As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 6, 2008

Securities Act File No. 333-151672

Investment Company Act File No. 811-22208                    

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

___________________

 

FORM N-1A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

x

 

 

Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1

x

 

Post-Effective Amendment No.

[

]

and/or

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

x

                Amendment No. 1

x

 

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

2960 N. Meridian St., Suite 300, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Zip Code)

 

Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (317) 917-7000

 

Unified Fund Services, Inc.

2960 N. Meridian St., Suite 300, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

With Copies to : John H. Lively

Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP

4801 Main Street, Suite 1000

Kansas City, MO 64112

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:

As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such dates as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant declares that an indefinite number of its shares of beneficial interest is being registered under the Securities Act of 1933 by this Registration Statement.

 


 

 

 

IndexEdge® Long-Term Portfolio Fund
 

PROSPECTUS
 
_____________, 2008
 
 
 

IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC
650 Poydras Street, Suite 1400
New Orleans, LA 70130
 

(888) 896-5715

www.indexedgeportfoliofunds.com

     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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

The Prospectus gives you important information about the fund that you should know before you invest. Please read this Prospectus carefully before investing and use it for future reference.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

     PAGE
 

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY                                                                                                                  1
 
FEES AND EXPENSES OF INVESTING IN THE FUND                                                                    6
 
HOW TO BUY SHARES                                                                                                                        7
 
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES                                                                                                              14
 
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE                                                                                   17
 
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES                                                                                 18
 
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND                                                                                                       20
 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS                                                                                                                 21
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION                                                                                            Back Cover
 


RISK/RETURN SUMMARY
 
 

Investment Objective
 

     The investment objective of the IndexEdge® Long-Term Portfolio Fund (the “Fund”) is to provide long-term capital appreciation. The Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed by the Fund without shareholder approval.
 

Principal Investment Strategies
 

     The Fund is a fund-of-funds, and seeks to achieve its investment objective by asset allocation and primarily investing in a portfolio of underlying index exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and index mutual funds. The Fund is not limited in the amount that it must invest in either ETFs or index mutual funds and it may invest up to 100% of its assets in ETFs or index mutual funds. Each underlying fund will attempt to approximate the investment performance of its respective benchmark by investing in a variety of equity, debt, commodities, money market securities, and other instruments.
 
     Underlying ETFs are exchange traded investment companies that are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and hold a portfolio of common stocks or other securities designed to track the performance of a particular index. ETFs differ from traditional index mutual funds in that their shares are listed on a securities exchange and can be traded intraday.
 

The Fund typically expects to allocate its assets in underlying funds such that approximately 70% of the portfolio is invested in ETFs or index mutual funds that hold themselves out as having an objective of replicating the performance of a particular index by investing in domestic and foreign equity securities and other investments such as commodities and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) that comprise the index. The Fund also expects to allocate its assets such that approximately 30% of the portfolio is invested in ETFs or index mutual funds that hold themselves out as having an objective of replicating the performance of an index by investing in fixed income securities. Under normal conditions, the Fund anticipates investing in approximately ten to twenty ETFs and index mutual funds.

The Fund may make any investments in ETFs and index mutual funds without regard to market capitalization. Additionally, The Fund may invest in fixed income funds regardless of the quality or duration of the securities in which such funds invest and regardless of whether such securities are those issued by domestic and foreign issuers. The Fund may invest in both equity and fixed income type REITs. Foreign equity securities may include securities of issuers located in emerging markets. There are no limitations on the amount of Fund assets which may be invested in other funds that invest in REITs and/or commodities.

     The Fund’s adviser, IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC (the “Adviser”), utilizes proprietary asset allocation models for long-term investors seeking to maximize their risk-adjusted returns in a professional, disciplined fashion. The Adviser believes that an appropriate portfolio is a fully diversified portfolio with multiple asset classes represented pursuant to a long-term investment strategy. The Adviser utilizes strategic asset allocation solutions that incorporate leading research from the Modern Portfolio Theory and the Fama/French multifactor investment model. These two investment models are tools that are commonly utilized in the professional investment management industry to construct and manage investment portfolios. The modern portfolio theory focuses on constructing portfolios and minimizing risk through the use of investment diversification. The Fama/French multifactor investment model focuses on security selection by taking into consideration multiple factors, including the beta, market capitalization and value of the security.
 

Utilizing these models, the Adviser will allocate the Fund’s assets among a mix of ETFs and index mutual funds in multiple asset classes. The Adviser will review the universe of existing ETFs and index mutual funds when making its determination. When considering particular ETFs or index mutual funds in which to invest, the Adviser considers several factors, including without limitation, the investment philosophy of the ETF or index mutual fund, investment performance, tracking error, capitalization, expenses and liquidity.

     Periodically, the Adviser will rebalance of the Fund’s assets among underlying investment holdings to meet target allocations. Additionally, the Adviser may change the Fund’s target allocation as to asset classes, and/or particular ETFs or index mutual funds (including the addition or deletion of underlying investments).
 
     Although the Fund will invest primarily in ETFs, no-load or load-waived mutual funds, the Fund is not precluded from investing in underlying funds with sales-related expenses, including redemption fees and/or 12b-1 fees in excess of 0.25%. Shareholders may incur expenses associated with frequent capital gains distributions by the underlying funds. Because the Fund will bear its share of the fees and expenses of the underlying funds, you will pay higher expenses than would be the case if you invested directly in these funds.
 

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund
 

The principal risks of investing in the Fund are summarized below. There may be circumstances that could prevent the Fund from achieving its investment goal and you may lose or gain money by investing in the Fund. You should carefully consider the Fund’s investment risks before deciding whether to invest in the Fund.

·     

Management Risk. The Adviser’s strategy may fail to produce the intended results. The Adviser’s skill in choosing appropriate investments will play a large part in determining whether the Fund is able to achieve its investment objective. If the Adviser’s projections about the prospects for the underlying funds are not correct, such errors in judgment by the Adviser may result in significant investment losses. Although, the Adviser has experience managing discretionary accounts, the Adviser has no prior experience managing a mutual fund.


·     

ETF and Index Mutual Fund Risks. When the Fund invests in an underlying mutual fund or ETF, the Fund will be subject to substantially the same risks as those associated with the direct ownership of securities comprising the index on which the ETF or index mutual fund is based and the value of the Fund’s investment will fluctuate in response to the performance of the underlying index. In addition to the brokerage costs associated with the Fund’s purchase and sale of the underlying securities, ETFs and index mutual funds incur fees that are separate from those of the Fund. As a result, the Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the operating expenses of the ETFs and mutual funds, in addition to Fund expenses. Because the Fund is not required to hold shares of underlying funds for any minimum period, it may be subject to, and may have to pay, short-term redemption fees imposed by the underlying funds. In addition to risks generally associated with investments in investment company securities, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to traditional mutual funds:


(i)     

the market price of an ETF’s shares may be above or below its net asset value;


(ii)     

an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained;


(iii)     

the ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; and


(iv)     

trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate,


(v)     

Underlying ETF shares may be de-listed from the exchange or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreased in stock prices) temporarily stop stock trading.


·     

Fixed Income Risk. Through its investments in underlying funds, the Fund will be exposed to various fixed income risks, including credit risk that the issuer of the security may not be able to make payments when due. Fixed income securities also face interest rate risk and duration risk. Interest rate risk refers to the risk that the prices of fixed income securities falling as interest rates rise; conversely, the prices of fixed income securities generally rise as interest rates fall. Specific fixed income securities differ in their sensitivity to changes in interest rates depending on specific characteristics of each fixed income security. A measure investors commonly use to determine this sensitivity is called duration. The longer the duration of a particular fixed income security, generally the greater its price sensitivity is to interest rates. Similarly, a longer duration portfolio of securities generally has greater price sensitivity. Duration is determined by a number of factors including coupon rate, whether the coupon is fixed or floating, time to maturity, call or put features, and various repayment features.


·     

Equity Securities Risk. Through its investments in underlying funds, the Fund will be exposed to equity securities risk. The prices of stocks can rise and fall rapidly in response to developments affecting a specific company or industry, or to changing economic, political or market conditions. The Fund’s investments may decline in value if the stock markets decline in value, and there is the risk that the Fund’s investments will underperform either the securities markets generally or particular segments of the securities markets.


·     

Foreign Securities Risk. Underlying funds in the Fund’s portfolio may invest in foreign securities. Foreign securities are subject to additional risks not typically associated with investments in domestic securities. These risks may include, among others, country related risks including political, diplomatic, regional conflicts, terrorism, war, social and economic instability, currency devaluations, and policies restricting the movement of assets; different trading practices; less government supervision; less publicly available information; limited trading markets; and greater volatility.


·     

Emerging Markets Risk. To the extent that underlying funds invest in issuers located in emerging markets, the foreign securities risk may be heightened. Due to political changes, changes in taxation, or currency controls that could adversely affect investments located in emerging market countries, investments of this nature may be more volatile than investments made in the markets of more developed foreign countries with more mature economies.


·     

Commodity Risk. Some of the underlying funds may invest directly or indirectly in physical commodities, such as gold, silver, and other precious materials. Accordingly, the Fund may be affected by changes in commodity prices which can move significantly in short periods of time and be affected by new discoveries or changes in government regulations.


·     

Sector Risk. A particular market sector can be more volatile or underperform relative to the market as a whole. To the extent that the Fund has overweighted holdings within a particular sector, the Fund is subject to an increased risk that its investments in that particular sector may decline because of changing expectations for the performance of that sector.


·     

Concentration Risk. The Fund does not intend to concentrate investments in a particular industry or sector and will not use the underlying funds to concentrate indirectly. However, to the extent that the underlying funds concentrate their investments in a particular industry or sector, the Fund’s shares may be more volatile and fluctuate more than shares of a fund investing in a broader range of securities.


·     

Derivatives Risk. Some of the underlying funds may use derivative instruments. Derivatives are investments the value of which is "derived" from the value of an underlying asset (including an underlying security), reference rate or index. The value of derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments. For some derivatives, it is possible to lose more than the amount invested in the derivative. Derivatives may be used to create synthetic exposure to an underlying asset or to hedge a portfolio risk. If the fund uses derivatives to "hedge" the overall risk of its portfolio, it is possible that the hedge may not succeed. This may happen for various reasons, including unexpected changes in the value of the rest of the fund's portfolio. Over the counter derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party to the contract will not fulfill its contractual obligation to complete the transaction with the fund.


·     

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Risk. The Fund’s investment in underlying funds that invest in REIT securities will expose the Fund to risks similar to those associated with direct investments in real estate, including changes in interest rates, overbuilding, increased property taxes, or regulatory actions. Fixed income REITs are subject to the risks associated with fixed income securities (see “Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund – Fixed Income Risk”).


·     

Small- and Mid-Cap Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in underlying funds that invest in small- and mid-cap companies, the Fund will be subject to additional risks. The earnings and prospects of smaller companies are more volatile than larger companies, and smaller companies may experience higher failure rates than do larger companies. The trading volume of securities of smaller companies is normally less than that of larger companies and, therefore, may disproportionately affect their market price, tending to make prices fall more in response to selling pressure than is the case with larger companies. Smaller companies may also have limited markets, product lines, or financial resources, and may lack management experience.


·     

Market Timing Risk. Market timing is an investment strategy using frequent purchases, redemptions and/or exchanges in an attempt to profit from short-term market movements. Market timing can result in dilution of the value of Fund shares held by long-term shareholders, disrupt portfolio management and increase Fund expenses for all shareholders. Because the Fund does not consider the underlying funds’ policies and procedures with respect to market timing, performance of the underlying funds may be diluted due to market timing and therefore may affect the performance of the Fund.


·     

Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is non-diversified for purposes of the 1940 Act, which means it can invest a greater percentage of its assets invested in the securities of any one issuer than a fund that is considered diversified for purposes of the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, a fund must classify itself as either diversified or non-diversified. Generally, under the 1940 Act, a "diversified" fund may not purchase the securities of any one issuer, if, at the time of purchase, as to 75% of the fund’s total assets, (i) more than 5% of the fund’s total assets would be invested in securities of that issuer, or (ii) more than 10% of the voting securities of an issuer would be held by the fund. Under the 1940 Act, a "non-diversified" investment company is not subject to such restrictions. However, the Internal Revenue Code also has certain diversification requirements for funds that are "regulated investment companies," including the Fund. The IRS diversification requirements mean that the limits above effectively apply to 50% of the Fund’s total assets (in lieu of 75%).


·     

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.


·     

As with any mutual fund investment, the Fund’s returns will vary and you could lose money.




Temporary Defensive Positions
 

From time to time, the Fund may take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its principal investment strategies, in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. In such instances, the Fund may hold up to 100% of its assets in cash; short-term U.S. government securities and government agency securities; investment grade money market instruments; investment grade fixed income securities; repurchase agreements; commercial paper and cash equivalents. The Fund may invest in the securities described above at any time to maintain liquidity, pending selection of investments by the Adviser, or if the Adviser believes that sufficient investment opportunities that meet the Fund's investment criteria are not available. By keeping cash on hand, the Fund may be able to meet shareholder redemptions without selling securities and realizing gains and losses. As a result of engaging in these temporary measures, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

Is the Fund right for you?
 
     
The Fund may be suitable for:
 

·     

long-term investors seeking a fund with an investment objective of long-term capital appreciation


·     

investors who want exposure to a broad range of assets classes within the convenience of a single fund; or


·     

investors willing to accept price fluctuations in their investment.




How has the Fund performed in the past?
 

     The Fund recently commenced operations and, as a result, has no prior performance history.
 

FEES AND EXPENSES OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
 

     The tables below describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

 

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

 

Class A

Investor

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases

 

5.75%

NONE

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

 

NONE 1

NONE

Redemption Fee 2

 

NONE

NONE

Exchange Fee

 

NONE

NONE

       

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)

     

Management Fees

 

0.50%

0.50%     

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

 

0.25%     

NONE

Other Expenses 3

 

2.27%

2.27%

Fees and Expenses of Acquired Funds 3, 4

 

0.18%

0.18%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

 

3.20%

2.95%

Less: Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements

 

(2.03%)

(2.03%)

Net Fund Operating Expenses 5

 

1.17%

0.92%     



 

 

1.     A deferred sales charge of 1.00% is imposed on Class A shares redeemed within 18 months of purchase if the shares were purchased without an initial sales charge because they were purchases of $1 million or more or purchases by qualified retirement plans with at least 200 eligible employees.

2.     A wire transfer fee of $15 is charged to defray custodial charges for redemptions paid by wire transfer. This fee is subject to change.

3.     Based on estimated amounts for the Fund’s initial fiscal year.

4.      “Fees and Expenses of Acquired Funds” represent the pro rata expense indirectly incurred by the Fund as a result of investing in money market funds or other investment companies, including ETFs, that have their own expenses. These fees and expenses are not used to calculate the Fund’s net asset value.

5.      Annual Fund Operating Expenses have been restated to reflect that, as of the date of this Prospectus, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive or limit its fees and to assume other expenses of the Fund until December 31, 2009, so that the ratio of total annual operating expenses for Fund’s Class A shares does not exceed 0.99% and 0.74% for the Investor shares. This operating expense limitation does not apply to: (i) interest, (ii) taxes, (iii) brokerage commissions, (iv) other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, (v) other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund's business, (vi) dividend expense on short sales, and (vii) expenses that the Fund has incurred but did not actually pay because of an expense offset arrangement, if applicable, incurred by the Fund in any fiscal year. The operating expense limitation also excludes any “Fees and Expense of Acquired Funds” as that term is described above. The Adviser may be entitled to the reimbursement of any fees waived or expenses reimbursed pursuant to the agreement provided overall expenses fall below the limitations set forth above. The Adviser may recoup the sum of all fees previously waived or expenses reimbursed during any of the previous three (3) years, less any reimbursement previously paid, provided total expenses do not exceed the limitation set forth above.

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, based on the costs above. This example assumes the expenses above remain the same and that the expenses were maintained for one year at rates described above. It also assumes that you invested $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated, earned 5% annual returns, and reinvested all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
 

                                                                1 year                 3 years

     Class A shares                                $691                  $1,353
     Investor Class shares                    $97                    $747

HOW TO BUY SHARES
 

     To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. This means that when you open an account, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. We may also ask for other identifying documents or information.
 
     The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $2,500 for all account types. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, waive these minimums for accounts participating in an automatic investment program and in certain other circumstances. The Fund may waive or lower investment minimums for investors who invest in the Fund through an asset-based fee program made available through a financial intermediary.   If your investment is aggregated into an omnibus account established by an investment adviser, broker or other intermediary, the account minimums apply to the omnibus account, not to your individual investment. The financial intermediary may also impose minimum requirements that are different from those set forth in this Prospectus. With respect to both Class A Shares and Investor Shares, if you choose to purchase or redeem shares directly from the Fund, you will not incur charges on purchases and redemptions. However, if you purchase or redeem Class A Shares or Investor Shares through a broker-dealer or another intermediary, you may be charged a fee by that intermediary.

Initial Purchase

By Mail - To be in proper form, your initial purchase request must include:

·     

a completed and signed investment application form (which accompanies this Prospectus); and


·     

a check (subject to the minimum amount) made payable to the Fund.




Mail the application and check to:

U.S. Mail:                                                                                         Overnight:

IndexEdge® Long-Term Portfolio Fund

c/o Unified Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 6110
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6110

IndexEdge® Long-Term Portfolio Fund

c/o Unified Fund Services, Inc.
2960 N. Meridian Street, Suite 300          

Indianapolis, Indiana 46208      



     By Wire - You may also purchase shares of the Fund by wiring federal funds from your bank, which may charge you a fee for doing so. To wire money, you must call Shareholder Services at (888) 415-3343 to obtain instructions on how to set up your account and to obtain an account number.

     You must provide a signed application to Unified Fund Services Inc., the Fund’s transfer agent, at the above address in order to complete your initial wire purchase. Wire orders will be accepted only on a day on which the Fund and its custodian and transfer agent are open for business. A wire purchase will not be considered made until the wired money is received and the purchase is accepted by the Fund. The purchase price per share will be the net asset value next determined after the wire purchase is accepted by the Fund. Any delays which may occur in wiring money, including delays which may occur in processing by the banks, are not the responsibility of the Fund or the transfer agent. There is presently no fee for the receipt of wired funds, but the Fund may charge shareholders for this service in the future.

Additional Investments
 

     You may purchase additional shares of the Fund at any time by mail, wire, or automatic investment. Each additional mail purchase request must contain:

1. Your name               

2. The name on your account(s)

3. Your account number(s)     

4. A check made payable to IndexEdge® Long-Term Portfolio Fund

     Checks should be sent to the Fund at the address listed under the heading “Initial Purchase – By Mail” in this Prospectus. To send a bank wire, call Shareholder Services at (888) 415-3343 to obtain instructions.
 

Distribution Plan

      The Fund has adopted a plan under Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act with respect to the Class A shares, that allows the Fund to pay distribution fees for the sale and distribution of its Class A shares and allows the Fund to pay for services provided to Class A shareholders (the “12b-1 Plan”). Class A shareholders of the Fund pay annual 12b-1 expenses of 0.25%. Over time, 12b-1 fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an on-going basis.

Automatic Investment Plan
 

     You may make regular investments in the Fund with an Automatic Investment Plan by completing the appropriate section of the account application and attaching a voided personal check. Investments may be made monthly to allow dollar-cost averaging by automatically deducting $100 or more from your bank checking account. You may change the amount of your monthly purchase at any time. If an Automatic Investment Plan purchase is rejected by your bank, your shareholder account will be charged a fee to defray bank charges.
 

Tax Sheltered Retirement Plans
 

     Shares of the Fund may be an appropriate investment for tax-sheltered retirement plans, including: individual retirement plans (IRAs); simplified employee pension plans (SEPs); 401(k) plans; qualified corporate pension and profit-sharing plans (for employees); tax deferred investment plans (for employees of public school systems and certain types of charitable organizations); and other qualified retirement plans. You should contact Shareholder Services at (888) 415-3343 for the procedure to open an IRA or SEP plan, as well as more specific information regarding these retirement plan options. Please consult with an attorney or tax adviser regarding these plans. You must pay custodial fees for your IRA by redemption of sufficient shares of the Fund from the IRA unless you pay the fees directly to the IRA custodian. Call Shareholder Services about the IRA custodial fees at (888) 415-3343.
 

Sales Charge – Class A Shares
 

      Class A shares of the Fund are purchased at the public offering price. The public offering price is the next determined net asset value per share plus a sales charge as shown in the table below. Certain persons may be entitled to purchase shares of the Fund without paying a sales commission. See “Purchases Without a Sales Charge.”
 

Amount of Investment

Sales Charge as a % of:

     Public     Net

     Offering     Amount
     Price      Invested

Dealer Reallowance
As % of Public
Offering Price

Less than $25,000

5.75%

6.10%

5.00%

$25,000 but less than $50,000

5.00%

5.26%

4.50%

$50,000 but less than $100,000

4.50%

4.71%

4.00%

$100,000 but less than $250,000

3.50%

3.63%

3.00%

$250,000 but less than $500,000

2.50%

2.56%

2.25%

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

2.00%

2.04%

1.75%

$1,000,000 or more

None

None

None



     Right of Accumulation (Class A Shares Only)
 
     Any "purchaser" (as defined below) may buy Class A shares of the Fund at a reduced sales charge by aggregating the dollar amount of the new purchase and the total net asset value of all Class A shares of the Fund then held by the purchaser and applying the sales charge applicable to such aggregate. In order to obtain such discount, the purchaser must provide sufficient information at the time of purchase to permit verification that the purchase qualifies for the reduced sales charge. The right of accumulation is subject to modification or discontinuance at any time with respect to all Class A shares purchased thereafter.
 
     For purposes of determining the applicable sales charge discount, a "purchaser" includes an individual, his spouse and their children under the age of 21, purchasing shares for his or their own account; or a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares for a single fiduciary account although more than one beneficiary may be involved; or employees of a common employer, provided that economies of scale are realized through remittances from a single source and quarterly confirmation of such purchases; or an organized group, provided that the purchases are made through a central administrator, or a single dealer, or by other means which result in economy of sales effort or expense.
 

     
Letter of Intent (Class A Shares Only)

 
     A Letter of Intent (the “LOI”) for amounts of $50,000 in Class A shares or more provides an opportunity for an investor to obtain a reduced sales charge by aggregating investments over a 13-month period, provided that the investor refers to such LOI when placing orders. For purposes of an LOI, the "Amount of Investment" as referred to in the preceding sales charge table includes all purchases of Class A shares of the Fund over the 13-month period based on the total amount of intended purchases plus the value of all Class A shares previously purchased and still owned. An alternative is to compute the 13-month period starting up to 90 days before the date of execution of an LOI. Each investment made during the period receives the reduced sales charge applicable to the total amount of the investment goal. The LOI imposes no obligation to purchase or sell additional Class A Shares and provides for a price adjustment depending upon the actual amount purchased within such period. The LOI Provides that the first purchase following execution of the LOI must be at least 5% of the amount of the intended overall purchase, and that 5% of the amount of the intended purchase normally will be held in escrow in the form of shares pending completion of the intended purchase. If the total investments under the LOI are less than the intended amount and thereby qualify for a higher sales charge than actually paid, the appropriate number of escrowed shares is redeemed and the proceeds are used towards satisfaction of the obligation to pay the increased sales charge. If a redemption order is received for an account prior to the satisfaction of the LOI, any shares not held in escrow will be redeemed first. Shares held in escrow will then be redeemed and a portion of the proceeds will be used to satisfy the obligation to pay the higher sales charge. Please contact the Fund’s transfer agent to obtain an LOI application at (888) 415-3343.

 

 

     Shareholder’s Responsibility With Respect to Breakpoint Discounts
 
     In order to obtain any of the sales charge discounts set forth above, you must inform your financial adviser of the existence of any eligible amounts under any Rights of Accumulation or LOI, in accounts held by family members at the time of purchase. You must inform your financial adviser of all shares of the Fund held (i) in your account(s) at the financial adviser, (ii) in your account(s) by another financial intermediary, and (iii) in any other accounts held at any financial intermediary belonging to family members. IF YOU FAIL TO INFORM YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISER OR THE FUND OF ALL ELIGIBLE HOLDINGS OR PLANNED PURCHASES, YOU MAY NOT RECEIVE A SALES CHARGE DISCOUNT TO WHICH YOU WOULD OTHERWISE BE ENTITLED. The Fund will require the names and account numbers of all accounts claimed in connection with a request for a sales charge discount. You may also be required to provide verification of holdings (such as account statements and/or copies of documents that reflect the original purchase cost of your holdings) that qualify you for a sales charge reduction. As such, it is very important that you retain all records that may be needed to substantiate an original purchase price of your holdings, as the Fund, its transfer agent, and financial intermediaries may not maintain this information.

     Purchases Without a Sales Charge (Class A Shares Only)

     The persons described below may purchase and redeem Class A shares of the Fund without paying a sales charge. In order to purchase Class A shares without paying a sales charge, you must notify the Fund’s transfer agent as to which of the conditions apply.
 

·     

Trustees, directors, officers and employees of the Fund or other funds advised by the Adviser, the Adviser and other service providers of the Fund, including employees and members of the immediate family of such individuals and employee benefit plans of such entities;


·     

Broker-dealers with selling agreements with the Fund’s distributor or otherwise entitled to be compensated under the Fund's 12b-1 Plan (and employees, their immediate family members and employee benefit plans of such entities);


·     

Registered representatives (and their immediate family members) of broker-dealers with selling agreements with the Fund’s distributor;


·     

Tax-qualified plans when proceeds from repayments of loans to participants are invested (or reinvested) in the Fund;


·     

Financial planners, registered investment advisers, bank trust departments and other financial intermediaries with service agreements with the Fund’s distributor (and employees, their immediate family members and employee benefit plans of such entities);


·     

Clients (who pay a fee to the relevant administrator or financial intermediary) of administrators of tax-qualified plans, financial planners, registered investment advisers, bank trust departments and other financial intermediaries, provided the administrator or financial intermediary has an agreement with the Fund’s distributor or the Fund for this purpose;


·     

Clients of the Adviser who were not introduced to the Adviser by a financial intermediary and, prior to the effective date of the Fund, executed investment management agreements with the Adviser;


·     

Separate accounts of insurance companies, provided the insurance company has an agreement with the Fund’s distributor or the Fund for this purpose;


·     

Participants in wrap account programs, provided the broker-dealer, registered investment adviser or bank offering the program has an agreement with the Fund’s distributor or the Fund for this purpose;


·     

Clients solicited by employees of the Adviser and who were not otherwise introduced to the Fund or the Adviser by a financial intermediary within one year of the purchase.



     In addition, Class A shares of the Fund may be purchased at net asset value through processing organizations (broker-dealers, banks or other financial institutions) that have a sales agreement or have made special arrangements with the Fund’s distributor. When shares are purchased this way, the processing organization, rather than its customer, may be the shareholder of record of the shares. The minimum initial and subsequent investments in the Fund for shareholders who invest through a processing organization generally will be set by the processing organization. Processing organizations may also impose other charges and restrictions in addition to, or different from, those applicable to investors who remain the shareholder of record of their shares. Thus, an investor contemplating investing with the Fund through a processing organization should read materials provided by the processing organization in conjunction with this Prospectus.
 

     Contingent Deferred Sales Charge and Dealer Re-allowance
 
     There is no initial sales charge on purchases of Class A shares of $1 million or more, or purchases by qualified retirement plans with at least 200 employees, however, a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1% will be imposed if such Class A shares are redeemed within eighteen months of their purchase, based on the lower of the shares’ cost or current net asset value. Any shares acquired by reinvestment of distributions will be redeemed without a CDSC. 

     In determining whether a CDSC is payable, the Fund will first redeem shares not subject to any charge. The CDSC will be waived on redemptions of shares arising out of the death or post-purchase disability of a shareholder or settlor of a living trust account, and on redemptions in connection with certain withdrawals from IRA or other retirement plans. The Fund’s distributor receives the entire amount of any CDSC you pay. See the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) for additional information about the CDSC.
 
     Except as stated below, the dealer of record receives commissions on sales of $1 million or more based on an investor's cumulative purchases during the one-year period beginning with the date of the initial purchase at net asset value. Each subsequent one-year measuring period for these purposes will begin with the first net asset value purchase following the end of the prior period. Such commissions are paid at the rate of 1.00% of the amount under $3 million, 0.50% of the next $47 million and 0.25% thereafter.
 
     On sales to qualified retirement plans for which no sales charge was paid because the plan had at least 200 eligible employees, the dealer of record receives commissions during each one-year measuring period, determined as described above, at the rate of 1.00% of the first $2 million, 0.80% of the next $1 million, 0.50% of the next $16 million and 0.25% thereafter.
 
     Under certain circumstances, the Fund’s distributor may change the re-allowance to dealers and may also compensate dealers out of its own assets. Dealers engaged in the sale of shares of the Fund may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act of 1933. The Fund’s distributor retains the entire sales charge on all direct initial investments in the Fund and on all investments in accounts with no designated dealer of record.
 

     Website Disclosure

     Information about sales charges, including sales load breakpoints, the Right of Accumulation and LOIs, is fully disclosed in this Prospectus, which is available, free of charge, on the Fund’s website at www.indexedgeportfoliofunds.com. The Fund believes that it is very important that an investor fully consider all aspects of their investment and be able to access all relevant information in one location. Therefore, the Fund does not make the sales charge information available to investors on the website independent of the Prospectus.

Other Purchase Information
 

     The Fund may limit the amount of purchases and refuse to sell shares to any person. If your check or wire does not clear, you will be responsible for any loss incurred by the Fund. You may be prohibited or restricted from making future purchases in the Fund. Checks should be made payable to the Fund. The Fund and its transfer agent may refuse any purchase order for any reason. Cash, third party checks (except for properly endorsed IRA rollover checks), counter checks, starter checks, traveler’s checks, money orders, credit card checks, and checks drawn on non-U.S. financial institutions will not be accepted. Cashier’s checks and bank official checks may be accepted in amounts greater than $10,000. In such cases, a fifteen (15) business day hold will be applied to the funds, (which means that you may not redeem your shares until the holding period has expired).

     The Fund has authorized certain broker-dealers and other financial institutions (including their designated intermediaries) to accept on its behalf purchase and sell orders. The Fund is deemed to have received an order when the authorized person or designee accepts the order, and the order is processed at the net asset value next calculated thereafter. It is the responsibility of the broker-dealer or other financial institution to transmit orders promptly to the Fund’s transfer agent.
 
 

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

     You may receive redemption payments by check or federal wire transfer. The proceeds may be more or less than the purchase price of your shares, depending on the market value of the Fund’s securities at the time of your redemption. If you redeem your shares through a broker/dealer or other institution, you may be charged a fee by that institution.

     By Mail - You may redeem any part of your account in the Fund at no charge by mail. Your request should be addressed to:

 

U.S. Mail:                                                                                    Overnight:

IndexEdge® Long-Term Portfolio Fund

c/o Unified Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 6110
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6110

IndexEdge® Long-Term Portfolio Fund

c/o Unified Fund Services, Inc.
2960 N. Meridian Street, Suite 300          

Indianapolis, Indiana 46208      



          

     Your request for a redemption must include your letter of instruction, including the Fund name, account number, account names, the address, and the dollar amount or number of shares you wish to redeem. Requests to sell shares that are received in good order are processed at the net asset value next calculated after the Fund receives your order in proper form. To be in good order, your request must be signed by all registered share owner(s) in the exact name(s) and any special capacity in which they are registered. The Fund may require that signatures be guaranteed if you request the redemption check be made payable to any person other than the shareholder(s) of record or mailed to an address other than the address of record, or if the mailing address has been changed within 30 days of the redemption request. The Fund may also require a signature guarantee for redemptions of $25,000 or more. Signature guarantees are for the protection of shareholders. You can obtain a signature guarantee from most banks and securities dealers, but not from a notary public. All documentation requiring a signature guarantee must utilize a New Technology Medallion Stamp. Please call Shareholder Services at (888) 415-3343 if you have questions. At the discretion of the Fund or its transfer agent, you may be required to furnish additional legal documents to insure proper authorization.

     By Telephone - You may redeem any part of your account in the Fund by calling Shareholder Services at (888) 415-3343. You must first complete the optional Telephone Redemption section of the investment application to institute this option. The Fund, and its transfer agent and custodian are not liable for following redemption or exchange instructions communicated by telephone to the extent that they reasonably believe the telephone instructions to be genuine. However, if they do not employ reasonable procedures to confirm that telephone instructions are genuine, they may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Procedures employed may include recording telephone instructions and requiring a form of personal identification from the caller.
 

      The Fund or its transfer agent may terminate the telephone redemption procedures at any time. During periods of extreme market activity, it is possible that shareholders may encounter some difficulty in telephoning the Fund, although neither the Fund nor the transfer agent has ever experienced difficulties in receiving and in a timely fashion responding to telephone requests for redemptions or exchanges. If you are unable to reach the Fund by telephone, you may request a redemption or exchange by mail.
 

By Wire - A wire transfer fee of $15 is charged to defray custodial charges for redemptions paid by wire transfer. This fee is subject to change. Any charges for wire redemptions will be deducted from your Fund account by redemption of shares.

Redemptions in Kind

The Fund does not intend to redeem shares in any form except cash. However, if the amount you are redeeming is over the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s net asset value, the Fund has the right to redeem your shares by giving you the amount that exceeds the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s net asset value in securities instead of cash. In the event that an in-kind distribution is made, a shareholder may incur additional expenses, such as the payment of brokerage commissions, on the sale or other disposition of the securities received from the Fund.

Fund Policy on Market Timing
 

     The Fund discourages market timing and does not accommodate frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares by Fund shareholders. Market timing is an investment strategy using frequent purchases, redemptions and/or exchanges in an attempt to profit from short-term market movements. Market timing can result in dilution of the value of Fund shares held by long-term shareholders, disrupt portfolio management and increase Fund expenses for all shareholders. The Board of Trustees has adopted a policy directing the Fund to reject any purchase order with respect to any investor, a related group of investors or their agent(s), where it detects a pattern of purchases and sales of the Fund that indicates market timing or trading that it determines is abusive. This policy generally applies to all Fund shareholders.

     While the Fund attempts to deter market timing, there is no assurance that the Fund will be able to identify and eliminate all market timers. For example, omnibus accounts typically provide the Fund with a net purchase or redemption request on any given day where purchasers and redeemers of Fund shares are netted against one another and the identities of individual purchasers and redeemers whose orders are aggregated is not known by the Fund. Despite the Fund’s efforts to detect and prevent abusive trading activities, it may be difficult for the Fund to identify such activity in certain omnibus accounts traded through financial intermediaries since the Fund may not have knowledge of the identity of individual investors and their transactions in such accounts. Under a federal rule, the Fund is required to have an agreement with many of its intermediaries obligating the intermediaries to provide, upon the Fund’s request, information regarding the intermediaries’ customers and their transactions. However, there can be no guarantee that all excessive, short-term or other abusive trading activities will be detected, even if such an agreement is in place. Certain intermediaries, in particular retirement plan sponsors and administrators, may have less restrictive policies regarding short-term trading. T he Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order for any reason, including purchase orders that it does not think are in the best interest of the Fund or its shareholders, or if the Fund thinks that trading is abusive. The Fund has not entered into any arrangements with any person to permit frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares.

Additional Information
 

     If you are not certain of the requirements for a redemption please call Shareholder Services at (888) 415-3343. Redemptions specifying a certain date or share price cannot be accepted and will be returned. You will be mailed the proceeds on or before the fifth business day following the redemption. However, payment for redemption made against shares purchased by check will be made only after the check has been collected, which normally may take up to fifteen calendar days. Also, when the New York Stock Exchange is closed (or when trading is restricted) for any reason other than its customary weekend or holiday closing or under any emergency circumstances, as determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund may suspend redemptions or postpone payment dates. You may be assessed a fee if the Fund incurs bank charges because you request that the Fund re-issue a redemption check.

     Redemption proceeds sent via check by the Fund and not cashed within 180 days will be reinvested in the Fund at the current day’s NAV. Redemption proceeds that are reinvested are subject to the risk of loss like any other investment in the Fund.

     Because the Fund incurs certain fixed costs in maintaining shareholder accounts, the Fund may require you to redeem all of your shares in the Fund on 30 days’ written notice if the value of your shares in the Fund is less than $2,500 due to redemption, or such other minimum amount as the Fund may determine from time to time. You may increase the value of your shares in the Fund to the minimum amount within the 30 day period. All shares of the Fund also are subject to involuntary redemption if the Board of Trustees determines to liquidate the Fund. In such event, the Board may close the Fund with notice to shareholders but without obtaining shareholder approval. An involuntary redemption will create a capital gain or capital loss, which may have tax consequences about which you should consult your tax adviser.

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

     The price you pay for your shares is based on the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”). The Fund’s NAV is calculated at the close of trading (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for business (the Stock Exchange is closed on weekends, most federal holidays and Good Friday). The Fund’s NAV is calculated by dividing the value of the Fund’s total assets (including interest and dividends accrued but not yet received) minus liabilities (including accrued expenses) by the total number of shares outstanding. Requests to purchase and sell shares are processed at the NAV next calculated after the Fund receives your order in proper form.

The Fund’s assets generally are valued at their market value. If market prices are not available (including when they are not reliable), or if an event occurs after the close of the trading market but before the calculation of the NAV that materially affects the values, assets may be valued by the Adviser at a fair value, pursuant to guidelines established by the Board of Trustees. For example, the Adviser may be obligated to fair value an ETF in which the Fund invests if the ETF failed to calculate its NAV as of the NYSE close or if the ETF invests a significant portion of assets in foreign securities. Fair value prices are typically used for underlying ETFs that invest in foreign securities because many foreign markets operate at times that do not coincide with those of the major U.S. markets. Events that could affect the values of foreign portfolio holdings may occur between the close of the foreign market and the time of determining the NAV, and would not otherwise be reflected in the NAV. When pricing securities using the fair value guidelines established by the Board of Trustees, the Adviser seeks to assign the value that represents the amount that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive upon a current sale of the securities. However, given the subjectivity inherent in fair valuation and the fact that events could occur after NAV calculation, the actual market prices for a security may differ from the fair value of that security as determined by the Adviser at the time of NAV calculation. Thus, discrepancies between fair values and actual market prices may occur on a regular and recurring basis. These discrepancies do not necessarily indicate that the Adviser’s fair value methodology is inappropriate. The Adviser will adjust the fair values assigned to securities in the Fund’s portfolio, to the extent necessary, as soon as market prices become available. The adviser continually monitors and evaluates the appropriateness of its fair value methodologies through systematic comparisons of fair values to the actual next available market prices of securities contained in the Fund’s portfolio.

DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

     Dividends and Distributions. The Fund typically distributes to its shareholders as dividends substantially all of its net investment income and any realized net capital gains. These distributions are automatically reinvested in the Fund unless you request cash distributions on your application or through a written request to the Fund. Sales loads are not imposed on shares, or amounts representing shares, that are purchased with reinvested dividends or other distributions. The Fund expects that its distributions will consist primarily of income and net realized capital gains. The Fund declares and pays dividends at least annually. Net investment income distributed by the Fund generally will consist of interest income, if any, and dividends received on investments, less expenses. The dividends you receive, whether or not reinvested, will be taxed as ordinary income except as described below.

     Unless you indicate another option on your account application, any dividends and capital gain distributions paid to you by the Fund automatically will be invested in additional shares of the Fund. Alternatively, you may elect to have: (1) dividends paid to you in cash and the amount of any capital gain distributions reinvested; or (2) the full amount of any dividends and capital gain distributions paid to you in cash. The Fund will send dividends and capital gain distributions elected to be received as cash to the address of record or bank of record on the applicable account. Your distribution option will automatically be converted to having all dividends and other distributions reinvested in additional shares if any of the following occur:
 

·     

Postal or other delivery service is unable to deliver checks to the address of record;


·     

Dividend and capital gain distribution checks are not cashed within 180 days; or


·     

Bank account of record is no longer valid.



Dividend and capital gain distribution checks issued by the Fund which are not cashed within 180 days will be reinvested in the Fund at the current day’s NAV. When reinvested, those amounts are subject to risk of loss like any other investment in the Fund.

     Selling shares (including redemptions) and receiving distributions (whether reinvested or taken in cash) usually are taxable events to the Fund’s shareholders. These transactions typically create the following tax liabilities for taxable accounts:

Summary of Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences. The following information is meant as a general summary of the federal income tax provisions regarding the taxation of the shareholders. Additional tax information appears in the SAI. Shareholders should rely on their own tax advisor for advice about the federal, state, and local tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund.

     The Fund expects to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized gains to its shareholders at least annually. Shareholders may elect to take dividends from net investment income or capital gain distributions, if any, in cash or reinvest them in additional Fund shares. Although the Fund will not be taxed on amounts it distributes, shareholders will generally be taxed on distributions, regardless of whether distributions are paid by the Fund in cash or are reinvested in additional Fund shares. Distributions to non-corporate investors attributable to ordinary income and short-term capital gains are generally taxed as ordinary income, although certain income dividends may be taxed to non-corporate shareholders as qualified dividend income at long-term capital gains rates provided certain holding period requirements are satisfied. Absent further legislation, such long-term capital gains rate will not apply to qualified dividend income distributed after December 31, 2010. Distributions of long-term capital gains are generally taxed as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long a shareholder has held Fund shares. Distributions may be subject to state and local taxes, as well as federal taxes.

     The Fund may invest in foreign securities against which foreign tax may be withheld. If more than 50% of the Fund’s assets are invested in foreign ETFs or index mutual funds at the end of the year, the Fund's shareholders might be able to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to foreign taxes withheld.
 
     Taxable distributions paid by the Fund to corporate shareholders will be taxed at corporate tax rates. Corporate shareholders may be entitled to a dividends received deduction (“DRD”) for a portion of the dividends paid and designated by the Fund as qualifying for the DRD provided certain holding period requirements are met.
 
     In general, a shareholder who sells or redeems Fund shares will realize a capital gain or loss, which will be long-term or short-term depending upon the shareholder’s holding period for the Fund shares, provided that any loss recognized on the sale of Fund shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of capital gain dividends received with respect to such shares. An exchange of shares may be treated as a sale and any gain may be subject to tax.
 
     The Fund may be required to withhold U.S federal income tax (presently at the rate of twenty-eight percent (28%)) on all taxable distributions payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification numbers or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that they are subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax, rather, it is a way in which the Internal Revenue Service ensures it will collect taxes otherwise due. Any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.
 

     Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisor to ensure that distributions and sales of Fund shares are treated appropriately on their income tax returns.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
 

      Adviser. IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC, 650 Poydras Street, Suite 1400, New Orleans, LA 70130, serves as investment adviser to the Fund. The Adviser has overall supervisory management responsibility for the general management and investment of the Fund’s portfolio. The Adviser was formed in June, 2005. Although the Adviser has no prior experience managing a mutual fund, the Adviser has been managing other discretionary accounts using the same style it anticipates utilizing with the Fund since the Adviser’s inception.

     The Fund is required to pay the Adviser a fee equal to 0.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. A discussion of the factors that the Board of Trustees considered in approving the Fund’s advisory agreement will be contained in the Fund’s initial semi-annual report. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse certain Fund operating expenses, but only to the extent necessary so that the Fund’s net expenses, excluding brokerage fees and commissions, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short), taxes, extraordinary expenses and indirect expenses (such as fees and expenses of acquired funds) do not exceed 0.99% of net assets with respect to the Class A shares, and 0.74% of net assets with respect to the Investor shares. The contractual agreement is effective through December 31, 2009. Each waiver or reimbursement of an expense by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the Fund within the three fiscal years following the fiscal year in which the particular expense was incurred, provided that the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the applicable expense limitation.

     If you invest in the Fund through an investment adviser, bank, broker-dealer, 401(k) plan, trust company or other financial intermediary, the policies and fees for transacting business may be different than those described in this Prospectus. Some financial intermediaries may charge transaction fees and may set different minimum investments or limitations on buying or selling shares. Some financial intermediaries do not charge a direct transaction fee, but instead charge a fee for services such as sub-transfer agency, accounting and/or shareholder services that the financial intermediary provides on the Fund’s behalf. This fee may be based on the number of accounts or may be a percentage of the average value of the Fund’s shareholder accounts for which the financial intermediary provides services. The Fund may pay a portion of this fee, which is intended to compensate the financial intermediary for providing the same services that would otherwise be provided by the Fund’s transfer agent or other service providers if the shares were purchased directly from the Fund. To the extent that these fees are not paid by the Fund, the Adviser may pay a fee to financial intermediaries for such services.
 
     To the extent that the Adviser, not the Fund, pays a fee to a financial intermediary for distribution or shareholder servicing, the Adviser may consider a number of factors in determining the amount of payment associated with such services, including the amount of sales, assets invested in the Fund and the nature of the services provided by the financial intermediary. Although neither the Fund nor the Adviser pays for the Fund to be included in a financial intermediary’s “preferred list” or other promotional program, some financial intermediaries that receive compensation as described above may have such programs in which the Fund may be included. Financial intermediaries that receive these types of payments may have a conflict of interest in recommending or selling the Fund’s shares rather than other mutual funds, particularly where such payments exceed those associated with other funds. The Fund may from time to time purchase securities issued by financial intermediaries that provide such services; however, in selecting investments for the Fund, no preference will be shown for such securities.

 
      Portfolio Manager. Mr. Michael H. Smither, J.D., is solely responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. Mr. Smither is the founder and managing partner of the Adviser. Prior to founding the Adviser in 2005, he was a Private Client Financial Adviser with Merrill Lynch Private Client Group from May, 2003 to April, 2005, and a Financial Consultant and Manager with Hibernia Private Client Group from September, 1999 to April, 2003. Mr. Smither graduated from the Louisiana State University Law Center in 1994, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from The University of Virginia in 1988.
 
     The Fund’s SAI provides additional information about the Fund’s portfolio manager, including his compensation structure, other accounts managed, and ownership of shares of the Fund.
 
 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 

     Because the Fund recently commenced operations, there are no financial highlights available at this time.


FOR MORE INFORMATION

You can find additional information about the Fund in the following documents:
 
      Annual and Semi-Annual Reports : While this Prospectus describes the Fund’s potential investments, the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports detail the Fund’s actual investments as of their report dates. The reports include a discussion by Fund management of recent market conditions, economic trends, and investment strategies that significantly affected Fund performance during the reporting period.
 
      Statement of Additional Information (SAI) : The SAI supplements the Prospectus and contains detailed information about the Fund and its investment restrictions, risks, policies, and operations, including the Fund’s policies and procedures relating to the disclosure of portfolio holdings by the Fund’s affiliates. A current SAI for the Fund is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference, which means it is considered part of this Prospectus.
 

How to Obtain Copies of Other Fund Documents
 

     You can obtain free copies of the current SAI and, when available, the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports, and request other information about the Fund or make shareholder inquiries, in any of the following ways:
 

     You can get free copies of the current Annual and Semi-Annual Reports, as well as the SAI, by contacting Shareholder Services at (888) 415-3343. You may also request other information about the Fund and make shareholder inquiries. Alternatively, the Fund’s SAI, and when available, the Annual and Semi-Annual reports, are also accessible, free of charge, at the Fund’s Internet site at www.indexedgeportfoliofunds.com.

You may review and copy information about the Fund (including the SAI and other reports) at the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call the SEC at 1-202-551-8090 for room hours and operation. You may also obtain reports and other information about the Fund on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov , and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov , or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549-0109.

Investment Company Act #811-22208


SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DATED ______, 2008

   A Registration Statement related to these securities has been filed with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the Registration Statement becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.

 

IndexEdge® Long-Term Portfolio Fund

A Series of the Valued Advisers Trust

Statement of Additional Information

______ , 2008

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus (the “Prospectus”) of the IndexEdge® Long-Term Portfolio Fund (the “Fund”) dated ______, 2008. A free copy of the Prospectus can be obtained by writing Unified Fund Services, Inc., the Fund’s transfer agent, at P.O. Box 6110, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6110, or by calling Shareholder Services at (888) 415-3343.

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                            Page

DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUND

3

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS AND

RISK CONSIDERATIONS

4

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

9

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

10

INVESTMENT ADVISER

11

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

13

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

16

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE PROGRAM

17

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

17

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

19

PROXY VOTING POLICY

20

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

21

REDEMPTION IN-KIND

21

STATUS AND TAXATION OF THE FUND

22

CUSTODIAN

28

FUND SERVICES

29

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

29

LEGAL COUNSEL

29

DISTRIBUTOR

30

DISTRIBUTION PLAN

30

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

30

EXHIBIT A (VALUED ADVISERS TRUST PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURE)

38

EXHIBIT B (ADVISER’S PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURE)

41

 


DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUND

 

          The IndexEdge® Long-Term Portfolio Fund (the “Fund”) is a non-diversified series of the Valued Advisers Trust (the “Trust”). The Fund commenced operations on September ____, 2008. The Trust is an open-end investment company established under the laws of Delaware by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated June 13, 2008 (the “Trust Agreement”). The Trust Agreement permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series without par value. The Fund is the first series authorized by the Trustees, although it is anticipated that the Trustees will authorize additional series in the future. The Fund’s investment adviser is IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC (the “Adviser”).

 

          The Fund does not issue share certificates. All shares are held in non-certificate form registered on the books of the Fund and its transfer agent for the account of the shareholders. Each share of a series represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets and liabilities belonging to that series with each other share of that series and is entitled to such dividends, and distributions out of income belonging to the series as are declared by the Trustees. The shares do not have cumulative voting rights or any preemptive or conversion rights, and the Trustees have the authority from time to time to divide or combine the shares of any series into a greater or lesser number of shares of that series so long as the proportionate beneficial interest in the assets belonging to that series and the rights of shares of any other series are in no way affected. In case of any liquidation of a series, the holders of shares of the series being liquidated will be entitled to receive as a class a distribution out of the assets, net of the liabilities, belonging to that series. Expenses attributable to any series are borne by that series. Any general expenses of the Trust not readily identifiable as belonging to a particular series are allocated by or under the direction of the Trustees in such manner as the Trustees determine to be fair and equitable. No shareholder is liable to further calls or to assessment by the Trust without his or her express consent.

 

          Any Trustee of the Trust may be removed by vote of the shareholders holding not less than two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Trust. The Trust does not hold an annual meeting of shareholders. When matters are submitted to shareholders for a vote, each shareholder is entitled to one vote for each whole share he or she owns and fractional votes for fractional shares he or she owns. All shares of the Fund have equal voting rights and liquidation rights. The Trust Agreement can be amended by the Trustees, except that certain amendments that adversely affect the rights of shareholders must be approved by the shareholders affected. All shares of the Fund are subject to involuntary redemption if the Trustees determine to liquidate the Fund. An involuntary redemption will create a capital gain or a capital loss, which may have tax consequences about which you should consult your tax adviser.

 

          For information concerning the purchase and redemption of shares of the Fund, see “How to Buy Shares” and “How to Redeem Shares” in the Fund’s Prospectus. For a description of the methods used to determine the share price and value of the Fund’s assets, see “Determination of Net Asset Value” in the Prospectus and this SAI. The Fund has authorized one or more brokers to receive on its behalf purchase and redemption orders. Such brokers are authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on the Fund’s behalf. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker or, if applicable, a broker’s authorized designee, receives the order.

 

          Customer orders will be priced at the Fund’s net asset value next computed after they are received by an authorized broker or the broker’s authorized designee and accepted by the Fund. The performance of the Fund may be compared in publications to the performance of various indices and investments for which reliable performance data is available. The performance of the Fund may be compared in publications to averages, performance rankings, or other information prepared by recognized mutual fund statistical services. The annual report contains additional performance information and will be made available to investors upon request and without charge.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FUND

INVESTMENTS AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS

 

          This section contains additional information about the investments the Fund may make and some of the techniques it may use.

 

           A.          Investment Company Securities . The Fund will invest in the securities of other investment companies, including index exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and index mutual funds (also called underlying funds). These underlying funds will generally attempt to replicate the performance of a particular index. An underlying fund may not always hold all of the same securities as the index it attempts to track. An underlying fund may use statistical sampling techniques to attempt to replicate the returns of an index. Statistical sampling techniques attempt to match the investment characteristics of the index and the fund by taking into account such factors as capitalization, industry exposures, dividend yield, price/earnings (P/E) ratio, price/book (P/B) ratio, and earnings growth. An underlying fund may not track the index perfectly because differences between the index and the fund’s portfolio can cause differences in performance. In addition, expenses and transaction costs, the size and frequency of cash flow into and out of the fund, and differences between how and when the fund and the index are valued can cause differences in performance. When the Fund invests in underlying funds it will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses payable directly by the underlying fund. In connection with its investments in other investment companies, the Fund will incur higher expenses, many of which may be duplicative. Furthermore, because the Fund invests in shares of ETFs and underlying funds its performance is directly related to the ability of the ETFs and underlying funds to meet their respective investment objectives, as well as the allocation of the Fund’s assets among the ETFs and underlying funds by the Adviser. Accordingly, the Fund’s investment performance will be influenced by the investment strategies of and risks associated with the ETFs and underlying funds in direct proportion to the amount of assets the Fund allocates to the ETFs and underlying funds utilizing such strategies.

 

          Investments in ETFs involve certain inherent risks generally associated with investments in a broadly-based portfolio of stocks, including risks that: (1) the general level of stock prices may decline, thereby adversely affecting the value of each unit of the ETF or other instrument; (2) an ETF may not fully replicate the performance of its benchmark index because of the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or discrepancies between the ETF and the index with respect to the weightings of securities or number of stocks held; (3) an ETF may also be adversely affected by the performance of the specific index, market sector or group of industries on which it is based; and (4) an ETF may not track an index as well as a traditional index mutual fund because ETFs are valued by the market and, therefore, there may be a difference between the market value and the ETF’s net asset value. Additionally, investments in fixed income ETFs involve certain inherent risks generally associated with investments in fixed income securities, including the risk of fluctuation in market value based on interest rates rising or declining and risks of a decrease in liquidity, such that no assurances can be made that an active trading market for underlying ETFs will be maintained.

 

          There is also a risk that the underlying funds or ETFs may terminate due to extraordinary events. For example, any of the service providers to the underlying fund or ETF, such as the trustee or sponsor, may close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the underlying fund or ETF, and the underlying fund or ETF may not be able to find a substitute service provider. Also, the underlying fund or ETF may be dependent upon licenses to use the various indices as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names. If these licenses are terminated, the respective underlying fund or ETF may also terminate. In addition, and underlying fund or ETF may terminate if its net assets fall below a certain amount. Although the Fund believes that in the event of the termination of an underlying fund or ETF, it will be able to invest instead in shares of an alternate underlying fund or ETF tracking the same market index or another index covering the same general market, there can be no assurance that shares of an alternate underlying fund or ETF would be available for investment at that time.

 

          Generally, under the 1940 Act, a fund may not acquire shares of another investment company (including ETFs) if, immediately after such acquisition, (i) such fund would hold more than 3% of the other investment company’s total outstanding shares, (ii) if such fund’s investment in securities of the other investment company would be more than 5% of the value of the total assets of the fund, or (iii) if more than 10% of such fund’s total assets would be invested in investment companies. The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has granted orders for exemptive relief to certain ETFs that permit investments in those ETFs by other investment companies (such as the Fund) in excess of theses limits. The Fund may invest in ETFs that have received such exemptive orders from the SEC, pursuant to the conditions specified in such orders. In accordance with Section 12(d)(1)(F)(i) of the 1940 Act, the Fund may also invest in ETFs that have not received such exemptive orders as long as the Fund (and all of its affiliated persons, including the Adviser) does not acquire more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of such underlying ETF, unless otherwise permitted to do so pursuant to permission granted by the SEC. If the Fund seeks to redeem shares of an underlying ETF purchased in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F), the underlying ETF is not obligated to redeem an amount exceeding 1% of the underlying ETF’s outstanding shares during a period of less than 30 days. As of the date of this Registration Statement the SEC has proposed Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act. Subject to certain conditions, proposed Rule 12d1-4 would provide an exemption to permit acquiring funds to invest in ETFs in excess of the limits of section 12(d)(1), including those described above.

 

           B.          Equity Securities . The Fund will invest in underlying funds that hold a portfolio of equity securities. Equity securities are common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible preferred stocks, convertible debentures, American Depositary Receipts, rights and warrants. Convertible preferred stock is preferred stock that can be converted into common stock pursuant to its terms. Convertible debentures are debt instruments that can be converted into common stock pursuant to their terms. Warrants are options to purchase equity securities at a specified price valid for a specific time period. Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have shorter durations. To the extent the underlying funds hold equity securities, the Fund will be indirectly subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issues by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is a risk of investing in the Fund.

 

           C.          Fixed Income Securities . The Fund also will invest in underlying funds that hold a portfolio of fixed income securities. Fixed income securities include corporate debt securities, high yield debt securities, convertible debt securities, municipal securities, U.S. government securities, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, zero coupon bonds, financial industry obligations, repurchase agreements, and participation interests in such securities. Preferred stock and certain common stock equivalents may also be considered to be fixed income securities. Fixed income securities are generally considered interest rate sensitive, which means that their value will generally decrease when interest rates rise and increase when interest rates fall. Securities with shorter maturities, while offering lower yields, generally provide greater price stability than longer-term securities and are less affected by changes in interest rates.

 

D.          Real Estate Investment Trusts . The Fund also will invest in underlying funds that hold a portfolio of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). REITs manage portfolios of real estate investments that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans to real estate developers and companies with substantial real estate holdings. These investments may be either equity or debt instruments. Equity REITs are companies that directly own real estate and realized income primarily from renting properties and selling them for capital gains. Mortgage REITs specialize in lending money to building developers and realize income by earning interest income on those loans. Hybrid REITs have a mix of both types of investments. There are certain risks regarding investing in REITs due to the cyclical nature of real estate and its sensitivity to changes interest rates, economic conditions, property tax rates, changes in real estate values, changes in rental income, creditworthiness of the issuer, overbuilding, increased competition, and other factors. In the short-term, stock prices can fluctuate dramatically in response to these factors. The value of a REIT can depend on the structure of and cash flow generated by the REIT, and REITs may not have diversified holdings. Investments in securities of REITs entail additional risks because REITs depend on specialized management skills, may invest in a limited number of properties and may concentrate in a particular region or property type. Because REITs are pooled investment vehicles that have expenses of their own, the fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of those expenses. REITs must also satisfy specific Internal Revenue Code provisions before they are qualified to pass income through to shareholders without paying taxes.

E.          Commodities . The Fund also will invest in underlying funds that hold a portfolio of commodities. Commodities are physical substances, such as metals, that investors buy or sell on the market, usually through futures contracts. The price of a commodity is subject to supply and demand. Commodity risk refers to the uncertainties of future market values and the size of future income, caused by fluctuation in the price of a commodity. An investment in commodities contends with the following types of risks: price risk, adverse movements in world prices, exchange rates, and the basis between local and world prices; quantity risk; cost risk, input price risk; and political risk, how political conditions can affect supply, demand and the price of commodities.

 

                      1.          General . To the extent that the Fund invests in underlying funds that hold portfolios of foreign securities, it will be subject to certain considerations and risks that are not typically associated with investing in underlying funds that invest solely in domestic securities. Foreign securities may not be as liquid as domestic securities and may involve greater market risk, and foreign brokerage commissions and custody fees are generally higher than such domestic fees. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than a domestic one, and foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. There may also be less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies than exists in the United States. Interest and dividends paid by foreign issuers may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes, which may decrease the net return on such investments as compared to dividends and interest paid to the underlying fund by domestic companies or the U.S. government. There may be the possibility of expropriations, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, confiscatory taxation, political, economic or social instability or diplomatic developments that could affect assets of the underlying fund held in foreign countries. Finally, the establishment of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions could adversely affect the payment of obligations.

 

                     2.          Emerging Markets Securities .The Fund may purchase underlying funds that invest in emerging markets. To the extent the Fund invests in such securities, the Fund could be subject to greater risks because the Fund’s performance may depend on issues other than the performance of a particular underlying fund.

 

                                  Investing in emerging market securities imposes risks different from, or greater than, risks of investing in foreign developed countries. These risks include: smaller market capitalization of securities markets, which may suffer periods of relative illiquidity; significant price volatility; restrictions on foreign investment; possible repatriation of investment income and capital. In addition, foreign investors may be required to register the proceeds of sales; future economic or political crises could lead to price controls, forced mergers, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization, or creation of government monopolies. The currencies of emerging market countries may experience significant declines against the U.S. dollar, and devaluation may occur subsequent to investments in these currencies by the underlying fund. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries.                                   Additional risks of emerging markets securities may include: greater social, economic and political uncertainty and instability; more substantial governmental involvement in the economy; less governmental supervision and regulation; unavailability of currency hedging techniques; companies that are newly organized and small; differences in auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in unavailability of material information about issuers; and less developed legal systems. In addition, emerging securities markets may have different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions. Settlement problems may cause the underlying fund to miss attractive investment opportunities, hold a portion of its assets in cash pending investment, or be delayed in disposing of a portfolio security. Such a delay could result in possible liability to a purchaser of the security.

 

G.          Illiquid Securities . The Fund may purchase underlying funds that invest in securities that are not registered, are subject to legal or other restrictions on transfer or for which no liquid market exists. The market prices, if any, for such securities tend to be volatile and restricted securities may sell at prices that are lower than similar securities that are not subject to legal restrictions on resale. Further, the Fund may not be able to redeem its interests in other investment companies’ securities that it has purchased in a timely manner. If adverse market conditions were to develop during any period in which the Fund is unable to redeem its interests in the other investment company, the Fund may suffer losses as a result of this illiquidity. As such, the lack of liquidity and volatility of restricted securities held by other investment companies could adversely affect the value of the other investment companies. As a result, any such losses could adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investment in the other investment companies and an investor could incur a loss of investment in the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to invest up to 15% of the Fund’s outstanding shares in illiquid securities.

 

H.          Exchange-Traded Notes . The Fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”), which are debt securities of an issuer that are listed and traded on U.S. stock exchanges or otherwise traded in the over-the-counter market. Similar to other debt securities, ETNs tend to have a maturity date and are backed only by the credit of the issuer. ETNs are designed to provide investors access to the returns of various market benchmarks, such as a securities index, currency or investment strategy, less fees and expenses. The value of an ETN may be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in the underlying market, changes in the applicable interest rates, and changes in the issuer’s credit rating and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the referenced market. It is expected that the issuer’s credit rating will be investment grade at the time of investment, however, the credit rating may be revised or withdrawn at any time and there is no assurance that a credit rating will remain in effect for any given time period. If a rating agency lowers the issuer’s credit rating, the value of the ETN will decline and a lower credit rating reflects a greater risk that the issuer will default on its obligation. When the Fund invests in ETNs, it will bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses associated with investment in such securities. Such fees reduce the amount of return on investment at maturity or upon redemption. There may be restrictions on the Fund’s right to redeem its investment in an ETN, which are meant to be held until maturity. There are no periodic interest payments for ETNs, and principal is not protected. As is the case with ETFs, an investor could lose some of or the entire amount invested in ETNs. The Fund’s decision to sell its ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market. Additionally, recent private letter rulings by the Internal Revenue Service have indicated that a regulated investment company (RIC) can rely on favorable treatment concerning whether ETNs that track commodity indices generate qualifying income under Section 851(b)(2).

I.           Holding Company Depositary Receipts. Holding Company Depositary Receipts (“HOLDRs”), are securities that represent ownership in the common stock or American Depositary Receipts (ADR) of specified companies in a particular industry, sector or group. Both ETFs and HOLDRS represent a diversified group of securities in a single investment that is highly transparent, liquid and tax efficient. Unlike ETFs, HOLDRs can only be bought and sold in 100 share increments. HOLDRs do not have creation units like ETFs, but investors may exchange 100 shares of a HOLDRs for its underlying stocks at any time. Existing HOLDRs focus on narrow industry groups. Each initially owns 20 stocks, but they are unmanaged, and so can become more concentrated due to mergers, or the disparate performance of their holdings. HOLDR shareholders are subject to the same risks entailed in direct stock ownership. Because the value of HOLDRS is directly related to the value of the underlying securities, it is important to remember that you could lose a substantial part of your original investment in HOLDRS. HOLDRs are subject to market risk; underlying stock risk; sector risk; trading risk; lack of management. Investors in HOLDRS cannot expect to benefit from the involvement of an active portfolio manager who seeks out opportunities and avoids risk in a sector. The underlying stocks in HOLDRS were selected without regard for their value, price performance, volatility or investment merit. The composition of a HOLDR doesn't change after issue, except in special cases like corporate mergers, acquisitions or other specified "Reconstitution Events". As a result, stocks selected for those HOLDRS with a sector focus may not remain the largest and most liquid in their industry. They may even leave the industry altogether. If this happens, your HOLDRS may not provide the same targeted exposure to the industry that was initially expected.

J.           Non-Diversification Risk . Each Fund is non-diversified and, as a result, may have greater volatility than other diversified funds. Because a non-diversified fund may invest a larger percentage of its assets in securities of a single company than diversified funds, the performance of that company can have a substantial impact on a Fund’s share price. The Fund will be subject to substantially more investment risk and potential for volatility than a diversified fund because the poor performance of an individual security in the Fund’s portfolio will have a greater negative impact on the Fund’s performance than if the Fund’s assets were diversified among a larger number of portfolio securities. Each Fund intends to maintain the required level of diversification so as to qualify as a “regulated investment company” for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), in order to avoid liability for federal income tax to the extent that its earnings are distributed to shareholders. Compliance with diversification requirements of the Internal Revenue Code could limit the investment flexibility of a Fund.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

 

          Although the Fund generally will not invest for short-term trading purposes, portfolio securities may be sold without regard to the length of time they have been held when, in the opinion of the Adviser, investment considerations warrant such action. Furthermore, each ETF and underlying fund may engage in active short-term trading to benefit from price disparities among different issuers of securities or among the markets for equity or fixed income securities, or for other reasons. It is anticipated that the portfolio turnover rate of each ETF and underlying fund may vary greatly from time to time and may be affected by changes in the holdings of specific issuers, changes in country and currency weightings, cash requirements for redemption of shares and by requirements that enable the ETFs and underlying funds to receive favorable tax treatment. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is a measure of the Fund’s portfolio activity, and is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of securities by the average value of the portfolio securities held during the period. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) generally leads to higher transaction costs and may result in a greater number of taxable transactions. Although the Fund’s annual portfolio turnover rate cannot be accurately predicted, the Adviser anticipates that the Fund will experience a portfolio turnover rate below 100%.

 

 

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

 

          Fundamental . The investment limitations described below have been adopted by the Trust with respect to the Fund and are fundamental (“Fundamental”), i.e. , they may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. As used in the Prospectus and this SAI, the term “majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund” means the lesser of: (1) 67% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented at such meeting; or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

 

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

 

          2.          Senior Securities . The Fund will not issue senior securities. This limitation is not applicable to activities that may be deemed to involve the issuance or sale of a senior security by the Fund, provided that the Fund’s engagement in such activities is consistent with or permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or interpretations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or its staff.

 

           3.          Underwriting . The Fund will not act as underwriter of securities issued by other persons. This limitation is not applicable to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities (including restricted securities), the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under certain federal securities laws.

 

          4.          Real Estate . The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate. This limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities that are secured by or represent interests in real estate. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from investing in mortgage-related securities or investing in companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion of their assets in real estate (including real estate investment trusts).

 

           5.          Commodities . The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from purchasing or selling options or futures contracts, from investing in securities or other instruments backed by commodities or from investing in companies that are engaged in a commodities business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities.

 

            6.          Loans . The Fund will not make loans to other persons, except: (a) by loaning portfolio securities; (b) by engaging in repurchase agreements; or (c) by purchasing non-publicly offered debt securities. For purposes of this limitation, the term “loans” shall not include the purchase of a portion of an issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities.

 

           7.          Concentration . The Fund will not invest more than 25% of its total assets in any one particular industry. This limitation is not applicable to investments in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities or repurchase agreements with respect thereto.

 

          With respect to the percentages adopted by the Trust as maximum limitations on its investment policies and limitations, an excess above the fixed percentage will not be a violation of the policy or limitation unless the excess results immediately and directly from the acquisition of any security or the action taken. This paragraph does not apply to the borrowing policy set forth in paragraph 1 above.

 

          Notwithstanding any of the foregoing limitations, any investment company, whether organized as a trust, association or corporation, or a personal holding company, may be merged or consolidated with or acquired by the Trust, provided that if such merger, consolidation or acquisition results in an investment in the securities of any issuer prohibited by said paragraphs, the Trust shall, within ninety days after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or acquisition, dispose of all of the securities of such issuer so acquired or such portion thereof as shall bring the total investment therein within the limitations imposed by said paragraphs above as of the date of consummation.

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

          The Fund’s Adviser is IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC, 650 Poydras St., Suite 1400, New Orleans, LA 70130. IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC was formed in 2005 by Michael H. Smither, its majority owner. The Adviser provides investment advice primarily to high net worth individuals. The Fund is the first mutual fund managed by the Adviser.

 

          Under the terms of the management agreement (the “Agreement”), the Adviser manages the Fund’s investments subject to oversight by the Board of Trustees. As compensation for its management services, the Fund is obligated to pay the Adviser a fee computed and accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.50% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.           The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive or limit its fee and reimburse certain Fund operating expenses, until December 31, 2009, so that the ratio of total annual operating expenses for the Fund’s Class A shares and Investor shares does not exceed 0.99% and 0.74%, respectively. This operating expense limitation does not apply to: (i) interest, (ii) taxes, (iii) brokerage commissions, (iv) other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, (v) other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund's business, (vi) dividend expense on short sales, and

(vii) expenses that the Fund has incurred but did not actually pay because of an expense offset arrangement, if applicable, incurred by the Fund in any fiscal year. The operating expense limitation also excludes any "Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses." Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses represent the pro rata expense indirectly incurred by the Fund as a result of investing in other investment companies, including ETFs, closed-end funds and money market funds that have their own expenses. The Adviser may be entitled to the reimbursement of any fees waived or expenses reimbursed pursuant to the agreement provided overall expenses fall below the limitations set forth above. The Adviser may recoup the sum of all fees previously waived or expenses reimbursed during any of the previous three (3) years, less any reimbursement previously paid, provided total expenses do not exceed the limitation set forth above.

 

          The Adviser retains the right to use the name “IndexEdge” in connection with another investment company or business enterprise with which the Adviser is or may become associated. The Trust’s right to use the name “IndexEdge” automatically ceases 90 days after termination of the Agreement andmay be withdrawn by the Adviser on 90 days’ written notice.

 

          The Adviser may make payments to banks or other financial institutions that provide shareholder services and administer shareholder accounts. If a bank or other financial institution were prohibited from continuing to perform all or a part of such services, management of the Fund believes that there would be no material impact on the Fund or shareholders. Banks and other financial institutions may charge their customers fees for offering these services to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authorities, and the overall return to those shareholders availing themselves of the bank services will be lower than to those shareholders who do not. The Fund may from time to time purchase securities issued by banks and other financial institutions that provide such services; however, in selecting investments for the Fund, no preference will be shown for such securities.

 

About the Portfolio Manager

 

          Michael H. Smither serves as the portfolio manager for the Fund and, as such, is solely responsible for making all investment decisions of the Fund. As of July 31, 2008, Mr. Smither was responsible for managing the following accounts:

 

 

Account Type

Number of Accounts by Account Type

Total Assets By Account Type

Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Total Assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Registered Investment Companies

0

N/A

N/A

N/A

Pooled Investment Vehicles

0

N/A

N/A

N/A

Other Accounts

10

$2 million

0

N/A

 

           Compensation : The portfolio manager receives an annual salary from the Adviser. The portfolio manager’s current compensation does not include any bonus tied to the Adviser’s profits or any portion of the Adviser’s profits. However, as a majority owner of the Adviser, the portfolio manager may receive distributions from the Adviser, which may come from profits generated by the Adviser.

 

           Potential Conflicts of Interest : Potential conflicts of interest may arise because the portfolio manager uses the same proprietary investment methodology for the Fund as he uses for other clients. This means that the portfolio manager will make the investment strategies used to manage the Fund available to other clients. As a result, there may be circumstances under which the Fund and other clients of the Adviser may compete in purchasing available investments and, to the extent that the demand exceeds the supply, may result in driving the prices of such investments up, resulting in higher costs to the Fund. There also may be circumstances under which the portfolio manager recommends the purchase or sale of various underlying funds to other clients and does not purchase or sell the same investments for the Fund, or purchase or sell an underlying fund for the Fund and does not include such fund in recommendations provided to other clients. This is because the Adviser’s portfolio recommendations among clients differ based on each client’s investment policy guidelines and/or prevailing market conditions at the time such recommendation is made.

 

          The portfolio manager may carry on investment activities for his own account(s) and/or the accounts of family members; as a result, the portfolio manager is engaged in substantial activities other than on behalf of the Fund, and may have differing economic interests in respect of such activities.

 

           Ownership of Fund Shares : As of the date of this SAI, the portfolio manager did not own any shares of the Fund.

 

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

 

          The Board of Trustees supervises the business activities of the Trust and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced businesspersons who meet throughout the year to oversee the Trust’s activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the Fund and review performance. Each Trustee serves as a trustee until termination of the Trust unless the Trustee dies, resigns, retires or is removed.

 

 

The following table provides information regarding the Independent Trustees.

 

 

Name, Address*, (Age), Position with Trust**, Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years and Other Directorships

R. Jeffrey Young, 44, Independent Trustee, August 2008 to present.

Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Professional Planning Consultants since 2007; Co-Founder of Kinwood Group, LLC July 2007 to March 2008; President and Chief Executive Officer of The Coventry Group from 2000 to 2007; President and Chief Executive Officer of the STI Classic Funds from 2004 to 2007; Trustee of the Coventry Group from 1999 to 2005; and Senior Vice President of BISYS Fund Services/The Winsbury Company October 1993 to June 2007.

Dr. Merwyn R. Vanderlind, 72, Independent Trustee, August 2008 to present.

Retired; Consultant to Battelle Memorial Institute on business investments from 2001 to 2003; Formerly employed with Battelle Memorial Institute from 1966 to 2003 in various positions, including the Executive Vice President of Battelle Institute from 1991 to 2001, General Manager from 1985 to 1991, Director of the Battelle Industrial Technology Center (Geneva, Switzerland) from 1983 to 1985, and Practicing Researcher from 1966 to 1983.

         * The address for each trustee and officer is 2960 N. Meridian St., Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46208.

** As of the date of this SAI, the Trust consists of 1 series.

 

          The Trust’s Audit Committee consists of the Independent Trustees. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, its internal controls and, as appropriate, the internal controls of certain service providers; overseeing the quality and objectivity of the Fund’s financial statements and the independent audit of the financial statements; and acting as a liaison between the Fund’s independent auditors and the full Board of Trustees.

 

  The Pricing Committee of the Board of Trustees is responsible for reviewing and approving the Adviser’s fair valuation determinations, if any.  The members of the Pricing Committee are all of the Trustees, except that any one member of the Pricing Committee constitutes a quorum for purposes of reviewing and approving a fair value. 

 

  The following table provides information regarding each Trustee who is an “interested person” of the Trust, and each officer of the Trust, within the meaning of the 1940 Act on the basis of their affiliation with the Fund or Fund’s Adviser, or its affiliated entities.

 

Name, Address*, (Age), Position with Trust,** Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation

During Past 5 Years and Other Directorships

Anthony J. Ghoston, 49, Interested Trustee, August 2008 to present.

President of Unified Fund Services, Inc., the Trust’s administrator, since June 2005, Executive Vice President from June 2004 to June 2005, Senior Vice President from April 2003 to June 2004; President of the Unified Series Trust since July 2004; Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Unified Financial Services, Inc., the parent company of the Trust’s administrator and distributor, from 1997 to November 2004; President of AmeriPrime Advisors Trust from July 2004 to September 2005; President of AmeriPrime Funds from July 2004 to July 2005; President of CCMI Funds from July 2004 to March 2005.

 

 

          *The address for each trustee and officer is 2960 N. Meridian St., Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46208.

** As of the date of this SAI, the Trust consists of 1 series.

 

 
              The following table provides information regarding the other Officers of the Trust.

 

Name, Address*, (Age), Position with Trust,** Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years and Other Directorships

Anthony J. Ghoston, 49, Principal Executive Officer, President, August 2008 to present.

President of Unified Fund Services, Inc., the Trust’s administrator, since June 2005, Executive Vice President from June 2004 to June 2005, Senior Vice President from April 2003 to June 2004; President of the Unified Series Trust since July 2004; Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Unified Financial Services, Inc., the parent company of the Trust’s administrator and distributor, from 1997 to November 2004; President of AmeriPrime Advisors Trust from July 2004 to September 2005; President of AmeriPrime Funds from July 2004 to July 2005; President of CCMI Funds from July 2004 to March 2005.

 

John C. Swhear, 47, Chief Compliance Officer, AML Officer and Vice President, August 2008 to present.

Vice President of Legal Administration and Compliance for Unified Fund Services, Inc., the Trust’s administrator, since April 2007; Chief Compliance Officer of Unified Financial Securities, Inc., the Trust’s distributor, since May 2007; Senior Vice President of the Unified Series Trust since May 2007; Employed in various positions with American United Life Insurance Company from 1983 to April 2007, including: Associate General Counsel, April 2007; Investment Adviser Chief Compliance Officer, June 2004 to April 2007; Assistant Secretary to the Board of Directors, December 2002 to April 2007; Chief Compliance Officer of OneAmerica Funds, Inc., June 2004 to April 2007; Chief Counsel and Secretary, OneAmerica Securities, Inc., December 2002 to April 2007.

 

Carol J. Highsmith, 43, Vice President, August 2008 to present.***

Vice President, Employed in various positions with Unified Fund Services, Inc., the Trust’s administrator, since November of 1994; currently Vice President of Legal Administration.

 

Stephen D. Highsmith, Jr., 43, Treasurer, August 2008 to Present. ***

Treasurer; Employed in various positions with Unified Fund Services, Inc., the Trust’s administrator, and Unified Financial Securities, Inc., the Trust’s Distributor, since April of 1991; currently Vice President – Finance and Treasurer of Unified Fund Services, and Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer of Unified Financial Securities.

 

Heather Bonds, 33, Secretary, August 2008 to present.

Secretary, Employed in various positions with Unified Fund Services, Inc., the Trust’s administrator, since January 2004 and from December 1999 to January 2002, including: Manager of Board Relations since March 2008 and Supervisor of Fund Administration from 2004 to 2006; Secretary of the Unified Series Trust from July 2005 to present; Assistant Secretary of Dean Family of Funds from August 2004 to March 2007; Assistant Secretary of the Unified Series Trust from September 2004 to June 2005; Secretary of AmeriPrime Advisors Trust from July 2005 to September 2005, Assistant Secretary from September 2004 to June 2005; Assistant Secretary of AmeriPrime Funds from September 2004 to July 2005; Assistant Secretary of CCMI Funds from September 2004 to March 2005; and Regional Administrative Assistant of The Standard Register Company from February 2003 to January 2004. Currently Secretary of the Unified Series Trust.

 

 
          *The address for each trustee and officer is 2960 N. Meridian St., Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46208.

** As of the date of this SAI, the Trust consists of 1 series.

      *** Steve Highsmith and Carol Highsmith are husband and wife

              The table below shows for each Trustee, the amount of Fund equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee, and the aggregate value of all investments in equity securities of the Fund, as of December 31, 2007 and stated as one of the following ranges: A = None; B = $1-$10,000; C = $10,001-$50,000; D = $50,001-$100,000; and E = over $100,000.

 

 

Name of Trustee

Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Registered Investment Companies Overseen by the Trustees in Family of Investment Companies

Non-Interested Trustees

R. Jeffrey Young

A

A

Dr. Merwyn R. Vanderlind

A

A

Interested Trustees

Anthony J. Ghoston

A

A

 

Compensation . Set forth below are estimates of the annual compensation to be paid to the Trustees by the Fund on an individual basis and by the Trust on an aggregate basis. Trustees fees and expenses are Trust expenses and the Fund incurs its pro rata share of expenses based on the number of existing series in the Trust. As a result, the amount paid by the Fund will increase or decrease as series are added or removed from the Trust. The Fund is currently the only series in the Trust.

 

 

 

Independent Trustees

Aggregate Compensation

from the Fund

Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued As Part of Fund Expenses

Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement

Total Compensation from Trust *

R. Jeffrey Young

$4000

$0

$0

$4000

Dr. Merwyn R. Vanderlind

$4000

$0

$0

$4000

Interested Trustees and Officers

Aggregate Compensation

from the Fund

Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued As Part of Fund Expenses

Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement

Total Compensation from Trust *

Anthony J. Ghoston

$0

$0

$0

$0

*As of the date of this SAI, the Trust consists of 1 series.

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

             A principal shareholder is any person who owns (either of record or beneficially) 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund. A control person is one who owns, either directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund or acknowledges the existence of such control. As a controlling shareholder, each of these persons could control the outcome of any proposal submitted to the shareholders for approval, including changes to the Fund’s fundamental policies or the terms of the management agreement with the Adviser. As of the date of this SAI, the Trustees and officers of the Trust own beneficially none of the outstanding shares of the Fund. As of the date of this SAI, the initial shareholder owned of record and beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Fund. Except as provided below, no person is known by the Trust to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of any class of the Fund as of the date of this SAI.

 

Class A Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name and Address of

 

Amount and Nature of

 

 

Beneficial Owner

 

Beneficial Ownership

 

Percent

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unified Fund Services, Inc.

 

10,000 Shares

 

100%*

2960 N. Meridian St., Suite 300

 

 

 

 

Indianapolis, IN 46208_________ _____

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

Deemed to “control” the shares of the Fund, as defined by applicable SEC regulations.

 

 

ANTI MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE PROGRAM

 

          Customer identification and verification is part of the Fund’s overall obligation to prevent money laundering under federal law. The Trust has, on behalf of the Fund, adopted an anti-money laundering compliance program designed to prevent the Fund from being used for money laundering or financing of terrorist activities (the “AML Compliance Program”). The Trust has delegated the responsibility to implement the AML Compliance Program to the Fund’s transfer agent, Unified Fund Services, Inc., subject to oversight by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer and, ultimately, by the Board of Trustees.

 

          When you open an account with the Fund, the Fund’s transfer agent will request that you provide your name, physical address, date of birth, and Social Security number or tax identification number. You may also be asked for other information that, in the transfer agent’s discretion, will allow the Fund to verify your identity. Entities are also required to provide additional documentation. This information will be verified to ensure the identity of all persons opening an account with the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to (i) refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order, (ii) freeze any account and/or suspend account activities, or (iii) involuntarily redeem your account in cases of threatening conduct or suspected fraudulent or illegal activity. These actions will be taken when, in the sole discretion of the Fund’s transfer agent, they are deemed to be in the best interest of the Fund, or in cases where the Fund is requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authority.

 

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

 

Subject to policies established by the Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for the Fund’s portfolio decisions and the placing of the Fund’s portfolio transactions. In placing portfolio transactions, the Adviser seeks the best qualitative execution for the Fund, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer. The Adviser generally seeks favorable prices and commission rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received.

 

The Adviser is specifically authorized to select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage and research services to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which the Adviser exercises investment discretion and to pay such brokers or dealers a commission in excess of the commission another broker or dealer would charge if the Adviser determines in good faith that the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. The determination may be viewed in terms of a particular transaction or the Adviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to other accounts over which it exercises investment discretion.

 

Research services include supplemental research, securities and economic analyses, statistical services and information with respect to the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities and analyses of reports concerning performance of accounts. The research services and other information furnished by brokers through whom the Fund effects securities transactions may also be used by the Adviser in servicing all of its accounts. Similarly, research and information provided by brokers or dealers serving other clients may be useful to the Adviser in connection with its services to the Fund. Although research services and other information are useful to the Fund and the Adviser, it is not possible to place a dollar value on the research and other information received. It is the opinion of the Board of Trustees and the Adviser that the review and study of the research and other information will not reduce the overall cost to the Adviser of performing its duties to the Fund under the Agreement.

 

Over-the-counter transactions will be placed either directly with principal market makers or with broker-dealers, if the same or a better price, including commissions and executions, is available. Fixed income securities are normally purchased directly from the issuer, an underwriter or a market maker. Purchases include a concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and the purchase price paid to a market maker may include the spread between the bid and asked prices. When the broker acts as agent, a commission will be charged on the transaction; when the broker acts as principal, the markup is included in the bond price.

 

When the Fund and another of the Adviser’s clients seek to purchase or sell the same security at or about the same time, the Adviser may execute the transaction on a combined (“blocked”) basis. Blocked transactions can produce better execution for the Fund because of the increased volume of the transaction. If the entire blocked order is not filled, the Fund may not be able to acquire as large a position in such security as it desires, or it may have to pay a higher price for the security. Similarly, the Fund may not be able to obtain as large an execution of an order to sell, or as high a price for any particular portfolio security, if the other client desires to sell the same portfolio security at the same time. In the event that the entire blocked order is not filled, the purchase or sale will normally be allocated on a pro rata basis.

 

The Trust, the Distributor, and the Adviser have each adopted a Code of Ethics (each a Code and collectively, the “Codes”) pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act, and the Adviser’s Code of Ethics also conforms to Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The personnel subject to the Codes are permitted to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. You may obtain a copy of the Codes from the Fund, free of charge, by calling the Fund at (888) 415-3343. You may also obtain copies of the Trust’s Code from documents filed with SEC and available on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov .

 

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

          The Fund is required to include a schedule of portfolio holdings in its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, which is sent to shareholders within 60 days of the end of the second and fourth fiscal quarters and which is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on Form N-CSR. The Fund also is required to file a schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q within 60 days of the end of the first and third fiscal quarters. The Fund must provide a copy of the complete schedule of portfolio holdings as filed with the SEC to any shareholder of the Fund, upon request, free of charge. This policy is applied uniformly to all shareholders of the Fund without regard to the type of requesting shareholder (i.e., regardless of whether the shareholder is an individual or institutional investor).

 

             The Fund releases portfolio holdings to third party servicing agents on a daily basis in order for those parties to perform their duties on behalf of the Fund. These third party servicing agents include the Adviser, Distributor, Transfer Agent, Fund Accounting Agent, Administrator and Custodian. The Fund also may disclose portfolio holdings, as needed, to auditors, legal counsel, proxy voting services (if applicable), printers, pricing services, parties to merger and reorganization agreements and their agents, and prospective or newly hired investment advisers or sub-advisers. The lag between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed will vary based on the identity of the party to whom the information is disclosed. For instance, the information may be provided to auditors within days of the end of an annual period, while the information may be given to legal counsel or prospective advisers at any time. This information is disclosed to all such third parties under conditions of confidentiality. “Conditions of confidentiality” include (i) confidentiality clauses in written agreements, (ii) confidentiality implied by the nature of the relationship (e.g., attorney-client relationship), (iii) confidentiality required by fiduciary or regulatory principles (e.g., custodial relationships) or (iv) understandings or expectations between the parties that the information will be kept confidential.

 

          Additionally, the Fund has ongoing arrangements to release portfolio holdings to Morningstar, Inc., Lipper, Inc., Bloomberg, Standard & Poor’s, Thompson Financial and Vickers-Stock (“Rating Agencies”) in order for those organizations to assign a rating or ranking to the Fund.  In these instances portfolio holdings will be supplied within approximately 25 days after the end of the month.  The Rating Agencies may make the Fund’s top portfolio holdings available on their websites and may make the Fund’s complete portfolio holdings available to their subscribers for a fee.  Neither the Fund, the Adviser nor any of their affiliates receive any portion of this fee.  Information released to Rating Agencies is not released under conditions of confidentiality nor is it subject to prohibitions on trading based on the information.  The Fund also may post its complete portfolio holdings to its website within approximately 25 days after the end of the month.  The information will remain posted on the website until replaced by the information for the succeeding month.  If the Fund does not have a website or the website is for some reason inoperable, the information will be supplied no more frequently then quarterly and on a delayed basis.

 

            Except as described above, the Fund is prohibited from entering into any arrangements with any person to make available information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings without the prior authorization of the Chief Compliance Officer and the specific approval of the Board.  The Adviser must submit any proposed arrangement pursuant to which the Adviser intends to disclose the Fund’s portfolio holdings to the Board, which will review such arrangement to determine whether the arrangement is in the best interests of Fund shareholders. Additionally, the Adviser, and any affiliated persons of the Adviser, are prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of the Fund, as a result of disclosing the Fund’s portfolio holdings.   Finally, the Fund will not disclose portfolio holdings as described above to third parties that the Fund knows will use the information for personal securities transactions.

 

The Trust maintains written policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of its portfolio holdings to ensure that such disclosure is for a legitimate business purpose and is in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders. The Board reviews these policies and procedures on an annual basis. Compliance will be periodically assessed by the Board in connection with a report from the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. There may be instances where the interests of the Trust’s shareholders respecting the disclosure of information about portfolio holdings may conflict or appear to conflict with the interests of the Adviser, any principal underwriter for the Trust or an affiliated person of the Trust (including such affiliated person’s investment adviser or principal underwriter). In such situations, the conflict must be disclosed to the Board.

 

PROXY VOTING POLICY

 

          The Trust and the Fund’s Adviser each have adopted proxy voting policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in shareholders’ best interests. As a brief summary, the Trust’s policy delegates responsibility regarding proxy voting to the Adviser, subject to the Adviser’s proxy voting policy and the supervision of the Board of Trustees. The Adviser votes the Fund’s proxies in accordance with its proxy voting policy, subject to the provisions of the Trust’s policy regarding conflicts of interests. The Fund’s Proxy Voting Policy and Procedure is attached as Exhibit A. The Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policy and Procedure is attached as Exhibit B.           The Trust’s policy provides that, if a conflict of interest between the Adviser or its affiliates and the Fund arises with respect to any proxy, the Adviser must fully disclose the conflict to the Board of Trustees and vote the proxy in accordance with the Board’s instructions. The Board shall make the proxy voting decision that in its judgment, after reviewing the recommendation of the Adviser, is most consistent with the Adviser’s proxy voting policies and in the best interests of Fund shareholders.

 

You may obtain a copy of the Trust’s and the Adviser’s proxy voting policy by calling Shareholder Services at (888) 415-3343 to request a copy, or by writing to Unified Fund Services, Inc., the Fund’s transfer agent, at 2960 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208. A copy of the policies will be mailed to you within three days of receipt of your request. You also may obtain a copy from Fund documents filed with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. A copy of the votes cast by the Fund with respect to portfolio securities for each year ended June 30 th will be filed by the Fund with the SEC on Form N-PX. The Fund’s proxy voting record will be available to shareholders free of charge upon request by calling or writing the Fund as described above or from the SEC’s web site.

 

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

 

The net asset value of the shares of the Fund is determined as of the close of trading (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the Trust, its custodian, and transfer agent are open for business and on any other day on which there is sufficient trading in the Fund’s securities to materially affect the net asset value. The Trust is open for business on every day on which the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for trading. The NYSE is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. For a description of the methods used to determine the net asset value (share price), see “Determination of Net Asset Value” in the Prospectus.

 

          Equity securities generally are valued by using market quotations furnished by a pricing service when the Adviser believes such prices accurately reflect the fair market value of such securities. Securities that are traded on any stock exchange are generally valued by the pricing service at the last quoted sale price. Lacking a last sale price, an exchange-traded security is generally valued by the pricing service at its last bid price. Securities traded in the NASDAQ over-the - counter market are generally valued by the pricing service at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. When market quotations are not readily available, when the Adviser determines that the market quotation or the price provided by the pricing service does not accurately reflect the current market value or when restricted or illiquid securities are being valued, such securities are valued at a fair value as determined by the Adviser in good faith according to procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees annually approves the pricing services used by the fund accounting agent. Fair valued securities held by the Fund (if any) are reviewed by the Board of Trustees on a quarterly basis.

 

The Fund’s net asset value per share is computed by dividing the value of the securities held by the Fund plus any cash or other assets (including interest and dividends accrued but not yet received) minus all liabilities (including accrued expenses) by the total number of shares in the Fund outstanding at such time, as shown below:

 

 

Net Assets

= Net Asset Value Per Share

 

Shares Outstanding

 

 

REDEMPTION IN-KIND

 

          The Fund does not intend to redeem shares in any form except cash. However, if the redemption amount is over the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s net asset value, pursuant to an election under Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act by the Trust on behalf of the Fund, the Fund has the right to redeem your shares by giving you the amount that exceeds the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s net asset value in securities instead of cash. In the event that an in-kind distribution is made, a shareholder may incur additional expenses such as the payment of brokerage commissions on the sale or other disposition of the securities received from the Fund.

 

STATUS AND TAXATION OF THE FUND

 

          The following discussion is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and its shareholders. The discussion reflects applicable federal income tax laws of the U.S. as of the date of this SAI, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), possibly with retroactive effect. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. income, estate or gift tax, or foreign, state or localtax concerns affecting the Fund and its shareholders (including shareholders owning large positions in the Fund). The discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund.

 

          In addition, no attempt is made to address tax concerns applicable to an investor with a special tax status such as a financial institution, real estate investment trust, insurance company, regulated investment company (“RIC”), individual retirement account, other tax-exempt entity, dealer in securities or non-U.S. investor. Furthermore, this discussion does not reflect possible application of the alternative minimum tax (“AMT”). Unless otherwise noted, this discussion assumes shares of the Fund are held by U.S. shareholders and that such shares are held as capital assets.

 

          A U.S. shareholder is a beneficial owner of shares of the Fund that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

 

a citizen or individual resident of the United States (including certain former citizens and former long-term residents);

 

a corporation or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

a trust with respect to which a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. shareholders have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions or the trust have made a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

          A “Non-U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of shares of the Fund that is an individual, corporation, trust or estate and is not a U.S. shareholder. If a partnership (including any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of the Fund, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depends upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A prospective shareholder who is a partner of a partnership holding the Fund shares should consult its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of its Fund shares.

Intended Election to Be Taxed as a RIC

 

          The Fund was organized as a series of a Delaware statutory trust, and in its first taxable year after it becomes registered under the 1940 Act it intends to elect to be treated as, and to qualify each year thereafter for treatment as a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). There can be no assurance that it actually will so qualify. In order to so qualify, the Fund must satisfy certain requirements regarding its source of income, diversification of assets and distribution of earnings that are discussed further below. In addition, by the end of the Fund’s first taxable year as a RIC, it also must eliminate any earnings and profits accumulated before the intended RIC election became effective. The Fund intends to accomplish this by paying its shareholders one or more cash dividends representing substantially all of its accumulated earnings and profits, if any, for the period from the Fund’s inception through the date on which the intended RIC election becomes effective. The amount of these dividends will be based on a number of factors, including the Fund’s results of operations through the date on which the intended RIC election becomes effective. The Fund will need to manage its cash or have access to cash to enable it to pay any such dividend or dividends. Any dividend of accumulated earnings and profits would be taxable to shareholders as discussed further below. These dividends, if any, would be in addition to the dividends the Fund intends to pay to satisfy the RIC distribution of earnings requirement.

 

          The Fund anticipates that, on the effective date of the RIC election, it may hold assets (including intangible assets not reflected on the balance sheet, such as goodwill) with “built-in gain,” which are assets whose fair market value as of the effective date of the RIC election exceeds their tax basis. In general, any entity taxable as a corporation that converts to taxation as a RIC must pay corporate-level federal income tax on any of the net built-in gains it recognizes during the 10-year period beginning on the effective date of its election to be treated as a RIC. Alternatively, the corporation may elect to recognize all of its built-in gain at the time of its conversion and pay such tax on the built-in gain at that time. The Fund may or may not make this election. If it does make this election, the Fund will mark its portfolio to market at the time of the intended RIC election, pay corporate-level federal income tax on any resulting taxable income, and distribute resulting earnings at that time or before the end of the first taxable year in which the Fund qualifies as a RIC. If the Fund does not make this election, it will pay such corporate-level federal income tax as is payable at the time the built-in gains are recognized (which generally will be the years in which the built-in gain assets are actually sold in taxable transactions). The amount of this tax will vary depending on the assets that are actually sold by the Fund in this 10-year period, the actual amount of the net built-in gain or loss present in those assets as of the effective date of the RIC election and effective tax rates. Recognized built-in gains that are ordinary in character and the excess of short-term capital gains over long-term capital losses will be included in the Fund’s investment company taxable income, and generally the Fund must distribute annually at least 90% of any such amounts (net of corporate taxes paid on those gains) in order to be eligible for RIC tax treatment. Any such amount distributed will be taxable to the shareholders as ordinary income. Built-in gains (net of taxes) that are recognized within the 10-year period and that are long term capital gains will also be distributed (or deemed distributed) annually to the shareholders. Any such amount distributed (or deemed distributed) will be taxable to the shareholders as capital gains.

Taxation as a RIC

          The Fund will qualify as a RIC if, among other things, it meets the source-of-income and the asset-diversification requirements. With respect to the source-of-income requirement, the Fund must derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income (including tax-exempt interest) from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such shares, securities or currencies and (ii) net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership.” A “qualified publicly traded partnership” is generally defined as a publicly traded partnership under Internal Revenue Code section 7704. However, for these purposes, a qualified publicly traded partnership does not include a publicly traded partnership if 90% or more of its income is described in (i) above. Income derived from a partnership (other than a qualified publicly traded partnership) or trust is qualifying income to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership or trust which would be qualifying income if realized by the Fund in the same manner as realized by the partnership or trust.

 

          With respect to the asset-diversification requirement, the Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities, if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other RICs of (a) one issuer, (b) two or more issuers that are controlled by the Fund and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or (c) one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.

 

          If the Fund qualifies as a RIC and distributes to its shareholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of the sum of (i) its “investment company taxable income” as that term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code (which includes, among other things, dividends, taxable interest, the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses and certain net foreign exchange gains as reduced by certain deductible expenses) without regard to the deduction for dividends paid, and (ii) the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest, if any, over certain deductions attributable to such interest that are otherwise disallowed, the Fund will be relieved of U.S. federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including long-term capital gains, distributed to shareholders. However, any ordinary income or capital gain retained by the Fund will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate federal income tax rates (currently at a maximum rate of 35%). The Fund intends to distribute at least annually substantially all of its investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt interest, and net capital gain.

 

          The Fund will generally be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on the portion of its undistributed ordinary income with respect to each calendar year and undistributed capital gains if it fails to meet certain distribution requirements with respect to the one-year period ending on October 31 in that calendar year. In order to avoid the 4% federal excise tax, the required minimum distribution is generally equal to the sum of (i) 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income (computed on a calendar year basis), (ii) 98% of the Fund’s capital gain net income (generally computed for the one-year period ending on October 31) and (iii) any income realized, but not distributed, and on which we paid no federal income tax in preceding years. The Fund generally intends to make distributions in a timely manner in an amount at least equal to the required minimum distribution and therefore, under normal market conditions, does not expect to be subject to this excise tax.

 

          The Fund may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which it does not receive cash. For example, if the Fund holds debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with payment in kind interest or, in certain cases, with increasing interest rates or that are issued with warrants), the Fund must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by the Fund in the same taxable year. Because any original issue discount accrued will be included in the Fund’s “investment company taxable income” (discussed below) for the year of accrual, the Fund may be required to make a distribution to its shareholders to satisfy the distribution requirement, even though it will not have received an amount of cash that corresponds with the income earned.

          Gain or loss realized by the Fund from the sale or exchange of warrants acquired by the Fund as well as any loss attributable to the lapse of such warrants generally will be treated as capital gain or loss. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term or short-term, depending on how long the Fund held a particular warrant. Upon the exercise of a warrant acquired by the Fund, the Fund’s tax basis in the stock purchased under the warrant will equal the sum of the amount paid for the warrant plus the strike price paid on the exercise of the warrant. Except as set forth in “Failure to Qualify as a RIC,” the remainder of this discussion assumes that the Fund will qualify as a RIC for each taxable year.

Failure to Qualify as a RIC

 

          If the Fund is unable to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement or otherwise fails to qualify as a RIC in any year, it will be subject to corporate level income tax on all of its income and gain, regardless of whether or not such income was distributed. Distributions to the Fund’s shareholders of such income and gain will not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. In such event, the Fund’s distributions, to the extent derived from the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, would constitute ordinary dividends, which would generally be eligible for the dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders, and non-corporate shareholders would generally be able to treat such distributions as “qualified dividend income” eligible for reduced rates of U.S. federal income taxation in taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010, provided in each case that certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied.

 

          Distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the shareholders’ tax basis in their Fund shares, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. To qualify as a RIC in a subsequent taxable year, the Fund would be required to satisfy the source-of-income, the asset diversification, and the annual distribution requirements for that year and dispose of any earnings and profits from any year in which the Fund failed to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC. Subject to a limited exception applicable to RICs that qualified as such under the Internal Revenue Code for at least one year prior to disqualification and that re-qualify as a RIC no later than the second year following the non-qualifying year, the Fund would be subject to tax on any unrealized built-in gains in the assets held by it during the period in which the Fund failed to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC that are recognized within the subsequent 10 years, unless the Fund made a special election to pay corporate-level tax on such built-in gain at the time of its re-qualification as a RIC.

 

Taxation for U.S. Shareholders

 

          Distributions paid to U.S. shareholders by the Fund from its investment company taxable income (which is, generally, the Fund’s ordinary income plus net realized short-term capital gains in excess of net realized long-term capital losses) are generally taxable to U.S. shareholders as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Such distributions (if designated by the Fund) may qualify (i) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders under Section 243 of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent that the Fund’s income consists of dividend income from U.S. corporations, excluding distributions from tax-exempt organizations, exempt farmers’ cooperatives or real estate investment trusts or (ii) in the case of individual shareholders for taxable years beginning on or prior to December 31, 2010, as qualified dividend income eligible to be taxed at reduced rates under Section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code (which provided for a minimum 15% rate) to the extent that the Fund receives qualified dividend income, and provided in each case certain holding period and other requirements are met. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and qualified foreign corporations (e.g., generally, foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the United States or in certain countries with a qualified comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States, or the stock with respect to which such dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States). A qualified foreign corporation generally excludes any foreign corporation, which for the taxable year of the corporation in which the dividend was paid, or the preceding taxable year, is a passive foreign investment company. Distributions made to a U.S. shareholder from an excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses (“capital gain dividends”), including capital gain dividends credited to such shareholder but retained by the Fund, are taxable to such shareholder as long-term capital gain if they have been properly designated by the Fund, regardless of the length of time such shareholder owned the shares of the Fund. The maximum tax rate on capital gain dividends received by individuals is generally 15% (5% for individuals in lower brackets) for such gain realized before January 1, 2011. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits will be treated by the U.S. shareholder, first, as a tax-free return of capital, which is applied against and will reduce the adjusted tax basis of the U.S. shareholder’s shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gain to the U.S. shareholder (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset). Under current law, the maximum 15% tax rate on long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income will cease to apply for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010; beginning in 2011, the maximum rate on long-term capital gains is scheduled to revert to 20%, and all ordinary dividends (including amounts treated as qualified dividends under the law currently in effect) would be taxed as ordinary income. Generally, not later than sixty days after the close of its taxable year, the Fund will provide the shareholders with a written notice designating the amount of any qualified dividend income or capital gain dividends and other distributions.

 

          As a RIC, the Fund will be subject to the AMT, but any items that are treated differently for AMT purposes must be apportioned between the Fund and the shareholders and this may affect the shareholders’ AMT liabilities. Although regulations explaining the precise method of apportionment have not yet been issued by the IRS, the Fund intends in general to apportion these items in the same proportion that dividends paid to each shareholder bear to the Fund’s taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction), unless the Fund determines that a different method for a particular item is warranted under the circumstances.

 

          For purpose of determining (i) whether the annual distribution requirement is satisfied for any year and (ii) the amount of capital gain dividends paid for that year, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a dividend that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If the Fund makes such an election, the U.S. shareholder will still be treated as receiving the dividend in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been received by the U.S. shareholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

 

          If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets at the close of the taxable year consist of stock or securities in foreign corporations and certain other requirements are met, the Fund may elect to have its foreign tax deduction or credit for such withholding taxes be taken by its investors instead of claiming it on its tax return. If such an election is made, each investor will include in gross income his proportional share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund. Investors may claim the amount of such taxes paid as a foreign tax credit in order to reduce the amount of U.S. federal income tax liability which an investor incurs on his or her foreign source in come, including foreign source income from the Fund. If the Fund makes the election, it will furnish the shareholders with a written notice after the close of its taxable year.

 

          The Fund intends to distribute all realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If, however, the Fund were to retain any net capital gain, the Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to shareholders who, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income as long-term capital gain, their proportionate shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the federal income tax paid by the Fund on the undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If such an event occurs, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, generally be increased by the difference between the amount of undistributed net capital gain included in the shareholder’s gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholders.

 

          Sales and other dispositions of the shares of the Fund shares generally are taxable events. U.S. shareholders should consult their own tax adviser with reference to their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular transaction in the shares of the Fund is properly treated as a sale or exchange for federal income tax purposes, as the following discussion assumes, and the tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in such transactions. The sale or other disposition of shares of the Fund will generally result in capital gain or loss to the shareholder equal to the difference between the amount realized and his adjusted tax basis in the shares sold or exchanged, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year at the time of sale. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received (including amounts credited as an undistributed capital gain dividend) by such shareholder with respect to such shares. A loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of the Fund generally will be disallowed if other substantially identical shares are acquired within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed. In such case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Present law taxes both long-term and short-term capital gain of corporations at the rates applicable to ordinary income of corporations. For non-corporate taxpayers, short-term capital gain will currently be taxed at the rate applicable to ordinary income, currently a maximum of 35%, while long-term capital gain generally will be taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. Capital losses are subject to certain limitations.

 

          The Fund is required in certain circumstances to backup withhold at a current rate of 28% on taxable distributions and certain other payments paid to non-corporate holders of the Fund’s shares who do not furnish the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number (in the case of individuals, their social security number) and certain certifications, or who are otherwise subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld from payments made to you may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

 

          The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury regulations in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its shareholders. These provisions are subject to change by legislative and administrative action, and any such change may be retroactive. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions as to U.S. federal income, estate or gift taxes, or foreign, state, local taxes or other taxes.

 

CUSTODIAN

 

          Huntington National Bank, 41 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, is Custodian of the Fund’s investments. The Custodian acts as the Fund’s depository, safekeeps its portfolio securities, collects all income and other payments with respect thereto, disburses funds at the Fund’s request and maintains records in connection with its duties. The Custodian’s parent company, Huntington Bancshares, Inc., is also the parent company of Unified Fund Services, Inc. (“Unified”), the Trust’s transfer agent, fund accountant and administrator, and of Unified Financial Securities, Inc. (the “Distributor”), the Trust’s distributor.

 

          For its custodial services, the Custodian receives a monthly fee from the Fund based on the market value of assets under custody.  The monthly fee is equal to an annual rate of 0.0125% of the first $75 million of market value; 0.0100% of the next $75 million of market value; and 0.0075% of market value in excess of $150 million.  The Custodian also receives various transaction-based fees. Custodial fees are subject to a $250 monthly minimum fee per Fund account.

FUND SERVICES

 

          Unified Fund Services, Inc. (“Unified”), 2960 N. Meridian St., Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46208, acts as the Fund’s transfer agent, fund accountant, and administrator.  Unified is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Huntington Bancshares, the parent company of the Custodian and the Distributor. Certain officers of the Trust also are officers of Unified.

 

          Unified maintains the records of each shareholder’s account, answers shareholders’ inquiries concerning their accounts, processes purchases and redemptions of the Fund’s shares, acts as dividend and distribution disbursing agent and performs other transfer agent and shareholder service functions. Unified receives a monthly fee from the Fund of $1.50 per shareholder account (subject to a monthly minimum fee of $2,500 per month) for these transfer agency services.

 

In addition, Unified provides the Fund with fund accounting services, which includes certain monthly reports, record-keeping and other management-related services. For its services as fund accountant, Unified receives a monthly fee from the Fund at an annual rate equal to 0.04% of the Fund’s average daily net assets up to $100 million, 0.02% of the Fund’s average daily net assets from $100 million to $250 million, and 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets over $250 million (subject to a monthly minimum fee of $2,917).

 

          Unified also provides the Fund with administrative services, including all regulatory reporting and necessary office equipment, personnel and facilities. Unified receives a monthly fee from the Fund equal to an annual rate of 0.09% of the Fund’s average daily net assets under $100 million, 0.06% of the Fund’s average daily net assets from $100 million to $250 million, and 0.030% of the Fund’s average daily net assets over $250 million (subject to a monthly minimum fee of $3,750). Unified also receives a compliance program services fee of $800 per month from the Fund

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The firm of Briggs, Bunting & Doughterty, LLP (“BBD”), Two Penn Center Plaza, suite 820, Philadelphia, PA 19102, has been selected as independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund for its initial fiscal period ending August 31, 2009. BBD will perform an annual audit of the Fund’s financial statements and will provide financial, tax and accounting consulting services as requested.

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

 

The firm of Husch Blackwell Sanders, LLP (“HBS”), 4801 Main Street, Suite 1000, Kansas City, MO 64112, serves as legal counsel for the Trust and Fund.

 

DISTRIBUTOR

 

Unified Financial Securities, Inc., 2960 N. Meridian St., Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46208 (the “Distributor”), is the exclusive agent for distribution of shares of the Fund. As a result, such persons may be deemed affiliates of the Distributor.

 

          The Distributor is obligated to sell the shares of the Fund on a best efforts basis only against purchase orders for the shares. Shares of the Fund are offered to the public on a continuous basis.

 

DISTRIBUTION PLAN

 

          The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the Class A shares. The Plan was approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or the Fund, and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in any other Rule 12b-1 agreement.

 

          The Plan provides that the Fund will pay the Adviser and/or any registered securities dealer, financial institution or any other person (the “Recipient”) a shareholder servicing fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund in connection with the promotion and distribution of the Fund’s shares or the provision of personal services to shareholders, including, but not necessarily limited to, advertising, compensation to underwriters, dealers and selling personnel, the printing and mailing of prospectuses to other than current Fund shareholders, the printing and mailing of sales literature and servicing shareholder accounts (“12b-1 Expenses”). The Fund or Adviser may pay all or a portion of these fees to any Recipient who renders assistance in distributing or promoting the sale of shares, or who provides certain shareholder services, pursuant to a written agreement. The Plan is a compensation plan, which means that compensation is provided regardless of 12b-1 Expenses actually incurred. It is anticipated that the Plan will benefit shareholders because an effective sales program typically is necessary in order for the Fund to reach and maintain a sufficient size to achieve efficiently its investment objectives and to realize economies of scale.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The seed capital financial statements of the Fund as of September 22, 2008, which have been audited by Briggs, Bunting & Dougherty LLP, are set forth below.

 

INDEXEDGE LONG-TERM PORTFOLIO FUND

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

September 22, 2008

 

ASSETS

 

Cash

$

100,000

 

Other assets

9,855

 

Total assets

$

109,855

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Accrued expenses

$

9,855

 

Payable to adviser

-  

 

Total liabilities

$

9,855

 

 

NET ASSETS

 

(10,000 shares of beneficial interest outstanding, respectively,

 

no par value, unlimited shares authorized)

$

100,000

 

 

Net assets consist of:

 

Paid-in capital

$

100,000

 

 

Net asset value per share

$

10.00

 

 

Maximum offering price per share ($10.00 ¸ 94.25%)

$

10.61

 

 

Minimum repurchase price per share ($10.00 x 99%) (a)

$

9.90

 

 

(a)

The Fund charges a 1% redemption fee on shares redeemed within 18 months of purchase if the shares were purchased without an initial sales charge.

 

 

 


See accompanying notes

 

 


 

INDEXEDGE LONG-TERM PORTFOLIO FUND

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 

Period ended September 22, 2008

 

EXPENSES

 

Organization expenses

$

8,425

 

Less: Reimbursement from adviser

(8,425 )

 

 

NET EXPENSES

$

-  

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

 


INDEXEDGE LONG-TERM PORTFOLIO FUND

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

September 22, 2008

 


 

 

(1)

ORGANIZATION

 

The IndexEdge Long-Term Portfolio Fund (the "Fund" ) was organized as a separate, non-diversified series of the Valued Advisers Trust (the "Trust" ). The Trust is an open-end investment company established under the laws of Delaware by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated June 13, 2008 (the "Trust Agreement" ). The Trust Agreement permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series without par value. The Fund is the first series authorized by the Trustees, although it is anticipated that the Trustees will authorize additional series in the future. The Trust is a registered investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund's investment adviser is IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC (the "Adviser" ).

 

The investment objective of the Fund is to provide long-term capital appreciation. The Fund's investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed by the Fund without shareholder approval.

 

The Fund uses Huntington National Bank as the Fund's custodian (the "Custodian" ). The Custodian's parent company, Huntington Bancshares, Inc., is also the parent company of Unified Fund Services, Inc., the Trust's transfer agent, fund accountant and administrator, and of Unified Financial Securities, Inc., the Trust's distributor. No transactions other than those relating to the organization and offering matters and the sale of 10,000 Class A shares of the IndexEdge Long-Term Portfolio Fund to Unified Fund Services, Inc. at $10.00 per share have taken place to date.

 

The Fund currently offers one class of shares (the "Class A" shares) with plans to open another class of shares (the "Investor Class" ) in the future. The Class A shares are offered subject to a sales charge of 5.75% of the offering price. A deferred sales charge of 1% is imposed on Class A shares redeemed within 18 months of purchase if the shares were purchased without an initial sales charge. The Fund may offer additional classes of shares in the future.

 

 

(2)

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The following is a summary of the significant accounting and reporting policies used in preparing the financial statements.

 

 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

 

Organizational and Offering Costs

All cost incurred by the Fund in connection with its organization have been paid by the Adviser subject to recoupment as described in Note 3. Organizational costs were charged to expense as incurred. Offering costs incurred by the Trust are treated as deferred charges until operations commence and thereafter will be amortized over a 12-month period using the straight line method.

 

 

Federal Income Taxes

The Fund makes no provision for federal income tax. The Fund intends to qualify as a "regulated investment company" under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, by distributing all of its taxable income. If the required amount of net investment income is not distributed, the Fund could incur a tax expense.

 

 


INDEXEDGE LONG-TERM PORTFOLIO FUND

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

September 22, 2008

 

 

(3)

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

IndexEdge Investment Consulting LLC is the Investment Adviser of the Fund. Under the management agreement, the Investment Adviser receives an annual management fee of 0.50% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Investment Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses but only to the extent necessary to limit "Net Expenses" (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage, commissions, Fees and Expenses of Acquired Funds, dividend expense on short sales, expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, expenses that the Fund has incurred but did not actually pay because of an expense offset arrangement, and extraordinary expenses, if any) to not more than 0.99% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares through December 31, 2009. Each waiver or reimbursement by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the Fund within the three fiscal years following the fiscal year in which that particular expense is incurred, if the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding its expense limitation in effect at that time.

 

 

(4)

DISTRIBUTION FEES

 

The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the "Plan" ) for the Class A shares pursuant to which the Fund is authorized to pay a fee of 0.25% of the Class A share's average daily net assets to the Fund's adviser or any broker-dealer, bank, investment adviser or other financial institution that assists the Fund in the sale and distribution of Class A shares or that provides shareholder servicing to its shareholders.

 

 

(5)

BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

At September 22, 2008, paid-in capital amounted to $100,000 for the Class A shares. Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:

 

 

Shares sold

10,000

 

Shares redeemed

-  

 

Net increase

10,000

 

Shares outstanding

10,000

 

 


 

 

 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

 

 

To the Board of Trustees of Valued Advisers Trust

And the Shareholders of

IndexEdge Long-Term Portfolio Fund

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of the IndexEdge Long-Term Portfolio Fund, a series of shares of beneficial interest of Valued Advisers Trust, as of September 22, 2008, and the related statement of operations for the period then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the IndexEdge Long-Term Portfolio Fund as of September 22, 2008, and the results of its operations for the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

 


 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 2, 2008

 

 


 

You can receive free copies of reports (once available), request other information and discuss your questions about the Fund by contacting the Trust directly at:

 

Unified Fund Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 6110

Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6110

(888) 415-3343

 

EXHIBIT A

 

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST

PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURE

 

Valued Advisers Trust (the “Trust”) is a registered open-end investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”). The Trust offers multiple series (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”). Effective April 14, 2003, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted rule and form amendments under the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the 1940 Act to require registered management investment companies to provide disclosure about how they vote proxies for their portfolio securities (collectively, the rule and form amendments are referred to herein as the “Proxy Rule”).

 

Consistent with its fiduciary duties and pursuant to the Proxy Rule, the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) has adopted this proxy voting policy on behalf of the Trust (the “Policy”) to reflect its commitment to ensure that proxies are voted in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Funds’ shareholders. While decisions about how to vote must be determined on a case-by-case basis, proxy voting decisions will be made considering these guidelines and following the procedures recited herein. This policy may be amended, from time to time, as determined by the Board.

 

The Proxy Rule requires that each series of shares of the Trust listed on Exhibit A, attached hereto, (each a “Fund”), disclose the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies for portfolio securities. The Proxy Rule also requires each Fund to file with the SEC and to make available to their shareholders the specific proxy votes cast for portfolio securities.

 

Delegation of Proxy Voting Authority to Fund Advisors

 

          The Board believes that the investment advisor of each Fund (each an “Advisor”), as the entity that selects the individual securities that comprise its Fund’s portfolio, is the most knowledgeable and best-suited entity to make decisions on how to vote proxies of portfolio companies held by that Fund. Therefore, subject to the oversight of the Board, the Trust shall defer to and rely on the Advisor of each Fund to make decisions on how to cast proxy votes on behalf of such Fund.

 

          The Trust hereby designates the Advisor of each Fund as the entity responsible for exercising proxy voting authority with regard to securities held in the Fund’s investment portfolio. Consistent with its duties under this Policy, each Advisor shall monitor and review corporate transactions of corporations in which the Fund has invested, obtain all information sufficient to allow an informed vote on all proxy solicitations, ensure that all proxy votes are cast in a timely fashion, and maintain all records required to be maintained by the Fund under the Proxy Rule and the 1940 Act. Each Advisor shall perform these duties in accordance with the Advisor’s proxy voting policy (each an “Advisor’s Voting Policy”), a copy of which shall be presented to the Board for its review. Each Advisor shall promptly provide to the Board updates to its proxy voting policy as they are adopted and implemented.

 

The Board, including a majority of the independent trustees of the Board, shall approve each Advisor’s Voting Policy as it relates to each Fund. The Board shall also approve any material changes to the Advisor’s Voting Policy no later than four (4) months after adoption by the Advisor.

 

Conflict of Interest Transactions

In some instances, an Advisor may be asked to cast a proxy vote that presents a conflict between the interests of a Fund’s shareholders, and those of the Advisor or an affiliated person of the Advisor. In such case, the Advisor is instructed to abstain from making a voting decision and to forward all necessary proxy voting materials to the Trust to enable the Board to make a voting decision. In addition, provided the Advisor is not affiliated with a Fund’s principal underwriter or an affiliated person of the principal underwriter and neither the Fund’s principal underwriter nor an affiliated person of the principal underwriter has influenced the Advisor with respect to a matter to which the Fund is entitled to vote, a vote by the Advisor shall not be considered a conflict between the Fund’s shareholders and the Fund’s principal underwriter or affiliated person of the principal underwriter. When the Board is required to make a proxy voting decision, only the Trustees without a conflict of interest with regard to the security in question or the matter to be voted upon shall be permitted to participate in the decision of how the Fund’s vote will be cast. In the event that the Board is required to vote a proxy because an Advisor has a conflict of interest with respect to the proxy, the Board will vote such proxy in accordance with the Advisor’s proxy voting policy, to the extent consistent with the shareholders’ best interests, as determined by the Board in its discretion. The Board shall notify the Advisor of its final decision on the matter and the Advisor shall vote in accordance with the Board’s decision.

 

Oversight of the Advisors’ Proxy Voting Compliance Activities

          Each Advisor shall present to the Trust’s administrator a quarterly report summarizing its proxy voting compliance activities for the preceding quarter. The administrator shall review the report to ensure compliance with the Proxy Rule and with this Policy, and shall determine the steps and procedures, if any, that must be undertaken or adopted by the Trust and any Advisor to ensure further compliance with the relevant laws.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policy and Records Available to Fund Shareholders

Each Fund shall disclose this Policy, or a description of the Policy, to its shareholders by including it as an appendix to its Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) on Form N-1A. Each Fund will also notify its shareholders in the Fund’s shareholder reports that a description of this Policy is available upon request, without charge, by calling a specified toll-free telephone number. The Fund will send this description of the Policy within three business days of receipt of any shareholder request, by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.

 

In accordance with the Proxy Rule, each Advisor shall provide a complete voting record, for each series of the Trust for which it acts as advisor, to the Trust’s administrator within 15 days following the end of each calendar quarter. The Trust’s administrator will file Form N-PX with the SEC on an annual basis with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than August 31 st of each year.

Each Fund, subject to oversight of the Board, shall disclose the Fund’s complete proxy voting record to its shareholders on Form N-PX, as required by the Proxy Rule, for the twelve-month period ended June 30th . Each Fund shall disclose the following information on Form N-PX for each matter relating to a portfolio security considered at any shareholder meeting held during the period covered by the report and with respect to which to the Fund was entitled to vote: (i) The name of the issuer of the portfolio security; (ii) The exchange ticker symbol of the portfolio security (if available through reasonably practicable means); (iii) The Council on Uniform Security Identification Procedures (“CUSIP”) number for the portfolio security (if available through reasonably practicable means); (iv) The shareholder meeting date; (v) A brief identification of the matter voted on; (vi) Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder; (vii) Whether the Fund cast its vote on the matter; (viii) How the Fund cast its vote (e.g., for or against proposal, or abstain; for or withhold regarding election of directors); and (ix) Whether the Fund cast its vote for or against management.

 

Each Fund shall make its proxy voting record available to shareholders either upon request or by making available an electronic version on or through the Fund’s website, if applicable. If the Fund discloses its proxy voting record on or through its website, the Fund shall post the information disclosed in the Fund’s most recently filed report on Form N-PX on the website beginning the same day it files such information with the SEC.

 

Each Fund shall also include in its annual reports, semi-annual reports and SAI a statement that information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30th is available (1) without charge upon request, by calling a specified toll-free (or collect) telephone number, or (if applicable) on or through the Fund’s website at a specified Internet address; and (2) on the SEC’s website. If the Fund discloses that its proxy voting record is available by calling a toll-free (or collect) telephone number, it shall send the information disclosed in the Fund’s most recently filed report on Form N-PX within three business days of receipt of a request for this information, by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.

 

If a Fund has a website, the Fund may post of copy of its Advisor’s proxy voting policy and this Policy on such website. A copy of such policies and of each Fund’s proxy voting record shall also be made available, without charge, upon request of any shareholder of the Fund, by calling the applicable Fund’s toll-free telephone number as printed in the Fund’s prospectus. The Trust’s administrator shall reply to any Fund shareholder request within three business days of receipt of the request, by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.

 


 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

ADVISER’S PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURE

 

IndexEdge Investment Consulting LLC

 

PROXY GUIDELINES :

Pre-determined Voting Practices

The Firm will generally vote with an issuer's management for the following:

 

Routine matters such as the election of directors and the appointment of auditors;

 

Proposals regarding social issues;

 

Mergers, acquisitions, and changes in capital structure unless equity research available regarding the proposal indicate that it is not in the best interest of shareholders; and

 

Option plan and compensation for executives and directors as well as items related to procedures and terms for election of board of directors.

The Firm will generally vote against the following:

 

Anti-takeover measures and limitations on shareholder rights;

 

Poison pill unless:

Management indicates that it is linked to a specific corporate strategy;

It has a sunset provision; or

It is subject to shareholder vote.

Proposals not specifically identified above will be reviewed on an individual basis and generally voted with management, unless it is not deemed to be in the best interest of shareholders.

Conflict of Interest Resolution

Should a vote be deemed to present a material conflict of interest, such as a conflict between the interests of the client on the one hand and those of the Firm on the other hand, then the matter is subject to resolution by notifying clients and receiving their consent prior to voting.

 

 

 


PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 23.

Exhibits .



(a)(1)

Certificate of Trust. 2



(2)

Agreement and Declaration of Trust. 1



(b)

Bylaws. 1



(c)

Certificates for shares are not issued. Provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust define the rights of holders of shares of the Trust. 1



(d)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC. 1



(e)

Distribution Agreement between the Trust and Unified Financial Securities, Inc. 1



(f)

Not applicable.



(g)

Custodian Agreement between the Trust and Huntington National Bank. 1



(h)(1)

Mutual Fund Services Agreement between the Trust and Unified Fund Services, Inc. 1



(2)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Trust and IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC. 1



(i)

Opinion and Consent of Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP, Legal Counsel. 1



(j)

Consent of Briggs, Bunting & Doughterty, LLP, Independent Public Accountants. 1



(k)

Not applicable.



(l)

Initial Capital Agreement. 1



(m)

Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 for IndexEdge® Long-Term Portfolio Fund Class A Shares. 1



(n)

Rule 18f-3 Multi-Class Plan of the IndexEdge® Long-Term Portfolio Fund . 1



(o)

Reserved.



(p)(1)

Code of Ethics for the Trust. 1



(2)

Code of Ethics for IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC. 1



(3)

Code of Ethics for Unified Financial Securities, Inc. 1



(q)

Powers of Attorney. 1



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

1.

Filed herewith.

2.

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed June 16, 2008 (File No. 811-22208).


 

ITEM 24.

Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Registrant .



No person is controlled by or under common control with the Registrant.

ITEM 25.

Indemnification .



Reference is made to the Registrant’s Declaration of Trust, which is filed herewith. The following is a summary of certain indemnification provisions therein.

A person who is or was a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Registrant, or is or was serving at the request of the Trustees as a director, trustee, partner, officer, employee or agent of a corporation, trust, partnership, joint venture or other enterprise shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, as such may be amended from time to time, the Registrant’s Bylaws and other applicable law. In case any shareholder or former shareholder of the Registrant shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a shareholder of the Registrant or any series or class of the Registrant and not because of his acts or omissions or for some other reason, the shareholder or former shareholder (or his heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives, or, in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or general successor) shall be entitled, out of the assets belonging to the applicable series (or allocable to the applicable class), to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability in accordance with the Registrant’s Bylaws and applicable law.

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defenses of any action, suite or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

ITEM 26.

Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser .



See the Prospectuses section entitled “Management of the Fund–Adviser” and the Statement of Additional Information section entitled “Investment Adviser” for the activities and affiliations of the officers and directors of the investment adviser of the Registrant, IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC (the “Adviser”). Except as so provided, to the knowledge of Registrant, none of the directors or executive officers of the Adviser is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature. The Adviser currently serves as investment adviser to other institutional and individual clients.

ITEM 27.

Principal Underwriters .



 

(a)

Unified Financial Securities, Inc. also serves as a principal underwriter for the following investment companies: American Pension Investors Trust, Builders Fixed Income Fund, Inc., Dividend Growth Trust, LCM Landmark Series Trust, Sparrow Funds, Skyhawk Funds Trust, TrendStar Investment Trust, The Penn Street Fund, Inc. and Unified Series Trust.



(b) The directors and officers of Unified Financial Securities, Inc. are as follows:

Name

Title

Position with Trust

Daniel B. Benhase
41 S. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215

Director

None

Melissa K. Gallagher*

President

None

Stephen D. Highsmith, Jr.*

Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

John C. Swhear*

Chief Compliance Officer

Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President

Anna Maria Spurgin*

Assistant Vice President

None

D. Eric McKenzie*

Assistant Vice President

None

Karyn E. Cunningham*

Controller

None



 

*

The principal business address of each officer of Unified Financial is 2960 N. Meridian Street, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46208



(c) Not Applicable.

ITEM 28. Location Of Accounts And Records .
 

The accounts, books or other documents of the Registrant required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder are kept in several locations:
 
(a) Huntington National Bank, 41 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 (records relating to its functions as custodian for the Fund).
 
(b) IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC, 650 Poydras Street, Suite 1400, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130 (records relating to its function as the investment adviser to the Fund).
 
(c) Unified Financial Securities, Inc., 2960 N. Meridian St., Suite 300, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208 (records relating to its function as distributor to the Fund).
 
(d) Unified Fund Services, Inc., 2960 N. Meridian St., Suite 300, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208 (records relating to its function as transfer agent, fund accountant, and administrator for the Fund).

ITEM 29.

Management Services .



There are no management-related service contracts not discussed in Parts A or B of this Form.

ITEM 30.

Undertakings .



None.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Pre-effective Amendment to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Indianapolis, and State of Indiana on this 29th day of September 2008.

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST

____________________ * _____________________      September 29, 2008

R. Jeffrey Young, Trustee, Chairman                                          Date
 
 
____________________
* _____________________      September 29, 2008

Stephen D. Highsmith, Jr., Treasurer and Principal                     Date
     Financial Officer     
          
 
____________________
* _____________________      September 29, 2008

Anthony J. Ghoston, Trustee, President and Principal                 Date

Executive Officer     

____________________ * _____________________      September 29, 2008

Dr. Merwyn Vanderlind, Trustee                                               Date
                    

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

* By: /s/ Carol J. Highsmith                                  September 29, 2008

Carol J. Highsmith, Vice President, Attorney in Fact          Date


INDEX TO EXHIBITS

(FOR REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940)

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

EXHIBIT NO.



UNDER PART C

OF FORM N-1A

NAME OF EXHIBIT



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

(a)(2)

Agreement and Declaration of Trust



(b)

Bylaws



(c)

Certificates for shares are not issued. Provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust define the rights of holders of shares of the Trust.



(d)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC



(e)

Distribution Agreement between the Trust and Unified Financial Securities, Inc



(g)

Custodian Agreement between the Trust and Huntington National Bank



(h)(1)

Mutual Fund Services Agreement between the Trust and Unified Fund Services, Inc



(2)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Trust and IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC



(i)

Opinion and Consent of Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP, Legal Counsel

(j)

Consent of Briggs, Bunting & Doughterty, LLP, Independent Public Accountants



(l)

Initial Capital Agreement



(m)

Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 for IndexEdge® Long-Term Portfolio Fund Class A Shares



(n)

Rule 18f-3 Multi-Class Plan for IndexEdge® Long-Term Porfolio fund.



(p)(1)

Code of Ethics for the Trust



(2)

Code of Ethics for IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC



(3)

Code of Ethics for Unified Financial Securities, Inc



(q)

Powers of Attorney




 

AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST

OF

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST

THIS AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST of Valued Advisers Trust (“Trust”), effective as of June 13, 2008, is among Anthony Ghoston (the “Initial Trustee”), as Trustee, and each person who becomes a Shareholder in accordance with the terms hereinafter set forth.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees do hereby declare that all money and property contributed to the Trust hereunder shall be held and managed in trust under this Agreement for the benefit of the Shareholders as herein set forth below.

ARTICLE I

NAME, DEFINITIONS, PURPOSE AND CERTIFICATE OF TRUST

Section 1.1 Name . The name of the statutory trust established hereby is Valued Advisers Trust, and the Trustees may transact the Trust’s affairs in that name. The Trust shall constitute a Delaware statutory trust in accordance with the Delaware Statutory Trust Act (“Delaware Act”).

Section 1.2 Definitions . Whenever used herein, unless otherwise required by the context or specifically provided:

 

 

(a)

“Affiliated Person,” “Company,” “Person,” and “Principal Underwriter” shall have the meanings given them in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), as modified by or interpreted by any applicable order or orders of the Commission or any rules or regulations adopted or interpretive releases of the Commission thereunder. The term “Commission” shall have the meaning given it in the 1940 Act;



 

 

(b)

“Agreement” means this Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as it may be amended or amended and restated from time to time;



 

 

(c)

“allocable” has the meaning specified in Section 2.5(d);



 

 

(d)

“allocated” has the meaning specified in Section 2.5(d);



 

 

(e)

“Bylaws” means the Bylaws referred to in Section 4.1(e), as from time to time amended;



 

 

(f)

“Class” means a portion of Shares of a Portfolio of the Trust established in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.3(b);



 

 

(g)

“Class Expenses” means expenses incurred by a particular Class in connection with a shareholder services arrangement or a distribution plan that is specific to such Class or any other differing share of expenses or differing fees, in each case pursuant to a plan adopted by the Trust pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act, as such plan or Rule may be amended from time to time;



 

 

(h)

“Covered Person” means a person who is or was a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, or is or was serving at the request of the Trustees as a director, trustee, partner, officer, employee or agent of a corporation, trust, partnership, joint venture or other enterprise;

 

(i)

The “Delaware Act” refers to the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, 12 Del. C. § 3801 et seq., as such Act may be amended from time to time;



 

 

(j)

“fund complex” has the meaning specified in Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time;



 

 

(k)

“Governing Instrument” means collectively this Agreement, the Bylaws, all amendments to this Agreement and the Bylaws, all written committee and sub-committee charters adopted by the Trustees, and every resolution of the Trustees or any committee or sub-committee of the Trustees that by its terms is incorporated by reference into this Agreement or stated to constitute part of the Trust’s Governing Instrument or that is incorporated herein by Section 2.3 of this Agreement;



 

 

(l)

“Initial Trustee” has the meaning specified in the Preamble.



 

 

(m)

“Majority Trustee Vote” means the vote of a majority of the Trustees;



 

 

(n)

The “1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time, and the rules promulgated thereunder;



 

 

(o)

“Outstanding Shares” means Shares shown on the books of the Trust or any Portfolio or the Trust’s transfer agent as then issued and outstanding, and includes Shares of one Portfolio that the Trust has purchased on behalf of another Portfolio, but excludes Shares of a Portfolio that the Trust has redeemed or repurchased;



 

 

(p)

“Portfolio” means a series of Shares of the Trust within the meaning of Section 3804(a) of the Delaware Act, established in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.3(a);



 

 

(q)

“Proportionate Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 2.5(d);



 

 

(r)

“Purchasing Portfolio” has the meaning specified in Section 2.9;



 

 

(s)

“Schedule A” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(a);



 

 

(t)

“Selling Portfolio” has the meaning specified in Section 2.9;



 

 

(u)

“Shareholder” means a record owner of Outstanding Shares of the Trust;



 

 

(v)

“Shares” means, as to a Portfolio or any Class thereof, the equal proportionate transferable units of beneficial interest into which the beneficial interest of such Portfolio or such Class thereof shall be divided and may include fractions of Shares in 1/1000 th of a Share or integral multiples thereof as well as whole Shares;



 

 

(w)

The “Trust” means Valued Advisers Trust, the Delaware statutory trust established hereby, and reference to the Trust, when applicable to one or more Portfolios, shall refer to each such Portfolio;



 

 

(x)

The “Trustees” means the Persons who have signed this Agreement as trustees so long as they shall continue to serve as trustees of the Trust in accordance with the terms hereof, and all other Persons who may from time to time be duly appointed as Trustee in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.4, or elected as Trustee by the Shareholders, and reference herein to a Trustee or to the Trustees shall refer to such Persons in their capacity as Trustees hereunder; and



 

 

(y)

“Trust Property” means any and all property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, which is owned or held by or for the account of the Trust or any Portfolio, or by the Trustees on behalf of the Trust or any Portfolio.



Section 1.3 Purpose . The purpose of the Trust is to conduct, operate and carry on the business of an open-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act through one or more Portfolios investing primarily in securities and to carry on such other business as the Trustees may from time to time determine pursuant to their authority under this Agreement.

Section 1.4 Certificate of Trust . Unless otherwise filed prior to execution of this Agreement, immediately upon the execution of this Agreement, the Trustees shall file a Certificate of Trust with respect to the Trust in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the Delaware Act.

ARTICLE II

BENEFICIAL INTEREST

Section 2.1 Shares of Beneficial Interest . The Trust is authorized (A) to issue one or more series of beneficial interests within the meaning of Section 3804(a) of the Delaware Act, which shall constitute the Trust’s Portfolio(s), and (B) to divide the shares of any Portfolio into one or more separate and distinct Classes. The beneficial interests of the Trust shall be divided into an unlimited number of Shares with no par value. All Shares issued hereunder, including without limitation, Shares issued in connection with a dividend or other distribution in Shares or a split or reverse split of Shares, shall be fully paid and nonassessable.

Section 2.2 Issuance of Shares . The Trustees in their discretion may, from time to time, without vote of the Shareholders, issue Shares, in addition to the then issued and Outstanding Shares, to such party or parties and for such amount and type of consideration, subject to applicable law, including cash or securities, at such time or times and on such terms as the Trustees may deem appropriate, and may in such manner acquire other assets (including the acquisition of assets subject to, and in connection with, the assumption of liabilities) and businesses. In connection with any issuance of Shares, the Trustees may issue fractional Shares. The Trustees may from time to time divide or combine the Shares into a greater or lesser number without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interests in the Trust. Contributions to the Trust may be accepted for, and Shares shall be redeemed as, whole Shares and/or 1/1,000 th of a Share or integral multiples thereof.

 

Section 2.3 Establishment of Portfolios and Classes .

 

 

(a)

The Trust shall consist of one or more separate and distinct Portfolios, each with an unlimited number of Shares unless otherwise specified. The Trustees hereby establish and designate the Portfolios listed on Schedule A attached hereto and made a part hereof (“Schedule A”). Each additional Portfolio shall be established by the adoption of one or more resolutions by the Trustees. Each such resolution is hereby incorporated herein by this reference and made a part of the Governing Instrument whether or not expressly stated in such resolution and may be amended by a further resolution, and shall be effective upon the occurrence of both (i) the date stated herein (or, if no such date is stated, upon the date of such adoption) and (ii) the execution of an amendment either to this Agreement or to Schedule A hereto establishing and designating such additional Portfolio or Portfolios. The Shares of each Portfolio shall have the relative rights and preferences provided for herein and such rights and preferences as may be designated by the Trustees in any amendment or modification to the Trust’s Governing Instrument. The Trust shall maintain separate and distinct records of each Portfolio and shall hold and account for the assets belonging thereto separately from the other Trust Property and the assets belonging to any other Portfolio. Each Share of a Portfolio shall represent an equal beneficial interest in the net assets belonging to that Portfolio, except to the extent of Class Expenses and other expenses separately allocated to Classes thereof (if any Classes have been established) as permitted herein.



 

 

(b)

The Trustees may establish one or more Classes of Shares of any Portfolio, each with an unlimited number of Shares unless otherwise specified. Each Class so established and designated shall represent a Proportionate Interest (as defined in Section 2.5(d)) in the net assets belonging to that Portfolio and shall have identical voting, dividend, liquidation, and other rights and be subject to the same terms and conditions, except that (1) Class Expenses allocated to a Class for which such expenses were incurred shall be borne solely by that Class, (2) other expenses, costs, charges, and reserves allocated to a Class in accordance with Section 2.5(e) may be borne solely by that Class, provided that the allocation of such other expenses, costs, charges, and reserves is not specifically required to be set forth in a plan adopted by the Trust pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Act, (3) dividends declared and payable to a Class pursuant to Section 7.1 shall reflect the items separately allocated thereto pursuant to the preceding clauses, (4) each Class may have separate rights to convert to another Class, exchange rights, and similar rights, each as determined by the Trustees, and (5) each Class may have exclusive voting rights with respect to matters affecting only that Class. The Trustees hereby establish for each Portfolio listed on Schedule A the Classes listed thereon. Each additional Class for any or all Portfolios shall be established by the adoption of one or more resolutions by the Trustees. Each such resolution is hereby incorporated herein by this reference and made a part of the Governing Instrument whether or not expressly stated in such resolution, and shall be effective upon the occurrence of both (i) the date stated therein (or, if no such date is stated, upon the date of such adoption) and (ii) the execution of an amendment to this Agreement establishing and designating such additional Class or Classes.



Section 2.4 Actions Affecting Portfolios and Classes . Subject to the right of Shareholders, if any, to vote pursuant to Section 6.1, the Trustees shall have full power and authority, in their sole discretion without obtaining any prior authorization or vote of the Shareholders of any Portfolio, or Class thereof, to establish and designate and to change in any manner any Portfolio of Shares, or any Class or Classes thereof; to fix or change such preferences, voting powers, rights, and privileges of any Portfolio, or Classes thereof, as the Trustees may from time to time determine, including any change that may adversely affect a Shareholder; to divide or combine the Shares of any Portfolio, or Classes thereof, into a greater or lesser number; to classify or reclassify or convert any issued Shares of any Portfolio, or Classes thereof, into one or more Portfolios or Classes of Shares of a Portfolio; to terminate any Portfolio, or Class thereof, pursuant to Section 9.3; and to take such other action with respect to the Shares as the Trustees may deem desirable. A Portfolio and any Class thereof may issue any number of Shares but need not issue any Shares.

Section 2.5 Relative Rights and Preferences . Unless the establishing resolution or any other resolution adopted pursuant to Section 2.3 otherwise provides, Shares of each Portfolio or Class thereof established hereunder shall have the following relative rights and preferences:

 

 

(a)

Except as set forth in paragraph (e) of this Section 2.5, each Share of a Portfolio, regardless of Class, shall represent an equal pro rata interest in the assets belonging to such Portfolio and shall have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights, preferences, powers, restrictions, limitations, qualifications and designations and terms and conditions with each other Share of such Portfolio.



 

 

(b)

Shareholders shall have no preemptive or other right to subscribe to any additional Shares or other securities issued by the Trust or the Trustees, whether of the same or other Portfolio (or Class).



 

 

(c)

All consideration received by the Trust for the issue or sale of Shares of a particular Portfolio, together with all assets in which such consideration is invested or reinvested, all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange, or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the same may be, shall be held and accounted for separately from the other assets of the Trust and of every other Portfolio and may be referred to herein as “assets belonging to” that Portfolio. The assets belonging to a particular Portfolio shall belong to that Portfolio for all purposes, and to no other Portfolio, subject only to the rights of creditors of that Portfolio. In addition, any assets, income, earnings, profits or funds, or payments and proceeds with respect thereto, which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular Portfolio shall be allocated by the Trustees between and among one or more of the Portfolios in such manner as the Trustees, in their sole discretion, deem fair and equitable. Each such allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Portfolios thereof for all purposes, and such assets, income, earnings, profits, or funds, or payments and proceeds with respect thereto shall be assets belonging to that Portfolio.



 

 

(d)

Each Class of a Portfolio shall have a proportionate undivided interest (as determined by or at the direction of, or pursuant to authority granted by, the Trustees, consistent with industry practice) (“Proportionate Interest”) in the net assets belonging to that Portfolio. References herein to assets, expenses, charges, costs, and reserves “allocable” or “allocated” to a particular Class of a Portfolio shall mean the aggregate amount of such item(s) of the Portfolio multiplied by the Class’s Proportionate Interest.



 

 

(e)

A particular Portfolio shall be charged with the liabilities of that Portfolio, and all expenses, costs, charges and reserves attributable to any particular Portfolio shall be borne by such Portfolio; provided that the Trustees may, in their sole discretion, allocate or authorize the allocation of particular expenses, costs, charges, and/or reserves of a Portfolio to fewer than all the Classes thereof. Class Expenses shall, in all cases, be allocated to the Class for which such Class Expenses were incurred. Any general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or reserves of the Trust (or any Portfolio) that are not readily identifiable as chargeable to or bearable by any particular Portfolio (or any particular Class) shall be allocated and charged by the Trustees between or among any one or more of the Portfolios (or Classes) in such manner as the Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair and equitable. Each such allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Portfolios (or Classes) for all purposes. Without limitation of the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.5(e), (i) the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to a particular Portfolio shall be enforceable against the assets of such Portfolio only, and not against the assets of the Trust generally or assets belonging to any other Portfolio, and (ii)  none of the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to the Trust generally that have not been allocated to a specified Portfolio, or with respect to any other Portfolio, shall be enforceable against the assets of such specified Portfolio. Notice of this contractual limitation on inter-Portfolio liabilities is set forth in the Trust’s Certificate of Trust described in Section 1.4, and, accordingly, the statutory provisions of Section  3804 of the Delaware Act relating to limitations on inter-Portfolio liabilities (and the statutory effect under Section 3804 of setting forth such notice in the Certificate of Trust) are applicable to the Trust and each Portfolio.



 

 

(f)

Except as provided for in Section 2.9, shares redeemed or repurchased by a Portfolio or the Trust shall be deemed to be canceled.



 

 

(g)

The Trust may issue Shares in fractional denominations of 1/1000 th of a Share or integral multiples thereof to the same extent as its whole Shares, and Shares in fractional denominations shall be Shares having proportionately to the respective fractions represented thereby all the rights of whole Shares of the same Portfolio (or Class), including without limitation, the right to vote, the right to receive dividends and distributions and the right to participate upon termination of the Trust or any Portfolio, but excluding the right to receive a certificate representing fractional Shares.



All references to Shares in this Agreement shall be deemed to be shares of any or all Portfolios, or Classes thereof, as the context may require. All provisions herein relating to the Trust shall apply equally to each Portfolio of the Trust, and each Class thereof, except as the context otherwise requires.

Section 2.6 Investment in the Trust . Investments may be accepted by the Trust from such Persons, at such times, on such terms, and for such consideration, which may consist of cash or tangible or intangible property or a combination thereof, as the Trustees from time to time may authorize. At the Trustees’ sole discretion, such investments, subject to applicable law, may be in the form of cash or securities in which the affected Portfolio is authorized to invest, valued as provided in applicable law. Each such investment shall be recorded in the individual Shareholder’s account in the form of full and fractional Shares of the Trust, in such Portfolio (or Class) as the Shareholder shall select.

Section 2.7 Personal Liability of Shareholders . As provided by applicable law, no Shareholder of the Trust shall be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred by, contracted for, or otherwise existing with respect to, the Trust or any Portfolio (or Class) thereof. Neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor any officer, employee, or agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind personally any Shareholder or to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at any time personally agree to pay by way of subscription for any Shares or otherwise. The Shareholders shall be entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to the same limitation of personal liability as is extended under the Delaware General Corporation Law to stockholders of private corporations for profit. Every note, bond, contract or other undertaking issued by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees relating to the Trust or to any Portfolio shall include a recitation limiting the obligation represented thereby to the Trust and its assets or to one or more Portfolios and the assets belonging thereto (but the omission of such a recitation shall not operate to bind any Shareholder or Trustee of the Trust or otherwise limit any benefits set forth in the Delaware Act that may be applicable to such Persons).

Section 2.8 Assent to Agreement . Every Shareholder, by virtue of having purchased a Share, shall be held to have expressly assented to, and agreed to be bound by, the terms hereof. The death of a Shareholder during the continuance of the Trust shall not operate to terminate the same nor entitle the representative of any deceased Shareholder to an accounting or to take any action in court or elsewhere against the Trust or the Trustees, but only to rights of said decedent under the Governing Instrument.

Section 2.9 Purchases of Shares Among Portfolios . The Trust may purchase, on behalf of any Portfolio (the “Purchasing Portfolio”), Shares of another Portfolio (the “Selling Portfolio”) or any Class thereof. Shares of the Selling Portfolio so purchased on behalf of the Purchasing Portfolio shall be Outstanding Shares, and shall have all preferences, voting powers, rights and privileges established for such Shares.

Section 2.10 No Appraisal Rights . Shareholders shall have no right to demand payment for their Shares or to any other rights of dissenting Shareholders in the event the Trust participates in any transaction which would give rise to appraisal or dissenters’ rights by a stockholder of a corporation organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware, or otherwise.

ARTICLE III

THE TRUSTEES

Section 3.1 Management of the Trust . The Trustees shall have exclusive and absolute control over the Trust Property and over the business of the Trust to the same extent as if the Trustees were the sole owners of the Trust Property and business in their own right, but with such powers of delegation as may be permitted by this Agreement. The Trustees shall have power to conduct the business of the Trust and carry on its operations in any and all of its branches and maintain offices both within and without the State of Delaware, in any and all states of the United States of America, in the District of Columbia, in any and all commonwealths, territories, dependencies, colonies, or possessions of the United States of America, and in any and all foreign jurisdictions and to do all such other things and execute all such instruments as they deem necessary, proper or desirable in order to promote the interests of the Trust although such things are not herein specifically mentioned. Any determination as to what is in the interests of the Trust made by the Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive. In construing the provisions of this Agreement, the presumption shall be in favor of a grant of power to the Trustees.

The enumeration of any specific power in this Agreement shall not be construed as limiting the aforesaid power. The powers of the Trustees may be exercised without order of or resort to any court or other authority.

Section 3.2 Trustees . The number of Trustees shall be such number as shall be fixed from time to time by a majority of the Trustees. The entire Board of Trustees may be comprised of only the Initial Trustee prior to the effective date of the registration statement on Form N-1A registering the Trust and Shares under the federal securities laws.

Section 3.3 Terms of Office of Trustees . The Trustees shall hold office during the lifetime of this Trust, and until its termination as herein provided; except that (A) any Trustee may resign his trusteeship or may retire by written instrument signed by him and delivered to the other Trustees, which shall take effect upon such delivery or upon such later date as is specified therein; (B) any Trustee may be removed at any time by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal, specifying the date when such removal shall become effective; (C) any Trustee who has died, become physically or mentally incapacitated by reason of disease or otherwise, or is otherwise unable to serve, may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees, specifying the date of his retirement; (D) a Trustee may be removed at any meeting of the Shareholders by a vote of the holders of Shares that represent at least two-thirds of the voting power of the Shares entitled to be voted at the meeting; and (E) a Trustee shall be retired in accordance with the terms of any retirement policy adopted by the Trustees and in effect from time to time.

Section 3.4 Vacancies and Appointment of Trustees . In case of the declination to serve, death, resignation, retirement or removal of a Trustee, or a Trustee is otherwise unable to serve, or an increase in the number of Trustees, a vacancy shall occur. Whenever a vacancy in the Board of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled, the other Trustees shall have all the powers hereunder and the determination of the other Trustees of such vacancy shall be conclusive. In the case of an existing vacancy, the remaining Trustees may fill such vacancy by appointing such other person as they in their discretion shall see fit, or may leave such vacancy unfilled or may reduce the number of Trustees. Such appointment shall be evidenced by a written instrument signed by a majority of the Trustees in office or by resolution of the Trustees, duly adopted, which shall be recorded in the minutes of a meeting of the Trustees, whereupon the appointment shall take effect.

An appointment of a Trustee may be made by the Trustees then in office in anticipation of a vacancy to occur by reason of retirement, resignation, or removal of a Trustee, or an increase in number of Trustees effective at a later date, provided that said appointment shall become effective only at the time or after the expected vacancy occurs. As soon as any Trustee appointed pursuant to this Section 3.4 or elected by the Shareholders shall have accepted the Trust and agreed in writing to be bound by the terms of the Agreement in the form set forth in Schedule B , the Trust estate shall vest in the new Trustee or Trustees, together with the continuing Trustees, without any further act or conveyance, and he shall be deemed a Trustee hereunder.

 

Section 3.5 Temporary Absence of Trustee . Any Trustee may, by power of attorney, delegate his power for a period not exceeding six months at any one time to any other Trustee or Trustees, provided that the power of attorney specifies the matter or matters on which the delegee may vote and the vote or votes to be cast, provided further, however, that a Trustee may not delegate his power to vote on any matter which requires an in-person vote of the Trustees.

Section 3.6 Effect of Death, Resignation, etc. of a Trustee . The declination to serve, death, resignation, retirement, removal, incapacity, or inability of the Trustees, or any one of them, shall not operate to terminate the Trust or to revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

Section 3.7 Ownership of Assets of the Trust . The assets of the Trust and of each Portfolio thereof shall be held separate and apart from any assets now or hereafter held in any capacity other than as Trustee hereunder by the Trustees or any successor Trustees. Legal title in all of the assets of the Trust and the right to conduct any business shall at all times be considered as vested in the Trustees on behalf of the Trust, except that the Trustees may cause legal title to any Trust Property to be held by or in the name of the Trust, or in the name of any Person as nominee. No Shareholder shall be deemed to have a severable ownership in any individual asset of the Trust, or belonging to any Portfolio, or allocable to any Class thereof, or any right of partition or possession thereof, but each Shareholder shall have, except as otherwise provided for herein, a proportionate undivided beneficial interest in the Trust or in assets belonging to the Portfolio (or allocable to the Class) in which the Shareholder holds Shares. The Shares shall be personal property giving only the rights specifically set forth in this Agreement or the Delaware Act.

Section 3.8 Qualification to Act of Initial Trustee . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, during the period that the Initial Trustee remains the sole Trustee of the Trust, he shall have the power to conduct the business of the Trust and carry on its operations to the fullest extent permitted by this Agreement and to take any action required to be taken by the Trustees on behalf of the Trust.

ARTICLE IV

POWERS OF THE TRUSTEES

Section 4.1 Powers . The Trustees in all instances shall act as principals, and are and shall be free from the control of the Shareholders. The Trustees shall have full power and authority to do any and all acts and to make and execute any and all contracts and instruments that they may consider necessary or appropriate in connection with the management of the Trust. Without limiting the foregoing and subject to any applicable limitation in this Agreement or the Bylaws of the Trust, the Trustees shall have power and authority:

 

 

(a)

To invest and reinvest cash and other property, and to hold cash or other property uninvested, without in any event being bound or limited by any present or future law or custom in regard to investments by Trustees, and to sell, exchange, lend, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, write options on and lease any or all of the assets of the Trust;



 

(b)

To operate as, and to carry on the business of, an investment company, and to exercise all the powers necessary and appropriate to the conduct of such operations;



 

 

(c)

To borrow money and in this connection issue notes or other evidence of indebtedness; to secure borrowings by mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as security the Trust Property; to endorse, guarantee, or undertake the performance of an obligation or engagement of any other Person and to lend Trust Property;



 

 

(d)

To provide for the distribution of Shares either through a principal underwriter in the manner hereafter provided for or by the Trust itself, or both, or otherwise pursuant to a plan of distribution of any kind;



 

 

(e)

To adopt Bylaws not inconsistent with this Agreement providing for the conduct of the business of the Trust and to amend and repeal them to the extent that they do not reserve such right to the Shareholders; such Bylaws shall be deemed incorporated and included in this Agreement;



 

 

(f)

To elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate such agents as they consider appropriate;



 

 

(g)

To employ one or more banks, trust companies or companies that are members of a national securities exchange or such other domestic or foreign entities as custodians of any assets of the Trust subject to any conditions set forth in this Agreement or in the Bylaws;



 

 

(h)

To retain one or more transfer agents and shareholder servicing agents;



 

 

(i)

To set record dates in the manner provided herein or in the Bylaws;



 

 

(j)

To delegate such authority as they consider desirable to any officers of the Trust and to any investment adviser, manager, administrator, custodian, underwriter or other agent or independent contractor;



 

 

(k)

To sell or exchange any or all of the assets of the Trust, subject to the right of Shareholders, if any, to vote on such transaction pursuant to Section 6.1;



 

 

(l)

To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership, with respect to stock or other securities or property; and to execute and deliver proxies and powers of attorney to such person or persons as the Trustees shall deem proper, granting to such person or persons such power and discretion with relation to securities or property as the Trustee shall deem proper;



 

 

(m)

To exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise which in any manner arise out of ownership of securities;



 

 

(n)

To hold any security or property in a form not indicating any trust, whether in bearer, book entry, unregistered or other negotiable form; or either in the name of the Trust or of a Portfolio or a custodian or a nominee or nominees, subject in either case to proper safeguards according to the usual practice of Delaware statutory trusts or investment companies;



 

 

(o)

To establish and/or terminate separate and distinct Portfolios with separately defined investment objectives and policies and distinct investment purposes in accordance with the provisions of Article II hereof and to establish and/or terminate Classes of such Portfolios having relative rights, powers and duties as they may provide consistent with this Agreement and applicable law;



 

 

(p)

Subject to the provisions of Section 3804 of the Delaware Act, to allocate assets, liabilities and expenses of the Trust to a particular Portfolio or to apportion the same between or among two or more Portfolios, provided that any liabilities or expenses incurred by a particular Portfolio shall be payable solely out of the assets belonging to that Portfolio as provided for in Article II hereof;



 

 

(q)

To consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization, consolidation or merger of any corporation or concern, any security of which is held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase, or sale of property by such corporation or concern, and to pay calls or subscriptions with respect to any security held in the Trust;



 

 

(r)

To compromise, arbitrate, or otherwise adjust claims in favor of or against the Trust or any matter in controversy including, but not limited to, claims for taxes;



 

 

(s)

To declare and pay dividends and make distributions of income and of capital gains and capital to Shareholders in the manner hereinafter provided;



 

 

(t)

To establish, from time to time, a minimum investment for Shareholders in the Trust or in one or more Portfolios or Classes, and to require the redemption of the Shares of any Shareholder whose investment is less than such minimum upon giving notice to such Shareholder;



 

 

(u)

To redeem or repurchase Shares as provided for in this Agreement, upon such terms and conditions as the Trustees shall establish;



 

 

(v)

To establish one or more committees or sub-committees, to delegate any of the powers of the Trustees to said committees or sub-committees and to adopt a written charter for one or more of such committees or sub-committees governing its membership, duties and operations and any other characteristics as the Trustees may deem proper, each of which committees and sub-committees may consist of less than the whole number of Trustees then in office, and may be empowered to act for and bind the Trustees, the Trust and the Portfolios, as if the acts of such committee or sub-committee were the acts of all the Trustees then in office;



 

 

(w)

To interpret the investment policies, practices or limitations of any Portfolios;



 

 

(x)

To establish a registered office and have a registered agent in the State of Delaware; and



 

 

(y)

In general, to carry on any other business in connection with or incidental to any of the foregoing powers, to do everything necessary, suitable or proper for the accomplishment of any purpose or the attainment of any object or the furtherance of any power hereinbefore set forth, either alone or in association with others, and to do every other act or thing incidental or appurtenant to or growing out of or connected with the aforesaid business or purposes, objects or powers.



The foregoing clauses shall be construed both as objects and powers, and the foregoing enumeration of specific powers shall not be held to limit or restrict in any manner the general powers of the Trustees. Any action by one or more of the Trustees in their capacity as such hereunder shall be deemed an action on behalf of the Trust or the applicable Portfolio, and not an action in an individual capacity.

The Trustees shall not be limited to investing in obligations maturing before the possible termination of the Trust.

No one dealing with the Trustees shall be under any obligation to make any inquiry concerning the authority of the Trustees, or to see to the application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trustees or upon their order.

Section 4.2 Issuance, Redemption and Repurchase of Shares . The Trustees shall have the power to issue, sell, repurchase, redeem, retire, cancel, acquire, hold, resell, reissue, dispose of, and otherwise deal in Shares and, subject to the provisions set forth in Articles II and VII hereof, to apply to any such repurchase, redemption, retirement, cancellation or acquisition of Shares any funds or property of the Trust, or any assets belonging to the particular Portfolio or any assets allocable to the particular Class, with respect to which such Shares are issued.

Section 4.3 Action by the Trustees . The Board of Trustees or any committee or sub-committee thereof shall act by majority vote of those present at a meeting duly called as set forth in the Bylaws at which a quorum required by the Bylaws is present. Any action that may be taken by the Board of Trustees or any committee or sub-committee thereof by majority vote at a meeting duly called and at which a quorum required by the Bylaws is present, may also be taken without a meeting by written consent signed by the Trustees or members of the committee or sub-committee, as the case may be, having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all Trustees or members of the committee or sub-committee, as the case may be, entitled to vote thereon were present, provided that the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee or sub-committee. Written consents or waivers of the Trustees may be executed in one or more counterparts. Any written consent or waiver may be provided and delivered to the Trust by any means by which notice may be given to a Trustee. Subject to the requirements of this Agreement and the 1940 Act, the Trustees by Majority Trustee Vote may delegate to any Trustee or Trustees or committee or sub-committee authority to approve particular matters or take particular actions on behalf of the Trust or any Portfolio.

Section 4.4 Principal Transactions . The Trustees may, on behalf of the Trust, buy any securities from or sell any securities to, or lend any assets of the Trust to, any Trustee or officer of the Trust or any firm of which any such Trustee or officer is a member acting as principal, or have any such dealings with any investment adviser, distributor, or transfer agent for the Trust or with any Affiliated Person of such Person; and the Trust may employ any such Person, or firm or Company in which such Person is an Affiliated Person, as broker, legal counsel, registrar, investment adviser, distributor, administrator, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, custodian, or in any capacity upon customary terms, subject in all cases to applicable laws, rules, and regulations and orders of regulatory authorities.

Section 4.5 Payment of Expenses by the Trust . The Trustees are authorized to pay or cause to be paid out of the principal or income of the Trust or any Portfolio, or partly out of the principal and partly out of income, and to charge or allocate to, between or among such one or more of the Portfolios (or Classes), as they deem fair, all expenses, fees, charges, taxes and liabilities incurred or arising in connection with the Trust or Portfolio (or Class), or in connection with the management thereof, including, but not limited to, the Trustees’ compensation and such expenses and charges for the services of the Trust’s officers, employees, investment adviser, investment manager, administrator, principal underwriter, auditors, counsel, custodian, transfer agent, Shareholder servicing agent, and such other agents or independent contractors and such other expenses and charges as the Trustees may deem necessary or proper to incur.

Section 4.6 Trustee Compensation . The Trustees as such shall be entitled to reasonable compensation from the Trust. They may fix the amount of their compensation. Nothing herein shall in any way prevent the employment of any Trustee for advisory, management, administrative, legal, accounting, investment banking, underwriting, brokerage, or investment dealer or other services and the payment for the same by the Trust, subject in all cases to applicable laws, rules, and regulations and orders of regulatory authorities.

ARTICLE V

INVESTMENT ADVISER, PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER AND

TRANSFER AGENT

Section 5.1 Investment Adviser . The Trustees may in their discretion, from time to time, enter into an investment advisory or management contract or contracts with respect to the Trust or any Portfolio whereby the other party or parties to such contract or contracts shall undertake to furnish the Trustees with such management, investment advisory, statistical and research facilities and services and such other facilities and services, if any, and all upon such terms and conditions, as the Trustees may in their discretion determine.

The Trustees may authorize the investment adviser to employ, from time to time, one or more sub-advisers to perform such of the acts and services of the investment adviser, and upon such terms and conditions, as may be agreed upon among the Trustees, the investment adviser and sub-adviser. Any references in this Agreement to an investment adviser shall be deemed to include such sub-advisers, unless the context otherwise requires.

Section 5.2 Other Service Contracts . The Trustees may authorize the engagement of a principal underwriter and one or more distributors, transfer agents, administrators, custodians, and similar service providers.

Section 5.3 Parties to Contract . Any contract of the character described in Sections 5.1 and 5.2 may be entered into with any corporation, firm, partnership, trust or other association, although one or more of the Trustees or officers of the Trust may be an officer, director, trustee, shareholder, or member of such other party to the contract.

 

Section 5.4 Miscellaneous . The fact that (i) any of the Shareholders, Trustees or officers of the Trust is a shareholder, director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, manager, adviser, principal underwriter or distributor or agent of or for any Company or of or for any parent or affiliate of any Company, with which an advisory or administration contract, or principal underwriter’s or distributor’s contract, or transfer, shareholder servicing, custodian or other agency contract may have been or may hereafter be made, or that any such Company, or any parent or affiliate thereof, is a Shareholder or has an interest in the Trust, or that (ii) any Company with which an advisory or administration contract or principal underwriter’s or distributor’s contract, or transfer, shareholder servicing, custodian, or other agency contract may have been or may hereafter be made also has an advisory or administration contract, or principal underwriter’s or distributor’s contract, or transfer, shareholder servicing, custodian or other agency contract with one or more other companies, or has other business or interests shall not affect the validity of any such contract or disqualify any Shareholder, Trustee or officer of the Trust from voting upon or executing the same or create any liability or accountability to the Trust or its Shareholders.

ARTICLE VI

SHAREHOLDERS’ VOTING POWERS

Section 6.1 Voting Powers . The Shareholders shall have the right to vote only: (i) for the election or removal of Trustees; (ii) with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, including Section 16(a) thereof; and (iii) on such other matters as the Trustees may consider necessary or desirable. Each whole Share shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote, and each fractional Share shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Votes may be made in person or by proxy. A proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a Shareholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger. On any matter submitted to a vote of the Shareholders, all Shares shall be voted together, except when required by applicable law or when the Trustees have determined that the matter affects the interests of one or more Portfolios (or Classes), then only the Shareholders of all such affected Portfolios (or Classes) shall be entitled to vote thereon.

Until Shares are issued, the Trustees may exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take any action required or permitted by law, this Agreement or any of the Bylaws of the Trust to be taken by Shareholders.

Section 6.2 Additional Voting Powers and Voting Requirements for Certain Actions . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Shareholders shall have power to vote to approve any amendment to Article VIII of this Agreement that would have the effect of reducing the indemnification provided thereby to Covered Persons or to Shareholders or former Shareholders, and any repeal or amendment of this sentence, and any such action shall require the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of Shares that represent at least two-thirds of the voting power of the Shares entitled to be voted thereon. In addition, the removal of one or more Trustees by the Shareholders shall require the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of Shares that represent at least two-thirds of the voting power of the Shares entitled to be voted thereon.

The voting requirements set forth in this Section 6.2 shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any vote or consent of the Shareholders otherwise required by applicable law (including, without limitation, any separate vote by Portfolio (or Class) that may be required by the 1940 Act or by other applicable law) or by this Agreement.

ARTICLE VII

DISTRIBUTIONS AND REDEMPTIONS

Section 7.1 Distributions . The Trustees may from time to time declare and pay dividends and make other distributions with respect to any Portfolio, or Class thereof, which may be from income, capital gains or capital. The amount of such dividends or distributions and the payment of them and whether they are in cash or any other Trust Property shall be wholly in the discretion of the Trustees, although the Trustees pursuant to Section 4.1(j) may delegate the authority to set record, declaration, payment and ex-dividend dates, determine the amount of dividends and distributions and pay such dividends and distributions. Dividends and other distributions may be paid pursuant to a standing resolution adopted once or more often as the Trustees determine. All dividends and other distributions on Shares of a particular Portfolio or Class, including without limitation, any distribution paid upon termination of any Portfolio or Class shall be distributed pro rata to the Shareholders of that Portfolio or Class, as the case may be, in proportion to the number of Shares of that Portfolio or Class they held on the record date established for such payment, provided that such dividends and other distributions on Shares of a Class shall appropriately reflect Class Expenses and other expenses allocated to that Class. The Trustees may adopt and offer to Shareholders such dividend reinvestment plans, cash distribution payment plans, or similar plans as the Trustees deem appropriate.

Section 7.2 Redemptions . Any holder of record of Shares of a particular Portfolio, or Class thereof, shall have the right to require the Trust to redeem his Shares, or any portion thereof, subject to such terms and conditions as are set forth in the registration statement of the Trust in effect from time to time. The redemption price may in any case or cases be paid wholly or partly in kind if the Trustees determine that such payment is advisable in the interest of the remaining Shareholders of the Portfolio or Class thereof for which the Shares are being redeemed. Subject to the foregoing, the fair value, selection and quantity of securities or other property so paid or delivered as all or part of the redemption price may be determined by or under authority of the Trustees. In no case shall the Trust be liable for any delay of any Person in transferring securities selected for delivery as all or part of any payment in kind.

Section 7.3 Redemptions at the Option of the Trust . The Trust shall have the right, at its option, upon no less than 30 days notice to the affected Shareholder at any time to redeem Shares of any Shareholder at the net asset value of such Shares: (A) if at such time such Shareholder owns Shares of any Portfolio having an aggregate net asset value of less than an amount determined from time to time by the Trustees; or (B) to the extent that such Shareholder owns Shares equal to or in excess of a percentage of the outstanding Shares of the Trust or of any Portfolio, as such percentage may be determined from time to time, in each case subject to such terms and conditions as are set forth in the registration statement of the Trust in effect from time to time.

ARTICLE VIII

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

Section 8.1 Limitation of Liability . A Trustee or officer of the Trust, when acting in such capacity, shall not be personally liable to any person for any act, omission or obligation of the Trust or any Trustee or officer of the Trust; provided, however, that nothing contained herein or in the Delaware Act shall protect any Trustee or officer against any liability to the Trust or to Shareholders to which he 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 office with the Trust.

Section 8.2 Indemnification of Covered Persons . Every Covered Person shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware Act, the Bylaws and other applicable law.

Section 8.3 Indemnification of Shareholders . In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder of the Trust shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder of the Trust or any Portfolio or Class and not because of his acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives, or, in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or general successor) shall be entitled, out of the assets belonging to the applicable Portfolio (or allocable to the applicable Class), to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability in accordance with the Bylaws and applicable law. The Trust, on behalf of the affected Portfolio (or Class), shall upon request by the Shareholder, assume the defense of any such claim made against the Shareholder for any act or obligation of that Portfolio (or Class).

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.1 Trust Not a Partnership; Taxation . It is hereby expressly declared that a trust and not a partnership is created hereby. No Trustee hereunder shall have any power to bind personally either the Trust’s officers or any Shareholder. All persons extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trust or the Trustees in their capacity as such shall look only to the assets of the appropriate Portfolio or, until the Trustees shall have established any separate Portfolio, of the Trust for payment under such credit, contract or claim; and neither the Shareholders, the Trustees, nor the Trust’s officers nor any of the agents of the Trustees whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor.

It is intended that the Trust, or each Portfolio if there is more than one Portfolio, be classified for income tax purposes as an association taxable as a corporation, and the Trustees shall do all things that they, in their sole discretion, determine are necessary to achieve that objective, including (if they so determine), electing such classifications on Internal Revenue Form 8832. The Trustees, in their sole discretion and without the vote or consent of the Shareholders, may amend this Agreement to ensure that this objective is achieved.

 

Section 9.2 Trustee’s Good Faith Action, Expert Advice, No Bond or Surety . The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretion hereunder in good faith and with reasonable care under the circumstances then prevailing shall be binding upon everyone interested. Subject to the provisions of Article VIII and to Section 9.1, the Trustees shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees may take advice of counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this Agreement, and subject to the provisions of Article VIII and Section 9.1, shall be under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice or for failing to follow such advice. The Trustees shall not be required to give any bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is obtained.

Section 9.3 Termination of Trust or Portfolio or Class .

 

 

(a)

Unless terminated as provided herein, the Trust shall continue without limitation of time. The Trust may be terminated at any time by an instrument executed by a majority of the Trustees then in office upon prior written notice to the Shareholders. Any Portfolio or Class (and the establishment and designation thereof) may be terminated at any time by an instrument executed by a majority of the Trustees upon prior written notice to the Shareholders of that Portfolio or Class).



 

 

(b)

On termination of the Trust or any Portfolio pursuant to paragraph (a) above,



 

 

(1)

the Trust or that Portfolio thereafter shall carry on no business except for the purpose of winding up its affairs,



 

 

(2)

the Trustees shall (i) proceed to wind up the affairs of the Trust or that Portfolio, and all powers of the Trustees under this Agreement with respect thereto shall continue until such affairs have been wound up, including the powers to fulfill or discharge the contracts of the Trust or that Portfolio, (ii) collect its assets or the assets belonging thereto, (iii) sell, convey, assign, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all or any part of those assets to one or more persons at public or private sale for consideration that may consist in whole or in part of cash, securities, or other property of any kind, (iv) discharge or pay its liabilities, and (v) do all other acts appropriate to liquidate its business, and



 

 

(3)

after paying or adequately providing for the payment of all liabilities, and upon receipt of such releases, indemnities, and refunding agreements as they deem necessary for their protection, the Trustees shall distribute the remaining assets ratably among the Shareholders of the Trust or that Portfolio.



 

 

(c)

On termination of any Class pursuant to paragraph (a) above,



 

 

(1)

the Trust thereafter shall no longer issue Shares of that Class,



 

 

(2)

the Trustees shall do all other acts appropriate to terminate the Class, and



 

 

(3)

the Trustees shall distribute ratably among the Shareholders of that Class, in cash or in kind, an amount equal to the Proportionate Interest of that Class in the net assets of the Portfolio (after taking into account any Class Expenses or other fees, expenses, or charges allocable thereto), and in connection with any such distribution in cash the Trustees are authorized to sell, convey, assign, exchange or otherwise dispose of such assets of the Portfolio of which that Class is a part as they deem necessary.



 

 

(d)

On completion of distribution of the remaining assets pursuant to paragraph (b)(3) above (or the Proportionate Interest of the Class in the net assets of the Portfolio pursuant to paragraph (c)(3) above), the Trust or the affected Portfolio (or Class) shall terminate and the Trustees and the Trust shall be discharged from all further liabilities and duties hereunder with respect thereto and the rights and interests of all parties therein shall be cancelled and discharged. On termination of the Trust, following completion of winding up of its business, the Trustees shall cause a Certificate of Cancellation of the Trust’s Certificate of Trust to be filed in accordance with the Delaware Act, which Certificate may be signed by any one Trustee.



Section 9.4 Sale of Assets; Merger and Consolidation . Subject to right of Shareholders, if any, to vote pursuant to Section 6.1, the Trustees may cause (i) the Trust or one or more of its Portfolios to the extent consistent with applicable law to sell all or substantially all of its assets to, or be merged into or consolidated with, another Portfolio, statutory trust (or series thereof) or Company (or series thereof), (ii) the Shares of the Trust or any Portfolio (or Class) to be converted into beneficial interests in another statutory trust (or series thereof) created pursuant to this Section 9.4, (iii) the Shares of any Class to be converted into another Class of the same Portfolio, or (iv) the Shares to be exchanged under or pursuant to any state or federal statute to the extent permitted by law. In all respects not governed by statute or applicable law, the Trustees shall have power to prescribe the procedure necessary or appropriate to accomplish a sale of assets, merger or consolidation including the power to create one or more separate statutory trusts to which all or any part of the assets, liabilities, profits or losses of the Trust may be transferred and to provide for the conversion of Shares of the Trust or any Portfolio (or Class) into beneficial interests in such separate statutory trust or trusts (or series or class thereof).

Section 9.5 Filing of Copies, References, Headings . The original or a copy of this Agreement or any amendment hereto or any supplemental agreement shall be kept at the office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. In this Agreement or in any such amendment or supplemental agreement, references to this Agreement, and all expressions like “herein,” “hereof,” and “hereunder,” shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement as amended or affected by any such supplemental agreement. All expressions like “his,” “he,” and “him,” shall be deemed to include the feminine and neuter, as well as masculine, genders. Headings are placed herein for convenience of reference only and in case of any conflict, the text of this Agreement, rather than the headings, shall control. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original.

Section 9.6 Governing Law . The Trust and this Agreement, and the rights, obligations and remedies of the Trustees and Shareholders hereunder, are to be governed by and construed and administered according to the Delaware Act and the other laws of the State of Delaware; provided, however, that there shall not be applicable to the Trust, the Trustees, the Shareholders or this Trust Agreement (A) the provisions of Section 3540 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code or (B) any provisions of the laws (statutory or common) of the State of Delaware (other than the Delaware Act) pertaining to trusts which relate to or regulate (i) the filing with any court or governmental body or agency of trustee accounts or schedules of trustee fees and charges, (ii) affirmative requirements to post bonds for trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (iii) the necessity for obtaining court or other governmental approval concerning the acquisition, holding or disposition of real or personal property, (iv) fees or other sums payable to trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (v) the allocation of receipts and expenditures to income or principal, (vi) restrictions or limitations on the permissible nature, amount or concentration of trust investments or requirements relating to the titling, storage or other manner of holding of trust assets, or (vii) the establishment of fiduciary or other standards or responsibilities or limitations on the indemnification, acts or powers of trustees or other Persons, which are inconsistent with the limitations of liabilities or authorities and powers of the Trustees or officers of the Trust set forth or referenced in this Agreement.

The Trust shall be of the type commonly called a “statutory trust,” and without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers which are ordinarily exercised by such a trust under Delaware law. The Trust specifically reserves the right to exercise any of the powers or privileges afforded to trusts or actions that may be engaged in by trusts under the Delaware Act, and the absence of a specific reference herein to any such power, privilege or action shall not imply that the Trust may not exercise such power or privilege or take such actions; provided, however, that the exercise of any such power, privilege or action shall not otherwise violate applicable law.

Section 9.7 Amendments . Except as specifically provided in Article VI hereof, the Trustees may, without any Shareholder vote, amend this Agreement by making an amendment to this Agreement or to Schedule A, an agreement supplemental hereto, or an amended and restated trust instrument. Any such amendment, having been approved by a Majority Trustee Vote, shall become effective, unless otherwise provided by such Trustees, upon being executed by a duly authorized officer of the Trust. A certification signed by a duly authorized officer of the Trust setting forth an amendment to this Agreement and reciting that it was duly adopted by the Shareholders or by the Trustees as aforesaid, or a copy of this Agreement, as amended, executed by a majority of the Trustees, or a duly authorized officer of the Trust, shall be conclusive evidence of such amendment when lodged among the records of the Trust.

Section 9.8 Provisions in Conflict with Law . The provisions of this Agreement are severable, and if the Trustees shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any of such provisions is in conflict with applicable law, the conflicting provision shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of this Agreement; provided, however, that such determination shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of this Agreement or render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior to such determination. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision in such jurisdiction and shall not in any manner affect such provisions in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of this Agreement in any jurisdiction.

Section 9.9 Shareholders’ Right to Inspect Shareholder List . Except as may be permitted by Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, no Shareholder shall have the right to obtain from the Trust a list of the Trust’s Shareholders; provided, however, that one or more Persons who together and for at least six months have been Shareholders of at least five percent (5%) of the Outstanding Shares of any Class may present to any officer of the Trust a written request for a list of its Shareholders, stating that they wish to communicate with other Shareholders with a view to requesting in writing that the Trustees call a special meeting of the Shareholders solely for the purpose of removing one or more Trustees. Within twenty (20) days after such request is made, the Trust shall prepare and have available on file at its principal office a list verified under oath by one of its officers or its transfer agent or registrar which sets forth the name and address of each Shareholder. The rights provided for herein shall not extend to any Person who is a beneficial owner but not also a record owner of Shares of the Trust.

Section 9.11 0Fiscal Year0 . 00 0The fiscal year of each Portfolio of the Trust shall end on a specified date as determined from time to time by the Trustees, which may be the same or different than the fiscal year of each of the other Portfolios.

Section 9.10 Information Regarding the Business and Financial Condition and Affairs of the Trust . No Shareholder shall have the right to obtain from the Trust information regarding the business and financial condition of the Trust or other information regarding the affairs of the Trust; provided, however, that the Trust may, in its sole discretion, provide such information to the Shareholders.

[Signature page follows]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the sole Trustee of the Trust, has executed this instrument as of the date first above written.

 

     

/s/ Anthony Ghoston

   

Anthony Ghoston
Initial Trustee

 

 


 


SCHEDULE A

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST

PORTFOLIOS AND CLASSES THEREOF

 

PORTFOLIO

 

CLASSES

     

IndexEdge Long-Term Portfolio Fund

 

Class A Shares

IndexEdge Long-Term Portfolio Fund

 

Investor Shares




SCHEDULE B

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST

TRUSTEE ACCEPTANCE OF TRUST

 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 

 

BYLAWS OF VALUED ADVISERS TRUST

a Delaware Statutory Trust

Adopted effective June 13, 2008.

Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Agreement”) of Valued Advisers Trust (the “Trust”).

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1. Registered Office . The Board of Trustees shall establish a registered office in the State of Delaware and shall appoint as the Trust’s registered agent for service of process in the State of Delaware an individual resident of the State of Delaware or a Delaware corporation or a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in the State of Delaware; in each case the business office of such registered agent for service of process shall be identical with the registered Delaware office of the Trust.

Section 2. Other Offices . The Trust may also have offices at such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the Trustees may from time to time determine or the business of the Trust may require.

ARTICLE II

TRUSTEES

Section 1. Meetings of the Trustees . The Trustees of the Trust may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or outside of the State of Delaware. Meetings of the Trustees may be called orally or in writing by or at the direction of the Chair or his or her designee or by a majority of the Trustees.

Section 2. Regular Meetings . Regular meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be held each year, at such time and place as the Board of Trustees may determine.

Section 3. Notice of Meetings . Notice of the time, date, and place of all meetings of the Trustees shall be given to each Trustee (i) by any means identified in Article V Section 1 of these Bylaws at least twenty-four hours in advance of the meeting or (ii) in person at another meeting of the Trustees. Notice may be waived in accordance with Article V Section 3 of these Bylaws.

Section 4. Quorum . At all meetings of the Board of Trustees and any committee or sub-committee thereof, a majority of the Trustees then in office or a majority of the committee members or sub-committee members, as applicable, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of a majority of the Trustees, committee members or sub-committee members present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Trustees or such committee or sub-committee, as applicable, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by applicable law or by the Agreement or these Bylaws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Trustees or any committee or sub-committee thereof, the Trustees, committee members or sub-committee members, as applicable, present thereat may adjourn such meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

Section 5. Designation, Powers, and Names of Committees; Sub-Committees; Committee Charters .

(a) The Board of Trustees may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, establish one or more committees. Each such committee may have a written Charter governing its membership, duties and operations, and the Board shall designate the powers and duties of each such committee in its Charter. The Board of Trustees may terminate any such committee by an amendment to these Bylaws. The Board of Trustees may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, establish one or more sub-committees of each such committee, and the membership, duties and operations of each such sub-committee shall be set forth in the written Charter of the applicable committee.

(b) The Board of Trustees may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more additional committees, each of which may, if deemed advisable by the Board of Trustees, have a written Charter. Each such additional committee shall consist of two or more of the Trustees of the Trust. The Board may designate one or more Trustees as alternate members of any such additional committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. Each such additional committee, to the extent provided in the resolution and/or in such committee’s Charter, if applicable, shall have and may exercise the powers of the Board of Trustees in the management of the business and affairs of the Trust; provided, however, that in the absence or disqualification of any member of such committee or committees, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Trustees to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Such additional committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees and/or as set forth in the written Charter of such committee or committees, if applicable.

Section 6. Chair; Vice Chair . The Board of Trustees shall have a Chair. The Chair shall be elected by a majority of the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons,” as such term is defined in the 1940 Act. The Board of Trustees may also have a Vice Chair, who shall be a Trustee. The Vice Chair, if any, shall be elected by a majority of the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons,” as such term is defined in the 1940 Act. The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees, if the Chair is present. The Chair shall have such other powers and duties as shall be determined by the Boards of Trustees, and shall undertake such other assignments as may be requested by the Boards of Trustees. If the Chair shall not be present, the Vice Chair, if any, shall preside at all meetings of the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees, if the Vice Chair is present. The Vice Chair shall have such other powers and duties as shall be determined by the Chair or the Boards of Trustees, and shall undertake such other assignments as may be requested by the Chair or the Boards of Trustees. The positions of Chair and Vice Chair shall not be offices of the Trust.

ARTICLE III

OFFICERS

Section 1. Executive Officers . The executive officers of the Trust shall include a President, a Chief Compliance Officer, a Treasurer, a Secretary and an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer. The Board of Trustees may also in its discretion appoint one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers, and other officers, agents and employees, who shall have such authority and perform such duties as the Board may determine. The Board of Trustees may fill any vacancy which may occur in any office. Any two offices, except for those of President and Vice President, may be held by the same person, but no officer shall execute, acknowledge or verify any instrument on behalf of the Trust in more than one capacity, if such instrument is required by law or by these Bylaws to be executed, acknowledged or verified by two or more officers.

Section 2. Term of Office . Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Board of Trustees, the officers shall be appointed by, and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees. Each officer shall hold office until their respective successors are chosen and qualified, or in each case until he or she sooner dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified. If the Board of Trustees in its judgment finds that the best interests of the Trust will be served, the Board of Trustees may remove any officer of the Trust at any time with or without cause. The Trustees may delegate this power to the President (without supervision by the Trustees) with respect to any other officer. Such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer may resign from office at any time by delivering a written resignation to the Trustees or the President. Unless otherwise specified therein, such resignation shall take effect upon delivery.

Section 3. President; Vice Presidents . The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Trust and shall generally manage the business and affairs of the Trust. The President and any Vice Presidents shall also have and exercise such powers and duties as may be assigned to them by the Board of Trustees. In the absence or inability to act of the President shall devolve first upon Vice Presidents in the order of their election. If both the Chair and the Vice Chair are absent, or if the Chair is absent and there is no Vice Chair, the President shall, if present, preside at all meetings of the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees.

Section 4. Chief Compliance Officer . The Chief Compliance Officer, who shall also have a title of Vice President, shall be responsible for administering the Trust’s policies and procedures adopted pursuant to Rule 38a-1(a)(1) under the 1940 Act.

Section 5. Treasurer . The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Trust and shall generally manage the financial affairs of the Trust. He or she shall have the care and custody of the funds and securities of the Trust and shall deposit the same in the name of the Trust in such bank or banks or other depositories, subject to withdrawal in such manner as these Bylaws or the Board of Trustees may determine. The Treasurer shall be the Trust’s Principal Financial Officer and shall be responsible for making the certifications required of a principal financial officer by Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder. The Treasurer shall, if required by the Board of Trustees, give such bond for the faithful discharge of duties in such form as the Board of Trustees may require.

Section 6. Secretary . The Secretary shall (a) have custody of the seal of the Trust; if any; (b) if requested, attend meetings of the Shareholders, the Board of Trustees, and any committees or sub-committees of Trustees; (c) keep or cause to be kept the minutes of all meetings of Shareholders, the Board of Trustees and any committees or sub-committees thereof, and (d) issue all notices of the Trust. The Secretary shall have charge of the Shareholder records and such other books and papers as the Board may direct, and shall perform such other duties as may be incidental to the office or which are assigned by the Board of Trustees.

 

Section 7. Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer . The Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer shall have such powers and duties as are set forth in the Anti-Money Laundering Program adopted by the Trust pursuant to the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 and the rules promulgated thereunder, as such Program may be amended from time to time.

Section 8. Assistant Officers . Assistant officers, which may include one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers, shall perform such functions and have such responsibilities as the Board of Trustees may assign to them or, to the extent not so assigned, by the Vice President(s), Secretary or Treasurer, as applicable.

Section 9. Principal Executive Officer . The Board of Trustees shall appoint one or more persons to serve as a Principal Executive Officer of the Trust, which such persons may be the President or any Vice President. The Board of Trustees may appoint different persons to serve as Principal Executive Officer for different Portfolios of the Trust. Each Principal Executive Officer shall be responsible for making the certifications required of a principal executive officer by Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to the Portfolio for which such Principal Executive Officer serves.

Section 10. Surety Bond . The Trustees may require any officer or agent of the Trust to execute a bond (including, without limitation, any bond required by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) to the Trust in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Trustees may determine, conditioned upon the faithful performance of his or her duties to the Trust, including responsibility for negligence and for the accounting of any of the Trust’s property, funds, or securities that may come into his or her hands.

Section 11. Authorized Signatories . Unless a specific officer is otherwise designated in these Bylaws or in a resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees, the proper officers of the Trust for executing agreements, documents and instruments other than Internal Revenue Service forms shall be the President, any Vice President, the Chief Compliance Officer, the Treasurer, the Secretary, the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer or any Assistant Secretary. Unless a specific officer is otherwise designated in these Bylaws or in a resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees, the proper officers of the Trust for executing any and all Internal Revenue Service forms shall be the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary.

ARTICLE IV

MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

Section 1. Purpose . All meetings of the Shareholders shall be held at such place as may be fixed from time to time by the Trustees, or at such other place either within or without the State of Delaware as shall be designated from time to time by the Trustees and stated in the notice indicating that a meeting has been called for such purpose. Meetings of Shareholders may be held for any purpose determined by the Trustees and may be held at such time and place, within or without the State of Delaware as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof. At all meetings of the Shareholders, every shareholder of record entitled to vote thereat shall be entitled to vote at such meeting either in person or by written proxy signed by the Shareholder or by his duly authorized attorney in fact. A Shareholder may duly authorize such attorney in fact through written, electronic, telephonic, computerized, facsimile, telecommunication, telex or oral communication or by any other form of communication. A validly executed proxy which does not state that it is irrevocable shall continue in full force and effect unless (i) revoked by the person executing it before the vote pursuant to that proxy by a writing delivered to the Trust stating that the proxy is revoked or by a subsequent proxy executed by, or attendance at the meeting and voting in person by, the person executing that proxy; or (ii) written notice of the death or incapacity of the maker of that proxy is received by the Trust before the vote pursuant to that proxy is counted; provided however, that no proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date of the proxy unless otherwise provided in the proxy. A proxy with respect to shares held in the name of two or more persons shall be valid if executed by any one of them unless at or prior to exercise of the proxy the Trust receives a specific written notice to the contrary from any one of them. A proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a Shareholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger.

Section 2. Nomination of Trustees .

(a) So long as the Trust has adopted and maintains a distribution plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (a “Rule 12b-1 Plan”), the nomination of Trustees who are not “interested persons,” as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Trust shall be made by the Board of Trustees or any committee thereof designated by the Board.

(b) Any Shareholder may submit names of individuals to be considered by the Board of Trustees, or such applicable committee, for election as trustees of the Trust, as applicable, provided, however, (i) that such person submits such names in a timely manner as set out in Section 2 of Article V hereof, (ii) that such person was a shareholder of record at the time of submission of such names and is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (iii) that the Board of Trustees, or applicable committee, shall make the final determination of persons to be nominated.

(c) The process and procedures for the nomination of persons for election or appointment as trustees of the Trust by the Trustees shall be set forth by resolution of the Board, or in the written Charter for the applicable committee, as applicable.

Section 3. Election of Trustees . All meetings of Shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees shall be held on such date and at such time as shall be designated from time to time by the Trustees and stated in the notice of the meeting, at which the Shareholders shall elect by a plurality vote any number of Trustees as the notice for such meeting shall state are to be elected, and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting in accordance with Section 1 of this Article IV.

Section 4. Notice of Meetings . Written notice of any meeting stating the place, date, and hour of the meeting shall be given to each Shareholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten days before the date of the meeting in accordance with Article V hereof.

Section 5. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Shareholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by applicable law or by the Agreement, may be called by the Chair or by a majority of the Trustees; provided, however, that the Trustees shall promptly call a meeting of the Shareholders solely for the purpose of removing one or more Trustees, when requested in writing to do so by the record holders of not less than ten percent of the Outstanding Shares of the Trust.

Section 6. Notice of Special Meeting . Written notice of a special meeting stating the place, date, and hour of the meeting and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary not less than ten days before the date of the meeting, to each Shareholder entitled to vote at such meeting.

 

Section 7. Conduct of Special Meeting . Business transacted at any special meeting of Shareholders shall be limited to (i) the purpose stated in the notice and (ii) the adjournment of such special meeting with regard to such stated purpose.

Section 8. Quorum . The holders of one-third of the Outstanding Shares entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the Shareholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by applicable law or by the Agreement. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, with respect to any matter which by applicable law or by the Agreement requires the separate approval of one or more Classes or Portfolios, the holders of one-third of the Outstanding Shares of each such Class or Portfolio (or of such Classes or Portfolios voting together as a single class) entitled to vote on the matter shall constitute a quorum. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the Shareholders, the vote of the holders of a majority of Shares cast shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time in accordance with Article IV, Section 16 hereof, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting, at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

Section 9. Organization of Meetings .

(a) The meetings of the Shareholders shall be presided over by the Chair, or if the Chair shall not be present, by the Vice Chair, if any, or if the Vice Chair shall not be present or if there is no Vice Chair, by the President, or if the President shall not be present, by a Vice President, or if no Vice President is present, by a chair appointed for such purpose by the Board of Trustees or, if not so appointed, by a chair appointed for such purpose by the officers and Trustees present at the meeting. The Secretary of the Trust, if present, shall act as Secretary of such meetings, or if the Secretary is not present, an Assistant Secretary of the Trust shall so act, and if no Assistant Secretary is present, then a person designated by the Secretary of the Trust shall so act, and if the Secretary has not designated a person, then the officers and Trustees present at the meeting shall elect a secretary for the meeting.

(b) The Board of Trustees of the Trust shall be entitled to make such rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings of Shareholders as it shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient. Subject to such rules and regulations of the Board of Trustees, if any, the chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are necessary, appropriate or convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, establishing: an agenda or order of business for the meeting; rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; limitations on participation in such meeting to shareholders of record of the Trust and their duly authorized and constituted proxies, and such other persons as the chairman shall permit; restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants; and regulation of the opening and closing of the polls for balloting on matters which are to be voted on by ballot, unless and to the extent the Board of Trustees or the chairman of the meeting determines that meetings of Shareholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

Section 10. Voting Standard . When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of Shares representing a majority of the voting power of the Shares entitled to be voted at the meeting shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one on which, by express provision of applicable law, the Agreement, these Bylaws, or applicable contract, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.

Section 11. Action Without Meeting . Unless otherwise provided in the Agreement or applicable law, any action required to be taken at any meeting of the Shareholders, or any action which may be taken at any meeting of the Shareholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of Outstanding Shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all Shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. Prompt notice of the taking of any such action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those Shareholders who have not consented in writing.

Section 12. Broker Non-Votes . At any meeting of Shareholders the Trust will consider broker non-votes as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the meeting. Broker non-votes will not count as votes cast for or against any proposals.

Section 13. Abstentions . At any meeting of Shareholders the Trust will consider abstentions as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the meeting. Abstentions will not count as votes cast for or against any proposals.

Section 14. Record Date for Shareholder Meetings and Consents . In order that the Trustees may determine the Shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of Shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Trustees may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Trustees, and which record date shall not be more than ninety nor less than ten days before the original date upon which the meeting of Shareholders is scheduled, nor more than ten days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Trustees for action by Shareholder consent in writing without a meeting. A determination of shareholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of Shareholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Trustees may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting so long as notice of the adjournment and the new record and meeting dates are given to the Shareholders.

Section 15. Adjournments . A meeting of Shareholders convened on the date for which it was called may be adjourned from time to time without further notice to Shareholders to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date. A meeting of Shareholders may not be adjourned for more than 120 days after the original record date for such meeting without giving the Shareholders notice of the adjournment and the new meeting date. Except as otherwise set forth in Article IV, Section 8 hereof, the vote of the holders of Shares representing one-third of the voting power of the Shares entitled to be voted at the meeting shall be required in order to adjourn a meeting of Shareholders with regard to a particular proposal scheduled to be voted on at such meeting or to adjourn such meeting entirely.

 

ARTICLE V

NOTICES

Section 1. Methods of Giving Notice . Whenever, under the provisions of applicable law or of the Agreement or of these Bylaws, notice is required to be given to any Trustee or Shareholder, it shall not, unless otherwise provided herein, be construed to mean personal notice, but such notice may be given orally in person, or by telephone (promptly confirmed in writing) or in writing, by mail addressed to such Trustee at his or her last given address or to such Shareholder at his address as it appears on the records of the Trust, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail. Notice to Trustees or members of a committee or sub-committee may also be given by telex, facsimile, electronic-mail or via overnight courier. If sent by telex or facsimile, notice to a Trustee or member of a committee or sub-committee shall be deemed to be given upon transmittal; if sent by electronic-mail, notice to a Trustee or member of a committee or sub-committee shall be deemed to be given and shall be presumed valid when the electronic-mail server from which the notice was sent reflects the electronic-mail message as having been sent; and if sent via overnight courier, notice to a Trustee or member of a committee or sub-committee shall be deemed to be given when delivered against a receipt therefor.

Section 2. Meeting Notice Requirements for Nominations and Proposals by Shareholders .

(a) For nominations or other business to be properly brought by a Shareholder before a meeting of Shareholders, the Shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Trust and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by Shareholders. To be timely, a Shareholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Trust not later than the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Trust. In no event shall the public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting to a later date or time commence a new time period for the giving of a Shareholder’s notice as described above. Such Shareholder’s notice shall set forth (A) as to each person whom the Shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a Trustee all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of Trustees in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a Trustee if elected); (B) as to any other business that the Shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such Shareholder and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (C) as to the Shareholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, (i) the name and address of such Shareholder, as they appear on the Trust’s books, and of such beneficial owner and (ii) the number of shares of each Class of Shares of the Portfolio which are owned beneficially and of record by such Shareholder and such beneficial owner.

(b) Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of Shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Trust’s notice of meeting.

 

Section 3. Written Waiver . Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of applicable law or of the Agreement or of these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto. Notice will be deemed to be waived by any Trustee who attends a meeting of Trustees without objecting to the lack of notice.

ARTICLE VI

CERTIFICATES OF SHARES AND SHARE OWNERSHIP

Section 1. Issuance . The Trust may, in its sole discretion, issue a certificate to any Shareholder, signed by, or in the name of the Trust by, the President or any Vice President, certifying the number of Shares owned by him, her or it in a Class or Portfolio of the Trust. Such signatures may be either manual or facsimile signatures. A certificate is valid whether or not an officer who signed it is still an officer when it is issued. Each certificate shall contain on its face or back either a full statement or summary of the designations and any preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption of the shares of each class which the Trust is authorized to issue or a statement that the Trust will furnish such statement or summary to any shareholder on request and without charge. No Shareholder shall have the right to demand or require that a certificate be issued to him, her or it. In lieu of issuing certificates for shares, the Trustees or the transfer agent shall keep accounts upon the books of the Trust for the record holders of such shares, who shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be the holders of certificates for such shares as if they had accepted such certificates and shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms hereof.

Section 2. Countersignature . Where a certificate is countersigned (1) by a transfer agent other than the Trust or its employee, or (2) by a registrar other than the Trust or its employee, the signature of the President or any Vice President may be a facsimile.

Section 3. Lost Certificates . The Board of Trustees may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Trust alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of the fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the Board of Trustees may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the Trust a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Trust with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

Section 4. Transfer of Shares . The Trustees shall make such rules as they consider appropriate for the transfer of Shares and similar matters. To the extent certificates are issued in accordance with Section 1 of this Article VI, upon surrender to the Trust or the transfer agent of the Trust of such certificate for Shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the Trust to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.

Section 5. Shareholder Book . The Trust shall keep or cause to be kept a Shareholder book, which may be maintained by means of computer systems, containing the names, alphabetically arranged, of all persons who are Shareholders of the Trust, showing their places of residence, the number and Class of any Shares held by them, respectively, and the dates when they became the record owners thereof.

 

Section 6. Registered Shareholders . The Trust shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of Shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim of interest in such Share or Shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice hereof.

Section 7. Record Date for Receiving Dividends and Other Actions . In order that the Trustees may determine the Shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution of allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of Shares or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Trustees may fix a record date, which record date (i) shall be set forth in the resolution or resolutions authorizing the payment of such dividend or other lawful action and (ii) shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Trustees. Any shareholder who was a shareholder at the record date so fixed shall be entitled to vote at such meeting or to be treated as a shareholder of record for purposes of such other action, even though he or she has since that date and time disposed of his or her interests in the Trust, and no shareholder becoming such after that date and time shall be so entitled to vote at such meeting or to be treated as a shareholder of record for purposes of such other action.

ARTICLE VII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Seal . The Board of Trustees may provide that the Trust have a business seal. The business seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the statutory trust, the state of its organization, the year of its organization and the words “Business Trust” or “Statutory Trust.” The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced, including placing the word “[SEAL]” adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to sign a document on behalf of the Trust. Any officer or Trustee of the Trust shall have authority to affix the seal of the Trust to any document requiring the same. Documents on behalf of the Trust need not bear the seal of the Trust.

Section 2. Severability . The provisions of these Bylaws are severable. If any provision hereof shall be held invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision only in such jurisdiction and shall not affect any other provision of these Bylaws.

Section 3. Headings . Headings are placed in these Bylaws for convenience of reference only and in case of any conflict, the text of these Bylaws rather than the headings shall control.

ARTICLE VIII

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 1. Indemnification .

(a) To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Trust (or applicable Portfolio) shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or is involved as a witness in, any proceeding (other than a proceeding by or in the right of the Trust or a Portfolio) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a Covered Person, against expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such proceeding.

(b) To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Trust (or applicable Portfolio) shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or is involved as a witness in, any proceeding by or in the right of the Trust (or such Portfolio) to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a Covered Person, against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by that person in connection with the defense or settlement of such proceeding.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein, no Covered Person shall be indemnified for any expenses, judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement, or other liability or loss arising by reason of disabling conduct. The termination of any proceeding by conviction, or a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or an entry of an order of probation prior to judgment, creates a rebuttable presumption that the person engaged in disabling conduct.

Section 2. Advance Payment of Indemnification Expenses . To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Trust or applicable Portfolio shall advance to any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or is involved as a witness in, any proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was a Trustee or officer of the Trust the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense of such proceeding in advance of its final disposition. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Trust or applicable Portfolio may advance to any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was a Covered Person (other than a Trustee or officer of the Trust) the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense of such proceeding in advance of its final disposition. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein, the Trust shall not advance expenses to any Covered Person (including a Trustee or officer of the Trust) unless:

(a) the Trust or applicable Portfolio has received an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person that the amount of all expenses so advanced will be paid over by such person to the Trust or applicable Portfolio unless it is ultimately determined that such person is entitled to indemnification for such expenses; and

(b)(i) such Covered Person shall have provided appropriate security for such undertaking, or (ii) such Covered Person shall have insured the Trust or applicable Portfolio against losses arising out of any such advance payments, or (iii) either (1) the Trustees, by the vote of a majority of a quorum of qualifying Trustees, or (2) independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall have determined, based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry) that there is reason to believe that such Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

Section 3. Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification . Any indemnification required or permitted under this Article VIII (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Trust or applicable Portfolio only as authorized in the specific case upon a reasonable determination, based upon a review of the facts, that the Covered Person is entitled to indemnification because (i) he or she is not liable by reason of disabling conduct, or (ii) in cases where there is no liability, he or she has not engaged in disabling conduct. Such determination shall be made by (i) the vote of a majority of a quorum of qualifying Trustees; or (ii) if there are no such Trustees, or if such Trustees so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion . In making such a determination, the Board of Trustees or the independent legal counsel, as applicable, shall act in conformity with then applicable law and administrative interpretations, and shall afford a trustee requesting indemnification who is not an “interested person” of the Trust, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, a rebuttable presumption that such trustee did not engage in disabling conduct while acting in his or her capacity as a trustee. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2 of this Article VIII, if a determination that a Covered Person engaged in disabling conduct is made in accordance with this Section 3, no further advances of expenses shall be made, and all prior advances, and insurance premiums paid for by the Trust, if applicable, must be repaid.

Section 4. Contract Rights . With respect to any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or is involved as a witness in, any proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was a Covered Person, the rights to indemnification conferred in Section 1 of this Article VIII, and with respect to any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or is involved as a witness in, any proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was a Trustee or officer of the Trust, the advancement of expenses conferred in Section 2 of this Article VIII shall be contract rights. Any amendment, repeal, or modification of, or adoption of any provision inconsistent with, this Article VIII (or any provision hereof) shall not adversely affect any right to indemnification or advancement of expenses granted to any such person pursuant hereto with respect to any act or omission of such person occurring prior to the time of such amendment, repeal, modification, or adoption (regardless of whether the proceeding relating to such acts or omissions is commenced before or after the time of such amendment, repeal, modification, or adoption). Any amendment or modification of, or adoption of any provision inconsistent with, this Article VIII (or any provision hereof), that has the effect of positively affecting any right to indemnification or advancement of expenses granted to any such person pursuant hereto, shall not apply retroactively to any person who was not serving as a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust at the time of such amendment, modification or adoption.

Section 5. Claims .

(a) If (X) a claim under Section 1 of this Article VIII with respect to any right to indemnification is not paid in full by the Trust or applicable Portfolio within sixty days after a written demand has been received by the Trust or applicable Portfolio or (Y) a claim under Section 2 of this Article VIII with respect to any right to the advancement of expenses is not paid in full by the Trust or applicable Portfolio within thirty days after a written demand has been received by the Trust or applicable Portfolio, then the Covered Person seeking to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses, as the case may be, may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Trust or applicable Portfolio to recover the unpaid amount of the claim.

(b) If successful in whole or in part in any suit brought pursuant to Section 5(a) of this Article VIII, or in a suit brought by the Trust or applicable Portfolio to recover an advancement of expenses (whether pursuant to the terms of an undertaking or otherwise), the Covered Person seeking to enforce a right to indemnification or an advancement of expenses hereunder or the Covered Person from whom the Trust or applicable Portfolio sought to recover an advancement of expenses, as the case may be, shall be entitled to be paid by the Trust or applicable Portfolio the reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees) of prosecuting or defending such suit.

 

Section 6. Definitions . For purposes of this Article VIII: (a) references to “Trust” include any domestic or foreign predecessor entity of this Trust in a merger, consolidation, or other transaction in which the predecessor’s existence ceased upon consummation of the transaction; (b) the term “disabling conduct” means willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or the reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the Covered Person’s office with the Trust or applicable Portfolio; (c) the term “expenses” includes, without limitations, attorneys’ fees; (d) the term “proceeding” means claim, demand, threat, discovery request, request for testimony or information, action, suit, arbitration, alternative dispute mechanism, investigation, hearing, or other proceeding, including any appeal from any of the foregoing, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative; and (e) the term “qualifying Trustee” means any Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and is not a party to the proceeding.

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments . These Bylaws may be altered or repealed by the Board of Trustees without the vote or approval of the Shareholders at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Trustees without prior notice. These Bylaws may also be altered or repealed by the Shareholders at any special meeting of the Shareholders, but only if the Board of Trustees resolves to put a proposed alteration or repealer to the vote of the Shareholders and notice of such alteration or repealer is contained in a notice of the special meeting being held for such purpose.

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST
 
 
 
INVESTMENT ADVISORY
AGREEMENT


INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") made as of this 4 th day of September, 2008 by and between Valued Advisers Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC (the “Adviser”), a limited liability company with its principal place of business in New Orleans, Louisiana.

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust has selected the Adviser to act as investment adviser to the series portfolios of the Trust set forth on Schedule A to this Agreement (each, a “Fund”), as such schedule may be amended from time to time upon mutual agreement of the parties, and to provide certain related services, as more fully set forth below, and to perform such services under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and benefits set forth herein, the Trust and the Adviser do hereby agree as follows:
1.     
The Adviser’s Services .

(a)     

Discretionary Investment Management Services . The Adviser shall act as investment adviser with respect to each Fund. In such capacity, the Adviser shall, subject to the supervision of the Board, regularly provide each Fund with investment research, advice and supervision and shall furnish continuously an investment program for each Fund, consistent with the respective investment objectives and policies of each Fund. The Adviser shall determine, from time to time, what securities shall be purchased for each Fund, what securities shall be held or sold by each Fund and what portion of each Fund’s assets shall be held uninvested in cash, subject always to the provisions of the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust ( “Declaration of Trust”), as amended and supplemented (the “Declaration of Trust”), Bylaws and its registration statement on Form N-1A (the “Registration Statement”) under the 1940 Act, and under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), and with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of each Fund, as each of the same shall be from time to time in effect. To carry out such obligations, and to the extent not prohibited by any of the foregoing, the Adviser shall exercise full discretion and act for each Fund in the same manner and with the same force and effect as each Fund itself might or could do with respect to purchases, sales or other transactions, as well as with respect to all other such things necessary or incidental to the furtherance or conduct of such purchases, sales or other transactions. No reference in this Agreement to the Adviser having full discretionary authority over each Fund’s investments shall in any way limit the right of the Board, in its sole discretion, to establish or revise policies in connection with the management of a Fund’s assets or to otherwise exercise its right to control the overall management of a Fund.


(b)     

Compliance . The Adviser agrees to comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and the respective rules and regulations thereunder, as applicable, as well as with all other applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations that relate to the services and relationships described hereunder and to the conduct of its business as a registered investment adviser. The Adviser also agrees to comply with the objectives, policies and restrictions set forth in the Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented, of each Fund, and with any policies, guidelines, instructions and procedures approved by the Board and provided to the Adviser. In selecting each Fund’s portfolio securities and performing the Adviser’s obligations hereunder, the Adviser shall cause the Fund to comply with the diversification and source of income requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), for qualification as a regulated investment company. The Adviser shall maintain compliance procedures that it reasonably believes are adequate to ensure its compliance with the foregoing. No supervisory activity undertaken by the Board shall limit the Adviser’s full responsibility for any of the foregoing.


(c)     

Recordkeeping . The Adviser agrees to preserve any Trust records that it creates or possesses that are required to be maintained under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder (“Fund Books and Records”) for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Adviser agrees that all such records are the property of the Trust and will surrender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust’s request.


(d)     

Holdings Information and Pricing . The Adviser shall provide regular reports regarding Fund holdings, and shall, on its own initiative, furnish the Trust and its Board from time to time with whatever information the Adviser believes is appropriate for this purpose, and at the request of the Board, such information and reports requested by the Board. The Adviser agrees to notify the Trust as soon as practicable if the Adviser reasonably believes that the value of any security held by a Fund may not reflect fair value. The Adviser agrees to provide any pricing information of which the Adviser is aware to the Trust, its Board and/or any Fund pricing agent to assist in the determination of the fair value of any Fund holdings for which market quotations are not readily available or as otherwise required in accordance with the 1940 Act or the Trust’s valuation procedures for the purpose of calculating the Fund net asset value in accordance with procedures and methods established by the Board.


(e)     

Cooperation with Agents of the Trust . The Adviser agrees to cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Trust, any Trust custodian or foreign sub-custodians, any Trust pricing agents and all other agents and representatives of the Trust with respect to such information regarding each Fund as such entities may reasonably request from time to time in the performance of their obligations, provide prompt responses to reasonable requests made by such persons and establish appropriate interfaces with each so as to promote the efficient exchange of information and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.




2.      Code of Ethics . The Adviser has adopted a written code of ethics (“Adviser’s Code of Ethics”) that it reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, which it has provided to the Trust. The Adviser shall ensure that its Access Persons (as defined in the Adviser’s Code of Ethics) comply in all material respects with the Adviser’s Code of Ethics, as in effect from time to time. Upon request, the Adviser shall provide the Trust with a (i) copy of the Adviser’s Code of Ethics, as in effect from time to time, and any proposed amendments thereto that the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) of the Trust determines should be presented to the Board, and (ii) certification that it has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from engaging in any conduct prohibited by the Adviser’s Code of Ethics. Annually, the Adviser shall furnish a written report to the Board, which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1, concerning the Adviser’s Code of Ethics. The Adviser shall respond to requests for information from the Trust as to violations of the Adviser’s Code of Ethics by Access Persons and the sanctions imposed by the Adviser. The Adviser shall notify the Trust as soon as practicable after it becomes aware of any material violation of the Adviser’s Code of Ethics, whether or not such violation relates to a security held by any Fund.

3.      Information and Reporting . The Adviser shall provide the Trust and its respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Adviser has assumed under this Agreement as the Trust may from time to time reasonably request.

(a)     

Notification of Breach / Compliance Reports . The Adviser shall notify the Trust’s CCO immediately upon detection of (i) any material failure to manage any Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and policies or any applicable law, or (ii) any material breach of any of each Fund’s or the Adviser’s policies, guidelines or procedures with respect to the Fund. In addition, the Adviser shall respond to quarterly requests for information concerning the Fund’s compliance with its investment objectives and policies, applicable law, including, but not limited to the 1940 Act and Subchapter M of the Code, and the Fund’s policies, guidelines or procedures as applicable to the Adviser’s obligations under this Agreement. The Adviser agrees to correct any such failure promptly and to take any action that the Board may reasonably request in connection with any such breach. Upon request, the Adviser shall also provide the officers of the Trust with supporting certifications in connection with such certifications of Fund financial statements and disclosure controls pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Adviser will promptly notify the Trust in the event (x) the Adviser is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board, or body, involving the affairs of the Trust (excluding class action suits in which a Fund is a member of the plaintiff class by reason of the Fund’s ownership of shares in the defendant) or the compliance by the Adviser with the federal or state securities laws, or (y) of an actual change in control of the Adviser resulting in an “assignment” (as defined in Section 14) that has occurred or is otherwise proposed to occur.


(b)     

Board and Filings Information . The Adviser will also provide the Trust with any information reasonably requested regarding its management of each Fund required for any meeting of the Board, or for any shareholder report on Form N-CSR, Form N-Q, Form N-PX, Form N-SAR, Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, proxy statement, prospectus supplement, or other form or document to be filed by the Trust with the Commission. The Adviser will make its officers and employees available to meet with the Board from time to time on a reasonable basis on due notice to review its investment management services to each Fund in light of current and prospective economic and market conditions and shall furnish to the Board such information as may reasonably be necessary in order for the Board to evaluate this Agreement or any proposed amendments thereto.


(c)     

Transaction Information . The Adviser shall furnish to the Trust such information concerning portfolio transactions as may be necessary to enable the Trust or its designated agent to perform such compliance testing on each Fund and the Adviser’s services as the Trust may, in its sole discretion, determine to be appropriate. The provision of such information by the Adviser to the Trust or its designated agent in no way relieves the Adviser of its own responsibilities under this Agreement.




4.      Brokerage .

(a)     

Principal Transactions . In connection with purchases or sales of securities for the account of a Fund, neither the Adviser nor any of its directors, officers or employees will act as a principal or agent or receive any commission except as permitted by the 1940 Act.


(b)     

Placement of Orders . The Adviser shall place all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for each Fund’s account with brokers or dealers selected by the Adviser. The Adviser will not execute transactions with a broker dealer which is an "affiliated person" of the Trust except in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board. The Adviser shall use its best efforts to seek to execute portfolio transactions at prices which are advantageous to each Fund and at commission rates which are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In selecting brokers or dealers qualified to execute a particular transaction, brokers or dealers may be selected who also provide brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act) to each Fund and/or the other accounts over which the Adviser or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. The Adviser is authorized to pay a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for each Fund which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer. This determination may be viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibilities which the Adviser and its affiliates have with respect to accounts over which they exercise investment discretion. The Board shall periodically review the commissions paid by each Fund to determine if the commissions paid over representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to the benefits received by each Fund.




5.       Custody .

(a)     

Physical Possession . Nothing in this Agreement shall permit the Adviser to take or receive physical possession of cash, securities or other investments of a Fund.


(b)     

Allocation of Charges and Expenses . The Adviser will bear its own costs of providing services hereunder. Other than as herein specifically indicated or otherwise agreed to in a separate signed writing, the Adviser shall not be responsible for a Fund’s expenses, including brokerage and other expenses incurred in placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment instruments.




6.       Representations, Warranties and Covenants .

(a)     

Properly Registered . The Adviser is registered with the Commission as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act, and will remain so registered for the duration of this Agreement. The Adviser is not prohibited by the Advisers Act or the 1940 Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement, and to the best knowledge of the Adviser, there is no proceeding or investigation that is reasonably likely to result in the Adviser being prohibited from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement. The Adviser agrees to promptly notify the Trust of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Adviser from serving as an investment adviser to an investment company. The Adviser is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state law in connection with its investment management operations.


(b)     

ADV Disclosure . The Adviser has provided the Board with a copy of its Form ADV and will, promptly after amending its Form ADV, furnish a copy of such amendments to the Trust. The information contained in the Adviser’s Form ADV is accurate and complete in all material respects and does not omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.


(c)     

Fund Disclosure Documents . The Adviser has reviewed and will in the future review the Registration Statement and any amendments or supplements thereto, the annual or semi-annual reports to shareholders, other reports filed with the Commission and any marketing material of a Fund (collectively the “Disclosure Documents”) and represents and warrants that with respect to disclosure about the Adviser, the manner in which the Adviser manages the Fund or information relating directly or indirectly to the Adviser, such Disclosure Documents contain or will contain, as of the date thereof, no untrue statement of any material fact and does not and will not omit any statement of material fact which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading.


(d)     

Use of the Name “IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC” . The Adviser has the right to use the names “IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC” or “IndexEdge” in connection with its services to the Trust and, subject to the terms set forth in Section 7 of this Agreement, the Trust shall have the right to use the names “IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC” or “IndexEdge” in connection with the management and operation of each Fund. The Adviser is not aware of any threatened or existing actions, claims, litigation or proceedings that would adversely effect or prejudice the rights of the Adviser or the Trust to use the names “IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC” or “IndexEdge”.


(e)     

Insurance . The Adviser maintains errors and omissions insurance coverage in an appropriate amount and shall provide prior written notice to the Trust (i) of any material changes in its insurance policies or insurance coverage, or (ii) if any material claims will be made on its insurance policies. Furthermore, the Adviser shall, upon reasonable request, provide the Trust with any information it may reasonably require concerning the amount of or scope of such insurance.


(f)     

No Detrimental Agreement . The Adviser represents and warrants that it has no arrangement or understanding with any party, other than the Trust, that would influence the decision of the Adviser with respect to its selection of securities for a Fund and its management of the assets of the Fund, and that all selections shall be done in accordance with what is in the best interest of the Fund.


(g)     

Conflicts . The Adviser shall act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of its clients and the Fund. The Adviser maintains a Code of Ethics which defines the standards by which the Adviser conducts its operations consistent with its fiduciary duties and other obligations under applicable law.


(h)     

Representations . The representations and warranties in this Section 6 shall be deemed to be made on the date this Agreement is executed and at the time of delivery of the quarterly compliance report required by Section 3(a), whether or not specifically referenced in such report.




7.      The Name “INDEXEDGE” . The Adviser grants to the Trust a license to use the name “IndexEdge” (the “Name”) as part of the name of any Fund. The foregoing authorization by the Adviser to the Trust to use the Name as part of the name of any Fund is not exclusive of the right of the Adviser itself to use, or to authorize others to use, the Name; the Trust acknowledges and agrees that, as between the Trust and the Adviser, the Adviser has the right to use, or authorize others to use, the Name. The Trust shall: (i) only use the Name in a manner consistent with uses approved by the Adviser; (ii) use its best efforts to maintain the quality of the services offered using the Name; and (iii) adhere to such other specific quality control standards as the Adviser may from time to time promulgate. At the request of the Adviser, the Trust will (i) submit to the Adviser representative samples of any promotional materials using the Name, and (ii) change the name of any Fund within three months of its receipt of the Adviser’s request, or such other shorter time period as may be required under the terms of a settlement agreement or court order, so as to eliminate all reference to the Name and will not thereafter transact any business using the Name in the name of any Fund; provided, however, that the Trust may continue to use beyond such date any supplies of prospectuses, marketing materials and similar documents that the Trust had on the date of such name change in quantities not exceeding those historically produced and used in connection with such Fund.

8.       Adviser’s Compensation . Each Fund shall pay to the Adviser, as compensation for the Adviser’s services hereunder, a fee, determined as described in Schedule A that is attached hereto and made a part hereof. Such fee shall be computed daily and paid not less than monthly in arrears by each Fund. The method for determining net assets of a Fund for purposes hereof shall be the same as the method for determining net assets for purposes of establishing the offering and redemption prices of Fund shares as described in the Fund’s Registration Statement. In the event of termination of this Agreement, the fee provided in this Section shall be computed on the basis of the period ending on the last business day on which this Agreement is in effect subject to a pro rata adjustment based on the number of days elapsed in the current month as a percentage of the total number of days in such month.

9.       Independent Contractor . In the performance of its duties hereunder, the Adviser is and shall be an independent contractor and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein or otherwise authorized in writing, shall have no authority to act for or represent the Trust or any Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed to be an agent of the Trust or any Fund. If any occasion should arise in which the Adviser gives any advice to its clients concerning the shares of a Fund, the Adviser will act solely as investment counsel for such clients and not in any way on behalf of the Fund.

10.       Assignment and Amendments . This Agreement shall automatically terminate, without the payment of any penalty, in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in Section 14). This Agreement may not be added to or changed orally and may not be modified or rescinded except by a writing signed by the parties hereto and in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, when applicable.

11.       Duration and Termination .

(a)     

This Agreement shall become effective as of the date executed and shall remain in full force and effect continually thereafter, subject to renewal as provided in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof and unless terminated automatically as set forth in Section 10 hereof or until terminated as follows:




(i)     Either party hereto may, at any time on sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the other, terminate this Agreement, without payment of any penalty. With respect to a Fund, termination may be authorized by action of the Board or by an “affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund” (as defined in Section 14); or

(ii)     This Agreement shall automatically terminate two years from the date of its execution unless the terms of such contract and any renewal thereof is specifically approved at least annually thereafter by (i) a majority vote of the Trustees, including a majority vote of such Trustees who are not parties to the Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in Section 14) of the Trust or the Adviser, at an in-person meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, or (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each Fund; provided, however, that if the continuance of this Agreement is submitted to the shareholders of each Fund for their approval and such shareholders fail to approve such continuance of this Agreement as provided herein, the Adviser may continue to serve hereunder as to each Fund in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

(b)     

In the event of termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Adviser shall, immediately upon notice of termination or on such later date as may be specified in such notice, cease all activity on behalf of the Fund and with respect to any of its assets, except as otherwise required by any fiduciary duties of the Adviser under applicable law. In addition, the Adviser shall deliver the Fund Books and Records to the Trust by such means and in accordance with such schedule as the Trust shall direct and shall otherwise cooperate, as reasonably directed by the Trust, in the transition of portfolio asset management to any successor of the Adviser.




12.       Notice . Any notice or other communication required by or permitted to be given in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be delivered in person or sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the respective parties at their last known address, or by e-mail or fax to a designated contact of the other party. Oral instructions may be given if authorized by the Board and preceded by a certificate from the Trust’s Secretary so attesting. Notices to the Trust shall be directed to Unified Fund Services, Inc., 2960 North Meridian Street, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46208, Attention: Mr. John C. Swhear; and notices to the Adviser shall be directed to IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC, 650 Poydras Street, Suite 1400, New Orleans, LA 70130, Attention: Mr. Michael H. Smither.

13.       Confidentiality . The Adviser agrees on behalf of itself and its employees to treat confidentially all records and other information relative to the Trust and its shareholders received by the Adviser in connection with this Agreement, including any non-public personal information as defined in Regulation S-P, and that it shall not use or disclose any such information except for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that the Adviser may disclose such information as required by law or in connection with any requested disclosure to a regulatory authority with appropriate jurisdiction after prior notification to the Trust.

14.       Certain Definitions . For the purpose of this Agreement, the terms “affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund,” “assignment” and “interested person” shall have their respective meanings as defined in the 1940 Act and rules and regulations thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the Commission under the 1940 Act or any interpretations of the Commission staff..

15.       Liability of the Adviser . Neither the Adviser nor its officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliated persons or controlling persons or assigns shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the execution of securities transactions of a Fund; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to protect the Adviser against any liability to a Fund or its shareholders to which the Adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or obligations hereunder or by reason of its reckless disregard of its duties or obligations hereunder.

16.       Relations with the Trust . It is understood that the Trustees, officers and shareholders of the Trust are or may be or become interested persons of the Adviser as directors, officers or otherwise and that directors, officers and stockholders of the Adviser are or may be or become interested persons of the Fund, and that the Adviser may be or become interested persons of the Fund as a shareholder or otherwise.

17.       Enforceability . If any part, term or provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, in conflict with any law or otherwise invalid, the remaining portion or portions shall be considered severable and not be affected, and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced as if the Agreement did not contain the particular part, term or provision held to be illegal or invalid. This Agreement shall be severable as to each Fund.

18.       Limitation of Liability . The Adviser is expressly put on notice of the limitation of liability as set forth in the Declaration of Trust or other Trust organizational documents and agrees that the obligations assumed by each Fund pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in all cases to each Fund and each Fund’s respective assets, and the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from shareholders or any shareholder of each Fund. In addition, the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligations from the Trustees of the Trust or any individual Trustee. The Adviser understands that the rights and obligations of any Fund under the Declaration of Trust or other organizational document are separate and distinct from those of any of and all other Funds.

19.       Non-Exclusive Services . The services of the Adviser to the Trust are not deemed exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to render similar services to others, to the extent that such service does not affect the Adviser’s ability to perform its duties and obligations hereunder.

20.       Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed to be in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without preference to choice of law principles thereof, and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Delaware, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to any interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by the Commission or its staff. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is revised by rule, regulation, order or interpretation of the Commission or its staff, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such revised rule, regulation, order or interpretation.

21.       Paragraph Headings; Syntax . All Section headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, do not form a part of this Agreement and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Words used herein, regardless of the number and gender specifically used, will be deemed and construed to include any other number, singular or plural, and any other gender, masculine, feminine, or neuter, as the contract requires.

22.       Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Signature Page to Follow


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be signed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST
 

/s/ Carol J. Highsmith

Signature

By:
Carol J. Highsmith

Title: Vice President

INDEXEDGE INVESTMENT CONSULTING, LLC

/s/ Michael H. Smither

Signature

By:
Michael H. Smither

Title: Managing Partner


Schedule A
 
Investment Advisory Agreement
between
Valued Advisers Trust (the "Trust")
and
IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC (the "Adviser")

Dated as of September 4, 2008

The Trust will pay to the Adviser as compensation for the Adviser’s services rendered, a fee, computed daily at an annual rate based on the average daily net assets of the respective Fund in accordance the following fee schedule:
 

Fund                                               Rate

IndexEdge Long-Term Portfolio Fund       0.50%

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT, dated as of September 4, 2008, by and among Valued Advisers Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), each investment adviser to each series of the Trust as set forth on Exhibit A (each an “Adviser” and, collectively, the “Advisers”), and Unified Financial Securities, Inc., an Indiana corporation (the Distributor”).

WITNESSETH:

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

WHEREAS, the Trust, on behalf of the portfolios set forth on Exhibit A (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”), desires to retain the Distributor as the principal underwriter of the shares of beneficial interest of the Funds (the “Shares”); and

WHEREAS, the Distributor is willing to render such services.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants set forth herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Section 1. Delivery of Documents . The Trust has delivered to the Distributor copies of the following documents and will deliver to the Distributor all future amendments and supplements thereto, if any:

(a)     The Trust’s Declaration of Trust and all amendments thereto (as currently in effect and as from time to time amended, hereinafter referred to as the "Declaration");

(b)     The Trust’s By-Laws (as currently in effect and as from time to time amended, hereinafter referred to as the "By-Laws");

(c)     Resolutions of the Board of Trustees authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement;

(d)     The Trust’s Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and the 1940 Act on Form N-1A most recently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and all subsequent amendments or supplements thereto (the "Registration Statement");

(e)     The Trust’s Notification of Registration under the 1940 Act on Form N-8A as filed with the Commission; and

(f)      A current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information for each Fund (as currently in effect and as from time to time amended and supplemented, hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Prospectuses”).




Section 2. Distribution.

     2.1 Appointment of Distributor . The Trust hereby appoints the Distributor as principal underwriter of the Shares of each Fund that is set forth on Exhibit A to this Agreement and the Distributor hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services and duties set forth in this Agreement.

 

      2.2 Services and Duties.

     (a) The Trust agrees to sell through the Distributor, as agent, from time to time during the term of this Agreement, Shares of each Fund upon the terms and at the current offering prices as described in such Fund’s Prospectus. The Distributor will act only in its own behalf as principal in making agreements with selected dealers or others for the sale and redemption of Shares, and shall sell Shares only at the offering prices as set forth in the applicable Fund’s Prospectus. The Distributor shall devote its best efforts to effect the sale of shares, but shall not be obligated to sell any certain number of Shares.

     (b) In all matters relating to the sale and redemption of Shares, the Distributor and its designated agent(s) will act in conformity with the Trust’s Declaration, By-laws and the Funds’ Prospectuses and with the instructions and directions of the Board of Trustees and will conform and comply with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act, the regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and all other applicable federal or state laws or regulations. In connection with the sale of Shares of a Fund, the Distributor acknowledges and agrees that it is not authorized to provide any information or make any representation other than as contained in the Trust’s Registration Statement or such Fund’s Prospectus and any sales literature approved by such Fund.

     (c) All Shares of a Fund offered for sale by the Distributor shall be offered for sale to the public at a price per Share (the "offering price") equal to their net asset value (determined in the manner set forth in such Fund’s then-current Prospectus), plus any applicable sales charge as set forth in such Fund’s then-current Prospectus.

     2.3 Sales and Redemptions .

       (a)     The Trust shall execute all documents, furnish all information and otherwise take all actions which may be reasonably necessary in the discretion of the Trust’s officers in connection with the qualification of the Shares for sale in such states as the Distributor may designate to the a Fund and a Fund may approve, and each Fund shall pay all fees which may be incurred in connection with its qualification. The Distributor shall pay all expenses connected with its qualification as a dealer under state or federal laws. It is understood that certain advertising, marketing, shareholder servicing, administration and/or distribution expenses to be incurred in connection with the Shares may be paid as provided in any plan which may be adopted by a Fund in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.

(b)     The Trust shall have the right to suspend the sale of Shares at any time in response to conditions in the securities markets or otherwise, and to suspend the redemption of Shares at any time permitted by the 1940 Act or the rules of the Commission

(c)     Each Fund reserves the right to reject any order for its Shares.

(d)     No Shares shall be offered by either a Fund or the Distributor under any provisions of this Agreement and no orders for the purchase or sale of Shares hereunder shall be accepted by a Fund if and so long as the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be suspended under any of the provisions of the 1933 Act, or if and so long as a Prospectus as required by Section 10 of the 1933 Act for such Fund is not on file with the Commission; provided , however , that nothing contained in this subsection shall in any way restrict or have any application to or bearing upon each Fund’s obligation to repurchase any Shares from any shareholder in accordance with the provisions of its Prospectus.

     2.4 Fees and Expenses of the Fund . Each Fund shall pay all costs and expenses in connection with the registration of such Fund’s Shares under the 1933 Act, all fees in connection with making notice filings under state securities “blue sky” laws, and all expenses in connection with maintaining facilities for the issue and transfer of the Shares and for supplying information, prices and other data to be furnished by the Fund hereunder, and all expenses in connection with preparing, printing and distributing such Fund’s Prospectus to existing shareholders.

 

     No Fund will bear any costs and expenses incurred with respect to distribution of shares except to the extent the Fund is permitted to do so by applicable law.

 

     
2.5. Fees and Expenses of the Adviser . For performing its services under this Agreement, each Fund’s Adviser will pay a fee to Distributor as set forth in Exhibit B . Each Fund’s Adviser shall promptly reimburse Distributor for any expenses incurred on behalf of such Fund as set forth in Exhibit B .

 

It is understood that each Fund’s Adviser will bear the costs and expenses incurred for (i) printing and mailing to prospective investors copies of such Fund’s Prospectus (including supplements thereto) and annual and interim reports of such Fund which are used in connection with the offering of the Fund’s Shares; (ii) preparing, printing and mailing any other literature used by the Distributor in connection with the sale of such Fund’s Shares; (iii) reimbursement for FINRA advertising compliance expenses advanced by the Distributor on behalf of such Fund; (iv) fees for Distributor’s review of such Fund’s sales literature and website; (v) registered representative annual renewal and compliance fees; and (vi) travel and such other expenses as may be incurred by Distributor on behalf of such Fund.

Section 3 . Limitation of Liability .

(a)     The Distributor shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by any Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the Distributor's part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. Any person, even though also an officer, director, partner, employee or agent of the Distributor, who may be or become an officer, Trustee, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering services to the Trust, or acting on any business of the Trust (other than services or business in connection with the Distributor's duties as distributor hereunder), to be rendering such services to or acting solely for the Trust and not as an officer, director, partner, employee or agent of, or one under the control or direction of, the Distributor even though paid by the Distributor.

     (b)     In the performance of its duties hereunder, the Distributor shall be obligated to exercise due care and diligence, and to act in good faith in performing the services provided for under this Agreement. In performing its services hereunder, the Distributor shall be entitled to rely on any oral or written instructions, notices or other communications from the Fund and its custodian, officers and Trustee, investors, agents and other service providers which the Distributor reasonably believes to be genuine, valid and authorized. The Distributor shall also be entitled to consult with and rely on the advice and opinions of outside legal counsel retained by the Trust, as necessary or appropriate.

     (c)     The term “Valued Advisers Trust” means and refers to the Trust and each Fund listed on Exhibit A from time to time, as the same may subsequently thereto have been, or subsequently hereto be amended. It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of the Trust, personally, but shall bind only the assets and property of the Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the vote of a majority of the Trustees, who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any party to this Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. This Agreement has been signed by an authorized officer of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the assets and property of the appropriate Fund.

Section 4. Indemnification .

4.1. Trust Representations . The Trust represents and warrants to the Distributor that at all times the Registration Statement and Prospectuses will in all material respects conform to the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that no representation or warranty is made herein with respect to any statements in the Registration Statement or Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Trust by, or on behalf of' and with respect to, the Distributor specifically for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus.

4.2. Distributor's Representations . The Distributor represents and warrants to the Trust that it is duly organized and validly existing as an Indiana corporation and is and at all times will remain duly authorized and licensed to carry out its services as contemplated herein.

4.3. Trust Indemnification . The Trust will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Distributor, its several officers and directors, and any person who controls the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which any of them may become subject under the 1933 Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof) arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectuses or in any application or other document executed by or on behalf of the Trust, or arise out of, or are based upon, information furnished by or on behalf of the Trust filed in any state in order to qualify the Shares under the securities or blue sky laws thereof ("Blue Sky Application"), or arise out of, or are based upon, the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse the Distributor, its several officers and directors, and any person who controls the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any of them in investigating, defending or preparing to defend any such action, proceeding or claim; provided, however , that the Trust shall not be liable in any case to the extent that such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of, or is based upon, any untrue statement, alleged untrue statement, or omission or alleged omission made in the Registration Statement, the Prospectuses, any Blue Sky Application or any application or other document executed by or on behalf of the Trust in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Trust by, or on behalf of, and with respect to, the Distributor specifically for inclusion therein.

The Trust shall not indemnify any person pursuant to this Section 4.3 unless the court or other body before which the proceeding was brought has rendered a final decision on the merits that such person was not liable by reason of his willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of his duties, or his reckless disregard of obligations and duties, under this Agreement ("disabling conduct") or, in the absence of such a decision, a reasonable determination (based upon a review of the facts) that such person was not liable by reason of disabling conduct has been made by the vote of a majority of Trustees who are neither "interested persons" of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) nor parties to the proceeding, or by an independent legal counsel in a written opinion.

The Trust shall advance attorneys' fees and other expenses incurred by any person in defending any claim, demand, action or suit which is the subject of a claim for indemnification pursuant to this Section 4.3, so long as such person shall: (i) undertake to repay all such advances unless it is ultimately determined that he is entitled to indemnification hereunder; and (ii) provide security for such undertaking, or the Trust shall be insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or a majority of a quorum of disinterested non-party Trustees of the Trust (or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion) shall determine based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry) that there is reason to believe that such person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification hereunder.

4.4. Distributor's Indemnification . The Distributor will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Trust, the Trust’s several officers and Trustees and any person who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which any of them may become subject under the 1933 Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect hereof) arise out of, or are based upon, any breach of its representations and warranties in Section 4.2 hereof, or which arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectuses, any Blue Sky Application or any application or other document executed by or on behalf of the Trust, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, which statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Trust or any of its several officers and Trustees by, or on behalf of, and with respect to, the Distributor specifically for inclusion therein, and will reimburse the Trust, the Trust’s several officers and Trustees, and any person who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any of them in investigating, defending or preparing to defend any such action, proceeding or claim.

4.5. General Indemnity Provisions . No indemnifying party shall be liable under its indemnity agreement contained in Section 4.3 or 4.4 hereof with respect to any claim made against such indemnifying party unless the indemnified party shall have notified the indemnifying party in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the indemnified party (or after the indemnified party shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the indemnifying party of any such claim shall not relieve it from any liability which it may otherwise have to the indemnified party. The indemnifying party will be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such liability, and if the indemnifying party elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. In the event the indemnifying party elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain such counsel, the indemnified party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by the indemnified party.

Section 5. Duration and Termination . The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date of this Agreement for each Fund listed on Exhibit A attached hereto on the date of this Agreement and shall continue in effect with respect to each such Fund (and any subsequent Funds added pursuant to an Exhibit executed during the initial term of this Agreement) for two years thereafter, and shall continue in effect from year to year thereafter, subject to termination as hereinafter provided, if such continuance is approved at least annually by (a) a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of such Fund or by vote of the Trust’s Board of Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b) by vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to this Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. If a Fund is added pursuant to an Exhibit executed after the date of this Agreement as described above, this Agreement shall become effective with respect to that Fund upon execution of the applicable Exhibit by the appropriate parties and shall continue in effect until the next annual continuance of this Agreement and from year to year thereafter, subject to approval as described above. This Agreement may be terminated by the Trust with respect to any Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of such Fund, on 60 days' written notice to the Distributor, or by the Distributor at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on 90 days' written notice to the Trust. This Agreement will automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

Section 6. Miscellaneous .

6.1.       Amendments . No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated except by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which an enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

6.2 .      Construction . The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. Subject to the provisions of Section 5 hereof, this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.

6.3.     Notices. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Trust shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Trust and mailed or delivered to it at its principal office set forth in the Registration Statement, or at such other place as the Trust may from time to time designate in writing. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Distributor shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Distributor and mailed or delivered to it at 2960 North Meridian Street, Suite 300, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208, Attention: President, or at such other place as the Distributor may from time to time designate in writing.

6.4.   Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana.

6.5  Counterparts . This Agreement may be in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]    

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Distribution Agreement to be executed by their officers designated below as of the date and year first above written.


     

     VALUED ADVISERS TRUST, on behalf of each Fund set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto

                              By: /s/ Carol J. Highsmith

                              Name: Carol J. Highsmith

                              Title: Vice President

 

 

                              UNIFIED FINANCIAL SECURITIES, INC.

 

                              By: /s/ Stephen D. Highsmith, Jr.

                              Name: Stephen D. Highsmith, Jr.

                              Title: Sr. Vice President

 

 

                              INDEXEDGE INVESTMENT CONSULTING, LLC

                              As to Section 2.5

 

                              By: /s/ Michael H. Smither

                              Name: Michael H. Smither

                              Title: Managing Partner

 


EXHIBIT A

to

Distribution Agreement

FUNDS AND INVESTMENT ADVISERS

NAME OF FUND

INVESTMENT ADVISER

IndexEdge Long-Term Portfolio Fund

IndexEdge Investment Consulting LLC

650 Poydras Street, Suite 1400
New Orleans, LA 70130



Plus such additional Funds as may be agreed upon to from time to time between Distributor and the Trust.

Date: September 4, 2008


EXHIBIT B

to

Distribution Agreement

FEE SCHEDULE

The prices contained herein are effective for twelve months from the inception date of the Fund. All fees are billed monthly and are payable upon receipt of an invoice.

I.      Standard Fee*

0.01% of average daily net assets of each portfolio, subject to an annual per portfolio minimum as defined below. Fees are to be billed monthly.      

·     

No-Load Fund (no 12b-1 and/or service plans)      -      $ 9,000.00 annually


·     

No-Load Fund with 12b-1 and/or service plans      -      $12,000.00 annually


·     

Load Fund      -      $15,000.00 annually



A load fund is defined as any fund with front-end load, CDSC or advanced commission .

      *       Base Fees do not include out-of-pocket expenses which include but are not limited to: printing, postage and h andling, shipping, record storage, legal expenses associated with negotiating customized agreements with selling group counterparties and regulatory filing fees and all other expenses incurred on behalf of the Trust. Additional fees not contemplated in this schedule will be negotiated on a per occurrence basis.

II.      Additional Services

·     

Sales literature & document review (including websites)      -      $150.00 per hour, plus FINRA filing fees.


·     

FINRA and other filing fees      -      Pass through


·     

Travel and Out-of-Pocket Expenses      -      Pass through


·     

Blue Sky Filings      -      Pass Through plus $50 per permit


·     

Other duties as agreed upon      -      Negotiable




CUSTODY AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK
AND

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST


     TABLE OF CONTENTS

Definitions

1

ARTICLE II - Appointment; Acceptance; and Furnishing of Documents

 

II. A. Appointment of Custodian.

2

II. B. Acceptance of Custodian.

2

II. C. Documents to be Furnished.

2

II. D. Notice of Appointment of Dividend and Transfer Agent.

2

ARTICLE III - Receipt of Trust Assets

 

III. A. Delivery of Moneys.

2

III. B. Delivery of Securities.

2

III. C. Payments for Shares.

3

III. D. Duties Upon Receipt.

3

ARTICLE IV - Disbursement of Trust Assets

 

IV. A. Declaration of Dividends by Trust.

3

IV. B. Segregation of Redemption Proceeds.

3

IV. C. Disbursements of Custodian.

3

IV. D. Payment of Custodian Fees.

3

ARTICLE V - Custody of Trust Assets

 

V. A. Separate Accounts for Each Fund.

3

V. B. Segregation of Non-Cash Assets.

3

V. C. Securities in Bearer and Registered Form.

3

V. D. Duties of Custodian as to Securities.

3

V. E. Certain Actions Upon Written Instructions.

4

V. F. Custodian to Deliver Proxy Materials.

4

V. G. Custodian to Deliver Tender Offer Information.

4

V. H. Custodian to Deliver Security and Transaction Information.

4

ARTICLE VI - Purchase and Sale of Securities

 

VI. A. Purchase of Securities.

5

VI. B. Sale of Securities.

5

VI. C. Delivery Versus Payment for Purchases and Sales.

5

VI. D. Payment on Settlement Date.

5

VI. E. Segregated Accounts.

5

VI. F. Advances for Settlement.

6

ARTICLE VII - Trust Indebtedness

 

VII. A. Borrowings.

6

VII. B. Advances.

6

ARTICLE VIII - Concerning the Custodian

 

VIII. A. Limitations on Liability of Custodian.

6

VIII. B. Actions not Required by Custodian.

7

VIII. C. No Duty to Collect Amounts Due From Dividend and Transfer Agent.

7

VIII. D. No Enforcement Actions.

8

VIII. E. Authority to Use Agents and Sub-Custodians.

8

VIII. F. No Duty to Supervise Investments.

8

VIII. G. All Records Confidential.

8

VIII. H. Compensation of Custodian.

8

VIII. I. Reliance Upon Instructions.

8

VIII. J. Books and Records.

8

VIII. K. Internal Accounting Control Systems.

8

VIII. L. No Management of Assets by Custodian.

8

VIII. M. Assistance to Trust.

9

ARTICLE IX - Termination

 

IX. A. Termination.

9

IX. B. Failure to Designate Successor Custodian.

9

ARTICLE X - Force Majeure

 

ARTICLE XI - Miscellaneous

 

XI. A. Designation of Authorized Persons.

9

XI. B. Limitation of Personal Liability.

9

XI. C. Authorization By Board.

10

XI. D. Custodian's Consent to Use of Its Name.

10

XI. E. Notices to Custodian.

10

XI. F. Notices to Trust.

10

XI. G. Amendments In Writing.

10

XI. H. Successors and Assigns.

10

XI. I. Governing Law.

10

XI. J. Jurisdiction.

10

XI. K. Counterparts.

10

XI. L. Headings.

10

APPENDIX A

 

APPENDIX B

 

APPENDIX C

 

APPENDIX D

 

APPENDIX E

 



CUSTODY AGREEMENT
 

     This agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of the 15 th day of September, 2008, by and between the Valued Advisers Trust , a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust") and The Huntington National Bank, (the "Custodian"), a national banking association having its principal office at 41 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215.

     WHEREAS , the Trust and the Custodian desire to enter into this Agreement to provide for the custody and safekeeping of the assets of the Trust as required by the Act (as hereafter defined).

     THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the Trust and the Custodian agree as follows:

Definitions

The following words and phrases, when used in this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings:
 

      Act - the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
     
1934 Act - the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Authorized Person - any person, whether or not any such person is an officer or employee of the Trust, who is duly authorized by the Board of Trustees of the Trust to give Oral Instructions and Written Instructions on behalf of the Trust or any Fund, and named in Appendix A attached hereto and as amended from time to time by resolution of the Board of Trustees, certified by an Officer, and received by the Custodian.

Board of Trustees - the Trustees from time to time serving under the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as from time to time amended.

Book-Entry System - a federal book-entry system as provided in Subpart O of Treasury Circular No. 300, 31 CFR 306, in Subpart B of 31 CFT Part 350, or in such book-entry regulations of federal agencies as are substantially in the form of Subpart O.

Business Day - any day recognized as a settlement day by The New York Stock Exchange, Inc. and any other day for which the Trust computes the net asset value of Shares of any fund.      

Depository - The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), a limited purpose trust company, its successor(s) and its nominee(s). Depository shall include any other clearing agency registered with the SEC under Section 17A of the 1934 Act which acts as a system for the central handling of Securities where all Securities of any particular class or series of an issuer deposited within the system are treated as fungible and may be transferred or pledged by bookkeeping entry without physical delivery of the Securities provided that the Custodian shall have received a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees, certified by an Officer, specifically approving the use of such clearing agency as a depository for the Funds.

Dividend and Transfer Agent - the dividend and transfer agent appointed, from time to time, pursuant to a written agreement between the dividend and transfer agent and the Trust.

Foreign Securities - a) securities issued and sold primarily outside of the United States by a foreign government, a national of any foreign country, or a trust or other organization incorporated or organized under the laws of any foreign country or; b) securities issued or guaranteed by the government of the United States, by any state, by any political subdivision or agency thereof, or by any entity organized under the laws of the United States or of any state thereof, which have been issued and sold primarily outside of the United States.

Fund - each series of the Trust listed in Appendix B and any additional series added pursuant to Proper Instructions. A series is individually referred to as a "Fund" and collectively referred to as the "Funds."

Money Market Security - debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest by the government of the United States or agencies or instrumentalities thereof, commercial paper, obligations (including certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements with respect to the same), and time deposits of domestic banks and thrift institutions whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and short-term corporate obligations where the purchase and sale of such securities normally require settlement in federal funds or their equivalent on the same day as such purchase and sale, all of which mature in not more than thirteen (13) months.

      NASD - the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

Officer - the Chairman, President, Secretary, Treasurer, any Vice President, Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer of the Trust.

Oral Instructions - instructions orally transmitted to and received by the Custodian from an Authorized Person (or from a person that the Custodian reasonably believes in good faith to be an Authorized Person) and confirmed by Written Instructions in such a manner that such Written Instructions are received by the Custodian on the Business Day immediately following receipt of such Oral Instructions.

Proper Instructions - Oral Instructions or Written Instructions. Proper Instructions may be continuing Written Instructions when deemed appropriate by both parties.

Prospectus – With respect to each Fund, the Fund’s then currently effective prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as filed with and declared effective from time to time by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Security or Securities - Money Market Securities, common stock, preferred stock, options, financial futures, bonds, notes, debentures, corporate debt securities, mortgages, bank certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, mortgage-backed securities or other obligations and any certificates, receipts, warrants, or other instruments or documents representing rights to receive, purchase, or subscribe for the same or evidencing or representing any other rights or interest therein, or any similar property or assets, including securities of any registered investment company, that the Custodian has the facilities to clear and to service.

      SEC - the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America.
     
Shares - with respect to a Fund, the units of beneficial interest issued by the Trust on account of such Fund.

Trust - the business trust organized under the laws of Ohio which is an open-end management investment company registered under the Act.

Written Instructions - communications in writing actually received by the Custodian from an Authorized Person. A communication in writing includes a communication by facsimile, telex or between electro-mechanical or electronic devices (where the use of such devices have been approved by resolution of the Board of Trustees and the resolution is certified by an Officer and delivered to the Custodian). All written communications shall be directed to the Custodian, attention: Institutional Trust Custody Group.

ARTICLE II

Appointment; Acceptance; and Furnishing of Documents

II. A.      Appointment of Custodian . The Trust hereby constitutes and appoints the Custodian as custodian of all Securities and cash owned by each Fund at any time during the term of this Agreement.

II. B.      Acceptance of Custodian . The Custodian hereby accepts appointment as such custodian and agrees to perform the duties thereof as hereinafter set forth.

II. C.      Documents to be Furnished . The following documents, including any amendments thereto, will be provided contemporaneously with the execution of the Agreement, to the Custodian by the Trust:

1.)     

A copy of the Declaration of Trust of the Trust certified by the Secretary.


2.)     

A copy of the By-Laws of the Trust certified by the Secretary.


3.)     

A copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust appointing the Custodian, certified by the Secretary.


4.)     

A copy of the then current Prospectuses.


5.)     

A Certificate of the President and Secretary of the Trust setting forth the names and signatures of all Authorized Persons.




II. D.      Notice of Appointment of Dividend and Transfer Agent . The Trust agrees to notify the Custodian in writing of the appointment, termination or change in appointment of any Dividend and Transfer Agent.

ARTICLE III

Receipt of Trust Assets

III. A.      Delivery of Moneys . During the term of this Agreement, the Trust will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian all moneys to be held by the Custodian for the account of any Fund. The Custodian shall be entitled to reverse any deposits made on any Fund's behalf where such deposits have been entered and moneys are not finally collected within 20 days of the making of such entry.

III. B.      Delivery of Securities . During the term of this Agreement, the Trust will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian all Securities to be held by the Custodian for the account of any Fund. The Custodian will not have any duties or responsibilities with respect to such Securities until actually received by the Custodian. The Custodian is hereby authorized by the Trust, acting on behalf of a Fund, to actually deposit any assets of the Fund in the Book-Entry System or in a Depository, provided, however, that the Custodian shall always be accountable to the Trust for the assets of the Fund so deposited. Assets deposited in the Book-Entry System or the Depository will be represented in accounts which include only assets held by the Custodian for customers, including but not limited to accounts in which the Custodian acts in a fiduciary or representative capacity.

III. C.      Payments for Shares . As and when received, the Custodian shall deposit to the account(s) of a Fund any and all payments for Shares of that Fund issued or sold from time to time as they are received from the Trust's distributor or Dividend and Transfer Agent or from the Trust itself.

III. D.      Duties Upon Receipt . The Custodian shall not be responsible for any Securities, moneys or other assets of any Fund until actually received.

     

ARTICLE IV

Disbursement of Trust Assets

IV. A. Declaration of Dividends by Trust . The Trust shall furnish to the Custodian a copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, certified by the Trust's Secretary, either (i) setting forth the date of the declaration of any dividend or distribution in respect of Shares of any Fund of the Trust, the date of payment thereof, the record date as of which the Fund shareholders entitled to payment shall be determined, the amount payable per share to Fund shareholders of record as of that date, and the total amount to be paid by the Dividend and Transfer Agent on the payment date, or (ii) authorizing the declaration of dividends and distributions in respect of Shares of a Fund on a daily basis and authorizing the Custodian to rely on Written Instructions setting forth the date of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution, the date of payment thereof, the record date as of which the Fund shareholders entitled to payment shall be determined, the amount payable per share to Fund shareholders of record as of that date, and the total amount to be paid by the Dividend and Transfer Agent on the payment date.

On the payment date specified in the resolution or Written Instructions described above, the Custodian shall segregate such amounts from moneys held for the account of the Fund so that they are available for such payment.

IV. B.      Segregation of Redemption Proceeds . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions so directing it, the Custodian shall segregate amounts necessary for the payment of redemption proceeds to be made by the Dividend and Transfer Agent from moneys held for the account of the Fund so that they are available for such payment.

IV. C.      Disbursements of Custodian . Upon receipt of a Written Instruction directing payment and setting forth the name and address of the person to whom such payment is to be made, the amount of such payment, the name of the Fund from which payment is to be made, and the purpose for which payment is to be made, the Custodian shall disburse amounts as and when directed from the assets of that Fund. The Custodian is authorized to rely on such directions and shall be under no obligation to inquire as to the propriety of such directions.

IV. D. Payment of Custodian Fees . Upon receipt of Written Instructions directing payment, the Custodian shall disburse moneys from the assets of the Trust in payment of the Custodian's fees and expenses as provided in Article VIII hereof.

ARTICLE V

Custody of Trust Assets

V. A.      Separate Accounts for Each Fund . As to each Fund, the Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank account or accounts in the United States in the name of the Trust coupled with the name of such Fund, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall hold all cash received by it from or for the account of the Fund, other than cash maintained by the Fund in a bank account established and used by the Fund in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Act. Moneys held by the Custodian on behalf of a Fund may be deposited by the Custodian to its credit as Custodian in the banking department of the Custodian. Such moneys shall be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as such, and shall be withdrawable by the Custodian only in such capacity.

V. B.      Segregation of Non-Cash Assets . All Securities and non-cash property held by the Custodian for the account of a Fund (other than Securities maintained in a Depository or Book-entry System) shall be physically segregated from other Securities and non-cash property in the possession of the Custodian (including the Securities and non-cash property of the other Funds) and shall be identified as subject to this Agreement.

V. C.      Securities in Bearer and Registered Form . All Securities held which are issued or issuable only in bearer form, shall be held by the Custodian in that form; all other Securities held for a Fund may be registered in the name of the Custodian, any sub-custodian appointed in accordance with this Agreement, or the nominee of any of them. The Trust agrees to furnish to the Custodian appropriate instruments to enable the Custodian to hold, or deliver in proper form for transfer, any Securities that it may hold for the account of any Fund and which may, from time to time, be registered in the name of a Fund.

V. D.      Duties of Custodian as to Securities . Unless otherwise instructed by the Trust, with respect to all Securities held for the Trust, the Custodian shall on a timely basis (concerning items 1 and 2 below, as defined in the Custodian's Mutual Fund Custody Model, as amended from time to time, annexed hereto as Appendix D):

          1.)     Collect all income due and payable with respect to such Securities;

2.)     Present for payment and collect amounts payable upon all Securities which may mature or be called, redeemed, or retired, or otherwise become payable;

          3.)     Surrender interim receipts or Securities in temporary form for Securities in definitive form; and

4.)     Execute, as Custodian, any necessary declarations or certificates of ownership under the Federal income tax laws or the laws or regulations of any other taxing authority, including any foreign taxing authority, now or hereafter in effect.

V. E.      Certain Actions Upon Written Instructions . Upon receipt of a Written Instructions and not otherwise, the Custodian shall:

1.)     Execute and deliver to such persons as may be designated in such Written Instructions proxies, consents, authorizations, and any other instruments whereby the authority of the Trust as beneficial owner of any Securities may be exercised;

2.)     Deliver any Securities in exchange for other Securities or cash issued or paid in connection with the liquidation, reorganization, refinancing, merger, consolidation, or recapitalization of any corporation, or the exercise of any conversion privilege;

3.)     Deliver any Securities to any protective committee, reorganization committee, or other person in connection with the reorganization, refinancing, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, or sale of assets of any corporation, and receive and hold under the terms of this Agreement such certificates of deposit, interim receipts or other instruments or documents as may be issued to it to evidence such delivery;

4.)     Make such transfers or exchanges of the assets of any Fund and take such other steps as shall be stated in the Written Instructions to be for the purpose of effectuating any duly authorized plan of liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of the Trust; and

5.)     Deliver any Securities held for any Fund to the depository agent for tender or other similar offers.

V. F.      Custodian to Deliver Proxy Materials . The Custodian shall promptly deliver to the Trust all notices, proxy material and executed but unvoted proxies pertaining to shareholder meetings of Securities held by any Fund. The Custodian shall not vote or authorize the voting of any Securities or give any consent, waiver or approval with respect thereto unless so directed by Written Instructions.

V. G.      Custodian to Deliver Tender Offer Information . The Custodian shall promptly deliver to the Trust all information received by the Custodian and pertaining to Securities held by any Fund with respect to tender or exchange offers, calls for redemption or purchase, or expiration of rights as described in the Mutual Fund Custody Model attached as Appendix D. If the Trust desires to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or other similar transaction, the Trust shall notify the Custodian at least five Business Days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take such action. The Trust will provide or cause to be provided to the Custodian all relevant information for any Security which has unique put/option provisions at least five Business Days prior to the beginning date of the tender period.

V. H.      Custodian to Deliver Security and Transaction Information. On each Business Day that the Federal Reserve Bank is open, the Custodian shall furnish the Trust with a detailed statement of monies held for the Fund under this Agreement and with confirmations and a summary of all transfers to or from the account of the Fund. At least monthly and from time to time, the Custodian shall furnish the Trust with a detailed statement of the Securities held for the Fund under this Agreement. Where Securities are transferred to the account of the Fund without physical delivery, the Custodian shall also identify as belonging to the Fund a quantity of Securities in a fungible bulk of Securities registered in the name of the Custodian (or its nominee) or shown on the Custodian's account on the books of the Book-Entry System or the Depository. With respect to information provided by this section, it shall not be necessary for the Custodian to provide notice as described by Article XI Section F. Notices to Trust; it shall be sufficient to communicate by such means as shall be mutually agreeable to the Trust and the Custodian.

ARTICLE VI

Purchase and Sale of Securities

VI. A.      Purchase of Securities . Promptly after each purchase of Securities by the Trust, the Trust shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each purchase of Securities which are not Money Market Securities, Written Instructions, and (ii) with respect to each purchase of Money Market Securities, Proper Instructions, specifying with respect to each such purchase the;

1.)     

name of the issuer and the title of the Securities


2.)     

the number of shares, principal amount purchased (and accrued interest, if any) or other units purchased,


3.)     

date of purchase and settlement,


4.)     

purchase price per unit,


5.)     

total amount payable,


6.)     

name of the person from whom, or the broker through which, the purchase was made,


7.)     

the name of the person to whom such amount is payable, and


8.)     

the Fund for which the purchase was made




The Custodian shall, against receipt of Securities purchased by or for the Trust, pay out of the moneys held for the account of such Fund the total amount specified in the Written Instructions, or Oral Instructions, if applicable, to the person named therein. The Custodian shall not be under any obligation to pay out moneys to cover the cost of a purchase of Securities for a Fund, if in the relevant Fund custody account there is insufficient cash available to the Fund for which such purchase was made. With respect to any repurchase agreement transaction for the Funds, the Custodian shall assure that the collateral reflected on the transaction advice is received by the Custodian.

VI. B.      Sale of Securities . Promptly after each sale of Securities by a Fund, the Trust shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each sale of Securities which are not Money Market Securities, Written Instructions, and (ii) with respect to each sale of Money Market Securities, Proper Instructions, specifying with respect to each such sale the:

1.)     

Name of the issuer and the title of the Securities


2.)     

Number of shares, principal amount sold (and accrued interest, if any) or other units sold,


3.)     

Date of sale and settlement,


4.)     

Sale price per unit,


5.)     

Total amount receivable,


6.)     

Name of the person to whom, or the broker through which, the sale was made,


7.)     

Name of the person to whom such Securities are to be delivered, and


8.)     

Fund for which the sale was made




The Custodian shall deliver the Securities against receipt of the total amount specified in the Written Instructions, or Oral Instructions, if applicable.

VI. C.      Delivery Versus Payment for Purchases and Sales. Purchases and sales of Securities effected by the Custodian will be made on a delivery versus payment basis. The Custodian may, in its sole discretion, upon receipt of Written Instructions, elect to settle a purchase or sale transaction in some other manner, but only upon receipt of acceptable indemnification from the Fund.

VI. D.       Payment on Settlement Date . On contractual settlement date, the account of the Fund will be charged for all purchased Securities settling on that day, regardless of whether or not delivery is made. Likewise, on contractual settlement date, proceeds from the sale of Securities settling that day will be credited to the account of the Fund, irrespective of delivery.      Exceptions to contractual settlement on purchases and sales, that will continue to settle delivery versus payment, include real estate, venture capital, international trades, open-ended mutual funds, non standard depository settlements and in-kind trades.

VI. E.      Segregated Accounts . The Custodian shall, upon receipt of Proper Instructions so directing it, establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of a Fund. Cash and/or Securities may be transferred into such account or accounts for specific purposes, to-wit:

          1.)     in accordance with the provision of any agreement among the Trust, the Custodian, and a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act, and also a member of the NASD (or any futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the rules of the Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, any registered contract market, or any similar organization or organizations requiring escrow or other similar arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;

2.)     for purposes of segregating cash or Securities in connection with options purchased, sold, or written by the Fund or commodity futures contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by the Fund;

3.)     for the purpose of compliance by the Fund with the procedures required for reverse repurchase agreements, firm commitment agreements, standby commitment agreements, short sales, or any other securities by Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release or releases or rule of the SEC relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies;

               4.)     for the purpose of segregating collateral for loans of Securities made by the Fund; and

5.)     for other proper corporate purposes, but only upon receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions, a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees, certified by an Officer, setting forth the purposes of such segregated account.

Each segregated account established hereunder shall be established and maintained for a single Fund only. All Proper Instructions relating to a segregated account shall specify the Fund involved.

VI. F.      Advances for Settlement . Except as otherwise may be agreed upon by the parties hereto, the Custodian shall not be required to comply with any Written Instructions to settle the purchase of any Securities on behalf of a Fund unless there is sufficient cash in the account(s) pertaining to such Fund at the time or to settle the sale of any Securities from such an account(s) unless such Securities are in deliverable form. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the purchase price of such Securities exceeds the amount of cash in the account(s) at the time of such purchase, the Custodian may, in its sole discretion, advance the amount of the difference in order to settle the purchase of such Securities. The amount of any such advance shall be deemed a loan from the Custodian to the Trust payable on demand and bearing interest accruing from the date such loan is made up to but not including the date such loan is repaid at the rate per annum customarily charged by the Custodian on similar loans.

ARTICLE VII

Trust Indebtedness

VII. A. Borrowings. In connection with any borrowings by the Trust, the Trust will cause to be delivered to the Custodian by a bank or broker requiring Securities as collateral for such borrowings (including the Custodian if the borrowing is from the Custodian), a notice or undertaking in the form currently employed by such bank or broker setting forth the amount of collateral. The Trust shall promptly deliver to the Custodian Written Instructions specifying with respect to each such borrowing: (a) the name of the bank or broker, (b) the amount and terms of the borrowing, which may be set forth by incorporating by reference an attached promissory note duly endorsed by the Trust, or a loan agreement, (c) the date, and time if known, on which the loan is to be entered into, (d) the date on which the loan becomes due and payable, (e) the total amount payable to the Trust on the borrowing date, and (f) the description of the Securities securing the loan, including the name of the issuer, the title and the number of shares or other units or the principal amount. The Custodian shall deliver on the borrowing date specified in the Written Instructions the required collateral against the lender's delivery of the total loan amount then payable, provided that the same conforms to that which is described in the Written Instructions. The Custodian shall deliver, in the manner directed by the Trust, such Securities as additional collateral, as may be specified in Written Instructions, to secure further any transaction described in this Article VII. The Trust shall cause all Securities released from collateral status to be returned directly to the Custodian and the Custodian shall receive from time to time such return of collateral as may be tendered to it.

     The Custodian may, at the option of the lender, keep such collateral in its possession, subject to all rights therein given to the lender because of the loan. The Custodian may require such reasonable conditions regarding such collateral and its dealings with third-party lenders as it may deem appropriate.

     VII. B. Advances. With respect to any advances of cash made by the Custodian to or for the benefit of a Fund for any purpose which results in the Fund incurring an overdraft at the end of any Business Day, such advance shall be repayable immediately upon demand made by the Custodian at any time. The Custodian may, in its sole discretion, charge interest accruing from the date of such overdraft to but not including the date of such repayment at the rate per annum customarily charged by the Custodian on similar overdrafts.

ARTICLE VIII

Concerning the Custodian

VIII. A. Limitations on Liability of Custodian . Except as otherwise provided herein, the Custodian shall not be liable for any loss or damage, including counsel fees, resulting from its action or omission to act or otherwise, except for any such loss or damage arising out of its negligence or willful misconduct. The Trust, on behalf of the Fund and only from assets of the Fund (or insurance purchased by the Trust with respect to its liabilities on behalf of the Fund hereunder), shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian and its directors, officers, employees and agents with respect to any loss, claim, liability or cost (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising or alleged to arise from or relating to the Trust's duties hereunder or any other action or inaction of the Trust or its Trustees, officers, employees or agents, except such as may arise from the negligent action, negligent omission, willful misconduct or any breach of this Agreement by the Custodian, its directors, officers, employees or agents.. The Custodian shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and its trustees, officers, employees or agents with respect to any loss, claim, liability or cost (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising or alleged to arise from or relating to the Custodian's duties as specifically set forth in this agreement with respect to the Fund hereunder or any other action or inaction of the Custodian or its directors, officers, employees, agents, nominees, or Sub-Custodians as to the Fund, except such as may arise from the negligent action, omission or willful misconduct of the Trust, its trustees, officers, employees, or agents. The Custodian may, with respect to questions of law apply for and obtain the advice and opinion of counsel to the Trust at the expense of the Fund, or of its own counsel at its own expense, and shall be fully protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in conformity with the advice or opinion of counsel to the Trust, and shall be similarly protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in conformity with advice or opinion of its counsel, unless counsel to the Fund shall, within a reasonable time after being notified of legal advice received by the Custodian, have a differing interpretation of such question of law. The Custodian shall be liable to the Trust for any proximate loss or damage resulting from the use of the Book-Entry System or any Depository arising by reason of any negligence, misfeasance or misconduct on the part of the Custodian or any of its employees, agents, nominees or Sub-Custodians, but not for any special, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall preclude recovery by the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, of principal and of interest to the date of recovery on Securities incorrectly omitted from the Fund's account or penalties imposed on the Trust, in connection with the Fund, for any failures to deliver Securities. In any case in which one party hereto may be asked to indemnify the other or hold the other harmless, the party from whom indemnification is sought (the "Indemnifying Party") shall be advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and the party claiming a right to indemnification (the "Indemnified Party") will use reasonable care to identify and notify the Indemnifying Party promptly concerning any situation which presents or appears to present a claim for indemnification against the Indemnifying Party. The Indemnifying Party shall have the option to defend the Indemnified Party against any claim which may be the subject of the indemnification, and in the event the Indemnifying Party so elects, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party and satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party will so notify the Indemnified Party and thereupon such Indemnifying Party shall take over the complete defense of the claim and the Indemnifying Party shall sustain no further legal or other expenses in such situation for which indemnification has been sought under this paragraph, except the expenses of any additional counsel retained by the Indemnified Party. In no case shall any party claiming the right to indemnification confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the other party has been asked to indemnify such party (unless such confession or compromise is made with such other party's prior written consent. The provisions of this section VIII. A. shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

VIII. B. Actions not Required by Custodian . Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian, acting in the capacity of Custodian hereunder, shall be under no obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:

1.)     The validity of the issue of any Securities purchased by or for the account of any Fund, the legality of the purchase thereof, or the propriety of the amount paid therefor;

2.)     

The legality of the sale of any Securities by or for the account of any Fund, or the propriety of the amount for which the same are sold;


3.)     

The legality of the issue or sale of any Shares of any Fund, or the sufficiency of the amount to be received therefor;


4.)     

The legality of the redemption of any Shares of any Fund, or the propriety of the amount to be paid therefor;


5.)     

The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend by the Trust in respect of Shares of any Fund;




6.)     The legality of any borrowing by the Trust on behalf of the Trust or any Fund, using Securities as collateral;

7.)     Whether the Trust or a Fund is in compliance with the 1940 Act, the regulations thereunder, the provisions of the Trust's charter documents or by-laws, or its investment objectives and policies as then in effect.

VIII. C. No Duty to Collect Amounts Due From Dividend and Transfer Agent . The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action to effect collection of any amount due to the Trust from any Dividend and Transfer Agent of the Trust nor to take any action to effect payment or distribution by any Dividend and Transfer Agent of the Trust of any amount paid by the Custodian to any Dividend and Transfer Agent of the Trust in accordance with this Agreement.

VIII. D. No Enforcement Actions . Notwithstanding Section D of Article V, the Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action, by legal means or otherwise, to effect collection of any amount, if the Securities upon which such amount is payable are in default, or if payment is refused after due demand or presentation, unless and until (i) it shall be directed to take such action by Written Instructions and (ii) it shall be assured to its satisfaction (including prepayment thereof) of reimbursement of its costs and expenses in connection with any such action.

VIII. E. Authority to Use Agents and Sub-Custodians . The Trust acknowledges and hereby authorizes the Custodian to hold Securities through its various agents described in Appendix C annexed hereto. In addition, the Trust acknowledges that the Custodian may appoint one or more financial institutions, as agent or agents or as sub-custodian or sub-custodians, including, but not limited to, banking institutions located in foreign countries, for the purpose of holding Securities and moneys at any time owned by the Fund. The Custodian shall not be relieved of any obligation or liability under this Agreement in connection with the appointment or activities of such agents or sub-custodians. Any such agent or sub-custodian shall be qualified to serve as such for assets of investment companies registered under the Act. The Funds shall reimburse the Custodian for all costs incurred by the Custodian in connection with opening accounts with any such agents or sub-custodians. Upon request, the Custodian shall promptly forward to the Trust any documents it receives from any agent or sub-custodian appointed hereunder which may assist trustees of registered investment companies to fulfill their responsibilities under Rule 17f-5 of the Act.

VIII. F. No Duty to Supervise Investments . The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to ascertain whether any Securities at any time delivered to or held by it for the account of the Trust are such as properly may be held by the Trust under the provisions of the Declaration of Trust and the Trust's By-Laws.

VIII. G. All Records Confidential . The Custodian shall treat all records and other information relating to the Trust and the assets of all Funds as confidential and shall not disclose any such records or information to any other person unless (i) the Trust shall have consented thereto in writing or (ii) such disclosure is compelled by law.

VIII. H. Compensation of Custodian . The Custodian shall be entitled to receive and the Trust agrees to pay to the Custodian, for the Fund's account from the Fund's assets only, such compensation as shall be determined pursuant to Appendix E attached hereto, or as shall be determined pursuant to amendments to Appendix E as approved by the Custodian and the Trust. The Custodian shall be entitled to charge against any money held by it for the accounts of the Fund the amount of any loss, damage, liability or expense, including counsel fees, for which it shall be entitled to reimbursement under the provisions of this Agreement as determined by agreement of the Custodian and the Trust or by the final order of any court or arbitrator having jurisdiction and as to which all rights of appeal shall have expired. The expenses which the Custodian may charge against the account of a Fund include, but are not limited to, the expenses of agents or Sub-Custodians incurred in settling transactions involving the purchase and sale of Securities of the Fund.

VIII. I. Reliance Upon Instructions . The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any Proper Instructions if such reliance is made in good faith. The Trust agrees to forward to the Custodian Written Instructions confirming Oral Instructions in such a manner so that such Written Instructions are received by the Custodian, whether by hand delivery, telex, facsimile or otherwise, on the same Business Day on which such Oral Instructions were given. The Trust agrees that the failure of the Custodian to receive such confirming instructions shall in no way affect the validity of the transactions or enforceability of the transactions hereby authorized by the Trust. The Trust agrees that the Custodian shall incur no liability to the Trust for acting upon Oral Instructions given to the Custodian hereunder concerning such transactions.

VIII. J. Books and Records . The Custodian will (i) set up and maintain proper books of account and complete records of all transactions in the accounts maintained by the Custodian hereunder in such manner as will meet the obligations of the Fund under the Act, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 3la-1 and 3la-2 thereunder and those records are the property of the Trust, and (ii) preserve for the periods prescribed by applicable Federal statute or regulation all records required to be so preserved. All such books and records shall be the property of the Trust, and shall be available, upon request, for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Trust and employees of the SEC.

VIII. K. Internal Accounting Control Systems . The Custodian shall send to the Trust any report received on the systems of internal accounting control of the Custodian, or its agents or sub-custodians, as the Trust may reasonably request from time to time.

VIII. L. No Management of Assets by Custodian . The Custodian performs only the services of a custodian and shall have no responsibility for the management, investment or reinvestment of the Securities or other assets from time to time owned by any Fund. The Custodian is not a selling agent for Shares of any Fund and performance of its duties as custodian shall not be deemed to be a recommendation to any Fund's depositors or others of Shares of the Fund as an investment. The Custodian shall have no duties or obligations whatsoever except such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied in this Agreement against the Custodian.

VIII. M. Assistance to Trust . The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, that the Trust may from time to time request, to assist the Trust in obtaining favorable opinions from the Trust's independent accountants, with respect to the Custodian's activities hereunder, in connection with the preparation of the Fund's Form N- IA, Form N-SAR, or other annual reports to the SEC.

ARTICLE IX

Termination

IX. A. Termination . Either party hereto may terminate this Agreement for any reason by giving to the other party a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination, which shall be not less than ninety (90) days after the date of giving of such notice. If such notice is given by the Trust, it shall be accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, certified by the Secretary of the Trust, electing to terminate this Agreement and designating a successor custodian or custodians each of which shall be a bank or trust company having not less than $100,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits. In the event such notice is given by the Custodian, the Trust shall, on or before the termination date, deliver to the Custodian a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, certified by the Secretary, designating a successor custodian or custodians to act on behalf of the Trust. In the absence of such designation by the Trust, the Custodian may designate a successor custodian which shall be a bank or trust company having not less than $100,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits. Upon the date set forth in such notice this Agreement shall terminate, and the Custodian, provided that it has received a notice of acceptance by the successor custodian, shall deliver, on that date, directly to the successor custodian all Securities and monies then owned by the Fund and held by it as Custodian. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Trust shall pay to the Custodian on behalf of the Trust such compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination. The Trust agrees on behalf of the Trust that the Custodian shall be reimbursed for its reasonable costs in connection with the termination of this Agreement.

IX. B.      Failure to Designate Successor Custodian . If a successor custodian is not designated by the Trust, or by the Custodian in accordance with the preceding paragraph, or the designated successor cannot or will not serve, the Trust shall, upon the delivery by the Custodian to the Trust of all Securities (other than Securities held in the Book-Entry System which cannot be delivered to the Trust) and moneys then owned by the Trust, be deemed to be the custodian for the Trust, and the Custodian shall thereby be relieved of all duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement, other than the duty with respect to Securities held in the Book-Entry System, which cannot be delivered to the Trust, which shall be held by the Custodian in accordance with this Agreement.

ARTICLE X

Force Majeure

Neither the Custodian nor the Trust shall be liable for any failure or delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods; wars; civil or military disturbances; sabotage; strikes; epidemics; riots; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority; governmental actions; or inability to obtain labor, material, equipment or transportation; provided, however, that the Custodian, in the event of a failure or delay, shall use its best efforts to ameliorate the effects of any such failure or delay.

ARTICLE XI

Miscellaneous

XI. A. Designation of Authorized Persons . Appendix A sets forth the names and the signatures of all Authorized Persons as of this date, as certified by the Secretary of the Trust. The Trust agrees to furnish to the Custodian a new Appendix A in form similar to the attached Appendix A, if any present Authorized Person ceases to be an Authorized Person or if any other or additional Authorized Persons are elected or appointed. Until such new Appendix A shall be received, the Custodian shall be fully protected in acting under the provisions of this Agreement upon Oral Instructions or signatures of the then current Authorized Persons as set forth in the last delivered Appendix A.

XI. B.      Limitation of Personal Liability . No recourse under any obligation of this Agreement or for any claim based thereon shall be had against any organizer, shareholder, officer, trustee, past, present or future as such, of the Trust or of any predecessor or successor, either directly or through the Trust or any such predecessor or successor, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or equity, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that this Agreement and the obligations thereunder are enforceable solely against the assets of the Trust, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the organizers, shareholders, officers, or trustees of the Trust or of any predecessor or successor, or any of them as such, because of the obligations contained in this Agreement or implied therefrom and that any and all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released by the Custodian as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Agreement.

XI. C.      Authorization By Board . The obligations set forth in this Agreement as having been made by the Trust have been made by the Board of Trustees, acting as such Trustees for and on behalf of the Trust, pursuant to the authority vested in them under the laws of the State of Ohio, the Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the Trust. This Agreement has been executed by Officers of the Trust as officers, and not individually, and the obligations contained herein are not binding upon any of the Trustees, Officers, agents or holders of shares, personally, but bind only the Trust and then only to the extent of the assets of the Trust.

XI. D. Custodian's Consent to Use of Its Name . The Trust shall obtain the Custodian's consent prior to the publication and/or dissemination or distribution, of the Prospectus and any other documents (including advertising material) specifically mentioning the Custodian (other than merely by name and address).

XI. E.      Notices to Custodian . Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Custodian, shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Custodian and mailed or delivered to it at its offices at The Huntington National Bank, Easton Business Service Center, 7 Easton Oval EA4E72, Columbus, Ohio, 43219, attention Director Mutual Fund Custody, or at such other place as the Custodian may from time to time designate in writing.

XI. F.      Notices to Trust . Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Trust shall be sufficiently given when delivered to the Trust or on the second Business Day following the time such notice is deposited in the U.S. mail postage prepaid and addressed to the Trust at its office at FUND ADDRESS or at such other place as the Trust may from time to time designate in writing.

XI. G. Amendments In Writing . This Agreement, with the exception of the Appendices, may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties with the same formality as this Agreement, and authorized and approved by a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust.

XI. H. Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Trust or by the Custodian, and no attempted assignment by the Trust or the Custodian shall be effective without the written consent of the other party hereto.

     XI. I.      Governing Law . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.

     XI. J.      Jurisdiction . Any legal action, suit or proceeding to be instituted by either party with respect to this Agreement shall be brought by such party exclusively in the courts of the State of Ohio or in the courts of the United States for the Southern District of Ohio, and each party, by its execution of this Agreement, irrevocably (i) submits to such jurisdiction and (ii) consents to the service of any process or pleadings by first class U.S. mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested, or by any other means from time to time authorized by the laws of such jurisdiction.

XI. K. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.

XI. L.      Headings . The headings of paragraphs in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective Officers, thereunto duly authorized as of the day and year first above written.
 
WITNESS:
                    TRUST:

                          Valued Advisers Trust

/s/ John Swhear                     By: /s/ Carol J. Highsmith
 
                         Title: Vice President

WITNESS:                     CUSTODIAN:
                          The Huntington National Bank
 
/s/                         By:
/s/ Donna Taylor
 
                         Title: Trust Officer


APPENDIX A

                     Authorized Persons       Specimen Signatures
 
Chairman:          _________________     __________________________________
 
 
President:          Anthony J. Ghoston     /s/ Anthony J. Ghoston
 
 
Secretary:          Heather A. Bonds          /s/ Heather A. Bonds
 
 
Treasurer:          Stephen D. Highsmith, Jr.     /s/ Stephen D. Highsmith, Jr.
 
Vice
President:          John C. Swhear          /s/ John C. Swhear
 
Vice
President:          Carol J. Highsmith     /s/ Carol J. Highsmith
 
Assistant
Treasurer:          _________________     __________________________________
 
 
Adviser Employees:     Michael H. Smither     /s/ Michael H. Smither
 
 
               _________________     __________________________________
 
Transfer Agent/Fund Accountant
 
Employees:          Matt Miller          /s/ Matthew J. Miller
 
 
               Stacey Havens          /s/ Stacey Havens
 
 
               Chris Kashmerick          /s/ Chris Kashmerick
 
 
               Aaron Wise          /a/ Aaron Wise
 
 
* Authority restricted; does not include: ______________________________________


APPENDIX B
Series of the Trust
 
 

IndexEdge Long-Term Portfolio Fund


APPENDIX C

Agents of the Custodian

The following agents are employed currently by The Huntington National Bank for securities processing and control.
 
 
          The Depository Trust Company (New York)
          7 Hanover Square
          New York, NY 10004
 
          The Federal Reserve Bank
          Cleveland Branch
 
          Bank of New York
          1 Wall Street
          New York, NY 10286

          (For Foreign Securities and certain non-DTC eligible Securities)


APPENDIX D

Mutual Fund Custody Model

Mutual Fund Custody Model document is attached.
 


APPENDIX E

Mutual Fund Custody Fees

Mutual Fund Custody Pricing document is attached.


 

Mutual Fund Custody Model

Overview of Mutual Fund Custody Model

(Fund) will contract to The Huntington National Bank (HNB), the custodian bank, all responsibility to maintain detailed custodial records for the Funds identified on page 3 under the heading “Account Name and Number Matrix”. The Fund and/or Unified Fund Services will receive and review all reporting to ensure that adequate accountability controls are maintained.
 

The custodian responsibilities include:

Ø     

Maintain detail accounting of all investment transactions and balances on internal accounting system for all mutual fund company assets.






Ø     

Provide reporting to the Fund and/or Unified Fund Services for completion of daily activity reconciliation with the accounting system.






Ø     

Ensure all trade transactions settle within the mutual fund company guidelines.






Ø     

Maintain accurate records containing all electronic and hard copy instructions required that satisfy the mutual fund company’s audit requirements and record retention requirements of 7 years.






Ø     

Provide summary and detail for transaction and position information to Fund and/or Unified Fund Services for updates into Fund and/or Unified Fund Services accounting system.






The Fund and/or Unified Fund Services will maintain accounting records and will balance to HNB’s trust accounting records. HNB will provide daily reporting to the Fund and/or Unified Fund Services.
 

References to specific times and deadlines contained herein are based on the time in Columbus, Ohio.


Mutual Fund Account Structure

Account Structure

HNB must maintain trust accounts corresponding to the Fund structure.

The Fund and/or Unified Fund Services will maintain a separate set of accounts for each individual mutual fund. A control environment will be established by allowing Fund and/or Unified Fund Services to reconcile total cash and book value in the mutual fund accounts to cash and book value at HNB.

Special Account Characteristics

     

HNB will establish accounts and use FIFO lots for sales. The Fund will establish DDA accounts for movement of cash. Unless indicated otherwise, idle cash in the HNB custody account will be invested in Huntington Money Market Fund.

Sweep Account Structure

Huntington Money Market Fund will be utilized as the sweep vehicle for the mutual fund accounts unless indicated otherwise. The Fund will instruct HNB via e-mail of instructions to move cash to and from the HNB custody account and the HNB DDA account

Securities Lending

In the event the Fund has entered into a securities lending agreement with the Huntington, the Fund will notify the Securities Lending department at HNB via e-mail of all known sales traded but not settled at the end of each business day. The e-mail address this information should be sent to is:

 

          
securities.lending@huntington.com

Cost Process

Individual lots are maintained based on acquisition date. For all accounts cost for lots sold is determined using the FIFO method.
 
 


Account Name and Number Matrix

HNB Account Number

Mutual Fund Account Name

Fund Number

     

TBA
 
 

(FUND)

TBA

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     





Daily Activity Reconciliation

Activity Reconciliation Process

The Fund and/or Unified Fund Service will balance Fund activity with HNB activity on a daily basis.

HNB will receive from the Fund and/or Unified Fund Services an electronic copy of the Fund accounting report detailing all cash and security trades to be executed for that day by 8:00 a.m. The report will detail all cash and securities transactions segregated by Fund. The information will be sent electronically (flat file), or on an emergency basis in hard copy form. Any trades received after the cut-off time will be handled by HNB on a “best efforts” basis. Daily overnights will be available by 9:00 a.m.

HNB will provide to the Fund and/or Unified Fund Services a copy of their projected activity report by 9:00 a.m. for that day’s activity. The report will detail all cash and securities transactions segregated by individual Fund account.
 
By 11:00 a.m. or one half hour after receipt of the Fund file if received after 1:00 p.m., the
Fund and/or Unified Fund Services will reconcile their Fund account projected activity to the Fund transaction activity report and detail any discrepancies to HNB.
 
HNB will observe a cut off time of 9:30 p.m. for corrections (dividend, interest and principle payments) to the accounts. After 1:00 p.m., corrections will not be processed until the next day’s business unless there is expressed approval from
Fund and/or Unified Fund Services. C orrections received after 1:00 p.m. on a particular day may be credited to the accounts the same day.
 
HNB will provide daily activity transaction reports utilizing the following categories:
     

Trades:

CUSIP/SEDOL Number

 

Principal amount

 

Net settlement amount

Income:

Interest

 

Dividends
Cusip

Principal:

Principal paydown

 

Principal payups (excluding TIPS)

 

Maturity proceeds
Cusip

Corporate Actions:

All corporate action activity affecting cost, cash, and units

Fund Transfers:

Movement of securities between trust accounts

Money Market:

Daily net money market transaction

Other DDA Transactions:

Other DDA transactions, such as movement of funds between the accounts, lockbox deposits and checks issued, will need to be considered when determining the balance available for short-term investment.





Fund and/or Unified Fund Services will log all unresolved cash and security activity discrepancies on a daily basis.
 
If HNB and Fund and/or Unified Fund Services do not agree on cash activity, every effort will be made to resolve the discrepancy same day (prior to money market deadlines). In cases where research will not be completed same day, HNB will post transactions to the individual trust account based on depository and internal records and will not be obligated to post client figures until research has demonstrated the posting is incorrect.

Both HNB and Fund and/or Unified Fund Services will be responsible for researching the exceptions and following up to ensure timely resolution.
 
Once HNB and Fund and/or Unified Fund Services have agreed on the daily activity and the list of any exceptions, HNB will sweep residual cash to the money market investment unless otherwise indicated.
 
During the overnight hours after a day’s activity, HNB will cause its system to generate an electronic file (a CHR) which details the settled activity for that day. HNB’s system will automatically e-mail this report to the Fund before the opening of business (8:00 a.m.) the following day.
 

Control Reporting

HNB and Fund and/or Unified Fund Services will generate a daily Master Outage Summary Report spreadsheet to report cash activity outages.

HNB and Fund and/or Unified Fund Services are jointly responsible for timely research and resolution of activity discrepancies.
 
 

The Master Outage Summary Report will detail the following categories:

·     

Fund name and number


·     

Outage date


·     

Transaction type


·     

Dollar amount


·     

Custodian dollar amount


·     

Cusip/SEDOL number


·     

Asset description


·     

Net difference


·     

Status comments






The Fund and/or Unified Fund Services and HNB will monitor the confirmed reconciliation report and ensure timely resolution of outages. Outages outstanding over thirty days will require Sr. management intervention to ensure contractual compliance.


Lines of Communication

Short Term Operating Cash

All transfers to and from the DDA(s) will be run in the Fund Custody Account. All disbursements will be made from the Fund Custody Account.

Per the daily activity reconciliation process, the HNB administrator and the Fund and/or Unified Fund Services representative will agree on the preliminary available cash by 11:00 a.m.

Corporate Actions

HNB and Fund will post all corporate actions utilizing the posting policies as listed below:
 
Stock Splits: Stock splits are paid on Ex-Date instead of the Payable Date. On splits (stock dividends which are greater than 10%) the Ex-Date is usually the first business day after the payable date. This protects the value of the client’s shares up through the payable date. On the Ex-Date the share value is reduced in the market place by the amount of the split. However at that same time, the shareholder should be receiving his split shares. This keeps the shareholder’s investment valuation the same as prior to the split, barring any other market fluctuations. By paying a split on the Ex-Date, this allows for the fact that an asset can be sold (trade date) on the Payable Date and not be entitled to receive the split shares. This practice is industry standard.

Stock Dividends: Stock Dividends are paid on the Payable Date. Stock Dividends (10% or less) do not usually have a late Ex-Date.

Spin–Off : Spin–Offs are paid on the Ex-Date.

Reverse Splits: Reverse Splits are paid when HNB is given credit for the split by DTC, which is usually, but not always, on the Ex-Date.

Mergers: Mergers are adjusted to accounts when HNB is given credit for the merger by DTC, or in the case of a certificate, when HNB receives the new certificate from the transfer agent.

Tender Offers: Tender Offers are adjusted to accounts when HNB is given credit by DTC. As with the case of a Merger, the Effective Date is usually meaningless as a Tender Offer often times is extended. Some Tender Offers are also “pro-rated” meaning that not all of the tendered shares will be accepted, only a portion of those shares.

Optional Dividends: Optional Dividends are paid on the date that HNB receives credit from DTC.
 
Full and Partial Calls: Calls are also paid on the date that HNB receives credit from DTC.
 
Class Actions: Class Actions can take years to be finalized by the court system. As such, credit to eligible accounts is not paid until HNB has actually received the proceeds from the courts.

HNB will generate all mandatory equity and fixed income Corporate Action notifications by sending a report via e-mail to Unified Fund Services Advisor.

HNB will generate a courtesy copy of all corporate voluntary action notifications requiring a response by a stated deadline to Fund Investment Managers. Notification will be by e-mail with receipt-reply verification.
 
The Fund Investment Managers will send a response via e-mail with receipt-reply verification to HNB as currently listed:

Mutualfund.custody@huntington.com
 

No response from the Fund Investment Managers will mean that no action will be taken by HNB, and any stated default actions will automatically occur.
 
HNB will be responsible for sending via e-mail a copy of all voluntary corporate
action responses that affect holdings and/or cash flows to Unified Fund Services Advisor.
 

Class Action Lawsuits

HNB will notify the Fund when they have filed on the Fund’s behalf for Class Action lawsuits.
 
 

Daily Pricing

Equity securities will be priced daily by HNB subject to the available daily rates provided by IDSI (Muller).


Asset Accounting Position Reconciliation

Reconciliation Process

HNB will provide a weekly electronic file each Monday or Tuesday if Monday is a holiday to the Fund and/or Unified Fund Services detailing all holdings information by 8:00 a.m.
 
Fund and/or Unified Fund Services will be responsible for reconciling positions on a weekly basis.
 

Fund and/or Unified Fund Services, on a weekly basis, will identify, log, and research all asset outages between the Fund and HNB by individual trust account. Should additional research be needed they will fax outstanding issues log to HNB complete with comments by noon.
 
HNB will review, log, and research all asset outages between HNB and Fund by individual fund. HNB will fax their status comments on the issues log to the Fund and/or Unified Fund Services
on a daily basis by 11:00 a.m.
 
Fund and/or Unified Fund Services will track and monitor all outstanding asset outages on an ongoing summary report.

The summary report will include the following:

·     

Fund name and number


·     

Outage date


·     

Retirement system units


·     

Custodian units


·     

Cusip/SEDOL number


·     

Asset description


·     

Share difference


·     

Status comments






HNB and Fund and/or Unified Fund Services are jointly responsible for timely research and resolution of position discrepancies. Bloomberg will be considered the benchmark for resolving pay down issues. On a per asset basis, a difference of one dollar or less will not be viewed as material.
 


Trade Processing

The Fund will send to both HNB and Unified Fund Services a listing of all Portfolio Managers, both internal and external, authorized by the Fund to execute trades on its behalf. This list will be updated for the termination of a Manager, or for the addition of a Manager prior to the effective date of the addition.
 
In addition, the Fund will send to HNB and Unified Fund Services a list of all persons approved by the Fund to authorize the purchase or sale of investments. This
list will be updated when there is any change in authorization.
 

Trade Execution

Trade Date

Fund Portfolio Managers write up a trade ticket and give to their brokers who, in turn, execute the trade.

Trade Date + 1

Fund Portfolio Managers affirm trades confirmed by their chosen brokers through the DTC ID System. Unified Fund Services downloads affirmed trades automatically into their accounting system by specific fund.
 
Portfolio Managers, who do not affirm trades, will forward copies of trade tickets to the Fund and/or Unified Fund Services who will manually verify trades against DTC Confirmations entered by the brokers. Upon trade verification the Fund and/or Unified Fund Services will instruct HNB to affirm the DTC ID Confirm using electronic file from advisors, designated by Fund.

In this latter case, if a trade discrepancy is found, the Fund and/or Unified Fund Services will contact the trader to get a corrected trade ticket or await a cancel and rebill.

A report from the Fund and/or Unified Fund Services accounting system is compared to the DTC affirmed trades listing or the trade tickets by 9:00 a.m. to ensure no importing or data entry errors have occurred.

An authorized person for the Fund will send HNB a listing of all approved transactions via e-mail. The e-mail will contain the following language: “The attached listing contains transactions authorized by the ‘Fund’.” Any necessary files will be attached. HNB will provide an electronic receipt of the transmission. HNB will also provide a method of storing these communications for not less than seven years.

Trade Communication:

HNB and Fund will adhere to NYSE Rule 387, which states in part that “That client or its agent shall utilize the facilities of securities depository for confirmation, acknowledgment, and book entry settlement of all depository eligible transactions.”

Ø     

All eligible trades that are affirmed by the industry deadlines will automatically load into the Custodial Bank's system and settle through the appropriate depository as required by NYSE Rule 387.


Ø     

NYSE Rule 387 dictates that custodial Banks not accept physical delivery of depository eligible issues presented by member brokers.


Ø     

When a clearing broker/agent is used to settle a trade, all brokers must ensure that a trade confirmation is coded to indicate the originating broker.






This represents current NYSE operating procedure.

The Fund will work with its investment managers to have all transactions placed through member brokers on the DTC confirmation system (or other industry-accepted confirmation methods) by no later than the industry standard of noon on trade date plus one (T+1). Additionally, the Fund will facilitate the affirmation of depository eligible and non-eligible transactions by no later than noon on the later of settlement minus one (S-1) or trade date plus two (T+2). The Fund will notify HNB of all T+1 transactions as soon as possible after trade notification is received from the investment manager. HNB will not be responsible for compensation interest due if notification is received after noon on S-1.

HNB will accept DTC affirmed confirmation as authorized instruction to settle trades. HNB will accept electronic or hard copy resolutions from the Fund for non-standard trade settlement.

Non-standard settlements, i.e. exceptions to the use of the DTC ID system, include, but are not limited to:

Ø     

International Trades


Ø     

Same day cash trading, e.g. commercial paper


Ø     

Real estate/venture capital


Ø     

Trades not affirmed on the DTC confirmation system


Ø     

Physical trade settlement


Ø     

Financial Futures


Ø     

Call Options


Ø     

Commingled portfolios






All pre-settlement trade communication will be between the Fund and HNB . HNB will be authorized to receive and act on trade instructions directly from the Fund.

Trade Settlement:

HNB will ensure all domestic trades will settle within industry accepted standards (contractual basis). However, the following trades will settle delivery versus payment:

Ø     

Real estate/venture capital


Ø     

Certain international trade settlement


Ø     

Trades in open-ended mutual funds


Ø     

Non standard depository settlement, e.g. late commercial paper settlement


Ø     

In-kind trades


Ø     

Securities Lending transactions (if applicable)






         HNB will maintain a report detailing all failing trades and be responsible for providing the failed trade information to the Fund or Unified Fund Services by noon on the first business day after the fail. Any trade failing for over thirty days will be considered an exception and require the Fund intervention. HNB will report weekly the following information for failed trades:

·     

Account number


·     

Account name


·     

Trade date


·     

Settlement date


·     

CUSIP/SEDOL number


·     

Asset description


·     

Shares/Par Value


·     

Dollar amount


·     

Delivering broker


·     

Status comment



If no trade is in failing status and none has failed during the week, HNB will provide a negative report stating such.


Daily Procedures

Purchases and Sales

HNB will rely on the Fund to provide purchase and sale instructions via a hard copy trade resolution. The trade resolution must indicate the following information:
 

      Bank account number

     Asset name
     Units affected
     Trade settlement date

           Wiring instructions

          Capital Income & Realized Gain/Loss

After HNB and the Fund complete the daily cash balancing process, HNB will process the wire transfer through the HNB trust wire account into the appropriate advisor account. HNB will report problems receiving or delivering settlement wires to the Fund and/or Unified Fund Services.
 

Structural Changes

The Fund will notify HNB and Unified Fund Services in the event of any structural changes. Examples of structural changes are:

·     

Addition/Termination of a portfolio manager or bank account


·     

Change in accounting method


·     

Addition/Termination of an investment instrument




The Fund must notify HNB and Unified Fund Services of the structural changes planned at least three business days prior to the effective date via letter, memo or electronic notification.

The notification must contain all pertinent information such as effective date, portfolio managers and bank accounts involved, and a contact name for questions.

HNB will notify Unified Fund Services of new account numbers prior to initial activity.

Daily Cash Flow Transactions (Other Than Trades)

Unified Fund Services will receive notification of any transactions not related to trades. Examples of these types of transactions are:

·     

Sweep Transfer Letters


·     

Accrued Sweep Interest


·     

Manager/Bank Fees




Securities Lending Income

     

HNB will be responsible for notifying the Fund and Unified Fund Services of any securities lending income that is posted to their account as part of the Activity Reconciliation Process described earlier.

Reporting to Unified Fund Services

HNB will provide Unified Fund Services custodial information on a daily basis that includes position and transaction information both on a summary and detailed level.

Daily Position Report - Detail

The report details end of day positions by individual Fund investment portfolios and pertinent investment data. The Daily Position Report will include the following investment information.
 

Bank Field

Statement date

Bank trust account number

Bank short account name

Asset Name

Asset Cusip/SEDOL number

Security interest rate

Security maturity date

Security payment frequency

Security acquisition date

Shares / Par value

Original Cost

Book Value**

Purchase Accrued Interest

**Contains Trust Cash and Money Market investment values
 
 

Daily Position Report - Summary

The report summarizes end of day positions by individual Fund investment portfolios and pertinent investment data. The Daily Position Report will include the following investment information.

      Bank Field                          

Statement date                    

Bank trust account number               
Bank short account name               
Shares / Par value                    
Original Cost                         
Book Value**                         
Purchase Accrued Interest
 
**Contains Trust Cash and Money Market investment values

Daily Transaction Report – Detail

The report details all investment-related transactions posting to the Fund investment funds. The Daily Transaction Report is sorted by each individual trust account and will have subtotals by transaction activity type.

The Daily Transaction Report will include the following investment transaction information.

      Bank Field                          
     Statement date                    

Bank trust account number               

Bank short account name                    

Transaction type code                    

     Transaction type name               
     Div/Int flag                         
     Cusip/SEDOL number                         
     Asset description                    
     Shares/Par                         
     Price                               
     Settlement Amount Purchased          
     Accrued interest                    
                                   

     Cost/Principal

Interest/Dividend Income

     Gain/Loss

Bank Transaction Number

Daily Transaction Report – Summary

The report summarizes all investment-related transactions posting to the Fund investment funds. The Daily Transaction Report is sorted by each individual trust account and shows subtotals by transaction activity type.

The Daily Transaction Report will include the following investment transaction information:
 

      Bank Field

     Statement date

     Bank trust account number
     Bank short account name
     Transaction type code
     Transaction type name
     Div/Int flag
     Shares/Par
     Settlement Amount Purchased
     Accrued Interest
     Cost/Principal
     Interest/Dividend Income
     Gain/Loss

Cash Transfers

The Fund will be responsible for initiating outbound wire transfers (wires, ACH, transfers between Fund DDA accounts) with HNB’s wire room. The Fund will be responsible for notifying HNB with the appropriate wire transfer amounts and transfers instructions on an authorized funds transfer request.


 

HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK

Custody Fee Schedule

2008

MARKET VALUE FEE PER FUND

     

1.50 Basis Points………..…………………..First $50 million of Market Value
1.25 Basis Points………………...…….....On Next $100 million of Market Value
1.00 Basis Points…………………..In Excess of $100 million of Market Value

TRANSACTION FEE

     

DTC & Fed. Eligible Items…………… ………………..…$9.00/Transaction

      Non-DTC & Fed. Eligible Items…………………………........$22.00/Transaction

     Mortgage Backed Securities & Private Placements……..............$20.00/Transaction

     Mortgage Backed Securities & Private Placement Payments .......$ 5.00/Payment

     Foreign Securities (depending on country)…………....................$15-200.00/Transaction*

     Options…………………………………………………...........$20.00/Transaction

Repurchase Agreements…..………………………………..$9.00/Transaction

     

DISBURSEMENTS

Wire Transfer Fee (In/Out)………… ………………………....…$15.00 Each
Disbursements by Check…………………………………………$20.00 Each

MONTHLY MINIMUM FEE

     
Minimum Fee Per Fund Account……………………………$300.00/Account

This is the minimum fee to be assessed in the event the sum of the market value fee and transaction fees is less than $300.

*Bank Of New York is our agent for clearing and pricing of global securities. The transaction and holding costs vary with each country.

Other Fees may be assessed for special handling and other miscellaneous services.



 

MUTUAL FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

Fund Accounting Services

Fund Administration Services

Transfer Agency Services

Anti-Money Laundering Services

Compliance Support Services

 

 

 

between

 

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST

 

and

 

UNIFIED FUND SERVICES, INC.

 

September 25, 2008

 

 

Exhibit A – Portfolio Listing

Exhibit B – General Description of Fund Accounting Services

Exhibit C – General Description of Fund Administration Services

Exhibit D – General Description of Transfer Agency Services

Exhibit E – General Description of the Unified AML Program Services

Exhibit F – General Description of the Unified Compliance Support Program

Exhibit G – Fees and Expenses

 

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MUTUAL FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of September 25, 2008, between Valued Advisers Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), and Unified Fund Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Unified”).

 

WITNESSETH:

 

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

 

WHEREAS, the Trust wishes to retain Unified to provide certain transfer agent, fund accounting, administration, anti-money laundering, and compliance support services with respect to the Trust, and Unified is willing to furnish such services;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1.            Appointment . The Trust hereby appoints Unified to provide transfer agent, fund accounting, fund administration, anti-money laundering, and compliance support services for the Trust, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”), for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. Unified accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish the services herein set forth in return for the compensation as provided in Section 6 and Exhibit G to this Agreement. The Trust will initially consist of the portfolios, funds and/or classes of shares (each a “Portfolio”; collectively the “Portfolios”) listed on Exhibit A . The Trust shall notify Unified in writing of each new Portfolio established by the Trust. Each new Portfolio shall be subject to the provisions of this Agreement, except to the extent that the provisions (including those relating to the compensation and expenses payable by the Trust and its Portfolios) may be modified with respect to each new Portfolio in writing by the Trust and Unified at the time of the addition of the new Portfolio.

 

 

Section 2.   

Representations and Warranties of Unified . Unified represents and warrants to the Trust that:

 

 

(a)

Unified is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware;

 

(b)     Unified is empowered under applicable laws and by its Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement, and all requisite corporate proceedings have been taken by Unified to authorize Unified to enter into and perform this Agreement;

 

(c)     Unified has, and will continue to have, access to the facilities, personnel and equipment required to fully perform its duties and obligations hereunder;

 

(d)     no legal or administrative proceedings have been instituted or threatened against Unified that would impair its ability to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement; and

 

(e)     Unified’s entrance into this Agreement will not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of Unified or any law or regulation applicable to Unified.

 

Section 3.          Representations and Warranties of the Trust . The Trust represents and warrants to Unified that:

 

 

(a)

the Trust is a statutory trust duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware;

 

 

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(b)     the Trust is empowered under applicable laws and by its Declaration of Trust and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement, and the Trust and its Board have taken all requisite proceedings and actions to authorize the Trust to enter into and perform this Agreement;

 

(c)     the Trust is an investment company properly registered under the 1940 Act; a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), and the 1940 Act on Form N-lA has been filed and will be effective and will remain effective during the term of this Agreement, and all necessary filings under the laws of the states will have been made and will be current during the term of this Agreement;

 

(d)     no legal or administrative proceedings have been instituted or threatened against the Trust that would impair its ability to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement; and

 

(e)     the Trust’s entrance into this Agreement will not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Trust or any law or regulation applicable to it.

 

Section 4.

Delivery of Documents and Other Materials .

 

(a)     The Trust will promptly furnish to Unified such copies, properly certified or authenticated, of contracts, documents and other related information that Unified may request or require to properly discharge its duties. Such documents may include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

       (i)              resolutions of the Board authorizing the appointment of Unified to provide certain transfer agency, fund accounting, administration, anti-money laundering, and compliance services to the Trust and approving this Agreement;

 

 

(ii)

the Trust’s Declaration of Trust;

 

 

(iii)

the Trust’s By-Laws, anti-money laundering policies, and code of ethics;

 

       (iv)            the Trust’s Notification of Registration on Form N-8A under the 1940 Act as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”);

 

       (v)            the Trust’s most currently effective registration statement including exhibits, as amended, on Form N-1A (the “Registration Statement”) under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act, as filed with the SEC;

 

       (vi)            copies of the Management Agreement between the Trust and each investment advisor to a Portfolio, the Advisory Agreement between each investment advisor and each sub-advisor to a Portfolio, if any, each advisor’s or sub-advisor’s proxy voting procedures, and copies of the advisor’s and the Trust’s errors and omissions and directors’ and officers’ insurance policies;

 

 

(vii)

opinions of counsel and auditors reports;

 

       (viii)          the Trust’s currently effective Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information relating to all Portfolios and all amendments and supplements thereto (such Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and supplements thereto, as presently in effect and as from time to time hereafter amended and supplemented, herein called the “Prospectuses”); and

 

       (ix)            such other agreements as the Trust may enter into from time to time, including securities lending agreements, futures and commodities account agreements, brokerage agreements and options agreements.

 

(b)     The Trust shall cause to be turned over to Unified copies of all records of, and supporting documentation relating to, its accounts (including account applications and related documents, records of dividend distributions, NAV calculations, tax reports and returns, and receivables and payables) for all Portfolios and matters for which Unified is responsible hereunder, together with such other records relating to such Portfolios and matters as may

 

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be helpful or necessary to Unified’s delivery of services hereunder, including copies of litigation, regulatory inquiries or investigations, or other litigation involving the Trust during the three years preceding the date of this Agreement. Such records and documentation shall be in electronic format to the extent practicable. The Trust also shall cause to be delivered to Unified reconciliations (as of the date Unified begins providing services hereunder) of each Portfolio’s outstanding shares, securities and cash held by the each Portfolio, checking accounts, outstanding redemption checks and related accounts, tax payments and backup withholding accounts, and any other demand deposit accounts or other property held or owned by a Portfolio. The parties acknowledge that Unified will rely on these reconciliations (and other balances provided by Unified’s predecessor) as opening balances for the performance of its services. On an ongoing basis, the Trust, through each advisor or sub-advisor to a Portfolio, shall cause to be turned over to Unified all trade tickets and other documents evidencing transactions made on behalf of the Portfolio as and when made.

 

 

Section 5.

Services Provided by Unified .

 

(a)     Unified will provide the following services subject to the direction and supervision of the Trust’s Board, and in compliance with the objectives, policies and limitations set forth in the Trust’s currently effective Registration Statement, Declaration of Trust and By-Laws; applicable laws and regulations; and all resolutions and policies implemented by the Board, and further subject to Unified’s policies and procedures as in effect from time to time:

 

 

(i)

Fund Accounting Services , as described on Exhibit B to this Agreement.

 

 

(ii)

Fund Administration Services , as described on Exhibit C to this Agreement.

 

       (iii)      Transfer Agency Services , as described on Exhibit D to this Agreement. In connection with such services, Unified is hereby granted such power and authority as may be necessary to establish one or more bank accounts for the Trust with the Trust’s custodian bank or banks as approved by the Board and as may be necessary or appropriate from time to time in connection with the services performed by Unified. The Trust shall be deemed to be the customer of such bank or banks for purposes of this Agreement. To the extent that the performance of such service hereunder shall require Unified to disburse amounts from such accounts in payment of dividends, redemption proceeds or for other purposes, the Trust shall provide such bank or banks with all instructions and authorizations necessary, if any, for Unified to effect such disbursements. The Trust shall cause any predecessor banks to provide Unified with such records as may be helpful or necessary in connection with the services provided by Unified under this Agreement.

 

       (iv)      Unified Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) Program Services, as described on Exhibit E to this Agreement. Unified formulates, maintains and uniformly administers policies and procedures (as amended from time to time, the “Unified AML Program”) that are reasonably designed to ensure compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act of 2002, the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, the Customer Identification Program rules jointly adopted by the SEC and U.S. Treasury Department, and other applicable regulations adopted thereunder (collectively, the “Applicable AML Laws”). Unified has provided the Trust with a copy of the Unified AML Program documents, and will provide the Trust with all amendments thereto. The Trust hereby delegates to Unified its obligation to identify and verify its customers and its obligations to perform those anti-money laundering and other services set forth in Exhibit E to this Agreement, in each case with regard to those shareholder accounts maintained by Unified pursuant to this Agreement. Unified accepts the foregoing delegation and agrees to perform the duties set forth on Exhibit E in accordance with the Unified AML Program. The Trust acknowledges and agrees that, notwithstanding such delegation, the Trust maintains full responsibility for ensuring its compliance with Applicable AML Laws and, therefore, must monitor the operation and effectiveness of the Unified AML Program.

 

       (v)        Dividend Disbursing . Unified will serve as the Trust’s dividend disbursing agent. Unified will prepare and mail checks, place wire transfers of credit income and capital gain payments to shareholders. The Trust will advise Unified in advance of the declaration of any dividend or distribution by a Portfolio and the record and payable date thereof. Unified will, on or before the payment date of any such dividend or distribution, notify a Portfolio’s Custodian of the estimated amount required to pay any portion of such dividend or distribution payable in cash, and on or before the payment date of such distribution, the Trust will

 

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instruct its Custodian to make available to Unified sufficient funds for the cash amount to be paid out. If a shareholder is entitled to receive additional shares by virtue of any such distribution or dividend, appropriate credits will be made to each shareholder’s account. A shareholder will receive a confirmation from Unified indicating the number of shares credited to his/her account.

 

 

(vi)

Compliance Support Services , as described on Exhibit F to this Agreement.

 

 

(b)

Unified will also:

 

       (i)        provide office facilities with respect to the provision of the services contemplated herein (which may be in the offices of Unified or a corporate affiliate of Unified);

 

       (ii)       provide or otherwise obtain personnel sufficient, in Unified’s sole discretion, for provision of the services contemplated herein;

 

       (iii)     furnish equipment and other materials, which Unified, in its sole discretion, believes are necessary or desirable for provision of the services contemplated herein; and

 

       (iv)     keep records relating to the services provided hereunder in such form and manner as set forth on (or required by policies described in) Exhibits B, C, D, E and F and as Unified, in its sole discretion, may otherwise deem appropriate or advisable, all in accordance with the 1940 Act. To the extent required by Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, Unified agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by Unified relating to the services provided hereunder are the property of the Trust and will be preserved for the periods prescribed under Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act, maintained at the Trust’s expense, and made available to the SEC staff for inspection in accordance with such Section and rules. Subject to the provisions of Section 9 hereof, Unified further agrees to surrender promptly to the Trust upon its request those records and documents created and maintained by Unified pursuant to this Agreement.

 

 

Section 6.

Fees: Expenses: Expense Reimbursement .

 

(a)     As compensation for the services rendered to the Trust and/or a Portfolio pursuant to this Agreement the Trust shall pay Unified on a monthly basis those fees determined as set forth on Exhibit G to this Agreement. Unified reserves the right to negotiate with the applicable investment adviser the fees with respect to each Portfolio, and the fees applicable to each Portfolio will be set forth on an Exhibit G applicable to that Portfolio. The fees set forth on Exhibit G may be adjusted from time to time by agreement of the parties. The annual minimum fees are subject to an annual cost of living adjustment based on the prior year’s annual minimum fees. The cost of living adjustment is described in more detail on Exhibit G. Upon any termination of this Agreement before the end of any month, the fee for the part of the month before such termination shall be equal to the fee normally due for the full monthly period and shall be payable, without setoff, upon the date of termination of this Agreement.

 

(b)     For the purpose of determining fees calculated as a function of a Portfolio’s net assets, the value of the Portfolio’s net assets shall be computed as required by its currently effective Prospectus, generally accepted accounting principles and resolutions of the Board.

 

(c)     Unified will from time to time employ or associate with such person or persons as may be appropriate to assist Unified in the performance of this Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the compensation of such person or persons for such employment shall be paid by Unified and no obligation will be incurred by or on behalf of the Trust in such respect. If any such person or persons are employed or designated as officers by both Unified and the Trust, Unified shall be responsible for the compensation of such person (including travel and other expenses) in their capacity as an employee or officer of Unified, and the Trust shall be responsible for the compensation of such person (including travel and other expenses) in their capacity as an employee or officer of the Trust. If Unified gives permission to one or more of its employees or officers to act as an employee, officer or other agent of the Trust, Unified shall not be responsible for any action or omission of any such person(s) while such person is rendering or deemed to be rendering services to the Trust or acting on business of the Trust.

 

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(d)     Unified will bear all of its own expenses incurred by reason of its performance of the services required under this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement. The Trust agrees to promptly reimburse Unified for any equipment and supplies specially ordered by or for the Trust through Unified and for any other expenses not contemplated by this Agreement that Unified may incur on the Trust’s behalf, at the Trust’s request or as consented to by the Trust. Such other expenses to be incurred in the operation of the Trust and to be borne by the Trust, include, but are not limited to: taxes; interest; brokerage fees and commissions; salaries and fees of officers and directors who are not officers, directors, shareholders or employees of Unified or Unified’s affiliates; SEC and state Blue Sky registration and qualification fees, levies, fines and other charges; advisory fees; Trust chief compliance officer expenses; charges and expenses of custodians; insurance premiums including fidelity bond premiums, errors and omissions and directors and officers premiums; auditing and legal expenses; costs of maintenance of corporate existence; expenses of typesetting and printing of prospectuses and for distribution to current shareholders of the Trust; expenses of printing and production costs of shareholders’ reports and proxy statements and materials; costs and expenses of Trust stationery and forms; costs and expenses of special telephone and data lines and devices; costs associated with corporate, shareholder and Board meetings; and any extraordinary expenses and other customary mutual fund expenses. In addition, Unified may utilize one or more independent pricing services to obtain securities prices and to act as backup to the primary pricing services, in connection with determining the net asset values of the Portfolios, and the Trust will be charged according to the Trust’s share of the cost of such services based upon the actual usage, or a pro-rata estimate of the usage, of the services. The parties acknowledge that the Trust may contract with its own pricing service and cause such information to be timely provided to Unified, and is under no obligation to avail itself of the service(s) contracted by Unified. The Trust retains sole responsibility for the pricing of securities that are not actively traded, and shall similarly be responsible for the valuation of odd lot securities (including bonds). To the extent Unified shall render assistance in good faith valuation of a security held by a Portfolio, the Trust shall bear Unified’s costs and pay Unified for its assistance at its normal hourly rate then in effect.

 

(e)        The Trust may request additional services, additional processing or special reports. Additional services, including third party services, generally will be charged at Unified's standard rates or at such other rate as agreed by the parties. The parties acknowledge that the Trust is under no obligation to avail itself of third party services through Unified, and is free to choose its own service provider, so long as such choice does not cause additional work on Unified's part.

 

(f)      All fees, out-of-pocket expenses or additional charges of Unified shall be billed on a monthly basis and shall be due and payable upon receipt of the invoice. No fees, out-of-pocket expenses or other charges set forth in this Agreement shall be subject to setoff.

 

Unified will render, after the close of each month in which services have been furnished, a statement reflecting the charges for such month. Charges remaining unpaid after thirty (30) days shall bear interest at the rate of 1.5% per month (including specific amounts which are contested in good faith by the Trust as provided in the next paragraph, unless such amounts prove not to be payable), and all costs and expenses of effecting collection of any such charges and interest, including reasonable attorney’s fees, shall be paid by the Trust to Unified.

 

In the event that the Trust is more than sixty (60) days delinquent in its payments of monthly billings in connection with this Agreement (with the exception of specific amounts which are contested in good faith by the Trust as provided below), this Agreement may be terminated upon thirty (30) days’ written notice to the Trust by Unified. The Trust must notify Unified in writing of any contested amounts within thirty (30) days of receipt of a billing for such amounts, and the notice shall contain a description of the grounds for the objection sufficient to permit an investigation and determination of its accuracy. Amounts contested in good faith in writing within such 30-day period are not due and payable while they are being investigated; uncontested amounts remain due and payable.

 

 

Section 7.

Proprietary and Confidential Information .

 

(a)     Unified agrees on behalf of itself and its employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust, all records and other information relative to the Trust’s prior, present or potential shareholders, and to not use such records and information for any purpose other than performance of Unified’s responsibilities, rights and duties

 

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hereunder. Unified may seek a waiver of such confidentiality provisions by furnishing reasonable prior notice to the Trust and obtaining approval in writing from the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Waivers of confidentiality are not necessary (and are deemed given) for use of such information for any purpose in the course of performance of Unified’s responsibilities, duties and rights hereunder, when Unified may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, with respect to Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) levies, subpoenas and similar actions, and with respect to any request by the Trust.

 

(b)     Unified may, from time to time, maintain or otherwise possess “consumer report information” in connection with the provision of services under this agreement, and Unified may, from time to time, dispose of such “consumer report information” in connection with the provision of services under this agreement. To the extent that Unified disposes of “consumer report information,” Unified shall properly dispose of the information by taking reasonable measures to protect against unauthorized access to or use of the information in connection with its disposal, in accordance with the requirements of Regulation S-P. The term “consumer report information”, as used in this paragraph, shall have the same meaning as in Rule 30 under Regulation S-P.

 

 

Section 8.

Duties, Responsibilities and Limitations of Liability .

 

(a)     The parties agree that this Agreement is a contract for services, and Unified accepts the duties imposed upon it by this Agreement. Unified shall be liable to the Trust in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana for any breach by Unified of the duties imposed upon it by this Agreement.

 

(b)     Neither Unified nor any of its officers, directors, partners, employees, shareholders or agents (collectively, together with Unified, the “Unified Parties”) shall have any duty to the Trust to discover or attempt to discover any error or mistake (including any continuing error) that occurred or began with respect to a Portfolio prior to the date Unified commenced performing services to such Portfolio hereunder, and Unified is entitled to rely upon, assume the accuracy of, and maintain, continue and carry forward the classifications, conventions, treatments, entries, balances, practices and all other work product and other data of its predecessor service providers; provided, however, that Unified shall promptly notify the Trust of any errors of its predecessors that it discovers . Upon such discovery, the Trust and Unified shall at that time determine how to proceed. Unified shall be entitled to receive, and the Trust shall cause it to receive, the work product of its predecessor service providers, if any.

 

(c)     In performing its services hereunder, Unified shall be entitled to rely on any oral or written instructions, advice, notices or other communications, information, records and documents (collectively, “Trust Information”) from the Trust, its custodian, officers and directors, investors, brokers, investment advisors, agents, legal counsel, auditor and other service providers, including predecessor service providers (excluding in each case, the Unified Parties) (the Trust, collectively with such persons other than the Unified Parties, “Trust Representatives”), which Unified reasonably believes to be genuine, valid and authorized. Unified also shall be entitled to consult with and rely on the advice and opinions of the Trust’s auditor and of outside legal counsel retained by the Trust, as may be determined jointly by the Trust and Unified to be reasonably necessary or appropriate, in each case at the expense of the Trust. For all purposes of this Agreement, any person who is an officer, director, partner, employee or agent of a Unified Party, and who is also an officer, director, partner, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be deemed when rendering services to the Trust or acting on any business of the Trust to be acting solely in such person’s capacity as an officer, director, partner, employee or agent of the Trust, and shall be deemed when rendering services in fulfillment of Unified’s duties hereunder to be acting solely in such person’s capacity as an officer, director, partner, employee or agent of Unified.

 

(d)     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Trust agrees to defend, indemnify and hold Unified and the other Unified Parties harmless from all demands, claims, causes or other actions or proceedings of any nature or kind whatsoever (collectively, “Claims”), expenses, liabilities, debts, costs, losses, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, payments, and damages of every nature or kind whatsoever (collectively, “Damages”) arising directly or indirectly out of or in connection with:

 

       (i)        the provision of Trust Information to any Unified Parties by or on behalf of the Trust Representatives and the reliance on or use by the Unified Parties of Trust Information which is furnished to

 

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any of the Unified Parties by or on behalf of any of the Trust Representatives, including the reliance by Unified upon the historical accounting records and other records of the Trust;

 

       (ii)       any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in or arising out of or attributable to Trust Information which is furnished to any of the Unified Parties by or on behalf of any of the Trust Representatives or to the untimely provision to Unified of such Trust Information;

 

       (iii)      the taping or other form of recording of telephone conversations or other forms of electronic communications with investors and shareholders (or brokers or advisors acting on behalf of investors or shareholders), or reliance by Unified on telephone or other electronic instructions of any person acting on behalf of a shareholder or shareholder account for which telephone or other electronic services have been authorized;

 

       (iv)      the reliance on or the carrying out by Unified or its officers or agents of any instructions reasonably believed to be duly authorized, or requests of the Trust;

 

       (v)      any delays, inaccuracy, errors or omissions in or arising out of or attributable to data or information provided to Unified by data and/or pricing services or any other third party services, including but not limited to escheatment and lost account services, and/or the selection of any service provider, regardless of whether the Trust hires such services itself or instead chooses to utilize the service through Unified;

 

       (vi)      the offer or sale of shares by the Trust in violation of any requirement under the federal securities laws or regulations or the securities laws or regulations of any state or other instrumentality, or in violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any federal agency or any state agency with respect to the offer or sale of such shares in such state or instrumentality (1) resulting from activities, actions or omissions by Trust Representatives, or (2) existing or arising out of activities, actions or omissions by or on behalf of the Trust Representatives prior to the earlier of (x) the effective date of this Agreement and (y) the effective date of an agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof that was in effect prior to the effective date of this Agreement;

 

       (vii)     the noncompliance by the Trust, its investment advisor(s) and/or its distributor with applicable securities, tax, commodities and other laws, rules and regulations;

 

       (viii)    any Claim asserted by any current or former shareholder of the Trust, or on such shareholder’s behalf or derivatively by any representative, estate, heir or legatee, agent or other person, in connection with the holding, purchase or sale of shares of the Trust; and

 

       (ix)      with the exception of any Claim for breach of contract arising out of this Agreement, any Claim taken by or on behalf of the Trust against any of the Unified Parties that arises directly or indirectly in connection with this Agreement, or directly or indirectly out of a Unified Party’s actions (or failure to act) in connection with this Agreement.

 

(e)     The Trust agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Unified from and against any and all actions, suits, claims, losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees and disbursements, payments, expenses and liabilities (including reasonable investigation expenses) (collectively, "Losses") to which Unified may become liable arising directly or indirectly out of any action or omission to act which Unified takes (i) at any request or on the direction of or in reliance on the reasonable advice of the Trust, (ii) upon any instruction, notice or other instrument that Unified reasonably believes to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by a duly authorized representative of the Trust (other than an employee or other affiliated person of Unified who may otherwise be named as an authorized representative of the Trust for certain purposes) or (iii) on its own initiative in connection with the performance of its duties or obligations hereunder. Further, Unified shall not be indemnified against or held harmless from any Losses arising directly or indirectly out of Unified's or Unified Parties’ own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder.

 

(f)      Unified agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust , its Trustees, officers, employees and agents, from and against any and all actions, suits, claims, losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees and disbursements, payments, expenses and liabilities (including reasonable investigation expenses) (collectively, "Losses")

 

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to which the Trust, its Trustees, officers, employees and agents, may become liable arising directly or indirectly out of Unified's or Unified Parties’ own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties as set forth in this Agreement.

 

(g)     If a claim is made against any party to this Agreement as to which that party may seek indemnity under this Section 8 from the other party, the party seeking indemnification shall notify the other party within ten (10) days after receipt of any written assertion of such claim threatening to institute an action or proceeding or service of summons or other legal process. Failure to notify a party of a claim for indemnification will relieve the party from whom indemnification is sought from any liability which it may have on account of the indemnity provisions set forth under this Section 8 unless the party seeking indemnification can demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of the other party that such party has not been prejudiced in any material respect by such failure to so notify.

(h)     The parties to this Agreement will cooperate in the control of the defense of any action, suit or proceeding in which a party is involved and for which indemnity is being provided by the other party. Any party from whom indemnification is sought may negotiate the settlement of any action, suit or proceeding subject to the other party’s approval, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld. The party seeking indemnification reserves the right, but not the obligation, to participate in the defense or settlement of a claim, action or proceeding with its own counsel. Costs or expenses incurred by a party to whom indemnification is being provided in connection with, or as a result of such participation, will be borne solely by the indemnifying party unless:

 

 

§

the party seeking indemnification has received an opinion of counsel from counsel to either party stating that the use of common counsel would present an impermissible conflict of interest;

 

 

§

the defendants in, or targets of, any such action or proceeding include both Unified and the Trust, and legal counsel to either party has reasonably concluded that there are legal defenses available to a party which are different from or additional to those available to the other party or which may be adverse to or inconsistent with defenses available to a party; or

 

 

§

the party from whom indemnification is sought authorizes the other party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party.

 

(i)      Each of the Unified Parties, on the one hand, and the Trust, on the other hand, shall have the duty to mitigate Damages for which the other party may become responsible at law and/or in connection with this Agreement. This duty shall include giving such other party every reasonable opportunity to correct or ameliorate any error or other circumstance that caused, resulted in or increased such Damages, and every reasonable opportunity to assist in such mitigation. The parties acknowledge that the proper accounting, tax or other treatment of an event or matter can be susceptible to differing opinions among reputable practitioners of appropriate expertise, both as to events and transactions that are complete and as to the most efficient remediation of events and transactions that have resulted or may result in Damages. It is the intention of the parties that events and transactions be treated and reported in a legitimate manner that gives rise to the smallest amount of Damages, and that any remediation or corrective action selected be that which gives rise to the smallest amount of Damages

 

(j)      NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION IN THIS AGREEMENT, IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY UNIFIED PARTY BE LIABLE UNDER ANY THEORY OF TORT, CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER LEGAL OR EQUITABLE THEORY FOR EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, EACH OF WHICH DAMAGES IS HEREBY EXCLUDED BY AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH DAMAGES WERE FORESEEABLE. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION IN THIS AGREEMENT, THE CUMULATIVE LIABILITY OF THE UNIFIED PARTIES FOR DAMAGES THAT ARISE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, OR THAT ARISE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY OUT OF A UNIFIED PARTY'S ACTIONS (OR FAILURE TO ACT) IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION OR LEGAL THEORY, SHALL NOT EXCEED THE LESSER OF (i) $1,000,000.00 AND (ii) THE FEES EARNED BY UNIFIED DURING THE 24-MONTH PERIOD IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE DATE SUCH DAMAGES WERE INCURRED. THE TRUST UNDERSTANDS THIS LIMITATION UPON THE UNIFIED PARTIES’ DAMAGES TO BE A REASONABLE ALLOCATION OF RISKS (BOTH INSURABLE AND OTHER RISKS), AND THE TRUST EXPRESSLY CONSENTS TO SUCH ALLOCATION OF RISK. THE TRUST AND THE UNIFIED PARTIES AGREE THAT DAMAGES LIMITATIONS AND INDEMNIFICATIONS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 8

 

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SHALL APPLY TO ANY ALTERNATIVE REMEDY ORDERED BY AN ARBITRATION PANEL, COURT OR OTHER TRIER OF FACT IN THE EVENT ANY TRIER OF FACT DETERMINES THAT THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT FAIL OF THEIR ESSENTIAL PURPOSE.

 

(k)     Except for remedies that cannot be waived as a matter of law and injunctive relief, the remedies provided in this Section 8 shall be the Fund’s sole and exclusive remedies for Claims and Damages that arise directly or indirectly in connection with this Agreement, or directly or indirectly out of a Unified Party’s actions (or failure to act) in connection with this Agreement.

 

 

The terms of this Section 8 will survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 9.           Term . This Agreement shall become effective on the date first herein above written, and shall continue in effect for a term of 5 years, unless terminated with respect to a Portfolio or all Portfolios by Unified as set forth in Section 6(f). This Agreement will automatically renew for additional 1 year terms, unless terminated with respect to a Portfolio or all Portfolios by either party upon written notice given at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the then current term. The fees set forth in Exhibit G shall remain in effect during the initial term of this Agreement, unless modified in writing by mutual agreement of the parties. Such fees shall be with respect to the services described herein only, and any additional services to be provided by Unified, either as a result of new regulations or requirements, or at the request of the Fund, will be subject to additional fees, as set forth in Section 6(e) of this Agreement. Unified reserves the right to modify the fees payable by the Trust under this Agreement for any renewal term by providing to the Trust a revised Exhibit G at least 120 days prior to the expiration of the then current term. Such revised Exhibit G shall be effective at the beginning of the subsequent term of the Agreement, and shall remain in effect during such term, unless modified as described above.

 

Except as set forth in this Section 9, no other event (including any purported or actual breach) shall result in termination of this Agreement, and the date of termination shall be the last day of the term that expires following appropriate notice. On the date of termination the Trust, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, shall pay to Unified all fees, compensation and other charges as shall be accrued or due (or would accrue and become due) under the terms of this Agreement through the last day of the term that expires following appropriate notice. In the event a Portfolio or all Portfolios cease operations prior to the termination date, or in the event that Unified, at the request of the Trust, ceases providing services to a Portfolio or all Portfolios prior to the termination date, the fees due at termination with respect to a Portfolio shall be computed based on the average monthly fee paid by that Portfolio during the six month period prior to the termination date; notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust shall be obligated to pay fees for the remaining portion of the then applicable term. Unified shall cease providing services to the Portfolio upon the date of termination, except as otherwise provided in this Section 9 .

 

On the date of termination the Trust, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, agrees to pay, in addition to the amounts described above, reasonable fees and expenses incurred by Unified in converting the Portfolio to a new service provider or terminating the Portfolio. Such fees shall include compensation for time spent by personnel of Unified, and shall include but not be limited to, retrieving, compiling, and moving books, records and materials of the Portfolio to the Trust or the successor mutual fund service provider, conversion tape set-up fees, test conversion preparation and processing fees and final conversion fees, the closing of Unified’s records (and/or providing services related to the Portfolio’s liquidation or other transaction), and other services related to termination of Unified’s services. Payment shall be due simultaneous with the transfer of all Trust Information to the Trust or to the successor mutual fund service provider(s). Such termination/conversion fees and expenses shall not be subject to any setoffs of any nature and shall be mutually agreed upon in writing before Unified commences its termination/conversion services.

 

On the date of termination and upon payment of all amounts due and payable under this Agreement without setoff (excluding only those amounts not then due and payable under Section 6(f); provided, however, that the termination/conversion fees described in this Section 9 shall be paid without setoff notwithstanding any dispute), Unified agrees to provide the Trust with the complete transfer agency, fund accounting and administration records in its possession and to assist the Trust in the orderly transfer of the Portfolio’s accounts and records. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, subject to the preceding sentence, Unified agrees upon termination of this Agreement:

 

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(a)      to deliver to the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio or to the Portfolio’s successor mutual fund service provider(s), computer media containing the Portfolio’s accounts and records together with such record layouts and additional information as may reasonably be necessary to enable the successor mutual fund service provider(s) to utilize the information therein;

 

(b)     to reasonably cooperate with the successor mutual fund service provider(s) in the interpretation of the Portfolio’s account and records;

 

(c)      to forward all shareholder calls, mail and correspondence to the new mutual fund service provider(s) upon de-conversion; and

 

(d)     to act in good faith to make the conversion or termination as smooth as possible for the successor mutual fund service provider(s) and the Trust.

 

Section 10.          Notices . Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given and effective when delivered in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested, at the following address (or such other address as a party may specify by notice to the other):

 

 

(a)

If to the Trust, to:

 

Valued Advisers Trust

2960 N. Meridian Street., Suite 300

Indianapolis, Indiana 46208

Attention: President

 

 

(b)

If to Unified, to:

 

Unified Fund Services, Inc.

2960 North Meridian Street, Suite 300

Indianapolis, Indiana 46208

Attention: President

 

Notice also shall be deemed given and effective upon receipt by any party or other person at the preceding address (or such other address as a party may specify by notice to the other) if sent by regular mail, private messenger, courier service, telex, facsimile, or otherwise, if such notice bears on its first page in 14 point (or larger) bold type the heading “Notice Pursuant to Mutual Fund Services Agreement.”

 

Section 11.          Assignment; Nonsolicitation; and Other Contracts . This Agreement may not be assigned or otherwise transferred by either party hereto, without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that Unified may, in its sole discretion and upon notice to the Trust, assign all its right, title and interest in this Agreement to an affiliate, parent or subsidiary, or to the purchaser of substantially all of its business. Unified may, in its sole discretion, engage subcontractors to perform any of its duties contained in this Agreement, provided that Unified shall remain responsible to the Trust for all such delegated duties in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in the same manner and to the same extent as if Unified were providing such services itself. During the term of this Agreement and for a period of one (1) year following the termination of this Agreement, the Trust shall not, and shall not cause suffer or permit any affiliate, to recruit, solicit, employ or engage, for the Trust or others, any Unified Party, without Unified’s written consent. The Trust shall not require or expect Unified to enter into any agreements for the Trust’s direct or indirect benefit, including any sales, servicing or other similar agreements, that expose Unified to any liability that is greater than the liability it is undertaking in this Agreement.

 

Section 12.          Intended Beneficiaries . This Agreement shall be binding upon the Trust, Unified and their respective successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of the Trust, Unified, the Unified Parties, their respective heirs, successors and assigns. Nothing herein expressed or implied is intended to confer upon any person not named or described in the preceding sentence any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

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Section 13.          Arbitration . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any claim or controversy arising out of or in any manner relating to this Agreement, or breach hereof, which cannot be resolved between the parties themselves, shall be settled by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”) in Indianapolis, Indiana in accordance with its rules applicable to commercial disputes. The arbitration shall be conducted under the then-current rules of the AAA.

 

Section 14.          Waiver . The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver nor shall it deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any term of this Agreement. Any waiver must be in writing signed by the waiving party.

 

Section 15.          Force Majeure. Unified shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its control, including without limitation, acts of God, earthquake, fires, floods, failure or fluctuations in electrical power, wars, acts of terrorism, acts of civil or military authorities, governmental actions, nonperformance by a third party or any similar cause beyond the reasonable control of Unified, failures or fluctuations in telecommunications or other equipment, nor shall any such failure or delay give the Trust the right to terminate this Agreement.

 

Section 16.          Use of Name . The Trust and Unified agree not to use the other’s name nor the names of such other’s affiliates, designees, or assignees in any prospectus, sales literature, or other printed material written in a manner not previously, expressly approved in writing by the other or such other’s affiliates, designees, or assignees except where required by the SEC or any state agency responsible for securities regulation.

 

Section 17.          Amendments . This Agreement may be modified or amended from time to time by mutual written agreement between the parties. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, discharge or termination is sought.

 

Section 18.          Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law to any person or circumstance, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or any application thereof shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect or to any extent, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and any other application of such invalid provision shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 19 .         Headings; Pronouns; Certain Phrases; Rules of Construction. The headings in the sections and subsections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and in no way alter, amend, modify, limit or restrict the contractual obligations of the parties. Wherever used in this Agreement, masculine, feminine and neuter pronouns shall be deemed to include the other genders. Singular pronouns and nouns (including defined terms) shall be deemed to include the plural (and vice versa) as the context may require, but shall have no effect upon the nature of a party’s liability as joint or several. The Exhibits to this Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth in this Agreement. Wherever used in this Agreement, the phrase “in connection with” shall be given the broadest possible interpretation, and shall include matters (without limitation) that are in whole or part caused by, relate to, arise out of, are attributable to, or would not have occurred in the absence of circumstances created by, the referent or object of such phrase. Each party acknowledges that it was represented by legal counsel in connection with the review and execution of this Agreement, or that it had an adequate opportunity to engage counsel for such review and chose not to do so. The sole duties that Unified is accepting in return for the fees and other remuneration hereunder are expressly set forth herein. No exoneration of liability for a duty or other indemnification or limitation shall be construed, by negative implication or otherwise, to imply the existence of any duty. For example and without limitation, indemnification of Unified for a failure of an investment advisor to timely deliver trade tickets (or failure of any other third party to timely deliver accurate Trust Information) shall not be construed to imply that Unified has a duty to supervise such service provider or prevent a recurrence of such failure.

 

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Section 20.          Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

Section 21 .          No Strict Construction . The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.

 

Section 22.          Entire Agreement; Survival; Governing Law . This Agreement, the Exhibits hereto and any subsequent amendments of the foregoing embody the entire understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior negotiations and agreements between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof. The provisions of Sections 6 through 21, inclusive, shall survive any termination of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted according to the internal laws of the State of Indiana, without reference to conflict of law principles.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Mutual Fund Services Agreement to be signed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

  VALUED ADVISERS TRUST

 

 

By: /s/ Carol J. Highsmith

Date 9/29/08

 

 

Print Name: Carol J. Highsmith

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

Attest: /s/ John C. Swhear

 

 

 

UNIFIED FUND SERVICES, INC.

 

 

 

By: /s/ Melissa K. Gallagher

Date 9/29/08

 

 

Print Name: Melissa K. Gallagher

 

 

Title: Sr. Vice President

 

 

 

By: /s/ Stephen D. Highsmith, Jr.

Date 9/29/08

 

 

Print Name: Stephen D. Highsmith, Jr.

 

 

Title: Vice President - Finance

 

 

Attest: /s/ John C. Swhear

 

 

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EXHIBIT A

to

Mutual Fund Services Agreement

 

List of Portfolios

 

IndexEdge Long-Term Portfolio Fund

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit B

To

Mutual Fund Services Agreement

 

General Description of Fund Accounting Services

 

Unified shall provide the following accounting services to the Trust and/or to each of the Portfolios listed on Exhibit A (each a “Fund”):

 

 

Maintain portfolio records on a trade date + 1 basis using security trade information communicated by the Fund’s investment advisor.

 

 

For each valuation date, obtain prices from a pricing source approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and apply those prices to the portfolio positions.

 

 

Account for dividends, interest and corporate actions received by the Fund.

 

 

Transmit a copy of the portfolio valuation to the Fund’s investment advisor daily.

 

 

Reconcile cash of the Fund with the Fund’s custodian.

 

 

Reconcile portfolio holdings of the Fund with the Fund’s custodian.

 

 

Reconcile capital stock of the Fund with the Fund’s transfer agent.

 

 

Assist the Fund’s administrator in the preparation of the Fund expense projections and establishment of daily accruals.

 

 

Process and record payments for Fund expenses upon receipt of written authorization.

 

 

Account for Fund share purchases, sales, exchanges, transfers, dividend reinvestments, and other Fund share activity as reported by the Fund’s transfer agent on a timely basis.

 

 

Determine net investment income for the Fund as of each valuation date. Account for periodic distributions of earnings to shareholders and maintain undistributed net investment income balances as of each valuation date.

 

 

Maintain the books and records and accounting controls for the Fund’s assets.

 

 

Determine the net asset value of the Fund according to the accounting policies and procedures set forth in the Fund’s current prospectus.

 

 

For each day the market is open calculate per share net asset value, per share net earnings, and other per share amounts reflective of the Fund operations for each class of the Fund.

 

 

Communicate the daily net asset value and per share distributions to the Fund’s investment advisor, transfer agent, and (once the Fund meets eligibility requirements) transmit to NASDAQ and to such other entities as directed by the Fund.

 

 

Produce transaction data, financial reports, and such other periodic and special reports as the Board, auditors or regulators may reasonably request.

 

 

Maintain tax lot detail for the Fund’s investment portfolio.

 

 

Calculate taxable gain/loss on a security sale using the tax lot relief method specified by the Fund’s investment advisor.

 

 

In conjunction with the Fund’s Administrator, provide the necessary reports and information deemed necessary to calculate the annual dividend and capital gains distribution in accordance with the policies and procedures detailed in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

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The duties of the Fund Accountant shall be confined to those expressly set forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against the Accountant hereunder. These services do not include correcting, verifying or addressing any prior actions or inactions by any Fund or by any prior service provider. To the extent the Accountant agrees to take such action, those actions taken shall be deemed part of the Exhibit B.

 

Additionally, the Trustees of the Trust shall cause the officers, advisor, distributor, legal counsel, independent accountants, custodian, fund administrator and transfer agent for the Funds to cooperate with the Accountant and to provide the Accountant, upon request, with such information, documents and advice relating to the Trust and/or the Funds as is within the possession or knowledge of such persons, in order to enable the Accountant to perform its duties.

 

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EXHIBIT C

to

Mutual Fund Services Agreement

 

General Description of Fund Administration Services

 

Subject to the direction and control of the Trust’s Board of Trustees and utilizing information provided by the Trust and its agents, the Administrator will provide the following administrative services to the Trust and/or to each of the Portfolios listed on Exhibit A (each a “Fund”):

 

I. Financial and Tax Reporting

 

Prepare agreed upon management reports and Board of Trustees materials such as unaudited financial statements, distribution summaries, and deviations of mark-to-market valuation and the amortized cost for money market funds.

 

Calculate and report Fund performance to outside services as directed by Trust management.

 

Compile data for and prepare, with respect to the Funds, timely notices to the SEC required pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the 1940 Act and Semi-Annual Reports on Form N-SAR .

 

Compile data for and prepare, with respect to the Funds, Form N-Q required pursuant to Rule 30b-1-5 under the 1940 Act.

 

Prepare the financial statements for the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports required pursuant to Section 30(e) under the 1940 Act, subject to the review and approval of the Trust and the Trust’s independent accountants.

 

Provide financial and Fund performance information for inclusion in the Registration Statement for the Trust (on Form N-1A or any replacement therefore) and any amendments thereto, subject to the review of Trust counsel.

 

Coordinate the printing of the Funds’ Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to Shareholders and Prospectus.

 

Coordinate the preparation and filing of all required Fund filings with the SEC.

 

Provide financial information for Fund proxy statements.

 

Assist in the preparation (for execution by the Trust) and filing of all federal income and excise tax returns and state income tax returns (and such other required tax filings as may be agreed to by the parties) other than those required to be made by the Trust’s custodian or transfer agent, subject to the review and approval of the Trust and the Trust’s independent accountants.

 

Assist in compiling exhibits and disclosures for Form N-CSR as requested by the advisor, in compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

Assist with the coordination, communications and data collection with regard to yearly audits by independent accountants.

 

Determine and periodically monitor each Fund’s income and expense accruals and cause all appropriate expenses to be paid from Fund assets on proper authorization from the Trust.

 

II.

Portfolio Compliance

 

From time to time as the Administrator deems appropriate, check each Fund’s compliance with the policies and limitations of each Fund relating to the portfolio investments as set forth in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and monitor each Fund’s status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) (but these functions shall not relieve theTrust’s

 

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investment advisor and sub-advisors, if any, of their primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring such compliance).

 

Assist with monitoring each portfolio's compliance with investment restrictions (e.g., issuer or industry diversification, etc.) listed in the current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

 

Assist with monitoring each advisor’s compliance with Board directives such as “Approved Issuers Listings for Repurchase Agreements”, Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act, and procedures pursuant to Rule 12d-3 under the 1940 Act.

 

III.

General Administration

 

Assist in the acquisition of the Funds’ fidelity bond required by the 1940 Act, monitor the amount of the bond and make the necessary SEC filings related thereto.

 

Maintain, and/or coordinate with the other service providers the maintenance of, the accounts, books and other documents required pursuant to Rule 31a-1(a) and (b) under the 1940 Act.

 

Develop with legal counsel and the secretary of the Trust an agenda for each Board meeting and, if requested by the Directors, attend Board meetings and prepare minutes

 

In conjunction with the Trust’s fund accountant, calculate and track annual dividend and capital gains distributions subject to review and approval by the Trust and its independent accountants.

 

In conjunction with the Trust’s transfer agent, notify shareholders as to what portion, if any, of the distributions made by the Funds during the prior fiscal year were eligible for special tax treatment such as exempt-interest dividends under Section 852(b)(5)(A) of the Code.

 

Generally assist in the Trust’s administrative operations as mutually agreed to by the parties.

 

For new portfolios obtain Employer Identification Number and CUSIP numbers. Estimate organizational costs and expenses and monitor against actual disbursements.

 

Assist with the coordination, communications and data collection with regard to regulatory examinations.

 

IV.

Regulatory Affairs and Corporate Governance

 

Assist Trust counsel in the preparation and filing of post-effective amendments to the Trust's registration statement on Form N-lA and supplements as needed.

 

Administer shareholder meetings, and assist Trust counsel in the preparation and filing of proxy materials.

 

Prepare Board materials for all Board meetings.

 

Assist in the acquisition of errors and omissions insurance coverage and make any related regulatory filings.

 

File copies of financial reports to shareholders with the SEC under Rule 30b2-1.

 

The duties of the Administrator shall be confined to those expressly set forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against the Administrator hereunder. These services do not include correcting, verifying or addressing any prior actions or inactions by any Fund or by any prior service provider. To the extent the Administrator agrees to take such action, those actions taken shall be deemed part of the Exhibit C.

 

Additionally, the Trustees of the Trust shall cause the officers, advisor, distributor, legal counsel, independent accountants, custodian, fund accountant and transfer agent for the Funds to cooperate with the Administrator and to provide the Administrator, upon request, with such information, documents and advice relating to the Trust and/or the

 

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Funds as is within the possession or knowledge of such persons, in order to enable the Administrator to perform its duties.

 

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EXHIBIT D

to

Mutual Fund Services Agreement

 

General Description of Transfer Agency Services

 

Unified shall provide the following transfer agency services to the Trust and/or to each of the Portfolios listed on Exhibit A (each a “Fund”):

 

 

Provide a recordkeeping system that supports front-end load, back-end load (CDSC), no-load and redemption fee funds.

 

 

Provide asset allocation functionality including rebalancing of shareholder accounts.

 

 

Establish and maintain shareholder accounts and records, including, but not limited to, address, dividend option, taxpayer identification numbers and wire instructions.

 

 

Process shareholder transactions (purchase, redemption and exchange orders), received in good form and in accordance with the Fund’s prospectus.

 

 

Process transfers of shares, received in good form, in accordance with shareholder instructions.

 

 

Execute transactions directly with broker-dealers, investment advisors and other institutions acting on behalf of investors as authorized by the Trust’s distributor.

 

 

Calculate amounts due under 12b-1 and/or service plans and provide reports.

 

 

Issue confirmations in compliance with Rule 10b-10 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”).

 

 

Issue monthly, quarterly or annual statements as agreed upon with the Trust.

 

 

File IRS forms 1099, 5498, and 1042-S with shareholders and/or the IRS. File IRS forms 1042 and 945 with the IRS. The 1042 and 945 filings are made by Unified on behalf of the Trust only if Unified has the authority and means to access the Trust’s or a Fund’s bank accounts to facilitate the required payments to the IRS.

 

 

Perform such services as are required to comply with Rules 17a-24 and 17Ad-17 of the 1934 Act (the “Lost Shareholder Rules”).

 

 

Record the issuance of shares and maintain pursuant to Rule 17Ad-10(e) of the 1934 Act a record of the total number of shares of each Fund which are authorized, based upon data provided to it by the Trust, and the number of shares issued and outstanding.

 

 

Process and transmit payments for dividends and distributions declared by the Trust for each Fund, after deducting any amount required to be withheld by any applicable laws, rules and regulations and in accordance with shareholder instructions.

 

 

Provide access to NSCC’s Fund/SERV and Networking. Additional functionality may be available and supported as an optional service.

 

 

Provide a Blue Sky system that will enable the Trust to monitor the total number of shares of each Fund sold in each state. In addition, the Trust or its agent, including Unified, shall identify to Unified in writing those transactions and assets to be treated as exempt from the Blue Sky reporting for each state. The responsibility of Unified for each Fund’s Blue Sky state registration status is solely limited to the initial compliance by the Trust for each Fund and the reporting of such transactions to the Trust or its agent.

 

 

Answer correspondence from shareholders, broker-dealers, and others relating to the Funds and such other correspondence as may from time to time be mutually agreed upon.

 

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Establish procedures and controls designed to mitigate risk to the Trust which are compliant with applicable SEC regulations. Unified reserves the right to implement policies not governed by SEC regulation or the Fund’s prospectus.

 

The duties of the Transfer Agent shall be confined to those expressly set forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against the Transfer Agent hereunder. These services do not include correcting, verifying or addressing any prior actions or inactions by any Fund or by any prior service provider. To the extent the Transfer Agent agrees to take such action, those actions taken shall be deemed part of the Exhibit D.

 

Additionally, the Trustees of the Trust shall cause the officers, advisor, distributor, legal counsel, independent accountants, custodian, fund accountant and administrator for the Funds to cooperate with the Transfer Agent and to provide the Transfer Agent, upon request, with such information, documents and advice relating to the Trust and/or the Funds as is within the possession or knowledge of such persons, in order to enable the Transfer Agent to perform its duties.

 

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EXHIBIT E

to

Mutual Fund Services Agreement

 

General Description of the Unified AML Program Services

 

Unified shall provide the following Unified AML Program services to the Trust and/or to each of the Portfolios listed on Exhibit A (each a “Fund”):

 

 

Customer Identification . Verify shareholder identity upon opening new accounts, consistent with the Unified AML Program, and perform such other checks and verifications as are specified in Unified’s Customer Identification Program (which is a component of the Unified AML Program).

 

 

Purchase Transactions . Reject and return to sender any and all checks, deposits, and other deliveries of cash or property that do not comply with the Unified AML Program, subject to the provisions of any additional agreement between the Trust and Unified regarding special liability checks and other remittances.

 

 

Monitoring and Reporting . Monitor shareholder transactions and identify and report suspicious activities that are required to be so identified and reported, including suspicious activity reports or Form 8300 reports, and provide other reports of shareholder activity to the SEC, the U.S. Treasury Department, the IRS, and other appropriate authorities, in each case consistent with the Unified AML Program.

 

 

Frozen Accounts . Place holds on transactions in shareholder accounts or freeze assets in shareholder accounts as provided for in the Unified AML Program.

 

 

Maintenance of Records . Maintain all records or other documentation related to shareholder accounts and transactions therein that are required to be prepared and maintained pursuant to the Unified AML Program, and make the same available for inspection by (1) the Trust’s compliance officer, (2) any auditor of the Funds, (3) regulatory or law enforcement authorities, and (4) those other persons specified in the Unified AML Program.

 

 

Other Services . Apply all other policies and procedures of the Unified AML Program to the Trust and the Funds.

 

 

Maintenance of the Unified AML Program . Unified shall maintain and modify the Unified AML Program from time to time to ensure that it remains reasonably designed to ensure compliance with the Applicable AML Laws. Upon request by the Trust, Unified shall make available its compliance personnel to the Trust and the Trust’s counsel to discuss amendments to the Unified AML Program that the Trust or its counsel believes are necessary to keep such program in compliance with Applicable AML Laws. Changes to Unified’s AML Program or special procedures may be implemented, at Unified’s sole discretion, for an additional fee to be agreed upon. The Trust may cancel its participation in the Unified AML Program at any time, and no further fees to Unified in respect of such program shall accrue after the date of cancellation.

 

 

Annual Certification . On an annual basis during the term of this Agreement, Unified will certify to the Trust’s Board of Trustees that it has implemented the Unified AML Program and that it will continue to perform the specific requirements of the Unified AML Program in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

 

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EXHIBIT F

to

Mutual Fund Services Agreement

 

General Description of the Unified Compliance Support Program

 

Unified shall provide the following Compliance Support Program services to the Trust and/or to each of the Portfolios listed on Exhibit A (each a “Fund”):

 

 

Unified will develop a Compliance Program pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“’40 Act”) and Rule 206(4)-7 under the Investment Adviser’s Act of 1940, providing support to the Chief Compliance Officer(s) (“CCOs”) of the Trust and associated investment advisers. Unified will provide quarterly certifications of compliance with the policies and procedures performed on behalf of the Trust and associated investment advisers.

 

 

Unified will provide Sarbanes-Oxley certifying officers for Portfolios of the Trust.

 

 

Unified will provide automated market timing monitoring and analysis, as well as data collection pursuant to Rule 22c-2 under the ’40 Act. This support includes system set up, monitoring, violations reporting to the CCOs, interfacing with third party intermediaries, and account restriction for market timing policy violations.

 

 

Unified will provide automated daily or monthly post trade compliance monitoring to ensure that Portfolios trade in compliance with the federal securities laws, as well as restrictions and limitations outlined in their respective Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. This service includes system set up, monitoring, and violations reporting to the CCOs.

 

 

On an annual basis during the term of this Agreement, Unified will certify to the Trust’s Board of Trustees that it has implemented, monitored, and reported all pertinent information to an appropriate officer of the Trust and that it will continue to perform the specific requirements of Unified’s Compliance Support Program in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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EXHIBIT G

to

Mutual Fund Services Agreement

 

TRANSFER AGENCY FEE SCHEDULE

 

 

I     New Fund Start-Up/Existing Fund Conversion Fee

 

­  New fund establishment; manual conversion

­  Electronic conversion

 

-  $2,500 per share class

-  Pass through of out-of-pocket expenses*

 

* Electronic conversions are subject to a minimum fee which is the greater of $5,000 per share class or $10,000 per conversion.

 

II    Base Fees (as defined in Exhibit D – General Description of Transfer Agency Services)**

 

Base Fees are the greater of the annual minimum or per account fees as follows:

 

Annual Minimum Fees:

  Initial Portfolio

  Additional Share Class (of an existing portfolio)

 

-  $20,000 per year

-  $10,000 per year

 

 

Annual Per Account Fees:

  Equity/Bond Funds

  Money Market Funds

 

-  $18 per year

-  $20 per year

 

 

**Base Fees do not include out-of-pocket expenses which include but are not limited to: fulfillment services, form design and printing, statement and confirmation production, paper and envelope design and printing, postage and handling, shipping, bank fees, NSCC charges, record storage, telephone charges, DST FanMail, and regulatory filing fees and all other expenses incurred on behalf of the Trust and its individual portfolios. Additional services and/or fees not contemplated in this schedule will be negotiated on a per occurrence basis.

 

III NSCC Interfaces

 

­  Fund/SERV and Networking set-up

-  $500 per share class/cusip

­  Fund/SERV and Networking processing

-            $150 per share class/cusip per month

(maximum $1,500 per month per affiliated portfolios)

 

IV  Anti -Money Laundering – Customer Identification Program (Patriot Act) Fees

 

­  New Account Service Fee

-  $4 per account

­  Research

-  $125 per hour plus 3 rd party research service fees

­  Suspicious Report Filing

-  $50 per report

 

V    Additional Fees for Services Outside the Standard Base

 

­  Closed Account Fee

-  $0.50 per account per month ($6.00 per year)

­  Escheatment Processing

-  $25 per state per filing ($200 minimum)

­  Escheatment Processing

-  $25 per account (charged to shareholder)

­  Statement/Check Copies

-  $5 per item (charged to shareholder account)

­  Offline Shareholder Research

-  $25 per hour (1 hour minimum, billed to shareholder)

­  IRA Account Annual Maintenance

-  $15 per account

­  Interactive Voice Response System Set-up

-  $500 per occurrence

­  Mailings (i.e., semi-annual, annual reports)

-  External Vendor – Pass through

­  Mailings (i.e., semi-annual, annual reports)

-  Internal Mailing - $3.50 per item

­  Shareholder labels/files for mailings

-  $.05 each ($100 minimum per run)

­  Fulfillment (3 rd Party Vendor)

-  Pass through plus $1.00 per order

 

 

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­  Bank Reconciliation Services

- $50 per bank account plus $1.50 per item

­  AD-HOC Report Generation

-  $100 per report

  Commission Payment Processing

-  $250.00 per occurrence

  12b-1/Service Fee Payment Processing

-  $250.00 per occurrence

  Physical Commission/12b-1 Check

-  $7.00 per check

­  Systems Programming or Custom Data Extractions:

-  Management / Officers

-  $250 per hour

-  Programmers

-  $200 per hour

-  Third Party Vendor

-  Quoted As Needed

 

 

VI  Repricing

 

There will be a $500.00 per day minimum fee/rerun charge when the nightly processing has to be repeated due to incorrect NAV or dividend information received from the Portfolio Pricing Agent due to incorrect or untimely information provided by an Advisor or its Agent.

 

VII  Internet Services

 

Using virtually any standard home or business computer that has Internet access, shareholders will be able to view current balances for each of their accounts. Additionally, they will also be able to view historical account transactions based on a user entered data range. The system contains 128-bit encryption technology, and other security enhancements.

 

Standard Fees

Number of Fund Accounts

Monthly Price w/o Transactions

Monthly Price with Transactions

0 - 1,500

$400

$500

1,501 - 3,000

$500

$625

3,001 – 5,000

$600

$750

5,001 – 10,000

$750

$937.50

10,001 – 15,000

$1,000

$1,250

15,001 and up

$1,000 plus $0.05 per

account over 15,000

$1,250 plus $0.0625 per

account over 15,000

 

 

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FUND ACCOUNTING FEE SCHEDULE

 

 

I     New Fund Start-Up/Existing Fund Conversion Fee

 

­  New fund establishment

­  Electronic conversion

 

-  $1,500 per share class

-  Pass through of out-of-pocket expenses

 

II   Base Fees (as defined in Exhibit B – General Description of Fund Accounting Services)*

 

Base Fees are the greater of the annual minimum or basis point fees as follows:

 

Annual Minimum Fees (Domestic):

  Initial Portfolio

  Each Additional Share Class

(of an existing portfolio)

 

-  $25,000

-  $10,000

 

 

Annual Minimum Fees (International/Global):

  Initial Portfolio

  Each Additional Share Class

(of an existing portfolio)

 

-  $33,000

-  $10,000

 

Annual Basis Point Fees:

 

0.04% for the first $100 million in average net assets per share class;

0.02% from $100 million to $250 million in average net assets per share class;

0.01% over $250 million in average net assets per share class.

 

* Base Fees do not include out-of-pocket expenses which include but are not limited to: bank fees, portfolio pricing fees, record storage, and regulatory filing fees and all other expenses incurred on behalf of the Trust and its individual portfolios. Additional services and/or fees not contemplated in this schedule will be negotiated on a per occurrence basis.

 

III  Special Maintenance Fees

 

­  Additional portfolio sub-adviser fee

 

-  $10,000 per portfolio

 

­  Multiple custodian fee

 

-  $5,000 per portfolio

 

­  S.E.C. audit requirements

 

-  Pass through

 

 

­  Non-Routine Investment Processing:

-  Short Sales

-  Options

-  Futures

-  Swaps

 

-  $500 per month for the first type; $250 per month for each additional. ($1,000 maximum per month)

­  Additional Brokers Used For Short Sales

-  $500 per month for each additional broker used in excess of one

 

 

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III  Special Maintenance Fees (continued)

­  High Trade Volume:

-  Domestic Equity

 

-  International Equity and Fixed Income

 

-  Domestic Fixed Income

 

 

 

-  $2 per trade for each trade in excess of 100 trades per month per portfolio

-        $2 per trade for each trade in excess of 50 trades per month per portfolio

-        $2 per trade for each trade in excess of 50 trades per month per portfolio

­  Illiquid/Manually-Priced Securities

-  $100 per month for each security requiring Pricing Committee review

 

 

IV Report Generation Fees

 

­  AD-HOC Report Generation

-  $100 per report

­  Non-System Generated Reports

-  $100 per occurrence

­  Dissemination of NAV Information to Third-Party Recipients, e.g., NASDAQ, Morningstar, Lipper, Broker Dealers

-  $25 per month for each recipient in excess of three

 

V     Systems Programming or Custom Data Extractions

 

­  Management / Officers

-  $250 per hour

­  Programmers

-  $200 per hour

­  Third Party Vendor

-  Quoted As Needed

 

VI  Repricing Charges

 

For incorrect or untimely information provided by an Advisor or its Agent, Unified will charge $500.00 per day for each day that a portfolio is repriced. Unified reserves the right to charge $50 per occurrence for each information change where repricing is not required, but additional work processes must be performed or repeated, e.g., incorrect/late trade ticket.

 

 

 

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FUND ADMINISTRATION FEE SCHEDULE

 

 

I     New Fund Start-Up/Existing Fund Conversion Fee

 

­  New fund establishment

­  Electronic conversion

 

-  $1,000 per share class

-  Pass through of out-of-pocket expenses

 

II   Base Fees (as defined in Exhibit C –General Description of Fund Administration Services)

 

Base Fees are the greater of the annual minimum or basis point fees as follows:

 

Annual Minimum Fees:

  Initial Portfolio

  Each Additional Share Class

(of an existing portfolio)

 

 

-  $35,000

-  $10,000

 

Annual Basis Point Fees:

 

0.09% for the first $100 million in average net assets per share class;

0.06% from $100 million to $250 million in average net assets per share class;

0.03% over $250 million in average net assets per share class;

 

* Base Fees do not include out-of-pocket expenses which include but are not limited to: printing, postage and handling, shipping, record storage, blue sky state registration fees, edgarizing and regulatory filing fees and all other expenses incurred on behalf of the Trust and its individual portfolios. Additional services and/or fees not contemplated in this schedule will be negotiated on a per occurrence basis.

 

 

 

 

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COMPLIANCE SUPPORT FEE SCHEDULE

 

 

I     New Fund Start-Up/Existing Fund Conversion Fee

 

­  Electronic conversion

 

-  Pass through of out-of-pocket expenses

 

II    Base Fees (as defined in Exhibit F –General Description of Compliance Support Program Services)

 

  Compliance, CCO and 22c-2 Support

-        $400 per cusip set up

-        $800 per month per portfolio

-        $0.13 per trade for any over 1000 trades per month

* Base Fees do not include out-of-pocket expenses which include but are not limited to: printing, postage and handling, shipping, record storage, blue sky state registration fees, edgarizing and regulatory filing fees and all other expenses incurred on behalf of the Trust and its individual portfolios. Additional services and/or fees not contemplated in this schedule will be negotiated on a per occurrence basis.

 

 

 

 

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VALUED ADVISERS TRUST
EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into effective as of September 4, 2008 by and between Valued Advisers Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of one or more of its series portfolios as set forth on Schedule A , (each a “Fund”), and IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC (the “Adviser”), a Louisiana limited liability company.
 
WHEREAS, the Trust is a Delaware statutory trust organized under the Certificate of Trust (“Trust Instrument”), dated June 13, 2008, and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company of the series type; and
 
WHEREAS, the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Adviser have entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement dated September 4, 2008 (“Advisory Agreement”), pursuant to which the Adviser provides investment advisory services to the Fund; and
 
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Adviser have determined that it is appropriate and in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders to limit the expenses of the Fund, and, therefore, have entered into this Agreement, in order to maintain the Fund’s expense ratios within the Operating Expense Limit, as defined below;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
 
1.     
EXPENSE LIMITATION .
 

(a) Applicable Expense Limit . To the extent that the aggregate expenses of every character, including but not limited to investment advisory fees of the Adviser (but excluding (i) interest, (ii) taxes, (iii) brokerage commissions, (iv) other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, (v) other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, (vi) dividend expense on short sales, and (vii) expenses that the Fund has incurred but did not actually pay because of an expense offset arrangement, if applicable) incurred by the Fund in any fiscal year (“Fund Operating Expenses”), that exceed the Operating Expense Limit, as defined in Section 1(b) below, such excess amount (the “Excess Amount”) shall be the liability of the Adviser. The Operating Expense Limits described in this Agreement also exclude any “acquired fund fees and expenses” as that term is described in the prospectus of the Fund.

(b) Operating Expense Limit . The Fund’s maximum operating expense limits (each an “Operating Expense Limit”) in any year shall be that percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund as set forth on Schedule A attached hereto and incorporated by this reference.

(c) Method of Computation . To determine the Adviser’s liability with respect to the Excess Amount, each month the Fund Operating Expenses for the Fund shall be annualized as of the last day of the month. If the annualized Fund Operating Expenses for any month exceeds the Operating Expense Limit of the Fund, the Adviser shall first waive or reduce its investment advisory fee for such month by an amount sufficient to reduce the annualized Fund Operating Expenses to an amount no higher than the Operating Expense Limit. If the amount of the waived or reduced investment advisory fee for any such month is insufficient to pay the Excess Amount, the Adviser shall also remit to the Fund an amount that, together with the waived or reduced investment advisory fee, is sufficient to pay such Excess Amount.

(d) Year-End Adjustment . If necessary, on or before the last day of the first month of each fiscal year, an adjustment payment shall be made by the appropriate party in order that the amount of the investment advisory fees waived or reduced and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund with respect to the previous fiscal year shall equal the Excess Amount.

2.      REIMBURSEMENT OF FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS .

(a)      Reimbursement . If in any year in which the Advisory Agreement is still in effect, the estimated aggregate Fund Operating Expenses of such Fund for the fiscal year are less than the Operating Expense Limit for that year, the Adviser may be entitled to reimbursement by such Fund, in whole or in part as provided below, of the fees or expenses waived or reduced by the Adviser and other payments remitted by the Adviser to such Fund pursuant to Section 1 hereof. The total amount of reimbursement to which the Adviser may be entitled (“Reimbursement Amount”) shall equal, at any time, the sum of all fees previously waived or reduced by the Adviser and all other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund pursuant to Section 1 hereof, during any of the previous three (3) fiscal years, less any reimbursement previously paid by such Fund to the Adviser pursuant to this Section 2, with respect to such waivers, reductions, and payments. The Reimbursement Amount shall not include any additional charges or fees whatsoever, including, e.g., interest accruable on the Reimbursement Amount.

(b)      Method of Computation . To determine a Fund’s accrual, if any, to reimburse the Adviser for the Reimbursement Amount, each month the Fund Operating Expenses of the Fund shall be annualized as of the last day of the month. If the annualized Fund Operating Expenses of the Fund for any month are less than the Operating Expense Limit of such Fund, such Fund, shall accrue into its net asset value an amount payable to the Adviser sufficient to increase the annualized Fund Operating Expenses of that Fund to an amount no greater than the Operating Expense Limit of that Fund, provided that such amount paid to the Adviser will in no event exceed the total Reimbursement Amount. For accounting purposes, when the annualized Fund Operating Expenses of a Fund are below the Operating Expense Limit, a liability will be accrued daily for these amounts.

(c)      Year-End Adjustment . If necessary, on or before the last day of the first month of each fiscal year, an adjustment payment shall be made by the appropriate party in order that the actual Fund Operating Expenses of a Fund for the prior fiscal year (including any reimbursement payments hereunder with respect to such fiscal year) do not exceed the Operating Expense Limit.

 

(d)      Limitation of Liability . The Adviser shall look only to the assets of the Fund for which it waived or reduced fees or, in the case of the Manager, remitted payments for reimbursement under this Agreement and for payment of any claim hereunder, and neither the Funds, nor any of the Trust’s directors, officers, employees, agents, or shareholders, whether past, present or future shall be personally liable therefor.

3.      TERM, MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT .
 

This Agreement with respect to the Fund shall continue in effect until the expiration date set forth on Schedule A (the “Expiration Date”). With regard to the Operating Expense Limits, the Trust’s Board of Trustees and the Adviser may terminate or modify this Agreement prior to the Expiration Date only by mutual written consent. This Agreement shall terminate automatically upon the termination of the Advisory Agreement; provided, however, that the obligation of the Trust to reimburse the Adviser with respect to a Fund shall survive the termination of this Agreement unless the Trust and the Adviser agree otherwise.

4.      MISCELLANEOUS .
 

(a)     

Captions . The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no other way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.




(b)     

Interpretation . Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the Trust or the Fund to take any action contrary to the Trust’s Declaration of Trust or Bylaws, or any applicable statutory or regulatory requirement to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive the Trust’s Board of Trustees of its responsibility for and control of the conduct of the affairs of the Trust or the Fund.




(c)     

Definitions . Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement, including but not limited to the investment advisory fee, the computations of net asset values, and the allocation of expenses, having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from the terms and provisions of the Advisory Agreement or the 1940 Act, shall have the same meaning as and be resolved by reference to such Advisory Agreement or the 1940 Act.




Signature Page to Follow


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the day and year first above written.
 

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST

                                                                          /s/ Carol J. Highsmith

Signature
 

Vice President

Title
 
 
 
 
INDEXEDGE INVESTMENT CONSULTING, LLC

 

                                                                            /s/ Michael H. Smither     

Signature

Managing Partner

Title

                              


Schedule A
to the
Expense Limitation Agreement
between
Valued Advisers Trust (the "Trust")
and
IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC (the "Adviser")

Dated as of September 4, 2008

                              

Fund

Operating Expense Limit

Effective Date

Expiration Date

       

IndexEdge Long-Term Portfolio Fund

     

Investor Class Shares

.74%

*

December 31, 2009

Class A Shares

.99%

*

December 31, 2009

       
       


*      The Effective Date of the Operating Expense Limit for the IndexEdge Long-Term Portfolio Fund Investor and Class A Shares shall be the date on which the registration statement containing the Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information is declared effective.

 

 

 

DIRECT 816.983.8000 FAX 816.983.8080

4801 MAIN STREET, SUITE 1000 KANSAS CITY, MO 64112

www.huschblackwell.com

 

 

Exhibit 23(i)

                

 

September 18, 2008

 

 

Valued Advisers Trust

2960 North Meridian Street, Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46208

 

RE: Opinion of Counsel regarding the Registration Statement filed on Form N-1A under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) (File Nos. 333-151672 and 811-22208)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Valued Advisers Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), in connection with the initial Registration Statement of the Trust filed on Form N-1A under the 1940 Act and the Securities Act (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchanges Commission (the “Commission”). This opinion is being delivered to you in connection with the Trust’s filing of the Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment”) to the Registration Statement, which relates to the registration of the Trust’s Investor class and Class A shares of beneficial interest (collectively, the “Shares”), with no par value per share, of the IndexEdge® Long-Term Portfolio Fund (the “Fund”). The Amendment will be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 472 under the Securities Act. We understand that our opinion is required to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

 

In reaching the opinions set forth below, we have examined copies of the Trust's Certificate of Trust, Agreement and Declaration of Trust, applicable resolutions of the Board of Trustees, and originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such other documents, records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of this opinion. We have also examined the prospectus and statement of additional information for the Fund, which are included in the Registration Statement, substantially in the form in which they are to be filed in the Amendment (collectively, the "Prospectus").

 

As to any facts or questions of fact material to the opinions set forth below, we have relied exclusively upon the aforesaid documents and upon representations and declarations of the officers or other representatives of the Trust. We have made no independent investigation whatsoever as to such factual matters.

 

          The Prospectus provides for issuance of the Shares from time to time at the net asset value thereof, plus any applicable sales charge. In reaching the opinions set forth below, we have assumed that upon sale of the Shares, the Trust will receive the net asset value thereof.

SLD-1453015-1

 


 

 

 

Valued Advisers Trust

September 18, 2008

Page 2

 

 

 

We have also assumed, without independent investigation or inquiry, that:

 

(a)       all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic; all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents; all signatures on all documents submitted to us for examination are genuine; and all documents and public records reviewed are accurate and complete; and

 

(b)       all representations, warranties, certifications and statements with respect to matters of fact and other factual information (i) made by public officers; or (ii) made by officers or representatives of the Trust are accurate, true, correct and complete in all material respects.

 

Based on our review of the foregoing and subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date of this letter:

 

1.         The Shares to be offered for sale pursuant to the Prospectus have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary actions on the part of the Trust.

 

2.         The Shares, when issued and sold by the Trust for consideration pursuant to and in the manner contemplated by the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trust’s Registration Statement, will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable, subject to compliance with the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, and the applicable state laws regulating the sale of securities

 

          We express no opinion concerning the laws of any jurisdiction other than the federal law of the United States of America and the Delaware Statutory Trust Act.

 

          The Delaware Statutory Trust Act provides that shareholders of the Trust shall be entitled to the same limitation on personal liability as is extended under the Delaware General Corporation Law to stockholders of private corporations for profit. There is a remote possibility, however, that, under certain circumstances, shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust may be held personally liable for that trust’s obligations to the extent that the courts of another state which does not recognize such limited liability were to apply the laws of such state to a controversy involving such obligations. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind personally any shareholder, or to call upon any shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the shareholder may at any time agree to pay. Therefore, the risk of any shareholder incurring financial loss beyond his investment due to shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund is unable to meet its obligations and the express limitation of shareholder liabilities is determined not to be effective.

 

SLD-1453015-1

2

 

 


 

 

 

Valued Advisers Trust

September 18, 2008

Page 3

 

 

          We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name and to the reference to our firm under the caption "Legal Counsel" in the Statement of Additional Information for the Fund, which is included in the Registration Statement.

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

                                   /s/ Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP

                            Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP

 

 

 

SLD-1453015-1

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

We consent to the references to our firm in the Pre-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Valued Advisers Trust and to the use of our report dated October 2, 2008 on the statement of assets and liabilities of IndexEdge Long-Term Portfolio Fund as of September 22, 2008 and the related statement of operations for the period then ended. Such financial statements appear in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.




BRIGGS, BUNTING & DOUGHERTY, LLP

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 2, 2008

 

 

 

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
 
 

THIS AGREEMENT by and between Unified Fund Services, Inc. (“Subscriber”), a Delaware corporation, and the Valued Advisers Trust (“Trust”), a statutory trust organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Delaware.
 
In consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:
 

1.     

The Trust agrees to sell to Subscriber and Subscriber hereby subscribes to purchase 10,000 Class A Shares (“Shares”) of beneficial interest of the IndexEdge Long-Term Portfolio Fund (the “Fund”), a series of the Trust, without par value, at a price of ten dollars ($10.00) per Share.




2.     

Subscriber agrees to pay one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for all such Shares at the time of their issuance, which shall occur at any time on or before the effective date of the Trust’s Registration Statement filed by the Trust on Form N-1A with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Registration Statement”).




3.     

Subscriber acknowledges that the Shares to be purchased hereunder have not been registered under the federal securities laws and that, therefore, the Trust is relying on certain exemptions from such registration requirements, including exemptions dependent on the intent of the undersigned in acquiring the Shares. Subscriber also understands that any resale of the Shares or any part thereof, may be subject to restrictions under the federal securities laws, and that Subscriber may be required to bear the economic risk of any investment in the Shares for an indefinite period of time.




4.     

Subscriber represents and warrants that (i) Subscriber is acquiring the Shares solely for Subscriber’s own account and solely for investment purposes and not with a view to the resale or disposition of all or any part thereof, and that Subscriber has no present plan or intention to sell or otherwise dispose of the Shares or any part thereof at any time in the near future and (ii) Subscriber is knowledgeable and experienced with respect to the financial, tax, and business ownership of the Shares and is capable of evaluating the risks and merits of purchasing the Shares and can bear the economic risk of an investment in the Shares for an indefinite period of time and can suffer the complete loss thereof.




5.     

Subscriber agrees that Subscriber will not sell or dispose of the Shares or any part thereof, except to the Trust itself, unless the Registration Statement with respect to such Shares is then in effect under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement by their duly authorized representatives this 25th day of September, 2008.
 
 

Subscriber                          Valued Advisers Trust
 
 

By:      /s/ Melissa K. Gallagher                     By:       /s/ Carol J. Highsmith

     Melissa K. Gallagher, Sr. Vice President               Carol J. Highsmith, Vice President

          

 

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION PURSUANT TO RULE 12b-1
OF INDEXEDGE® LONG-TERM PORTFOLIO FUND
CLASS A SHARES

WHEREAS, This Plan of Distribution (this "Plan") has been adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") by Valued Advisers Trust (the "Trust") for Class A shares of the Trust’s series portfolios (each a "Fund"), which are listed on Schedule A hereto. This Plan has been approved by a majority of the Trust's Board of Trustees, including a majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan (the "12b-1 Trustees"), by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan. 1 This Plan shall operate as a compensation Plan, which means that the fees payable pursuant to this Plan shall be paid regardless of the amount of expenses actually incurred in providing the services contemplated hereunder. All expenses incurred by the Distributor and others, such as broker-dealers (the latter referred to herein as “Financial Intermediaries”), in excess of the amount paid by the Fund under the Plan will be borne by such persons without any reimbursement from the Fund.

NOW THEREFORE, This Plan provides that:

1.      Subject to the limits on payments under this Plan set forth herein, or in any annual budget approved by the Trust and Unified Financial Securities, Inc. (the “Distributor”), the Trust shall pay to the Distributor and/or Financial Intermediaries, the amounts called for under this Plan. Such payments shall be applied by the Distributor and/or Financial Intermediaries for all expenses incurred by such parties in the promotion and distribution of the Fund's shares. For this purpose, expenses authorized under this Plan include, but are not limited to, printing of prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, expenses of preparation of sales literature and related expenses, advertisements, salaries and benefits of employees involved in sales of shares, telephone expenses, meeting and space rental expenses, underwriter's spreads, interest charges on funds used to finance activities under this Plan, and other distribution-related expenses, as well as any service fees paid to securities dealers or others who have executed an agreement with the Trust or its affiliates.

2.      The Funds will pay the Distributor and/or Financial Intermediaries 0.25% per annum of the average daily net assets of the Fund's Class A shares (the “Distribution Fee”). Of the Distribution Fee, the Trust may pay up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Class A shares for shareholder services. Shareholder servicing fees are paid for providing services to customers, which may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following shareholder support services: (i) aggregating and processing purchase and redemption requests and placing net purchase and redemption orders with the Distributor; (ii) processing dividend payments from the Fund; (iii) providing sub-accounting or the information necessary for sub-accounting; (iv) providing periodic mailings o customers; (v) providing customers with information as to their positions in the Fund; and (vi) responding to customer inquiries. The amount so paid shall be accrued daily, and payment thereon shall be made monthly by the Trust.

      

__________________________________________

1 .     In its consideration of this Plan, the Board of Trustees considered the proposed schedule and nature of payments under this Plan. The Board of Trustees concluded that the proposed payments to be made to the Trust's principal underwriter, Unified Financial Securities, Inc. (the "Distributor"), for distribution expenses under this Plan is fair and not excessive. Accordingly, the Board of Trustees determined that this Plan should provide for such payments and that adoption of this Plan would be prudent and in the best interests of the Trust and the Fund's shareholders. Such approval included a determination that in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties, there is a reasonable likelihood that this Plan will benefit the Trust, the Fund and the Fund’s shareholders.


 

3.      The Distributor may use all or any portion of the Distribution Fee received pursuant to this Plan to compensate securities dealers who have engaged in the sale of each Fund's Class A shares or in shareholder support services with respect to the Fund pursuant to agreements with the Distributor or to pay expenses associated with other activities authorized under paragraph 1 herein.

4.      The Distributor shall collect and disburse payments made under this Plan, and shall furnish to the Board of Trustees of the Trust for its review on a quarterly basis, a written report of the monies reimbursed to the Distributor and others under this Plan, and shall furnish the Board of Trustees of the Trust with such other information as the Board may reasonably request in connection with the payments made under this Plan in order to enable the Board of Trustees to make an informed determination of whether this Plan should be continued.

5.      This Plan, or any agreements entered into pursuant to this Plan, shall continue in effect for a period of more than one year only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Trust's Board of Trustees, including the 12b-1 Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan, or any agreements entered into pursuant to this Plan.

6.     This Plan, or any agreements entered into pursuant to this Plan, may be terminated at any time with respect to a Fund, without penalty, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Class A shares of such Fund, or by vote of a majority of the 12b-1 Trustees, on not more than sixty (60) days' written notice. Agreements entered into pursuant to this Plan shall terminate automatically upon their assignment.

7.      This Plan and any agreements entered into pursuant to this Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent by the Trust for distribution pursuant to paragraph 2 of this Plan without approval by a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities.

8.      All material amendments to this Plan, or any agreements entered into pursuant to this Plan, shall be approved by the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the 12b-1 Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on any such amendment.

9.      So long as this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Trust's trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, shall be committed to the discretion of the 12b-1 Trustees. 1

10.      This Plan shall take effect on September 4, 2008.

____________________________________

2 .      It is the current position of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that a Trust adopting a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act commit to having a majority of its Board of Trustees comprised of trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust. The Trust currently complies with such provision and has undertaken to comply with such provision of Rule 12b-1 so long as it is in effect.


 

SCHEDULE A
to the
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION PURSUANT TO RULE 12b-1

Dated September 4, 2008

Fund

IndexEdge® Long-Term Portfolio Fund

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST

RULE 18f-3 PLAN OF THE
INDEXEDGE LONG-TERM PORTFOLIO FUND

WHEREAS, Valued Advisers Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, engages in business as an open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and

WHEREAS, the Trust, with respect to its series, IndexEdge Long-Term Portfolio Fund (the “Fund”), desires to adopt this multiple class plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act;
WHEREAS, the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, employs IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC (the “Adviser”) as its adviser; Unified Fund Services, Inc. (the “Administrator”) as its transfer agent, fund accountant, and administrator; and Unified Financial Securities, Inc. (the “Distributor”) as its principal underwriter in connection with the sale of shares of the Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”), have determined that, in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties, the Plan, including the expense allocation, is in the best interests of each class of the Fund, as set forth on Schedule A (each a “Class”), and the Trust as a whole; the Board desires to adopt the Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, hereby adopts this Plan, in accordance with Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act on the following terms and conditions:

A.       Features and Differences Among Classes . The Fund shall offer, at the discretion of the Board, those classes of shares of the Fund as set forth on Schedule A, as may be amended from time to time. Each class of the Fund shall represent an equal pro rata interest in the Fund and, generally shall have identical voting, dividend, distribution, liquidation, and other rights, preferences, powers, restrictions, limitations, qualifications, and terms and conditions, except that:

      (1)      each class of shares shall have a different designation;

(2)     each class of shares shall bear only those class expenses particular to such class, as defined in Section C below, including if applicable, fees related to the provision of shareholder services and fees payable pursuant to the plan of distribution adopted under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (“Distribution Plan”);

(3)      each class shall have exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to such class’ distribution arrangements; and

(4)      each class shall have separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one class differs from the interests of any other class. In addition, Class A shares and Investor shares of the Fund shall have the features described in Sections B and C below.

B.       Description of Classes . The Fund shall offer the following classes of shares on the terms set forth below:

(1)      Class A shares . Class A shares of the Fund shall be offered at net asset value per share (“NAV”) plus an initial sales charge of 5.75%, which may be reduced or eliminated for certain investors, as set forth in the Fund’s then-current prospectus. Class A shares may be exchanged for Class A Shares of another Fund of the Trust. The Distribution Plan for Class A shares authorizes the Trust to make payments for distribution and/or shareholder services at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Class A shares. Payments for shareholder services are limited to 0.25%. If $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares are purchased without a sales charge and are redeemed within eighteen (18) months of purchase, those shares are subject to a 1.00% deferred sales charge upon redemption. Certain investors may not be subject to the 1.00% deferred sales charge upon redemptions, as set forth in the Fund’s then-current prospectus.

(2)       Investor shares . Investor shares of the Fund shall be offered at their then-current NAV without the imposition of an initial sales charge. Investor shares may be exchanged for no-load shares of another Fund of the Trust with for which Adviser serves as investment adviser.

C.       Allocation of Class Income and Expenses .

(1)      The NAV of all outstanding shares representing interests in the Fund shall be computed on the same days and at the same time. For purposes of computing NAV, the gross investment income of the Fund shall be allocated to each class on the basis of the relative net assets of each class at the beginning of the day, adjusted for capital share activity for each class as of the prior day as reported by the Administrator. Realized and unrealized gains and losses for each class will be allocated based on relative net assets at the beginning of the day, adjusted for capital share activity for each class of the prior day, as reported by the Administrator. To the extent practicable, certain expenses (other than Class Expenses as defined below, which shall be allocated more specifically), shall be allocated to each class based on the relative net assets of each class at the beginning of the day, adjusted for capital share activity for each class as of the prior day, as reported by the Administrator. Allocated expenses to each class shall be subtracted from allocated gross income. These expenses include:

(a)      Expenses incurred by the Trust (for example, fees of directors, auditors, and insurance costs) that are not attributable to a particular class of shares of the Fund (“Trust Level Expenses”); and

(b)     Expenses incurred by the Fund that are not attributable to any particular class of the Fund’s shares (for example, advisory fees, custodial fees, banking charges, and organizational costs) (“Fund Expenses”).

(2)      Expenses attributable to a particular class (“Class Expenses”) shall be limited to:

(a)      payments made pursuant to the Distribution Plan (where applicable) and/or shareholder servicing fees;

   (b)      transfer agent and sub-transfer agent fees attributable to the specific class;

(c)      printing and postage expenses related to preparing and distributing materials such as shareholder reports, prospectuses and proxies to current shareholders of the specific class;

(d)      the expense of administrative personnel and services and sub-administrative services to support the shareholders of the specific class, including, but not limited to, fees and expenses under an administrative service agreement;

   (e)      litigation or other legal expenses relating solely to the particular class; and
   (f)      trustees’ fees incurred as a result of issues relating to the particular class.

Expenses in category (a) of subsection (2) above must be allocated to the class for which such expenses are incurred. All other “Class Expenses” listed in categories (b)-(f) of subsection (2) above may be allocated to a class but only if an officer of the Trust has determined, subject to Board approval or ratification, which of such categories of expenses will be treated as Class Expenses consistent with applicable legal principles under the 1940 Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”).

(3)      Therefore, expenses of the Fund shall be apportioned to each class of shares depending on the nature of the expense item. Trust Level Expenses and Fund Expenses shall be allocated among the classes of shares based on their relative net asset values. Approved Class Expenses shall be allocated to the particular class to which they are attributable. In addition, certain expenses may be allocated differently if their method of imposition changes. Thus, if a Class Expense can no longer be attributed to a class, it shall be charged to the Fund for allocation among the classes, as determined by the Board. Any additional Class Expenses not specifically identified above that are subsequently identified and determined to be properly allocated to one class of shares shall not be so allocated until approved by the Board in light of the requirements of the 1940 Act and the Code.

D.       Waiver or Reimbursement of Expenses . Expenses may be waived or reimbursed by the Adviser or any other provider of services to the Fund without the prior approval of the Board.

E.       Board Approval . This Plan shall take effect as of the date the Fund’s shares are first offered for sale to the public, following approval of the Plan, together with any related agreements by vote of a majority of both (1) the Board of Trustees and (2) the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting or meetings called for the purpose of voting on this Plan.

Prior to approving the Plan or any material amendment thereto, a majority of the Trustees and Independent Trustees shall find that the Plan as proposed to be adopted or amended, including the expense allocation, is in the best interests of each class of the Fund individually and the Fund as a whole.

F.       Limitation of Liability . The Board of Trustees of the Trust and the shareholders of the Fund shall not be liable for any obligations of the Fund under this Plan, and any person in asserting any rights or claims under this Plan shall look only to the assets and property of the Fund in settlement of such right or claim and not to the Trustees or shareholders.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has adopted this multiple class Rule 18f-3 Plan effective as of the ___ day of September, 2008.


Schedule A
to the
Rule 18f-3 Plan
for
Valued Advisers Trust
 

Dated: ______________, 2008

FUND                                                                   CLASSES               

IndexEdge Long-Term Portfolio Fund                    Class A shares
                                                                             Investor shares

CODE OF ETHICS

of

Valued Advisers Trust

(Dated September 4, 2008)

 

WHEREAS, Valued Advisers Trust (“Trust”), is a registered investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), which is authorized to issue its shares of beneficial interest in separate series representing the interests in separate funds of securities and other assets (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”);

 

WHEREAS, the Trust, as of the date first written above, consists of those series described on Schedule 1 and which are served by those investment advisers (individually and collectively, “Adviser”) shown on Schedule 1;

 

WHEREAS, Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act makes it unlawful for certain persons, including trustees, officers, and other investment personnel of the Trust and any Fund of the Trust, to engage in fraudulent, manipulative, or deceptive conduct in connection with their personal trading of securities “held or to be acquired” by any Fund of the Trust;

 

WHEREAS, Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act requires the Trust, the Adviser and in certain cases the Distributor, as defined herein, to adopt a code of ethics and to establish procedures reasonably designed to: (i) govern the personal securities activities of Access Persons, as defined herein; (ii) with respect to those personal securities transactions, prevent the employment of any device, scheme, artifice, practice, or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on the Trust or any Fund; and (iii) otherwise prevent personal trading prohibited by the Rule;

 

WHEREAS, the policies, restrictions, and procedures included in this Code of Ethics are designed to prevent violations of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act; and

 

 

WHEREAS, the Trust desires to amend and restate its Code of Ethics;



 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts this Code of Ethics (“Code”) for the Trust and each Fund of the Trust to read in its entirety as follows:

 

A.

Statement of Fiduciary Principles



 

 

This Code is based on three underlying fiduciary principles:



 

 

1.

our duty at all times to place the interests of our shareholders first;



 

 

2.

the requirement that all our personal securities transactions be conducted consistent with this Code and in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflicts of interest or any abuse of an individual’s position of trust and responsibility; and



 

 

3.

the fundamental standard that our investment personnel should not take inappropriate advantage of their positions.



 

B.

Unlawful Actions



 

Rule 17j-1(b) under the 1940 Act makes it unlawful for any trustee, officer or other Access Person of the Trust, in connection with the purchase or sale by such person of a “security held or to be acquired” by the Trust or any Fund of the Trust:

 

 

1.

To employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud the Trust or a Fund;



 

 

2.

To make to the Trust or a Fund any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state to the Trust or a Fund a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;



 

 

3.

To engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the Trust or a Fund; or



 

 

4.

To engage in any manipulative practice with respect to the Trust or a Fund.



 

C.

Definitions



 

 

1.

Access Person ” shall mean: (a) any trustee, director, officer, general partner, or Advisory Person (as defined below) of the Trust or any Fund of the Trust or the Adviser thereof; or (b) any director, officer, or general partner of a Distributor who, in the ordinary course of his or her business, makes, participates in, or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of securities for any Fund of the Trust for which the principal underwriter so acts or whose functions or duties as part of the ordinary course of his or her business relate to the making of any recommendation to any Fund of the Trust regarding the purchase and sale of securities.



 

 

2.

An “ Advisory Person ” shall mean any employee of the Trust or any Fund of the Trust or of the Adviser (or of any company in a control relationship thereto) who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes, participates in, or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of securities for any Fund of the Trust or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to such purchases or sales, and any natural person in a control relationship with the Trust or any Fund of the Trust or the Adviser who obtains information concerning recommendations made to any Fund of the Trust regarding the purchase or sale of Covered Securities by the Fund and such term includes any Portfolio Manager or Investment Personnel (as described below). A person is not an Advisory Person (or an Access Person) simply by virtue of the following:



 

 

(a)

normally assisting in the preparation of public reports, or receiving public reports, but not receiving information about current recommendations or trading; or



 

 

(b)

a single instance of obtaining knowledge of current recommendations or trading activity, or infrequently and inadvertently obtaining such knowledge.



 

 

3.

Beneficial Ownership for the purposes of this Code shall be interpreted in a manner that is consistent with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“1934 Act”), and Rule 16a-1(a)(2) thereunder, which generally speaking, encompasses those situations in which the beneficial owner has the right to enjoy some direct or indirect “pecuniary interest” (i.e., some economic benefit) from the ownership of a security. It also includes securities held by members of a person’s immediate family sharing the same household; provided, however, this presumption may be rebutted. The term immediate family means any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law and includes adoptive relationships. Any report of beneficial ownership required thereunder shall not be construed as an admission that the person making the report has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the Covered Securities to which the report relates.



 

 

4.

Board of Trustees ” shall mean the Board of Trustees of the Trust.



 

 

5

Code ” shall mean this Code of Ethics of the Trust.

 

6.

“Compliance Officer” In this regard, the Adviser and the Distributor each shall appoint a compliance officer, which person shall be designated by the Board of Trustees as a “Compliance Officer” with respect to the Adviser or the Distributor, as applicable. The purpose of this arrangement is for each such compliance officer of the Adviser or Distributor to monitor compliance with this Code with respect to all Access Persons covered hereunder who are associated with the Adviser or Distributor, as applicable, including: approving personal securities transactions and receiving reports for all Access Persons hereunder who are associated with the Adviser or Distributor, as applicable. In turn, the Compliance Officer of the Adviser and the Distributor shall report at least quarterly to the Review Officer all material violations of this Code, or any other code of ethics to which an Access Person may be subject and which covers that Access Person’s duties and responsibilities with respect to the Funds (“Related Code”), that occurred during the past quarter to the extent that such violations relate to the Trust. For purposes of this Code, when “Applicable Review Officer” is referenced, it shall mean the applicable Compliance Officer as it relates to Access Persons covered hereunder who are associated with the Advisor or Distributor and shall mean the Review Officer with respect to the Trust as it relates to all other Access Persons.



 

 

7.

Control ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. Control means the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or polices of a company, unless such power is solely the result of an official position with such company. Any person who owns beneficially, either directly or through one or more controlled companies, more than 25 percent of the voting securities of a company shall be presumed to control such company. Any person who does not so own more than 25 percent of the voting securities of any company shall be presumed not to control such company.



 

 

8.

Covered Security ” means a “security” as set forth in Section 2(a)(36) of the 1940 Act, and generally includes all securities, whether publicly or privately traded, and any option, future, forward contract or other obligation involving a security or index thereof, including an instrument whose value is derived or based on any of the above (i.e., a derivative). The term Covered Security also includes any separate security, which is convertible into or exchangeable for, or which confers a right to purchase such security. A Covered Security does not include: (a) direct obligations of the U.S. Government; (b) bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; and (c) shares of registered open-end investment companies.



 

 

9.

Disinterested Trustee ” of the Trust means a Trustee of the Trust who is not an “interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.



 

 

10.

Distributor ” means the principal underwriter of the Trust or the Funds of the Trust that is an affiliated person of the Trust, any Fund of the Trust or the Adviser or an officer, director or general partner of such the principal underwriter serves as an officer, director, trustee or general partner of the Trust, any Fund of the Trust or the Adviser.



 

 

11.

Initial Public Offering ” means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act.



 

 

12.

Investment Personnel ” of a Fund or the Adviser means: (a) any employee of the Trust or any Fund or the Adviser (or any company in a control relationship to the Trust, Fund or the Adviser) who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes or participates in making recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of securities by any Fund and such term includes any portfolio manager of the Fund; or (b) any natural person who controls the Trust, Fund or the Adviser and who obtains information concerning recommendations made to any Fund regarding the purchase or sale of securities by any Fund.



 

 

13.

Limited Offering ” means an offering that is exempt from registration under the 1933 Act pursuant to Section 4(2) or Section 4(6) or pursuant to Rules 504, 505 or 506 under the 1933 Act.



 

 

14.

Non-Covered Security ” shall mean those securities not included in the definition of Covered Securities, such as: (a) direct obligations of the Government of the United States, (b) bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements, (c) shares of registered open-end investment companies, or (d) other securities as may be excepted under the provisions of Rule 17j-1.



  

 

15.

“Purchase or sale of a Covered Security ” includes, among other things, the writing of an option to purchase or sell a Covered Security.



 

 

16.

Review Officer ” means, with respect to the Trust, the Secretary of the Trust or such other person(s) as may be designated by the Board of Trustees. The Review Officer of the Trust shall: (a) approve transactions, receive reports and otherwise monitor compliance with this Code with respect to all Access Persons not otherwise associated with the Adviser or the Distributor; (b) receive reports from any Compliance Officer (defined below) designated hereunder; (c) report at least quarterly to the Board of Trustees all material violations of this Code and any Related Code (defined below) that occurred during the past calendar quarter; and (d) report at least annually to the Board of Trustees the information listed in Section E.7.(b.) below. The Review Officer shall initial each report required by Section E.1(a)-(c) at the time the Review Officer reviews such report to confirm that the report was reviewed. In the event the Review Officer is considered an Access Person under this Code, the Trust’s Assistant Secretary, or such other person as may be designated by the Board of Trustees, shall approve transactions, receive reports and otherwise monitor compliance with this Code with respect to the Review Office.



 

 

17.

A Covered Security is for purposes of this Code being “ held or to be acquired ” by any Fund if, within the most recent 15 days, the Covered Security: (a) is or has been held by a Fund; (b) is being or has been considered by a Fund or the Adviser for purchase by the Fund; or (c) any option to purchase or sell, any Covered Security convertible into or exchangeable for, a Covered Security described in (a) or (b) of this paragraph.



 

 

18.

A Covered Security is “ being considered for purchase or sale ” when, among other things, a recommendation to purchase or sell a security for a Fund has been made and communicated and, with respect to the person making the recommendation,



when such person seriously considers making such a recommendation.

 

D.

Statement of General Principles on Personal Investment Activities



 

 

1.

No Violations of Rule 17j-1 . It is the policy of the Trust that no Access Person of the Trust or of a Fund shall engage in any act, practice or course of conduct that would violate the provisions of Rule 17j-1(b) or this Code.

 

2.

Blackout Periods . The price paid or received by the Fund for any investment should not be affected by a buying or selling interest on the part of an Access Person, or otherwise result in an inappropriate advantage to the Access Person. To that end:



 

 

(a)

No Access Person shall enter an order for the purchase or sale of a security on the day during which any Fund within the Trust’s family of investment companies has a pending buy or sell order in that same security until after the Fund’s order is executed or withdrawn;



 

 

(b)

Investment Personnel may not buy or sell a security within 3 days before and after the Fund trades in the security, unless the Applicable Review Officer determines that it is clear that, in view of the nature of the investment and the market for such investment, the order will not affect the price paid or received by the Fund.



  

Provided, however, that the above prohibitions shall not apply to Disinterested Trustees except if they have actual knowledge of trading by any Fund. The above prohibition shall also not apply to Access Persons of a particular Fund who do not, in the ordinary course of fulfilling their official duties, have access to current information regarding the purchase and sale of securities for that Fund; provided that securities investments effected by such Access Persons during the prescribed periods are not effected with knowledge of the purchase or sale of the same or equivalent securities by that Fund.

 

 

3.

Disclosure of Interested Transactions. No Access Person shall recommend any transactions with respect to a Covered Security by any Fund of the Trust without first disclosing his or her interest, if any, in such Covered Securities or the issuer thereof, including without limitation:



 

(a)           any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership of any Covered Securities of such issuer;

 

 

(b)

any contemplated transaction by such Access Person in such Covered Securities;



             (c)           ay position with the issuer of the Covered Securities or its affiliates; and

(d)          any present or proposed business relationship between the issuer of the Covered Securities or its affiliates and such Access Person or any entity in which such Access Person has a significant interest.

 

 

4.

Initial Public Offerings (“IPOs”) . No Investment Personnel shall acquire, directly or indirectly, any Beneficial Ownership in any IPO with respect to any security without first obtaining prior approval of the Applicable Review Officer for that Investment Personnel, which Applicable Review Officer: (a) has been provided by such Investment Personnel with full details of the proposed transaction (including written certification that the investment opportunity did not arise by virtue of the Investment Personnel’s activities on behalf of the Trust or any Fund); and (b) has concluded, after consultation with other Investment Personnel of the Trust or the relevant Fund (who have no personal interest in the issuer involved in the private placement), that the Trust or the relevant Fund has no foreseeable interest in purchasing such security. Records of such approvals by the Applicable Review Officer and the reasons supporting those decisions must be kept as required in Section G.1.f.



 

 

5.

Limited Offerings . No Investment Personnel shall acquire, directly or indirectly, Beneficial Ownership of any security in a Limited Offering without first obtaining the prior written approval of the Applicable Review Officer, which Applicable Review Officer: (a) has been provided by such Investment Personnel with full details of the proposed transaction (including written certification that the investment opportunity did not arise by virtue of the Investment Personnel’s activities on behalf of the Trust or any Fund); and (b) has concluded, after consultation with other Investment Personnel of the Trust or the relevant Fund (who have no personal interest in the issuer involved in the private placement), that the Trust or the relevant Fund has no foreseeable interest in purchasing such security. Records of such approvals by the Applicable Review Officer and the reasons supporting those decisions must be kept as required in Section G.1.f.



 

6.            Acceptance of Gifts . Investment Personnel must not accept gifts of more than a de minimus value (currently $100 or less) from any entity doing business with or on behalf of the Fund or the Advisor, unless pre-approved by the Applicable Review Officer.

 

 

7.

Service on Boards . Investment Personnel shall not serve on the boards of directors of publicly traded companies, or in any similar capacity, absent the prior approval of such service by the Applicable Review Officer following the receipt of a written request for such approval. In the event such a request is approved, procedures shall be developed to avoid potential conflicts of interest.



 

 

8.

Short-Term Trades . No Investment Personnel may profit from the purchase and sale or sale and purchase of any security within a 60 calendar day period, unless the transaction was authorized by the Applicable Review Officer.



 

 

9.

Exempt Transactions . The prohibited activities set forth in this Section D shall not apply to:



 

 

(a)

purchases, sales or other transactions effected in any account over which such person has no direct or indirect influence or control or other Beneficial Ownership Interest;



 

 

(b)

purchases that are part of an automatic dividend reinvestment plan;



 

 

(c)

purchases effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent such rights were acquired from such issuer, and sales of such rights so acquired;



 

 

(d)

any equity securities transaction, or series of related transactions effected over a 30 calendar day period, involving 500 shares or less in the aggregate, if:



 

 

(i)

the Access Person has no prior knowledge of activity in such security by any Fund; and



 

 

(ii)

the issuer is listed on the New York Stock Exchange or has a market capitalization (outstanding shares multiplied by the current price per share) greater than $1 billion (or a corresponding market capitalization in foreign markets).



 

 

(e)

any fixed income securities transactions, or series of related transactions effected over a 30 calendar day period, involving 100 units ($100,000 principal amount) or less in the aggregate, if the Access Person has no prior knowledge of transactions in such securities by any Fund.

E.

Reporting Procedures



 

 

1.

Reporting by Access Persons . In order to provide the Trust with information to enable it to determine with reasonable assurance whether the provisions of Rule 17j-1 and this Code are being observed by its Access Persons, each Access Person of the Trust shall submit the following reports in the forms or substantially similar to the forms attached hereto as Exhibits A-D to the Applicable Review Officer (or his or her delegate) showing all transactions in securities in which the person has, or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership, except for exempt transactions listed under Section D.9(a) above:

 

(a)

Initial Holdings Report. On the form provided in Exhibit A (or similar form) every Access Person must report to the Applicable Review Officer no later than 10 days after that person becomes an Access Person, the following information (which information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days before the report is submitted):



 

 

(i)

the title, number of shares and principal amount of each Covered Security in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership when the person became an Access Person;



 

 

(ii)

the name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person maintained an account in which any securities, including Covered Securities, were held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person as of the date the person became an Access Person; and



 

 

(iii)

the date that the report is submitted by the Access Person.



 

 

(b)

Quarterly Report. Quarterly securities transaction reports, on each of the forms provided in Exhibits B and C (or similar forms) shall be made by every Access Person no later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter. No such periodic report needs to be made if the report would duplicate information required to be recorded under Rule 204-2(a)(12) or Rule 204-2(a)(13) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, or information contained in broker trade confirmations or account statements received by the Applicable Review Officer no later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter. The forms shall contain the following information:

 

(i)

with respect to any transaction during the quarter in a Covered Security in which the Access Person has a direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership, the following information is required to be provided on the form in Exhibit B (or similar form):

 

a.

the date of the transaction, the title, the interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares, and the principal amount of each Covered Security in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership;



 

 

b.

the nature of the transaction ( i . e ., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition);



 

 

c.

the price of the Covered Security at which the transaction was effected;



 

 

d.

the name of the broker, dealer, or bank with or through whom the transaction was effected;



 

 

e.

the date that the report is submitted by the Access Person; and



 

 

(ii)

with respect to any new account established by the Access Person in which securities were held during the quarter for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person, the following information is required to be provided on the form in Exhibit C (or similar form):



 

 

a.

the name of the broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person established the account;



 

 

b.

the date the account was established; and



 

 

c.

the date the report is submitted by the Access Person.



 

(c)           Annual Reports. Every Access Person must annually report to the Applicable Review Officer on the form provided in Exhibit D (or similar form), no later than 45 days after the end of each calendar year, the following information (which information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days before the report is submitted):

 

 

(i)

the title, number of shares and principal amount of each Covered Security in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership;



 

 

(ii)

the name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person maintains an account in which any securities, including Covered Securities, are held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person; and



 

 

(iii)

the date that the report is submitted by the Access Person.

 

2.

Duplicate Copies of Trade Confirmations and Periodic Statements . Each Access Person, with respect to each brokerage account in which such Access Person has any beneficial interest, shall arrange that the broker shall mail directly to the Applicable Review Officer at the same time they are mailed or furnished to such Access Person:



 

 

(a)

duplicate copies of the broker’s trade confirmation covering each transaction in securities in such account; and



 

 

(b)

copies of periodic statements with respect to the account;



 

provided, however, that such duplicate copies need not be filed for transaction involving Non-Covered Securities. This requirement also may be waived by the Applicable Review Officer in situations when the Applicable Review Officer determines that duplicate copies are unnecessary.

 

A Form of Brokerage Letter is attached to this Code as Exhibit E. In order to help

ensure that duplicate brokerage confirmations are received for all accounts pertaining to an Access Person, such Access Person is required to complete and send a brokerage letter similar to Exhibit E annually to each broker maintaining an account on behalf of the Access Person.

 

 

3.

Notification; Annual Certification . The Applicable Review Officer (or his or her delegate) shall notify each Access Person of the Trust who may be required to make reports pursuant to this Code, that such person is subject to reporting requirements and shall deliver a copy of this Code to each such person. The Applicable Review Officer shall annually obtain written assurances in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F from each Access Person that he or she is aware of his or her obligations under this Code and has complied with the Code and with its reporting requirements.



 

 

4.

Disclaimer of Beneficial Ownership . Any report under this section may contain a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by the person making such report that he or she has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the security to which the report relates.



 

 

5.

Exemptions . The requirements of Sections E.1-E.3 above shall not apply in the following situations unless the Applicable Review Officer determines that such requirements are needed to comply with Section D.1. of this Code:



 

 

(a)

If the Access Person is covered by a Related Code of Ethics, then the reports required under this Code may be submitted in the form required by the Related Code of Ethics, provided the report contains the information required herein. Notwithstanding the forgoing, all Access Persons must submit the annual certification required in Section E.3 above.



 

 

(b)

No Disinterested Trustee need make a report with respect to his initial holdings, as required by Section E.1.(a) above, or an annual report, as required by Section E.1.(c) above solely by reason of being a Trustee of the Trust.



 

 

(c)

No Disinterested Trustee need make any quarterly transaction reports with respect to any Covered Security, as required by Section E.1.(b) above, unless the Disinterested Trustee knew at the time of the transaction, or in the ordinary course of fulfilling his official duties as a Trustee, or should have known, that during the 15-day period immediately preceding or following the date of the transaction (or such period prescribed by applicable law) such Covered Security was purchased or sold, or was being considered for purchase or sale, by any Fund.



 

 

(d)

No Disinterested Trustee need provide duplicate copies of trade confirmations and periodic statement as required by Section E.2. above, if exempted from making reports under Sections E.5.(b) and (c) above.



     

          

(e)

No Access Person to the Adviser need make a quarterly transaction report to the Adviser under this Code if all the information in the report would duplicate information required to be recorded under Rule 204-2(a)(12) or Rule 204-2(a)(13) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. No Access Person need make a quarterly transaction report under this Code if the quarterly transaction report would duplicate information contained in broker trade confirmations or account statements received by the Trust, any Fund, or the Adviser with respect to the Access Person in the time period required by this Code, if all of the information required by this Code is contained in the broker trade confirmations or account statements, or in the records of the Trust, any Fund, or Adviser.



 

 

(f)

No Access Person to the Distributor need make the reports under this Code as required by this Section E if the Distributor is not an affiliated person of the Trust, any Fund of the Trust or Adviser and the Distributor has no officer, director or general partner who serves as an officer, director, trustee or general partner of the Trust, any Fund of the Trust or the Adviser.



 

 

6.

Reporting to the Review Officer . At least quarterly, each Adviser’s and Distributor’s Compliance Officer (or his or her delegate) shall furnish the Review Officer with a report with respect to any material violations of this Code by Assess Persons who are associated with the Advisor or Distributor, as applicable, and any procedures or sanctions imposed in response to the violations and such other information as may be reasonably requested by the Review Officer.



 

 

7.

Review by the Board of Trustees .



 

 

(a)

Quarterly Reports. At least quarterly, the Review Officer shall prepare and provide a written report to the Board of Trustees with respect to all issues, under the Code, that have occurred since the last quarterly report to the Board, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the Code or the procedures and sanctions imposed in response to those violations.



 

 

(b)

Annual Reports. At least annually, the Review Officer and the Compliance Officers of the Adviser and the Distributor shall each prepare and provide a written report to the Board of Trustees that:

 

(i)

provides a summary of any material violations that occurred during the past year requiring significant remedial action and any sanctions imposed;



 

 

(ii)

describes any material procedural changes made during the past



year;

 

(iii)

describes any recommended material changes to this Code or any related code or procedures; and



 

 

(iv)

certifies to the Board, in the form provided in Exhibit G (or a similar form), that the Trust or Adviser or Distributor has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating their respective codes.



 

 

8.

Approval of Related Codes of Ethics .



 

 

(a)

Approval of Codes of Ethics of Any Investment Adviser . The Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Disinterested Trustees, must approve (a) the code of ethics of the Adviser and any new investment adviser or sub-adviser to a Fund and (b) any material changes to those codes. Prior to approving a code of ethics for the Adviser or any new investment adviser or sub-adviser, or any material change thereto, the Board of Trustees must receive a certification from such entity that it has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating its code of ethics. The Board of Trustees must approve the code of ethics of the Adviser and any new adviser before initially retaining the services of such party. The Board of Trustees must approve a material change to a code of ethics no later than six (6) months after adoption of the material change.



 

 

(b)

Approval of Codes of Ethics for any Distributor . The Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Disinterested Trustees, must approve (a) the code of ethics of the Distributor and any new principal underwriter for the Trust or any Fund of the Trust and (b) any material changes to those codes. Prior to approving a code of ethics for the Distributor or any new principal underwriter for the Trust or any Fund of the Trust, or any material change thereto, the Board of Trustees must receive a certification from such entity that it has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating its code of ethics. The Board of Trustees must approve the code of ethics of the Distributor and any new principal underwriter for the Trust or any Fund of the Trust before initially retaining the services of such party. The Board of Trustees must approve a material change to a code of ethics no later than six (6) months after adoption of the material change.



 

 

9.

Notices by Applicable Review Officer . The Applicable Review Officer shall notify each Access Person and Investment Personnel who may be required to preclear transactions and/or make reports pursuant to the Code that such person is subject to the Code and shall deliver a copy of this Code to each such person. Any amendments to the Code shall be similarly furnished to each such person



  

F.

Review and Sanctions



 

 

1.

Review by Applicable Review Officer . The Applicable Review Officer (or his or her delegate) shall from time to time review the reported securities transactions of Access Persons for compliance with this Code.



 

 

2.

Sanctions for Violations by Trustees, Executive Officers, and Other Access Persons (Other than Disinterested Trustees ). If any violation of this Code is determined to have occurred, the Applicable Review Officer (or, with respect to material violations, the Board of Trustees, if they so choose) may impose sanctions and take such other actions as he or she deems appropriate, including, among other things, requiring that the trades in question be reversed, requiring the disgorgement of profits or gifts, issuing a letter of caution or warning, issuing a suspension of personal trading rights or suspension of employment (with or without compensation), imposing a fine, making a civil referral to the SEC, making a criminal referral, and/or terminating employment for cause. All sanctions and other actions taken shall be in accordance with applicable employment laws and regulations. Any profits or gifts forfeited shall be paid to the applicable Fund for the benefit of its shareholders or given to a charity, as the Applicable Review Officer (or Board of Trustees) shall determine is appropriate. If the Compliance Officer of the Advisor or the Distributor determines that a material violation of this Code has occurred, he or she shall promptly report the violation to the Review Officer or the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. If the Review Officer determines that a material violation of this Code has occurred, he or she shall promptly report the violation to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. All material violations of the Code and any sanctions imposed as a result thereto shall be reported at the next regularly scheduled meeting to the Board of Trustees.



 

 

3.

Sanctions for Violations by Disinterested Trustees . If the Review Officer determines that any Disinterested Trustee has violated, or apparently violated, this Code he or she shall so advise the Disinterested Trustees (other than the person whose transaction is at issue) and shall provide such persons with the report, the record of pertinent actual or contemplated portfolio transactions of any affected Fund and any additional information supplied by such person. If a violation is determined to have occurred, the Disinterested Trustees (other than the person whose transaction is at issue), at their option, shall either impose such sanctions as they deem appropriate or refer the matter to the full Board of Trustees, which shall impose such sanctions as it deems appropriate.



  

G.

Miscellaneous



 

 

1.

Records . The Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor shall maintain records at their principal place of business in the manner and to the extent set forth below, which records may be maintained electronically under the conditions described in Rule 31a-2(f) under the 1940 Act, and shall be available for examination by representatives of the Securities and Exchange Commission:



 

 

(a)

a copy of this Code and any other code that is, or at any time within the past five years has been, in effect shall be preserved in an easily accessible place;



 

 

(b)

a record of any violation of this Code, and of any action taken as a result of such violation, shall be preserved in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than five years following the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurs;



 

 

(c)

a copy of each report made pursuant to this Code shall be preserved for a period of not less than five years from the end of the fiscal year in which it is made, the first two years in an easily accessible place;



 

 

(d)

a list of all persons who are required, or within the past five years have been required, to make reports pursuant to this Code shall be maintained in an easily accessible place;



 

 

(e)

a copy of each report to the Board of Trustees shall be preserved by the Trust for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which it is made, the first two years in an easily accessible place;



 

 

maintain a record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision to approve the acquisition by any Investment Personnel of shares in any IPO or Limited Offering for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which the approval is granted, the first two years in an easily accessible place; and



 

 

any other information as may be required by Rule 17j-1(f).



 

 

2.

Confidentiality . All reports of securities transactions and any other information filed pursuant to this Code shall be treated as confidential, except that the same may be disclosed to the Board of Trustees, to any regulatory or self-regulatory authority or agency upon its request, or as required by law or court or administrative order.



 

 

3.

Amendment; Interpretation of Provisions . The Board of Trustees may from time to time amend this Code or adopt such interpretations of this Code, as it deems appropriate.



 

 


EXHIBIT A

 

CODE OF ETHICS

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST

 

Initial Holdings Report

As of the below date, I held the following position in these securities in which I may be deemed to have a direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership, and which are required to be reported pursuant to Valued Advisers Trust’s Code of Ethics:

 

Security or Account name*

No. of
Shares

Principal

Amount

Broker/Dealer or
Bank Where

Account is Held

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

* All accounts must be listed (including Non-Covered Securities).

 

This report (i) excludes transactions with respect to which I had no direct or indirect influence or control, (ii) excludes other transaction not required to be reported because such securities are exclude form the definition of “Covered Security” under the Code of Ethics of Valued Advisers Trust, and (iii) is not an admission that I have or had any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership in the securities listed above.

Date: ____________________________

Signature: _____________________



 

Print Name: ____________________



 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

CODE OF ETHICS

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST

Securities Transaction Report

 

For the Calendar Quarter Ended: ______________________________

(mo./day/yr.)

During the quarter referred to above, the following transactions were effected in securities of which I had, or by reason of such transaction acquired, direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership, and which are required to be reported pursuant to Valued Advisers Trust’s Code of Ethics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Security

 

 

Price of the Transaction

 

 

Date of the Transaction

No. of Shares and Principal Amount of the Security

 

Nature of Transaction (Purchase, Sale, Other)

 

Broker-Dealer or Bank Through Whom Effected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

This report (i) excludes transactions with respect to which I had no direct or indirect influence or control, (ii) excludes other transaction not required to be reported because such securities are exclude form the definition of “Covered Security” under the Code of Ethics of Valued Advisers Trust, and (iii) is not an admission that I have or had any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership in the securities listed above.

 

Date: ____________________________

Signature: ___________________



 

 

Print Name: ________________________



 

 

 


EXHIBIT C

CODE OF ETHICS

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST

 

Account Establishment Report

For the Calendar Quarter Ended: _____________________

 

(mo./day/yr.)



During the quarter referred to above, the following accounts were established for securities in which I may be deemed to have a direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership, and is required to be reported pursuant to Valued Advisers Trust’s Code of Ethics:

 

 

Broker/Dealer or

Bank Where

Account Was

Established

Date

Account Was

Established

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

Date: ____________________________

Signature: ____________________



 

 

                                                                                      Print Name: ___________________

 

 

 


 


EXHIBIT D

 

CODE OF ETHICS

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST

 

Annual Holdings Report

As of December 31, ___, I held the following positions in securities in which I may be deemed to have a direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership, and which are required to be reported pursuant to Valued Advisers Trust’s Code of Ethics:

 

 

Security or Account name*

No. of
Shares

Principal

Amount

Broker/Dealer or
Bank Where

Account is Held

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

* All accounts must be listed (including Non-Covered Securities).

 

This report is not an admission that I have or had any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership in the securities listed above.

 

 

Date: ____________________________

Signature: ____________________



 

 

Print Name: ____________________



 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT E

 

FORM OF BROKERAGE LETTER

 

[Date]

[Broker Name]

[Address]

 

RE:

Account No. __________________________ Account Name _____________________



Dear [Name]

As of [Date], please send to o , a duplicate confirmation of each transaction in the above-named account and the monthly brokerage account statement for the above-named account.

Please mail the confirmations and account statements to:

o __________________________

o __________________________

o __________________________

Attention: Compliance Officer/Review Officer

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

[Name]

cc: Compliance Officer/Review Officer

 

 

 

 


 


EXHIBIT F

CODE OF ETHICS

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST

Annual Certificate Of Compliance

 

For the Calendar Year Ended: _________________________

 

(mo./day/yr.)



 

As an Access Person as defined in Valued Advisers Trust’s Code of Ethics adopted pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“Code”), I hereby certify that I have read and understand the Code, recognize that I am subject to the Code, and intend to comply with the Code. I further certify that, during the calendar year specified above, and since my last Certificate of Compliance under the Code, I have complied with the requirements of the Code and have disclosed or reported all personal securities transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to the requirements of the Code.

 

______________________________

Signature

______________________________

Name (Please Print)

 

______________________________

Date

 

 

 

 

 


EXHIBIT G

 

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST

ADOPTION OF PROCEDURES PURSUANT TO RULE 17j-1 OF

THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

 

Pursuant to Rule 17j-1(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, ____________________________ does hereby certify that it has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent “Access Persons” from violating its Code of Ethics.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, of the undersigned Compliance Officer has executed this certificate as of _______________, ______.

 

 

__________________________

 

[Name]



 

 

__________________________

 

[Title]



 

 

 

 

 

 

 


SCHEDULE 1

 

 

FUNDS

ADVISERS



 

IndexEdge ® Long-Term Portfolio Fund               IndexEdge Investment Consulting, LLC 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

CODE OF ETHICS
 
UNIFIED FUND SERVICES, INC.
UNIFIED FINANCIAL SECURITIES, INC.
(As Amended March 27, 2008)
 
 

I. Statement of General Principles

     Unified Fund Services, Inc. and Unified Financial Securities, Inc. (collectively, "Unified") have adopted this Code of Ethics for the purpose of instructing all Covered Persons (defined below) in their ethical obligations and to provide rules for their personal securities transactions. All such persons owe a fiduciary duty to Unified's mutual fund portfolio accounting clients (each a "Client" and collectively, the "Clients") and to the underlying shareholders (the "Shareholders") of each Client's fund(s). A fiduciary duty means a duty of loyalty, fairness and good faith towards the Clients and the Shareholders, and the obligation to adhere not only to the specific provisions of this Code but to the general principles that guide the Code. These general principles are:
 

·     

The duty at all times to place the interest of Clients and Shareholders first;


·     

The requirement that all personal securities transactions be conducted in a manner consistent with the Code of Ethics and in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of any individual's position of trust and responsibility; and


·     

The fundamental standard that Covered Persons should not take inappropriate advantage of their position or of their relationship with Clients or Shareholders.




It is imperative that the personal trading activities of Covered Persons be conducted with the highest regard for these general principles in order to avoid any possible conflict of interest, any appearance of a conflict, or activities that could lead to disciplinary action. This includes executing transactions through or for the benefit of a third party when the transaction is not in keeping with the general principles of this Code.

All personal securities transactions must also comply with the general provisions of Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Based on those provisions, no Covered Person may, in connection with the purchase or sale of a Security:

·     

Employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud a Client or any Shareholder;


·     

Make to a Client or any Shareholder any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state to such Client or Shareholder a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;


·     

Engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon a Client or any Shareholder; or


·     

Engage in any manipulative practice with respect to the Client or any Shareholder.





II.     Definitions

     A. Beneficial Interest : the opportunity to directly or indirectly profit or otherwise obtain financial benefits from any interest in a security. Covered Persons should direct questions regarding the definition of Beneficial Interest to the Compliance Officer.
 
     B. Compliance Officer : the person or persons designated by Unified's Chief Executive Officer to be responsible for the implementation, operation and monitoring of this Code.
 
     C. Covered Person: (i) any permanent employee of Unified Fund Services, Inc. or Unified Financial Securities, Inc.; (ii) any temporary employee or temporary worker (through a temporary employment service) whose primary duties are within the Fund Accounting department or who is granted access to the Mutual Fund Accounting System; and (iii) any person for whom Unified Financial Securities, Inc. holds a securities license (“Registered Representative”).

     D. Covered Account : each account in which a Covered Person or a member of his or her family has any direct or indirect Beneficial Interest or over which such person exercises control or influence, including, but not limited to, any joint account, partnership, corporation, trust or estate. A Covered Person’s family members include the Covered Person’s spouse, minor children, any person living in the home of the Covered Person and any relative of the Covered Person (including in-laws) to whose support a Covered Person directly or indirectly contributes.
 
     E. Exempt Transactions : transactions which are 1) effected in an amount or in a manner over which the Covered Person has no direct or indirect influence or control, 2) pursuant to a systematic dividend reinvestment plan, systematic cash purchase plan or systematic withdrawal plan, 3) in connection with the exercise or sale of rights to purchase additional securities from an issuer and granted by such issuer pro-rata to all holders of a class of its securities, 4) in connection with the call by the issuer of a preferred stock or bond, 5) pursuant to the exercise by a second party of a put or call option, 6) closing transactions no more than five business days prior to the expiration of a related put or call option, 7) purchases or sales of Securities involving less than 2,000 shares of any Security included in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, 8) purchases or sales of Securities involving less than 2,000 shares of a Security of a company with a market capitalization in excess of $200 million and average daily trading volume in excess of 50,000 shares for the past ten trading days, and 9) purchases or sales of options contracts on a broad-based market index.

F. Related Securities : securities issued by the same issuer or issuer under common control, or when either security gives the holder any contractual rights with respect to the other security, including options, warrants or other convertible securities.

G. Securities : any note, stock, treasury stock, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, pre-organization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas or other mineral rights, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a "security", or any certificate or interest or participation in temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase (including options) any of the foregoing; except for the following: 1) securities issued by the government of the United States, 2) bankers' acceptances, 3) bank certificates of deposit, 4) commercial paper, and 5) shares of registered open-end investment companies (mutual funds). Instruments of affiliates and parents are included in this definition regardless of whether those instruments are publicly traded.

H. Securities Transaction : the purchase or sale, or any action to accomplish the purchase or sale, of a Security for a Covered Account. The term Securities Transaction does not include transactions executed by a Covered Person for the benefit of unaffiliated persons, such as investment advisory and brokerage clients.

III.     Personal Investment Guidelines

     A. Personal Accounts
 
          1. The Personal Investment Guidelines in this Section III do not apply to Exempt Transactions. Covered Persons must remember that regardless of the transaction's status as exempt or not exempt, the Covered Person’s fiduciary obligations remain unchanged.
 
          2. A Covered Person may not execute a Securities Transaction within five calendar days before or after a transaction in the same Security or a Related Security has been executed on behalf of a Client unless (a) the Covered Person sells the same Security after the Client sells the Security; or (b) the Covered Person purchases the same Security after the Client purchases the Security. In the case of Covered Persons who are permanent or temporary Unified employees or workers, this restriction applies only if the Covered Person knew, or in the ordinary course of fulfilling the duties of his or her position, should have known, that the same Security or a Related Security was or was to be purchased or sold for a Client or that such purchase or sale for a Client was being considered. In the case of Covered Persons who are Registered Representatives, this restriction applies only with regard to the Client with whom the Registered Representative is affiliated.
 
          3. Any transactions by a Covered Person involving a private placement must be authorized by the Compliance Officer, in writing, prior to the transaction. In connection with a private placement acquisition, the Compliance Officer will take into account, among other factors, whether the opportunity is being offered to the Covered Person by virtue of the Covered Person’s position with a Client or with Unified. Transactions in stocks of closely held affiliates or parents are included in this pre-clearance procedure, regardless of whether the stocks are publicly traded.
 
          4. Covered Persons are prohibited from acquiring any Securities in an initial public offering without the prior written approval of the Compliance Officer. This restriction is imposed in order to preclude any possibility of a Covered Person profiting improperly from the Covered Person’s position with a Client or with Unified.
 
     B. Other Restrictions
 
          1. Covered Persons are prohibited from serving on the boards of directors of publicly traded companies, absent prior authorization by the Compliance officer. The consideration of prior authorization will be based upon a determination that the board service will be consistent with the interests of Clients and Shareholders.
 
          2. No Covered Person may, in any calendar year, accept from a Client or vendor an amount in excess of $100 in the form of gifts or gratuities, or as compensation for services, without the Compliance Officer's prior written approval. If there is a question regarding receipt of a gift, gratuity or compensation, it is to be reviewed by the Compliance Officer.
 

IV. Compliance Procedures

     A. Initial Reporting Requirements
 
          1. Within ten days of the commencement of employment or association with Unified, each Covered Person is required to submit to the Compliance Officer:
 
               a. the names and account numbers of all of their personal brokerage accounts, brokerage accounts of members of their immediate families, and any brokerage accounts which they control or in which they or an immediate family member has Beneficial Interest, as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the commencement of employment or affiliation (See Exhibit A)
 
               b. a list of all personal Securities holdings as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the commencement of employment or affiliation (See Exhibit A)
 
               c. certification that the Covered Person has read and understands this Code and recognizes that he or she is subject to the Code (See Exhibit B)
 
          2. For each account referenced in (a) above, each Covered Person is required to furnish duplicate confirmations and statements to the Compliance Officer.
 
     B. Quarterly Reporting Requirements
 
          1. No later than 30 days after the close of each calendar quarter, each Covered Person must report to the Compliance Officer the following information with respect to transactions effected during the quarter in any Security in which the Covered Person has, or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership in the Security: (See Exhibit C)
 
               a. The date of the transaction, the name of the Security, the number of shares, and the principal amount
 
               b. The nature of the transaction (i.e. purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition)
 
               c. The price of the Security at which the transaction was effected
 
               d. the name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through whom the transaction was effected
 
          2. No later than 30 days after the close of each calendar quarter, each Covered Person must report to the Compliance Officer information regarding any trading account established by the Covered Person during the previous quarter with a broker, dealer or bank.     (See Exhibit C)
 
     C. Annual Reporting Requirements
 
          1. No later than January 31 of each year, each Covered Person is required to submit to the Compliance Officer:
 
               a. the names and account numbers of all of their personal brokerage accounts, brokerage accounts of members of their immediate families, and any brokerage accounts which they control or in which they or an immediate family member has Beneficial Ownership, as of December 31 of the prior year (See Exhibit D)
 
               b. a list of all personal Securities holdings as of December 31 of the prior year (See Exhibit D)
 
               c. certification that the Covered Person has read and understands this Code and whether the Covered Person has complied with the Code's requirements throughout the prior year (See Exhibit E)
 
     D. General Compliance Procedures
 
          1. The Compliance Officer will maintain a list of current Covered Persons.
 
          2. All Covered Persons must provide copies of all broker confirmations and periodic account statements to the Compliance Officer.
 
          3. The Compliance Officer will, on a quarterly basis, check all Securities Transaction Reports, and randomly check the trading confirmations provided by brokers, to verify that the Covered Persons have not violated the Code.
 
          4. If a Covered Person violates this Code, the Compliance Officer will report the violation to upper management personnel of Unified for appropriate remedial action which may include a reprimand of the Covered Person, disgorgement of profit received, termination of employment, or termination of affiliation with Unified.