds portfolio. Securities purchased by the Fund that
are liquid at the time of purchase may subsequently become
illiquid due to events relating to the issuer of the securities,
market events, economic conditions or investor perception.
Borrowings.
The Fund may borrow up to
33
1
/
3
%
of its total assets from banks for temporary or emergency
purposes. The Fund may not make additional investments if
borrowings exceed 5% of its net assets. For more information,
see the SAI.
Downgraded Securities.
After its purchase, a
portfolio security may be assigned a lower rating or cease to be
rated. If this occurs, the Fund may continue to hold the
security if the Investment Adviser believes it is in the best
interest of the Fund and its shareholders.
Risks of Large Shareholder
Redemptions.
Certain funds, accounts, individuals
or Goldman Sachs affiliates may from time to time own
(beneficially or of record) or control a significant percentage
of the Funds shares. Redemptions by these funds, accounts
or individuals of their holdings in the Fund may impact the
Funds liquidity. These redemptions may also force the Fund
to sell securities, which may negatively impact the Funds
brokerage and tax costs.
56
Appendix B
Financial Highlights
The financial highlights table is intended to help you
understand the financial performance of the Funds FST
Service Shares for the past five years (since FST Class B
and FST Class C Shares have not commenced operations as of
the date of this Prospectus, financial highlights are not
available). Certain information reflects financial results for a
single FST Service Share. The total returns in the table
represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on
an investment in FST Service Shares of the Fund (assuming
reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The
information for FST Service Shares of the Fund has been audited
by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the
Funds financial statements, is included in the Funds
most recent annual report (available upon request).
PRIME OBLIGATIONS
FUND
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FST Service
Shares
|
|
|
Period Ended
|
|
Fiscal Years
Ended December 31,
|
|
|
August 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2009ˆ
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
0.0006
|
|
|
|
0.021
|
c
|
|
|
0.047
|
|
|
|
0.044
|
|
|
|
0.026
|
|
|
|
0.007
|
|
Distributions from net investment income
|
|
|
(0.0006
|
)
|
|
|
(0.021
|
)
|
|
|
(0.047
|
)
|
|
|
(0.044
|
)
|
|
|
(0.026
|
)
|
|
|
(0.007
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return
b
|
|
|
0.06
|
%
|
|
|
2.13
|
%
c
|
|
|
4.75
|
%
|
|
|
4.47
|
%
|
|
|
2.62
|
%
|
|
|
0.75
|
%
|
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)
|
|
$
|
873,287
|
|
|
$
|
1,398,311
|
|
|
$
|
2,097,006
|
|
|
$
|
1,679,837
|
|
|
$
|
1,375,066
|
|
|
$
|
1,111,799
|
|
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
|
|
|
0.63
|
%
a
|
|
|
0.69
|
%
|
|
|
0.68
|
%
|
|
|
0.68
|
%
|
|
|
0.68
|
%
|
|
|
0.68
|
%
|
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
|
|
|
0.12
|
%
a
|
|
|
2.19
|
%
|
|
|
4.65
|
%
|
|
|
4.41
|
%
|
|
|
2.64
|
%
|
|
|
0.75
|
%
|
Ratios assuming no expense reductions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets
|
|
|
0.78
|
%
a
|
|
|
0.74
|
%
|
|
|
0.73
|
%
|
|
|
0.73
|
%
|
|
|
0.72
|
%
|
|
|
0.72
|
%
|
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets
|
|
|
(0.03
|
)%
a
|
|
|
2.14
|
%
|
|
|
4.60
|
%
|
|
|
4.36
|
%
|
|
|
2.60
|
%
|
|
|
0.71
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ˆ
|
The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to
August 31.
|
|
|
a
|
Annualized.
|
b
|
Assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Returns do not
reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on
Fund distributions. Total returns for periods less than one full
year are not annualized.
|
|
|
c
|
Reflects an increase of $0.002 per share and 0.22%, as a
result of a voluntary and irrevocable capital infusion by
Goldman Sachs.
|
57
[This page intentionally left
blank]
[This page intentionally left
blank]
Financial
Square Funds
Prospectus
(FST Service, FST Class B and FST Class C
Shares)
FOR
MORE INFORMATION
Annual/Semi-annual
Report
Additional information about the
Funds investments is available in the Funds annual
and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Funds
annual reports, you will find a discussion of the market
conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected
the Funds performance during the last fiscal year.
Statement
of Additional Information
Additional information about the
Fund and its policies is also available in the Funds SAI.
The SAI is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus (is
legally considered part of this Prospectus).
The Funds annual and
semi-annual reports, and the SAI, are available free upon
request by calling Goldman Sachs at
1-800-526-7384.
You can also access and download the annual and semi-annual
reports and the SAI at the Funds website:
http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com.
From time to time, certain
announcements and other information regarding the Fund may be
found at
http://www.gs.com/gsam/redirect/announcements/individuals
for individual investors,
http://www.gs.com/gsam/redirect/announcements/institutions
for institutional investors or
http://www.gs.com/gsam/redirect/announcements/advisors
for advisors.
To obtain other information and for
shareholder inquiries:
|
|
|
n
By
telephone
|
|
1-800-526-7384
|
n
By
mail
|
|
Goldman Sachs Funds
c/o BFDS
P.O. Box 219711
Kansas City, MO
64141-9711
|
n
On
the Internet:
|
|
SEC EDGAR database http://www.sec.gov
|
You may review and obtain copies of
Fund documents (including the SAI) by visiting the SECs
public reference room in Washington, D.C. You may also obtain
copies of Fund documents, after paying a duplicating fee, by
writing to the SECs Public Reference Section, Washington,
D.C. 20549-1520 or by electronic request to: publicinfo@sec.gov.
Information on the operation of the public reference room may be
obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090.
The Funds investment company
registration number is 811-05349.
GSAM
®
is a registered service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
00074212
|
|
FSPRORETMM
|
|
|
|
|
Prospectus
|
|
FST Premier Shares
May 14, 2010
|
|
GOLDMAN
SACHS FINANCIAL SQUARE
FUNDS
SM
|
|
|
|
THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR
DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IS NOT INSURED
BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER
GOVERNMENT AGENCY. ALTHOUGH A FUND SEEKS TO PRESERVE THE VALUE
OF YOUR INVESTMENT AT $1.00 PER SHARE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO LOSE
MONEY BY INVESTING IN A FUND.
|
|
n
Prime Obligations Fund:
GOPXX
n
Money Market Fund:
GPRXX
n
Treasury Obligations Fund:
GTPXX
n
Treasury Instruments Fund:
GIPXX
n
Government Fund:
GGPXX
n
Federal Fund:
GFPXX
n
Tax-Free Money Market Fund:
GXPXX
|
Table of
Contents
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Prime
Obligations Fund Summary
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
Money
Market Fund Summary
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
Treasury
Obligations Fund Summary
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
Treasury
Instruments Fund Summary
|
|
|
|
18
|
|
Government
Fund Summary
|
|
|
|
22
|
|
Federal
Fund Summary
|
|
|
|
26
|
|
Tax-Free
Money Market Fund Summary
|
|
|
|
30
|
|
Financial
Square Funds Additional Summary
Information
|
|
|
|
31
|
|
Investment
Management Approach
|
|
|
|
43
|
|
Risks
of the Funds
|
|
|
|
47
|
|
Service
Providers
|
|
|
|
52
|
|
Dividends
|
|
|
|
53
|
|
Shareholder
Guide
|
|
|
53
|
|
How to Buy Shares
|
|
|
59
|
|
How to Sell Shares
|
|
|
|
65
|
|
Taxation
|
|
|
|
67
|
|
Appendix A Additional
Information on the Funds
|
|
|
|
78
|
|
Appendix B Financial
Highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOT FDIC-INSURED
|
|
|
May Lose Value
|
|
|
No Bank Guarantee
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prime
Obligations FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Prime Obligations Fund (the Fund) seeks to
maximize current income to the extent consistent with the
preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity by
investing exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prime
|
|
|
|
Obligations
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
|
|
|
None
|
|
Redemption Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
Exchange Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1
(expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
0.21%
|
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.37%
|
|
Service Fees
|
|
|
0.10
|
%
|
Administration Fees
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
All Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.02
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
0.58%
|
|
Fee
Waiver
2
|
|
|
(0.05)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
|
|
|
0.53%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.045% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the
approval of the Board of Trustees.
|
1
Expense
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 FST Premier
Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and then
redeem all of your FST Premier Shares at the end of those
periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5%
return each year and that the Funds operating expenses
remain the same (except that the Example incorporates the
management fee waiver arrangement for only the first year).
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
FST Premier Shares
|
|
$
|
54
|
|
|
$
|
181
|
|
|
$
|
319
|
|
|
$
|
721
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal
Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in
obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government
agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises (U.S. Government Securities),
obligations of U.S. banks, commercial paper and other
short-term obligations of U.S. companies, states,
municipalities and other entities and repurchase agreements.
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment
program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security, or a bank or other financial
institution that has entered into a repurchase agreement, may
default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
Additionally, the credit quality of the Funds portfolio
securities may deteriorate rapidly, which may impair the
Funds liquidity and have the potential to cause
significant NAV deterioration.
|
2
|
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also be adversely affected. A low interest rate
environment poses additional risks to the Fund, because low
yields on the Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse
impact on the Funds ability to provide a positive yield to
its shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of individual companies, particular
industry sectors or governments and/or general economic
conditions.
|
|
n
|
U.S. Government Securities
Risk
The
U.S. government may not provide financial support to
U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law.
U.S. Government Securities issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and Federal Home
Loan Banks chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. It is
possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet
their payment obligations in the future.
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects fee waivers and expense
limitations in effect. Updated performance information is
available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by
calling
1-800-621-2550.
3
|
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN
|
|
CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
|
Best Quarter
Q3 00 1.53%
Worst Quarter
Q3 09 0.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the period
ended December 31, 2009
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
|
Since Inception
|
|
FST Service Shares
(Inception 1/8/92)*
|
|
|
0.07%
|
|
|
|
2.79%
|
|
|
|
2.60%
|
|
|
|
3.38%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Because FST Premier Shares have
not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus, the
figures shown above provide performance for FST Service Shares
of the Fund (which are not offered in this Prospectus); FST
Premier Shares would have similar returns (because these share
classes represent interests in the same portfolio of securities)
that would differ only to the extent that they have different
expenses.
|
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund
shares, please see Buying and Selling Fund Shares on
page 30 of this Prospectus.
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as
ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing
through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an
individual retirement account.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary
compensation, please see Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries on page 30 of this
Prospectus.
4
Money
Market FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Money Market Fund (the Fund) seeks to maximize
current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of
capital and the maintenance of liquidity by investing
exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money
|
|
|
|
Market
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
|
|
|
None
|
|
Redemption Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
Exchange Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1
(expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
0.21%
|
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.37%
|
|
Service Fees
|
|
|
0.10
|
%
|
Administration Fees
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
All Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.02
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
0.58%
|
|
Fee
Waiver
2
|
|
|
(0.05)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
|
|
|
0.53%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.045% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the
approval of the Board of Trustees.
|
5
Expense
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 FST Premier
Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and then
redeem all of your FST Premier Shares at the end of those
periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5%
return each year and that the Funds operating expenses
remain the same (except that the Example incorporates the
management fee waiver arrangement for only the first year).
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
FST Premier Shares
|
|
$
|
54
|
|
|
$
|
181
|
|
|
$
|
319
|
|
|
$
|
721
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal
Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in
obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government
agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises (U.S. Government Securities),
obligations of U.S. banks, commercial paper and other
short-term obligations of U.S. companies, states,
municipalities and other entities and repurchase agreements. The
Fund may also invest in U.S. dollar-denominated obligations
of foreign banks, foreign companies and foreign governments. The
Fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in the
securities of any one foreign government.
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment
program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security, or a bank or other financial
institution that has entered into a repurchase agreement, may
default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
Additionally, the credit quality of the
|
6
|
|
|
Funds portfolio securities may deteriorate rapidly, which
may impair the Funds liquidity and have the potential to
cause significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also be adversely affected. A low interest rate
environment poses additional risks to the Fund, because low
yields on the Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse
impact on the Funds ability to provide a positive yield to
its shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of individual companies, particular
industry sectors or governments
and/or
general economic conditions.
|
|
n
|
U.S. Government
Securities
Risk
The
U.S. government may not provide financial support to
U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law.
U.S. Government Securities issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and Federal Home
Loan Banks chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. It is
possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet
their payment obligations in the future.
|
|
n
|
Banking Industry
Risk
An adverse
development in the banking industry may affect the value of the
Funds investments more than if they were not invested to
such a degree in the banking industry. Banks may be particularly
susceptible to certain economic factors such as interest rate
changes, adverse developments in the real estate market, fiscal
and monetary policy and general economic cycles.
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
|
n
|
Foreign
Risk
Foreign
securities may be subject to risk of loss because of political,
financial and economic events in foreign countries, less public
information, less stringent foreign securities regulations and
accounting and disclosure standards, problems in security
registration or settlement and custody or other factors.
|
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects fee waivers and expense
limitations in effect. Updated
7
performance information is available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by calling
1-800-621-2550.
|
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN
|
|
CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
|
Best Quarter
Q3 00 1.53%
Worst Quarter
Q3 09 0.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the period
ended December 31, 2009
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
|
Since Inception
|
|
FST Service Shares
(Inception 7/14/95)*
|
|
|
0.11%
|
|
|
|
2.81%
|
|
|
|
2.61%
|
|
|
|
3.33%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Because FST Premier Shares have
not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus, the
figures shown above provide performance for FST Service Shares
of the Fund (which are not offered in this Prospectus); FST
Premier Shares would have similar returns (because these share
classes represent interests in the same portfolio of securities)
that would differ only to the extent that they have different
expenses.
|
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund
shares, please see Buying and Selling
Fund Shares on page 30 of this Prospectus.
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as
ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing
through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an
individual retirement account.
8
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary
compensation, please see Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries on page 30 of this
Prospectus.
9
Treasury
Obligations FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Treasury Obligations Fund (the Fund) seeks to
maximize current income to the extent consistent with the
preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity by
investing exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury
|
|
|
|
Obligations
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
|
|
|
None
|
|
Redemption Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
Exchange Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1
(expenses that you pay
each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
0.21%
|
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.37%
|
|
Service Fees
|
|
|
0.10
|
%
|
Administration Fees
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
All Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.02
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
0.58%
|
|
Fee
Waiver
2
|
|
|
(0.03)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
|
|
|
0.55%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.025% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the
approval of the Board of Trustees.
|
10
Expense
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 FST Premier
Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and then
redeem all of your FST Premier Shares at the end of those
periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5%
return each year and that the Funds operating expenses
remain the same (except that the Example incorporates the
management fee waiver arrangement for only the first year).
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
FST Premier Shares
|
|
$
|
56
|
|
|
$
|
183
|
|
|
$
|
321
|
|
|
$
|
723
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal
Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing only in
U.S. Treasury Obligations, which include securities issued
or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury where the payment of
principal and interest is backed by the full faith and credit of
the U.S. government (U.S. Treasury
Obligations). The Fund may also invest in repurchase
agreements collateralized by U.S. Treasury Obligations.
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment
program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security, or a bank or other financial
institution that has entered into a repurchase agreement, may
default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
Additionally, the credit quality of the Funds portfolio
securities may deteriorate rapidly, which may impair the
Funds liquidity and have the potential to cause
significant NAV deterioration.
|
11
|
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also be adversely affected. A low interest rate
environment poses additional risks to the Fund, because low
yields on the Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse
impact on the Funds ability to provide a positive yield to
its shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of individual companies, particular
industry sectors or governments
and/or
general economic conditions.
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects fee waivers and expense
limitations in effect. Updated performance information is
available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by
calling
1-800-621-2550.
|
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN
|
|
CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
|
Best Quarter
Q4 00 1.48%
Worst Quarter
Q2 09 0.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
12
AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the period
ended December 31, 2009
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
|
Since Inception
|
|
FST Service Shares
(Inception 10/15/91)*
|
|
|
0.02%
|
|
|
|
2.45%
|
|
|
|
2.34%
|
|
|
|
3.20%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Because FST Premier Shares have
not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus, the
figures shown above provide performance for FST Service Shares
of the Fund (which are not offered in this Prospectus); FST
Premier Shares would have similar returns (because these share
classes represent interests in the same portfolio of securities)
that would differ only to the extent that they have different
expenses.
|
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund
shares, please see Buying and Selling
Fund Shares on page 30 of this Prospectus.
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as
ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing
through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an
individual retirement account.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary
compensation, please see Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries on page 30 of this
Prospectus.
13
Treasury
Instruments FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Treasury Instruments Fund (the Fund) seeks to
maximize current income to the extent consistent with the
preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity by
investing exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury
|
|
|
|
Instruments
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
|
|
|
None
|
|
Redemption Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
Exchange Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1
(expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
0.21%
|
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.37%
|
|
Service Fees
|
|
|
0.10
|
%
|
Administration Fees
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
All Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.02
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
0.58%
|
|
Fee
Waiver
2
|
|
|
(0.03)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
|
|
|
0.55%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.025% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the
approval of the Board of Trustees.
|
14
Expense
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 FST Premier
Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and then
redeem all of your FST Premier Shares at the end of those
periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5%
return each year and that the Funds operating expenses
remain the same (except that the Example incorporates the
management fee waiver arrangement for only the first year).
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
FST Premier Shares
|
|
$
|
56
|
|
|
$
|
183
|
|
|
$
|
321
|
|
|
$
|
723
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal
Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing only in
U.S. Treasury Obligations, which include securities issued
or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury where the payment of
principal and interest is backed by the full faith and credit of
the U.S. government (U.S. Treasury
Obligations), the interest from which is generally exempt
from state income taxation.
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment
program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security may default on its obligation to pay
interest and repay principal. Additionally, the credit quality
of the Funds portfolio securities may deteriorate rapidly,
which may impair the Funds liquidity and have the
potential to cause significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also
|
15
|
|
|
be adversely affected. A low interest rate environment poses
additional risks to the Fund, because low yields on the
Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse impact on the
Funds ability to provide a positive yield to its
shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
|
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of governments
and/or
general economic conditions.
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects fee waivers and expense
limitations in effect. Updated performance information is
available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by
calling
1-800-621-2550.
|
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN
|
|
CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
|
Best Quarter
Q4 00 1.42%
Worst Quarter
Q2 09 0.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
16
AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the period
ended December 31, 2009
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
|
Since Inception
|
|
FST Service Shares
(Inception 3/5/97)*
|
|
|
0.01%
|
|
|
|
2.29%
|
|
|
|
2.20%
|
|
|
|
2.69%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Because FST Premier Shares have
not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus, the
figures shown above provide performance for FST Service Shares
of the Fund (which are not offered in this Prospectus); FST
Premier Shares would have similar returns (because these share
classes represent interests in the same portfolio of securities)
that would differ only to the extent that they have different
expenses.
|
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund
shares, please see Buying and Selling
Fund Shares on page 30 of this Prospectus.
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as
ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing
through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an
individual retirement account.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary
compensation, please see Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries on page 30 of this
Prospectus.
17
Government
FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Government Fund (the Fund) seeks to maximize
current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of
capital and the maintenance of liquidity by investing
exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
|
|
|
None
|
|
Redemption Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
Exchange Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1
(expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
0.21%
|
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.37%
|
|
Service Fees
|
|
|
0.10
|
%
|
Administration Fees
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
All Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.02
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
0.58%
|
|
Fee
Waiver
2
|
|
|
(0.05)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
|
|
|
0.53%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.045% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the
approval of the Board of Trustees.
|
18
Expense
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 FST Premier
Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and then
redeem all of your FST Premier Shares at the end of those
periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5%
return each year and that the Funds operating expenses
remain the same (except that the Example incorporates the
management fee waiver arrangement for only the first year).
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
FST Premier Shares
|
|
$
|
54
|
|
|
$
|
181
|
|
|
$
|
319
|
|
|
$
|
721
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal
Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing, directly
or indirectly, only in obligations issued or guaranteed by
U.S. government agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or
sponsored enterprises (U.S. Government
Securities) and repurchase agreements collateralized by
such securities.
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment
program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security, or a bank or other financial
institution that has entered into a repurchase agreement, may
default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
Additionally, the credit quality of the Funds portfolio
securities may deteriorate rapidly, which may impair the
Funds liquidity and have the potential to cause
significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
be adversely affected. A low interest rate environment poses
additional risks to the Fund, because low yields on the
Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse impact on the
Funds ability to provide a positive yield to its
shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
|
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of individual companies, particular
industry sectors or governments
and/or
general economic conditions.
|
|
n
|
U.S. Government
Securities
Risk
The
U.S. government may not provide financial support to
U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law.
U.S. Government Securities issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and Federal Home
Loan Banks chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. It is
possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet
their payment obligations in the future.
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects fee waivers and expense
limitations in effect. Updated performance information is
available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by
calling
1-800-621-2550.
20
|
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN
|
|
CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
|
Best Quarter
Q4 00 1.50%
Worst Quarter
Q4 09 0.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the period
ended December 31, 2009
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
|
Since Inception
|
|
FST Service Shares
(Inception 5/16/95)*
|
|
|
0.05%
|
|
|
|
2.72%
|
|
|
|
2.53%
|
|
|
|
3.28%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Because FST Premier Shares have
not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus, the
figures shown above provide performance for FST Service Shares
of the Fund (which are not offered in this Prospectus); FST
Premier Shares would have similar returns (because these share
classes represent interests in the same portfolio of securities)
that would differ only to the extent that they have different
expenses.
|
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund
shares, please see Buying and Selling
Fund Shares on page 30 of this Prospectus.
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as
ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing
through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an
individual retirement account.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary
compensation, please see Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries on page 30 of this
Prospectus.
21
Federal
FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Federal Fund (the Fund) seeks to maximize
current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of
capital and the maintenance of liquidity by investing
exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
|
|
|
None
|
|
Redemption Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
Exchange Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1
(expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
0.21%
|
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.37%
|
|
Service Fees
|
|
|
0.10
|
%
|
Administration Fees
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
All Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.02
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
0.58%
|
|
Fee
Waiver
2
|
|
|
(0.03)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
|
|
|
0.55%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.025% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the
approval of the Board of Trustees.
|
22
Expense
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 FST Premier
Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and then
redeem all of your FST Premier Shares at the end of those
periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5%
return each year and that the Funds operating expenses
remain the same (except that the Example incorporates the
management fee waiver arrangement for only the first year).
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
FST Premier Shares
|
|
$
|
56
|
|
|
$
|
183
|
|
|
$
|
321
|
|
|
$
|
723
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by limiting its
investments only to obligations issued or guaranteed by
U.S. government agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or
sponsored enterprises (U.S. Government
Securities), the interest from which is generally exempt
from state income taxation.
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment
program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security may default on its obligation to pay
interest and repay principal. Additionally, the credit quality
of the Funds portfolio securities may deteriorate rapidly,
which may impair the Funds liquidity and have the
potential to cause significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also be adversely affected. A low interest rate
environment poses additional risks to the Fund, because low
yields on the Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse
|
23
|
|
|
impact on the Funds ability to provide a positive yield to
its shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
|
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of individual companies, particular
industry sectors or governments
and/or
general economic conditions.
|
|
n
|
U.S. Government
Securities
Risk
The
U.S. government may not provide financial support to
U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law.
U.S. Government Securities issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and Federal Home
Loan Banks chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. It is
possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet
their payment obligations in the future.
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects fee waivers and expense
limitations in effect. Updated performance information is
available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by
calling
1-800-621-2550.
|
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN
|
|
CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
|
Best Quarter
Q4 00 1.48%
Worst Quarter
Q3 09 0.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the period
ended December 31, 2009
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
|
Since Inception
|
|
FST Service Shares
(Inception 3/25/97)*
|
|
|
0.02%
|
|
|
|
2.67%
|
|
|
|
2.48%
|
|
|
|
2.98%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Because FST Premier Shares have
not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus, the
figures shown above provide performance for FST Service Shares
of the Fund (which are not offered in this Prospectus); FST
Premier Shares would have similar returns (because these share
classes represent interests in the same portfolio of securities)
that would differ only to the extent that they have different
expenses.
|
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund
shares, please see Buying and Selling
Fund Shares on page 30 of this Prospectus.
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as
ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing
through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an
individual retirement account.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary
compensation, please see Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries on page 30 of this
Prospectus.
25
Tax-Free
Money Market FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Tax-Free Money Market Fund (the Fund) seeks to
maximize current income to the extent consistent with the
preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity by
investing exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax-Free
|
|
|
|
Money
|
|
|
|
Market
Fund
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
|
|
|
None
|
|
Redemption Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
Exchange Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1
(expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
0.21%
|
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.37%
|
|
Service Fees
|
|
|
0.10
|
%
|
Administration Fees
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
All Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.02
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
0.58%
|
|
Fee
Waiver
2
|
|
|
(0.05)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
|
|
|
0.53%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.045% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the
approval of the Board of Trustees.
|
26
Expense
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 FST Premier
Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and then
redeem all of your FST Premier Shares at the end of those
periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5%
return each year and that the Funds operating expenses
remain the same (except that the Example incorporates the
management fee waiver arrangements for only the first year).
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
FST Premier Shares
|
|
$
|
54
|
|
|
$
|
181
|
|
|
$
|
319
|
|
|
$
|
721
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing at least
80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment
purposes (measured at the time of investment) in securities
issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of
the U.S. and their political subdivisions, agencies,
authorities and instrumentalities, and the District of Columbia,
the interest from which, if any, is in the opinion of bond
counsel excluded from gross income for federal income tax
purposes, and generally not an item of tax preference under the
federal alternative minimum tax (AMT).
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment
program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security may default on its obligation to pay
interest and repay principal. This also includes the risk of
default on foreign letters of credit, guarantees or insurance
policies that back municipal securities. Additionally, the
credit quality of the Funds portfolio securities may
|
27
|
|
|
deteriorate rapidly, which may impair the Funds liquidity
and have the potential to cause significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also be adversely affected. A low interest rate
environment poses additional risks to the Fund, because low
yields on the Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse
impact on the Funds ability to provide a positive yield to
its shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of individual companies, particular
industry sectors or governments
and/or
general economic conditions.
|
|
n
|
Concentration
Risk
If the
Fund invests more than 25% of its total assets in certain
issuers within the same state, industry or economic sector, an
adverse economic, business or political development may affect
the value of the Funds investments more than if its
investments were not so concentrated.
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects fee waivers and expense
limitations in effect. Updated performance information is
available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by
calling
1-800-621-2550.
28
|
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN
|
|
CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
|
Best Quarter
Q4 00 0.91%
Worst Quarter
Q2 09 0.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the period
ended December 31, 2009
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
|
Since Inception
|
|
FST Service Shares
(Inception 9/23/94)*
|
|
|
0.03%
|
|
|
|
1.82%
|
|
|
|
1.63%
|
|
|
|
2.09%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Because FST Premier Shares have
not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus, the
figures shown above provide performance for FST Service Shares
of the Fund (which are not offered in this Prospectus); FST
Premier Shares would have similar returns (because these share
classes represent interests in the same portfolio of securities)
that would differ only to the extent that they have different
expenses.
|
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund
shares, please see Buying and Selling
Fund Shares on page 30 of this Prospectus.
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions that are designated as
exempt interest dividends are generally not subject
to federal income tax. To the extent that Fund distributions are
attributable to interest on certain federal obligations or
interest on obligations of your state of residence or its
municipalities or authorities, they will in most cases be exempt
from state and local income taxes. The Fund intends to avoid
investments which pay interest that is a preference item in
determining AMT liability.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary
compensation, please see Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries on page 30 of this
Prospectus.
29
Financial Square Funds Additional
Summary Information
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
Generally, FST Premier Shares may be purchased only through
institutions that have agreed to provide personal and account
maintenance services and administration services to their
customers who are the beneficial owners of FST Premier Shares
(Service Organizations). The minimum initial
investment requirement imposed upon Service Organizations for
the purchase of FST Premier Shares is generally
$10 million, and there is no minimum imposed upon
additional investments. Service Organizations may, however,
impose a minimum amount for initial and additional investments
in FST Premier Shares, and may establish other requirements such
as a minimum account balance.
You may purchase and redeem (sell) shares of the Fund on any
business day through a Service Organization.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase a Fund through a Service Organization, the Fund
and/or
its
related companies may pay the Service Organization for the sale
of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a
conflict of interest by influencing the Service Organization and
your salesperson to recommend a Fund over another investment.
Ask your salesperson or visit your Service Organization website
for more information.
30
Investment Management Approach
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE
The Funds seek to maximize current income to the extent
consistent with the preservation of capital and the maintenance
of liquidity by investing exclusively in high quality money
market instruments.
PRINCIPAL
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Prime
Obligations Fund
The Prime Obligations Fund pursues its investment objective by
investing in U.S. Government Securities, obligations of
U.S. banks, commercial paper and other short-term
obligations of U.S. companies, states, municipalities and
other entities and repurchase agreements.
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the
Prime Obligations Fund may be subject to additional investment
restrictions.
Money
Market Fund
The Money Market Fund pursues its investment objective by
investing in U.S. Government Securities, obligations of
U.S. banks, commercial paper and other short-term
obligations of U.S. companies, states, municipalities and
other entities and repurchase agreements. The Fund may also
invest in U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign
banks, foreign companies and foreign governments. The Fund may
not invest more than 25% of its total assets in the securities
of any one foreign government.
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the
Money Market Fund may be subject to additional investment
restrictions.
Treasury
Obligations Fund
The Treasury Obligations Fund pursues its investment objective
by investing only in U.S. Treasury Obligations. The Fund
may also invest in repurchase agreements collateralized by
U.S. Treasury Obligations.
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the
Treasury Obligations Fund may be subject to additional
investment restrictions.
Treasury
Instruments Fund
The Treasury Instruments Fund pursues its investment objective
by investing only in U.S. Treasury Obligations, the
interest from which is generally exempt from state
31
income taxation. To the extent required by Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations, shareholders
will be provided with sixty days notice in the manner prescribed
by the SEC before any change in the Funds policy to invest
at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for
investment purposes (measured at the time of investment) in the
particular type of investment suggested by its name.
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the
Treasury Instruments Fund may be subject to additional
investment restrictions.
Government
Fund
The Government Fund pursues its investment objective by
investing, directly or indirectly, only in U.S. Government
Securities and repurchase agreements collateralized by such
securities. To the extent required by SEC regulations,
shareholders will be provided with sixty days notice in the
manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in the
Funds policy to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus
any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of
investment) in the particular type of investment suggested by
its name.
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the
Government Fund may be subject to additional investment
restrictions.
Federal
Fund
The Federal Fund pursues its investment objective by limiting
its investments only to U.S. Government Securities, the
interest from which is generally exempt from state income
taxation. To the extent required by SEC regulations,
shareholders will be provided with sixty days notice in the
manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in the
Funds policy to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus
any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of
investment) in the particular type of investment suggested by
its name.
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the
Federal Fund may be subject to additional investment
restrictions.
Tax-Free
Money Market Fund
The Tax-Free Money Market Fund pursues its investment objective
by investing in securities issued by or on behalf of states,
territories, and possessions of the United States and their
political subdivisions, agencies, authorities and
instrumentalities, and the District of Columbia, the interest
from which, if any, is in the opinion of bond counsel excluded
from gross income for federal income tax purposes, and generally
not an item of tax preference under the AMT.
32
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the
Tax-Free Money Market Fund may be subject to additional
investment restrictions.
All
Funds
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P.
(GSAM
®
)
serves as investment adviser to the Financial Square Funds (each
a Fund, and collectively the Funds).
GSAM is referred to in this Prospectus as the Investment
Adviser.
Goldman
Sachs Money Market Investment Philosophy:
The Funds are managed to seek preservation of capital, daily
liquidity and maximum current income. With each Fund, the
Investment Adviser follows a conservative, risk-managed
investment process that seeks to:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Manage credit risk
|
|
n
|
Manage interest rate risk
|
|
n
|
Manage liquidity
|
Since 1981, the Investment Adviser
has actively managed the Goldman Sachs Money Market Funds to
provide investors with the greatest possible preservation of
principal and income potential.
INVESTMENT
PROCESS
1. Managing Credit Risk
The Investment Advisers process for managing credit risk
emphasizes:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Intensive
research
The
Credit Department, a separate operating entity of Goldman, Sachs
& Co. (Goldman Sachs, or
GS&Co.), approves all money market fund
eligible securities for the Funds. Sources for the Credit
Departments analysis include third-party inputs, such as
financial statements and media sources, ratings releases and
company meetings, as well as the Investment Research, Legal and
Compliance departments of Goldman Sachs.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Timely
updates
A
Credit Department-approved list of securities is continuously
communicated on a real-time basis to the portfolio
management team via computer link.
|
The Result: An approved list of
high-quality credits
The Investment Advisers
portfolio management team uses this approved list to construct
portfolios which offer the best available risk-return trade-off
within the approved credit universe. If a security
is removed from the approved list, the Investment
Adviser may not purchase that security for the Funds, although
it is not required to sell that security.
33
2. Managing Interest Rate Risk
Three main steps are followed in seeking to manage interest rate
risk:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Establish weighted average
maturity (WAM) and weighted average life
(WAL)
targets
WAM
(the weighted average time until the yield of a portfolio
reflects any changes in the current interest rate environment)
and WAL (designed to more accurately measure spread
risk) are constantly revisited and adjusted as market
conditions change. An overall strategy is developed by the
Investment Adviser based on insights gained from weekly meetings
with both Goldman Sachs economists and economists from outside
the firm.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Implement optimum portfolio
structure
Proprietary
models that seek the optimum balance of risk and return, in
conjunction with the Investment Advisers analysis of
factors such as market events, short-term interest rates and
each Funds asset volatility, are used to identify the most
effective portfolio structure.
|
|
n
|
Conduct rigorous analysis of
new
securities
The
Investment Advisers five-step process includes legal,
credit, historical index and liquidity analysis, as well as
price stress testing to determine the suitability of potential
investments for the Funds.
|
3. Managing Liquidity
Factors that the Investment Advisers portfolio managers
continuously monitor and that affect liquidity of a money market
portfolio include:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Each Funds investors and
other factors that influence the asset volatility of the Funds;
|
|
n
|
Technical events that influence the
trading range of federal funds and other short-term fixed-income
markets; and
|
|
n
|
Bid-ask spreads associated with
securities in the portfolios.
|
Benchmarks for the Funds are the
iMoneyNet, Inc. Indices. Each Fund uses the iMoneyNet Index
which best corresponds to the Funds eligible
investments.
References in this Prospectus to a Funds benchmark are for
informational purposes only, and unless otherwise noted are not
an indication of how a particular Fund is managed.
34
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
Additional
Fund Characteristics and Restrictions
|
|
|
|
n
|
The
Funds:
Each
Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act. Under
Rule 2a-7,
each Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated securities
that are determined to present minimal credit risk and meet
certain other criteria including conditions relating to
maturity, diversification and credit quality. These operating
policies may be more restrictive than the fundamental policies
set forth in the Statement of Additional Information
(the SAI).
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Taxable
Funds:
Prime
Obligations, Money Market, Treasury Obligations and Government
Funds.
|
|
n
|
Tax-Advantaged
Funds:
Treasury
Instruments and Federal Funds.
|
|
n
|
Tax-Exempt
Fund:
Tax-Free
Money Market Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
The
Investors:
The
Funds are designed for investors seeking a high rate of return,
a stable NAV and convenient liquidation privileges. The Funds
are particularly suitable for banks, corporations and other
financial institutions that seek investment of short-term funds
for their own accounts or for the accounts of their customers.
Shares of the Government Fund are intended to qualify as
eligible investments for federally chartered credit unions
pursuant to Sections 107(7), 107(8) and 107(15) of the
Federal Credit Union Act, Part 703 of the National Credit Union
Administration (NCUA) Rules and Regulations and NCUA
Letter Number 155. The Government Fund intends to review changes
in the applicable laws, rules and regulations governing eligible
investments for federally chartered credit unions, and to take
such action as may be necessary so that the investments of the
Government Fund qualify as eligible investments under the
Federal Credit Union Act and the regulations thereunder. Shares
of the Government Fund, however, may or may not qualify as
eligible investments for particular state-chartered credit
unions. A state-chartered credit union should consult qualified
legal counsel to determine whether the Government Fund is a
permissible investment under the laws applicable to it.
|
|
n
|
NAV:
Each
Fund seeks to maintain a stable NAV of $1.00 per share. There
can be no assurance that a Fund will be able at all times to
maintain a NAV of $1.00 per share.
|
|
n
|
Maximum Remaining Maturity of
Portfolio
Investments:
13 months
(as determined pursuant to
Rule 2a-7)
at the time of purchase.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Dollar-Weighted Average
Portfolio
Maturity:
Not
more than 60 days (as required by
Rule 2a-7).
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Dollar-Weighted Average
Portfolio
Life:
Not more
than 120 days (as required by
Rule 2a-7).
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Investment
Restrictions:
Each
Fund is subject to certain investment restrictions that are
described in detail under Investment Restrictions in
the SAI. Fundamental investment restrictions and the investment
objective of each Fund cannot
|
35
|
|
|
|
|
be changed without approval of a majority of the outstanding
shares of that Fund. The Treasury Obligations Funds policy
of limiting its investments to U.S. Treasury Obligations and
related repurchase agreements is also a fundamental investment
restriction. All investment objectives and policies not
specifically designated as fundamental are non-fundamental and
may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder
approval.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Diversification:
Diversification
can help a Fund reduce the risks of investing. In accordance
with current regulations of the SEC, each Fund may not invest
more than 5% of the value of its total assets at the time of
purchase in the securities of any single issuer. However, a Fund
may invest up to 25% of the value of its total assets in the
securities of a single issuer for up to three business days.
These limitations do not apply to cash, certain repurchase
agreements, U.S. Government Securities or securities of other
investment companies. In addition, securities subject to certain
unconditional guarantees are subject to different
diversification requirements as described in the SAI.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Portfolio
Liquidity:
The
Funds are required to maintain a sufficient degree of liquidity
necessary to meet reasonably foreseeable redemption requests. In
addition, each Fund (except for the Tax-Free Money Market Fund)
must hold at least 10% of its total assets in daily liquid
assets and 30% of its total assets in weekly liquid
assets (each as defined by
Rule 2a-7).
The Tax-Free Money Market Fund must hold at least 30% of its
total assets in weekly liquid assets (as defined by
Rule 2a-7).
No Fund may acquire an illiquid security if, after the purchase,
more than 5% of a Funds total assets would consist of
illiquid assets.
|
ADDITIONAL
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Note that the Best Quarter and Worst
Quarter figures shown in the Performance
section of each Funds Summary section are applicable only
to the time period covered by the bar chart.
INVESTMENT
PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
The table below identifies some of the investment techniques
that may (but are not required to) be used by the Funds in
seeking to achieve their investment objectives. The table also
highlights the differences and similarities among the Funds in
their use of these techniques and other investment practices and
investment securities. Numbers in the table show allowable usage
only; for actual usage, consult the Funds
annual/semi-annual reports. For more information about these and
other investment practices and securities, see Appendix A.
The Funds publish on their website
(http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com) their complete portfolio
holdings as of the end of each month subject to a fifteen
calendar day lag between the date of
36
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
the information and the date on which the information is
disclosed. Each Fund also publishes its holdings on a weekly
basis, with no lag required between the date of the information
and the date on which the information is disclosed. This
information will be available on the website until the next
publish date or the date on which a Fund files its next
quarterly portfolio holdings report on
Form N-CSR
or
Form N-Q
with the SEC. In addition, certain portfolio statistics (other
than portfolio holdings information) are available on a daily
basis by calling
1-800-621-2550.
A description of the Funds policies and procedures with
respect to the disclosure of the Funds portfolio holdings
is available in the Funds SAI.
37
Investment
Policies Matrix
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury
|
|
U.S.
Government
|
|
Bank
|
|
Commercial
|
Fund
|
|
Obligations
1
|
|
Securities
|
|
Obligations
|
|
Paper
|
Prime Obligations
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
n
U.S. banks
only
2
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money Market
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
n
Over 25% of total assets
must be invested in U.S.
and foreign (US$)
banks
3
|
|
n
U.S. and foreign
(US$) commercial
paper
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Obligations
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Instruments
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax-Free Money Market
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
Tax-exempt only
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note: See Appendix A for a description of, and
certain criteria applicable to, each of these categories of
investments.
See page 42 for all footnotes.
38
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-Term
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign
|
Obligations of
|
|
|
|
Asset-Backed
and
|
|
Government
|
Corporations
and
|
|
Repurchase
|
|
Receivables-Backed
|
|
Obligations
|
Other
Entities
|
|
Agreements
|
|
Securities
|
|
(US$)
|
n
U.S. entities only
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
U.S. and foreign
(US$) entities
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
n
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
(Does not intend to invest)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39
Investment
Policies Matrix continued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Custodial
|
|
Unrated
|
|
Investment
|
Fund
|
|
Municipals
|
|
Receipts
|
|
Securities
7
|
|
Companies
8
|
Prime Obligations
|
|
n
5
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Up to 10% of total
assets in other
investment companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money Market
|
|
n
5
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Up to 10% of total
assets in other
investment companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Obligations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Instruments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Up to 10% of total
assets in other
investment companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax-Free Money Market
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
|
At least 80% of net assets in
tax-exempt municipal
obligations (except in
extraordinary
circumstances)
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
Up to 10% of total
assets in other
investment companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note: See Appendix A for a description of, and
certain criteria applicable to, each of these categories of
investments.
See page 42 for all footnotes.
40
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Private
|
|
|
|
Summary of
|
|
|
|
|
Activity
|
|
Credit
|
|
Taxation for
|
|
|
|
|
Bonds
|
|
Quality
7
|
|
Distributions
12
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
|
n
|
|
First
Tier
11
|
|
Taxable federal and
state
13
|
|
Reverse repurchase agreements not permitted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
|
First
Tier
11
|
|
Taxable federal and
state
13
|
|
May invest in obligations of the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development. Reverse repurchase agreements
not permitted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First
Tier
11
|
|
Taxable federal and
state
13
|
|
Reverse repurchase agreements not permitted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First
Tier
11
|
|
Taxable federal and
generally exempt from state
taxation
|
|
Under extraordinary circumstances, may hold U.S. Government
Securities subject to state taxation. Reverse repurchase
agreements not permitted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First
Tier
11
|
|
Taxable federal and
state
13
|
|
Reverse repurchase agreements not permitted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First
Tier
11
|
|
Taxable federal and
generally exempt from state
taxation
|
|
Under extraordinary circumstances, may hold U.S. Government
Securities subject to state taxation. Reverse repurchase
agreements not permitted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Does not
intend to
invest if
subject to
AMT
9,10
|
|
First
Tier
11
|
|
Tax-exempt federal and
taxable
state
14
|
|
May (but does not currently intend to) invest up to 20% of net
assets in securities subject to AMT and may temporarily invest
in the taxable money market instruments described herein.
Reverse repurchase agreements not permitted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
1
|
|
Issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Treasury.
|
|
2
|
|
Including foreign branches of
U.S. banks.
|
|
3
|
|
If adverse economic conditions
prevail in the banking industry (such as substantial losses on
loans, increases in non-performing assets and charge-offs and
declines in total deposits), the Fund may, for temporary
defensive purposes, invest less than 25% of its total assets in
bank obligations.
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
The Money Market Fund may invest
in U.S. dollar-denominated obligations (limited to commercial
paper and other notes) issued or guaranteed by a foreign
government. The Fund may also invest in U.S. dollar-denominated
obligations issued or guaranteed by any entity located or
organized in a foreign country that maintains a short-term
foreign currency rating in the highest short-term ratings
category by the requisite number of nationally recognized
statistical rating organizations (NRSROs). The Fund
may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in the
securities of any one foreign government.
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
Will only make such investments
when yields on such securities are attractive compared to other
taxable investments.
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
The Investment Adviser
ordinarily expects that 100% of the Funds assets will be
invested in municipal obligations, but the Investment Adviser
may cause the Fund, for temporary defensive purposes, to invest
in short-term taxable securities.
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
To the extent permitted by
Rule 2a-7,
securities without short-term ratings may be purchased if they
are deemed to be of comparable quality by the Investment Adviser
to First Tier Securities. In addition, a Fund may rely on the
credit quality of the guarantee or demand feature in determining
the credit quality of a security supported by a guarantee or
demand feature.
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
This percentage limitation does
not apply to a Funds investments in investment companies
(including exchange-traded funds) where a higher percentage
limitation is permitted under the terms of an SEC exemptive
order or SEC exemptive rule.
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
If such policy should change,
private activity bonds subject to AMT would not exceed 20% of
the Tax-Free Money Market Funds net assets under normal
market conditions.
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
No more than 25% of the value of
the Funds total assets may be invested in industrial
development bonds or similar obligations where the
non-governmental entities supplying the revenues from which such
bonds or obligations are to be paid are in the same
industry.
|
|
|
|
11
|
|
First Tier Securities are
(a) rated in the highest short-term rating category by at
least two NRSROs, or if only one NRSRO has assigned a rating, by
that NRSRO; or (b) issued or guaranteed by, or otherwise
allow a Fund under certain conditions to demand payment from, an
entity with such ratings. U.S. Government Securities are
considered First Tier Securities.
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
See Taxation for an
explanation of the tax consequences summarized in the table
above.
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
Taxable in many states except
for interest income distributions from U.S. Treasury Obligations
and certain U.S. Government Securities.
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
Taxable except for distributions
from interest on obligations of an investors state of
residence in certain states.
|
42
Risks of the Funds
An investment in a Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured
or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or
any other governmental agency. Although the Funds seek to
preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is
possible to lose money by investing in the Funds. The principal
risks of each Fund are disclosed in the Summary sections of this
Prospectus. The following gives additional information on the
risks that apply to the Funds and may result in a loss of your
investment. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a
complete investment program. There can be no assurance that a
Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Risk
Category
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax-Free
|
|
|
Prime
|
|
Money
|
|
Treasury
|
|
Treasury
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money
|
Applicable
|
|
Obligations
|
|
Market
|
|
Obligations
|
|
Instruments
|
|
Government
|
|
Federal
|
|
Market
|
Not
applicable
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
Stable NAV
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest Rate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit/Default
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Management
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquidity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Banking Industry
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Concentration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Risks
that apply to all Funds:
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The risk
that a Fund will not be able to maintain a NAV per share of
$1.00 at all times. Shareholders of a Fund should not rely on or
expect the Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase
distressed assets from a Fund, make capital infusions into a
Fund, enter into capital support agreements with a Fund or take
other actions to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share
price.
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
The risk
that during periods of rising interest rates, a Funds
yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates; in periods of falling
interest rates, a Funds yield will tend to be higher. A
low interest rate environment poses additional risks to a Fund.
Low yields
|
43
|
|
|
on a Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse impact
on the Funds ability to provide a positive yield to its
shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
The risk
that an issuer or guarantor of a security, or a bank or other
financial institution that has entered into a repurchase
agreement, may default on its obligation to pay interest and
repay principal. In addition, with respect to the Tax-Free Money
Market Fund, this risk includes the risk of default on foreign
letters of credit, guarantees or insurance policies that back
municipal securities.
|
The credit quality of a Funds portfolio securities may
meet the Funds credit quality requirements at the time of
purchase but then deteriorate thereafter, and such deterioration
can occur rapidly. In certain instances, the downgrading or
default of a single holding or guarantor of a Funds
holding may impair the Funds liquidity and have the
potential to cause significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
n
|
Management
Risk
The risk
that a strategy used by the Investment Adviser may fail to
produce the intended results.
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The risk
that the value of the securities in which the Fund invests may
go up or down in response to the prospects of individual
companies, particular industry sectors or governments and/or
general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or
last for extended periods. The Funds investments may be
overweighted from time to time in one or more industry sectors,
which will increase the Funds exposure to risk of loss
from adverse developments affecting those sectors.
|
n
|
Liquidity
Risk
The risk
that a Fund may make investments that may become less liquid in
response to market developments or adverse investor perception.
While each Fund endeavors to maintain a high level of liquidity
in its portfolio, the liquidity of portfolio securities can
deteriorate rapidly due to credit events affecting issuers or
guarantors or due to general market conditions and a lack of
willing buyers. When there is no willing buyer and investments
cannot be readily sold at the desired time or price, a Fund may
have to accept a lower price or may not be able to sell the
instrument at all. An inability to sell one or more portfolio
positions can adversely affect a Funds ability to maintain
a $1.00 share price or prevent the Fund from being able to take
advantage of other investment opportunities.
|
Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that a Fund will not
be able to pay redemption proceeds within the time period stated
in the Prospectus because of unusual market conditions, an
unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons.
Although a Fund reserves the right to meet redemption requests
through in-kind distributions, to date no Fund has paid
redemptions in-kind. While a Fund may pay redemptions in-kind in
the future, the Fund may instead choose to raise cash to meet
redemption requests through sales of portfolio securities or
permissible borrowings. If a Fund is forced to sell securities
at an unfavorable time
44
RISKS
OF THE FUNDS
and/or
under
unfavorable conditions, such sales may adversely affect the
Funds ability to maintain a $1.00 share price.
Certain shareholders, including clients or affiliates of the
Investment Adviser
and/or
other
funds managed by the Investment Adviser, may from time to time
own or control a significant percentage of a Funds shares.
These shareholders may include, for example, institutional
investors, funds of funds, discretionary advisory clients, and
other shareholders whose buy-sell decisions are controlled by a
single decision maker. Redemptions by these shareholders of
their shares of a Fund may further increase a Funds
liquidity risk and may impact a Funds NAV.
Risk
that applies to the Prime Obligations, Money Market, Government
and Federal Funds:
|
|
n
|
U.S. Government Securities
Risk
The risk
that the U.S. government will not provide financial support to
U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law. Although
many types of U.S. Government Securities may be purchased
by the Funds, such as those issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and Federal Home
Loan Banks chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress, their
securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United
States Treasury and, therefore, are not backed by the full faith
and credit of the United States. The maximum potential liability
of the issuers of some U.S. Government Securities held by a
Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, including their
legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible
that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment
obligations in the future. In September 2008, the
U.S. Treasury and the Federal Housing Finance
Administration (FHFA) announced that Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac would be placed into a conservatorship under FHFA.
The effect that this conservatorship will have on the
entities debt and securities guaranteed by the entities is
unclear.
|
Risk
that applies to the Prime Obligations and Money Market
Funds:
|
|
n
|
Banking Industry
Risk
The risk
that an adverse development in the banking industry may affect
the value of the Money Market and Prime Obligations Funds
investments more than if the Funds investments were not
invested to such a degree in the banking industry. Normally, the
Money Market Fund intends to invest more than 25% of its total
assets in bank obligations. Banks may be particularly
susceptible to certain economic factors such as interest rate
changes, adverse developments in the real estate market, fiscal
and monetary policy and general economic cycles.
|
Risk
that applies to the Money Market Fund:
|
|
n
|
Foreign
Risk
The risk
that the Money Market Funds investments in foreign
securities could lose value as a result of political, financial
and economic events in
|
45
|
|
|
foreign countries, less publicly available financial and other
information, less stringent foreign securities regulations and
accounting and disclosure standards, problems in security
registration or settlement and custody or other factors. The
Money Market Fund may not invest more than 25% of its total
assets in the securities of any one foreign government.
|
Risks
that apply to the Tax-Free Money Market Fund:
|
|
n
|
Concentration
Risk
The risk
that if the Tax-Free Money Market Fund invests more than 25% of
its total assets in certain issuers within the same state,
industry or economic sector, an adverse economic, business or
political development may affect the value of the Tax-Free Money
Market Funds investments more than if its investments were
not so concentrated.
|
n
|
Tax
Risk
The risk
that future legislative or administrative changes or court
decisions may materially affect the value of the Tax-Free Money
Market Funds portfolio and/or the ability of the Tax-Free
Money Market Fund to pay federal tax-exempt dividends. This
Tax-Free Money Market Fund would not be a suitable investment
for IRAs, other tax-exempt or tax-deferred accounts or for other
investors who are not sensitive to the federal, state or local
tax consequences of their investments.
|
More information about the Funds portfolio securities and
investment techniques, and their associated risks, is provided
in Appendix A. You should consider the investment risks
discussed in this section and in Appendix A. Both are
important to your investment choice.
46
Service Providers
INVESTMENT
ADVISERS
|
|
|
Investment
Adviser
|
|
Fund
|
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (GSAM)
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282
|
|
Prime Obligations
Money Market
Treasury Obligations
Treasury Instruments
Government
Federal
Tax-Free Money Market
|
|
|
|
GSAM has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC
since 1990 and is an affiliate of Goldman Sachs. As of
December 31, 2009, GSAM, including its investment advisory
affiliates, had assets under management of $753.4 billion.
The Investment Adviser provides day-to-day advice regarding the
Funds portfolio transactions. The Investment Adviser makes
the investment decisions for the Funds and places purchase and
sale orders for the Funds portfolio transactions in U.S.
and foreign markets. As permitted by applicable law and
exemptive relief obtained by the Investment Adviser, Goldman
Sachs and the Funds, these orders may be directed to any
broker-dealers, including Goldman Sachs and its affiliates.
While the Investment Adviser is ultimately responsible for the
management of the Funds, it is able to draw upon the research
and expertise of its asset management affiliates for portfolio
decisions and management with respect to certain portfolio
securities. In addition, the Investment Adviser has access to
the research and certain proprietary technical models developed
by Goldman Sachs and will apply quantitative and qualitative
analysis in determining the appropriate allocations among
categories of issuers and types of securities.
The Investment Adviser also performs the following additional
services for the Funds:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Supervises all non-advisory
operations of the Funds
|
|
n
|
Provides personnel to perform
necessary executive, administrative and clerical services to the
Funds
|
|
n
|
Arranges for the preparation of all
required tax returns, reports to shareholders, prospectuses and
statements of additional information and other reports filed
with the SEC and other regulatory authorities
|
|
n
|
Maintains the records of each Fund
|
|
n
|
Provides office space and all
necessary office equipment and services
|
47
Pursuant to SEC exemptive orders, certain Funds may enter into
principal transactions in certain money market instruments,
including repurchase agreements, with Goldman Sachs.
MANAGEMENT
FEES
As compensation for its services and its assumption of certain
expenses, the Investment Adviser is entitled to the following
fees, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rates
listed below (as a percentage of each respective Funds
average daily net assets):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual Rate
|
|
|
|
|
For the Fiscal
|
|
|
|
|
Period Ended
|
Fund
|
|
Contractual
Rate
|
|
August 31,
2009*
|
Prime Obligations
|
|
|
0
|
.205%
|
|
|
|
0
|
.16%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money Market
|
|
|
0
|
.205%
|
|
|
|
0
|
.16%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Obligations
|
|
|
0
|
.205%
|
|
|
|
0
|
.18%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Instruments
|
|
|
0
|
.205%
|
|
|
|
0
|
.18%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government
|
|
|
0
|
.205%
|
|
|
|
0
|
.16%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
0
|
.205%
|
|
|
|
0
|
.18%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax-Free Money Market
|
|
|
0
|
.205%
|
|
|
|
0
|
.16%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
The Funds fiscal year end
changed from December 31 to August 31 effective
January 1, 2009. The Investment Adviser has agreed to waive
a portion of its Management Fee equal annually to 0.025% of the
Treasury Obligations, Treasury Instruments and Federal
Funds average daily net assets and equal annually to
0.045% of the Prime Obligations, Money Market, Government and
Tax-Free Money Market Funds average daily net assets.
These waivers will remain in effect through at least
May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the Investment Adviser
may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the
Board of Trustees. These management fee waivers may be modified
or terminated at any time at the option of the Investment
Adviser and without shareholder approval after such date,
although the Investment Adviser does not presently intend to do
so.
|
The Investment Adviser may waive a portion of its management fee
from time to time, and may discontinue or modify any such
waivers in the future, consistent with the terms of any fee
waiver arrangements in place. Due to the current low yield
environment, the Investment Adviser may voluntarily waive a
portion of its management fees. These temporary waivers may be
modified or terminated at any time at the option of the
Investment Adviser, without shareholder approval.
The Investment Adviser has agreed to reduce or limit each
Funds Other Expenses (excluding management
fees, service fees, administration fees, transfer agency fees
and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and litigation,
indemnification, shareholder meetings and other extraordinary
expenses, exclusive of any custody and
48
SERVICE
PROVIDERS
transfer agent fee credit deductions) equal on an annualized
basis to 0.014% of each Funds average daily net assets.
Each arrangement will remain in place through at least
May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the Investment Adviser
may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the
Board of Trustees. These expense limitations may be modified or
terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser
and without shareholder approval after such date, although the
Investment Adviser does not presently intend to do so.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees
approval of the Management Agreement for the Funds in 2009 is
available in the Funds Annual Report dated August 31,
2009.
DISTRIBUTOR
AND TRANSFER AGENT
Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282,
serves as the exclusive distributor (the
Distributor) of each Funds shares. Goldman
Sachs, 71 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois
60606, also serves as each Funds transfer agent (the
Transfer Agent) and, as such, performs various
shareholder servicing functions.
For its transfer agency services, Goldman Sachs is entitled to
receive a transfer agency fee equal, on an annualized basis, to
0.01% of average daily net assets of each Fund. Due to the
current low yield environment, Goldman Sachs may voluntarily
agree to waive a portion of the Funds transfer agency
fees. These temporary waivers may be modified or terminated at
any time at the option of Goldman Sachs, without shareholder
approval.
From time to time, Goldman Sachs or any of its affiliates may
purchase and hold shares of the Funds. Goldman Sachs reserves
the right to redeem at any time some or all of the shares
acquired for its own account.
|
|
ACTIVITIES
OF GOLDMAN SACHS AND ITS AFFILIATES AND OTHER
ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY GOLDMAN
SACHS
|
|
The involvement of the Investment Adviser, Goldman Sachs and
their affiliates in the management of, or their interest in,
other accounts and other activities of Goldman Sachs may present
conflicts of interest with respect to a Fund or limit a
Funds investment activities. Goldman Sachs is a full
service investment banking, broker dealer, asset management and
financial services organization and a major participant in
global financial markets. As such, it acts as an investor,
investment banker, research provider, investment manager,
financier, advisor, market maker, trader, prime broker, lender,
agent and principal, and has other direct and indirect
49
interests, in the global fixed income, currency, commodity,
equity and other markets in which the Funds directly and
indirectly invest. Thus, it is likely that the Funds will have
multiple business relationships with and will invest in, engage
in transactions with, make voting decisions with respect to, or
obtain services from entities for which Goldman Sachs performs
or seeks to perform investment banking or other services. The
Investment Adviser and/or certain of its affiliates are the
managers of the Goldman Sachs Funds. Goldman Sachs and its
affiliates engage in proprietary trading and advise accounts and
funds which have investment objectives similar to those of the
Funds and/or which engage in and compete for transactions in the
same types of securities, currencies and instruments as the
Funds. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates will not have any
obligation to make available any information regarding their
proprietary activities or strategies, or the activities or
strategies used for other accounts managed by them, for the
benefit of the management of the Funds. Goldman Sachs may
restrict transactions for itself, but not for the Funds (or vice
versa). The results of a Funds investment activities,
therefore, may differ from those of Goldman Sachs, its
affiliates, and other accounts managed by Goldman Sachs and it
is possible that a Fund could sustain losses during periods in
which Goldman Sachs and its affiliates and other accounts
achieve significant profits on their trading for proprietary or
other accounts. In addition, the Funds may enter into
transactions in which Goldman Sachs or its other clients have an
adverse interest. For example, a Fund may take a long position
in a security at the same time that Goldman Sachs or other
accounts managed by the Investment Adviser take a short position
in the same security (or vice versa). These and other
transactions undertaken by Goldman Sachs, its affiliates or
Goldman Sachs-advised clients may adversely impact the Funds.
Transactions by one or more Goldman Sachs-advised clients or the
Investment Adviser may have the effect of diluting or otherwise
disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of
the Funds. A Funds activities may be limited because of
regulatory restrictions applicable to Goldman Sachs and its
affiliates, and/or their internal policies designed to comply
with such restrictions. As a global financial services firm,
Goldman Sachs also provides a wide range of investment banking
and financial services to issuers of securities and investors in
securities. Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and others associated
with it may create markets or specialize in, have positions in
and affect transactions in, securities of issuers held by the
Funds, and may also perform or seek to perform investment
banking and financial services for those issuers. Goldman Sachs
and its affiliates may have business relationships with and
purchase or distribute or sell services or products from or to
distributors, consultants or others who recommend the Funds or
who engage in transactions with or for the Funds. For more
information about conflicts of interest, see the SAI.
50
SERVICE
PROVIDERS
LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
On April 16, 2010, the SEC brought an action under the
U.S. federal securities laws in the U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York against GS&Co.
and one of its employees alleging that they made materially
misleading statements and omissions in connection with a 2007
private placement of securities relating to a synthetic
collateralized debt obligation sold to two institutional
investors. GS&Co. and/or other affiliates of The Goldman
Sachs Group, Inc. have received or may in the future receive
notices and requests for information from various regulators,
and have become or may in the future become involved in legal
proceedings, based on allegations similar to those made by the
SEC or other matters.
Neither GSAM nor any GSAM-managed funds have been named in the
complaint. Moreover, the SEC complaint does not seek any
penalties against them or against any employee who is or has
been part of GSAM.
In the view of GS&Co. and GSAM, neither the matters alleged
in this or any such similar proceedings nor their eventual
resolution are likely to have a material effect on the ability
of GS&Co., GSAM or their affiliates to provide services to
GSAM-managed funds. Due to a provision in the law governing the
operation of mutual funds, the resolution of the SEC action
could, under certain circumstances, result in a situation in
which GS&Co., GSAM and their affiliates would be ineligible
to serve as an investment adviser or principal underwriter for
U.S.-registered mutual funds absent an exemption from the SEC.
While there is no assurance that such an exemption would be
granted, the SEC has granted this type of relief in the past.
51
Dividends
Dividends will be distributed monthly. You may choose to have
dividends paid in:
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|
n
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Cash
|
|
n
|
Additional shares of the same Fund
|
|
n
|
Shares of a similar or an
equivalent class of another Goldman Sachs Fund.
|
Special restrictions may apply. See the SAI.
You may indicate your election on your Account Application. Any
changes may be submitted in writing to the Transfer Agent
(either directly or for accounts opened through a Service
Organization, through your Service Organization) at any time. If
you do not indicate any choice, dividends and distributions will
be reinvested automatically in the applicable Fund.
All or substantially all of each Funds net investment
income will be declared as a dividend daily. Dividends will
normally, but not always, be declared as of the following times:
|
|
|
|
|
Dividend
Declaration Time
|
Fund
|
|
(New York
Time)
|
Prime Obligations
|
|
5:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Money Market
|
|
5:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Treasury Obligations
|
|
5:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Treasury Instruments
|
|
4:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Government
|
|
5:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
4:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Tax-Free Money Market
|
|
4:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Dividends will be reinvested as of the last calendar day of each
month. Cash distributions normally will be paid on or about the
first business day of each month. Net short-term capital gains,
if any, will be distributed in accordance with federal income
tax requirements and may be reflected in a Funds daily
distributions. Net short-term capital gains may at times
represent a significant component of the Funds daily
distributions (e.g., during periods of extremely low interest
rates).
Each Fund may distribute at least annually other realized
capital gains, if any, after reduction by available capital
losses. In order to avoid excessive fluctuations in the amount
of monthly capital gains distributions, a portion of any net
capital gains realized on the disposition of securities during
the months of November and December may be distributed during
the subsequent calendar year. The realized gains and losses are
not expected to be of an amount which would affect a Funds
NAV of $1.00 per share.
52
Shareholder Guide
The following section will provide you with answers to some of
the most frequently asked questions regarding buying and selling
the Funds FST Premier Shares.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
How
Can I Purchase FST Premier Shares Of The Funds?
Generally, FST Premier Shares may be purchased only through
institutions that have agreed to provide personal and account
maintenance services and administration services to their
customers who are the beneficial owners of FST Premier Shares
(Service Organizations). No shareholder may buy FST
Premier Shares directly from the Funds. Customers of a Service
Organization will normally give their purchase instructions to
the Service Organization, and the Service Organization will, in
turn, place purchase orders with Goldman Sachs. Service
Organizations will set times by which purchase orders and
payments must be received by them from their customers.
Generally, FST Premier Shares may be purchased from the Funds on
any business day at their NAV next determined after receipt of
an order by Goldman Sachs from a Service Organization. No sales
load is charged.
Service Organizations are responsible for transmitting purchase
orders and payments to Goldman Sachs in a timely fashion.
Service Organizations should either:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Place an order through certain
electronic trading platforms (e.g., National Securities Clearing
Corporation);
|
|
n
|
Place an order with Goldman Sachs
at
1-800-621-2550
and wire federal funds; or
|
|
n
|
Send a check payable to Goldman
Sachs Funds (Name of Fund and Class of Shares), P.O.
Box 06050, Chicago, IL 60606-6306. The Funds will not accept
checks drawn on foreign banks, third party checks, temporary
checks, cash or cash equivalents, e.g., cashiers
checks, official bank checks, money orders, travelers cheques or
credit card checks. In limited situations involving the transfer
of retirement assets, the Funds may accept cashiers checks
or official bank checks.
|
It is strongly recommended that payment be effected by wiring
federal funds.
It is expected that checks will be converted to federal funds
within two business days after receipt.
53
What
Do I Need To Know About Service Organizations?
Service Organizations may provide the following services in
connection with their customers investments in FST Premier
Shares:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Personal and account maintenance
services
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Facilities to answer inquiries and
respond to correspondence
|
|
n
|
Acts as liaison between the Service
Organizations customers and the Goldman Sachs Trust (the
Trust)
|
|
n
|
Assists customers in completing
application forms, selecting dividend and other options, and
similar services
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Administration services
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Acts, directly or through an agent,
as the sole shareholder of record
|
|
n
|
Maintains account records for
customers
|
|
n
|
Processes orders to purchase,
redeem and exchange shares for customers
|
|
n
|
Processes payments for customers
|
Some (but not all) Service Organizations are authorized to
accept, on behalf of the Trust, purchase, redemption and
exchange orders placed by or on behalf of their customers, and
may designate other financial intermediaries to accept such
orders, if approved by the Trust. In these cases:
|
|
|
|
n
|
A Fund will be deemed to have
received an order in proper form when the order is accepted by
the authorized Service Organization or financial intermediary on
a business day, and the order will be priced at the Funds
NAV per share next determined after such acceptance.
|
|
n
|
Service Organizations and financial
intermediaries will be responsible for transmitting accepted
orders and payments to the Trust within the time period agreed
upon by them.
|
You should contact your Service Organization directly to learn
whether it is authorized to accept orders for the Trust.
Pursuant to a service plan and administration plan adopted by
the Trusts Board of Trustees, Service Organizations are
entitled to receive payment for their services from the Trust.
These payments are equal to 0.10% (annualized) for personal and
account maintenance services plus an additional 0.25%
(annualized) for administration services of the average daily
net assets of the FST Premier Shares of the Funds, which are
attributable to or held in the name of the Service Organization
for its customers. Due to the current low yield environment,
Goldman Sachs may voluntarily agree to waive a portion of the
Funds service fees and administration fees. These
temporary waivers may be modified or terminated at any time at
the option of Goldman Sachs, without shareholder approval.
The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may
make additional payments or provide services to Service
Organizations and other financial
54
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
intermediaries (Intermediaries) to promote the sale,
distribution and/or servicing of shares of the Funds and other
Goldman Sachs Funds. These payments are made out of the
Investment Advisers, Distributors and/or their
affiliates own assets, and are not an additional charge to
the Funds. These payments are in addition to the service fees
and administration fees described in this Prospectus. Such
payments are intended to compensate Intermediaries for, among
other things: marketing shares of the Funds and other Goldman
Sachs Funds, which may consist of payments relating to the
Funds inclusion on preferred or recommended fund lists or
in certain sales programs sponsored by the Intermediaries;
access to the Intermediaries registered representatives or
salespersons, including at conferences and other meetings;
assistance in training and education of personnel; marketing
support; and/or other specified services intended to assist in
the distribution and marketing of the Funds and other Goldman
Sachs Funds. The payments may also, to the extent permitted by
applicable regulations, contribute to various non-cash and cash
incentive arrangements to promote the sale of FST Premier
Shares, as well as sponsor various educational programs, sales
contests and/or promotions. The payments by the Investment
Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates which are in
addition to the fees paid for these services by the Funds, may
also compensate Intermediaries for subaccounting, sub-transfer
agency, administrative and/or shareholder processing services.
These additional payments may exceed amounts earned on these
assets by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their
affiliates for the performance of these or similar services. The
amount of these additional payments is normally not expected to
exceed 0.50% (annualized) of the amount sold or invested through
the Intermediaries. In addition, certain Intermediaries may have
access to certain services from the Investment Adviser,
Distributor and/or their affiliates, including research reports
and economic analysis, and portfolio analysis tools. In certain
cases, the Intermediary may not pay for these services. Please
refer to the Payments to Intermediaries section of
the SAI for more information about these payments and services.
The payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or
their affiliates and the services received by an Intermediary
may differ for different Intermediaries. The presence of these
payments, receipt of these services and the basis on which an
Intermediary compensates its registered representatives or
salespersons may create an incentive for a particular
Intermediary, registered representative or salesperson to
highlight, feature or recommend Funds based, at least in part,
on the level of compensation paid. You should contact your
Service Organization or other Intermediary for more information
about the payments it receives and any potential conflicts of
interest.
In addition to FST Premier Shares, each Fund also offers other
classes of shares to investors. These other share classes are
subject to different fees and expenses (which
55
affect performance), have different minimum investment
requirements and are entitled to different services than FST
Premier Shares. Information regarding other share classes may be
obtained from your Service Organization or from Goldman Sachs by
calling the number on the back cover of this Prospectus.
What
Is My Minimum Investment In The Funds?
The minimum initial investment requirement imposed upon Service
Organizations for the purchase of FST Premier Shares is
generally $10 million, alone or in combination with other
assets under the management of GSAM and its affiliates. There is
no minimum imposed upon additional investments. A Service
Organization may, however, impose a different minimum amount for
initial and additional investments in FST Premier Shares, and
may establish other requirements such as a minimum account
balance. A Service Organization may redeem FST Premier Shares
held by non-complying accounts, and may impose a charge for any
special services. Please see Shares of the Trust in
the SAI for additional information about minimum investments.
What
Else Should I Know About Share Purchases?
The Trust reserves the right to:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Refuse to open an account if you
fail to (i) provide a Social Security Number or other
taxpayer identification number; or (ii) certify that such
number is correct (if required to do so under applicable law).
|
|
n
|
Reject or restrict any purchase or
exchange order by a particular purchaser (or group of related
purchasers) for any reason in its discretion.
|
|
n
|
Close a Fund to new investors from
time to time and reopen any such Fund whenever it is deemed
appropriate by a Funds Investment Adviser.
|
|
n
|
Modify or waive the minimum
investment requirements.
|
|
n
|
Modify the manner in which shares
are offered.
|
The Board of Trustees of the Trust has not adopted policies and
procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of
Fund shares in light of the nature and high quality of the
Funds investments.
Generally, non-U.S. citizens and certain U.S. citizens residing
outside the United States may not open an account with the Funds.
The Funds may allow Service Organizations to purchase shares
with securities instead of cash if consistent with a Funds
investment policies and operations and if approved by the
Funds Investment Adviser.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the Trust and Goldman Sachs
reserve the right to reject or restrict purchase or exchange
requests from any investor. The Trust and Goldman Sachs will not
be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase or
exchange orders.
56
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
Customer Identification
Program.
Federal law requires the Funds to
obtain, verify and record identifying information, which will be
reviewed solely for customer identification purposes, which may
include the name, residential or business street address, date
of birth (for an individual), Social Security Number or taxpayer
identification number or other information, for each investor
who opens an account directly with the Funds. Applications
without the required information may not be accepted by the
Funds. After accepting an application, to the extent permitted
by applicable law or their customer identification program, the
Funds reserve the right to: (i) place limits on
transactions in any account until the identity of the investor
is verified; (ii) refuse an investment in the Funds; or
(iii) involuntarily redeem an investors shares and
close an account in the event that the Funds are unable to
verify an investors identity. The Funds and their agents
will not be responsible for any loss in an investors
account resulting from the investors delay in providing
all required information or from closing an account and
redeeming an investors shares pursuant to the customer
identification program.
How
Are Shares Priced?
The price you pay when you buy FST Premier Shares is a
Funds next determined NAV for a share class
after
the Fund receives your order in proper form. The price you
receive when you sell FST Premier Shares is a Funds next
determined NAV for a share class with the redemption proceeds
reduced by any applicable charges
after
the Fund receives
your order in proper form. The Funds calculate NAV as follows:
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NAV =
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(Value of Assets of the Class)
(Liabilities of the Class)
Number
of Outstanding Shares of the Class
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Please note the following with respect to the price at which
your transactions are processed:
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n
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NAV per share of each share class
of the Treasury Instruments, Federal and Tax-Free Money Market
Funds is generally calculated by the accounting agent on each
business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York
Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. New York time) or such other
times as the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ market may
officially close. NAV per share of each share class of the Prime
Obligations, Money Market, Treasury Obligations and Government
Funds is generally calculated by the accounting agent on each
business day as of 5:00 p.m. New York time. Shares may also
be priced periodically throughout the day by the accounting
agent. Fund shares will be priced on any day the New York
Stock Exchange is open, except for days on which the Federal
Reserve Bank is closed for local holidays. Fund shares will
generally not be priced on any day the New York Stock Exchange
is closed, although Fund shares may be priced on days when the
New York Stock Exchange
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57
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is closed if the Securities Industry and Financial Markets
Association (SIFMA) recommends that the bond markets
remain open for all or part of the day.
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n
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On any business day when the SIFMA
recommends that the bond markets close early, each Fund reserves
the right to close at or prior to the SIFMA recommended closing
time. If a Fund does so, it will cease granting same business
day credit for purchase and redemption orders received after the
Funds closing time and credit will be given on the next
business day.
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n
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The Trust reserves the right to
advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be
received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by
the SEC.
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Although most money market securities settle on the same day as
they are traded, investment transactions not settling on the
same day are recorded and factored into a Funds NAV on the
business day following trade date (T+1), consistent with
industry practice. The use of T+1 accounting generally does not,
but may, result in a NAV that differs materially from the NAV
that would result if all transactions were reflected on their
trade dates.
Note: The time at which transactions and shares are priced
and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in
case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock
Exchange and/or the bond markets is stopped at a time other than
their regularly scheduled closing times. In the event the New
York Stock Exchange and/or the bond markets do not open for
business, the Trust may, but is not required to, open one or
more Funds for purchase, redemption and exchange transactions if
the Federal Reserve wire payment system is open. To learn
whether a Fund is open for business during this situation,
please
call 1-800-621-2550.
To help each Fund maintain its $1.00 share price, portfolio
securities are valued at amortized cost in accordance with SEC
regulations. Amortized cost will normally approximate market
value. There can be no assurance that a Fund will be able at all
times to maintain a NAV of $1.00 per share.
In addition, if an event that affects the value of a security
occurs after the publication of market quotations used by a Fund
to price its securities but before the close of trading on the
New York Stock Exchange, the Trust in its discretion and
consistent with applicable regulatory guidance may determine
whether to make an adjustment in light of the nature and
significance of the event.
When
Do Shares Begin Earning Dividends?
If a wire purchase order is received on a business day by the
deadline specified below and payment in federal funds is
received by the Fund by the close of the Federal Reserve wire
transfer system (normally, 6:00 p.m. New York time), then
58
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
dividends will begin to accrue on the same business day that the
wire purchase order is received:
Tax-Free Money
Market Fund:
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n
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By 2:00 p.m. New
York time
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Treasury
Instruments and Federal Funds:
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n
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By 3:00 p.m. New
York time
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Prime
Obligations, Money Market, Treasury Obligations and Government
Funds:
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n
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By 5:00 p.m. New
York time
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If a wire purchase order is received on a business day after the
deadline specified above, you will not earn dividends on the day
the purchase order is received. Also, in the event a wire
purchase order is placed by the deadline specified above but an
anticipated wire payment is
not
received by the Fund by
the close of the Federal wire transfer system that same day,
your purchase will be cancelled and you may be liable for any
resulting losses or fees incurred by the Fund, Goldman Sachs, or
the Funds custodian. For purchase orders accompanied by
check, dividends will normally begin to accrue within two
business days of receipt.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
How
Can I Sell FST Premier Shares Of The Funds?
Generally, FST Premier Shares may be sold (redeemed) only
through Service Organizations. Customers of a Service
Organization will normally give their redemption instructions to
the Service Organization, and the Service Organization will, in
turn, place redemption orders with the Funds.
Generally, each
Fund will redeem its FST Premier Shares upon request on any
business day the Fund is open at the NAV next determined after
receipt of such request in proper form.
Redemption proceeds
may be sent to recordholders by check or by wire (if the wire
instructions are designated on the current record of the
Transfer Agent).
A Service Organization may request redemptions by electronic
trading platform, in writing or by telephone (unless the Service
Organization opts out of the telephone redemption privilege on
the Account Application).
Generally, any redemption request that requires money to go to
an account or address other than that designated in the current
records of the Transfer Agent must be in writing and signed by
an authorized person (a Medallion signature guarantee may be
required). The written request may be confirmed by telephone
with both the requesting party and the designated bank to verify
instructions.
59
Certain Service Organizations are authorized to accept
redemption requests on behalf of the Funds as described under
What Do I Need To Know About Service Organizations?
When
Do I Need A Medallion Signature Guarantee To Redeem
Shares?
A Medallion signature guarantee may be required if:
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n
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You would like the redemption
proceeds sent to an address that is not your address of record;
or
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n
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You would like the redemption
proceeds sent to a bank account that is not designated in the
current records of the Transfer Agent.
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A Medallion signature guarantee must be obtained from a bank,
brokerage firm or other financial intermediary that is a member
of an approved Medallion Guarantee Program or that is otherwise
approved by the Trust. A notary public cannot provide a
Medallion signature guarantee. Additional documentation may be
required.
What
Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?
The Trust, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent will not be
liable for any loss you may incur in the event that the Trust
accepts unauthorized telephone redemption requests that the
Trust reasonably believes to be genuine. In an effort to prevent
unauthorized or fraudulent redemption and exchange requests by
telephone, Goldman Sachs employs reasonable procedures specified
by the Trust to confirm that such instructions are genuine. If
reasonable procedures are not employed, the Trust may be liable
for any loss due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. The
following general policies are currently in effect:
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Telephone requests are recorded.
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n
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Proceeds of telephone redemption
requests will be sent to your address of record or authorized
account designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent
(unless you provide written instructions and a Medallion
signature guarantee, indicating another address or account).
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n
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For the
30-day
period following a change of address, telephone redemptions will
only be filled by a wire transfer to the bank account designated
in the current records of the Transfer Agent (see immediately
preceding bullet point). In order to receive the redemption by
check during this time period, a redemption request must be in
the form of a written letter (a Medallion signature guarantee
may be required).
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n
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The telephone redemption option may
be modified or terminated at any time without prior notice.
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Note: It may be difficult to make telephone redemptions in
times of unusual economic or market conditions.
60
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
When
Will Redemption Proceeds Be Wired?
Redemption proceeds will normally be wired to the domestic bank
account designated on a Service Organizations account
application as follows:
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Redemption
Request Received
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Redemption
Proceeds
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Dividends
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Tax-Free Money Market Fund:
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n
By
1:00 p.m. New York time
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Wired same business day
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Not earned on day request is received
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Checks sent next business day
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Earned on day request is received
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Treasury Instruments and Federal Funds:
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n
By
3:00 p.m. New York time
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Wired same business day
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Not earned on day request is received
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Checks sent next business day
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Earned on day request is received
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Prime Obligations, Money Market, Treasury Obligations and
Government Funds:
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n
By
5:00 p.m. New York time
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Wired same business day
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Not earned on day request is received
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Checks sent next business day
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Earned on day request is received
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Although redemption proceeds will
normally be wired as described above, under certain
circumstances, redemption proceeds may be paid the next business
day following receipt of a properly executed wire transfer
redemption request (or up to three business days later with
respect to the Tax-Free Money Market Fund). Redemption requests
or payments may be postponed or suspended as permitted under
Section 22(e) of the Investment Company Act and the
regulations thereunder. Generally, under that section,
redemption requests or payments may be postponed or suspended if
(i) the New York Stock Exchange is closed for trading or
trading is restricted; (ii) an emergency exists which makes
the disposal of securities owned by a Fund or the fair
determination of the value of a Funds net assets not
reasonably practicable; or (iii) the SEC, by order, permits
the suspension of the right of redemption.
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If you are selling shares you
recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay you when your
check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.
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61
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If the Federal Reserve Bank is
closed on the day the redemption proceeds would ordinarily be
wired, wiring the redemption proceeds may be delayed until the
Federal Reserve Bank reopens.
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To change the bank designated in
the current records of the Transfer Agent, you must send written
instructions signed by an authorized person designated in the
current records of the Transfer Agent.
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Neither the Trust nor Goldman Sachs
assumes any responsibility for the performance of financial
intermediaries or your Service Organization in the transfer
process. If a problem with such performance arises, you should
deal directly with such financial intermediaries or your Service
Organization.
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What
Else Do I Need To Know About Redemptions?
The following generally applies to redemption requests:
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n
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Additional documentation may be
required when deemed appropriate by the Transfer Agent. A
redemption request will not be in proper form until such
additional documentation has been received.
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n
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Service Organizations and other
institutions (including banks, trust companies, brokers and
investment advisers) (Institutions) are responsible
for the timely transmittal of redemption requests by their
customers to the Transfer Agent. In order to facilitate the
timely transmittal of redemption requests, Service Organizations
and Institutions may set times by which they must receive
redemption requests. Service Organizations and Institutions may
also require additional documentation from you.
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The Trust reserves the right to:
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Redeem your shares in the event a
Service Organizations relationship with Goldman Sachs is
terminated and you do not transfer your account to another
Service Organization with a relationship with Goldman Sachs.
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n
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Subject to applicable law, redeem
your shares in other circumstances determined by the Board of
Trustees to be in the best interest of the Trust.
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n
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Pay redemptions by a distribution
in-kind of securities (instead of cash). If you receive
redemption proceeds in-kind, you should expect to incur
transaction costs upon the disposition of those securities.
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n
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Reinvest any amounts (e.g.,
dividends, distributions or redemption proceeds) which you have
elected to receive by check should your check be returned to a
Fund as undeliverable or remain uncashed for six months. This
provision may not apply to certain retirement or qualified
accounts or to a closed account. No interest will accrue on
amounts represented by uncashed checks.
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n
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Charge an additional fee in the
event a redemption is made via wire transfer.
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None of the Trust, Investment Adviser, nor Goldman Sachs will be
responsible for any loss in an investors account or tax
liability resulting from a redemption.
62
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
Can
I Exchange My Investment From One Goldman Sachs Fund To Another
Goldman Sachs Fund?
A Service Organization may exchange FST Premier Shares of a
Goldman Sachs Fund at NAV for certain shares of another Goldman
Sachs Fund. Redemptions of shares (including by exchange) of
certain Goldman Sachs Funds offered in other prospectuses may,
however, be subject to a redemption fee if shares are held for
30 days or less (60 days or less with respect to certain other
Goldman Sachs Funds). The exchange privilege may be materially
modified or withdrawn at any time upon 60 days written
notice.
You should keep in mind the following factors when making or
considering an exchange:
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You should obtain and carefully
read the prospectus of the Goldman Sachs Fund you are acquiring
before making an exchange.
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Currently the Funds do not impose
any charge for exchanges, although the Funds may impose a charge
in the future.
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All exchanges which represent an
initial investment requirement in a Goldman Sachs Fund must
satisfy the minimal initial investment requirement of that Fund.
This requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Trust.
Exchanges into a Fund need not meet the traditional minimum
investment requirements for that Fund if the entire balance of
the original Goldman Sachs Fund account is exchanged.
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Exchanges are available only in
states where exchanges may be legally made.
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It may be difficult to make
telephone exchanges in times of unusual economic or market
conditions.
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Goldman Sachs may use reasonable
procedures described under What Do I Need to Know About
Telephone Redemption Requests? in an effort to prevent
unauthorized or fraudulent telephone exchange requests.
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n
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Normally, a telephone exchange will
be made only to an identically registered account.
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A Medallion signature guarantee may
be required.
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Exchanges into Goldman Sachs Funds
that are closed to new investors may be restricted.
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Exchanges into a Fund from another
Goldman Sachs Fund may be subject to any redemption fee imposed
by the other Goldman Sachs Fund.
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For federal income tax purposes, an exchange from one Goldman
Sachs Fund to another is treated as a redemption of the shares
surrendered in the exchange, on which you may be subject to tax,
followed by a purchase of shares received in the exchange. You
should consult your tax adviser concerning the tax consequences
of an exchange.
63
What
Types Of Reports Will Be Sent Regarding Investments In FST
Premier Shares?
Service Organizations will receive from the Funds annual
shareholder reports containing audited financial statements and
semi-annual shareholder reports. Service Organizations will also
be provided with a monthly account statement. Service
Organizations are responsible for providing these or other
reports to their customers who are the beneficial owners of FST
Premier Shares in accordance with the rules that apply to their
accounts with the Service Organizations. In addition, Service
Organizations and other financial intermediaries will be
responsible for providing any communication from a Fund to
shareholders, including but not limited to prospectuses,
prospectus supplements, proxy materials and notices regarding
the sources of dividend payments under Section 19 of the
Investment Company Act.
64
Taxation
As with any investment, you should consider how your investment
in the Funds will be taxed. The tax information below is
provided as general information. More tax information is
available in the SAI. You should consult your tax adviser about
the federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences of your
investment in the Funds. Except as otherwise noted, the tax
information provided assumes that you are a U.S. citizen or
resident.
Unless your investment is through an IRA or other tax-advantaged
account, you should consider the possible tax consequences of
Fund distributions.
Taxes on Distributions:
Each Fund
contemplates declaring as dividends each year all or
substantially all of its net investment income. Fund
distributions of investment income are generally taxable as
ordinary income for federal tax purposes, and may also be
subject to state or local taxes. This is true whether you
reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive
them in cash. Distributions of short-term capital gains are
taxable to you as ordinary income. Any long-term capital gain
distributions are taxable as long-term capital gains, no matter
how long you have owned your Fund shares.
It is anticipated that substantially all of the distributions by
the Funds, other than the Tax-Free Money Market Fund, will be
taxable as ordinary income. You should note that these
distributions will not qualify for the reduced tax rate
currently applicable to certain qualified dividends because the
Funds investment income will consist generally of interest
income rather than corporate dividends.
Although distributions are generally treated as taxable to you
in the year they are paid, distributions declared in December
but paid in January will be taxable as if they were paid in
December. The Funds will inform shareholders of the character
and tax status of all distributions promptly after the close of
each calendar year.
Distributions from the Tax-Free Money Market Fund that are
designated as exempt interest dividends are
generally not subject to federal income tax. However, you should
note that, while the Fund intends to avoid such investments, a
portion of the exempt-interest dividends paid by the Tax-Free
Money Market Fund may be attributable to investments in
securities, the interest on which will be a preference item when
determining your federal AMT liability. Exempt-interest
dividends are also taken into account in determining the taxable
portion of social security or railroad retirement benefits. Any
interest on indebtedness incurred by you to purchase or carry
shares in the Tax-Free Money Market Fund generally will not be
deductible for federal income tax purposes.
65
To the extent that Fund distributions are attributable to
interest on certain federal obligations or interest on
obligations of your state of residence or its municipalities or
authorities, they will in most cases be exempt from state and
local income taxes.
Other Information:
When you open your
account, you should provide your social security or tax
identification number on your Account Application. By law, each
Fund must withhold 28% (currently scheduled to increase to 31%
after 2010) of your taxable distributions and any redemption
proceeds if you do not provide your correct taxpayer
identification number, or certify that it is correct, or if the
Internal Revenue Service instructs the Fund to do so.
Non-U.S.
investors are generally subject to U.S. withholding tax and may
be subject to U.S. estate tax. But, withholding is generally not
required on properly designated distributions to
non-U.S. investors of long-term capital gains.
Distributions before September 1, 2010, of qualified
interest income and short-term capital gains by the Treasury
Obligations Fund, Treasury Instruments Fund, Government Fund,
Federal Fund and the Tax-Free Money Market Fund paid to
non-U.S.
investors are not expected to be subject to withholding.
Distributions of interest and short-term capital gains by the
Prime Obligations Fund and the Money Market Fund paid to
non-U.S.
investors will be generally subject to withholding. More
information about U.S. taxation and
non-U.S.
investors is included in the SAI.
66
Appendix A
Additional Information on the
Funds
This section provides further information on certain types of
securities and investment techniques that may be used by the
Funds, including their associated risks. Additional information
is provided in the SAI, which is available upon request. Among
other things, the SAI describes certain fundamental policies and
investment restrictions that cannot be changed without
shareholder approval. You should note, however, that all
investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental
are non-fundamental and may be changed without shareholder
approval. If there is a change in a Funds investment
objective, you should consider whether that Fund remains an
appropriate investment in light of your then current financial
position and needs. A Fund may purchase other types of
securities or instruments similar to those described in this
section if otherwise consistent with the Funds investment
objective and policies.
U.S. Treasury Obligations and U.S. Government
Securities.
Certain Funds may invest in U.S.
Treasury Obligations, which include, among other things, the
separately traded principal and interest components of
securities guaranteed or issued by the U.S. Treasury if
such components are traded independently under the Separate
Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities
program (STRIPS). U.S. Treasury Obligations may
also include Treasury inflation-protected securities whose
principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate
of inflation.
Certain Funds may invest in U.S. Government Securities. Unlike
U.S. Treasury Obligations, U.S. Government Securities
can be supported by either (i) the full faith and credit of
the U.S. Treasury (such as the Government National Mortgage
Association (Ginnie Mae)); (ii) the right of
the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (iii) the
discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase
certain obligations of the issuer; or (iv) only the credit
of the issuer.
U.S. Government Securities are deemed to include
(a) securities for which the payment of principal and
interest is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by
the U.S. government, its agencies, authorities or
instrumentalities; and (b) participations in loans made to
foreign governments or their agencies that are so guaranteed.
Certain of these participations may be regarded as illiquid.
U.S. Government Securities also include zero coupon bonds.
67
Some Funds invest in U.S. Treasury Obligations and certain U.S.
Government Securities the interest from which is generally
exempt from state income taxation. Securities generally eligible
for this exemption include those issued by the U.S. Treasury and
certain agencies, authorities or instrumentalities of the U.S.
government, including the Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Farm
Credit Banks and Tennessee Valley Authority.
U.S. Government Securities have historically involved little
risk of loss of principal if held to maturity. However, no
assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide
financial support to U.S. government agencies, authorities,
instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not
obligated to do so by law.
Bank Obligations.
Certain Funds may invest in
bank obligations, which include certificates of deposit,
commercial paper, unsecured bank promissory notes, bankers
acceptances, time deposits and other debt obligations. Certain
Funds may invest in obligations issued or backed by U.S. banks
when a bank has more than $1 billion in total assets at the
time of purchase or is a branch or subsidiary of such a bank. In
addition, the Money Market Fund may invest in U.S.
dollar-denominated obligations issued or guaranteed by foreign
banks that have more than $1 billion in total assets at the
time of purchase, U.S. branches of such foreign banks (Yankee
obligations), foreign branches of such foreign banks and foreign
branches of U.S. banks having more than $1 billion in total
assets at the time of purchase. Bank obligations may be general
obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing
branch by the terms of the specific obligation or by government
regulation.
If a Fund invests more than 25% of its total assets in bank
obligations (whether foreign or domestic), it may be especially
affected by favorable and adverse developments in or related to
the banking industry. The activities of U.S. and most foreign
banks are subject to comprehensive regulations which, in the
case of U.S. regulations, have undergone substantial changes in
the past decade. The enactment of new legislation or
regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and
enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operations
and profitability of domestic and foreign banks. Significant
developments in the U.S. banking industry have included
increased competition from other types of financial
institutions, increased acquisition activity and geographic
expansion. Banks may be particularly susceptible to certain
economic factors, such as interest rate changes and adverse
developments in the real estate markets. Fiscal and monetary
policy and general economic cycles can affect the availability
and cost of funds, loan demand and asset quality and thereby
impact the earnings and financial conditions of banks.
Commercial Paper.
Certain Funds may invest in
commercial paper, including variable amount master demand notes
and asset-backed commercial paper. Commercial paper normally
represents short-term unsecured promissory notes issued in
68
APPENDIX A
bearer form by banks or bank holding companies, corporations,
finance companies and other issuers. The commercial paper that
may be purchased by a Fund consists of direct U.S.
dollar-denominated
obligations of domestic or, in the case of the Money Market
Fund, foreign issuers. Asset-backed commercial paper is issued
by a special purpose entity that is organized to issue the
commercial paper and to purchase trade receivables or other
financial assets. The credit quality of asset-backed commercial
paper depends primarily on the quality of these assets and the
level of any additional credit support.
Short-Term Obligations of Corporations or Other
Entities.
Certain Funds may invest in other
short-term obligations, including master demand notes and
short-term funding agreements payable in U.S. dollars and issued
or guaranteed by U.S. corporations, foreign corporations or
other entities. A master demand note permits the investment of
varying amounts by a Fund under an agreement between the Fund
and an issuer. The principal amount of a master demand note may
be increased from time to time by the parties (subject to
specified maximums) or decreased by the Fund or the issuer. A
funding agreement is a contract between an issuer and a
purchaser that obligates the issuer to pay a guaranteed rate of
interest on a principal sum deposited by the purchaser. Funding
agreements will also guarantee a stream of payments over time. A
funding agreement has a fixed maturity date and may have either
a fixed rate or variable interest rate that is based on an index
and guaranteed for a set time period. Because there is normally
no secondary market for these investments, funding agreements
purchased by a Fund may be regarded as illiquid.
Repurchase Agreements.
Certain Funds may
enter into repurchase agreements with securities dealers and
banks. Repurchase agreements are similar to collateralized
loans, but are structured as a purchase of securities by a Fund,
subject to the sellers agreement to repurchase the
securities at a mutually agreed upon date and price. The
difference between the original purchase price and the
repurchase price is normally based on prevailing short-term
interest rates. Under a repurchase agreement, the seller is
required to furnish collateral at least equal in value or market
price to the amount of the sellers repurchase obligation.
If the seller under a repurchase agreement defaults, a Fund
could suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the
sale of the underlying securities and other collateral held by
the Fund are less than the repurchase price and the Funds
cost associated with delay and enforcement of the repurchase
agreement. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency
proceedings concerning the seller, a Fund could suffer
additional losses if the collateral held by the Fund is subject
to a court stay that prevents the Fund from promptly
selling the collateral. If this occurs, the Fund will bear the
risk that the value of the collateral will decline below the
69
repurchase price. Furthermore, a Fund could experience a loss if
a court determines that the Funds interest in the
collateral is not enforceable.
In evaluating whether to enter into a repurchase agreement, the
Investment Adviser will carefully consider the creditworthiness
of the seller. Distributions of the income from repurchase
agreements will be taxable to a Funds shareholders. In
addition, certain Funds, together with other registered
investment companies having advisory agreements with the
Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates, may transfer
uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily
aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more
repurchase agreements.
Asset-Backed and Receivables-Backed
Securities.
Certain Funds may invest in
asset-backed and receivables-backed securities whose principal
and interest payments are collateralized by pools of assets such
as auto loans, credit card receivables, leases, mortgages,
installment contracts and personal property. Asset-backed
securities may also include home equity line of credit loans and
other second-lien mortgages. Asset-backed and receivables-backed
securities are often subject to more rapid repayment than their
stated maturity date would indicate as a result of the
pass-through of prepayments of principal on the underlying
loans. During periods of declining interest rates, prepayment of
loans underlying asset-backed and receivables-backed securities
can be expected to accelerate. Accordingly, a Funds
ability to maintain positions in such securities will be
affected by reductions in the principal amount of such
securities resulting from prepayments, and its ability to
reinvest the returns of principal at comparable yields is
subject to generally prevailing interest rates at that time. In
addition, securities that are backed by credit card, automobile
and similar types of receivables generally do not have the
benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable
in quality to mortgage assets. Some asset-backed securities have
only a subordinated claim or security interest in collateral. If
the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its payment
obligation, there is the possibility that, in some cases, a Fund
will be unable to possess and sell the underlying collateral and
that a Funds recoveries on repossessed collateral may not
be available to support payments on the securities. In the event
of a default, a Fund may suffer a loss if it cannot sell
collateral quickly and receive the amount it is owed. There is
no guarantee that private guarantors, or insurers of an
asset-backed security, if any, will meet their obligations. The
value of some asset-backed securities may be particularly
sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates. Asset-backed
securities may also be subject to increased volatility and may
become illiquid and more difficult to value even when there is
no default or threat of default due to market conditions
impacting asset-backed securities more generally. Certain
mortgage-backed securities (especially those backed by sub-prime
and second-lien loans) have declined in value in light of recent
market and economic developments, and such developments have led
to reduced demand and
70
APPENDIX A
limited liquidity for certain mortgage-related securities.
Unexpected increases in default rates with regard to the
underlying mortgages and increased price volatility, in addition
to liquidity constraints, may make these securities more
difficult to value or dispose of than may have been the case
previously. These events may have an adverse effect on the Funds
to the extent they invest in mortgage-backed or other fixed
income securities or instruments affected by the volatility in
the fixed income markets.
Foreign Government Obligations and Related Foreign
Risks.
The Money Market Fund may invest in foreign
government obligations. Foreign government obligations that the
Fund invests in are U.S. dollar-denominated obligations (limited
to commercial paper and other notes) issued or guaranteed by a
foreign government or other entity located or organized in a
foreign country that maintains a short-term foreign currency
rating in the highest short-term ratings category by the
requisite number of NRSROs.
Investments by the Fund in foreign securities, whether issued by
a foreign government, bank, corporation or other issuer, may
present a greater degree of risk than investments in securities
of domestic issuers because of less publicly-available financial
and other information, less securities regulation, potential
imposition of foreign withholding and other taxes, war,
expropriation or other adverse governmental actions. Foreign
banks and their foreign branches are not regulated by U.S.
banking authorities, and generally are not bound by the
accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards
applicable to U.S. banks. The legal remedies for investors may
be more limited than the remedies available in the United
States. In addition, changes in the exchange rate of a foreign
currency relative to the U.S. dollar (e.g., weakening of the
currency against the U.S. dollar) may adversely affect the
ability of a foreign issuer to pay interest and repay principal
on an obligation.
Municipal Obligations.
Certain Funds may
invest in municipal obligations. Municipal obligations are
issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of
the United States and their political subdivisions, agencies,
authorities and instrumentalities, and the District of Columbia.
Municipal obligations in which a Fund may invest include fixed
rate notes and similar debt instruments; variable and floating
rate demand instruments; tax-exempt commercial paper; municipal
bonds; and unrated notes, paper, bonds or other instruments.
Municipal Notes and Bonds.
Municipal notes
include tax anticipation notes (TANs), revenue
anticipation notes (RANs), bond anticipation notes
(BANs), tax and revenue anticipation notes
(TRANs) and construction loan notes. Municipal bonds
include general obligation bonds and revenue bonds. General
obligation bonds are backed by the taxing power of the issuing
municipality and are considered the safest type of municipal
obligation. Revenue bonds are backed by the revenues
71
of a project or facility such as the tolls from a
government-owned toll bridge. Revenue bonds also include lease
rental revenue bonds which are issued by a state or local
authority for capital projects and are secured by annual lease
payments from the state or locality sufficient to cover debt
service on the authoritys obligations. Industrial
development bonds (private activity bonds) are a
specific type of revenue bond backed by the credit and security
of a private user and, therefore, have more potential risk.
Municipal bonds may be issued in a variety of forms, including
commercial paper, tender option bonds and variable and floating
rate securities.
Tender Option Bonds.
A tender option bond is
a municipal obligation (generally held pursuant to a custodial
arrangement) having a relatively long maturity and bearing
interest at a fixed rate higher than prevailing short-term,
tax-exempt rates. The bond is typically issued in conjunction
with the agreement of a third party, such as a bank,
broker-dealer or other financial institution, pursuant to which
the institution grants the security holder the option, at
periodic intervals, to tender its securities to the institution.
As consideration for providing the option, the financial
institution receives periodic fees equal to the difference
between the bonds fixed coupon rate and the rate, as
determined by a remarketing or similar agent, that would cause
the securities, coupled with the tender option, to trade at par
on the date of such determination. Thus, after payment of this
fee, the security holder effectively holds a demand obligation
that bears interest at the prevailing short-term, tax-exempt
rate. An institution will normally not be obligated to accept
tendered bonds in the event of certain defaults or a significant
downgrading in the credit rating assigned to the issuer of the
bond. The tender option will be taken into account in
determining the maturity of the tender option bonds and a
Funds average portfolio maturity and average portfolio
life. There is a risk that a Fund will not be considered the
owner of a tender option bond for federal income tax purposes,
and thus will not be entitled to treat such interest as exempt
from federal income tax. Certain tender option bonds may be
illiquid or may become illiquid as a result of a credit rating
downgrade, a payment default or a disqualification from
tax-exempt status.
Revenue Anticipation Warrants.
Revenue
Anticipation Warrants (RAWs) are issued in
anticipation of the issuers receipt of revenues and
present the risk that such revenues will be insufficient to
satisfy the issuers payment obligations. The entire amount
of principal and interest on RAWs is due at maturity. RAWs,
including those with a maturity of more than 397 days, may
also be repackaged as instruments which include a demand feature
that permits the holder to sell the RAWs to a bank or other
financial institution at a purchase price equal to par plus
accrued interest on each interest rate reset date.
72
APPENDIX A
Industrial Development Bonds.
Certain Funds
may invest in industrial development bonds (private activity
bonds). Industrial development bonds are a specific type of
revenue bond backed by the credit and security of a private
user, the interest from which would be an item of tax preference
when distributed by a Fund as exempt-interest
dividends to shareholders under the AMT.
Other Municipal Obligation Policies.
Certain
Funds may invest 25% or more of the value of their respective
total assets in municipal obligations which are related in such
a way that an economic, business or political development or
change affecting one municipal obligation would also affect the
other municipal obligation. For example, a Fund may invest all
of its assets in (a) municipal obligations the interest of
which is paid solely from revenues from similar projects such as
hospitals, electric utility systems, multi-family housing,
nursing homes, commercial facilities (including hotels), steel
companies or life care facilities; (b) municipal obligations
whose issuers are in the same state; or (c) industrial
development obligations (except where the non-governmental
entities supplying the revenues from which such bonds or
obligations are to be paid are in the same industry). A
Funds investments in these municipal obligations will
subject the Fund, to a greater extent, to the risks of adverse
economic, business or political developments affecting the
particular state, industry or other area of investment.
Municipal obligations may also include municipal leases,
certificates of participation and moral obligation
bonds. A municipal lease is an obligation issued by a state or
local government to acquire equipment or facilities.
Certificates of participation represent interests in municipal
leases or other instruments, such as installment contracts.
Moral obligation bonds are supported by the moral commitment but
not the legal obligation of a state or municipality. Municipal
leases, certificates of participation and moral obligation bonds
present the risk that the state or municipality involved will
not appropriate the monies to meet scheduled payments under
these instruments.
Municipal obligations may be backed by letters of credit or
other forms of credit enhancement issued by domestic banks or
foreign banks which have a branch, agency or subsidiary in the
United States or by other financial institutions such as
insurance companies which may issue insurance policies with
respect to municipal obligations. The credit quality of these
banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions
could, therefore, cause a loss to a Fund that invests in
municipal obligations. The insurance companies exposure to
securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause insurer
rating downgrade or insolvency, which may affect the prices and
liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurance
company. Letters of credit and other obligations of foreign
banks and financial institutions may involve risks in addition
to those of domestic obligations because
73
of less publicly available financial and other information, less
securities regulation, potential imposition of foreign
withholding and other taxes, war, expropriation or other adverse
governmental actions. Foreign banks and their foreign branches
are not regulated by U.S. banking authorities and generally are
not bound by the accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards applicable to U.S. banks.
In order to enhance the liquidity, stability or quality of a
municipal obligation, a Fund may acquire the right to sell the
obligation to another party at a guaranteed price and date.
In purchasing municipal obligations, a Fund intends to rely on
opinions of bond counsel or counsel to the issuers for each
issue as to the excludability of interest on such obligations
from gross income for federal income tax purposes. A Fund will
not undertake independent investigations concerning the
tax-exempt status of such obligations, nor does it guarantee or
represent that bond counsels opinions are correct. Bond
counsels opinions will generally be based in part upon
covenants by the issuers and related parties regarding
continuing compliance with federal tax requirements. Tax laws
contain numerous and complex requirements that must be satisfied
on a continuing basis in order for bonds to be and remain
tax-exempt. If the issuer of a bond or a user of a bond-financed
facility fails to comply with such requirements at any time,
interest on the bond could become taxable, retroactive to the
date the obligation was issued. In that event, a portion of a
Funds distributions attributable to interest the Fund
received on such bond for the current year and for prior years
could be characterized or recharacterized as taxable income.
Custodial Receipts.
Certain Funds may invest
in custodial receipts (including tender option bonds, see above
for more information) representing interests in U.S. Government
Securities, municipal obligations or other debt instruments held
by a custodian or trustee. Custodial receipts evidence ownership
of future interest payments, principal payments or both on notes
or bonds issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the
U.S. government, its agencies, instrumentalities, political
subdivisions or authorities, or by a state or local governmental
body or authority, or by other types of issuers. For certain
securities law purposes, custodial receipts are not considered
obligations of the underlying issuers. In addition, if for tax
purposes a Fund is not considered to be the owner of the
underlying securities held in the custodial account, the Fund
may suffer adverse tax consequences. As a holder of custodial
receipts, a Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees
and expenses charged to the custodial account.
Other Investment Companies.
Certain Funds may
invest in securities of other investment companies, subject to
statutory limitations prescribed by the Investment Company Act.
These limitations include in certain circumstances a prohibition
on the Fund acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any
other investment
74
APPENDIX A
company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of a
Funds total assets in securities of any one investment
company or more than 10% of its total assets in securities of
all investment companies.
Pursuant to an exemptive order obtained from the SEC or under an
exemptive rule adopted by the SEC, a Fund may invest in other
investment companies and money market funds beyond the statutory
limits described above. Some of those investment companies and
money market funds may be funds for which the Investment Adviser
or any of its affiliates serves as investment adviser,
administrator or distributor.
A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any
management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment
companies, in addition to the fees and expenses regularly borne
by the Fund. Although the Funds do not expect to do so in the
foreseeable future, each Fund is authorized to invest
substantially all of its assets in a single open-end investment
company or series thereof that has substantially the same
investment objective, policies and fundamental restrictions as
the Fund.
Floating and Variable Rate Obligations.
The
Funds may purchase various floating and variable rate
obligations, including tender option bonds. The value of these
obligations is generally more stable than that of a fixed rate
obligation in response to changes in interest rate levels.
Subject to the conditions for using amortized cost valuation
under the Investment Company Act, a Fund may consider the
maturity of a variable or floating rate obligation to be shorter
than its ultimate stated maturity if the obligation is a U.S.
Treasury Obligation or U.S. Government Security, if the
obligation has a remaining maturity of 397 calendar days or
less, or if the obligation has a demand feature that permits the
Fund to receive payment at any time or at specified intervals
not exceeding 397 calendar days. The issuers or financial
intermediaries providing demand features may support their
ability to purchase the obligations by obtaining credit with
liquidity supports. These may include lines of credit, which are
conditional commitments to lend, and letters of credit, which
will ordinarily be irrevocable, both of which may be issued by
domestic banks or foreign banks. A Fund may purchase variable or
floating rate obligations from the issuers or may purchase
certificates of participation, a type of floating or variable
rate obligation, which are interests in a pool of debt
obligations held by a bank or other financial institution.
When-Issued Securities and Forward
Commitments.
Each Fund may purchase when-issued
securities and make contracts to purchase or sell securities for
a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time.
When-issued securities are securities that have been authorized,
but not yet issued. When-issued securities are purchased in
order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price
or yield to a Fund at the time of entering into the transaction.
A forward commitment
75
involves entering into a contract to purchase or sell securities
for a fixed price at a future date beyond the customary
settlement period.
The purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward
commitment basis involves a risk of loss if the value of the
security to be purchased declines before the settlement date.
Conversely, the sale of securities on a forward commitment basis
involves the risk that the value of the securities sold may
increase before the settlement date. Although a Fund will
generally purchase securities on a when-issued or forward
commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities
for its portfolio, a Fund may dispose of when-issued securities
or forward commitments prior to settlement if the Investment
Adviser deems it appropriate. When purchasing a security on a
when-issued basis or entering into a forward commitment, a Fund
must set-aside liquid assets, or engage in other
appropriate measures to cover its obligations.
Illiquid Securities.
Each Fund may invest up
to 5% of its total assets (measured at the time of purchase) in
illiquid securities (i.e., securities that cannot be sold or
disposed of in seven days in the ordinary course of business at
approximately the value ascribed to it by the Fund). Illiquid
securities include:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Both domestic and foreign
securities that are not readily marketable
|
|
n
|
Certain municipal leases and
participation interests
|
|
n
|
Certain stripped mortgage-backed
securities
|
|
n
|
Repurchase agreements and time
deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days
|
|
n
|
Certain restricted securities,
unless it is determined, based upon a review of the trading
markets for a specific restricted security, that such restricted
security is liquid because it is so-called 4(2) commercial
paper or is otherwise eligible for resale pursuant to
Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
|
Investing in restricted securities may decrease the liquidity of
a Funds portfolio. Securities purchased by a Fund that are
liquid at the time of purchase may subsequently become illiquid
due to events relating to the issuer of the securities, market
events, economic conditions or investor perception.
Borrowings.
Each Fund may borrow up to
33
1
/
3
%
of its total assets from banks for temporary or emergency
purposes. A Fund may not make additional investments if
borrowings exceed 5% of its net assets. For more information,
see the SAI.
Downgraded Securities.
After its purchase, a
portfolio security may be assigned a lower rating or cease to be
rated. If this occurs, a Fund may continue to hold the security
if the Investment Adviser believes it is in the best interest of
the Fund and its shareholders.
76
APPENDIX A
Risks of Large Shareholder
Redemptions.
Certain funds, accounts, individuals
or Goldman Sachs affiliates may from time to time own
(beneficially or of record) or control a significant percentage
of a Funds shares. Redemptions by these funds, accounts or
individuals of their holdings in a Fund may impact the
Funds liquidity and NAV. These redemptions may also force
a Fund to sell securities, which may negatively impact the
Funds brokerage and tax costs.
77
Appendix B
Financial Highlights
Because FST Premier Shares have not commenced operations as of
the date of this Prospectus, financial highlights are not
available.
78
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Financial
Square Funds
Prospectus
(FST Premier Shares)
FOR
MORE INFORMATION
Annual/Semi-annual
Report
Additional information about the Funds investments is
available in the Funds annual and semi-annual reports to
shareholders. In the Funds annual reports, you will find a
discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies
that significantly affected the Funds performance during
the last fiscal year.
Statement
of Additional Information
Additional information about the Funds and their policies is
also available in the Funds SAI. The SAI is incorporated
by reference into this Prospectus (is legally considered part of
this Prospectus).
The Funds annual and semi-annual reports, and the SAI, are
available free upon request by calling Goldman Sachs at
1-800-621-2550.
You can also access and download the annual and semi-annual
reports and the SAI at the Funds website:
http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com.
From time to time, certain announcements and other information
regarding the Funds may be found at
http://www.gs.com/gsam/redirect/announcements/individuals
for individual investors,
http://www.gs.com/gsam/redirect/announcements/institutions
for institutional investors or
http://www.gs.com/gsam/redirect/announcements/advisors
for advisors.
To obtain other information and for shareholder inquiries:
|
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n
By
telephone:
|
|
1-800-621-2550
|
n
By
mail:
|
|
Goldman Sachs Funds
P.O. Box 06050
Chicago, IL 60606-6306
|
n
On
the Internet:
|
|
SEC EDGAR database http://www.sec.gov
|
You may review and obtain copies of Fund documents (including
the SAI) by visiting the SECs public reference room in
Washington, D.C. You may also obtain copies of Fund documents,
after paying a duplicating fee, by writing to the SECs
Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C.
20549-1520
or by electronic request to: publicinfo@sec.gov. Information on
the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by
calling the SEC at
(202) 551-8090.
The Funds investment company
registration number is 811-05349.
Goldman Sachs Financial Square
Funds
sm
is a service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
GSAM
®
is a registered service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
FSPROPREM
|
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Prospectus
|
|
FST Resource
Shares
May 14, 2010
|
|
GOLDMAN
SACHS FINANCIAL SQUARE
FUNDS
SM
|
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|
THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR
DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IS NOT INSURED
BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER
GOVERNMENT AGENCY. ALTHOUGH A FUND SEEKS TO PRESERVE THE VALUE
OF YOUR INVESTMENT AT $1.00 PER SHARE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO LOSE
MONEY BY INVESTING IN A FUND.
|
|
n
Prime Obligations Fund:
GBRXX
n
Money Market Fund:
GREXX
n
Treasury Obligations Fund:
GTRXX
n
Treasury Instruments Fund:
GIRXX
n
Government Fund:
GVRXX
n
Federal Fund:
GFRXX
n
Tax-Free Money Market Fund:
GXRXX
|
Table of
Contents
|
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1
|
|
Prime
Obligations Fund Summary
|
|
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5
|
|
Money
Market Fund Summary
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9
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|
Treasury
Obligations Fund Summary
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|
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|
13
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|
Treasury
Instruments Fund Summary
|
|
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17
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|
Government
Fund Summary
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|
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21
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|
Federal
Fund Summary
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25
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|
Tax-Free
Money Market Fund Summary
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29
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|
Financial
Square Funds Additional Summary
Information
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30
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Investment
Management Approach
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43
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Risks
of the Funds
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47
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Service
Providers
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52
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Dividends
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53
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Shareholder
Guide
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53
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How to Buy Shares
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59
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How to Sell Shares
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65
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Taxation
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67
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Appendix A
Additional Information on
the Funds
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78
|
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Appendix B
Financial Highlights
|
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NOT FDIC-INSURED
|
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May Lose Value
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No Bank Guarantee
|
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Prime
Obligations FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Prime Obligations Fund (the Fund) seeks to
maximize current income to the extent consistent with the
preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity by
investing exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
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Prime
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Obligations
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Fund
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
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|
None
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|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
|
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|
None
|
|
Redemption Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
Exchange Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1
(expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
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|
Management Fees
|
|
|
0.21
|
%
|
Distribution (12b-1)
Fees
|
|
|
0.15
|
%
|
Service and Administration Fees
|
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.02
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
0.88
|
%
|
Fee
Waiver
2
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
|
|
|
0.83
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
|
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|
2
|
|
The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.045% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the
approval of the Board of Trustees.
|
Expense
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.
1
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in FST Resource
Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and then
redeem all of your FST Resource Shares at the end of those
periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5%
return each year and that the Funds operating expenses
remain the same (except that the Example incorporates the
management fee waiver arrangement for only the first year).
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
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1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
FST Resource Shares
|
|
$
|
85
|
|
|
$
|
276
|
|
|
$
|
483
|
|
|
$
|
1,080
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal
Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in
obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government
agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises (U.S. Government Securities),
obligations of U.S. banks, commercial paper and other
short-term obligations of U.S. companies, states,
municipalities and other entities and repurchase agreements.
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment
program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security, or a bank or other financial
institution that has entered into a repurchase agreement, may
default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
Additionally, the credit quality of the Funds portfolio
securities may deteriorate rapidly, which may impair the
Funds liquidity and have the potential to cause
significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also be adversely affected. A low interest rate
environment poses additional risks to the Fund, because low
yields on the Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
impact on the Funds ability to provide a positive yield to
its shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
|
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of individual companies, particular
industry sectors or governments and/or general economic
conditions.
|
|
n
|
U.S. Government Securities
Risk
The
U.S. government may not provide financial support to
U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law.
U.S. Government Securities issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and Federal Home
Loan Banks chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. It is
possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet
their payment obligations in the future.
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects fee waivers and expense
limitations in effect. Updated performance information is
available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by
calling
1-800-621-2550.
|
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN
|
|
CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
|
Best Quarter
Q3 00 1.53%
Worst Quarter
Q3 09 0.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the period
ended December 31, 2009
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
|
Since Inception
|
|
FST Service Shares
(Inception 1/8/92)*
|
|
|
0.07%
|
|
|
|
2.79%
|
|
|
|
2.60%
|
|
|
|
3.38%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Because FST Resource Shares have
not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus, the
figures shown above provide performance for FST Service Shares
of the Fund (which are not offered in this Prospectus); FST
Resource Shares would have similar returns (because these share
classes represent interests in the same portfolio of securities)
that would differ only to the extent that they have higher
expenses.
|
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund
shares, please see Buying and Selling Fund Shares on
page 29 of this Prospectus.
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as
ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing
through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an
individual retirement account.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary
compensation, please see Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries on page 29 of this
Prospectus.
4
Money
Market FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Money Market Fund (the Fund) seeks to maximize
current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of
capital and the maintenance of liquidity by investing
exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money
|
|
|
|
Market
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
|
|
|
None
|
|
Redemption Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
Exchange Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1
(expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
0.21
|
%
|
Distribution (12b-1)
Fees
|
|
|
0.15
|
%
|
Service and Administration Fees
|
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.02
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
0.88
|
%
|
Fee
Waiver
2
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
|
|
|
0.83
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.045% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not unilaterally terminate the
arrangement without the approval of the Board of
Trustees.
|
Expense
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.
5
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in FST Resource
Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and then
redeem all of your FST Resource Shares at the end of those
periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5%
return each year and that the Funds operating expenses
remain the same (except that the Example incorporates the
management fee waiver arrangement for only the first year).
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
FST Resource Shares
|
|
$
|
85
|
|
|
$
|
276
|
|
|
$
|
483
|
|
|
$
|
1,080
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in
obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government
agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises (U.S. Government Securities),
obligations of U.S. banks, commercial paper and other
short-term obligations of U.S. companies, states,
municipalities and other entities and repurchase agreements. The
Fund may also invest in U.S. dollar-denominated obligations
of foreign banks, foreign companies and foreign governments. The
Fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in the
securities of any one foreign government.
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment
program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security, or a bank or other financial
institution that has entered into a repurchase agreement, may
default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
Additionally, the credit quality of the Funds portfolio
securities may deteriorate rapidly, which may impair the
Funds liquidity and have the potential to cause
significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also
|
6
|
|
|
be adversely affected. A low interest rate environment poses
additional risks to the Fund, because low yields on the
Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse impact on the
Funds ability to provide a positive yield to its
shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
|
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of individual companies, particular
industry sectors or governments
and/or
general economic conditions.
|
|
n
|
U.S. Government
Securities
Risk
The
U.S. government may not provide financial support to
U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law.
U.S. Government Securities issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and Federal Home
Loan Banks chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. It is
possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet
their payment obligations in the future.
|
|
n
|
Banking Industry
Risk
An adverse
development in the banking industry may affect the value of the
Funds investments more than if they were not invested to
such a degree in the banking industry. Banks may be particularly
susceptible to certain economic factors such as interest rate
changes, adverse developments in the real estate market, fiscal
and monetary policy and general economic cycles.
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
|
n
|
Foreign
Risk
Foreign
securities may be subject to risk of loss because of political,
financial and economic events in foreign countries, less public
information, less stringent foreign securities regulations and
accounting and disclosure standards, problems in security
registration or settlement and custody or other factors.
|
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects fee waivers and expense
limitations in effect. Updated performance information is
available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by
calling
1-800-621-2550.
7
|
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN
|
|
CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
|
Best Quarter
Q3 00 1.53%
Worst Quarter
Q3 09 0.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the period
ended December 31, 2009
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
|
Since Inception
|
|
FST Service Shares
(Inception 7/14/95)*
|
|
|
0.11%
|
|
|
|
2.81%
|
|
|
|
2.61%
|
|
|
|
3.33%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Because FST Resource Shares have
not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus, the
figures shown above provide performance for FST Service Shares
of the Fund (which are not offered in this Prospectus); FST
Resource Shares would have similar returns (because these share
classes represent interests in the same portfolio of securities)
that would differ only to the extent that they have higher
expenses.
|
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund
shares, please see Buying and Selling
Fund Shares on page 29 of this Prospectus.
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as
ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing
through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an
individual retirement account.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary
compensation, please see Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries on page 29 of
this Prospectus.
8
Treasury
Obligations FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Treasury Obligations Fund (the Fund) seeks to
maximize current income to the extent consistent with the
preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity by
investing exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury
|
|
|
|
Obligations
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
|
|
|
None
|
|
Redemption Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
Exchange Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1
(expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
0.21
|
%
|
Distribution (12b-1)
Fees
|
|
|
0.15
|
%
|
Service and Administration Fees
|
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.02
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
0.88
|
%
|
Fee
Waiver
2
|
|
|
(0.03
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
|
|
|
0.85
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.025% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the
approval of the Board of Trustees.
|
Expense
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.
9
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in FST Resource
Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and then
redeem all of your FST Resource Shares at the end of those
periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5%
return each year and that the Funds operating expenses
remain the same (except that the Example incorporates the
management fee waiver arrangement for only the first year).
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
FST Resource Shares
|
|
$
|
87
|
|
|
$
|
278
|
|
|
$
|
485
|
|
|
$
|
1,082
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing only in
U.S. Treasury Obligations, which include securities issued
or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury where the payment of
principal and interest is backed by the full faith and credit of
the U.S. government (U.S. Treasury
Obligations). The Fund may also invest in repurchase
agreements collateralized by U.S. Treasury Obligations.
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment
program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security, or a bank or other financial
institution that has entered into a repurchase agreement, may
default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
Additionally, the credit quality of the Funds portfolio
securities may deteriorate rapidly, which may impair the
Funds liquidity and have the potential to cause
significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also be adversely affected. A low interest rate
environment poses additional risks to the Fund, because low
yields on the Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse
|
10
|
|
|
impact on the Funds ability to provide a positive yield to
its shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
|
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of individual companies, particular
industry sectors or governments
and/or
general economic conditions.
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects fee waivers and expense
limitations in effect. Updated performance information is
available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by
calling
1-800-621-2550.
|
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN
|
|
CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
|
Best Quarter
Q4 00 1.48%
Worst Quarter
Q2 09 0.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the period
ended December 31, 2009
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
|
Since Inception
|
|
FST Service Shares
(Inception 10/15/91)*
|
|
|
0.02%
|
|
|
|
2.45%
|
|
|
|
2.34%
|
|
|
|
3.20%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Because FST Resource Shares have
not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus, the
figures shown above provide performance for FST Service Shares
of the Fund (which are not offered in this Prospectus); FST
Resource Shares would have similar returns (because these share
classes
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
represent interests in the same
portfolio of securities) that would differ only to the extent
that they have higher expenses.
|
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund
shares, please see Buying and Selling
Fund Shares on page 29 of this Prospectus.
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as
ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing
through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an
individual retirement account.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary
compensation, please see Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries on page 29 of
this Prospectus.
12
Treasury
Instruments FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Treasury Instruments Fund (the Fund) seeks to
maximize current income to the extent consistent with the
preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity by
investing exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury
|
|
|
|
Instruments
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
|
|
|
None
|
|
Redemption Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
Exchange Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1
(expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
0.21
|
%
|
Distribution (12b-1)
Fees
|
|
|
0.15
|
%
|
Service and Administration Fees
|
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.02
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
0.88
|
%
|
Fee
Waiver
2
|
|
|
(0.03
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
|
|
|
0.85
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.025% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the
approval of the Board of Trustees.
|
Expense
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.
13
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in FST Resource
Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and then
redeem all of your FST Resource Shares at the end of those
periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5%
return each year and that the Funds operating expenses
remain the same (except that the Example incorporates the
management fee waiver arrangement for only the first year).
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
FST Resource Shares
|
|
$
|
87
|
|
|
$
|
278
|
|
|
$
|
485
|
|
|
$
|
1,082
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal
Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing only in
U.S. Treasury Obligations, which include securities issued
or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury where the payment of
principal and interest is backed by the full faith and credit of
the U.S. government (U.S. Treasury
Obligations), the interest from which is generally exempt
from state income taxation.
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment
program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security may default on its obligation to pay
interest and repay principal. Additionally, the credit quality
of the Funds portfolio securities may deteriorate rapidly,
which may impair the Funds liquidity and have the
potential to cause significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also be adversely affected. A low interest rate
environment poses additional risks to the Fund, because low
yields on the Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse
impact on the Funds ability to provide a positive yield to
its shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
14
|
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of governments
and/or
general economic conditions.
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects fee waivers and expense
limitations in effect. Updated performance information is
available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by
calling
1-800-621-2550.
|
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN
|
|
CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
|
Best Quarter
Q4 00 1.42%
Worst Quarter
Q2 09 0.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the period
ended December 31, 2009
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
|
Since Inception
|
|
FST Service Shares
(Inception 3/5/97)*
|
|
|
0.01%
|
|
|
|
2.29%
|
|
|
|
2.20%
|
|
|
|
2.69%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Because FST Resource Shares have
not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus, the
figures shown above provide performance for FST Service Shares
of the Fund (which are not offered in this Prospectus); FST
Resource Shares would have similar returns (because these share
classes represent interests in the same portfolio of securities)
that would differ only to the extent that they have higher
expenses.
|
15
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund
shares, please see Buying and Selling
Fund Shares on page 29 of this Prospectus.
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as
ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing
through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an
individual retirement account.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary
compensation, please see Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries on page 29 of
this Prospectus.
16
Government
FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Government Fund (the Fund) seeks to maximize
current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of
capital and the maintenance of liquidity by investing
exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
|
|
|
None
|
|
Redemption Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
Exchange Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1
(expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
0.21
|
%
|
Distribution (12b-1)
Fees
|
|
|
0.15
|
%
|
Service and Administration Fees
|
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.02
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
0.88
|
%
|
Fee
Waiver
2
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
|
|
|
0.83
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.045% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not unilaterally terminate the
arrangement without the approval of the Board of
Trustees.
|
Expense
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.
17
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in FST Resource
Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and then
redeem all of your FST Resource Shares at the end of those
periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5%
return each year and that the Funds operating expenses
remain the same (except that the Example incorporates management
fee waiver and expense limitation arrangements for only the
first year). Although your actual costs may be higher or lower,
based on these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
FST Resource Shares
|
|
$
|
85
|
|
|
$
|
276
|
|
|
$
|
483
|
|
|
$
|
1,080
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal
Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing, directly
or indirectly, only in obligations issued or guaranteed by
U.S. government agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or
sponsored enterprises (U.S. Government
Securities) and repurchase agreements collateralized by
such securities.
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment
program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security, or a bank or other financial
institution that has entered into a repurchase agreement, may
default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
Additionally, the credit quality of the Funds portfolio
securities may deteriorate rapidly, which may impair the
Funds liquidity and have the potential to cause
significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also be adversely affected. A low interest rate
environment poses additional risks to the Fund, because low
yields on the Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse
impact on the Funds ability to provide a positive yield to
its shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
18
|
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of individual companies, particular
industry sectors or governments
and/or
general economic conditions.
|
|
n
|
U.S. Government
Securities
Risk
The
U.S. government may not provide financial support to
U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law.
U.S. Government Securities issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and Federal Home
Loan Banks chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. It is
possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet
their payment obligations in the future.
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects expense limitations in effect.
Updated performance information is available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by calling
1-800-621-2550.
|
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN
|
|
CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
|
Best Quarter
Q4 00 1.50%
Worst Quarter
Q4 09 0.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
19
AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the period
ended December 31, 2009
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
|
Since Inception
|
|
FST Service Shares
(Inception 5/16/95)*
|
|
|
0.05%
|
|
|
|
2.72%
|
|
|
|
2.53%
|
|
|
|
3.28%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Because FST Resource Shares have
not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus, the
figures shown above provide performance for FST Service Shares
of the Fund (which are not offered in this Prospectus); FST
Resource Shares would have similar returns (because these share
classes represent interests in the same portfolio of securities)
that would differ only to the extent that they have higher
expenses.
|
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund
shares, please see Buying and Selling
Fund Shares on page 29 of this Prospectus.
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as
ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing
through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an
individual retirement account.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary
compensation, please see Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries on page 29 of
this Prospectus.
20
Federal
FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Federal Fund (the Fund) seeks to maximize
current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of
capital and the maintenance of liquidity by investing
exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
|
|
|
None
|
|
Redemption Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
Exchange Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1
(expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
0.21
|
%
|
Distribution (12b-1)
Fees
|
|
|
0.15
|
%
|
Service and Administration Fees
|
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.02
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
0.88
|
%
|
Fee
Waiver
2
|
|
|
(0.03
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
|
|
|
0.85
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.025% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the
approval of the Board of Trustees.
|
Expense
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.
21
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in FST Resource
Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and then
redeem all of your FST Resource Shares at the end of those
periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5%
return each year and that the Funds operating expenses
remain the same (except that the Example incorporates the
management fee waiver arrangement for only the first year).
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
FST Resource Shares
|
|
$
|
87
|
|
|
$
|
278
|
|
|
$
|
485
|
|
|
$
|
1,082
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal
Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by limiting its
investments only to obligations issued or guaranteed by
U.S. government agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or
sponsored enterprises (U.S. Government
Securities), the interest from which is generally exempt
from state income taxation.
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment
program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security may default on its obligation to pay
interest and repay principal. Additionally, the credit quality
of the Funds portfolio securities may deteriorate rapidly,
which may impair the Funds liquidity and have the
potential to cause significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also be adversely affected. A low interest rate
environment poses additional risks to the Fund, because low
yields on the Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse
impact on the Funds ability to provide a positive yield to
its shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
22
|
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of individual companies, particular
industry sectors or governments
and/or
general economic conditions.
|
|
n
|
U.S. Government
Securities
Risk
The
U.S. government may not provide financial support to
U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law.
U.S. Government Securities issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and Federal Home
Loan Banks chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. It is
possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet
their payment obligations in the future.
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects expense limitations in effect.
Updated performance information is available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by calling
1-800-621-2550.
|
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN
|
|
CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
|
Best Quarter
Q4 00 1.48%
Worst Quarter
Q3 09 0.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
23
AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the period
ended December 31, 2009
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
|
Since Inception
|
|
FST Service Shares
(Inception 3/25/97)*
|
|
|
0.02%
|
|
|
|
2.67%
|
|
|
|
2.48%
|
|
|
|
2.98%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Because FST Resource Shares have
not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus, the
figures shown above provide performance for FST Service Shares
of the Fund (which are not offered in this Prospectus); FST
Resource Shares would have similar returns (because these share
classes represent interests in the same portfolio of securities)
that would differ only to the extent that they have higher
expenses.
|
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund
shares, please see Buying and Selling
Fund Shares on page 29 of this Prospectus.
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as
ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing
through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an
individual retirement account.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary
compensation, please see Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries on page 29 of
this Prospectus.
24
Tax-Free
Money Market FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Tax-Free Money Market Fund (the Fund) seeks to
maximize current income to the extent consistent with the
preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity by
investing exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax-Free
|
|
|
|
Money
|
|
|
|
Market
Fund
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
|
|
None
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
|
|
|
None
|
|
Redemption Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
Exchange Fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1
(expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
0.21
|
%
|
Distribution (12b-1)
Fees
|
|
|
0.15
|
%
|
Service and Administration Fees
|
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.02
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
0.88
|
%
|
Fee
Waiver
2
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
|
|
|
0.83
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
The Funds annual operating
expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be
incurred during the current fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
The Investment Adviser has
agreed to not impose a portion of the Management Fee equal
annually to 0.045% of the Funds average daily net assets
through at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the
approval of the Board of Trustees.
|
Expense
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.
25
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in FST Resource
Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and then
redeem all of your FST Resource Shares at the end of those
periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5%
return each year and that the Funds operating expenses
remain the same (except that the Example incorporates the
management fee waiver arrangement for only the first year).
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
FST Resource Shares
|
|
$
|
85
|
|
|
$
|
276
|
|
|
$
|
483
|
|
|
$
|
1,080
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Strategy
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing at least
80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment
purposes (measured at the time of investment) in securities
issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of
the U.S. and their political subdivisions, agencies,
authorities and instrumentalities, and the District of Columbia,
the interest from which, if any, is in the opinion of bond
counsel excluded from gross income for federal income tax
purposes, and generally not an item of tax preference under the
federal alternative minimum tax (AMT).
The Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
Investment Company Act). Under
Rule 2a-7,
the Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities that are determined to present minimal credit risk
and meet certain other criteria, including conditions relating
to maturity, portfolio diversification, portfolio liquidity and
credit quality. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset
value (NAV) of $1.00 per share.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund
seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per
share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment
program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of a security may default on its obligation to pay
interest and repay principal. This also includes the risk of
default on foreign letters of credit, guarantees or insurance
policies that back municipal securities. Additionally, the
credit quality of the Funds portfolio securities may
deteriorate rapidly, which may impair the Funds liquidity
and have the potential to cause significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, the Funds yield will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its
securities may also
|
26
|
|
|
be adversely affected. A low interest rate environment poses
additional risks to the Fund, because low yields on the
Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse impact on the
Funds ability to provide a positive yield to its
shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
|
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The value
of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in
response to the prospects of individual companies, particular
industry sectors or governments
and/or
general economic conditions.
|
|
n
|
Concentration
Risk
If the
Fund invests more than 25% of its total assets in certain
issuers within the same state, industry or economic sector, an
adverse economic, business or political development may affect
the value of the Funds investments more than if its
investments were not so concentrated.
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The Fund
may not be able to maintain a NAV per share of $1.00 at all
times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect the
Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets
from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into
capital support agreements with the Fund or take other actions
to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks
of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the
performance of the Funds FST Service Shares from year to
year for up to the last ten years (with respect to the bar
chart); and (b) the average annual total returns of the
Funds FST Service Shares. The Funds past performance
is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in
the future. Performance reflects fee waivers and expense
limitations in effect. Updated performance information is
available at no cost at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
or by
calling
1-800-621-2550.
|
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN
|
|
CALENDAR YEAR
(FST Service Shares)*
|
Best Quarter
Q4 00 0.91%
Worst Quarter
Q2 09 0.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
27
AVERAGE
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the period
ended December 31, 2009
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10
Years
|
|
|
Since Inception
|
|
FST Service Shares
(Inception 9/23/94)*
|
|
|
0.03%
|
|
|
|
1.82%
|
|
|
|
1.63%
|
|
|
|
2.09%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Because FST Resource Shares have
not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus, the
figures shown above provide performance for FST Service Shares
of the Fund (which are not offered in this Prospectus); FST
Resource Shares would have similar returns (because these share
classes represent interests in the same portfolio of securities)
that would differ only to the extent that they have higher
expenses.
|
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund
shares, please see Buying and Selling
Fund Shares on page 29 of this Prospectus.
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions that are designated as
exempt interest dividends are generally not subject
to federal income tax. To the extent that Fund distributions are
attributable to interest on certain federal obligations or
interest on obligations of your state of residence or its
municipalities or authorities, they will in most cases be exempt
from state and local income taxes. The Fund intends to avoid
investments which pay interest that is a preference item in
determining AMT liability.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary
compensation, please see Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries on page 29 of
this Prospectus.
28
Financial Square Funds Additional
Summary Information
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
Generally, FST Resource Shares may be purchased only through
institutions that have agreed to provide administration and
personal and account maintenance services to their customers who
are the beneficial owners of FST Resource Shares (Service
Organizations). The minimum initial investment requirement
imposed upon Service Organizations for the purchase of FST
Resource Shares is generally $10 million, and there is no
minimum imposed upon additional investments. Service
Organizations may, however, impose a minimum amount for initial
and additional investments in FST Resource Shares, and may
establish other requirements such as a minimum account balance.
You may purchase and redeem (sell) shares of the Fund on any
business day through a Service Organization.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase a Fund through a Service Organization, the Fund
and/or
its
related companies may pay the Service Organization for the sale
of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a
conflict of interest by influencing the Service Organization and
your salesperson to recommend a Fund over another investment.
Ask your salesperson or visit your Service Organization website
for more information.
29
Investment Management Approach
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE
The Funds seek to maximize current income to the extent
consistent with the preservation of capital and the maintenance
of liquidity by investing exclusively in high quality money
market instruments.
PRINCIPAL
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Prime
Obligations Fund
The Prime Obligations Fund pursues its investment objective by
investing in U.S. Government Securities, obligations of
U.S. banks, commercial paper and other short-term
obligations of U.S. companies, states, municipalities and
other entities and repurchase agreements.
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the
Prime Obligations Fund may be subject to additional investment
restrictions.
Money
Market Fund
The Money Market Fund pursues its investment objective by
investing in U.S. Government Securities, obligations of
U.S. banks, commercial paper and other short-term
obligations of U.S. companies, states, municipalities and
other entities and repurchase agreements. The Fund may also
invest in U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign
banks, foreign companies and foreign governments. The Fund may
not invest more than 25% of its total assets in the securities
of any one foreign government.
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the
Money Market Fund may be subject to additional investment
restrictions.
Treasury
Obligations Fund
The Treasury Obligations Fund pursues its investment objective
by investing only in U.S. Treasury Obligations. The Fund
may also invest in repurchase agreements collateralized by
U.S. Treasury Obligations.
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the
Treasury Obligations Fund may be subject to additional
investment restrictions.
Treasury
Instruments Fund
The Treasury Instruments Fund pursues its investment objective
by investing only in U.S. Treasury Obligations, the
interest from which is generally exempt from state
30
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
income taxation. To the extent required by Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations, shareholders
will be provided with sixty days notice in the manner prescribed
by the SEC before any change in the Funds policy to invest
at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for
investment purposes (measured at the time of investment) in the
particular type of investment suggested by its name.
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the
Treasury Instruments Fund may be subject to additional
investment restrictions.
Government
Fund
The Government Fund pursues its investment objective by
investing, directly or indirectly, only in U.S. Government
Securities and repurchase agreements collateralized by such
securities. To the extent required by SEC regulations,
shareholders will be provided with sixty days notice in the
manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in the
Funds policy to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus
any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of
investment) in the particular type of investment suggested by
its name.
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the
Government Fund may be subject to additional investment
restrictions.
Federal
Fund
The Federal Fund pursues its investment objective by limiting
its investments only to U.S. Government Securities, the
interest from which is generally exempt from state income
taxation. To the extent required by SEC regulations,
shareholders will be provided with sixty days notice in the
manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in the
Funds policy to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus
any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of
investment) in the particular type of investment suggested by
its name.
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the
Federal Fund may be subject to additional investment
restrictions.
Tax-Free
Money Market Fund
The Tax-Free Money Market Fund pursues its investment objective
by investing in securities issued by or on behalf of states,
territories, and possessions of the United States and their
political subdivisions, agencies, authorities and
instrumentalities, and the District of Columbia, the interest
from which, if any, is in the opinion of bond counsel excluded
from gross income for federal income tax purposes, and generally
not an item of tax preference under the AMT.
In order to obtain a rating from a rating organization, the
Tax-Free Money Market Fund may be subject to additional
investment restrictions.
31
All
Funds
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P.
(GSAM
®
)
serves as investment adviser to the Financial Square Funds (each
a Fund, and collectively the Funds).
GSAM is referred to in this Prospectus as the Investment
Adviser.
Goldman
Sachs Money Market Investment Philosophy:
The Funds are managed to seek preservation of capital, daily
liquidity and maximum current income. With each Fund, the
Investment Adviser follows a conservative, risk-managed
investment process that seeks to:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Manage credit risk
|
|
n
|
Manage interest rate risk
|
|
n
|
Manage liquidity
|
Since 1981, the Investment Adviser
has actively managed the Goldman Sachs Money Market Funds to
provide investors with the greatest possible preservation of
principal and income potential.
INVESTMENT
PROCESS
1. Managing Credit Risk
The Investment Advisers process for managing credit risk
emphasizes:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Intensive
research
The
Credit Department, a separate operating entity of Goldman, Sachs
& Co. (Goldman Sachs, or
GS&Co.), approves all money market fund
eligible securities for the Funds. Sources for the Credit
Departments analysis include third-party inputs, such as
financial statements and media sources, ratings releases and
company meetings, as well as the Investment Research, Legal and
Compliance departments of Goldman Sachs.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Timely
updates
A
Credit Department-approved list of securities is continuously
communicated on a real-time basis to the portfolio
management team via computer link.
|
The Result: An approved list of
high-quality credits
The Investment Advisers
portfolio management team uses this approved list to construct
portfolios which offer the best available risk-return trade-off
within the approved credit universe. If a security
is removed from the approved list, the Investment
Adviser may not purchase that security for the Funds, although
it is not required to sell that security.
32
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
2. Managing Interest Rate Risk
Three main steps are followed in seeking to manage interest rate
risk:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Establish weighted average
maturity (WAM) and weighted average life
(WAL)
targets
WAM
(the weighted average time until the yield of a portfolio
reflects any changes in the current interest rate environment)
and WAL (designed to more accurately measure spread
risk) are constantly revisited and adjusted as market
conditions change. An overall strategy is developed by the
Investment Adviser based on insights gained from weekly meetings
with both Goldman Sachs economists and economists from outside
the firm.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Implement optimum portfolio
structure
Proprietary
models that seek the optimum balance of risk and return, in
conjunction with the Investment Advisers analysis of
factors such as market events, short-term interest rates and
each Funds asset volatility, are used to identify the most
effective portfolio structure.
|
|
n
|
Conduct rigorous analysis of
new
securities
The
Investment Advisers five-step process includes legal,
credit, historical index and liquidity analysis, as well as
price stress testing to determine the suitability of potential
investments for the Funds.
|
3. Managing Liquidity
Factors that the Investment Advisers portfolio managers
continuously monitor and that affect liquidity of a money market
portfolio include:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Each Funds investors and
other factors that influence the asset volatility of the Funds;
|
|
n
|
Technical events that influence the
trading range of federal funds and other short-term fixed-income
markets; and
|
|
n
|
Bid-ask spreads associated with
securities in the portfolios.
|
Benchmarks for the Funds are the
iMoneyNet, Inc. Indices.
Each Fund uses the iMoneyNet
Index which best corresponds to the Funds eligible
investments.
References in this Prospectus to a Funds benchmark are for
informational purposes only, and unless otherwise noted are not
an indication of how a particular Fund is managed.
Additional
Fund Characteristics and Restrictions
|
|
|
|
n
|
The
Funds:
Each
Funds securities are valued using the amortized cost
method as permitted by
Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act. Under
Rule 2a-7,
each Fund may invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated securities
that are determined to present minimal credit risk and meet
certain other criteria including conditions relating to
maturity, diversification and credit quality. These
|
33
|
|
|
|
|
operating policies may be more restrictive than the fundamental
policies set forth in the Statement of Additional Information
(the SAI).
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Taxable
Funds:
Prime
Obligations, Money Market, Treasury Obligations and Government
Funds.
|
|
n
|
Tax-Advantaged
Funds:
Treasury
Instruments and Federal Funds.
|
|
n
|
Tax-Exempt
Fund:
Tax-Free
Money Market Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
The
Investors:
The
Funds are designed for investors seeking a high rate of return,
a stable NAV and convenient liquidation privileges. The Funds
are particularly suitable for banks, corporations and other
financial institutions that seek investment of short-term funds
for their own accounts or for the accounts of their customers.
Shares of the Government Fund are intended to qualify as
eligible investments for federally chartered credit unions
pursuant to Sections 107(7), 107(8) and 107(15) of the
Federal Credit Union Act, Part 703 of the National Credit Union
Administration (NCUA) Rules and Regulations and NCUA
Letter Number 155. The Government Fund intends to review changes
in the applicable laws, rules and regulations governing eligible
investments for federally chartered credit unions, and to take
such action as may be necessary so that the investments of the
Government Fund qualify as eligible investments under the
Federal Credit Union Act and the regulations thereunder. Shares
of the Government Fund, however, may or may not qualify as
eligible investments for particular state-chartered credit
unions. A state-chartered credit union should consult qualified
legal counsel to determine whether the Government Fund is a
permissible investment under the laws applicable to it.
|
|
n
|
NAV:
Each
Fund seeks to maintain a stable NAV of $1.00 per share. There
can be no assurance that a Fund will be able at all times to
maintain a NAV of $1.00 per share.
|
|
n
|
Maximum Remaining Maturity of
Portfolio
Investments:
13 months
(as determined pursuant to
Rule 2a-7)
at the time of purchase.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Dollar-Weighted Average
Portfolio
Maturity:
Not
more than 60 days (as required by
Rule 2a-7).
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Dollar-Weighted Average
Portfolio
Life:
Not more
than 120 days (as required by
Rule 2a-7).
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Investment
Restrictions:
Each
Fund is subject to certain investment restrictions that are
described in detail under Investment Restrictions in
the SAI. Fundamental investment restrictions and the investment
objective of each Fund cannot be changed without approval of a
majority of the outstanding shares of that Fund. The Treasury
Obligations Funds policy of limiting its investments to
U.S. Treasury Obligations and related repurchase agreements is
also a fundamental investment restriction. All investment
objectives and policies not specifically designated as
fundamental are non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board
of Trustees without shareholder approval.
|
34
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
|
|
|
|
n
|
Diversification:
Diversification
can help a Fund reduce the risks of investing. In accordance
with current regulations of the SEC, each Fund may not invest
more than 5% of the value of its total assets at the time of
purchase in the securities of any single issuer. However, a Fund
may invest up to 25% of the value of its total assets in the
securities of a single issuer for up to three business days.
These limitations do not apply to cash, certain repurchase
agreements, U.S. Government Securities or securities of other
investment companies. In addition, securities subject to certain
unconditional guarantees are subject to different
diversification requirements as described in the SAI.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Portfolio
Liquidity:
The
Funds are required to maintain a sufficient degree of liquidity
necessary to meet reasonably foreseeable redemption requests. In
addition, each Fund (except for the Tax-Free Money Market Fund)
must hold at least 10% of its total assets in daily liquid
assets and 30% of its total assets in weekly liquid
assets (each as defined by
Rule 2a-7).
The Tax-Free Money Market Fund must hold at least 30% of its
total assets in weekly liquid assets (as defined by
Rule 2a-7).
No Fund may acquire an illiquid security if, after the purchase,
more than 5% of a Funds total assets would consist of
illiquid assets.
|
ADDITIONAL
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Note that the Best Quarter and Worst
Quarter figures shown in the Performance
section of each Funds Summary section are applicable only
to the time period covered by the bar chart.
INVESTMENT
PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
The table below identifies some of the investment techniques
that may (but are not required to) be used by the Funds in
seeking to achieve their investment objectives. The table also
highlights the differences and similarities among the Funds in
their use of these techniques and other investment practices and
investment securities. Numbers in the table show allowable usage
only; for actual usage, consult the Funds
annual/semi-annual reports. For more information about these and
other investment practices and securities, see Appendix A.
The Funds publish on their website
(http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com) their complete portfolio
holdings as of the end of each month subject to a fifteen
calendar day lag between the date of the information and the
date on which the information is disclosed. Each Fund also
publishes its holdings on a weekly basis, with no lag required
between the date of the information and the date on which the
information is disclosed. This information will be available on
the website until the next publish date or the date on which a
Fund files its next quarterly portfolio holdings report on
Form N-CSR
or
Form N-Q
with the SEC. In addition, certain portfolio statistics (other
than portfolio holdings
35
information) are available on a daily basis by calling
1-800-621-2550.
A description of the Funds policies and procedures with
respect to the disclosure of the Funds portfolio holdings
is available in the Funds SAI.
36
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blank]
Investment
Policies Matrix
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U.S. Treasury
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U.S.
Government
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Bank
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Commercial
|
Fund
|
|
Obligations
1
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|
Securities
|
|
Obligations
|
|
Paper
|
Prime Obligations
|
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n
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|
n
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n
U.S. banks
only
2
|
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n
|
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|
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|
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|
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|
Money Market
|
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n
|
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n
|
|
n
Over 25% of total assets
must be invested in U.S.
and foreign (US$)
banks
3
|
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n
U.S. and foreign
(US$) commercial
paper
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|
Treasury Obligations
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n
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|
Treasury Instruments
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n
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|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
|
Government
|
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n
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
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n
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n
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Tax-Free Money Market
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n
Tax-exempt only
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Note: See Appendix A for a description of, and
certain criteria applicable to, each of these categories of
investments.
See page 42 for all footnotes.
38
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
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Short-Term
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Foreign
|
Obligations of
|
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Asset-Backed
and
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Government
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Corporations
and
|
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Repurchase
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Receivables-Backed
|
|
Obligations
|
Other
Entities
|
|
Agreements
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|
Securities
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|
(US$)
|
n
U.S. entities only
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n
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n
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n
U.S. and foreign
(US$) entities
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n
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n
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n
4
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n
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n
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n
(Does not intend to invest)
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|
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39
Investment
Policies Matrix continued
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|
Custodial
|
|
Unrated
|
|
Investment
|
Fund
|
|
Municipals
|
|
Receipts
|
|
Securities
7
|
|
Companies
8
|
Prime Obligations
|
|
n
5
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Up to 10% of total
assets in other
investment companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money Market
|
|
n
5
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Up to 10% of total
assets in other
investment companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Obligations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Instruments
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Up to 10% of total
assets in other
investment companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax-Free Money Market
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
n
|
|
|
At least 80% of net assets in
tax-exempt municipal
obligations (except in
extraordinary
circumstances)
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
Up to 10% of total
assets in other
investment companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note: See Appendix A for a description of, and
certain criteria applicable to, each of these categories of
investments.
See page 42 for all footnotes.
40
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
|
|
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|
|
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|
|
|
Private
|
|
|
|
Summary of
|
|
|
|
|
Activity
|
|
Credit
|
|
Taxation for
|
|
|
|
|
Bonds
|
|
Quality
7
|
|
Distributions
12
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
|
n
|
|
First
Tier
11
|
|
Taxable federal and
state
13
|
|
Reverse repurchase agreements not permitted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
|
First
Tier
11
|
|
Taxable federal and
state
13
|
|
May invest in obligations of the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development. Reverse repurchase agreements
not permitted.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First
Tier
11
|
|
Taxable federal and
state
13
|
|
Reverse repurchase agreements not permitted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First
Tier
11
|
|
Taxable federal and
generally exempt from state
taxation
|
|
Under extraordinary circumstances, may hold U.S. Government
Securities subject to state taxation. Reverse repurchase
agreements not permitted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First
Tier
11
|
|
Taxable federal and
state
13
|
|
Reverse repurchase agreements not permitted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First
Tier
11
|
|
Taxable federal and
generally exempt from state
taxation
|
|
Under extraordinary circumstances, may hold U.S. Government
Securities subject to state taxation. Reverse repurchase
agreements not permitted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Does not
intend to
invest if
subject to
AMT
9,10
|
|
First
Tier
11
|
|
Tax-exempt federal and
taxable
state
14
|
|
May (but does not currently intend to) invest up to 20% of net
assets in securities subject to AMT and may temporarily invest
in the taxable money market instruments described herein.
Reverse repurchase agreements not permitted.
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
1
|
|
Issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Treasury.
|
|
2
|
|
Including foreign branches of
U.S. banks.
|
|
3
|
|
If adverse economic conditions
prevail in the banking industry (such as substantial losses on
loans, increases in non-performing assets and charge-offs and
declines in total deposits), the Fund may, for temporary
defensive purposes, invest less than 25% of its total assets in
bank obligations.
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
The Money Market Fund may invest
in U.S. dollar-denominated obligations (limited to commercial
paper and other notes) issued or guaranteed by a foreign
government. The Fund may also invest in U.S. dollar-denominated
obligations issued or guaranteed by any entity located or
organized in a foreign country that maintains a short-term
foreign currency rating in the highest short-term ratings
category by the requisite number of nationally recognized
statistical rating organizations (NRSROs). The Fund
may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in the
securities of any one foreign government.
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
Will only make such investments
when yields on such securities are attractive compared to other
taxable investments.
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
The Investment Adviser
ordinarily expects that 100% of the Funds assets will be
invested in municipal obligations, but the Investment Adviser
may cause the Fund, for temporary defensive purposes, to invest
in short-term taxable securities.
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
To the extent permitted by
Rule 2a-7,
securities without short-term ratings may be purchased if they
are deemed to be of comparable quality by the Investment Adviser
to First Tier Securities. In addition, a Fund may rely on the
credit quality of the guarantee or demand feature in determining
the credit quality of a security supported by a guarantee or
demand feature.
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
This percentage limitation does
not apply to a Funds investments in investment companies
(including exchange-traded funds) where a higher percentage
limitation is permitted under the terms of an SEC exemptive
order or SEC exemptive rule.
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
If such policy should change,
private activity bonds subject to AMT would not exceed 20% of
the Tax-Free Money Market Funds net assets under normal
market conditions.
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
No more than 25% of the value of
the Funds total assets may be invested in industrial
development bonds or similar obligations where the
non-governmental entities supplying the revenues from which such
bonds or obligations are to be paid are in the same
industry.
|
|
|
|
11
|
|
First Tier Securities are
(a) rated in the highest short-term rating category by at
least two NRSROs, or if only one NRSRO has assigned a rating, by
that NRSRO; or (b) issued or guaranteed by, or otherwise
allow a Fund under certain conditions to demand payment from, an
entity with such ratings. U.S. Government Securities are
considered First Tier Securities.
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
See Taxation for an
explanation of the tax consequences summarized in the table
above.
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
Taxable in many states except
for interest income distributions from U.S. Treasury Obligations
and certain U.S. Government Securities.
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
Taxable except for distributions
from interest on obligations of an investors state of
residence in certain states.
|
42
Risks of the Funds
An investment in a Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured
or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or
any other governmental agency. Although the Funds seek to
preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is
possible to lose money by investing in the Funds. The principal
risks of each Fund are disclosed in the Summary sections of this
Prospectus. The following gives additional information on the
risks that apply to the Funds and may result in a loss of your
investment. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a
complete investment program. There can be no assurance that a
Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Risk
Category
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax-Free
|
|
|
Prime
|
|
Money
|
|
Treasury
|
|
Treasury
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money
|
Applicable
|
|
Obligations
|
|
Market
|
|
Obligations
|
|
Instruments
|
|
Government
|
|
Federal
|
|
Market
|
Not
applicable
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
Stable NAV
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest Rate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit/Default
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Management
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquidity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Banking Industry
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Concentration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Risks
that apply to all Funds:
|
|
n
|
Stable NAV
Risk
The risk
that a Fund will not be able to maintain a NAV per share of
$1.00 at all times. Shareholders of a Fund should not rely on or
expect the Investment Adviser or an affiliate to purchase
distressed assets from a Fund, make capital infusions into a
Fund, enter into capital support agreements with a Fund or take
other actions to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share
price.
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
The risk
that during periods of rising interest rates, a Funds
yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be
lower than prevailing market rates; in periods of falling
interest rates, a Funds yield will tend to be higher. A
low interest rate environment poses additional risks to a Fund.
Low yields
|
43
|
|
|
on a Funds portfolio holdings may have an adverse impact
on the Funds ability to provide a positive yield to its
shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times,
maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
|
|
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
The risk
that an issuer or guarantor of a security, or a bank or other
financial institution that has entered into a repurchase
agreement, may default on its obligation to pay interest and
repay principal. In addition, with respect to the Tax-Free Money
Market Fund, this risk includes the risk of default on foreign
letters of credit, guarantees or insurance policies that back
municipal securities.
|
The credit quality of a Funds portfolio securities may
meet the Funds credit quality requirements at the time of
purchase but then deteriorate thereafter, and such deterioration
can occur rapidly. In certain instances, the downgrading or
default of a single holding or guarantor of a Funds
holding may impair the Funds liquidity and have the
potential to cause significant NAV deterioration.
|
|
n
|
Management
Risk
The risk
that a strategy used by the Investment Adviser may fail to
produce the intended results.
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The risk
that the value of the securities in which the Fund invests may
go up or down in response to the prospects of individual
companies, particular industry sectors or governments and/or
general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or
last for extended periods. The Funds investments may be
overweighted from time to time in one or more industry sectors,
which will increase the Funds exposure to risk of loss
from adverse developments affecting those sectors.
|
n
|
Liquidity
Risk
The risk
that a Fund may make investments that may become less liquid in
response to market developments or adverse investor perception.
While each Fund endeavors to maintain a high level of liquidity
in its portfolio, the liquidity of portfolio securities can
deteriorate rapidly due to credit events affecting issuers or
guarantors or due to general market conditions and a lack of
willing buyers. When there is no willing buyer and investments
cannot be readily sold at the desired time or price, a Fund may
have to accept a lower price or may not be able to sell the
instrument at all. An inability to sell one or more portfolio
positions can adversely affect a Funds ability to maintain
a $1.00 share price or prevent the Fund from being able to take
advantage of other investment opportunities.
|
Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that a Fund will not
be able to pay redemption proceeds within the time period stated
in the Prospectus because of unusual market conditions, an
unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons.
Although a Fund reserves the right to meet redemption requests
through in-kind distributions, to date no Fund has paid
redemptions in-kind. While a Fund may pay redemptions in-kind in
the future, the Fund may instead choose to raise cash to meet
redemption requests through sales of portfolio securities or
permissible borrowings. If a Fund is forced to sell securities
at an unfavorable time
44
RISKS
OF THE FUNDS
and/or
under
unfavorable conditions, such sales may adversely affect the
Funds ability to maintain a $1.00 share price.
Certain shareholders, including clients or affiliates of the
Investment Adviser
and/or
other
funds managed by the Investment Adviser, may from time to time
own or control a significant percentage of a Funds shares.
These shareholders may include, for example, institutional
investors, funds of funds, discretionary advisory clients, and
other shareholders whose buy-sell decisions are controlled by a
single decision maker. Redemptions by these shareholders of
their shares of a Fund may further increase a Funds
liquidity risk and may impact a Funds NAV.
Risk
that applies to the Prime Obligations, Money Market, Government
and Federal Funds:
|
|
n
|
U.S. Government Securities
Risk
The risk
that the U.S. government will not provide financial support to
U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law. Although
many types of U.S. Government Securities may be purchased
by the Funds, such as those issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and Federal Home
Loan Banks chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress, their
securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United
States Treasury and, therefore, are not backed by the full faith
and credit of the United States. The maximum potential liability
of the issuers of some U.S. Government Securities held by a
Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, including their
legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible
that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment
obligations in the future. In September 2008, the
U.S. Treasury and the Federal Housing Finance
Administration (FHFA) announced that Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac would be placed into a conservatorship under FHFA.
The effect that this conservatorship will have on the
entities debt and securities guaranteed by the entities is
unclear.
|
Risk
that applies to the Prime Obligations and Money Market
Funds:
|
|
n
|
Banking Industry
Risk
The risk
that an adverse development in the banking industry may affect
the value of the Money Market and Prime Obligations Funds
investments more than if the Funds investments were not
invested to such a degree in the banking industry. Normally, the
Money Market Fund intends to invest more than 25% of its total
assets in bank obligations. Banks may be particularly
susceptible to certain economic factors such as interest rate
changes, adverse developments in the real estate market, fiscal
and monetary policy and general economic cycles.
|
Risk
that applies to the Money Market Fund:
|
|
n
|
Foreign
Risk
The risk
that the Money Market Funds investments in foreign
securities could lose value as a result of political, financial
and economic events in
|
45
|
|
|
foreign countries, less publicly available financial and other
information, less stringent foreign securities regulations and
accounting and disclosure standards, problems in security
registration or settlement and custody or other factors. The
Money Market Fund may not invest more than 25% of its total
assets in the securities of any one foreign government.
|
Risks
that apply to the Tax-Free Money Market Fund:
|
|
n
|
Concentration
Risk
The risk
that if the Tax-Free Money Market Fund invests more than 25% of
its total assets in certain issuers within the same state,
industry or economic sector, an adverse economic, business or
political development may affect the value of the Tax-Free Money
Market Funds investments more than if its investments were
not so concentrated.
|
n
|
Tax
Risk
The risk
that future legislative or administrative changes or court
decisions may materially affect the value of the Tax-Free Money
Market Funds portfolio and/or the ability of the Tax-Free
Money Market Fund to pay federal tax-exempt dividends. This
Tax-Free Money Market Fund would not be a suitable investment
for IRAs, other tax-exempt or tax-deferred accounts or for other
investors who are not sensitive to the federal, state or local
tax consequences of their investments.
|
More information about the Funds portfolio securities and
investment techniques, and their associated risks, is provided
in Appendix A. You should consider the investment risks
discussed in this section and in Appendix A. Both are
important to your investment choice.
46
Service Providers
INVESTMENT
ADVISERS
|
|
|
Investment
Adviser
|
|
Fund
|
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (GSAM)
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282
|
|
Prime Obligations
Money Market
Treasury Obligations
Treasury Instruments
Government
Federal
Tax-Free Money Market
|
|
|
|
GSAM has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC
since 1990 and is an affiliate of Goldman Sachs. As of
December 31, 2009, GSAM, including its investment advisory
affiliates, had assets under management of $753.4 billion.
The Investment Adviser provides day-to-day advice regarding the
Funds portfolio transactions. The Investment Adviser makes
the investment decisions for the Funds and places purchase and
sale orders for the Funds portfolio transactions in U.S.
and foreign markets. As permitted by applicable law and
exemptive relief obtained by the Investment Adviser, Goldman
Sachs and the Funds, these orders may be directed to any
broker-dealers, including Goldman Sachs and its affiliates.
While the Investment Adviser is ultimately responsible for the
management of the Funds, it is able to draw upon the research
and expertise of its asset management affiliates for portfolio
decisions and management with respect to certain portfolio
securities. In addition, the Investment Adviser has access to
the research and certain proprietary technical models developed
by Goldman Sachs and will apply quantitative and qualitative
analysis in determining the appropriate allocations among
categories of issuers and types of securities.
The Investment Adviser also performs the following additional
services for the Funds:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Supervises all non-advisory
operations of the Funds
|
|
n
|
Provides personnel to perform
necessary executive, administrative and clerical services to the
Funds
|
|
n
|
Arranges for the preparation of all
required tax returns, reports to shareholders, prospectuses and
statements of additional information and other reports filed
with the SEC and other regulatory authorities
|
|
n
|
Maintains the records of each Fund
|
|
n
|
Provides office space and all
necessary office equipment and services
|
47
Pursuant to SEC exemptive orders, certain Funds may enter into
principal transactions in certain money market instruments,
including repurchase agreements, with Goldman Sachs.
MANAGEMENT
FEES
As compensation for its services and its assumption of certain
expenses, the Investment Adviser is entitled to the following
fees, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rates
listed below (as a percentage of each respective Funds
average daily net assets):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual Rate
|
|
|
|
|
For the Fiscal
|
|
|
|
|
Period Ended
|
Fund
|
|
Contractual
Rate
|
|
August 31,
2009*
|
Prime Obligations
|
|
|
0
|
.205%
|
|
|
|
0
|
.16%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money Market
|
|
|
0
|
.205%
|
|
|
|
0
|
.16%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Obligations
|
|
|
0
|
.205%
|
|
|
|
0
|
.18%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Instruments
|
|
|
0
|
.205%
|
|
|
|
0
|
.18%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government
|
|
|
0
|
.205%
|
|
|
|
0
|
.16%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
0
|
.205%
|
|
|
|
0
|
.18%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax-Free Money Market
|
|
|
0
|
.205%
|
|
|
|
0
|
.16%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
The Funds fiscal year end
changed from December 31 to August 31 effective
January 1, 2009. The Investment Adviser has agreed to waive
a portion of its Management Fee equal annually to 0.025% of the
Treasury Obligations, Treasury Instruments and Federal
Funds average daily net assets and equal annually to
0.045% of the Prime Obligations, Money Market, Government and
Tax-Free Money Market Funds average daily net assets.
These waivers will remain in effect through at least
May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the Investment Adviser
may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the
Board of Trustees. These management fee waivers may be modified
or terminated at any time at the option of the Investment
Adviser and without shareholder approval after such date,
although the Investment Adviser does not presently intend to do
so.
|
The Investment Adviser may waive a portion of its management fee
from time to time, and may discontinue or modify any such
waivers in the future, consistent with the terms of any fee
waiver arrangements in place. Due to the current low yield
environment, the Investment Adviser may voluntarily waive a
portion of its management fees. These temporary waivers may be
modified or terminated at any time at the option of the
Investment Adviser, without shareholder approval.
The Investment Adviser has agreed to reduce or limit each
Funds Other Expenses (excluding management
fees, distribution fees, service fees, administration fees,
transfer agency fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage
fees and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meetings and
other extraordinary expenses, exclusive
48
SERVICE
PROVIDERS
of any custody and transfer agent fee credit deductions) equal
on an annualized basis to 0.014% of each Funds average
daily net assets. Each arrangement will remain in place through
at least May 14, 2011, and prior to such date the
Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangements without
the approval of the Board of Trustees. These expense limitations
may be modified or terminated at any time at the option of the
Investment Adviser and without shareholder approval after such
date, although the Investment Adviser does not presently intend
to do so.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees
approval of the Management Agreement for the Funds in 2009 is
available in the Funds Annual Report dated August 31,
2009.
DISTRIBUTOR
AND TRANSFER AGENT
Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, serves
as the exclusive distributor (the Distributor) of
each Funds shares. Goldman Sachs,
71 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, also
serves as each Funds transfer agent (the Transfer
Agent) and, as such, performs various shareholder
servicing functions.
For its transfer agency services, Goldman Sachs is entitled to
receive a transfer agency fee equal, on an annualized basis, to
0.01% of average daily net assets of each Fund. Due to the
current low yield environment, Goldman Sachs may voluntarily
agree to waive a portion of the Funds transfer agency
fees. These temporary waivers may be modified or terminated at
any time at the option of Goldman Sachs, without shareholder
approval.
From time to time, Goldman Sachs or any of its affiliates may
purchase and hold shares of the Funds. Goldman Sachs reserves
the right to redeem at any time some or all of the shares
acquired for its own account.
|
|
ACTIVITIES
OF GOLDMAN SACHS AND ITS AFFILIATES AND OTHER
ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY GOLDMAN
SACHS
|
|
The involvement of the Investment Adviser, Goldman Sachs and
their affiliates in the management of, or their interest in,
other accounts and other activities of Goldman Sachs may present
conflicts of interest with respect to a Fund or limit a
Funds investment activities. Goldman Sachs is a full
service investment banking, broker dealer, asset management and
financial services organization and a major participant in
global financial markets. As such, it acts as an investor,
investment banker, research provider, investment manager,
financier, advisor, market maker, trader, prime broker, lender,
agent and principal, and has other direct and indirect
49
interests, in the global fixed income, currency, commodity,
equity and other markets in which the Funds directly and
indirectly invest. Thus, it is likely that the Funds will have
multiple business relationships with and will invest in, engage
in transactions with, make voting decisions with respect to, or
obtain services from entities for which Goldman Sachs performs
or seeks to perform investment banking or other services. The
Investment Adviser and/or certain of its affiliates are the
managers of the Goldman Sachs Funds. Goldman Sachs and its
affiliates engage in proprietary trading and advise accounts and
funds which have investment objectives similar to those of the
Funds and/or which engage in and compete for transactions in the
same types of securities, currencies and instruments as the
Funds. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates will not have any
obligation to make available any information regarding their
proprietary activities or strategies, or the activities or
strategies used for other accounts managed by them, for the
benefit of the management of the Funds. Goldman Sachs may
restrict transactions for itself, but not for the Funds (or vice
versa). The results of a Funds investment activities,
therefore, may differ from those of Goldman Sachs, its
affiliates, and other accounts managed by Goldman Sachs and it
is possible that a Fund could sustain losses during periods in
which Goldman Sachs and its affiliates and other accounts
achieve significant profits on their trading for proprietary or
other accounts. In addition, the Funds may enter into
transactions in which Goldman Sachs or its other clients have an
adverse interest. For example, a Fund may take a long position
in a security at the same time that Goldman Sachs or other
accounts managed by the Investment Adviser take a short position
in the same security (or vice versa). These and other
transactions undertaken by Goldman Sachs, its affiliates or
Goldman Sachs-advised clients may adversely impact the Funds.
Transactions by one or more Goldman Sachs-advised clients or the
Investment Adviser may have the effect of diluting or otherwise
disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of
the Funds. A Funds activities may be limited because of
regulatory restrictions applicable to Goldman Sachs and its
affiliates, and/or their internal policies designed to comply
with such restrictions. As a global financial services firm,
Goldman Sachs also provides a wide range of investment banking
and financial services to issuers of securities and investors in
securities. Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and others associated
with it may create markets or specialize in, have positions in
and affect transactions in, securities of issuers held by the
Funds, and may also perform or seek to perform investment
banking and financial services for those issuers. Goldman Sachs
and its affiliates may have business relationships with and
purchase or distribute or sell services or products from or to
distributors, consultants or others who recommend the Funds or
who engage in transactions with or for the Funds. For more
information about conflicts of interest, see the SAI.
50
SERVICE
PROVIDERS
LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
On April 16, 2010, the SEC brought an action under the
U.S. federal securities laws in the U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York against GS&Co.
and one of its employees alleging that they made materially
misleading statements and omissions in connection with a 2007
private placement of securities relating to a synthetic
collateralized debt obligation sold to two institutional
investors. GS&Co.
and/or
other
affiliates of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. have received or may
in the future receive notices and requests for information from
various regulators, and have become or may in the future become
involved in legal proceedings, based on allegations similar to
those made by the SEC or other matters.
Neither GSAM nor any GSAM-managed funds have been named in the
complaint. Moreover, the SEC complaint does not seek any
penalties against them or against any employee who is or has
been part of GSAM.
In the view of GS&Co. and GSAM, neither the matters alleged
in this or any such similar proceedings nor their eventual
resolution are likely to have a material effect on the ability
of GS&Co., GSAM or their affiliates to provide services to
GSAM-managed funds. Due to a provision in the law governing the
operation of mutual funds, the resolution of the SEC action
could, under certain circumstances, result in a situation in
which GS&Co., GSAM and their affiliates would be ineligible
to serve as an investment adviser or principal underwriter for
U.S.-registered
mutual funds absent an exemption from the SEC. While there is no
assurance that such an exemption would be granted, the SEC has
granted this type of relief in the past.
51
Dividends
Dividends will be distributed monthly. You may choose to have
dividends paid in:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Cash
|
|
n
|
Additional shares of the same Fund
|
|
n
|
Shares of a similar or an
equivalent class of another Goldman Sachs Fund.
|
Special restrictions may apply. See the SAI.
You may indicate your election on your Account Application. Any
changes may be submitted in writing to the Transfer Agent
(either directly or for accounts opened through a Service
Organization, through your Service Organization) at any time. If
you do not indicate any choice, dividends and distributions will
be reinvested automatically in the applicable Fund.
All or substantially all of each Funds net investment
income will be declared as a dividend daily. Dividends will
normally, but not always, be declared as of the following times:
|
|
|
|
|
Dividend
Declaration Time
|
Fund
|
|
(New York
Time)
|
Prime Obligations
|
|
5:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Money Market
|
|
5:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Treasury Obligations
|
|
5:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Treasury Instruments
|
|
4:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Government
|
|
5:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
4:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Tax-Free Money Market
|
|
4:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Dividends will be reinvested as of the last calendar day of each
month. Cash distributions normally will be paid on or about the
first business day of each month. Net short-term capital gains,
if any, will be distributed in accordance with federal income
tax requirements and may be reflected in a Funds daily
distributions. Net short-term capital gains may at times
represent a significant component of the Funds daily
distributions (e.g., during periods of extremely low interest
rates).
Each Fund may distribute at least annually other realized
capital gains, if any, after reduction by available capital
losses. In order to avoid excessive fluctuations in the amount
of monthly capital gains distributions, a portion of any net
capital gains realized on the disposition of securities during
the months of November and December may be distributed during
the subsequent calendar year. The realized gains and losses are
not expected to be of an amount which would affect a Funds
NAV of $1.00 per share.
52
Shareholder Guide
The following section will provide you with answers to some of
the most frequently asked questions regarding buying and selling
the Funds FST Resource Shares.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
How
Can I Purchase FST Resource Shares Of The Funds?
Generally, FST Resource Shares may be purchased only through
institutions that have agreed to provide administration and
personal and account maintenance services to their customers who
are the beneficial owners of FST Resource Shares (Service
Organizations). No shareholder may buy FST Resource Shares
directly from the Funds. Customers of a Service Organization
will normally give their purchase instructions to the Service
Organization, and the Service Organization will, in turn, place
purchase orders with Goldman Sachs. Service Organizations will
set times by which purchase orders and payments must be received
by them from their customers. Generally, FST Resource Shares may
be purchased from the Funds on any business day at their NAV
next determined after receipt of an order by Goldman Sachs from
a Service Organization. No sales load is charged.
Service Organizations are responsible for transmitting purchase
orders and payments to Goldman Sachs in a timely fashion.
Service Organizations should either:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Place an order through certain
electronic trading platforms (e.g., National Securities Clearing
Corporation);
|
|
n
|
Place an order with Goldman Sachs
at
1-800-621-2550
and wire federal funds; or
|
|
n
|
Send a check payable to Goldman
Sachs Funds (Name of Fund and Class of Shares), P.O.
Box 06050, Chicago, IL 60606-6306. The Funds will not accept
checks drawn on foreign banks, third party checks, temporary
checks, cash or cash equivalents, e.g., cashiers
checks, official bank checks, money orders, travelers cheques or
credit card checks. In limited situations involving the transfer
of retirement assets, the Funds may accept cashiers checks
or official bank checks.
|
It is strongly recommended that payment be effected by wiring
federal funds.
It is expected that checks will be converted to federal funds
within two business days after receipt.
53
What
Do I Need To Know About Service Organizations?
Service Organizations may provide the following services in
connection with their customers investments in FST
Resource Shares:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Personal and account maintenance
services
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Facilities to answer inquiries and
respond to correspondence
|
|
n
|
Acts as liaison between the Service
Organizations customers and the Goldman Sachs Trust (the
Trust)
|
|
n
|
Assists customers in completing
application forms, selecting dividend and other options, and
similar services
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Administration services
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Acts, directly or through an agent,
as the sole shareholder of record
|
|
n
|
Maintains account records for
customers
|
|
n
|
Processes orders to purchase,
redeem and exchange shares for customers
|
|
n
|
Processes payments for customers
|
Some (but not all) Service Organizations are authorized to
accept, on behalf of the Trust, purchase, redemption and
exchange orders placed by or on behalf of their customers, and
may designate other financial intermediaries to accept such
orders, if approved by the Trust. In these cases:
|
|
|
|
n
|
A Fund will be deemed to have
received an order in proper form when the order is accepted by
the authorized Service Organization or financial intermediary on
a business day, and the order will be priced at the Funds
NAV per share next determined after such acceptance.
|
|
n
|
Service Organizations and financial
intermediaries will be responsible for transmitting accepted
orders and payments to the Trust within the time period agreed
upon by them.
|
You should contact your Service Organization directly to learn
whether it is authorized to accept orders for the Trust.
Pursuant to a service plan adopted by the Trusts Board of
Trustees, Service Organizations are entitled to receive payment
for their services from the Trust of up to 0.50% (on an
annualized basis) of the average daily net assets of the FST
Resource Shares of the Funds, which are attributable to or held
in the name of the Service Organization for its customers. Due
to the current low yield environment, Goldman Sachs may
voluntarily agree to waive a portion of the Funds service
and administration fees. These temporary waivers may be modified
or terminated at any time at the option of Goldman Sachs,
without shareholder approval.
The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may
make additional payments or provide services to Service
Organizations and other financial intermediaries
(Intermediaries) to promote the sale, distribution
and/or servicing of shares of the Funds and other Goldman Sachs
Funds. These payments are made out of the
54
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
Investment Advisers, Distributors and/or their
affiliates own assets, and are not an additional charge to
the Funds. These payments are in addition to the distribution,
service and administration fees described in this Prospectus.
Such payments are intended to compensate Intermediaries for,
among other things: marketing shares of the Funds and other
Goldman Sachs Funds, which may consist of payments relating to
the Funds inclusion on preferred or recommended fund lists
or in certain sales programs sponsored by the Intermediaries;
access to the Intermediaries registered representatives or
salespersons, including at conferences and other meetings;
assistance in training and education of personnel; marketing
support; and/or other specified services intended to assist in
the distribution and marketing of the Funds and other Goldman
Sachs Funds. The payments may also, to the extent permitted by
applicable regulations, contribute to various non-cash and cash
incentive arrangements to promote the sale of FST Resource
Shares, as well as sponsor various educational programs, sales
contests and/or promotions. The payments by the Investment
Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates which are in
addition to the fees paid for these services by the Funds, may
also compensate Intermediaries for subaccounting, sub-transfer
agency, administrative and/or shareholder processing services.
These additional payments may exceed amounts earned on these
assets by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their
affiliates for the performance of these or similar services. The
amount of these additional payments is normally not expected to
exceed 0.50% (annualized) of the amount sold or invested through
the Intermediaries. In addition, certain Intermediaries may have
access to certain services from the Investment Adviser,
Distributor and/or their affiliates, including research reports
and economic analysis, and portfolio analysis tools. In certain
cases, the Intermediary may not pay for these services. Please
refer to the Payments to Intermediaries section of
the SAI for more information about these payments and services.
The payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or
their affiliates and the services received by an Intermediary
may differ for different Intermediaries. The presence of these
payments, receipt of these services and the basis on which an
Intermediary compensates its registered representatives or
salespersons may create an incentive for a particular
Intermediary, registered representative or salesperson to
highlight, feature or recommend Funds based, at least in part,
on the level of compensation paid. You should contact your
Service Organization or other Intermediary for more information
about the payments it receives and any potential conflicts of
interest.
In addition to FST Resource Shares, each Fund also offers other
classes of shares to investors. These other share classes are
subject to different fees and expenses (which affect
performance), have different minimum investment requirements and
are entitled to different services than FST Resource Shares.
Information regarding other
55
share classes may be obtained from your Service Organization or
from Goldman Sachs by calling the number on the back cover of
this Prospectus.
What
Is My Minimum Investment In The Funds?
The minimum initial investment requirement imposed upon Service
Organizations for the purchase of FST Resource Shares is
generally $10 million, alone or in combination with other
assets under the management of GSAM and its affiliates. There is
no minimum imposed upon additional investments. A Service
Organization may, however, impose a different minimum amount for
initial and additional investments in FST Resource Shares, and
may establish other requirements such as a minimum account
balance. A Service Organization may redeem FST Resource Shares
held by non-complying accounts, and may impose a charge for any
special services. Please see Shares of the Trust in
the SAI for additional information about minimum investments.
What
Else Should I Know About Share Purchases?
The Trust reserves the right to:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Refuse to open an account if you
fail to (i) provide a Social Security Number or other
taxpayer identification number; or (ii) certify that such
number is correct (if required to do so under applicable law).
|
|
n
|
Reject or restrict any purchase or
exchange order by a particular purchaser (or group of related
purchasers) for any reason in its discretion.
|
|
n
|
Close a Fund to new investors from
time to time and reopen any such Fund whenever it is deemed
appropriate by a Funds Investment Adviser.
|
|
n
|
Modify or waive the minimum
investment requirements.
|
|
n
|
Modify the manner in which shares
are offered.
|
The Board of Trustees of the Trust has not adopted policies and
procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of
Fund shares in light of the nature and high quality of the
Funds investments. Generally, non-U.S. citizens and
certain U.S. citizens residing outside the United States may not
open an account with the Funds.
The Funds may allow Service Organizations to purchase shares
with securities instead of cash if consistent with a Funds
investment policies and operations and if approved by the
Funds Investment Adviser.
Notwithstanding, the forgoing, the Trust and Goldman Sachs
reserve the right to reject or restrict purchase or exchange
requests from any investor. The Trust and Goldman Sachs will not
be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase or
exchange orders.
Customer Identification Program.
Federal law
requires the Funds to obtain, verify and record identifying
information, which will be reviewed solely for customer
56
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
identification purposes, which may include the name, residential
or business street address, date of birth (for an individual),
Social Security Number or taxpayer identification number or
other information, for each investor who opens an account
directly with the Funds. Applications without the required
information may not be accepted by the Funds. After accepting an
application, to the extent permitted by applicable law or their
customer identification program, the Funds reserve the right to:
(i) place limits on transactions in any account until the
identity of the investor is verified; (ii) refuse an
investment in the Funds; or (iii) involuntarily redeem an
investors shares and close an account in the event that
the Funds are unable to verify an investors identity. The
Funds and their agents will not be responsible for any loss in
an investors account resulting from the investors
delay in providing all required information or from closing an
account and redeeming an investors shares pursuant to the
customer identification program.
How
Are Shares Priced?
The price you pay when you buy FST Resource Shares is a
Funds next determined NAV for a share class
after
the Fund receives your order in proper form. The price you
receive when you sell FST Resource Shares is a Funds next
determined NAV for a share class with the redemption proceeds
reduced by any applicable charges
after
the Fund receives
your order in proper form. The Funds calculate NAV as follows:
|
|
|
NAV =
|
|
(Value of Assets of the Class)
(Liabilities of the Class)
Number
of Outstanding Shares of the Class
|
Please note the following with respect to the price at which
your transactions are processed:
|
|
|
|
n
|
NAV per share of each share class
of the Treasury Instruments, Federal and Tax-Free Money Market
Funds is generally calculated by the accounting agent on each
business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York
Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. New York time) or such other
times as the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ market may
officially close. NAV per share of each share class of the Prime
Obligations, Money Market, Treasury Obligations and Government
Funds is generally calculated by the accounting agent on each
business day as of 5:00 p.m. New York time. Shares may also
be priced periodically throughout the day by the accounting
agent. Fund shares will be priced on any day the New York
Stock Exchange is open, except for days on which the Federal
Reserve Bank is closed for local holidays. Fund shares will
generally not be priced on any day the New York Stock Exchange
is closed, although Fund shares may be priced on days when the
New York Stock Exchange
|
57
|
|
|
|
|
is closed if the Securities Industry and Financial Markets
Association (SIFMA) recommends that the bond markets
remain open for all or part of the day.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
On any business day when the SIFMA
recommends that the bond markets close early, each Fund reserves
the right to close at or prior to the SIFMA recommended closing
time. If a Fund does so, it will cease granting same business
day credit for purchase and redemption orders received after the
Funds closing time and credit will be given on the next
business day.
|
|
n
|
The Trust reserves the right to
advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be
received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by
the SEC.
|
Although most money market securities settle on the same day as
they are traded, investment transactions not settling on the
same day are recorded and factored into a Funds NAV on the
business day following trade date (T+1), consistent with
industry practice. The use of T+1 accounting generally does not,
but may, result in a NAV that differs materially from the NAV
that would result if all transactions were reflected on their
trade dates.
Note: The time at which transactions and shares are priced
and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in
case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock
Exchange and/or the bond markets is stopped at a time other than
their regularly scheduled closing times. In the event the New
York Stock Exchange and/or the bond markets do not open for
business, the Trust may, but is not required to, open one or
more Funds for purchase, redemption and exchange transactions if
the Federal Reserve wire payment system is open. To learn
whether a Fund is open for business during this situation,
please
call 1-800-621-2550.
To help each Fund maintain its $1.00 share price, portfolio
securities are valued at amortized cost in accordance with SEC
regulations. Amortized cost will normally approximate market
value. There can be no assurance that a Fund will be able at all
times to maintain a NAV of $1.00 per share.
In addition, if an event that affects the value of a security
occurs after the publication of market quotations used by a Fund
to price its securities but before the close of trading on the
New York Stock Exchange, the Trust in its discretion and
consistent with applicable regulatory guidance may determine
whether to make an adjustment in light of the nature and
significance of the event.
When
Do Shares Begin Earning Dividends?
If a wire purchase order is received on a business day by the
deadline specified below and payment in federal funds is
received by the Fund by the close of the Federal Reserve wire
transfer system (normally, 6:00 p.m. New York time), then
58
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
dividends will begin to accrue on the same business day that the
wire purchase order is received:
Tax-Free Money
Market Fund:
|
|
n
|
By 2:00 p.m. New
York time
|
Treasury
Instruments and Federal Funds:
|
|
n
|
By 3:00 p.m. New
York time
|
Prime
Obligations, Money Market, Treasury Obligations and Government
Funds:
|
|
n
|
By 5:00 p.m. New
York time
|
If a wire purchase order is received on a business day after the
deadline specified above, you will not earn dividends on the day
the purchase order is received. Also, in the event a wire
purchase order is placed by the deadline specified above but an
anticipated wire payment is
not
received by the Fund by
the close of the Federal wire transfer system that same day,
your purchase will be cancelled and you may be liable for any
resulting losses or fees incurred by the Fund, Goldman Sachs, or
the Funds custodian. For purchase orders accompanied by
check, dividends will normally begin to accrue within two
business days of receipt.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
How
Can I Sell FST Resource Shares Of The Funds?
Generally, FST Resource Shares may be sold (redeemed) only
through Service Organizations. Customers of a Service
Organization will normally give their redemption instructions to
the Service Organization, and the Service Organization will, in
turn, place redemption orders with the Funds.
Generally, each
Fund will redeem its FST Resource Shares upon request on any
business day the Fund is open at the NAV next determined after
receipt of such request in proper form.
Redemption proceeds
may be sent to recordholders by check or by wire (if the wire
instructions are designated on the current record of the
Transfer Agent).
A Service Organization may request redemptions by electronic
trading platform, in writing or by telephone (unless the Service
Organization opts out of the telephone redemption privilege on
the Account Application).
Generally, any redemption request that requires money to go to
an account or address other than that designated in the current
records of the Transfer Agent must be in writing and signed by
an authorized person (a Medallion signature guarantee may be
required). The written request may be confirmed by telephone
with both the requesting party and the designated bank to verify
instructions.
59
Certain Service Organizations are authorized to accept
redemption requests on behalf of the Funds as described under
What Do I Need To Know About Service Organizations?
When
Do I Need A Medallion Signature Guarantee To Redeem
Shares?
A Medallion signature guarantee may be required if:
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n
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You would like the redemption
proceeds sent to an address that is not your address of record;
or
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n
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You would like the redemption
proceeds sent to a bank account that is not designated in the
current records of the Transfer Agent.
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A Medallion signature guarantee must be obtained from a bank,
brokerage firm or other financial intermediary that is a member
of an approved Medallion Guarantee Program or that is otherwise
approved by the Trust. A notary public cannot provide a
Medallion signature guarantee. Additional documentation may be
required.
What
Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?
The Trust, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent will not be
liable for any loss you may incur in the event that the Trust
accepts unauthorized telephone redemption requests that the
Trust reasonably believes to be genuine. In an effort to prevent
unauthorized or fraudulent redemption and exchange requests by
telephone, Goldman Sachs employs reasonable procedures specified
by the Trust to confirm that such instructions are genuine. If
reasonable procedures are not employed, the Trust may be liable
for any loss due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. The
following general policies are currently in effect:
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n
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Telephone requests are recorded.
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n
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Proceeds of telephone redemption
requests will be sent to your address of record or authorized
account designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent
(unless you provide written instructions and a Medallion
signature guarantee, indicating another address or account).
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n
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For the
30-day
period following a change of address, telephone redemptions will
only be filled by a wire transfer to the bank account designated
in the current records of the Transfer Agent (see immediately
preceding bullet point). In order to receive the redemption by
check during this time period, a redemption request must be in
the form of a written letter (a Medallion signature guarantee
may be required).
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n
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The telephone redemption option may
be modified or terminated at any time without prior notice.
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Note: It may be difficult to make telephone redemptions in
times of unusual economic or market conditions.
60
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
When
Will Redemption Proceeds Be Wired?
Redemption proceeds will normally be wired to the domestic bank
account designated on a Service Organizations account
application as follows:
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Redemption
Request Received
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Redemption
Proceeds
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Dividends
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Tax-Free Money Market Fund:
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n
By
1:00 p.m. New York time
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Wired same business day
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Not earned on day request is received
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Checks sent next business day
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Earned on day request is received
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Treasury Instruments and Federal Funds:
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n
By
3:00 p.m. New York time
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Wired same business day
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Not earned on day request is received
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Checks sent next business day
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Earned on day request is received
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Prime Obligations, Money Market, Treasury Obligations and
Government Funds:
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n
By
5:00 p.m. New York time
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Wired same business day
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Not earned on day request is received
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Checks sent next business day
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Earned on day request is received
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n
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Although redemption proceeds will
normally be wired as described above, under certain
circumstances, redemption proceeds may be paid the next business
day following receipt of a properly executed wire transfer
redemption request (or up to three business days later with
respect to the Tax-Free Money Market Fund). Redemption requests
or payments may be postponed or suspended as permitted under
Section 22(e) of the Investment Company Act and the
regulations thereunder. Generally, under that section,
redemption requests or payments may be postponed or suspended if
(i) the New York Stock Exchange is closed for trading or
trading is restricted; (ii) an emergency exists which makes
the disposal of securities owned by a Fund or the fair
determination of the value of a Funds net assets not
reasonably practicable; or (iii) the SEC, by order, permits
the suspension of the right of redemption.
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n
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If you are selling shares you
recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay you when your
check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.
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61
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n
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If the Federal Reserve Bank is
closed on the day the redemption proceeds would ordinarily be
wired, wiring the redemption proceeds may be delayed until the
Federal Reserve Bank reopens.
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n
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To change the bank designated in
the current records of the Transfer Agent, you must send written
instructions signed by an authorized person designated in the
current records of the Transfer Agent.
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n
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Neither the Trust nor Goldman Sachs
assumes any responsibility for the performance of financial
intermediaries or your Service Organization in the transfer
process. If a problem with such performance arises, you should
deal directly with such financial intermediaries or your Service
Organization.
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What
Else Do I Need To Know About Redemptions?
The following generally applies to redemption requests:
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n
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Additional documentation may be
required when deemed appropriate by the Transfer Agent. A
redemption request will not be in proper form until such
additional documentation has been received.
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n
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Service Organizations and other
institutions (including banks, trust companies, brokers and
investment advisers) (Institutions) are responsible
for the timely transmittal of redemption requests by their
customers to the Transfer Agent. In order to facilitate the
timely transmittal of redemption requests, Service Organizations
and Institutions may set times by which they must receive
redemption requests. Service Organizations and Institutions may
also require additional documentation from you.
|
The Trust reserves the right to:
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n
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Redeem your shares in the event a
Service Organizations relationship with Goldman Sachs is
terminated and you do not transfer your account to another
Service Organization with a relationship with Goldman Sachs.
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n
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Subject to applicable law, redeem
your shares in other circumstances determined by the Board of
Trustees to be in the best interest of the Trust.
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n
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Pay redemptions by a distribution
in-kind of securities (instead of cash). If you receive
redemption proceeds in-kind, you should expect to incur
transaction costs upon the disposition of those securities.
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n
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Reinvest any amounts (e.g.,
dividends, distributions or redemption proceeds) which you have
elected to receive by check should your check be returned to a
Fund as undeliverable or remain uncashed for six months. This
provision may not apply to certain retirement or qualified
accounts or to a closed account. No interest will accrue on
amounts represented by uncashed checks.
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n
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Charge an additional fee in the
event a redemption is made via wire transfer.
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None of the Trust, Investment Adviser, nor Goldman Sachs will be
responsible for any loss in an investors account or tax
liability resulting from a redemption.
62
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
Can
I Exchange My Investment From One Goldman Sachs Fund To Another
Goldman Sachs Fund?
A Service Organization may exchange FST Resource Shares of a
Goldman Sachs Fund at NAV for certain shares of another Goldman
Sachs Fund. Redemptions of shares (including by exchange) of
certain Goldman Sachs Funds offered in other prospectuses may,
however, be subject to a redemption fee if shares are held for
30 days or less (60 days or less with respect to certain other
Goldman Sachs Funds). The exchange privilege may be materially
modified or withdrawn at any time upon 60 days written
notice.
You should keep in mind the following factors when making or
considering an exchange:
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n
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You should obtain and carefully
read the prospectus of the Goldman Sachs Fund you are acquiring
before making an exchange.
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n
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Currently the Funds do not impose
any charge for exchanges, although the Funds may impose a charge
in the future.
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n
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All exchanges which represent an
initial investment requirement in a Goldman Sachs Fund must
satisfy the minimal initial investment requirement of that Fund.
This requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Trust.
Exchanges into a Fund need not meet the traditional minimum
investment requirements for that Fund if the entire balance of
the original Goldman Sachs Fund account is exchanged.
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n
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Exchanges are available only in
states where exchanges may be legally made.
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n
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It may be difficult to make
telephone exchanges in times of unusual economic or market
conditions.
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n
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Goldman Sachs may use reasonable
procedures described under What Do I Need to Know About
Telephone Redemption Requests? in an effort to prevent
unauthorized or fraudulent telephone exchange requests.
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n
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Normally, a telephone exchange will
be made only to an identically registered account.
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n
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A Medallion signature guarantee may
be required.
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n
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Exchanges into Goldman Sachs Funds
that are closed to new investors may be restricted.
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n
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Exchanges into a Fund from another
Goldman Sachs Fund may be subject to any redemption fee imposed
by the other Goldman Sachs Fund.
|
For federal income tax purposes, an exchange from one Goldman
Sachs Fund to another is treated as a redemption of the shares
surrendered in the exchange, on which you may be subject to tax,
followed by a purchase of shares received in the exchange. You
should consult your tax adviser concerning the tax consequences
of an exchange.
63
What
Are The Distribution Fees Paid By FST Resource Shares?
The Trust has adopted a distribution plan (the Plan)
under which FST Resource Shares bear distribution fees for the
sale and distribution of its shares. Because these fees are paid
out of the Funds assets on an ongoing basis, over time,
these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may
cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. If the
fees received by Goldman Sachs pursuant to the Plan exceed its
expenses, Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from this
arrangement.
Under the Plan, Goldman Sachs is entitled to a monthly fee from
each Fund for distribution services equal, on an annual basis,
to 0.15% of a Funds average daily net assets attributed to
FST Resource Shares. Due to the current low yield environment,
Goldman Sachs may voluntarily agree to waive a portion of its
distribution fee. These temporary waivers may be modified or
terminated at any time at the option of Goldman Sachs, without
shareholder approval.
The distribution fees are subject to the requirements of
Rule 12b-1
under the Investment Company Act, and may be used (among other
things) for:
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n
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Compensation paid to and expenses
incurred by Service Organizations, Goldman Sachs and their
respective officers, employees and sales representatives;
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n
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Commissions paid to Service
Organizations;
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n
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Allocable overhead;
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n
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Telephone and travel expenses;
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Interest and other costs associated
with the financing of such compensation and expenses;
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Printing of prospectuses for
prospective shareholders;
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n
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Preparation and distribution of
sales literature or advertising of any type; and
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n
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All other expenses incurred in
connection with activities primarily intended to result in the
sale of FST Resource Shares.
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What
Types Of Reports Will Be Sent Regarding Investments In FST
Resource Shares?
Service Organizations will receive from the Funds annual
shareholder reports containing audited financial statements and
semi-annual shareholder reports. Service Organizations will also
be provided with a monthly account statement. Service
Organizations are responsible for providing these or other
reports to their customers who are the beneficial owners of FST
Resource Shares in accordance with the rules that apply to their
accounts with the Service Organizations. In addition, Service
Organizations and other financial intermediaries will be
responsible for providing any communication from a Fund to
shareholders, including but not limited to prospectuses,
prospectus supplements, proxy materials and notices regarding
the sources of dividend payments under Section 19 of the
Investment Company Act.
64
Taxation
As with any investment, you should consider how your investment
in the Funds will be taxed. The tax information below is
provided as general information. More tax information is
available in the SAI. You should consult your tax adviser about
the federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences of your
investment in the Funds. Except as otherwise noted, the tax
information provided assumes that you are a U.S. citizen or
resident.
Unless your investment is through an IRA or other tax-advantaged
account, you should consider the possible tax consequences of
Fund distributions.
Taxes on Distributions:
Each Fund
contemplates declaring as dividends each year all or
substantially all of its net investment income. Fund
distributions of investment income are generally taxable as
ordinary income for federal tax purposes, and may also be
subject to state or local taxes. This is true whether you
reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive
them in cash. Distributions of short-term capital gains are
taxable to you as ordinary income. Any long-term capital gain
distributions are taxable as long-term capital gains, no matter
how long you have owned your Fund shares.
It is anticipated that substantially all of the distributions by
the Funds, other than the Tax-Free Money Market Fund, will be
taxable as ordinary income. You should note that these
distributions will not qualify for the reduced tax rate
currently applicable to certain qualified dividends because the
Funds investment income will consist generally of interest
income rather than corporate dividends.
Although distributions are generally treated as taxable to you
in the year they are paid, distributions declared in December
but paid in January will be taxable as if they were paid in
December. The Funds will inform shareholders of the character
and tax status of all distributions promptly after the close of
each calendar year.
Distributions from the Tax-Free Money Market Fund that are
designated as exempt interest dividends are
generally not subject to federal income tax. However, you should
note that, while the Fund intends to avoid such investments, a
portion of the exempt-interest dividends paid by the Tax-Free
Money Market Fund may be attributable to investments in
securities, the interest on which will be a preference item when
determining your federal AMT liability. Exempt-interest
dividends are also taken into account in determining the taxable
portion of social security or railroad retirement benefits. Any
interest on indebtedness incurred by you to purchase or carry
shares in the Tax-Free Money Market Fund generally will not be
deductible for federal income tax purposes.
65
To the extent that Fund distributions are attributable to
interest on certain federal obligations or interest on
obligations of your state of residence or its municipalities or
authorities, they will in most cases be exempt from state and
local income taxes.
Other Information:
When you open your
account, you should provide your social security or tax
identification number on your Account Application. By law, each
Fund must withhold 28% (currently scheduled to increase to 31%
after 2010) of your taxable distributions and any redemption
proceeds if you do not provide your correct taxpayer
identification number, or certify that it is correct, or if the
Internal Revenue Service instructs the Fund to do so.
Non-U.S.
investors are generally subject to U.S. withholding tax and may
be subject to U.S. estate tax. But, withholding is generally not
required on properly designated distributions to
non-U.S. investors of long-term capital gains.
Distributions before September 1, 2010, of qualified
interest income and short-term capital gains by the Treasury
Obligations Fund, Treasury Instruments Fund, Government Fund,
Federal Fund and the Tax-Free Money Market Fund paid to
non-U.S.
investors are not expected to be subject to withholding.
Distributions of interest and short-term capital gains by the
Prime Obligations Fund and the Money Market Fund paid to
non-U.S.
investors will be generally subject to withholding. More
information about U.S. taxation and
non-U.S.
investors is included in the SAI.
66
Appendix A
Additional Information on the
Funds
This section provides further information on certain types of
securities and investment techniques that may be used by the
Funds, including their associated risks. Additional information
is provided in the SAI, which is available upon request. Among
other things, the SAI describes certain fundamental policies and
investment restrictions that cannot be changed without
shareholder approval. You should note, however, that all
investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental
are non-fundamental and may be changed without shareholder
approval. If there is a change in a Funds investment
objective, you should consider whether that Fund remains an
appropriate investment in light of your then current financial
position and needs. A Fund may purchase other types of
securities or instruments similar to those described in this
section if otherwise consistent with the Funds investment
objective and policies.
U.S. Treasury Obligations and U.S. Government
Securities.
Certain Funds may invest in U.S.
Treasury Obligations, which include, among other things, the
separately traded principal and interest components of
securities guaranteed or issued by the U.S. Treasury if
such components are traded independently under the Separate
Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities
program (STRIPS). U.S. Treasury Obligations may
also include Treasury inflation-protected securities whose
principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate
of inflation.
Certain Funds may invest in U.S. Government Securities. Unlike
U.S. Treasury Obligations, U.S. Government Securities
can be supported by either (i) the full faith and credit of
the U.S. Treasury (such as the Government National Mortgage
Association (Ginnie Mae)); (ii) the right of
the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (iii) the
discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase
certain obligations of the issuer; or (iv) only the credit
of the issuer.
U.S. Government Securities are deemed to include
(a) securities for which the payment of principal and
interest is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by
the U.S. government, its agencies, authorities or
instrumentalities; and (b) participations in loans made to
foreign governments or their agencies that are so guaranteed.
Certain of these participations may be regarded as illiquid.
U.S. Government Securities also include zero coupon bonds.
67
Some Funds invest in U.S. Treasury Obligations and certain U.S.
Government Securities the interest from which is generally
exempt from state income taxation. Securities generally eligible
for this exemption include those issued by the U.S. Treasury and
certain agencies, authorities or instrumentalities of the U.S.
government, including the Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Farm
Credit Banks and Tennessee Valley Authority.
U.S. Government Securities have historically involved little
risk of loss of principal if held to maturity. However, no
assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide
financial support to U.S. government agencies, authorities,
instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not
obligated to do so by law.
Bank Obligations.
Certain Funds may invest in
bank obligations, which include certificates of deposit,
commercial paper, unsecured bank promissory notes, bankers
acceptances, time deposits and other debt obligations. Certain
Funds may invest in obligations issued or backed by U.S. banks
when a bank has more than $1 billion in total assets at the
time of purchase or is a branch or subsidiary of such a bank. In
addition, the Money Market Fund may invest in U.S.
dollar-denominated obligations issued or guaranteed by foreign
banks that have more than $1 billion in total assets at the
time of purchase, U.S. branches of such foreign banks (Yankee
obligations), foreign branches of such foreign banks and foreign
branches of U.S. banks having more than $1 billion in total
assets at the time of purchase. Bank obligations may be general
obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing
branch by the terms of the specific obligation or by government
regulation.
If a Fund invests more than 25% of its total assets in bank
obligations (whether foreign or domestic), it may be especially
affected by favorable and adverse developments in or related to
the banking industry. The activities of U.S. and most foreign
banks are subject to comprehensive regulations which, in the
case of U.S. regulations, have undergone substantial changes in
the past decade. The enactment of new legislation or
regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and
enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operations
and profitability of domestic and foreign banks. Significant
developments in the U.S. banking industry have included
increased competition from other types of financial
institutions, increased acquisition activity and geographic
expansion. Banks may be particularly susceptible to certain
economic factors, such as interest rate changes and adverse
developments in the real estate markets. Fiscal and monetary
policy and general economic cycles can affect the availability
and cost of funds, loan demand and asset quality and thereby
impact the earnings and financial conditions of banks.
Commercial Paper.
Certain Funds may invest in
commercial paper, including variable amount master demand notes
and asset-backed commercial paper. Commercial paper normally
represents short-term unsecured promissory notes issued in
68
APPENDIX A
bearer form by banks or bank holding companies, corporations,
finance companies and other issuers. The commercial paper that
may be purchased by a Fund consists of direct U.S.
dollar-denominated
obligations of domestic or, in the case of the Money Market
Fund, foreign issuers. Asset-backed commercial paper is issued
by a special purpose entity that is organized to issue the
commercial paper and to purchase trade receivables or other
financial assets. The credit quality of asset-backed commercial
paper depends primarily on the quality of these assets and the
level of any additional credit support.
Short-Term Obligations of Corporations or Other
Entities.
Certain Funds may invest in other
short-term obligations, including master demand notes and
short-term funding agreements payable in U.S. dollars and issued
or guaranteed by U.S. corporations, foreign corporations or
other entities. A master demand note permits the investment of
varying amounts by a Fund under an agreement between the Fund
and an issuer. The principal amount of a master demand note may
be increased from time to time by the parties (subject to
specified maximums) or decreased by the Fund or the issuer. A
funding agreement is a contract between an issuer and a
purchaser that obligates the issuer to pay a guaranteed rate of
interest on a principal sum deposited by the purchaser. Funding
agreements will also guarantee a stream of payments over time. A
funding agreement has a fixed maturity date and may have either
a fixed rate or variable interest rate that is based on an index
and guaranteed for a set time period. Because there is normally
no secondary market for these investments, funding agreements
purchased by a Fund may be regarded as illiquid.
Repurchase Agreements.
Certain Funds may
enter into repurchase agreements with securities dealers and
banks. Repurchase agreements are similar to collateralized
loans, but are structured as a purchase of securities by a Fund,
subject to the sellers agreement to repurchase the
securities at a mutually agreed upon date and price. The
difference between the original purchase price and the
repurchase price is normally based on prevailing short-term
interest rates. Under a repurchase agreement, the seller is
required to furnish collateral at least equal in value or market
price to the amount of the sellers repurchase obligation.
If the seller under a repurchase agreement defaults, a Fund
could suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the
sale of the underlying securities and other collateral held by
the Fund are less than the repurchase price and the Funds
cost associated with delay and enforcement of the repurchase
agreement. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency
proceedings concerning the seller, a Fund could suffer
additional losses if the collateral held by the Fund is subject
to a court stay that prevents the Fund from promptly
selling the collateral. If this occurs, the Fund will bear the
risk that the value of the collateral will decline below the
69
repurchase price. Furthermore, a Fund could experience a loss if
a court determines that the Funds interest in the
collateral is not enforceable.
In evaluating whether to enter into a repurchase agreement, the
Investment Adviser will carefully consider the creditworthiness
of the seller. Distributions of the income from repurchase
agreements will be taxable to a Funds shareholders. In
addition, certain Funds, together with other registered
investment companies having advisory agreements with the
Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates, may transfer
uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily
aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more
repurchase agreements.
Asset-Backed and Receivables-Backed
Securities.
Certain Funds may invest in
asset-backed and receivables-backed securities whose principal
and interest payments are collateralized by pools of assets such
as auto loans, credit card receivables, leases, mortgages,
installment contracts and personal property. Asset-backed
securities may also include home equity line of credit loans and
other second-lien mortgages. Asset-backed and receivables-backed
securities are often subject to more rapid repayment than their
stated maturity date would indicate as a result of the
pass-through of prepayments of principal on the underlying
loans. During periods of declining interest rates, prepayment of
loans underlying asset-backed and receivables-backed securities
can be expected to accelerate. Accordingly, a Funds
ability to maintain positions in such securities will be
affected by reductions in the principal amount of such
securities resulting from prepayments, and its ability to
reinvest the returns of principal at comparable yields is
subject to generally prevailing interest rates at that time. In
addition, securities that are backed by credit card, automobile
and similar types of receivables generally do not have the
benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable
in quality to mortgage assets. Some asset-backed securities have
only a subordinated claim or security interest in collateral. If
the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its payment
obligation, there is the possibility that, in some cases, a Fund
will be unable to possess and sell the underlying collateral and
that a Funds recoveries on repossessed collateral may not
be available to support payments on the securities. In the event
of a default, a Fund may suffer a loss if it cannot sell
collateral quickly and receive the amount it is owed. There is
no guarantee that private guarantors, or insurers of an
asset-backed security, if any, will meet their obligations. The
value of some asset-backed securities may be particularly
sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates. Asset-backed
securities may also be subject to increased volatility and may
become illiquid and more difficult to value even when there is
no default or threat of default due to market conditions
impacting asset-backed securities more generally. Certain
mortgage-backed securities (especially those backed by sub-prime
and second-lien loans) have declined in value in light of recent
market and economic developments, and such developments have led
to reduced demand and
70
APPENDIX A
limited liquidity for certain mortgage-related securities.
Unexpected increases in default rates with regard to the
underlying mortgages and increased price volatility, in addition
to liquidity constraints, may make these securities more
difficult to value or dispose of than may have been the case
previously. These events may have an adverse effect on the Funds
to the extent they invest in mortgage-backed or other fixed
income securities or instruments affected by the volatility in
the fixed income markets.
Foreign Government Obligations and Related Foreign
Risks.
The Money Market Fund may invest in foreign
government obligations. Foreign government obligations that the
Fund invests in are U.S. dollar-denominated obligations (limited
to commercial paper and other notes) issued or guaranteed by a
foreign government or other entity located or organized in a
foreign country that maintains a short-term foreign currency
rating in the highest short-term ratings category by the
requisite number of NRSROs.
Investments by the Fund in foreign securities, whether issued by
a foreign government, bank, corporation or other issuer, may
present a greater degree of risk than investments in securities
of domestic issuers because of less publicly-available financial
and other information, less securities regulation, potential
imposition of foreign withholding and other taxes, war,
expropriation or other adverse governmental actions. Foreign
banks and their foreign branches are not regulated by U.S.
banking authorities, and generally are not bound by the
accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards
applicable to U.S. banks. The legal remedies for investors may
be more limited than the remedies available in the United
States. In addition, changes in the exchange rate of a foreign
currency relative to the U.S. dollar (e.g., weakening of the
currency against the U.S. dollar) may adversely affect the
ability of a foreign issuer to pay interest and repay principal
on an obligation.
Municipal Obligations.
Certain Funds may
invest in municipal obligations. Municipal obligations are
issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of
the United States and their political subdivisions, agencies,
authorities and instrumentalities, and the District of Columbia.
Municipal obligations in which a Fund may invest include fixed
rate notes and similar debt instruments; variable and floating
rate demand instruments; tax-exempt commercial paper; municipal
bonds; and unrated notes, paper, bonds or other instruments.
Municipal Notes and Bonds.
Municipal notes
include tax anticipation notes (TANs), revenue
anticipation notes (RANs), bond anticipation notes
(BANs), tax and revenue anticipation notes
(TRANs) and construction loan notes. Municipal bonds
include general obligation bonds and revenue bonds. General
obligation bonds are backed by the taxing power of the issuing
municipality and are considered the safest type of municipal
obligation. Revenue bonds are backed by the revenues
71
of a project or facility such as the tolls from a
government-owned toll bridge. Revenue bonds also include lease
rental revenue bonds which are issued by a state or local
authority for capital projects and are secured by annual lease
payments from the state or locality sufficient to cover debt
service on the authoritys obligations. Industrial
development bonds (private activity bonds) are a
specific type of revenue bond backed by the credit and security
of a private user and, therefore, have more potential risk.
Municipal bonds may be issued in a variety of forms, including
commercial paper, tender option bonds and variable and floating
rate securities.
Tender Option Bonds.
A tender option bond is
a municipal obligation (generally held pursuant to a custodial
arrangement) having a relatively long maturity and bearing
interest at a fixed rate higher than prevailing short-term,
tax-exempt rates. The bond is typically issued in conjunction
with the agreement of a third party, such as a bank,
broker-dealer or other financial institution, pursuant to which
the institution grants the security holder the option, at
periodic intervals, to tender its securities to the institution.
As consideration for providing the option, the financial
institution receives periodic fees equal to the difference
between the bonds fixed coupon rate and the rate, as
determined by a remarketing or similar agent, that would cause
the securities, coupled with the tender option, to trade at par
on the date of such determination. Thus, after payment of this
fee, the security holder effectively holds a demand obligation
that bears interest at the prevailing short-term, tax-exempt
rate. An institution will normally not be obligated to accept
tendered bonds in the event of certain defaults or a significant
downgrading in the credit rating assigned to the issuer of the
bond. The tender option will be taken into account in
determining the maturity of the tender option bonds and a
Funds average portfolio maturity and average portfolio
life. There is a risk that a Fund will not be considered the
owner of a tender option bond for federal income tax purposes,
and thus will not be entitled to treat such interest as exempt
from federal income tax. Certain tender option bonds may be
illiquid or may become illiquid as a result of a credit rating
downgrade, a payment default or a disqualification from
tax-exempt status.
Revenue Anticipation Warrants.
Revenue
Anticipation Warrants (RAWs) are issued in
anticipation of the issuers receipt of revenues and
present the risk that such revenues will be insufficient to
satisfy the issuers payment obligations. The entire amount
of principal and interest on RAWs is due at maturity. RAWs,
including those with a maturity of more than 397 days, may
also be repackaged as instruments which include a demand feature
that permits the holder to sell the RAWs to a bank or other
financial institution at a purchase price equal to par plus
accrued interest on each interest rate reset date.
72
APPENDIX A
Industrial Development Bonds.
Certain Funds
may invest in industrial development bonds (private activity
bonds). Industrial development bonds are a specific type of
revenue bond backed by the credit and security of a private
user, the interest from which would be an item of tax preference
when distributed by a Fund as exempt-interest
dividends to shareholders under the AMT.
Other Municipal Obligation Policies.
Certain
Funds may invest 25% or more of the value of their respective
total assets in municipal obligations which are related in such
a way that an economic, business or political development or
change affecting one municipal obligation would also affect the
other municipal obligation. For example, a Fund may invest all
of its assets in (a) municipal obligations the interest of
which is paid solely from revenues from similar projects such as
hospitals, electric utility systems, multi-family housing,
nursing homes, commercial facilities (including hotels), steel
companies or life care facilities; (b) municipal obligations
whose issuers are in the same state; or (c) industrial
development obligations (except where the non-governmental
entities supplying the revenues from which such bonds or
obligations are to be paid are in the same industry). A
Funds investments in these municipal obligations will
subject the Fund, to a greater extent, to the risks of adverse
economic, business or political developments affecting the
particular state, industry or other area of investment.
Municipal obligations may also include municipal leases,
certificates of participation and moral obligation
bonds. A municipal lease is an obligation issued by a state or
local government to acquire equipment or facilities.
Certificates of participation represent interests in municipal
leases or other instruments, such as installment contracts.
Moral obligation bonds are supported by the moral commitment but
not the legal obligation of a state or municipality. Municipal
leases, certificates of participation and moral obligation bonds
present the risk that the state or municipality involved will
not appropriate the monies to meet scheduled payments under
these instruments.
Municipal obligations may be backed by letters of credit or
other forms of credit enhancement issued by domestic banks or
foreign banks which have a branch, agency or subsidiary in the
United States or by other financial institutions such as
insurance companies which may issue insurance policies with
respect to municipal obligations. The credit quality of these
banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions
could, therefore, cause a loss to a Fund that invests in
municipal obligations. The insurance companies exposure to
securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause insurer
rating downgrade or insolvency, which may affect the prices and
liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurance
company. Letters of credit and other obligations of foreign
banks and financial institutions may involve risks in addition
to those of domestic obligations because
73
of less publicly available financial and other information, less
securities regulation, potential imposition of foreign
withholding and other taxes, war, expropriation or other adverse
governmental actions. Foreign banks and their foreign branches
are not regulated by U.S. banking authorities and generally are
not bound by the accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards applicable to U.S. banks.
In order to enhance the liquidity, stability or quality of a
municipal obligation, a Fund may acquire the right to sell the
obligation to another party at a guaranteed price and date.
In purchasing municipal obligations, a Fund intends to rely on
opinions of bond counsel or counsel to the issuers for each
issue as to the excludability of interest on such obligations
from gross income for federal income tax purposes. A Fund will
not undertake independent investigations concerning the
tax-exempt status of such obligations, nor does it guarantee or
represent that bond counsels opinions are correct. Bond
counsels opinions will generally be based in part upon
covenants by the issuers and related parties regarding
continuing compliance with federal tax requirements. Tax laws
contain numerous and complex requirements that must be satisfied
on a continuing basis in order for bonds to be and remain
tax-exempt. If the issuer of a bond or a user of a bond-financed
facility fails to comply with such requirements at any time,
interest on the bond could become taxable, retroactive to the
date the obligation was issued. In that event, a portion of a
Funds distributions attributable to interest the Fund
received on such bond for the current year and for prior years
could be characterized or recharacterized as taxable income.
Custodial Receipts.
Certain Funds may invest
in custodial receipts (including tender option bonds, see above
for more information) representing interests in U.S. Government
Securities, municipal obligations or other debt instruments held
by a custodian or trustee. Custodial receipts evidence ownership
of future interest payments, principal payments or both on notes
or bonds issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the
U.S. government, its agencies, instrumentalities, political
subdivisions or authorities, or by a state or local governmental
body or authority, or by other types of issuers. For certain
securities law purposes, custodial receipts are not considered
obligations of the underlying issuers. In addition, if for tax
purposes a Fund is not considered to be the owner of the
underlying securities held in the custodial account, the Fund
may suffer adverse tax consequences. As a holder of custodial
receipts, a Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees
and expenses charged to the custodial account.
Other Investment Companies.
Certain Funds may
invest in securities of other investment companies, subject to
statutory limitations prescribed by the Investment Company Act.
These limitations include in certain circumstances a prohibition
on the Fund acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any
other investment
74
APPENDIX A
company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of a
Funds total assets in securities of any one investment
company or more than 10% of its total assets in securities of
all investment companies.
Pursuant to an exemptive order obtained from the SEC or under an
exemptive rule adopted by the SEC, a Fund may invest in other
investment companies and money market funds beyond the statutory
limits described above. Some of those investment companies and
money market funds may be funds for which the Investment Adviser
or any of its affiliates serves as investment adviser,
administrator or distributor.
A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any
management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment
companies, in addition to the fees and expenses regularly borne
by the Fund. Although the Funds do not expect to do so in the
foreseeable future, each Fund is authorized to invest
substantially all of its assets in a single open-end investment
company or series thereof that has substantially the same
investment objective, policies and fundamental restrictions as
the Fund.
Floating and Variable Rate Obligations.
The
Funds may purchase various floating and variable rate
obligations, including tender option bonds. The value of these
obligations is generally more stable than that of a fixed rate
obligation in response to changes in interest rate levels.
Subject to the conditions for using amortized cost valuation
under the Investment Company Act, a Fund may consider the
maturity of a variable or floating rate obligation to be shorter
than its ultimate stated maturity if the obligation is a U.S.
Treasury Obligation or U.S. Government Security, if the
obligation has a remaining maturity of 397 calendar days or
less, or if the obligation has a demand feature that permits the
Fund to receive payment at any time or at specified intervals
not exceeding 397 calendar days. The issuers or financial
intermediaries providing demand features may support their
ability to purchase the obligations by obtaining credit with
liquidity supports. These may include lines of credit, which are
conditional commitments to lend, and letters of credit, which
will ordinarily be irrevocable, both of which may be issued by
domestic banks or foreign banks. A Fund may purchase variable or
floating rate obligations from the issuers or may purchase
certificates of participation, a type of floating or variable
rate obligation, which are interests in a pool of debt
obligations held by a bank or other financial institution.
When-Issued Securities and Forward
Commitments.
Each Fund may purchase when-issued
securities and make contracts to purchase or sell securities for
a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time.
When-issued securities are securities that have been authorized,
but not yet issued. When-issued securities are purchased in
order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price
or yield to a Fund at the time of entering into the transaction.
A forward commitment
75
involves entering into a contract to purchase or sell securities
for a fixed price at a future date beyond the customary
settlement period.
The purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward
commitment basis involves a risk of loss if the value of the
security to be purchased declines before the settlement date.
Conversely, the sale of securities on a forward commitment basis
involves the risk that the value of the securities sold may
increase before the settlement date. Although a Fund will
generally purchase securities on a when-issued or forward
commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities
for its portfolio, a Fund may dispose of when-issued securities
or forward commitments prior to settlement if the Investment
Adviser deems it appropriate. When purchasing a security on a
when-issued basis or entering into a forward commitment, a Fund
must set-aside liquid assets, or engage in other
appropriate measures to cover its obligations.
Illiquid Securities.
Each Fund may invest up
to 5% of its total assets (measured at the time of purchase) in
illiquid securities (i.e., securities that cannot be sold or
disposed of in seven days in the ordinary course of business at
approximately the value ascribed to it by the Fund). Illiquid
securities include:
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n
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Both domestic and foreign
securities that are not readily marketable
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n
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Certain municipal leases and
participation interests
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n
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Certain stripped mortgage-backed
securities
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n
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Repurchase agreements and time
deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days
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n
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Certain restricted securities,
unless it is determined, based upon a review of the trading
markets for a specific restricted security, that such restricted
security is liquid because it is so-called 4(2) commercial
paper or is otherwise eligible for resale pursuant to
Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
|
Investing in restricted securities may decrease the liquidity of
a Funds portfolio. Securities purchased by a Fund that are
liquid at the time of purchase may subsequently become illiquid
due to events relating to the issuer of the securities, market
events, economic conditions or investor perception.
Borrowings.
Each Fund may borrow up to
33
1
/
3
%
of its total assets from banks for temporary or emergency
purposes. A Fund may not make additional investments if
borrowings exceed 5% of its net assets. For more information,
see the SAI.
Downgraded Securities.
After its purchase, a
portfolio security may be assigned a lower rating or cease to be
rated. If this occurs, a Fund may continue to hold the security
if the Investment Adviser believes it is in the best interest of
the Fund and its shareholders.
76
APPENDIX A
Risks of Large Shareholder
Redemptions.
Certain funds, accounts, individuals
or Goldman Sachs affiliates may from time to time own
(beneficially or of record) or control a significant percentage
of a Funds shares. Redemptions by these funds, accounts or
individuals of their holdings in a Fund may impact the
Funds liquidity and NAV. These redemptions may also force
a Fund to sell securities, which may negatively impact the
Funds brokerage and tax costs.
77
Appendix B
Financial Highlights
Because FST Resource Shares have not commenced operations as of
the date of this Prospectus, financial highlights are not
available.
78
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Financial
Square Funds
Prospectus
(FST Resource Shares)
FOR
MORE INFORMATION
Annual/Semi-annual
Report
Additional information about the Funds investments is
available in the Funds annual and semi-annual reports to
shareholders. In the Funds annual reports, you will find a
discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies
that significantly affected the Funds performance during
the last fiscal year.
Statement
of Additional Information
Additional information about the Funds and their policies is
also available in the Funds SAI. The SAI is incorporated
by reference into this Prospectus (is legally considered part of
this Prospectus).
The Funds annual and semi-annual reports, and the SAI, are
available free upon request by calling Goldman Sachs at
1-800-621-2550.
You can also access and download the annual and semi-annual
reports and the SAI at the Funds website:
http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com.
From time to time, certain announcements and other information
regarding the Funds may be found at
http://www.gs.com/gsam/redirect/announcements/individuals
for individual investors,
http://www.gs.com/gsam/redirect/announcements/institutions
for institutional investors or
http://www.gs.com/gsam/redirect/announcements/advisors
for advisors.
To obtain other information and for shareholder inquiries:
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n
By
telephone:
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1-800-621-2550
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By
mail:
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Goldman Sachs Funds
P.O. Box 06050
Chicago, IL 60606-6306
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n
On
the Internet:
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SEC EDGAR database http://www.sec.gov
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You may review and obtain copies of Fund documents (including
the SAI) by visiting the SECs public reference room in
Washington, D.C. You may also obtain copies of Fund documents,
after paying a duplicating fee, by writing to the SECs
Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C.
20549-1520
or by electronic request to: publicinfo@sec.gov. Information on
the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by
calling the SEC at
(202) 551-8090.
The Funds investment company
registration number is 811-05349.
Goldman Sachs Financial Square
Funds
sm
is a service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
GSAM
®
is a registered service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
PART B
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DATED MAY 14, 2010
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FST CASH
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FST SERVICE
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MANAGEMENT
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FST CLASS B
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FST CLASS C
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FST PREMIER
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FST RESOURCE
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FUND
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SHARES
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SHARES
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SHARES
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SHARES
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SHARES
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SHARES
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GOLDMAN SACHS
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FVSXX
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GFCXX
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N/A
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N/A
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GFPXX
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GFRXX
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FINANCIAL SQUARE
FEDERAL FUND
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GOLDMAN SACHS
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FSVXX
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GSCXX
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N/A
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N/A
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GPRXX
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GREXX
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FINANCIAL SQUARE
MONEY MARKET FUND
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GOLDMAN SACHS
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FBSXX
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GFOXX
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GOBXX
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GPCXX
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GOPXX
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GBRXX
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FINANCIAL SQUARE
PRIME OBLIGATIONS
FUND
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GOLDMAN SACHS
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FOSXX
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GVCXX
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N/A
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N/A
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GGPXX
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GVRXX
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FINANCIAL SQUARE
GOVERNMENT FUND
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GOLDMAN SACHS
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FESXX
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GXCXX
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N/A
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N/A
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GXPXX
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GXRXX
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FINANCIAL SQUARE
TAX-FREE MONEY
MARKET FUND
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GOLDMAN SACHS
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FYSXX
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GICXX
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N/A
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N/A
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GIPXX
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GIRXX
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FINANCIAL SQUARE
TREASURY
INSTRUMENTS FUND
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GOLDMAN SACHS
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FYAXX
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GTOXX
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N/A
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N/A
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GTPXX
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GTRXX
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FINANCIAL SQUARE
TREASURY
OBLIGATIONS FUND
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Money Market Funds of the Goldman Sachs Trust
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
This Statement of Additional Information (the SAI) is not a prospectus. This SAI describes
each of the above-referenced series of Goldman Sachs Trust. This SAI should be read in conjunction
with the Prospectuses for the appropriate share classes of the Goldman Sachs Financial Square
Federal Fund, Goldman Sachs Financial Square Money Market Fund, Goldman Sachs Financial Square
Prime Obligations Fund, Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund, Goldman Sachs Financial
Square Tax-Free Money Market Fund, Goldman Sachs Financial Square Treasury Instruments Fund, and
the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Treasury Obligations Fund (individually, a Fund, and
collectively the Funds or the Series) dated May 14, 2010 (the Prospectuses), as they may be
amended and/or supplemented from time to time. The Prospectuses may be obtained without charge from
Goldman, Sachs & Co. by calling the telephone number or writing to one of the addresses listed
below, or from institutions (Service Organizations) acting on behalf of their customers. As of
November 2, 2009, Class B Shares are generally no longer available for purchase by new or existing
shareholders.
The audited financial statements and related report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent
registered public accounting firm for each Series, contained in each Series 2009 Annual Report are
incorporated herein by reference in the section FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. No other portions of each
Series Annual Report are incorporated herein by reference. The
financial statements for each Series contained in each Series
Semi-Annual Report (unaudited) for the fiscal period ended February
28, 2010 are also incorporated herein by reference in the section
titled FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. A Series Annual and
Semi-Annual Reports may be
obtained upon request and without charge by calling Goldman, Sachs & Co., toll free at
800-621-2550.
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Fund
SM
is a service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
GSAM
®
is a registered service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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INTRODUCTION
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B-1
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
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B-1
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INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
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B-31
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TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
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B-34
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MANAGEMENT SERVICES
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B-44
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POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
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B-50
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PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
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B-61
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NET ASSET VALUE
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B-62
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REDEMPTIONS
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B-64
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SHARES OF THE TRUST
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B-65
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TAXATION
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B-68
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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B-70
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PROXY VOTING
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B-70
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PAYMENTS TO INTERMEDIARIES
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B-71
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OTHER INFORMATION
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B-72
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SERVICE PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER ADMINISTRATION PLAN
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B-75
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SERVICE PLAN AND ADMINISTRATION PLAN
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B-76
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DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS
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B-77
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APPENDIX A: DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS
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1-A
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APPENDIX B:
GSAM PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
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1-B
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The
date of this SAI is
May 14, 2010.
GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
Investment Adviser
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
Distributor
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
Transfer Agent
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Toll free (in U.S.) 800-621-2550
INTRODUCTION
Goldman Sachs Trust (the Trust) is an open-end, management investment company. The Trust is
organized as a Delaware statutory trust and was established by a Declaration of Trust dated January
28, 1997. The Trust is a successor to a Massachusetts business trust that was combined with the
Trust on April 30, 1997. The following series of the Trust are described in this SAI: Goldman Sachs
Financial Square Federal Fund (Federal Fund), Goldman Sachs Financial Square Money Market Fund
(Money Market Fund), Goldman Sachs Financial Square Prime Obligations Fund (Prime Obligations
Fund), Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (Government Fund), Goldman Sachs Financial
Square Tax-Free Money Market Fund (Tax-Free Fund), Goldman Sachs Financial Square Treasury
Instruments Fund (Treasury Instruments Fund) and Goldman Sachs Financial Square Treasury
Obligations Fund (Treasury Obligations Fund).
The Trustees of the Trust have authority under the Declaration of Trust to create and classify
shares into separate series and to classify and reclassify any series or portfolio of shares into
one or more classes without further action by shareholders. Pursuant thereto, the Trustees have
created the Series and other series. Additional series may be added in the future from time to
time. The Federal Fund, Money Market Fund, Government Fund, Tax-Free Fund, Treasury Instruments
Fund and Treasury Obligations Fund currently offer nine classes of shares: FST Institutional Shares
(FST Shares), FST Service Shares, FST Administration Shares, FST Preferred Shares, FST Select
Shares, FST Capital Shares, FST Cash Management Shares, FST Premier Shares and FST Resource Shares.
The Prime Obligations Fund currently offers eleven classes of shares: FST Shares, FST Service
Shares, FST Administration Shares, FST Preferred Shares, FST Select Shares, FST Capital Shares, FST
Cash Management Shares, FST Premier Shares, FST Resource Shares, FST Class B Shares (subject to the
limitations described herein) and FST Class C Shares. See SHARES OF THE TRUST.
The Prime Obligations Funds FST Class B Shares may no longer be purchased by new shareholders,
except as discussed below. However, shareholders invested in Class B Shares of other Goldman Sachs
Funds may exchange these Shares for FST Class B Shares of the Prime Obligations Fund.
In addition, ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio Class B shareholders may exchange their Class B Shares for FST Class B Shares of the Prime Obligations Fund.
Thereafter,
shareholders invested in FST Class B Shares of the Prime Obligations Fund may continue to hold their
FST Class B Shares until they convert automatically to Service Shares, as described in the Prime
Obligations Funds FST Class B Shares Prospectus. FST Class B shareholders may also continue to reinvest
dividends and capital gains into their accounts. FST Class B shareholders may continue to exchange
their Shares for shares of certain other Goldman Sachs Funds. Otherwise, additional purchase
requests for the Prime Obligations Funds FST Class B Shares will be rejected.
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (GSAM), an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (Goldman
Sachs), serves as the investment adviser to the Series. GSAM is sometimes referred to herein as
the Investment Adviser. In addition, Goldman Sachs serves as each Series distributor and
transfer agent. State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street) serves as the custodian to
the Series.
The following information relates to and supplements the description of each Series
investment objective and policies contained in the Prospectuses. See the Prospectuses for a more
complete description of each Series investment objective and policies. Investing in the Series
entails certain risks, and there is no assurance that a Series will achieve its objective.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the same meaning as in the Prospectuses.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
Each Series has a distinct investment objective and policies. There can be no assurance that a
Series objective will be achieved. Each Series is a diversified, open-end management investment
company (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Act)). Additional
information about the Series, their policies, and the investment instruments they may hold, is
provided below.
All investment objectives and investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental
may be changed without shareholder approval. However, with respect to the Treasury Instruments
Fund, Government Fund and Federal Fund, to the extent required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) regulations including Rule 35d-1 of the Act and the SECs interpretive positions
thereunder, shareholders will be provided with sixty (60) days notice in the manner prescribed by
the SEC before any change in a Series policy to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80%
of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of purchase)
(Net Assets).
To the extent described in the Prospectuses and further below, the policies of the Tax-Free
Fund and Treasury Obligations Fund to invest at least 80% of their Net Assets in the particular
type of investments suggested by their respective names are fundamental policies that may not be
changed without shareholder approval.
U.S. Government Securities
Each Series (except the Tax-Free Fund, Treasury Obligations Fund and Treasury Instruments
Fund) may invest in government securities, which are obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
government and its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises (U.S. Government
Securities). Some U.S. Government Securities (such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds, which
differ only in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance) are supported by the full
faith and credit of the United States. Others, such as obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S.
government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises, are supported either by (i) the
right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury Department (the Treasury), (ii) the
discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the issuer or
(iii) only the credit of the issuer. The U.S. government is under no legal obligation, in general,
to purchase the obligations of its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. No
assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support to the U.S.
government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises in the future.
U.S. Government Securities are deemed to include (to the extent consistent with the Act):
(i) securities for which the payment of principal and interest is backed by an irrevocable letter
of credit issued by the U.S. government, its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises;
and (ii) participations in loans made to foreign governments or their agencies that are guaranteed
as to principal and interest by the U.S. government or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises. The secondary market for certain of these participations is extremely limited. In the
absence of a suitable secondary market, such participations are regarded as illiquid.
The Treasury Obligations Fund and Treasury Instruments Fund may invest in securities issued or
guaranteed by the Treasury.
Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities (STRIPS)
: Each
Series (except the Tax-Free Fund) may invest in separately traded principal and interest components
of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. The principal and interest components of
selected securities are traded independently under the STRIPS program. Under the STRIPS program,
the principal and interest components are individually numbered and separately issued by the U.S.
Treasury at the request of depository financial institutions, which then trade the component parts
independently.
Additional
Information with respect to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae
. The extreme and unprecedented
volatility and disruption that impacted the capital and credit
markets during late 2008 and into 2009 have led to increased
market concerns about the ability of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and
the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) to withstand future credit losses
associated with securities held in their investment portfolios, and on which they provide
guarantees, without the direct support of the federal government. On September 7, 2008, both
Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were placed under the conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance
Agency (FHFA). Under the plan of conservatorship, the FHFA has assumed control of, and generally
has the power to direct, the operations of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and is empowered to exercise
all powers collectively held by their respective shareholders, directors and officers, including
the power to (1) take over the assets of and operate Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae with all the powers
of the shareholders, the directors, and the officers of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and conduct all
business of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae; (2) collect all obligations and money due to Freddie Mac
and Fannie Mae; (3) perform all functions of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae which are consistent with
the conservators appointment; (4) preserve and conserve the assets and property of Freddie Mac and
Fannie Mae; and (5) contract for assistance in fulfilling any function, activity, action or duty of
the conservator. In addition, in connection with the actions taken by the FHFA, the Treasury has
entered into certain preferred stock purchase agreements with each of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae
which establish the Treasury as the holder of a new class of senior preferred stock in each of
Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, which stock was issued in connection with financial contributions from
the Treasury to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The Treasury has also (i) established a new secured
lending credit facility which will be available to Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and the Federal Home
Loan Banks, which is intended to serve as a liquidity backstop, and which will be available until
December 2012; and (iii) initiated a temporary program to purchase residential mortgage-backed
securities issued by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.
The conditions attached to the financial contribution made by the Treasury to Freddie Mac and
Fannie Mae and the issuance of this senior preferred stock place significant restrictions on the
activities of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae must obtain the consent of
the Treasury to (i) make any payment to purchase or redeem its capital stock or pay any dividend
other than in respect of the senior preferred stock, (ii) issue capital stock of any kind, (iii)
terminate the conservatorship of the FHFA except in connection with a receivership, or (iv)
increase its debt beyond certain specified levels. In addition, significant restrictions are
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placed on the maximum size of each of Freddie Macs and Fannie Maes respective portfolios of
mortgages and mortgage-backed securities portfolios, and the purchase agreements entered into by
Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae provide that the maximum size of their portfolios of these assets must
decrease by a specified percentage each year. The future status and role of Freddie Mac and Fannie
Mae could be impacted by (among other things) the actions taken and restrictions placed on Freddie
Mac and Fannie Mae by the FHFA in is role as conservator, the restrictions placed on Freddie Macs
and Fannie Maes operations and activities as a result of the senior preferred stock investment
made by the Treasury, market responses to developments at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and future
legislative and regulatory action that alters the operations, ownership, structure and/or mission
of these institutions, each of which may, in turn, impact the value of, and cash flows on, any
securities guaranteed by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, which may be among the U.S. Government
Securities held by the Series that are permitted to make such investments.
Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities
Each Series (except the Tax-Free Fund) may invest in U.S. Government Securities known as
Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), which are fixed income securities whose principal
value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation. The interest rate on TIPS is
fixed at issuance, but over the life of the bond this interest may be paid on an increasing or
decreasing principal value that has been adjusted for inflation. Although repayment of the original
bond principal upon maturity is guaranteed, the market value of TIPS is not guaranteed, and will
fluctuate.
The values of TIPS generally fluctuate in response to changes in real interest rates, which
are in turn tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. If
inflation were to rise at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might
decline, leading to an increase in the value of TIPS. In contrast, if nominal interest rates were
to increase at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease
in the value of TIPS. If inflation is lower than expected during the period a Series holds TIPS, a
Series may earn less on the TIPS than on a conventional bond. If interest rates rise due to reasons
other than inflation (for example, due to changes in the currency exchange rates), investors in
TIPS may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the bonds inflation
measure. There can be no assurance that the inflation index for TIPS will accurately measure the
real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services.
Any increase in principal value of TIPS caused by an increase in the consumer price index is
taxable in the year the increase occurs, even though a Series holding TIPS will not receive cash
representing the increase at that time. As a result, a Series could be required at times to
liquidate other investments, including when it is not advantageous to do so, in order to satisfy
its distribution requirements as a regulated investment company.
If a Series invests in TIPS, it will be required to treat as original issue discount any
increase in the principal amount of the securities that occurs during the course of its taxable
year. If a Series purchases such inflation protected securities that are issued in stripped form
either as stripped bonds or coupons, it will be treated as if it had purchased a newly issued debt
instrument having original issue discount.
Because a Series is required to distribute substantially all of its net investment income
(including accrued original issue discount), a Series investment in either zero coupon bonds or
TIPS may require a Series to distribute to shareholders an amount greater than the total cash
income it actually receives. Accordingly, in order to make the required distributions, a Series may
be required to borrow or liquidate securities.
Custodial Receipts
Each Series (other than the Treasury Obligations Fund, Treasury Instruments Fund, Government
Fund, and Federal Fund) may also acquire U.S. Government Securities, municipal obligations or other
debt instruments in the form of custodial receipts that evidence ownership of future interest
payments, principal payments or both on certain U.S. Government Securities, municipal obligations
or other debt instruments. Such securities are held in custody by a bank on behalf of the owners.
These custodial receipts are known by various names, including Treasury Receipts, Treasury
Investors Growth Receipts (TIGRs), and Certificates of Accrual on Treasury Securities
(CATS). Although custodial receipts involving U.S. Government Securities are not considered U.S.
government securities for certain securities law purposes, the securities underlying such receipts
are issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government, its agencies,
authorities or instrumentalities.
B-3
Bank and Corporate Obligations
Each Series (other than the Government Fund, Federal Fund, Treasury Obligations Fund and
Treasury Instruments Fund) may invest in commercial paper, which may include variable rate demand
obligations and asset-backed commercial paper. Commercial paper represents short-term unsecured
promissory notes issued in bearer form by banks or bank holding companies, corporations, and
finance companies. The commercial paper purchased by the Series consists of direct U.S.
dollar-denominated obligations of domestic or, in the case of the Money Market Fund, foreign
issuers. The Tax-Free Fund may invest only in tax-exempt commercial paper. Bank obligations in
which the Prime Obligations Fund and Money Market Fund may invest include certificates of deposit,
unsecured bank promissory notes, bankers acceptances, fixed time deposits and other debt
obligations. Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against funds deposited in
a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a specified return.
Bankers acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange, normally drawn by an importer
or exporter to pay for specific merchandise, which are accepted by a bank, meaning, in effect,
that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity. Fixed
time deposits are bank obligations payable at a stated maturity date and bearing interest at a
fixed rate. Fixed time deposits may be withdrawn on demand by the investor, but may be subject to
early withdrawal penalties which vary depending upon market conditions and the remaining maturity
of the obligation. There are no contractual restrictions on the right to transfer a beneficial
interest in a fixed time deposit to a third party, although there is no market for such deposits.
Bank notes and bankers acceptances rank junior to domestic deposit liabilities of the bank and
pari passu with other senior, unsecured obligations of the bank. Bank notes are not insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other insurer. Deposit notes are generally
insured by the FDIC only to the extent of $100,000 per depositor per bank; however, this limit has
been temporarily increased to $250,000 per depositor per bank through December 31, 2013. Under
current law, FDIC deposit insurance coverage will return to $100,000 per depositor per bank for all
account categories except certain retirement accounts on January 1, 2014.
The Money Market Fund will invest more than 25% of its total assets in bank obligations
(whether foreign or domestic), including bank commercial paper. However, if adverse economic
conditions prevail in the banking industry (such as substantial losses on loans, increases in
non-performing assets and charge-offs and declines in total deposits) the Money Market Fund may,
for defensive purposes, temporarily invest less than 25% of its total assets in bank obligations.
As a result, the Money Market Fund may be especially affected by favorable and adverse developments
in or related to the banking industry. The activities of U.S. banks and most foreign banks are
subject to comprehensive regulations which, in the case of U.S. regulations, have undergone
substantial changes in the past decade. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as
changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operations and
profitability of domestic and foreign banks. Significant developments in the U.S. banking industry
have included increased competition from other types of financial institutions, increased
acquisition activity and geographic expansion. Banks may be particularly susceptible to certain
economic factors, such as interest rate changes and adverse developments in the market for real
estate. Fiscal and monetary policy and general economic cycles can affect the availability and cost
of funds, loan demand and asset quality and thereby impact the earnings and financial conditions of
banks.
The Prime Obligations Fund and Money Market Fund may invest in other short-term obligations,
including short-term funding agreements payable in U.S. dollars and issued or guaranteed by U.S.
corporations, foreign corporations (with respect to the Money Market Fund) or other entities. A
funding agreement is a contract between an issuer and a purchaser that obligates the issuer to pay
a guaranteed rate of interest on a principal sum deposited by the purchaser. Funding agreements
will also guarantee a stream of payments over time. A funding agreement has a fixed maturity date
and may have either a fixed or variable interest rate that is based on an index and guaranteed for
a set time period. Because there is generally no secondary market for these investments, funding
agreements purchased by a Series may be regarded as illiquid.
Repurchase Agreements
Each Series (other than the Treasury Instruments Fund and Tax-Free Fund) may enter into
repurchase agreements with securities dealers and banks which furnish collateral at least equal in
value or market price to the amount of their repurchase obligation. A repurchase agreement is
similar to a collateralized loan, but involves an arrangement under which the purchaser (
i.e.
, the
Series) purchases securities subject to the sellers agreement, at the time of sale, to repurchase
the securities at a specified time and price. The Federal Fund may, but
presently does not intend to, invest in repurchase agreements. Custody of the securities will be maintained by the Series custodian or subcustodian for the
duration of the agreement. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the
difference being income to the Series, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with
interest at a stated rate due to the Series together with the repurchase price on repurchase. In
either case, the income to the Series is unrelated to the interest
rate if any, on the
securities subject to the repurchase agreement.
B-4
For purposes of the Act, and generally, for tax purposes, a repurchase agreement is deemed to
be a loan from the Series to the seller of the security. It is not clear whether for other
purposes a court would consider the securities purchased by the Series subject to a repurchase
agreement as being owned by the Series or as being collateral for a loan by the Series to the
seller.
In the event of commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency
proceedings with respect to the seller of the security before
repurchase of the security under a repurchase agreement, a
Series may encounter delay and incur costs before being able to
sell the security. Such a delay may involve loss of interest or
a decline in price of the security. If the court characterizes
the transaction as a loan and a Series has not perfected a
security interest in the security, a Series may be required to
return the security to the sellers estate and be treated
as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured
creditor, a Series would be at risk of losing some or all of the
principal and interest involved in the transaction.
Apart from the risks associated with bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is also the
risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the security. However, if the market value of the securities subject to the repurchase agreement
becomes less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest), the Series will direct the
seller of the securities to deliver additional securities so that the market value of all
securities subject to the repurchase agreement equals or exceeds the repurchase price.
Each Series may not invest in repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days if, as a
result thereof, more than 5% of the total assets of that Series
(measured using the amortized cost method of valuation) would be
invested in such investments and other securities which are not readily marketable. Certain
repurchase agreements which mature in more than seven days can be liquidated before the nominal
fixed term on seven days or less notice. Such repurchase agreements will be regarded as liquid
instruments.
In addition, each Series (other than the Treasury Instruments Fund and Tax-Free Fund),
together with other registered investment companies having advisory agreements with the
Investment Adviser or its affiliates, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a single
joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more repurchase
agreements.
Foreign Securities
The Money Market Fund may invest in certificates of deposit, commercial paper, unsecured bank
promissory notes, bankers acceptances, fixed time deposits and other debt obligations issued or
guaranteed by major foreign banks which have more than $1 billion in total assets at the time of
purchase, U.S. branches of such foreign banks (Yankee obligations), foreign branches of such
foreign banks and foreign branches of U.S. banks. The Prime Obligations Fund may invest in
certificates of deposit, commercial paper, unsecured bank promissory notes, bankers acceptances,
fixed time deposits and other obligations issued by foreign branches of U.S. banks. The Tax-Free
Fund may also invest in municipal instruments backed by letters of credit or other forms of credit
enhancement issued by foreign banks which have a branch, agency or subsidiary in the U.S. Under
current SEC rules relating to the use of the amortized cost method of portfolio securities
valuation, the Money Market Fund is restricted to purchasing U.S. dollar-denominated securities,
but is not otherwise precluded from purchasing securities of foreign issuers.
B-5
The Money Market Fund may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated obligations (limited to commercial
paper and other notes) issued or guaranteed by a foreign government. The Money Market Fund may also
invest in U.S. dollar-denominated obligations issued or guaranteed by any entity located or
organized in a foreign country that maintains a short-term foreign currency rating in the highest
short-term ratings category by the requisite number of nationally recognized statistical rating
organizations (NRSROs). The Money Market Fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in
the securities of any one foreign government.
Investments in foreign securities and bank obligations may involve considerations different
from investments in domestic securities due to limited publicly available information; non-uniform
accounting standards; the possible imposition of withholding or confiscatory taxes; the possible
adoption of foreign governmental restrictions affecting the payment of principal and interest;
expropriation; or other adverse political or economic developments. In addition, it may be more
difficult to obtain and enforce a judgment against a foreign issuer or a foreign branch of a
domestic bank and the legal remedies for investors may be more limited than the remedies available
in the United States.
Asset-Backed and Receivables-Backed Securities
The Prime Obligations Fund and Money Market Fund may invest in asset-backed and
receivables-backed securities. Asset-backed and receivables-backed securities represent
participations in, or are secured by and payable from, pools of assets such as mortgages, motor
vehicle installment sale contracts, installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and
personal property, receivables from revolving credit (credit card) agreements, corporate
receivables and other categories of receivables. Such asset pools are securitized through the use
of privately-formed trusts or special purpose vehicles. Payments or distributions of principal and
interest may be guaranteed up to certain amounts and for a certain time period by a letter of
credit or a pool insurance policy issued by a financial institution or other credit enhancements
may be present. The value of a Series investments in asset-backed and receivables-backed
securities may be adversely affected by prepayment of the underlying obligations. In addition, the
risk of prepayment may cause the value of these investments to be more volatile than a Series
other investments.
Through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations, various types of assets, including
automobile loans, computer leases, trade receivables and credit card receivables, are being
securitized in pass-through structures similar to the mortgage pass-through structures. Consistent
with their respective investment objectives and policies, the Series may invest in these and other
types of asset-backed securities that may be developed. This SAI may be amended or supplemented as
necessary to reflect the intention of the Prime Obligations Fund and Money Market Fund to invest in
asset-backed securities with characteristics that are materially different from the securities
described above. However, a Series will generally not invest in an asset-backed security if the
income received with respect to its investment constitutes rental income or other income not
treated as qualifying income under the 90% test described in TAX INFORMATION below.
As set forth below, several types of asset-backed and receivables-backed securities are
offered to investors, including for example, Certificates for Automobile Receivables
sm
(CARS) and interests in pools of credit card receivables. CARS represent undivided fractional
interests in a trust (CAR Trust) whose assets consist of a pool of motor vehicle retail
installment sales contracts and security interests in the vehicles securing the contracts. Payments
of principal and interest on CARS are passed through monthly to certificate holders, and are
guaranteed up to certain amounts and for a certain time period by a letter of credit issued by a
financial institution unaffiliated with the trustee or originator of the CAR Trust. An investors
return on CARS may be affected by early prepayment of principal on the underlying vehicle sales
contracts. If the letter of credit is exhausted, the CAR Trust may be prevented from realizing the
full amount due on a sales contract because of state law requirements and restrictions relating to
foreclosure sales of vehicles and the obtaining of deficiency judgments following such sales or
because of depreciation, damage or loss of a vehicle, the application of federal and state
bankruptcy and insolvency laws, or other factors. As a result, certificate holders may experience
delays in payments or losses if the letter of credit is exhausted.
Asset-backed securities present certain risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed
securities. Primarily, these securities may not have the benefit of any security interest in the
related assets. Credit card receivables are generally unsecured and the debtors are entitled to the
protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which give such debtors
the right to set off certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due.
There is the possibility that recoveries on repossessed collateral may not, in some cases, be
available to support payments on these securities.
Asset-backed securities are often backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations of a
number of different parties. To lessen the effect of failures by obligors on underlying assets to
make payments, the securities may contain elements of credit support which fall into two
categories: (i) liquidity protection, and (ii) protection against losses resulting from ultimate
default by an obligor or servicer. Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances,
generally by the entity administering the pool of assets, the provision
B-6
of a reserve fund, or a combination thereof to ensure, subject to certain limitations that
scheduled payments on the underlying pool are made in a timely fashion. Protection against losses
resulting from default ensures ultimate payment of the obligations on at least a portion of the
assets in the pool. This protection may be provided through guarantees, policies or letters of
credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor from third parties, through various means of structuring
the transactions or through a combination of such approaches. The degree of credit support provided
for each issue is generally based on historical information reflecting the level of credit risk
associated with the underlying assets. Delinquency or loss in excess of that anticipated or failure
of the credit support could adversely affect the value of or return on an investment in such a
security.
The availability of asset-backed securities may be affected by legislative or regulatory
developments. It is possible that such developments could require the Prime Obligations Fund and
Money Market Fund to dispose of any then existing holdings of such securities.
To the extent consistent with its investment objectives and policies, each of the Prime
Obligations Fund and Money Market Fund may invest in new types of mortgage-related securities and
in other asset-backed securities that may be developed in the future.
Forward Commitments and When-Issued Securities
Each Series may purchase securities on a when-issued basis and enter into forward commitments.
These transactions involve a commitment by the Series to purchase or sell securities at a future
date beyond the customary settlement time. The price of the underlying securities (usually
expressed in terms of yield) and the date when the securities will be delivered and paid for (the
settlement date) are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. When-issued purchases and
forward commitment transactions are negotiated directly with the other party, and such commitments
are not traded on exchanges, but may be traded over-the-counter.
A Series will purchase securities on a when-issued basis or purchase or sell securities on a
forward commitment basis only with the intention of completing the transaction and actually
purchasing or selling the securities. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy,
however, a Series may dispose of or renegotiate a commitment after entering into it. A Series also
may sell securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the
Series on the settlement date. The Series may realize capital gains or losses in connection with
these transactions; distributions from any net capital gains would be taxable to its shareholders.
For purposes of determining a Series average dollar weighted maturity, the maturity of when-issued
or forward commitment securities for fixed-rate obligations will be calculated from the commitment
date.
When a Series purchases securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, the Series
will segregate cash or liquid assets having a value at least equal to the amount of the Series
purchase commitments. Alternatively, a Series may enter into off-setting contracts for the forward
sale of securities. These procedures are designed to ensure that the Series will maintain
sufficient assets at all times to cover its obligations under when-issued purchases and forward
commitments.
Variable Rate Demand Obligations
Each Series (other than the Treasury Obligations Fund and Treasury Instruments Fund) may
purchase variable rate demand obligations. These obligations permit the investment of fluctuating
amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to direct arrangements between a Series, as lender,
and the borrower. Variable rate demand obligations are not generally transferable and are not
ordinarily rated. A Series may invest in them only if the Investment Adviser believes that the
notes are of comparable quality to the other obligations in which that Series may invest.
Variable Rate and Floating Rate Obligations
The interest rates payable on certain fixed income securities in which a Series may invest are
not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. A variable rate obligation has an
interest rate which is adjusted at predesignated periods in response to changes in the market rate
of interest on which the interest rate is based. Variable and floating rate obligations are less
effective than fixed rate instruments at locking in a particular yield. Nevertheless, such
obligations may fluctuate in value in response to interest rate changes if there is a delay between
changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation, or for other
reasons.
Each Series (other than the Treasury Obligations Fund, Treasury Instruments Fund, Government
Fund and Federal Fund) may purchase variable and floating rate demand instruments that are
municipal obligations or other debt securities issued by corporations and other non-governmental
issuers that possess a floating or variable interest rate adjustment formula. These instruments
permit a
B-7
Series to demand payment of the principal balance plus unpaid accrued interest upon a
specified number of days notice to the issuer or its agent. The demand feature may be backed by a
bank letter of credit or guarantee, or the credit enhancement issued with respect to such
instrument.
The terms of the variable or floating rate demand instruments that a Series may purchase
provide that interest rates are adjustable at intervals ranging from daily up to 397 calendar days,
and the adjustments are based upon current market levels, the prime rate of a bank or other
appropriate interest rate adjustment index as provided in the respective instruments. Some of these
instruments are payable on demand on a daily basis or on not more than seven days notice. Others,
such as instruments with quarterly or semi-annual interest rate adjustments, may be put back to the
issuer on designated days, usually on not more than thirty days notice. Still others are
automatically called by the issuer unless the Series instructs otherwise. The Trust, on behalf of
the Series, intends to exercise the demand only (i) upon a default under the terms of the debt
security; (ii) as needed to provide liquidity to a Series; (iii) to maintain the respective quality
standards of a Series investment portfolio; or (iv) to attain a more optimal portfolio structure.
A Series will determine the variable or floating rate demand instruments that it will purchase in
accordance with procedures approved by the Trustees to minimize credit risks. To be eligible for
purchase by a Series, a variable or floating rate demand instrument which is unrated must have high
quality characteristics similar to other obligations in which the Series may invest. The Investment
Adviser may determine that an unrated variable or floating rate demand instrument meets a Series
quality criteria by reason of being backed by a letter of credit, guarantee, or demand feature
issued by an entity that meets the quality criteria for the Series. Thus, either the credit of the
issuer of the obligation or the provider of the credit support or both will meet the quality
standards of the Series.
As stated in the Prospectuses, the Series may consider the maturity of a long-term variable or
floating rate demand instrument to be shorter than its ultimate stated maturity under specified
conditions. The acquisition of variable or floating rate demand notes for a Series must also meet
the requirements of rules issued by the SEC applicable to the use of the amortized cost method of
securities valuation. The Series will also consider the liquidity of the market for variable and
floating rate instruments, and in the event that such instruments are illiquid, the Series
investments in such instruments will be subject to the limitation on illiquid investments.
Each Series (other than Treasury Obligations Fund, Treasury Instruments Fund, Government Fund
and Federal Fund) may invest in variable or floating rate participation interests in municipal
obligations held by financial institutions (usually commercial banks). Such participation interests
provide the Series with a specific undivided interest (up to 100%) in the underlying obligation and
the right to demand payment of its proportional interest in the unpaid principal balance plus
accrued interest from the financial institution upon a specific number of days notice. In
addition, the participation interest may be backed by an irrevocable letter of credit or guarantee
from the institution. The financial institution usually is entitled to a fee for servicing the
obligation and providing the letter of credit.
Restricted and Other Illiquid Securities
A Series may purchase securities that are not registered (restricted securities) under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), including restricted securities that can be
offered and sold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. However, a
Series will not invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets
(measured using the amortized cost method of valuation) in securities which are
illiquid, which includes fixed time deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days
that cannot be traded on a secondary market and restricted securities. The Board of Trustees has
adopted guidelines under which the Investment Adviser determines and monitors the liquidity of
restricted securities subject to the oversight of the Trustees. Restricted securities (including
securities issued under Rule 144A and commercial paper issued under Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act)
which are determined to be liquid will not be deemed to be illiquid investments for purposes of the
foregoing restriction. Since it is not possible to predict with assurance that the market for
restricted securities will continue to be liquid, the Investment Adviser will monitor each Series
investments in these securities, focusing on such important factors, among others, as valuation,
liquidity and availability of information. This investment practice could have the effect of
increasing the level of illiquidity in a Series to the extent that qualified institutional buyers
become for a time uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities.
Other Investment Companies
The Prime Obligations Fund, Money Market Fund, Government Fund, and Tax-Free Fund may invest
in securities of other investment companies. A Series will indirectly bear its proportionate share
of any management fees and other expenses paid by investment companies in which it invests, in
addition to the management fees (and other expenses) paid by the Series. A Series investments in
other investment companies are subject to statutory limitations prescribed by the Act, including in
certain circumstances a prohibition on the Series acquiring more that 3% of the voting shares of
any other investment company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of the Series total
assets in securities of any one investment company or more than 10% of its
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total assets in the securities of all investment companies. Pursuant to an exemptive order
obtained from the SEC or under an exemptive rule adopted by the SEC, the Series may invest in
investment companies and money market funds for which an Investment Adviser or any of its
affiliates serves as investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor. However, to the extent
that a Series invests in a money market fund for which an Investment Adviser or any of its
affiliates acts as investment adviser, the management fees payable by the Series to the Investment
Adviser will, to the extent required by the SEC, be reduced by an amount equal to the Series
proportionate share of the management fees paid by such money market fund to its investment
adviser. Although the Series do not expect to do so in the foreseeable future, each Series is
authorized to invest substantially all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or
series thereof that has substantially the same investment objective, policies and fundamental
restrictions as the Series. Additionally, to the extent that any Series serves as an underlying
fund to another Goldman Sachs Fund, that Series may invest a percentage of its assets in other
investment companies if those investments are consistent with applicable law and/or exemptive
orders obtained from the SEC.
Municipal Obligations
The Prime Obligations Fund, Money Market Fund, and Tax-Free Fund may invest in municipal
obligations. Municipal obligations are issued by or on behalf of states, territories and
possessions of the United States and their political subdivisions, agencies, authorities and
instrumentalities and the District of Columbia to obtain funds for various public purposes. The
interest on most of these obligations is generally exempt from regular federal income tax. The two
principal classifications of municipal obligations are notes and bonds. The Prime Obligations
Fund and Money Market Fund may invest in municipal obligations when yields on such securities are
attractive compared to other taxable investments.
Notes
. Municipal notes are generally used to provide for short-term capital needs and
generally have maturities of one year or less. Municipal notes include tax anticipation notes,
revenue anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes,
construction loan notes, tax-exempt commercial paper and certain receipts for municipal
obligations.
Tax anticipation notes are sold to finance working capital needs of municipalities. They are
generally payable from specific tax revenues expected to be received at a future date. They are
frequently general obligations of the issuer, secured by the taxing power for payment of principal
and interest. Revenue anticipation notes are issued in expectation of receipt of other types of
revenue such as federal or state aid. Tax anticipation notes and revenue anticipation notes are
generally issued in anticipation of various seasonal revenues such as income, sales, use, and
business taxes. Bond anticipation notes are sold to provide interim financing in anticipation of
long-term financing in the market. In most cases, these monies provide for the repayment of the
notes. Tax-exempt commercial paper consists of short-term unsecured promissory notes issued by a
state or local government or an authority or agency thereof. The Series which invest in municipal
obligations may also acquire securities in the form of custodial receipts which evidence ownership
of future interest payments, principal payments or both on certain state and local governmental and
authority obligations when, in the opinion of bond counsel, if any, interest payments with respect
to such custodial receipts are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes. Such
obligations are held in custody by a bank on behalf of the holders of the receipts. These custodial
receipts are known by various names, including Municipal Receipts (MRs) and Municipal
Certificates of Accrual on Tax-Exempt Securities (MCATS). There are a number of other types of
notes issued for different purposes and secured differently from those described above.
Bonds
. Municipal bonds, which generally meet longer term capital needs and have maturities of
more than one year when issued, have two principal classifications, general obligation bonds and
revenue bonds.
General obligation bonds are issued by entities such as states, counties, cities, towns and
regional districts and are used to fund a wide range of public projects including the construction
or improvement of schools, highways and roads, water and sewer systems and a variety of other
public purposes. The basic security of general obligation bonds is the issuers pledge of its
faith, credit, and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. The taxes that can be
levied for the payment of debt service may be limited or unlimited as to rate or amount or special
assessments.
Revenue bonds have been issued to fund a wide variety of capital projects including: electric,
gas, water and sewer systems; highways, bridges and tunnels; port and airport facilities; colleges
and universities; and hospitals. The principal security for a revenue bond is generally the net
revenues derived from a particular facility or group of facilities or, in some cases, from the
proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source. Although the principal security
behind these bonds varies widely, many provide additional security in the form of a debt service
reserve fund whose monies may also be used to make principal and interest payments on the issuers
obligations. Housing finance authorities have a wide range of security including partially or fully
insured, rent subsidized and/or collateralized mortgages, and/or the net revenues from housing or
other public projects. In addition to a debt service
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reserve fund, some authorities provide further security in the form of a states ability
(without obligation) to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund. Lease rental revenue
bonds issued by a state or local authority for capital projects are secured by annual lease rental
payments from the state or locality to the authority sufficient to cover debt service on the
authoritys obligations.
In purchasing municipal obligations, the Tax-Free Fund relies on opinions of bond counsel as
to the excludability of interest on such obligations from gross income for federal income tax
purposes and, where applicable, the tax-exempt nature of such interest under the personal income
tax laws of a particular state. These Series do not undertake independent investigations concerning
the tax-exempt status of such obligations, nor do they guarantee or represent that bond counsels
opinions are correct. Bond counsels opinions will generally be based in part upon covenants by the
issuers and related parties regarding continuing compliance with federal tax requirements. Tax laws
not only limit the purposes for which tax-exempt bonds may be issued and the supply of such bonds,
but also contain numerous and complex requirements that must be satisfied on a continuing basis in
order for bonds to be and remain tax-exempt. If the issuer of a bond or a user of a bond-financed
facility fails to comply with such requirements at any time, interest on the bond could become
taxable, retroactive to the date the obligation was issued. In that event, a portion of a Series
distributions attributable to interest the Series received on such bond for the current year and
for prior years could be characterized or recharacterized as taxable income.
Private activity bonds (a term that includes certain types of bonds the proceeds of which are
used to a specified extent for the benefit of persons other than governmental units), although
nominally issued by municipal authorities, are generally not secured by the taxing power of the
municipality but are secured by the revenues of the authority derived from payments by the
industrial user. Each Series that may invest in municipal obligations may also invest in private
activity bonds. The Tax-Free Fund does not intend to invest in private activity bonds if the
interest from such bonds would be an item of tax preference to shareholders under the federal
alternative minimum tax. If such policy should change in the future, such investments would not
exceed 20% of the net assets of each of the Tax-Free Fund under normal market conditions. The
Tax-Free Fund does not intend to invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in private
activity bonds or similar obligations where non-governmental entities supplying the revenues from
which such bonds or obligations are to be paid are in the same industry.
Municipal bonds with a series of maturity dates are called serial bonds. The serial bonds
which the Series may purchase are limited to short-term serial bondsthose with original or
remaining maturities of thirteen months or less. The Series may purchase long-term bonds provided
that they have a remaining maturity of thirteen months or less or, in the case of bonds called for
redemption, the date on which the redemption payment must be made is within thirteen months. The
Series may also purchase long-term bonds (sometimes referred to as Put Bonds), which are subject
to a Series commitment to put the bond back to the issuer at par at a designated time within
thirteen months and the issuers commitment to so purchase the bond at such price and time.
The Series which invest in municipal obligations may invest in municipal leases, certificates
of participation and moral obligation bonds. A municipal lease is an obligation issued by a state
or local government to acquire equipment or facilities. Certificates of participation represent
interests in municipal leases or other instruments, such as installment contracts. Moral
obligations bonds are supported by the moral commitment but not the legal obligation of a state or
municipality. In particular, these instruments permit governmental issuers to acquire property and
equipment without meeting constitutional and statutory requirements for the issuance of debt. If,
however, the governmental issuer does not periodically appropriate money to enable it to meet its
payment obligations under these instruments, it cannot be legally compelled to do so. If a default
occurs, it is likely that a Series would be unable to obtain another acceptable source of payment.
Some municipal leases, certificates of participation and moral obligation bonds may be illiquid.
The Series which invest in municipal obligations may also invest in tender option bonds. A
tender option bond is a municipal obligation (generally held pursuant to a custodial arrangement)
having a relatively long maturity and bearing interest at a fixed rate substantially higher than
prevailing short-term tax-exempt rates. The bond is typically issued in conjunction with the
agreement of a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution, pursuant
to which such institution grants the security holder the option, at periodic intervals, to tender
its securities to the institution and receive the face value thereof. As consideration for
providing the option, the financial institution receives periodic fees equal to the difference
between the bonds fixed coupon rate and the rate, as determined by a remarketing or similar agent
at or near the commencement of such period, that would cause the bond, coupled with the tender
option, to trade at par on the date of such determination. Thus, after payment of this fee, the
security holder effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing
short-term, tax- exempt rate. However, an institution will not be obligated to accept tendered
bonds in the event of certain defaults by, or a significant downgrading in the credit rating
assigned to, the issuer of the bond.
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The tender option will be taken into consideration in determining the maturity of tender
option bonds and the average portfolio maturity and the average
portfolio life of a Series. The liquidity of a tender option bond
is a function of the credit quality of both the bond issuer and the financial institution providing
liquidity. Consequently, tender option bonds are deemed to be liquid unless, in the opinion of the
Investment Adviser, the credit quality of the bond issuer and the financial institution is deemed,
in light of the relevant Series credit quality requirements, to be inadequate.
Although the Tax-Free Fund intends to invest in tender option bonds the interest on which
will, in the opinion of counsel for the issuer and sponsor or counsel selected by the Investment
Adviser, be excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes, there is no assurance that
the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will agree with such counsels opinion in any particular case.
Consequently, there is a risk that a Series will not be considered the owner of such tender option
bonds and thus will not be entitled to treat such interest as exempt from such tax. A similar risk
exists for certain other investments subject to puts or similar rights. Additionally, the federal
income tax treatment of certain other aspects of these investments, including the proper tax
treatment of tender options and the associated fees, in relation to various regulated investment
company tax provisions is unclear. The Tax-Free Fund intends to manage its portfolio in a manner
designed to eliminate or minimize any adverse impact from the tax rules applicable to these
investments.
In addition to general obligation bonds, revenue bonds and serial bonds, there are a variety
of hybrid and special types of municipal obligations as well as numerous differences in the
security of municipal obligations both within and between the two principal classifications above.
A Series may purchase municipal instruments that are backed by letters of credit issued by
foreign banks that have a branch, agency or subsidiary in the United States. Such letters of
credit, like other obligations of foreign banks, may involve credit risks in addition to those of
domestic obligations, including risks relating to future political and economic developments,
nationalization, foreign governmental restrictions such as exchange controls and difficulties in
obtaining or enforcing a judgment against a foreign bank (including branches).
For the purpose of investment restrictions of the Series, the identification of the issuer
of municipal obligations that are not general obligation bonds is made by the Investment Adviser on
the basis of the characteristics of the obligations as described above, the most significant of
which is the source of funds for the payment of principal of and interest on such obligations.
An entire issue of municipal obligations may be purchased by one or a small number of
institutional investors such as one of the Series. Thus, the issue may not be said to be publicly
offered. Unlike securities which must be registered under the 1933 Act prior to offer and sale,
municipal obligations which are not publicly offered may nevertheless be readily marketable. A
secondary market may exist for municipal obligations which were not publicly offered initially.
Municipal obligations purchased for a Series may be subject to the Series policy on holdings
of illiquid securities. The Investment Adviser determines whether a municipal obligation is liquid
based on whether it may be sold in a reasonable time consistent with the customs of the municipal
markets (usually seven days) at a price (or interest rate) which accurately reflects its value. The
Investment Adviser believes that the quality standards applicable to each Series investments
enhance liquidity. In addition, stand-by commitments and demand obligations also enhance liquidity.
Yields on municipal obligations depend on a variety of factors, including money market
conditions, municipal bond market conditions, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of
the obligation and the quality of the issue. High quality municipal obligations tend to have a
lower yield than lower rated obligations. Municipal obligations are subject to the provisions of
bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the
Federal Bankruptcy Code, and laws, if any, which may be enacted by Congress or state legislatures
extending the time for payment of principal or interest, or both, or imposing other constraints
upon enforcement of such obligations or municipalities to levy taxes. There is also the possibility
that as a result of litigation or other conditions the power or ability of any one or more issuers
to pay when due principal of and interest on its or their municipal obligations may be materially
affected.
Special Risk Considerations Relating to California Municipal Obligations
The Prime Obligations Fund, Money Market Fund and Tax-Free Fund may invest in municipal
obligations of the State of California (California or, as used in this section, the State), its
public authorities and local governments (California Municipal Obligations), and are consequently
affected by political and economic developments within California and by the financial condition
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of Californias political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities and public authorities.
Some of the significant financial considerations relating to investments in California Municipal
Obligations are summarized below. The following section provides only a brief summary of the
complex factors affecting the financial condition of California that could, in turn, adversely
affect a Series investments in California municipal obligations. This information is based on
publicly information available from State authorities and other sources available prior to May 14,
2010, and has not been independently verified. It should be noted that the creditworthiness of
obligations issued by local issuers may be unrelated to the creditworthiness of obligations issued
by the State, and that there is no obligation on the part of California to make payment on such
local obligations in the event of default in the absence of a specific guarantee or pledge provided
by California.
Introduction and Overview
Since the start of 2008, the State has been experiencing the most significant economic
downturn and financial pressure since the Great Depression of the 1930s. As a result of continuing
weakness in the State economy, State tax revenues have declined precipitously, resulting in large
budget gaps and cash shortfalls. The Legislature and the Governor have had to adopt three major
budget plans, covering both the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 fiscal years in less than 11 months in
response to continuing deterioration in the States fiscal condition. In the course of these three
budget plans, the Legislature enacted some $60 billion in budget solutions, including revenue
increases and borrowing, but consisting primarily of expenditure reductions which have affected
almost all programs funded by the State. The States financial plan continues to be based on a
number of assumptions which may not be realized, and further budgetary actions may be needed to
maintain a positive balance for the States General Fund at the end of the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
The sharp drop in revenues over the last two fiscal years has also resulted in a significant
depletion of cash resources to pay the States obligations. For a period of one month, in February
2009, the State deferred making certain payments from the General Fund in order to conserve cash
resources for high priority obligations, such as education and debt service. Full payments resumed
in March 2009, and the State was able to pay all its obligations through June 30, 2009, including
repayment of $5.5 billion of 2008-2009 revenue anticipation notes (RANs). However, as new budget
gaps were identified and with the failure to adopt corrective actions, the States cash resources
had dwindled so far that, beginning on July 2, 2009, the State Controller issued registered
warrants (or IOUs) for certain lower priority obligations in lieu of warrants (checks) which
could be immediately cashed. With enactment of the Amended 2009 Budget Act in late July 2009, and
the ability to issue $1.5 billion of interim 2009-2010 RANs, the State has been able to call all of
its outstanding registered warrants for redemption on September 4, 2009. On September 29, 2009, the
State issued $8.8 billion of RANs that mature prior to June 30, 2010 as part of its 2009-2010 cash
management program. State officials are closely monitoring cash receipts and if additional cash
management solutions are needed, and are not adopted by the Legislature or by other action, the
State may seek additional external borrowing in the current fiscal year. The issuance of registered
warrants this year was only the second time the State has issued registered warrants to such types
of creditors since the 1930s. The 2010-2011 Governors Budget (defined below) projected continuing cash pressures in the
period March-April 2010, and during fiscal year 2010-2011. Legislation enacted during the fiscal
emergency special session in early March 2010 will provide the State with authority to defer
certain payments so that it will avoid cash flow difficulties in March and April 2010, and will
provide deferral authority during the 2010-2011 fiscal year. However, absent further corrective
action by the Legislature and timely adoption of a fiscal year 2010-2011 budget, a significant cash
flow shortfall is projected in fiscal year 2010-2011, which may require the issuance of registered
warrants. The State Controllers Office has indicated that adoption of the cash deferral
legislation will significantly assist cash flow management in the first two months of fiscal year
2010-2011, but there can be no assurance that registered warrants will not have to be issued to
assure adequate cash resources are available for high priority payments, such as debt service.
There can be no assurances that the fiscal stress and cash pressures currently facing the
State will not continue or become more difficult, or that continuing declines in State tax receipts
or other impacts of the current economic recession will not further materially adversely affect the
financial condition of the State. Even if there are no further revenue declines, the Department of
Finance has projected that multibillion dollar budget gaps will occur annually through at least
fiscal year 2012-2013 without further corrective actions.
Economic Factors
Californias economy is the largest among the 50 states and one of the largest and most
diverse in the world. The States population of about
38.5 million (as of July 1, 2009) represents
over 12% of the total U.S. population. Californias economy has major components in high
technology, trade, entertainment, agriculture, manufacturing, government, tourism, construction and
services. California is by far the most populous state in the nation, over 60% larger than the
second-ranked state according to the 2000 U.S. Census. The relative proportion of the various
components of the California economy closely resembles the composition of the national economy.
Californias population is expected to grow approximately 1% annually through at least the end
of this decade. Population growth is expected to represent about three-quarters of this growth due
to natural increase (excess of births over deaths) and one-quarter to net migration into the State.
Population growth in the next five years is expected to be largest in the over age 65 category,
with above statewide average growth in the preschool and college age categories.
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A housing downturn that began in California in the fall of 2005 and worsened in 2006 and 2007
was instrumental in slowing average monthly job growth from 27,300 in 2005 to 5,400 in 2007 to a
negative (job loss) of 38,500 per month in 2008. In May 2009, the Department of Finance projected
that the California economy would contract sharply in calendar year 2009 and grow slowly in 2010,
with the States unemployment rate increasing in both years. Both personal income and taxable sales
fell in the first two quarters of 2009. The decline in the first quarter of 2009, -1.8%, was the
largest since 1993, but the fall in the second quarter was considerably smaller.
The U.S. and California economies have slowed further since then, although there have been an
increasing number of signs that the rate of decline is moderating. Existing home sales have
increased and home prices have stabilized in both the U.S. and California in recent months.
Californias unemployment rate continued to trend upward, but like the U.S., the rate of increase
has slowed. As of January 2010, State unemployment was 12.5%
compared to 9.7% in January 2009.
The U.S. unemployment rate for January 2010 was 9.7%. The largest monthly job loss was 114,000 in
February 2009. The State gained 32,500 jobs in October 2009 and January 2010, while suffering job losses of
34,200 in November 2009 and 41,000 in December 2009.
The States housing sector is showing some signs of recovery. Prices of existing homes
increased for the sixth consecutive month in August 2009, unsold inventory has declined, and the
number of days needed to sell a home has fallen. However, additional foreclosures may result from
the resetting of adjustable rates on Alt-A and other adjustable rate mortgages between 2010 and
2013. The impact of the resetting may be mitigated by the fact that the resets are spread out over
multiple years, and may be further mitigated if mortgage interest rates remain low. The value of
private-sector nonresidential building for which permits were issued in the first seven months of
2009 was down sharply from a year ago. Made-in-California exports
were down 17% in 2009. The decline was widely spread across countries, reflecting the
global nature of the economic downturn. Large declines in technology,
transportation and machinery exports were
instrumental in the decline.
Constitutional Limitations on Taxes, Other Charges and Appropriations
Limitation on Property Taxes.
Certain California Debt Obligations may be obligations of
issuers which rely in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, on
ad valorem
property taxes as a
source of revenue. The taxing powers of California local governments and districts are limited by
Article XIIIA of the California Constitution, enacted by special referendum in 1978 and commonly
known as Proposition 13. Briefly, Article XIIIA limits the rate of
ad valorem
property taxes to
1% of full cash value of real property and generally restricts the reassessment of property to 2%
per year, except upon new construction or change of ownership (subject to a number of exemptions).
Taxing entities may, however, raise
ad valorem
taxes above the 1% limit to pay debt service on
voter-approved bonded indebtedness.
Under Article XIIIA, the basic 1%
ad valorem
tax levy is applied against the assessed value of
property as of the owners date of acquisition (or as of March 1, 1975, if acquired earlier),
subject to certain adjustments. This system has resulted in widely varying amounts of tax on
similarly situated properties. Several lawsuits were filed challenging the acquisition-based
assessment system of Proposition 13, but it was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1992.
Article XIIIA prohibits local governments from raising revenues through
ad valorem
taxes above
the 1% limit; it also requires voters of any governmental unit to give two-thirds approval to levy
any special tax.
Limitations on Other Taxes, Fees and Charges.
On November 5, 1996, the voters of the State
approved Proposition 218, called the Right to Vote on Taxes Act. Proposition 218 added Articles
XIIIC and XIIID to the State Constitution, which contain a number of provisions affecting the
ability of local agencies to levy and collect both existing and future taxes, assessments, fees and
charges.
Article XIIIC requires that all new or increased local taxes be submitted to the voters before
they become effective. Taxes for general governmental purposes require a majority vote and taxes
for specific purposes require a two-thirds vote.
Article XIIID contains several new provisions making it generally more difficult for local
agencies to levy and maintain assessments for municipal services and programs. Article XIIID also
contains several new provisions affecting fees and charges, defined for purposes of Article
XIIID to mean any levy other than an
ad valorem
tax, a special tax, or an assessment, imposed by a
local government upon a parcel or upon a person as an incident of property ownership, including a
user fee or charge for a property related service. All new and existing property related fees and
charges must conform to requirements prohibiting, among other things, fees and charges which
generate revenues exceeding the funds required to provide the property related service or are used
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for unrelated purposes. There are new notice, hearing and protest procedures for levying or
increasing property related fees and charges, and, except for fees or charges for sewer, water and
refuse collection services (or fees for electrical and gas service, which are not treated as
property related for purposes of Article XIIID), no property related fee or charge may be imposed
or increased without majority approval by the property owners subject to the fee or charge or, at
the option of the local agency, two-thirds voter approval by the electorate residing in the
affected area.
In addition to the provisions described above, Article XIIIC removes limitations on the
initiative power in matters of local taxes, assessments, fees and charges. Consequently, local
voters could, by future initiative, repeal, reduce or prohibit the future imposition or increase of
any local tax, assessment, fee or charge. It is unclear how this right of local initiative may be
used in cases where taxes or charges have been or will be specifically pledged to secure debt
issues.
The interpretation and application of Proposition 218 will ultimately be determined by the
courts with respect to a number of matters, and it is not possible at this time to predict with
certainty the outcome of such cases.
Appropriations Limits.
The State and its local governments are subject to an annual
appropriations limit imposed by Article XIIIB of the California Constitution, enacted by special
referendum in 1979 and significantly amended by Propositions 98 and 111 in 1988 and 1990,
respectively. Article XIIIB prohibits the State or any covered local government from spending
appropriations subject to limitation in excess of the appropriations limit imposed.
Appropriations subject to limitation are authorizations to spend proceeds of taxes, which
consist of tax revenues and certain other funds, including proceeds from regulatory licenses, user
charges or other fees, to the extent that such proceeds exceed the cost of providing the product or
service, but proceeds of taxes exclude most State subventions to local governments. No limit is
imposed on appropriations of funds which are not proceeds of taxes, such as reasonable user
charges or fees, and certain other non-tax funds, including bond proceeds.
Among the expenditures not included in the Article XIIIB appropriations limit are (i) the debt
service cost of bonds issued or authorized prior to January 1, 1979, or subsequently authorized by
the voters (
e.g.
, general obligation bonds), (ii) appropriations to comply with mandates of courts
or the federal government, (iii) appropriations for certain capital outlay projects,
(iv) appropriations by the State of post-1989 increases in gasoline taxes and vehicle weight fees,
and (v) appropriations made in certain cases of emergency. The appropriations limit for each year
is adjusted annually to reflect changes in cost of living and population, and any transfers of
service responsibilities between government units. The definitions for such adjustments were
liberalized in 1990 to follow more closely growth in the States economy.
Excess revenues are measured over a two year cycle. Local governments must return any excess
to taxpayers by rate reductions. The State must refund 50% of any excess, with the other 50% paid
to schools and community colleges. With more liberal annual adjustment factors since 1988, and
depressed revenues in the early 1990s because of the recession, few governments have been
operating near their spending limits, but this condition may change over time. Local governments
may by voter approval exceed their spending limits for up to four years.
Proposition 98 changed State funding of public education below the university level and the
operation of the appropriations limit, primarily by guaranteeing K-12 education a minimum level of
funding. Proposition 98 (as modified by Proposition 111) guarantees K-12 education the greater of:
(a) in general, a fixed percentage of General Fund revenues (Test 1), (b) the amount appropriated
to K-12 education in the prior year, adjusted for changes in State per capita personal income and
enrollment (Test 2), or (c) a third test, which replaces Test 1 and Test 2 in any year that the
percentage growth in per capita General Fund revenues from the prior year plus 0.5% is less than
the percentage growth in State per capita personal income (Test 3).
Because of the complex nature of Articles XIIIA, XIIIB, XIIIC and XIIID of the California
Constitution, the ambiguities and possible inconsistencies in their terms, and the impossibility of
predicting future appropriations or changes in population and cost of living, and the probability
of continuing legal challenges, it is not currently possible to determine fully the impact of these
Articles on California Debt Obligations or on the ability of the State or local governments to pay
debt service on such California Debt Obligations. It is not possible, at the present time, to
predict the outcome of any pending litigation with respect to the ultimate scope, impact or
constitutionality of these Articles or the impact of any such determinations upon State agencies or
local governments, or upon their ability to pay debt service on their obligations. Further
initiatives or legislative changes in laws or the California Constitution may also affect the
ability of the State or local issuers to repay their obligations.
B-14
Debt Obligations of California and State Agencies
Under the California Constitution, debt service on outstanding general obligation bonds is the
second charge to the General Fund after support of the public school system and public institutions
of higher education. The State Treasurer is responsible for the sale of debt obligations of the
State and its various authorities and agencies.
Current State debt obligations include:
General Obligation Bonds.
The States Constitution prohibits the creation of general
obligation indebtedness of the State unless a bond measure is approved by a majority of the
electorate voting at a general election or direct primary. General obligation bond acts provide
that debt service on general obligation bonds shall be appropriated annually from the General Fund,
and all debt service on general obligation bonds is paid from the General Fund. Under the State
Constitution, debt service on general obligation bonds is the second charge to the General Fund
after the application of moneys in the General Fund to the support of the public school system and
public institutions of higher education. As of October 1, 2009, the State had outstanding $68.4
billion aggregate principal amount of long-term general obligation bonds, of which approximately
$58.5 billion were payable primarily from the States General Fund, and approximately $9.8 billion
were self-liquidating bonds payable first from other special revenue funds. As of October 1, 2009,
there were unused voter authorizations for the future issuance of approximately $54.5 billion of
long-term general obligation bonds, some of which may first be issued as commercial paper notes.
Variable Rate General Obligation Bonds
. The State can issue as variable rate indebtedness up
to 20% of the aggregate amount of long-term general obligation bonds outstanding. As of November 5,
2009, the State will have outstanding approximately $5.5 billion principal amount of variable rate
general obligation bonds (which includes a portion of the Economic Revenue Bonds (ERBs) described
below), representing about 7.8% of the States total outstanding general obligation bonds as of
that date.
Economic Recovery Bonds.
The California Economic Recovery Bond Act (Proposition 57),
approved by the voters on March 2, 2004, authorized the issuance of up to $15 billion in ERBs to
finance the negative General Fund reserve balance as of June 30, 2004, and other General Fund
obligations undertaken prior to June 30, 2004. Repayment of the ERBs is secured by a pledge of
revenues from a one-quarter cent increase in the States sales and use tax that became effective
July 1, 2004. In addition, as voter-approved general obligation bonds, the ERBs are secured by the
States full faith and credit and payable from the General Fund in the event the dedicated sales
and use tax revenue is insufficient to repay the bonds. Three different sources of funds are
required to be applied to the early retirement (generally by purchase or redemption) of ERBs:
(i) all proceeds from the dedicated quarter cent sales tax in excess of the amounts needed, on a
semi-annual basis, to pay debt service and other required costs of the bonds, (ii) all proceeds
from the sale of specified surplus State property, and (iii) 50% of each annual deposit, up to $5
billion in the aggregate, of deposits in the Budget Stabilization Account (BSA). As of June 30,
2009, funds from these sources have been used for early retirement of approximately $3.5 billion of
bonds during fiscal years 2005-2006 through 2008-2009, including $1.495 billion which was
transferred from the BSA in 2006-07 ($472 million) and 2007-2008 ($1.023 billion). The Governor
suspended both the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 BSA transfers due to the condition of the General Fund.
An ERB refunding bond issuance in the amount of approximately $3.4 billion was issued on November
5, 2009.
Commercial Paper Program
. Voter-approved general obligation indebtedness may, in some cases,
be issued as commercial paper notes. Commercial paper notes may be renewed or refunded by the
issuance of long-term bonds. It is currently the States policy to use commercial paper notes for a
portion of the interim funding of voter-approved projects. Commercial paper notes are deemed issued
upon authorization by the respective finance committees, whether or not such notes are actually
issued. Pursuant to the terms of the bank credit agreement presently in effect, the general
obligation commercial paper program may have up to $2 billion in aggregate principal amount at any
time. This amount may be increased or decreased in the future. As of October 26, 2009,
approximately $1.1 billion aggregate principal amount of general obligation commercial paper notes
were outstanding.
Lease-Purchase Obligations
. The State builds and acquires facilities through the use of lease
purchase borrowing, in addition to general obligation bonds. Under these arrangements, the State
Public Works Board, another State or local agency or a joint powers authority issues bonds to pay
for the construction of facilities, such as office buildings, university buildings or correctional
institutions. These facilities are leased to a State agency or the University of California under a
long-term lease that provides the source of payment of the debt service on the lease-purchase
bonds. In some cases, there is not a separate bond issue, but a trustee directly creates
certificates of participation in the States lease obligation, which are then marketed to
investors. Under applicable court decisions, such lease arrangements do not constitute the creation
of indebtedness within the meaning of the State Constitutional provisions that require voter
approval. Certain of the lease-purchase financings are supported by special funds rather than the
General Fund. The State had approximately $7.9 billion of General Fund-supported lease-purchase
obligations outstanding as of October 1, 2009. The State
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Public Works Board, which is authorized to sell lease revenue bonds, had approximately $11.6
billion authorized and unissued debt as of October 1, 2009.
Bank Arrangements.
In connection with the letters of credit or other credit facilities
obtained by the State in connection with variable rate obligations and the commercial paper
program, the State has entered into a number of reimbursement agreements or other credit agreements
with a variety of financial institutions. These agreements include various representations and
covenants of the State, and the terms (including interest rates and repayment schedules) by which
the State would be required to repay any drawings (including drawings resulting from any failed
remarketings) on the respective letters of credit or other credit enhancement to which such credit
agreements relate. To the extent that any variable rate obligations cannot be remarketed over an
extended period (whether due to reductions in the credit ratings of the institution providing
credit enhancement or other factors), interest payable by the State pursuant to the reimbursement
agreement or credit agreement would generally increase over current market levels relating to the
variable rate obligations, and the principal repayment period would generally be shorter (typically
less than five years) than the repayment period otherwise applicable to the variable rate
obligation. On occasion the States variable rate obligations have not been remarketed resulting in
draws on the applicable credit facilities.
Non-Recourse Debt
. Certain State agencies and authorities issue revenue obligations for which
the General Fund has no liability. Revenue bonds represent obligations payable from State
revenue-producing enterprises and projects, which are not payable from the General Fund, and
conduit obligations payable only from revenues paid by private users of facilities financed by the
revenue bonds. The enterprises and projects include transportation projects, various public works
projects, public and private educational facilities (including the California State University and
University of California systems), housing, health facilities and pollution control facilities.
State agencies and authorities had approximately $53 billion aggregate principal amount of revenue
bonds and notes of such non-recourse debt outstanding as of June 30, 2009.
Cash Flow Borrowings.
As part of its cash management program, the State has regularly issued
short-term obligations to meet cash flow needs. The State has issued RANs in recent years to
partially fund timing differences between receipts and disbursements. By law, RANs must mature
prior to the end of the fiscal year of issuance. If additional external cash flow borrowings are
required, the State has issued revenue anticipation warrants (RAWs), which can mature in a
subsequent fiscal year. RANs and RAWs are both payable from any Unapplied Money in the General
Fund on their maturity date, subject to the prior application of such money in the General Fund to
certain other payments.
Based on the current Department of Finance projections of program expenditure needs and
without taking into account any future authorizations which may occur, the State Treasurer has
estimated that the aggregate amount of outstanding general obligation and lease revenue bonds based
on current voter and legislative authorizations is estimated to peak at approximately $111.8
billion by June 2016, compared to the current total outstanding amount of about $66.5 billion. The
annual debt service costs on this amount of debt is estimated by the State Treasurer to peak in
2017-2018 at approximately $9.75 billion compared to about $5.9 billion budgeted in fiscal year
2009-2010. These estimates do not include ERBs or veterans general obligation bonds supported by
mortgage repayments from housing loans made to military veterans, nor do they take into account
potential benefits from future refunding opportunities.
In light of the substantial drop in General Fund revenues since fiscal year 2007-2008, and the
projections for substantial new bond sales in the future, the ratio of debt service on general
obligation and lease revenue bonds supported by the General Fund, to annual General Fund revenues,
can be expected to increase significantly in future years.
State Finances
The State receives revenues from taxes, fees and other sources, the most significant of which
are the personal income tax, sales and use tax and corporation tax. Significant elements of State
expenditures include education (both K-12 and higher education), health and human services,
correctional programs, transportation and debt service.
The moneys of the State are segregated into the General Fund and over 1,000 other funds,
including special, bond and trust funds. The General Fund consists of revenues received by the
State Treasury that not required by law to be credited to any other fund, as well as earnings from
the investment of State moneys not allocable to another fund. The General Fund is the principal
operating fund for the majority of governmental activities and is the depository of most of the
major revenue sources of California. The General Fund may be expended as a consequence of
appropriation measures enacted by the Legislature and approved by the Governor (including the
annual Budget Act), as well as appropriations pursuant to various constitutional authorizations and
initiative statutes.
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The following is a summary of the States major revenue sources:
Personal Income Tax
. The State personal income tax, modeled after the federal income tax laws,
typically accounts for more than 50% of General Fund tax revenues. The personal income tax is
adjusted annually by the change in the consumer price index. Taxpayers may be subject to an
alternative minimum tax (AMT), similar to the federal AMT. Taxes on capital gains realizations,
which are largely linked to stock market performance, can add a significant dimension of volatility
to personal income tax receipts. Capital gains tax receipts accounted for as much as 14.8% and as
little as 4.5% of General Fund revenues over the past 10 years. The Amended 2009 Budget Act assumes
that capital gains will account for 5.5% of General Fund revenues and transfers in 2008-2009 and
3.6% in 2009-2010.
Sales and Use Tax
. The sales tax is imposed upon retailers for the privilege of selling
tangible personal property in California. Most retail sales and leases are subject to the tax.
However, exemptions have been provided for certain essentials such as food for home consumption,
prescription drugs, gas delivered through mains and electricity. Other exemptions provide relief
for a variety of sales ranging from custom computer software to aircraft. Proposition 1A, added by
special referendum in November 2004, amended the States Constitution to, among other things,
reduce the Legislatures authority over local government revenue sources by restricting the State
from lowering the local sales tax rate or changing the allocation of local sales tax revenues
without meeting certain conditions. The California use tax is imposed at the same rates as the
regular sales tax on consumers of tangible personal property that is used, consumed, or stored in
this State. Use tax applies to purchases from out-of-state vendors that are not required to collect
tax on their sales. Use tax also applies to most leases of tangible personal property.
Corporation Tax
. The States corporate tax revenue is derived from franchise tax, corporate
income tax, assessed fees on limited liability companies, additional taxes on banks and other
financial corporations, an AMT similar to the federal AMT and a tax on the profits of Subchapter S
corporations.
Insurance Tax.
The majority of insurance written in the State, subject to certain exceptions,
is subject to a 2.35% gross premium tax. For insurers, this premium tax takes the place of all
other State and local taxes except those on real property and motor vehicles. Exceptions to the
2.35% rate are certain pension and profit-sharing plans which are taxed at the lesser rate of 0.5%,
surplus lines and non-admitted insurance at 3% and ocean marine insurers at 5% of underwriting
profits.
Estate Tax; Other Taxes
. The State estate tax is based on the State death tax credit allowed
against the federal estate tax and is designed to pick up the maximum credit allowed against the
federal estate tax return. The State estate tax was eliminated beginning in 2005 in conjunction
with the phase out of the federal estate tax. After December 31, 2010 the federal estate tax will
be reinstated along with the State estate tax, unless future federal legislation is enacted to make
the provisions eliminating the tax permanent. Other sources of General Fund revenue include
inheritance and gift taxes, cigarette taxes, alcoholic beverage taxes, horse racing license fees
and trailer coach license fees.
State Budget Process
The States fiscal year begins on July 1st and ends on June 30th. Under the State
Constitution, money may be drawn from the Treasury only through an appropriation made by law. The
primary source of the annual expenditure is the annual Budget Act as approved by the Legislature
and signed by the Governor. The annual budget is proposed by the Governor by January 10 of each
year for the next fiscal year (the Governors Budget). Under State law, the annual proposed
Governors Budget cannot provide for projected expenditures in excess of projected revenues for the
ensuing fiscal year. State law also requires the Governor to update the Governors Budget
projections and budgetary proposals by May 14 of each year (the May Revision). The May Revision
is normally the basis for final negotiations between the Governor and Legislature to reach
agreement on appropriations and other legislation to fund State government for the ensuing fiscal
year (the Budget Act). The Budget Act must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of each
house of the State legislature, and, as enacted, must be in balance.
The States General Fund Budget operates on a legal basis, generally using a modified accrual
system of accounting for its General Fund, with revenues credited in the period in which they are
measurable and available and expenditures debited in the period in which the corresponding
liabilities are incurred. Appropriations also may be included in legislation other than the Budget
Act. With limited exceptions, bills containing General Fund appropriations must be approved by a
two-thirds majority vote in each House of the Legislature and be signed by the Governor. Continuing
appropriations, available without regard to fiscal year, may also be provided by statute or the
States Constitution. The Governor may reduce or eliminate specific line items in the Budget Act or
any other appropriations bill without vetoing the entire bill. Such individual line-item vetoes are
subject to override by a two-thirds majority vote of each House of the Legislature.
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The Balanced Budget Amendment (Proposition 58) requires the State to enact a balanced
budget, establishes a special reserve in the General Fund, restricts future borrowings to cover
budget deficits, and provides for mid-year budget adjustments in the event that the budget falls
out of balance. The Legislature may not pass a budget bill in which General Fund expenditures
exceed estimated General Fund revenues and fund balances at the time of passage and as set forth in
the budget bill. As a result of the requirements of Proposition 58, the State would, in some cases,
have to take more immediate actions to correct budgetary shortfalls. These restrictions apply to
general obligation bonds, revenue bonds and certain other forms of long-term borrowings, but do not
apply to certain short-term and inter-fund borrowings.
In addition to Proposition 58, a number of other laws and constitutional amendments have been
enacted over the years, often through voter initiatives, which have made it more difficult to raise
the States taxes, have restricted the use of the States General Fund or special fund revenues, or
have otherwise limited the Legislature and Governors discretion in enacting budgets. Examples of
constraints on the budget process include Proposition 13 (requiring a two-thirds vote in each House
of the Legislature to change State taxes enacted for the purpose of increasing revenues collected),
Proposition 98 (requiring a minimum percentage of General Fund revenues be spent on local
education), Proposition 49 (requiring expanded State funding for before and after school programs)
and Proposition 10 (raising taxes on tobacco products but mandating the expenditure of such
revenues).
State Budgets for the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 Fiscal Years
On September 23, 2008, State Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the States 2008-2009
budget (2008-2009 Budget), which came a record 85 days late. The 2008-2009 Budget attempted to
address the projected $24.3 billion budget deficit for 2008-2009, but did not resolve the States
persistent structural budget deficit (
i.e.
, expenditures consistently exceeding typical revenues
from year to year). It included a reform measure that is aimed at stabilizing the States finances
while avoiding borrowing from local governments or transportation funds. Expenditure reductions
accounted for 47% of all savings, more than any other category.
Economic conditions have deteriorated since the 2008-2009 Budget was adopted. Taxable sales
fell sharply in the first half of 2009. The total assessed valuation of property in the State is
lower in fiscal year 2009-2010 than it was in the prior fiscal year. This is the first year-to-year
decline in the statewide total since the State began keeping records in 1933. The States
unemployment rate increased from 6.1% at the start of 2008 to 12.2% in September 2009. By May 2009,
continued economic decline with consequent reduction of revenues, plus the failure of various
budget measures placed before the voters at a May 19, 2009 special election ballot, led the
Governor to announce that the budget gap for the period through June 30, 2010 was still projected
to be more than $22 billion (and subsequently increased to $24 billion). The Amended 2009 Budget
Act addressed the $24 billion budget gap projected at the time of its adoption through a
combination of revenue enhancements and significant cuts in a wide variety of programs.
The initial State budget for the fiscal year 2009-2010 (Initial 2009-2010 Budget) was
adopted in February 2009 and was designed to eliminate a then-projected 18-month budget gap of more
than $41 billion. The Initial 2009-2010 Budget assumed voter approval of six ballot measures, all
but one of which failed when presented to voters in May 2009. Due to this failure and as a result
of Californias continued economic and financial deterioration, the States projected budget
deficit as of June 30, 2009 was $26.3 billion for the current fiscal year.
The Amended 2009 Budget Act was enacted on July 28, 2009. The Amended 2009 Budget Act includes
another $24 billion in solutions to address the further deterioration of the States fiscal
situation identified in the 2009-2010 May Revision. Under the Amended 2009 Budget Act, General Fund
revenues and transfers are projected to increase 6.4%, from a revised $84.1 billion in fiscal year
2008-2009 to $89.5 billion in fiscal year 2009-2010.
The Amended 2009 Budget Act includes the following major General Fund components:
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Addressing the Deficit:
The $60 billion in budget solutions adopted for the
combined fiscal years 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 are wide-ranging and touch all three of the
States major revenue sources (personal income taxes, corporation taxes and sales and use
taxes). Spending cuts are implemented in virtually every State program that receives
General Fund support. The budget solutions include spending reductions of $31.0 billion.
The spending reductions consist primarily of reductions in education spending under
Proposition 98, higher education, employee compensation, and reductions in other spending
due to the use of redevelopment agency revenues and fund balances to pay costs that would
otherwise be payable from the General Fund ($1.7 billion reduction). Additional solutions
include $12.5 billion of tax increases, and $8.4 billion of other solutions.
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Federal Stimulus:
The Amended 2009 Budget Act assumed the receipt of at least
$8 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to offset
General Fund expenditures in fiscal years 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. Final estimates put this
amount at about $8.1 billion. As of August 31, 2009, approximately $5 billion has been
received by the State.
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Budget Stabilization Account:
Under normal circumstances, the State would set
aside a specified portion of estimated annual General Fund revenues for fiscal year
2009-2010 in the BSA for reserves that may be used to offset future shortfalls in the
General Fund. Given the magnitude and urgency of the States ongoing financial stress, the
Amended 2009 Budget Act continues to suspend the transfer to the BSA for the 2009-2010
fiscal year.
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The above discussion of current and future State budgets is based on approximations, estimates
and projections of revenues and expenditures for current and future fiscal years and these must not
be construed as statements of fact. These estimates and projections are based upon various
assumptions, which may be affected by numerous factors, including future economic conditions in the
State and the U.S., and there can be no assurance that the estimates will be achieved. Furthermore,
if the States economy continues to weaken, its budget deficit may continue to grow.
2010-2011 Proposed Budget
The 2010-2011 Governors Budget, released on January 8, 2010 (2010-2011 Governors Budget),
proposes to solve the estimated $19.9 billion budget gap by the end of fiscal year 2010-2011 with a
combination of spending reductions, alternative funding, fund shifts and additional federal funds.
The Governor declared a fiscal emergency and called the Legislature into a fiscal emergency special
session to accomplish this, which ended on March 11, 2010. The 2010-2011 Governors Budget will be
updated by May 14, 2010 in connection with the May Revision, which will be the basis for final
negotiations between the Governor and the Legislature to reach agreement on the fiscal year
2010-2011 budget.
The 2010-2011 Governors Budget projects to end fiscal year 2010-2011 with a $1.0 billion
reserve. The 2010-2011 Governors Budget now projects that General Fund revenues and transfers in
fiscal year 2009-2010 will be about $88.1 billion, with expenditures of $86.1 billion. The
estimated General Fund reserve balance at June 30, 2010 (assuming adoption of all of the Governors
proposals) would be negative $5.4 billion, compared to an estimated reserve of $500 million when
the Amended 2009 Budget Act was adopted. Despite the projected excess of revenues over
expenditures during fiscal year 2009-2010, the fund balance will be negative because of a
carry-over negative fund balance of $5.9 billion from the end of the 2008-09 fiscal year.
The 2010-2011 Governors Budget proposes a combined total of $19.9 billion of budget solutions
for fiscal years 2009-10 and 2010-2011. The solutions consist of $8.5 billion in expenditure
reductions, $6.9 billion in federal funds solutions, $3.9 billion in alternative funding solutions
and $572 million in fund shifts and other revenues. Some of the alternative funding solutions
require voter approval at the June 2010 primary election or November 2010 general election.
The State is in the process of studying the recently enacted federal health care reform and
its implications. Among other things, the law: (i) expands Medi-Cal coverage beginning January 1,
2014; (ii) requires specified rate increases for primary care and outpatient services beginning in
2013; and (iii) prohibits California from restricting eligibility primarily for the Medi-Cal and
Healthy Families programs before the new coverage requirements go into effect in 2014. Health care
reform may result in a significant net increase of General Fund program costs in fiscal year
2013-2014 and beyond. The net impact of health care reform on the General Fund will depend on a
variety of factors, including levels of participation and potential savings resulting from the
reform.
Future Deficits
Because
many of the actions taken in the Amended 2009 Budget Act and
2010-2011 Governors Budget were either one-time actions,
involve loans which have to be repaid or are based on temporary revenue increases (such as the
receipt of federal stimulus funds), budget gaps of several billions of dollars per year are
expected to recur in subsequent years. The Department of Finance has projected that,
using expenditure obligations under existing law and various assumptions concerning revenues in
future years, the State would, in the absence of taking additional steps to balance its budget,
face an operating deficit (expenditures exceeding
revenues in the same fiscal year) of $5.7
billion in fiscal year 2011-2012, $6.0 billion in 2012-2013 and
$3.8 billion in 2013-2014. These
projections assume, for instance, that transfers to the BSA will be suspended in each of these
coming years, and that the State will ultimately prevail in pending and threatened litigation
concerning budget actions.
The financial condition of the State is subject to a number of other risks in the future,
including particularly potential significant increases in required State contributions to the
Public Employees Retirement System, increased financial obligations related to certain
post-employment benefits to State employees and their families and increased debt service.
Cash Flow Requirements; Reserves
The State typically funds its day-to-day operating requirements of the General Fund from
revenue receipts, interfund borrowing from special funds (as directed by the Governor), and
external borrowing in the form of RANs, which fund annual cash flow requirements and are repaid
within the same fiscal year, and RAWs, which are issued only when it is necessary to bridge a
budgetary deficit over the end of a fiscal year. The States ongoing revenue shortfalls and budget
deficits place severe pressure on the States cash resources and require a significant amount of
short-term cash flow borrowing.
The State entered fiscal year 2009-2010 on July 1, 2009 with severely depleted cash resources
as a result of having to pay significant obligations before June 30, 2009, including repayment of
$5.5 billion of RANs issued in fiscal year 2008-2009. At the present time, the issuance of the $8.8
billion of 2009-2010 RANs, together with projected internal borrowings, is expected to provide
sufficient cash in the General Fund to meet the States cash management plan for fiscal year
2009-2010. The cash flow projections of the Department of Finance indicate that the State will have
approximately $10.4 billion of available internal borrowings from special funds as of June 30,
2010, after repayment of all 2009-2010 RANs. However, these cash flow projections are subject to a
variety of assumptions and risks.
The Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties (SFEU) is funded with the General Fund revenues
and was established to protect the State from unforeseen revenue reductions and/or unanticipated
expenditure increases. The State Controller may transfer amounts in the SFEU to the General Fund as
necessary to meet cash needs of the General Fund and such transfers are characterized as loans.
The State Controller is required to return moneys so transferred without payment of interest as
soon as there are sufficient moneys in the General Fund. At the end of each fiscal year, the State
Controller is required to transfer from the SFEU to the General Fund any amount necessary to
eliminate any deficit in the General Fund.
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The BSA was established by Proposition 58 (approved in 2004) to set aside funds to cover
budget shortfalls. For fiscal year 2008-2009, 3% of estimated annual General Fund revenues were to
be transferred by the State Controller into the BSA no later than September 30, 2009. These
transfers were to continue until the balance in the BSA reaches $8 billion or 5% of the estimated
General Fund revenues for that fiscal year, whichever is greater. Proposition 58 also provides that
one-half of the annual transfers shall be used to retire ERBs, until a total of $5 billion has been
used for that purpose. As of November 3, 2009, a total of $1.495 billion has been used to retire
outstanding ERBs. The annual transfer requirement will go back into effect whenever the balance
falls below the $8 billion or the 5% target. The annual transfers can be suspended or reduced for a
fiscal year by an executive order issued by the Governor. In light of the condition of the General
Fund, the scheduled 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 transfers to the BSA were cancelled. The BSA currently
has a zero balance.
Bond Ratings
As of May 14, 2010, several rating agencies have downgraded Californias general obligation bond
rating. Currently, the States outstanding general obligation bonds have long-term credit ratings
of A- from Standard & Poors Rating Group
(Standard & Poors), A1 from Moodys Investors
Service (Moodys) and A- from Fitch,
Inc. (Fitch). California has always paid the principal
and interest of general obligation bonds, general obligation commercial paper notes, lease-purchase
obligations and short-term obligations, including RANs and RAWs, when due.
There can be no assurance that current ratings will be maintained in the future. It should be
noted that the creditworthiness of obligations issued by local California issuers may be unrelated
to creditworthiness of obligations issued by the State, and that there is no obligation on the part
of the State to make payment on such local obligations in the event of default.
Legal Proceedings
The State is a party to numerous legal proceedings, many of which normally occur in
governmental operations. In addition, the State is involved in certain other legal proceedings
(described in the States recent financial statements and other public disclosures) that, if
decided against the State might require the State to make significant future expenditures or
substantially impair future revenue sources.
Local Governments
The primary units of local government in California are the 58 counties, which range in
population from approximately 1,200 in Alpine County to approximately 10 million in Los Angeles
County. Counties are responsible for the provision of many basic services, including indigent
health care, welfare, jails, and public safety in unincorporated areas. There are also 480
incorporated cities in California and thousands of special districts formed for education,
utilities, and other services. The fiscal condition of local governments has been constrained by
Proposition 13, which added Article XIIIA to the State Constitution. Proposition 13 reduced and
limited the future growth of property taxes and limited the ability of local governments to impose
special taxes (those devoted to a specific purpose) without two-thirds voter approval.
Proposition 218, another constitutional amendment enacted by initiative in 1996, further limited
the ability of local governments to raise taxes, fees, and other exactions. Counties, in
particular, have had fewer options to raise revenues than many other local government entities,
while they have been required to maintain many services.
Obligations of Other Issuers
Other Issuers of California Debt Obligations
. There are a number of State agencies,
instrumentalities and political subdivisions of the State that issue Municipal Obligations, some of
which may be conduit revenue obligations payable from payments from private borrowers. These
entities are subject to various economic risks and uncertainties, and the credit quality of the
securities issued by them may vary considerably from the credit quality of obligations backed by
the full faith and credit of the State.
State Assistance
. To the extent the State should be constrained by its Article XIIIB
appropriations limit, or its obligation to conform to Proposition 98, or other fiscal
considerations, the absolute level, or the rate of growth, of State assistance to local governments
may continue to be reduced. Any such reductions in State aid could compound the serious fiscal
constraints already experienced by many local governments, particularly counties. The recent
economic slowdown in the State, with its corresponding reduction in State and local revenues, will
put additional pressure on local government finances in the coming years.
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Assessment Bonds
. California debt obligations in the form of assessment bonds may be adversely
affected by a general decline in real estate values or a slowdown in real estate sales activity. In
many cases, such bonds are secured by land which is undeveloped at the time of issuance but
anticipated to be developed within a few years after issuance. In the event of such reduction or
slowdown, such development may not occur or may be delayed, thereby increasing the risk of a
default on the bonds. Because the special assessments or taxes securing these bonds are not the
personal liability of the owners of the property assessed, the lien on the property is the only
security for the bonds. Moreover, in most cases the issuer of these bonds is not required to make
payments on the bonds in the event of delinquency in the payment of assessments or taxes, except
from amounts, if any, in a reserve fund established for the bonds.
California Long Term Lease Obligations
. Certain long-term lease obligations, though typically
payable from the General Fund of the State or a municipality, are not considered indebtedness
requiring voter approval. Such leases, however, are subject to abatement in the event the
facility being leased is unavailable for beneficial use and occupancy by the municipality during
the term of the lease. Abatement is not a default, and there may be no remedies available to the
holders of the certificates evidencing the lease obligation in the event abatement occurs. The most
common cases of abatement are failure to complete construction of the facility before the end of
the period during which lease payments have been capitalized and uninsured casualty losses to the
facility (
e.g.
, due to earthquake). In the event abatement occurs with respect to a lease
obligation, lease payments may be interrupted (if all available insurance proceeds and reserves are
exhausted) and the certificates may not be paid when due. Although litigation is brought from time
to time which challenges the constitutionality of such lease arrangements, the California Supreme
Court issued a ruling in August 1998 which reconfirmed the legality of these financing methods.
Other Considerations
The repayment of industrial development securities or single family mortgage revenue bonds
secured by real property may be affected by California laws limiting foreclosure rights of
creditors. Under California law, mortgage loans secured by single family homes can be prepaid at
any time without penalty, except in the first five years of the loan, and subject to limits on the
size of the penalty. Such prepayments may affect the ability of the issuer of single family
mortgage bonds to repay the bonds. Securities backed by health care and hospital revenues may be
affected by changes in State regulations governing cost reimbursements to health care providers
under Medi-Cal (the States Medicaid program), including risks related to the policy of awarding
exclusive contracts to certain hospitals.
Limitations on
ad valorem
property taxes may particularly affect tax allocation bonds issued
by California redevelopment agencies. Such bonds are secured solely by the increase in assessed
valuation of a redevelopment project area after the start of redevelopment activity. In the event
that assessed values in the redevelopment project decline (
e.g.
, because of a major natural
disaster such as an earthquake), the tax increment revenue may be insufficient to make principal
and interest payments on these bonds. Both Moodys and S&P suspended ratings on California tax
allocation bonds after the enactment of Articles XIIIA and XIIIB, and only resumed such ratings on
a selective basis.
Proposition 87, approved by California voters in 1988, requires that all revenues produced by
a tax rate increase go directly to the taxing entity which increased such tax rate to repay that
entitys general obligation indebtedness. As a result, redevelopment agencies (which, typically,
are the issuers of tax allocation securities) no longer receive an increase in tax increment when
taxes on property in the project area are increased to repay voter-approved bonded indebtedness.
The effect of these various constitutional and statutory changes upon the ability of
California municipal securities issuers to pay interest and principal on their obligations remains
unclear. Furthermore, other measures affecting the taxing or spending authority of California or
its political subdivisions may be approved or enacted in the future. Legislation has been or may be
introduced which would modify existing taxes or other revenue-raising measures or which either
would further limit or, alternatively, would increase the abilities of State and local governments
to impose new taxes or increase existing taxes. It is not possible, at present, to predict the
extent to which any such legislation will be enacted. Nor is it possible, at present, to determine
the impact of any such legislation on securities held in the California Municipal Fund, future
allocations of State revenues to local governments or the abilities of State or local governments
to pay the interest on, or repay the principal of, such securities.
Substantially all of California is within an active geologic region subject to major seismic
activity. Northern California in 1989 and Southern California in 1994 experienced major earthquakes
causing billions of dollars in damages. The federal government provided more than $13 billion in
aid for both earthquakes, and neither event has had any long-term negative economic impact. Any
obligation in the California Municipal Fund could be affected by an interruption of revenues
because of damaged facilities, or, consequently, income tax deductions for casualty losses or
property tax assessment reductions. Compensatory financial assistance
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could be constrained by the inability of (i) an issuer to have obtained earthquake insurance
coverage rates; (ii) an insurer to perform on its contracts of insurance in the event of widespread
losses; or (iii) the federal or State government to appropriate sufficient funds within their
respective budget limitations.
Special Risk Considerations Relating to New York Municipal Obligations
The Prime Obligations Fund, Money Market Fund and Tax-Free Fund may invest in municipal
obligations of the State of New York (New York or, as used in this section, the State), its
public authorities and local governments (New York Municipal Obligations). Some of the
significant financial considerations relating to investments in New York Municipal Obligations are
summarized below. The following section provides only a brief summary of the complex factors
affecting the financial condition of New York that could, in turn, adversely affect a Series
investments in New York municipal obligations. This information is based on the Annual Information
Statement of the State of New York (AIS), as updated and supplemented from time to time, and
other public sources available prior to May 14, 2010. The accuracy and completeness of the information
contained in those sources have not been independently verified. It should be noted that the
creditworthiness of obligations issued by local issuers may be unrelated to the creditworthiness of
obligations issued by the State, and that there is no obligation on the part of New York to make
payment on such local obligations in the event of default in the absence of a specific guarantee or
pledge provided by New York.
Introduction and Overview
The State of New Yorks fiscal year begins on April 1 and ends on March 31. The most recently
published AIS was dated May 15, 2009. The information for the State comes from the Department of
Budget (DOB). The AIS is available at http://www.budget.state.ny.us/investor/ais/ais_fdp.html.
The 2009-2010 Enacted Budget (defined below) closes the largest budget gap ever faced by the
State. The combined current services budget gap (which includes projected and current deficits)
for fiscal years 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 totaled $20.1 billion before the gap-closing actions
approved by the Governor and Legislature and the receipt of extraordinary Federal aid. The combined
current services gap for 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 grew steadily over the past year, increasing
four-fold since May 2008. The $15 billion increase in the combined gap, to $20.1 billion, was due
almost exclusively to the precipitous decline in projected receipts, reflecting the severity of the
current economic downturn and dislocation in the financial markets. The current recession has been
characterized by a loss of vast sums of wealth from depressed equity and real estate markets. This
is expected to have a substantial impact on taxable income and, by extension, State tax receipts.
State adjusted gross income is expected to fall by $52 billion in 2008-2009 and $53 billion in
2009-2010, which, if these expectations are met, would be more than twice the losses seen in the
2001-2002 recession.
The State accounts for all of its spending and receipts by the fund in which the activity
takes place, and the broad category or purpose of that activity. The States four major fund types
(collectively, All Funds) include:
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General Fund, which receives most of the States tax revenue and accounts for spending
on programs that are not supported directly by dedicated fees and revenues;
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Special Revenue Funds, which receive Federal grants, certain dedicated taxes, fees and
other revenues that are used for a specified purpose;
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Capital Project Funds, which account for costs incurred in the construction and
reconstruction of roads, bridges, prisons, and other infrastructure projects; and
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Debt Service Funds, which pay principal, interest and related expenses on long-term
bonds issued by the State and its public authorities.
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Special Considerations
. Many complex political, social, and economic forces influence the
States economy and finances, which may in turn affect the States Financial Plan. These forces may
affect the State from fiscal year to fiscal year and are influenced by governments, institutions,
and events that are not subject to the States control. The States Financial Plan (explained under
State Budget) is also necessarily based upon forecasts of national and State economic activity.
Economic forecasts have frequently failed to predict accurately the timing and magnitude of changes
in the national and State economies. The DOB believes that its current estimates related to the
performance of the State and national economies are reasonable. However, there can be no assurance
that actual results will not differ materially and adversely from current forecasts.
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State Economy
DOB estimates that the State economy experienced a business cycle peak in August 2008, fully
eight months after the U.S. as a whole. However, as the epicenter of the global financial crisis,
it is likely that the State downturn could be deeper than those of the past. Data released since
January 2004 indicate that the fourth quarter of 2008 was a significant turning point for the State
economy. The 3-month increase in the State unemployment rate from November to February on a
seasonally adjusted basis was the largest, in both absolute and percentage terms, over the history
of the series. Initial unemployment benefit claims for March 2009 were up 75.3% from the same
month in 2008. As a result, State private sector employment is now projected to fall 2.5% for 2009,
followed by a decline of 0.3% for 2010. For 2008 and 2009, declines of 7.1% and 7.9%,
respectively, in State adjusted gross income are projected. The loss of wealth, along with
declining State employment and income, is also having an impact on household spending, depressing
taxable sales as well.
The securities industry has seen an unprecedented decline in profitability since the third
quarter of 2007. Because of the significant changes in the investment banking industry, the profit
levels achieved earlier in the decade may no longer be attainable. Consequently, DOB projects a
decline in State wages for 2009 of 4.2%, the largest annual decline in the history of the Quarterly
Census of Employment and Wage data. Wage growth for 2010 has been revised down to 2.0%.
The current downturn has spread far beyond Wall Street. DOB now projects significant declines
in every sector of the economy except for education, health care and social assistance. Falling
U.S. corporate earnings is reducing the demand for the States business and professional services,
where some of the largest job losses are expected. Large rates of decline are also expected for
financial services, manufacturing, and construction. Credit market conditions and rising debt
default rates are expected to continue to depress real estate activity, particularly in the
commercial sector where high-value transactions have previously significantly contributed to State
and local government revenues. The volume of such transactions can be expected to fall as office
vacancy rates rise; the downtown New York City office vacancy rate rose 32% between the fourth
quarter of 2007 and the fourth quarter of 2008, while the midtown rate rose 67%.
New York is the third most populous state in the U.S. and has a relatively high level of
personal wealth. The States economy is diverse, with a comparatively large share of the nations
financial activities, information, education, and health services employment, and a very small
share of the nations farming and mining activity. The States location and its air transport
facilities and natural harbors have made it an important link in international commerce. Travel and
tourism constitute an important part of the economy. Like the rest of the nation, New York has a
declining proportion of its workforce engaged in manufacturing, and an increasing proportion
engaged in service industries. New York City is the nations leading center of banking and finance
and, as a result, this is a far more important sector in the State than in the nation as a whole.
Although this sector accounts for less than 10% of all nonagricultural jobs in the State, it
represents more than 20% of total wages.
The remaining service-producing sectors include information, professional and business
services, private education and healthcare, leisure and hospitality services, and other services.
These industries combined account for more than 40% nonagricultural jobs in New York and, except
for leisure and hospitality, each accounts for a higher proportion of total State employment than
for the U.S. Federal, State and local governments together comprise the third largest sector in
terms of nonagricultural jobs, with the bulk of the employment accounted for by local governments.
Public education is the source of nearly 50% of the total State and local government workforce.
Changes in the U.S. economy as a whole will also affect the State economy, although as one of
the major U.S. financial centers, financial market uncertainty poses a particularly large degree of
risk for New York. The full extent of the losses associated with troubled assets and other
financial sector problems remains to be seen. A more severe national recession than expected could
prolong the States downturn, producing weaker employment and wage growth than projected. Should
core inflation significantly accelerate, the Federal Reserve may feel compelled to reverse course
and raise rates, which traditionally has adverse effects on the State economy. Moreover, weaker
equity and real estate activity than anticipated could negatively affect household spending and
taxable capital gains realizations. These effects could ripple though the economy, further
depressing both employment and wage growth. In contrast, should the national and world economies
grow faster than expected, a stronger upturn in stock prices, along with even stronger activity in
mergers and acquisitions and other Wall Street activities, could result in higher wage and bonuses
growth than projected. Further losses and asset write-downs could result in more turbulence in the
financial sector, which would have a disproportionate impact on the State economy relative to the
U.S. economy as a whole. In contrast, should the U.S. and world economies grow faster than
expected, a stronger upturn in stock prices, along with even stronger activity in mergers and
acquisitions and other Wall Street activities, could result in higher wage and bonus growth than
projected.
B-23
State Budget Process
The Executive Budget is the Governors constitutionally mandated annual submission to the
Legislature (generally in January), which contains his recommended program for the forthcoming
fiscal year that begins on April 1. It projects disbursements and expenditures needed to carry out
the Governors recommended programs and receipts and revenues expected to be available for such
purpose. The recommendations contained in the Executive Budget serve as the basis for the State
Financial Plan, which is adjusted after the Legislature acts on the Governors submission. Under
the State Constitution, the Governor is required each year to propose an Executive Budget that is
balanced on a cash basis. The State Financial Plan sets forth projections of State receipts and
disbursements in the governmental fund types for each fiscal year and is prepared by the Director
of the DOB, based initially upon the recommendations contained in the Executive Budget. After the
budget is enacted, the State Financial Plan is adjusted to reflect revenue measures, appropriation
bills and certain related bills enacted by the Legislature. It serves as the basis for the
administration of the States finances by the DOB and is updated, as necessary, during the fiscal
year.
The Comptroller is responsible for the investment of substantially all State moneys. By law,
such moneys may be invested only in obligations issued or guaranteed by the Federal government or
the State, obligations of certain Federal agencies that are not guaranteed by the Federal
government, certain general obligations of other states, direct obligations of the States
municipalities and obligations of certain public authorities, certain short-term corporate
obligations, certain bankers acceptances, and certificates of deposit secured by legally qualified
governmental securities. All securities in which the State invests moneys held by funds
administered within the State Treasury must mature within 12 years of the date they are purchased.
Money impounded by the Comptroller for payment of Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes may only be
invested, subject to the provisions of the State Finance Law, in (i) obligations of the Federal
government, (ii) certificates of deposit secured by such obligations, or (iii) obligations of or
obligations guaranteed by agencies of the Federal government as to which the payment of principal
and interest is guaranteed by the Federal government.
General Fund
. The General Fund is the principal operating fund of the State and is used to
account for all financial transactions except those required to be accounted for in another fund.
It is the States largest fund and receives almost all State taxes and other resources not
dedicated to particular purposes.
State Budgets for the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 Fiscal Years
The gap-closing plan for 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 was enacted in two parts. First, in early
February 2009, the Governor and Legislature approved a deficit reduction plan (DRP) for
2008-2009. The DRP provided approximately $2.4 billion in savings over the two-year period,
reducing the combined gap from $20.1 to $17.7 billion. Second, in March 2009, the Governor and
Legislature reached final agreement on a budget for 2009-2010, with the Legislature completing
action on all appropriations and enabling legislation to implement the budget on April 3, 2009
(2009-2010 Enacted Budget). All debt service appropriations for 2009-2010 were enacted on March
5, 2009.
The 2009-2010 Enacted Budget contains a total of $13.9 billion in gap-closing actions,
including $6.5 billion in actions to restrain spending, $5.4 billion in actions to increase
receipts, and $2 billion in non-recurring actions (more than half of which were used in 2008-2009
to close a gap that opened in the last half of the fiscal year). The most significant actions
include: freezing the foundation aid and Universal Pre-Kindergarten education aid programs at
2008-2009 levels; eliminating certain property tax rebates; instituting Medicaid cost-containment;
reducing the size of the State workforce; and increasing personal income tax rates on high-income
earners.
In addition, the gap-closing plan includes $6.15 billion in direct fiscal relief that the
Federal government is providing to the State under the ARRA to stabilize State finances and help
prevent reductions in essential services. This extraordinary aid consists of $5 billion in
reimbursements to the Medicaid State from the Federal government and $1.15 billion in Federal aid
provided by the ARRA State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF), of which $624 million was used to
eliminate the 2008-2009 gap, and $675 million was applied to close a portion of the 2009-2010 gap.
The State projects new issuance of $599 million in general obligation bonds, $577 million in
Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund Bonds issued by the Thruway Authority to finance capital
projects for transportation, $520 million in Mental Health Facilities Improvement Revenue Bonds
issued by DASNY to finance capital projects at mental health facilities, $100 million in SUNY
Dormitory Facilities Revenue Bonds to finance capital projects related to student dormitories, and
$4.1 billion in State Personal Income Tax (PIT) Revenue Bonds to finance various capital
programs.
B-24
2010-2011 Executive Budget
On January 19, 2010, the Governor presented his Executive Budget for 2010-2011 to the
Legislature. The Executive Budget Financial Plan (the Initial Executive Budget Financial Plan or
Initial Plan) reflected recommendations to eliminate a General Fund budget gap in 2010-2011 that
was then estimated at approximately $7.4 billion. On February 9, 2010, the Governor submitted
amendments to the Executive Budget (together with the Initial Plan, the Updated Financial Plan).
The Updated Financial Plan reflects the: (i) impact of the Governors amendments; and
(ii) substantive forecast revisions to the multi-year projections of receipts and disbursements
that were set forth in the Initial Plan, based on updated information through January 2010.
The Updated Financial Plan projected that the budget gap that must be addressed in 2010-2011
was $8.2 billion (which has been subsequently revised to $8.7 billionsee FUTURE DEFICITS,
below). The Updated Financial Plan identifies additional gap-closing resources and actions to
ameliorate the additional General Fund gap (including the 2009-2010 budget shortfall) and maintain
a balanced Executive Budget proposal, as required by law.
The most significant new gap-closing resource is an anticipated six-month extension of a
higher Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for eligible State Medicaid expenditures.
President Obamas Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2011 recommends a six-month extension of the
temporary increase in the FMAP that was authorized in the ARRA. Under the ARRA, the higher FMAP
for eligible Medicaid expenditures currently in effect would expire on December 31, 2010. DOB
estimates that, if approved, the extension of higher FMAP through June 30, 2011 would provide
approximately $1.1 billion in Financial Plan savings in both the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 fiscal
years. If the extension of FMAP were not approved, the State would be required to take an
additional $575 million in gap-closing actions, as well as eliminate the resources reserved for
fiscal uncertainties.
The Updated Financial Plan would address $8.2 billion of the 2010-2011 budget gap (which
includes the $1.4 billion shortfall carried forward from 2009-2010), and reduce the projected gap
in 2011-2012 from $14.5 billion to $5.4 billion. The Updated Financial Plan would, if enacted in
its entirety:
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provide over $8.7 billion in gap-closing actions and resources;
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reduce spending from the current-services forecast by approximately $5.0 billion in
2010-11, in both the General Fund and in State Operating Funds;6
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hold spending on all measures at well below the rate of inflation, excluding the impact
of payment deferrals that artificially lower spending in 2009-10 and increase it in
2010-11; and
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maintain the States rainy day reserves at $1.2 billion.
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The Updated Financial Plan does not advance any proposals to close the budget gaps with deficit
borrowing, which would likely have an immediate adverse impact on the States credit rating and add
to the long-term budget imbalance. Under the Updated Financial Plan, the combined four-year gap
(2010-11 through 2013-14) is reduced by more than half, declining from $62 billion to $28 billion.
Reductions to current-services spending total approximately $5 billion in the State Operating
Funds ($5.9 billion in the General Fund) and constitute 68% of the Updated Financial Plan. The
proposed reductions affect nearly every activity financed by State government, ranging from aid to
public schools to agency operations to capital expenditures. The Updated Financial Plan includes
$1.2 billion in tax and fee increases and also relies on anticipated Federal aid.
Future Deficits
DOB projects that the estimated budget gap for 2010-2011, before recommended actions,
will increase from $8.2 billion to approximately $9 billion as a result of the consensus forecast
issued by the Governor and the Legislature on March 1, 2010. Therefore, to provide for a balanced
budget as required by law, the enacted budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year must include
approximately $350 million in additional gap-closing actions above the levels recommended in the
Updated Financial Plan. The gaps in future
years are now projected at $8.8 billion in 2011-2012 and
$13.7 billion in 2012-2013. The projected
current-year gap is mainly due to a reduction in estimated annual receipts from the personal income
tax and business taxes, based on actual collections experience through the first half of fiscal
year 2009-2010, and updated economic information. In 2010-2011 and thereafter, the increase in the gaps
reflects the recurring impact of the current-year receipts reductions, as collections grow off a
lower tax base, and increases in projected disbursements, especially for activities that are
sensitive to the economic downturn (e.g., community college enrollment, pensions and fringe
benefits, and reimbursement-based programs affected by accelerated claiming from localities). As
required by law, the State ended the 2008-2009 fiscal year in balance in the General Fund.
Overall, tax receipts growth in the two fiscal years following 2009-2010 is expected to grow
within a range of 2-8%. This reflects an economic forecast of a national recovery beginning in the
third quarter of 2009 with many aspects of the States recovery lagging into 2010. This growth is
supported significantly by revenue actions in the Enacted Budget, including the three-year
temporary increase in PIT rates. Tax receipts in 2012-2013 are expected to decline slightly,
primarily due to the expiration of the temporary rate increase.
Cash Reserves
In January 2007, the State created a new statutory Rainy Day Reserve that has an authorized
balance of 3% of General Fund spending. The Rainy Day Reserve may be used to respond to an economic
downturn or catastrophic event. The State made its first deposit of $175 million in 2007-2008.
The Debt Reduction Reserve Fund (DRRF) was created in 1998 to set aside resources that could
be used to reduce State-supported indebtedness either through the use of DRRF as a cash financing
source, to reduce debt service costs, or to defease outstanding debt. The 2009-2010 Enacted Budget
authorizes up to $250 million for the DRRF to deal with uncertain market conditions. This
appropriation will only be funded if resources become available, and would give the State the
flexibility to react to market conditions and apply additional resources to mitigate risks in the
States debt portfolio. This appropriation could be used to fund swap termination costs, capital
projects, cost of issuance, or to defease high cost debt.
Debt Obligations of New York and State Agencies
State-related debt consists of State-supported debt, where the State, subject to an
appropriation, is directly responsible for paying debt service, as well as State-guaranteed debt to
which the full faith and credit of the State has been pledged, moral obligation financings and
certain contingent-contractual obligation financings, where debt service is expected to be paid
from other sources and State appropriations are contingent in that they may be made and used only
under certain circumstances. State-supported debt is a subset of State-related debt. It includes
general obligation debt, to which the full faith and credit of the State has been pledged, and
lease-purchase and contractual obligations of public authorities and municipalities, where the
States legal obligation to make payments to those public authorities and municipalities is subject
to and paid from annual appropriations made by the Legislature. Since May 2002, the State has
financed its capital program, previously financed through lease-purchase and contractual
obligations of public authorities, with State PIT Revenue Bonds.
Limitations on State-Supported Debt
. Under the State Constitution, the State may not, with
limited exceptions for emergencies, undertake a long-term (
i.e.
, for more than one year) general
obligation borrowing unless the borrowing is authorized in a definite amount for a specific purpose
by the Legislature and approved by the voters. There is no constitutional limitation on the amount
of long-term general obligation debt that may be so authorized and subsequently incurred by the
State. Under State law, the use of debt is limited to capital works and purposes only, with a
maximum term of 30 years. New State-supported debt outstanding was limited to 0.75% of State
personal income in 2000-2001 and will gradually increase until it is fully phased-in at 4% of State
personal income in 2010-2011.
B-25
Similarly, new State-supported debt service costs were limited to 0.75% of total governmental
funds receipts in 2000-2001 and this limit gradually increase until it is fully phased in at 5% in
the 2013-2014 fiscal year. State-related debt outstanding is expected to increase slightly in
2009-10 to 6.0% of personal income from 5.6% in 2008-2009.
Limitations on the issuance of State-supported debt and debt service costs must be calculated
by October 31 of each year and reported in the quarterly Financial Plan Update most proximate to
such date. If the calculations for permitted new State-supported debt outstanding and debt service
costs are less than the State-supported debt outstanding and debt service costs, new
State-supported debt may continue to be issued. However, if either the debt outstanding or the debt
service cap is met or exceeded, the State would be precluded from contracting new State-supported
debt until the next annual cap calculation is made and State-supported debt is found to be within
the appropriate limitations. The prohibition on issuing new State-supported debt if the caps are
met or exceeded provides a significant incentive to treat the debt caps as absolute limits that
should not be reached, and therefore DOB intends to manage subsequent capital plans and issuance
schedules under these limits.
Current projections estimate that debt outstanding and debt service costs will continue to
remain below limits imposed by State law throughout the next several years. However, the State has
entered into a period of significantly declining debt capacity. Available cap room, in regards to
debt outstanding, is expected to decline from 0.74% ($6.8 billion) in 2009-2010 to only 0.08% ($763
million) in 2011-2012, a decrease of 88% or $6 billion. In addition, debt outstanding is projected
to exceed the cap by 0.03% ($314 million) in 2012-2013 and by 0.04% ($384 million) in 2013-2014.
The State plans to take actions in future budget cycles before fiscal year 2012-13 in order to stay
within the statutory debt limits.
The State has also enacted statutory limits on the amount of variable rate obligations and
interest rate exchange agreements that authorized issuers of State-supported debt may enter into.
The statute limits the use of debt instruments which result in a variable rate exposure (
e.g.
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variable rate obligations and interest rate exchange agreements) to no more than 20% of total
outstanding State-supported debt, and limits the use of interest rate exchange agreements to a
total notional amount of no more than 20% of total outstanding State-supported debt.
General Obligation Bonds.
General obligation debt is currently authorized for transportation,
environment and housing purposes. Transportation-related bonds are issued for State and local
highway and bridge improvements, aviation, mass transportation, rail, canal, port and waterway
programs and projects. Environmental bonds are issued to fund environmentally-sensitive land
acquisitions, air and water quality improvements, municipal non-hazardous waste landfill closures
and hazardous waste site cleanup projects. The amount of general obligation bonds issued in the
2008-2009 fiscal year (excluding refunding bonds) was $455 million, and as of March 31, 2009, the
total amount of general obligation debt outstanding was $3.3 billion. Approximately $599 million in
general obligation bonds are expected to be issued in the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
Short-Term Borrowings.
Under the State Constitution, the State may undertake short-term
borrowings without voter approval (i) in anticipation of the receipt of taxes and revenues, by
issuing tax and revenue anticipation notes (TRANs), and (ii) in anticipation of the receipt of
proceeds from the sale of duly authorized but unissued general obligation bonds, by issuing bond
anticipation notes (BANs). TRANs must mature within one year from their date of issuance and
cannot be refunded or refinanced beyond such period. However, since 1990, the States ability to
issue TRANs has been limited due to the enactment of the fiscal reform program which created the
Local Government Assistance Corporation. BANs may only be issued for the purposes and within the
amounts for which bonds may be issued pursuant to voter authorizations, and must be paid from the
proceeds of the sale of bonds in anticipation of which they were issued or from other sources
within two years of the date of issuance or, in the case of BANs for housing purposes, within five
years of the date of issuance. In order to provide flexibility within these maximum term limits,
the State had previously utilized the BANs authorization to conduct a commercial paper program to
fund disbursements eligible for general obligation bond financing.
Personal Income Tax Revenue Bonds.
Legislation enacted in 2001 provided for the issuance of
State PIT Revenue Bonds by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), the New York
State Environmental Facilities Corporation, the Housing Finance Agency (HFA), the New York State
Thruway Authority (Thruway Authority) and the Urban Development Corporation (UDC)
(collectively, the Authorized Issuers). The legislation provides that 25% of State PIT receipts,
excluding refunds owed to taxpayers, be deposited to the Revenue Bond Tax Fund (RBTF) for
purposes of making debt service payments on State PIT Revenue Bonds, with excess amounts returned
to the General Fund. In the event that: (i) the Legislature fails to appropriate amounts required
to make all debt service payments on the State PIT Revenue Bonds; or (ii) having been appropriated
and set aside pursuant to a certificate of the Director of the Budget, financing agreement payments
have not been made when due on the State PIT Revenue Bonds, the legislation requires that PIT
receipts continue to be deposited to the RBTF until amounts on deposit in the Fund equal the
greater of 25% of annual PIT receipts or $6 billion.
B-26
State PIT Revenue Bonds are expected to continue to be the primary financing vehicle for a
broad range of existing or new State-supported debt programs authorized to be secured by service
contract or lease-purchase payments. As of March 31, 2009, approximately $13.7 billion of State PIT
Revenue Bonds were outstanding. The 2009-10 Enacted Budget projects that $4.1 billion of State PIT
Revenue Bonds will be issued in 2009-10.
Interest Rate Exchange Agreements.
As of March 31, 2009 five issuers, DASNY, UDC, HFA, Local
Government Assistance Corporation (LGAC) and the Thruway Authority have entered into a notional
amount of $3.99 billion of interest rate exchange agreements that are subject to the interest rate
exchange agreement cap, which is equal to 8.5% of total debt outstanding.
The State is currently repositioning its swaps portfolio to mitigate the negative effects of
the ongoing credit crisis in the global markets. From March 2008 through March 2009, the State
terminated a notional amount of swaps totaling approximately $2.0 billion. Of this amount, the
bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. resulted in the automatic termination of a notional
amount of swaps totaling approximately $565 million. Given the current dislocations in the
underlying variable rate markets and recent experience with the existing portfolio of swaps, the
State has no plans to increase its swap exposure, and may take further actions to reduce swap
exposures commensurate with variable rate restructuring efforts. As of March 31, 2009, the net
mark-to-market value of all the outstanding swaps (the aggregate termination amount) was
approximately $577 million, which represents the total amount the State would pay to the respective
counterparties should all the swaps be terminated. The mark-to-market value of the outstanding
interest rate exchange agreements fluctuates with interest rates and other market conditions.
Generally, if interest rates rise from levels that existed in March 2009, it is expected the
States termination amounts would decline. The State plans to continue to monitor and manage
counterparty risk on a monthly basis.
Net Variable Rate Obligations.
As of March 31, 2009 the State had about $1.8 billion of
outstanding variable rate debt instruments that are subject to the net variable rate exposure cap
or 3.8% of total debt outstanding. That amount includes $1.65 billion of unhedged variable rate
obligations and $128 million of synthetic variable rate obligations.
The State also has $2.4 billion of fixed rate obligations that may convert to variable rate
obligations in the future. This includes $1.75 billion in State-supported convertible rate bonds
currently outstanding. These bonds bear a fixed rate until future mandatory tender dates in 2011,
2012 and 2013 at which time they can convert to either a fixed or variable rate. Legislation
enacted in 2005 amended the State Finance Law to clarify that convertible bonds, synthetic variable
obligations and similar obligations that were issued on or before July 1, 2005 and which result in
the State paying a fixed rate in a fiscal year do not count under the variable rate cap until the
fiscal year in which the State may pay a variable rate.
Other Financing Arrangements.
The State employs additional long-term financing mechanisms,
lease-purchase and contractual-obligation financings, which involve obligations of public
authorities or municipalities that are State-supported but are not general obligations of the
State. Under these financing arrangements, certain public authorities and municipalities have
issued obligations to finance the construction and rehabilitation of facilities or the acquisition
and rehabilitation of equipment, and expect to meet their debt service requirements through the
receipt of rental or other contractual payments made by the State. Although these financing
arrangements involve a contractual agreement by the State to make payments to a public authority,
municipality or other entity, the States obligation to make such payments is generally expressly
made subject to appropriation by the Legislature and the actual availability of money to the State
for making the payments. The State has also entered into a contractual-obligation financing
arrangement with the LGAC to restructure the way the State makes certain local aid payments.
The above discussion of current and future State budgets is based on approximations, estimates
and projections of revenues and expenditures for current and future fiscal years and must not be
construed as statements of fact. These estimates and projections are based upon various
assumptions, which may be affected by numerous factors, including future economic conditions in the
State and the U.S., and there can be no assurance that the estimates will be achieved.
State Finances
Personal Income Tax.
Personal income taxes are imposed on the New York source income of
individuals, estates and trusts. Personal income taxes are projected to account for roughly 61% of
estimated All Funds tax receipts during the States 2009-2010 fiscal year. The State tax adheres
closely to the definitions of adjusted gross income and itemized deductions used for Federal
personal income tax purposes, with certain modifications. Receipts from this tax are sensitive to
changes in economic conditions in the State.
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Sales and Use Tax.
User taxes and fees consist of several taxes on consumption, the largest of
which is the State sales and compensating use tax. The sales and use tax is imposed, in general, on
the receipts from the sale of all tangible personal property. Certain charges for meals,
admissions, hotel and motel occupancy and dues are also subject to the tax. The current State sales
tax rate is 4.0%, of which 3.0% is deposited in the General Fund and 1.0% is deposited in the Local
Government Assistance Tax Fund to meet debt service obligations. Receipts in excess of debt service
requirements are transferred to the General Fund. Although there are numerous exemptions, the most
significant are: food; clothing and footwear costing less than $110; drugs; medicine and medical
supplies; residential energy; capital improvements and installation charges; machinery and
equipment used in manufacturing; trade-in allowances; and goods sold to Federal, state or local
governments.
Business Taxes.
Business taxes include a general business corporation franchise tax as well as
specialized franchise taxes on banks, insurance companies, certain transportation and transmission
companies, and a cents-per-gallon-based levy on businesses engaged in the sale or importation for
sale of various petroleum products. The corporation franchise tax is the largest of the business
taxes, and the States third largest source of revenue. It is imposed on all domestic general
business corporations and foreign general business corporations which do business or conduct
certain other activities in the State. The tax is imposed, generally, at a rate of 7.1% of taxable
income allocated to New York. Taxable income is defined as Federal taxable income with certain
modifications.
Other Taxes
. Other tax revenues include taxes on legalized gambling, the estate tax, taxes on
real estate transfers, certain other minor taxes and residual receipts following the repeal of the
real property gains tax and the gift tax.
Bond Ratings
As of May 14, 2010, the long-term debt ratings for the States general obligation bonds is AA
from S&P, AA from Fitch and Aa3 from Moodys. There is no assurance that such ratings will
continue for any given period of time or that they will not be revised downward or withdrawn
entirely.
Legal Proceedings
The State is a party to numerous legal proceedings, many of which normally occur in
governmental operations. In addition, the State is involved in certain other legal proceedings
(described in the States recent financial statements and other public disclosures) that, if
decided against the State might require the State to make significant future expenditures or
substantially impair future revenue sources.
State Authorities
The fiscal stability of New York State is related, in part, to the fiscal stability of its
Authorities, which generally have responsibility for financing, constructing and operating
revenue-producing public benefit facilities. Authorities are not subject to the constitutional
restrictions on the incurrence of debt which apply to the State itself, and may issue bonds and
notes within the amounts of, and as otherwise restricted by, their legislative authorization. The
States access to the public credit markets could be impaired, and the market price of its
outstanding debt may be materially and adversely affected, if any of the Authorities were to
default on their respective obligations, particularly with respect to debt that is State-supported
or State-related.
Authorities are generally supported by revenues generated by the projects financed or
operated, such as fares, user fees on bridges, highway tolls and rentals for dormitory rooms and
housing. In recent years, however, New York State has provided financial assistance through
appropriations, in some cases of a recurring nature, to certain of the Authorities for operating
and other expenses and, in fulfillment of its commitments on moral obligation indebtedness or
otherwise, for debt service. This operating assistance is expected to continue to be required in
future years. In addition, certain statutory arrangements provide for State local assistance
payments otherwise payable to localities to be made under certain circumstances to certain
Authorities. The State has no obligation to provide additional assistance to localities whose local
assistance payments have been paid to Authorities under these arrangements. However, in the event
that such local assistance payments are so diverted, the affected localities could seek additional
State funds.
For purposes of analyzing the financial condition of the State, debt of the State and of
certain public authorities may be classified as State-supported debt, which includes general
obligation debt of the State and lease-purchase and contractual obligations of public authorities
(and municipalities) where debt service is paid from State appropriations (including dedicated tax
sources, and other revenues such as patient charges and dormitory facilities rentals). In addition,
a broader classification, referred to as State-related debt, includes State-supported debt, as well
as certain types of contingent obligations, including moral obligation financings, certain
contingent contractual-
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obligation financing arrangements, and State-guaranteed debt described above, where debt
service is expected to be paid from other sources and State appropriations are contingent in that
they may be made and used only under certain circumstances.
New York City and Other Localities
New York City.
The fiscal demands on the State may be affected by the fiscal condition of New
York City (the City), which relies in part on State aid to balance its budget and meet its cash
requirements. It is also possible that the States finances may be affected by the ability of the
City, and certain entities issuing debt for the benefit of the City, to market securities
successfully in the public credit markets.
The City regularly produces Official Statements in connection with the issuance of its bonds
and notes. Copies of these are required to be filed with and are available from the nationally
recognized municipal securities information repositories. Reference is made to such Official
Statements for information about the City. The information about the City noted herein is only a
limited summary and is necessarily incomplete.
In response to the Citys fiscal crisis in 1975, the State established the Municipal
Assistance Corporation for the City of New York (NYC MAC) to provide financing assistance to the
City; the New York State Financial Control Board (the Control Board) to oversee the Citys
financial affairs; and the Office of the State Deputy Comptroller for the City of New York (OSDC)
to assist the Control Board in exercising its powers and responsibilities. The Control Board is
required to impose a control period (a time during which the City is subject to certain
statutorily-prescribed fiscal controls) upon the occurrence, or substantial likelihood and
imminence of the occurrence, of certain events, including (but not limited to) a City operating
budget deficit of more than $100 million or impaired access to the public credit markets.
The Citys most recently completed fiscal year began on July 1, 2008 and ended on June 30,
2009. The City prepares a four-year financial plan annually and updates it periodically, and
prepares a comprehensive annual financial report each October describing its most recent fiscal
year. As of May 14, 2010, the Citys long-term general obligation bond debt is currently are rated
AA by S&P, Aa1 by Moodys and AA by Fitch. There is no assurance that such ratings will
continue for any given period of time or that they will not be revised downward or withdrawn
entirely.
Currently, the City and certain of its Covered Organizations (organizations which receive or
may receive moneys from the City directly, indirectly or contingently) operate under the Citys
Financial Plan. The Citys Financial Plan summarizes its capital, revenue and expense projections
and outlines proposed gap-closing programs for years with projected budget gaps. The Citys
projections set forth in its Financial Plan are based on various assumptions and contingencies,
some of which are uncertain and may not materialize. Unforeseen developments (such as the September
11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center) and changes in major assumptions could significantly
affect the Citys ability to balance its budget as required by State law and to meet its annual
cash flow and financing requirements.
The City is heavily dependent on New York State and Federal assistance to cover
insufficiencies in its revenues. There can be no assurance that in the future Federal and State
assistance will enable the City to make up any potential future budget deficits. Although the City
has consistently maintained balanced budgets and is projected to achieve balanced operating results
for the current fiscal year, there can be no assurance that the gap-closing actions proposed in its
Financial Plan can be successfully implemented or that the City will maintain a balanced budget in
future years without additional State aid, revenue increases or expenditure reductions. Additional
tax increases and reductions in essential City services could adversely affect the Citys economic
base.
The projections set forth in the Citys Financial Plan are based on various assumptions and
contingencies which are uncertain and which may not materialize. Changes in major assumptions could
significantly affect the Citys ability to balance its budget as required by State law and to meet
its annual cash flow and financing requirements. Such assumptions and contingencies include the
condition of the regional and local economies, the impact on real estate tax revenues of the real
estate market, wage increases for City employees consistent with those assumed in the Financial
Plan, employment growth, the ability to implement proposed reductions in City personnel and other
cost reduction initiatives, the ability to complete revenue generating transactions, provision of
State and Federal aid and mandate relief and the impact on City revenues and expenditures of
Federal and State welfare reform and any future legislation affecting Medicare or other
entitlements.
Other Localities.
Certain localities, in addition to the City, have experienced financial
problems and have requested and received additional New York State assistance during the last
several State fiscal years. The potential impact on the State of any future requests by localities
for additional assistance is not included in the States projections of its receipts and
disbursements for the fiscal year. The
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potential impact on the State of any future requests by localities for additional oversight or
financial assistance is not included in the projections of the States receipts and disbursements
for the States 2009-2010 fiscal year or thereafter.
Municipalities and school districts have engaged in substantial short-term and long-term
borrowings. State law requires the Comptroller to review and make recommendations concerning the
budgets of those local government units other than New York City that are authorized by State law
to issue debt to finance deficits during the period that such deficit financing is outstanding.
From time to time, Federal expenditure reductions could reduce, or in some cases eliminate,
Federal funding of some local programs and accordingly might impose substantial increased
expenditure requirements on affected localities. If the State, the City or any of the Authorities
were to suffer serious financial difficulties jeopardizing their respective access to the public
credit markets, the marketability of notes and bonds issued by localities within the State could be
adversely affected. Localities also face anticipated and potential problems resulting from certain
pending litigation, judicial decisions and long-range economic trends. Long-range potential
problems of declining urban population, increasing expenditures and other economic trends could
adversely affect localities and require increasing State assistance in the future.
Temporary Taxable Investments
The Tax-Free Fund may temporarily invest in the taxable money market instruments described in
the foregoing sections. When a Series assets are invested in such instruments, a Series may not be
achieving its investment objective of providing income except from federal and/or applicable State
income taxes.
Standby Commitments
In order to enhance the liquidity, stability or quality of municipal obligations, the Prime
Obligations Fund, Money Market Fund and Tax-Free Fund each may acquire the right to sell a security
to another party at a guaranteed price and date. Such a right to resell may be referred to as a
put, demand feature or standby commitment, depending on its characteristics. The aggregate price
which a Series pays for securities with standby commitments may be higher than the price which
otherwise would be paid for the securities. Standby commitments may not be available or may not be
available on satisfactory terms.
Standby commitments may involve letters of credit issued by domestic or foreign banks
supporting the other partys ability to purchase the security from the Series. The right to sell
may be exercisable on demand or at specified intervals, and may form part of a security or be
acquired separately by the Series.
Management of the Trust understands that the IRS has issued a favorable revenue ruling to the
effect that, under specified circumstances, a registered investment company will be the owner of
tax-exempt municipal obligations acquired subject to a put option. Such rulings do not, however,
serve as precedent for other taxpayers, are applicable only to the taxpayer requesting the ruling
and have, on occasion, been reversed by the IRS. The IRS has subsequently announced that it will
not ordinarily issue advance ruling letters as to the identity of the true owner of property in
cases involving the sale of securities or participation interests therein if the purchaser has the
right to cause the security, or the participation interest therein, to be purchased by either the
seller or a third party. The Tax-Free Fund intends to take the position that it is the owner of any
municipal obligations acquired subject to a standby commitment or acquired or held with certain
other types of put rights and that its distributions of tax-exempt interest earned with respect to
such municipal obligations will be tax-exempt for its shareholders. There is no assurance that
standby commitments will be available to a Series nor has any Series assumed that such commitments
will continue to be available under all market conditions.
Temporary Investments
The Money Market Fund may for temporary defensive purposes invest less than 25% of its assets
in bank obligations, if adverse economic conditions prevail in the banking industry (such as
substantial losses on loans, increases in non-performing assets and charge-offs and declines in
total deposits).
The Tax-Free Fund ordinarily expects that 100% of its assets will be invested in municipal
obligations, but the Series may for temporary defensive purposes hold cash or invest in short-term
taxable securities.
The Federal Fund and Treasury Instruments Fund may, under extraordinary circumstances, hold
U.S. Government Securities subject to state taxation.
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When a Series assets are invested in such instruments, the Series may not be achieving its
investment objective.
Special Note Regarding Market Events
Events in the financial sector over the past several years have resulted in reduced liquidity
in credit and fixed income markets and in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial
markets, both domestically and internationally. While entire markets have been impacted, issuers
that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage and credit markets have been particularly affected.
These events and the potential for continuing market turbulence may have an adverse effect on the
Series investments. It is uncertain how long these conditions will continue.
The instability in the financial markets led the U.S. government to take a number of
unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and certain segments of
the financial markets. Federal, state, and foreign governments, regulatory agencies, and self
-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which
the Series invest, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Such
legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the Series ability to achieve their investment
objectives.
Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions
and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and
disposition of these assets are unclear, and such ownership or disposition may have positive or
negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the Series portfolio holdings.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The investment restrictions set forth below have been adopted by the Trust as fundamental
policies that cannot be changed with respect to a Series without the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority (as defined in the Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the affected
Series. The investment objective of each Fund cannot be changed
without the approval of the majority of the outstanding shares of
that Fund. The policy of the Treasury Obligations Fund to limit its investments to U.S. Treasury
Obligations (as defined in Appendix A of its Prospectuses) and related repurchase agreements is
fundamental. All other investment policies or practices
of the Series, except as stated in this paragraph, are considered by the Trust not to be
fundamental and accordingly may be changed without shareholder approval. As a matter of fundamental
policy, at least 80% of the Net Assets of the Tax-Free Fund will be invested in municipal
obligations, the interest from which is, in the opinion of bond counsel, if any, excluded from
gross income for federal income tax purposes. The Tax-Free Fund may temporarily invest in taxable
money market instruments when the Investment Adviser believes that the market conditions dictate a
defensive posture.
For purposes of the Act, a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Series means
the lesser of the vote of (i) 67% of the shares of that Series present at a meeting if the holders
of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of that Series are present in person or by proxy, or
(ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of that Series.
For purposes of the following limitations, any limitation which involves a maximum percentage
shall not be considered violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after, and
is caused by, an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets of, or borrowings by or on
behalf of, a Series. With the exception of borrowings permitted by investment restriction (3),
below, asset coverage of at least 300% (as defined in the Act), inclusive of any amounts borrowed,
must be maintained at all times.
As a matter of fundamental policy, a Series may not (except for Government Fund):
(1) Make any investment inconsistent with the Series classification as a diversified
company under the Act. This restriction does not, however, apply to any Series classified as a
non-diversified company under the Act.
(2) Purchase securities if such purchase would cause more than 25% in the aggregate of the
market value of the total assets of a Series to be invested in the securities of one or more
issuers having their principal business activities in the same industry, provided that there is
no limitation with respect to, and each Series (other than the Money Market Fund) reserves
freedom of action, when otherwise consistent with its investment policies, to concentrate its
investments in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or
instrumentalities, obligations (other than commercial paper) issued or guaranteed by U.S. banks
and U.S. branches of U.S. or foreign banks and repurchase agreements and securities loans
collateralized by such U.S. government obligations or such bank obligations. The Money Market
Fund may concentrate its investments in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government,
its agencies and instrumentalities and repurchase agreements and securities loans collateralized
by such obligations and will invest more than 25% of its total assets in obligations issued or
guaranteed by banks (whether foreign or domestic) and repurchase agreements and securities loans
collateralized by such obligations. However, if
B-31
adverse economic conditions prevail in the banking industry, the Money Market Fund may, for
defensive purposes, temporarily invest less than 25% of the value of its total assets in such
obligations. For the purposes of this restriction, state and municipal governments and their
agencies, authorities and instrumentalities are not deemed to be industries; telephone companies
are considered to be a separate industry from water, gas or electric utilities; personal credit
finance companies and business credit finance companies are deemed to be separate industries; and
wholly owned finance companies are considered to be in the industry of their parents if their
activities are primarily related to financing the activities of their parents.
(3) Borrow money, except that (a) the Series may borrow from banks (as defined in the Act)
and each Series may borrow through reverse repurchase agreements, in amounts up to 33 1/3% of its
total assets (including the amount borrowed), (b) the Series may, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes, (c) the
Series may obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and
sales of portfolio securities and (d) the Series may purchase securities on margin to the extent
permitted by applicable law. (Notwithstanding the foregoing fundamental policy that would allow
each Series to borrow through reverse repurchase agreements, as of May 14, 2010, each Series does
not engage in reverse repurchase transactions as a matter of non-fundamental policy which may be
changed or amended by action of the Board of Trustees without approval of shareholders.)
The following interpretation applies to, but is not part of, this
fundamental policy: In determining whether a particular investment in
portfolio instruments or participation in portfolio transactions is
subject to this borrowing policy, the accounting treatment of such
instrument or participation shall be considered, but shall not by itself
be determinative. Whether a particular instrument or transaction
constitutes a borrowing shall be determined by the Board, after
consideration of all of the relevant circumstances.
(4) Make loans, except (a) through the purchase of debt obligations in accordance with each
Series investment objective and policies, (b) through repurchase agreements with banks, brokers,
dealers and other financial institutions, and (c) with respect to the Funds, loans of securities
as permitted by applicable law.
(5) Underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that the sale of portfolio
securities by the Series may be deemed to be an underwriting.
(6) Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, although the Series may purchase and sell
securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein, securities of real estate
investment trusts and mortgage-related securities and may hold and sell real estate acquired by
the Series as a result of the ownership of securities.
(7) Invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Series may invest in
currency and financial instruments and contracts that are commodities or commodity contracts.
(8) Issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate applicable law.
As a matter of fundamental policy, Government Fund may not:
(1) With respect to 75% of its total assets taken at market value, invest more than 5% of
the value of the total assets of that Series in the securities of any one issuer, except U.S.
government securities and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities.
This restriction does not, however, apply to any Series classified as a non-diversified company
under the Act.
(2) With respect to 75% of its total assets taken at market value, purchase the securities
of any one issuer if, as a result of such purchase, that Series would hold more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of that issuer. This restriction does not, however, apply to any
Series classified as a non-diversified company under the Act.
(3) Borrow money, except from banks on a temporary basis for extraordinary or emergency
purposes, provided that a Series is required to maintain asset coverage of 300% for all
borrowings and that no purchases of securities will be made if such borrowings exceed 5% of the
value of the Series assets. This restriction does not apply to cash collateral received as a
result of portfolio securities lending. (Notwithstanding the foregoing fundamental policy, as of
May 14, 2010, the Series does not engage in reverse repurchase transactions as a matter of
non-fundamental policy which may be changed or amended by action of the Board of Trustees without
approval of shareholders. In addition, any such change permitting the Government Fund to engage
in reverse repurchase agreements shall not be implemented until 30 days prior notice has been
issued to shareholders.)
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The following interpretation applies to, but is not part of, this
fundamental policy: In determining whether a particular investment in
portfolio instruments or participation in portfolio transactions is
subject to this borrowing policy, the accounting treatment of such
instrument or participation shall be considered, but shall not by itself
be determinative. Whether a particular instrument or transaction
constitutes a borrowing shall be determined by the Board, after
consideration of all of the relevant circumstances.
(4) Mortgage, pledge or hypothecate its assets except to secure permitted borrowings.
(5) Act as underwriter of the securities issued by others, except to the extent that the
purchase of securities in accordance with a Series investment objective and policies directly
from the issuer thereof and the later disposition thereof may be deemed to be underwriting.
(6) Purchase securities if such purchase would cause more than 25% in the aggregate of the
market value of the total assets of a Series to be invested in the securities of one or more
issuers having their principal business activities in the same industry, provided that there is
no limitation with respect to, and the Series reserves freedom of action, when otherwise
consistent with its investment policies, to concentrate its investments in U.S. Government
Securities, obligations (other than commercial paper) issued or guaranteed by U.S. banks, and
U.S. branches of foreign banks and repurchase agreements and securities loans collateralized by
U.S. Government Securities or such bank obligations. (For the purposes of this restriction, state
and municipal governments and their agencies and authorities are not deemed to be industries, and
telephone companies are considered to be a separate industry from water, gas or electric
utilities, personal credit finance companies and business credit finance companies are deemed to
be separate industries and wholly-owned finance companies are considered to be in the industry of
their parents if their activities are primarily related to financing the activities of their
parents. Such concentration may be effected when the Investment Adviser determines that risk
adjusted returns in such industries are considered favorable relative to other industries.)
(7) Issue senior securities, except as appropriate to evidence indebtedness that a Series is
permitted to incur and except for shares of existing or additional Series of the Trust.
(8) Purchase or sell real estate (excluding securities secured by real estate or interests
therein), interests in oil, gas or mineral leases, commodities or commodities contracts. The
Trust reserves the freedom to hold and to sell real estate acquired for any Series as a result of
the ownership of securities.
(9) Make loans to other persons, except loans of portfolio securities and except to the
extent that the purchase of debt obligations in accordance with such Series investment objective
and policies may be deemed to be loans.
(10) Purchase securities on margin (except for delayed delivery or when-issued transactions
or such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions), make short sales
of securities, maintain a short position, or invest in or write puts, calls or combinations
thereof (except that a Series may acquire puts in connection with the acquisition of a debt
instrument).
(11) Invest in other companies for the purpose of exercising control or management.
Each Series may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment restriction or policy,
invest some or all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof with
substantially the same fundamental investment objectives, restrictions and policies as the Series.
In addition to the fundamental policies mentioned above, the Board of Trustees of the Trust
has adopted the following non-fundamental policies with respect to the Funds which may be changed
or amended by action of the Board of Trustees without approval of shareholders. Accordingly, the
Trust may not, on the behalf of any Series:
(a) Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or management.
(b) Invest more than 10% of a Series net assets in illiquid investments including repurchase
agreements with a notice or demand period of more than seven days, securities which are not
readily marketable and restricted securities not eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A
under the 1933 Act.
B-33
(c) Purchase additional securities if the Series borrowings, as permitted by the Series
borrowing policy, exceed 5% of its net assets.
(d) Make short sales of securities, except short sales against the box.
As money market funds, all of the Series must also comply, as a non-fundamental policy, with
Rule 2a-7 under the Act (the Rule). While a detailed
and technical rule, Rule 2a-7 has four basic requirements:
portfolio maturity, portfolio quality, portfolio diversification and
portfolio liquidity.
Portfolio maturity
. Rule 2a-7 requires that the maximum maturity (as determined in accordance with Rule 2a-7)
of any security in a Series portfolio not exceed 13 months and a Series average portfolio
maturity and average portfolio life not exceed 60 days or 120
days, respectively.
Portfolio quality
. A money market fund may only invest in First
Tier and Second Tier securities (as defined in the Rule). Each Series, as a matter of
non-fundamental policy, only invests in First Tier securities. Securities which are rated in
the highest short-term rating category by at least two NRSROs, or if only one NRSRO has assigned a
rating, by that NRSRO are First Tier securities. Securities rated in the top two short-term
rating categories by at least two NRSROs or by the only NRSRO which has assigned a rating, but
which are not First Tier securities are Second Tier securities. Unrated securities may also be
First Tier or Second Tier securities if they are of comparable quality as determined by the
Investment Adviser. In accordance with certain rules, the rating of demand feature or guarantee of
a security may be deemed to be the rating of the underlying security. NRSROs include Standard &
Poors, Moodys, Fitch and Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited. For a description of their rating
categories, see Appendix A.
Portfolio diversification
. Each of
the Prime Obligations, Government, Treasury Obligations, Money Market, Federal, Treasury
Instruments and Tax-Free Funds may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of
any one issuer (except U.S. Government Securities, repurchase agreements collateralized by such
securities, certain securities that are backed by escrowed U.S. Government Securities, and certain
securities subject to a guarantee or unconditional demand feature). Each of such Series may,
however, invest up to 25% of its total assets in the First Tier Securities of a single issuer for a
period of up to three business days after the purchase thereof. Subject to certain exceptions,
immediately after the acquisition of any demand features or guarantees (i.e., generally, the right
to sell the security at a price equal to its approximate amortized cost (for a demand feature) or
principal amount (for a guarantee) plus accrued interest), with respect to 75% of the assets of a
Series, no more than 10% of the Series total assets may be invested in securities issued by or
subject to demand features or guarantees issued by the same issuer.
Portfolio liquidity.
Each Series is required to maintain a sufficient degree of liquidity
necessary to meet reasonably foreseeable redemption requests. In addition, each Series (except for
the Tax-Free Fund): (i) must hold at least 10% of its total assets in daily liquid assets
(consisting of cash, direct obligations of the U.S. Government and securities that will mature or
are subject to a demand feature that is exercisable and payable within one business day); and (ii)
must hold at least 30% of its total assets in weekly liquid assets (consisting of cash, direct
obligations of the U.S. Government, agency discount notes with remaining maturities of 60 days or
less and securities that will mature or are subject to a demand feature that is exercisable and
payable within five business days). The Tax Free Fund must hold at least 30% of its total assets
in weekly liquid assets (consisting of cash, direct obligations of the U.S. Government, agency
discount notes with remaining maturities of 60 days or less and securities that will mature or are
subject to a demand feature that is exercisable and payable within five business days). Each
Series may not acquire an illiquid security if, after the purchase, more than 5% of the Series
total assets would consist of illiquid securities.
Value for the purposes of all investment restrictions means the value used in determining a
Series net asset value. U.S. Government Securities shall mean securities issued or guaranteed by
the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.
Although the fundamental policies mentioned above would allow the Series to borrow through
reverse repurchase agreements, as of May 14, 2010, the Series do not engage in reverse repurchase
transactions as a matter of non-fundamental policy.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Trusts Leadership Structure
The business and affairs of the Series are managed under the direction of the Board of
Trustees (the Board), subject to the laws of the State of Delaware and the Trusts Declaration of Trust. The
Trustees are responsible for deciding matters of overall policy and
reviewing the actions of the Trusts service
providers. The officers of the Trust conduct and supervise each
Series daily business operations.
Trustees who are not deemed to be interested persons of the Trust as defined in the Act
are referred to as Independent Trustees. Trustees who are deemed to be interested persons of
the Trust are referred to as Interested Trustees. The Board is currently composed of six
Independent Trustees and two Interested Trustees. The Board has selected an Independent Trustee to
act as Chairman, whose duties include presiding at meetings of the Board and acting as a focal
point to address significant issues that may arise between regularly scheduled Board and Committee
meetings. In the performance of the Chairmans duties, the Chairman will consult with the other
Independent Trustees and the Series officers and legal counsel, as appropriate. The Chairman may
perform other functions as requested by the Board from time to time.
The Board meets as often as necessary to discharge its responsibilities. Currently, the Board
conducts regular, in-person meetings at least six times a year, and holds special in-person or
telephonic meetings as necessary to address specific issues that require attention prior to the
next regularly scheduled meeting. In addition, the Independent Trustees meet at least annually to
review, among other things, investment management agreements, distribution (Rule 12b-1) and/or
service plans and related agreements, transfer agency agreements and certain other agreements
providing for the compensation of Goldman Sachs and/or its affiliates by the Series, and to
consider such other matters as they deem appropriate.
The Board has established six standing committees Audit, Governance and Nominating,
Compliance, Valuation, Dividend and Contract Review Committees. The Board may establish other
committees, or nominate one or more Trustees to examine particular issues related to the Boards
oversight responsibilities, from time to time. Each Committee meets periodically to perform its
delegated oversight functions and reports its findings and recommendations to the Board. For more
information on the Committees, see the section STANDING BOARD COMMITTEES, below.
The Trustees have determined that the Trusts leadership structure is appropriate because it
allows the Trustees to effectively perform their oversight responsibilities.
B-34
Trustees of the Trust
Information pertaining to the Trustees of the Trust as of May 14, 2010 is set forth
below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Independent Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
Term of
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office and
|
|
|
|
Portfolios in
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s)
|
|
Length of
|
|
|
|
Fund Complex
|
|
|
Name,
|
|
Held with the
|
|
Time
|
|
Principal Occupation(s)
|
|
Overseen by
|
|
Other Directorships
|
Address and Age
1
|
|
Trust
|
|
Served
2
|
|
During Past 5 Years
|
|
Trustee
3
|
|
Held by Trustee
4
|
Ashok N. Bakhru
Age: 68
|
|
Chairman of the
Board of Trustees
|
|
Since 1996 (Trustee Since
1991)
|
|
President, ABN Associates (July
1994March 1996 and November
1998Present); Director, Apollo
Investment Corporation (a business
development company) (October
2008-Present); Executive Vice
PresidentFinance and Administration and
Chief Financial Officer and Director, Coty
Inc. (manufacturer of fragrances and
cosmetics) (April 1996November 1998);
Director of Arkwright Mutual Insurance
Company (19841999); Trustee of
International House of Philadelphia
(program center and residential community
for students and professional trainees
from the United States and foreign
countries) (19892004); Member of Cornell
University Council (19922004 and
2006Present); Trustee of the Walnut
Street Theater (19922004); Trustee,
Scholarship America (19982005); Trustee,
Institute for Higher Education Policy
(20032008); Director, Private Equity
InvestorsIII and IV (November
19982007), and Equity-Linked Investors
II (April 20022007); and Chairman,
Lenders Service Inc. (provider of mortgage
lending services) (20002003).
|
|
|
96
|
|
|
Apollo Investment
Corporation (a business
development company)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board of TrusteesGoldman
Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
Age: 69
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since 2003
|
|
Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP (June
1975May 2003); Director, Emerging
Markets Group, Ltd. (20042006); and
Director, Elderhostel, Inc.
(2006Present).
|
|
|
96
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TrusteeGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B-35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Independent Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
Term of
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office and
|
|
|
|
Portfolios in
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s)
|
|
Length of
|
|
|
|
Fund Complex
|
|
|
Name,
|
|
Held with the
|
|
Time
|
|
Principal Occupation(s)
|
|
Overseen by
|
|
Other Directorships
|
Address and Age
1
|
|
Trust
|
|
Served
2
|
|
During Past 5 Years
|
|
Trustee
3
|
|
Held by Trustee
4
|
Diana M. Daniels
Age: 60
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Ms. Daniels is retired (since January
2007). Formerly, she was Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary, The
Washington Post Company (19912006). Ms.
Daniels is Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Cornell University
(2009Present); Member, Advisory Board,
Psychology Without Borders (international
humanitarian aid organization) (since
2007), and former Member of the Legal
Advisory Board, New York Stock Exchange
(20032006) and of the Corporate
Advisory Board, Standish Mellon Management
Advisors (20062007).
|
|
|
96
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TrusteeGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patrick T. Harker
Age: 51
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since 2000
|
|
President, University of Delaware (July
2007Present); Dean and Reliance
Professor of Operations and Information
Management, The Wharton School, University
of Pennsylvania (February 2000June
2007); Interim and Deputy Dean, The
Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
(July 1999January 2000); and Professor
and Chairman of Department of Operations
and Information Management, The Wharton
School, University of Pennsylvania (July
1997August 2000).
|
|
|
96
|
|
|
Pepco Holdings, Inc. (an
energy delivery company)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TrusteeGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jessica Palmer
Age: 61
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Ms. Palmer is retired. Formerly, she was Consultant, Citigroup Human Resources
Department (2007-2008); Managing Director,
Citigroup Corporate and Investment Banking
(previously, Salomon Smith Barney/Salomon
Brothers) (19842006). Ms. Palmer was a
Member of the Board of Trustees of Indian
Mountain School (private elementary and
secondary school) (20042009).
|
|
|
96
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TrusteeGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B-36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Independent Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
Term of
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office and
|
|
|
|
Portfolios in
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s)
|
|
Length of
|
|
|
|
Fund Complex
|
|
|
Name,
|
|
Held with the
|
|
Time
|
|
Principal Occupation(s)
|
|
Overseen by
|
|
Other Directorships
|
Address and Age
1
|
|
Trust
|
|
Served
2
|
|
During Past 5 Years
|
|
Trustee
3
|
|
Held by Trustee
4
|
Richard P. Strubel
Age: 70
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since 1987
|
|
Director, Cardean Learning Group (provider
of educational services via the internet)
(20032008); President, COO and Director,
Cardean Learning Group (19992003);
Director, Cantilever Technologies, Inc. (a
private software company) (19992005);
Audit Committee Chairman, The University
of Chicago (2006-Present); Trustee, The
University of Chicago (1987Present); and
Managing Director, Tandem Partners, Inc.
(management services firm) (19901999).
|
|
|
96
|
|
|
Gildan Activewear Inc. (a
clothing marketing and
manufacturing company);
The Northern Trust Mutual
Fund Complex (58
Portfolios) (Chairman of
the Board of Trustees).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TrusteeGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B-37
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interested Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
Term of
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office and
|
|
|
|
Portfolios in
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s)
|
|
Length of
|
|
|
|
Fund Complex
|
|
|
Name,
|
|
Held with the
|
|
Time
|
|
Principal Occupation(s)
|
|
Overseen by
|
|
Other Directorships
|
Address and Age
1
|
|
Trust
|
|
Served
2
|
|
During Past 5 Years
|
|
Trustee
3
|
|
Held by Trustee
4
|
James
McNamara*
Age: 47
|
|
A. President and
Trustee
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Managing Director,
Goldman Sachs
(December
1998Present);
Director of
Institutional Fund
Sales, GSAM (April
1998December
2000); and Senior
Vice President and
Manager, Dreyfus
Institutional
Service Corporation
(January
1993April 1998).
|
|
|
96
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PresidentGoldman
Sachs Mutual Fund
Complex (November
2007Present);
Senior Vice
PresidentGoldman
Sachs Mutual Fund
Complex (May
2007November
2007); and Vice
PresidentGoldman
Sachs Mutual Fund
Complex
(20012007).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TrusteeGoldman
Sachs Mutual Fund
Complex (since
November 2007 and
December 2002May
2004).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alan A. Shuch*
Age: 60
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since 1990
|
|
Advisory
DirectorGSAM (May
1999Present);
Consultant to GSAM
(December 1994May
1999); and Limited
Partner, Goldman
Sachs (December
1994May 1999).
|
|
|
96
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TrusteeGoldman
Sachs Mutual Fund
Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
These persons are considered to be Interested Trustees because they hold positions
with Goldman Sachs and own securities issued by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Each Interested
Trustee holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM
or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.
|
|
1
|
|
Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee, c/o
Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street, New York, New York, 10282, Attn: Peter V. Bonanno.
|
|
2
|
|
Each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the earliest of: (a) the
election of his or her successor; (b) the date the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Board
of Trustees or shareholders, in accordance with the Trusts Declaration of Trust; (c) the
conclusion of the first Board meeting held subsequent to the day the Trustee attains the age
of 72 years (in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees, which may be
changed by the Trustees without shareholder vote); or (d) the termination of the Trust.
|
|
3
|
|
The Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex consists of the Trust, Goldman Sachs Municipal
Opportunity Fund, Goldman Sachs Credit Strategies Fund and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance
Trust. As of May 14, 2010, the Trust consisted of 83 portfolios, Goldman Sachs Variable
Insurance Trust consisted of 11 portfolios, and the Goldman Sachs Municipal Opportunity Fund
did not offer shares to the public.
|
|
4
|
|
This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., public companies) or other investment
companies registered under the Act.
|
The significance or relevance of a Trustees particular experience, qualifications,
attributes and/or skills is considered by the Board on an individual basis. Experience,
qualifications, attributes and/or skills common to all Trustees include the ability to critically
review, evaluate and discuss information provided to them and to interact effectively with the
other Trustees and with representatives of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, other service
providers, legal counsel and the Series independent registered public accounting firm, the
capacity to address financial and legal issues and exercise reasonable business judgment, and a
commitment to the representation of the interests of the Series and their shareholders. The
Governance and Nominating Committees charter contains certain other factors that are considered by
the Governance and Nominating Committee in identifying and evaluating potential nominees to serve
as Independent Trustees. Based on each Trustees experience, qualifications, attributes and/or
skills, considered individually and with respect to the experience, qualifications attributes
and/or skills of other Trustees, the Board has concluded that each Trustee should serve as a
Trustee. Below is a brief discussion of the experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills
of each individual Trustee as of May 14, 2010 that led the Board to conclude that such individual
should serve as a Trustee.
Ashok N. Bakhru.
Mr. Bakhru has served as a Trustee since 1991 and Chairman of the Board
since 1996. Mr. Bakhru serves as President of ABN Associates, a management and financial
consulting firm, and is a Director of Apollo Investment Corporation, a business development
company. Previously, Mr. Bakhru was the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and
Director of Coty Inc., a multinational cosmetics, fragrance and personal care company. Previously,
Mr. Bakhru held several senior management positions at Scott Paper Company, a major manufacturer of
paper products, including Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Bakhru also
serves on the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council and the Board of Governors of
the Investment Company Institute. He also serves on the Advisory Board of BoardIQ, an investment
publication. In addition, Mr. Bakhru has served as Director of Equity-Linked Investments II and
Private Equity Investors III and IV, which are private equity partnerships based in New York City.
Mr. Bakhru was also a Director of Arkwright Mutual Insurance Company. Based on the foregoing, Mr.
Bakhru is experienced with financial and investment matters.
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
Mr. Coblentz has served as Trustee since 2003. Mr. Coblentz has been
designated as the Boards audit committee financial expert given his extensive accounting and
finance experience. Mr. Coblentz was a partner with Deloitte & Touche LLP for 28 years. While at
Deloitte & Touche LLP, Mr. Coblentz was lead partner responsible for all auditing and accounting
services to a variety of large, global companies, a significant portion of which operated in the
financial services industry. Mr. Coblentz was also the national managing partner for the firms
risk management function, a member of its Executive Committee and the first managing partner of the
firms Financial Advisory Services practice, which brought together the firms mergers and
acquisition services, forensic and dispute services, corporate finance, asset valuation and
reorganization businesses under one management structure. He served as a member of the firms
Board of Directors and a member of its Executive Committee. Mr. Coblentz also currently serves as
a Director and chairman of the finance committee of Elderhostel, Inc., a not-for-profit
organization. Based on the foregoing, Mr. Coblentz is experienced with accounting, financial and
investment matters.
Diana M. Daniels.
Ms. Daniels has served as Trustee since 2007. Ms. Daniels also serves as
Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Cornell University. Ms. Daniels held several senior
management positions at The Washington Post Company, where she worked for 20 years. While at The
Washington Post Company, Ms. Daniels served as Vice Present, General Counsel, Secretary to the
Board of Directors and Secretary to the Audit Committee. Previously, Ms. Daniels served as Vice
President and General Counsel of Newsweek, Inc. Ms. Daniels has also served as a member of the
Corporate Advisory Board of Standish Mellon Management Advisors and of the Legal Advisory Board of
New York Stock Exchange. Ms. Daniels is also a member of the American Law Institute and of the
Advisory Council of the Inter-American Press Association. Based on the foregoing, Ms. Daniels is
experienced with legal, financial and investment matters.
Patrick T. Harker.
Mr. Harker has served as Trustee since 2000. Mr. Harker is President of
the University of Delaware and serves as a professor of business administration and as a professor
of civil and environmental engineering. Mr. Harker also serves as a Director of Pepco Holdings,
Inc. and is a founding member of the Board of Advisors for Decision Lens, Inc. Mr. Harker also
served as Dean of The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and was a professor and chairman
of the Department of Operations and Information Management. Based on the foregoing, Mr. Harker is
experienced with financial and investment matters.
Jessica Palmer.
Ms. Palmer has served as Trustee since 2007. Ms. Palmer worked at Citigroup
Corporate and Investment Banking (previously, Salomon Smith Barney/Salomon Brothers) for over 20
years, where she was a Managing Director. While at Citigroup Corporate and Investment Banking, Ms.
Palmer was Head of Global Risk Management, Chair of the Global Commitment Committee, Co-Chair of
International Investment Banking (New York) and Head of Fixed Income Capital Markets. Ms. Palmer
was also a member of the Management Committee and Risk Management Operating Committee of Citigroup,
Inc. Prior to that, Ms. Palmer was a Vice President at Goldman Sachs in its international
corporate finance department. Ms. Palmer was also Assistant Vice President of the International
Division at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Ms. Palmer is also member of the Board of Trustees of a private
elementary and secondary school. Based on the foregoing, Ms. Palmer is experienced with financial
and investment matters.
Richard P. Strubel.
Mr. Strubel has served as Trustee since 1987. Mr. Strubel also serves as
Chairman of the Northern Funds, a family of retail and institutional mutual funds managed by The
Northern Trust Company. He also serves on the board of Gildan Activewear Inc., which is listed on
the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Mr. Strubel was Vice-Chairman of the Board of Cardean
Learning Group (formerly known as Unext), and previously served as Unexts President and Chief
Operating Officer. Mr. Strubel was Managing Director of Tandem Partners, Inc., a privately-held
management services firm, and served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Microdot, Inc.
Previously, Mr. Strubel served as President of Northwest Industries, then a NYSE-listed company, a
conglomerate with various operating entities located around the country. Before joining Northwest,
Mr. Strubel was an associate and later managing principal of Fry Consultants, a management
consulting firm based in Chicago. Mr. Strubel is also a Trustee of the University of Chicago,
Chairman of its Audit Committee and is an adjunct professor at the University of Chicago Booth
School of Business. Based on the foregoing, Mr. Strubel is experienced with financial and
investment matters.
James A. McNamara.
Mr. McNamara has served as Trustee and President of the Trust since 2007
and has served as an officer of the Trust since 2001. Mr. McNamara is a Managing Director at
Goldman Sachs. Mr. McNamara is currently head of Global Third Party Distribution at GSAM, where he
was previously head of U.S. Third Party Distribution. Prior to that role, Mr. McNamara served as
Director of Institutional Fund Sales. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Mr. McNamara was Vice
President and Manager at Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation. Based on the foregoing, Mr.
McNamara is experienced with financial and investment matters.
Alan A. Shuch.
Mr. Shuch has served as a Trustee since 1990. Mr. Shuch is an Advisory
Director to Goldman Sachs. Mr. Shuch serves on the Board of Trustees of a number of offshore funds
managed by GSAM. He serves on GSAMs Valuation and Brokerage Allocation Committees. Prior to
retiring as a general partner of Goldman Sachs in 1994, Mr. Shuch was president and chief operating
officer of GSAM which he founded in 1988. Mr. Shuch joined the Goldman Sachs Fixed Income Division
in 1976. He was instrumental in building Goldman Sachs Corporate Bond Department and served as
co-head of the Global Fixed Income Sales and the High Yield Bond and Preferred Stock Departments.
He headed the Portfolio Restructuring and Fixed Income Quantitative and Credit Research
Departments. Mr. Shuch also served on a variety of firm-wide committees including the
International Executive, New Product and Strategic Planning Committees and was a member of the
Stone Street/Bridge Street Private Equity Board. Mr. Shuch serves on Whartons Graduate Executive
Board. Based on the foregoing, Mr. Shuch is experienced with financial and investment matters.
B-38
Officers of the Trust
|
Information
pertaining to the officers of the Trust as of May 14, 2010 is set forth below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term of Office and
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s) Held
|
|
Length of Time
|
|
|
Name, Age And Address
|
|
With the Trust
|
|
Served
1
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
|
James A. McNamara
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 47
|
|
Trustee and President
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 1998Present); Director of Institutional
Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager,
Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993April 1998).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (November 2007Present); Senior Vice
PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (May 2007November 2007); and Vice
PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (20012007).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TrusteeGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (since November 2007Present and December
2002May 2004).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scott M. McHugh
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 38
|
|
Treasurer and Senior
Vice President
|
|
Since 2009
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (February 2007Present); Assistant Treasurer of certain
mutual funds administered by DWS Scudder (20052007); and Director (2005-2007), Vice
President (2000-2005), Assistant Vice President (1998-2000), Deutsche Asset Management
or its predecessor (19982007).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TreasurerGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (October 2009-Present); Senior Vice
PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (November 2009-Present); and Assistant
TreasurerGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (May 2007-October 2009).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
George F. Travers
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Age: 42
|
|
Senior Vice
President and
Principal Financial
Officer
|
|
Since 2009
|
|
Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (2007-present); Managing Director, UBS Ag (2005-2007);
and Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP (1990-2005, partner from 2000-2005)
Senior Vice President and Principal Financial OfficerGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philip V. Giuca, Jr.
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Age: 48
|
|
Assistant Treasurer
|
|
Since 1997
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (May 1992Present).
Assistant Treasurer Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter Fortner
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Age: 52
|
|
Assistant Treasurer
|
|
Since 2000
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs
(July 2000Present); Principal Financial Officer, Commerce
Bank Mutual Fund Complex (2008-Present); Associate, Prudential Insurance
Company of America (November 1985June 2000); and Assistant Treasurer, certain
closed-end funds administered by Prudential (19992000).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assistant TreasurerGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth G. Curran
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Age: 46
|
|
Assistant Treasurer
|
|
Since 2001
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (November 1998Present); and Senior Tax Manager, KPMG
Peat Marwick (accountants) (August 1995October 1998).
Assistant TreasurerGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
B-39
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term of Office and
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s) Held
|
|
Length of Time
|
|
|
Name, Age And Address
|
|
With the Trust
|
|
Served
1
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
|
James A. Fitzpatrick
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 50
|
|
Vice President
|
|
Since 1997
|
|
Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (October 1999Present); and Vice President of GSAM
(April 1997December 1999).
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jesse Cole
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 46
|
|
Vice President
|
|
Since 1998
|
|
Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 2006Present); Vice President, GSAM (June
1998Present); and Vice President, AIM Management Group, Inc. (investment adviser)
(April 1996June 1998).
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kerry K. Daniels
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Age: 47
|
|
Vice President
|
|
Since 2000
|
|
Manager, Financial Control Shareholder Services, Goldman Sachs (1986Present).
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark Hancock
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Age: 42
|
|
Vice President
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2005Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs
(August 2000November 2005); Senior Vice PresidentDreyfus Service Corp (19992000);
and Vice PresidentDreyfus Service Corp (19961999).
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey D. Matthes
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Age: 40
|
|
Vice President
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (December 2004Present); and Associate, Goldman Sachs
(December 2002December 2004).
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carlos W. Samuels
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Age: 35
|
|
Vice President
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (December 2007Present); Associate, Goldman Sachs
(December 2005December 2007); Analyst, Goldman Sachs (January 2004December 2005).
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
B-40
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term of Office and
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s) Held
|
|
Length of Time
|
|
|
Name, Age And Address
|
|
With the Trust
|
|
Served
1
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
|
Miriam Cytryn
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 51
|
|
Vice President
|
|
Since 2008
|
|
Vice President, GSAM (2008-Present); Vice President of Divisional Management, Investment
Management Division (2007-2008); Vice President and Chief of Staff, GSAM US Distribution
(2003-2007); and Vice President of Employee Relations, Goldman Sachs (1996-2003).
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Glen Casey
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 45
|
|
Vice President
|
|
Since 2008
|
|
Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (2007-Present); and Vice President, Goldman Sachs
(1997-2007).
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter V. Bonanno
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 42
|
|
Secretary
|
|
Since 2003
|
|
Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 2006Present); Associate General Counsel,
Goldman Sachs (2002Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (19992006); and Assistant
General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (1999-2002).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (2006Present); and Assistant
SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (20032006).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David
A. Fishman
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 45
|
|
Assistant Secretary
|
|
Since 2001
|
|
Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 2001Present); and Vice President, Goldman
Sachs (1997December 2001).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Danny Burke
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 47
|
|
Assistant Secretary
|
|
Since 2001
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1987Present).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
George Djurasovic
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 38
|
|
Assistant Secretary
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (2005Present); Associate General Counsel, Goldman Sachs
(2006Present); Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (20052006); Senior Counsel,
TIAA CREF (20042005); and Counsel, TIAA CREF (20002004).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patricia Meyer
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 36
|
|
Assistant Secretary
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (September 2006Present); Associate General Counsel,
Goldman Sachs (2009-Present); Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (September 2006
December 2008); and Associate, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP (20002006).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
B-41
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term of Office and
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s) Held
|
|
Length of Time
|
|
|
Name,
Age And Address
|
|
With the Trust
|
|
Served
1
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
|
Mark T. Robertson
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 33
|
|
Assistant Secretary
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (April 2007Present); Assistant General Counsel, Goldman
Sachs (April 2007Present); Associate, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
(20042007); and Solicitor, Corrs Chambers Westgarth (20022003).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deborah Farrell
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 38
|
|
Assistant Secretary
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (2005Present); Associate, Goldman Sachs (20012005);
and Analyst, Goldman Sachs (19942005).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patrick OCallaghan
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 38
|
|
Assistant
Secretary
|
|
Since 2009
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (2000-Present); Associate, Goldman Sachs (1998-2000);
Analyst, Goldman Sachs (1995-1998).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James McCarthy
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 45
|
|
Assistant Secretary
|
|
Since 2009
|
|
Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (2003-Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs
(1996-2003); Portfolio Manager, Goldman Sachs (1995-1996).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees or until their
successors are duly elected and qualified. Each officer holds comparable positions with
certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment
adviser, administrator and/or distributor.
|
Standing Board Committees
The Audit Committee oversees the audit process and provides assistance to the Board with respect to fund accounting, tax compliance and financial statement matters. In
performing its responsibilities, the Audit Committee selects and recommends annually to the Board, an independent registered public accounting firm to audit the books and records
of the Trust for the ensuing year, and reviews with the firm the scope and results of each audit.
All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee held three
meetings during the fiscal period January 1, 2009 through August 31, 2009.
The Governance and Nominating Committee has been established to: (i) assist the Board
in matters involving mutual fund governance, which includes making
recommendations to the Board with respect to the effectiveness of
the Board in carrying out its responsibilities in governing the Funds
and overseeing their management; (ii) select and
nominate candidates for appointment or election to serve as
Independent Trustees; and (iii) advise the Board on ways to improve its effectiveness. All of the Independent Trustees
serve on the Governance and Nominating Committee. The Governance and Nominating Committee held one
meeting during the fiscal period January 1, 2009 through August 31, 2009. As stated above, each
Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the occurrence of certain events. In filling
Board vacancies, the Governance and Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by
shareholders. Nominee recommendations should be submitted to the Trust at its mailing address
stated in the Series Prospectuses and should be directed to the attention of the Goldman Sachs
Trust Governance and Nominating Committee.
B-42
The Compliance Committee has been established for the purpose of overseeing the compliance
processes: (i) of the Series; and (ii) insofar as they relate to services provided to the Series,
of the Series investment adviser, distributor, administrator (if any), and transfer agent, except
that compliance processes relating to the accounting and financial reporting processes, and certain
related matters, are overseen by the Audit Committee. In addition, the Compliance Committee
provides assistance to the Board with respect to compliance matters. The
Compliance Committee met two times during the fiscal period January 1, 2009 through August 31,
2009. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Compliance Committee.
The Valuation Committee is authorized to act for the Board in connection with the
valuation of portfolio securities held by the Series in accordance with the Trusts Valuation
Procedures. Messrs. McNamara and Shuch serve on the Valuation
Committee, together with certain employees of GSAM who are not
Trustees. The Valuation Committee
met eight times during the fiscal period January 1, 2009 through
August 31, 2009. The Valuation Committee reports periodically to
the Board.
The Dividend Committee is authorized, subject to the ratification of Trustees who are not
members of the committee, to declare dividends and capital gain distributions consistent with each
Series Prospectus. Messrs. McNamara and McHugh serve on the Dividend Committee. The Dividend
Committee met eight times during the fiscal period January 1,
2009 through August 31, 2009.
The
Contract Review Committee has been established for the purpose of
overseeing the processes of the Board for reviewing and monitoring
performance under the Series investment
management, distribution, transfer agency and certain other agreements with the Series Investment Adviser
and its affiliates. The Contract Review Committee is also responsible for
overseeing the Boards processes for considering and reviewing
performance under the operation of the Series distribution, service,
shareholder administration and other plans, and any agreements related to the plans, whether or not
such plans and agreements are adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. The Contract
Review Committee also provides appropriate assistance to the Board in connection with
the Boards approval, oversight and review of the Series other service providers including,
without limitation, the Series custodian/accounting agent, sub-transfer agents, professional
(legal and accounting) firms and printing firms. The Contract Review Committee met two times during
the fiscal period January 1, 2009 through August 31, 2009. All of the Independent Trustees serve on
the Contract Review Committee.
Risk Oversight
The Board is responsible for the oversight of the activities of the Series, including
oversight of risk management. Day-to-day risk management with respect to the Series is the
responsibility of GSAM or other service providers (depending on the nature of the risk), subject to
supervision by GSAM. The risks of the Series include, but are not limited to, investment risk,
compliance risk, operational risk, reputational risk, credit risk and counterparty risk. Each of
GSAM and the other service providers have their own independent interest in risk management and
their policies and methods of risk management may differ from the Series and each others in the
setting of priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. As a
result, the Board recognizes that it is not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect
the Series or to develop processes and controls to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or
effects, and that some risks are simply beyond the control of the Series or GSAM, its affiliates or
other service providers.
The Board effectuates its oversight role primarily through regular and special meetings of the
Board and Board committees. In certain cases, risk management issues are specifically addressed in
presentations and discussions. For example, GSAM has an independent dedicated Market Risk Group
that assists GSAM in managing investment risk. Representatives from the Market Risk Group
regularly meet with the Board to discuss their analysis and methodologies. In addition, investment
risk is discussed in the context of regular presentations to the Board on Series strategy and
performance. Other types of risk are addressed as part of presentations on related topics (e.g.
compliance policies) or in the context of presentations focused specifically on one or more risks.
The Board also receives reports from GSAM management on operational risks, reputational risks and
counterparty risks relating to the Series.
Board oversight of risk management is also performed by various Board committees. For
example, the Audit Committee meets with both the Series independent registered public accounting
firm and the GSAMs internal audit group to review risk controls in place that support the Series
as well as test results, and the Compliance Committee meets with the CCO and representatives of
GSAMs compliance group to review testing results of the Series compliance policies and procedures
and other compliance issues. Board oversight of risk is also performed as needed between meetings
through communications between the GSAM and the Board. The Board may, at any time and in its
discretion, change the manner in which it conducts risk oversight. The Boards oversight role does
not make the Board a guarantor of the Series investments or activities.
Trustee Ownership of Series Shares
The following table shows the dollar range of shares beneficially owned by each Trustee in the
Series and other portfolios of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust as of December
31, 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Securities in All
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolios in Fund Complex
|
Name of Trustee
|
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Series
1
|
|
Overseen By Trustee
2
|
Ashok N. Bakhru
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Over $100,000
|
|
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Over $100,000
|
|
Diana M. Daniels
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Over $100,000
|
|
Patrick T. Harker
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Over $100,000
|
|
James A. McNamara
|
|
|
Money Market Fund: Over $ 100,000 Federal
Fund: Over $ 100,000
|
|
|
|
Over $100,000
|
|
Jessica Palmer
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Over $100,000
|
|
Richard P. Strubel
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Over $100,000
|
|
Alan A. Shuch
|
|
|
Money Market Fund: $ 10,000 $ 50,000
Federal Fund: Over $100,000
|
|
|
|
Over $100,000
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Includes the value of shares beneficially owned by each Trustee in each Series described in this SAI.
|
|
2
|
|
As of December 31, 2009, the Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex consisted of the Trust,
Goldman Sachs Municipal Opportunity Fund and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. The Trust
consisted of 83 portfolios (of which 82 offered shares to the public), the Goldman Sachs
Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 11 portfolios and the Goldman Sachs Municipal
Opportunity Fund did not offer shares to the public.
|
As of May 14, 2010, the Trustees and Officers of the Trust as a group owned less than 1% of
the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of each Series.
Board Compensation
The Trust pays each Independent Trustee an annual fee for his or her services as a Trustee of
the Trust, plus an additional fee for each regular and special telephonic Board meeting, Governance
and Nominating Committee meeting, Compliance Committee meeting, Contract
B-43
Review
Committee meeting, and Audit Committee
meeting attended by such Trustee. The Independent Trustees are also reimbursed for travel expenses
incurred in connection with attending such meetings. The Trust may also pay the incidental costs of
a Trustee to attend training or other types of conferences relating to the investment company
industry.
The following tables set forth certain information with respect to the compensation of each
Trustee of the Trust for the fiscal period January 1, 2009 through August 31, 2009:
Trustee Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prime
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury
|
|
Treasury
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obligations
|
|
Money Market
|
|
Obligations
|
|
Instruments
|
|
Government
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Trustee
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
|
Fund
|
|
Federal Fund
|
|
Tax-Free Fund
|
|
Ashok N. Bakhru
1
|
|
$
|
2,403
|
|
|
$
|
2,403
|
|
|
$
|
2,403
|
|
|
$
|
2,403
|
|
|
$
|
2,403
|
|
|
$
|
2,403
|
|
|
$
|
2,403
|
|
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
2
|
|
|
1,826
|
|
|
|
1,826
|
|
|
|
1,826
|
|
|
|
1,826
|
|
|
|
1,826
|
|
|
|
1,826
|
|
|
|
1,826
|
|
Diana M. Daniels
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
Patrick T. Harker
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
James A. McNamara
3
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Jessica Palmer
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
Alan A. Shuch
3
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Richard P. Strubel
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
Pension or Retirement
|
|
Total Compensation From
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
Benefits Accrued as Part of
|
|
Fund Complex
|
Name of Trustee
|
|
from the Series
|
|
the Trusts Expenses
|
|
(including the Series)*
|
|
Ashok N. Bakhru
1
|
|
$
|
16,823
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
222,000
|
|
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
2
|
|
|
12,782
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
168,667
|
|
Diana M. Daniels
|
|
|
11,165
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
147,333
|
|
Patrick T. Harker
|
|
|
11,165
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
147,333
|
|
James A. McNamara
3
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Jessica Palmer
|
|
|
11,165
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
147,333
|
|
Alan A. Shuch
3
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Richard P. Strubel
|
|
|
11,165
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
147,333
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Each Series changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to August 31.
Accordingly, the figures in this table reflect amounts for the 8-month period ended August 31,
2009.
|
|
*
|
|
Represents fees paid to each Trustee during the fiscal period January 1, 2009 through
August 31, 2009 from the Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. The Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund
Complex consists of the Trust, Goldman Sachs Municipal Opportunity Fund, Goldman Sachs Credit
Strategies Fund and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. As of August 31, 2009, the Trust
consisted of 81 portfolios and the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 11
portfolios. The Goldman Sachs Municipal Opportunity Fund does not currently offer shares to
the public.
|
|
1
|
|
Includes compensation as Board Chairman.
|
|
2
|
|
Includes compensation as audit committee financial expert, as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR.
|
|
3
|
|
Messrs. McNamara and Shuch are Interested Trustees, and as such, receive no compensation from the Series or the Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
Code of Ethics
The Trust, its Investment Advisers and principal underwriter have adopted codes of ethics
under Rule 17j-1 of the Act that permit personnel subject to their particular codes of ethics to
invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Series.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES
As
stated in the Series Prospectuses, GSAM, 200 West Street, New
York, NY 10282, serves as
Investment Adviser to the Series. GSAM is a subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and an
affiliate of Goldman Sachs. Prior to the end of April 2003, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, a
business unit of the Investment Management Division (IMD) of Goldman Sachs, served as the Series
investment adviser. On or about April 26, 2003, GSAM assumed Goldman Sachs Asset Managements
investment advisory responsibilities for those Series. See Service Providers in the Series
Prospectuses for a description of the Investment Advisers duties to the Series.
Founded in 1869, Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a bank holding company and a leading global
investment banking, securities and investment management firm. Goldman Sachs is a leader in
developing portfolio strategies and in many fields of investing and financing, participating in
financial markets worldwide and serving individuals, institutions, corporations and governments.
Goldman Sachs is also among the principal market sources for current and thorough information on
companies, industrial sectors, markets, economies and currencies, and trades and makes markets in a
wide range of equity and debt securities 24 hours a day. The firm is
B-44
headquartered in New York with
offices in countries throughout the world. It has trading professionals throughout the United
States, as well as in London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Seoul, Sao Paulo and other major financial centers
around the world. The active participation of Goldman Sachs in the worlds financial markets
enhances its ability to identify attractive investments. Goldman Sachs has agreed to permit the
Series to use the name Goldman Sachs or a derivative thereof as part of each Series name for as
long as each Series Management Agreement is in effect.
The Investment Adviser is able to draw on the substantial research and market expertise of
Goldman Sachs, whose investment research effort is one of the largest in the industry. The Global
Investment Research Department covers approximately 3,000 equity securities, 350 fixed income
securities and 25 stock markets in more than 50 economies and regions. The in-depth information
and analyses generated by Goldman Sachs research analysts are available to the Investment Adviser
subject to Chinese Wall restrictions.
In addition, many of Goldman Sachs economists, securities analysts, portfolio strategists and
credit analysts have consistently been highly ranked in respected industry surveys conducted in the
United States and abroad. Goldman Sachs is also among the leading investment firms using
quantitative analytics (now used by a growing number of investors) to structure and evaluate
portfolios. For example, Goldman Sachs options evaluation model analyzes a securitys term, coupon
and call option, providing an overall analysis of the securitys value relative to its interest
risk.
In managing the Goldman Sachs Money Market Funds, GSAM will draw upon the Goldman Sachs Credit
Department. The Credit Department provides credit risk management for our portfolios through a team
of professionals who contribute a combination of industry analysis, fund-specific expertise and
global capacity (through their local presence in foreign markets). The Credit Department
continuously monitors all issuers approved for investment by the money market funds by monitoring
news stories, business developments, financial information and ratings, as well as occasional
discussion with issuer management and rating agency analysts. The Credit Department receives rating
agency reports and rating change information electronically and via fax as well as reports from
Goldmans Research Department. Specifically with respect to managing the Tax-Free Fund, GSAM will
draw upon the extensive research generated by Goldman Sachs Municipal Credit Group. The Credit
Groups research team continually reviews current information regarding the issuers of municipal
and other tax-exempt securities, with particular focus on long-term creditworthiness, short-term
liquidity, debt service costs, liability structures, and administrative and economic
characteristics.
The Management Agreement provides that GSAM, in its capacity as Investment Adviser, may render
similar services to others so long as the services under the Management Agreements are not impaired
thereby. The Series Management Agreement was approved by the Trustees of the Trust, including a
majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to such agreements or interested
persons (as such term is defined in the Act) of any party thereto (the non-interested Trustees)
on June 17, 2009 with respect to each of the Series. A discussion regarding the Trustees basis for
approving the Management Agreement in 2009 is available in the Series annual reports for the
fiscal period January 1, 2009 through August 31, 2009.
The Management Agreement will remain in effect until June 30, 2010 and will continue in effect
with respect to the applicable Series from year to year thereafter provided such continuance is
specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of such Series or a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, and (ii) the vote of a
majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such approval.
The Management Agreement will terminate automatically if assigned (as defined in the Act). The
Management Agreement is also terminable at any time without penalty by the Trustees of the Trust or
by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Series on 60 days
written notice to the Investment Adviser or by the Investment Adviser on 60 days written notice to
the Trust.
Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Investment Adviser is entitled to receive a fee from
the Trust, computed daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0 0.205% of each Funds average
daily net assets.
For the fiscal period January 1, 2009 through August 31, 2009 and fiscal years ended December
31, 2008, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 the amounts of fees incurred by each Fund under
the Management Agreement were as follows (with and without the fee waivers that were then in
effect):
B-45
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
With Fee
|
|
Without Fee
|
|
With Fee
|
|
Without Fee
|
|
With Fee
|
|
Without Fee
|
|
With Fee
|
|
Without Fee
|
Fund
|
|
Waiver
*
|
|
Waiver
|
|
Waiver
*
|
|
Waiver
|
|
Waiver
*
|
|
Waiver
|
|
Waiver
*
|
|
Waiver
|
|
Prime Obligations Fund
|
|
$
|
36,909,911
|
|
|
$
|
47,290,828
|
|
|
$
|
78,362,426
|
|
|
$
|
102,032,819
|
|
|
$
|
56,193,165
|
|
|
$
|
74,319,993
|
|
|
$
|
44,743,993
|
|
|
$
|
59,175,952
|
|
Money Market Fund
|
|
|
24,821,628
|
|
|
|
31,802,714
|
|
|
|
36,941,002
|
|
|
|
48,052,598
|
|
|
|
28,621,988
|
|
|
|
37,854,074
|
|
|
|
21,819,565
|
|
|
|
28,857,753
|
|
Treasury Obligations Fund
|
|
|
27,920,238
|
|
|
|
31,798,050
|
|
|
|
28,908,207
|
|
|
|
33,269,308
|
|
|
|
17,949,015
|
|
|
|
21,025,988
|
|
|
|
10,254,655
|
|
|
|
12,012,594
|
|
Treasury Instruments Fund
|
|
|
32,771,547
|
|
|
|
37,323,153
|
|
|
|
42,010,815
|
|
|
|
48,051,508
|
|
|
|
9,524,568
|
|
|
|
11,157,353
|
|
|
|
4,730,022
|
|
|
|
5,541,161
|
|
Government Fund
|
|
|
69,882,141
|
|
|
|
89,536,494
|
|
|
|
42,097,106
|
|
|
|
54,364,217
|
|
|
|
13,273,331
|
|
|
|
17,555,051
|
|
|
|
7,025,850
|
|
|
|
9,291,929
|
|
Federal Fund
|
|
|
35,644,862
|
|
|
|
40,595,539
|
|
|
|
39,033,778
|
|
|
|
44,896,438
|
|
|
|
19,783,623
|
|
|
|
23,175,101
|
|
|
|
14,628,615
|
|
|
|
17,136,378
|
|
Tax-Free Money Market Fund
|
|
|
11,249,531
|
|
|
|
14,413,638
|
|
|
|
18,285,463
|
|
|
|
23,726,135
|
|
|
|
14,172,324
|
|
|
|
18,744,042
|
|
|
|
12,537,017
|
|
|
|
16,581,216
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Each Series changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to August 31.
Accordingly, the figures in this table reflect amounts for the 8-month period ended August 31,
2009 and fiscal years ended December 31, 2008, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006.
|
|
*
|
|
Effective July 1, 2008, GSAM has voluntarily agreed to reduce its waiver of its
Management Fee equal annually to 0.045% of the average daily net assets of Prime Obligations
Fund, Money Market Fund, Government Fund and Tax-Free Fund and 0.025% of the average daily net
assets of Treasury Obligations Fund, Treasury Instruments Fund and Federal Fund. Prior to
July 1, 2008, GSAM had voluntarily waived a portion of its Management Fee equal annually to
0.05% of the average daily net assets of Prime Obligations Fund, Money Market Fund, Government
Fund and Tax-Free Fund and 0.03% of the average daily net assets of the Treasury Obligations
Fund, Treasury Instruments Fund and Federal Fund.
|
In addition to providing advisory services, under the Management Agreement, the Investment
Adviser also: (i) supervises all non-advisory operations of each Series that it advises; (ii)
provides personnel to perform such executive, administrative and clerical services as are
reasonably necessary to provide effective administration of each Series; (iii) arranges for, at
each Series expense: (a) the preparation of all required tax returns, (b) the preparation and
submission of reports to existing shareholders, (c) the periodic updating of prospectuses and
statements of additional information and (d) the preparation of reports to be filed with the SEC
and other regulatory authorities; (iv) maintains each Series records; and (v) provides office
space and all necessary office equipment and services.
The Management Agreement provides that GSAM shall not be liable to a Series for any error of
judgment by GSAM or for any loss sustained by a Series except in the case of GSAMs willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duty. The Management Agreement
also provides that it shall terminate automatically if assigned and that it may be terminated with
respect to any particular Series without penalty by vote of a majority of the Trustees or a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of that Series on 60 days written notice to GSAM or
by GSAM without penalty at any time on 90 days (60 days with respect to a Fund) written notice to
the Trust.
The Distributor and Transfer Agent
Goldman
Sachs, 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, serves as the exclusive distributor of
shares of the Series pursuant to a best efforts arrangement as provided by a distribution
agreement with the Trust on behalf of each Series. Shares of the Series are offered and sold on a
continuous basis by Goldman Sachs, acting as agent. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, after
the Prospectuses and periodic reports have been prepared, set in type and mailed to shareholders,
Goldman Sachs will pay for the printing and distribution of copies thereof used in connection with
the offering to prospective investors. Goldman Sachs will also pay for other supplementary sales
literature and advertising costs. Goldman Sachs may enter into sales agreements with certain
investment dealers and other financial service firms (Authorized Dealers) to solicit
subscriptions for FST Class B (subject to the limitations
described herein) and FST Class C Shares of the Prime Obligations Fund.
The Distribution Agreement between Goldman Sachs and the Trust was most recently approved by
the Trustees on June 17, 2009. Because the FST Class B Shares and FST Class C Shares of the Prime
Obligations Fund have not yet commenced operations as of May 14,
B-46
2010, Goldman Sachs did not retain
any commissions on redemptions of FST Class B and FST Class C Shares during the fiscal period
January 1, 2009 through August 31, 2009.
Goldman Sachs, 71 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606 serves as the Trusts transfer agent.
Under its transfer agency agreement with the Trust, Goldman Sachs has undertaken with the Trust to
(i) record the issuance, transfer and redemption of shares, (ii) provide purchase and redemption
confirmations and quarterly statements, as well as certain other statements, (iii) provide certain
information to the Trusts custodian and the relevant sub-custodian in connection with redemptions,
(iv) provide dividend crediting and certain disbursing agent services, (v) maintain shareholder
accounts, (vi) provide certain state Blue Sky and other information, (vii) provide shareholders and
certain regulatory authorities with tax-related information, (viii) respond to shareholder
inquiries, and (ix) render certain other miscellaneous services. For its transfer agency services,
Goldman Sachs is entitled to receive a transfer agency fee equal, on an annualized basis, to 0.01%
of the average daily net assets with respect to each class of each Fund. Goldman Sachs may pay to
certain intermediaries who perform transfer agent services to shareholders a networking or
sub-transfer agent fee. These payments will be made from the transfer agency fees noted above and
in the Series Prospectuses.
As compensation for services rendered to the Trust by Goldman Sachs as transfer agent and the
assumption by Goldman Sachs of the expenses related thereto, Goldman Sachs received fees for the
fiscal period January 1, 2009 through August 31, 2009 and fiscal years ended December 31, 2008,
December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, from each Fund as follows under the fee schedules then in
effect:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Prime Obligations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FST Shares
|
|
$
|
1,815,353
|
|
|
$
|
5,216,476
|
|
|
$
|
4,052,696
|
|
|
$
|
3,166,622
|
|
Administration Shares
|
|
|
285,332
|
|
|
|
601,295
|
|
|
|
74,469
|
|
|
|
607,808
|
|
Service Shares
|
|
|
72,926
|
|
|
|
222,074
|
|
|
|
265,869
|
|
|
|
218,048
|
|
Preferred Shares
|
|
|
83,136
|
|
|
|
204,404
|
|
|
|
184,820
|
|
|
|
247,046
|
|
Select Shares
|
|
|
5,508
|
|
|
|
37,003
|
|
|
|
56,383
|
|
|
|
24,544
|
|
Capital Shares
|
|
|
44,603
|
|
|
|
118,708
|
|
|
|
103,811
|
|
|
|
65,996
|
|
Cash Management Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Premier Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Resource Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Class B Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Class C Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Money Market
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FST Shares
|
|
$
|
1,423,765
|
|
|
$
|
2,752,348
|
|
|
$
|
2,540,118
|
|
|
$
|
1,909,269
|
|
Administration Shares
|
|
|
81,227
|
|
|
|
106,094
|
|
|
|
102,381
|
|
|
|
109,979
|
|
Service Shares
|
|
|
33,648
|
|
|
|
88,127
|
|
|
|
90,341
|
|
|
|
59,757
|
|
Preferred Shares
|
|
|
6,242
|
|
|
|
17,370
|
|
|
|
15,493
|
|
|
|
12,414
|
|
Select Shares
|
|
|
2,403
|
|
|
|
11,692
|
|
|
|
18,807
|
|
|
|
16,715
|
|
Capital Shares
|
|
|
4,060
|
|
|
|
5,069
|
|
|
|
2,730
|
|
|
|
3,437
|
|
Cash Management Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Premier Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Resource Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Treasury Obligations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FST Shares
|
|
$
|
1,214,351
|
|
|
$
|
1,425,758
|
|
|
$
|
830,477
|
|
|
$
|
271,054
|
|
Administration Shares
|
|
|
196,734
|
|
|
|
333,014
|
|
|
|
416,967
|
|
|
|
323,889
|
|
Service Shares
|
|
|
76,556
|
|
|
|
194,752
|
|
|
|
235,765
|
|
|
|
176,588
|
|
Preferred Shares
|
|
|
20,045
|
|
|
|
30,511
|
|
|
|
25,292
|
|
|
|
105,808
|
|
Select Shares
|
|
|
15,866
|
|
|
|
1,720
|
|
|
|
149
|
|
|
|
156
|
|
Capital Shares
|
|
|
27,563
|
|
|
|
37,177
|
|
|
|
29,837
|
|
|
|
1,475
|
|
Cash Management Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Premier Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Resource Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Treasury Instruments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FST Shares
|
|
$
|
1,614,450
|
|
|
$
|
2,244,058
|
|
|
$
|
586,845
|
|
|
$
|
237,850
|
|
Administration Shares
|
|
|
132,501
|
|
|
|
360,379
|
|
|
|
153,901
|
|
|
|
115,772
|
|
Service Shares
|
|
|
28,433
|
|
|
|
83,344
|
|
|
|
44,180
|
|
|
|
27,860
|
|
B-47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Preferred Shares
|
|
|
20,824
|
|
|
|
50,861
|
|
|
|
24,204
|
|
|
|
20,446
|
|
Select Shares
|
|
|
12,103
|
|
|
|
6,819
|
|
|
|
5,200
|
|
|
|
1,863
|
|
Capital Shares
|
|
|
5,126
|
|
|
|
11,384
|
|
|
|
2,062
|
|
|
|
1,640
|
|
Cash Management Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Premier Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Resource Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Government
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FST Shares
|
|
$
|
3,811,019
|
|
|
$
|
2,505,797
|
|
|
$
|
854,814
|
|
|
$
|
378,517
|
|
Administration Shares
|
|
|
255,493
|
|
|
|
302,522
|
|
|
|
211,826
|
|
|
|
173,501
|
|
Service Shares
|
|
|
43,133
|
|
|
|
59,790
|
|
|
|
63,019
|
|
|
|
49,133
|
|
Preferred Shares
|
|
|
56,635
|
|
|
|
90,893
|
|
|
|
62,042
|
|
|
|
44,458
|
|
Select Shares
|
|
|
122,105
|
|
|
|
112,426
|
|
|
|
30,813
|
|
|
|
12,695
|
|
Capital Shares
|
|
|
79,215
|
|
|
|
92,841
|
|
|
|
62,002
|
|
|
|
21,617
|
|
Cash Management Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Premier Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Resource Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FST Shares
|
|
$
|
1,773,172
|
|
|
$
|
2,403,891
|
|
|
$
|
1,465,883
|
|
|
$
|
1,035,893
|
|
Administration Shares
|
|
|
79,265
|
|
|
|
116,940
|
|
|
|
98,685
|
|
|
|
110,474
|
|
Service Shares
|
|
|
74,773
|
|
|
|
129,620
|
|
|
|
105,430
|
|
|
|
85,800
|
|
Preferred Shares
|
|
|
37,026
|
|
|
|
46,607
|
|
|
|
24,881
|
|
|
|
21,169
|
|
Select Shares
|
|
|
7,594
|
|
|
|
6,734
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Capital Shares
|
|
|
8,430
|
|
|
|
2,848
|
|
|
|
860
|
|
|
|
545
|
|
Cash Management Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Premier Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Resource Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Tax-Free Money Market
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FST Shares
|
|
$
|
642,652
|
|
|
$
|
1,254,561
|
|
|
$
|
1,185,080
|
|
|
$
|
1,033,388
|
|
Administration Shares
|
|
|
27,163
|
|
|
|
86,566
|
|
|
|
86,657
|
|
|
|
49,846
|
|
Service Shares
|
|
|
10,861
|
|
|
|
39,426
|
|
|
|
36,732
|
|
|
|
22,685
|
|
Preferred Shares
|
|
|
3,565
|
|
|
|
20,169
|
|
|
|
23,782
|
|
|
|
50,216
|
|
Select Shares
|
|
|
4,214
|
|
|
|
6,441
|
|
|
|
8,982
|
|
|
|
16,384
|
|
Capital Shares
|
|
|
14,637
|
|
|
|
36,265
|
|
|
|
30,282
|
|
|
|
40,742
|
|
Cash Management Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Premier Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Resource Shares
*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Each Series changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to August 31. Accordingly,
the figures in this table reflect amounts for the 8-month period ended August 31, 2009 and
fiscal years ended December 31, 2008, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006.
|
|
*
|
|
As of May 14, 2010, Cash Management Shares, Premier Shares, Resource Shares,
Class B and Class C Shares have not commenced operations.
|
The Trusts distribution and transfer agency agreements each provide that Goldman Sachs may
render similar services to others so long as the services Goldman Sachs provides thereunder are not
impaired thereby. Such agreements also provide that the Trust will indemnify Goldman Sachs against
certain liabilities.
Expenses
The Trust, on behalf of each Series, is responsible for the payment of each Series respective
expenses. The expenses include, without limitation, the fees payable to the Investment Adviser,
distribution fees payable to Goldman Sachs (as applicable), service fees and shareholder
administration fees paid to Service Organizations, the fees and expenses of the Trusts custodian
and subcustodians, transfer agent fees and expenses, pricing service fees and expenses, brokerage
fees and commissions, filing fees for the registration or qualification of the Trusts shares under
federal or state securities laws, expenses of the organization of the Series, fees and expenses
incurred by the Trust in connection with membership in investment company organizations
including, but not limited to, the Investment Company Institute, taxes, interest, costs of
liability insurance, fidelity bonds or indemnification, any costs, expenses or
B-48
losses arising out
of any liability of, or claim for damages or other relief asserted against, the Trust for violation
of any law, legal, tax and auditing fees and expenses (including the cost of legal and certain
accounting services rendered by employees of Goldman Sachs or its affiliates with respect to the
Trust), expenses of preparing and setting in type Prospectuses, SAIs, proxy material, reports and
notices and the printing and distributing of the same to the Trusts shareholders and regulatory
authorities, any expenses assumed by a Series pursuant to its Distribution and Service Plans,
compensation and expenses of its non-interested Trustees, the fees and expenses of pricing
services, dividend expenses on short sales and extraordinary expenses, if any, incurred by the
Trust. Except for fees and expenses under any service plan, shareholder administration plan or
distribution and service plans applicable to a particular class and transfer agency fees and
expenses, all Series expenses are borne on a non-class specific basis.
The imposition of the Investment Advisers fees, as well as other operating expenses, will
have the effect of reducing the total return to investors. From time to time, the Investment
Adviser may waive receipt of its fees and/or voluntarily assume certain expenses of a Series, which
would have the effect of lowering that Series overall expense ratio and increasing total return to
investors at the time such amounts are waived or assumed, as the case may be.
For the Funds, as of May 14, 2010, the Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to reduce or
limit certain Other Expenses (excluding management fees, transfer agency fees and expenses,
distribution and service fees, FST Premier Administration fees, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and
litigation, indemnification, shareholder meeting costs and other extraordinary expenses, exclusive
of any custody and transfer agent fee credit reductions) to the extent such expenses exceed, on an
annualized basis, 0.014% each Funds average daily net assets.
For the fiscal period January 1, 2009 through August 31, 2009 and fiscal years ended December
31, 2008, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the amounts of certain Other Expenses of each
Fund were reduced or otherwise limited as follows under the expense limitations with the Funds that
were then in effect:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Prime Obligations Fund
|
|
$
|
28,318
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Money Market Fund
|
|
|
98,175
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Obligations Fund
|
|
|
18,183
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
106,764
|
|
|
|
83,423
|
|
Treasury Instruments Fund
|
|
|
19,385
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
246,433
|
|
|
|
199,246
|
|
Government Fund
|
|
|
98,175
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
86,570
|
|
|
|
66,547
|
|
Federal Fund
|
|
|
23,293
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax-Free Fund
|
|
|
25,904
|
|
|
|
367,270
|
|
|
|
133,408
|
|
|
|
3,835
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Each Series changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to August 31. Accordingly,
the figures in this table reflect amounts for the 8-month period ended August 31, 2009 and
fiscal years ended December 31, 2008, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006.
|
Such reductions or limits, if any, are calculated monthly on a cumulative basis during each
Series fiscal year and may be discontinued or modified by the applicable Investment Adviser in its
discretion at any time.
Custodian Reimbursements
Each Fund has entered into certain expense offset arrangements with the custodian resulting in
a reduction in each Funds expenses. For the fiscal period January 1, 2009 through August 31, 2009
and fiscal years ended December 31, 2008, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, each Funds
custody fees were reduced by the following amounts under such arrangements:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Prime Obligations Fund
|
|
$
|
1,709
|
|
|
$
|
37,003
|
|
|
$
|
17,179
|
|
|
$
|
11,554
|
|
Money Market Fund
|
|
|
842
|
|
|
|
937
|
|
|
|
19,966
|
|
|
|
35,331
|
|
Treasury Obligations Fund
|
|
|
650
|
|
|
|
884
|
|
|
|
2,224
|
|
|
|
2,171
|
|
Treasury Instruments Fund
|
|
|
369,423
|
|
|
|
38,893
|
|
|
|
36,004
|
|
|
|
10,307
|
|
Government Fund
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
|
937
|
|
|
|
2,095
|
|
|
|
1,982
|
|
Federal Fund
|
|
|
11,798
|
|
|
|
24,547
|
|
|
|
69,541
|
|
|
|
51,494
|
|
Tax-Free Money Market Fund
|
|
|
858
|
|
|
|
1,321,801
|
|
|
|
119,699
|
|
|
|
120,485
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Each Series changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to August 31. Accordingly,
the figures in this table reflect amounts for the 8-month period ended August 31, 2009 and
fiscal years ended December 31, 2008, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006.
|
B-49
Fees and expenses borne by the Series relating to legal counsel, registering shares of a
Series, holding meetings and communicating with shareholders may include an allocable portion of
the cost of maintaining an internal legal and compliance department. Each Series may also bear an
allocable portion of the Investment Advisers costs of performing certain accounting services not
being provided by a Series custodian.
Custodian and Sub-Custodians
State Street has been retained to act as custodian of the Series assets. In that capacity,
State Street maintains the accounting records and calculates the daily net asset value per share of
the Series. Its mailing address is 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110. State Street has
appointed The Northern Trust Company, 50 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60675, as
subcustodian to hold cash and certain securities purchased by the Trust.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 125 High Street, Boston, MA 02110, is the Series independent
registered public accounting firm. In addition to audit services, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
prepares the Series federal and state tax returns, and provides assistance on certain non-audit
matters.
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Summary
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a worldwide, full-service investment banking, broker-dealer,
asset management and financial services organization, and a major participant in global financial
markets. As such, it acts as an investor, investment banker, research provider, investment manager,
investment adviser, financier, advisor, market maker, proprietary trader, prime broker, lender,
agent and principal, and has other direct and indirect interests in the global fixed income,
currency, commodity, equity, bank loan and other markets in which the Goldman Sachs Funds,
including the Series (for purposes of this section, the Funds) may directly and indirectly
invest. As a result, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., the asset management division of Goldman Sachs,
the Investment Adviser, and their affiliates, directors, partners, trustees, managers, members,
officers and employees (collectively for purposes of this POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
section, Goldman Sachs), including those who may be involved in the management, sales, investment
activities, business operations or distribution of the Funds, are engaged in businesses and have
interests other than that of managing the Funds. The Funds will not be entitled to compensation
related to such businesses. These activities and interests include potential multiple advisory,
transactional, financial and other interests in securities, instruments and companies that may be
directly or indirectly purchased or sold by the Funds and their service providers. These are
considerations of which shareholders should be aware, and which may cause conflicts that could
disadvantage the Funds. The following is a brief summary description of certain of these potential
conflicts of interest:
While the Investment Adviser will make decisions for the Funds in accordance with its obligations
to manage the Funds appropriately, the fees, allocations, compensation and other benefits to
Goldman Sachs (including benefits relating to business relationships of Goldman Sachs) arising from
those decisions may be greater as a result of certain portfolio, investment, service provider or
other decisions made by the Investment Adviser than they would have been had other decisions been
made which also might have been appropriate for the Funds.
Goldman Sachs, its sales personnel and other financial service providers may have conflicts
associated with their promotion of the Funds or other dealings with the Funds that would create
incentives for them to promote the Funds.
Goldman Sachs and its personnel may receive greater compensation or greater profit in connection
with the Funds than with an account advised by an unaffiliated investment adviser.
Goldman Sachs may make payments to authorized dealers and other financial intermediaries from
time to time to promote the Funds, other accounts managed by Goldman Sachs and other products. In
addition to placement fees, sales loads, or similar distribution
B-50
charges, such payments may be made out of Goldman Sachs assets or amounts payable to Goldman Sachs
rather than as separately identified charges to the Funds.
While the allocation of investment opportunities among Goldman Sachs, the Funds and other funds
and accounts managed by the Investment Adviser may raise potential conflicts because of financial,
investment or other interests of Goldman Sachs or its personnel, the Investment Adviser will make
allocation decisions consistent with the interests of the Funds and the other funds and accounts
and not solely based on such other interests.
The Investment Adviser will give advice to and make investment decisions for the Funds as it
believes is in the fiduciary interests of the Funds. Advice given to the Funds or investment
decisions made for the Funds may differ from, and may conflict with, advice given or investment
decisions made for Goldman Sachs or other funds or accounts. For example, other funds or accounts
managed by the Investment Adviser may sell short securities of an issuer in which the Funds have
taken, or will take, a long position in the same securities. Actions taken with respect to Goldman
Sachs or other funds or accounts may adversely impact the Funds, and actions taken by the Funds may
benefit Goldman Sachs or other funds or accounts (including the Funds).
The Investment Adviser may buy for the Funds securities or obligations of issuers in which
Goldman Sachs or other funds or accounts have made, or are making, an investment in securities or
obligations that are subordinate or senior to securities of the Funds. For example, certain Funds
may invest in debt securities of an issuer at the same time that Goldman Sachs or other funds or
accounts are investing, or currently have an investment, in equity securities of the same issuer.
To the extent that the issuer experiences financial or operational challenges which may impact the
price of its securities and its ability to meet its obligations, decisions by Goldman Sachs
(including the Investment Adviser) relating to what actions to be taken may also raise conflicts of
interests and Goldman Sachs may take actions for certain accounts that have negative impacts on
other advisory accounts.
Goldman Sachs personnel may have varying levels of economic and other interests in accounts or
products promoted or managed by such personnel as compared to other accounts or products promoted
or managed by them.
Goldman Sachs will be under no obligation to provide to the Funds, or effect transactions on
behalf of the Funds in accordance with, any market or other information, analysis, technical models
or research in its possession. Goldman Sachs may have information material to the management of
the Funds and may not share that information with relevant personnel of the Investment Adviser.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Funds may enter into transactions in which Goldman
Sachs acts as principal, or in which Goldman Sachs acts on behalf of the Funds and the other
parties to such transactions. Goldman Sachs will have potentially conflicting interests in
connection with such transactions.
Goldman Sachs may act as broker, dealer, agent, lender or otherwise for the Funds and will retain
all commissions, fees and other compensation in connection therewith.
Securities traded for the Funds may, but are not required to, be aggregated with trades for other
funds or accounts managed by Goldman Sachs. When transactions are aggregated but it is not possible
to receive the same price or execution on the entire volume of securities purchased or sold, the
various prices may be averaged, and the Funds will be charged or credited with the average price.
Thus, the effect of the aggregation may operate on some occasions to the disadvantage of the Funds.
Products and services received by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates from brokers in
connection with brokerage services provided to the Funds and other funds or accounts managed by
Goldman Sachs may disproportionately benefit other of such funds and accounts based on the relative
amounts of brokerage services provided to the Funds and such other funds and accounts.
While the Investment Adviser will make proxy voting decisions as it believes appropriate and in
accordance with the Investment Advisers policies designed to help avoid conflicts of interest,
proxy voting decisions made by the Investment Adviser with respect to a Funds portfolio securities
may have the effect of favoring the interests of other clients or businesses of other divisions or
units of Goldman Sachs.
Regulatory restrictions (including relating to the aggregation of positions among different Funds
and accounts) and internal Goldman Sachs policies may restrict investment activities of the Funds.
Information held by Goldman Sachs could have the effect of restricting investment activities of the
Funds.
B-51
Prospective investors should carefully review the following section of this document which
more fully describes these and other potential conflicts of interest presented by Goldman Sachs
other businesses and interests.
As a registered investment adviser under the Advisers Act, the Investment Adviser is required
to file a Form ADV with the SEC. Form ADV contains information about assets under management, types
of fee arrangements, types of investments, potential conflicts of interest, and other relevant
information regarding the Investment Adviser. A copy of Part 1 of the Investment Advisers Form ADV
is available on the SECs website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov).
Potential Conflicts Relating to Portfolio Decisions, the Sale of Series Shares and the
Allocation of Investment Opportunities
Goldman Sachs Other Activities May Have an Impact on the Series
The Investment Adviser makes decisions for the Funds in accordance with its obligations as the
Investment Adviser of the Funds. However, Goldman Sachs other activities may have a negative
effect on the Funds. As a result of the various activities and interests of Goldman Sachs as
described in the first paragraph under Summary above, it is likely that the Funds will have
multiple business relationships with and will invest in, engage in transactions with, make voting
decisions with respect to, or obtain services from entities for which Goldman Sachs performs or
seeks to perform investment banking or other services. It is also likely that the Funds will
undertake transactions in securities in which Goldman Sachs makes a market or otherwise has other
direct or indirect interests. In addition, while the Investment Adviser will make decisions for the
Funds in accordance with its obligations to manage the Funds appropriately, the fees, allocations,
compensation and other benefits to Goldman Sachs (including benefits relating to business
relationships of Goldman Sachs) arising from those decisions may be greater as a result of certain
portfolio, investment, service provider or other decisions made by the Investment Adviser for the
Funds than they would have been had other decisions been made which also might have been
appropriate for the Funds. For example, an Investment Adviser may make the decision to have
Goldman Sachs or an affiliate thereof provide administrative or other services to a Fund instead of
hiring an unaffiliated administrator or other service provider, provided that such engagement is on
market terms, as determined by such Fund or the Funds Board in its discretion.
Goldman Sachs conducts extensive broker-dealer, banking and other activities around the world
and operates a business known as Goldman Sachs Security Services (GSS) which provides prime
brokerage, administrative and other services to clients which may involve funds, markets and
securities in which the Funds invest. These businesses will give GSS and many other parts of
Goldman Sachs broad access to the current status of certain markets, investments and funds and
detailed knowledge about fund operators. As a result of the activities described in this paragraph
and the access and knowledge arising from those activities, parts of Goldman Sachs may be in
possession of information in respect of markets, investments and funds, which, if known to the
Investment Adviser, might cause the Investment Adviser to seek to dispose of, retain or increase
interests in investments held by a Fund or acquire certain positions on behalf of the Funds.
Goldman Sachs will be under no duty to make any such information available to the Investment
Adviser or in particular the personnel of the Investment Adviser making investment decisions on
behalf of the Funds.
Goldman Sachs or Intermediaries Financial and Other Interests and Relationships May Incentivize
Goldman Sachs or Intermediaries to Promote the Sale of Series Shares
Goldman Sachs, its personnel and other financial service providers, have interests in
promoting sales of shares of the Funds. With respect to both Goldman Sachs and its personnel, the
remuneration and profitability relating to services to and sales of shares of the Funds or other
products may be greater than the remuneration and profitability relating to services to and sales
of other products that might be provided or offered.
Goldman Sachs and its sales personnel may directly or indirectly receive a portion of the fees
and commissions charged to the Funds or their shareholders. Goldman Sachs and its advisory or other
personnel may also benefit from increased amounts of assets under management. Fees and commissions
may also be higher than for some products or services, and the remuneration and profitability to
Goldman Sachs and such personnel resulting from transactions on behalf of or management of the
Funds may be greater than the remuneration and profitability resulting from other Funds or
products.
Conflicts may arise in relation to sales-related incentives
. Goldman Sachs and its
personnel may receive greater compensation or greater profit in connection with the Funds than with
an account advised by an unaffiliated investment adviser. Differentials in compensation may be
related to the fact that Goldman Sachs may pay a portion of its advisory fee to the unaffiliated
investment adviser, or to other compensation arrangements, including for portfolio management,
brokerage transactions or account servicing. Any differential in compensation may create a
financial incentive on the part of Goldman Sachs and its personnel to recommend the Funds over
other accounts
B-52
or products managed by unaffiliated investment advisers or to effect transactions differently
in the Funds as compared to other accounts or products.
Goldman Sachs may also have relationships with, and purchase, or distribute or sell, services
or products from or to, distributors, consultants and others who recommend the Funds, or who engage
in transactions with or for the Funds. For example, Goldman Sachs regularly participates in
industry and consultant sponsored conferences and may purchase educational, data related or other
services from consultants or other third parties that it deems to be of value to its personnel and
its business. The products and services purchased from consultants may include, but are not limited
to, those that help Goldman Sachs understand the consultants points of view on the investment
management process. Consultants and other parties that provide consulting or other services or
provide service platforms for employee benefit plans to potential investors in the Funds may
receive fees from Goldman Sachs or the Funds in connection with the distribution of shares in the
Funds or other Goldman Sachs products. For example, Goldman Sachs may enter into revenue or fee
sharing arrangements with consultants, service providers, and other intermediaries relating to
investments in mutual funds, collective trusts, or other products or services offered or managed by
the Investment Adviser. Goldman Sachs may also pay a fee for membership in industry-wide or state
and municipal organizations, and in connection with clients, consultants or otherwise may
participate in sponsoring conferences and educational forums for investment industry participants
including, but not limited to, trustees, fiduciaries, consultants, administrators, state and
municipal personnel and other clients. Goldman Sachs membership in such organizations and
sponsorships allows Goldman Sachs to participate in these conferences and educational forums and
helps Goldman Sachs interact with conference participants and to develop an understanding of the
points of view and challenges of the conference participants, and to educate participants about
industry issues. In addition, Goldman Sachs personnel, including employees of Goldman Sachs, may
have board, advisory, brokerage or other relationships with issuers, distributors, consultants and
others that may have investments in the Funds or that may recommend investments in the Funds or
distribute the Funds. In addition, Goldman Sachs, including the Investment Adviser, may make
charitable contributions to institutions, including those that have relationships with clients or
personnel of clients. Personnel of Goldman Sachs may have board relationships with such charitable
institutions. Personnel of Goldman Sachs may also make political contributions. As a result of the
relationships and arrangements described in this paragraph, consultants, distributors and other
parties may have conflicts associated with their promotion of the Funds or other dealings with the
Funds that create incentives for them to promote the Funds or certain portfolio transactions.
One or more divisions of Goldman Sachs may refer certain investment opportunities to the
Investment Adviser or otherwise provide services to, or enter into arrangements with, the
Investment Adviser. In connection with such referrals, services or other arrangements involving
one or more divisions of Goldman Sachs, such divisions may engage in sharing of fees or other
compensation received by the Investment Adviser from the Funds.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, Goldman Sachs or the Funds may make payments to
authorized dealers and other financial intermediaries (Intermediaries) from time to time to
promote current or future accounts or funds managed or advised by Goldman Sachs (including the
Investment Adviser) or in which Goldman Sachs (including the Investment Adviser) or its personnel
have interests (collectively, the Client/GS Accounts), the Funds and other products. In addition
to placement fees, sales loads or similar distribution charges, payments may be made out of Goldman
Sachs assets, or amounts payable to Goldman Sachs rather than a separately identified charge to
the Funds, Client/GS Accounts or other products. Such payments may compensate Intermediaries for,
among other things: marketing the Funds, Client/GS Accounts and other products (which may consist
of payments resulting in or relating to the inclusion of the Funds, Client/GS Accounts and other
products on preferred or recommended fund lists or in certain sales programs from time to time
sponsored by the Intermediaries); access to the Intermediaries registered representatives or
salespersons, including at conferences and other meetings; assistance in training and education of
personnel; fees for directing investors to the Funds, Client/GS Accounts and other products;
finders fees or referral fees or other fees for providing assistance in promoting the Funds,
Client/GS Accounts and other products (which may include promotion in communications with the
Intermediaries customers, registered representatives and salespersons); and/or other specified
services intended to assist in the distribution and marketing of the Funds, Client/GS Accounts and
other products. Such payments may be a fixed dollar amount; may be based on the number of customer
accounts maintained by an Intermediary; may be based on a percentage of the value of interests sold
to, or held by, customers of the Intermediary involved; or may be calculated on another basis. The
payments may also, to the extent permitted by applicable regulations, contribute to various
non-cash and cash incentive arrangements to promote certain products, as well as sponsor various
educational programs, sales contests and/or promotions. Furthermore, subject to applicable law,
such payments may also pay for the travel expenses, meals, lodging and entertainment of
Intermediaries and their salespersons and guests in connection with educational, sales and
promotional programs. The additional payments by Goldman Sachs may also compensate Intermediaries
for sub-accounting, administrative and/or shareholder processing or other investor services that
are in addition to the fees paid for these services by such products.
The payments made by Goldman Sachs or the Funds may be different for different Intermediaries.
The payments may be negotiated based on a range of factors, including but not limited to, ability
to attract and retain assets, target markets, customer relationships, quality of service and
industry reputation. Payment arrangements may include breakpoints in compensation which provide
that the percentage rate of
B-53
compensation varies as the dollar value of the amount sold or invested through an Intermediary
increases. The presence of these payments and the basis on which an Intermediary compensates its
registered representatives or salespersons may create an incentive for a particular Intermediary,
registered representative or salesperson to highlight, feature or recommend certain products based,
at least in part, on the level of compensation paid.
Potential Conflicts Relating to the Allocation of Investment Opportunities Among the Series and
Other Goldman Sachs Accounts
Goldman Sachs has potential conflicts in connection with the allocation of investments or
transaction decisions for the Funds. For example, the Funds may be competing for investment
opportunities with Client/GS Accounts. The Client/GS Accounts may provide greater fees or other
compensation (including performance based fees), equity or other interests to Goldman Sachs
(including the Investment Adviser).
Goldman Sachs may manage or advise Client/GS Accounts that have investment objectives that are
similar to those of the Funds and/or may seek to make investments in securities or other
instruments, sectors or strategies in which the Funds may invest. This may create potential
conflicts where there is limited availability or limited liquidity for those investments. For
example, limited availability may exist, without limitation, in local and emerging markets, high
yield securities, fixed income securities, regulated industries, small capitalization, and IPO/new
issues. Transactions in investments by multiple Client/GS Accounts (including accounts in which
Goldman Sachs and its personnel have an interest), other clients of Goldman Sachs or Goldman Sachs
itself may have the effect of diluting or otherwise negatively affecting the values, prices or
investment strategies associated with securities held by Client/GS Accounts, or the Funds,
particularly, but not limited to, in small capitalization, emerging market or less liquid
strategies. The Investment Adviser has developed policies and procedures that provide that it will
allocate investment opportunities and make purchase and sale decisions among the Funds and other
Client/GS Accounts in a manner that it considers, in its sole discretion and consistent with its
fiduciary obligation to each Fund and Client/GS Account, to be reasonable.
In many cases, these policies result in the pro rata allocation of limited opportunities
across the Funds and Client/GS Accounts, but in many other cases the allocations reflect numerous
other factors based upon the Investment Advisers good faith assessment of the best use of such
limited opportunities relative to the objectives, limitation and requirements of each Fund and
Client/GS Accounts and applying a variety of factors including those described below. The
Investment Adviser seeks to treat all clients reasonably in light of all factors relevant to
managing an account, and in some cases it is possible that the application of the factors described
below may result in allocations in which certain accounts may receive an allocation when other
accounts do not. Non-proportional allocation may occur more frequently in the fixed income
portfolio management area than many active equity accounts, in many instances because multiple
appropriate or substantially similar investments are available in fixed income strategies, as well
as due to differences in benchmark factors, hedging strategies, or other reasons, but
non-proportional allocations could also occur in other areas. The application of these factors as
described below may result in allocations in which Goldman Sachs and Goldman Sachs employees may
receive an allocation or an opportunity not allocated to other Client/GS Accounts or the Funds.
Allocations may be based on numerous factors and may not always be pro rata based on assets
managed.
The Investment Adviser will make allocation related decisions with reference to numerous
factors. These factors may include, without limitation, (i) account investment horizons,
investment objectives and guidelines; (ii) different levels of investment for different strategies
including sector oriented, concentrated new opportunities or other strategies; (iii)
client-specific investment guidelines and restrictions including the ability to hedge through short
sales or other techniques; (iv) the expected future capacity of applicable Funds or Client/GS
Accounts; (v) fully directed brokerage accounts; (vi) tax sensitivity of accounts; (vii)
suitability requirements and the nature of investment opportunity; (viii) account turnover
guidelines; (ix) cash and liquidity considerations, including without limitation, availability of
cash for investment; (x) relative sizes and expected future sizes of applicable accounts; (xi)
availability of other appropriate investment opportunities; and/or (xii) minimum denomination,
minimum increments, de minimus threshold and round lot considerations. Suitability considerations
can include without limitation (i) relative attractiveness of a security to different accounts;
(ii) concentration of positions in an account; (iii) appropriateness of a security for the
benchmark and benchmark sensitivity of an account; (iv) an accounts risk tolerance, risk
parameters and strategy allocations; (v) use of the opportunity as a replacement for a security
Goldman Sachs believes to be attractive for an account; (vi) considerations relating to hedging a
position in a pair trade; and/or (vii) considerations related to giving a subset of accounts
exposure to an industry. In addition, the fact that certain Goldman Sachs personnel are dedicated
to one or more funds, accounts or clients, including the Funds, may be a factor in determining the
allocation of opportunities sourced by such personnel. Reputational matters and other such
considerations may also be considered. The application of these principles may cause performance
dispersion over time. Funds that do not receive allocations that perform well will experience lower
performance.
During periods of unusual market conditions, the Investment Adviser may deviate from its
normal trade allocation practices. For example, this may occur with respect to the management of
unlevered and/or long-only funds or accounts that are typically managed on a
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side-by-side basis with levered and/or long-short funds or accounts. During such periods, the
Investment Adviser will seek to exercise a disciplined process for determining its actions to
appropriately balance the interests of all accounts, including the Funds, as it determines in its
sole discretion.
In addition to allocations of limited availability investments, Goldman Sachs may, from time
to time, develop and implement new investment opportunities and/or trading strategies, and these
strategies may not be employed in all accounts (including the Funds) or pro rata among the accounts
where they are employed, even if the strategy is consistent with the objectives of all accounts.
Goldman Sachs may make decisions based on such factors as strategic fit and other portfolio
management considerations, including, without limitation, an accounts capacity for such strategy,
the liquidity of the strategy and its underlying instruments, the accounts liquidity, the business
risk of the strategy relative to the accounts overall portfolio make-up, and the lack of efficacy
of, or return expectations from, the strategy for the account, and such other factors as Goldman
Sachs deems relevant in its sole discretion. For example, such a determination may, but will not
necessarily, include consideration of the fact that a particular strategy will not have a
meaningful impact on an account given the overall size of the account, the limited availability of
opportunities in the strategy and the availability of other strategies for the account.
Allocation decisions among accounts may be more or less advantageous to any one account or
group of accounts. As a result of these allocation issues, the amount, timing, structuring or terms
of an investment by the Funds may differ from, and performance may be lower than, investments and
performance of other Client/GS Accounts.
Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing, the Funds may or may not receive, but in any event
will have no rights with respect to, opportunities sourced by Goldman Sachs businesses and
affiliates. Such opportunities or any portion thereof may be offered to GS/Client Accounts,
Goldman Sachs or affiliates thereof, all or certain investors of the Funds, or such other persons
or entities as determined by Goldman Sachs in its sole discretion. The Funds will have no rights
and will not receive any compensation related to such opportunities.
The Investment Adviser and/or its affiliates manage accounts of clients of Goldman Sachs
Private Wealth Management (PWM) business. Such PWM clients receive advice from Goldman Sachs by
means of separate accounts (PWM Separate Accounts). With respect to the Funds, the Investment
Adviser may follow a strategy that is expected to be similar over time to that delivered by the PWM
Separate Accounts. Each of the Funds and the PWM Separate Account Clients are subject to
independent management and, given the independence in the implementation of advice to these
accounts, there can be no warranty that such investment advice will be implemented simultaneously.
Neither the Investment Adviser (in the case of the Funds) nor its affiliates (in the case of PWM
Separate Accounts), will know when advice issued has been executed (if at all) and, if so, to what
extent. While each will use reasonable endeavors to procure timely execution, it is possible that
prior execution for or on behalf of the PWM Separate Accounts could adversely affect the prices and
availability of the securities, currencies and instruments in which the Funds invest.
Other Potential Conflicts Relating to the Management of the Series by the Investment
Adviser
Potential Restrictions and Issues Relating to Information Held by Goldman Sachs
As a result of informational barriers constructed between different divisions of Goldman
Sachs, the Investment Adviser will generally not have access to information and may not consult
with personnel in other areas of Goldman Sachs. Therefore, the Investment Adviser will generally
not be able to manage the Funds with the benefit of information held by many other divisions of
Goldman Sachs. From time to time and subject to the Investment Advisers policies and procedures
regarding information barriers, the Investment Adviser may consult with personnel in other areas of
Goldman Sachs, or with persons unaffiliated with Goldman Sachs, or may form investment policy
committees comprised of such personnel. In certain circumstances, personnel of affiliates of the
Investment Adviser may have input into, or make determinations regarding, portfolio management
transactions for the Funds. The performance by such persons of obligations related to their
consultation with personnel of the Investment Adviser could conflict with their areas of primary
responsibility within Goldman Sachs or elsewhere. In connection with their activities with the
Investment Adviser, such persons may receive information regarding the Investment Advisers
proposed investment activities of the Funds that is not generally available to the public. There
will be no obligation on the part of such persons to make available for use by the Funds any
information or strategies known to them or developed in connection with their own client,
proprietary or other activities. In addition, Goldman Sachs will be under no obligation to make
available any research or analysis prior to its public dissemination.
The Investment Adviser makes decisions for the Funds based on the Funds investment programs.
The Investment Adviser from time to time may have access to certain fundamental analysis and
proprietary technical models developed by Goldman Sachs and its personnel. Goldman Sachs will not
be under any obligation, however, to effect transactions on behalf of the Funds in accordance with
such analysis and models.
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In addition, Goldman Sachs has no obligation to seek information or to make available to or
share with the Funds any information, investment strategies, opportunities or ideas known to
Goldman Sachs personnel or developed or used in connection with other clients or activities.
Goldman Sachs and certain of its personnel, including the Investment Advisers personnel or other
Goldman Sachs personnel advising or otherwise providing services to the Funds, may be in possession
of information not available to all Goldman Sachs personnel, and such personnel may act on the
basis of such information in ways that have adverse effects on the Funds. A Fund or GS/Client
Account could sustain losses during periods in which Goldman Sachs and its affiliates and other
accounts achieve significant profits on their trading for proprietary or other accounts.
From time to time, Goldman Sachs may come into possession of material, non-public information
or other information that could limit the ability of the Funds to buy and sell investments. The
investment flexibility of the Funds may be constrained as a consequence. The Investment Adviser
generally is not permitted to obtain or use material non-public information in effecting purchases
and sales in public securities transactions for the Funds.
Issues Relating to the Valuation of Assets by Multiple Divisions or Units Within Goldman Sachs
Certain securities and other assets in which the Funds may invest may not have a readily
ascertainable market value and will be valued by the Investment Adviser in accordance with the
valuation guidelines described herein. Such securities and other assets may constitute a
substantial portion of the Funds investments.
The Investment Adviser may face a conflict of interest in valuing the securities or assets in
the Funds portfolio that lack a readily ascertainable market value. Such valuations will affect
the Investment Advisers compensation. The Investment Adviser will value such securities and other
assets in accordance with the valuation policies described herein.
Various divisions and units within Goldman Sachs are required to value assets, including in
connection with managing or advising Client/GS Accounts and in their capacity as a broker-dealer.
These various divisions and units may share information regarding valuation techniques and models
or other information relevant to the calculation of a specific asset or category of assets.
Goldman Sachs does not, however, have any obligation to engage in such information sharing.
Therefore, a division or unit of Goldman Sachs may value an identical asset differently than
another division or unit of Goldman Sachs. This is particularly the case when an asset does not
have a readily ascertainable market price and/or where one division or unit of Goldman Sachs has
more recent and/or accurate information about the asset being valued.
Potential Conflicts Relating to Goldman Sachs and the Investment Advisers Proprietary Activities
and Activities On Behalf of Other Accounts
The results of the investment activities of the Funds may differ significantly from the
results achieved by Goldman Sachs for its proprietary accounts and from the results achieved by
Goldman Sachs for other Client/GS Accounts. The Investment Adviser will manage the Funds and the
other Client/GS Accounts it manages in accordance with their respective investment objectives and
guidelines. However, Goldman Sachs may give advice, and take action, with respect to any current or
future Client/GS Accounts that may compete or conflict with the advice the Investment Adviser may
give to the Funds, including with respect to the return of the investment, the timing or nature of
action relating to the investment or method of exiting the investment.
Transactions undertaken by Goldman Sachs or Client/GS Accounts may adversely impact the Funds.
Goldman Sachs and one or more Client/GS Accounts may buy or sell positions while the Funds are
undertaking the same or a differing, including potentially opposite, strategy, which could
disadvantage the Funds. For example, a Fund may buy a security and Goldman Sachs or Client/GS
Accounts may establish a short position in that same security. The subsequent short sale may result
in impairment of the price of the security which the Fund holds. Conversely, the Funds may
establish a short position in a security and Goldman Sachs or other Client/GS Accounts may buy that
same security. The subsequent purchase may result in an increase of the price of the underlying
position in the short sale exposure of the Fund and such increase in price would be to the Funds
detriment. In addition, the Investment Adviser and other Goldman Sachs affiliates may manage funds
or accounts, and Goldman Sachs may be invested in funds or accounts, that have similar investment
objectives or portfolios to those of the Funds, and events occurring with respect to such Funds or
accounts could affect the performance of the Funds. For example, in the event that withdrawals of
capital or performance losses results in such a Fund or account de-leveraging its portfolio by
selling securities, this could result in securities of the same issuer, strategy or type held by
the Funds falling in value, which could have a material adverse effect on the Funds. Conflicts may
also arise because portfolio decisions regarding a Fund may benefit Goldman Sachs or other
Client/GS Accounts. For example, the sale of a long position or establishment of a short position
by a Fund may impair the price of the same security sold short by (and therefore benefit) Goldman
Sachs or other Client/GS Accounts, and the purchase of a security or
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covering of a short position in a security by a Fund may increase the price of the same
security held by (and therefore benefit) Goldman Sachs or other Client/GS Accounts.
In addition, transactions in investments by one or more Client/GS Accounts and Goldman Sachs
may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the values, prices or investment
strategies of a Fund, particularly, but not limited to, in small capitalization, emerging market or
less liquid strategies. For example, this may occur when portfolio decisions regarding a funds are
based on research or other information that is also used to support portfolio decisions for other
Client/GS Accounts. When Goldman Sachs or a Client/GS Account implements a portfolio decision or
strategy ahead of, or contemporaneously with, similar portfolio decisions or strategies for the
Funds (whether or not the portfolio decisions emanate from the same research analysis or other
information), market impact, liquidity constraints, or other factors could result in the funds
receiving less favorable trading results and the costs of implementing such portfolio decisions or
strategies could be increased or the Funds could otherwise be disadvantaged. Goldman Sachs may, in
certain cases, elect to implement internal policies and procedures designed to limit such
consequences to Client/GS Accounts, which may cause a Fund to be unable to engage in certain
activities, including purchasing or disposing of securities, when it might otherwise be desirable
for it to do so.
The Investment Adviser may, but is not required to aggregate purchase or sale orders for the
Funds with trades for other funds or accounts managed by Goldman Sachs, including Client/GS
Accounts. When orders are aggregated for execution, it is possible that Goldman Sachs and Goldman
Sachs employee interests will receive benefits from such transactions, even in limited capacity
situations. While the Investment Adviser maintains policies and procedures that it believes are
reasonably designed to deal with conflicts of interest that may arise in certain situations when
purchase or sale orders for the funds are aggregated for execution with orders for Client/GS
Accounts, in some cases the Investment Adviser will make allocations to accounts in which Goldman
Sachs and/or employees have an interest.
The Investment Adviser has established a trade sequencing and rotation policy for certain U.S.
equity client accounts (including the Funds) and wrap fee accounts. The Investment Adviser does
not generally aggregate trades on behalf of wrap fee accounts at the present time. Wrap fees
usually cover execution costs only when trades are placed with the sponsor of the account. Trades
through different sponsors are generally not aggregated. The Investment Adviser currently utilizes
an asset-based trade sequencing and rotation policy for determining the order in which trades for
institutional and wrap accounts are placed. Given current asset levels, the Investment Advisers
trade sequencing and rotation policy provides that wrap accounts trade ahead of other accounts,
including the Funds, 10% of the time. Other accounts, including the Funds, currently trade before
wrap accounts 90% of the time. This is reflected in a ten week trade rotation schedule. The
Investment Adviser may deviate from the rotation schedule under certain circumstances. These
include situations, for example, where in the Investment Advisers view it is not practical for the
wrap fee accounts to participate in certain types of trades or when there are unusually long delays
in a given wrap sponsors execution of a particular trade. In addition, a portfolio management team
may provide instructions simultaneously regarding the placement of a trade in lieu of the rotation
schedule if the trade represents a relatively small proportion of the average daily trading volume
of the relevant security.
The directors, officers and employees of Goldman Sachs, including the Investment Adviser, may
buy and sell securities or other investments for their own accounts (including through investment
funds managed by Goldman Sachs, including the Investment Adviser). As a result of differing trading
and investment strategies or constraints, positions may be taken by directors, officers and
employees that are the same, different from or made at different times than positions taken for the
Funds. To reduce the possibility that the Funds will be materially adversely affected by the
personal trading described above, each of the Funds and Goldman Sachs, as each Funds Investment
Adviser and distributor, has established policies and procedures that restrict securities trading
in the personal accounts of investment professionals and others who normally come into possession
of information regarding the Funds portfolio transactions. Each of the Funds and Goldman Sachs, as
each Funds Investment Adviser and distributor, has adopted a code of ethics (collectively, the
Codes of Ethics) in compliance with Section 17(j) of the Act and monitoring procedures relating
to certain personal securities transactions by personnel of the Investment Adviser which the
Investment Adviser deems to involve potential conflicts involving such personnel, Client/GS
Accounts managed by the Investment Adviser and the funds. The Codes of Ethics require that
personnel of the Investment Adviser comply with all applicable federal securities laws and with the
fiduciary duties and anti-fraud rules to which the Investment Adviser is subject. The Codes of
Ethics can be reviewed and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C.
Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at
1-202-942-8090. The Codes of Ethics are also available on the EDGAR Database on the SECs Internet
site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies may also be obtained after paying a duplicating fee by writing
the SECs Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102, or by electronic request to
publicinfo@sec.gov.
Clients of Goldman Sachs (including Client/GS Accounts) may have, as a result of receiving
client reports or otherwise, access to information regarding the Investment Advisers transactions
or views which may affect such clients transactions outside of accounts controlled by personnel of
the Investment Adviser, and such transactions may negatively impact the performance of the Funds.
The Funds may also be adversely affected by cash flows and market movements arising from purchase
and sales transactions, as well as increases of
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capital in, and withdrawals of capital from, other Client/GS Accounts. These effects can be
more pronounced in thinly traded and less liquid markets.
The Investment Advisers management of the Funds may benefit Goldman Sachs. For example, the
Funds may, subject to applicable law, invest directly or indirectly in the securities of companies
affiliated with Goldman Sachs or which Goldman Sachs (or funds or accounts managed by Goldman Sachs
and/or in which Goldman Sachs has an interest) has an equity, debt or other interest. In addition,
to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Funds may engage in investment transactions which
may result in other Client/GS Accounts being relieved of obligations or otherwise divesting of
investments or cause the Funds to have to divest certain investments. The purchase, holding and
sale of investments by the Funds may enhance the profitability of Goldman Sachs or other Client/GS
Accounts own investments in and its activities with respect to such companies.
Goldman Sachs and one or more Client/GS Accounts (including the Funds) may also invest in
different classes of securities of the same issuer. As a result, one or more Client/GS Accounts may
pursue or enforce rights with respect to a particular issuer in which a Fund has invested, and
those activities may have an adverse effect on the funds. For example, if a Client/GS Account holds
debt securities of an issuer and a Fund holds equity securities of the same issuer, if the issuer
experiences financial or operational challenges, the Client/GS Account which holds the debt
securities may seek a liquidation of the issuer, whereas the Fund which holds the equity securities
may prefer a reorganization of the issuer. In addition, the Investment Adviser may also, in certain
circumstances, pursue or enforce rights with respect to a particular issuer jointly on behalf of
one or more Client/GS Accounts, the Fund, or Goldman Sachs employees may work together to pursue or
enforce such rights. A Fund may be negatively impacted by Goldman Sachs and other Client/GS
Accounts activities, and transactions for the Fund may be impaired or effected at prices or terms
that may be less favorable than would otherwise have been the case had Goldman Sachs and other
Client/GS Accounts not pursued a particular course of action with respect to the issuer of the
securities. In addition, in certain instances personnel of the Investment Adviser may obtain
information about the issuer that would be material to the management of other Client/GS Accounts
which could limit the ability of personnel of the Investment Adviser to buy or sell securities of
the issuer on behalf of the Funds.
To the extent permitted by applicable law Goldman Sachs (including its personnel or Client/GS
Accounts) may create, write, sell or issue, or act as placement agent or distributor of, derivative
instruments with respect to the Funds or with respect to underlying securities, currencies or
instruments of the Funds, or which may be otherwise based on or seek to replicate or hedge the
performance of the Funds (collectively referred to as Structured Investment Products). The
values of Structured Investment Products may be linked to the net asst value of a Fund or Funds
and/or the values of a Funds investments. In connection with the Structured Investment Products
and for hedging, re-balancing, investment and other purposes, to the extent permitted by applicable
law, the funds and/or Goldman Sachs (including its personnel or Client/GS Accounts) may (i)
purchase or sell investments held by the Funds and/or Client/GS Accounts, (ii) purchase or sell
investments held by the Funds, or (iii) hold synthetic positions that seek to replicate or hedge
the performance of a Fund or Funds, a Funds investments, a Client/GS Account or a Client/GS
Accounts investments. Such positions may be significant and may differ from and/or be contra to a
Funds or a Client/GS Accounts positions. Goldman Sachs (including its personnel or Client/GS
Accounts) reserves the right to make purchases and sales of investments that may also be held by a
Fund and or Client/GS Account and to make purchases and sales of shares in the Funds as any time
and without notice to the investors in the Funds. These derivative-related activities, as well as
such investment and redemption activities, may have an adverse effect on the investment management
of the Funds and the Funds positions, flexibility, diversification strategies and on the amount of
fees, expenses and other costs incurred directly or indirectly through the Funds by investors.
The structure or other characteristics of the derivative instruments (including the Structured
Investment Products) may have an adverse effect on the Funds. For example, the derivative
instruments could represent leveraged investments in the Funds, and the leveraged characteristics
of such investments could make it more likely, due to events of default or otherwise, that there
would be significant redemptions of interests from the Funds more quickly than might otherwise be
the case. Goldman Sachs, acting in commercial capacities in connection with such derivative
instruments, may in fact cause such a redemption. This may have an adverse effect on the investment
management and positions, flexibility and diversification strategies of the Funds and on the amount
of fees, expenses and other costs incurred directly or indirectly for the account of the Funds.
Potential Conflicts in Connection with Investments in Goldman Sachs Money Market Series
To the extent permitted by applicable law, a Fund may invest all or some of its short term
cash investments in any money market fund advised or managed by Goldman Sachs. In connection with
any such investments, a Fund, to the extent permitted by the Act, will pay its share of all
expenses of a money market fund in which it invests which may result in a Fund bearing some
additional expenses. All advisory, administrative, or Rule 12b-1 fees applicable to the investment
and the fees or allocations from the Funds will not be reduced thereby (i.e., there could be
double fees involved in making any such investment, which would not arise in connection with an
investors
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direct purchase of the underlying investments, because Goldman Sachs could receive fees with
respect to both the management of the Funds and such money market fund). In such circumstances, as
well as in all other circumstances in which Goldman Sachs receives any fees or other compensation
in any form relating to the provision of services, no accounting or repayment to the Funds will be
required.
Goldman Sachs May In-Source or Outsource
Subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs, including the Investment Adviser, may from time to
time and without notice to investors in-source or outsource certain processes or functions in
connection with a variety of services that it provides to the funds in its administrative or other
capacities. Such in-sourcing or outsourcing may give rise to additional conflicts of interest.
Potential Conflicts That May Arise When Goldman Sachs Acts in a Capacity Other Than Investment
Adviser to the Series
Potential Conflicts Relating to Principal and Cross Transactions
To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Funds may enter into transactions and invest in
futures, securities, currencies, swaps, options, forward contracts or other instruments in which
Goldman Sachs acting as principal or on a proprietary basis for its customers, serves as the
counterparty. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Funds may also enter into cross
transactions (i.e., where the Investment Adviser causes a Fund to buy securities from, or sell a
security to, another client of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates) and agency cross
transactions (i.e., where Goldman Sachs acts as a broker for, and receives a commission from, both
a Fund on one side of the transaction and another account on the other side of the transaction in
connection with the purchase or sale of securities). Goldman Sachs may have a potentially
conflicting division of loyalties and responsibilities to both parties to a cross transaction or
agency cross transaction. For example, in a cross transaction, the Investment Adviser or an
affiliate will represent both a Fund on one side of a transaction and another account, including a
Fund, on the other side of the transaction (including an account in which Goldman Sachs or its
affiliates have a proprietary interest) in connection with the purchase of a security by such
Funds. In addition, in an agency cross transaction, Goldman Sachs will act as broker and receive
compensation or other payments from either or both parties, which could influence the decision of
Goldman Sachs to cause a Fund to purchase such security. The Investment Adviser will ensure that
any such cross transaction or agency cross transactions are effected on commercially reasonable
market terms and in accordance with the Investment Advisers fiduciary duties to such entities.
Potential Conflicts That May Arise When Goldman Sachs Acts in a Capacity Other Than as Investment
Adviser to the Series
To the extent permitted by applicable law, Goldman Sachs may act as broker, dealer, agent,
lender, borrower or advisor or in other commercial capacities for the Funds. It is anticipated that
the commissions, mark-ups, mark-downs, financial advisory fees, underwriting and placement fees,
sales fees, financing and commitment fees, brokerage fees, other fees, compensation or profits,
rates, terms and conditions charged by Goldman Sachs will be in its view commercially reasonable,
although Goldman Sachs, including its sales personnel, will have an interest in obtaining fees and
other amounts that are favorable to Goldman Sachs and such sales personnel. The Funds may, to the
extent permitted by applicable law, borrow funds from Goldman Sachs at rates and on other terms
arranged with Goldman Sachs.
Goldman Sachs may be entitled to compensation when it acts in capacities other than as the
Investment Adviser, and the Funds will not be entitled to any such compensation. For example,
Goldman Sachs (and its personnel and other distributors) will be entitled to retain fees and other
amounts that it receives in connection with its service to the Funds as broker, dealer, agent,
lender, advisor or in other commercial capacities and no accounting to the Funds or their
shareholders will be required, and no fees or other compensation payable by the Funds or their
shareholders will be reduced by reason of receipt by Goldman Sachs of any such fees or other
amounts.
When Goldman Sachs acts as broker, dealer, agent, lender or advisor or in other commercial
capacities in relation to the Funds, Goldman Sachs may take commercial steps in its own interests,
which may have an adverse effect on the Funds. For example, in connection with lending arrangements
involving the Funds, Goldman Sachs may require repayment of all or part of a loan at any time or
from time to time.
The Funds will be required to establish business relationships with their counterparties based
on their own credit standing. Goldman Sachs, including the Investment Adviser, will not have any
obligation to allow its credit to be used in connection with the Funds establishment of their
business relationships, nor is it expected that the Funds counterparties will rely on the credit
of Goldman Sachs in evaluating the Funds creditworthiness.
Potential Conflicts in Connection with Brokerage Transactions and Proxy Voting
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To the extent permitted by applicable law, purchases and sales of securities for a Fund may be
bunched or aggregated with orders for other Client/GS Accounts. The Investment Adviser and its
affiliates, however, are not required to bunch or aggregate orders if portfolio management
decisions for different accounts are made separately, or if they determine that bunching or
aggregating is not practicable, or required with respect to involving client directed accounts.
Prevailing trading activity frequently may make impossible the receipt of the same price or
execution on the entire volume of securities purchased or sold. When this occurs, the various
prices may be averaged, and the funds will be charged or credited with the average price. Thus, the
effect of the aggregation may operate on some occasions to the disadvantage of the Funds. In
addition, under certain circumstances, the Funds will not be charged the same commission or
commission equivalent rates in connection with a bunched or aggregated order. Without limitation,
time zone differences, separate trading desks or portfolio management processes in a global
organization may, among other factors, result in separate, non-aggregated executions.
The Investment Adviser may select brokers (including, without limitation, affiliates of the
Investment Adviser) that furnish the Investment Adviser, the funds, other Client/GS Accounts or
their affiliates or personnel, directly or through correspondent relationships, with proprietary
research or other appropriate services which provide, in the Investment Advisers view, appropriate
assistance to the Investment Adviser in the investment decision-making process (including with
respect to futures, fixed-price offerings and over-the-counter transactions). Such research or
other services may include, to the extent permitted by law, research reports on companies,
industries and securities; economic and financial data; financial publications; proxy analysis;
trade industry seminars; computer databases; quotation equipment and services; and
research-oriented computer hardware, software and other services and products. Research or other
services obtained in this manner may be used in servicing any or all of the funds and other
Client/GS Accounts, including in connection with Client/GS Accounts other than those that pay
commissions to the broker relating to the research or other service arrangements. To the extent
permitted by applicable law, such products and services may disproportionately benefit other
Client/GS Accounts relative to the Funds based on the amount of brokerage commissions paid by the
Funds and such other Client/GS Accounts. For example, research or other services that are paid for
through one clients commissions may not be used in managing that clients account. In addition,
other Client/GS Accounts may receive the benefit, including disproportionate benefits, of economies
of scale or price discounts in connection with products and services that may be provided to the
Funds and to such other Client/GS Accounts. To the extent that the Investment Adviser uses soft
dollars, it will not have to pay for those products and services itself. The Investment Adviser may
receive research that is bundled with the trade execution, clearing, and/or settlement services
provided by a particular broker-dealer. To the extent that the Investment Adviser receives research
on this basis, many of the same conflicts related to traditional soft dollars may exist. For
example, the research effectively will be paid by client commissions that also will be used to pay
for the execution, clearing, and settlement services provided by the broker-dealer and will not be
paid by the Investment Adviser.
The Investment Adviser may endeavor to execute trades through brokers who, pursuant to such
arrangements, provide research or other services in order to ensure the continued receipt of
research or other services the Investment Adviser believes are useful in its investment
decision-making process. The Investment Adviser may from time to time choose not to engage in the
above described arrangements to varying degrees.
The Investment Adviser has adopted policies and procedures designed to prevent conflicts of
interest from influencing proxy voting decisions that it makes on behalf of advisory clients,
including the Funds, and to help ensure that such decisions are made in accordance with the
Investment Advisers fiduciary obligations to its clients. Nevertheless, notwithstanding such proxy
voting policies and procedures, actual proxy voting decisions of the Investment Adviser may have
the effect of favoring the interests of other clients or businesses of other divisions or units of
Goldman Sachs and/or its affiliates provided that the Investment Adviser believes such voting
decisions to be in accordance with its fiduciary obligations. For a more detailed discussion of
these policies and procedures, see the section of this SAI entitled PROXY VOTING.
Potential Regulatory Restrictions on Investment Adviser Activity
From time to time, the activities of a Fund may be restricted because of regulatory or other
requirements applicable to Goldman Sachs and/or its internal policies designed to comply with,
limit the applicability of, or otherwise relate to such requirements. A client not advised by
Goldman Sachs would not be subject to some of those considerations. There may be periods when the
Investment Adviser may not initiate or recommend certain types of transactions, or may otherwise
restrict or limit its advice in certain securities or instruments issued by or related to companies
for which Goldman Sachs is performing investment banking, market making or other services or has
proprietary positions. For example, when Goldman Sachs is engaged in an underwriting or other
distribution of securities of, or advisory services for, a company, the Funds may be prohibited
from or limited in purchasing or selling securities of that company. In addition, there may be
certain investment opportunities, investment strategies or actions that Goldman Sachs will not
undertake on behalf of the Funds in view of Goldman Sachs client or firm activities. For example,
Goldman Sachs may determine that a funds may be precluded from exercising
B-60
certain rights that it may have as a creditor to a particular borrower. Certain activities
and actions may be considered to result in reputational risk or disadvantage for the management of
the funds as well as for Goldman Sachs. A Fund may also be prohibited from participating in an
auction or from otherwise investing in or purchasing certain assets, or from providing financing to
a purchaser or potential purchaser if Goldman Sachs is representing the seller. Similar situations
could arise if Goldman Sachs personnel serve as directors of companies the securities of which the
funds wish to purchase or sell or if Goldman Sachs is representing or providing financing to
another potential purchaser. The larger the Investment Advisers investment advisory business and
Goldman Sachs businesses, the larger the potential that these restricted list policies will impact
investment transactions. However, if permitted by applicable law, the Funds may purchase securities
or instruments that are issued by such companies or are the subject of an underwriting,
distribution, or advisory assignment by Goldman Sachs, or in cases in which Goldman Sachs personnel
are directors or officers of the issuer.
The investment activities of Goldman Sachs for its proprietary accounts and for Client/GS
Accounts may also limit the investment strategies and rights of the Funds. For example, in
regulated industries, in certain emerging or international markets, in corporate and regulatory
ownership definitions, and in certain futures and derivative transactions, there may be limits on
the aggregate amount of investment by affiliated investors that may not be exceeded without the
grant of a license or other regulatory or corporate consent or, if exceeded, may cause Goldman
Sachs, the Funds or other Client/GS Accounts to suffer disadvantages or business restrictions. If
certain aggregate ownership thresholds are reached or certain transactions undertaken, the ability
of the Investment Adviser on behalf of clients (including the Funds) to purchase or dispose of
investments, or exercise rights or undertake business transactions, may be restricted by regulation
or otherwise impaired. In addition, certain investments may be considered to result in reputational
risk or disadvantage. As a result, the Investment Adviser on behalf of clients (including the
Funds) may limit purchases, sell existing investments, or otherwise restrict or limit the exercise
of rights (including voting rights) when the Investment Adviser, in its sole discretion, deems it
appropriate.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
GSAM places the portfolio transactions of the Series and of all other accounts managed by GSAM
for execution with many firms. GSAM uses its best efforts to obtain execution of portfolio
transactions at prices which are advantageous to each Series and at reasonably competitive spreads
or (when a disclosed commission is being charged) at reasonably competitive commission rates. In
seeking such execution, GSAM will use its best judgment in evaluating the terms of a transaction,
and will give consideration to various relevant factors, including without limitation the size and
type of the transaction, the nature and character of the market for the security, the
confidentiality, speed and certainty of effective execution required for the transaction, the
general execution and operational capabilities of the broker-dealer, the general execution and
operational capabilities of the firm, the reputation, reliability, experience and financial
condition of the firm, the value and quality of the services rendered by the firm in this and other
transactions, and the reasonableness of the spread or commission, if any. Securities purchased and
sold by the Series are generally traded in the over-the-counter market on a net basis (i.e.,
without commission) through broker-dealers and banks acting for their own account rather than as
brokers, or otherwise involve transactions directly with the issuer of such securities.
Goldman Sachs is active as an investor, dealer and/or underwriter in many types of municipal
and money market instruments. Its activities in this regard could have some effect on the markets
for those instruments which the Series buy, hold or sell. Orders have been granted by the SEC under
the Act which permit the Series to deal with Goldman Sachs in transactions in certain securities in
which Goldman Sachs acts as principal. As a result, the Series may trade with Goldman Sachs as
principal subject to the terms and conditions of such exemptions.
Under the Act, the Series are prohibited from purchasing any instrument of which Goldman Sachs
is a principal underwriter during the existence of an underwriting or selling syndicate relating to
such instrument, absent an exemptive order (the order referred to in the preceding paragraph will
not apply to such purchases) or the adoption of and compliance with certain procedures under the
Act.
The Trust has adopted procedures which establish, among other things, certain limitations on
the amount of debt securities that may be purchased in any single offering and on the amount of the
Trusts assets that may be invested in any single offering. Accordingly, in view of Goldman Sachs
active role in the underwriting of debt securities, a Series ability to purchase debt securities
in the primary market may from time to time be limited.
In certain instances there may be securities which are suitable for more than one Series as
well as for one or more of the other clients of GSAM. Investment decisions for each Series and for
GSAMs other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives. It
may develop that a particular security is bought or sold for only one client even though it might
be held by, or bought or sold for, other clients. Likewise, a particular security may be bought for
one or more clients when one or more other clients are selling that same security. Some
simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several clients receive investment
B-61
advice from the same Investment Adviser, 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 securities are allocated among clients in
a manner believed to be equitable to each. It is recognized that in some cases this system could
have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security in a particular transaction as far
as a Series is concerned. Each Series believes that over time its ability to participate in volume
transactions will produce better executions for the Series.
As of August 31, 2009, the following Funds held the following amounts of securities of its
regular broker-dealers or their parents ($ in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Broker-Dealer
|
|
Amount
|
|
Prime Obligations Fund
|
|
Barclays
|
|
$
|
705
|
|
|
|
Banc of America Securities LLC
|
|
|
1,658
|
|
|
|
Deutsche Bank
|
|
|
440
|
|
|
|
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
|
|
|
844
|
|
Money Market Fund
|
|
Deutsche Bank Securities
|
|
$
|
750
|
|
|
|
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
|
|
|
500
|
|
|
|
Banc of America Securities LLC
|
|
|
440
|
|
|
|
Barclays Capital
|
|
|
275
|
|
|
|
RBS
|
|
|
800
|
|
Treasury Obligations Fund
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Instruments Fund
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
Government Fund
|
|
Bank of America
|
|
|
1,085,000
|
|
|
|
Barclays Capital
|
|
|
2,485
|
|
|
|
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
|
|
|
1,350
|
|
|
|
Deutche Bank
|
|
|
645
|
|
|
|
UBS
|
|
|
40
|
|
Federal Fund
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
Tax-Free Fund
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Holders of Securities
As
of May 14, 2010, the following shareholders were shown in the Trusts records as owning more
than 5% of any class of a Series shares. Except as listed below, the Trust does not know of any
other person who owns of record or beneficially 5% or more of any class of a Series shares.
Prime Obligations Fund: FST Shares, Hare & Co.,
c/o The
Bank of New York, 111 Sanders Creek Parkway, East Syracuse, NY
13057 (21%); Band & Co.,
c/o US
Bank N.A., 1555 N. Rivercenter Dr., Milwaukee WI 53212
(13%); FST Administration Shares, Hare & Co.,
c/o The
Bank of New York, 111 Sanders Creek Parkway, East Syracuse, NY
13057 (26%); Laba & Co., 135 S. LaSalle St.,
Chicago, IL 60603 (19%); Amalgamated Bank of Chicago,
1 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60603 (15%); FST Capital
Shares, Hare & Co.,
c/o The
Bank of New York, 111 Sanders Creek Parkway, East Syracuse, NY
13057 (24%); Bank of Oklahoma N.A., P.O. Box 6789,
Helena, MT, 59604 (17%); First National Bank of Omaha,
P.O. Box 3128, Omaha, NE 68103 (15%); First National
Capital Markets Inc., 987450 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
68198 (9%); MSCS Financial Services LLC,
248 E. Capitol St., Jackson, MS 39201 (6%); FST
Preferred Shares, Commerce Bank of Kansas City, N.A., 911 Main
St., Kansas City, MO 64105 (8%); Stratevest & Co.,
P.O. Box 2499, Brattleboro, VT 05303 (18%);
Hare & Co.,
c/o The
Bank of New York, 111 Sanders Creek Parkway, East Syracuse, NY
13057 (11%); Bank of Oklahoma N.A., P.O. Box 21468
(14%); Deutsche Bank Trust Co., 60 Wall St., New York, NY
10005 (8%); FST Select Shares, Ridge Clearing &
Outsourcing Solutions Inc., 2 Journal Square Plaza, Jersey City,
NJ 07306 (66%); Deutsche Bank Trust Co., 60 Wall St., New
York, NY 10005 (20%); FST Service Shares, Deutsche Bank
Trust Co., 60 Wall St., New York, NY 10005 (11%); Commerce
Bank N.A., 1661 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO
65803 (7%); CENCO,701 32nd St. S., Birmingham AL 35233
(11%); Compass Brokerage Inc. 3914 Napoli Rd., Panama City, FL
32405 (22%); First National Bank of Kansas, 6201 College Blvd.,
Overland Park, KS 66211 (6%).
Government Fund: FST Shares, Hare & Co.,
c/o The
Bank of New York, 111 Sanders Creek Parkway, East Syracuse, NY
13057 (18%); Bank of New York Brussels, Rue
Montoyerstraat 46, Brussels, Belgium (14%); FST Administration
Shares, Commerce Bank of Kansas City, N.A., 911 Main St., Kansas
City, MO 64105 (40%), Amalgamated Bank of Chicago,
1 W. Monroe St., Chicago IL 60603 (14%);
Hare & Co.,
c/o The
Bank of New York, 111 Sanders Creek Parkway, East Syracuse, NY
13057 (14%); First National Capital Markets Inc., 1620 Dodge
St., Omaha, NE 68197 (8%); FST Capital Shares, First National
Capital Markets Inc., 1620 Dodge St., Omaha, NE 68197 (17%);
Stratevest & Co., P.O. Box 2499,
Brattleboro, VT 05303 (10%); Old Second Bank of Aurora,
37 S. River St., Aurora, IL 60506 (8%); Goldman Sachs
Execution & Clearing LP, 30 Hudson St., Jersey City,
NJ 07302 (8%); Commerce Bank, N.A., 1100 Broadway St.,
Carlinville, IL 62626 (8%); Hare & Co.,
c/o The
Bank of New York, 111 Sanders Creek Parkway, East Syracuse, NY
13057 (9%); FST Preferred Shares, Commerce Bank of Kansas City,
N.A., 911 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64105 (10%); First National
Bank of Omaha, P.O. Box 3128, Omaha, NE 68103 (8%);
Wells Fargo Securities LLC, 1525 W. Harris Blvd.,
Charlotte, NC 28262 (43%); Band & Co.,
c/o US
Bank, P.O. Box 1787, Milwaukee WI 53201 (18%);
Midfirst Bank, FSB, P.O. Box 26750, Oklahoma City, OK
73126 (6%); FST Select Shares, Ridge Clearing and Outsourcing
Solutions Inc., 2 Journal Square Plaza, Jersey City, NJ 07306
(15%); Fox & Co., 525 Washington Blvd., Jersey City,
NJ 07310 (77%); FST Service Shares, Stratevest & Co.,
P.O. Box 2499, Brattleboro, VT 05303 (37%); Law
Debenture Trust Co. of New York, 400 Madison Ave., New
York, NY 10017 (12%); First Citizens Bank & Trust, 100
Tryon Rd., Raleigh, NC 27603 (9%); CENCO,
c/o Compass
Bank, 15 South 20th Street, Birmingham, AL 35233 (7%).
Treasury Obligations Fund: FST Shares, Hare & Co.,
c/o The
Bank of New York, 111 Sanders Creek Parkway, East Syracuse, NY
13057 (38%); Goldman, Sachs & Co., 295 Chipeta Way,
Salt Lake City, UT 84108 (12%); Cobalt International Energy LP,
1980 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, TX 77056 (6%); FST Administration
Shares, Greatbanc Trust Company, One Freedom Valley Dr.,
Oaks, PA 19456 (7%); Hare & Co.,
c/o The
Bank of New York, 111 Sanders Creek Parkway, East Syracuse, NY
13057 (36%); Fulton Bank, P.O. Box 3215, Lancaster, PA
17604 (8%); Band & Co.,
c/o US
Bank, P.O. Box 1787, Milwaukee, WI 53201 (7%); FST
Capital Shares, BB&T Capital Markets, 1250 Connecticut Ave.
NW, Washington, DC 20036 (5%); Goldman Sachs
Execution & Clearing LP, 30 Hudson St., Jersey City,
NJ 07302 (20%); 1st Source Bank, P.O. Box 1602,
South Bend, IN 46634 (37%); Wilbranch & Co.
Partnership, P.O. Box 2887, Wilson, NC 27894 (13%);
FST Preferred Shares, Banc of America Securities,
200 N. College St., Charlotte, NC 28202 (9%); Goldman
Sachs Execution & Clearing LP, 30 Hudson St., Jersey
City, NJ 07302 (5%); American National Bank,
P.O. Box 4477, Wichita Falls, TX 76308 (6%); Deutsche
Bank Trust Co., 60 Wall St., New York, NY 10005 (31%);
Morgan Keegan Co. Inc., P.O. Box 2118, Collegedale, TN
37315 (21%); FST Select Shares, Ridge Clearing &
Outsourcing Solutions Inc., 2 Journal Square Plaza, Jersey City,
NJ 07306 (45%); Band & Co. Institutional Trust,
c/o US
Bank, P.O. Box 1787, Milwaukee, WI 53201 (54%);
Stratevest & Co., P.O. Box 2499,
Brattleboro, VT 05303 (33%); Hubco Regions Bank, 250 Riverchase
Parkway East, Birmingham, AL 35244 (6%).
Money Market Fund: FST Shares, Goldman, Sachs & Co.,
295 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 (44%);
Hare & Co.,
c/o The
Bank of New York, 111 Sanders Creek Parkway, East Syracuse, NY
13057 (7%); First Clearing LLC, 10750 Wheat First Drive, Glen
Allen, VA 23060 (7%); Las Vegas Sands Corp, 3355 Las Vegas
Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109 (6%); Chicago Mercantile
Exchange Inc., 30 S. Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606
(8%); FST Administration Shares, Comerica Bank,
411 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226 (23%);
Hare & Co.,
c/o The
Bank of New York, 111 Sanders Creek Parkway, East Syracuse, NY
13057 (19%); National Financial Services LLC, 1000 Plaza 5
Harborside, Jersey City, NJ (21%); Goldman Sachs Direct
Accounts, 6091 Maiden Lane, Memphis, TN 38120 (6%); First
Tennessee Brokerage, 165 Madison, Memphis, Tennessee 38103
(10%); FST Capital Shares, Citibank N.A., 111 Wall St., New
York, NY 10005 (21%); Goldman Sachs Execution &
Clearing LP, 30 Hudson St., Jersey City, NJ 07302 (28%); FST
Preferred Shares, Goldman Sachs Execution & Clearing
LP, 30 Hudson St., Jersey City, NJ 07302 (45%); FNB Brokerage
Services Inc., P.O. Box 3297, Stuart, FL 34995 (7%);
Quad City Bank & Trust Company, 3551
7th St., Moline, IL 61265 (15%); FST Select Shares,
BB&T Capital Markets, 5260 Irwin Rd., Huntington, WV 25705
(88%); Midfirst Bank, FSB, P.O. Box 26750, Oklahoma
City, OKL 73126 (12%); FST Select Shares, NBC Securities Inc.,
1927 1st Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203 (11%); TD Banknorth
N.A., P.O. Box 1377, Lewiston, ME 04243 (11%);
National Financial Services LLC, 1000 Plaza 5 Harborside, Jersey
City, NJ 07311 (47%); Midfirst Bank, FSB,
P.O. Box 26750, Oklahoma City, OK 73126 (9%).
Tax-Free Fund: FST Shares, Goldman, Sachs & Co., 295
Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 (54%); FST Administration
Shares, CENCO, 15 South 20th Street, Birmingham, AL 35233
(22%); First National Bank of Omaha, P.O. Box 3128,
Omaha, NE 68103 (21%); Comerica Bank, 411 W. Lafayette
Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226 (15%); Amalgamated Bank of Chicago,
1 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60603 (13%); National
Financial Services LLC, 200 Liberty St., New York, NY 10281
(12%); FST Capital Shares, Raymond James Trust N.A.,
P.O. Box 14407, St. Petersburg, FL 33733 (10%);
1st Source Bank, P.O. Box 1602, South Bend, IN
46634 (86%); FST Preferred Shares, Goldman Sachs
Execution & Clearing, L.P., 30 Hudson St., Jersey
City, NJ 07303 (7%); Union Bank & Trust Company,
P.O. Box 82535, Lincoln, NE 68501 (11%); Bank of
Oklahoma N.A., 15 E. 5th St., Tulsa, OK 74103
(26%); CENCO, 15 20th St. S., Birmingham, AL 35233 (22%);
FST Select Shares, Ridge Clearing & Outsourcing
Solutions Inc., 2 Journal Square Plaza, Jersey City, NJ 07306
(46%); Midfirst Bank, FSB, P.O. Box 26750, Oklahoma
City, OK 73126 (53%); FST Service Shares, Wilmington
Trust Co., P.O. Box 8882, Wilmington, DE 19899
(11%); American National Bank, P.O. Box 4477, Wichita
Falls, TX 76308 (9%); Deutsche Bank Trust Co., 60 Wall St.,
New York, NY 10005 (6%); Commerce Bank N.A.,
P.O. Box 419580, Kansas City, MO 64141 (6%); CENCO, 15
South 20th Street, Birmingham, AL 35233 (26%);
1st Source Bank, 2302 Topsfield Rd., South Bend, IN 46614
(5%); CAMCO, 80 West St., Rutland, VT 05701 (8%).
Treasury Instruments Fund: FST Shares, Goldman,
Sachs & Co., 295 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
(23%); Banc of America Securities, 200 N. College
Street, Charlotte, NC 28255 (7%); Hare & Co.,
c/o The
Bank of New York, 111 Sanders Creek Parkway, East Syracuse, NY
13057 (21%); FST Administration Shares, Hare & Co.,
c/o The
Bank of New York, 111 Sanders Creek Parkway, East Syracuse, NY
13057 (34%); State Street Bank & Trust Co.,
P.O. Box 5496, Boston, MA 02206 (7%); Deutsche Bank
Trust Co., 60 Wall St., New York, NY 10005 (5%); Harris
N.A., 111 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60603 (6%);
Wilbranch & Co. Partnership, P.O. Box 2887,
Wilson, NC 27894 (9%); FST Capital Shares, Goldman Sachs
Execution & Clearing LP, 30 Hudson St., Jersey City,
NJ 07302 (22%); Bank of Oklahoma N.A.,
15 E. 5th St., Tulsa, OK 74103 (7%); First
National Capital Markets Inc., 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, New
York, NY 10005 (57%); FST Preferred Shares, Citibank N.A., 111
Wall St., New York, NY 10005 (51%); BB&T Capital Markets,
245 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32202 (15%); CENCO, 15
South 20th St., Birmingham, AL 35233 (18%); FST Select
Shares, Suntrust Robinson Humphrey Inc., 1000 NW 1st Ave.,
Delray Beach, FL 33444 (32%); Fifth Third Securities Express
LLC, One Limited Parkway, Columbus, OH 43230 (22%); Ridge
Clearing and Outsourcing Solutions Inc., 2 Journal Square Plaza,
Jersey City, NJ 07306 (7%); Bank of Oklahoma N.A.,
15 E. 5th St., Tulsa, OK 74103 (15%); Deutsche
Bank Trust Co., 60 Wall St., New York, NY 10005 (22%); TD
Banknorth N.A., P.O. Box 1377, Lewiston, ME 04243
(12%); CENCO, 701 32nd St. S., Birmingham, AL 35233 (13%);
Signature Bank, 565 5th Ave., New York, NY 10017 (58%).
Federal Fund: FST Shares, Goldman, Sachs & Co., 295
Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 (46%); Wilmington
Trust Co., P.O. Box 8882, Wilmington, DE 19899
(7%); FST Administration Shares, Commerce Bank of Kansas City,
N.A., 911 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64105 (21%); Citibank, N.A.,
111 Wall St., New York, NY 10005 (9%); Amalgamated Bank of
Chicago, 1 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60603 (8%);
BancFirst Trust, P.O. Box 26883, Oklahoma City, OK
73126 (5%); FST Capital Shares, Raymond James Trust, N.A.,
P.O. Box 14407, St. Petersburg FL 33733 (61%); First
National Capital Markets, Inc., 1620 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE
68197 (18%); Goldman Sachs Execution & Clearing, L.P.,
30 Hudson St., Jersey City, NJ 07302 (7%); FST Preferred Shares,
Metropolitan National Bank, P.O. Box 8010, Little
Rock, AR 72203 (49%); Reliance Trust Company, 1100
Abernathy Rd., Atlanta, GA 30328 (16%); BB&T Capital
Markets, P.O. Box 867, Myrtle Beach, SC 29578 (12%);
Morgan Keegan Co., Inc., P.O. Box 2118, Collegedale,
TN 37315 (9%); FST Select Shares, Ridge Clearing and Outsourcing
Solutions Inc., 2 Journal Square Plaza, Jersey City, NJ 07306
(84%); Commerce Bank of Kansas City, P.O. Box 782050,
Wichita, KS 67278 (10%); FST Service Shares, Amalgamated Bank of
Chicago, 1 W. Monroe St., Chicago IL 60603 (21%);
CENCO, 15 South 20th St., Birmingham, AL 35233 (10%);
Guaranty Bank & Trust Co.,
6501 E. Belleview Ave., Englewood, CO 80111 (7%);
Commerce Bank N.A., P.O. Box 1900, Springfield MO
65801 (6%); Signature Bank, 565 5th Ave., New York, NY
10017 (6%).
NET ASSET VALUE
In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, the net asset value per share of each
Series (except for Prime Obligations Fund, Money Market Fund, Treasury Obligations Fund, and
Government Fund) is determined by the Series custodian on each Business Day as of the close of
regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally, but not always, 4:00 p.m. New York
B-62
time) or such other times as the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ market may officially
close. In the case of the Money Market Fund, Prime Obligations Fund, Government Fund and Treasury
Obligations Fund, net asset value is determined normally, but not always, at 5:00 p.m. New York
time on each Business Day. Shares may also be priced throughout the day by the accounting agent. A
Business Day means any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open, except for days on which
Chicago, Boston or New York banks are closed for local holidays. Such holidays include: New Years
Day (observed), Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washingtons Birthday (observed), Good Friday,
Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Series
shares may be priced on days when the New York Stock Exchange is closed if the Bond Market
Association recommends that the bond markets remain open for all or part of the day.
The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be
received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock
Exchange is stopped at a time other than 4:00 p.m. New York Time. The Trust reserves the right to
reprocess purchase, redemption and exchange transactions that were initially processed at a net
asset value other than the Series official closing net asset value that is subsequently adjusted,
and to recover amounts from (or distribute amounts to) shareholders based on the official closing
net asset value. The Trust reserves the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption
orders must be received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by the SEC. In
addition, each Series may compute its net asset value as of any time permitted pursuant to any
exemption, order or statement of the SEC or its staff.
Each Series securities are valued using the amortized cost method of valuation in an effort
to maintain a constant net asset value of $1.00 per share, which the Board of Trustees has
determined to be in the best interest of each Series and its shareholders. This method involves
valuing a security at cost on the date of acquisition and thereafter assuming a constant accretion
of a discount or amortization of a premium to maturity, regardless of the impact of fluctuating
interest rates and other factors on the market value of the instrument. While this method provides
certainty in valuation, it may result in periods during which value, as determined by amortized
cost, is higher or lower than the price a Series would receive if it sold the instrument. During
such periods, the yield to an investor in a Series may differ somewhat from that obtained in a
similar investment company which uses available market quotations to value all of its portfolio
securities. During periods of declining interest rates, the quoted yield on shares of a Series may
tend to be higher than a like computation made by a fund with identical investments utilizing a
method of valuation based upon market prices and estimates of market prices for all of its
portfolio instruments. Thus, if the use of amortized cost by a Series resulted in a lower aggregate
portfolio value on a particular day, a prospective investor in the Series would be able to obtain a
somewhat higher yield if he or she purchased shares of the Series on that day, than would result
from investment in a fund utilizing solely market values, and existing investors in the Series
would receive less investment income. The converse would apply in a period of rising interest
rates.
The Trustees have established procedures designed to stabilize, to the extent reasonably
possible, each Series price per share as computed for the purpose of sales and redemptions at
$1.00. Such procedures include review of each Series by the Trustees, at such intervals as they
deem appropriate, to determine whether the Series net asset value calculated by using available
market quotations (or an appropriate substitute which reflects market conditions) deviates from
$1.00 per share based on amortized cost, as well as review of methods used to calculate the
deviation. If such deviation exceeds 1/2 of 1%, the Trustees will promptly consider what action, if
any, will be initiated. In the event the Trustees determine that a deviation exists which may
result in material dilution or other unfair results to investors or existing shareholders, they
will take such corrective action as they regard to be necessary and appropriate, including the sale
of portfolio instruments prior to maturity to realize capital gains or losses or to shorten average
portfolio maturity; withholding part or all of dividends or payment of distributions from capital
or capital gains; redeeming shares in kind; or establishing a net asset value per share by using
available market quotations or equivalents. In addition, in order to stabilize the net asset value
per share at $1.00, the Trustees have the authority (i) to reduce or increase the number of shares
outstanding on a pro rata basis, and (ii) to offset each shareholders pro rata portion of the
deviation between the net asset value per share and $1.00 from the shareholders accrued dividend
account or from future dividends. Each Series may hold cash for the purpose of stabilizing its net
asset value per share. Holdings of cash, on which no return is earned, would tend to lower the
yield on such Series shares.
In order to continue to use the amortized cost method of valuation for each Series
investments, the Series must comply with Rule 2a-7. See Investment Restrictions.
The proceeds received by each Series for each issue or sale of its shares, and all net
investment income, realized and unrealized gain and proceeds thereof, subject only to the rights of
creditors, will be specifically allocated to such Series and constitute the underlying assets of
that Series. The underlying assets of each Series will be segregated on the books of account, and
will be charged with the liabilities in respect to such Series and with a share of the general
liabilities of the Trust. Expenses with respect to the Series are to be allocated in proportion to
the net asset values of the respective Series except where allocations of direct expenses can
otherwise be fairly made. In addition, within each Series, FST Shares, FST Administration Shares,
FST Service Shares, FST Preferred
B-63
Shares, FST Capital Shares, FST Select Shares, FST Cash Management Shares, FST Premier Shares,
FST Resource Shares and FST Class B and Class C Shares (if any) will be subject to different
expense structures (see SHARES OF THE TRUST).
Errors and Corrective Actions
The Investment Adviser will report to the Board of Trustees any material breaches of
investment objective, policies or restrictions and any material errors in the calculation of the
NAV of a Series or the processing of purchases and redemptions. Depending on the nature and size of
an error, corrective action may or may not be required. Corrective action may involve a prospective
correction of the NAV only, correction of any erroneous NAV and compensation to a Series, or
correction of any erroneous NAV, compensation to a Series and reprocessing of individual
shareholder transactions. The Trusts policies on errors and corrective action limit or restrict
when corrective action will be taken or when compensation to a Series or its shareholders will be
paid, and not all mistakes will result in compensable errors. As a result, neither a Series nor its
shareholders who purchase or redeem shares during periods in which errors accrue or occur may be
compensated in connection with the resolution of an error. Shareholders will generally not be
notified of the occurrence of a compensable error or the resolution thereof absent unusual
circumstances. As discussed in more detail under Net Asset Value, a Series portfolio securities
may be priced based on quotations for those securities provided by pricing services. There can be
no guarantee that a quotation provided by a pricing service will be accurate.
REDEMPTIONS
The Trust may suspend the right of redemption of shares of a Series and may postpone payment
for any period: (i) during which the New York Stock Exchange is closed for regular trading other
than customary weekend and holiday closings or during which trading on the New York Stock Exchange
is restricted; (ii) when an emergency exists which makes the disposal of securities owned by a
Series or the determination of the fair value of the Series net assets not reasonably practicable;
or (iii) as the SEC may by order permit for the protection of the shareholders of the Trust.
The Trust agrees to redeem shares of each Series solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000
or 1% of the net asset value of the Series during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. The
Trust reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to pay redemptions by a distribution in kind of
securities (instead of cash) if (i) the redemption exceeds the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net
asset value of the Series at the time of redemption; or (ii) with respect to lesser redemption
amounts, the redeeming shareholder requests in writing a distribution in-kind of securities instead
of cash. The securities distributed in-kind would be readily marketable and would be valued for
this purpose using the same method employed in calculating each Series net asset value per share.
See Net Asset Value. If a shareholder receives a distribution in kind, the shareholder should
expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities received in the
redemption.
A FST shareholder of any Fund may elect to have a special account with State Street Bank and
Trust Company for the purpose of redeeming shares from its account in that Series by check. When
State Street Bank and Trust Company receives a completed signature card and authorization form, the
shareholder will be provided with a supply of checks. Checks drawn on this account may be payable
to the order of any person in any amount of $500 or more, but cannot be certified. The payee of the
check may cash or deposit it like any other check drawn on a bank. When such a check is presented
to State Street Bank and Trust Company for payment, a sufficient number of full and fractional
shares will be redeemed to cover the amount of the check. Cancelled checks, or an image of a
cancelled check, will be returned to the shareholder by State Street Bank and Trust Company. The
Trust and Goldman Sachs each reserves the right to waive the minimum requirement.
The check redemption privilege enables a shareholder to receive the dividends declared on the
shares to be redeemed until such time as the check is processed. Because of this feature, the check
redemption privilege may not be used for a complete liquidation of an account. If the amount of a
check is greater than the value of shares held in the shareholders account, the check will be
returned unpaid, and the shareholder may be subject to extra charges.
Goldman Sachs reserves the right to impose conditions on, limit the availability of or
terminate the check redemption privilege at any time with respect to a particular shareholder or
shareholders in general. The Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company reserve the right at any
time to suspend the check redemption privilege and intend to do so in the event that federal
legislation or regulations impose reserve requirements or other restrictions deemed by the Trustees
to be adverse to the interests of the Series.
B-64
SHARES OF THE TRUST
Each Series is a series of Goldman Sachs Trust, a Delaware statutory trust, established by an
Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. The Trustees have authority under the
Trusts Declaration of Trust to create and classify shares of beneficial interest in separate
series, without further action by shareholders. The Trustees also have authority to classify and
reclassify any series of shares into one or more classes of shares. The Act requires that where
more than one class or series of shares exists each class or series must be preferred over all
other classes or series in respect of assets specifically allocated to such class or series. As of
May 14, 2010, the Trustees have authorized the issuance of up to nine classes of shares of each of the
Funds: FST Shares, FST Service Shares, FST Administration Shares, FST Preferred Shares, FST Select
Shares, FST Capital Shares, FST Cash Management Shares, FST Premier Shares and FST Resource Shares.
In addition, the Trustees have authorized a tenth and eleventh class of shares, Class B Shares
(subject to the limitations described herein) and Class C Shares, with respect to the Prime
Obligations Fund. Additional series and classes may be added in the future.
Each FST Share, FST Service Share, FST Administration Share, FST Preferred Share, FST Select
Share, FST Capital Share, FST Cash Management Share, FST Premier Share, FST Resource Share, FST
Class B Share and FST Class C Share of a Series represents an equal proportionate interest in the
assets belonging to that class. It is contemplated that most shares (other than Class B or Class C
Shares) will be held in accounts of which the record owner is a bank or other institution acting,
directly or through an agent, as nominee for its customers who are the beneficial owners of the
shares or another organization designated by such bank or institution. Class B and Class C Shares
generally are only issued upon exchange from Class B or Class C Shares, respectively, of other
series of the Goldman Sachs mutual funds. FST Shares may be purchased for accounts held in the name
of an investor or institution that is not compensated by the Trust for services provided to the
institutions investors.
FST Administration Shares may be purchased for accounts held in the name of an investor or an
institution that provides certain shareholder administration services as described below to its
customers who beneficially own FST Administration Shares. FST Administration Shares of a Fund bear
the cost of administration fees at the annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets
of such shares.
FST Service Shares may be purchased for accounts held in the name of an institution that
provides certain shareholder administration and personal and account maintenance services to its
customers who beneficially own FST Service Shares. FST Service Shares of a Fund bear the cost of
service fees and shareholder administration fees at the annual rates of up to 0.25% and 0.25%,
respectively, of the average daily net assets of such shares.
FST Preferred Shares may be purchased for accounts held in the name of an institution that
provides certain shareholder administration services to its customers who beneficially own FST
Preferred Shares. FST Preferred Shares of a Fund bear the cost of preferred administration fees at
an annual rate of up to 0.10% of the average daily net assets of such shares of the particular Fund
involved.
FST Select Shares may be purchased for accounts held in the name of an institution that
provides certain shareholder administration services to its customers who beneficially own FST
Select Shares. FST Select Shares of a Fund bear the cost of select service fees at an annual rate
of up to 0.03% of the average daily net assets of such shares.
FST Capital Shares may be purchased for accounts held in the name of an institution that
provides certain shareholder administration services to its customers who beneficially own FST
Capital Shares. FST Capital Shares of a Fund bear the cost of capital administration fees at an
annual rate of up to 0.15% of the average daily net assets of such shares.
FST Class B Shares of the Prime Obligations Fund are subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge (CDSC) of up to 5.0%, and FST Class C Shares
of the Prime Obligations Fund are subject to a CDSC of 1.0% if redeemed
within 12 months of purchase. FST Class B (subject to the limitations described herein) and FST
Class C Shares are sold primarily through brokers and dealers who are members of the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and certain other financial services firms that have sales
arrangements with Goldman Sachs. FST Class B and FST Class C Shares bear the cost of distribution
(Rule 12b-1) fees at the aggregate rate of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets attributable
to FST Class B and FST Class C Shares, respectively. FST Class B and FST Class C Shares also bear
the cost of service fees at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the
Prime Obligations Fund attributable to FST Class B and FST Class C Shares.
B-65
The Prime Obligations Funds FST Class B Shares may no longer be purchased by new shareholders,
except as discussed below. However, shareholders invested in Class B Shares of other Goldman Sachs
Funds may exchange these Shares for FST Class B Shares of the Prime Obligations Fund.
In addition, ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio Class B shareholders may exchange their Class B Shares for FST Class B Shares of the Prime Obligations Fund.
Thereafter,
shareholders invested in FST Class B Shares of the Prime Obligations Fund may continue to hold their
FST Class B Shares until they convert automatically to Service Shares, as described in the Prime
Obligations Funds FST Class B Shares Prospectus. FST Class B shareholders may also continue to reinvest
dividends and capital gains into their accounts. FST Class B shareholders may continue to exchange
their Shares for shares of certain other Goldman Sachs Funds. Otherwise, additional purchase
requests for the Prime Obligations Funds FST Class B Shares will be rejected.
FST Cash Management Shares may be purchased for accounts held in the name of an institution
that provides certain administration services and personal and account maintenance services to its
customers who beneficially own FST Cash Management Shares. FST Cash Management Shares bear the cost
of administration and service fees at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the average daily net assets
of the Series attributable to such shares. FST Cash Management Shares also bear the cost of
distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees at a maximum annual rate of 0.30% of the average daily net assets
attributable to FST Cash Management Shares.
FST Premier Shares may be purchased for accounts held in the name of an investor or an
institution that provides certain personal and account maintenance
services and administration services to its customers who
beneficially own FST Premier Shares. FST Premier Shares bear the cost
of service fees and administration fees at the
annual rates of up to 0.10% and 0.25%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of such shares.
FST Resource Shares may be purchased for accounts held in the name of an institution that
provides certain administration services and personal and account maintenance services to its
customers who beneficially own FST Resource Shares. FST Resource Shares of a Fund bear the cost of
service fees and administration fees at the annual rates of up to
0.50% of the average daily net assets
of such shares.
FST Resource Shares also bear the cost of distribution (Rule 12b-1)
fees at a maximum annual rate of 0.15% of the average daily net
assets attributable to FST Resource Shares.
In addition, each class of shares bears its own transfer agency expenses.
It is possible that an institution or its affiliates may offer different classes of shares to
its customers and thus receive different compensation with respect to different classes of shares
of the same Series. Dividends paid by each Series, if any, with respect to each class of shares
will be calculated in the same manner, at the same time on the same day and will be the same
amount, except for differences caused by the fact that the respective transfer agency and Plan fees
relating to a particular class will be borne exclusively by that class. Similarly, the net asset
value per share may differ depending upon the class of shares purchased.
In the event a Series is distributed by salespersons or any other persons, they may receive
different compensation with respect to different classes of shares of the Series. FST Service
Shares, FST Administration Shares, FST Preferred Shares, FST Select Shares, FST Capital Shares, FST
Cash Management Shares, FST Premier Shares, FST Resource Shares, FST Class B Shares and FST Class C
Shares of the Funds each have certain exclusive voting rights on matters relating to their
respective plans. Shares of each class may be exchanged for shares of the same class of another
Goldman Sachs Fund. Except as described above, the classes of shares are identical.
Certain aspects of the shares may be altered, after advance notice to shareholders, if it is
deemed necessary in order to satisfy certain tax regulatory requirements.
When issued for the consideration described in the Series Prospectuses, shares are fully paid
and non-assessable. The Trustees may, however, cause shareholders, or shareholders of a particular
series or class, to pay certain custodian, transfer agency, servicing or similar charges by setting
off the same against declared but unpaid dividends or by reducing share ownership (or by both
means). In the event of liquidation, shareholders are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets
of the applicable class of the relevant Series available for distribution to such shareholders. All
shares are freely transferable and have no preemptive, subscription or conversion rights. The
Trustees may require shareholders to redeem Shares for any reason under terms set by the Trustees.
In the interest of economy and convenience, the Trust does not issue certificates representing
the Series shares. Instead, the Transfer Agent maintains a record of each shareholders ownership.
Each shareholder receives confirmation of purchase and redemption orders from the Transfer Agent.
Series shares and any dividends and distributions paid by the Series are reflected in account
statements from the Transfer Agent.
The Act requires that where more than one series of shares exists, each series must be
preferred over all other series in respect of assets specifically allocated to such series. Rule
18f-2 under the Act provides that any matter required to be submitted by the
B-66
provisions of the Act or applicable state law, or otherwise, to the holders of the outstanding
voting securities of an investment company such as the Trust shall not be deemed to have been
effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
each class or series affected by such matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a series shall be
deemed to be affected by a matter unless the interests of each series in the matter are
substantially identical or the matter does not affect any interest of such series. However, Rule
18f-2 exempts the selection of independent public accountants, the approval of principal
distribution contracts and the election of trustees from the separate voting requirements of Rule
18f-2.
The Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders and does not intend to hold
such meetings. In the event that a meeting of shareholders is held, each share of the Trust will be
entitled, as determined by the Trustees without the vote or consent of shareholders, either to one
vote for each share or to one vote for each dollar of net asset value represented by such shares on
all matters presented to shareholders including the election of Trustees (this method of voting
being referred to as dollar based voting). However, to the extent required by the Act or
otherwise determined by the Trustees, series and classes of the Trust will vote separately from
each other. Shareholders of the Trust do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of
Trustees. Meetings of shareholders of the Trust, or any series or class thereof, may be called by
the Trustees, certain officers or upon the written request of holders of 10% or more of the shares
entitled to vote at such meetings. The Trustees will call a special meeting of shareholders for the
purpose of electing Trustees if, at any time, less than a majority of Trustees holding office at
the time were elected by shareholders. The shareholders of the Trust will have voting rights only
with respect to the limited number of matters specified in the Declaration of Trust and such other
matters as the Trustees may determine or may be required by law.
The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification of Trustees, officers, employees and
agents of the Trust unless the recipient is adjudicated (i) to be liable by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of such persons office or (ii) not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief
that such persons actions were in the best interest of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust
provides that, if any shareholder or former shareholder of any series is held personally liable
solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder and not because of the shareholders acts or
omissions or for some other reason, the shareholder or former shareholder (or the shareholders
heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives or general successors) shall be held
harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Trust
acting on behalf of any affected series, must, upon request by such shareholder, assume the defense
of any claim made against such shareholder for any act or obligation of the series and satisfy any
judgment thereon from the assets of the series.
The Declaration of Trust permits the termination of the Trust or of any series or class of the
Trust (i) by a majority of the affected shareholders at a meeting of shareholders of the Trust,
series or class; or (ii) by a majority of the Trustees without shareholder approval if the Trustees
determine, in their sole discretion, that such action is in the best interest of the Trust, such
Series, such class or their shareholders. The Trustees may consider such factors as they in their
sole discretion deem appropriate in making such determination, including (i) the inability of the
Trust or any respective series or class to maintain its assets at an appropriate size; (ii) changes
in laws or regulations governing the Trust, or any series or class thereof, or affecting assets of
the type in which it invests; or (iii) economic developments or trends having a significant adverse
impact on their business or operations.
The Declaration of Trust authorizes the Trustees, without shareholder approval to cause the
Trust, or any series thereof, to merge or consolidate with any corporation, association, trust or
other organization or sell or exchange all or substantially all of the property belonging to the
Trust or any series thereof. In addition, the Trustees, without shareholder approval, may adopt a
master-feeder structure by investing all or a portion of the assets of a series of the Trust in
the securities of another open-end investment company with substantially the same investment
objective, restrictions and policies.
The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to amend the Declaration of Trust without a
shareholder vote. However, shareholders of the Trust have the right to vote on any amendment (i)
that would adversely affect the voting rights of shareholders; (ii) that is required by law to be
approved by shareholders; (iii) that would amend the provisions of the Declaration of Trust
regarding amendments and supplements thereto; or (iv) that the Trustees determine to submit to
shareholders.
The Trustees may appoint separate Trustees with respect to one or more series or classes of
the Trusts shares (the Series Trustees). Series Trustees may, but are not required to, serve as
Trustees of the Trust or any other series or class of the Trust. To the extent provided by the
Trustees in the appointment of the Series Trustees, the Series Trustees may have, to the exclusion
of any other Trustees of the Trust, all the powers and authorities of Trustees under the
Declaration of Trust with respect to such series or class, but may have no power or authority with
respect to any other series or class.
Shareholder and Trustee Liability
Under Delaware law, the shareholders of the Series are not generally subject to liability for
the debts or obligations of the Trust. Similarly, Delaware law provides that a series of the Trust
will not be liable for the debts or obligations of any other series of the
B-67
Trust. However, no similar statutory or other authority limiting statutory trust shareholder
liability exists in other states. As a result, to the extent that a Delaware statutory trust or a
shareholder is subject to the jurisdiction of courts of such other states, the courts may not apply
Delaware law and may thereby subject the Delaware statutory trust shareholders to liability. To
guard against this risk, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder
liability for acts or obligations of a Series. Notice of such disclaimer will normally be given in
each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by a Series of the Trust. The
Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification by the relevant Series for all loss suffered by a
shareholder as a result of an obligation of the Series. The Declaration of Trust also provides that
a Series shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any
act or obligation of the Series and satisfy any judgment thereon. In view of the above, the risk of
personal liability of shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust is remote.
In addition to the requirements set forth under Delaware law, the Declaration of Trust
provides that shareholders of a Series may bring a derivative action on behalf of the Series only
if the following conditions are met: (i) shareholders eligible to bring such derivative action
under Delaware law who hold at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the Series, or 10% of the
outstanding shares of the class to which such action relates, shall join in the request for the
Trustees to commence such action; and (ii) 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
will be entitled to retain counsel or other advisers in considering the merits of the request and
may require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the Series for the
expense of any such investment advisers in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such
action.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trustees will not be liable for errors of
judgment or mistakes of fact or law, but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee
against liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or
her office.
Minimum
Investments in the Funds
For
information about minimum investment requirements for the Funds and
their share classes, please see the Prospectuses. The minimum initial
investment requirements for all share classes will be waived for any
intermediaries (and their current and future investor clients)
that held shares of any of the Trusts Institutional Liquid Assets
Portfolios as of March 1, 2010.
TAXATION
The following is only a summary of certain additional U.S. federal income, and certain state
and local, tax considerations affecting the Series and the purchase, ownership and disposition of
shares in each Series. This summary does not address special tax rules applicable to certain
classes of investors, such as tax-exempt entities, insurance companies and financial institutions.
Prospective shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the specific
federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of investing in each Series in light of their
particular tax situations. The summary is based on the laws in effect on May 14, 2010, which are
subject to change.
Series Taxation
Each Series is treated as a separate entity for tax purposes. Each Series has elected to be
treated and intends to qualify for each taxable year as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of Subtitle A, Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
Code). If for any taxable year a Series does not qualify as a regulated investment company, it
will be taxed on all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain at corporate
rates, without any deduction for dividends paid, its net tax-exempt interest (if any) may be
subject to the alternative minimum tax, and its distributions to shareholders will be taxable as
ordinary dividends to the extent of its current and accumulated earnings and profits.
There are certain tax requirements that each Series must satisfy if it is to avoid federal
taxation. In their efforts to adhere to these requirements, the Series may have to limit their
investment activities in some types of instruments. Qualification as a regulated investment company
under the Code requires, among other things, that a Series (i) derive at least 90% of its gross
income for each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans,
gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks or securities or foreign currencies, or other
income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures, and forward contracts) derived
with respect to the Series business of investing in stocks, securities or currencies (the 90%
gross income test); and (ii) diversify its holdings so that in general, at the close of each
quarter of its taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the fair market value of the Series total (gross)
assets is comprised of cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other regulated
investment companies and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not
greater in value than 5% of the value of such Series total assets and to not more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of its total
(gross) assets is invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. government
securities and securities of other regulated investment companies), two or more issuers controlled
by the Series and engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or certain publicly
traded partnerships. For purposes of these requirements, participation interests will be treated as
securities, and the issuer will be identified on the basis of market risk and credit risk
associated with any particular interest. Certain
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payments received with respect to such interests, such as commitment fees and certain facility
fees, may not be treated as income qualifying under the 90% test.
For purposes of the 90% gross income test, income that a Series earns from equity interests in
certain entities that are not treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes will
generally have the same character for the Series as in the hands of such an entity; consequently, a
Series may be required to limit its equity investments in any such entities that earn fee income,
rental income, or other non-qualifying income. In addition, future Treasury regulations could
provide that qualifying income under the 90% gross income test will not include gains from foreign
currency transactions that are not directly related to a Series principal business of investing in
stock or securities or options and futures with respect to stock or securities. Using foreign
currency positions or entering into foreign currency options, futures and forward or swap contracts
for purposes other than hedging currency risk with respect to securities in a Series portfolio or
anticipated to be acquired may not qualify as directly-related under these tests.
If a Series complies with the foregoing provisions, then in any taxable year in which the
Series distributes, in compliance with the Codes timing and other requirements, at least 90% of
its investment company taxable income (which includes dividends, taxable interest, taxable
accrued original issue discount and market discount income, income from securities lending, any net
short-term capital gain in excess of net long-term capital loss, certain net realized foreign
exchange gains and any other taxable income other than net capital gain, as defined below, and is
reduced by deductible expenses), and at least 90% of the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest
income (if any) over certain disallowed deductions, the Series (but not its shareholders) will be
relieved of federal income tax on any income of the Series, including long-term capital gains,
distributed to shareholders. If, instead, a Series retains any investment company taxable income or
net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), it
will be subject to a tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained. Because there are some
uncertainties regarding the computation of the amounts deemed distributed to Series shareholders
for these purposes including, in particular, uncertainties regarding the portion, if any, of
amounts paid in redemption of Series shares that should be treated as such distributions there
can be no assurance that each Series will avoid corporate-level tax in each year.
Each Series intends to distribute for each taxable year to its shareholders all or
substantially all of its investment company taxable income, net capital gain and any net tax-exempt
interest.
If a Series retains any net capital gain, the Series may designate the retained amount as
undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who (1) if subject to U.S. federal
income tax on long-term capital gains, will be required to include in income for federal income tax
purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of that undistributed amount, and (2) will be
entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Series against their U.S.
federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds those
liabilities. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder
of the Series will be increased by the amount of any such undistributed net capital gain included
in the shareholders gross income and decreased by the federal income tax paid by the Series on
that amount of net capital gain.
In order to avoid a 4% federal excise tax, each Series must distribute (or be deemed to have
distributed) by December 31 of each calendar year at least 98% of its taxable ordinary income for
such year, at least 98% of the excess of its capital gains over its capital losses (generally
computed on the basis of the one-year period ending on December 31 of such year), and all taxable
ordinary income and the excess of capital gains over capital losses for all previous years that
were not distributed for those years and on which the Series paid no federal income tax. Each
Series anticipates that it will generally make timely distributions of income and capital gains in
compliance with these requirements so that it will generally not be required to pay the excise tax.
For federal income tax purposes, each Series is permitted to carry forward a net capital loss
in any year to offset its own capital gains, if any, during the eight years following the loss. As
of August 31, 2009, the following Series had had capital loss carryforwards approximating the
amounts indicated, expiring in the years indicated:
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Prime
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Treasury
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Treasury
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Year
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Obligations
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Money Market
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Obligations
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Instruments
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Government
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Federal
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Tax-Free
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Expiring 2016
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$
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6,447,108
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Expiring 2017
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
2
|
|
$
|
6,447,108
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Expiration occurs on August 31 of the year indicated.
|
|
2
|
|
During the fiscal period January 1, 2009 through August 31, 2009, Money Market and
Prime Obligations Funds utilized $2,824,541 and $9,507,514 of capital losses, respectively.
|
B-69
A Series investment in zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities, certain
structured securities or other securities bearing original issue discount or, if a Series elects to
include market discount in income currently, market discount, as well as any marked-to-market
gain from certain options, futures or forward contracts, as described above, will in many cases
cause it to realize income or gain before the receipt of cash payments with respect to these
securities or contracts. For a Series to obtain cash to enable the Series to distribute any such
income or gain, to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and to avoid
federal income and excise taxes, the Series may be required to liquidate portfolio investments
sooner than it might otherwise have done.
Non-U.S. Shareholders
The discussion above relates solely to U.S. federal income tax law as it applies to U.S.
persons subject to tax under such law.
For distributions attributable to taxable years of the Government Fund, Federal Fund, Treasury
Obligations Fund and Treasury Instruments Fund, beginning before September 1, 2010, nonresident
aliens, foreign corporations and other foreign investors in one of those Series will generally be
exempt from U.S. federal income tax on Series distributions attributable to U.S.-source interest
income and capital gains of a Series. Tax may apply to such capital gain distributions, however, if
the recipients investment in a Series is connected to a trade or business of the recipient in the
United States or if the recipient is present in the United States for 183 days or more in a year
and certain other conditions are met. Distributions of interest income and short-term capital gains
by Money Market Fund and Prime Obligations Fund are generally subject to U.S. tax withholding.
Non-U.S. shareholders of a Series may be subject to U.S. estate tax with respect to their shares.
All foreign investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences in their
country of residence of an investment in a Series.
State and Local Taxes
A Series may be subject to state or local taxes in jurisdictions in which it is deemed to be
doing business. In addition, in those states or localities that impose income taxes, the treatment
of a Series and its shareholders under those jurisdictions tax laws may differ from their
treatment under federal income tax laws, and an investment in the Series may have tax consequences
for shareholders that are different from those of a direct investment in the Series securities.
Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers concerning these matters. For example, it may be
appropriate for shareholders to review with their tax advisers the state income and, if applicable,
intangible property tax consequences of investments by the Series in securities issued by the
particular state or the U.S. government or its various agencies or instrumentalities, because many
states (i) exempt from personal income tax distributions made by regulated investment companies
from interest on obligations of the particular state or on direct U.S. government obligations
and/or (ii) exempt from intangible property tax the value of the shares of such companies
attributable to such obligations, subject to certain state-specific requirements and/or
limitations.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The audited financial statements and related report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent
registered public accounting firm, contained in the 2009 Annual Report for the Funds are
incorporated by reference herein. The financial statements in the Annual Report for these Series
have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of
such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. No other portions of the Series Annual Report are
incorporated herein by reference. The financial statements for each
Series contained in each Series Semi-Annual Report (unaudited)
for the fiscal period ended February 28, 2010 are also incorporated
herein by reference. A copy of the Annual Report and Semi-Annual
Report (unaudited) may be obtained upon request and
without charge by writing Goldman Sachs, P.O. Box 06050, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6300 or by calling
Goldman Sachs, at the telephone number on the back cover of each Series Prospectuses.
PROXY VOTING
The Trust, on behalf of its series, has delegated the voting of portfolio securities to the
Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser has adopted policies and procedures (the Policy) for
the voting of proxies on behalf of client accounts for which the Investment Adviser has voting
discretion, including the Series. Under the Policy, the Investment Advisers guiding principles in
performing proxy voting are to make decisions that: (i) favor
proposals that in the Investment Advisers view tend to maximize a
companys shareholder value; and (ii) are not influenced by conflicts of interest. These principles
reflect the Investment Advisers belief that sound corporate governance will create a framework
within which a company can be managed in the interests of its shareholders.
The principles and positions reflected in the Policy are designed to guide the Investment
Adviser in voting proxies, and not necessarily in making investment
decisions. The Investment Adviser periodically reviews the Policy to ensure that it continues to be
consistent with the Investment Advisers guiding principles.
B-70
Public Equity Investments
.
To implement these guiding principles for investments in
publicly-traded equities, the Investment Adviser has developed customized proxy voting guidelines (the Guidelines). The Guidelines embody the positions and factors the Investment Adviser
generally considers important in casting proxy votes. They address a wide variety of individual
topics, including, among other matters, shareholder voting rights, anti-takeover defenses, board
structures, the election of directors, executive and director compensation, reorganizations,
mergers, issues of corporate social responsibility and various shareholder proposals. Attached as Appendix B is a summary of the Guidelines.
The
Investment Adviser has retained a third-party proxy voting service (Proxy Service) to assist in the implementation of certain proxy voting-related functions. Among its responsibilities, the Proxy Service prepares a written analysis and recommendation (a Recommendation) of each proxy vote that
reflects the Proxy Services application of the GSAM Guidelines to the particular proxy
issues. While it is the Investment Advisers policy generally to follow the Guidelines
and recommendations, the Investment Advisers portfolio management teams (Portfolio
Management Teams) may on certain proxy votes seek approval to diverge from the
Guidelines or a recommendation, by following an override process.
Such decisions are subject to a
review and approval process, including
a determination that the decision is not influenced by any conflict of interest. In forming their
views on particular matters, the Portfolio Management Teams are also permitted to consider
applicable regional rules and practices, including codes of conduct and other guides, regarding
proxy voting, in addition to the Guidelines and recommendations.
The
Proxy Service assists
in the implementation and administration of the proxy voting function. The
Proxy Service assists the Investment Adviser in the proxy voting process
by providing operational, recordkeeping and reporting services. In
addition, the Proxy Service produces Recommendations as previously discussed and provides assistance in the development and maintenance of the GSAM Guidelines.
GSAM conducts periodic due diligence meetings with the Proxy Service which include, but are
not limited to, a review of the Proxy Services general organizational structure, new developments
with respect to research and technology, work flow improvements and internal due diligence with
respect to conflicts of interest. The Investment Adviser may hire other service providers to
replace or supplement the Proxy Service with respect to any of the services the Investment Adviser
currently receives from the Proxy Service.
The
Investment Adviser has implemented procedures designed to prevent conflicts of
interest from influencing its proxy voting decisions. These procedures include the
Investment Advisers
use of the Guidelines and recommendations and the override process, and the establishment of information barriers between the
Investment Adviser and other businesses within The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
Fixed Income and Private Investments
.
Voting decisions with respect to fixed income securities
and the securities of privately held issuers generally will be made by a series managers based on
their assessment of the particular transactions or other matters at issue.
Information regarding how the Trusts series voted proxies relating to portfolio securities
during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on or through the series website
at http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com and on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
PAYMENTS TO INTERMEDIARIES
The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may make payments to Authorized
Dealers, Service Organizations and other financial intermediaries (Intermediaries) from time to
time to promote the sale, distribution and/or servicing of shares of the Series. These payments
(Additional Payments) are made out of the Investment Advisers, Distributors and/or their
affiliates own assets, and are not an additional charge to the Series or their shareholders. The
Additional Payments are in addition to the distribution and service fees paid by the Series
described in the Series Prospectuses and this SAI.
These Additional Payments are intended to compensate Intermediaries for, among other things:
marketing shares of the Series, which may consist of payments relating to Series included on
preferred or recommended fund lists or in certain sales programs from time to time sponsored by the
Intermediaries; access to the Intermediaries registered representatives or salespersons, including
at conferences and other meetings; assistance in training and education of personnel; finders or
referral fees for directing investors to the Series; marketing support fees for providing
assistance in promoting the sale of Series shares (which may include promotions in communications
with the Intermediaries customers, registered representatives and salespersons); and/or other
specified services intended to assist in the distribution and marketing of the Series. In addition,
the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may make Additional Payments (including
through sub-transfer agency and networking agreements) for sub-accounting, administrative and/or
shareholder processing services that are in addition to the transfer agent, shareholder
administration, servicing
B-71
and processing fees paid by the Series. These payments may not exceed amounts earned on these
assets by the Investment Adviser, Distributor, and/or their affiliates for the performance of these
or similar services. The Additional Payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and their
affiliates may be a fixed dollar amount; may be based on the number of customer accounts maintained
by an Intermediary; may be based on a percentage of the value of shares sold to, or held by,
customers of the Intermediary involved; or may be calculated on another basis. Furthermore, the
Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may, to the extent permitted by applicable
regulations, contribute to various non-cash and cash incentive arrangements to promote the sale of
shares, as well as sponsor various educational programs, sales contests and/or promotions. The
Investment Adviser, Distributor and their affiliates may also pay for the travel expenses, meals,
lodging and entertainment of Intermediaries and their salespersons and guests in connection with
educational, sales and promotional programs subject to applicable FINRA regulations. The amount of
these Additional Payments (excluding payments made through sub-transfer agency and networking
agreements) is normally not expected to exceed 0.50% (annualized) of the amount sold or invested
through the Intermediaries. The Additional Payments are negotiated based on a range of factors,
including but not limited to, ability to attract and retain assets (including particular classes of
Series shares), target markets, customer relationships, quality of service and industry
reputation. In addition, certain Intermediaries may have access to certain research and investment
services from the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates. In certain cases, the
Intermediary may not pay for these products or services. Such research and investment services
(Additional Services) may include research reports, economic analysis, portfolio analysis tools,
business planning services, certain marketing and investor education materials and strategic asset
allocation modeling.
The Additional Payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates
may be different for different Intermediaries and may vary with respect to the type of fund (e.g.,
equity, fund, fixed income fund, specialty fund, asset allocation portfolio or money market fund)
sold by the Intermediary. In addition, the Additional Payment arrangements may include breakpoints
in compensation which provide that the percentage rate of compensation varies as the dollar value
of the amount sold or invested through an Intermediary increases. The presence of these Additional
Payments, the varying fee structure and the basis on which an Intermediary compensates its
registered representatives or salespersons may create an incentive for a particular Intermediary,
registered representative or salesperson to highlight, feature or recommend a Series based, at
least in part, on the level of compensation paid. Shareholders should contact their Authorized
Dealer or other Intermediary for more information about the payments they receive and any potential
conflicts of interest.
For the fiscal period January 1, 2009 through August 31, 2009, the Investment Adviser,
Distributor and their affiliates made Additional Payments out of their own assets to approximately
118 Intermediaries. During the fiscal period January 1, 2009 through August 31, 2009, the
Investment Adviser, Distributor and their affiliates paid to Intermediaries approximately $74.2
million in Additional Payments (including payments made through sub-transfer agency and networking
agreements) with respect to all of the funds of the Trust (including the Series included in this
SAI).
Shareholders should contact their Authorized Dealer or other Intermediary for more information
about the Additional Payments or Additional Services they receive and any potential conflicts of
interest. For additional questions, please contact Goldman Sachs Funds at 1-800-621-2550.
OTHER INFORMATION
Selective Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
The Board of Trustees of the Trust and the Investment Adviser have adopted a policy on
selective disclosure of portfolio holdings in accordance with regulations that seek to ensure that
disclosure of information about portfolio securities is in the best interest of Series shareholders
and to address the conflicts between the interests of Series shareholders and its service
providers. The policy provides that neither a Series nor its Investment Adviser, Distributor or any
agent, or any employee thereof (Series Representative) will disclose a Series portfolio holdings
information to any person other than in accordance with the policy. For purposes of the policy,
portfolio holdings information means a Series actual portfolio holdings, as well as nonpublic
information about its trading strategies or pending transactions. Under the policy, neither a
Series nor any Series Representative may solicit or accept any compensation or other consideration
in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information. A Series Representative may
provide portfolio holdings information to third parties if such information has been included in a
Series public filings with the SEC or is disclosed on the Series publicly accessible website.
Information posted on the Series website may be separately provided to any person commencing the
day after it is first published on the Series website.
Portfolio holdings information that is not filed with the SEC or posted on the publicly
available website may be provided to third parties only if the third party recipients are required
to keep all portfolio holdings information confidential and are prohibited from
B-72
trading on the information they receive. Disclosure to such third parties must be approved in
advance by the Investment Advisers legal or compliance department. Disclosure to providers of
auditing, custody, proxy voting and other similar services for the Series, as well as rating and
ranking organizations, will generally be permitted; however, information may be disclosed to other
third parties (including, without limitation, individuals, institutional investors, and
intermediaries that sell shares of the Series,) only upon approval by the Series Chief Compliance
Officer, who must first determine that the Series has a legitimate business purpose for doing so
and check with the Series Transfer Agent to ascertain whether the third party has been identified
as an excessive trader. In general, each recipient of non-public portfolio holdings information
must sign a confidentiality and non-trading agreement, although this requirement will not apply
when the recipient is otherwise subject to a duty of confidentiality. In accordance with the
policy, the identity of those recipients who receive non-public portfolio holdings information on
an ongoing basis is as follows: the Investment Adviser and its affiliates; the Series independent
registered public accounting firm; the Series custodian; the Series legal counsel, Dechert LLP;
the Series financial printer, Bowne and the Series proxy voting service, ISS. These entities are
obligated to keep such information confidential. Third party providers of custodial or accounting
services to the Series may release non-public portfolio holdings information of the Series only
with the permission of Series Representatives. From time to time portfolio holdings information may
be provided to broker-dealers solely in connection with a Series seeking portfolio securities
trading suggestions. In providing this information reasonable precautions, including limitations on
the scope of the portfolio holdings information disclosed, are taken to avoid any potential misuse
of the disclosed information. All marketing materials prepared by the Trusts principal underwriter
are reviewed by Goldman Sachs Compliance department for consistency with the Trusts portfolio
holdings disclosure policy.
Each
Series publishes its complete portfolio holdings as of the end of each month subject to a fifteen
calendar-day lag between the date of the information and the date on which the information is
disclosed. Each Series also publishes its holdings on a weekly basis, with no lag required between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed. A Series may publish on the website complete portfolio holdings information more
frequently if it has a legitimate business purpose for doing so. In addition, certain portfolio
statistics (other than portfolio holdings information) are available on a daily basis by calling 1-800-621-2550.
Under the policy, Series Representatives will initially supply the Board of the Trustees with
a list of third parties who receive portfolio holdings information pursuant to any ongoing
arrangement. In addition, the Board is to receive information, on a quarterly basis, regarding any
other disclosures of non-public portfolio holdings information that were permitted during the
preceding quarter. In addition, the Board of Trustees is to approve at its meetings a list of
Series Representatives who are authorized to disclose portfolio holdings information under the
policy. As of May 14, 2010, only certain officers of the Trust as well as certain senior members of
the compliance and legal groups of the Investment Adviser have been approved by the Board of
Trustees to authorize disclosure of portfolio holdings information.
Miscellaneous
As stated in the Prospectuses, the Trust may authorize service organizations and other
institutions that provide recordkeeping, reporting and processing services to their customers to
accept on the Trusts behalf purchase, redemption and exchange orders placed by or on behalf of
their customers and, if approved by the Trust, to designate other intermediaries to accept such
orders. These institutions may receive payments from the Trust or Goldman Sachs for their services.
In some, but not all, cases these payments will be pursuant to a Premier Administration,
Distribution and Service Plan described in the Prospectuses and the following sections. Certain
Service organizations or institutions may enter into sub-transfer agency agreements with the Trust
or Goldman Sachs with respect to their services.
In the interest of economy and convenience, the Trust does not issue certificates representing
interests in the Series or shares. Instead, the transfer agent maintains a record of each
shareholders ownership. Each shareholder receives confirmation of purchase and redemption orders
from the transfer agent. Shares representing interests in a particular Series and any dividends and
distributions paid by a Series are reflected in account statements from the transfer agent.
The Prospectuses and this SAI do not contain all the information included in the Registration
Statement filed with the SEC under the 1933 Act with respect to the securities offered by the
Prospectuses. Certain portions of the Registration Statement have been omitted from the
Prospectuses and this SAI pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Registration
Statement including the exhibits filed therewith may be examined at the office of the SEC in
Washington, D.C. Statements contained in the Prospectuses or in this SAI as to the contents of any
contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance,
reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which the Prospectuses and this SAI form a part, each such statement
being qualified in all respects by such reference.
B-73
Line of Credit
The Series participate in a $660,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit
facility (the facility) together with other funds of the Trust and registered investment
companies having management or investment advisory agreements with GSAM or its affiliates. Pursuant
to the terms of this facility, the Funds and other borrowers may increase the credit amount by an
additional $340,000,000, for a total of up to $1 billion. Under the most restrictive arrangement, the Funds must own securities having a market value in excess of 300% of each Funds total bank borrowings. This facility is to be used for temporary
emergency purposes or to allow for an orderly liquidation of securities to meet redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate. The
facility also requires a fee to be paid by the Series based on the amount of the commitment that
has not been utilized. During the fiscal period January 1, 2009 through August 31, 2009, the Series
did not have any borrowings under the facility.
Large Trade Notifications
The Transfer Agent may from time to time receive notice that an Authorized Dealer or other
financial intermediary has received an order for a large trade in a Series shares. The Series may
determine to enter into portfolio transactions in anticipation of that order, even though the order
will not be processed until the following business day. This practice provides for a closer
correlation between the time shareholders place trade orders and the time a Series enters into
portfolio transactions based on those orders, and permits the Series to be more fully invested in
investment securities, in the case of purchase orders, and to more orderly liquidate their
investment positions, in the case of redemption orders. On the other hand, the Authorized Dealer
or other financial intermediary may not ultimately process the order. In this case, the Series may
be required to borrow assets to settle the portfolio transactions entered into in anticipation of
that order, and would therefore incur borrowing costs. The Series may also suffer investment
losses on those portfolio transactions. Conversely, the Series would benefit from any earnings and
investment gains resulting from such portfolio transactions.
Corporate Actions
From time to time, the issuer of a security held in a Series portfolio may initiate a
corporate action relating to that security. Corporate actions relating to equity securities may
include, among others, an offer to purchase new shares, or to tender existing shares, of that
security at a certain price. Corporate actions relating to debt securities may include, among
others, an offer for early redemption of the debt security, or an offer to convert the debt
security into stock. Certain corporate actions are voluntary, meaning that a Series may only
participate in the corporate action if it elects to do so in a timely fashion. Participation in
certain corporate actions may enhance the value of a Series investment portfolio.
In cases where a Series or its Investment Adviser receives sufficient advance notice of a
voluntary corporate action, the Investment Adviser will exercise its discretion, in good faith, to
determine whether a Series will participate in that corporate action. If a Series or its Investment
Adviser does not receive sufficient advance notice of a voluntary corporate action, the Series may
not be able to timely elect to participate in that corporate action. Participation or lack of
participation in a voluntary corporate action may result in a negative impact on the value of a
Series investment portfolio.
B-74
SERVICE
PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER ADMINISTRATION PLAN
(FST Service Shares Only)
The Trust has adopted a service plan and a separate shareholder administration plan on behalf
of each Fund with respect to the FST Service Shares (the
Service Shares Plans). The Service Shares Plans authorize the Series
to compensate service organizations for providing certain personal and account maintenance services
and shareholder administration services to their customers who are or may become beneficial owners
of such shares. Pursuant to the Service Shares Plans, the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, enters into agreements
with service organizations which purchase FST Service Shares on behalf of
their customers (Service Agreements). Under such Service Agreements, the service organizations
may perform some or all of the following services:
(i) Personal and account maintenance services, including: (a) providing facilities to answer
inquiries and respond to correspondence with customers and other investors about the status of
their accounts or about other aspects of the Trust or the applicable Series; (b) acting as
liaison between the service organizations customers and the Trust, including obtaining
information from the Trust and assisting the Trust in correcting errors and resolving problems;
(c) providing such statistical and other information as may be reasonably requested by the Trust
or necessary for the Trust to comply with applicable federal or state law; (d) responding to
investor requests for prospectuses; (e) displaying and making prospectuses available on the
service organizations premises; and (f) assisting customers in completing application forms,
selecting dividend and other account options and opening custody accounts with the service
organization.
(ii) Shareholder administration services, including: (a) acting or arranging for another party
to act, as recordholder and nominee of the FST Service Shares beneficially owned by the service
organizations customers; (b) establishing and maintaining, or assist in establishing and
maintaining, individual accounts and records of customers who beneficially own FST Service
Shares; (c) processing, or assist in processing, confirmations concerning customer orders to
purchase, redeem and exchange FST Service Shares; (d) receiving and transmitting, or assist in
receiving and transmitting, funds representing the purchase price or redemption proceeds of such
FST Service Shares; (e) processing dividend payments on behalf of customers; (f) facilitating
the inclusion of
B-75
Series in accounts, products or services offered to customers by or through Service
Organizations; and (g) performing other related services which do not constitute any activity
which is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares within the meaning of Rule 12b-1
under the Act or personal and account maintenance services within the meaning of applicable
FINRA rules, or any successor rules thereto.
As compensation for such services,
the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, pays each service
organization a service fee in an amount up to 0.25% (on an annualized basis) and a shareholder
administration fee in an amount up to 0.25% (on an annualized basis) of the average daily net
assets of the FST Service Shares of each Fund attributable to or held in the name of such service
organization for its customers. The Trust, on behalf of the Series, accrues payments made to a
service organization pursuant to a Service Agreement daily. All inquiries of beneficial owners of
FST Service Shares should be directed to the owners service organization.
For the fiscal period January 1, 2009 through August 31, 2009 and fiscal years ended December
31, 2008, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the amount of fees paid by each Fund to service
organizations pursuant to the Service Shares Plans was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Prime Obligations Fund
|
|
$
|
3,646,294
|
|
|
$
|
8,706,699
|
|
|
$
|
8,862,287
|
|
|
$
|
7,268,264
|
|
Money Market Fund
|
|
|
1,682,402
|
|
|
|
3,479,555
|
|
|
|
3,011,367
|
|
|
|
1,991,896
|
|
Treasury Obligations Fund
|
|
|
3,827,824
|
|
|
|
7,716,984
|
|
|
|
7,858,785
|
|
|
|
5,886,417
|
|
Treasury Instruments Fund
|
|
|
1,421,641
|
|
|
|
3,313,127
|
|
|
|
1,472,666
|
|
|
|
928,657
|
|
Government Fund
|
|
|
2,156,637
|
|
|
|
2,452,494
|
|
|
|
2,100,579
|
|
|
|
1,637,761
|
|
Federal Fund
|
|
|
3,738,668
|
|
|
|
5,280,366
|
|
|
|
3,514,344
|
|
|
|
2,860,000
|
|
Tax-Free Fund
|
|
|
543,040
|
|
|
|
1,580,164
|
|
|
|
1,224,406
|
|
|
|
756,172
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Each Series changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to August 31. Accordingly,
the figures in this table reflect amounts for the 8-month period ended August 31, 2009 and
fiscal years ended December 31, 2008, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006.
|
For the fiscal period January 1, 2009 through August 31, 2009 and fiscal years ended December
31, 2008, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, Goldman Sachs agreed voluntarily to waive a
portion of the service fees to which it was entitled pursuant to the Service Shares Plans. Had such
fees been imposed, the following additional fees would have been incurred by these Series for the
periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
2009
*
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Prime Obligations Fund
|
|
$
|
719,769
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Money Market Fund
|
|
|
289,499
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Obligations Fund
|
|
|
2,192,457
|
|
|
|
582,369
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Instruments Fund
|
|
|
987,124
|
|
|
|
115,405
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government Fund
|
|
|
484,338
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal Fund
|
|
|
1,370,392
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax-Free Fund
|
|
|
111,224
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Each Series changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to August 31. Accordingly,
the figures in this table reflect amounts for the 8-month period ended August 31, 2009 and
fiscal years ended December 31, 2008, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006.
|
|
*
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During the fiscal period January 1, 2009 through August 31, 2009, Goldman Sachs
voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the service and shareholder administration fees
attributable to the FST Service Shares of the each Fund, and the effective service and
shareholder administration fees during this fiscal period for the Prime Obligations, Money
Market, Treasury Obligations, Treasury Instruments, Federal, Government and Tax-Free Funds
were 0.40%, 0.41%, 0.21%, 0.15%, 0.32%, 0.39% and 0.40%, respectively. Goldman Sachs
anticipates that these waivers will be temporary, and it may modify or terminate these waivers
at any time.
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The
Trust has adopted the Service Plan (but not the Shareholder Administration Plan) pursuant
to Rule 12b-1 under the Act in order to avoid any possibility that payments to the service
organizations pursuant to the Service Agreements might violate the Act. Rule 12b-1, which was
adopted by the SEC under the Act, regulates the circumstances under which an investment company
such as the Trust may bear expenses associated with the distribution of its securities. In
particular, such an investment company cannot engage
B-76
directly or indirectly in financing any activity which is primarily intended to result in the
sale of securities issued by the company unless it has adopted a plan pursuant to, and complies
with the other requirements of, such Rule. The Trust believes that fees paid for the services
provided in the Service Plan and described above are not expenses incurred primarily for effecting
the distribution of FST Service Shares. However, should such payments be deemed by a court or the
SEC to be distribution expenses, such payments would be duly
authorized by the Service Plan.
Conflict of interest restrictions (including ERISA) may apply to a service organizations
receipt of compensation paid by the Trust in connection with the investment of fiduciary funds in
FST Service Shares. Service organizations, including banks regulated by the Comptroller of the
Currency, the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and investment
advisers and other money managers subject to the jurisdiction of the SEC, the Department of Labor
or State Securities Commissions, are urged to consult legal advisers before investing fiduciary
assets in FST Service Shares. In addition, under some state securities laws, banks and other
financial institutions purchasing FST Service Shares on behalf of their customers may be required
to register as dealers.
The Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees, most recently
voted to approve the Service Shares Plans and Service Agreements at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
such Service Shares Plans and Service Agreements on June 17,
2009. The Service Shares Plans and related Service Agreements will
remain in effect until June 30, 2010. The Service Shares Plans and related Service Agreements will continue in
effect thereafter only if such continuance is specifically approved annually by a vote of the
Trustees in the manner described above.
A Service Plan may not be amended (but a Shareholder Administration Plan may be amended)
to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services described therein without approval
of the FST Service Shareholders of the affected Series, and all material amendments of a Plan must
also be approved by the Trustees in the manner described above. A Service Plan may be terminated
at any time by a majority of the Board of Trustees as described above or by vote of a majority of
the outstanding FST Resource Shares or FST Service Shares of the affected Series. The Service Agreements may be terminated
at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees as
described above or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding FST Resource Shares or FST Service Shares of the affected
Series on not more than sixty (60) days written notice to any other party to the Service
Agreements. The Service Agreements shall terminate automatically if assigned. So long as the Plans
are in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons shall
be determined by the discretion of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust. The Trustees have
determined that, in their judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit
the Series and holders of FST Service Shares of such Series.
SERVICE PLAN AND ADMINISTRATION PLAN
(FST Premier Shares Only)
The Trust has adopted a
service plan and administration plan on behalf of each Fund with
respect to the FST Premier Shares (as used in this section, the Plans). The Plans authorize the Series to compensate
service organizations for providing certain personal and account maintenance services and
administration services to their customers who are or may become beneficial owners of such
shares. Pursuant to the Plans, the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, enters into agreements with
service organizations which purchase FST Premier Shares on behalf of their customers (Service
Agreements). Under such Service Agreements, the service organizations may perform some or
all of the following services:
(i) Personal and account maintenance services, including: (a) providing facilities to answer inquiries and respond to correspondence with customers and other investors about the status
of their accounts or about other aspects of the Trust or the applicable Series; (b) acting as
liaison between the service organizations customers and the Trust, including obtaining
information from the Trust and assisting the Trust in correcting errors and resolving
problems; (c) providing such statistical and other information as may be reasonably requested
by the Trust or necessary for the Trust to comply with applicable federal or state law; (d)
responding to investor requests for prospectuses; (e) displaying and making prospectuses
available on the service organizations premises; and (f) assisting customers in completing
application forms, selecting dividend and other account options and opening custody
accounts with the service organization.
(ii) administration services, including: (a) acting or arranging for another party to act, as
recordholder and nominee of all FST Premier Shares beneficially owned by customers;
(b) establishing and maintaining individual accounts and records with respect to FST Premier
Shares owned by each customer; (c) processing and issuing confirmations concerning
customer orders to purchase, redeem and exchange FST Premier Shares; (d) receiving and
transmitting funds representing the purchase price or redemption proceeds of FST Premier
Shares; (e) providing services to customers intended to facilitate or improve their understanding
of the benefits and risks of a Fund; (f) facilitating the inclusion of a Fund in investment,
retirement, asset allocation, cash management or sweep accounts or similar products or services
offered to customers by or through service organizations; (g) facilitating electronic or computer
trading and/or processing in a Fund or providing electronic, computer or other database
information regarding a Fund to customers; (h) developing, maintaining and supporting systems
necessary to support accounts for FST Premier Shares; and (i) performing any other services
which do not constitute personal and account maintenance
services within the meaning of
applicable FINRA Rules.
As compensation for such services, the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, pays each service
organization a service fee in an amount up to 0.10% (on an annualized basis) and an
administration fee in an amount up to 0.25% (on an annualized basis) of the average daily net
assets of the FST Premier Shares of each Fund attributable to or held in the name of such service
organization for its customers. The Trust, on behalf of the Series, accrues payments made to a
service organization pursuant to a Service Agreement daily. All inquiries of beneficial owners of
FST Premier Shares should be directed to the owners service organization.
Because the FST Premier Shares have not commenced operations, the Funds have not paid
any fees to service organizations under the Plans.
Conflict of interest restrictions (including ERISA) may apply to a service organizations
receipt of compensation paid by the Trust in connection with the investment of fiduciary funds in
FST Premier Shares. Service organizations, including banks regulated by the Comptroller of the
Currency, the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and
investment advisers and other money managers subject to the jurisdiction of the SEC, the
Department of Labor or State Securities Commissions, are urged to consult legal advisers before
investing fiduciary assets in FST Premier Shares. In addition, under some state securities laws,
banks and other financial institutions purchasing FST Premier Shares on behalf of their
customers may be required to register as dealers.
The Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees, voted to
approve the Plans and Service Agreements at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
Plans and Service Agreements on February 11, 2010. The Plans and related Service Agreements
will remain in effect until June 30, 2010. The Plans and related Service Agreements will
continue in effect thereafter only if such continuance is specifically approved annually by a vote
of the Trustees in the manner described above.
Each Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of compensation payable
for services and expenses described therein, and other material amendments to each Plan shall
not be made, unless approved by the Trustees in the manner described above. Each Plan may be
terminated at any time by a majority of the Board of Trustees as described above or by vote of a
majority of the outstanding FST Premier Shares of the affected Series. The Service Agreements
may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the
Board of Trustees as described above or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding FST Premier
Shares of the affected Series on not more than sixty (60) days written notice to any other party
to the Service Agreements. The Service Agreements shall terminate automatically if assigned. So
long as the Plans are in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not
interested persons shall be determined by the discretion of the non-interested Trustees of the
Trust. The Trustees have determined that, in their judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that
the Plans will benefit the Series and holders of FST Premier Shares of such Series.
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS
FST Class B and Class C Distribution and Service Plans.
As described in the Prospectus, the
Trust has adopted distribution and service plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act with respect
to FST Class B and Class C Shares on behalf of the Prime Obligations Fund (the Distribution and
Service Plans). See Shareholder Guide Distribution
and Service Fees and Services, and Personal Account
Maintenance Services and Fees for FST Class B and FST
Class C Shares in the Prospectus. The
Distribution and Service Plans finance distribution and other services that are provided to
investors in the Series and enable the Series to offer investors the choice of investing in either
Class B (subject to the limitations described herein) or Class C Shares when investing in the
Series. In addition, the Distribution and Service Plans are intended to assist the Series in
reaching and maintaining asset levels that are efficient for the Series operations and
investments.
The Distribution and Service Plans were
approved on February 11, 2010 by a majority vote of
the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees, cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of approving the Distribution and
Service Plans on behalf of the Prime Obligations Fund.
The compensation for distribution services payable under the Distribution and Service Plans to
Goldman Sachs may not exceed 0.75% per annum of the average daily net assets attributable to FST
Class B or Class C Shares of the Prime Obligations Fund. In connection with the
sale of Class C Shares, Goldman Sachs normally begins paying the 0.75% distribution fee as an
ongoing commission to Authorized Dealers after the shares have been held for one year.
Under the Distribution and Service Plans for FST Class B and Class C Shares, Goldman Sachs is
also entitled to receive a separate fee for personal and account maintenance services equal to an
annual basis of 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to FST Class B or Class C Shares
of the Prime Obligations Fund. This fee is for personal and account maintenance services, and may be used to make
payments to Goldman Sachs, Authorized Dealers and their officers, sales representatives and
employees for responding to inquiries of, and furnishing assistance to, shareholders regarding
ownership of their shares of their accounts or similar services not otherwise provided on behalf of
the Prime Obligations Fund. In connection with the sales of Class C Shares, Goldman Sachs normally begins paying
the 0.25% ongoing service fee to Authorized Dealers after the shares have been held for one year.
B-77
The Distribution and Service Plans are compensation plans which provide for the payment of a
specified fee without regard to the expenses actually incurred by Goldman Sachs. The distribution
fees received by Goldman Sachs under the Distribution and Service Plans and CDSC on FST Class B
Shares may be sold by Goldman Sachs as distributor to entities which provide financing for payments
to Authorized Dealers in respect of sales of FST Class B Shares. Goldman Sachs may also pay up to
the entire amount of its fee under the Class C Distribution and Service Plan to service
organizations or other institutions for providing services in connection with the sale of Class C
Shares. To the extent such fees are not paid to such dealers, Goldman Sachs may retain such fee as
compensation for its services and expenses of distributing FST Class B Shares and Class C Shares.
If such fees exceed Goldman Sachs expenses, Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from these
arrangements.
The Distribution and Service Plans will remain in effect until June 30, 2010 and from year to
year thereafter, provided such continuance is approved annually by a majority vote of the Trustees
of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees who have no direct or indirect
financial interest in the Distribution and Service Plans. The Distribution and Service Plans may
not be amended to increase materially the amount of distribution compensation described therein as
to the Prime Obligations Fund without approval of a majority of the outstanding Class B or Class C
Shareholders, as applicable, of the Prime Obligations Fund, but may be amended without shareholder
approval to increase the amount of non-distribution compensation. All material amendments to the
Distribution and Service Plans must also be approved by the Trustees of the Trust in the manner
described above. The Distribution and Service Plans may be terminated at any time without payment
of any penalty by a vote of the majority of the non-interested Trustees or by vote of a majority of
the Class B or Class C Shares, as applicable, of the Prime Obligations Fund. If the Distribution
and Service Plans were terminated by the Trusts Board of Trustees and no successor plan were
adopted, the Prime Obligations Fund would cease to make distribution payments to Goldman Sachs and
Goldman Sachs would be unable to recover the amount of any of its unreimbursed distribution
expenditures. So long as the Distribution and Service Plans are in effect, the selection and
nomination of non-interested Trustees will be committed to the discretion of the non-interested
Trustees of the Trust. The Trustees have determined that in their judgment there is a reasonable
likelihood that the Distribution and Service Plans will benefit the Prime Obligations Fund and
Class B and Class C shareholders.
Because
the FST Class B and C Shares of the Prime Obligations Fund have
not commenced operations, the Fund has not paid
any fees to service organizations under the Distribution and Service Plans.
FST
Cash Management Shares and FST Resource Shares Distribution Plans and Service Plans
. As described in the Prospectus, the
Trust has adopted distribution plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act with respect to FST Cash
Management Shares and FST Resource Shares on behalf of each Fund (the
Distribution Plans). The Trust has
also adopted separate service plans with respect to FST Cash
Management Shares and FST Resource Shares on behalf of each
Fund (the Service Plans and together with the
Distribution Plans,
the Plans).
The
Plans were approved on February 11, 2010 on behalf of each Fund by a
majority vote of the Trusts Board of Trustees, including a majority of the non-interested
Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of approving the
Plans. The Plans will remain in effect until June 30, 2010 and from year to year
thereafter, provided such continuance is approved annually by a majority vote of the Board of
Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested
Trustees. Neither of the Distribution Plans may be
amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services described therein as to a
particular Series without approval of a majority of the outstanding FST Cash Management
Shareholders or FST Resource Shareholders (as applicable) of that Fund. All material amendments to the Plans must be
approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust in the manner described above. The
Plans may be terminated at any time without payment of any penalty by a vote of the majority of the
non-interested Trustees or by vote of a majority of the FST Cash Management Shares or FST
Resource Shares (as applicable) of the
applicable Fund. So long as the Plans are in effect, the selection and nomination
of non-interested Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of the non-interested Trustees of
the Trust. The Trustees have determined that in their judgment there is a reasonable likelihood
that the Plans will benefit each Fund and its applicable class of Shareholders.
The compensation payable under the Cash Management Shares Distribution Plan may not exceed 0.30% per
annum of the average daily net assets attributable to FST Cash Management Shares of the Funds.
The compensation payable under the FST Resource Shares Distribution
Plan may not exceed 0.15% per annum of the average daily net assets
attributable to FST Resource Shares of the Funds.
Goldman Sachs may pay up to the entire amount of its fee under the
Distribution Plans to service organizations or other institutions for providing services in
connection with the sale of FST Cash Management Shares or FST
Resource Shares (as applicable). To the extent such fees are not paid to
such dealers, Goldman Sachs may retain such fee as compensation for its services and expenses of
distributing FST Cash Management Shares or FST
Resource Shares (as applicable). If such fee exceeds its expenses, Goldman Sachs may
realize a profit from these arrangements.
B-78
Each Distribution Plan is a compensation plan which provides for the payment of
specified distribution fees without regard to the distribution expenses actually incurred by
Goldman Sachs. If each Distribution Plan was terminated by the Trusts Board of
Trustees and no successor plan was adopted, the Funds would cease to make distribution payments to
Goldman Sachs and Goldman Sachs would be unable to recover the amount of any of its unreimbursed
distribution expenditures.
Pursuant
to the Service Plans, the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, enters into
agreements with service organizations which purchase FST Cash Management Shares or FST Resource Shares on behalf of their
customers (Service Agreements). Under such Service Agreements, the service organizations
may perform some or all of the following services:
(i)
Administration services, including:
(a) acting, or arranging for another party to act, as
recordholder and nominee of all FST Cash Management Shares or FST Resource Shares
beneficially owned by customers; (b) establishing and maintaining individual accounts and
records with respect to FST Cash Management Shares or FST Resource Shares owned by
customers; (c) processing and issuing confirmations concerning customer orders to purchase,
redeem and exchange FST Cash Management Shares or FST Resource Shares; (d) receiving and
transmitting funds representing the purchase price or redemption proceeds of such FST Cash
Management Shares or FST Resource Shares; (e) providing services to customers intended to
facilitate or improve their understanding of the benefits and risks of a Fund; (f) facilitating the
inclusion of a Fund in investment, retirement, asset allocation, cash management or sweep
accounts or similar products or services offered to customers by or through service
organizations; (g) facilitating electronic or computer trading and/or processing in a Fund or
providing electronic, computer or other database information regarding a Fund to customers;
(h) developing, maintaining and supporting systems necessary to support accounts for FST Cash
Management Shares or FST Resource Shares; and (i) performing any other services which do
not constitute personal and account maintenance services within the meaning of applicable
FINRA Rules.
(ii)
Personal and account maintenance services,
including: (a) providing facilities to answer
inquiries and respond to correspondence with customers and other investors about the status of
their accounts or about other aspects of the Trust or the applicable Fund; (b) acting as liaison
between customers and the Trust, including obtaining information from the Trust and assisting
the Trust in correcting errors and resolving problems; (c) providing such statistical and other
information as may be reasonably requested by the Trust or necessary for the Trust to comply
with applicable federal or state law; (d) responding to investor requests for prospectuses;
(e) displaying and making prospectuses available on the service organizations premises; and
(f) assisting customers in completing application forms, selecting dividend and other account
options and opening custody accounts with the service organization.
As
compensation for such services under each Service Plan, the Trust on behalf of each Fund pays each service
organization a service fee in an amount up to 0.50% (on an annual basis) of the average daily net
assets of the FST Cash Management Shares or FST Resource Shares of each Fund attributable to or held in the name of such
service organization for its customers; provided, however, that the fee paid for personal and
account maintenance services shall not exceed 0.25% of such average daily net assets. The Trust, on
behalf of a Fund, accrues payments made to a service organization pursuant to a Service Agreement
daily. The Service Agreements shall terminate automatically if assigned. All inquiries of
beneficial owners of FST Cash Management Shares or FST Resource Shares should be directed to the owners service
organization.
Because the FST Cash Management Shares
and FST Resource Shares have not commenced operations, the Funds have not paid
any distribution or service fees to Goldman Sachs or service organizations under the Plans.
Conflict of interest restrictions (including ERISA) may apply to a service organizations
receipt of compensation paid by the Trust in connection with the investment of fiduciary funds in
FST Cash Management Shares or FST Resource Shares. Service organizations, including banks regulated by the Comptroller of
the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and
investment advisers and other money managers subject to the jurisdiction of the SEC, the Department
of Labor or State Securities Commissions, are urged to consult legal advisers before investing
fiduciary assets in FST Cash Management Shares or FST Resource Shares. In addition, under some state securities laws,
banks and other financial institutions purchasing FST Cash Management
Shares or FST Resource Shares on behalf of their
customers may be required to register as dealers.
B-79
APPENDIX A: DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS
Short-Term Credit Ratings
A Standard & Poors short-term issue credit rating is a current opinion of the
creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation having an original
maturity of no more than 365 days. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Standard
& Poors for short-term issues:
A-1 A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by Standard &
Poors. The obligors 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
obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
A-2 A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating
categories. However, the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is
satisfactory.
A-3 A short-term obligation rated A-3 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.
B A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as having significant speculative
characteristics. Ratings of B-1, B-2, and B-3 may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions
within the B category. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on
the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligors
inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B-1 A short-term obligation rated B-1 is regarded as having significant speculative
characteristics, but the obligor has a relatively stronger capacity to meet its financial
commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
B-2 A short-term obligation rated B-2 is regarded as having significant speculative
characteristics, and the obligor has an average speculative-grade capacity to meet its financial
commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
B-3 A short-term obligation rated B-3 is regarded as having significant speculative
characteristics, and the obligor has a relatively weaker capacity to meet its financial commitments
over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
C A short-term obligation rated C 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.
D A short-term 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 even if the applicable grace period has
not expired, unless Standard & Poors believes that such payments will be made during such grace
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.
Local Currency and Foreign Currency Risks Country risk considerations are a standard part of
Standard & Poors analysis for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a
key factor in this analysis. An obligors capacity to repay foreign currency obligations may be
lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to the sovereign
governments 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.
Moodys 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.
Moodys employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated
issuers:
1-A
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.
Fitch, Inc. / Fitch Ratings Ltd. (Fitch) short-term ratings scale applies to foreign
currency and local currency ratings. A short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 13 months
for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance, in line with industry
standards, to reflect unique risk characteristics of bond, tax, and revenue anticipation notes that
are commonly issued with terms up to three years. Short-term ratings thus place greater emphasis on
the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner. The following summarizes
the rating categories used by Fitch for short-term obligations:
F1 Securities possess the highest credit quality. This designation indicates the strongest
capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added + to denote any
exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2 Securities possess good credit quality. This designation indicates a satisfactory
capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as
in the case of the higher ratings.
F3 Securities possess fair credit quality. This designation indicates that the capacity
for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near term adverse changes could
result in a reduction to non investment grade.
B Securities possess speculative credit quality. This designation indicates minimal
capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near term adverse
changes in financial and economic conditions.
C Securities possess high default risk. Default is a real possibility. This designation
indicates a capacity for meeting financial commitments which is solely reliant upon a sustained,
favorable business and economic environment.
D Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations.
NR This designation indicates that Fitch does not publicly rate the associated issuer or
issue.
WD This designation indicates that the rating has been withdrawn and is no longer
maintained by Fitch.
The following summarizes the ratings used by Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited (DBRS) for
commercial paper and short-term debt:
R-1 (high) Short-term debt rated R-1 (high) is of the highest credit quality, and
indicates an entity possessing unquestioned ability to repay current liabilities as they fall due.
Entities rated in this category normally maintain strong liquidity positions, conservative debt
levels, and profitability that is both stable and above average. Companies achieving an R-1
(high) rating are normally leaders in structurally sound industry segments with proven track
records, sustainable positive future results, and no substantial qualifying negative factors. Given
the extremely tough definition DBRS has established for an R-1 (high), few entities are strong
enough to achieve this rating.
R-1 (middle) Short-term debt rated R-1 (middle) is of superior credit quality and, in
most cases, ratings in this category differ from R-1 (high) credits by only a small degree. Given
the extremely tough definition DBRS has established for the R-1 (high) category, entities rated
R-1 (middle) are also considered strong credits, and typically exemplify above average strength
in key areas of consideration for the timely repayment of short-term liabilities.
R-1 (low) Short-term debt rated R-1 (low) is of satisfactory credit quality. The overall
strength and outlook for key liquidity, debt and profitability ratios are not normally as favorable
as with higher rating categories, but these considerations are still respectable. Any qualifying
negative factors that exist are considered manageable, and the entity is normally of sufficient
size to have some influence in its industry.
2-A
R-2 (high) Short-term debt rated R-2 (high) is considered to be at the upper end of
adequate credit quality. The ability to repay obligations as they mature remains acceptable,
although the overall strength and outlook for key liquidity, debt, and profitability ratios is not
as strong as credits rated in the R-1 (low) category. Relative to the latter category, other
shortcomings often include areas such as stability, financial flexibility, and the relative size
and market position of the entity within its industry.
R-2 (middle) Short-term debt rated R-2 (middle) is considered to be of adequate credit
quality. Relative to the R-2 (high) category, entities rated R-2 (middle) typically have some
combination of higher volatility, weaker debt or liquidity positions, lower future cash flow
capabilities, or are negatively impacted by a weaker industry. Ratings in this category would be
more vulnerable to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
R-2 (low) Short-term debt rated R-2 (low) is considered to be at the lower end of
adequate credit quality, typically having some combination of challenges that are not acceptable
for an R-2 (middle) credit. However, R-2 (low) ratings still display a level of credit strength
that allows for a higher rating than the R-3 category, with this distinction often reflecting the
issuers liquidity profile.
R-3 Short-term debt rated R-3 is considered to be at the lowest end of adequate credit
quality, one step up from being speculative. While not yet defined as speculative, the R-3
category signifies that although repayment is still expected, the certainty of repayment could be
impacted by a variety of possible adverse developments, many of which would be outside the issuers
control. Entities in this area often have limited access to capital markets and may also have
limitations in securing alternative sources of liquidity, particularly during periods of weak
economic conditions.
R-4 Short-term debt rated R-4 is speculative. R-4 credits tend to have weak liquidity
and debt ratios, and the future trend of these ratios is also unclear. Due to its speculative
nature, companies with R-4 ratings would normally have very limited access to alternative sources
of liquidity. Earnings and cash flow would typically be very unstable, and the level of overall
profitability of the entity is also likely to be low. The industry environment may be weak, and
strong negative qualifying factors are also likely to be present.
R-5 Short-tern debt rated R-5 is highly speculative. There is a reasonably high level of
uncertainty as to the ability of the entity to repay the obligations on a continuing basis in the
future, especially in periods of economic recession or industry adversity. In some cases, short
term debt rated R-5 may have challenges that if not corrected, could lead to default.
D A security rated D implies the issuer has either not met a scheduled payment or the
issuer has made it clear that it will be missing such a payment in the near future. In some cases,
DBRS may not assign a D rating under a bankruptcy announcement scenario, as allowances for grace
periods may exist in the underlying legal documentation. Once assigned, the D rating will
continue as long as the missed payment continues to be in arrears, and until such time as the
rating is discontinued or reinstated by DBRS.
Long-Term Credit Ratings
The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poors for long-term issues:
AAA An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poors. The
obligors 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 obligors 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
obligors 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.
3-A
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 obligors 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 obligors 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 instruments terms.
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 even if the applicable grace period has not
expired, unless Standard & Poors believes that such payments will be made during such grace
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.
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 Standard & Poors does not rate a particular
obligation as a matter of policy.
Local Currency and Foreign Currency Risks Country risk considerations are a standard part of
Standard & Poors analysis for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a
key factor in this analysis. An obligors capacity to repay foreign currency obligations may be
lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to the sovereign
governments 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.
The following summarizes the ratings used by Moodys for long-term debt:
Aaa Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit
risk.
Aa Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low
credit risk.
A Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit
risk.
Baa Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered
medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
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.
4-A
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: Moodys 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.
The following summarizes long-term ratings used by Fitch:
AAA Securities considered to be of the highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the
lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity
for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by
foreseeable events.
AA Securities considered to be of very high credit quality. AA ratings denote
expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial
commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A Securities considered to be of high credit quality. A ratings denote expectations of
low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This
capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic
conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB Securities considered to be of good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that there
is currently expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is
considered adequate but adverse changes in circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to
impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.
BB Securities considered to be speculative. BB ratings indicate that there is a
possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over
time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments
to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.
B Securities considered to be highly speculative. For issuers and performing obligations,
B ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety
remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is
contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment. For individual
obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for extremely high
recoveries. Such obligations would possess a Recovery Rating of RR1 (outstanding).
CCC For issuers and performing obligations, default is a real possibility. Capacity for
meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic
conditions. For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with
potential for average to superior levels of recovery. Differences in credit quality may be denoted
by plus/minus distinctions. Such obligations typically would possess a Recovery Rating of RR2
(superior), or RR3 (good) or RR4 (average).
CC For issuers and performing obligations, default of some kind appears probable. For
individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with a Recovery Rating of
RR4 (average) or RR5 (below average).
C For issuers and performing obligations, default is imminent. For individual
obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for below-average to
poor recoveries. Such obligations would possess a Recovery Rating of RR6 (poor).
RD Indicates an entity that has failed to make due payments (within the applicable grace
period) on some but not all material financial obligations, but continues to honor other classes of
obligations.
5-A
D Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial
obligations.
Plus (+) or minus (-) may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major
rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the AAA category or to categories below CCC.
NR Denotes that Fitch does not publicly rate the associated issue or issuer.
WD Indicates that the rating has been withdrawn and is no longer maintained by Fitch.
The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS for long-term debt:
AAA Long-term debt rated AAA is of the highest credit quality, with exceptionally
strong protection for the timely repayment of principal and interest. Earnings are considered
stable, the structure of the industry in which the entity operates is strong, and the outlook for
future profitability is favorable. There are few qualifying factors present that would detract from
the performance of the entity. The strength of liquidity and coverage ratios is unquestioned and
the entity has established a credible track record of superior performance. Given the extremely
high standard that DBRS has set for this category, few entities are able to achieve a AAA rating.
AA Long-term debt rated AA is of superior credit quality, and protection of interest
and principal is considered high. In many cases they differ from long-term debt rated AAA only to
a small degree. Given the extremely restrictive definition DBRS has for the AAA category,
entities rated AA are also considered to be strong credits, typically exemplifying above-average
strength in key areas of consideration and unlikely to be significantly affected by reasonably
foreseeable events.
A Long-term debt rated A is of satisfactory credit quality. Protection of interest and
principal is still substantial, but the degree of strength is less than that of AA rated
entities. While A is a respectable rating, entities in this category are considered to be more
susceptible to adverse economic conditions and have greater cyclical tendencies than higher-rated
securities.
BBB Long-term debt rated BBB is of adequate credit quality
.
Protection of interest and
principal is considered acceptable, but the entity is fairly susceptible to adverse changes in
financial and economic conditions, or there may be other adverse conditions present which reduce
the strength of the entity and its rated securities.
BB
Long-term debt rated BB is defined to be speculative and non-investment grade, where
the degree of protection afforded interest and principal is uncertain, particularly during periods
of economic recession. Entities in the BB range typically have limited access to capital markets
and additional liquidity support. In many cases, deficiencies in critical mass, diversification,
and competitive strength are additional negative considerations.
B Long-term debt rated B is considered highly speculative and there is a reasonably
high level of uncertainty as to the ability of the entity to pay interest and principal on a
continuing basis in the future, especially in periods of economic recession or industry adversity.
CCC, CC and C Long-term debt rated in any of these categories is very highly
speculative and is in danger of default of interest and principal. The degree of adverse elements
present is more severe than long-term debt rated B. Long-term debt rated below B often have
features which, if not remedied, may lead to default. In practice, there is little difference
between these three categories, with CC and C normally used for lower ranking debt of companies
for which the senior debt is rated in the CCC to B range.
D
A security rated D implies the issuer has either not met a scheduled payment of
interest or principal or that the issuer has made it clear that it will miss such a payment in the
near future. In some cases, DBRS may not assign a D rating under a bankruptcy announcement
scenario, as allowances for grace periods may exist in the underlying legal documentation. Once
assigned, the D rating will continue as long as the missed payment continues to be in arrears,
and until such time as the rating is discontinued or reinstated by DBRS.
(high, low) Each rating category is denoted by the subcategories high and low. The
absence of either a high or low designation indicates the rating is in the middle of the
category. The AAA and D categories do not utilize high, middle, and low as differential
grades.
6-A
Municipal Note Ratings
A Standard & Poors U.S. municipal note rating reflects the liquidity factors and market
access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating.
Notes maturing beyond three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following
criteria will be used in making that assessment:
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Amortization schedule-the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more
likely it will be treated as a note; and
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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.
Moodys 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 Moodys 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
Moodys evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments.
The second element represents Moodys evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the ability
to receive purchase price upon demand (demand feature), using a variation of the MIG rating
scale, the Variable Municipal Investment Grade or VMIG rating.
When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated
NR,
e.g.
, Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG-1.
VMIG rating expirations are a function of each issues 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.
7-A
SG This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in
this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade
short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the
timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
Fitch uses the same ratings for municipal securities as described above for other short-term
credit ratings.
About Credit Ratings
A Standard & Poors issue credit rating is a current opinion of 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 issue credit rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold a
financial obligation, inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for a
particular investor.
Moodys credit ratings must be construed solely as statements of opinion and not as statements of
fact or recommendations to purchase, sell or hold any securities.
Fitchs credit ratings provide an opinion on the relative ability of an entity to meet financial
commitments, such as interest, preferred dividends, repayment of principal, insurance claims or
counterparty obligations. Fitch credit ratings are used by investors as indications of the
likelihood of receiving their money back in accordance with the terms on which they invested.
Fitchs 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.
DBRS credit ratings are not buy, hold or sell recommendations, but rather the result of qualitative
and quantitative analysis focusing solely on the credit quality of the issuer and its underlying
obligations.
8-A
APPENDIX B
GSAM PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
Effective for Meetings on or after March 1, 2010
Updated March 1, 2010
The following is a summary of the GSAM Proxy Voting Guidelines (the Guidelines), which form the
substantive basis of GSAMs Policy on Proxy Voting for Client Accounts (Policy). As described in
the main body of the Policy, one or more GSAM portfolio management teams may diverge from the
Guidelines and a related Recommendation on any particular proxy vote or in connection with any
individual investment decision in accordance with the override process described in the Policy.
The following section is a summary of the Guidelines, which form the substantive basis of the
Policy with respect to U.S. public equity investments.
1. Operational Items
Auditor Ratification
Vote FOR proposals to ratify auditors, unless any of the following apply:
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An auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is
therefore not independent;
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There is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion
which is neither accurate nor indicative of the companys financial position;
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Poor accounting practices are identified that rise to a serious level of concern,
such as: fraud; misapplication of GAAP; or material weaknesses identified in Section
404 disclosures; or
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Fees for non-audit services (Other fees) are excessive.
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Non-audit fees are excessive if:
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Non-audit (other) fees exceed audit fees + audit-related fees + tax
compliance/preparation fees
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Vote CASE-BY-CASE on shareholder proposals asking companies to prohibit or limit their auditors
from engaging in non-audit services taking into account issues that are consistent with SEC rules
adopted to fulfill the mandate of Sarbanes Oxley such as an audit firm providing services that
would impair its independence or the overall scope and disclosure of fees for all services done by
the audit firm.
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on shareholder proposals asking for audit firm rotation, taking into account:
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The tenure of the audit firm;
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The length of rotation specified in the proposal;
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Any significant audit-related issues at the company;
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The number of Audit Committee meetings held each year;
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The number of financial experts serving on the committee; and
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Whether the company has a periodic renewal process where the auditor is evaluated
for both audit quality and competitive price.
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2. Board of Directors
Classification of Directors
Where applicable, the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ Listing Standards definition is to be used
to classify directors as insiders or affiliated outsiders:
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Employee of the company or one of its affiliates
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Among the five most highly paid individuals (excluding interim CEO)
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Listed as an officer as defined under Section 16 of the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
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Current interim CEO
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Beneficial owner of more than 50 percent of the companys
voting power (this may be aggregated if voting power is distributed among more
than one member of a defined group)
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Affiliated Outside Director (AO)
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Board attestation that an outside director is not independent
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Former CEO or other executive of the company within the last three years
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Former CEO or other executive of an acquired company within the past three years
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Former interim CEO if the service was longer than eighteen
months. If the service was between twelve and eighteen months an assessment of
the interim CEOs employment agreement will be made
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Not independent under applicable listing standards
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Independent Outside Director
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No material connection to the company other than a board seat
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Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections
Vote on director nominees should be determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from individual directors who:
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Attend less than 75 percent of the board and committee meetings without a valid
excuse, such as illness, service to the nation, work on behalf of the company, funeral
obligations or start date after the middle of the year. If the company provides
meaningful public or non-material private disclosure explaining the directors
absences, evaluate the information on a CASE-BY-CASE basis taking into account the
following factors:
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Degree to which absences were due to an unavoidable conflict;
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1-B
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Pattern of absenteeism; and
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Other extraordinary circumstances underlying the directors absence;
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Sit on more than six public company boards;
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Are CEOs of public companies who sit on the boards of more than two public companies
besides their ownwithhold only at their outside boards.
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Other items considered for an AGAINST vote include specific concerns about the individual or
the company, such as criminal wrongdoing or breach of fiduciary responsibilities, sanctions
from government or authority, violations of laws and regulations, or other issues related to
improper business practice.
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Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from all nominees of the board of directors (except from new nominees who
should be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis and except as discussed below) if:
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The companys poison pill has a dead-hand or modified dead-hand feature. Vote
against/withhold every year until this feature is removed; however, vote against the
poison pill if there is one on the ballot with this feature rather than the director;
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The board adopts or renews a poison pill without shareholder approval, does not
commit to putting it to shareholder vote within 12 months of adoption (or in the case
of an newly public company, does not commit to put the pill to a shareholder vote
within 12 months following the IPO), or reneges on a commitment to put the pill to a
vote, and has not yet received a withhold/against recommendation for this issue;
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The board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received approval of the
majority of shares cast for the previous two consecutive years (a management proposal
with other than a FOR recommendation by management will not be considered as sufficient
action taken); an adopted proposal that is substantially similar to the original
shareholder proposal will be deemed sufficient; (in this case vote AGAINST the members
of the committee of the board that is responsible for the issue under consideration, or
in the cases of classified boards against the independent Chairman or lead director);
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The board failed to act on takeover offers where the majority of the shareholders
tendered their shares;
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At the previous board election, any director received more than 50 percent
withhold/against votes of the shares cast and the company has failed to address the
underlying issue(s) that caused the high withhold/against vote; (in this case should
not be an automatic vote against the entire board; instead should be against the
nominating committee if there is one; if there is no nominating committee then vote
against the outside directors that are performing nominating committee duties.);
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The board is classified, and a continuing director responsible for a problematic
governance issue at the board/committee level that would warrant a withhold/against
vote recommendation is not up for election any or all appropriate nominees (except
new) may be held accountable;
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The board lacks accountability and oversight, coupled with sustained poor
performance relative to peers. Sustained poor performance is measured by one- and
three-year total shareholder returns in the bottom half of a companys four-digit GICS
industry group (Russell 3000 companies only).
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Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from Inside Directors and Affiliated Outside Directors (per the
Classification of Directors below) when:
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The inside or affiliated outside director serves on any of the three key committees:
audit, compensation, or nominating;
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The company lacks an audit, compensation, or nominating committee so that the full
board functions as that committee;
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The company lacks a formal nominating committee, even if the board attests that the
independent directors fulfill the functions of such a committee;
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The full board is less than majority independent; (in this case withhold from
affiliated outside directors). At controlled companies, GSAM will vote against the
election of affiliated outsiders and nominees affiliated with the parent and will not
vote against the executives of the issuer.
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Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from the members of the Audit Committee if:
2-B
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The non-audit fees paid to the auditor are excessive;
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The company receives an adverse opinion on the companys financial statements from
its auditor; or
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There is persuasive evidence that the audit committee entered into an inappropriate
indemnification agreement with its auditor that limits the ability of the company, or
its shareholders, to pursue legitimate legal recourse against the audit firm.
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Vote CASE-BY-CASE on members of the Audit Committee and/or the full board if poor accounting
practices, which rise to a level of serious concern are identified, such as: fraud; misapplication
of GAAP; and material weaknesses identified in Section 404 disclosures.
Examine the severity, breadth, chronological sequence and duration, as well as the companys
efforts at remediation or corrective actions in determining whether negative vote recommendations
are warranted against the members of the Audit Committee who are responsible for the poor
accounting practices, or the entire board.
Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from the members of the Compensation Committee if one or more of the
following poor pay practices exist and there is no Management Say on Pay Proposal (MSOP). If no
Compensation Committee members are up for election (i.e., board is classified)and there is not a
proposal for which GSAM could instead vote FOR declassification, then WITHHOLD from other members
up for reelection if one or more of the following poor pay practices exist:
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There is a negative correlation between the chief executives pay and company
performance (see discussion under Equity Compensation Plans);
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The company reprices underwater options for stock, cash or other consideration
without prior shareholder approval, even if allowed in their equity plan;
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The company fails to submit one-time transfers of stock options to a shareholder
vote;
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The company fails to fulfill the terms of a burn rate commitment they made to
shareholders;
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The company has backdated options (see Options Backdating policy);
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The company has poor compensation practices (see Pay Practices policy). Poor pay
practices may warrant withholding votes from the CEO and potentially the entire board
as well.
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Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from directors, individually or the entire board, for egregious actions or
failure to replace management as appropriate.
Independent Chair (Separate Chair/CEO)
Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
(Apply the below criteria only when management is AGAINST the proposal; if management is FOR it,
vote FOR it.)
GSAM will generally recommend a vote AGAINST proposals requiring that the chairmans position be
filled by an independent director, if the company satisfies 3 of the 4 following criteria:
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Designated lead director, elected by and from the independent board members with
clearly delineated and comprehensive duties;
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Two-thirds independent board;
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All independent key committees; or
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Established, disclosed governance guidelines.
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Majority Vote Shareholder Proposals
Generally vote FOR precatory and binding resolutions requesting that the board change the companys
bylaws to stipulate that directors need to be elected with an affirmative majority of votes cast,
provided it does not conflict with the state law where the company is incorporated. Binding
resolutions need to allow for a carve-out for a
3-B
plurality vote standard when there are more
nominees than board seats. Majority voting is the preferred voting method preferred by GSAM.
Companies are strongly encouraged to also adopt a post-election policy (also known as a director
resignation policy) that provides guidelines so that the company will promptly address the
situation of a holdover director.
Cumulative Vote Shareholder Proposals
GSAM will generally support shareholder proposals to restore or provide cumulative voting unless:
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The company has adopted majority vote standard with a carve-out for plurality
voting in situations where there are more nominees than seats, and a director
resignation policy to address failed elections.
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Performance/Governance Evaluation for Directors
Vote WITHHOLD/AGAINST on all director nominees if the board lacks accountability and oversight,
coupled with sustained poor performance relative to peers, measured by one- and three-year total
shareholder returns in the bottom half of a companys four-digit GICS industry group (Russell 3000
companies only).
Evaluate board accountability and oversight at companies that demonstrate sustained poor
performance. Problematic provisions include but are not limited to:
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a classified board structure;
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a supermajority vote requirement;
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majority vote standard for director elections with no carve out for contested
elections;
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the inability of shareholders to call special meetings or the inability of
shareholders to act by written consent;
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a dual-class structure; and/or
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a non-shareholder approved poison pill.
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If a company exhibits sustained poor performance coupled with a lack of board accountability and
oversight, also take into consideration the companys five-year total shareholder return and
five-year operational metrics in the evaluation.
3. Proxy Contests
Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on the election of directors in contested elections, considering the following
factors:
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Long-term financial performance of the target company relative to its industry;
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Managements track record;
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Background to the proxy contest;
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Qualifications of director nominees (both slates);
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Strategic plan of dissident slate and quality of critique against management;
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Likelihood that the proposed goals and objectives can be achieved (both slates);
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Stock ownership positions.
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Reimbursing Proxy Solicitation Expenses
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to reimburse proxy solicitation expenses. When voting in
conjunction with support of a dissident slate, vote FOR the reimbursement of all appropriate proxy
solicitation expenses associated with the election.
Generally vote FOR shareholder proposals calling for the reimbursement of reasonable costs incurred
in connection with nominating one or more candidates in a contested election where the following
apply:
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The election of fewer than 50% of the directors to be elected is contested in the
election;
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4-B
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One or more of the dissidents candidates is elected;
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Shareholders are not permitted to cumulate their votes for directors; and
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The election occurred, and the expenses were incurred, after the adoption of this
bylaw.
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4. Antitakeover Defenses and Voting Related Issues
Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals/Nominations
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on advance notice proposals, giving support to proposals that allow shareholders
to submit proposals/nominations reasonably close to the meeting date and within the broadest window
possible, recognizing the need to allow sufficient notice for company, regulatory and shareholder
review.
To be reasonable, the companys deadline for shareholder notice of a proposal/ nominations must not
be more than 60 days prior to the meeting, with a submittal window of at least 30 days prior to the
deadline.
In general, support additional efforts by companies to ensure full disclosure in regard to a
proponents economic and voting position in the company so long as the informational requirements
are reasonable and aimed at providing shareholders with the necessary information to review such
proposal.
Poison Pills
Vote FOR shareholder proposals requesting that the company submit its poison pill to a shareholder
vote or redeem it UNLESS the company has: (1) A shareholder approved poison pill in place; or (2)
the company has adopted a policy concerning the adoption of a pill in the future specifying that
the board will only adopt a shareholder rights plan if either:
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Shareholders have approved the adoption of the plan; or
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The board, in exercising its fiduciary responsibilities, determines that it is in
the best interest of shareholders under the circumstances to adopt a pill without the
delay that would result from seeking stockholder approval (i.e., the fiduciary out
provision). A poison pill adopted under this fiduciary out will be put to a
shareholder ratification vote within 12 months of adoption or expire. If the pill is
not approved by a majority of the votes cast on this issue, the plan will immediately
terminate.
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Vote FOR shareholder proposals calling for poison pills to be put to a vote within a time period of
less than one year after adoption. If the company has no non-shareholder approved poison pill in
place and has adopted a policy with the provisions outlined above, vote AGAINST the proposal. If
these conditions are not met, vote FOR the proposal, but with the caveat that a vote within 12
months would be considered sufficient.
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on management proposals on poison pill ratification, focusing on the features of
the shareholder rights plan. Rights plans should contain the following attributes:
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No lower than a 20% trigger, flip-in or flip-over;
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A term of no more than three years;
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No dead-hand, slow-hand, no-hand or similar feature that limits the ability of a
future board to redeem the pill;
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Shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause); if the board refuses to
redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced, 10 percent of the shares
may call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the pill.
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In addition, the rationale for adopting the pill should be thoroughly explained by the company. In
examining the request for the pill, take into consideration the companys existing governance
structure, including: board independence, existing takeover defenses, and any problematic
governance concerns.
For management proposals to adopt a poison pill for the stated purpose of preserving a companys
net operating losses (NOL pills), the following factors should be considered:
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the trigger (NOL pills generally have a trigger slightly below 5%);
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5-B
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the value of the NOLs;
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the term;
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shareholder protection mechanisms (sunset provision, causing expiration of the pill
upon exhaustion or expiration of NOLs); and
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other factors that may be applicable.
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In addition, vote WITHHOLD/AGAINST the entire board of directors, (except new nominees, who should
be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis) if the board adopts or renews a poison pill without
shareholder approval, does not commit to putting it to a shareholder vote within 12 months of
adoption (or in the case of a newly public company, does not commit to put the pill to a
shareholder vote within 12 months following the IPO), or reneges on a commitment to put the pill to
a vote, and has not yet received a withhold recommendation for this issue.
5. Mergers and Corporate Restructurings
Overall Approach
For mergers and acquisitions, review and evaluate the merits and drawbacks of the proposed
transaction, balancing various and sometimes countervailing factors including:
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Valuation
Is the value to be received by the target shareholders (or paid by the
acquirer) reasonable? While the fairness opinion may provide an initial starting point
for assessing valuation reasonableness, emphasis is placed on the offer premium, market
reaction and strategic rationale.
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Market reaction
How has the market responded to the proposed deal? A negative
market reaction should cause closer scrutiny of a deal.
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Strategic rationale
Does the deal make sense strategically? From where is the
value derived? Cost and revenue synergies should not be overly aggressive or
optimistic, but reasonably achievable. Management should also have a favorable track
record of successful integration of historical acquisitions.
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Negotiations and process
Were the terms of the transaction negotiated at
arms-length? Was the process fair and equitable? A fair process helps to ensure the
best price for shareholders. Significant negotiation wins can also signify the deal
makers competency. The comprehensiveness of the sales process (e.g., full auction,
partial auction, no auction) can also affect shareholder value.
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Conflicts of interest
Are insiders benefiting from the transaction
disproportionately and inappropriately as compared to non-insider shareholders? As the
result of potential conflicts, the directors and officers of the company may be more
likely to vote to approve a merger than if they did not hold these interests. Consider
whether these interests may have influenced these directors and officers to support or
recommend the merger.
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Governance
Will the combined company have a better or worse governance profile
than the current governance profiles of the respective parties to the transaction? If
the governance profile is to change for the worse, the burden is on the company to
prove that other issues (such as valuation) outweigh any deterioration in governance.
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6. State of Incorporation
Reincorporation Proposals
Evaluate management or shareholder proposals to change a companys state of incorporation on a
CASE-BY-CASE basis, giving consideration to both financial and corporate governance concerns
including the following:
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Reasons for reincorporation;
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Comparison of companys governance practices and provisions prior to and following
the reincorporation; and
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Comparison of corporation laws of original state and destination state.
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Vote FOR reincorporation when the economic factors outweigh any neutral or negative governance
changes.
6-B
7. Capital Structure
Common Stock Authorization
Votes on proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance are
determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. We consider company-specific factors that include, at a
minimum, the following:
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Past Board performance
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The companys use of authorized shares during the last three years;
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One- and three-year total shareholder return;
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The boards governance structure and practices;
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The current request;
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Disclosure in the proxy statement of specific reasons for the proposed increase;
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The dilutive impact of the request as determined through an allowable cap generated by
RiskMetrics quantitative model, which examines the companys need for shares and
three-year total shareholder return; and
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Risks to shareholders of not approving the request.
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Preferred Stock
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to increase the number of shares of preferred stock authorized for
issuance. Take into account company-specific factors which include, at a minimum, the following:
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Specific reasons/ rationale for the proposed increase;
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The dilutive impact of the request as determined through an allowable cap generated
by RiskMetrics quantitative model;
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The boards governance structure and practices; and
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Risks to shareholders of not approving the request.
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Vote AGAINST proposals authorizing the creation of new classes of preferred stock with unspecified
voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights (blank check preferred stock).
Vote FOR proposals to create declawed blank check preferred stock (stock that cannot be used as a
takeover defense).
Vote FOR proposals to authorize preferred stock in cases where the company specifies the voting,
dividend, conversion, and other rights of such stock and the terms of the preferred stock appear
reasonable.
Vote AGAINST proposals to increase the number of blank check preferred stock authorized for
issuance when no shares have been issued or reserved for a specific purpose.
8. Executive and Director Compensation
Equity Compensation Plans
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on equity-based compensation plans. Vote AGAINST the equity plan if any of the
following factors apply:
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The total cost of the companys equity plans is unreasonable;
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The plan expressly permits the repricing of stock options/stock appreciation rights
(SARs) without prior shareholder approval;
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The CEO is a participant in the proposed equity-based compensation plan and there is
a disconnect between CEO pay and the companys performance where over 50 percent of the
year-over-year increase is attributed to equity awards;
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The companys three year burn rate exceeds the greater of 2% and the mean plus one
standard deviation of its industry group (with a 10% tolerance); in conjunction with
the qualitative overlay as outlined in the policy guidelines OR the company has a poor
record of compensation practices,
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7-B
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which is highlighted either in analysis of the
compensation plan or the evaluation of the election of directors;
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The plan provides for the acceleration of vesting of equity awards even though an
actual change in control may not occur (e.g., upon shareholder approval of a
transaction or the announcement of a tender offer); or
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The plan is a vehicle for poor pay practices.
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Pay Practices
Good pay practices should align managements interests with long-term shareholder value creation.
Detailed disclosure of compensation criteria is required; proof that companies follow the criteria
should be evident. Compensation practices should allow a company to attract and retain proven
talent. Some examples of poor pay practices include: repricing or replacing of underwater stock
options/stock appreciation rights without prior shareholder approval, special bonuses that are not
performance based, practices that could incentivize excessive risk-taking, excessive tax
reimbursements related to executive perquisites or other payments and multi-year guarantees for
salary increases.
If the company maintains problematic or poor pay practices, generally vote first:
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AGAINST Management Say on Pay (MSOP) Proposals or;
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AGAINST an equity-based incentive plan proposal if excessive non-performance-based
equity awards are the major contributor to a pay-for-performance misalignment, then;
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If no MSOP or equity-based incentive plan proposal item is on the ballot,
AGAINST/WITHHOLD on compensation committee members (or, in rare cases where the full board
is deemed responsible, all directors including the CEO) in egregious situations.
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GSAM generally does not penalize a company by double counting a negative vote (i.e., voting against
a compensation issue and against the compensation committee members)
Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from compensation committee members, CEO, and potentially the entire
board, if the company has poor compensation practices. Vote AGAINST equity plans if the plan is a
vehicle for poor compensation practices.
The following practices, while not exhaustive, are examples of poor compensation practices. The
presence of one or more of the following practices when combined with a negative correlation
between pay and performance may warrant withhold vote recommendations:
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Egregious employment contracts Contracts containing multi-year guarantees for
salary increases, bonuses and equity compensation;
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Excessive perks/tax reimbursements:
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Overly generous perquisites, which may include, but are not
limited to the following: personal use of corporate aircraft, personal security
system maintenance and/or installation, car allowances;
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Reimbursement of income taxes on executive perquisites or other
payments; (note about tax gross-ups: these may be acceptable in cases where
gross-ups are provided pursuant to a plan, policy, or arrangement applicable to
management employees of the company, such as relocation or expatriate tax
equalization policy);
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Perquisites for former executives, such as car allowances,
personal use of corporate aircraft or other inappropriate arrangements;
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Abnormally large bonus payouts without justifiable performance
linkage or proper disclosure Performance metrics that are changed, canceled
or replaced during the performance period without adequate explanation of the
action and the link to performance;
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Excessive severance and/or change in control provisions:
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Inclusion of excessive change in control or severance payments,
especially those with a multiple in excess of 3X cash pay;
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8-B
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Payments upon an executives termination in connection with
performance failure;
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Change in control payouts without loss of job or substantial
diminution of job duties (single-triggered);
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New or materially amended employment or severance agreements
that provide for modified single triggers, under which an executive may
voluntarily leave for any reason and still receive the change-in-control
severance package;
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Liberal change in control definition in individual contracts or
equity plans which could result in payments to executives without an actual
change in control occurring;
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New or materially amended employment or severance agreements
that provide for an excise tax gross-up. Modified gross-ups would be treated
in the same manner as full gross-ups;
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Perquisites for former executives such as car allowances,
personal use of corporate aircraft or other inappropriate arrangements;
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Dividends or dividend equivalents paid on unvested performance shares or units;
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Poor disclosure practices:
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Unclear explanation of how the CEO is involved in the pay setting process;
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Retrospective performance targets and methodology not discussed;
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Methodology for benchmarking practices and/or peer group not
disclosed and explained;
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Internal Pay Disparity:
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Excessive differential between CEO total pay and that of next
highest paid named executive officer (NEO);
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Options backdating (covered in a separate policy);
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Other excessive compensation payouts or poor pay practices at the company.
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Other Compensation Proposals and Policies
Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (Say-on-Pay) Management Proposals
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on management proposals for an advisory vote on executive compensation. Vote
AGAINST these resolutions in cases where boards have failed to demonstrate good stewardship of
investors interests regarding executive compensation practices.
For U.S. companies, consider the following factors in the context of each companys specific
circumstances and the boards disclosed rationale for its practices:
Relative Considerations:
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Assessment of performance metrics relative to business strategy, as discussed and
explained in the CD&A;
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Evaluation of peer groups used to set target pay or award opportunities;
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Alignment of company performance and executive pay trends over time (e.g.,
performance down: pay down);
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Assessment of disparity between total pay of the CEO and other Named Executive
Officers (NEOs).
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Design Considerations:
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Balance of fixed versus performance-driven pay;
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Assessment of excessive practices with respect to perks, severance packages,
supplemental executive pension plans, and burn rates.
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Communication Considerations:
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Evaluation of information and board rationale provided in CD&A about how
compensation is determined (e.g., why certain elements and pay targets are used, and
specific incentive plan goals, especially retrospective goals);
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Assessment of boards responsiveness to investor input and engagement on
compensation issues (e.g., in responding to majority-supported shareholder proposals on
executive pay topics).
|
9-B
Employee Stock Purchase Plans Non-Qualified Plans
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on nonqualified employee stock purchase plans. Vote FOR nonqualified employee
stock purchase plans with all the following features:
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Broad-based participation (i.e., all employees of the company with the exclusion of
individuals with 5 percent or more of beneficial ownership of the company);
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Limits on employee contribution, which may be a fixed dollar amount or expressed as
a percent of base salary;
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Company matching contribution up to 25 percent of employees contribution, which is
effectively a discount of 20 percent from market value;
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No discount on the stock price on the date of purchase since there is a company
matching contribution.
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Vote AGAINST nonqualified employee stock purchase plans when any of the plan features do not meet
the above criteria. If the company matching contribution exceeds 25 percent of employees
contribution, evaluate the cost of the plan against its allowable cap.
Option Exchange Programs/Repricing Options
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on management proposals seeking approval to exchange/reprice options, taking into
consideration:
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Historic trading patternsthe stock price should not be so volatile that the
options are likely to be back in-the-money over the near term;
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Rationale for the re-pricing- -was the stock price decline beyond managements
control?
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Is this a value-for-value exchange?
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Are surrendered stock options added back to the plan reserve?
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Option vesting- -does the new option vest immediately or is there a black-out
period?
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Term of the option- -the term should remain the same as that of the replaced option;
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Exercise priceshould be set at fair market or a premium to market;
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Participantsexecutive officers and directors should be excluded.
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If the surrendered options are added back to the equity plans for re-issuance, then also take into
consideration the companys total cost of equity plans and its three-year average burn rate.
In addition to the above considerations, evaluate the intent, rationale, and timing of the
repricing proposal. The proposal should clearly articulate why the board is choosing to conduct an
exchange program at this point in time. Repricing underwater options after a recent precipitous
drop in the companys stock price demonstrates poor timing. Repricing after a recent decline in
stock price triggers additional scrutiny and a potential AGAINST vote on the proposal. At a
minimum, the decline should not have happened within the past year. Also, consider the terms of
the surrendered options, such as the grant date, exercise price and vesting schedule. Grant dates
of surrendered options should be far enough back (two to three years) so as not to suggest that
repricings are being done to take advantage of short-term downward price movements. Similarly, the
exercise price of surrendered options should be above the 52-week high for the stock price.
Vote FOR shareholder proposals to put option repricings to a shareholder vote.
Other Shareholder Proposals on Compensation
Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (Say-on-Pay)
Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals that call for non-binding shareholder ratification of the
compensation of the Named Executive Officers and the accompanying narrative disclosure of material
factors provided to understand the Summary Compensation Table.
10-B
Golden Coffins/Executive Death Benefits
Generally vote FOR proposals calling on companies to adopt a policy of obtaining shareholder
approval for any future agreements and corporate policies that could oblige the company to make
payments or awards following the death of a senior executive in the form of unearned salary or
bonuses, accelerated vesting or the continuation in force of unvested equity grants, perquisites
and other payments or awards made in lieu of compensation. This would not apply to any benefit
programs or equity plan proposals for which the broad-based employee population is eligible.
Share Buyback Holding Periods
Generally vote AGAINST shareholder proposals prohibiting executives from selling shares of company
stock during periods in which the company has announced that it may or will be repurchasing shares
of its stock. Vote FOR the proposal when there is a pattern of abuse by executives exercising
options or selling shares during periods of share buybacks.
Stock Ownership or Holding Period Guidelines
Generally vote AGAINST shareholder proposals that mandate a minimum amount of stock that directors
must own in order to qualify as a director or to remain on the board. While stock ownership on the
part of directors is favored, the company should determine the appropriate ownership requirement.
Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE on shareholder proposals asking companies to adopt policies requiring Named
Executive Officers to retain 75% of the shares acquired through compensation plans while employed
and/or for two years following the termination of their employment, and to report to shareholders
regarding this policy. The following factors will be taken into account:
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Whether the company has any holding period, retention ratio, or officer ownership
requirements in place. These should consist of:
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Rigorous stock ownership guidelines, or
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A holding period requirement coupled with a significant
long-term ownership requirement, or
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A meaningful retention ratio
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Actual officer stock ownership and the degree to which it meets or exceeds the
proponents suggested holding period/retention ratio or the companys own stock
ownership or retention requirements.
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Problematic pay practices, current and past, which may promote a short-term versus a
long-term focus.
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Tax Gross-Up Proposals
Generally vote FOR proposals asking companies to adopt a policy of not providing tax gross-up
payments to executives, except where gross-ups are provided pursuant to a plan, policy, or
arrangement applicable to management employees of the company, such as a relocation or expatriate
tax equalization policy.
9. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Issues
Overall Approach
When evaluating social and environmental shareholder proposals, the following factors should be
considered:
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Whether adoption of the proposal is likely to enhance or protect shareholder value;
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Whether the information requested concerns business issues that relate to a
meaningful percentage of the companys business as measured by sales, assets, and
earnings;
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The degree to which the companys stated position on the issues raised in the
proposal could affect its reputation or sales, or leave it vulnerable to a boycott or
selective purchasing;
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Whether the issues presented are more appropriately/effectively dealt with through
governmental or company-specific action;
|
11-B
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Whether the company has already responded in some appropriate manner to the request
embodied in the proposal;
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Whether the companys analysis and voting recommendation to shareholders are
persuasive;
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What other companies have done in response to the issue addressed in the proposal;
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Whether the proposal itself is well framed and the cost of preparing the report is
reasonable;
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Whether implementation of the proposals request would achieve the proposals
objectives;
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Whether the subject of the proposal is best left to the discretion of the board;
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Whether the requested information is available to shareholders either from the
company or from a publicly available source; and
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Whether providing this information would reveal proprietary or confidential
information that would place the company at a competitive disadvantage.
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Genetically Modified Ingredients
Generally vote AGAINST proposals asking suppliers, genetic research companies, restaurants and food
retail companies to voluntarily label genetically engineered (GE) ingredients in their products
and/or eliminate GE ingredients. The cost of labeling and/or phasing out the use of GE ingredients
may not be commensurate with the benefits to shareholders and is an issue better left to
regulators.
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals asking for a report on the feasibility of labeling products
containing GE ingredients taking into account:
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The companys business and the proportion of it affected by the resolution;
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The quality of the companys disclosure on GE product labeling, related voluntary
initiatives, and how this disclosure compares with industry peer disclosure; and
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Companys current disclosure on the feasibility of GE product labeling, including
information on the related costs.
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Generally vote AGAINST proposals seeking a report on the social, health, and environmental effects
of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Studies of this sort are better undertaken by regulators
and the scientific community.
Generally vote AGAINST proposals to completely phase out GE ingredients from the companys products
or proposals asking for reports outlining the steps necessary to eliminate GE ingredients from the
companys products. Such resolutions presuppose that there are proven health risks to GE
ingredients (an issue better left to regulators) that may outweigh the economic benefits derived
from biotechnology.
Pharmaceutical Pricing, Access to Medicines, and Product Reimportation
Generally vote AGAINST proposals requesting that companies implement specific price restraints on
pharmaceutical products unless the company fails to adhere to legislative guidelines or industry
norms in its product pricing.
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals requesting that the company report on their product pricing policies
or their access to medicine policies, considering:
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The nature of the companys business and the potential for reputational and market
risk exposure;
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The existing disclosure of relevant policies;
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Deviation from established industry norms;
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The companys existing, relevant initiatives to provide research and/or products to
disadvantaged consumers;
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Whether the proposal focuses on specific products or geographic regions; and
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The potential cost and scope of the requested report.
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Generally vote FOR proposals requesting that companies report on the financial and legal impact of
their prescription drug reimportation policies unless such information is already publicly
disclosed.
12-B
Generally vote AGAINST proposals requesting that companies adopt specific policies to encourage or
constrain prescription drug reimportation. Such matters are more appropriately the province of
legislative activity and may place the company at a competitive disadvantage relative to its peers.
Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, and Domestic Partner Benefits
Generally vote FOR proposals seeking to amend a companys EEO statement or diversity policies to
prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity, unless the change would
result in excessive costs for the company.
Generally vote AGAINST proposals to extend company benefits to, or eliminate benefits from domestic
partners. Decisions regarding benefits should be left to the discretion of the company.
Climate Change
Generally vote FOR resolutions requesting that a company disclose information on the impact of
climate change on the companys operations and investments considering whether:
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The company already provides current, publicly-available information on the impacts
that climate change may have on the company as well as associated company policies and
procedures to address related risks and/or opportunities;
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The companys level of disclosure is at least comparable to that of industry peers;
and
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There are no significant, controversies, fines, penalties, or litigation associated
with the companys environmental performance.
|
Lobbying Expenditures/Initiatives
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals requesting information on a companys lobbying initiatives,
considering:
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Significant controversies, fines, or litigation surrounding a companys public
policy activities,
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The companys current level of disclosure on lobbying strategy, and
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The impact that the policy issue may have on the companys business operations.
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Political Contributions and Trade Association Spending
Generally vote AGAINST proposals asking the company to affirm political nonpartisanship in the
workplace so long as:
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There are no recent, significant controversies, fines or litigation regarding the
companys political contributions or trade association spending; and
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The company has procedures in place to ensure that employee contributions to
company-sponsored political action committees (PACs) are strictly voluntary and
prohibits coercion.
|
Vote AGAINST proposals to publish in newspapers and public media the companys political
contributions. Such publications could present significant cost to the company without providing
commensurate value to shareholders.
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to improve the disclosure of a companys political contributions and
trade association spending, considering:
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Recent significant controversy or litigation related to the companys political
contributions or governmental affairs; and
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The public availability of a company policy on political contributions and trade
association spending including information on the types of organizations supported, the
business rationale for supporting these organizations, and the oversight and compliance
procedures related to such expenditures of corporate assets.
|
Vote AGAINST proposals barring the company from making political contributions. Businesses are
affected by legislation at the federal, state, and local level and barring political contributions
can put the company at a competitive disadvantage.
13-B
PART C: OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28. Exhibits
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(a)
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(1
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)
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Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
1
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(2
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Amendment No. 1 dated April 24, 1997 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust January 28, 1997
2
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(3
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Amendment No. 2 dated July 21, 1997 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
2
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(4
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Amendment No. 3 dated October 21, 1997 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
3
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(5
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Amendment No. 4 dated January 28, 1998 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
3
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(6
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Amendment No. 5 dated January 28, 1998 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
4
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(7
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Amendment No. 6 dated July 22, 1998 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
4
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(8
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Amendment No. 7 dated November 3, 1998 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
5
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(9
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Amendment No. 8 dated March 1, 1999 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
6
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(10
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Amendment No. 9 dated April 28, 1999 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
7
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(11
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Amendment No. 10 dated July 27, 1999 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
8
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(12
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Amendment No. 11 dated July 27, 1999 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
8
/
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(13
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)
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Amendment No. 12 dated October 26, 1999 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
9
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(14
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)
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Amendment No. 13 dated February 3, 2000 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
10
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(15
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)
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Amendment No. 14 dated April 26, 2000 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
11
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(16
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Amendment No. 15 dated August 1, 2000 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
12
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(17
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)
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Amendment No. 16 dated January 30, 2001 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
13
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(18
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)
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Amendment No. 17 dated April 25, 2001 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
14
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C-1
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(19
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)
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Amendment No. 18 dated July 1, 2002 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
15
/
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(20
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)
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Amendment No. 19 dated August 1, 2002 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
15
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(21
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)
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Amendment No. 20 dated August 1, 2002 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
15
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(22
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)
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Amendment No. 21 dated January 29, 2003 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
16
/
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(23
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Amendment No. 22 dated July 31, 2003 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
17
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(24
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Amendment No. 23 dated October 30, 2003 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
17
/
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(25
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Amendment No. 24 dated May 6, 2004 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
18
/
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(26
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)
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Amendment No. 25 dated April 21, 2004 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
19
/
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(27
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)
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Amendment No. 26 dated November 4, 2004 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
19
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(28
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)
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Amendment No. 27 dated February 10, 2005 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
20
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(29
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Amendment No. 28 dated May 12, 2005 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
21
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(30
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)
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Amendment No. 29 dated June 16, 2005 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
21
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(31
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)
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Amendment No. 30 dated August 4, 2005 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1977
21
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(32
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)
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Amendment No. 31 dated November 2, 2005 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
22
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(33
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)
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Amendment No. 32 dated December 31, 2005 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
23
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(34
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Amendment No. 33 dated March 16, 2006 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
22
/
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(35
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)
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Amendment No. 34 dated March 16, 2006 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
22
/
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(36
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)
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Amendment No. 35 dated May 11, 2006 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
24
/
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(37
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)
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Amendment No. 36 dated June 15, 2006 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
25
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C-2
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(38
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)
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Amendment No. 37 dated August 10, 2006 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
26
/
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(39
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)
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Amendment No. 38 dated November 9, 2006 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
26
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(40
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)
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Amendment No. 39 dated December 14, 2006 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
27
/
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(41
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)
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Amendment No. 40 dated December 14, 2006 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
27
/
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(42
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)
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Amendment No. 41 dated February 8, 2007 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
27
/
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(43
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)
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Amendment No. 42 dated March 15, 2007 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
27
/
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(44
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)
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Amendment No. 43 dated May 10, 2007 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
27
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(45
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)
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Amendment No. 44 dated June 13, 2007 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997.
28
/
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(46
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)
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Amendment No. 45 dated June 13, 2007 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
29
/
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(47
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)
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Amendment No. 46 dated November 8, 2007 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
29
/
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(48
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)
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Amendment No. 47 dated November 8, 2007 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
29
/
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(49
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)
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Amendment No. 48 dated December 13, 2007 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
30
/
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(50
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)
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Amendment No. 49 dated June 19, 2008 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
31
/
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(51
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)
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Amendment No. 50 dated August 14, 2008 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
32
/
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(52
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)
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Amendment No. 51 dated August 25, 2008 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
33
/
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(53
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)
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Amendment No. 52 dated November 13, 2008 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
33
/
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(54
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)
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Amendment No. 53 dated May 21, 2009 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
34
/
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(55
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)
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Amendment No. 54 dated November 19, 2009 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
34
/
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(56
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)
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Amendment No. 55 dated February 11, 2010 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
35
/
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C-3
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(b)
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(1
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)
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Amended and Restated By-laws of Goldman Sachs Trust dated October 30, 2002
15
/
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(2
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)
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Amendment No. 1 dated November 4, 2004 to Amended and Restated
By-laws of Goldman Sachs Trust dated October 30, 2002.
20
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(3
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)
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Amendment No. 2 dated October 16, 2009 to Amended and Restated
By-laws of Goldman Sachs Trust dated October 30, 2002.
34
/
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(c)
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Instruments defining the rights of holders of Registrants shares of beneficial
interest
36
/
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(d)
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(1
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)
|
|
Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997 between Registrant, on behalf of
Goldman Sachs Short Duration Government Fund, and Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P.
3
/
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(2
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)
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Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997 between Registrant,
on behalf of Goldman Sachs Adjustable Rate Government Fund, and Goldman Sachs
Funds Management, L.P.
3
/
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(3
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)
|
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Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997 between Registrant,
on behalf of Goldman Sachs Short Duration Tax-Free Fund, and Goldman Sachs
Asset Management
3
/
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(4
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)
|
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Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997 between Registrant,
on behalf of Goldman Sachs Core Fixed Income Fund, and Goldman Sachs Asset
Management
3
/
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(5
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)
|
|
Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997 between the
Registrant, on behalf of Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets, and
Goldman Sachs Asset Management
3
/
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(6
|
)
|
|
Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997 between Registrant,
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Goldman Sachs Fund Management L.P. and Goldman
Sachs Asset Management International
37
/
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(7
|
)
|
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Management Agreement dated January 1, 1998 on behalf of the
Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios and Goldman Sachs Asset Management
3
/
|
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|
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|
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|
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(8
|
)
|
|
Amended Annex A dated September 25, 2007 to the Management
Agreement dated January 1, 1998 on behalf of the Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation
Portfolios and Goldman Sachs Asset Management
38
/
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(9
|
)
|
|
Amended Annex A dated November 19, 2009 to the Management
Agreement dated April 30, 1997 between Registrant, Goldman Sachs Asset
Management, Goldman Sachs Fund Management L.P. and Goldman Sachs Asset
Management International
34
/
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|
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|
(10
|
)
|
|
Assumption Agreement dated April 26, 2003 between Goldman,
Sachs & Co. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (with respect to the
Goldman Sachs Short-Duration Tax-Free Fund)
39
/
|
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|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
(11
|
)
|
|
Assumption Agreement dated April 26, 2003 between Goldman,
Sachs & Co. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (with respect to the
Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolios)
39
/
|
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|
|
|
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|
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(12
|
)
|
|
Assumption Agreement dated April 26, 2003 between Goldman,
Sachs & Co. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (with respect to certain
of the Goldman Sachs Fixed Income, Equity, Specialty and Money Market Funds)
39
/
|
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|
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|
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|
|
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|
(13
|
)
|
|
Assumption Agreement dated April 26, 2003 between Goldman,
Sachs & Co. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (with respect to the
Goldman Sachs Core Fixed Income Fund)
39
/
|
C-4
|
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|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
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|
(14
|
)
|
|
Assumption Agreement dated April 26, 2003 between Goldman,
Sachs & Co. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (with respect to the
Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Funds)
39
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(15
|
)
|
|
Fee Reduction Commitment dated April 29, 2005 between Goldman
Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Equity
Growth Strategy (formerly Aggressive Growth Strategy), Balanced Strategy,
Growth and Income Strategy and Growth Strategy Portfolios
20
/
|
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|
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|
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|
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|
|
|
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|
(16
|
)
|
|
Fee Reduction Commitment dated July 1, 2008 between Goldman
Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Short
Duration Tax-Free Fund
33
/
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
(17
|
)
|
|
Fee Reduction Commitment dated July 1, 2008 between Goldman
Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund (formerly Goldman Sachs Adjustable Rate
Government Fund)
33
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18
|
)
|
|
Fee Reduction Commitment dated July 1, 2008 between Goldman
Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Short
Duration Government Fund
33
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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(19
|
)
|
|
Fee Reduction Commitment dated July 1, 2008 between Goldman
Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Core Fixed
Income Fund
33
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(e)
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
Distribution Agreement dated April 30, 1997, as amended October 30, 2003
17
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
Amended Exhibit A dated November 19, 2009 to the Distribution
Agreement dated April 30, 1997, as amended October 30, 2003
34
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(f)
|
|
Not applicable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(g)
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
Custodian Agreement dated July 15, 1991, between Registrant and State
Street Bank and Trust Company
40
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
Custodian Agreement dated December 27, 1978 between Registrant
and State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman Sachs
Institutional Liquid Assets
41
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
Letter Agreement dated December 27, 1978 between Registrant and
State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman Sachs
Institutional Liquid Assets, pertaining to the fees payable by Registrant
pursuant to the Custodian Agreement
41
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
Amendment dated May 28, 1981 to the Custodian Agreement dated
December 27, 1978 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company,
on behalf of Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets
41
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
Fee schedule relating to the Custodian Agreement between
Registrant on behalf of the Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios and State
Street Bank and Trust Company
2
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|
Letter Agreement dated June 14, 1984 between Registrant and
State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman Sachs
Institutional Liquid Assets, pertaining to a change in wire charges under the
Custodian Agreement
41
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7
|
)
|
|
Letter Agreement dated March 29, 1983 between Registrant and
State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman Sachs
Institutional Liquid Assets, pertaining to the latters designation of Bank of
America, N.T. and S.A. as its subcustodian and certain other matters
41
/
|
C-5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
Letter Agreement dated March 21, 1985 between Registrant and
State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman Sachs
Institutional Liquid Assets, pertaining to the creation of a joint repurchase
agreement account
41
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9
|
)
|
|
Letter Agreement dated November 7, 1985, with attachments,
between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of
Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets, authorizing State Street Bank and
Trust Company to permit redemption of units by check
41
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10
|
)
|
|
Money Transfer Services Agreement dated November 14, 1985,
including attachment, between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust
Company, on behalf of Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets, pertaining
to transfers of funds on deposit with State Street Bank and Trust Company
41
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
Letter Agreement dated November 27, 1985 between Registrant and
State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman Sachs
Institutional Liquid Assets, amending the Custodian Agreement
41
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12
|
)
|
|
Letter Agreement dated July 22, 1986 between Registrant and
State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman Sachs
Institutional Liquid Assets, pertaining to a change in wire charges
41
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
Letter Agreement dated June 20, 1987 between Registrant and
State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman Sachs
Institutional Liquid Assets, amending the Custodian Agreement
41
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14
|
)
|
|
Letter Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets,
pertaining to the latters designation of Security Pacific National Bank as its
subcustodian and certain other matters
41
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(15
|
)
|
|
Amendment dated July 19, 1988 to the Custodian Agreement
between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of
Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets
41
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(16
|
)
|
|
Amendment dated December 19, 1988 to the Custodian Agreement
between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of
Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets
41
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(17
|
)
|
|
Custodian Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and
State Street Bank and Trust Company on behalf of Goldman Sachs Capital Growth
Fund
5
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18
|
)
|
|
Sub-Custodian Agreement dated March 29, 1983 between State
Street Bank and Trust Company and Bank of America, National Trust and Savings
Association on behalf of Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets
5
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(19
|
)
|
|
Fee schedule dated April 12, 1999 relating to Custodian
Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Strategic Growth and Growth Opportunities Portfolios)
7
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(20
|
)
|
|
Fee schedule dated July 19, 1999 relating to Custodian
Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Tollkeeper Fund (formerly Internet Tollkeeper Fund))
8
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(21
|
)
|
|
Fee schedule dated October 1, 1999 relating to the Custodian
Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Large Cap Value Fund)
42
/
|
C-6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(22
|
)
|
|
Fee schedule dated January 12, 2000 relating to Custodian
Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund (formerly CORE Tax-Managed
Equity Fund))
10
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(23
|
)
|
|
Fee schedule dated January 6, 2000 relating to Custodian
Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (High Yield Municipal Fund)
10
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(24
|
)
|
|
Fee schedule dated April 14, 2000 relating to Custodian
Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Enhanced Income Fund)
11
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(25
|
)
|
|
Additional Portfolio Agreement dated September 27, 1999 between
Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
10
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(26
|
)
|
|
Letter Agreement dated September 27, 1999 between Registrant
and State Street Bank and Trust Company relating to Custodian Agreement dated
December 27, 1978
10
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(27
|
)
|
|
Letter Agreement dated September 27, 1999 between Registrant
and State Street Bank and Trust Company relating to Custodian Agreement dated
April 6, 1990
10
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(28
|
)
|
|
Letter Agreement dated September 27, 1999 between Registrant
and State Street Bank and Trust Company relating to Custodian Agreement dated
July 15, 1991
10
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(29
|
)
|
|
Amendment dated July 2, 2001 to the Custodian Agreement dated
December 27, 1978 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
14
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(30
|
)
|
|
Amendment dated July 2, 2001 to the Custodian Contract dated
April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
14
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(31
|
)
|
|
Amendment dated July 2, 2001 to the Custodian Contract dated
July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
14
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(32
|
)
|
|
Form of amendment to the Custodian Agreement dated December 27,
1978 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
14
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(33
|
)
|
|
Amendment to the Custodian Agreement dated April 6, 1990
between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
43
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(34
|
)
|
|
Amendment to the Custodian Agreement dated July 15, 1991
between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
43
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(35
|
)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated May 15, 2002 to the Custodian Agreement
dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
15
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(36
|
)
|
|
Global Custody Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant
and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
44
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(37
|
)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated August 26, 2003 to the Custodian
Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Debt Fund)
45
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(38
|
)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated October 28, 2003 to the Custodian
Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Goldman Sachs U.S. Mortgages Fund)
45
/
|
C-7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(39
|
)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated February 8, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(for the fund now known as Goldman Sachs Commodity Strategy Fund)
45
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(40
|
)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated March 14, 2007 to Custodian Agreement
dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
(Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio)
45
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(41
|
)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated April 23, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund)
45
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(42
|
)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated May 2, 2007 to the Custodian Agreement
dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
(Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Growth Fund and Goldman Sachs Structured
Small Cap Value Fund)
45
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(43
|
)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated August 10, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Goldman Sachs Inflation Protected Securities Fund)
45
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(44
|
)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated August 10, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Goldman Sachs Retirement Strategies Portfolios)
45
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(45
|
)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated September 12, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(Goldman Sachs Structured International Small Cap Fund)
45
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(46
|
)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated September 12, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(Goldman Sachs Structured Emerging Markets Equity Fund)
45
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(47
|
)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated September 18, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(Goldman Sachs Enhanced Dividend Global Equity Portfolio)
45
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(48
|
)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated September 18, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(Goldman Sachs Tax-Advantaged Global Equity Portfolio)
45
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(49
|
)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated September 18, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(Goldman Sachs Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund)
45
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(50
|
)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated September 18, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(Goldman Sachs International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund)
45
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(51
|
)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated October 4, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Goldman Sachs Local Emerging Markets Debt Fund)
45
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(52
|
)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated November 28, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(Goldman Sachs Absolute Return Tracker Fund)
45
/
|
C-8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(53
|
)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated September 17, 2009 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(Goldman Sachs Structured International Equity Fund and Goldman Sachs
Structured International Equity Flex Fund)
34
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(54
|
)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated November 19, 2009 to the Custodian
Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Goldman Sachs U.S. Equity Fund)
34
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(55
|
)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated November 19, 2009 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(Goldman Sachs Dynamic Allocation Fund)
46
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(56
|
)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated August 11, 2009 to the Custodian
Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Tollkeeper Fund )
47
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(h)
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
First Amendment dated July 18, 1994 to Amended and Restated Wiring
Agreement dated January 25, 1994 among Goldman, Sachs & Co., State Street Bank and
Trust Company and The Northern Trust Company
48
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
Amended and Restated Wiring Agreement dated January 25, 1994
among Goldman, Sachs & Co., State Street Bank and Trust Company and The
Northern Trust Company
48
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
Letter Agreement dated June 20, 1987 regarding use of checking
account between Registrant and The Northern Trust Company
41
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
Transfer Agency Agreement dated August 9, 2007 between
Registrant and Goldman, Sachs & Co.
49
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
Form of Retail Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman Sachs
Trust relating to Class A Shares of Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios,
Goldman Sachs Fixed Income Funds, Goldman Sachs Domestic Equity Funds and
Goldman Sachs International Equity Funds
5
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|
Form of Retail Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman Sachs
Trust TPA Assistance Version relating to the Class A Shares of Goldman Sachs
Asset Allocation Portfolios, Goldman Sachs Fixed Income Funds, Goldman Sachs
Domestic Equity Funds and Goldman Sachs International Equity Funds
50
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7
|
)
|
|
Form of Supplemental Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman
Sachs Trust relating to the Administrative Class, Service Class and Cash
Management Class of Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolios
5
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
Form of Supplemental Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman
Sachs Trust relating to the FST Shares, FST Select Shares, FST Preferred
Shares, FST Capital Shares, FST Administration Shares and FST Service Shares of
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Funds
5
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9
|
)
|
|
Form of Supplemental Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman
Sachs Trust relating to the Class A Shares and Service Shares of Goldman Sachs
Equity and Fixed Income Funds
50
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10
|
)
|
|
Form of Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman Sachs Trust
relating to the Select Class, the Preferred Class, Capital Shares, the
Administration Class, the Service Class and the Cash Management Class, as
applicable, of Goldman Sachs Financial Square
|
C-9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funds, Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolios, Goldman Sachs
Fixed Income Funds, Goldman Sachs Domestic Equity Funds, Goldman Sachs
International Equity Funds and Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios
13
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust Institutional Liquid Assets Administration
Class Administration Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004
44
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12
|
)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust ILA Cash Management Shares Service Plan
amended and restated as of February 4, 2004
51
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust FST Select Class Select Plan amended and
restated as of February 4, 2004
44
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14
|
)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust FST Administration Class Administration
Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004
44
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(15
|
)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust ILA Administration Class Administration
Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004
44
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(16
|
)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust FST Preferred Class Preferred
Administration Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004
44
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(17
|
)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust Administration Class Administration Plan
amended and restated as of February 4, 2004
44
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18
|
)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust Institutional Liquid Assets Service Class
Service Plan and Shareholder Administration Plan amended and restated as of
February 4, 2004
44
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(19
|
)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust Service Class Service Plan and Shareholder
Administration Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004
44
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(20
|
)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust FST Capital Administration Class Capital
Administration Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004
44
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(21
|
)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust Account Service Plan for Institutional
Shares amended and restated as of February 4, 2004 (U.S. Mortgages Fund and
Investment Grade Credit Fund)
44
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(22
|
)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust Account Service Plan for Class A Shares
amended and restated as of February 4, 2004 (U.S. Mortgages Fund and Investment
Grade Credit Fund)
44
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(23
|
)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust FST Service Class Service Plan and
Shareholder Administration Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004
44
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(24
|
)
|
|
Mutual Funds Service Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between
Registrant and J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co.
52
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(25
|
)
|
|
Form of Fee Waiver Agreement between Goldman Sachs Asset
Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Commodity Strategy
Fund
48
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(26
|
)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust FST Cash Management Shares Service Plan
dated February 11, 2010 (on behalf of Financial Square Funds), filed herewith
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(27
|
)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust Premier Shares Service Plan and
Administration Plan dated February 11, 2010, filed herewith
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(28
|
)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust Resource Shares
Service Plan dated February 11, 2010, filed herewith
|
|
C-10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i)
|
|
Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP, filed herewith
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(j)
|
|
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, filed herewith
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(k)
|
|
Not applicable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(l)
|
|
Not applicable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(m)
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
Class A Distribution and Service Plan amended and restated as of May 5, 2004
19
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
Class B Distribution and Service Plan amended and restated as
of February 4, 2004
44
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
Class C Distribution and Service Plan amended and restated as
of February 4, 2004
44
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
Cash Management Shares Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule
12b-1 amended and restated as of February 4, 2004
44
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
Class R Distribution and Service Plan dated November 8, 2007
29
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|
Cash Management Shares Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule
12b-1 dated February 11, 2010 (on behalf of Financial Square Funds), filed
herewith
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7
|
)
|
|
Resource Shares Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1
dated February 11, 2010, filed herewith
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(n)
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
Plan in Accordance with Rule 18f-3, amended and restated as of February 11, 2010, filed herewith
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(p)
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
Code of Ethics Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance
Trust dated November 4, 2004, as amended June 15, 2006
48
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
Code of Ethics Goldman, Sachs & Co., Goldman Sachs Asset
Management L.P. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management International dated January
23, 1991, as amended May 12, 2009
48
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(q)
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
Powers of Attorney for Messrs. Bakhru, Coblentz, Harker, Shuch and Strubel
23
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
Powers of Attorney for Ms. Daniels and Ms. Palmer
53
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
Power of Attorney for James A. McNamara
54
/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
Power of Attorney for George F. Travers
34
/
|
|
|
|
1
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 14, 1997.
|
C-11
|
|
|
2
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed October 16, 1997.
|
|
|
|
3
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 13, 1998.
|
|
|
|
4
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed October 1, 1998.
|
|
|
|
5
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 29, 1998.
|
|
|
|
6
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 12, 1999.
|
|
|
|
7
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed July 16, 1999.
|
|
|
|
8
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed September 16, 1999.
|
|
|
|
9
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed November 22, 1999.
|
|
|
|
10
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 23, 2000.
|
|
|
|
11
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed May 3, 2000.
|
|
|
|
12
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed November 22, 2000.
|
|
|
|
13
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 13, 2001.
|
|
|
|
14
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 21, 2001.
|
|
|
|
15
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 11, 2002.
|
|
|
|
16
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 81 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 19, 2003.
|
|
|
|
17
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 12, 2003.
|
|
|
|
18
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-14
relating to the Registrants acquisition of the Golden Oak
®
Family of Funds
(Acquisition), SEC File No. 333-117561, filed July 22, 2004.
|
|
|
|
19
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 23, 2004.
|
|
|
|
20
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 103 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed June 17, 2005.
|
C-12
|
|
|
21
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 811-05349, filed December 7, 2005.
|
|
|
|
22
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 127 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed May 26, 2006.
|
|
|
|
23
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 114 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 29, 2005.
|
|
|
|
24
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 129 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed June 23, 2006.
|
|
|
|
25
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 133 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed August 18, 2006.
|
|
|
|
26
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 21, 2006.
|
|
|
|
27
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 159 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 811-05349, filed June 12, 2007.
|
|
|
|
28
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 162 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 811-05349, filed August 14, 2007.
|
|
|
|
29
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 173 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 811-05349, filed November 27, 2007.
|
|
|
|
30
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 183 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed January 18, 2008.
|
|
|
|
31
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 205 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed July 29, 2008.
|
|
|
|
32
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 206 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed August 27, 2008.
|
|
|
|
33
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 217 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 27, 2009.
|
|
|
|
34
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 226 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed November 24, 2009.
|
|
|
|
35
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 242 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 30, 2010.
|
|
|
|
36
/
|
|
Article II, Section 10, Article IV, Section 3, Article V, Article VI, Article VII,
Article IX, Section 8 and Section 9 of the Registrants Agreement and Declaration of Trust
incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit (a)(1) and Article III of the Registrants Amended
and Restated By-Laws incorporated by reference as Exhibit (b)(3).
|
|
|
|
37
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed November 25, 1998.
|
|
|
|
38
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 195 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 29, 2008.
|
C-13
|
|
|
39
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed June 13, 2003.
|
|
|
|
40
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 29, 1995.
|
|
|
|
41
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed March 2, 1998.
|
|
|
|
42
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 1, 1999.
|
|
|
|
43
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 75 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 15, 2002.
|
|
|
|
44
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 24, 2004.
|
|
|
|
45
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 218 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 30, 2009.
|
|
|
|
46
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 233 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 28, 2009.
|
|
|
|
47
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 229 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 24, 2009.
|
|
|
|
48
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 222 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File. No. 33-17619, filed July 28, 2009.
|
|
|
|
49
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 175 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 10, 2007.
|
|
|
|
50
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 198 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 28, 2008.
|
|
|
|
51
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 811-05349, filed February 17, 2006.
|
|
|
|
52
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 149 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed January 19, 2007.
|
|
|
|
53
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 161 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed August 10, 2007.
|
|
|
|
54
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 171 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed November 9, 2007.
|
Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund
Goldman Sachs Commodity Strategy Fund, a series of the Registrant, wholly owns and controls
Goldman Sachs Cayman Commodity Fund, Ltd. (Subsidiary), a company organized under the laws of the
Cayman Islands. The Subsidiarys financial statements will be included on a consolidated basis in
the Commodity Strategy Funds annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders.
Item 30. Indemnification
C-14
Article IV of the Declaration of Trust of Goldman Sachs Trust, a Delaware statutory trust,
provides for indemnification of the Trustees, officers and agents of the Trust, subject to certain
limitations. The Declaration of Trust is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1).
The Management Agreements (other than the Management Agreements on behalf of the ILA
Portfolios and the Short Duration Government Fund) provide that the applicable Investment Adviser
will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by a Fund,
except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the
Investment Adviser or from reckless disregard by the Investment Adviser of its obligations or
duties under the Management Agreements. Section 7 of the Management Agreements on behalf of the ILA
Portfolios and the Short Duration Government Fund provides that the ILA Portfolios and the Short
Duration Government Fund will indemnify the Adviser against certain liabilities; provided, however,
that such indemnification does not apply to any loss by reason of its willful misfeasance, bad
faith or gross negligence or the Advisers reckless disregard of its obligation under the
Management Agreements. The Management Agreements are incorporated by reference as Exhibits (d)(1)
through (d)(7).
Section 9 of the Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Goldman Sachs dated April
30, 1997, as amended October 30, 2003 and Section 7 of the Transfer Agency Agreement between the
Registrant and Goldman, Sachs & Co. dated August 9, 2007 provides that the Registrant will
indemnify Goldman, Sachs & Co. against certain liabilities. Copies of the Distribution Agreement
and the Transfer Agency Agreement are incorporated by reference as Exhibits (e)(1) and (h)(4)
respectively, to the Registrants Registration Statement.
Mutual fund and trustees and officers liability policies purchased jointly by the Registrant,
Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust and Goldman Sachs Credit Strategies Fund insure such persons
and their respective trustees, partners, officers and employees, subject to the policies coverage
limits and exclusions and varying deductibles, against loss resulting from claims by reason of any
act, error, omission, misstatement, misleading statement, neglect or breach of duty.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (GSAM LP) and Goldman Sachs Asset Management
International (GSAMI) are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and serve as
investment advisers to the Registrant. Set forth below are the names, businesses and business
addresses of certain managing directors of GSAM LP and GSAMI who are engaged in any other business,
profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature.
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Position with
|
|
Name and Address of Other
|
|
Connection with
|
the Investment Advisers
|
|
Company
|
|
Other Company
|
John S. Weinberg
|
|
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
|
|
Vice Chairman
|
Managing Director-
|
|
200 West Street
|
|
|
GSAM LP
|
|
New York, New York 10282
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
|
|
Managing Director
|
|
|
200 West Street
|
|
|
|
|
New York, New York 10282
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lloyd C. Blankfein
|
|
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
|
|
Chairman and Chief
|
Managing Director-
|
|
200 West Street
|
|
Executive Officer
|
GSAM LP
|
|
New York, New York 10282
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
|
|
Managing Director
|
|
|
200 West Street
|
|
|
|
|
New York, New York 10282
|
|
|
Item 32. Principal Underwriters
|
(a)
|
|
Goldman, Sachs & Co. or an affiliate or a division thereof currently serves as
distributor for shares of Goldman Sachs Trust and for shares of Goldman Sachs Variable
Insurance Trust. Goldman,
|
C-15
|
|
|
Sachs & Co., or a division thereof currently serves as administrator and distributor
of the units or shares of The Commerce Funds.
|
|
|
(b)
|
|
Set forth below is certain information pertaining to the Managing Directors of
Goldman, Sachs & Co., the Registrants principal underwriter, who are members of The
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.s Management Committee. None of the members of the management
committee holds a position or office with the Registrant.
|
GOLDMAN SACHS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
|
|
|
Name and Principal
|
|
|
Business Address
|
|
Position with Goldman, Sachs & Co.
|
Lloyd C. Blankfein (1)
|
|
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
|
Alan M. Cohen (1)
|
|
Global Head of Compliance, Managing Director
|
Gary D. Cohn (1)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Christopher A. Cole (1)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Edith Cooper (1)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Gordon E. Dyal (2)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Isabelle Ealet (3)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Edward K. Eisler (3)
|
|
Managing Director
|
J. Michael Evans (4)
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|
Managing Director
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Edward C. Forst (1)
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|
Managing Director
|
Richard A. Friedman (1)
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|
Managing Director
|
Richard J. Gnodde (2)
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|
Managing Director
|
David B. Heller (1)
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Managing Director
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Kevin W. Kennedy (1)
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Managing Director
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Gwen R. Libstag (1)
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Managing Director
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Masanori Mochida (5)
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Managing Director
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Donald R. Mullen, Jr. (1)
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Managing Director
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Timothy J. ONeill (1)
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Managing Director
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Gregory K. Palm (1)
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General Counsel and Managing Director
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John F.W. Rogers (1)
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Managing Director
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Richard M. Ruzika (1)
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Managing Director
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Pablo J. Salame (3)
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Managing Director
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Harvey M. Schwartz (1)
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|
Managing Director
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Michael S. Sherwood (3)
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Managing Director
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David M. Solomon (1)
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Managing Director
|
Esta Stecher (1)
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General Counsel and Managing Director
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Steven H. Strongin (1)
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Managing Director
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David A. Viniar (1)
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Managing Director
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John S. Weinberg (1)
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Managing Director
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Yoel Zaoui (2)
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Managing Director
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(1)
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200 West Street, New York, NY 10282
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(2)
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Peterborough Court, 133 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2BB, England
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(3)
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River Court, 120 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2QQ, England
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(4)
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Cheung Kong Center, 68
th
Floor, 2 Queens Road Central, Hong Kong, China
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(5)
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12-32, Akasaka I-chome, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 107-6006, Japan
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(c) Not Applicable.
C-16
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust, Amended and Restated By-laws and minute books of the
Registrant and certain investment adviser records are in the physical possession of GSAM LP, 200
West Street, New York, New York 10282. All other accounts, books and other documents required to be
maintained under Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules promulgated
thereunder are in the physical possession of State Street Bank and Trust Company, State Street
Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111 and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., 270 Park
Avenue, New York, New York 10017, except for certain transfer agency records which are maintained
by Goldman, Sachs & Co., 71 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
Item 34. Management Services
Not applicable
Item 35. Undertakings
Not applicable
C-17
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of
1940, the Registrant certifies that it
meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Post-Effective Amendment No. 245 under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and
has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 245 to its
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City
and State of New York on the 14th day of May, 2010.
GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST
(A Delaware statutory trust)
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|
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By:
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/s/ Peter V. Bonanno
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Peter V. Bonanno
Secretary
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment to said
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the
date indicated.
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Name
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Title
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Date
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1
James A. McNamara
James A. McNamara
|
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President (Chief
Executive Officer)
and Trustee
|
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May 14, 2010
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|
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1
George F. Travers
George F. Travers
|
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Principal Financial
Officer and Senior
Vice President
|
|
May 14, 2010
|
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|
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1
Ashok N. Bakhru
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Chairman and Trustee
|
|
May 14, 2010
|
|
|
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Ashok N. Bakhru
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|
|
|
|
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|
|
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1
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
|
|
Trustee
|
|
May 14, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
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John P. Coblentz, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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1
Diana M. Daniels
|
|
Trustee
|
|
May 14, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diana M. Daniels
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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1
Patrick T. Harker
|
|
Trustee
|
|
May 14, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patrick T. Harker
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
Jessica Palmer
|
|
Trustee
|
|
May 14, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jessica Palmer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
Alan A. Shuch
|
|
Trustee
|
|
May 14, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alan A. Shuch
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
Richard P. Strubel
|
|
Trustee
|
|
May 14, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard P. Strubel
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
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|
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By:
|
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/s/ Peter V. Bonanno
|
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|
|
|
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|
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Peter V. Bonanno,
Attorney-In-Fact
|
|
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|
|
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1
|
|
Pursuant to powers of attorney previously filed.
|
C-18
CERTIFICATE
The undersigned Secretary for Goldman Sachs Trust (the Trust) hereby certifies that the Board of
Trustees of the Trust duly adopted the following resolution at a meeting of the Board held on June
17, 2009.
RESOLVED
, that the Trustees and Officers of the Trust who may be required to execute any
amendments to the Trusts Registration Statement be, and each hereby is, authorized to execute a
power of attorney appointing Peter V. Bonanno, James A. Fitzpatrick, James A. McNamara and John M.
Perlowski, jointly and severally, their attorneys-in-fact, each with power of substitution, for
said Trustees and Officers in any and all capacities to sign the Registration Statement under the
Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 of the Trust and any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto, and other
documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, the Trustees and Officers hereby ratifying and
confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may do
or may have caused to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated: May 14, 2010
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/s/ Peter V. Bonanno
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Peter V. Bonanno,
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Secretary
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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|
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(h)(26)
|
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Goldman Sachs Trust FST Cash Management Shares Service Plan dated February 11, 2010 (on behalf of Financial Square Funds)
|
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(h)(27)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust Premier Shares Service Plan and Administration Plan dated February 11, 2010
|
|
|
|
(h)(28)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust Resource Shares Service Plan dated February 11, 2010
|
|
|
|
(i)
|
|
Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP
|
|
|
|
(j)
|
|
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
|
|
|
|
(m)(6)
|
|
Cash Management Shares Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 dated February 11, 2010
(on behalf of Financial Square Funds)
|
|
|
|
(m)(7)
|
|
Resource Shares Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 dated February 11, 2010
|
|
|
|
(n)(1)
|
|
Plan in Accordance with Rule 18f-3, amended and restated as of February 11, 2010
|